How to Survive at the Academy
chapter-216

King of Fools (4)

TL: TangSanFan

ED/PR: Tanthus

Sylvania Robespierre was a prodigious genius, whose aptitude for magic could have been painted vividly into legend. Born to a moderately wealthy translator in the imperial capital of Chloeron, she mastered the common imperial language in less than a month, a feat that others would struggle to achieve. At the age of seven, while her peers complained and played in the yards, sylvenia was engrossed in thick magical tomes as big as her own torso, and by nine, she had already self-taught herself intermediate elemental magic.

Her father, Dexon Robespierre, a respected translator of magical texts, sensed his daughter was no ordinary individual. He hired several renowned tutors, but most of them could not bear the burden for long; when asked why, they would speak of a chilling brilliance. Sometimes, sylvenia showed the naive innocence of a girl her age, shedding tears over a scraped knee or thrown into a tantrum over a lost doll, yet the moment she picked up a quill for her lessons, she metamorphosed.

In her gaze while she absorbed knowledge and deciphered the runes, there was an eerie might, enough to raise doubts about whether those were truly the eyes of a merely teenage girl. Like a beast yearning to devour all knowledge, her eyes seemed intent on cannibalizing the tutors’ minds. One summer, she devoured years of a magical beast ecology tutor’s research in mere months to propose a novel theory on magical beast evolution. That same winter, she spotted gaps in her herbology tutor’s alchemical theory on potions.

At eleven, expressing a sudden interest in fencing, she trapped and felled a deer with a rapier in the mountains within three months. Not long after, she enchanted her father’s personal bow with a spirit formula she devised and formed a contract with a middle-tier spirit within the same month.

By the following year, her interest in alchemy led her to concoct ‘Potion of Blue Luster’ and ‘Red Ague Flower Elixir,’ brews even notable alchemists struggled with. That same summer, she cast an advanced wind spell, ‘Eye of the Typhoon,’ and obliterated the central fountain in Chloeron’s town square. At that time, the youngest on record to wield high magic was the twenty-nine-year-old commander of the imperial mage knights, Melkis. Sylvania was only twelve.

Sylvania fiddled with her fingers, a sheepish expression on her face after the incident. Dexon, who had come to pick her up from the square, intuited a realization as he watched the imperial troops surrounding her: the young girl who could barely tend for herself had caused such a catastrophe with high-level magic, leaving everyone trembling.

Now was the time to make Sylvania’s existence known to the world.

– “When studying the position of stars, I can see curious flows of mana. I’m not sure of the exact causal relationship, but if you stare long enough, a pattern emerges. If researched properly, it might be possible to twist even the basic rules and principles that underlie the world. This field of study, related to the positions of stars and their mana flows, can be called Stelladynamics!”

At thirteen, by the decree of King Clorel II, sylvenia Robespierre was appointed as the youngest-ever royal mage. It was an unprecedented move in history, yet no one could complain. The thirteen-year-old had already anonymously submitted two papers on elemental resonance to scholarly assemblies and was unanimously accepted, a remarkable feat.

Even the scholars in the Tog Magic Academy, who had spent their twilight years devoted to magic research, bowed their heads in her presence when it was revealed that the groundbreaking theories upsetting the established magical understanding were conceived by a thirteen-year-old girl.

Some recognized the immense gap in talent and left academia altogether. With the empire’s backing, sylvenia took over a whole wing of the Liliaceae Palace and filled a large laboratory with all manner of magical inks, grimoires, chalkboards, and arcane tools, thoroughly testing the theories that had, until then, only existed in her mind.

The rooms she had taken over in the palace became her world. King Clorel II knew his people well; a girl like Sylvania Robespierre should not be constrained by standard education. Instead, he arranged for her to meet as many scholars as possible, and scholars from all disciplines began to frequent the palace laboratory, eager to meet the empire’s treasured genius: Seolern Elfellan of the Elphellan family, the mischievous head of the Bloomriver family nicknamed ‘the Witch’s house,’ the renowned adventurer Daleks Eldain, and Jane Vellacursus, a researcher who proclaimed to study the elixirs of catastrophes.

