How to Survive at the Academy Chapter 222

Poisoned Chalice (3)

Dyke’s waiting room.

Looking at Dyke, who had collapsed and lost consciousness, receiving simple treatment, Balberon Elphelan clicked his tongue in secret.

The man wearing aristocratic attire emphasizing an antique look with plenty of volume here and there had a slender and thin impression, unlike Dyke, who inherited his blood.

The stubble growing from the tip of his nose, his skinny cheeks, and a somewhat haggard look. It’s hard to say that he’s great as a warrior, but he’s a somewhat competent person with his senses and speech.

It’s hard to see a prestigious martial artist as the head of the Elferlan family, but there is no doubt that he is a person who put the Elferlan family on track to some degree in a rapidly changing situation.

As befits a person born with political abilities rather than combat, I never thought that Dyke would be beaten so horribly in this duel.

I had heard the rumors about Ed Roth Taylor, but I didn’t know that Dyke would be defeated without using his hands in a battle with such a difference in physique.

‘Princess Selaha must have been greatly disappointed… I made such a boast… Damn it…’

The Elphelan family had great merit from Princess Selaha, so they had to prove their worth whenever they had an opportunity like this.

Whenever he has a chance, he mentions the name of the Elphelan family at an imperial government meeting, appoints key members of the family to important positions, and gives several positions as apprentice knights of the imperial knights so that they can continue the name of a prestigious military family… The Elphelan family From his point of view, it was because the connection with Princess Selaha was the path to success.

Maybe it’s because they’ve been reaching out to the central authorities lately, and haven’t been faithful to their feelings as a samurai.

It is a certain good news that Dyke Elphelan, who did not even expect, was producing results in a situation where the number of talented people was decreasing as time went by.

Just being the head of the 4th year combat club is enough to live with that honor after graduation.

Basically, just graduating from Sylvania with excellent grades, as long as there is an air current that is recognized as a great talent, Dyke can become a plausible sign of the Elphelan family.

However, did I overestimate Dyke too much?

Seeing that massive body swaying and barely breathing in front of him… Balberon let out a deep sigh.

‘Useless bastard… I thought I’d come into possession of an unexpected treasure…’

– Kiki

At that time, there was someone who opened the door to the waiting room without permission.

Balberon, who was not comfortable with it, looked at her with a frown. However, before long, the wrinkled expression suddenly straightened out.

At the same time, Balveron hurriedly jumped out and knelt in front of the man who entered.

“Three, Princess Selaha…!”

The one who entered Dyke’s waiting room while being escorted by the escort was Sella, the princess of frost who could be said to be holding Balveron’s lifeline.

“Woah, I didn’t know you would come this far. If you had told me in advance, I would have sent someone…!”

“no. I also have other business, so I stopped by while I was there.”

Seeing Dyke collapsed while saying that, Princess Selaha clicked her tongue.

It was a subtle sign, but just the sight of it made Balveron’s heart flutter.

Disappointing Princess Selaha is directly related to the rise and fall of the Elphelan family.

In the first place, even when there was no Princess Selaha, the Elphelan family lived their lives by strengthening their qualities as a samurai, but once they had a connection with the central power, it took a big decision to escape from that privilege.

When I didn’t have it, I managed to hold on well, but once it came into my hands, I was afraid of losing it.

And the one standing at the center of that power is that Princess Selaha.

Being entangled in the central power certainly creates many restrictions, but it is clear that once Princess Selaha becomes emperor, the Elphelan family will rapidly emerge as the center of the empire.

If he holds the line well and holds on until then, Balberon Elphelan himself could become a great grand duke not to be envied by Crepin in his heyday.

“Princess Selaha. I’m sorry I couldn’t keep what I said. We, the Elphelan family, have put in a lot of effort in our own way, but…”

“It was an excuse. In the first place, I didn’t know that Ed Roth Taylor would become so strong so quickly. Don’t bother asking obvious questions and reprimands.”

Princess Selaha didn’t look as bad as she thought.

Anyway, I achieved my goal of showing off my influence in front of the public and Emperor Chloel.

Hearing the words of praise from the mouth of Ed Rosteyler, not Dyke Elferlan, was different from the plan, but the result was good, so I don’t think I’ll frown too much.

