How to Survive at the Academy
chapter-194

I knew this would happen (2)

– Bang!!

The scarecrow that had been prepared at the outdoor practice field was blown away, burning from the explosion.

In reality, it was a target prepared for students to take turns using. As they watched it get destroyed by a single spell, the students gathered at the practice field opened their eyes wide in shock.

Even just by looking at the debris visible through the rising smoke, it was clear that the power surpassed that of an average basic elemental magic.

‘Point-Explosion’

It was a type of intermediate magic that relatively lacked firepower. Instead of power, it prioritized speed for use in actual combat situations.

Despite this, due to the significant aftermath of the explosion, smoke spread out around the practice field.

A moment later, as visibility at the scene returned, the caster of the magic, Ed Rothtaylor, shook off his hands that had released the magical energy and stood up right.

Despite what must have been a considerable consumption of magical energy, there was no sign of strain or difficulty. Without a drop of sweat, he had unleashed an intermediate spell of this caliber with a mere flick of his hand.

“That’s enough. Let’s end it there.”

The practical class of elemental combat magic.

The third-year students, who had entered their first proper intermediate magic practical class after the school’s opening, had already gathered in a state of high tension.

Among these students, who had gathered to properly learn intermediate magic for the first time, Ed Rothtaylor, who had already mastered several pieces of intermediate magic flawlessly, was a source of discord.

Professor Krayd, who had come to the practice field with tired eyes, glanced aside at the ordinary students.

They’re still wide-eyed upon seeing the sturdy-looking scarecrows knocked down.

Moreover, Ed Rothtaylor, who used the magic, didn’t even seem tired.

Although it was known that he had reached a high level in spirit magic, they didn’t think that he could also wield elemental magic so neatly.

Watching Ed, who was brushing off his clothes amidst the smoke, the students seemed to have lost their will.

“Ed Rothtaylor. From tomorrow, just move to Class A.”

“But I haven’t even been evaluated for class transfer yet.”

“There’s no need to wait until then. I’ll report it to Triss’s office, so prepare for the transfer.”

The students who had been looking forward to finally practicing intermediate magic were unlikely to be influenced positively by this development. Professor Krayd felt the need to take swift action despite the annoyance.

After all, there was no reason for a student who had already topped the third year to continue classes in such a lower rank because the class transfer evaluation hadn’t taken place yet.

“It seems you’re already adept at intermediate magic. Go to Class A and just work on the advanced magic course. I’m in charge of some classes there, so let’s meet again.”

“Understood.”

Afterward, murmurs spread among the students.

Being told to proceed with the advanced magic course is one of the highest honors a student of magic could receive.

Being able to wield even a single advanced spell before graduation would make one of the most esteemed geniuses of their generation.

Even in the entire Sylvania magic department, the number of students who can use advanced elemental magic could be counted on one hand.

Moreover, these numbers had increased due to the development of the educational system. There was a time when students couldn’t even imagine that a high-level magic wielder could come from their ranks.

“That will be all for today. There’s nothing special for you to learn in this class.”

Professor Krayd let out a yawn of annoyance and gestured for Ed to leave. There was nothing more to teach him, so it was a sign to just go.

The students were brimming with those who were just starting with intermediate magic. Among them, it was not good to have a student like him.

Ed Rothtaylor looked incredulously at Professor Krayd before eventually nodding a few times and walking toward the exit of the practice field.

As Ed calmly left the practice field, the other students gulped down their dry saliva.

*On the first day of practical lessons, my schedule was completely disrupted.

Unexpectedly receiving a dismissal from the practice field, I stepped out toward the student plaza.

After the elemental practice, headed to a class on magical beast ecology post-meal, then planned to stop by the library to borrow some engineering texts, and asked the maids at Ophelius Hall for suggestions to improve my repair level.

Then return to the camp, work on trimming logs, check traps, dress the meats, repair the cabin, and then sleep—that was the entire flow of my day planned in my mind.

Having a gap in my neatly organized daily routine was not at all pleasant.

The scorching summer was slowly fading, giving way to the cool winds of autumn.

Sitting in the student plaza and basking in the midday sun, I began to notice the bustling movement of students.

Having always been busy with survival, I had never taken the time to simply observe the lively academic scenery, but it was evident that this was a place where youth flourishes and a sacred site for learning.

Each wearing their uniforms, chattering and laughing through the academy, the students’ sights convey a rather romantic atmosphere.

Throughout my solo survival struggles, I’ve missed out on a lot. Only after gaining a bit of respite did it become apparent that Sylvania was a highly sought-after school, even by aristocratic youths eager to enroll.

