How to Survive at the Academy
chapter-192

After a long night (2)

“……!”

When Taely opened his eyes, he found himself in the infirmary of Dex Hall.

He had been asleep for well over a day. His already exhausted body was now so stiff that it screamed in protest.

“Huff…!”

Suddenly, Taely sat up, his body aching all over. The last scene he saw before completely losing consciousness was still vivid in his mind.

He had broken through the entirety of Elte Commerce and reached Ed, eventually overcoming him. And just before being completely subdued by Lucy, Aila had appeared and embraced him.

The relief of seeing Aila’s face had overtaken him, and he had lost consciousness entirely.

“…”

As he steadied himself for a moment, Taely noticed Aila asleep with her head buried in the bed near his knees.

Despite the bruises and scratches, there seemed to be no serious injuries. Relieved, Taely was finally able to lean back against the headboard of the bed.

The facilities at Dex Hall were somewhat outdated, but the structure itself was clean and orderly.

A cool breeze appeared to freely flow through the enormous window that lay beyond Aila’s softly breathing figure. Next to the window, white curtains fluttered gently.

The serene scene filled with the warm breeze of the morning eased Taely’s tension somewhat.

“Thank goodness….”

He muttered to himself, stroking his face.

Although many events had transpired the night before, Aila had managed to survive.

Now that he had confirmed this fact, there would be time later to think about everything else.

“Oh, you’re awake, Taely.”

That’s when someone called out his name, just as Taely was about to dwell on the previous night’s chaos.

Beside Taely’s bed, in front of a privacy screen for patients, sat a boy holding a peeling knife.

With untamed hair falling to his shoulders and a solid build, this boy was… someone Taely knew.

“Zix…?”

“Wait a second, Taely. I’m going to show you the special high-class technique ‘Rabbit-Shaped Apple’ that I learned from Elka.”

While holding the knife, Zix observed the apple as if a sculptor about to create a masterpiece, stroking his chin.

“It’s the first time getting stuck at the conception stage. I’m confident in my knife skills, but to make it resemble a rabbit’s ears by leaving some of the peel… Indeed, it’s an admirable idea. You’ll be surprised when you see it.”

“…”

“First, I start by dividing it into four pieces lengthwise… Dividing it into four with the peel on is one thing, but sculpting the peel to look like the ears of a rabbit is certainly not an ordinary task of aesthetic sense… This is going to be a tough fight…”

Sweat dripped from his brow as he attentively chiseled at the apple.

Watching Zix’s serious endeavor, Taely couldn’t help but ask, somewhat incredulously.

“Zix… What are you… doing here…?”

“Clearly, I was visiting the sick. Elka said that apple shapes in the form of rabbits are the best for hospital visits, and she passed on the secret to me, but unfortunately, I can’t seem to remember the technique, so I’m in agony over it.”

“…”

“I’m confident in my knife skills, but to mimic the artistic movements that effortlessly create the shape of a rabbit seems quite challenging. Could it be the influence of living in a barbarous world for so long…”

“No, what I meant was… Why are you here to nurse me…”

Taely tried to hide his baffled expression as best as he could, but he couldn’t quite mask his flustered face.

“Huh? I thought we got along quite well since the first year… Or maybe you think that it’s not worth being cared for unless it’s by a woman…? Taely, I didn’t know you held such a primitive worldview.”

“That’s not it…”

“Well, it’s common for males to traditionally receive care from females in their dens. Maybe it’s more about species instinct than personal values… If that’s the case, then my presence here might indeed be an ill-considered action.”

“That’s not it, you clearly blocked me at Elte Commerce.”

Taely cut him off with this mention, and only then did Zix, who had been delicately handling the knife and apple, seem to understand.

“Ah, was that the issue? No need to worry about that.”

“… What?”

“Well, just because I’m not concerned doesn’t mean it’s not a problem for you. Either way, everyone has their own circumstances.”

Zix spoke while shakily quartering the apple with the knife.