As Sylvania emerged from her solitary research and built significant connections, her disposition grew vibrant. While many influenced her, the biggest impact came from Duke McLore of the McLore family, the first Sword Saint. His stories about his ancestor Luden McLore, especially about the subjugation of the Sacred Dragon Bellbrook, greatly inspired her to delve into swordsmanship.

She then expanded her martial studies to daggers, archery, and spearwork in the royal dueling grounds. Though naturally slight and not muscular, her technical skill grew peerlessly fast. By seventeen, she had the know-how to cast approximately a dozen high-level spells, a magic user of unparalleled depth among humans.

Scholars with beards grown long from a lifetime of magic study bowed to her bright smile. It was then that the term ‘Grand Sage’ began to accompany Sylvania’s name. Despite these honors, she never grew arrogant, nor did she seek fame or fortune. She could’ve strutted in ornate mage robes, but she chose to wander the wilderness in a weathered tunic and cape, carrying a few vials.

From the top of the observatory, where the stars shone brightest, she tiptoed to discern the constellations. Her research into Stelladynamics blossomed with miscellaneous collections filling her laboratory. The tricky celestial magic could unleash unexpected effects, divergent from the caster’s intent.

Accidental explosions in her laboratory became frequent. Initially, the royal family was understanding due to her achievements, but these events grew tiresome. The royals would beckon her, cautioning her about the dangers and possible casualties of her experiments, receiving her sheepish apologies in return.

Stelladynamics was a field uncharted by humankind, a domain that expanded the more it was explored; a new continent in the swamp of knowledge and research for the lifelong academic Sylvania. When immersed in such studies, her eyes sparkled with an ambition not seen in any other scholar. To uncover the secrets of this arcane practice was her destiny.

She dedicated herself to uncovering grand truths within the confines of the Liliaceae Palace laboratory—achievements no one else could have dreamt of, the royal household staff thought so, imbued with the inspiration her progress wrought.

She was the pioneer that would drive unimaginable advancements in the world—a certainty to them—until the next year when an experimental mishap involving Sylvania engulfed Crown Prince Lienfel of the Chloeron royal family.

The fallout was rapid. For endangering the crown prince with a forbidden experiment, she could have faced the severest punishment. Nonetheless, sylvenia’s vast achievements could not be ignored. Outright execution was too harsh for someone of her value.

Thus, King Clorel II decided to banish her to a quiet border region. The intention was to impart a lesson: to detach from her relentless pursuit of research that often led to misfortune. It was suggested she takes a break, to breathe fresh air, and clear her mind in the quiet solitude.

Such leniency in response to their son’s injury was a testament to Clorel II’s beneficence. Grateful, sylvenia left for Acken Island without protest. The choice of Acken Island as her place of exile was at her own request.

『 And that’s where Sylvania and I first met. 』

It was Merilda’s voice, soft and with a hint of a smile, from a corner of the cabin.

『 Despite being banished from the royal family for her accident, she remained audaciously cheerful. At that time, I found everything bothersome, but she was quite the nuisance. 』

“What do you mean by nuisance? In what way?”

『 She was always coming to me, begging me to join her research. There was no proper source of mana on Acken Island, no facilities for research, but she endeavored to pursue her magical studies nonetheless. Hah, what a stubborn character. 』

Merilda’s recounting, which had previously been a mere chronology of Sylvania’s life, was now taking a more vivid and personal shape.

Well, before that, the story of Sylvania’s…

Benia’s words were merely stories she’d heard from others, but what followed was directly witnessed by Merilda herself.

“Whenever there’s a chance, she’d proudly present her grand vision and press you to join her efforts, but the thing is… she actually made quite a few of those instances happen. She had an incredible driving force.”

“Present her vision?”

“She had a dream.”

Merilda, tossing her hair back as if tying it up, changed her tone to a cheerful one as if she were imitating Sylvania.

“A complete prediction of the future. A definite shift in causality!”

“… What?”

