How to Survive at the Academy Chapter 253

[Side Story] Wind Flower (3)

When I was young, I must have lived a pretty intense life. It was the first impression of Glems, the chief of Toren Village.

Along with his long gray-brown hair, his graying beard and eyebrows gave him the look of a man whose heyday was over and he was entering his twilight years.

However, those eyes are still bright and lively, and I don’t know how old he is, but he seems to be saying that he has no intention of dying in the next ten years.

There are people who naturally have dignity even if they don’t try to be conceited or show off.

Glems, who represents the village, was such a person. He is a big elder in the village who is respected by everyone for being moderately heavy and moderately brash.

“You did a lot of hard work to find me a long way. I have prepared a small accommodation near the town hall… but since it is a small village on the outskirts of the pastoral area, I am sorry that it will not be a place suitable for the master’s authority.”

From Toren Village’s point of view, just having someone from the duke’s family come to this remote area would have been a big deal.

From the time the carriage already riding side by side with Yenika entered the village, people were huddled together to watch.

Most of them were in their full years, and though we saw the occasional children or young people, they all seemed busy working on the ranch.

Still, I couldn’t overcome my curiosity when I heard that a young boy from a noble family would appear, so I gathered around the plaza and looked around, but…

“thank you.”

I answered briefly and took a quick glance at the entire town.

There is a shopping street centered around a small square. However, it is so small that it is embarrassing to even call it a shopping district.

In rural villages like this, one person does many things.

There is one general store that sells all sorts of things under the name of ‘general store’, one that sells groceries and a restaurant, and all the sleeping places for outsiders seem to be taken care of at this village hall, and most of the rest are filled with ranches or farmhouses.

The scenery is beautiful. Everywhere you look, it’s a work of art. It feels reminiscent of the pastures that stretched along the ridges of the Alps or the Andes.

The clear sky contrasts moderately with the greenery, and it feels like all the old congestion in your mind is swept away just by sitting anywhere and staring blankly.

“Ed, will you stay here? I’ll probably go to my parents’ house and unpack my things first.”

“Perhaps. There is nothing urgent, so go slowly.”

Yenika packed up and came down from the wagon. Then he sat huddled in all sorts of places and looked sideways at the villagers, and then he stumbled and noticed them.

“Grandpa Glems. How are you? Are you okay with back pain?”

When Yenica warmly greeted the village chief, the village chief Glems hesitated for a moment as if he was lost in thought.

Yenika was momentarily taken aback by the village chief’s refusal to greet her as usual.

Given the circumstances, I felt I had to say a word here.

“You can do it as usual.”

I wonder if Chief Glems tends to be quite attentive to etiquette… He took a look at me.

Yenika, well, she has the title of baron, but it doesn’t seem like she’s demanding strict respect even in her hometown. On the contrary, the villagers seemed to be well aware of the fact that due to Jenika’s personality, it would be more difficult if she acted that way.

However, it is another matter in front of me, who is wearing the far-high duchy title.

In front of someone with a different level of high status, it is not polite to carelessly talk to someone with the title of baron and treat them comfortably.

Rather, it feels like the genealogy is twisted because Jenika is respectful to Glems. It’s because Jenika treats me comfortably.

That’s why, in the end, I, the highest person, had to say something to make it comfortable.

Seeing this happen, eventually, among the people of this village, I clearly recognize what kind of existence Jenika is.

“It’s not a public place, and I don’t go all the way to the periphery and pay attention to the details of etiquette.”

“Brother Ed is merciful. This is the first time in my life that a young nobleman treats me with respect.”

Glems bowed his head slightly and spoke to Yenika.

“Thank you for your concern, Yenika.”

Then he says it with a nonchalant expression.

“By the way, would it be okay if we didn’t share the same room? It’s a long time ago.”

*When I entered the room, I saw that this and that were all prepared for two people.

First of all, the room itself is a double room. There are two beds, and two simple daily necessities.

[I think I know why Yenika became shy…]

Merilda, who was sitting on the opposite bed and waving her feet in the air, was giggling.

After unpacking and properly organizing my stuff, I took off the cloak or coat that was getting in the way and put it away.

[I just heard the sound of whispers while walking around the wagon, but I couldn’t put it in my mouth even after hearing it with my own ears. ]

Yenica swung her arms at the village chief’s words, blushed, and hurriedly ran to her home.

The villagers obviously thought that Jenika and I would sleep in the same room.

[I was dumped by Yenika. ]

Merilda said that with a giggling smile.

He looks at me with a playful expression, and then turns his head away as if he’s not having fun, and buries himself in an empty bed.

She would say that she was dumped by Yenika or something, but Merylda would know better than anyone else.

“…”

[ … ]

Lying flat on the bed and staring at the ceiling for a while, Merylda let out a sigh.

[Maybe he can’t live without you. ]

“I know.”

