How to Survive at the Academy Chapter 232

to you who survived (7)

The Imperial Library is, of course, the largest in the Empire.

The magic book is in the Eastern Mage Tower Library, the manual is in the Sylvania Academy Central Library, and the Bible is in the Seonghwangdo Faith Library.

Several special purpose books had a specialized library for each book, but the library that spanned all fields could not follow the Chloel Imperial Library.

It is the reason why the royal scholars do not dare to go outside the palace, the reason why the great sage, Sylvania, continued his research in the Lily Palace, and it is also the place that symbolizes the spirit of the Chloe royal family, which values ​​knowledge.

The magnificent size of the Rose Palace, which occupies an entire corner, makes it seem like there is another new palace within the palace.

There are hundreds of standard-sized bookcases. The inside of the round hall is surrounded by high bookshelves that require climbing up a ladder, and there are so many reading tables and shelves for organizing that it is hard to count.

There are dozens of librarians on duty, but even that has reached the point of requesting more staff due to excessive workload… With this, it is safe to say that a mountain has been piled up with books.

It was a place where Princess Persica had been coming and going as if it were her home since she was a child.

A treasure trove of knowledge built on the largest scale in the empire. I read three or four books a day, and I hit the culture of the whole field in my head regardless of history, culture, religion, economy, geography, magic… regardless of the field.

Now, she is Princess Persica, who has become more familiar with the structure of the library than the librarians in the imperial family. There was nothing left in the library she didn’t know about.

– Bang!

It is a time that is beyond the night and is close to dawn. The inside of the library was already enveloped in darkness.

Princess Persica crossed between the libraries, relying on the light from the candlesticks.

It is not a permitted time to enter, and it is forbidden to bring a fire into the building as it is vulnerable to fire.

But, of course, ignoring all those rules… Persica relied on the magical power of the ring to move between the bookshelves in the library.

Knight Commander Dylux, who was closest to him, was guarding the entrance to the library under the direction of Princess Persica.

Instructions to not let anyone in, and to evade anyone who comes in and send them back.

It was an order that I didn’t really like, but Dylux stood still guarding the entrance as she instructed.

There is nothing more to worry about because you have established a reliable gatekeeper.

Like that, the place where Persica arrived, guided by Lindon’s ring… was a bookshelf that had to go into the corner of the huge library for a long time.

It was a separate shelf that separately collected books whose classification was ambiguous or whose contents were difficult to discern. Due to its nature, there were few people looking for it, so it was gathered in the most deserted corner of the library.

I made my way through the row of books that continued like a forest, and when I reached the innermost bookshelf… Lindon’s ring began to glow.

“…”

Persica gulped and swallowed dryly.

The hand holding the candlestick seems to tremble subtly. Her chest was also pounding.

As I kept the ring on my hand and watched it quietly, brilliance flowed from the bookshelf in the corner.

-Koo-Goo-Gung, Koo-Gung, Kung…!

It feels like the light is being sucked into a single point. For an instant, I felt as if the landscape was whirling.

With a slight vibration, magic power was directed towards the corner bookshelf, and in the moment of momentarily closing my eyes and opening them, the bookshelf disappeared before I knew it.

The bookshelf itself was a deception.

And, on the wall behind the missing bookshelf, there was a staircase leading to the basement. Persica’s heart began to thump.

The secret laboratory of Sylvania, the great sage who left his name in history.

A top-secret space of top-secrets designed so that it cannot even be entered without the crown prince’s ring.

And, the cause that drove Prince Lindon, who was widely respected, crazy.

Persica started to panic.

Is it really right to go down those stairs from here?

Now that I know of the laboratory’s existence, wouldn’t it be better to just check this far and go back… to report when Emperor Chloel returns?

I thought so, but I shook my head quickly and let the useless thoughts go.

I don’t know what lies beneath that lab, but it was clear that at least something was hidden that would have a tremendous impact on the empire.

I got a chance to be the first to approach it. It was an opportunity that only came to Persica in this wide world.

When I think of Lindon’s condition, I started to get scared… but it’s not okay to run away in a panic.

