How to Survive at the Academy - Chapter 215

King of Fools (3)

TL: TangSanFan

ED/PR: Tanthus

“The Grand Sage Sylvania has… resurrected the Sacred Dragon Spear Bellbrook, you say…?”

“There’s still no solid evidence supporting this hypothesis, but… it’s also true that it has a certain credibility.”

Aila Triss may not possess overwhelming physical strength, but she is a girl with substantial knowledge in the academic field of magic.

In particular, her sensitivity to ‘holy magic’ is high, and her related knowledge is so exceptional that Professor Glast considered her as a sacrifice.

I swept my face with my hand and calmly gathered my thoughts.

When [Sylvania’s Failed Swordsman] credits roll, and everything comes to a conclusion… it shows us skipping several years after graduation and the lives the characters lead – a poignant montage.

 

After the prepared stories have ended, the fleeting images reveal various characters living out their lives. At the end of this fast-forward sequence, Aila appears with the title ‘Grand Sage’.

 

A historic scholar granted the name ‘Grand Sage’ following Sylvania. Grand Sage Aila Triss.

At that time, I thought it simply hinted at Aila achieving great academic success after all the stories ended. The same treatment was given to the other characters.

However, if Aila discovered something about Grand Sage Sylvania.

If she accomplished something by following in Grand Sage Sylvania’s will.

If those parts weren’t deeply explored in [Sylvania’s Failed Swordsman].

Then what truths about Grand Sage Sylvania had Aila Triss, the companion of the Sword Saint Taely McLore, unearthed?

This was entirely off-stage.

Even the repertoire of on-stage events was now starting to run dry.

As we approached the final curtain call, submerged truths that I had never been able to observe from the official narrative began to surface.

Shadows of the scholarly girl with white hair tied back, which had subtly appeared in the lore books, now cast over the stage.

“For now, there’s no way to confirm it. After all, how can we verify the thoughts of someone who’s been lost since ancient times? But… Aila Triss might be able to figure out whatever it is.”

“That… are you talking about Taely’s lover?”

“Yes. If my assumptions are correct, she might be the next to take up the position of Grand Sage.”

A logical conjecture arises that Aila must have some connection to Grand Sage Sylvania.

Most importantly, it was Aila herself who first hypothesized this situation.

Locked in the prison of official narrative and solely focused on stopping Bellbrook, my thoughts were now presented with a different direction.

“We’ll find out something. So when the time comes, we’ll need to be ready to act immediately. We need to become stronger faster.”

“That’s why Ed became… even more anxious.”

“The harbinger of a major event that’s been prepared for years is now truly upon us.”

I sat quietly, clenching my fists and grinding my teeth, feeling tense.

“Honestly, I feel nervous. I’m only human, after all.”

Even learning high-level magic while being thrashed by Lucy was motivated by how real and close the catastrophic moment felt.

“Ed…”

In the student square, most of the students had already left to enjoy the festivities.

The student council members who were tidying up the seats looked at us curiously, but then hurried back to their work, eager to join in on the festival themselves.

During that time, Yenika and I sat quietly in silence for a while.

“Ed… I might sound strange for saying this, but I’m happy.”

“… What?”

“You see, Ed, you might not realize it yourself. Over the past few years, though you occasionally took breaks and rested… you always seemed buried in something, as if you were being chased.”

Yenika said softly with an awkward smile, reminiscing about the past.

“Whether you were refining a bow, building a cabin, hunting, or just sitting silently by the campfire… you might have looked emotionless and stable on the outside, but I could sense it. You always lived like you had a blade hanging over your shoulder, running at full speed.”

Yenika seemed lost in her past memories as she sat quietly, gazing up at the sky.

“When all of this is over and you can obtain your graduation certificate… Ed can finally stop running.”

“… Yenika.”

“I grew up in a peaceful rural area, surrounded by sprawling ranches and towering mountain ranges. I may not understand how hard it is to maintain a life of constantly sprinting every moment for years on end. But I can imagine it.”

