How to Survive at the Academy Chapter 199

Giving Meaning (2)

Indeed, it is a scenery that can be called a superb view.

The coast is famous for being the most beautiful in the territory of the Margrave of Jahul.

After going through the forest road that had been going on for a long time, the open coast was revealed at once, and the workers who had visited it several times exclaimed exclamation.

The beach glowing romantically under the midday sun seems to be lined with jewels.

However, that alone is a landscape that is no different from what you see in the coastal area of ​​Aken Island. Most of all, what caught my eye was the appearance of the monastery standing tall in the middle of the vast sea.

Cledric Abbey.

Even if it is a monastery built with crude bricks, if it is so large and magnificent, it makes the viewer feel overwhelmed.

The steep spire rises up in the sky without knowing how high it is, and even if you count it with only a cursory glance, six or seven of them pass effortlessly. The rock wall built high under it naturally serves as a fortress.

It cannot be compared with buildings like the Ophelis Hall or the Trix Hall, which are the largest in Sylvania. It really looks like a castle floating on the sea that could come out of a fairy tale.

“I probably won’t be able to go in now.”

Kylie Ekne, who was sitting across from me… In other words, the disguised Saint Clarisse looked out the window and said.

“Looks like the high tide is in full swing… I guess we can only go in after sunset and the tide has receded.”

“okay…?”

“I’ll probably go on foot. Maybe I’ll have to carry a little luggage myself.”

Kylie, who was sitting and tidying up her school uniform, smiled.

Surprisingly, the travel time was not long. It was about half a day riding in a wagon. It felt like the wagon had sped up a bit, but it was still much closer than I had imagined.

In the first place, the island of Aken was closely attached to the county of Zahul, and this Cledric Monastery was also located within the territory of the county of Zahul, so it was not too far away.

“It is significant that no matter who comes, they must first get off the carriage and walk on their own feet. In order to enter the Cledric Monastery, both the royal family of the country and the saints of the Church of Telos must walk equally. The carriage is only short-lived during low tide. There’s no way I can go there.”

“It’s a more cumbersome place than I thought.”

“Under the protection of the Lord Telos, the teaching that everyone is just the same human being is implied.”

“…”

“Well, actually, I think that’s why I brought it later.”

Since the saintess herself spoke like that, I couldn’t refute anything.

However, the workers sitting nearby laughed and giggled.

“Euhhaha, this lady is unexpectedly well aware of the essence of that monastery.

No matter how much she disguises herself, she is a girl who claims to be a noble in the periphery.

However, as if I hadn’t thought that a girl of that level would be riding in the wagon of these workers, the workers intervened in our conversation with a casual tone.

“I’m a first year student belonging to the Ministry of Magic.”

Surprisingly, this girl’s acting is thorough when she moves while hiding her identity as Clarisse.

Although in the first place, the feeling of killing herself more strongly when moving as a saintess.

“I am one of the bachelor students who came to assist Saint Clarisse.”

“Ohh, it’s the same reason as the young master here. Did you come into contact with Saint Clarisse at the school?”

“I’m sure you’re close enough to have that saintess sit with you. He’s not the kind of person to ride in the same wagon as the laborers like us.”

The chattering workers were already gulping down a glass of beer.

It seems like drinking from daytime, but in fact, as long as you drop off your luggage on the beach, the work of these workers is almost done.

There was no way these workers could enter Cledric Monastery, which was a strictly forbidden area, so it would be the nuns from that side who would carry the luggage to the inside of the monastery.

“For ordinary people like us, it’s a great honor just to be able to carry the burden of the saintess. Since we’re directly assisting, it makes us feel like we’re from a distant country. We’re still wearing school uniforms and have a great honor in our hands.”

“The saintess must always have a heart of gratitude to the workers who always work hard.”

“The lady speaks very nicely. She has a sincere personality that seems like something you would see in a textbook.”

It makes you wonder what kind of expression Kylie would have if she knew that the smiling Kylie herself was the Saint Clarisse herself whom she is praising so much.

As for me, there were so many ears in the carriage that I couldn’t have a proper conversation with Clarisse.

In the first place, it is really not easy to have a long and serious talk with Clarisse alone because she always has an escort or several followers.

