The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide - Chapter 207

“President. We received a gift from the Alchemy Department’s reagent production club. It’s a tool that maintains any candle put inside a glass case, even enhancing the smell! I’ll leave one for you in your office!”

“The former student council president Velos sent you a high-quality magic wand, talking about how proud he is that you took his seat. Shall I have them bring it to your private room?”

“The school has allowed you more freedom in terms of the regulations and reports. It seems they are trying to let you conduct your work freely, and not interfere in the way you are handling things.”

“The commercial district’s Merchants Association has also sent various refreshments and decorations as gifts. Since our storage room in Obel Hall is already full, I have left them out in the hallway for now. Shall we just give them out to the student council members?”

“The Togg Magic Power Society has sent a congratulatory message for your hard work. ‘Thank you for your great contribution towards the study of magic’… They must have benefited greatly from the policy that allowed the sharing of previous research data conducted in the school.”

Tanya walked down the hallway of the Obel Hall with a pale face.

All of the reports from her assistants that were following her were about thank you and congratulatory gifts for her hard work as student council president.

“Ah, that’s right. We have compiled a list of student suggestions! We should have it processed by the end of tomorrow, so please review it as soon as possible!”

“The disciplinary committee’s improvement plans that were requested by the school previously have also been completed! We need you to review it a final time, organize the files, and send the documents to be filed!”

“In the afternoon, you are scheduled to go and visit the maids of Lorail Hall to thank them! They say they are free anytime, so we only need to let them know when you will be visiting. What time should I schedule it for?”

As well as the countless tasks she had to complete.

After being tormented by her assistant for a while, she finally went back to her office and collapsed in her seat.

“……”

The moments of peace had become more precious than gold.

In her current position, aside from sleeping at night, she was forced to constantly listen to other people until her ears bled.

Even at that moment, the amount of student council work piled up on her desk was overwhelming.

“I shouldn’t… take a break like this….”

It was once her dream to become the student council president of Silvenia and to be widely recognized.

And yet, Tanya was completely exhausted.

“At this rate… I really… will end up becoming a lifelong student council president…!”

Even if she was the representative of her side, it didn’t make any sense that there wasn’t even a single other person opposing her.

Someone who was against the fact she was student council president, argued with her, or tried to remove her from her seat… nothing of the sort existed. Strangely, everyone was openly supporting Tanya.

Overstepping her boundaries some more. She needed to act in a way that would make more people upset with her and make them try to take away the authority she held.

However, she was also worried about creating unnecessary victims in the process. She wanted to avoid causing any major riots and make sure no one was unreasonably harmed.

…Sadly, no one was around to tell Tanya that it was impossible to do both things. Creating people who would be against her without causing any major harm…

Tanya took a deep breath. She then looked carefully around her office.

If everyone was going to look, she wouldn’t just sit still. At that point, she needed to cause a major disturbance.

That was what she promised to herself.

* * *

The next day, Tanya headed to Ophelis Hall.

Ophelis Hall was the highest-class dormitory in Silvenia. It was a place where dignity and class must be maintained, and the maids who worked there all took great pride in that fact.

She needed to attack that sense of pride. Under the pretense of student welfare budgeting, she would cut some of the funds for Ophelis Hall. She would also go and criticize the fact that the management of the dormitory had been rather negligent recently.

“That is definitely true. I also thought that recently Ophelis Hall’s management has been rather lackluster. As expected, it seems that even you have realized it as well. As you have pointed out, I will come up with an improvement plan and report it back to you, Student Council President Tanya.”

“…What?”

However, the head Bell Maya had a respectful attitude towards her complaints. She never showed any signs of displeasure and simply bowed her head to Tanya.

“Ophelis Hall has a tendency to receive particularly special treatment among the other facilities within Silvenia Academy. Of course, it is a place that requires special attention and support, as it is the face of the school—but that doesn’t mean the school should be any easier on us. Thank you for your advice.”