Perhaps I’ve been fighting a bit too hard to not waste anything.

Certainly, there are moments when such thoughts arise. It can’t be helped; this way of living has become part of me.

“Hmm…”

While sitting idly on the bench and bathing in sunlight, a task occurred to me that could fill this unexpected free time.

Since I can’t leave the academy before my next class anyway, it might be better to head toward Obel Hall attached to the student plaza.

Obel Hall, which is almost the headquarters of the current students’ council, will likely have Tanya there, having returned just the day before yesterday.

As there were a number of procedures she needed to undertake after her return, I figured Tanya would be quite busy. Since she had returned on a tight schedule, she would be inundated with work.

Hence, I had planned to visit her on a weekend without student council or school tasks. I would be just as busy on weekdays.

But since time had unexpectedly freed up, it didn’t seem like a bad idea to visit her.

“…”

I recalled the last image of Tanya before leaving the Rothtaylor residence.

Standing in front of the remnants of the crumbling mansion, firmly holding a flag emblazoned with the family crest.

As the future head of Rothtaylor, she had resolved to lead the family, putting away her youthful demeanor and firmly staring straight ahead—her final sight lingered in my heart.

Moreover, according to Trissiana’s words, she seemed to be gathering her own forces while representing the remaining power of the Rothtaylor family…

Compared to when I first saw her, she must have matured a lot, and it’s likely she had taken on the air of a leader leading a group.

I’ll exchange information about what has happened so far and offer encouragement where needed.

Well, considering her internal growth, perhaps such things might be unnecessary.

She’ll be managing on her own for sure. Everyone grows when faced with challenges.

*

“I want to give everything up… Uhuh… Sob…”

All these expectations were dashed as Tanya, sitting in the student council president’s office, hadn’t changed in the slightest.

“Surely becoming the student council president and spreading the glory of the Rothtaylor family was my dream, but the family has utterly fallen, wherever I go I only hear gossip about being the next head of Rothtaylor, at the royal court I only face interrogation, upon returning to the academy after so long I’m surrounded by whispers about family matters, and yet as the president I have piles of work to do. I, I don’t want to live like this anymore. I want to forget it all and leave…”

“…”

“Sigh… Maybe I should build a house… abandon my registration… gather the remaining inheritance… perhaps buy a windy prairie in the Cothelton region, or near the Rameln Mountains… build a decent house for solitary living… spend time embroidering or painting, leading an idle life… Not a bad idea at all…”

No, on the contrary, everything about her seemed overturned.

The Tanya Rothtaylor who once yearned to grasp secular power to become the most authoritative figure had, in just one year, turned into a person with the utmost resignation and lack of ambition.

Considering Tanya’s whole life, it’s likely I would have felt the same.

Tears threaten to obscure the view.

“Maybe I’ll read some books… Become a regular at a village cafe… Laugh heartily while catching up with city gossip every now and then, just like that… A lady who randomly appears in the town, suspiciously wealthy… Living this way wouldn’t be bad… Ah… I want to retire to the countryside… I want to farm… Forget power and lineage, embrace the emptiness of the times while drinking tea…”

“Tanya… You’ve fallen apart..”

“Am I really ruined…? Ugh… Sob…”

Resting her head in front of the grand student council president’s desk, Tanya let out a crying sound.

“Today, I have to review ninety-seven appeal processing and reports. And since I have returned, I have to meet with Headmaster Obel in Triss Hall, write a thank-you letter for the grant from Felbren Family, check if the maintenance construction of the student hall was properly completed, yet also attend every class…”

“… Fight on.”

“On top of that, I have to keep tabs on the affairs of the Rothtaylor’s main house. Because Princess Sella keeps throwing annoying curveballs, the vassals are having a tough time.

Every day, I receive more than a hundred letters, just reading them makes my eyes tired and my vision starts blurring. I try so hard yet no one applauds me, they just look down on me as a part of Rothtaylor… Please, save me brother.

“

“…. FIGHT ON!!!!!!!!!!”

In fact, it was Tanya herself who claimed to be the next head of the house, and it was also her own choice to run and get elected as the student body president.

All these issues were Tanya’s to handle, not mine.

“Your last appearance from Rothtaylor’s house seemed more gallant though.”

“That was… because of the atmosphere at the time, right? It seemed like I had to be brave, as if I had gained a lot of insight and exhibited the demeanor of a leader who would take charge of the family…”

“Yes, it did feel like that.”

“At the time, my heart did feel swollen with pride. But… the reality turned out to be just full of documents and overwork…”

Tanya sighed as if the ground would cave in and lifted her head that had been buried on the desk. Then she looked into my eyes and saw me, wrapped here and there in bandages, and said:

“You seem much better, brother, although there are some scars left. When I saw you at the mansion, I was very worried because you were badly injured.”