Anyway, it is a laboratory that is several hundred years old. I’m not even going to check on something dangerous.

Princess Persica slowly descended the stairs.

It is amazing to follow the stairs that go down straight into the darkness. How did he manage to create such an underground space without anyone being noticed…

In fact, if it was at the level of Great Sage Sylvania, could it be easily accomplished?

With that thought in mind, as we reached the end of the underground space, a large wooden door was revealed.

When I pull the doorknob, I think I can get inside.

Persica gulped down her dry saliva once again, then slowly pushed on the door.

– Whoa!

In an instant, Princess Persica was so surprised that she almost closed her eyes.

In response to the opening of the door, the light inside the laboratory began to turn.

Are the magical engineering items made by the great sage still working as they should, even after such a long time has passed?

The process by which the interior of the laboratory is brightly lit in response to people entering is fascinating.

Just like that, the magic torch hanging along the outer wall lights up the inside of the laboratory.

“This… this…”

It’s not such a great sight.

It’s a warmer feeling than I thought. The space that runs along the wooden wall is wide if it is wide, and narrow if it is narrow.

It was about the size of the private research rooms of scholars within the imperial family. And on several study tables, there were piles of papers, books, and research journals that seemed to have been recorded by the great sage Sylvania.

The blackboard standing on one side is filled with letters that seem to organize various theories and their verification process.

And… in the center of the lab, a crystal ball was treasured.

Persica did not relax and proceeded slowly.

All the research records of the great sage Sylvania are regarded as valuable human treasures, and every typeface is subject to research and analysis.

That such research records are piled up like this… To scholars, it would be a more enchanting sight than a pile of gold and silver treasures.

Persica is also well aware of what an amazing space this laboratory is, as she is also a person with a passion for academics.

If anything is damaged, it can lead to great human loss. So, slowly, slowly, I crossed the laboratory and headed for the crystal ball stored in the center.

The identity of the crystal ball… Persica also knew it well. It is a ‘recording phrase’ often used among scholars.

It’s more like a medium that stores the knowledge system you’ve organized so that it’s easy to remember later… but it’s not very general-purpose because the recording efficiency is so bad, the price is high, and the difficulty of use is high.

If it was about Sylvania, it could be used as a means of recording, but it would be better to use paper and a quill because it would be difficult to contain all of that vast knowledge.

In fact, Sylvania has left most of its research records and processes in the form of papers and books.

However, the fact that there are research results left as records…

‘This… is probably the core of Sylvania’s lifelong research.’

There was a high possibility that only the core of the core was collected and contained like that.

No one who is greedy for knowledge can ignore it.

Perhaps, this was what drove Lindon mad. Thoughts like that came to her, but Persica couldn’t bear to back down.

Slowly, place your hand on the crystal ball.

Those are the records of the future that Sylvania has observed through Aspect Magic…

The direction the world is moving diverges endlessly at various turning points.

The future, which diverges, converges, and extends endlessly, is not so simple that any one individual can dare to observe it. In the end, the number of cases extending in countless directions… I dare not even try to observe them all.

That was the theory that Sylvania had established.

However, theory and reality do not always coincide.

The first thing the great sage, who reached the pinnacle of Aspect magic and obtained the power to break the providence of the world, confirmed.

The last thing the imperial family found before being exiled to Aken Island.

– ‘Cliff Point’

A point where there is absolutely no future flow following this, even if all possibilities in all directions are examined and all future flows are taken into account without exception.

Like a huge cliff at the end of the road. Only cliffs leading to endless darkness remain…

It was the point where the world ended.

Sylvania, who finished recording and removed her hand from the crystal ball—— was smiling.

Next to him, Prince Lienfel, who was watching Sylvania’s research results together… his pupils were shaking in fear.

A person cannot even properly maintain his reason in the face of fear on a scale so large that his mind goes blank. The trials that cannot even resist make it impossible to give up.

It was like a declaration of the world. Maybe it’s God’s will.

The swings spoke uprightly. Your world ends here. Right, up to this point.