However, he is not tolerant of the mistakes of his subordinates.

“However, just because I didn’t reprimand didn’t mean I wasn’t disappointed. I feel so foolish that I was in a good mood after hearing your rants.”

“I’m sorry… Princess Selaha… I was short-tempered!”

“okay. I’m glad you’re aware. You thought very briefly. And my thoughts of believing in you were very brief.”

Princess Selaha’s cold eyes were the same as always.

If she became her subordinate and could no longer escape, Princess Selaha would be relentless.

“Even though this wasn’t what I expected from the Elphelan family. That expectation is really disappointing.”

“I, really… I have nothing to say.”

“For now, go back to the mansion and take care of yourself. Let’s talk about today’s work later.”

“Ah, I see…!”

Balveron knelt down on the floor and spoke apologetically.

If you look down at him screaming in embarrassment, it’s like a herbivore facing a beast.

It was so funny that Princess Selaha swallowed a laugh inwardly.

“The day will come when I will be praised by the hostile forces. It is really funny.”

Princess Sellaha thought so, and recalled the image of Ed Rosteylor looking up to Princess Sellaha in the middle of the arena.

And the same goes for the way I just before, casually tidying up my clothes with Lucy and Tanya on either side.

Then he looks at Balveron.

It was so pitiful to see him trembling and rolling on the floor in an unsightly way.

It compares too much with Ed Roth Taylor, who says everything he has to say with a dignified and lofty expression even in front of the royal family.

Being an aide is a bond, and it is a law to have the taste of flattery… but at the same time, you have to keep your center and perseverance.

‘He’s a talent too precious to Fenia.’

A person who fell down and took a picture all the way to the bottom and came back up again. So while he understands the loftiness of a high-ranking aristocrat, he is someone who has experienced all of the ugliness of human nature.

Since he was born in Roth Taylor, he has basic political ability, his fighting ability is nothing more, and he feels like he has excellent personal connections.

It has become politically hostile, but if you can conciliate as an ally, there is no other staff like this.

Princess Selaha, who deeply understands what life is like as a monarch, knows it well.

In order to go on for a long time as a ruler by nature, the existence of a competent advisor is essential.

I would not have even considered it if there was no room for appeasement because it was hostile at all, but after showing the appearance of defending Selaha in front of the public, the situation is very different now.

Of course, Selaha is no fool either. There is a calculation that there must be some reason for Ed Roth Taylor to do this.

However, there is still too much room for judgment.

Was it Ed Roth Taylor’s dogma that supported Selaha in this way, or was it a story with Fenia?

What kind of move is he expecting from Princess Selaha? What are you trying to achieve in the end?

– ‘When I make my own judgment, I do not consider such emotional reasons. I don’t even think about political positions. There is only one basis for my judgment.’

– ‘Who is worthy to be emperor? I just judged that Princess Selaha was the right person for the position.’

“haha.”

Recalling her conversation with Ed, Princess Sellaha smiled viciously.

To be sure, the flattery felt pretty good. I knew it was empty words.

It’s funny in its own way to see the incompetent people who just smile and break out in a cold sweat, can’t overcome their desperation and somehow raise Selaha up.

However, the words of praise that are uttered profoundly by those who hold my center heavy like Ed Rosteyler… Indeed, their weight is different from light flattery like the feathers of insignificant cloth.

Even in front of those who differ in lineage and authority, there are those who are building perseverance and fidelity.

Even in front of Selaha, who was born with royal blood and reigns over power, Ed Rosteylor did not break a single drop of cold sweat.

‘want to have.’

The upturned corners of the mouth are a sight that gives goosebumps to those who don’t know.

‘I want to kneel that man, bring him under my command, and wield it…!’

The twinkling eyes are as if an innocent child has found a toy they really want to get their hands on.

However, the lofty self-esteem deeply imprinted on the inside is completely different. Princess Sellaha’s high-nosed pride and insidious lust for power are not comparable to those of an innocent child.

‘I hate to admit it, but I feel like I’m in love… kuhh… it’s fun, it’s fun.’

It is infinitely far from the romantic feeling of love and twisted. It may be more like possessiveness or monopoly.

