How to Survive at the Academy Chapter 208

Youngest person to retire (3)

“I’ll be honest. The reason we gathered you all here is to protect Sylvania as much as possible from future power struggles that will happen throughout the empire.”

Tanya, who was seated at the top of the table and assisted by the student council secretaries, started with the main topic.

It’s not the style to talk round and round in the first place. Tanya, who currently serves as the president of the Sylvania Academy, was known for her effortless handling of work and her honest opinions.

Even at this gathering of famous aristocrats, he did not waste time talking about useless regards or recent news.

Let’s just talk and part. Such an attitude was clearly revealed, and rather, it seemed that Tanya’s unpretentious temperament was revealed without hesitation.

Tanya herself probably just wanted to finish it quickly and go back to work.

“Especially, regarding the imperial power dispute centered on the imperial family… I admit that everyone’s opinions are inevitably divided. If each family supports a different person, you will have no choice but to agree.”

Opinions may differ. The problem is that they do not have the right to choose that opinion.

Tanya paused and looked at the students sitting in a circle in the small conference room. All of them are reliable and strong, but they are the successors who are still studying in the land of learning.

Which princess to support was not decided by them, but by the heads of families to which they belonged.

Depending on the support set by the adults, the students under them also have a different course of action.

The Roth Taylors, Bloomrivers, and Calamores sided with Princess Penia.

The Islan family, the Rokin mercenaries, the Ginnifail family, the Ragus family, and the Anniston family sided with Princess Persica, and the Elphelan family, the Whitefelts family, and the Nortondale family sided with Princess Selaha.

Tanya tried hard in her own way, and some even thought that she had been placated, but she could not completely stop it. Eventually, the core aristocratic family split into three branches. Actually, it was a natural conclusion.

In the future power struggle, these are forces betting on completely different sides.

Of course you have to be sensitive. In particular, during the unification competition held during the Crestol Festival, the results of the competition between students may directly affect the power of the family.

The unification competition, where you can openly show off your successor’s capabilities in front of everyone, is an opportunity for nobles to show off their prosperous succession structure.

“I’m not going to force you to get along. However, I don’t want the students of Sylvania to be divided into many branches in the aftermath of a power struggle.”

In the midst of the silence, Tanya spoke calmly.

“We are students. We just have to do our duty as students.”

The intensifying power conflict cannot be completely sealed. However, efforts are being made to minimize it.

That was Tanya’s policy.

“I agree. No matter who becomes the emperor, Sylvania must continue its existence as a land of learning.”

The first to raise his voice and agree was Ziggs Eiffelstein of the 2nd year Ministry of Magic.

As a member of the student council, he was also practically the representative of the Islan family. Of course, since he is favorable to Tanya’s opinion, he raised his voice first to create a general consensus.

“I think it’s good to take this opportunity to give a stern warning so that no students bring the conflict over the imperial power to Sylvania.”

“I… agree…”

Following Ziggs, there was a student who conveyed his agreement in a voice that seemed to be crawling.

It’s not too cold, but a girl sitting with a thick shawl on her shoulders and looking very haggard. It was Elka Islan.

He belonged to the Islan family located in the northern region, and was a librarian attending Sylvania with Ziggs.

I have a much worse impression than when I met Ed before. All the students were already aware of the fact that asthma, a chronic disease, was getting worse.

“Elka. It’s okay if you don’t force yourself to talk.”

“No… Anyway, the Islan family has announced that they will follow Princess Persica’s policy… but they will respect the actions of other families.”

Elka smiled like that, and supported Tanya’s opinion.

Dorothy Whitefelts, the Senior Pensions Department senior who was listening intently in a corner, also added an opinion of agreement.

“That’s right. Even among the students, we have to unite. Although we don’t know how the conflict between the emperors will end, but no matter how it ends, we will be in the direction of harmony…”

“However, we may have to look at reality first, sister.”

The one who cut off Dorothy Whitefelts’s words in the middle was Joseph Whitefelts, a member of the 1st Year Magic Club. He was her younger brother, the youngest researcher at the Tog Magic Society, and a prodigy who used middle-ranking magic before he grew up.

With his bangs neatly pulled back and the excess hair tied back in a ponytail, he had a pretty scholarly appearance.

“What…? Josef… are you against me again…?”

“I’m not blindly opposing it. We’re graduating from Sylvania in a few years. On the other hand, we have to live our entire lives as members of our own families.”

