The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide - Chapter 152

A flower bloomed in House Rothstaylor.

All of the influential aristocrats and nobles who watched over the duke’s daughter, Arwen Rothstaylor, through her childhood agreed with that.

Krepin Rothstaylor’s achievements raised House Rothstaylor’s name to the ranks of the continent’s greatest power. However, even he ran into the problem that often plagued those who reached the top.

While it was great to hold a strong position of authority at the top, how long would that prestige last?

And that question ultimately boiled down to whether or not one could obtain a good successor.

Arwen was beautiful, wise, and kind. She did her best to live up to the Rothstaylor name and faithfully followed the wishes of her father, Krepin.

Everyone agreed that she had the qualifications to succeed as the next heir of House Rothstaylor. It seemed that the concerns of succession had been settled.

She was a perfect heir that many people of power were jealous of, and it seemed as if the future of House Rothstaylor would last for a while longer.

When Arwen was three, her younger brother Ed Rothstaylor was born. When she was five, her younger sister Tanya Rothstaylor was born. However, she still shone above them all.

Even before her first ceremony, she had mastered all sorts of knowledge in swordsmanship, magic, alchemy, sociology, monarchy, territorial management, and political science.

On the day she received her first baptism, she received the ‘Dawn’s Blade’ as a gift. It was a magic greatsword that used the strength of elemental magic. And on the day of her coming-of-age ceremony, she received ‘Condemnation’, One of the eight swords used by the Primordial Swordsman Luden from Emperor Kroel.

The entire world was celebrating her.

Until Krepin Rothstaylor tried to obtain the power of an Evil God.

“Sister.”

It felt like it only happened yesterday, but it seemed a long time has passed since then.

In a large terrace attached to Arwen Rothstaylor’s room, a famous place where you could see the beautiful vast landscape of the estate during the day, and a beautiful starry sky at night.

The moonlight was softly illuminating a table on the terrace.

Next to the gorgeous table, Arwen stood, grabbing onto the chair. Her little and precious brother, Ed Rothstaylor, approached her and spoke.

“Do you know where I found this book?”

Ed Rothstaylor tossed a book on the table as he sat down on the chair opposite her, looking up at the sky.

Arwen glanced down at the table.

It was a history book about the evil god of the Mythic age, Mebula, who was known for hatred and anger. It was a book that had been designated as forbidden by the imperial family.

The book was full of evidence of research on the advent and power of the evil god. It was heavily underlined, and many notes were written in the margins. The handwriting seemed to be that of a middle-aged man.

“Did you find it in Father’s study?”

“No. I found it in your secret library. So, I guess it originally was a book from Father’s study.”

Arwen turned her head towards Ed as her eyes trembled for a moment.

Behind Ed was Tanya, who was hiding holding onto his collar. She was still too young to understand the political world of adults, so she was solely loved for being the cute youngest child of the duke.

The only boy of the three siblings, Ed, was rather smart and had matured faster than expected. However, Tanya was still young, and her life was full of only dreams.

“Tanya… Why…”

“……”

Tanya wasn’t smart enough to understand this situation yet, but she was still involved.

The power of an evil god came with the price of blood. Most of the time, it came at the cost of one’s own blood, body, and spirit.

The more noble and stronger the sacrifice, or the greater their reputation, the more the evil gods start to drool with greed.

That was why Arwen Rothstaylor would be the first target.

“I came to ask why you don’t go against Father.”

“Ed. My lovely brother.”

Arwen looked at Ed with complicated and hazy eyes.

“Not everyone lives by the right answers. Even a path that seems like an incorrect choice has its own value. Or sometimes, it might be a process towards a bigger goal.”

“Father is taking the wrong path now. Do you agree with that?”

“Even though it might seem like the wrong answer, as time passes it often ends up becoming the right one. Leading a group, a house, and walking the path of a monarch is a fight against such opposition.”

Arwen had a vague expression on her face. She had already guessed that he couldn’t be persuaded.

“And to trust someone is to never lose faith in them, regardless of what they do or what adversity they face.”

“Sister.”

“If this is part of the process to find a better path, I will never lose my trust in him. Father sometimes wanders and goes astray, but in the end, he has always lived a life of progress.”

Ed was speechless upon hearing those words.

She wasn’t losing her faith in Krepin.

For Arwen, who had lived her entire life as the noble daughter of House Rothstaylor, Krepin was such an existence.

That was why she had become the most likely successor and the right person to take over House Rothstaylor.

