How to Survive at the Academy
chapter-224

Poisoned Chalice (5)

TL: TangSanFan

ED/PR: Tanthus

The night of the festival continued unabated.

With the coming of night, fireworks sprang up here and there across the academy, and a campfire blazed high in the student plaza.

The main party hall of the Ophelius Hall played host to talented bands performing, with students packed in, engaging in lively conversations while enjoying the snacks diligently prepared by the maids,

Even the faculty meandered through the festival’s stalls, mingling with students or enjoying a meal with laboratory assistants.

Members of the academy’s headquarters, busy managing the festival, took turns to tour the sights, and among them, romantics spurred by the fervent atmosphere tried to bear the fruits of love.

Thus, the night the island of Acken was painted with the heat of the festival.

– Swish, swish.

– Thump.

Aila, who had been shuttling back and forth to the library for days, poring over records on Sylvania, finally closed her book.

Since almost no students ventured into the library during the festival period, she had essentially monopolized the reading room.

Running her fingers through her dark brown hair, she leaned back in her reading chair and sighed deeply.

She couldn’t even respond properly to Taely, who visited with a worried face each time. Guilt surged within her, but she had more pressing matters at hand.

After being buried in the gloomy reading room for days on end, solely reviewing records, her mind threatened to grow hazy.

However, most of the records on Sylvania revealed nothing new. The information accessible in a corner of the student library on Acken Island was insufficicient to analyze Sylvania’s hidden intentions or peculiar behaviors.

The records Sylvania left behind were fragmentary, and many were passed down orally.

While she authored several books, most were treated as national treasures, housed in the royal library, or otherwise lost.

An ordinary student’s access to Sylvania’s footsteps was akin to swinging a fist at the air.

What Aila needed was a manuscript authored by Sylvania herself.

Or, records left by someone who had personally met Sylvania.

The treasure ‘Sage’s Seal’ left at Triss Hall of Sylvania Academy,

Sylvania’s ‘Star Lore Research Diary’ remaining in the royal library,

A ‘Consideration of Star Power and Magical Flow’ kept by the central archives in the imperial capital,

And an ‘Introduction to Star Lore’ left unfinished by the late great magician Gluckt until his death,

Along with countless notes found in Sylvania’s research lab.

She felt she could gain a wealth of information if only she had access… but they were all precious legacies inaccessible to ordinary students.

In the end, the information Aila could access was what had been publicly disclosed.

The records based on her statements and official research publications.

If there were any peculiarities or oddities in those, historians would have caught them long before Aila had begun her search.

“It’s difficult…”

Aila muttered, swiftly scanning through one of the piled-up documents.

It was the content of her speech in front of a crowd gathered at the imperial palace when her exile to Acken Island was decided.

– ‘Ladies and gentlemen. I am an incredibly extreme fatalist. I have lived believing that it’s human duty to comply with given fate and find happiness within it.’

A girl exiled to a quiet corner of the empire’s southwest, laying down everything she had accumulated.

Yet, in that speech, there was no trace of pessimism, disappointment, or despair.

– ‘However, if there comes a time when I must resist the cruel fate of this world… if I must struggle in any possible way against an impending disaster… then, I can abandon all thoughts.’

– ‘I am going to Acken Island. But, I do not consider this exile. It’s merely a launching pad for struggling against my given fate. You too may feel, at times in your life, as if a cruel fate is pressing down on you. You might feel as if the world is taming you, or life is tripping you at your feet. But do not be too disheartened!’

– ‘I, Sylvania, will fight that fate.’

The national populace of the imperial capital felt as if the grand sage who left these significant words and departed for Acken Island was like a general leaving for the battlefield.

With that record, Aila furrowed her brow for a moment. By that time, Sylvania had already become the greatest master of star lore magic in the world.

Aila took a deep breath and returned her attention to Sylvania’s public research records.

She had been researching for a long time to resist the future she had seen through her star lore magic.

– ‘The flow of time is variable. By twisting the flow of magical power, it might be possible to resist a promised future. However, it’s not easy to establish the laws of a domain that cannot be observed with eyes. Above all, there is no possibility of conducting a verifiable experiment.’

– ‘But one thing is for sure – the magic of star lore does have the power to twist and bend the principles of the world. Of course, it is not easy. To deviate from the destined flow of fate, one needs to create ‘variables.’’