“It’s definitely the realm of gods to glance into fragments of the future by riding the currents of time, Merilda! But I believe in human potential! Be it the Evil God Mebuler or the Supreme God Telos, I have no interest in living a life that blindly accepts fate on a given timeline relying on the power of such gods!”

Was that how Sylvania sounded in her lifetime?

With a conspicuously elevated voice, she spoke as if demanding attention.

“Seeing the future… No, that’s not enough for me.”

She dismissed the absurd statement with a smile.

“I will go to the future.”

At those words, my face inadvertently hardened.

What exactly had the Great Sage Sylvania seen at that point?

“Should I succumb to the given fate? Even if a miserable destiny awaits, I have no intention of succumbing to such a future.”

“…”

“I will survive, Merilda.”

That girl, who would boldly puff out her chest and invite any trials and pranks of fate with a cheerful smile…

She must have known ‘something’ at the point she came to Acken Island. Was it because of the power of holy magic?

“What… What did that mean…”

“I don’t know. It’s not the first or second time she’s bragged about it. I didn’t have the luxury to entertain her wild claims every day. But perhaps, even in exile to Acken Island, her resolve not to be broken by her destiny might have held true.”

“Listening to you, I feel I understand what kind of person she was.”

“One thing is certain, not every aspect of her life was rosy. Despite being an eccentric who would laugh heartily and smirk through the hardship of being left naked in a desert, that doesn’t mean she knew nothing of sadness.”

“Of course. In the end, no matter how great a sage, she was still human.”

“Yes. Even after coming to the Acken Island, she frequently changed her views. Influenced by various people she met… Still, the decision to build a proper school must have been swayed by that person.”

“That person…? Who?”

The name that then slips from Merilda’s lips was a familiar one.

“Gluckt Eldain.”

The most renowned grand mage among Sylvania’s disciples and the teacher of the current most famous genius, Lucy Mayrill.

“The royal family had exiled Sylvania to Acken Island, but they didn’t want to leave her completely unattended. So, they gave her some work. She was expected to manage the outcasts from powerful families who had fallen from the royal favor.”

“So a person who was referred to as a great sage ended up babysitting children?”

“Well, yes. While she didn’t show disdain for it… those three children she was entrusted with were the very first students to enter Sylvania Academy. Back then, there wasn’t even a proper building, so it was more of a study hall than a school.”

Merilda recited their names with certainty, still remembering them clearly.

“Teslyn McLore, Gluckt Eldain, Philona Bloomriver.”

The three disciples were the first beneficiaries of the Sylvania Academy.

“I’m not sure if you’ll believe me when I say this… but among them, Gluckt Eldain was incredibly dull. It took him months just to learn the most basic elemental magic, a true dunce who should never become a mage.”

“I’ve heard that Gluckt Eldain was a grand magus from childhood blessed by the stars.”

“That’s just a rumor the Eldain family spread to save face.”

“… Despite knowing such earth-shattering facts, you kept quiet very well.”

“I generally have no interest in the rise and fall of human families~.”

Reminiscing, Merilda narrowed her eyes and gave a carefree smile.

Between a hastily constructed lectern and blackboard stood a young girl, exuding cheerfulness as she laughed while pretending to clear her throat. A prodigy like no other in the annals of history.

And at a desk, too shabby to be deemed such, sat a young boy looking up at the blackboard with uneasy eyes. A cursed dullard with such hopeless talent one couldn’t comprehend why he even dreamed of becoming a magician.

Imagining the scene of their eyes meeting, I involuntarily had no choice but to shut my mouth.

“Why do you think Sylvania established this school?”

“…”

“Throughout her life, she never understood the life of a dullard. So, maybe by teaching someone like Gluckt, she experienced firsthand there are far more individuals born without outstanding abilities. It’s a simple issue she could have just realized and moved on from… but I’ve said it before, she had a drive like no other. And though she had a kind heart, she pretended to be tough. Sigh.”

Merilda hopped off a stack of books. Walking with firm steps, she then opened the window of the hut with a slide.