“I don’t understand. What is the point of gaining strength and power if you have to sell one’s flesh and blood like this?”

“Ed… I’m not going to force you to understand. But… Don’t confront Father.”

In the Rothstaylor Mansion, everything was in the hands of Krepin. No one knew what would happen the moment he rebelled against him.

The mansion was a cradle that always took care of Ed, but now it only felt like a large coffin.

If Arwen wasn’t enough to summon the evil god, would he lay his hands on Ed and Tanya next?

What would be the use of this luxurious mansion and high prestige? What would be the meaning in life? It would have been better to live a life in the slums, begging. At least for them… They could have hopes and dreams about the future.

As he bent down, Ed’s expression couldn’t be seen.

“O-Older Brother…?”

Tanya, not knowing why the atmosphere was so serious, crouched down as she looked back and forth between Ed and Arwen.

It was sad to see her staring at her, not knowing what to say.

“Can I ask you just one thing, sister?”

“Ask me anything.”

“How far are you planning to sacrifice yourself? Even if he asks for one of your arms, are you planning to cut it off with a smile on your face?”

At those words, Arwen Rothstaylor had a slight reaction.

Ed admired Arwen more than anyone else. However, as soon as he saw that expression under the moonlight, he couldn’t help but ask.

“Sister. Why are you going this far?”

And hearing her response, Ed lost his breath.

“For my family.”

“……”

“He has raised me dearly. I have inherited the prestige of this important house. And he has loved me as his daughter.”

Ed and Arwen had personally exchanged letters with each other, cherishing one another as family.

However, for the first time since he was born, Ed felt disgust towards Arwen, who he thought was perfect.

Even if it looked like the wrong choice, they continued to walk on that bridge.

What was the point in believing, trusting, and holding onto one’s faith that he would find the right path? How foolish was it to be a person who believed and waited around like that for the name of her house and the love of her family?

The darkness that rose on one side of Ed’s heart widened the gap between the siblings.

There was a strange atmosphere around Ed, who sat with his arms folded and head lowered. Tanya was the first to notice and react.

“O-Older brother…”

“I understand, sister Arwen.”

Ed got up from his seat as he walked towards the exit of the terrace. He suddenly looked back.

He saw Arwen looking down at her feet with a depressed expression. Tanya was scared, not knowing what was happening.

Suddenly, Ed opened his mouth as he spoke to Tanya.

“Tanya.”

Tanya shrugged her shoulders, looking at Ed. He seemed much darker and scarier than usual. Hidden in the darkness of the room, Ed’s eyes blazed with flames as he clenched his teeth and killed his emotions, calling Tanya’s name.

“Don’t stay there. Come here.”

Arwen sat under the moonlight on the terrace. Ed quietly stared at her from the darkness in the room.

Meanwhile, Tanya was trembling… She then went to Arwen, hugging her.

“I-I… Will go later…”

“……”

“O-Older brother… Y-You’re scary. I-I want to stay with Sister.”

Ed lowered his head. After saying ‘alright’, he turned around, leaving Arwen’s room.

He walked down the hallway, clenching his teeth. Anger and grit gradually formed in his eyes as his tightly closed lips began to curl upwards.

The expression on his face as he walked down the hallway was no longer that of the old Ed.

The young Tanya trembled as she was hugged by Arwen. She was still at an age where she didn’t understand anything.

“I’m scared of my older brother, Sister… Why is he like that…? He wasn’t like that when we were playing earlier…”

“…A lot will change, Tanya.”

Arwen wiped Tanya’s face as she spoke sadly.

“Strengthen your heart.”

* * *

Boom! Boom!

The banquet hall was full of loud noises. The door slammed open as a group of soldiers entered.

The rambunctious noises from their weapons filled the hall, not matching the luxurious and elegant banquet.

Standing at the front was the Brown Bear Knight, Nox, who was Krepin Rothstaylor’s closest aide and most loyal vassal.

Nox, who appeared with a large body, entered the hall with the other men enlisted under Krepin. He spoke loudly to the distinguished guests.

“Right now, there seems to be some kind of anomaly inside the mansion. You may all be in danger if you move hastily, so we will gather you and escort you. Please refrain from going out of this hall on your own.”

Even after the big explosion from before, the shaking continued. The guests were full of anxiety and worry even though the gathered soldiers tried to calm them down.

“……”

Clarice also sat in the center of the hall with an anxious expression on her face. It wasn’t pleasant hearing the constant explosions.

