How to Survive at the Academy
chapter-226

TL: TangSanFan

ED/PR: Tanthus

To the One Who Survived (1)

As Princess Persica exited the royal library, the soldiers standing guard at the entrance respectfully bowed their heads. Reflecting the tidy angle of their standing posture, they showed no sign of surprise, even though she had emerged from the door abruptly. Persica noticed the sun was setting as she looked out the window, realizing the festival was almost at its end. Having spent the entirety of the festival buried in the library, she never truly felt the fervent festival atmosphere—she neither enjoyed such busyness nor had the disposition to wander outside much. Nevertheless, with tedious matters like the imperial power struggles and royal meetings piling up, she hadn’t been able to stay glued to the library. So the festival had been an excellent chance to surround herself with books and pass the time.

Seizing the opportunity, it seemed Sella had gone on a tour with Emperor Clorel. While leaving a good impression on the Emperor was important, utilizing the absence of key figures to gather more influence within the royal court was equally crucial. During Sella’s absence, Persica considered recruiting key ministers and guards to her side.

Then, she became too engrossed with the books and should have left the library at least two days earlier.

“Shall I prepare a meal for you, Princess Persica?”

“No, that’s alright. However…”

Looking out of the window along the corridors of Rose Palace, she could see a spire stretching upright beside the central palace. Built for military purposes, its role had faded since times of peace ensued. Now, the building was used for personal reasons by a royal family member.

“Since no one’s watching, I would like to stop by the spire.”

“…”

“What, is there something I’m doing that I shouldn’t be?”

Emperor Clorel highly disapproved of anyone approaching the tower, for it hid the royal family’s painful secret. Being all too aware of this fact, the princesses avoided getting too close. Each with their values, they competed to continue the Clorel royal lineage. They were indeed the glowing pride of the radiant royal family. However, above these illustrious princesses, the eldest son had been essentially designated as the next Emperor.

Crown Prince Lindon Clorel.

A man who had once advised the Emperor and steadfastly occupied the position of his successor. The only male direct descendant of the current Clorel royal family, a robust ruler essentially appointed as the heir. The elder brother of the princesses, armed with a brilliant mind and perceptive eyes, had the makings of a wise monarch.

During the stable period under the sturdy Lindon, it was said among the ministers, “Combine the strengths of the three distinct princesses and you will have the ideal monarch… The Clorel Empire shall enjoy an era of peace for at least another generation…”

He was seen as a symbol of hope.

The infighting for imperial power among the princesses began when Lindon Clorel suddenly abandoned his right to succession and secluded himself in the spire. From then on, with the position of successor vacant, Emperor Clorel hesitated to choose which of the princesses would follow, and thus began a long history of discord.

Now, Lindon Clorel had become a recluse, hardly leaving his chamber. His once-mighty figure had become a pathetic shadow of its former self. Though his aids, royal chancellors, stewards, and guards all had no clue what had caused this sudden change. A man who had lost all will and aspiration to live, without a warning or a significant event, refusing to answer any questions, sunk into lethargy, where it seemed only death could not consume him.

His sudden decline was a deep wound to Emperor Clorel. After waiting a few months, hoping he would recover his vitality, Lindon’s condition only worsened. He simply starved in a room at the top of the spire, alternately sobbing in front of the fireplace or laughing emptily.

Upon the heir apparent becoming such a recluse, the power brokers of the royal court decided to isolate him completely within the spire. The former-active Crebin Rothtaylor led the move, concluding to care for the Crown Prince in isolation until he regained his senses, shielding him from the public eye—to reveal the prince of the nation had lost his mind would serve no good.

Crown Prince Lindon had willingly relinquished his position as heir.

Only that fact… was widely known.

Later, no one among the numerous retainers could pinpoint why Lindon had changed. Theories abounded that excessive stress had accumulated until one day it overwhelmed him mentally. Conspiracy theories also circulated that someone among the princesses intent on power had machinated his downfall.

Sella, Persica, Phoenia—someone had manipulated Crown Prince Lindon into giving up the throne, intending to take it themselves. And most suspicion fell on Persica, because, before Lindon’s changes, she was the closest to the Crown Prince. Spending time in the library with Persica, discussing various affairs over tea had built this presumption.

Of course, anyone daring enough to whisper such rumors before the royal family would find themselves facing the harshest of penalties.

Regardless… it was unlikely Persica hadn’t heard such whispers.

‘What foolish tales,’ Persica scoffed with a snort, climbing the steps of the tower. Now, even Sella looked at her with suspicion, as if she had truly orchestrated some plot against Lindon.

When the truth remains elusive, people tend to hastily fit together whatever truth they can. That Persica caused Lindon to act strangely was, at a glance, a truth ready-made for conjecture; there were always those who would be swayed.

However, Persica, too, had no idea why Lindon had locked himself away.

All she knew was that their discussions in the library had been pleasant: Lindon, who had vast knowledge and profound insight, made those times enjoyable. They’d discussed current issues while sharing tea on the terrace or exchanged book recommendations in a library corner—those weren’t bad memories.

