The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide - Chapter 223

“I’m glad you’re in good health, Penia.”

“Thank you. You must have had a long journey here, Father.”

Next on the itinerary was dinner at the royal residence where Penia resided.Since the emperor was personally coming to inspect the residence where his youngest daughter was staying, the interior of Silvenia’s royal residence had to be kept cleaner than ever. Not even a speck of dust could be found in the dining room, making it clear how much effort had gone into the preparations.

Before a grand table filled with countless dishes, Emperor Kroel, Selah, and Penia continued their meal.

“I see my sister Persica didn’t come. I thought she wouldn’t miss a chance to visit Silvenia.”

“She spends most of her time in the library whenever she can. She’s even skipped a few imperial events because of it. Ever since she was young, whenever she becomes immersed in something, she completely shuts out the rest of the world.”

Emperor Kroel, clearly enjoying the opportunity to speak with his daughter, asked Penia many questions about her life.Since Penia had moved far away on her own to pursue her studies, he wore an unusually gentle smile.

Unlike when he addressed his aides, he set aside his authority and spoke to her honestly. With only a few servants present, there was no need to project overwhelming power.Seeing him put aside his role as emperor and return to being her father alone, Penia felt her heart soften.

“Ah… I was worried about you at first. But seeing you adapt so well to life at school puts me at ease.”

After a short while, Princess Selah finally spoke.

There was an unspoken rule among the three sisters: at the very least, they were to act like loving siblings in front of Emperor Kroel.Of course, the emperor was well aware of the tension between them due to the succession dispute. Though he wished to prevent politics from tearing his family apart, the rivalry remained fierce.

“I was surprised to hear that you excommunicated Duke Rothstaylor’s eldest son not long after entering the academy.”

Princess Selah’s words immediately shattered the warm atmosphere.

She referred to the incident where Penia personally intervened in Ed Rothstaylor’s excommunication. Though it felt distant, it had occurred only two years prior.

“It was the first time I had seen the benevolent Penia trample someone so harshly. I wondered whether living in a new environment had changed you.”

“Sister Selah.”

“It’s not a bad thing. Those in power shouldn’t overlook the injustices of those beneath them. Still…”

As she spoke, Selah calmly sliced the meat placed before her.

“The Ed Rothstaylor I saw during the duel today seemed to be doing quite well at school.”

“That’s because excommunication from his house didn’t mean expulsion from Silvenia Academy. If I had wanted to, I could have expelled him as well, but—”

“You didn’t. And even without direct interference, if he were truly insignificant, he would have left on his own once he could no longer afford tuition.”

Yet Ed Rothstaylor remained at Silvenia until the end.Had he failed to do so, he would have abandoned everything and begged in the city to survive.

According to Selah’s investigation, Ed had established a camp in the North Forest.Though the information had been gathered in less than a day, it was reliable enough.

“And later, he was reinstated at the Rothstaylor Mansion’s social gathering. One could say he has fully returned to his former standing. Despite this, you chose to remain idle the entire time, Penia?”

“It’s because I realized I was wrong.”

Penia knew exactly what Selah was trying to do—leave a lasting mark.She was emphasizing the fact that Penia had abused her authority as a member of the imperial family and driven a high-ranking noble’s son into ruin.

Nevertheless, Penia answered honestly.

“Ed Rothstaylor was not a cruel man deserving of excommunication. He lost years of his youth because of my misjudgment.”

“Penia, as a member of the imperial family, you will inevitably make mistakes. Even a single wrong decision can place another’s life in danger. The same holds true for the right ones.”

“I know. But that doesn’t erase the damage.”

Penia lowered her gaze, falling silent.

Selah quietly laughed.

Everything was perfectly arranged.

Ed Rothstaylor had clawed his way back to prominence after being excommunicated because of Penia’s mistake—a mistake Penia herself admitted.Despite the suffering he endured, he reclaimed his position through his own efforts.

On top of that, he had praised Selah after his victory. It was a dramatic conclusion to the joint competition.

After the duel, Emperor Kroel personally accompanied Selah to congratulate Ed.Seeing Ed’s dignified and reliable demeanor, it was clear the emperor had taken a liking to him.

Ed Rothstaylor, who reclaimed his status through his own strength, was the perfect variable—one that highlighted Penia’s misjudgment while elevating Selah’s merit in securing his support.

In Emperor Kroel’s eyes, it appeared as though the capable elder sister had corrected the mistakes of her inexperienced younger sibling.

It was flawless.

Ed Rothstaylor’s very existence elevated Selah’s political standing.Watching Penia’s confidence waver, new possibilities unfolded in Selah’s mind.

