How to Survive at the Academy
chapter-214

King of Fools (2)

During the Crestol Grand Festival, outsiders are permitted to enter Acken Island and the academy. However, few would travel to the remote southwest corner of the empire, Acken Island, just to witness the festivities of the academy. Most of the empire’s citizens are too busy maintaining their livelihoods to do so, enjoying the festival period in their own places of residence instead.

Moreover, while this is a period when the entire Clorel Empire is caught up in the excitement of the festival, naturally, the intensity varies by region. Rural areas like Phulanshan, where Yenika hails from, are too remote to fully experience the festival’s fervor, and the shrine of Saint Clarice maintains a solemn atmosphere year-round, so it’s not particularly boisterous there.

However, for Sylvania Academy, where the prime of youth gathers, the festival is celebrated with considerable pomp. So those imperial citizens around Jahl, the Border Count, with some leisure tend to gather. I’ve become so used to daily life at Sylvania that I hardly feel it anymore, but at least in the southern part of the Clorel Empire, there is no landmark that rivals this school. If you can’t afford to travel all the way to the capital city, enjoying the festive atmosphere at Sylvania Academy isn’t a bad option.

Of course, all of this applies only to those who have the luxury to enjoy the festival.

Thus, most visitors are either wealthy individuals, nobles, or families with students enrolled at Sylvania Academy.

“Thank you for visiting Sylvania. Visitor lodgings are available at Dex Hall, so feel free to leave your luggage there. Detailed instructions can be obtained from the dormitory supervisor, Mr. Melik, and you’ll find Dex Hall signposted towards the outer side of the teaching complex, adjacent to the residential building.”

“Ah, th-thank you.”

Orten Faelover, having disembarked at the pier, took the hand of his wife, Sella, who followed him off the boat.

Ranch work is unforgiving, allowing not even a single day’s break. It would be unimaginable for Yenika Faelover to think her parents had come all the way to Acken Island.

Had the kind-hearted villagers of Toren not stepped in to maintain the ranch while the couple was away, they couldn’t have afforded the trip to the distant Acken Island.

With the allowance for outsiders to enter during the festival and the bewildering correspondence the ranch had been receiving of late, it was time to seek the truth for themselves.

If Yenika Faelover had truly been elevated to the peerage as a baron, as parents, they had to see it with their own eyes.

With the timing right for a visit to Acken Island… they had made the long journey.

“Where is Ophelius Hall? A, are you a student?”

“Please feel free to address me informally. I’m Senior Action Committee Member Zix Effelstein of the Student Council. I’m currently in charge of guiding visitors at the pier, but you can get various guidance from any Student Council Action Committee members you come across within the academy.”

Zix, who was checking various papers near the pier, glanced over and pointed subtly towards the interior of the academy.

“You’ll find most facilities near the teaching complex or residential building… However, access to Ophelius Hall is strictly prohibited. It’s a place frequented by VIPs, and it has a rather exclusive atmosphere. Do you have business at Ophelius Hall?”

“Um… My daughter, she lives there…”

Yenika Faelover hadn’t told her family that she had been driven out of Ophelius Hall and was living in a hut in the forest. She didn’t want to cause them unnecessary worry.

Believing that Yenika was still residing in Ophelius Hall, the Failovers wanted to meet her there first.

“Hmm… I am currently residing in Loreille Hall for various reasons, but I used to live in Ophelius for a long time. If you tell me your daughter’s name, I can make enquiries for you at Ophelius.”

“Oh, h-her name is Yenika Faelover. She’s a good kid, earned top ranks a few times… F-Famous, she says…”

“Senior Yenika?!”

Zix stopped writing for a moment.

“Hmm… I’m quite familiar with her. It’s a coincidence.”

“Oh, you know our Yenika?”

“Yes, she’s a fine individual. She’s been involved in various incidents, too.”

At that moment, Orten’s eyes began to sparkle as he looked at Zix.

To the couple, who had lived in the countryside for so long, the sturdy and neat appearance of Zix seemed like the perfect match.

Needing someone outstanding for farm work, the couple always had an eye out for a potential son-in-law, especially if a man mentioned knowing Yenika.

Grasping Zix’s hands firmly, Orten spoke with gleaming eyes.

“You’re quite close with Yenika…?!”

“Eh?”

“Our Yenika’s commendable and alright, isn’t she?! Having been around her, what do you think…?!”

Zix looked back at Orten, bewildered.

“Suddenly this…?”

“Why, isn’t our Yenika second to none wherever she goes?!”

“I appreciate your kind view; however, I already have someone in mind as a partner. And frankly, I doubt I am in Senior Yenika’s consideration.”

“Is, is that so…? So Yenika, within this academy, is in a position to choose men…!”

“It’s a rather peculiar way to put it, but certainly, many do admire Senior Yenika. With a pleasant personality, exceptional talent, and lovely appearance, she’s often a topic among her juniors…”

Zix hesitated, wondering what more to add, then chose to stay silent.

Talking too much about Yenika’s personal affairs might be overstepping bounds. It was unclear how much Yenika shared about her academy life with her family.