“In that situation, I had no choice but to side with Senior Ed. There were prior promises made, and it seemed he had his own reasons.”

– ‘Who in the world doesn’t have a story? I have one too.’

It was what Ed had said with a tired face as he trampled Taely underfoot in the drizzling rain at camp.

Contrary to the expectation that he would capture Aila with an evil smile, Ed’s demeanor was far more solemn and filled with introspection than Taely expected.

“Even so, Aila’s life was at stake, and threatening a person’s life is inexcusable.”

“Aila’s life was never on the scales, Taely.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Even though Aila herself was swayed by Senior Ed’s words… It doesn’t seem there was any intent to hold her life as a bargaining chip.”

As proof, place something on the scales in your defense.

Taely hesitated and was silenced before he could speak.

The reason why Ed had thrown himself into the path of Taely’s indiscriminate sword strikes, not keeping at a safe distance, came to mind.

It was to protect Aila, who was asleep in the wooden shelter, risking his own life in the process.

As a result, Ed had been cut by Taely’s sword and was seriously injured.

In that moment, Taely held his breath. He looked at his empty hand.

That hand had nearly cut Aila. The weight of that terrible truth began to press down on his shoulders.

The situation at Elte Commerce was no different.

Aside from Clevius, who had lost control of his strength, no one showed murderous intent toward Taely.

Elvira, of course, and even Zix, fought with the intent to restrain Taely, not seriously crossing swords.

By the time they reached Yenika, despite being able to expel Taely at any moment, she observed his revival to the very end.

Even Patricia, busy saving workers from the collapsing Elte Commerce building, had not appeared before Taely.

Those who could have easily overpowered Taely without a sound, were instead biding their time, waiting for his approach. This fact weighed heavily on Taely’s mind.

The safety of Aila Triss.

With this most crucial fundamental premise secure, it felt as though waves of rationality were slowly washing over Taely’s mind.

“Argh!”

Suddenly, Zix wailed as if he had been stabbed by the knife.

Startled, Taely looked over to see that the meticulously carved apple peel had slipped and gone astray.

“Damn… The symmetry is off… and the shape of the rabbit’s head is twisted. This is… a failure…”

“Why are you so obsessed with carving rabbit apples…”

“It’s just that I was impressed with Elka’s delicate knife work. I’ll have to save this for next time.”

Saying so, Zix began peeling the apple skin swiftly.

“You’ve been lying down all day, so your body must be stiff. The opening ceremony for the new term will begin soon. You should attend the important event, so rest for a few hours before you show up.”

“Wait, I still have too many stories to hear.”

“That’s right, I understand that. That’s why I’m here. Forget about the details of the event, focus on recovering your strength first.”

Taely and Ed.

Watching the two, with their contrasting figures akin to hot and cold baths, stirred a complex feeling in Zix.

“I’ve heard a strange story from Aila. I’ll tell you both my story and Aila’s, just listen for now.”

As he looked at Aila’s sleeping face, resting on his knees, Taely’s head tilted in perplexity.

*It was such a long night. I thought that when it was over, the hierarchy centered around Elte Commerce would completely change.

That was what Durin Grecks thought.

When morning broke on the opening day of school, Durin Grecks would be sitting as the new acting owner of the Elte Commerce Sylvania branch.

Using the relationship with Ed Rothtaylor as bait, the next owner Oldec Slog would gain favor with Princess Persica.

Having eliminated his competitor Lortelle, he would reign as the new ruler of Elte Commerce.

Under him, as the supreme power, he would control the financial power of Elte Commerce.

The royal escort would handle the capture of the criminal, the vice-principal Rachael’s influence would ensure the academy’s silence, and the employees of Elte Commerce would not join Lortelle’s side.

The plan had progressed flawlessly, with hardly any variables.

Firmly in control of Lortelle, all that remained was to hand him over to the royal escort, and the plan would be complete.

The operation had unfolded smoothly without a single hitch. Come morning on the day of the inauguration ceremony, Durin Grecks was supposed to sit in the owner’s office by right.

“Durin Grecks.”

