How to Survive at the Academy Chapter 251

[Side Story] Wind Flower (1)

The people of Pulan called the pansy flowers blooming along the mountain ridge ‘Wind Flower’.

Since some time ago, everyone in the village called it that, and when she was young, Jenika also called the beautiful flower a wind flower without much doubt.

panoramic mountain range. Clouds occasionally floating in the blue sky and walking on the ridgeline where the warm sunlight shines down make you feel as if time has stopped.

Yennika in her childhood, walking diligently up the open ridge, hugging her picnic bag tightly, would gladly accept the wind on her cheek.

The wind whistling pleasantly on the skin, and before long, the shiny light pink hair fluttered. As I entrusted myself to the lukewarm wind unique to early spring, a feeling of refreshment that was difficult to explain in words covered my heart.

If you look up quickly, you will see an alpine area with only the top edge colored white by the ice caps.

On the other side of the ridge, grazing cows graze, and by the side of the road, a few butterflies flap their wings and sit down on the nearby grass to take a break. As she listens to the pleasant chirping of birds, the open sky comes into her eyes again.

Looking at such a peaceful and idyllic landscape unique to Pulan, it seems that we are living in a world where worries and anguish are gone.

Yenika Failover was born and raised in such a fairy tale landscape.

The girl didn’t realize what a great blessing it was, but at least she was aware that every day was fun.

Even if I thought that if I had someone important to me, I would at least want to walk this road together… I shook my head at the thought of what that would mean.

For Jenika, who is still young, the world is too small. She is a precious person, so her family and villagers are everything.

All the precious people I have cherished in my heart are living happily together in this Pulan, so it is difficult to think of introducing this sight to anyone.

Everyone knows the beautiful sight of this ridge well enough.

The girl tidyed up her beautifully plaited hair and stretched out her hand to the sky.

The sun’s rays seeping through your fingers tickle your eyes.

The girl leaves for Sylvania Academy next year.

Leaving behind Toren Village, which is like a cradle, he goes to face a new world. Yenica was too young, and the rest of her life was too long, to remain stuck in the countryside forever.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, but I felt my heart pounding at the thought of meeting new places and relationships.

It’s a sensation that I couldn’t feel when I was stuck in Pulan and just helping the ranch.

After inhaling and exhaling the refreshing air, my mind is at peace.

After that, what you see is the mountain range of Pulan, which is still open.

This peaceful fairy tale world is the starting and ending point for a girl named Jenika Failover.

After going out into the wide world, meeting many people, and going through many experiences, the last place Yenika Failover will return to is Pulan.

The girl’s journey will go round and round, and eventually she will come back here.

Leaning against the neatly built fence on the side of the road, the girl gently closed her eyes.

The beautiful flowers were swaying gently.

The pansy flowers that bloomed along the ridge were shaking their heads in line with the direction of the wind blowing all year round.

That is why it is called a wind flower.

*

“I should go to Pulan sometime this week.”

It was on the afternoon of the day Yenika returned to the baron’s residence that Ed Rosteyler made a sound like thunder from the sky.

Yenika, who is treated with respect and works as the owner of the mansion, still has not adjusted to the aristocratic status.

Two years is enough to get used to, but it was too difficult for a girl from a rural village to wield a person.

So, from time to time, he would make time to visit Baron Edgar’s house to help manage the manor, so he thought this visit would be on that level as well.

It was a good thing that I could only see Ed’s face from Yenica’s point of view… I had to put the teacup down for a while at Ed’s unexpected remark.

“….uh?”

For a moment, Jenika doubted her ears.

Ed Rosteyler goes to Pulan. What was that short and simple sentence, I had to ask once because it was not accepted at once.

“I have to finish my research work before the vacation is over. I think I’ll have to go there myself to put an end to the case against the top wind spirit from the Pulan side.”

“Uh, yes… that’s right. Ed. Um, but… are you going near Toren Village?”

“So I came to you. If you want to go there, it wouldn’t be more convenient to go with a local person. Aren’t you familiar with Pulan? It’s home.”