She was afraid the building might collapse, so she thought it would be better to go outside and wait. However, the soldiers stopped several guests from leaving.

“Please call over my Knight Templars. I have my own personal escort team, and they are probably waiting just outside the mansion.

“We can’t get in contact with them.”

“What did you say…? Did you try to contact them…? They aren’t the type to sit still in such a situation…”

Clarice tilted her head as she looked up at Nox. He was massive, like a mountain, and it seemed as if he were saying that regardless of who it was, he wasn’t going to step aside.

Aside from Clarice, many other distinguished guests brought up their names, telling them to get out of the way immediately. However, the soldiers started to push them back with their spears.

“Wh-What?!”

“A-Are you crazy?! Do you even know who you are raising your weapons at?!”

“Do you know what will happen if this goes public?! What is with you all?! Aren’t you going to move?!”

Nevertheless, Nox stood his ground firmly.

“As I said, this is all for your safety. Not a single person may leave this hall.”

Among the nobles who began to murmur, Clarice quietly looked around.

She didn’t know all of them, but there were a few people she knew. But still, she didn’t see the faces of those who should have been there.

She knew about Ed and Krepin already. But even Princess Selah, who was standing on the terrace just moments ago, was now nowhere to be seen.

Clarice shook her head deep in thought.

If she were determined, she could break through the soldiers and head outside.

However, it was difficult to predict just what type of issue that would lead to. Other distinguished guests seemed to have similar thoughts.

However, one thing was certain. Something was happening inside the mansion.

* * *

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The secret laboratory in the basement of the mansion.

It was probably the place where Krepin Rothstaylor studied how to summon the evil god Mebula. There were obvious traces of it scattered all over the place.

It was full of objects that could be proof of his evil deeds. All that needed to be done was to run away with one of the research journals laying around.

However, right now it wasn’t possible to quickly run away.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A continuous explosion sound.

It was probably Krepin trying to break through the entrance that Lucy was guarding. Even if he used all of his magic, magic engineering devices, weapons, and manpower, he still wouldn’t be able to break through.

If Lucy Mayreel was determined, then it was an impossible task to break through.

If we didn’t get absolutely conclusive evidence that could send Krepin Rothstaylor away forever, it would be a difficult situation for Lucy to actively subdue him. Simply blocking his path and rushing in to subdue him were different different types of crimes.

So, she would be waiting for my news.

“How was your school life in Silvenia? Was it worth it?”

“Now… This is probably not the time to ask that.”

“Haha… I was just saying it to help you relax… Yeah, you must have been quite surprised.”

Only one of Arwen’s eyes was open, as she looked to be in a terrible state.

I couldn’t fathom just how far Krepin went with his research. Arwen’s condition was beyond bad.

Nevertheless, Arwen continued to speak as if it wasn’t a big deal.

Going through that level of torture for such a long period of time, Arwen must not have thought of it as much. After all, she was already probably used to all of it.

It was most likely the result of his research, which had been carried out little by little over a long period of time. The reason she could act so calmly was probably because she had accepted the little changes to her body each time.

It was a difficult sight to look at.

I raised my head, looking at the greatsword that pierced her body. It was the greatsword ‘Dawn’s Blade’ that was given to her during her first ceremony.

A magic greatsword engraved with all sorts of magic. It was best suited for elemental magic, but in that case, it seemed that all sorts of healing magic was imprinted on it to keep her alive.

The reason she was standing still after being pierced by the greatsword was because it was the way it kept her alive.

With magic engraved on the greatsword, there wasn’t any need for maintenance, and the supply of magic would also be convenient.

What gave me chills more than anything else was that it was the conclusion Arwen came to herself.

“Since the day you left the terrace, we’ve both gone our separate ways.”

“……”

“I don’t know if your path was right or not, but at least for me, this is the end of mine.”

The corners of her lips rose slowly. Surprisingly, she didn’t regret her choice.

“I don’t look all that great, and if I were you, I think I would be heartbroken. But… Still, I wanted to see you at least one more time, Ed.”

After she said that, the pieces of the puzzle came together.

Silvenia’s Failed Swordmaster, Act 1, Chapter 1.

A third-rate villain who got beaten up and excommunicated after forcing an argument with Taylee.

Ed Rothstaylor.

The road he must have walked from Rothstaylor Mansion started to play out in my mind.

A blonde boy walking down a street. The prestige of his family, his heavy fate, and the future where he may be sacrificed.

Krepin was too strong of an enemy to deal with. However, there was nowhere he could run.

