How to Survive at the Academy
chapter-208

Youngest Retirement Hopeful (3)

“Let me get straight to the point. The reason I’ve gathered you all here is to protect Sylvania as much as possible from the power struggle that will soon engulf the entire Empire.”

Tanya, who sat at the head of the table with the assistance of the student council secretaries, laid out the main issue without beating around the bush.

She was never one for roundabout talks. As the current president of Sylvania Academy, she was renowned for her no-nonsense work and straightforward opinion-sharing.

Even at this gathering of esteemed nobility, she didn’t waste time on pointless pleasantries or updates about personal affairs.

Let’s say what we need to say, then part ways. This attitude was apparent, exposing Tanya’s disdain for pomp and circumstance.

She probably just wanted to finish up quickly and get back to work.

“Specifically regarding the imperial power struggle… I recognize that your opinions will inevitably diverge. If your families support different candidates, then naturally, you will align with their decisions.”

It’s acceptable to have different opinions. The problem is that these students don’t really have a choice in the matter.

Tanya paused for a moment and looked around at the students sitting in a circle in the small conference room. They all seemed steadfast and solid, yet they were still heirs currently immersed in their studies on Sylvania’s grounds.

The decision to support a particular imperial princess was made not by them, but by the heads of their respective households.

Students too would adjust their behavior according to the stances dictated by their elder family members.

The Rothtaylor clan, the Bloomriver family, and the Callamore household had sided with Princess Phoenia.

The Islan family, the Rokin Mercenaries, Ginifail, Lergus, and Eniston had pledged support to Princess Persica, while the Elfellan, Whitepeltz, and Nortondale stood behind Princess Sella.

Despite Tanya’s best efforts, and even believing she had swayed some opinions, she couldn’t completely stop the divisions. Ultimately, the key noble families had split into three factions. It was, after all, an expected outcome.

In the forthcoming power struggle, these groups would bet on entirely different sides.

Naturally, tensions would rise. Especially during the Crestol Festival’s Integrated Combat Tournament, where the results of student duels could directly influence the standing of their respective households.

The tournament, where heirs could openly showcase their prowess before onlookers, was an opportunity for nobles to present their promising future lineage.

“I’m not going to force everyone to get along. However, I don’t want the ripple effects of the power struggle to split the students of Sylvania into factions.”

Amidst the hushed silence, Tanya spoke calmly.

“We are students, after all. All we need to do is fulfill our role as students.”

While she couldn’t fully close the rift of escalating conflict, she would make an effort to minimize it.

That was Tanya’s policy.

“I agree. No matter who becomes the Emperor, Sylvania must continue as a haven of learning.”

The first to voice agreement was Zix Effelstein, a second-year from the Magic Department.

A member of the Student Council and effectively a representative of the Islan family, he was naturally favorable towards Tanya’s opinion, looking to generate a consensus with his early agreement.

“At this time, I believe it’s prudent to admonish students who drag the conflicts surrounding the imperial succession into Sylvania,” he suggested.

“I… I agree too…”

Another student voiced agreement, though with a voice that seemed as if it was fading away.

Not particularly cold, yet wrapped in a thick shawl and looking quite haggard, was the girl Elka Islan.

Belonging to the Islan household from the northern territories and studying at Sylvania as its librarian along with Zix.

She appeared far more haggard than when she had last met Ed. Word of her worsening chronic asthma had already spread among the student body.

“Elka, you don’t need to strain yourself to speak.”

“No, it’s fine… Although the Islan family has declared its support for Princess Persica… I will still respect the actions of the other families.”

With a gentle smile, Elka added her support to Tanya’s stance.

In one corner, attentively listening, was Dorothy Whitepeltz, the senior-year alchemy department’s top-ranking student, who also chimed in with her agreement.

“Indeed. Even among us students, we should try to unite. Though I’m unsure how the imperial succession conflict will resolve, I hope for harmony, regardless of the outcome…”

“But maybe, we should first consider the reality, sister.”

Interrupting Dorothy was Joseph Whitepeltz, a first-year in the Magic Department and her brother, who was also known as a prodigy, having joined the Tog Magic Research Society at an unusually young age and already capable of casting mid-class magic.

With his bangs neatly swept back and the rest tied in a ponytail, he bore quite the scholarly demeanor.

“What…? Joseph… you’re opposing my opinion again…?”

“It’s not blind opposition. We will graduate from Sylvania in a few years. But as members of our families, we will live with those decisions for life.”

