How to Survive at the Academy - Chapter 193

To my mother at the main house,

I hope you are in good health. Since this isn’t an official letter, I’ll address you more affectionately as mother rather than as the head of our family.

It’s been several months since I began the graduation process at the Sylvania Academy. Everything is going smoothly, and it seems I’ll be able to complete the graduation requirements without any major issues. The preparations for the graduation exams are also progressing well.

There was a time when just seeing the name ‘Trissiana’ listed at the top of the Magic Department’s honor roll filled my heart with overwhelming pride… But now, as this long academic journey is nearing its end, I find myself feeling rather strange.

Once my studies conclude, I plan to return home and continue my research. The eccentric image long associated with the Bloomriver family has been substantially renewed, and our internal research facilities are well-equipped.

It’s largely thanks to you, mother, for your efforts as the head of the family. I’m truly grateful for all you do.

As per your instructions, I have been maintaining contact with Ed Rothtaylor. On one occasion, he came rushing to me at dawn with a personal request, and I helped him out, making it abundantly clear that it was the Bloomriver family offering assistance, and we ended up spending quite some time together.

I am trying to keep him close as you instructed, but… I have to ask, isn’t it a politically perilous choice to be associated with the Rothtaylor family at this time?

I’ve heard even from here about the recent tumultuous treatment of the Rothtaylor in the imperial court circles. I’ve also heard about the horrors perpetrated by head Crebin Rothtaylor.

Of course, the Bloomriver lineage isn’t just full of honorable mentions either, but I can’t help but worry if it isn’t a dangerous move to walk the same path with a family in such a precarious position, especially since Sylvania Academy is a unique environment where all the noble houses’ children, including the Clorel Imperial Family, the Callamore, Whitepeltz, Elfellan, Eniston, Nortondale, islan, and Shapillon families—too many to list—are gathered together.

While the scale of influence varies, each family has its revered figures, and the mix of noble and influential family offspring here would be incredibly complex to navigate. If factions start to form and allegiances are made, it could become quite headache-inducing.

I understand that political reality always involves forming factions, and no one can be completely free from such power struggles. Still, if the family conflicts intensify or groups begin to form alliances, the complexity may be more than I initially thought.

I hope my concerns are unfounded, as I tend to worry needlessly. I wish this is just an overreaction.

In any case, though I have raised this issue because I wanted to share my thoughts, rest assured that I intend to follow your instructions. Please regard this simply as mild anxiety.

For now, I will focus on my graduation preparations. You needn’t worry too much about me.

But what concerns me is… Patricia.

I have been helping her quite a lot with her graduation process, but… every time I see her, the same thought crosses my mind.

Is she really… going to be okay even if she graduates…?

– Bang!

“Triss Unnie!”

“…?”

While Trissiana was busy writing her letter, Patricia burst into the room with a flushed face.

Whenever Patricia, who normally secludes herself in her secret research lab, visits Trissiana’s room in Ophelius Hall, it typically means she’s either caused a mishap or is about to.

In this case, she’s about to.

“Look at this! I’ve completed the crimson poppy solution I told you about!”

“…”

“There’s hardly any magical presence, you can’t even tell it’s a potion, right? Don’t be surprised, this is one seriously sinister draught…! Ehehehe… Hehe…”

The crimson poppy solution, which induces temporary confusion when ingested, had taken on an even nastier effect thanks to Patricia’s special refining methods.

“It’ll make you feel hazy, almost dreamlike, causing you to spill your innermost thoughts or agree to requests without your usual psychological defenses… It’s a strange kind of magical potion.”

“…”

“It could be considered a love potion in a way. If you want to find out whether someone you fancy holds the same feelings for you, you could discreetly mix this into their food and probe their true feelings. How about that? Don’t you think the noble daughters at the academy would pay a high price for it?!”

Trissiana, who had been writing her letter, gently placed her quill aside and turned to face Patricia.

“It sounds like it makes you a bit hard to control, like being drunk, with a bit of a befuddled mind… But it wears off over time. Plus, some short-term memory might be lost in the process… But that’s it for side effects, so it’s safe! At worst, you feel a bit queasy when you wake up…?”

“So, how is this any different from alcohol?”

“…. Uh…?”

Patricia gleefully explained her potion, but Trissiana sighed deeply.

“This isn’t the time to be making such sinister potions… Patricia… you need to prepare for graduation…”

“Eh? Well, sure, but… I mean, it’ll work out…! I’ll get through the graduation exams somehow, right!”

Trissiana, rubbing her forehead and furrowing her brows, glanced back at the unfinished letter.

“Anyway, I need to get ready for a clinical trial. If I explain this to the students in the dorm, I’m sure I’ll find someone interested!”

“You don’t even have any friends to market it to, Petrin.”

“…”

Struck by the sudden arrow of truth, Patricia clutched her chest with an agonized expression.

“I have friends.”

“It’s no use lying between us.”

“I can make new ones.”

