The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide - Chapter 168

As news about the Rothstaylor family spread, the Kroel Imperial Household went into an uproar.

A number of high-ranking nobles were killed by the tragedy caused by the head of House Rothstaylor, Krepin Rothstaylor, and the Rothstaylor estate and mansion were completely devastated. If things went just a little worse, the imperial household would have been attacked by an evil god.

The downfall of the Rothstaylor family, who had been working as a close associate of the Kroel Imperial Household for many years, and the betrayal of their head, Krepin.

Members of House Rothstaylor also had their own positions within the Kroel Imperial household in various positions as well.

Among them, there were middle managers such as Templar Administrative Officers and Servant Managers, to middle ranks ranging from the Chairman of the Imperial Advisory Council to the Chief Protocol Officer, and the Head Judge… There were quite a few places where House Rothstaylor held high positions.

They were given positions under Krepin’s orders. However, when the death of Krepin Rothstaylor and his evil deeds were announced, they were all temporarily suspended from their duties.

As vacancies in various important positions in the imperial household all occurred at the same time, stand-ins took over their duties and various administrative processes struggled… Eventually, an emergency meeting had to be called.

“There are a lot of empty positions.”

“All the talents from House Rothstaylor were gathered and placed in the Imperial Annex.”

It was an emergency meeting of the imperial family. Key members of the imperial family gathered to discuss the situation.

In front of Emperor Kroel, who sat in the center, there was an arched conference hall.

But there were quite a few vacant seats.

The court clerk, who oversaw the affairs of the imperial family, recited the individual names of the holders of the empty seats to Emperor Kroel. Most of them had the name of Rothstaylor.

In front of Emperor Kroel were the seats of the three princesses, who would eventually become the heirs of the imperial power. Behind them were a variety of others who held positions of power, such as the imperial knight commander, moderator, admirals, and prime minister, respectively.

In fact, it was a meeting where those who would decide the direction of the Kroel Empire gathered together.

“Everyone knows the reason we are gathered here today. We are here to discuss the tragedy that occurred at the Rothstaylor estate and the steps to recover from it.”

Emperor Kroel, who was in charge of the meeting, spoke in a gentle tone.

“Everyone must have a list of things they want to report to me. However, we should first discuss the future direction of the Rothstaylor family. Determine if those who deserve to be rewarded should receive their reward, and those who deserve punishment should be punished.”

The three princesses sat closest to Emperor Kroel.

Selah, Persica, Penia. They each sat in the center of the conference hall, looking at each other, with different expressions on their faces.

Emperor Kroel had already sensed it. Each of his three daughters had a different stance towards House Rothstaylor, which had been a center of power for a long time.

The three imperial heirs in the center with various imperial powers lined up behind them… It looked like a spider web that showed the dispersion of power among them.

The incident was not going to be resolved easily.

Thinking that, Emperor Kroel announced the start of the meeting.

A noble meeting that was so important, ordinary commoners would never be allowed to go near it.

In the back corner, behind those who were deciding the path of the empire, a girl sat down with a witch hat snug on her head. It was the witness that Selah had secured at the scene. The number one contributor to the subjugation of Mebula.

A petite girl lay on the soft chair with her legs crossed. The school uniform she wore was too large for her, making her look improper, and the hat she wore was much too big, as it covered her face.

That girl, whose expression was hard to decipher, sat quietly in the corner of the conference room as she listened to what was happening.

* * *

Acken Island’s dock was not that large.

That was because most of the traffic coming in and out of the island was centered on Mexes Bridge.

Usually with islands, people travelled by boat. In the case of Acken Island, the structure of the traffic flow itself was rather unique.

The population was not large enough that massive sailing boats would come and go, and most of the supplies available were brought through the bridge.

As they received supplies from the nearby Zahul Frontier Territory or the small trading city of Velax, there was little reason to go by sea. Considering the size, using a business carriage was much more efficient and cheaper.

Therefore, Acken Island’s dock was rarely used aside frome some students who traveled by sea when returning home, as well as the occasional merchants who supplied rare goods from distant lands.

Keeek, Keeek

As the sea level went up and down, the flat-bottomed barge swayed up and down.

Ziggs Eiffelstein, who was standing on it, turned around towards the small upper liner where he caught Elka’s body.

“Uhhhgh… I thought I was going to die from motion sickness.”

