How to Survive at the Academy
chapter-198

Attribution of Meaning (1)

Lucy Mayrill never quite grasped the notion that the world is vast. That is why she always looks up, gazing at the starry sea above. The crisp early autumn wind flutters her clothes, tickling the skin in a peculiar way. Ever since her enrollment, she has skillfully climbed the railing on the rooftop of Obel Hall, pressing down her witch’s hat to ensure it doesn’t fly away.

Beside her, a white-furred cat with a black tail saunters over and comfortably sits down. Similarly perched on the railing, the cat yawns lazily and then intently stares at the jerky Lucy is fumbling with. As Lucy idly gazes at the starry sky, she glances at the cat from the corner of her eye, swallows the jerky in one bite, and then stares blankly ahead. The cat, seemingly indifferent, begins to lick its paws while Lucy continues to stare at the sky unfazed.

To a grand sorceress who has reached the pinnacle of magic, the world seems so fleeting and meaningless. From the rooftop of Obel Hall, even the entire landscape of Sylvania seems to fit within the palm of her hand. She whimsically stretches out her hand towards the scenery and then clenches it into a fist, encapsulating the academy within her tiny grasp.

Even Sylvania Academy, which the grand sorcerer Glast obsessively protected and endeavored to preserve, will inevitably face obliteration one day. Massive natural disasters, the flow of time, political strife— the cause does not matter. The inevitable end remains unchanged.

No matter how many times she saves the academy from crises as Glast requested, the overarching flow of time remains unaltered.

Thus, Lucy Mayrill looks to the stars.

She looks up, not down.

Unswayed by the fleeting rise and fall of empires, she always gazes at the eternally shining stars and moon. The Milky Way is reflected in her blue eyes.

If this world was indeed created by a being called Telos, she wonders why everything is so transient and ever-changing, yet the stars and the moon in the sky remain unchanged.

Suddenly, the sullen face of a blond boy comes to mind. To him, Lucy’s musings about life and the world might seem like nothing more than ‘rich people problems.’ For the boy, the immediate concern is how to survive tomorrow.

All humans on earth are preoccupied with daily survival. Even those who escape the immediate concern of survival either pursue their dreams, dedicate themselves to their descendants and successors, strive to become stronger, or advance to higher realms in whatever form they can— they live fiercely in the terrestrial world.

However, to Lucy, who is detached from all these earthly concerns, none of it resonates.

“Be the reason for my life.”

Suddenly feeling a sharp and pungent sensation in her nose, Lucy grips her witch’s hat tightly. Though the words were impulsively spoken, the time for embarrassment had passed.

Above all, she feels a spontaneous gratitude towards the boy who simply nodded without any hesitation. No matter what.

“If Lucy is troubled, this boy would share her concerns.”

Mulling over the name Ed Rothtaylor, she invariably conjures up the image of him sitting alone in front of a campfire, quietly refining his bow—a sight filled with solitude. Therefore, Lucy questions herself again. Although she blurted out such words impulsively, how could a boy named Ed Rothtaylor truly become ‘the reason’ for a girl named Lucy Mayrill’s existence?

What even is a life with reason, and what constitutes a meaningful life? What significance can be added to that seemingly futile existence after she sheds the heavy burden of the last will of the great sorcerer Glast? Such abstract questions unrelated to daily survival flood her mind, causing Lucy to gaze up at the sky once more, where the Milky Way stretches into a sea of stars.

“It’s finally the weekend.”

Busy improving his skill in bow-making and honing his repair proficiency, Ed had woken up early to check the camp and finish all the maintenance. Just as he was tending to a frayed maid’s uniform, an unexpectedly sudden declaration was made.

“…What?”

“I said I want to go to the monastery too.”

Under the high, blue autumn sky, the midday sun warmly enveloped the camp. While basking in the drowsy sunshine, seated on a tree stump and fully engrossed in sleep, Lucy is no stranger to being discovered napping here and there.

Sometimes, she would wake up with a lethargic expression, cling around, sit near the workbench to curiously watch what I was doing, or lie down with her belly on my lap, grumbling about not wanting to go to class—mostly everyday scenes.