“…Ah, yes…”

However, the maid was already close with Ed Rothstaylor. She was also well aware of what kind of person Tanya really was, and didn’t plan on creating a bad relationship with her.

Rather, she used it as an opportunity for self-reflection on the management of Ophelis Hall, all for the sake of making it even better.

Tanya had a puzzled expression on her face as she eventually walked back to Trix Hall with her assistants.

Hearing that Tanya was suddenly coming to Trix Hall, Deputy Headmistress Rachel came out to greet her. Tanya had an expression of disbelief on her face upon seeing the deputy headmistress come out herself to see her. That was the highest level of courtesy that they could show to her.

“Recently, the school has been having a hard time dealing with the Elte Company. However, I recently heard that the policies you implemented have been working quite effectively against them.”

Deputy Headmaster Rachel looked at Tanya with a satisfied expression on her face.

“I’m looking forward to your role as a bridge between the school and the Elte Company in the future. It is safe to say there has never been a student council president who has been able to achieve such a level of integration and inclusion since Silvenia was first founded.”

“Uhm… Deputy Headmistress Rachel… This is a bit different, but about my previous suggestion… about the reduction of funding towards the professors’ research…”

“Hmm… research funding? It definitely hasn’t been beneficial in terms of money in recent years. Then, shall I help you create a plan to reduce funding and raise discipline against the professor’s research? Though, Headmaster Obel will likely object.”

“Th-Then… Headmaster Obel might not be happy with me…! And the faculty will surely hate it, too…!”

When Tanya smiled saying that, Deputy Headmaster Rachel thought deeply for a movement before replying.

“Well, it can’t be helped. It isn’t right to spend money on the professor’s useless research… It’s much better to spend it on the students instead…!”

In the end, Rachel only ended up agreeing with Tanya’s proposal.

The next day, the school responded to the student council.

[As the student council president directly proposed the idea, the idea passed rather easily. The professors also agreed that this reduction of funds would serve as a beneficial opportunity for them to reflect on their research and the efficiency of it. It is a chance to help them change for the better after forgetting the meaning of academics. A chance to produce more meaningful results for the development of magic.

To see that you were looking beyond your horizons not just for the students, but also the professors of Silvenia! You greatly impress me, Tanya Rothstaylor. I’m sure it hasn’t been easy taking care of your work as the student council president, but I want to congratulate and thank you for your hard work.]

* * *

“Why?! Why?! Why?!”

Sitting at her desk in her office, Tanya screamed as she pulled her hair.

“This week you personally visited Lorail Hall to encourage faculty and staff, voluntarily inspected the budget and internal management of Ophelis Hall, and even reviewed the performance results of the professors. Don’t you actually enjoy being president?”

“I am only the student council president! Everything I did was clearly an abuse of power! Why the hell is no one upset?!”

“A person’s image is a scary thing. Broadly speaking, everything you did resulted in an increase of student welfare funds.”

Ziggs Eiffelstein wiped his longsword with a cloth. He then grabbed a nearby secretary, giving them various instructions.

Most of them were preparations for the Joint Competition that was going to be held in late autumn. As an executive committee member, Ziggs was in charge of securing a place and notifying everyone.

“You also have the student meeting you called scheduled in the afternoon. It seems like you won’t be able to eat until late tonight.”

“What if… I removed some of the benefits of the top students in each grade?! The top students are widely supported and loved among all the students, right? So, if I started to confront them, wouldn’t there be a large backlash against me?!”

“You do realize you are close with the top students, right? Wade Callamore, Lucy Mayreel, Ed Rothstaylor, Daike Elpelan. Do you not realize who they are?”

Ed Rothstaylor was Tanya’s older brother. Daike Elpelan was a student council member.

And Lucy Mayreel would completely follow Ed Rothstaylor’s opinion. It was safe to say that the majority were already in full support of Tanya’s decisions.

“Why… Is my support so strong…?”