However, he was bound and seated in an improvised interrogation room in the lavish royal residence.

“Basic investigations of Elte Commerce have been completed. The funds from the villa underground that you spearheaded have also been accounted for.”

“Princess Phoenia…!”

Since the morning, he’d been helplessly detained, without even a meal provided—Durin Grecks raised his voice as soon as Princess Phoenia entered the interrogation room.

“Why, why am I…!”

“You wretch! How dare you raise your voice in security…!”

Several guards who followed Princess Phoenia reprimanded him.

“Before Princess Phoenia of the Clowell Empire’s third royal line…!”

Princess Phoenia had almost no interest in the royal authority. That much had been clear since she arrived in Sylvania.

In contrast to the information within Durin’s scope, Phoenia had completely subdued Persica’s escort, bringing them under her control.

Princess Phoenia casually raised her hand to stop the guards, who backed away with their heads bowed low.

She then sat opposite Durin and began to speak slowly.

“I’ll speak frankly. I’ve never been on good terms with Lortelle Keheln.”

Phoenia and Lortelle’s relationship was like water and oil.

That was common knowledge among those who knew.

“Still, there’s no clear evidence that the gold coins discovered in Lortelle’s villa basement are from illegal sources.”

“That’s impossible…! Princess Phoenia! There should be documents in the Commerce building that can be used as evidence! Even though the building has collapsed now…”

Durin had prepared for even such a scenario.

“Consult with bookkeeper Poel or the chief secretary Lien! Both must have gathered materials that could serve as evidence for Lortelle’s embezzlement…!”

“Durin. I just told you. The basic investigations have all concluded.”

Princess Phoenia’s attitude toward Durin was noticeably icy.

She’s known for always being understanding and attentively listening to her subordinates’ words… Her present demeanor was a complete turnaround.

Only then did Durin realize. Princess Phoenia had walked into the interrogation room not believing a word from Durin.

“No such evidence was found.”

“What… did you say…?”

Everything had been prepared.

He had engaged reliable core personnel and gave clear instructions for evidence preservation. That was a basic necessity in a plan years in the making.

Those documents could not have been lost. Durin was certain of that.

“Instead, it turns out that you were embezzling the Commerce’s funds. Durin.”

“… What?”

“There was no need to investigate the books. A cursory search quickly unearthed the facts.”

Princess Phoenia belonged to the noble bloodline of the Clowell royal family, having always grown up among loyal and respectful vassals.

Embezzling public funds, betraying an employer… Such dishonest actions are breaches of a subordinate’s duties. Such fidelity is the foundation of royal power.

In the world of merchants, where minor embezzlements can be overlooked based on job performance, her cultural standards were starkly different.

In Princess Phoenia’s eyes, Durin was already a detestable embezzler. Her discerning glance confidently saw through Durin’s true nature.

Princess Phoenia did not, would not trust Durin. That stark realization sunk deep into Durin’s consciousness.

“Circumstantially, it seems likely the funds used to construct Lortelle’s villa could be yours. The amounts more or less add up.”

“… Princess Phoenia!”

“Calling out desperately won’t erase your accusations, Durin.”

The compassion had drained from Princess Phoenia’s eyes. Her benevolence was reserved for the good and diligent masses, not for a treacherous backstabber.

“This can’t be happening…! This is a trap…!”

Durin pleaded frantically to Princess Phoenia.

“This is… it’s a ruse by Lortelle Keheln to temporarily disarm me…! I will… I will prove it! If only you let me contact the Commerce workers right now…”

“Durin.”

Even as Durin shouted, relentlessly pulling at his bound hands, Princess Phoenia called his name with a cold voice.

“I won’t beg you for help…! If you are interested in vying for royal power, I can connect you with Princess Persica. It’s true. I can prove it!”

A cornered individual will do anything to survive.

No one is willingly discarded; they resort to every means at their disposal to escape a crisis until they face the end.

“Use me, Princess Phoenia! If you use the information about my connection with Princess Persica as a double agent, they will suspect nothing! Incur a debt on me, put a leash on me, and utilize me!”

