The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide - Chapter 208

“I will get straight to the point. I have gathered you all here to protect Silvenia as much as possible from the power conflict that will soon take place across the empire.”

Tanya sat at the very end of the table, surrounded by her assistants as she brought up the main point.

She was never the type to beat around the bush. Tanya, the current student council president of Silvenia Academy, was known for her diligent work ethic and honest opinions.

Even in a room filled with influential nobles, she didn’t waste time with useless greetings and stories.

She would simply say what she meant and leave. Such behavior showed a straightforward attitude that didn’t bother with useless pleasantries.

Tanya herself probably just wanted to finish the meeting quickly and go back to work.

“As for the dispute among houses centered around the imperial household… I acknowledge that not everyone will have the same opinion, especially when your own house is strongly supporting one candidate. I understand that you are in a position where you are forced to agree.”

It couldn’t be helped that opinions may differ. The problem was that they didn’t have a choice regarding that opinion.

Tanya paused for a moment as she looked around at the students sitting in a circle in the small conference hall. All of them were reliable, strong, and determined individuals, but at the end of the day, they were still mere successors who were focusing on their studies in a land of learning.

Their personal opinions regarding the support of the princesses were irrelevant. Rather, the only thing that was important was the opinions of the head of their families.

Depending on their parents’ actions, the students had no choice but to follow along.

House Rothstaylor, House Bloomriver, and House Callamore all joined together in favor of Princess Penia.

House Islan, the Loken Mercenaries, House Ginnipale, House Laygus, and House Aniston all joined together in favor of Princess Persica.

House Elpelan, House Whitefeld, and House Nortondale all joined together in favor of Princess Selah.

Tanya made her own efforts to unify the houses and conciliate them, but she was unable to completely stop it. In the end, the main noble families all split into three distinct areas. It was a natural result.

In the upcoming power struggle, all of them would be split apart into three distinct areas.

Naturally, it was a sensitive topic. In particular, the results of the students in the Joint Competition that would be held during the Grand Crestle Festival would directly affect the influence and power of their houses.

The joint competition, where a house’s successor’s capabilities would be shown openly in front of everyone, was an opportunity for nobles to show off their brilliance.

“I’m not going to force you to get along. However, we do not want a situation where the students of Silvenia are divided into various branches due to the aftermath of a power conflict.”

In the silent room, Tanya spoke calmly.

“As you all know, we are still students. Our duty is to be students.”

It would be impossible to completely nullify the growing power conflict. However, she could still make efforts to minimize it.

That was Tanya’s plan.

“I agree. No matter who becomes emperor, Silvenia needs to continue being a land of learning.”

The first to raise their voice and agree was the second year magic department student, Ziggs Eiffelstein.

He was a member of the student council and similar to a representative of House Islan. Naturally, he was in favor of Tanya’s opinion, so he was the first to raise his voice to try and create an overall consensus.

“I think this will be a good opportunity to resolutely remind every student that we must not bring the conflict regarding imperial power here to Silvenia.”

“Me too… I agree…”

After Ziggs spoke, there was another student who agreed with a shy voice.

The room wasn’t cold, yet she had a thick shawl around her shoulders with an exhausted expression on her face. It was Elka Islan, the librarian who belonged to House Islan, located in the northern region. She was attending Silvenia alongside Ziggs.

She looked a lot worse than when Ed met her the first time. Everyone already knew that her chronic asthma was getting worse.

“Elka, you don’t have to force yourself to talk.”

“It’s fine… Anyway, House Islan has announced that we will follow Princess Persica… But I will continue to respect the decisions of other houses as well.”

Elka smiled as she tried to support Tanya’s opinion.

Dorothy Whitefeld, the fourth year top student in the alchemy department, was listening intently in a corner as she agreed.

“That’s right. The students should come together in times like these. Although it’s impossible to say how the conflict over the throne will end, no matter what, we should all work towards reconciliation…”

“But sister, we still need to look at things realistically.”

The one who cut Dorothy Whitefeld’s speech short was Joseph Whitefeld, a first year student in the magic department.

Her younger brother was also the youngest member of the Togg Magic Power Society. He was a gifted individual who was even capable of using intermediate magic when he was a child.

He looked rather scholarly with his bangs neatly pulled back and his remaining hair tied together in a ponytail.

“What… ? Joseph… Are you disagreeing with me again…?”

“I am not blindly disagreeing with you. I am also someone who is going to be graduating from Silvenia in a few years. However, we are also members of influential houses and need to fulfill our roles.”