“I guess it would have been better to ride a horse-drawn carriage. The ship is faster, but your condition worsens, Elka.”

“I had a lot of luggage to bring this time, so it can’t be helped….”

Elka Islan grabbed the semi-robe that was wrapped around her shoulders as she shook her head. She was still a bit dizzy, but she was much better compared to how she was on the long journey.

From the grasslands in the north to the coast in the west of the empire, they rode a horse-drawn carriage. From there, they had taken a boat straight to Acken Island.

Compared to traveling only by carriage, the time had surely been greatly reduced.

“I’ll get the luggage from the people working here. So, you should head back to Lorail Hall first and get some rest.”

“No, it’s okay. I’ll rest over here on the pier, so let’s go back together when everything is done.”

Ziggs looked at Elka for a moment with a worried expression, but Elka told him not to worry too much. She then walked away towards the pier, holding onto her dizzy head.

However, before getting very far, she came across a familiar face, Elka tilted her head.

“Oh my, Yennekar.”

Hearing that, Ziggs, who was carrying the heavy luggage, turned his head and looked at her.

On the other side of the dock, where Elka and Ziggs arrived, Yennekar had just come off another ship with a small amount of luggage.

She was wearing a pure white blouse over a royal blue skirt, and her sleeves were rolled up as she was carrying her luggage.

“Oh… Ziggs and… Elka…”

“You came back early, Yennekar. The two of us always come back a few weeks early to attend the conference before school starts…”

Elka Islan was a librarian who was in charge of the student library. She also researched magic textbooks for the school as well.

So, to avoid the demand for magic textbooks at the beginning of the semester, she arrived a little early to finish her preparations for her research…

Ziggs didn’t have to come early, but he had a habit of going back early when Elka did, anyway.

“Don’t you usually go home early to help out your hometown? I thought you would be coming back to school as late as possible. I guess this year is different.”

“Ah, th-that’s…”

Yennekar couldn’t bear to answer Ziggs’ question as she froze.

Rumors about Ed spread in an instant, and Yennekar’s hometown had become full of unnecessary stories about her love life.

Yennekar then spoke, holding back the tears in her eyes.

“I-It just ended up like this…”

“…I guess you have a story.”

Ziggs didn’t dig any deeper. While taking Elka’s luggage from the workers, he glanced at how Yennekar was acting.

“Well, I heard that there are already quite a few students who have already returned to school. There were supposedly quite a number of students who did not go home during break…. When you head back to the campus, I’m sure you will see quite a few familiar faces.”

“Alright… Ed also came back early as well…”

“Ed? I heard a rumor that he went to his hometown this year though… Has he already returned to school?”

Hearing that, Yennekar was not sure what to say, so she paused for a moment.

The news of House Rothstaylor wasn’t all that great. He’d eventually learn about everything anyway, but she didn’t want to spread it around with her own mouth.

“Hmm…”

Seeing Yennekar like that, Ziggs felt something was unusual. After gathering all of the luggage, he sat down on one of them as he wiped his sweat.

“Is your relationship with Ed not going well?”

“Wh-What are you talking about…?!”

“There’s no reason to act like that. Lately, whenever you talk about Ed, your expression doesn’t look all that great.”

Ziggs, with his strangely good intuition. Even in this regard, he was strangely sharp. Yennekar broke out into a cold sweat that dripped down the back of her neck.

“Ziggs, it’s rude to say that. Yennekar’s business is something that she needs to take care of herself. You need to respect that.”

“Uhh, i-is that so? I don’t know much about manners in regard to this, so…”

As Elka raised her index finger and pressed down on Ziggs’ forehead firmly, Ziggs let out a deep sigh.

“No, I don’t really mind… but… Ed and I have been caught up in something in various ways…”

Yennekar put down her suitcase as she sighed.

“Actually, I’m a little worried… I wonder if I’m more of a burden to Ed than I thought…”

An unexpected exclamation came out. Upon hearing it, Ziggs and Elka looked at each other as they took a minute to gather their thoughts, and they tilted their heads.

“Are you saying you’re a burden? You’re a burden to Ed?”

“Y-Yeah… I wondered if that might be the case.”

“I’m not sure. I have a slightly different opinion than that. Try thinking about Ed’s personality. If Yennekar really was too burdensome, wouldn’t he have said so outright?”

The top of the barge swayed as the sea water rose and fell. The three of them sat quietly, organizing their thoughts, before Elka broke the silence.