In other words, in the sense of sharing a lot of personal stories, it would have been Kylie’s status as a member of the workers’ wagon, but this side is in a difficult position as it is this way. It was obvious that the workers around me would think it strange if I spoke frankly on the premise that the other person was Clarisse.

In particular, it’s funny that Sung Chang-ryong proudly talks about what happened.

“By the way, I heard that the young master goes inside the monastery… You’re having such a precious experience.”

“That’s right. We only know the magnificent exterior, don’t we know the interior? Can you see with your own two eyes how the interior will be made…”

“Not only that, but there are a lot of ignorant nuns inside, so you must feel like you have the whole world.

Aren’t all guys thinking the same thing?

While saying that, the workers gave me happy eyes as if they were envious. I had nothing to say, so I had no choice but to reply that I was just going to do my duty.

Seeing that I sat politely and didn’t say more than was necessary, the workers must have felt some hope. Before long, the workers started whispering among themselves.

“Certainly, you don’t seem to be one who enters the sanctuary out of petty curiosity.”

“Well, do we really need to try to understand? High-ranking people must have a meaning.”

In fact, even if it were me, I didn’t enter the monastery with a very noble meaning, but they seemed to be misunderstanding it while whispering among themselves.

“It’s not even a grandiose reason. It’s just… I’m just helping the saintess.”

“It’s the saintess’ business, so what’s not a big deal? However, I’m curious about the reaction of the old abbot.”

“Abbot… you mean…?”

“Ah, well said! That Grandma Austin!”

As the name Austin popped up among the workers, Kylie chuckled as if she had noticed something.

“Do you know the abbot?”

“I know. When we bring our luggage, they always come out to the shore with manpower to receive it. Inside the monastery, they say they call it ‘Grandma Wang’, ‘Grandma Wang’, and when you see the real thing, you’ll know why. This year, you’ll be 109 years old. Did you say that? It’s really embarrassing that you live a long time. That old lady.”

“Cluck, cluck, that old lady really doesn’t want to die at all. When I stopped by last time to deliver ingredients, she took a lot of cream that was good for skin care… I can’t believe she still has the energy left to do that.”

The image that comes to mind when speaking of an abbot is that of a faithful and benevolent nun.

However, I was also bewildered by the strange reaction of the workers. When I turned my gaze to Kylie, Kylie was just smiling happily.

“About Austin Abbey… You probably know something about it.”

“Of course. Once you meet, you probably won’t be able to forget it.”

It was impressive to see Kylie smiling happily enough to wonder why she was like this.

*

“Hey, Julen, you’ve been married for 15 years, but you still act like a child! If you worked half as hard with your wife at night, we wouldn’t hurt each other’s feelings!”

“Did Granny Austin have a fight with the Cohelton merchant again?”

“I didn’t know that a handful of oysters would cost 30 silver coins! Did you put gold on the oysters? The saintess likes oysters, so I told you that you should definitely put them on the dinner menu!”

“Heh heh heh, you have to tell the poor man, the merchant of the lawless zone, how urgent he is, so he only gets weak points. Doesn’t Grandma Wang live so long and not know about that?”

“Didn’t I know that?! Since it’s Julen I’ve been seeing ever since I was running around with a runny nose, I just thought he’d feel sorry for me like this!”

When I was 109 years old, I thought of an old man who goes back and forth today and tomorrow… but unexpectedly, a man with an incredibly loud and powerful voice jumped out.

“Well, I came here crying and paying for mustard! I’m sorry, and I keep bowing my head saying that this is the cheapest item in my ability… I can’t get angry, hehe…!”

“Well, Julen is a good deal, so stay open all the time, Grandma Wang.”

“I’ve been seeing the workers there for a long time, but if you’ve seen this guy or that guy’s face for over 30 years, they’ll all confiscate your face! Just because the monastery building is big, you live under the illusion that the budget will be generous!”

The voice of Abbot Austin, raging with anger, echoed across the shore.

All the people from the monastery were already out on the beach. They came out early in the morning at low tide, and were preparing to greet the saintess by the seaside. I had been out for almost half a day ahead of time, so it was a time when I could feel bored.

I tidied up my clothes, swung down my robe and hat, and got out of the carriage.

A carriage cannot enter the crumbly sandy beach. At the forefront of the crowd of carriages lined up in front of them, there was a magnificently large carriage of a saint. Well, the saintess might not be inside.

“Oops, tea!”