It seemed Yenika wanted to convey what she had felt by my side during times of hardship—feelings that couldn’t be simply expressed with words like worry or empathy.

“It must have been incredibly tough and exhausting.”

“… I can’t deny it.”

“If it all truly ends with defeating Bellbrook, then let’s finally stop running.”

A life that felt like flying on a bullet, always tightrope walking with a knife at my throat—one mistake away from death. To Yenika, it must have been unbearably painful.

“Let’s walk.”

“…”

“Until then, I’ll run with you.”

With a big smile, Yenika spoke earnestly and looked me straight in the eyes.

“So, for now… solving the issue with the Sacred Dragon Spear Bellbrook is the top priority.”

“For now, we’re out of options. So we will tackle the problems that are before us. You have a lot to do right now, Yenika.”

As I said this, Yenika shook her head firmly and replied,

“Right now, Ed’s matters come first. As much as Ed would say to help when the time comes, it’s right to focus on Ed now. I have my own issues, but what could be more important than the situation Ed’s facing?!”

“Miss Yenika, there you are.”

“… Heh, Belle?”

Startled, Yenika turned around and there stood Belle Mayar in person.

“It’s good that I was informed beforehand about the meeting in the student square. Here you are. I hope you’re well, Mr. Ed.”

“Aren’t you busy with the festival? How did you find the time to come here?”

“Well… It’s something I could’ve sent someone to deliver, but it seemed right for me to come myself, so I managed my time and arrived.”

“Belle came in person?! What’s going on, Belle?”

The subsequent exchange with Belle drained the color from Yenika’s face. It was truly a strange sight to behold.

“Miss Yenika’s parents are at the Ophelius Hall.”

* * *

Kadan Faelover and Silla Faelover believe Yenika is still living at Ophelius Hall.

When the two arrived at Ophelius Hall asking to be guided to Yenika Faelover’s room, Belle Mayar quickly deduced the truth.

Considering Yenika’s personality, it was highly unlikely she’d tell her parents, “I’ve been kicked out of the dorm and I’m living in the woods with a boy my age!”

Since Kadan and Silla were bound by the ranch work in Phullane and couldn’t leave, it made no sense to worry them unnecessarily. Hence, she had fed them a vague explanation.

Having accurately guessed Yenika’s situation, Belle arranged for them to be shown an empty guest room and quickly filled it with some simple school uniforms and necessities. It wasn’t a complicated task.

After quickly introducing the room as Yenika’s to the pair and leaving them there, Belle went to fetch Yenika.

The practiced quick-thinking was so impressive that even the senior maids watching were taken aback.

Nonetheless, no matter how close to perfect Belle Mayar’s handling of the situation was… The crucial performance by Yenika Faelover remained disastrously amateurish.

“Ah, Dad?! How did you get here?! What about the ranch work?”

Sat opposite on the guest room’s sofa, Yenika could barely utter her words, eyes spinning and panting for breath.

“Oh, Yenika. Seeing you so surprised makes our secret visit worthwhile…! We came to ask about those noble letters that keep arriving at the ranch and it also happens to be the time of the Crestol Festival!”

Silla’s response triggered an ‘oh no’ moment in Yenika’s mind.

She should have been the one explaining the contents of the letters from the noble house to her parents. She might not have been able to visit due to the physical distance, but at the very least, she could have corresponded by letters.

“That, that’s right…! I should have explained it myself… I’ve been so busy and preoccupied, I just couldn’t think straight. Sorry.”

“No, Yenika. We’re really proud of you. We wanted to see what your school life was like and everyone seems to be proud of you too. It’s such a joy for your father…! Sob…”

Kadan Faelover, a muscular and rugged-looking laborer, becomes a docile father in front of his daughter – the epitome of a doting parent.

Seeing his daughter held in such high regard made him so emotional, words failed him.

“A luxurious room all to yourself… I knew my daughter would be someone great…!”

“Dear… don’t cry… now you’re making me tear up too…”

“I… am normally not a man who cries… Damn it… Sob…”

Watching her parents make a fuss, Yenika turned pale.