– ‘Bring a variable that is not subservient to this world, forcibly twisting and bending the laws and predetermined flow of the future. To reattach the disconnected future and forcibly renew a time that will no longer continue… To do this… it is indeed necessary.’

– ‘A prophet who knows the path the world should take and can forcibly twist the direction in which time flows.’

– ‘Someone from another world.’

* * *

The insatiable nobility. And the daughter sold to such a person as a concubine.

By now, it’s a story that’s not just classic but has come full circle to feel fresh.

For Belle Mayar, it’s not even a distant story; her own past isn’t far removed from such classics.

My daughter was on the up and up, having struck a blow to a nobleman’s son – a story that in reality, became one of being entrapped as a trinket by a prominent noble in the blink of an eye.

And crucially, the Faelover couple had no proper understanding of nobility culture, having lived their lives secluded in a ranch in the village of Toren.

“Well, as a typical Duke’s son, this should be comfortably manageable for you, right? Isn’t that so, Senior Ed?”

Lortelle’s words were untrue.

No matter how influential the young noble, relationships with women must be handled with care. Given their influence on power structures, even keeping one or two mistresses involves layers of precautions against discovery.

The talk of a noble surrounded by a double-digit number of women and enjoying a “harem” was a being that would barely be seen if we traveled back hundreds of years.

In short, Lortelle’s absurd story was just a curveball designed to puzzle the clueless Faelovers.

“You’re joking.”

And of course, Ed Rothtaylor wasn’t about to agree…!

When Ed pushed down on Lortelle’s head firmly, she laughed ‘Ahaha!’ and held her mug tightly to prevent any spillage.

“Don’t take the wrong impression, but I don’t engage in such grand actions.”

Lortelle herself, of course, did not believe such an absurd joke would be taken seriously.

However, it was enough to make a clear impression on the Faelover couple of the ‘distance of social status.’

While Lortelle Keheln remains a commoner, she had risen to power based solely on her own skills.

Unlike simple ranchers who herd sheep and feed cattle in rural country, her standing was completely different, emphasizing this while at the same time imprinting the Faelover couple with just how distant a figure Ed Rothtaylor was.

For a Duke’s son, attracting a few women and living with them isn’t a matter at all. The lifestyle and thinking of the common folk are wholly different from that of a noble.

Having fully realized this fact, the Faelover couple felt the disparities in their status anew.

“That, that is… true…?”

“Don’t read too much into what Lortelle says.”

“But… if you’re not in any special relationship, are you… living together like this…?”

Faced with that question, even Ed Rothtaylor found himself at a loss for words.

Because… it’s a fact…!

Humans, when struck by fact, find it hard to counter…!

Yenika Faelover who has settled in right next door, Lortelle Keheln who’s built a villa under the pretext of a guesthouse but is almost always present, and Lucy Mayrill who tries to snuggle into Ed’s blankets at any given chance… ostensibly, they all share nothing beyond a friendly relationship.

Objectively, isn’t he just a scoundrel who’s toying with their affections, walking a tightrope between the three women’s hearts?

Of course, Ed had his own defenses ready.

Yenika was the one who said it was hard to stay in Dex Hall and asked to come to the cabin, Lortelle unilaterally bought the land to build her villa, and Lucy trespassed without permission.

Ed Rothtaylor was… just trying to survive peacefully in his cabin at the camp. Whether it be relationships, future careers, or what lies ahead, nothing matters if he can’t get through the current scenario and out of the threat of death.

After earning Sylvania’s diploma, escaping the world-threatening danger, he wants not just to ‘survive,’ but to ‘live’ life.

From the moment he found himself incarnated in this body, that unwavering goal was all he strove for, walking straight without wandering, steadily moving towards that distant goal.

But would such excuses really hold water?

“What in the world… how many hearts do you intend to break…!”

Silla spontaneously uttered, immediately covering her mouth.

It was truly a rude remark to make in the presence of the person concerned. However, she couldn’t help but blurt it out without thinking due to Ed’s behavior, synonymous with a woman’s foe.

“Ah, agh…! I’m, I’m so sorry! Ed, young master!”

“Silla! One must think before speaking!”

“Ah, that’s right! I’m sorry! Honey! It’s just… I was so flustered…!”

“I apologize with her for the disrespectful behavior, Ed.”

