How to Survive at the Academy
chapter-206

The Youngest Retiree (1)

“The glory of the Rothtaylor family shall never dim as long as the Clorel Empire shines.”

Just reading these words fills one’s chest with pride. These were the words shouted by the founder of the Rothtaylor family, bolsche Rothtaylor, as he lifted the radiant banner of his family in the heart of the empire.

Now, having just shed the last vestiges of her childhood, Tanya Rothtaylor clumsily steps into the hall wrapped in her dress down dress. She always carried the majestic sight of the Rothtaylor hall in her heart.

To be born into the Rothtaylor family and witness such a glorious era was truly a blessed fate.

She vowed to live up to the Rothtaylor name with dignity, as a lovely and strong young lady, and bring pride to the family she represented.

If she had a dream, it was to prove her worth and elevate the name of Rothtaylor to new heights.

Her life was dedicated to proving the greatness of the Rothtaylor. Such a beautiful and noble journey was not granted to just anyone.

The beautiful Duchess of the Rothtaylor family, Tanya Rothtaylor, would one day become someone that people would honor with a trembling heart upon hearing her name.

Endowed with the Rothtaylor name, holding power and honor, she would lead everyone.

The ambition burning within the girl blazed like a torch.

The will to live as an immortal legend, remembered by people forever.

That grand ambition was not something suitable for a child who had not yet come of age.

Thus, at a tender age, the girl harbored an ambition that shone brighter than anyone else’s.

*

“I want to die…”

In the student council office, attached to the student plaza’s Obel building, Tanya muttered to herself while sitting slumped over her desk, a look of exhaustion on her face.

It was about two days after her brother, Ed Rothtaylor, had left for the Cledric Monastery.

“…”

The student council’s action committee member, Zix Effelstein, had nothing to say to the lifelessly slumped girl and sat silently.

Various reports from the alchemy department’s clubs about research herbs and reagent materials were not adding up with the inventory confirmed by the student council’s executive members during their field inspection.

The student inspection committee members had reported that a reconfirmation was necessary.

Zix had been waiting for Tanya’s review of the report, but now he was flustered to see her deflate like a punctured balloon.

“President Tanya… Perhaps you could start by reviewing the documents.”

Despite being a junior, Zix respectfully addressed Tanya, the student council president, who shot him a glare before burying her face in her hands once again.

“Senior Zix. Why must people work?”

“That philosophical inquiry could wait until after your work is done.”

“We might just be swayed by societal conventions. Humans don’t live merely to work. Surely, when the gods created humans, there was a more valuable intent hidden within.”

“Please, President. Review and approve it now. The inspection committee members can’t carry on without it.”

“Is this really important right now…? Verifying the inventory of alchemy supplies used for club activities?!”

“… It is important. The alchemy division is full of accident-prone individuals. Without proper checks, there’s no telling what peculiar items they may craft or what incidents may arise. It’s best to prevent any mishaps before they occur.”

“… Indeed, it’s important.”

With that agreement, Tanya began to read through the inventory comparison report, marking it with her quill pen. Then, with a gasp, she took a deep breath.

“I went ahead and processed the work smoothly again… naturally, like water…”

“Your expression is as if the world has ended, yet you handle your tasks so fluently.”

As Zix watched Tanya’s morose face, he felt a distant sense of melancholy.

When Tanya first arrived at the Sylvania Academy, she was somehow different, her eyes sparkled with animation.

She would talk about trapping Ed and throwing him away, or becoming the student council president to elevate the Rothtaylor’s glory to the skies.

No matter the goal, the ambition and desire for improvement from a girl in her age group were so commendable that Zix, as a senior, often applauded her.

Time with its tumultuous episodes had passed—a time long or short, filled with many events.

Zix had expected that the naive girl with purely ambitious traits might become a more seasoned negotiator after facing a few real-world challenges.

However, the outcome was somewhat different from his prediction.

“Listen, senior Zix. I’ve heard that if you follow the mountain range of Phulanshan and head further to the right, there lies the old manor that used to belong to Baron Cleckton. It’s on the market now, and incredibly… for a sum that would barely afford a run-down building in the imperial city, you could buy a new mansion. It’s hard to believe for such a price.”

How she came by such detailed information on estate sales, throwing out such an odd topic, was beyond him.