“…”

“That’s not a bad offer! You really should use me as a sure chess piece! This is… for your own good, Princess Peni—”

Before Durin could finish his plea, Princess Phoenia rose and left the interrogation room without looking back. Her cold footsteps echoed against the stone floor, condemning Durin to his scheming silence.

“He even promised to throw in some extra good items.”

“Extra good items?”

“Sylvania’s scholars ended up with an unexpected windfall. Well, I had no choice but to survive.”

As Ed looked at Lortelle with a puzzled face, Lortelle smiled wryly and continued.

“After all, it was an item that was the heart of Sylvania. It looks better if it returns to its proper place, right?”

“… You’ve made a deal to return the ‘Sage’s Seal’.”

“It was an offer that was hard to refuse. And from my standpoint, it was a proposal I made through gritted teeth.”

Lortelle sat at the makeshift office desk, smiling lightly.

“It was originally an item set to be resold to the Rothtaylor family, but since that buyer went bankrupt, I should be thankful there’s another use for it.”

“Either way, the scholars must have been jubilant.”

“The one who mediates always ends up handling the most money. That’s why there will always be merchants wherever there is conflict.”

The scholars must have approached the Sage’s Seal not as an economic asset but as a symbolic treasure.

A commentary on sovereign magic left behind by the great sage Sylvania. Just that would have made the Sylvania Academy eager to get it back.

“Anyway, there’s a grand reopening ceremony scheduled for this afternoon, and I didn’t expect you to come to the commercial district this morning. Is your schedule okay?”

“The third year is not as busy as the second year. I still have to show up, but I’ve decided to go a bit later with Yenika.”

As the name Yenika was mentioned, Lortelle scowled with pursed lips.

After all, Yenika, being a third-year student, held the absolute advantage. Being able to accompany him to academic events due to her position was a different level compared to Lortelle who was a year behind.

Lortelle gave Ed a narrow-eyed glance, but Ed was focused on wrapping bandages around his arm.

Despite being constantly pressed to reveal who his second kiss was with, Ed never admitted that it was Yenika. He may not have planned to share, but it seemed he certainly had no intention of telling others.

How should he navigate this delicate emotional distance?

By not revealing the identity of that kiss, it could be inferred that Ed also felt a peculiar romantic tension toward Lortelle.

Reading people’s attitudes and deciphering their intentions was something in which Lortelle prided himself above others.

While Ed treated the women around him seriously, it didn’t mean he wanted them as partners.

That wasn’t his style for measuring the distance between friendship and a relationship.

However, that tendency could lead to the miraculous relationship where one awakens to find themselves a partner.

This was an opportunity for Lortelle.

But there was a problem.

While Lortelle had figured this much, the question remained: how to proceed? And for that, Lortelle had no answer.

He had no experience in playing the game of romantic tug-of-war, nor had he enjoyed such a romantic adolescence.

He could spot counterfeit coins instantly, but it was harder to measure the depth of a love-stricken heart.

Yet, now was not the time to push, but to pull. Of that, he was certain.

Ed had risked himself to save Lortelle. It was time for Lortelle to skillfully return the favor.

Maybe tossing a flirtatious comment would be met with satisfaction. With that mercenary thought in mind, he was about to speak when…

“That’s why I came to check on you, since I had some spare time.”

It felt like being pulled in effortlessly by the tug from Ed’s side.

“… Yes?”

“The majority of the Laborers at Elte Trading Company participated in Durin’s plan at least once. Regardless, convincing those laborers to come back to our side won’t be easy.”

“Well, that’s a piece of cake for me.”

“It’s not an issue of ability. It’s a matter of the heart.”

Ed spoke nonchalantly, but in truth, he was showing consideration towards Lortelle.

“Most of the workers who laughed and followed you switched sides to Durin once; it wouldn’t exactly feel great.”

“Ah, senior Ed. As I always say, if you take every little thing to heart you can’t survive as a merchant.”