Joseph’s opinion was justified. The way he spoke also showed that he was confident speaking in front of audiences.

“Having to choose between following our Houses or working towards peace in Silvenia? If I had to choose between the two, I have no choice but to lean towards my House.”

“……”

“House Whitefeld doesn’t particularly force us to follow their opinions, but I am unsure of other houses. That is why I believe asking the students gathered here to neglect their houses for the sake of reconciliation in Silvenia… Is much too demanding.”

There was no logical flaw in Joseph’s coherent speech.

His words were always grounded in realism, and the way he spoke was blunt. It was pretty daring for him to say it that way, but no one could easily disagree.

Because it was the truth.

“That’s true. I am unsure if House Elpelan will respect my opinion.”

Daike Elpelan, the top student in the fourth year combat department, had a large frame, wore gauntlets, and spoke with a magnificently deep voice.

“I want to fully respect Student Council President Tanya’s opinions, but if the head of my house orders me to distance myself from the other houses… Honestly speaking, I am unsure how much I will be able to resist doing so.”

“The same is true for me.”

Trayciana Bloomriver, another fourth year student, also agreed with him.

In the first place, she was already doing her best to support Princess Penia and work with the other ally houses under Sinir Bloomriver’s orders. In regard to that, she was more serious than anyone else. That was because she was already thinking about her soon-to-be life after graduation.

That was why she tried to be as close to House Rothstaylor as possible, maintaining contact with Ed Rothstaylor and trying to act favorably towards the student council, all of which was for the sake of her house’s policies.

“I believe all of the fourth years who are about to graduate are of the same opinion. We will only remain as students here for a few more months, so it’s somewhat unreasonable to have us ignore our houses’ policies.”

Trayciana put her fingers through her long hair as she spoke.

“We will try our best to adhere to your opinion, but if things turn for the worst… We are in a position where we have no choice but to follow our House’s policies.”

“Well, I’m different from you, Trayciana. I’m not a mere puppet to my House.”

The one who went directly against her words was Eigg Loken, a first year student in the magic department who had been leaning back in his chair since the start.

With a short haircut and a sharp look, he was famous among his fellow first years as Joseph Whitefeld’s rival. Even in front of his fourth year upperclassman, Trayciana, he didn’t back down at all.

“…What?”

“The Loken Mercenaries teach us to stay away from those who lack conviction and are swayed by others’ opinions and judgements. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide things for yourself. So, is it really right to leave something like this up to your house, letting them decide who to follow and what to do?”

Trayciana frowned at his cheeky attitude. Nevertheless, Eigg continued to speak without hesitation.

“The Loken Mercenaries officially support Princess Persica, but I don’t share the same opinion.”

“Eigg, maybe you are able to do so, but… Isn’t it too harsh to expect others with different circumstances to be like you?”

“Perhaps, Joseph. But do I have to take into account the circumstances of others? I just need to follow my own beliefs. After all, if I start being swayed by others’ circumstances, I won’t be able to even take care of myself.”

Eigg grinned as he handed the baton over to the other side.

“Am I wrong, Clara?”

“What? Me?”

“Aren’t you the one who is the most skeptical of their own house, House Danielheim? I think it’s rather amazing that you have such a strong conviction.”

A girl who was silently listening to the conversation in the corner of the small conference hall.

With short hair and cute freckles, Clara Danielheim was the eldest daughter of Viscount Danielheim and a close friend of Yennekar Palerover. She answered, completely bewildered.

She was the type to hate having to take part in such a political discussion. She was quietly on the side, biting her nails the entire time while waiting for the meeting to end.

“Well, I really don’t like the elders in my House, but… I hate cheeky kids like you, too. Don’t act friendly with me.”

“Ugh…”

Eigg frowned as if he were hurt. His playful attitude was the same as always.

“Well, there are quite a few incredible noble houses gathered in this room. For me, who came from a mere mercenary group, it isn’t right for me to express my opinion. I apologize!”

“If you’re going to keep acting cheeky, just leave, Eigg.”

Surprisingly, the first year top student in the combat department, Wade Callamore, was the one who talked back to Eigg.

He still had the same white hair as always, but his eyes were rather calm compared to before.

“You are not the only one who knows how to carry out one’s convictions. And…”

As Wade spoke, he suddenly turned his gaze to one side.

Where he was looking was… The first year Alchemy department student, Delus Ainsheaven, was sitting quietly.