“It’s close to several rural villages, with good air and water, and one could swim in the nearby river on boring days or, if inclined, I’ve been wanting to take up oil painting on canvas… It would be a great place for landscape painting.”

“President Tanya…”

“Just pop over to the village market occasionally, try cooking with ingredients never seen before—I’ve always had a knack for cooking but never really practiced it. It’d be nice to hone some real skills in it.

Maybe learn some embroidery while I’m at it. And of course, I shouldn’t just hole myself up in the manor, lest I become ignorant of the wider world, so if there are local socials, book clubs, or charity work, I could participate. Maybe twice a month…

“

She detailed her plans with such specificity that she sounded like a woman planning her retirement in the twilight of her life.

Yet, to anyone’s remark, Tanya Rothtaylor had a long life ahead of her, a burgeoning girl in the prime of her youth.

Suddenly, cupping her chin with both hands and chattering away about her reveries, Tanya turned solemn and spoke.

“… I’ve had a good idea.”

“Do you think it would be alright to ask… due to the unease?”

“I shall set up a plan to retire.”

“You’ve not even served half a year as president yet.”

As student council president that may be feasible, but she can’t just toss aside the future head of the Rothtaylor household simply because she wishes to. That position requires time.

Certain remnants of the Rothtaylor, especially those traditionally affiliated with the royal court and distant relatives, view Tanya Rothtaylor as the last central figure. To abandon all of them and disappear would not only be politically burdensome, but it raises ethical questions as well.

If Tanya steps down from the household, the Rothtaylor family could realistically disappear from history.

The countless people who would fall into despair because of that are what’s currently forcing Tanya into the role of the future household head.

Before the household establishes stability, the central figure cannot just disappear. Until then, Tanya cannot retire.

The crux is that a new emperor should rise, one who might not equal past prestige but could at least ensure the stability of the Rothtaylor power base.

With Sella as a rival and Persica unreliable, that leaves only Princess Phoenia.

Ultimately, the core of the plan is to weaken Princess Phoenia’s rival factions.

Tanya had been devising a plan to deal with Princess Sella, but upon reflection, she realized there was no need to be so busy.

Strictly speaking… all this busyness is a result of her actions as the prospective head of Rothtaylor.

Perhaps the dignity she holds as the student council president of Sylvania Academy could be relinquished.

The power of the student council is significant, and though it might come in handy when needed, it seems less indispensable than she thought.

“Upon reflection, it seems the prestigious position of student council president of Sylvania Academy doesn’t suit someone as flawed and naive as I am. I have much to learn… I am not as dignified as I should be!”

“President…”

“You agree with me, don’t you, senior Zix?!”

“Before discussing my opinion, if you’ve been elected as president, you can’t step down without a justified reason as outlined by the school regulations.”

At those words, Tanya’s face began to drain of color.

“What?! Why can’t I if I don’t want to?!”

“It’s an elected position. Electing a replacement requires a significant amount of administrative work, and the vice-president can’t just serve as president indefinitely either. The representatives chosen directly by the students have their legitimacy at stake.”

Tanya smoothed her blonde hair, now with the eyes of a decaying fish. Overlaying her radiant image from last year with her current state, Zix couldn’t help but sigh.

How much had her spirit withered in just a year… No matter the hardships, it shouldn’t be to this extent.

Zix shared the harsh reality with her.

“You might as well just complete your term promptly, don’t you think?”

“I’ll die if I do!”

“Despite the suddenness, people don’t die that easily.”

Tanya pressed her eyes shut, bearing a world-weary look, and then shook her head vigorously.

“If I can’t resign willingly, then I’ll just have to be displaced or impeached…”

“What devious thought have you concocted now?”

“If I just lay there doing nothing, what would the academy do?! They’d be forced to establish a stand-in, even if begrudgingly. They’d have to discipline me to remove me from my position if I refuse to work! I don’t care! I don’t want to work…!”

“… Well, if that’s your determination… you’re free to do as you please…”

Zix leaned back with a thoughtful look, then let out a deep sigh and took a seat at the wooden desk in the corner.

“So many proposals are delivered to you because, quite frankly, your work directly impacts many individuals within the academy.”

“… Ugh.”

“How many students and faculty must cease their work while you, President, lay there, waiting for just one of your approval stamps.”

“Well, that would be regrettable, but…”

Responsibility!

Zix Effelstein knew.