To Selah, Penia was an idealist who cared too deeply about insignificant details.An emperor was someone who ruled.

A ruler who hesitated and concerned themselves excessively with those beneath them was unfit for the throne.

Did Ed Rothstaylor understand that as well?

It was strange.Penia was the one who cast him into the abyss, so why did Ed Rothstaylor support her?

After meeting him several times, Selah judged him to be a man who understood the qualities of a monarch.He never panicked, never misstepped, and always found solutions.

In her eyes, Ed Rothstaylor possessed the traits of a talented individual.Like a wolf unwilling to be tamed, it was odd that he would bow to Penia of his own will.

In the first place… wasn’t he someone deeply loyal?

Selah scratched her chin, pondering, before questioning Penia.

“By the way, I heard that man is close to you.”

“Actually… we’re not that close. He rarely visits the royal residence and mostly stays in his cabin, minding his own affairs. He seems to have little interest in the title of duke.”

Could it be that Ed held the upper hand in their relationship?

When the realization struck her, Selah barely suppressed her laughter.

A member of the imperial family being swayed by a duke’s son—Princess Penia was even more sincere than Selah had thought.

Back then, Penia had slapped Selah in anger for trying to use Ed as a political scapegoat.She had even acted during an imperial meeting to reinstate House Rothstaylor as a ducal house.

Selah had assumed Ed’s loyalty drove Penia’s actions—but it was the opposite.

You’ve truly done it, Penia. You disgrace the royal family.

Ed Rothstaylor was a powerful weapon, but useless in the hands of someone who didn’t know how to wield it.

Everything began to make sense. Selah finally understood why he had praised her after the duel.Perhaps he believed Selah would be unable to control him as easily as Penia.

But he had overlooked one thing.

Selah was nothing like Penia.

Whether it was arrogance or ambition, his behavior amused her.If she wished, gaining control over him wouldn’t be difficult.

As she sliced the meat before her, Princess Selah smiled.

***

Orte and Saila stared at the enormous camp, mouths agape.

In the end, Lucy—who never returned after the concert—and Bell—who followed out of unease—accompanied them.

While walking toward the North Forest, they had imagined a hidden Rothstaylor mansion.The reality was nothing of the sort.

“The second floor is my magic engineering workshop. The first is where I live. Most of my work is done by the campfire. My cooking tools are over there.”

“Th-This is very different from what I imagined, Y-Young Master Ed.”

“It’s far from luxurious, but I’m more comfortable here.”

Ed placed the bags on the workbench and sat near the campfire.

“And that over there is your daughter’s cabin.”

They were stunned.They had believed Yennekar lived in Ophelis Hall. Instead, she had been living in the forest.

“S-Since when?”

“About a year.”

“A year…?! Then that means—”

Their assumptions spiraled.

Saila stared at Yennekar, who was drenched in cold sweat.

“Why didn’t you tell us earlier?!”

“You… you’ve been living such a romantic school life!”

Ed’s straightforward honesty only deepened their misunderstanding.

Thankfully, they were open-minded parents.

Orte burst into laughter.

“So that’s it! Our Yennekar is at that age now!”

“Dad! You’re too loud!”

“Haha! This forest is wonderful! Young Master Ed, you live like a real man!”

“…I only lived here out of necessity.”

“Even so, this place was built with passion.”

As a craftsman himself, Orte could tell.

“Then that man Yennekar mentioned before must have been you…!”

“Wha—look at the weather! Isn’t it nice?! Let’s cook already!”

Bell nearly cried watching Yennekar panic.

“This was the right choice,” Orte said cheerfully.

“I worried you might be offended.”

“Offended? Never! I’m proud of her.”

“That’s right. We’re quite open-minded.”

Creak.

At that moment, Lortel’s villa door opened.

“Oh my, Ed. Today’s festival schedule—”

She froze.

“…Oh.”

The situation took a moment to process.

***

“Oh, hello. I’m Lortel Kehelland…”

Lortel effortlessly charmed them.

The Palerovers immediately stiffened.

“Torren Village? I’ve heard wonderful things.”

Yennekar trembled.

“Dad! Mom! You don’t have to bow!”

“W-We still rely on her company…”

Yennekar was close to losing her mind.

“Oh my, no need to be uncomfortable.”

Lortel sat beside Ed.

“As you can see, I live here as well.”

The Palerovers froze.

“H-How many people…?”

“About seven… maybe eleven.”

She clung to Ed’s arm.

Saila’s face turned pale.

Bell felt danger approaching.

“I am tired.”

Lucy rose, stretched, and walked toward Ed’s cabin.

Slam!

Bell wiped her face.

Only the crackling campfire filled the silence.