Every night, he would sit at the desk of his room with a face full of anguish as he reflected on his life.

Trying to convince his father and fighting with him. In the end, he strayed further and further before turning into a ruined son… It wasn’t hard to imagine.

Arwen was okay with Krepin going astray because they were family.

Ed wasn’t okay with Krepin going astray because he didn’t want to die.

Even Tanya, who wandered before reaching a fork in the road, not knowing what was happening, had no choice but to follow Arwen in the end. To her, it seemed as if Ed was the one who had gone astray.

Tanya didn’t hold his hand. So, Ed Rothstaylor walked alone.

In order to escape from Rothstaylor Mansion, which was like a massive coffin to him, he wandered alone in search of a way out.

Even if it meant becoming a beggar and starving on the streets, it was better than living a life with a predetermined death.

The first thing he needed to do was move away from the mansion. So, even though he had no talent in magic, he forced himself to attend Silvenia’s magic department. After entering Ophelis Hall, he finally managed to move away from the Rothstaylor estate.

However, his family’s name, engraved in his cursed bloodline, had to be erased.

About a year after Ed entered Silvenia and the people of Rothstaylor mansion were getting used to his absence… The swordsman Taylee caught Ed’s eye. And so did Princess Penia, who couldn’t stand injustice.

After that, everything was a breeze.

‘No longer will you be recognized as a member of the Rothstaylor family. For the crime of inappropriately swearing in front of the honorable Princess Penia, fraudulent intervention at the entrance exam for the Holy Silvenia Academy, and neglecting your class by being blinded by jealousy, thus tarnishing the family’s name. All of which cannot be taken lightly.’

The first thing I read after coming to this world. A letter from the head of the house.

Sitting alone in his room at Ophelis Hall, the blonde boy who received the letter must have lowered his head alone.

He lived his entire life under the prestige of House Rothstaylor.

However, now he was a man who had thrown it all away with his own two hands. He was kicked out of the dormitory and completely naked in the cruel world.

What did he feel then? Was it joy, fear, or perhaps endless emptiness?

What sort of expression did he have, alone in the dark room of Ophelis Hall, where no one came for him.

I didn’t know.

However, there were a few things I could infer.

Even though he had run away to the school, he really didn’t care at all, no matter how bad other people’s evaluation of him was.

And even though he was an aristocrat, the luggage Bell Maya carried for him was minimal. In other words, despite living a luxurious life for his entire life, he hardly had anything of his own.

He also had no plans of what to do after being excommunicated.

So, as he opened the window of Ophelis Hall… His expression as he looked down at the muted scenery with the letter from Krepin in one hand… More than anything else, it would be empty.

That was the life of Ed Rothstaylor.

He ran away, but there was no place for him on Acken Island.

No, there wasn’t any place for him throughout the entire world.

As he looked down at the school with a blank expression on his face, he faced a tragic reality.

* * *

Booooooom! Boom!

While using all sorts of elemental magic, he even tried to use the power of the Evil God. However, there didn’t seem to be the slightest evidence that he was breaking through the entrance Lucy Mayreel was guarding.

Lucy’s expression didn’t change. With a drowsy expression, she simply stared at Krepin as she chewed on her jerky.

“Alright. Now I have no choice but to admit it.”

Krepin put down the sword he was holding in his hand as he slowly gathered his strength to the hand imprinted with the Evil God.

“Through normal means, I wouldn’t be able to get past you.”

Slowly, very slowly… A heavy energy started to rise.

There was an unpleasant sound as the size of the engraving grew. Little by little, the engraving devoured his body, covering his entire upper half. The ground began to shake.

Tremble! Shake!

Screams from servants and guests could be heard throughout the mansion.

Despite that, Krepin didn’t pay any attention as he gathered his strength. It was strange.

Krepin was a veteran who, no matter what, never showed any political weakness.

However, if he were to draw on the power of the evil god beyond his limits at a social gathering full of distinguished guests, he would most likely end up politically and socially ruined.

Despite that, Krepin continued to gather his power without hesitation.

Tremble! Slam!

Disgusting tentacles started to come up from the floor. More than ten tentacles began to wriggle around.

The energy wasn’t normal. Lucy spit out the jerky as she glared at Krepin strongly.

It was because of his political influence and the prestige of his house that Lucy didn’t exert more strength than necessary against Krepin. However, if he’s going to come out like that, it was a different story.

The evil god Mebula.

If it fully manifested, even Lucy would find it to be quite the serious opponent.