Once, she even thought if Lindon ascended as Emperor, he’d be a fairly acceptable ruler.

Now, the current state of things was far from it.

– Knock, knock.

Persica knocked and opened the door. It had been a room she dared not approach while Emperor Clorel was within the palace. But now, with everyone’s attention turned outward during the festival, it was perfect timing to meet Crown Prince Lindon.

Although she had tried meeting Lindon several times, there had never been any fruitful outcome. Still, the habit had formed out of “what if,” every occasion turning toward the tower.

Expecting no different this time, she entered the dimly lit room, drew several heavy curtains aside, and blinked a few times as her eyes adjusted to the darkness.

Gradually, her vision cleared, revealing a shocking sight before her eyes.

“Li-Lindon brother!”

Persica screamed, rushing into the room. In a tower forbidden even to guards, her slight frame had to charge in herself. Especially since at that moment, Lindon was about to slip his neck into a rope hanging from the ceiling.

As Persica flew in, hugging his emaciated waist and pushing him away, he fell from the chair, rolling limply to the ground.

“Guh, *cough*… *cough* *cough*…”

“Lindon brother, what are you thinking?!”

“Damn… Damn…! I still can’t… I still can’t die…!”

Gritting his teeth, Lindon choked back tears.

“A person without the confidence to survive nor the courage to die… I stared at the rope for hours, but I just can’t endure the pain of death… I don’t have the courage… the courage doesn’t come…!”

“Come to your senses, Lindon brother! Why do you want to die?”

“Persica… Persica… Time is running out… I have to make a decision now…”

Having tumbled to the floor, Lindon swiftly pulled a small dagger from a nearby decorative suit of armor, pointed the hilt toward Persica, and offered it with trembling desperation in his grasp.

“Persica… Will you… Will you end me…? The retainers would never fulfill such a request for me…”

“Do you think I would accommodate such a bizarre request? Get a hold of yourself, Lindon brother!”

Lindon’s appearance slowly became visible amidst the darkness—the very image of a ruined man. His once-lustrous blond hair was now lifeless and clung to his face, his dull eyes and gaunt figure resembled a scarecrow.

Persica took a second to suppress a sob at the sight.

“There must be… a reason you’re like this…”

“I have no more courage to live… What use are imperial power and peace…?”

“Brother…”

“I fear the emptiness ahead. Why did I have to learn this? Why did I learn a fact I’d rather not know, trapping myself in a swamp of terror…! Damn… I miss my ignorance. I miss not knowing anything…! It feels so foolish to know and suffer…!”

“Your condition really seems to be worsening…”

Persica couldn’t recognize the man who used to discuss knowledge with her across the library table.

For now, she dragged Crown Prince Lindon to a chair. A retainer must have left some cold water, which she forced into the parched man’s mouth, and he began to gulp it down with great effort.

“First, calm down, compose yourself.”

“Persica… Persica… Soon… it’ll all be over… I’m scared…. I don’t want to suffer… I want to leave… I’d rather throw away this miserable life than continue struggling in pain…”

Ranting incomprehensively and choking on tears, Lindon seemed to calm down somewhat. Persica wiped the sweat from her brow and sat across from him on a sofa.

She had come just in case, but speaking properly seemed out of reach.

Yet, had Persica not arrived, disaster could’ve struck—an heir to the nation nearly ending his own life would’ve thrown the country into chaos.

Taking a moment to catch her breath, Persica surveyed the room.

It still felt lifeless, like no human dwelled there.

With a semblance of a corpse, Lindon simply sat still, dust accumulating on bookshelves and furniture. It appeared that retainers periodically cleaned and checked on Lindon, reporting back to Emperor Clorel… But now, even those visits had elongated.

He wasn’t supposed to end up like this.

Sighing deeply, Persica’s gaze fell upon a ring resting on the table—engraved with the royal insignia.

“This, this is…”

Upon closer inspection, it was the precious ring passed down only to the heirs of the royal family.

Owning this ring signifies that one has been promised the throne of the glorious Clorel Empire as the next Emperor.

“Brother still had it in his possession…”

It is an ill omen for the Empire’s treasured heirloom, passed down only to the Crown Princes since its founding, to be idly rolling across the table.

Rindon had already forsaken his position as the Crown Prince. He had lost all will to live. It was preposterous to entrust him with such a treasure of the Imperial family.

It seemed appropriate for Persica to recover it and deliver it to the Emperor. As she organized her thoughts to reach for the ring…

“No, Persica!”

Crash!

Lindon, who had been murmuring to himself, suddenly stood up and snatched the ring away.

Falling back to the floor, Lindon clutched the ring tightly to his chest, weeping miserably.

“No, no, no, absolutely not! Don’t touch the ring! Please, never touch the ring! Especially not you, Persica! You, of all people, must not!”

“Oh, brother…?”