“Thanks to you, I was able to rest in Sylvania. There were some incidents while you were finishing up things and returning to school, but it turned out reasonably well.”

“That’s a relief. Are you planning to attend Sylvania until graduation, brother?”

“Well, that’s the plan.”

I still have to deal with Bellbrook. If I’m going to attend anyway, I definitely want to graduate.

The diploma from this school has always been my goal since I was thrown into this world. Now, it even has quite a symbolic meaning to me.

“I’m starting to doubt if I can realistically handle both school and family business.”

“Then… are you considering quitting?”

“I don’t know. To be honest, I still feel attached to the academy. I’m thinking of dealing with the backlog this semester and then deciding.”

Despite everything, she had surely grown in sense of responsibility.

Technically, she could just drop everything and run away without anyone blaming her in her situation.

Nevertheless, Tanya returned to school, intent on wrapping up all matters handed to her.

She might have been wailing, but it was proof that she was managing to hold on.

“Still, it feels good that my brother visited. Recently, I’ve only been to places where serious conversation was necessary and I had to deal with solemn figures… This is the first time I’m venting like this. Having let everything out, I suddenly feel much lighter in spirit…”

“That’s good, you’ve had a hard time…”

“Anyway, the house affairs are going smoothly. I’ve managed to enlist the likes of Magnus of the Callamore family, Sinir Bloomriver of the Bloomriver family, and Erkel Elfellan of the Elfellan family.”

They were all well-known figures in the empire. Even with the Rothtaylor name, they would not easily align themselves.

“How did you manage to gather such bigwigs?”

“I made my hostility towards Princess Sella absolutely clear.”

Tanya got up straight, embedding herself in the cushy student council president’s sofa. Despite the dazed and tired look, she continues her story.

“The best strategy seemed to be solidifying our position as opposition to gather those with similar thoughts.”

“So, it was a political decision after all.”

“It’s also just that I really dislike that Princess Sella. She keeps being obnoxious.”

It seemed to come from a more primal cause.

“And honestly, I really didn’t like her act as if she were all high and mighty because of her royal blood. Does lineage make the person? They think they’re so superior just because of it… It’s just another bloodline…”

I never imagined I would hear such words from the mouth of Tanya Rothtaylor.

The Tanya I saw in “The Defective Swordsman of Sylvania” had changed entirely, sitting before me was a completely cynical blonde girl who laughed off lineage as mere bloodlines.

Was this the same antagonistic lady who always smiled arrogantly, believing in the glory of the Rothtaylor name? It feels petty…

“For the time being, it seems best to focus on gathering allies. I can pretty much handle the house matters on my own. If I encounter difficult moments or need help, I will definitely reach out to you, brother.”

“Yes, feel free to speak without reservation.”

“We are a family born from the same lineage, after all.”

Right now, it’s crucial to support Tanya, who is suffering from chronic fatigue.

I spoke to Tanya candidly.

“I know how hard you always work. And the day will come when you are rewarded. Don’t be disheartened, and feel free to talk to me whenever you have a tough time. I will help you as much as I can.”

“…”

It was a textbook encouragement, but Tanya’s reaction was more dramatic than expected.

She looked at me, her eyes wide with surprise.

“Why do you look so amazed?”

“No, it’s just… I’m really thankful for your encouragement. It’s just… I realized that I haven’t had anyone around me who offers such obvious support.”

“It means you’re doing well.”

“It’s comforting to think that way. Thank you, brother. I’ll keep going.”

Tanya then showed a faint smile, straightened her back, and clenched her fists. She looked resolute.

Before I entered the office, Tanya had been overwhelmed with work. The desk was cluttered with documents.

It was a trivial, yet heartwarming conversation with a family member I hadn’t seen in a while.

That’s what family is. You don’t need grand experiences or elaborate stories… just being together is comforting.

“Brother, you’ll be on Acken Island all semester, right? I think your studies are the most important.”

“Yes. I might be off Acken Island next week. It’s not confirmed yet, but I could apply for a vacation.”

“A vacation? Are you attending some official event?”

“No, it’s a bit complicated now…”

That night at the camp, I honestly shared with Tanya the conversation I had with Saint Clarice.

The prayer meeting, and the question Clarice had asked.

“She asked if I’d like to join the prayer meeting. She said it wouldn’t be boring if we went together.”

“Did Saint Clarice really say that? I can’t imagine…”

“Why, isn’t the saint always… very mature and kind…”