No matter what, Tanya Rothtaylor naturally possessed an innate sense of responsibility she just couldn’t abandon.

“I have my own… circumstances, you know.”

Still, she resisted with a look of agony. Indeed, her willpower had grown…

“My dear friend Elka’s asthma has worsened, and I confess, I have my worries.”

“Eh? Suddenly…”

“She’s a girl to whom I’m bound for life, yet despite her deteriorating condition, she stubbornly refuses to pause her schooling, which only adds to my concerns.”

“Why are you bringing this up now…?”

“Despite such adversity, she insists on continuing her education here at Sylvania. To support students like her, we in the student council were pushing for a policy that would give priority to students with illnesses to attend classes or allocate better rooms for recuperation, weren’t we.”

Zix glanced at the towering pile of paperwork.

“That approval must be mixed in there somewhere.”

“That sort of thing should’ve been brought to my attention earlier…! I would make that a priority to handle immediately. Why are you only telling me now!”

“It wouldn’t be right to receive special treatment just because I’m part of the student council. I’ve been silent for that reason. We must maintain fairness, after all.”

Zix spoke sternly, closing his eyes.

“Each one of these proposals may mean the world to someone, or they could simply be documents desperately expected by someone like myself. While they might seem routine to you, President, to someone else, each one represents a fervent wish.”

“… Ugh, ah…”

“Knowing that, I couldn’t ask you to prioritize my personal requests.”

As delays continue with these matters, people anxiously await their resolution. Some may despair without ever receiving an answer.

“Tanya, to some degree, understands that while urgent matters are prioritized, other proposals can’t be postponed without consequences.

She was fully aware of how important her position was. That’s why Zix knew,

Tanya couldn’t just lie down and ignore responsibilities, pretending not to see the situation. Such behavior was not in her nature.

“So you think… I’ll be shaken by that?!”

“…”

“Ugh… Uggghhhh…………”

“…”

“Ugh………… Ughhhhhh………… I got it….”

Tanya, with her eyes tightly shut as if in pain, her lips sealed… began slowly to underline the documents for approval.

“Really….. really… I… ugggh…. uuuuuuggghhhhh…………….”

Her face looked tortured as if enduring a great pain, but the choice was ultimately hers.

Despite everything… she simply couldn’t shake off the weight of her responsibility…

In the end, she would always walk back into the swamp of duties on her own accord.

It was a scene that couldn’t help but bring tears to one’s eyes.

“Tanya, the president, came to visit the day before yesterday, back when Senior Ed was still at the monastery. It was quite an unexpected event.”

It had been two days since returning from the Cledric Monastery.

I hadn’t fallen behind in class, fortunately, probably because I had been piling up some work while away. It was quite a relief.

Of course, I hadn’t spent all my time carefreely playing while living at the monastery.

I continued to hone my sewing skills from the monastery, and now I could finally handle proper bow-making skills. I started preparing to make a bow that would perfectly suit me.

Visiting Elte Trading Company was an inevitable part of the process.

Nobody in this Sylvania could supply better materials than Lortelle.

“I was in complete opposition to Tanya, the president, during the last student council election, wasn’t I? I’m not particularly close with the academy either. So when the student president personally comes to Elte Trading Company… it’s rather disconcerting.”

As I tried to procure quality materials through Lortelle,

Before getting to the heart of the matter, Lortelle, sitting at the office desk, broached a subject regarding Tanya.

“Oh? What did she talk about?”

“It was somewhat perplexing to understand.”

Lortelle was better at reading people’s minds than anyone else. If even she was puzzled, then what exactly was Tanya scheming?

“She said, ‘I’ve heard all about Elte’s involvement in scandals, and I intend to inspect on behalf of the academy,’ as if she had such authority.”

“That’s… not like Tanya at all.”

“Right? It’s odd because she never took an aggressive stance against Elte Trading Company before.”

Tanya was busy. If she took the trouble to come all the way to the main office of Elte Trading Company, there must have been a good reason.

“As long as she sits in the president’s seat, she’s always watching Elte Trading Company. She threatened that as long as she was president, Elte would never be free to spread its wings.”

“Oh my… Did that make you feel bad, Lortelle?”

“Huh? Well, I’m not sure. Since she’s Senior Ed’s sister, and seeing such sudden movement, I thought it must be intentional, so I didn’t feel too emotionally upset.”