Baron Ainsheaven was rather famous among the alchemy houses in the southern part of the Empire. However, not saying a thing, that long-haired boy just sat still and smiled.

“I’m sure there are also some of us here who are staying silent but have their own thoughts.”

Wade finished talking as he looked around at the students gathered again.

Complete silence.

For a moment, there was tension among the students.

“Ah, anyway! I completely agree with the opinion of not fighting uselessly…! Wh-What would we even accomplish by fighting with each other?!”

The thought of having a conflict with other people frightened Clevius. He was hoping that nothing useless would happen and everything would be fine… Elvira, who was sitting next to him, seemed to disagree.

Elvira, who was sorting through her reagent bottles, frowned as she spoke frankly.

“I also tend to carry out my convictions. However, I must apologize to Student Council President Tanya. In my case, if one were to ask me if the school or House Aniston was more important… I would have to raise my hand towards House Aniston.”

“Wh-What…?!”

“Why are you so surprised, Clevius?”

“House Aniston supports a different group than House Nortondale!”

“The relationships within the school and between you and me are completely different matters. Stupid Clevius.”

Elvira frowned as she pulled on Clevius’ cheek, letting out a deep sigh.

“I will not sit still if someone threatens House Aniston.”

After Elvira Aniston’s declaration, silence filled the room again.

Some seemed to agree with the opinion, and others wanted to avoid unnecessary fighting.

Both sides had good reasons for their argument. In fact, the one who called for the meeting was the one in the most difficult situation.

“Let’s all calm down. Haah……”

Tanya, who was sitting at the very end, put her hand on her forehead as if she had a headache, sighing deeply. The students all stopped expressing their opinions at once as they quietly listened to her.

Seeing that, Tanya had a depressed expression on her face.

It was clear that Tanya Rothstaylor, who was the current student council president, had the most pivotal role in the current situation.

If she ever lost control of the conversation, it wouldn’t be strange if everyone split into three distinct groups and started fighting.

Within the school, there was no one else that could replace Tanya’s role.

The student council president was a necessity.

Tanya wanted to cry.

* * *

I tried firing an arrow with a bow I made from birch wood.

It flew across the camp with a rattling sound before it struck the nearby zelkova tree. The arrow neatly pierced the wood as it trembled from the aftermath.

“……”

I liked it, but its power wasn’t satisfactory.

I still wanted to use magic engineering equipment to give it additional effects, or even use Spiritual Infusion on it. After all, it would be hard to simply find a bow of that quality.

It seemed that I would only be satisfied if I could add in some groundbreaking production aspects, but I was still only getting the hang of crafting bows.

“Ed! Look at this! Ta-da!”

“……?”

When I walked back to the campfire after grabbing my arrows, Yennekar was proudly showing me my school uniform shirt.

“Look, the stains are all gone!”

“Oh, you were washing it?”

“Yeah! During the last break, I brought back some soap my family made by mixing lye and oil! Look at this! Even though I only switched the soap, the result is so different! It’s amazing, right?!”

It definitely felt completely new. I clapped my hands in complete amazement at what she accomplished.

Yennekar seemed completely satisfied as she raised her chin and puffed her chest out.

I sat back down at the campfire as I scratched my chin. I pulled on the bowstring again as Yennekar continued to fold the finished laundry. Having the two of us sitting near the campfire at sunset, doing our own thing, was a completely familiar feeling.

“By the way, there are only two months left until the Grand Crestle Festival. I am looking forward to it! I heard that it is the biggest festival within the entire empire and comes only once every four years…!”

“Seems like everyone is going to start preparing for the joint competition that’s taking place. Things will get busy.”

“Yeah, but it’s still so exciting! My hometown of Torren in Pulan is so remote that nothing even takes place during the Grand Festival. At most, we just share some food amongst the other villagers… That’s what we usually do anyway, though…”

Yennekar smiled as she rolled her feet. It was the first festival since she came to Silvenia. Finally being free of the isolated mountain lifestyle, she couldn’t help but be excited.

“The atmosphere in school isn’t great these days. Didn’t you say that the atmosphere at the student meeting you went to today was also uncomfortable?”

“Yeah. The atmosphere among the heirs of various noble houses isn’t great these days.”

“Well… I hope that the atmosphere will calm down during the festival. Hehe.”

Yennekar smiled brightly as she piled up the neatly folded laundry.

I was slowly shaving the tip of my bow with a dagger, grabbing the handle again and pulling on the string to check.