“Isn’t there a reason why you think that?”

“No, just thinking about my actions… I could totally be… a burdensome person. Above all else, recently… I’ve done some things that weren’t great for him…”

Yennekar was being considerate of Ed, but giving up the top student seat seemed to have hurt Ed’s pride. Without Anise’s advice, she wouldn’t have realized it.

Not only that, but she also accompanied him to protect him at Rothstaylor Mansion. But in the end, she couldn’t prevent him from being seriously injured.

After that, Ed returned to Silvenia’s academy with no intention of going to Pulan with her to heal his wounds and look at the political situation.

From Ed’s point of view, he was grateful for Yennekar’s suggestion that she made out of consideration. Nevertheless, Yennekar only cared about the fact that Ed had rejected her.

“I even started living in the camp with him… maybe… Maybe I haven’t been considerate enough about Ed?”

“…To be honest, there aren’t many people who care about Ed as much as you, Yennekar.”

“Still… If Ed feels burdened, that’s a completely different story…!”

Ziggs looked into Elka’s eyes as he took a deep breath.

Yennekar wasn’t great at being objective about herself. Most of all, there weren’t even many guys in the world who would hate a girl like Yennekar Palerover over a minor inconvenience. Why would Ed be any different?

However, for Elka, who was currently in a relationship, praising Yennekar… would be pointless to do. It’s something she had learned after many failures and frustrations before.

“It seems like you’re underestimating Ed too much… After all, all men are the same, Yennekar.”

“…What?”

“There aren’t many guys out there that would push a woman away just because they were actively coming onto them. So, you can have a little more confidence. That’s just my opinion though.”

After saying that, Ziggs glared straight towards Elka with her eyes open. It seemed as if she was strangely right on the edge of crossing the line, but she was still safe for now.

“It is not a bad feeling to be burdened in the first place. On the contrary, there are many times where I personally feel happy that someone is leaning on me.”

“Ziggs…”

Elka smirked as she called out Ziggs’ name. However, even after that, she made a depressed expression for a moment as she sighed.

“I don’t know how to feel about that… Ziggs.”

“Don’t worry too much. In the first place, I didn’t really fit in with a luxurious lifestyle well.”

As Yennekar tilted her head listening to the conversation between the two, Ziggs said something else thinking she needed an explanation.

“From next semester on, I will also leave Ophelis Hall. They have already received my application to leave.”

“Really? But it’s not like you are lacking in grades.”

“That’s true, but Elka’s asthma has gotten worse recently… Now she needs someone to stay close to her to help her. In order to stay close to Elka while still being on the student council, I had no choice but to move to a single room in Lorail Hall.”

Elka lived in Lorail Hall, a student dormitory for honor students. In order to live close to

Elka to help her, he gave up his luxurious lifestyle in Ophelis House.

“Well, the facilities are a bit lacking compared to the Ophelis Hall, and I won’t be taken care of by the maids. So, I’ll have to do the little things myself… Though, in the first place, that’s something obvious one should do. Just because it comes and goes, you shouldn’t take it for granted.”

“…I guess you’re also having a hard time.”

“It’s nothing difficult to do. However, I’m alive. Compared to the brutal wild life I lived, it is much more convenient and pleasant.”

Ziggs looked at all the luggage he had gathered. When he confirmed that he had all of it, he paid the worker.

The pier worker, who looked rather happy, smiled as he said farewell to Ziggs before leaving.

Ziggs picked up the luggage one by one. He lifted all kinds of large wooden bags and bags full of clothes at once. It didn’t look difficult for him at all.

His strength itself was impressive. He was someone who wouldn’t have any issues even if he went to the combat department instead of the magic department.

“Anyway, I would never judge your concerns, Yennekar. But… I think it isn’t something you should be worrying about.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. In the first place, wouldn’t a guy know better how another guy thinks? The reaction of a guy who really feels burdened or wants to keep his distance from a girl is much different than how Ed acts. The real red flag is… when he acts a bit more obvious.”

Ziggs thought he had carefully chosen his words. In fact, since it was Ziggs, he wasn’t the kind of person who would go around gossiping about relationships.

However, couldn’t he give at least some type of guarantee?

“Well, not making eye contact or trying to break the flow of conversation with a short answer…. Clearly showing that he feels burdened…. Anyway, the red flag is when a guy sends you those signals. It’s completely different from the minor and difficult to understand mannerisms that you seem to be worried about, Yennekar.”