Dusk fell upon the office. Lortelle, with her chestnut brown hair hanging down her shoulder, turned her back to the late evening sky, brimming with red hues. The curtain fluttered gently in the cool breeze of early autumn, painting a picture of peace.

Despite Tanya’s threatening demeanor, there was no sign of disturbance. After all, she wasn’t the type to be easily flustered.

“But I am quite puzzled by the intentions behind her actions. There have always been tensions between the academy and our company, but why exactly did she stir up trouble and leave?”

“Oh, Lien. Could you please collect the inventory list? We need materials suitable for bow making.”

“Yes, yes…!”

Lien, reassumed as Lortelle’s chief secretary, still had a nervous demeanor, but her work had become noticeably more efficient. Standing behind Lortelle, the virtual king of Elte Trading Company, what was there to be nervous about?

“Actually, I’ve looked into Tanya, the president, and it seems she’s not alone in her unique actions.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. There has been friction with academia too, and she’s been handing out uniform regulations in front of the student union hall, unnecessarily putting pressure on student clubs to report… Anyway, she’s recently become quite active in her external activities.”

Lortelle spoke, brushing her glossy hair and tilting her head slightly.

“It’s as if she’s hoping for some criticism.”

“Surely… It’s awkward for Elte Trading Company to be suddenly confronted with talk of inspections.”

“It seems like they want something from us, yet they won’t speak frankly, so it’s frustrating.”

Lortelle’s office had accumulated more clutter than before. It seemed like the branch had fully fallen into her grasp — personal belongings and household items were sometimes in sight.

“With the combined tournament this semester and Emperor Clorel attending, that big event alone will keep us busy without a moment of rest. I wonder if she has the time and leisure to present such movements.”

“Perhaps she has her own thoughts. When I last met her, she seemed quite stressed.”

Before visiting Cledric Monastery, I had seen Tanya once. Despite voicing many complaints, she clearly held visions for the future of the Rothtaylor family and the student council.

“Well, then the student opinion must be poor. I wonder if she’s mentally okay.”

“No. The student support for Tanya, the president, is unprecedented among past presidents.”

“… What?”

“Despite adversities wobbling the Rothtaylor family, she carries on diligently with her duties. The fact that she, as a first-year, reveres her seniors. The way she manages massive workloads without neglecting her studies. She listens to club and class suggestions and reflects them… To be honest, her support is solid, making it difficult for our company to restrain. Not that we intended to, anyway.”

I took a sip of the tea Lien secretary handed me and spoke, still bewildered.

“But you just said she’s making all sorts of unpopular maneuvers?”

“Well, the same actions can be interpreted differently depending on whether the viewer is sympathetic or antagonistic, right?”

“So…?”

“The acts of striving to discipline students are interpreted as our Student President, who knows how to strictly keep rules and separate public and private life…”

“…”

Images of Tanya sitting in the president’s office, staring at documents with dead-fish eyes, came to mind.

Suddenly, secretary Lien, with a new tea and a list of property on hand, chimed in.

“Tanya, the student president… is objectively cool, isn’t she? Despite being a first-year… it’s like… she has an aura of a senior student…”

“Yeah…?”

“Because everyone knows how hard she’s working for the students, they’re all looking out for President Tanya. Even the student clubs are voluntarily bringing forth neglected funding.”

Indeed, Tanya was a girl who worked hard on everything.

Even after becoming the student president, her diligent attitude remained unchanged, and she was bustling about every which way.

With a new conviction arising for the student who had known nothing but Rothtaylor, she ascended to her role with purpose.

Truly… she’s praiseworthy…!

Yes, praiseworthy was the apt word.

“Even this aggressive stance may be to preemptively address any potential infringement of student rights. That’s what I’m thinking… even if the exact intent isn’t clear… if it’s the president, there must be a reason.”

Secretary Lien spoke about Tanya with near certainty.

“Indeed… Tanya is reliable.”

I also agreed.

Tanya, emotionally mature, had turned into a person capable of standing tall as the future head of the Rothtaylor family.

Although it feels a bit odd to consider a truly sibling relationship, given my possessed state…

Still, she’s the only blood relative I have left in this expansive world.

Supporting her when I can is certainly the right thing to do…!

Because Tanya… has suffered far too much already…!

Having lived in darkness for too long, it’s time she stepped into the golden age of her life and basked in the light…!