However, Princess Selahha roughly gathers them together, violently defines them as love, and throws them away. Because it doesn’t really matter what the identity of the emotion is.

Will there ever be a human being who can break down that twisted self-esteem? At least her butler, Dest, had long since concluded that such a human could not exist in this empire.

It is a lofty rose blooming on the cliff. The only one in this empire who bows her head and sounds wistful is Emperor Kloel. It had been so, and it seemed obvious that it would be so forever.

At least in Dest’s eyes, it was.

A man named Ed Rosteiler is a man who can be of great help if he can be conciliated.

He is flawless in his political ability, judgment, combat ability, personal connections, status, and future prospects.

However, there is something that Princess Selaha, who does not pay much attention to the ways of thinking of the lower ones, could not catch.

Ed Rosteyler is a poisoned holy grail.

Balveron Elphelan, who was looking at Princess Sellaha, who had a fishy smile in her heart, without even paying attention to himself.

He… was still looking up at Princess Selaha with a meaningful face.

*There was no more blood left on Yenica Failover’s face.

Feeling suspicious, Yenica went to Ed’s waiting room and almost fainted when she saw Orte and Seila scuffle with Bell Maia there.

It is a bonus to see Ed Roth Taylor sitting on a soft sofa and making a puzzled expression.

“We can fully understand the pride of employees. Still, we take great pride in having been ranching all our lives in our own way. We want to cook this meat that we raised with our own hands…! Please, think of it as the lowly pride of the lower ones and give it permission! It never disappoints! You man Orte, you cannot bend here!”

Orté’s unique spirit and passion overflowed with shouts, and a headache had already begun to rise.

Belle Maia, who was facing Orté’s heat head on, looked quite troubled.

“Oh, no. No matter how hard you try, you can’t enter Ed’s residence…! never! It’s not possible!”

Had Bell Maia ever spoken so sternly to someone like this?

Even when she expresses her intention of refusal, she always uses all sorts of indirect speeches and is Belle Maia who does not try to go against the other person’s feelings. This aspect of her was quite extreme for her.

When I have to show a solemn appearance as the head maid at the Ophelis Hall, I never do that, but when I get involved with Ed and get into trouble, I often end up in a corner.

It’s embarrassing, but what you have to do is what you have to do.

Bell’s efforts almost brought Jenika to tears.

It is impossible to stay still like this. Ye Nika, who rushed into her waiting room, screamed in front of her.

“Oh, Mom! dad! Oh, when did you come here! You can’t come in here on your own! Ed… No, that’s rude to Ed’s master!”

“Uh, huh?! Yenika! Where did you go! Even if you keep looking for it, you don’t know where it is, so we came first!”

“Oh, Mom…! Dad, what did you do!”

“Drying…? It’s not like I’m doing anything bad, so why…?”

Yenica ran in, stunned, and quickly grabbed her parents by the arms and dragged them.

“Ed… No, I’m sorry, Master Ed! I couldn’t tell you in advance, so somehow the situation went like this… Anyway, I’ll explain the details later! No, I will! …No, I’ll do it! Let me explain…? give me a chance to explain? Well, anyway!”

Trying to force yourself to use an honorific title that you don’t normally use makes your words even more twisted.

But right now, that’s not the point. Jenika had to get her parents out of the room at all costs.

“What’s so urgent, Yenika. I’m not particularly in a hurry, so it’s okay to take your time. Your parents are precious guests to me too.”

However, Ed calmed Jenika down as if there was nothing urgent.

It’s strange that everyone is acting like they’re crazy like this.

At that point, Jenika had a realization.

Yenika didn’t give Ed any explanation about the circumstances..!

No, beyond the line of not explaining… In the meantime, I didn’t want to worry Ed, so I made an excuse that I had told the whole house.

Yes. The memory of the day I was kicked out of Ophelis Hall remains.

When Ed asked if it was okay, she said that it was okay because Yenica understood at home and borrowed money to pay for her tuition.

I also remember Ed saying that he didn’t care because everyone agreed to understand the fact about living together and living a wild life.

Yenica didn’t bother to tell Ed the details of the circumstances because she didn’t want Ed to worry about her.