Joseph’s point was valid. Even in the face of everyone, his tone held conviction.

“Our family’s directive or Sylvania’s harmony? If we have to choose one, it’s inevitable that we’d lean towards our family.”

“…”

Joseph’s articulate points couldn’t be disputed, and no one seemed discomforted by his forthright sentiment addressing the harsh realities during this diplomatic discourse.

“Frankly, I’m not sure if the Elfellan family would respect my opinion that much.”

The words came from Tyke Elfellan, a senior-year combat department’s top student, huge in stature and armored with gauntlets, speaking with a voice as deep as a bear’s.

“While I’d wholeheartedly respect President Tanya’s views, if my lord were to instruct me to maintain distance from families aligned with opposing forces… Honestly, I don’t know how much I could refuse.”

“I feel the same way.”

Trissiana Bloomriver, another fourth-year student, also expressed agreement.

“Don’t overlook the fact that even among them, there are those who think,” Wade said, halting his speech there to observe the students.

A collective silence enveloped the group, tension passing between the students for a moment.

“Anyway! I completely agree we shouldn’t fight needlessly…! What good would it do for us to fight amongst ourselves!”

Clevius, who dreaded conflict and found it fearsome, simply wanted to avoid unnecessary trouble and believed in keeping things peaceful… but Elvira, sitting next to him, seemed to disagree.

Fiddling with various bottles of reagents and sorting them, Elvira spoke candidly with narrowed eyes.

“I’m in favor of asserting my own beliefs. I apologize to President Tanya, but if I must choose between prioritizing the Academy or the Anis House, I stand with Anis.”

“What, what…!”

“You’re surprised, Clevius?”

“Anis House supported a different faction than the Nortondale House!”

“The harmony of the Academy and ours are two totally different matters, foolish Clevius.”

Elvira, still holding Clevius’s cheeks between her slender fingers, let out a deep sigh.

“If a force threatens the Anis House, I won’t just sit by idly.”

Elvira Anis’s declaration draped the assembly in silence again. Some agreed with her opinion, while others seemed to want to avoid unnecessary friction.

Both sides had their reasons, which made it a headache for those leading the group.

“Let’s wrap things up here. Phew…”

President Tanya, sitting at the head of the group, held her forehead and exhaled deeply as if plagued by a headache. The students ceased expressing their opinions and listened quietly to her words.

Tanya watched them with a distant expression – it was clear she was the pivot point of this situation. If she did not firmly hold the center, the group could split into factions at any moment, potentially escalating into serious conflict.

No one at the Academy, at this moment, could replace Tanya. The President had to be in her position.

Tanya wanted to cry.

*Hands shaping roughly-made birch arrows, I tested them by releasing one across the camp to thud into the nearby oak tree. The cleanly pierced shaft trembled with the residual vibrations.

“…”

The feel in my hands was good, but the power output was dissatisfying.

I longed to employ the power of magitech or to embed a magical array to add that extra effect. It was just a dream with this quality of bow.

I needed an innovative element in the crafting to be truly satisfied, but it was challenging to pinpoint just what.

“Ed! Look at this! Ta-da!”

“…?”

Returning from my shooting practice to our campfire, there stood Yenika, proudly displaying Ed’s neatly cleaned school uniform shirt.

“Look, all the old stains are gone!”

“Were you doing laundry?”

“Yes! Right before coming back from break, back home, they mixed lye and oil to create this soap for me! Look how different the results are with just a change of soap. Isn’t it amazing?!”

Indeed, it looked as good as new. Clapping my hands in appreciation, I expressed amazement at her success.

Yenika beamed with pride, clearing her throat and displaying the shirt more substantially, as I resumed pulling the bowstring by the campfire and Yenika folded the finished laundry. The familiar scene unfolded as the sun set, both of us settling into our customary tasks by the fire.

“It’s almost time for the grand Crestol Festival, just two months left. It’s the empire’s biggest festival that comes only once every four years… I can’t wait!”

“We have to prepare for the upcoming combined dueling tournament too, it’s going to be busy.”

“Yeah, but I’m so excited! Fellan, being in a remote village, didn’t have much going on even during the festival. At best, we shared a meal among the villagers… nothing special.”

Yenika chuckled as she hopped in place, clearly thrilled by this new experience. Being away from her rustic village life and into the festivities of Sylvania gave her much to look forward to.