“…Is that really something you should be saying with such a depressed expression on your face?”

“Is there a way for me to get into a conflict with the Elte Company?! How about… I remove some of their exclusive rights over certain items?”

“Most of their inventory is already clearly stipulated through a contract, so you won’t be able to do something like that… And as long as Ed Rothstaylor remains close with the deputy director, it won’t be easy for you to get on the bad side of the Elte Company.”

“Haah…”

Once again, Ed Rothstaylor’s name came up. As long as Ed Rothstaylor remained her older brother, it was safe to assume that her relationship with the Elte Company would always be good.

“Then, what about the imperial family? If I go to the royal residence where Princess Penia lives and ask her to pay a fee to the school…? Or would that be considered disrespectful towards the imperial family?”

“Princess Penia is close to House Rothstaylor, no? It would be best if you didn’t ruin that. And if you really did manage to take a few gold coins from her, the students within the school would only support you more.”

“Why does attacking one group gain me more support? And attacking another group gives me even more support!”

“Don’t ask me.”

Tanya wasn’t giving up yet. She clenched her teeth and shook her head as she tried to squeeze out any sort of idea.

“The Religious Group! I would definitely get backlash if I messed with the Telos Religious Group! Afterall, religion is an extremely sensitive area.”

“Doing that… Well, Ed has already become quite influential with the Telos Religious Group. And Saint Clarice is in complete support of the Student Council.”

“What?! Saint Clarice supports me? Why?!”

Tanya was unaware that Kylie Eckner and Saint Clarice were the same person.

Ed Rothstaylor and Tanya Rothstaylor. Clarice thought of the two of them favorably, so she would never harbor any hostility towards whatever decisions Tanya made.

“That… is probably because Ed is close with her…”

“How many connections does my older brother have?!”

“Don’t ask me.”

Tanya slumped back in her chair. She swept her face with her hands a few times as she made a dying sound.

“I can’t… run away… I am bound… to this student council president seat… forever…”

“Uhm… President Tanya?”

“…Yeah?”

“…Dex Hall’s budget… It needs your signature…”

Tanya shook her head. Deciding on the operating budget for Dex Hall for the semester…

The budget, which needed to be approved by the student council president before being passed onto the school, was 147 pages long.

“Please review it within the hour. That way you can eat something before attending your afternoon meeting.”

Tanya looked at Ziggs as if asking for help, but Ziggs gave the same answer that he had been giving all morning.

“Don’t ask me.”

* * *

“Ah, Tanya. Why do you look so dead? Are you exhausted from your work?”

A few minutes before the afternoon meeting, Tanya met with Ed Rothstaylor.

Before they entered the small conference hall, as soon as she met Ed Rothstaylor in the hallway… Tanya burst into tears.

* * *

The aristocratic children who were gathered by Student Council President Tanya all gathered together in a small conference hall in Glockt Hall. Every single person had shown up.

Each and every one of them was treated with high respect by their vassals and acted like kings whenever they returned to their estates. However, in Silvenia Academy, a land of learning, they were mere students.

The student council president Tanya, whose momentum seemed to have recently skyrocketed, had called on everyone together. Thus, they had all been waiting for about fifteen minutes before the scheduled meeting for her to arrive.

Everyone who sat there were from the most famous aristocratic families within the school.

There were also some students that weren’t from aristocratic families, but they were all somehow involved in the competition for the emperor’s throne.

First years Wade Callamore, Joseph Whitefeld, Eigg Loken, Delus Ainsheaven.

The student council president didn’t have the authority to call on Saint Clarice.

Second years Ziggs Eiffelstein, Clevius Nortondale, Elvira Aniston, Elka Islan.

Likewise, the student council president didn’t have the authority to call on Princess Penia.

Third years Ed Rothstaylor, Febri Ginnipale, Drake Laygus, Clara Danielheim.

Fourth years Daike Elpelan, Dorothy Whitefeld, Trayciana Bloomriver.

