How to Survive at the Academy
chapter-221

“Poisoned Chalice (2)”

TL: TangSanFan

ED/PR: Tanthus

Little was revealed about Princess Sella Einiel Clorel.

In Act 4 of “Sylvania’s Failed Swordsman,” her role was confined to that of a sacrificial character, created to amplify the tragic nature of the Rothtaylor family’s disaster and elevate the immersion for the audience.

Seeking power, worshiping authority, and fixated on the nobility of her bloodline, she was not the kind of person who could easily curry favor with the player, not even with empty words. Well, considering how she was later consumed by the evil god Mebuler’s power and vanished while screaming, it seems the intention was clear.

Scenes of her treating her subordinates poorly were unnecessarily emphasized, and her sly smiles as she chased after power suggested that her gruesome fate at the hands of Mebuler was meant to satisfy the audience’s desire for justice.

However, Princess Sella survived.

The character that was meant to highlight Mebuler’s cruelty was no longer necessary.

By not exiting the stage, I allowed Princess Sella to remain on it as well.

To anyone in the world, Princess Sella is designed as a villain straight out of a painting. Her role is to become miserably devastated, emitting a cry of despair as she makes an unsightly exit.

Her continued presence, at a time when she should have exited, remained a significant variable as a central figure of the imperial power… She must leave now. At least, she cannot remain as someone who would obstruct my plans.

“It’s an honor to have made you take action personally.”

A sense of freezing coldness seemed to hang in the air, just like her frosty blue hair cascading sharply along her jawline. Her tone, though expressionless, always carried a chilling, authoritative air.

“It is a great honor to meet you again, Princess Sella.”

“You have been busy with interesting things, I see.”

I respectfully bowed my head slowly, acknowledging our direct audience.

Tanya, who had been hesitant, also bowed her head following my lead, but Lucy showed no signs of caring.

Lucy Mayrill was the kind who could defiantly stand tall even before an evil god. What more for someone who played the villainous role and tried to corner Ed Rothtaylor into a dead end?

When Sella saw Lucy like this, she let out a seductive laugh.

“Lucy Mayrill. I still vividly remember your arrogant behavior when you visited the imperial court. It seems you cannot be so modest here. Is it because of this man? How amusing.”

Whatever shenanigans Lucy had been up to in the imperial court, it seemed their interactions began with this as soon as they faced each other…

I had only heard that Princess Phoenia somehow convinced Lucy to return to Acken Island, but until then, there had only been stories of the fiery conflicts between Lucy and Princess Sella.

Even Lucy would know that openly crossing a princess of a country could lead to treason; one must know that not everything can be solved by sheer force.

Yet it seems she must have caused quite a stir to warrant full dismissal of her enormous merit for having chased away the evil god Mebuler single-handedly… The expression on Princess Sella’s face, utterly fed up, gave away how troublesome it must have been.

“Accompanied by Lucy Mayrill and Tanya Rothtaylor, and with Princess Phoenia as your background support… That’s quite the achievement for a man of your age. I didn’t realize it when I saw you at the Rothtaylor estate.”

On one side, the prodigious sorceress Lucy Mayrill, and on the other, the young Tanya Rothtaylor managing both the Rothtaylor household and the Sylvania Student Council.

Behind them stood Princess Phoenia, the Princess of Compassion. From Princess Sella’s perspective, it must have seemed extremely suspicious.

Someone who is building such a strong independent force would have no reason to praise Sella. After all, Princess Sella openly opposed the Rothtaylor household, a power that had established itself through political maneuvering.

Therefore, it’s only natural to start with skepticism when one’s opponent extends an olive branch.

“Thanks to you, I have saved quite some face. Even His Majesty the Emperor seems to hold my kingly qualities in higher regard, leaving me feeling indebted.”

Princess Sella began with that statement.

“However, you wouldn’t think I would just gratefully reward you for that, right?”

There wasn’t a hint of friendliness in Princess Sella’s imposing gaze down at me.

She was wrapped in pride, an impregnable empress.

Many will have bowed before her, kissing her feet, seeking her favor. But none could change the cold look in her eyes.

To her, humans are just tools for advancement, and those who earn her favor are those who help her climb the ladder.

Born talent, noble lineage, and the extent of one’s usefulness. She may not dislike flattery, but those that indulge in it are seen as mere sycophants, content to please others all their lives.

I closed my eyes and thought.

I had seen many of this kind before.

Princess Sella, too, being someone who lived her life close to the pinnacle of imperial power, must have encountered all sorts of people.

There would have been those greedy characters who bowed and scraped before her, hoping for crumbs of favor.

Others may have resented her view of humans as mere tools, puffing up with righteous indignation.