The towering spire of the Sylvania Academy is visible even from this northern forest.

“At some point, it became the empire’s foremost academy full of genius talents, blooming with ability… But that’s not the foundation of this school.”

“Then indeed…”

“Right. This school was originally established for dullards.”

Merilda said, looking up at the lofty spire as if recalling a distant past.

“That’s how it started.”

And with that, she trailed off as if dismissing the seemingly meaningless talk and leaned against the window frame, turning to face back into the room.

* * *

Yenika Faelover’s sabotage had indeed been quite effective.

The festive atmosphere of the Sylvania Academy might look impressive to an uninformed outsider, just watching the spirited students buzzing around. Yenika’s parents, Kadan and Silla, were also completely immersed in the festivities, following Yenika around, experiencing all the sightseeing and tourist attractions.

Though Yenika had wished to wander around Ed Losteyler’s food stalls during the rare festival break, right now that wasn’t important. What was crucial was ensuring her parents enjoyed the festival worry-free and returned home well. Of course, there was the secondary goal of keeping them from running into Ed Losteyler.

… Truth be told, that was the primary objective.

Anyway, Kadan and Silla were contentedly following their daughter, having never seen such magic exhibitions, magically engineered products, concerts, plays, recitals before. After a refreshing rest back at their lodging, they planned to visit the academy the next day to see famous magicians demonstrate their spells and even attend a prayer meeting led by the saintly maiden… They were making the most of the special experiences in just two days.

“Yenika…! Thanks to you, we’re living it up! Truly… you’ve been the perfect daughter…!”

“Ehehe… Oh, it’s not such a big deal…”

A bit embarrassed, Yenika scratched her head and continued.

“That… But when are we planning to… go back…?”

“Oh, wow…! Could that be the royal carriage from Cloerel… Seeing it in person for the first time…!”

“Indeed, husband! Could we possibly be expecting to see the princess herself, her Highness Sella…?!”

“Is such a highly honorable event something we mere country nobles should be experiencing…?”

“Husband, straighten your back! We are the elders of a baron’s family!”

“Yes, that’s right… I am Kadan Faelover… I have lived a life where bowing my back in shame would be… disgraceful…!”

“That’s right! It was your spirit that made me settle in Phulanshan!”

“Yes! I forgot! As a man, I decided to live boldly with my chest out! Being buried in cow dung and fixing fences made me forget… but now the fire inside me is rekindled… It’s all thanks to being brought to great waters… It’s thanks to you, Yenika…!”

“Uh, yeah… Uh, hmm….”

After the royal carriage procession, the next event is the combined duel of the third-year students.

“We must see it! Ed will be participating, so there’s no way we can miss it!”

Yenika agonized with her head buried in her hands. Surely, with the massive crowd, sneaking in and watching wouldn’t be an issue.

Yet… She couldn’t contain the question nagging her. It might be rude to ask, but she longed to know… When exactly would they return home?

Whether they sensed their daughter’s impatience or not, Kadan Faelover and Silla Faelover seemed heedless of hiding their simple countryside image. Munching on sticks of bread sold at the market stalls, they read through the guide and entered the dueling arena stands.

Wiping her face repeatedly while following her parents, Yenika was trying to stave off the cold sweat.

Sitting quietly in a corner of the dimly-lit locker room was Tyke, who lifted his head slowly.

A few days earlier, that was the same place Wade had sat trembling in front of Lucy. Now, it was his turn to sit there.

The lengthy corridor leading to the dueling arena with its bars, and beyond that, the small opposite waiting room could be seen. Catching sight of a blond noble boy faintly sitting there, Tyke let out a smirk.

The gallery was packed. Reserved seating even included spaces for Princess Sella and Emperor Cloerel, though it appeared they hadn’t yet arrived.

Defeat wasn’t what scared him. It was the fear of his own weakness.

Reminding himself of the life he’d always lived without regret, Great King Tyke Elfellan rose from his seat.

There comes a time when a man must move forward, even if he senses defeat. Tyke knew this better than anyone.