Except when munching on jerky, she rarely asks for anything, usually lying around as if everything is too much trouble. That’s why her sudden desire to go to the monastery felt utterly out of the blue.

“…What brought this on?”

“I just want to go.”

Three days have passed since Patricia caused chaos with her potions. Trissiana, meaning to apologize, had brought various camping wooden furniture and clean new equipment, which all seemed to satisfy me greatly. Apparently, she had consulted Belle to find out exactly what would please me the most.

In addition to that, bloomriver had supplied materials for magical engineering, herbs, various types of dried food that are easy to store, a machete helpful for survival, and high-quality repair tools to aid in her training.

While pressing down on Patricia’s head to ensure such incidents never repeat, Trissiana spoke repeatedly about making things right—an adept routine that subtly revealed her struggles.

Indeed, she’s a renowned expert in making apologies. Although nobody would choose to specialize in apologies out of fondness, it was a tear-jerking scenario.

“To cut to the chase… it’s not possible.”

“…”

“Cledric Monastery isn’t a place just anyone can enter. It’s a sanctuary of sorts, so only authorized persons can go.”

Lucy’s face began to pout at my words, but there’s nothing that can be done. It’s simply beyond my control.

“You’re going though. Even as a man.”

“That’s because I had a special permit from the Saintess. Plus, the pretext was somewhat fabricated. What was it again… Ah, an expert on a rare disease the Saintess is suffering from… medical support… something like that.”

The specifics of the entry permit were entirely delegated to Clarice, so I wasn’t privy to the details.

My aim is merely to attend a prayer session at the Cledric Monastery and meet with Princess Persica.

“Well, I could try throwing a tantrum to the Saintess to get you a companion permit, but it’s unlikely now.”

“Why not?”

“It’s too burdensome by itself, and we’re leaving tomorrow. It’s too late to concoct a reason now.”

Lucy, sitting atop the tree stump hugging her knees, looked disgruntled.

No matter how much she might want to argue, she seems to know it’s not a situation that can be altered by throwing a fit.

“Don’t look like that. There’s nothing I can do. Why do you even want to go to the monastery so badly?”

“Because you’re going.”

“…”

“I like this camp, but it feels empty without you. I don’t really like staying in a desolate cabin.”

The implication of her words is clear.

The great sorcerer Glast, who had taken her in, had also secluded himself in a cabin in the Ramlern mountains. After Glast’s departure from this world, the cabin must have felt utterly empty to her.

“I just really wouldn’t like it.”

“It’s only a few days. Don’t attach too much meaning to it. Besides, the academy has excused my absence, but if you leave Acken Island now, you’ll miss all your classes.”

“I don’t mind missing a few classes.”

“That’s… true.”

Lucy Mayrill’s outstanding performance isn’t something a few unexcused absences could tarnish. Even among the academy professors, there’s a wondering why a student like her bothers attending an academy at all. Indeed, students who perform beyond the academy’s level often continue attending Sylvania merely for the diploma.

“Anyway, I can’t just get your permission now… Just relax on Acken Island. We’re not doing anything particularly significant there, just having some discussions and coming back.”

“What discussions?”

“About the Sacred Dragon.”

Lucy went blank again at that.

She is the only one who brings up the Sacred Dragon without reservation at this time.

“I’ve seen a future where the Sacred Dragon shatters Acken Island. And I’ve seen it becoming a reality.”

The scenario assigned to [The Failure Sword Saint of Sylvania] is put aside.

Asking her to believe this goes beyond trusting—it’s almost like treating someone as a lunatic if not fortunate enough, and it’s too complicated to explain.

“Ordinary people would dismiss it as madness. Aila did too. In fact, it would be rather unscrupulous to force them to believe.”

“…”

“Still, there are exactly two people who truly believe my prophecy without a shred of doubt. One”

“You are Ming. The other is Saintess Clarice of the Telos Order.”

Only those two people fully share the memory of turning back time to face the Sacred Dragon of Sanctity.

She is one of the few who completely understands the gravity of the situation and the reality of what must be done.

Apart from them, there are others who entrust me with their confidence. However, no matter how earnestly I discuss matters with people like Yenika or Lortelle… it’s doubtful that they’ll grasp the full seriousness of the situation.