“Hmm…”.

“So, have some confidence. I’m sure Ed is attracted to you, Yennekar.”

Having come to such a heated conclusion, Ziggs gathered all his belongings as he got ready to head off.

“Well, push and pull is important, but… Surprisingly, there are many people who easily fall apart after they push too hard too hastily. So, isn’t the best thing to do is do what works for you?”

“That… That’s right…”

“So, hang in there, Yennekar. I’m sure there will be a good result.”

After saying that, Ziggs packed up his luggage and left the pier. He had even given her the strength to clench her fist and stay strong.

Elka, who was chasing after him, glanced at Yennekar, who was clenching the fists cutely. She shouted “Good luck” as she left.

Left alone on the pier, Yennekar put down her luggage for a moment as she took a deep breath.

Eventually, she clenched her fists tightly, gathered strength in her body, and stood up.

Ziggs definitely didn’t say anything wrong.

There was nothing good about having low self-esteem. If Yennekar was really a burden, then with Ed’s personality, he would have told her right away.

Encouraged by that fact, Yennekar walked to the camp in the northern forest.

* * *

“Hello, Ed! I’m back a little early!”

The camp in the northern forest now felt like home to Yennekar.

Though, no matter how comfortable she was… It couldn’t even be more comfortable than her real home in Pulan.

However, because she really wanted to come back to the camp for the rest of the break, she couldn’t help it.

It was sad to see her parents wave off Yennekar with tears in their eyes as they waved the handkerchief in the air… But it was too difficult for a teenage girl who had just opened her eyes to the idea of being in a relationship.

At the very least, living back at camp with Ed made her feel more emotionally stable.

Yennekar dropped her luggage as she greeted him with a bright smile on her face.

By the campfire, Ed Rothstaylor, whom she had not seen in a long time, was poking the fire with a poker.

Since Bell had taken care of most of the basic chores, Ed was able to fully rest and focus on recovering.

Seeing Ed sitting down in a much better state, Yennekar sighed in relief.

However, after that she saw Lortel’s now completed villa.

She wasn’t all that happy to see a new building built in the camp that was entirely her and Ed’s personal space. She grunted as she pursed her lips out. But in any case, Lortel wouldn’t be able to return to Acken Island for the time being. That was because she was busy with her work—especially with taking care of all the business regarding Oldek that had built up while she was at school.

Now, only Yennekar and Ed were there in the camp. Realizing that fact, Yennekar walked over to the fire and sat down.

“Oh, you came back early, Yennekar…”

Ed, who greeted Yennekar, seemed to be in better health.

Yennekar replied with ‘Yeah’ as she smiled and nodded her head. She was so happy to see him that she was like a dog wagging its tail… Sitting across from him by the campfire, she felt a shiver on her shoulders.

“Thinking of it, there’s not much left until break is over…”

“Yeah, how have you been, Ed? I was very worried. When I last saw you at Rothstaylor mansion, you were seriously injured.”

“Yeah…”

Ed responded with his head lowered as he poked at the small campfire. Yennekar started to realize something was strange.

“Still, I’m glad since it seems you had a good rest over the break! Soon, the break will end, and the semester will start. There’s going to be a busy schedule this semester, so we’ll have to work hard again!”

“Yeah, that’s right…”

After saying that, Yennekar looked at Ed’s expression.

Strangely, he wasn’t making eye contact with Yennekar. He continued staring back and forth between the campfire and Yennekar, as if he were deep in thought.

Ed Rothstaylor always acted like that when he was deeply bothered by something. While responding appropriately to the other person, it was as if he was consistently thinking of something else on the side.

It wasn’t anything special, but for some reason it seemed that drops of sweat were running down the back of Ed’s neck.

Even Yennekar, who wasn’t good at noticing such things, noticed it. Ed clearly looked strange.

“Well, not making eye contact or trying to break the flow of conversation with a short answer…. Clearly showing that he feels burdened…. Anyway, the red flag is when a guy sends you those signals.”

Suddenly, the words that Ziggs had uttered before ran through Yennekar’s mind.

Anyone could tell that Ed Rothstaylor was clearly feeling burdened right now.

In fact, it wasn’t strange for Yennekar to start thinking that she was a burden now. How long had they been together?

A change in another person always happens in an instant.

Yennekar swallowed her dry saliva as her eyes trembled.