Kylie, who jumped out of the carriage cheerfully, smiled and spoke.

“Then I must go to the saintess’ carriage. There will be a lot of ‘things to do’ when the road to the monastery is opened at sunset.”

“Yeah. Well… I don’t need to accompany you, right?”

“On the contrary, I’ll stand out more if I accompany you. I’m going to transform from now on.”

He talks like he’s going to do something great, but he just changes the magic engineering supplies he’s wearing.

I nodded and waved my arms to greet Kylie as she strode toward the front of the group.

“Ohhh! Are you better than the nobleman of the Ross Taylor family? Jungkook has been making a lot of noise lately, he must be having a hard time!”

Although the Ross Taylor family is now in crisis, it was once the most powerful family in the empire, and the name of the grand duke’s family that was the most famous among dukes.

No matter how much she stumbled, she was not someone a mere nun could talk to comfortably.

Nonetheless, Abbot Austin smiles broadly and lets go.

When Ross Taylor’s name came out, the expressions of the workers who were riding in the wagon changed completely.

He was a man who casually sat in such a shabby wagon. She thought she was the heir to a nobleman from a remote country without authority, but she couldn’t have imagined that she was from Ross Taylor.

He looks like he is reminiscing about the past, as if he made a mistake while drinking beer.

With the hem of my robe tightly tied, I went to the abbot and bowed my head in greeting.

“…”

“I’m Ed Rosteeler. I’ll take care of you for a few days because of the saint’s assistant.”

“…No, hey. I’ve lived a jingling life for over a hundred years, but I’ve never seen a Confucius who bows his head and shows respect to an old abbot in a periphery.”

“In the first place, it wasn’t long since I received the lottery, and I lived like a commoner until then. And I give basic courtesy to those who have lived for over a hundred years.”

“Your personality is completely different from what you thought?! If you just listen to the stories of old friends of the imperial family, everyone in the Roth-Taylor duke family is said to be crazy…”

sorry to say

More than anything else, this old woman doesn’t show any sign of fainting even in front of the son of the duke. The workers around him and the nuns who followed the abbot all took it for granted.

When a person has an incredibly long experience in one field, that alone has the power to draw the respect of the people around him.

There is not even an air of authority at all. If she had been a member of the Church of Telos for the rest of her long life, she would be treated as an elder among elders that no one could touch without permission even within the church. .

It is such a spirit that reminds me of the old grandmothers who have been doing business in a corner of the market for decades.

Although she is wearing a neat nun’s outfit, her completely gray hair and wrinkled wrinkles cannot deceive her years.

Eyes as white and lifeless as the hair. Apparently, one eye was completely blind, and there was no reaction in the pupil. At the end of his arm, his fingers tremble from time to time as if the strength is not working well.

Since it was a body that survived almost two people’s lifespan by itself, it is possible that there will be crowds here and there. Even so, Austin himself showed the spirit of a longevity, his arms around his waist, his chest stretched out, and he said, ‘It’s gotten really cold!’ I was spilling a useless monologue like that.

In front of Grandma Wang, counts, aristocrats, and elders do not particularly demand respect.

On the way from the wagon, he seemed to understand the reason for the words of the workers. There is nothing of her dignity, sophistication, or courtesy to be found in the words of this old woman.

The great saint of Cledric Abbey. An elder among elders who have been converted to the Church of Telos for over 80 years.

And a lioness who single-handedly controls the young nuns who are full of all kinds of madness and troublemakers.

If you are stuck in one field for 80 years, you will master it even if you breathe.

She has read and deciphered more scriptures than the Archbishop of Seonghwangdo. She says that from time to time her prelates come to her asking for assistance in expositing her scriptures, so in effect her prelates are also the town’s elders who bow their heads.

I handed over the gift Bell had prepared for me from my leather pouch.

“This is a private gift from Bell Maia, head maid of Sylvania Academy Ophelis Hall.”

“Bell?! Did that little kid take the position of chief maid of Ophelis House?! Time flies so fast! It seems like only yesterday that I was staring blankly at the dead when Alice brought me here!”

“Is that so?”

“Oops. I’m not talking about his past. Anyway, he didn’t have a very smooth life, but he seems to have settled down and lived a good life. This old man’s heart is empty! Yes, he was a good kid. Well done. He was a kid to be.”

“If it’s the story of Baron Planzel, I’ve heard it myself.”