Joseph’s opinion was valid. That confidence was evident in the way he spoke confidently in front of everyone.

“Is it the family’s policy or Sylvania’s harmony? If you have to choose between the two, you can’t help leaning toward the family.”

“…”

“The Whitefelts family doesn’t force their policies on us that much, but there’s no way other families would do that either. Then asking the students to ignore the family’s policy and blindly cooperate only for the sake of Sylvania’s harmony… Rather. It might be asking too much.”

There is no logical flaw in Joseph’s well-thought-out words.

Joseph’s words directly pinch the reality in this place where he talks about harmony in a general way. It was quite a word of conviction, but no one was uncomfortable with it.

Because that’s the reality.

“Certainly, I don’t know if the Elphelan family will respect my opinion.”

Dyke Elphelan, the head of the 4th year combat department, wearing gauntlets and a gigantic figure, spoke in a voice as majestic as that bear.

“I want to fully respect President Tanya’s opinion, but if the head of the family makes up his mind and orders me to distance myself from families belonging to other support groups… I honestly don’t know how far I can refuse.”

“It’s the same for me.”

The one who agreed was Tracyana Bloomriver, also from the 4th year.

In the first place, she was already making every effort to completely blend in with the forces of Princess Penia, as per the direction of the family head, Sinir Bloomriver. In this position, she is a girl who is more sincere than anyone else. This is because she is in her position, even thinking about her life after graduation.

Therefore, in order to be as close as possible to the Roth Taylor family, he maintains a contact with Ed Roth Taylor, and is kind to the student council. Such a course of action also followed the family’s policy.

“We 4th graders are graduating soon. As a student, it’s only a few months from now, so it’s unreasonable to ask them to ignore the family policy.”

Tracyana said, running down the ends of her long hair.

“We will try to be as harmonious as possible, but if the situation doesn’t go well… we’re in a position where we have no choice but to move in our own way.”

“I’m not a family puppet, so I don’t know. Tracyana senior.”

The one who confronted those words head-on was Aig Lokin, a member of the 1st year Magic Department who had been sitting in a crooked posture since before.

Short shaved hair and sharp look. As a rival of Joseph Whitefelts, he is famous among freshmen. He didn’t show any signs of dying even in front of Tracy Ana, his senior in the fourth grade.

“…what?”

“We, the Rokin mercenaries, rather teach us to stay away from those who have no convictions because they are swayed by the group. In the end, I live by my own judgment, so I wonder who to follow and what to do is left to the judgment of the family.”

Tracyana narrowed her brows at the cheeky attitude. Even so, Aeg continued the story regardless.

“We, the Rokin mercenaries, officially supported Princess Persica, but I don’t agree with that opinion.”

“Eig, you might be able to do that… but isn’t it too harsh to ask for your convictions even from people in other circumstances?”

“Well, Joseph. Do I have to consider other people’s circumstances? I just have to stick to my convictions. Living only at the sway of others’ circumstances, I can’t even take care of my share.”

Aig smiled and passed the baton to the other side.

“Am I wrong, Clara-senpai?”

“What? Me?”

“Aren’t you the one who is more skeptical of the Danielheim family’s will than anyone else? I think that belief is really great.”

A girl in the corner of a small conference room, listening to the story in a daze.

Sharp-looking short-cut hair and cute freckles. Clara Danielheim, the eldest daughter of the Viscount Danielheim and a close friend of Yenika Failover, answered in embarrassment.

Clara hates the place where such political boldness comes and goes. He was just polishing the tips of his nails, waiting for the right end.

“I really hate the old folks in my family…but I also hate arrogant kids like you. Don’t pretend to be friendly.”

“Ugh…”

Aig frowned in pain, but his mischievous attitude remained.

“Well, there are a lot of great nobles in this place. It’s not a place for a mercenary like me to express my opinion. I’m sorry~.”

“If you’re going to keep that c*cky attitude, just get out of there, Aeg.”

Unexpectedly, it was Wade Calamore, the head of the combat department in the first year, who tripped over such an Aeg.

The gray hair was still there. The eyes were also quite calm compared to before.

“You’re not the only one who knows how to stick to your convictions. And…”

Wade tried to continue, but his gaze turned to one side.

At that place… Delus Einshaven, a member of the 1st year pension club, sits quietly.

Baron Einshaven is quite famous among alchemy families in the southern part of the Empire. He couldn’t say a word, but the boy named Delus with his long hair hanging down just sat there and smiled.