She rewarded those venerated her and made those who opposed her regret it; thus, Sella reigned supreme.

It isn’t too challenging to manipulate such beings.

What terrifies people who have spent their lives trampling on others is the ‘unknown.’

Humans can be easily dealt with if their allegiances are clear.

But those who are ambiguous—who are neither friends nor foes, who could either be helpful or harmful, who should be ostracized or embraced—cause great discomfort to those who rule.

“Of course not. I simply expressed my pure respect for you, Princess Sella.”

I said so nonchalantly, head still bowed.

She might think she is exuding supreme confidence, but I could definitely feel a subtle wariness in Princess Sella’s demeanor.

There’s always some tension in the way superiors look down on their inferiors.

Will this person be helpful or harmful? Are they worth as much worry or attention?

Let the wrong person into your fold and they can stir up trouble like a muddied fish.

“What reason do you have to support me? Weren’t you openly hostile to us?”

“When I make my judgments, I do not consider such emotional reasons, nor do I think about political standing. There is only one basis for my decisions.”

Humans are cunning creatures.

The more they can’t have something, the more they want it—this peculiar yearning is deeply ingrained.

“Who is worthy to be Emperor? I believe that you, Princess Sella, are suitable for the position.”

“Slick talker, aren’t you? Certainly, a person good for sweet talk when one desires it.”

Princess Sella sneered, implying that anyone could make such flattery.

“But if you really thought that way, you wouldn’t have sided with Phoenia to begin with.”

“If that’s how you interpret my words, I have nothing more to say. Whether you trust me or not, Princess Sella, I will move as I see fit.”

“Well, I didn’t expect you to be straightforward. But credit is due where it’s due—mentioning my name has indeed raised my status. For that, I am grateful. That’s it, though.”

She was a girl whose pride soared to the skies. Expressing even a hint of gratitude was a significant concession.

But that’s all there was.

“If you thought my favor could be bought so easily, you’d be gravely mistaken. I do not easily accept unexplained kindness.”

“Is that so? Then that is regrettable.”

Without further explanation, I ended the conversation, which seemingly annoyed Princess Sella, who crossed her arms and looked at me with dissatisfaction.

No emotional disturbance was revealed. There was nothing to gain from appearing disappointed, regretful, or aggrieved.

That was the only outcome.

Formally speaking, I was seen to venerate Princess Sella and show her respect.

From her standpoint, there was nothing more to probe or delve into concerning me.

And with that, our probing encounter was over.

I boldly voiced my opinion.

“Such an approach might only give the impression that we are too easy to deal with. Are you sure about this?”

“I too have my doubts, but Princess Phoenia was adamant that this is the right direction, raising her voice for it.”

Reluctantly responding to Zix while prying Tanya from her spot on the bench, where she had planted herself in protest, I replied, “Since you likely know more about Princess Sella than I do, I’m going to trust your judgment on this matter. Surely you have a plan in mind.”

“If that is your decision, senior, then… Well, let’s go, President. There’s a mountain of festival work waiting for us.”

“Uh… Senior Zix. Do you remember how many issues we still need to deal with today?”

“Senior Anis should have that figured out, though… how many tasks we need to finish today isn’t that important.”

“Why, why not?”

“We simply won’t be able to finish everything today.”

Tanya turned pale as Zix took her by the hand. A strange sense of betrayal washed over me, as if I was surrendering my own flesh and blood to a demon, but it couldn’t be helped… This is right…

“Anyway, I should get going. There’s still a lot left of the festival, so keep your spirits up, both of you.”

The festival atmosphere was still bustling.

As I prepared for the duels, managed the camp, and tried to find time for personal magic practice, I scarcely had time to fully enjoy the festival… But perhaps getting a little carried away in the festive mood at the end wouldn’t be too bad.

Princess Sella would likely stay in Sylvania for a bit longer, collecting more information about me and analyzing the reasons behind my sudden actions.

― ‘You don’t have to do anything else, it’s fine. If you just stay put… Sella will figure it out on her own.’

It was rare for Princess Phoenia to speak with such conviction. Perhaps I should trust her words a bit more, even though I still did not fully understand their implications.

And so, I saw off Belle, who came to fetch Lucy, and Zix, who came for Tanya. I then sat alone in the quiet waiting area, taking my rest for a long while until it was time for the audience with the Emperor.

Just as I was about to take a break in the waiting room, Belle, who had been about to leave with Lucy, unexpectedly returned to my chamber.

“Ah, Lord Ed. I completely forgot that I had a message for you.”

“A message?”

“Yes, actually…”

― BANG!

That was precisely when the waiting room door burst open.

“No way…!”