Considering the couple’s nature and the meticulously wrapped presents they brought, it was clear what they intended to discuss next.

“Anyway, it sounds like Lord Rothtaylor’s son helped you greatly. We can’t just sit back after receiving such kindness!”

“Right! We must meet him to express our gratitude! Plus, we want to see that boy you mentioned… the one with the subtle vibes. Haha!”

How shocked they would be to learn that both individuals were actually Ed. If they returned to their hometown, the news would spread across the village in under three days.

The mere thought was terrifying, and Yenika forced a twisted smile.

“Uh, well! He’s quite busy, so meeting him might not be that simple~!”

“Of course.”

“Yeah! It’s going to be really, really, really hard to see him! There’s so much to see at the festival! Since you’re here, Mom and Dad, I’ll show you around! There are academic societies, music by ensembles, let’s go to banquets and eat lots! We can watch Princess Sella’s procession tomorrow, and there’s also the combined fencing tournaments…! Right, Ed… I mean, sir Ed is also participating in the combined tournament!”

“Really?”

“Indeed… It’s probably impossible to be gracious enough for someone like us to meet you. Nonetheless, I hope the gifts at least get to you…”

“Seeing your face at the combined tournament would be an honor…”

Yenika already felt a headache creeping in.

Above all, the rumors about Yenika and Ed’s relationship were already widespread within the academy. If they weren’t careful, the news would surely reach her parents’ ears at any moment.

Even though it was festival time and students aren’t likely to blurt out just anything, with some effort, it might be possible to give her parents a good memory and see them off to their home.

Yenika firmly grasped at her fading consciousness and made a determined face.

She reassured herself.

I can do this.

I can do this…!!!!

* * *

“I can do thiiiiiiiis!”

Wade Callamore, the 1st-year combat leader, yelled out, echoing through the backstage area.

The climax of the Integrated Combat Tournament would be the duel between the 3rd-year and 4th-year leaders.

While it might not compare to the special stage where the combat in front of Emperor Clorel and Princess Sella would unfold, the duels between the 1st and 2nd-year students were more surprising than expected.

Everything about it is modest.

It can’t be helped. Duels that are revealed to outsiders ought to be of a high caliber, featuring the top students, so it’s only natural that higher-year students attend.

But that does not mean that the lower-year students don’t stake their pride in the dueling meet.

Especially Wade, who could be considered to have bad luck.

Ed and Tyke, the top students of the 3rd and 4th year – their duel may be highly anticipated, making many people nervous…

But the duel between Wade and Lucy, the top students of the 1st and 2nd year, was practically predetermined.

“I am… a genius…I am a genius…”

Praised as the heir of the Callamore family, and furthermore burdened with the responsibility of being a loyal servant to Princess Phoenia.

Wade, the combat department’s top student with his striking white hair and sharp appearance, didn’t have the same soaring spirit he did upon his first arrival.

He had already realized the gap in talent from others like Zix Effelstein and Ed Rothtaylor.

Without the aura of his bright talent to rely on, Wade’s confidence dissipated too. Nevertheless, he devoted himself to training without arrogance, but the impending duel with Lucy Mayrill was still terrifying.

The battles among the 1st and 2nd years were coming to a close. There had yet to be any royal attendees, but the vice-principal Rachel and the headmaster McDowell were significant figures currently watching the duels.

In their presence, wade could not afford to show an embarrassing performance, but his opponent was Lucy Mayrill.

Even as he hypnotized himself in an attempt to maintain his composure, wade knew the truth.

No matter how much he honed his talent in swordsmanship, he couldn’t even come close to Lucy’s level. The outcome was clear without any need for doubts.

“Wade. Don’t be too nervous. Just think of it as a chance to show everything you can do.”

“Senior Tyke…”

Tyke, also from the combat department, patted Wade’s shoulder, trying to offer comfort, but it didn’t do much to alleviate the fear.

The experience of being powerlessly defeated by someone with far greater talent.

Tyke, having gone through such experiences countless times, could not help but relate to Wade’s trembling fear.