“Young Master! And I… understand the life of a man!”

Kadan suddenly began to assert his philosophy with a solemn expression.

“Like a lone wolf wandering the plains, settling in a place one likes—that is life. Perhaps the many abodes we have passed are experiences that become our own blood and flesh…”

“Honey, what on earth are you talking about? This is not the kind of thing to discuss in front of your wife!”

“Oh, umm… that… you have a point… but, Silla, you’re the only one for me, dear…. Oh, don’t misunderstand me! I just mean, I understand the life Young Master Ed leads, that’s all!”

“But… it’s not someone else involved, it’s our daughter Yenika! Our precious daughter who wouldn’t hurt our eyes even if she were in them!”

“That… certainly… it is like that…”

The couple, panicking and unable to reach a consensus, seemed incapable of organizing their thoughts.

Ed, too, was at a loss for words, not knowing what to say.

As for the subject of this commotion, Yenika Faelover, she was somehow sitting in a corner of the camp with Merilda by her side.

With a face red as a beetroot, she buried her head in her knees, lamenting to Merilda who was reading a book.

“Merilda, if I’m embarrassed of my parents… does that make me a bad daughter?”

『 I understand. 』

Yenika Faelover was already knocked out by the situation.

The one to finally settle the situation was Belle Mayar.

Ed Rothtaylor had been on many life-adventures since being banished, currently leading a wild life.

And although he had been involved with many people throughout the process, it was not with the dark intentions that the couple had imagined.

Thanks to Belle’s calm and serene voice, the Faelover couple soon regained their composure.

Calming down agitated people and neatly organizing situations is Belle Mayar’s forte. Even Belle had been a bit flustered until now, but once she regained her composure, things progressed efficiently.

“So, there’s no need for you to worry too much. Please return to the visitors’ quarters and end your day. I’ll handle the situation here.”

“Okay… Miss servant girl. We were too flustered. We apologize to Young Master Ed as well.”

“Don’t worry too much about it. The situation was understandably confusing.”

Ed remained courteous to the Faelover couple until the very end.

At a glance, he didn’t look like a libertine who carelessly toyed with women’s feelings.

In essence, Yenika Faelover was not so much caught as a mistress to a noble fond of women, but rather seemed to be fighting a battle in the chaotic frontline of love alone.

Understanding that truth brought tears near to the couple’s eyes.

‘Yenika… what kind of battle have you been fighting…! Keeping it a secret even from home, and fighting a solitary battle in this distant land against people like the acting head of Elte Commerce or even legendary magicians…!’

Silla felt the weight of that solitude countless times.

And so, as parents, they felt they could not just sit still.

‘The people of Toren Village can’t just stand by! Especially for Yenika, who has been fighting this lonely battle in a distant land, I have to step up!’

‘Once we’re back in the village, let’s prepare a special plan! The other villagers won’t just leave Yenika suffering alone in distant Acken. Let’s gather at the hall and brainstorm how to help her!’

They were unaware that this was akin to a death sentence for Yenika. They loved their daughter too much.

-Startled-

A firm resolve gleamed in the eyes of the Faelover couple as they looked at Lortelle.

For the sake of Yenika Faelover, who was adored by the people of Toren Village, the villagers might even decide to cut off trade with Elte Commerce.

Toren Village’s pride, Toren Village’s light, Toren Village’s dream. That was Yenika Faelover.

‘Hmm…’

Lortelle tilted her head at the sight of the couple’s determined expression. She had considered demonstrating the difference in their status, but instead, Kadan and Silla seemed to harbor a sort of hostility towards Lortelle in their eyes.

‘Maybe I need to approach this differently.’

Meeting the parents of Yenika Faelover directly was a rare occasion.

One way or another, she needed to manipulate the situation to her advantage.

Lortelle smiled and spoke to the couple.

“It’s late at night, so I shall call a carriage for you. It is quite a distance to the visitors’ quarters. Take the Elte Commerce carriage from the entrance of the forest.”

“No, thank you.”

Kadan and Silla firmly refused Lortelle’s offer.

“We will walk! That is our way!”

After their emphatic statement, they moved towards Yenika, who was disconnected and in her own world.

Kadan knelt down to meet Yenika’s gaze and whispered to his lovely daughter.

‘Yenika. We understand the situation now. You’ve been through a tough battle.’