Aside from Ziggs and Clara, who moved dormitories, all of them were distinguished aristocrats that lived in Ophelis Hall.

There were many aristocratic children within Silvenia Academy, but they were generally the students who had the most influence in regard to the competition for the emperor’s throne.

Everyone else either came from noble families that were located on the outskirts of the empire or people who didn’t have much influence over the race for the throne.

Regardless, the room was a place full of aristocrats. It was uncomfortable for everyone that was there, a place where one couldn’t show the slightest disrespect.

They all sat quietly waiting for Tanya to come inside.

* * *

“I heard you’ve been busy these days doing a good job as the student council president. I’ve also been out of my mind upgrading my cabin, taking care of my life in the wild, and my grades, so I haven’t seen you much.”

In the hallway, Ed and Tanya met with each other for the first time in a while.

Ed was extremely pleased to be able to talk with her.

Ed Rothstaylor was popular throughout the school, but there were only a handful of people that were ever treated with such a level of sincerity from him.

No matter how friendly their relationship might be, Ed Rothstaylor always seemed to keep a line.

Was it because they shared the same blood that he didn’t hesitate to treat her closely?

There were certainly some people who would be envious of Tanya’s position, being treated so truthfully and in such a caring manner by Ed. However, Tanya could only respond in a serious tone with an exhausted expression on her face.

“Brother, please save me…”

“…What?”

“I… am…”

Tanya thought about what to say as she hesitated. It was hard to figure out what she should even tell him.

Shouldn’t she be thanking him for going around and doing his best to make all of those connections and raise the name of House Rothstaylor?

However, that seemed too awkward to say. She knew Ed was living his life to the fullest, not caring about things like that. Tanya was the one who was doing her best as the next leader of House Rothstaylor while managing her role as the student council president.

“…What is it? Are you in trouble?”

“Uhm… Let me explain… It’s a bit complicated…”

“Tell me. Don’t worry about it alone.”

Seeing Ed actively trying to help her, it felt as if tears of gratitude were forming in her eyes. However… In truth, most of her problems were actually because of Ed.

However, it would be ridiculous to blame him for something like that. Tanya was going crazy just thinking about it.

“Does it have anything to do with this meeting?”

“What?”

“It’s just that you suddenly called on the children of influential houses, so I was curious about what you were planning.”

“Ah, no… That’s a completely different matter.”

Tanya shook her head as she spoke clearly.

“In the near future… I think I am going to end up in a battle of nerves with Princess Selah. It could take place before or after the joint competition this semester.”

Tanya was always crying and complaining, but she had a clear plan for the future.

No matter how much she grumbled, she was someone who was always clear about her course of action.

“Before it takes place, I need to have insurance in place to avoid the aftermath.”

“Insurance?”

“The competition for the throne is not related to the school in any way or form… I wanted to remind everyone about that fact in advance.”

Only then did Ed Rothstaylor finally understand Tanya’s intentions.

To take on Princess Selah, who currently had a hostile and aggressive stance against House Rothstaylor, she would have to start laying down the groundwork.

The moment Tanya Rothstaylor started fighting against Princess Selah… None of the houses that supported the princess would stand still.

The aftermath of that conflict was sure to affect Silvenia Academy. That was why she was taking a preemptive response to alleviate the damage to some extent.

The competition for the throne was purely political. At Silvenia, they needed to continue practicing the virtue of learning above all else.

They had to avoid bringing the fight for imperial power to Silvenia, the land of learning. It would be disrespectful to become involved with a useless political fight for power inside the school, where learning was above all else.

She wanted to convey that message to everyone.

“Will it work?”

Ed was skeptical. Of course, Tanya was, too.

“Still, I have to at least do this. I don’t want to see Silvenia split in half because of the fight for the throne.”

Tanya closed her eyes for a second before opening them back up and speaking.