Wade saw Lucy—already out in the dueling ring, appearing languid as she yawned mightily, looking like she wanted to finish quickly and leave. Wade was virtually insignificant to Lucy, just another item on her to-do list, quickly to be dealt with.

It is said that Clevius Nortondale charged at this monster with his sword.

Not in a well-protected dueling ring like this one, or against someone who was in a blind rage, but leapt as if jumping into the jaws of death itself.

However, witnessing his own trembling fear in this ceremonial duel, securely guarded by layers of safety measures, wade felt pathetic.

“Feeling pathetic about yourself, wade? Too scared, too shaky?”

Suddenly, Tyke, who was sitting beside him, asked. As a senior from the combat department, perhaps he had something to say.

“… Yes.”

While Wade was full of pride, this time an honest feeling slipped out.

The large man Tyke Elfellan seemed like someone who wouldn’t ridicule him, whatever he said. There was a strange sense of stability in the senior’s presence.

Wade had expected Tyke to utter strong words.

Don’t surrender to fear. You can do it. Give it your all.

He wanted to hear such brave words so he could muster a bit of resolve, but instead…

“I know. I’d be damn scared too. If I were you, my legs would be shaking.”

Tyke surprised him by hurling a coarse curse.

It was far from Tyke’s usual dignified demeanor, causing Wade to widen his eyes in shock.

“Clevius managed to charge at that beast… It’s not something just anyone can do. It’s like jumping into a pit of fire.”

Tyke’s words seemed to amplify Wade’s fear even more, leaving him speechless.

“Even you… Senior Tyke…”

“Do I look like someone with a method against that kind of monster…? Of course, anyone’s legs would shake.”

“…I thought I was brave. I never expected to be this scared. I wanted to be like my father Marcus, who could charge straight ahead even before thousands, without a hint of fear…”

He remembered the time when Zix Effelstein’s sword was at his throat.

Wade Callamore was merely a coward, intoxicated with victory, always hunting for someone he could defeat.

A truly brave person is one who fulfills their duty without regard for the horror in front of them.

“Being fearless isn’t brave; it’s reckless. Do you think your father, commander Marcus, was ignorant of fear?”

Tyke invalidated Wade’s words with that.

“Courage is going through with it despite fear. Don’t forget your fear, wade. Don’t try to avoid it; face it squarely and overcome it.”

Living a life of never retreating even when defeat seemed certain—that was Tyke Elfellan’s story.

“Senior Tyke…”

“Everyone is predicting Lucy Mayrill’s victory. Frankly, that’s reasonable. But at least land a hit. If you can manage to score just one effective strike, everyone will look at you differently.”

“…Understood.”

Wade no longer attempted to rid himself of fear.

Accepting his fear, he faced it head-on… and walked into the dueling ring, greeted by cheers.

He stepped out from the gloomy waiting room into the bright center of the dueling ring… Lucy Mayrill stood there, looking bored.

Wade took a deep breath.

Nobody cared about this duel’s result. They were only waiting for the expected 3rd and 4th-year matches.

Unanticipated by all, it was the perfect stage to catch everyone off guard.

“Lucy Mayrill.”

Wade spoke with a serious expression, drawing his sword.

Though he lived as a coward, even if had run from fear throughout his life…

As a man born into this world, he at least knew to raise his sword once in defiance.

Just as the valiant commander Marcus had done before thousands.

Even if he had decayed, wade Callamore was an elite among elites, born and raised in a prestigious martial family.

He held on to that pride and determination. With that heart, he had made it this far.

“Be prepared.”

It was Wade who provoked Lucy.

Lucy merely adjusted her hat while munching on beef jerky.

“Even if… my power does not reach the strength of yours, the strength of this will… won’t break so easily… Let me show you that for certain!”

― Duel start!

― Kwaah!

― Crack! Bang! Bang!

In an instant, the world was flooded with light.

The high-ranking lightning magic ‘Heaven’s Punishment’ triple strike.

Even a single blow was disorienting, and struck by it three times in rapid succession, wade was slammed against the inner wall of the dueling ring, losing consciousness.