“That’s what you say.”

With that, Ed denied any notion that Lortelle was a demon obsessed with gold, or a greedy bastard of Elte Trading Company.

Despite the rumors prevalent in the world, Ed was speaking based on his understanding of Lortelle’s true nature.

“You said you hate being alone in a crowd.”

It was something Lortelle had confided himself.

“To pretend not to recognize that isn’t easy.”

“…”

“Basically, I came to check up on you because I was worried. That’s all.”

Indeed, it was Ed Rothtaylor who had reached out to Lortelle during the previous night’s upheaval to retake Elte Trading Company.

Could it be – the back-and-forth of human relationships wasn’t about pushing and pulling?

A rhythm seemed to be broken; a feeling of being pushed after being pulled, and pulling after being pushed. Lortelle looked flustered.

“Ah, senior Ed.”

“What is it?”

“This time, isn’t it my turn to pull?”

“What?”

“Well, it’s like… If you keep pulling like this, it’s tricky to know how to react… And it’s not like I can keep pushing you away…”

“What are you trying to say.”

Stumbling over his words, Lortelle finally spoke clearly.

“I mean, it’s embarrassing…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

Did you even possess such an emotion as embarrassment?

Ed seemed to ask with his gaze.

Perhaps Ed had sensed it too, but despite Lortelle’s seductive and sly demeanor, his defenses were weak.

His intimidating demeanor often faltered at the sight of an earnest gesture or expression of affection – the contrast could be startling. Ed was mostly the target of this.

When does one kiss someone unexpectedly, and when does one fall to their knees at a few words of kindness?

No matter how absurd the conversation, Lortelle was just that kind of woman.

“Anyway, I really wanted to thank you.”

Lortelle pressed down on the desk unnecessarily as he spoke.

“Thank you, senior. I survived thanks to you; it’s all thanks to you.”

“… Have you managed the rest well?”

“Yes. Like I said, but there’s still something nagging at me.”

Lortelle tilted his head and said.

“From Durin’s perspective, he had been preparing meticulously for years. He had been steadily collecting the embezzlement and even personally designed the mansion’s basement.”

“That’s right. Since he was deceiving you, he would have moved stealthily.”

“It was all too easy to shift the blame towards Durin. I thought he had meticulously doctored the accounts to frame me.”

Lortelle had regained control of Elte Trading Company almost immediately the next day after the event. It was swiftly restored.

“I didn’t have to deal with disputes over the authenticity of the account books, but the quick resolution leaves me feeling uneasy.”

“Well, I do have something to say about that. In fact, that’s why I came here.”

As Ed spoke, the door of the office suddenly swung open.

At this hour, there shouldn’t be anyone who would casually enter the office. Especially since the whole company was wary of Lortelle’s gaze.

Particularly the laborers actively involved in Durin’s plot were barely breathing in the atmosphere.

Yet, despite this, the person who boldly entered the office wasn’t an employee of the company.

“… I’m here.”

The expression was full of spite.

The girl with her pretty light pink hair intricately braided hung just so, is the top spirit summoner among the third years.

“… Senior Yenika?”

As soon as she saw Lortelle’s face, she too puffed her cheeks. Anyways, for Yenika, her part in the Elte Trading Company recovery plan was essentially helping a rival.

Despite fussing, Yenika had brought someone with her as Ed requested.

“Uh… Uh…”

The girl who walked in alongside Yenika… was Lortelle’s chief secretary, Lien.

With her neat red hair and a jittery look, she clung behind Yenika.

“…”

Upon seeing Yenika, Lortelle’s previously questioning expression darkened. To Lortelle Keheln, secretary Lien was no more than a traitor.

“I was late due to the imperial investigation. I was a key witness.”

“I see. Thanks, Yenika.”

“No, Ed. However…”

Yenika glanced subtly towards Lortelle.

“Lortelle seems to be causing Ed all sorts of trouble.”

Lortelle, faced with Yenika’s expression, managed a smile. He had the habit of smiling whenever things felt awkward.