I don’t even know why. Even the method is unpredictable. One day, all of the future flows that are supposed to continue are suddenly cut off and disappear. As if it had become a blackout, it just ended. Even that way, it cannot be observed.

Even so, Sylvania is not driven mad by that fear.

Rather, whether it is God or the world… Anyway, it is recited as if declaring it to something far away…

Even so, I will survive.

Even in a polar land where no food can be obtained, in the middle of a battlefield where the smell of blood is vibrating, even in the underground where no light shines, even in the middle of the vast sea where no help can be hoped for.

Humans have always survived and endured.

Someone always found an answer, struggled to the end, and continued their life.

– ‘It’s fun!’

The difference between an extraordinary great man and a lunatic is just a piece of paper.

As if to prove that fact, Sylvania smiled proudly even in the face of that gigantic fear.

The eyes of an extraordinary great sage, who is said to be hard to be born again in human history, shine brightly as he gazes up at the sky.

*Crestol Grand Festival held once every 4 years.

Aken Island, where Sylvania is located, is the time when more people gather than anyone else.

Besides, it is the last day of the festival. The most grandiose event, the closing ceremony, is being held.

As if symbolizing the golden age of Sylvania, countless people gather on Aken Island to laugh, drink, and talk.

Looking down from the sky, it seems that only Aken Island is shining brightly in the darkness of the deep night.

As it is the last day of the festival, it is grandly lit up.

The Maxes Bridge leading from the continent is adorned with all sorts of fancy decorations.

Along the way, merchants are sitting together and drinking on the Maxes Bridge, which served as the gateway to Sylvania for decades.

Following the procession of vendors’ stalls along the bridge, entering Aken Island, you can see the gate of Sylvania, which is also full of decorations for the festival.

After completing the simple procedure and crossing the main gate, you will find the entrance plaza. It is a place that is directly connected to the living area.

This square is not too small. Along with outsiders, merchants in the living quarters are eating, drinking, and chatting with the lights on.

Among the outsiders who visited because it was the festival period, most of those who had no contact with Sylvania or were of low social status enjoyed the atmosphere here.

Among the crowd, he made several bets and played games, and boasted of his weak magic skills.

From the entrance plaza to every nook and cranny of the living area… it’s full of people eating, drinking and chatting.

If you go all the way along the entrance plaza to the main street, there is a marble road leading to the faculty building used by students and staff.

If you go straight ahead, there is a road that leads to Ophelis. The distance to the Ophelis Hall is not too far in terms of daily life.

The maids at Ophelis Hall are busy preparing food. She is assisting the students enjoying the festival under the direction of maid Jean Bell Maia.

An orchestra plays music in the rose garden in front of the Ophelis Hall, and students who have not been to the Student Square gather together and chat.

The view of the Ophelis Hall, seen from afar, feels much more aristocratic and dignified than the plaza at the entrance to the living quarters.

In the royal residence, Emperor Chloel and Princess Penia are talking for a while. The two did not go to the closing ceremony held in the student plaza. Since it was an important event, I thought that I shouldn’t miss it, but I didn’t want to make it solemn with a state-level VIP attending.

As it was the last day of the festival, I wanted both the people and the students to enjoy the festival. That’s why Emperor Chloel chose to stay at the inn.

When the sun rises the next day, Emperor Chloel will leave the Isle of Aken in a chariot. Before that, I wanted to chat with Fenia one last time.

On the other hand, Princess Selaha was riding in a carriage and going out toward the student plaza. Because this is her last chance to appease Ed Ross Taylor. The excitement of the festival was also on her way. Outside visitors and residents of the living quarters on the street were all drinking revelry and singing.

Just like that, huge firecrackers explode several times over the Sylvania Academy.

The light of the firecrackers that brightly illuminated the academy like the sun rising during the day enveloped the world in a soft and cozy way.

Yenika Failover was sitting on one side of the student plaza, dragging her parents. Orte with her drink and Seila with their arms crossed were chuckling at each other.