His eyes spinning as he made choking sounds, the sight was pitiful.

“……. Hah! Power control…!”

Lucy’s face turned pale.

Over the past month, reiterating bouts with Ed numbed her sense of power control.

Whether you like it or not, Ed Rothtaylor was the kind of man who could withstand Lucy’s high-level magic. With gritted teeth, he managed it somehow, even enduring a triple strike at the end.

Getting used to Ed’s progress, she unintentionally unleashed too much power on Wade!

Fortunately, wade seemed to have escaped with his life.

Lucy breathed a sigh of relief, swiftly stuffing the rest of her half-eaten jerky into her mouth.

“…Sorry.”

After a brief apology, Lucy spun around and strode out of the dueling ring to the crowd’s cheers.

Encouraging applause poured out for Wade, sprawled unconscious, no match for the simple gesture that cleanly subdued him.

The sight of Lucy, effortlessly waving it off as if it were nothing, stirred awe—even Tyke Elfellan, sitting in a corner of the waiting room, let out a bitter laugh.

The massive gap made him feel no relative deprivation, only inducing hollow laughter.

* * *

『 Are you going to call me out during the dueling meet too?』

Merilda was sitting high on a pile of books. Various books had accumulated in the cabin, a satisfactory environment for her who enjoyed reading letters. Most of these books were those Lortelle had taken care of.

“Absolutely. It’s tough to win without a high-ranking spirit.”

『 I’m looking forward to getting a proper workout after a while. That so-called Guanwang, who can obliterate buildings with a magic-infused punch…』

“Well, I definitely can’t let my guard down. By the way…”

Back in the cabin, I tidied up the workstation, repaired the broken door hinge, then checked food supplies, discarding anything spoiled before heading upstairs to the techno-magic workshop to craft various items.

I planned to spend a couple of hours training in techno-magic before visiting the Triss Pavilion.

But there was a specific reason for summoning Merilda.

“To my knowledge, you’re the only one who ever met the great sage Sylvania directly.”

『 … 』

“I want your opinion on it.”

The high-ranking Wind Spirit Merilda… has encountered the real Sylvania indeed.

Not just an encounter, she even developed a seemingly close friendship. Merilda, in her human form, was practically the spitting image of Sylvania.

“A long time ago, that great sage Sylvania asked you to protect this forest and island.”

『 Now seeking my old friend? Well, she’s become quite a renowned person… it makes sense to be curious… 』

“If you were not manifest and wandering near me… You probably know what I’m going to ask?”

No one could know better about a personage like the great sage Sylvania than Merilda.

Therefore… it was impossible to move on without asking Merilda.

If indeed the person who released the seal of Bellbrook was Sylvania herself… 『 That’s impossible. 』

Before I could finish my speculation, Merilda vehemently denied it.

『 Sylvania loved this school more than anyone. She’d never do something as silly as destroy the very school she held dear. At least, that’s my perspective. 』

“You seem certain of it.”

『 Of course. I told you we were close friends. 』

Long ago, Merilda had lived on this Arken Island, a time when there was no Sylvania Academy, and few humans resided here.

A witness to centuries of change on this Arken Island.

『 She wasn’t the type to inflict harm on this school. 』

“…”

『 I don’t easily express respect for humans. But Sylvania… was truly worthy of respect. At least, she was among the greatest of those I’ve seen over these long years. 』

It was rare for Merilda, always playful and smiling, to speak with such seriousness.

『 By the way… Ed, there’s something you should know. This isn’t written in any history book. Only I know this story from the era when Sylvania breathed the same air.』

And thus, the tale of the Wind Wolf reached back to an ancient past.

『 Have you ever heard about Sylvania’s death? Nothing official beyond her untimely passing in her youth. 』

Long ago.

On this Arken Island, where only the towering mountain and vast forests stood, the story of a great sage who was exiled here and built a grand academy.

That joyful white-haired girl, iconic for her hands on her hips and confident laughs, always looking up at the nighttime sky with stars sparkling in her eyes—the story of that legendary scholar’s end, as testified by Merilda.