Yenika swallowed dry saliva.

It has been six years since I left. He spent four years at the Sylvania Academy and two years at the Duchy of Ross Taylor.

I’ve visited my family once in a while, but I’ve never visited Pulan with Ed Rosteyler… so I couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat.

That’s the only way to do it.

The insidious rosy gaze of the people of Pulan penetrates equally regardless of social status.

By the time she had already visited last year, rumors about Ed and Jenika had left her hands.

The rumors that started from the marketplaces and markets rolled like a snowball and grew out of control before I knew it.

Already between the swings, between Jenika and Ed to see Jean Davon. A good man and a fairy, a match made in heaven, a fate foretold by the sky, and a fate that will never happen again.

Rumors are so scary. In particular, after Orte and Seila came to Aken Island and confirmed their relationship with Ed, it grew more frightening.

When I visited last year, Jenika also confirmed the rumors that had grown to the point of enlargement, but…

Yenica… did not bother to stop or actively deny it…! I wasn’t even positive!

Because… actually, I didn’t feel that bad…!

It’s embarrassing to say anything to anyone, but after listening to the rumors, I found myself with the corners of my mouth rising…!

I know it’s bullshit, but…! I know that aiding and abetting rumors that are getting bigger than necessary is not very dignified, but…! Still, human emotions are not at will!

Feeling good is good!

Anyway, Ed Rosteyler is very busy managing the duke’s house and even doing his undergraduate work.

Isn’t this a person who can’t afford to pay attention to rumors going around in a small village in the faraway province of Pulan, and doesn’t need to? How could the boy from the continent’s best duke family consume his mind over such trivial rumors?

That’s how Yenika Failover rationalized her aiding and abetting.

“I arranged the wagon, so let’s go together sometime next week. You can leave the management of the baron’s estate to Bell.”

Now is the time to pay the penalty…

Yenika forced herself to stop breathing and answered with a difficult smile.

“Eh, Ed… I see. You’re coming to Pulan. Haha… Ed is your first time at Pulan, right? You will be surprised when you go. It really is like a fairy tale. The scenery is also beautiful… hehe… hehehe…”

That doesn’t mean I can’t tell you not to come!

On the surface, they are comfortable with each other, but in principle, Jenika Failover is a vassal of Ed Roth Taylor, the son of the Duke. It is the story of Ed Roth Taylor’s subordinate, bound by a clear hierarchical relationship.

It is only thanks to Ed Rosteylor’s consideration that Ed and Yenika are able to exchange conversations as easily as they did when they were undergraduates. Thanks to the kindness of Ed, who doesn’t want to hit the wall with Yenikawa, she can talk lively with Yenikawa.

However, it is impossible to escape from the essence of the hierarchical relationship. After all, Yenica is subordinated to Ed, so Ed has to do what he wants to do.

Ed never bothered to direct things that made Jenika uncomfortable or troublesome. However, if it was a bachelor-related job, it would be a public job, so there would be no way to bring Yenika’s situation into the picture.

So, Ed will definitely come to Pulan… There is no way for Yenika to stop that.

If so, there is only one path left.

“Ed… that’s… sorry!!! Sorry! Right now, Toren Village is… that…!”

Seeing Jenika suddenly lowering her head and apologizing, Ed narrowed his brows and showed a puzzled face, which was rare.

*

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

The silence that lasted for a moment couldn’t be this heavy.

Yenica sat across from Ed with her eyes closed and her head bowed.

After hearing the circumstances explained, Ed swung the end of his magician’s robe and organized his thoughts for a while before finally opening his mouth.

“Summarizing, in Toren Village, we already know each other, right?”

It was as if an electric current ran down Yenika’s spine at the sound of those words.

Choking, Yenika had to fan her face with her hands for a while. This wormwood-like reaction has not changed even after several years. How would a person do something like this in the first place?

“How did you get to that point…”

“Ed would know from meeting my parents… so… since there are only people who like this kind of gossip… how can this snowball roll and roll again… sorry… how can I use my hands? There wasn’t…”

In fact, it would be more accurate to say that she didn’t use her hands, but Yenika couldn’t even spit that out.