“Never ignore that there are those who have thoughts even among those who are silent.”

Wade talked only that far, and looked at the students again.

all silence.

For a moment there was tension between the students.

“Uh, anyway! I totally agree with the opinion that we shouldn’t fight pointlessly…! Ooh, what are we going to do with each other!”

It was Clevius who was not happy and afraid of just conflicting with others. I just wanted to think that useless things don’t happen and that good things are good, but… Elvira, who was sitting next to him, seemed to disagree again.

Elvira, who was sorting reagent bottles by touching them, narrowed her eyes and spoke frankly.

“I tend to stick to my convictions. I feel sorry for President Tanya, but if you ask whether the bachelor’s degree is more important or the Aniston family… I’ll raise the Aniston family’s hand.”

“What, what…!”

“Are you that surprised, Clevius?”

“The Aniston family supported a different faction than the Nortondale family!”

“The bachelor’s harmony and you and me’s harmony are completely different matters. Stupid Clavius.”

Elvira, who narrowed her eyes and pulled Clevius by the cheeks, let out a deep sigh.

“I’m not going to sit idly by when there’s a threat to the Aniston family.”

At Elvira Aniston’s declaration, silence fell again in the middle.

Some agree with that opinion, and some seem to want to avoid unnecessary friction nonetheless.

There is validity to either side’s opinion. In fact, it was the most painful situation for a group leader.

“Now do it in moderation. Whoa…”

Tanya, who was sitting in the seat of honor, sighed deeply, covering her forehead as if she had a headache. Then, all of the students stopped expressing their opinions and listened to her in silence.

Tanya looked at him, and her expression became vague.

Certainly, the focal point of this situation is Tanya Rosteiler, who sits in the student council president’s seat.

If she doesn’t hold the center tightly, it wouldn’t be strange if a big fight breaks out at any time.

There is no way that a person who can replace Tanya’s role exists in The Bachelor at this point.

The student council president must be there.

Tanya wanted to cry.

*I tried to shoot a crudely made bow with an arrow attached to it.

It crossed the camp with a wheezing sound and crashed into a zelkova tree next to it. The neatly mounted shaft of the arrow trembled in the aftermath of the vibration.

“…”

The taste is good, but the power is not satisfactory.

Above all, I have a desire to use the power of magic engineering supplies to give additional effects or to insert spirits. A bow of this quality would be unheard of.

It seems that satisfactory performance will come out only by adding something groundbreaking production elements, but it was still difficult to get the hang of it.

“Ed! Look at this! Voila!”

“…?”

When they returned to the campfire after capturing the arrows, Yenika proudly showed off Ed’s school uniform shirt.

“Look at this, all the old times are gone!”

“What, were you washing?”

“Yeah! Last vacation, before I came back, my parents brought me soap made with a mixture of lye and oil! Look at this, I only changed the soap, but the result is so different. Isn’t it amazing?!”

It definitely feels like new clothes. I clapped my hands and let out exclamations such as how amazing it was.

Yenica must have been very proud, as she smirked and raised her nose, showing off her shirt as if showing off.

So I was sitting by the campfire, brushing my chin, pulling the bowstring again, and Yenika was folding the finished laundry. The sight of the two of them sitting near a campfire as the sun goes down, each doing his own thing, seems all too familiar.

“Come to think of it, there are only two months left for the Crestol Grand Festival. I’m looking forward to it because it’s the biggest festival in the Empire that only comes around once every four years…!”

“I’ll have to prepare for the unification competition at that time, but it looks like I’ll be busier.”

“Yeah. But it’s so exciting! Pulan’s Toren Village is so remote that even during such a grand festival, nothing much happened. At best, I think it’s just sharing some food with the villagers… I do that kind of thing normally…”

Yenika smiled as she stamped her feet. It is the first festival she experiences when she comes to Sylvania. It was only exciting because it would make me realize that I was getting out of the rugged mountain life in earnest.

“The atmosphere at the undergraduate school is not good these days. I heard that the student meeting that Ed went to today was also in a bad mood?”

“Yes. The atmosphere among the heirs of noble families is not very good these days.”

“So… I hope the atmosphere will be a bit relaxed starting from this festival period. Hehe.”

Yenika put on a pile of well-organized laundry with a nice smile.

I was shaving away the tip of the bow stick with my dagger, grabbing the handle and pulling it over and over again.

“The same is true of me. The atmosphere of the undergraduate school will return to the past only when the dispute is over soon.”