There were parts where I was upset, and there were parts where I was a bit exhausted… However, even if I did this and that, Yenica could not overcome the heat of the festival and smiled. It seemed good to enjoy this peaceful atmosphere now. In the sky I looked up at, colorful firecrackers were still blooming like flowers.

Lortel Kecheln was leading the upper class staff across the living quarters. As it is the last day, it is the day when the above sales are maximized. He was so busy that he was walking towards the store while listening to the secretaries reciting reports.

Suddenly, I looked up at the sky toward the brightly shining student plaza, and when I thought about the piled-up workload, I sighed deeply. Unlike before, he even has the thought that he wants to enjoy his youth. And then, even for a moment, I am surprised at myself for having such thoughts. After all, he was also a student in Sylvania.

Lucy Meiril was sitting on the roof of the Trix Building, staring blankly at the sky.

The academic landscape overlooking at a glance was very different from usual. It was noisy and the heat was rising. I liked the quiet and still scenery of the night, but sometimes it wasn’t bad either.

Still, it’s a bit dissatisfying that the stars in the night sky are hard to see because of the brightly shining fireworks. He roughly chews on the jerky and kicks in the air a few times for no reason… before long he lies down on the railing with a languid face. The air of an early autumn night shimmered at the tip of my nose, and I felt quite good.

Ziggs Epelstein led Elka to the Student Plaza. It was a pity that most of the stages were almost finished, but it was nice to be able to spend the end of the festival with Elka anyway. On a festive night of romance, we looked up at the sky together with Elka supported by the heat.

Clevius Nortondale stood alone in the corner of the student plaza, leaning against the outer wall of the Obel Hall, looking up at the central stage. He stayed still with a look of loneliness in the world, but Elvira appeared and tugged at his ear and dragged him to a seat near the center stage.

Aaaaaaaaaah, talking about being sick, Clevius is dragged all the way by Elvira like that.

Tanya was on center stage in the student square.

After the last student president speech, we look up at the sky together on the stage where the firecrackers can be seen the best.

The bright sky of Sylvania looked like a distant landscape, so Tanya swallowed the night air and closed her eyes gently.

For that moment, everyone was looking at the fireworks rising brightly in the sky.

Dyke Elphelan was sitting alone at the Combat Division training ground, wrapped in bandages.

Tracyana Bloomriver, having just arrived at the Student Square, taking off her robe.

Anis Haylan was leaving the Trix building with a bunch of papers.

Professor Kalade, who is drunk and lying on the street, and Assistant Professor Claire, who somehow supports him and raises him up.

Vice-principal Rachel sits alone in the office of the Trix Building, quietly watching the fireworks outside the window.

Numerous other students and staff, from their respective positions, looked up at the softly glowing firecrackers.

At this moment, I felt peaceful and at ease… I had a strange feeling that I could forget all the sorrows of Seppa for a while.

It was also called the magical power of the festival.

Because peace is what blooms most splendidly when you are least conscious of it.

It was the time of this festival when everyone laughed and chatted and ate and drank.

Ed Roth Taylor, who was sitting in the student plaza, also looked up at the sky.

He is a man who knows the value of peace more than anyone else.

That’s why, I was able to close my eyes and quietly leave my body in the heat of the festival.

If you don’t try to feel it with your eyes closed, you won’t feel it.

Peace was like that.

– Whoaaaaaaagh!

The water rose like a giant column. Those who were watching the scene did not even understand what they were seeing for a moment.

– To-doo-doo-dududuk!

The rising seawater pours down as rain, and only then does a gigantic reptile’s foot appear.

The place was right next to the Maxes Bridge.

It is a bridge that has served as the only overland route connecting Aken Island and the continent for decades. Since the island of Aken is connected to the Margrave of Jahul, which is right next to the trade route itself, land rather than sea was the key means of transportation for logistics.

Thanks to this, the Maxes Bridge was a key point for transportation in Aken Island and, in fact, served as a gateway.

Although there is a marina, it is not large enough for a huge sailboat to come and go, and the population of Aken Island was not large enough to use sailboats of that size in the first place.