I really… am a burden…?!

It wasn’t that she wasn’t aware.

She lived with Ed for the sole reason of becoming his lover. She was also the one who tried to speak respectfully to try and widen the distance between them in the name of re-establishing their relationship.

From a third person’s objective point of view, she was just a girl around that age where she stomped her feet on the floor because of unnecessary worries. However, she was more serious about this matter than anyone else.

It was impossible for her to take the initiative in their relationship if she continued to react so drastically to every single one of Ed’s little reactions.

There was no way to fix it. Yennekar Palerover was a girl who had always been like that. Who could blame her for being born such a heavenly girl?

“Yennekar. I have something to tell you.”

“Yes! What is it?!”

“…Why are you speaking respectfully all of a sudden…?”

“Hm! What?!”

As if attacking her blind spot, Ed’s words suddenly broke the silence and Yennekar nearly bit her tongue.

Ed’s expression on the other side of the campfire looked quite serious. Yennekar swallowed her dry saliva as she listened to Ed.

“This… This might sound a bit odd. But still… Because there are circumstances…. Just hear me out…. Actually, it might not even be all that difficult a request… Although I guess it could be difficult as well…”

“Hmm…?”

“Well, I can explain the circumstances in detail, but that’s too… should I say that’s cowardly… Because it’s not polite to you in the first place… just… I’ll tell you without beating around the bush…”

“Wh-What is it…?”

Did Ed Rothstaylor ever act like that before saying something?

Feeling a little nervous, Yennekar straightened her back as his eyes trembled.

“So, you know…”

“Y-Yeah…”

“……”

“……”

Then, Ed finally spoke as he used the poker to press down on the ground.

“…Nevermind.”

“What?! What?!”

“No, it’s fine. Lately, it seems that I have made too many unreasonable requests from you. So, it wouldn’t be polite for me to do this… It’s fine. I’ll think of something else to do… So… Forget it…”

“No, just tell me! What? What is it?!”

Yennekar slapped her thigh as she grilled Ed about it. Ed answered with a perplexed expression on his face as he broke out in a cold sweat.

“No, it’s really fine. I also have a conscience, so I feel a bit reluctant to take advantage of you in this way…”

“It’s not like we have to worry about asking each other for help. Don’t worry, I’ll do anything you ask of me. So, tell me what it is, hmm?!”

“This isn’t just a manner of having you help me with something, but… Yennekar… this is really… Not good… it’s not good…”

“What the heck is it?!”

Even Yennekar couldn’t stand it now that the conversation reached that point. Stomping on the dirt floor, Yennekar shrieked, making a fuss.

Then, suddenly, she noticed Ed’s expression. It looked like he was really embarrassed about doing something. And it looked like he was having a hard time explaining it…

It’d been quite some time since she had become close to Ed, but it was the first time she had seen him act like that.

At that moment, a drop of sweat ran down Yennekar’s back.

“Ed.”

Ed Rothstaylor was pretty good friends with Yennekar Palerover. The walls between them had been torn down and they were able to communicate with each other to the extent that they would always help each other, even if the requests were rather unreasonable.

Yennekar wasn’t the only one who thought that.

They should both know that fact well, yet Ed was still acting embarrassed.

Ed relied on Yennekar a lot, enough to ask her to accompany him to the tragedy that took place at Rothstaylor Mansion.

If it was a concern that even Ed was reluctant to talk about, how serious and important was it?

Suddenly, she thought that it might not be something that they could simply gloss over.

Yennekar had never seen Ed look so troubled and embarrassed. Even if the world were to be destroyed tomorrow, he was the kind of man who would calmly organize his thoughts and figure out what needed to be done. But this was something that even Ed couldn’t figure out how to deal with.

If that was the case, then what Yennekar should do was convince Ed.

Instilling confidence that she would stand by his side no matter the ordeal. It was necessary to affirm their strong bond of trust so that he could talk and explain it to her.

Suddenly, a serious expression appeared on Yennekar’s face. An expression that said she had complete trust and faith in him. That she was willing to bear any burden with him, no matter how heavy it was.

There was a strong determination in her serious expression. One where she was even willing to risk her life.

It was like the spirit of a general who was prepared to die as he headed off to war.

“I’m ready for anything, Ed. So… It’s okay. You can ask me to do anything… No matter how serious it is, I’ll always be on your side.”

For Ed, it was like death.