At those words, Abbot Austin was silent for a moment as if he was speechless.

With both arms resting on my waist, the appearance of standing like a captain was almost colorless.

“It seems that the noble man is already a grown-up! That little maid, who only measured people’s insides, confessed her past history, which she regarded as an insult. It’s hard to be recognized unless you’re a pretty complete person.”

“…Well, Bell doesn’t seem to be the kind of person who criticizes others so harshly.”

“You can’t just judge by the surface! The little boy would hate me if I said this, but he was more like a rodent that was wary of people! It’s possible because it’s not given.”

It was another unexpected story.

Because Belle Maia was known as the most powerful person in Ophelis Hall, who was kind to everyone, approached with sincerity, and handled things with confidence.

“Well, apparently, it looks like she threw off that temperament a long time ago. Anyway, young people, when the old people look elsewhere for a while, they grow up and appear as completely different people.”

Abbot Austin laughed heartily a few times and quickly gave instructions to the nuns who had followed him to take over and organize their luggage.

The saintess’ carriage is in front of me. Everyone was exuding a solemn atmosphere, knowingly or unknowingly, but only the head of the abbot was concentrating on his work, putting off any signs of nervousness.

In the first place, even this large-scale prayer meeting attended by saints and distinguished guests is nothing more than a simple annual event to her.

He is said to have served a total of four saints throughout his long life. There is absolutely no talent to be in a hurry to prepare for an event like this.

“By the way, it’s become a headache. The nobleman’s family is also known for his family, but he looks more compliant than I thought, and even his character seems to be perfected… I don’t think this visit to the monastery will be easily overlooked.”

“…yes?”

“Even if I was just 90 years younger, I’d rub it, because it’s not common to be a good guy these days! Kahahaha!”

After saying that, he smiled heartily again, but I couldn’t help but keep my eyes on him.

“…Gee, I thought it was a witty joke… but this humor has never caught on with young people.”

“I’m honestly embarrassed.”

“Well, anyway, after you’ve aged this needlessly, you’ll be able to figure it out in an instant if you take a quick glance at the depth of a person. Even if you look at it, a lot of young women who want to be a nobleman perfectly meet all the conditions for a husband. I want you to be a little more careful about how you behave inside.”

Saying that, Abbot Austin glanced around with a sidelong glance. It’s about using your eyes to speak. tell me to look around

I looked around with a sidelong glance, and all the nuns who had followed the abbot of Austin were looking this way with a nervous expression.

About twenty or so nuns, each doing their own thing to take over the burden, were glancing at me. The tension between them is evident.

A clumsy red-haired nun, who had been sticking to the back of the carriage and only glanced out, tucked her face in quickly, and a sincere-looking nun with her jet-black hair neatly braided pricked up her ears as if she was embarrassed.

“There was already a rumor going around the monastery once. A gentle and dignified man from an aristocratic family, whom even the saintess recognized, would come and live in the monastery for a few days. They said something.

He has such an archaic appearance that even the heavens are jealous, a gentlemanly personality that listens to each and every bird’s chirping, skillful magic that doesn’t match his age, and so high academically… All the girls from the aristocratic family They say he’s like a flirtatious prince.

“

“…”

“Isn’t it scary how rumors spread? There are many times when adolescent girls’ fairy tale delusion makes even me, watching from the side, lose my mind. Isn’t it the law? Well, from the standpoint of the nobleman, the person who is expected, it will be to die for.”

I pressed my temples hard, giving off a hint of trouble. Then Abbot Austin burst into a lively laugh again, as if the scene was very amusing.

“Kahaha! But, if you were born with a stick in your groin, you should know how to enjoy this situation! Where else can you go to experience being the center of rumors, receiving attention from many women at once? A little strength on your shoulders. Put it in and say I’m this kind of person and try to show off a bit of pride! But…”

Unexpectedly, the mind is open. He was the opposite of the image of the mistress of a monastery, where isolation from the world and abstinence were thoroughly emphasized.

“…Make sure to lock the door at night.”

“…Does it sometimes break in…?”

“In my personal judgment, girls of this age are harder to control than the rugged mercenaries of Cohelton Lawless.

Even the aging body has to be abused in moderation, but if you forget, something will happen once in a while. Having an affair with a man from outside has become an annual event, and now it’s a policy that even the workers rarely attend. How much more so that nobles are young masters. It’s obvious if you don’t see it.