Right next to the Maxes Bridge, the huge feet protruding from the sea water… had the shape of a reptile, but the surface was covered with huge scales.

Feet made of dark red tones like the darkness of the night. It has an ominous appearance just by looking at it, but ironically, it glows softly with the flames of firecrackers embroidering the night sky.

Merchants near the Maxes Bridge screamed at the sudden situation. What is the identity of that bizarre-looking bridge?

Before answering that question——

– Kwaaang!!!!!

In one blow…

Maxes Bridge, which has had a long history with Aken Island, collapsed like a toy.

*- Kwagang! widely!

“Oooh…! Whoa..”

“Pe, Princess Persica…? What are you doing? Why is that! Princess Persica!”

“Dylux Knight Commander…!”

Princess Persica, who opened the library door and jumped out, was sweating profusely. She looked like it was difficult to even straighten herself up.

As soon as she came out into the hallway, Princess Persica let go of her body as if she was collapsing.

“Right now… muster all available troops..! Regardless of affiliation, all the soldiers under the imperial family have combat power! Not even one left behind…!”

A man I met at Cleric Monastery.

It reminded me of a story Ed Rosteeler told me.

If necessary, be sure to mobilize soldiers to Aken Island.

Is it a mere coincidence, or is it the result of some inevitability? There was no need to judge it at this point, but…

What is certain is that it is too exquisite for a coincidence. Ed Rosteylor must have known something. It may be related to the future flow observed by Sylvania.

“Wow, what are you talking about? Princess Persica! The authority to command the soldiers…!”

“Abama is not at the table right now, and neither Selaha nor Penia are at the table… Now I have the authority…!”

“You can’t claim command over the army simply because the person concerned is away… If you find out that you did this on your own…”

“Dylux. I’ll take care of everything, so just do as I’m told…! If you’re responsible, I’ll take responsibility for everything, and if I’m forced to abdicate because of an excessive excess of authority, I won’t say anything…! So, move according to my instructions this time! Right Now! Do not delay!”

“Princess Persica… If done wrong, this could be taken as an act of challenging the imperial authority… Not all soldiers will follow…”

“Then gather all the soldiers that follow! Not a single person left! Scrape them all…! Whether you’re exiled or abdicated, you’re going to suffer… Didn’t I just tell you!”

Persica was sweating profusely, but managed to keep herself steady with Dilux’s help.

“Gather as many soldiers as possible! Right Now…! I’m going to Aken Island right now…!”

*- Cooung

Amidst the sound of firecrackers filling the sky of Aken Island, I heard the sound of a huge explosion.

He also thought it was the sound of firecrackers and ignored it, but soon a small earthquake struck the royal residence where Emperor Chloel and Princess Penia were sitting.

-Koo goong, koo goong…

In response to the sudden tremors of the earth, Emperor Chloel and Fenia, who were chatting in the audience room, tightly gripped the handle of the sofa. I had to sit still for a long time.

“This is… Ugh…”

“Are you okay, Obama?”

“Yeah, that’s fine. It’s just… it’s a big deal. Why, on such an auspicious day, an earthquake…”

After calming down for a while, Emperor Chloel let out a sigh of relief.

Then, to check if there was any other damage in the imperial family quarters, he was about to call out any servant.

– Bang!

At that time, the one who broke through the door was Claire, the escort knight of Princess Penia.

“Sir Claire..?”

How dare you open the room where the imperial family is in without any manners. Depending on the case, it wouldn’t be strange if it led to punishment, but Claire’s expression was so urgent that I couldn’t bear to point it out.

At Claire’s report that followed, both Penia and Emperor Chloel couldn’t help but stiffen their faces.

“Your Majesty… I just received a report… The Maxes Bridge, the only land route out of Aken Island, has collapsed. It is said that the bridge for the logistics passage installed under it also collapsed in the aftermath.”

“what…?”

The island of Aken, where numerous powers are located in their respective positions, is now packed with more people than ever before. It is not a crowd that can be handled by a few small boats.

It was not easy for so many people to leave the island without land.

I had no choice but to intuit that something was happening on this island of Aken.