So from Ed’s point of view… I can’t help but think that Jenika’s adoptive parents are very generous people who understand all of Jenika’s life.

In fact, because Ortez and Seila are relatively open and generous… telling the truth won’t make them understand. Ed must have felt that way as soon as he saw the two of them. This is because the two of them have a very honest impression and have honest values.

However, the problem is not in that part.

Rumors spread! home! After graduating, in her hometown, where she has to go to find her for the rest of her life, Ye Nika says that this is actually the case… Hot rumors will pour out of her face just by hearing it.

For Yenika, who is sensitive and has goosebumps running down her spine from the slightest touch of the hand with a member of the opposite s*x, it is more than painful and torture for Jenika to spread such shameful rumors throughout her hometown…!

The dirty talk of the old village women is spicy beyond imagination…! There was a time when I completely covered her ears because each word was so shocking to Ye Nika, who was like pure white drawing paper. She even spilled blood from her nose in fear of the unimaginable unknown.

This time, the person who is going to gossip will not be a young man living in the city, but Jenika herself…!

Hell is coming. My heart’s hometown of Pulan, which was warm just by imagining it, is transformed into a living hell burning with hot sulfur fire…! That alone… must be stopped…!

It’s tearful, but it’s all thanks to Jenika’s own business…!

“Eh, Ed…! No, Master Ed…! There are a few things I haven’t talked about yet, but it seems like it might be a good idea to have a time to talk about those things in detail later, and sometimes it doesn’t, so it’s a bit more leisurely than having a meeting with my parents in a hurry. It seems to me that it is necessary to have such an attitude, or it seems that it is not, or is it not? Am I right? Is it right? Could it be?”

“Yenika. Why are you running out of control while organizing your thoughts? Nothing has changed since I was a kid, really! When I was in trouble or lying, I always used to say a lot of gibberish like this. Isn’t that right, honey?”

“yes. haha! My Yenika is terribly bad at telling a lie! As a parent, it’s rather worrying!”

Ortega laughed heartily and patted Yenika’s head.

“Hey, look at how hot he is. Why is your face so red?”

“Come to think of it, why are you so embarrassed that you already know everything you know, but you have something else to hide? Yenica is also really… She’s out of shape in front of Master Ed…”

Seila, who had been talking like that… she blurted out the end of her words, as if she had suddenly remembered something.

What on earth could Yenika hide from her parents?

However, if you look at the outstretched Yenika with her arms outstretched in front of Ed… a strange possibility starts spinning in your head.

Cheeks flushed like a beetroot, pupils trembling relentlessly, and a small body holding both hands open to block Ed, but what on earth does that mean?

However, it was decided that Yenika was something that could be hidden from Orte and Seila…

“Hey, honey…”

“huh? Seila? What, all of a sudden? Does your stomach hurt too?”

In this regard, Ortega, who is no different from a duntan, asked Seila with a lively face.

As soon as they enter the island of Aken, they see Ziggs and ask what they think of Yenika.

Thanks to that, since last vacation, I’ve been curious about who the man with some kind of strange air flow is, and I’ve been going crazy.

However, at this point, the senses that have come up while raising Yenika for more than ten years scream.

Yenika’s face completely blushed and blocking Ed.

While Yenica blocks Ed, Bell approaches Ed and quietly whispers something in his ear while covering her mouth with her palm.

Ed’s expression hardens momentarily, and his pupils feel slightly dilated… but he doesn’t look too embarrassed.

However, Seila couldn’t help but ask.

Seila calmly recalled the conversation between Orte and Yenika last vacation.

“That… Master Ed. I saw you sparring earlier, but… by any chance, that… I guess… you’re a bit good at shooting a bow… I see…”

“yes…? Yeah… well… just, shoot a little…”

– ‘Do you shoot a little bow? It was my romance to have a drink with my son-in-law and shoot some targets… No, the alcohol is still early.’

– ‘Fire…Shoot the bow well…’

Recalling the conversation between Yenika and Orté last vacation, Seila’s expression hardened for a moment.

And it was like a stone statue, and it was in a state where it couldn’t even move.

“Hmm? Sayla? Why? If you’re in a hurry to the bathroom, it’d be better to ask for forgiveness and go now, right? It’s not good to put up with it just because it’s embarrassing! ha ha ha! Were you a bit embarrassed? But we’re past that age…! Ha ha ha!”