“

Abbot Austin crossed his arms across his chest, cleared his throat with a smirk, and continued talking.

“Well, even enjoying a situation like this is something that nobles should do on their own… But I want you to judge carefully. I don’t want to explain it in detail, but among the nuns who live in Cledric Monastery, there are friends who have troubled stories behind them. There are also many illegitimate children from aristocratic families whose names cannot be told, and some children born with the blood of cursed blood relatives. Anyway… there are many authors who think that with the help of the gods, everything will be solved. It’s not like the kid is gone.”

“…”

“There are many children who were born unblessed, this is it. I’m in a position where I’m determined to take responsibility for them until I die, but the future of a scion is bright. I understand enough, but you also have to have the wisdom to see life far. Well, it sounds obvious.”

Then he let out a deep sigh with his arms folded.

It’s not a very good story, but it was a story that had to be told. He also didn’t look very happy.

“Haa… Anyway, the young scion understands. After you’ve reached this age, even though you’re thinking about doing it in moderation, the story ends with an obvious twist. In the end, there’s nothing left to say except to look far into your life. You’ve lived a long time. He’s an old man with only one thing to brag about.”

“No. You’ve seen and heard a lot, so you must be worried about a lot.”

“…Anyway, I’m relieved that the nobleman seems to be mentally more mature than the other nobles. I’m proud in many ways that the saintess seems to have a certain eye for people. Yes. Then, let’s lean on that recognition once more Can I ask you one more favor?”

“You mean please?”

The brazen temperament of the Abbot of Austin, it must be the traces of struggling to survive in an old body for a long time.

Nevertheless, there are times when the sincerity of thinking of the Abbey of Austin is often felt.

For some reason, Abbot Austin lowered his voice. Do you want to talk without being overheard?

“Even if they are nuns who came to this monastery because they were not welcomed anywhere in the world, and lead an ascetic life apart from the world… they are people.”

“…”

“Serving God’s will is a noble and important thing, but I think holding on to a dream when you were young is like proof that you’re alive. So I don’t want to break the illusions of the nuns, even if it’s like a spring that will pass in the end. In short, , At least, it’s a voice asking me to stay as a prince.”

Indeed, if I go that far, I can’t guarantee it.

As for me, I’m just one of those mere humans struggling to survive.

“Have you ever seen a nun looking up at the night stars during dawn prayer and having a happy imagination?

“…”

“I live as a servant of God, but when I feel that I am a human being, I feel that I am taking responsibility for these children.

Then, he puts his arms around his waist again and smiles.

“These are the daughters born of my heart.”

And then, embarrassed, he added a joke.

“It’s been a while for someone this age. I have about 270 daughters.”

It seems that the past of Austin Abbey, who truly raised the nuns as if they were his own daughter… I also decided to give up.

“I’ll try.”

The way he raises his eyebrows at those words is more heartbreaking than anyone else in the world.

She is an old woman who devoted 80 years to the Church of Telos and lived in charge of the monastery for nearly 50 years. She seems to know why she is called Grandma Wang.

deserves to be respected I think I can understand why everyone is talking like that, so I agreed with Austin’s words appropriately.

“By the way, should I tell you something more satisfying to the nobleman?”

You have to wait until the sun goes down on the beach anyway.

Perhaps it was because he didn’t deserve someone to chat with, but the abbot spoke quietly as if he knew everything.

“This is a secret, but I support the benevolent Princess Penia.”

Princess Persica visits. She seemed to already know to some extent that my purpose was also her conversation with her.

No matter how much he was stuck in a monastery, he wouldn’t be completely ignorant of the news of the emperor.

Abbot Austin smiled softly, reminding us clearly that we are allies.

*

– Bang!

The lid of the box flew through the sky.

A wizard girl poked her head out of the wagon and brushed her hair. Inside her box are several leather pouches the girl had brought with her.

There were simple wands and magic items inside, and there were also some that were full of beef jerky.

Should I call it a deviation or something like that, I only take a nap, so it’s the same as usual.

Rather, the carriage’s luggage compartment, which swayed subtly, was more relaxing than expected and a good napping place.

“…”

Lucy Meiril stretched her neck in the dark luggage compartment with a dazed and drowsy face.

There were clear traces of saliva on his lips.