“Princess Selah will be visiting Silvenia as an observer of the joint competition. I’m sure active members of the Imperial Knight Templars and Imperial Magic Society will also come to see the skills of the students. A few of them will also be personally dueling against some of the students in the name of teaching the younger generations, who are responsible for the future of this empire.”

It was no easy task for a student to defeat knights and magicians who were on active duty under the imperial household.

It was rare, but there were occasionally students who had skills that were comparable to those who were on active duty. Though, for regular students, it was much too much.

Especially in the case of top-ranked personnel under the imperial household that were treated like legends… They were in a completely different class. If someone like Imperial Knight Commander Dylux or the head of the Imperial Magic Society got involved, students would not even stand a chance against them.

Of course, in the case of Lucy Mayreel, it was an entirely different story.

“I have some plans for when it happens. They’re not finished yet, but I think I have a way to deal a meaningful blow to Princess Selah’s position.”

For Ed Rothstaylor, there was no reason to stop her.

He had already persuaded Princess Persica to help him, and Princess Penia was his ally.

His goal was to have the imperial army already stationed on Acken Island when Velbrok descended… So, if he could just get rid of the last variable—Princess Selah—all of his worries would disappear.

Since Tanya’s goal was to remove that last variable… Ed could only roll up his sleeves and help.

“Alright. If you have any issues, tell me right away. I will help you out as much as I can.”

“Issues… about having any issues…”

“…You’re having issues with something? You’ve had that miserable expression since earlier.”

“…I really think I might die, brother…”

Tanya couldn’t hold back any longer as she let it all out.

“The responsibility of being the head of House Rothstaylor is too difficult. So, I want to give up my role as student council president, but…”

She finally said it.

Tanya took a deep breath, as if she was proud to get it off her shoulders. She then continued to explain her thoughts to Ed.

“If I keep doing this, I might die of overwork… I… I want to quit being the student council president…”

“……”

“Haah… And… When I try to overstep my authority, people keep interpreting it in a strange way. Every time I try to do something purposely bad, everyone just supports me. And when I try to argue with people, they never fight back because they are all on your side…”

“……”

“Actually, I don’t want to be the head of the house, either. I know what I told you last time. I really did choose to become the head during the incident sincerely, but… When our house eventually becomes stabilized to some extent… I just… want to retire…”

Tanya suddenly grabbed Ed’s hands desperately.

“So, what I want is… After this meeting, can you go around and gossip about bad things centering around me? Like, uhm… How I had a bad personality back at the mansion?! Or how in the first semester I wanted to kill you! That was true, so you can say those things!”

“If I gossip bad things about my one and only sister, won’t my image end up worse than yours?”

“No one will care if you talk bad about a useless person like me!”

“I don’t know if you’re aware, but… You already have an incredible amount of support within the school… Doing that will be difficult for me to do.”

“Why?! Why?! Why is everyone like that?!”

“……”

Ed lowered his gaze for a moment. He then spoke hesitantly.

“You’ve already received the support of the school, the commercial district, the Telos Religious Group, and the imperial family. This is the first time something like this has happened in Silvenia Academy’s history… In fact, you have risen to an irreplaceable position from the viewpoint of the school.”

“……”

“So, if you resign as student council president now, the school will face quite a bit of damage… They wouldn’t just let you leave…”

Tanya put her pale face into Ed’s hands. Not caring about her neatly combed hair, she shook her head, messing it up.

“Th-Then…! There is no way out! So, what am I supposed to do…?!”

Bang!

At that moment, the door to the small conference hall swung open.

All of the children from aristocratic families, who were waiting for Tanya, were seated inside.

* * *

“You’re here!!!! Student Council President Tanya!!!!!”

“We were waiting for you!!! Please come inside!!!!!”

The student council members shouted out in a respectful and loyal tone. They all bowed at 90-degree angles as they greeted her.

The seat in the very middle was left empty. Everyone was waiting respectfully for Tanya to arrive.

Tanya felt tears welling up in her eyes.