“How many years have you been saying that now…”

Indeed, Patricia’s social skills were despairingly lacking. While there were plenty of students who preferred the solitude of their labs, Patricia was particularly extreme.

“You don’t understand… Sister…!”

Driven into a corner, Patricia stumbled backward, then fled from Trissiana’s room.

– Thud

– Creak, creak.

The flung-open door swayed on its hinges from the aftermath.

Trissiana sighed once more and picked up her quill to continue writing. Yet, she couldn’t shake a certain foreboding feeling.

A tingling sensation crept up her spine, the kind that suggests impending trouble. She had an intuition that Patricia was about to create a problem, and it felt like it was coming true right at that moment.

*[Profile: Ed Rothtaylor]

Gender: Male Age: 18 Grade: Junior Race: Human Achievements: Cunning Survivor (1 year) / High-Level Elemental Summoner / Legendary Magical Gear Craftsmanship

Strength 16

Intelligence 17

Dexterity 19

Wisdom 14

Luck 12

Combat Ability Detail ]]

Magic Ability Detail ]]

Living Skill Detail ]]

Alchemy Detail ]]

[Living Skill Detail]

Rank: Skilled Artisan

Specialties: Carpentry Craftsmanship Lv 19, Planning Lv 18, Gathering Ability Lv 17, woodworking Lv 18, stone Masonry Lv 11, hunting Lv 20 (Master!),

Fishing Lv 15, cooking Lv 10, tailoring Lv 8

The training of basic life skills was surprisingly progressive, even though I considered it to have been neglected. Perhaps because I had continuously maintained my survival lifestyle and habitually performed maintenance on my shack.

Most foundation-level live skills were approaching skilled artisan rank, indicating it might be time to transition to advanced crafting techniques.

“…”

Drenched in sweat and sitting by the campfire, I finished reviewing my status screen, wiped my face with a piece of cloth, and attempted to settle my labored breathing while checking on my worn-out condition.

It’s been three days since the school year started.

The wounds stitched up nicely, allowing me to handle my daily activities and the physically demanding camp maintenance without issue.

The magic power that was restrained due to the ring’s backlash was almost restored, suggesting it was time to start training to become even stronger.

More importantly, my living skills had improved significantly—advancing beyond just basic necessities, I could now create various strategic items.

‘Advanced Crafting Techniques’

Skills that are unlocked once one is proficient in basic living skills allow for the creation of specialized equipment with unique effects and various improvements.

They represent the endgame goals for characters who have invested heavily in living skills. And understandably, the conditions to unlock these are often stringent.

A tremendous effort went into unlocking both magical engineering and elemental infusions.

My personal goal was the ‘Bow Crafting’ skill.

Once the ‘Artisan’s Soul’ skill is unlocked, using your own handmade bow would significantly increase its power…

Additionally, self-made bows inherently grant multiple attribute bonuses, making them an infamously powerful tech tree known for “easy gains,” or “easy-tree” because of the stacked bonuses.

Regardless of the outcome quality, reaching that goal is time-consuming, which diminishes the overall efficiency.

The journey to reach a high level in living skills can also be exceedingly arduous and strenuous.

The Bow-Making skill was largely ignored by most users. As for acquiring it, the prerequisite conditions went as follows: Dexterity proficiency at level 15, woodworking proficiency at level 15, design proficiency at level 15, hunting proficiency at level 20, and repair proficiency at level 10. Once all these conditions were met, a slot for an advanced craft technique would open up, allowing for bow production.

Despite all the havoc over the years, my woodworking proficiency was only at level 18. It seems like there wasn’t a single day without handling wood, yet it’s still been torturously demanding. To raise all those proficiencies above level 15 felt like a far-too-cruel ask.

“Hmm…”

Now that I think about it, I just need a slight increase in my repair proficiency, and I could finally embark on making my own bows.

Finding materials isn’t a concern. I remember all the high-performance bows: the Beast Slayer, the Lightning-Struck Millennium Bow, the Keheln-style Short Bow… Regardless, it’s the act of creation that matters.

Thankfully, unlike magical supplies, I don’t need a formula, which is a relief.

“Ed, how’s the wound?”

“Not hurting at all? Seems like it wasn’t as deep as the blood loss suggested.”

“That’s good to hear…”

But, right now, the bow isn’t of paramount importance.

To Yenika, while not visibly drenched in sweat, it was evident that she was exerting considerable effort. Surveying our surroundings, half-peeled logs were scattered all around the campsite—far thicker than several people lying atop one another.

After the morning’s lessons, Yenika and I had been busy the entire day with log procession at the campsite.

We used magic for cutting and spirits for transportation, which was quite efficient, although still physically demanding.

Yet, there was an immense sense of achievement. I remember spending nearly weeks just to prepare timber of this size when first building the cabin.

But now, working collaboratively with Yenika has improved our efficiency by not just double or triple but by hundreds of times.

“I need to redraw the architectural plans. Building a proper two-story building is definitely a challenge unlike a simple cabin.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to leave it to the professionals?”

“Well, I could get help with the design… but I prefer to do it myself.”