Exclaimed Yenika as her face turned ashen.

People who wanted to catch a closer glimpse of the Emperor and the Princess had surrounded the area completely.

The spectator stands at the dueling grounds were in utter chaos, with academic staff and student council members struggling to maintain control over the crowd.

The noise of the crowd, praising the great and noble Emperor Clorel, was deafening.

Thinking it a waste of time to get lost in such a chaotic place after roughly spotting the face of Ed Rothtaylor from a distance and catching a distant glimpse of the Emperor, she intended to extract her parents from the frenetic scene.

However, Yenika had but a moment’s lapse of attention when both Kadan and Silla disappeared from sight.

There was no reason for them to act on their own. Could they have failed to notice Yenika’s brief split from them?

The two, who were new to Acken Island and unfamiliar with the inside structures of Sylvania, must not have known where to go. Yet a growing sense of unease seeped into her heart.

Being of rural blood, her energetic parents would not stand idly at the sight of the gracious young lord up close without taking action!

They had hauled presents all the way to Acken Island, so how could they just stand by now that they were so close to the young lord who had been so kind to their village?

So far, the villagers had been able to bluff their way through, but if they didn’t hurry and leave, it could turn into a major disaster!

Filled with this realization, Yenika began to pace frantically, but no matter how hard she searched the nearby seats, she could not see her parents.

Eventually, noticing that the envelope containing the gift boxes she had brought from their hometown was gone too, Yenika realized her uneasy prediction had become reality.

“Oh, Lord Ed! It is an absolute honor to meet you! I am Yenika’s father. I raced here with gifts after hearing all about the great favor you’ve shown her. There’s no way I could sit idle at home in Fulan!”

“Dear! Don’t be so ridiculous! You shouldn’t speak so lowly in front of a noble lord! Lord Ed, please forgive us. This man works with cows all day and doesn’t know the manners of nobles. Of course, neither do I… so if we make a mistake, please know it’s out of ignorance…”

Kadan Faelover and Silla Faelover introduced themselves; even at first glance, they struck me as the typical village laborer and country wife.

I had no idea how these two had managed to cut through security and get here. To reach the participant’s waiting room, they had to go through internal corridors that normally restricted entry to staff and officials.

“How did you manage to enter?”

“Oh, Lord Ed. You ask so formally! Your words are too long! Please speak more concisely! For an important moment like this, Kadan knows when and how to act fittingly!”

“Right, right, Lord Ed! Just keep it simple, like…

‘Who are you? Why are you here?’ That should suffice!”

“Wait a minute… Silla… Even so…”

“Dear, when situations like this happen, it’s important to be humble. Lord Ed, think of us as foolish busybodies and kindly accept these gifts. We’ve been racking our brains on how to repay your kindness, and we decided to bring you the best cow from our ranch.”

Silla took beautifully wrapped gifts from a basket and neatly arrayed them on the table in the waiting room.

“Our meat from the Faelover farm is so highly regarded that even the nobility seek it out. You won’t be disappointed! Use your servants to cook the meat however you like; it’s sure to be delicious!”

“I really hope the servant girl can present a dish that complements this wonderful meat… good ingredients meet the best chefs to create happiness…”

I sighed slightly, considering that I might end up cooking the meat myself.

Seemingly oblivious, Belle Mayar, who had been standing next to me, apparently dumbfounded since she arrived with Lucy, now appeared to be mistaken as my personal servant.

They must have seen Belle at the Ophelius Hall, but did they have no interest in her?

Or did they assume that as a servant of Ophelius Hall, she was also my servant?

But I’m not even affiliated with Ophelius Hall…

“Ah, I understand.”

To my surprise, Belle Mayar spoke up nervously, a sight not often seen from her.

Suddenly, Belle, who had been holding Lucy, interjected. It was totally unexpected.

“… Belle?”

“Servant…?”

Belle looked at me in a mix of confusion and urgency, sweat beading on her forehead, as she spoke.

“That is, cooking is a kind of pride for our first-class maids.”

“Certainly, someone like Lord Ed would be accompanied by top-tier maids…”

“Yes, that’s right. Thus, Lord Ed… only accepts cuisine from the finest chefs who cook with pride. To bring other cooks into Lord Ed’s household would be an insult to me, who is in charge of his meals.”

Belle Mayar had suddenly started spouting strange things, including some odd lies about masters and servants.

Belle doesn’t have a sense of pride or dignity as a cook; she simply sees it as a means of livelihood.

Although she cooks well, she does not carry pointless pride in her cooking.

Yet there she was, making a face that screamed of desperate resolve.

It was clear that at any cost, she couldn’t let these two enter my residence.

A grim, almost fierce determination radiated off her face.