Given the atmosphere, it seemed likely she was hiding the fact that she had been expelled from Ophelius Hall, so Zix didn’t want to say anything that might cause trouble for Yenika.

“That’s our Yenika…! Haha…hahahaha…”

Seeing Orten’s satisfied expression, Zix judged it best to say no more. After all, no parent dislikes hearing praise of their child. He decided to share just enough to keep them in good spirits, leaving the rest for Yenika.

As Zix looked at Orten and Sella, a nostalgic feeling came over him. If they knew about Yenika living outside of Ophelius Hall, at a wild camp, having received a title yet unable to shed her commoner ways, often in trouble, and nearly cohabitating with a grown man, he dreaded their reaction.

It seemed a situation where Yenika needed to be informed first, but he had no way to immediately find her location, especially with the festivals making things busy.

“I’ve been meaning to ask about how Yenika is doing at school lately, what with the news flying in… it’s so nice to meet one of her acquaintances as soon as we arrive at the school!”

“If recent news is what you mean, are you referring to her receiving the title of baron and the estate?”

“Yes…! Milked cows all our lives, never imagined becoming a high-ranking noble family. Suddenly honored like this… hard to adjust. I hear the young lord of the Rothtaylor Ducal family was instrumental, which puts us in with that house, so we should meet and express our gratitude!”

“Th-that’s right…”

“We might not know if they’ll appreciate it, but we’ve brought our finest cattle for slaughter, wrapped everything in the best packaging…”

“With Rothtaylor’s young lord, it’s hard to tell if he’ll appreciate such a gift. Darling…”

“People like good food, Sella! After all, they’ve made us like nobles, given us titles and estates, let us live large!”

Laughing heartily, Orten patted Sella’s shoulder with his muscular arm.

“I want to arrange meetings with both the young lord of the Rothtaylor Ducal family and Yenika… Where would it be fastest to go, young man?”

You’d just go to the northern forest’s hut camp.

Unable to speak those words… Zix wiped the cold sweat from his brow and fumbled for an answer.

“I… right now… don’t know… Ha… hahaha…”

*The spectacular opening ceremony at the student plaza also drew to a close.

The sight of academy staff pouring out of the main offices to control the student plaza with magic was an impressive scene to witness.

The sheer number of people made it impossible to estimate the crowd size, with outside visitors and students combined—all managed by less than a hundred onsite staff.

The cheers that erupted as Student Council President Tanya spoke were echoed by the fireworks that soared into the air following acting Principal Rachel’s concluding speech.

The teaching complex buildings, adorned with festive decorations, had a very different atmosphere than usual. As if waiting for this moment, vendors set up stalls along the teacher’s building pathway, and the usually off-limits inner workings of Sylvania came alive with excited visitors.

Centred around the student plaza, various stages spread throughout the academy featured performances by artists and bands invited from outside, while students themselves organized academic presentations, small magic shows, martial contests, and competition events.

Looking at the dense text of the festival program distributed by the academy, one wonders how anyone can navigate the countless attractions.

But not all places were caught up in festival fervor.

In the academy’s cathedral district, a prayer meeting presided over by Saint Clarice was scheduled. While it seems unlikely for outsiders to attend a prayer meeting, seeing Clarice in person is, apparently, a great honor for the devout.

Evidently, Clarice was busy enough with prayer meetings alone. Being in such a revered position is no easy endeavor.

“What will you do, Ed? The duel is the day after tomorrow. Will you be managing the camp until then?”

Between the dispersing crowd at the student plaza, Yenika approached with a slight smile.

She must have been positioned nearby by grade during the assembly.

Naturally, the camp’s condition doesn’t maintain itself during the festive days of the academy, nor do looming issues resolve themselves, or the time for my training somehow slow down.

Knowing this, Yenika asked casually. She likely didn’t anticipate me gallivanting carefree during the festival.

“I’ll rest a bit. But, there are still basic tasks to be done.”

“Is that so…? I was planning to attend a junior’s Elemental Study presentation, then browse the stalls later in the afternoon…!”

Yenika hesitated, glancing around, then came closer and whispered.

“Would you like to join me later…?”

“Sure. I’m affiliated with Assistant Professor Claire’s research lab anyway. Need to drop by there too.”

Happy to accompany Yenika, as it would be more soothing than wandering alone, I confirmed my participation.

I planned to return to the camp in the morning, finish up some preparatory tasks, visit Claire’s lab at Triss Hall for lunch, and then gather evening provisions with Yenika at the stalls.

“I’m glad. Lately, you’ve been so busy, and you’ve seemed increasingly anxious the past few days. I was worried.”

“I look anxious?”

“Yeah… Pushing yourself in training, and the recent discussion of Bellbrook… You just seem more rushed… It worries me.”

Although I had shared most things with Yenika, there was one conversation I had not divulged.

Before the festival started, it was a discussion that happened over a campfire with Aila.

My impatience was unavoidable, even on the eve of the festivities.

“Yenika, could we sit for a moment?”

Caught off guard by my request, Yenika tilted her head in curiosity and joined me.