The current flurry of activity was due to the expansion of my cabin—from a modest one-story shack to a proper two-story one.

Lord Lortelle had offered to build it, but I declined for two reasons. First, the massive amount of construction, once completed, would provide an enormous boost in experience for my livelihood skills. Second, since it’s my camp, I wanted to do the work myself.

Consequently, my days were filled with ongoing log-processing work post my academic duties.

“I’d prefer a well-finished building rather than a rustic log cabin vibe… but within my capabilities, it seems inevitable to have a bit of roughness.”

“Even that is impressive, Ed!”

Yenika’s spirits, providing the labor equivalent of a hundred workers, seemed almost content—perhaps they even enjoyed manual labor? Such a blasphemous supposition crossed my mind; after all, spirits don’t always think like humans, do they?

“But you must also pay attention to your academic life, Ed. Even if you are a top student, working too hard physically can make classes challenging.”

“It’s fine. I’ve become quite adept at managing my stamina. With so much work still ahead, I need to muster more energy and spur on.”

With that, he heaved a breath, feeling the rush of a proper workout for the first time in a while.

As Yenika timidly fiddled with her fingertips, I noted her drenched in sweat, trying to relax.

“You can take a break if it’s too much. There’s no rush on the cabin expansion. Just work at your own pace.”

“Oh, it’s not that… But you said you have lots still to do?”

“Uh…”

I pondered what to say, then decided to let it be.

“Schedules are just busy with the academy, you know?”

As the scenario approached its climax, preparations had to start against the formidable Changryong Bellbrook.

The key was to rally influential families and various factions, though figuring out where to begin was challenging.

Tanya seemed to be handling the consolidation of family interests quite well, though I hadn’t confirmed this directly. Rumors had spread of Tanya returning to the Ophelius Hall since the school year started, but I had been too occupied with injuries to meet her, and she, too busy with the student council and family matters.

Nonetheless, as blood-siblings, it made sense to at least formally meet up.

Tanya’s schedule was brimming, so it seemed fitting for me to make time to visit her at Ober Hall, which I often considered but hadn’t managed due to the lack of spare moments.

Meeting Tanya could potentially lead to discussions about rallying forces, but specifics would be determined post-meeting.

As for the royal faction, Princess Phoenia was on my side, providing some reassurance, but with the current imperial authority disputes, it was uncertain how much they could commit to my cause.

The Telos Order might present the best opportunity.

“Let’s wrap up today’s work right here.”

I suggested while wiping off sweat.

“…”

Saint Clarice would likely believe anything I said regarding Changryong Bellbrook, significantly aiding the sect’s rallied forces.

The challenge lay in finding the right moment for such serious discussions, as she was elusive, splitting time between her saintly duties and the carefree noble lifestyle of Kylie Ecknair. With her rapid movements, securing a meeting was difficult, not to mention the barrier of status differences—just as it was with the princess.

I decided to search for her anyway. Clarice’s assistance was vital in the Bellbrook subjugation operation.

*

“As for me… I’ll be entering the Cledric Monastery for a while… sniffle…”

As if sensing my internal turmoil, saint Clarice visited my cabin that evening, secretly escorted by just a couple of core royal guards.

“… What?”

“I was sure they wouldn’t need me for this year’s prayer gathering… They even granted academic leave… Why this sudden kindness, needless for me…”

Usually composed and paternal, she was a model student. Her flowing white hair and the sacred crimson butterfly hairpin, though familiar, looked like luxury items.

Yet, now, Clarice stood before me noticeably distressed and on the verge of tears.

“Of course, overseeing the prayer gathering as a Saint is critically important and holy work… but surely, I could indulge in the romance of academia for one year… I’ve already become hooked on the Sylvania academy life…”

“… Saint…”

“Moreover, the food at Cledric Monastery is dreadfully bland, and it’s astonishingly bereft of anything at all…”

Well-known even to those outside the Telos Order, the Cledric Monastery was not far from Sylvania. Located on a modest rock island off the west coast, near the terminus of Peth’s baronial domain.

The formidable monastery atop the islet was unreachable by bridge or dock, accessible only intermittently via a sand path revealed by tidal changes—secluded from worldly distractions. It was a place of significant religious meaning.

Though the island was small, the monastery’s scale was vast, strictly off-limits to men unless a high-ranking clergy or maintenance workers, sparingly even then—possibly a cardinal or archbishop at most.

“Plus, this year’s prayer gathering reportedly has an uncommonly high influx of distinguished guests, almost forcing my attendance.”

“Distinguished guests?”

“Yes… many noteworthy figures, but specifically, this year even more so. I suppose I’ll have to attend willingly, given my face of the Telos Order…”

“Who exactly is attending that they’ve overturned their decision and insisted on your presence?”

Saint Clarice sighed heavily while gazing at the fire before answering.

“There’s quite a list, but… Just to mention one prominent figure…”

The name that followed was indeed a familiar one.

“Princess Persica from the Clorel Imperial Family is making a personal visit.”

Quietly, I furrowed my brow.