Seila, who was standing still next to Orte, who couldn’t help but notice, made an expression as if she had seen a meteorite hit the earth.

His gaping mouth showed no signs of closing.

*“During the festival, sales definitely jump up. Why don’t you take this opportunity to diversify your grocery shopping?”

“well. It is not a very wise decision to change the purchase policy in the face of a temporary increase in sales. Secretary Lienna needs to have a more macro perspective.”

“Ah, yes… yes.”

Rienna watched, and after sipping the cup of tea she brought with the papers, Lortel, who swung down her robe hat, looked out the window for a moment.

The heat of the festival evenly flowed into the living quarters, and more people than usual filled Aken Island.

It’s nice to get involved in the heat of this festival, but it’s disqualifying as a merchant to waste such a good money-making opportunity.

The Elte Trading Company also distributed some special purchase products, and received more orders than usual, making a lot of profit. However, the festival is just the beginning, so there is more to look forward to in the future.

Since Princess Sellaha is on Aken Island, Lortel, who maintains a symbiotic relationship on the surface, needs to go get a face stamp at least once.

And on the undergraduate side, Vice Principal Rachel has been actively requesting an increase in the number of orders. Having been friendly with the student council lately, it seems that the bachelor headquarters is trying to increase their relationship without adding or subtracting.

In fact, if there is a cold period in the relationship between groups, there are also mild periods. Since an increase in order volume is directly related to sales, it is not a bad thing for Lortel.

“Hmm…”

“Why are you like that? Lortel Hoju Assistant Manager?”

“no. It’s just… Recently, Vice Principal Rachel has been in charge of most of the work at the Academic Headquarters. Principal Obel seldom appears at official events. The last time Dune paid the job, it was Vice Principal Rachel who came out to directly negotiate the seal of the wise man, maybe?”

“Because Principal Obel is a very busy person.”

“It is, though.”

Lortel, who was reading the required documents for the bachelor’s degree, put her chin on her chin and thought for a moment.

“Why is a person who was so active in business that he ran around and raised money even when the Ophelis tube was destroyed, so why hasn’t he been showing his face lately…”

“Can you smell something strange?”

“Well…well, maybe I’m giving too much meaning to trivial things. Still, it’s something worth pointing out. Internal trends in the bachelor’s degree are pretty important information for us as well.”

Saying so, Lortel signed the requested paperwork and pushed it through the processed paperwork.

Then, after skimming through the remaining papers, he stretched out before long.

“Ugh, keuheugh… I came out early in the morning and reviewed it, and somehow it was finished. The rest are regular business reports, right?”

“yes. The notable items are almost finished, and now only items that require formal review remain.”

“I can’t do it roughly, but… I’m a little tired after sitting for too long. It’s not an urgent matter, so I need to warm up a bit.”

Lortel went to the window, slid over the window sill, sat down, and flexed her arms to relieve her frown.

Then, feeling the cool wind coming from behind, I looked at the spire of Haksa-dong in the distance and the road leading to the northern forest behind it.

“What is Ed doing? The sparring would have been over by now. Well, he must be working around the campfire as always.”

Then, with her usual foxy smile, she told Lienna’s secretary to take care of the remaining papers.

“I’ll take care of the rest of the paperwork at the villa. It’s not urgent, so we can deliver the payment items by tomorrow morning.”

“Then I’ll have someone send the documents to your house.”

“no. It’s not much, but I’ll bring it myself. Waste of manpower is prohibited.”

What made him feel so good? Lortel picked up the remaining payment documents while humming.

Then, after tidying up by pulling the end of the robe as if brushing it off, I suddenly looked in the mirror and put a hairpin with a blue rose on it. It was Lortel’s favorite accessory.

Then, holding the documents in his arms, he left the store building.

Looking at Lortel, who works hard and leaves work, it is hard to see the usual dark-hearted businessman. Rather, it seems that the steps are light.

Rienna’s secretary has gotten used to that sense of alienation to some extent.

After seeing Lortel off, Rienna got ready for work as well.

Rienna’s secretary also happened to be in the mood to enjoy the festival.