It’s embarrassing, but there’s a degree to it. No matter how much we communicate with each other, there is a limit. It’s no different than saying openly, “I want to be with you.”

From Yenica’s point of view, there is a strong desire to cross the line with Ed, but there is certainly a line between Ed and Jenika that is difficult to cross.

The most superficial line is ultimately the difference in social status.

There is an irreducible class gap between Jenika, a baron who started out as a commoner and barely received a border estate, and Ed, who was born as a son of a duke and is protected by the imperial family.

Ed’s mate is an important political issue that eventually affects the entire duchy, so it’s not easy for Jenika to step over the position.

Ed also knows that the gap is putting a lot of pressure on Yenika, so he doesn’t force her to do more than necessary.

However, she did not have the heart to remain protected by the baron and hostess forever, whether it be gold or jade, just because she was Jenika.

Why don’t we use this opportunity to go beyond the front line in the name of Pulan’s rumors?

Recalling a strange possibility that would normally have been unimaginable, she swallowed dryly.

“Sah…actually… rumors spread as soon as they spread… so it wasn’t until now…! Not like that! If I say that, I might turn out to be a liar because I didn’t actively deny it…”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah… what should I say, I just didn’t date because I was so fed up… I never imagined that rumors would grow out of control this far…”

“Then I come now and say, ‘We’re just a lord and a vassal. Don’t get me wrong.’ What will happen if I announce that?”

“…Well… the villagers won’t say anything, but they’ll feel sorry for me inside…”

Thinking about that, Yenika felt a little dizzy.

Ah, our Jenika must have been very lonely… I imagined that…

Well, Ed’s youngster is a wonderful and reassuring person… It’s worth having that kind of heart…

I’m sorry… Yenika…! Because I can’t understand your loneliness…!

You were lonely! That’s the age!

You’re still young, so you don’t have to worry about becoming an old maid! He’s a beautiful and talented nobleman… Why were you in such a hurry…

Let us understand… Yenika… wouldn’t have wanted to lie like this…

“I’d rather kill you…”

Thinking of the compassionate and warm gazes of the villagers, Jenika pulled her hair and talked.

“I just imagined it too, and it was so terrifying that I was about to vomit. Yenika.”

“It’s okay… it’s okay… I’m self-employed, so I can handle it, Ed… don’t worry too much…”

Ed stared at Yenika, whose complexion was pale, then sighed deeply and tossed the papers in his hand onto the desk.

“Anyway, it’s just something I can get along with. is not it?”

“huh? What do you mean, Ed?”

“It’s just a matter of taking action with the feeling that the rumors are roughly correct. This is also directly related to your authority as a baron… I’ll hang out with you a little bit…”

There’s no need to go along with these ridiculous rumors, but Ed is someone who cares about Jenika anyway.

“I’ll somehow act on the rumors this time, so from now on, slowly clear up any misunderstandings without undermining your authority.”

“That, is it…?”

“okay. Actually, it’s not that difficult. Isn’t it just a matter of showing a good feeling in front of the villagers? We’re good together in the first place. It’s just what you normally do.”

In fact, it was extraordinary for a baron who had just been crowned a baron from the outskirts to talk to the young master of the Roth-Taylor family.

“So… what kind of rumors were there specifically? I will act as it is, so talk to me.”

Ed Roth Taylor gun is merciless towards guilty vassals and misbehaving servants, but tends to be merciful towards Jenika Failover.

Yenica herself was well aware of this fact, and she was so grateful for Ed’s cooperative attitude that she was on the verge of tears.

“that is…”

However, asking Jenika to tell her exactly what kind of rumors have spread… is actually close to torture.

“that…”

Yenika shuddered and wiggled her fingers, then lowered her head and blushed.

How did the rumor about the great joint spread so that people blushed like that just by talking about it… I have no way of knowing.

In the end, all Ed Rosteyler could do was to wait.