They might believe me, but… it’s unlikely they will understand the seriousness precisely.

There’s an immeasurable difference between experiencing the Sacred Dragon of Sanctity’s roar that covers the sky and splits the earth, and being directly confronted with the terror of its flying scales…and simply hearing a tale that one finds rather dubious.

“So first, I’ll ask for help from Saintess Clarice. We haven’t had much time to explain the situation in detail, but this will be the chance to do exactly that. We’ll get our duties sorted out with certainty.”

“Our duties…?”

“To capture Bellbrook completely, we need to assemble as many forces as possible. The imperial forces and the Order’s forces are essential, to say the least.”

I decided to share with Lucy a part of the plan I was drawing up.

“The imperial forces are currently divided into three factions. It’s necessary to unify these imperial forces and recruit them all as allies.”

“Are you planning to end the imperial dispute?”

“It should have ended long ago.”

At the climax of the scenario of ‘Sylvania’s Failed Swordsman,’ Princess Phoenia takes the lead in the struggle for imperial power by eliminating Crebin Rothtaylor—a cancer within the empire with her own hands.

It also becomes an important moment solidifying her position as the next emperor.

However, due to numerous complications in the scenario, Princess Sella survived, Princess Persica significantly increased her following, and Princess Phoenia forfeited even her student council presidency.

Additionally, the campaign against Crebin happened all too swiftly, robbing Princess Phoenia of the opportunity to accumulate merits.

Her political vision or qualities as a ruler do not concern me. The crux lies in the fact that she alone, aside from the Imperial Knights of Acken, can protect the students from Bellbrook. She is also the only candidate for imperial power who would listen and give heed to my opinions to a certain extent.

To minimize casualties among students, even deploying the entire Imperial Knights would not be sufficient. The one who could make that decision and has spent years at Acken in academic pursuit is none other than her.

“This visit to the monastery is akin to preparations for subjugating the Sacred Dragon of Sanctity. So… in fact, it’s quite an important matter.”

“… Understood.”

Lucy nodded, seemingly grasping what I had said, a disinterested expression on her face.

However, her face was still full of dissatisfaction. She didn’t express it overtly at me, but it seemed it did not sit well with her.

Seeing her like this made me feel uncomfortable, so I consoled her by gently patting her head.

*

“Here, have some light refreshments for the journey. It’s a sweet from Baroness Jazhul’s domain, made from seasonal fruits steeped in honey… you’ll find it quite delightful. Also, once you arrive at the Cledric Monastery, could you please deliver this to Abbot Anje?”

The next morning, I stopped by Ophelius Hall to pick up Belle’s request.

I received a package of elegantly wrapped snacks and a box with an unknown content.

True to Ophelius Hall’s reputation, the packaging was tidy and luxurious.

“I’ve submitted all the leave applications for the academy~. But, a visit to Cledric Monastery… It’s not exactly a place you’d go during the term. But, as it’s a task to assist the Saintess, it can’t be helped… Escorting the Saintess… you always seem so impressive, Ed~. Anyway, don’t worry about academy attendance and have a good trip~.”

The mess inside Assistant Professor Claire’s office indicated a tumult, either from Professor Krayd’s neglect or from piles of paperwork Anis had to deal with.

With Anis lighting a candle at her desk, Assistant Professor Claire cheerfully took my leave application, her demeanor resembling one who has attained enlightenment.

“Take care and come back safely. Don’t worry about the camp. I can handle the basic camp management now… and when you come back, you’ll be surprised by how tidy the camp is!”

After Yenika bade me farewell with a cheerful smile, my steps felt lighter. Before, leaving the camp for a few days always made me anxious, but now having a companion at the camp, my mind was more at ease.

I was reminded once again of how much of a blessing Yenika’s presence was.

“The formalities are complete. When you come back next week, follow the procedures here again. Ed Rothtaylor, student.”

Finally, I completed the formalities at the academy gate in front of the grand Mekses Bridge.

When I crossed the gate and reached Mekses Bridge, the Saintess’s grand carriage came into view.

Of course, I wasn’t going to ride that carriage.