“It can’t happen…! If you find out, you too… perhaps even you…”

“What are you saying, brother? Speak clearly.”

Persica gently stroked his chin as he lay pitifully on the floor.

“There’s no need to suffer alone. Whatever you learned, whatever this ring has to do with it… tell me…! Why keep silent…? There were many chances to speak!”

“Persica… But… I…”

She gazed down at Lindon with a firm expression.

Lindon looked back at her pathetically, then gradually released his grip on the ring.

“Yes… It’s all about to end anyway…”

“This ring is passed down only to the princes of the royal family. It’s also a key… I’m the only one who knows that now. I found out by chance.”

As if resigned, crown Prince Rindon began to pour out his long-suppressed words.

“Grand Sage Sylvania.”

An unexpected name sprang from his lips.

“A great scholar who once stayed in this Clorel Imperial Palace and researched divine magic…”

“Yes. But… she was exiled to Acken Island for causing harm to Crown Prince Lienfel.”

After she spoke, Persica couldn’t help but sharply inhale.

Sylvania, in her prime, was the successor and Crown Prince of the Clorel Empire, and undoubtedly had this ring in his possession. This ancient treasure of the royal family was only permitted for the princes of the nation.

“At the time, Grand Sage Sylvania confessed her sins to Crown Prince Lienfel. As a minimum duty for the harm she caused, she revealed to him what she was truly researching.”

“How do you know that?”

“I found my way into her secret study. All of her research achieved while residing in the palace was organized there in an easy-to-understand manner. The research logs and records were all perfectly preserved.”

Persica breathed heavily, her pupils dilating with shock.

“The study where Sylvania worked was… not in this Rose Palace but rather in the Lilac Palace!”

“Only the superficial records were there. The real ones she kept hidden, and her actual research… lies beyond the deepest bookshelves in the Imperial Library…”

She was speechless at that revelation.

Crown Prince Lindon was not one to frequent the Imperial Library. The only reason he went was to meet Persica, who was always there.

Crown Prince Lindon… discovered Sylvania’s secret study by chance while visiting Persica in the library.

It was as if by some cruel twist of fate that he possessed the key for entry on his person.

“Grand Sage Sylvania had engraved a magical seal on this ring to enter her secret study. Whenever… Crown Prince Lienfel could access Sylvania’s research.”

“…”

“And what happened to Crown Prince Lienfel afterward… was it all in the records?”

It’s a historical fact.

At some point, crown Prince Lienfel completely disappeared from history.

The records say he withdrew from the world and showed no interest in imperial power. Although the story was abrupt, it was accepted since it was part of history.

“In the study… what did you see?”

“That… that is…”

Lindon chattered his teeth and began trembling.

“Damn it… having said this much… even if I keep silent, you will want to verify it yourself…”

“…”

“Listen carefully, Persica…! Don’t get involved in divine magic! If you delve too deep into divine studies, if you try to approach too closely the workings of the world… you’ll be consumed! By something like a vast darkness, by something like the divine providence protecting the order of the world… your mind will be devoured whole!”

What on earth was this man talking about?

Though impossible to comprehend, he seemed to be raving with some strange truth.

“I’ve tasted just a fragment of it. I felt that I was on the verge of going mad. Even an idiot like me could sense that easily…! It’s surely the last line drawn by the deity protecting the world’s order…! Mere humans shouldn’t peer any deeper into the world’s providence… As if to say that, it’s the last threshold permitted by divine mercy…!”

“… Brother… Brother…?”

“That scholar called a grand sage… she couldn’t have been unaware…”

Divine magic involves grasping and twisting the laws of the world.

Simply analyzing the system and taking a small part of its power is unremarkable.

But if one dives deep into its core, trying to completely control the laws of the world… human reason would easily melt before its immense power. One would go mad.

Grand Sage Sylvania knew of this.

Yet, she did not stop her research.

For what reason? Merely for scholarly passion? For that petty curiosity to know the truth of the world?

The only one who knows the reason is Grand Sage Sylvania herself.

“… Brother.”

“Please, this is my request. Persica.”

Through choked sobs, Lindon pleaded with tears in his eyes.

“End my life for me. I am a vermin too cowardly to face death… So with your own hands… close my eyes. Shield me from the impending catastrophe… Allow me to close my eyes in peace… I beg of you…. please, Persica…”

Persica sank back onto the sofa, trying to control her trembling body.

Tremors were coming up from beneath her lips, and an unstoppable vibration was coming from her chest. The chill running down her spine was now an expected sensation.

Eventually, Persica picked up a dagger in her shaking hand.

Lindon continued to sob, trembling, then finally relaxed the arm that had been holding the ring.

His chest was exposed, inviting the stab.

Thump, thump!

Yet, Persica cast aside the dagger and snatched up the ring instead.

Without narrowing her startled eyes, she flung open the door and fled.

Holding the hem of her dress in both hands, she hurriedly fled down the tower stairs.

Persica felt a persistent trembling near her eyes.