“That… he crosses his arms every time he walks around… or kisses him on the forehead when we make eye contact…”

“…”

“When we rode in the wagon together, we always hugged each other tightly… or buried our heads in our shoulders and leaned against each other…”

“How on earth do you have to go through to spread such rumors…?”

“Originally, rumors don’t grow through a logical process…”

“In the meantime, didn’t you actively deny that…?”

“Sorry! I have committed a mortal sin!”

Ed swept his bangs up in amazement and dried his face once. He needed to organize his thoughts.

However, it’s not that complicated to think about.

“Okay, keep talking.”

“Sorry… I think I need to rest a bit, too, because my head is overheated…”

“It’s okay, so take it slow.”

“Um… just… yeah, other than that, most of the stories are similar. Like holding hands wherever they go, or kissing in private places… And, at night… well…”

“…”

“…Sorry, this is the realm of obscenity.”

“It’s good that you’ve kept your sanity in those rumors. You might feel humiliated or ashamed.”

“Originally, there is no such thing as good in the gossip of villagers…”

In fact, let alone feeling humiliated or ashamed, the corners of his mouth ascended to heaven and he stomped his feet as he imagined his newlywed life alone. She, of course, couldn’t even talk about it.

“Anyway, I knew the situation roughly. Even if they don’t completely match, they can give credibility to the truth of the rumor by showing that they’re getting along roughly.”

“Yeah, yeah…”

“By the way, isn’t this only going to make the rumors grow? It’s not a medicine, but rather a poison, I think.”

“That’s not right! But if you feel like you’re getting along well, that means the rumors aren’t lies at all! If some of the rumors are true, the rest is exaggerated… I can end with the line. My authority won’t be hurt… It’s a completely different feeling than lying…”

Yenika’s parents, Orte and Seila, also know that Ed and Yenika are on good terms.

If it overlaps well with such eyewitness information, the fact that Ed Rosteyler and Yenika are more special than expected will be accepted as truth.

Then, Yenika won’t be stigmatized for allowing such nonsense out of loneliness. It is enough to confirm only part of the rumor.

“Yeah… I got it…”

Ed let out a deep sigh, but understood Yenika’s position.

“I’ll do my best to get along with you, so please just cooperate with my research work.”

“Eh… It’s a research job, so I’m not sure how helpful I’ll be…”

“When I saw it, I think it would be of great help. Same with Merylda…”

Yenika glanced down to see the papers Ed had spread out.

Data on Tyrcalax, the highest wind spirit.

The story is that the traces of the wind left by the giant bear-shaped spirit melted into nature are located in the alpine region of the Pulan region.

The story of the giant bear spirit that commanded Pulan until its end also remained as a research subject.

The alpine region of Pulan, where the cattle ranch is wide open, and the wind that permeated between the ridges were also traces of the highest wind spirit.

Thinking about it, the notes written in the research journal Ed had brought felt special to Jenika.

The wind of Pulan is warm and cozy.

The girl who had grown up in that wind since she was a child was none other than Jenika Failover.

“By the way, to be honest, if you’re trying to match the rumors, I think you’ll have a harder time, not me.”

“Yes? do you mean me No, if Ed had suffered more, he would have suffered… What is there for me to suffer?”

“If I showed a hesitant appearance in the first place, it would only lead to more suspicion, right?”

Yenica Failover is not immune to men at all.

Especially against Ed Rosteyler, he shrugged his shoulders and lowered his head as if an electric current would run through his body even if he just brushed his skin…

It was obvious that if he crossed his arms in that position or kissed him on the forehead, he would only get unnatural reactions.

If he pushed Ed out of embarrassment while bleeding from his nose, it would only arouse more suspicion.

“I think you need to get used to things like skinship in the first place.”

“G-g-g-g-g-g? Should it be? If it doesn’t have to be, I probably won’t, but if Ed says I have to, I might be ready to make an effort to do it!”

“It’s already a problem that you’re talking gibberish, you.”

“Well, but… what should I do with something I’m not familiar with!”

Ed rested his chin on his chin and pondered for a moment, then got up from his seat and slowly approached Yenika.