‘Ah, dad…’

‘We fully grasp your feelings. More than anything, that wily merchant lord is definitely too much for us. But… if the villagers unite together, it’s a different story…!’

‘No, no! Please, I’m begging you, don’t tell the villagers!’

‘Your kind heart doesn’t want to trouble the villagers, I know that… Yenika…! But understand our pain of watching…! All we want is for you to be happy…!’

‘It’s not that I have good intentions…! I just don’t want to share it, please just take my words for it!’

‘Crying… Honey… Our daughter, she’s grown up so… well-behaved…’

‘I feel like crying too. Honey…’

Yenika felt anger and frustration welling up within her.

“Lortelle madam. We are uneducated and own nothing, we do not belong in this high society. Therefore, we will proceed in our own way.”

With a seemingly resolved look, Kadan directly addressed Lortelle.

“We may not be able to meet you with such a smiling face in the future. Our daughter is precious to us.”

A determined tone. Clenched fists. Sharp gaze.

With a manly passion flaring up like flames, Kadan boldly declared to Lortelle.

“No matter what dirty tricks you play, we will never bow down!”

Lortelle looked at Kadan and smiled subtly.

“Maybe… that Lortelle girl isn’t as bad as we thought…??”

“Exactly, dear. We may have been too prejudiced just because she’s a merchant. Not every merchant is greedy or only thinks about money, right?!”

“Once we had a talk, her thoughts were much deeper?! She was thinking deeply about the geographical advantages of Toren Village or plans to improve the livestock product structure in the future. Also knew thoroughly about the trends in the Fulan region, truly recognizing trading partners not just as laborers or suppliers of goods, but as companions on the same business path…! Kahahahahaha!”

The next morning, while eating in the student dining hall with Yenika, the Faelover couple talked loudly.

“… Mom, Dad? What happened?”

“Huh? Nothing special. In the morning, the head secretary from the trading company visited our quarters and brought us some gifts!”

“And they showed us around the various facilities on Acken island, took us on a tour of the trading company buildings, I think…?”

“Indeed. We thought Elte Commerce was just a bunch of money-grubbers, but they’re surprisingly earnest about coexisting with the academy. They do a lot of charity work too!”

“The staff treated us so respectfully, it was almost embarrassing!”

Kadan’s robust laughter grew louder as he continued slurping his tasty soup.

“And they deeply understand just how arduous, unpredictable, and yet romantic the work at the ranch is. Ah, truly befitting of one who rose to acting head at that age, her experiences are different!”

“They also promised to maintain the trade agreement with Toren Village, and even said they’d expand the trade as long as we maintain quality, right?!”

“Yes, when we return to the village, everyone should be happy. Huhuhuhu. It’s like I’m floating on cloud nine with such good news…!”

“Mom… Dad… You’re totally enchanted by Lortelle, aren’t you?!”

“Lortelle? It’s Madam Lortelle! Do you realize how much gold Elte Commerce pours into Toren Village annually?!”

“I’m eager to return and work on the plans to expand the ranch…! Who knew I’d be looking forward to working so much…!”

What Yenika Faelover had overlooked was that Lortelle has a knack for bewitching people.

No matter how much one sharpens their teeth in hostility, or fortifies their heart’s defenses, a few smooth words from Lortelle, coupled with her showmanship, can crumble those barriers.

Such is the level of a first-class merchant’s eloquence.

Yenika felt dizzy as she imagined Lortelle sitting by the campfire, smoothly setting down her mug with a smile.

* * *

“Oh dear.”

It was Lortelle sitting by the campfire, setting down her mug with a smile.

Winning the hearts of a country ranch couple took her just half a day. If a threat doesn’t work, then turn the wheel the other way and coax them—it’s as simple as that.

Winning people’s hearts isn’t limited to a single direction. Lortelle understood that fact quite well.

Having suddenly found herself free from company matters, she thought she might as well enjoy the festival today with Ed.

Lortelle expressed surprise.

Those who she thought would never appear in the North Forest… appeared in Ed’s camp with soldiers, bursting through the underbrush.

“… Why are you here?”

“That’s my line. I never expected to meet you here.”

Ed Rothtaylor had gone to check fishing nets by the river.

In his absence, an entirely out-of-place character had appeared in his lively camp.

The First Princess of the Clorel Empire.

It was Sella Einir Clorel.