*After completing the scheduled imperial duties, it was time for a tour around the Clorel Empire with the Emperor.

During the Crestol Grand Festival, it was customary to visit various significant establishments across the empire. Given the Emperor’s inspection occurs every four years, each region was expected to…

The royal institutions directly under Ji’s imperial command were all in a time when they had to be fully alert. Walking along the luxurious corridors of the Clorel Imperial Palace’s Rose Palace was Princess Sella. It was gradually becoming time to move. Having had the experience of touring these institutions directly with the Clorel Emperor for a long time was an opportunity to score major points in the imperial power struggle.

Princess Phoenia was attending school in Sylvania and thus was unable to participate, while Princess Persica, for some reason, had requested to stay within the palace. Sella couldn’t understand Persica’s intention to let such a precious opportunity go by staying in the royal palace… but with so many immediate concerns, the busy princess could hardly afford to pay it any mind.

As Sella strode across the corridor with her attendants, Persica appeared at the end of the hallway, accompanied by her own subordinates. It seemed Persica was returning from a meal, for the number of soldiers escorting her was fewer than expected.

“Oh, you seem very busy, Persica.”

“You’ve also become much busier lately, sister Sella.”

They exchanged pleasantries with smiles, but the soldiers swallowed hard. The imperial power competition was nearing its end. Clorel’s Emperor had implicitly stated that after the festival period ended, this sluggish succession competition would also come to a close.

For Sella, her political fate rested on participating in this inspection. It was the perfect opportunity to tour the nation with the emperor and demonstrate her potential to succeed him.

“I heard you’re going to Sylvania this time? You’ll be able to meet Phoenia. Do send her my regards.”

“Of course. It’s good to check on her well-being since we share the same blood.”

“You’ve become quite shameless, sister.”

“It’s a necessary skill.”

A strange undercurrent flowed between the smiling sisters. Phoenia openly showed hostility towards Sella, and Persica didn’t appear to want to maintain a friendly relationship with her either. If Phoenia distanced herself from Sella due to differing thoughts, Persica did so simply because Sella’s faction was too powerful. Persica had no intention of fueling her sister’s strength by aligning with her.

“This time, Phoenia… I’ll have to ‘deal with’ her completely… Apart from these political concerns, we need to help her focus on her studies among other things.”

Sella spoke with a smile, but to Persica, she seemed like a lion intoxicated with its own power.

“Well, whether Phoenia will be handled so easily remains uncertain. The people around her are quite… troublesome.”

“Are you talking about Ed Rothtaylor?”

“Oh my, sister, you also have him in your thoughts.”

“Well… failing to take control over a declining Rothtaylor family would certainly not be fitting for an emperor. We’ll need to break his pride once and for all.”

The might of a household isn’t determined solely by titles. Especially in a place like Sylvania Academy, where the virtue of learning is emphasized, ability is what truly matters. It operates by a set of rules slightly different from the Clorel Imperial Family.

“I should show our father just how superior my loyal followers are.”

…

‘Tyke, the hopes of Princess Sella rest heavily upon this upcoming duel,’ read the letter from the head of the Elfellan family. Tyke furrowed his brows.

‘The Elfellan family has often been shaken, and you have been like a benefactor to us, always providing assistance. Especially now that the Rothtaylor family has completely separated from us in terms of political alignment, we must not show any weakness.’

Amidst the festive academy atmosphere, Tyke, who was guiding a group of students from the combat department, let out a deep sigh after hastily receiving the letter from the postal service. Closing his eyes, he could picture the back of a young man who had achieved rapid growth, securing the position of top student in the third year of the magic department.

By contrast, Tyke knew that his own worth and capabilities paled in comparison to such a formidable personage.

‘Our family stands behind your abilities, Tyke. You must win this duel and offer all glory to the noble Princess Sella. If we can engrave that firmly, at least the future of our family will be secure.’

Tyke understood the underlying message: while there seemed to be high expectations from him, failure would be intolerable and would certainly lead to accountability.

…

“If the Archmage Sylvania was still alive, what do you think? It’s just a hypothesis…”

Upon hearing these words, Yenika’s expression turned grave. The notion that the esteemed Archmage Sylvania, famed for creating an eternal seal that would withstand the test of time, could be involved in its undoing was hard to believe.

At the climax of [Sylvania’s Fallen Sword Saint], the existence of the Grand Saint Sylvania was just a setting, remaining until just before the hunt for Bellbrook. The revival of Bellbrook was blurry, suggesting that he broke free from his seal after aeons.

The grand figure who stood at the heart of the academy’s founding, revered as an ideal for all mages, had been kept in the background of history, with neither name nor face revealed.

If indeed that figure cloaked behind the blackout of the stage, observing all stories was the grandmaster of Astral Magic, ‘Archmage Sylvania’, then finding and subduing her could end all predetermined trials.

Even if some doubted the possibility that a centuries-old figure could still be alive and orchestrating such events, if that were the truth, it would be the trigger to end this entire charade.

There remains something in this world that I, from within [Sylvania’s Fallen Sword Saint], did not uncover. It is time to unravel what that is.