“In the end, I think there is no solution other than getting used to it by trying a lot.”

“What!”

Before Yenika could say anything, Ed brushed Yenika’s bangs up to expose her forehead.

Yenika’s breathing quickened, but she couldn’t resist. Come to think of it, among the rumors going around about her, there was a story that every time her eyes met, she kissed her on the forehead. Is it true that once she wants to show that she pulls off that look naturally, she will have to practice her from now on.

I understand the logic, but it is too big a wall for naive Jenika.

Ed Rosteyler is a veteran who has gone through all kinds of life experiences before and after childbirth, so he’s not in a position to be nervous about having skin contact with a woman now. Rather, it was an act close to the expression of a sense of duty to help Yenica, so he brought her face more unrestrainedly.

Yenika came to the point where she was about to spill a nosebleed, unable to withstand the blood flow that was rising to the limit in her face…

In fact, the moment I faced myself that I didn’t hate the current situation that much, I rather closed my eyes.

That moment, with half tension and half anticipation, waiting for the faint heat to touch your forehead——

– smart.

“Excuse me. master. Regarding the management schedule of the baron while Lady Yenica is away…”

After a businesslike knock, Bell Maia entered the reception room and witnessed the situation.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Seeing Edgar brushing Yenika’s forehead, Bell Maia… was silent for a moment.

“I’ll be back in half an hour, Master.”

After bowing with her skirt raised in an old-fashioned way, Bell closed the door to the reception room again and left.

“…”

“…”

Ed and Yenika remained silent, slowly regaining their senses in the waiting room, which had become quiet again.

Coming out of the reception room, Bell Maia pressed her temples and buried her head against the hallway wall.

‘I started as an apprentice maid when I grew up, and this year is already my 17th year of experience…’

Work is always done quickly and reliably. That was Bell Maia’s motto, but I was distracted by that policy and made a huge mistake.

‘Such… making a rudimentary mistake…!!’

Originally, most of the emotional exchanges were carried out hotly because they could not overcome the heat.

As soon as he saw the faces of the two people who had regained their reason by Bell’s appearance, Bell had to swallow a scream with a feeling of horror.

To think that the timid Baron Yenica was going to get business instructions at the moment when she was trying to slow down after a long time…

For normal people, it would be absurd for a normal person to predict such a situation and move… But it felt like a big mistake for Maia, the maid who should always be perfect.

‘Whoa… let’s calm down…’

Anyway, from Jenica’s point of view, since she will accompany Ed towards Pulan from now on, there will be plenty of opportunities to slow down.

Rather, she said that she was already ready to bite and suck like that, so Bell felt a bit reassured.

In fact, Belle was ready to applaud her master, Ed, whoever she was involved with, but she couldn’t help but feel particularly attached to Jennica.

In terms of love, she was nothing short of a savage, so she needed someone to support her from behind.

The problem is, Tanya Rosteiler doesn’t want to let that happen.

Tanya was playing tricks to drag all of Ed’s relationships around him. If it was for the revival of the Roth-Taylor family, there was no way he would leave his brother’s splendid connections unattended.

‘Master Tanya… how do you see the situation…’

Bell tilted her head for a moment.

From Bell’s point of view, no matter what happens to my master, Ed Rosteyler, all I have to do is assist him…

Frankly, it was Bell’s guess that if Yenica and Edgar Pulan accompanied them on that long journey, they would return after crossing the line. Not doing so is rather difficult.

In the meantime, Ed Roth Taylor has been so busy going back and forth between the duchy and the island of Aken that he has been distracted, but…

If you go to a romantic and beautiful land like Pulan with Jenika on a leisurely schedule… Isn’t the game actually over here…?

Bell rested her chin on her chin, lost in thought for a moment, then quickly shook her head.

In fact, it was a problem that Bell had no meaning to worry about.

Let’s just prepare well to see off Ed and Yenika, who are leaving for Pulan. A maid has her duties as a maid.

Reflecting on that, Belle adjusted her clothes and went out across the hallway.