“Recently the atmosphere at the Academy has been tense, right? Even the student meeting Ed attended today was on edge, wasn’t it?”

“Yes. The mood among the young heirs of noble houses has been quite sour lately.”

“Well, I hope the festival will help ease the tension. Hehe.”

Naturally smiling, Yenika stacked the neatly folded laundry, while I continued whittling the end of the bow with my dagger and tested the grip once more.

“I feel the same. Hopefully, the dispute ends soon to return the Academy to its former atmosphere.”

The conversation transitioned smoothly, with no shock as the boy sat down beside us. Ed and Yenika turned to look at him, both with an expression of disbelief.

Zix, who was holding a bundle of documents, had just picked up a skewered pork roast from by the fire.

“…”

“Oh, this is well-seasoned. Senior Yenika’s cooking sure is improving. At this rate, you could start selling it!”

“Eh? Really? Ed has been saying that lately too, hehe…”

Yenika, delighted by the praise, grinned quite like her usual self.

“… How long have you been here, Zix?”

“As I did not wish to disturb your intimate conversation, I decided to simply sit by the fire.”

“That… That so…? Well, if you’re here, you could have just told us…”

Zix, with a mouthful of roasted pork held in his cheek, straightened the heap of documents and glanced around the camp.

“I was just… wandering around Academy for student council work.”

“What does roaming the Academy have to do with student council work?”

“Well… think of it like a sort of patrol, I suppose. Anyhow, no irregularities here. I will take my leave.”

Zix stood up, continuing to chew, and addressed me again.

“Ah, right. Senior Ed. During the grand Crestol Festival two months from now, there’s going to be a combined dueling event. It will include duels between the lead students of each year. As it stands, you’re the leader of the third years, so you’ll likely face the fourth-year leader.”

“…Is that so.”

“Yes. It’s probable that on the day when the royal family is present, you’ll enter the duel arena against Tyke senior, the combat chief of the fourth years.”

Tyke Elfellan.

The bear-like man who had barged into the last exam with Professor Krayd to save Ed. Despite his heavy build, he was unexpectedly fast, with a destructive force lurking in every punch.

The talk was that Elfellan House’s king of fists had solemn but impressive warrior skills.

“He’s not an easy adversary. He’s the lead student of his year for a reason, and on top of that, the highest year. Moreover, his house officially supports Princess Sella. If Tyke senior loses during the duel in front of the Princess herself, he will not let it happen.”

Zix finished off the last piece of his skewer, commenting while still chewing.

“Tyke senior will surely give his all, fighting earnestly. A man whose fists could shatter stone if he fully intended it. A single hit from him, and it’s straight to the medical bay for you.”

“Thanks for the advice.”

“No problem. I’m off.”

Zix tipped his head in thanks for the meal and disappeared into the brush, continually glancing back at the camp but eventually deciding it didn’t matter and walked away.

“… So, in the end, why did Zix come?”

“Who knows… Student council work is broad, and he must have had his reasons. Anyway… hand me the laundry. I’ll put it away for you.”

“Eh? That’s fine. Ed, continue your work. I also have to tidy up my own things.”

“No, I feel a little bad asking you to handle even the aftermath.”

Snatching the laundry from Yenika, I walked toward the newly-finished cabin. It looked magnificent from the outside, but the interior was spartan.

The fundamental furniture was in place, but it was just that—basic. Moving furniture from the smaller cabin to this thrice-larger space didn’t quite fill it up.

More convenient furnishings were needed for the first floor, and the second floor required conversion to a workshop, which would take more time. And in the process, I could further hone any neglected carpentry skills.

It was empty, but the spaciousness lifted my spirits. With the laundry in hand, I approached a worn wooden wardrobe tucked into a corner. Organizing the clothes would be a quick task.

With the thought of finishing up bow-making practice, I flung open the door.

As if expected, Tanya was there, her academy robe hanging off her shoulders as she hugged her knees.

“…”

“…”

“…Hello, brother.”

It didn’t look like a happy greeting.

I couldn’t even muster a response; my voice trapped.

“That…”

“…”

Cradled inside the closet seemed comfortable.

“It’s surprisingly calming in here, like sinking into tranquility. I’ve hidden here before… it’s almost addictive. I may start sitting here occasionally…”

“…”

“Please say something, brother… It’s me who’s been caught hiding, why do I have to plead…”

I didn’t know what to say either.

It was truly a difficult day.