“I feel the same. Once the dispute is over, the atmosphere at school will return to what it was before.”

Next to me was a boy who was sitting there completely naturally. Yennekar and I couldn’t help but look at him with dumbfounded expressions on our faces.

Ziggs, who had a pile of papers with him, picked up a pork skewer that was cooking over the campfire as he muttered.

“……”

“Ah, this is incredible. Your cooking skills are getting better every day, Yennekar. Something this good can even be sold for money.”

“Hm? Really? Ed has also been saying that recently, hehe…”

Yennekar smiled bashfully, as if she was weak to compliments.

“…Forget that, how long have you been here, Ziggs?”

“I thought it would be rude to interrupt the two of you having such a nice conversation, so I quietly came over by the campfire and took a seat.”

“…Really…? If you are here, you should just tell us…”

Ziggs put the food in his mouth as he held the pile of papers, glancing around the camp.

“…I was running around the school for a bit. For the sake of my student council work.”

“What connection is there between running around the school and your student council work?”

“Well… I would appreciate it if you simply thought of it as me patrolling the school. Anyway, if there’s nothing wrong here, then I’ll take my leave.”

Ziggs stood up as he continued to speak without stopping.

“Ah, right. Ed. In regard to the Joint Competition that’s taking place in the Grand Crestle Festival, which will be held next month. There is also going to be a duel between the top students of each grade. Since you’re the top student among the third years, you will probably be facing off against the fourth year top student.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yeah. And it will probably take place when all of the members of the imperial household are here. You will most likely be facing off against the fourth year top student in the combat department, Daike Elpelan.”

Daike Elpelan.

In my final exam against Professor Kaleid, he was the bear-like man who broke into the arena at the end, trying to protect me.

His speed was so fast, it didn’t match his large size. The destructive power behind each of his fists was abnormal.

He was a warrior with a strong and amusing fighting style, enough to be considered the king of power within House Elpelan.

“He won’t be an easy opponent. After all, he is a top student. Among the fourth years, on top of that.”

“Yeah. I also roughly know about his power.”

“I see. And since House Elpelan officially supports Princess Selah… I’m sure they won’t allow him to lose the duel, as Princess Selah will be watching it up close.”

Ziggs finished eating before he continued.

“He will probably do his best against you. He is a person who can even shatter stone walls with his fists if he wants to. If you let him get even one hit on you… That might be the end.”

“Okay. Thanks for the advice.”

“Of course. Then, I’ll be taking my leave.”

Ziggs nodded towards Yennekar, who was off to the side, thanking her for the meal as he ran away through the bushes.

As he ran away, he continued to glance back at the camp as if there was something bothering him… Eventually, he completely disappeared as if everything was alright.

“…So, why did Ziggs come?”

“Well… The student council takes care of so much, I’m sure he had his own reasons. By the way… Bring me my laundry. I’ll go and put it away.”

“What? It’s fine. Keep doing what you were. I need to take care of some other things anyway.”

“No. I’ll feel bad if you keep taking care of everything.”

I grabbed the laundry that was on her lap as I walked back towards my cabin.

My cabin, which had recently been completed, looked rather grand on the outside. However, the interior was still lackluster.

I finished arranging the basic furniture, but that was it.

Since it was all furniture I used in my small cabin before, moving it to a much larger one meant there was a lot of empty space left over.

It seemed that it would take a little more time to get some better furniture for the first floor and renovate the second floor into a workshop. It would be nice if I could improve my lacking woodworking skills in the process.”

Even though the place looked empty, the fact that it was so large felt good.

I grabbed my laundry as I walked towards the shabby wooden closet tucked away in the corner. I only needed it to hold my clothes.

I wanted to quickly put it all away so I could finish working on my bow, but when I opened the door…

Tanya was sitting there with her knees tucked to her chest, as if it was completely normal.

“……”

“……”

“…Hello, brother.”

It wasn’t the time to say hello.

I was completely speechless, to the point that I couldn’t respond…

“So…”

“……”

“Surprisingly, it is rather comfortable to sit here in a closet. It’s as if I can calm down and gather my thoughts. I guess the last time I hid in a closet… I became a little addicted. It’s not a bad idea to sit down inside every once in a while…”

“……”

“The feeling of being alone in the world, breathing in silence… It’s surprisingly not too bad…”

“……”

“Please… Say something, brother… I was the one who was caught hiding in your closet, so why am I the one who is talking?”

That was because… I didn’t even know what to say.

It was a really difficult day.