[ …Whoa, it’s such rubbish… ]

“…”

I can’t feel the sincerity because it’s a contempt that I threw out like a throw. In the first place, Merylda’s smirk personality doesn’t always tell the truth.

To change, I took off my shirt and threw it on top of my suitcase. Her scarred body was exposed, but Merylda lay down on her bed and looked down at her, then she turned her body over as if nothing had happened.

[Yenika would know. That your sister is actively using the vacancy of your partner for political purposes. ]

Just like that, I sat down on my bed.

Merilda sighed from the bed across from her and quickly lifted her upper body.

[Yenika is not stupid either. Just by listening to the information coming from the baron’s mansion, you know how much your location has an impact on the political landscape of the Chloel Empire. ]

“…”

[He still wants to be by your side. ]

I know what Merylda wants to say.

Even after being aware of the rumors circulating in Toren Village, he did not actively explain anything else.

I wondered if Yenika’s apology with a deathly expression on that fact might have caused trouble to the Duke of Ross-Taylor, who was actually using the fact that my partner’s position was vacant for political purposes.

However, Yenika did not bother to explain in detail. The reason is obvious.

[It must be scary to check. In the end, Ed thinks that you will push Jenika away because of the difference in position and status. That’s why you can’t take the last step. ]

The movement that had been vigorously swaying his feet also stopped. Merilda often erases her mischievous expression, and there are times when she gets quite serious.

[You know his personality. I am a blessed person with just this level of position right now. It’s okay to just be by your side. I’m just going to live my life being satisfied with the present. as it has been so far. But I wish I didn’t. ]

“Does this all of a sudden… have something to do with Tyrcalax’s death…? I was telling you not to look into Tyrcalax.”

Merylda let out a gasp, as if she had hit the spot.

The remains of Tir’calax, the highest wind spirit.

Once, Merilda said that she would tell the location directly, and that she would wait for the right time.

I think he was very cooperative at the time, but lately he used to show a disapproving expression.

[Finding the remains is not a job. However, I was told not to study in detail how the spirit Tyrcalax died and returned to nature. In fact, as long as there is a spirit’s remains, it’s easy to train spirits. ]

“The position I was in then and my position now are completely different. I’m the one who came to handle research work as a bachelor’s affiliation. now.”

[That’s why I hesitated. ]

The high-ranking wind spirit with a smirk finally erased his laughter and spoke in a low voice.

[ Tircalax loved humans. ]

Perhaps because the travel time was too long, the sun outside the window was already setting.

Along with the red sky, among the long shadows, Merylda continued her story while lying on her back.

[He also loved this Peulan farm girl with nothing. ]

“Looking at the expression, it seems that the ending was not good.”

[ huh. Well, it’s an obvious story, but it’s quite dangerous for two beings living in different time zones to communicate more than necessary. ]

I remember seeing Merilda looking up at the night sky in a daze while walking on the lake in the North Forest one day.

If you were still looking at the starry sky in your eyes, you would understand why this wind spirit always looked up at the sky.

The only things that don’t change are the stars and the moon in the high sky.

Everything on earth disappears with time and rises again over and over again.

[I had a love that I shouldn’t have done. And, after the girl passed away, she couldn’t overcome her loneliness and ended her life by herself. ]

“…”

[ That is the death of Tyrcalax. ]

I made a love that shouldn’t be done.

For beings who live near eternal life, solitude is a disease that leads to death.

The high-ranking spirits who had endured for a long time had to come up with their own way to deal with the deadly disease.

Tyrcalax, the highest spirit, must have been the same.

What was the reason why even the highest-ranking spirit, who had gone through all the battles before birth, had to break his heart?

[Just because we manifest in human form, don’t mistake us for being the same as humans. ]

“I know that much. It’s nothing more than a mimicry that manifests after the image of the person you were most special in the first place.”

[ huh. There are many laws in the world where there are relationships that are not possible. Only in fairy tales can there be many touching stories of overcoming the forbidden wall and falling in love with each other… Now, Yenika herself knows it well. ]

There is no Romeo and Juliet in the world.

[The reality is harsher than you think, and you’re not like the main character in a fairy tale. She must be familiar with Yenica herself. ]

Merilda put on a pensive expression for no reason.

This wind spirit prays for Jenika’s happiness more than anyone else. However, it’s not that I can’t understand my position either… He must be struggling in between.

[ Tir’calax died a tragic death in the end. Because he made love that was not allowed. ]

“…”

[I was a little worried about what Jenika would think after confirming the truth. ]

Now I’m going to have a good time.

The reason why Merilda was a little uncooperative was because she was worried about Jenika’s feelings.