There was a boy sitting next to him as naturally as flowing water, so both I and Yenika were staring at him in amazement.

Holding a stack of papers in his arms, Ziggs mumbled as he picked up a skewer of pork that was cooking near the campfire.

“…”

“Oh, it’s seasoned well. Senior Yenica’s cooking skills are getting better day by day. Isn’t this quality enough to be sold for money?”

“Huh? Really? Ed’s been saying that lately too, hehe…”

In the meantime, it can be said that Betsy smiles as if compliments make her feel good.

“…That’s not it, since when has Ziggs been here?”

“It’s a bit disturbing for the two of you to have a friendly conversation, so I just thought it would be okay to sit by the fire.”

“That… is that…? If you still come, you can just say that you came…”

Ziggs put the grilled skewers in his mouth, folded his arms around the pile of papers, and glanced around the camp.

“I was just… hanging around the school a little bit, about the student council.”

“What does it have to do with going around the undergraduate school and working in the student council?”

“Well… I’d appreciate it if you could think of it like patrol. Anyway, there’s nothing wrong with this side. Let’s go.”

Ziggs got up from his seat and spoke without stopping his mumbled mouth.

“Ah, that’s right. Senior Ed. The combined competition during the Crestol Grand Festival that will be held next month. I think I’ll get caught.”

“…I see.”

“Yes, I think I will be standing in the arena with Senior Dyke, the chief of the 4th year combat team, when all the people from the imperial family have visited.”

Dyke Elphelan.

In the final exam with Professor Kalade, he was the bear-like man who broke in at the end and tried to protect Ed.

Fast enough to be unsuitable for its massive size. Heavy destructive power with each fist.

He was a warrior with a strong and exhilarating style, to the extent that stories circulated that he was the king of the Elphelan family.

“It’s not an easy opponent. After all, he’s the one who occupies the top spot in one grade. He’s the most senior among them.”

“I know roughly the history of that senior.”

“Yes. Besides, since the Elphelan family officially supported Princess Selaha… We will not allow Senior Dyke to be defeated in the sparring scene with Princess Sellaha watching right in front of us.”

Ziggs took a bite of the last piece of the skewer and said.

“Senior Dyke will probably do his best, too. He’s the kind of person who can smash even a stone wall if he’s determined and punches him. Even if he’s allowed just one… he’ll go straight to the infirmary.”

“Yes. Thanks for the advice.”

“No. Enough then.”

Ziggs nodded that the grilled meat was good, then slipped back into the bushes.

As Ziggs made his way through the bushes, he continued to look back at the camp as if he was uneasy about something, but… Eventually, she went on her way as if it was all right.

“…So, why did Ziggs come after all?”

“Well… Since the student council work is so extensive, there must have been some circumstances. By the way… Do the laundry, I will bring it.”

“Huh? It’s okay. Ed, keep watching. I have to organize mine anyway.”

“No, it’s kind of embarrassing to ask to clean up after yourself.”

I snatched the laundry from Yenika’s lap and walked towards the cabin.

The cabin, which has just been completed, looks grand from the outside, but the inside is still weak.

The basic furniture arrangement is over, but it is just a basic furniture arrangement.

From the small cabin I used to use, I have to move the furniture to this cabin, which has been expanded to three times the space, so I can’t use all the space given to me.

It seemed that it would take a little more time to put more convenient furniture on the first floor and renovate the second floor into a workshop. It would be nice to be able to master the carpentry skills that were missing in the process.

It still looks empty, but the fact that the space has been expanded feels very good.

I grabbed the laundry and made my way to the shabby wooden closet tucked away in the corner. It’s about tidying up your clothes.

Thinking that I should finish making the practice bow quickly, I opened the door wide.

As if it were natural, Tanya, wearing her uniform robe, was sitting there holding her lap.

“…”

“…”

“…Hello, brother.”

I guess I didn’t say goodbye.

I couldn’t even answer that because I was speechless.

“that…”

“…”

“Unexpectedly, it’s comfortable inside the closet. Should I say that I calmly settle in. I’ve been hiding in a closet before… I think I’m addicted to it. It might not be bad to go in and sit down once in a while…”

“…”

“The feeling of being left alone in the world, breathing in this silence is unexpected… it’s not too bad…”

“…”

“Anything… tell me, brother… I’m the one who got caught hiding, so why do I have to appeal…”

Because it’s me… I don’t know what to say.

It was a really difficult day.