“Thank you, senior Yenika. Did you bring me the traitor to execute?”

“You really know nothing. I guess that’s the situation.”

After bringing the secretary into the office, Yenika picked up her staff.

“I’ll head towards the assembly gate now. Given the situation, if you’re not an internal associate, apparently you can’t stay long. Ed’s registered as an internal associate, but it seems I’m not.”

“Oh, senior Yenika. To think I forgot to register you, that’s my fault… I’m terribly sorry. Next time, I will make sure arrangements are made for you to be on the register.”

While smiling, both knew that Yenika would still be treated as an outsider on her next visit.

“Anyway, I do appreciate your help.”

He didn’t forget to attach a sincere thanks.

Regardless of her status as a rival, Yenika was also one of the forces that had participated in the recent Elte Trading Company recapture.

Yenika seemed to want to say something, but with a complex look, she grumbled and left the office. Perhaps she felt the sincerity in his gratitude.

“… So, haven’t you thought about it at all?”

“About what?”

“Why I could get so deeply involved in Elte Trading Company’s issue.”

Ed sent a look or signal towards Lien, the secretary who was shaking. It was an indication to sit down.

He handed her some tea he had beside him and then began to speak.

“It’s just that there was a spy on Durin’s side.”

“… Excuse me?”

Ed took a sip of his own tea and elaborated.

“It’s peculiar how someone knew how to keep me restrained within the company and had complete knowledge of the deepest structure of the Trading Company building. I’ve only frequented your office at most within Elte Trading Company.”

“Indeed, that’s true….”

“Moreover, when there was upheaval in the company building, while everyone else was evacuating, a certain individual ran around inside the company gathering up all the doctored account books prepared by Durin. Who do you think that might be?”

The doctored account books prepared by Durin.

Lortelle’s eyes flickered at the mention.

It wasn’t that Durin’s plan was sloppy.

Durin had indeed gathered evidence to frame Lortelle as an embezzler. But someone had cleaned it all up and burned the evidence.

While everyone panicked to escape the company building.

──Oddly enough, there was one who did not leave the building immediately but ran through it instead.

“…”

“Originally, it was Lien, your secretary, who came to propose a deal to me.”

Lien, the secretary, who had found Aila and Ed while they were talking at the terrace café, approached as usual with a jittery demeanor.

– ‘Elte Trading Company has a proposal for you.’

When Durin led the majority of the laborers to bring down Lortelle.

Within the timid girl with few words, the view of everyone firmly pulling down Lortelle appeared monstrous…

– ‘Please save Trustee Representative Lortelle.’

A plea that became the decisive factor for Aila joining my plan… was consistent from the start.

Although she acted as the chief secretary following Durin’s orders, she never let slip her intentions until the very end and took Lortelle’s side.

She was timid, easily frightened, and so pathetic that she would flee at the mere sight of Yenika.

Still, her sense of justice persevered.

“She’s your person.”

Ed spoke quietly after taking a sip of his tea.

She may not say much, and despite her clumsiness making her less than an ideal secretary, in the end, she acted for Lortelle’s sake.

Lortelle’s eyes widened and he turned to look at Lien.

Without having done anything wrong, Lien startled and trembled.

“Besides, Lortelle, even if it wasn’t about reciprocation, I would have sided with you over Durin.”

“…”

“Have you forgotten the promise we made last winter? You’re the one who proposed it, and you forget; how would you make it?”

Ed tightened the bandage he had been wrapping around his arm. Satisfied that the pressure was just right, he got up from his seat and addressed Lortelle.

Snow that had been pouring out was now ceasing, leaving only silence in the forest.

At the center of the snow-covered ground, by the campfire, were the words Lortelle said to Ed.

Even if all the people in the world turn against you, please be on my side, senior.

“You already had everything set up, Lortelle.”

Although he said he lived feeling solitary without his own people, Lortelle proved to have overcome everything himself.

No matter how the event at Elte Trading Company unfolded, in the end, it was Lortelle’s victory.