[Well, Ed, I won’t ask you too much. The prestige of the Roth Taylor family has risen a lot, but it’s not strange when it turns upside down because it’s a power struggle between aristocratic families. That much I understand. It’s just… If it’s like this, I feel so sorry for Jenika. ]

Eventually you will have to face it. What do I think of Yenika Failover?

Are you looking at her rationally? What makes her think of accepting her as her companion and starting a home with her?

“Don’t you fully understand why I am being so vague?”

[ … ]

It’s not like you just say everything you want to say. I have spoken so openly.

In fact, if Yenika wants to, it doesn’t matter much if she puts down the political gain that comes from leaving my seat vacant.

Yenika Failover is a good person. She is not lacking in anything to be welcomed as a companion, and she will live devotedly for me until she dies. I can’t deny the fact that I also have a strong crush on Jenika.

However, in order to welcome one Jenika as a companion, the entire Rosteylor family must give up the political practicality, and Jenika understands every word of how far-out it is.

Yenica Failover is a girl who has collapsed once under the burden of love and kindness from others.

If she pushes forward while ignoring all the background circumstances, she will live with that debt for the rest of her life.

Such is the case with a human named Yenica Failover. If someone has given or sacrificed for her, she never takes it for granted.

Whether the relationship established on the basis of that sense of debt is really meaningful, she will have to live under that pressure for the rest of her life, even going to the bloody political front as the daughter of Duke Roth Taylor. This is Jenika Failover, a naive girl who has lived in the countryside all her life.

Will it make her life happy or rather unhappy?

[I knew you would say that. ]

Merilda was lost in her thoughts for a moment, then suddenly smiled again, as if she had been serious.

[Ha ha ha. After all, you’re only worried about Yenika, aren’t you? Rather, I feel comfortable. ]

“Isn’t it a situation where we should be more concerned? I don’t think Jenika’s life will be so smooth when she gets involved with a human like me.”

[I think it’s rather good. You know, Ed. From what I’ve seen, it seems like it’s just something you need to make up your mind about. If this or that doesn’t work out, isn’t it something you’ll have to make up your mind for and then make sacrifices? ]

“Resolution? what resolution? What is the sacrifice?”

Merilda chuckled and laughed, then spoke in a playful voice.

[Determination to become garbage. ]

“…”

I was about to ask what did you mean by that?

It was because from Merilda’s smile, raising the corner of her mouth as if she was interested, she had some idea of ​​what that meant.

I was staring at it with my half-moon eyes open, but Merylda was just giggling at what was so good about it.

*“That… Hi, Ed.”

It was about an hour later when Yenika packed up and came to the room.

Jenika, who said she would leave her luggage at her parents’ house, somehow came to my accommodation with her luggage intact.

“I was kicked out of the house…”

“…what?”

I couldn’t help but tilt my head when I saw Jenika’s shy face through the gap in the open door.

Speaking of the present time, it was already becoming the midnight hour when the moon was floating in the middle of the sky.

I wondered if it would make sense to kick a mysterious woman out of the house at a time like this…

“Why did you prepare a lodging for two people, but you said you were going to sleep at home, and my mother… kicked me out…”

“…”

Sayla Failover… I can’t help but stick out my tongue at the determination of that strong woman.

“You are too much… You closed the door and took out all the bed sheets.

“…”

“So, I was thinking of taking care of someone’s house or a friend’s house… But anyway, with rumors going around like that… It’s kind of weird to go and take care of someone else’s house…”

Even so, Yenica Failover is a rare genius psychic and the hostess of Baron Failover.

I just wiped my eyes when I saw that he was intimidated to the extent that his identity was not clear.

“Okay, come in first… Let’s sleep together tonight…”

I couldn’t stand the front door here, so I brought Jenika into the room for now.

As soon as Yenika entered the room, she put her bag full of luggage in the corner.

Taking advantage of that gap, I put the animology books spread out on the small table and sat down on the bed.

Yenika crouched in and cradled herself on the bed across from her, her head bowed and her face blushing.

“that…”

“…”

“Things… turned out like this…”

It is a late hour when only the sound of insects can be heard outside the window.

In the room of this inn, where there was only one lamp light, the shadows danced together, guided by the gently swaying candlelight.

“I’m sorry for bothering you too much… Ed… You’ve been having a lot of trouble lately because of me…”

“You don’t have to worry about it that much. I always say this, but there are a lot of things I owe, so you don’t have to feel too pressured. First of all… you must have sweated a bit from walking around all day…”

Well, it’s not such a big meaning, but I said it as naturally as possible.

“Wash up, first.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“Did I say anything strange?”

“no! no! at all! Stir!”

Yenika quickly raised her head, said that she understood, quickly packed her things and headed for the bathroom.

After Yenika left, I sat on the bed alone and sighed and wiped my lips.

Then… slowly lowering his head, he fell into deep thought.

Merylda’s words flicker.

Be prepared to be trash.

Garbage……………………………………………………………………………………