“If Tanya’s actions were unpleasant, I, as her brother, apologize to you. Lortelle.”

“Oh my… It’s far more unsettling for Senior Ed to apologize. Please don’t apologize to me, I wasn’t upset.”

“No…. Still, I believe in her and want to support her.”

I stated firmly.

“If possible, I’d like her to continue as student president next year… Let’s put all of our effort into it…! Lortelle, please believe in her too!”

I firmly gripped Lortelle’s hands, conveying my determined will.

Lortelle looked startled by my sudden show of conviction, nervously averting her gaze to the ground.

“If, senior, you say so, then of course I’d hardly want to oppose. Well, if I set my mind to it, arraging for her to be re-elected as president is no… it’s not even work… since we’ve succeeded once before…”

“Thanks. I appreciate your trust, Lortelle.”

“It, it’s nothing much…”

Lortelle sighed as if trying to stay calm, then slowly spoke after some time.

“You know that President Tanya called a meeting with only the well-known noble students? Senior Ed must have been included as well.”

“Yes. It sounds like it’s going to be more about the upcoming royal political situation than problems within the academy.”

“We need to solidly support President Tanya in that area. I won’t be able to attend since I’m of commoner lineage… but Senior Ed, you’re in a different position, aren’t you?”

Lortelle tended to work behind the scenes and was not one to attend such gatherings.

“Though I don’t know what intentions are behind the summons… I think we’ll go with the premise that she has a plan and support her.”

“Yes. I look forward to your cooperation.”

“Of course. Our Elte Trading Company will maintain a friendly relationship with the student council.”

Lortelle smiled slyly, making eye contact with me.

This trust exchange, without any doubts, seemed to bring great delight to Lortelle.

*- ‘In respect to Tanya, the student council president, who always works hard for the student’s authority, as a gesture we send 80 top-quality wooden furniture pieces suitable for the Obel Building, a stone goat statue sourced directly from the capital for decoration, and a prepaid annual membership for the Laplace Bakery usable by the student council for one year as gifts.’

– ‘We sincerely express our gratitude to the student council members who enforce justice and maintain order.’

– ‘Sent by Lortelle Keheln, Acting Head of Elte Trading Company Sylvania Branch.’

The Obel Building, used by the student council members, was now crowding with all kinds of luxurious furniture and decorative statues of formidable presence.

The student council members, who had rushed upon hearing the news, stood with gaping mouths in surprise.

Not to mention, students who received the annual membership for the famous Laplace Bakery in the living hall were also in abundance, their faces lifting with joy.

“Hey, start here~! We need to clear this out first to get it all inside! Let’s first fill up the office! Get rid of the old furniture we used before!”

Some executive committee members were already hauling the gifted furniture with grunts of effort.

Tanya Rothtaylor, the last to emerge, was standing silently with her mouth agape, looking at the scene in front of the Obel Building.

“Th… The president…”

Zix Elfellan, the senior of battle leadership and the top student with neatly cut hair and a sturdy physique, spoke with a look of disbelief.

“If it’s Elte Trading Company, even the academy headquarters couldn’t persuade them and are stomping their feet in frustration… what trick did you use…?”

Tanya looked at Dex with dull eyes, then once more silently turned her gaze to the bustling scene of goods being moved.

Tanya clearly had marched into the academy’s most suspected group, Elte Trading Company, with a posture of “fine, I don’t know what to do, but please impeach me anyway.”

It was a half-resigned feeling.

What kind of judgment would she receive? As Tanya anxiously waited, she faced an unexpectedly horrific form of judgment.

“Wow, did all of this really come from Elte Trading Company?!”

“I’ve never seen Elte Trading Company act so friendly towards the academy…”

“There was talk that President Tanya went all the way to the trading company to sort things out… what kind of magic did she use?”

“Would that slick Lortelle Keheln ever show such respect and consideration for the academy side…?”

“Yea.. it must be thanks to President Tanya…”

“It’s really… unbelievable, even before my eyes…”

In front of the Obel Building, adorned with a mountain of gifts, not only the student council members but even passing students were abuzz in surprise.

“This… she’ll definitely get re-elected next year, right?”

Suddenly, cold sweat trickled down Tanya’s face.

Above in the blue sky, her trusty brother, Ed Rothtaylor, seemed to stand proudly with a thumbs-up.

It was a visage of utmost satisfaction.