“The escorts have a separate carriage prepared over there.”

The weight of the Saintess’s name within the Telos Order felt as noble as if equating it with the deity Telos herself.

Accordingly, the courtesy extended to me for being personally appointed to assist the Saintess was fairly exceptional.

I was led to the escort carriage by a priest in liturgical attire, whose profound bowing made me feel somewhat overwhelmed.

“The escort carriages will gather and form a column near the Saintess’s carriage and head for our destination. There’s nothing specific for you to do, Mr. Ed, but if you find anything uncomfortable, please let us know.”

“Thank you for your kindness.”

“Your luggage can be loaded onto the carriage now. Then, I have other matters to attend to…”

The young priest bowed his head gracefully and then went to the Saintess’s carriage.

Saintess Clarice came to Mekses Bridge as soon as she finished her cathedral schedule, prepared to leave in that stately carriage.

Even until the moment before departure to Cledric Monastery, she was busy fulfilling her schedule. Always busy, indeed.

Since I was relatively relaxed, after loading my luggage onto the carriage, I observed the workers loading other items.

They were strong workers, but they seemed to be struggling with the amount of luggage.

It would be awkward to just stand around while everyone else was working. Since they would be accommodating me throughout the journey, there was no benefit to leaving a poor impression. So, I rolled up my sleeves and started helping push the luggage inside the carriage.

“Ah, thank you, sir. Your help is saving us a lot.”

“Heh, to think that a noble’s son could have such strength. Are you perhaps enrolled with the combat division?”

The good-natured workers laughed heartily and engaged me in conversation; I casually replied that I belonged to the magic division while I loaded the wooden chests and boxes onto the carriage.

In the midst of their busy schedule, my helping hands were preciously appreciated, and the workers sped up their pace with robust laughter.

“That’s it, just those bags over there. They are the official gifts from Ophelius Hall and the academy to the Order… if anything were to happen to them, it’d be a big problem. So let’s carry them with utmost care.”

Not only Belle’s personal gifts but also presents sent on an official exchange seemed to have been included.

I picked up a reasonably sized wooden box and heaved it with grunts.

“Uh, heavy…”

I didn’t expect it to be so weighty for its size, and so, I readjusted my grip slightly.

“My, sir, you look tired. You’ve helped enough, no need to exert yourself – just hop into the carriage now…!”

“When I lifted that box earlier, it wasn’t nearly that heavy… Seems like you’ve lost quite a bit of strength. There’s no point in overexerting yourself when it’ll only lead to fatigue. Better to take a rest.”

“Indeed. We’re the ones paid to do this kind of work, but you, sir, have the noble task of attending to the esteemed Saintess. It would be more troubling for us if such a valuable person were to get injured!”

Amidst the concern shown by the workers, it was about time for me to step back. The box didn’t seem particularly heavy, but certainly, overdoing it wouldn’t do any good.

I thanked them and pushed myself into the carriage. That should be fine.

And with that in mind, I climbed into the carriage to find… a familiar face sitting across from me.

“The Cathedral workers are really kind-hearted, aren’t they? It’s heartwarming to watch. But anyway, your strength is quite remarkable, senior Ed. Not many can keep up with the pace of those workers…”

“… What are you doing here…”

I started to speak formally but caught myself quickly.

The dark-haired girl sitting across from me, a carefree noble girl from Sylvania’s first year, was Kylie Ecknair.

“I’m also on my way to assist Saintess Clarice.”

“…”

“Senior, I hurried over so I could share this carriage with you.”

She grinned like the happiest person in the world, and at that moment, I was at a loss for words.

“I was hoping to have a lot of conversations with Senior Ed before we arrive at Cledric Monastery.”

“So you went through all this trouble just for that…”

“There’s something important you want to tell me, right? Ever since the camp, I’ve felt you’ve been eager to say something.”

When did she notice?

The weight of authority carried by the Saintess, who commands the entire Telos Order, subtly imbued those innocent eyes.

“Would you tell me without holding back? I’m ready to listen to anything Senior has to say.”

As the coachman climbed aboard and cracked his whip, the carriage…

…slowly made its way towards the monastery.