The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide - Chapter 225

“I already had a general idea of what kind of person he is.”

At that point, it wasn’t difficult to regard Ed’s camp as the most important facility within Silvenia Academy.

Lortel Kehelland sat by the campfire, sipping tea while organizing her thoughts. Since she had some free time, she had been planning to go to the festival with Ed. She never could have imagined that Princess Selah herself would appear at the camp.

With her arrival, it felt as though nearly all distinguished nobles who visited Silvenia had set foot in Ed’s camp at least once.

It wasn’t even an aristocratic dormitory like Ophelis Hall. Thinking about it that way, it was rather amusing.

“If conciliating with him is a better political decision than remaining hostile, then bringing him to my side wouldn’t be a bad idea. However…”

“……”

“I never imagined you would be in a place like this.”

Princess Selah sat by the campfire. Raising her eyes, she looked at Lortel.

Lortel Kehelland was the one who had sided with Princess Selah during the tragedy at the Rothstaylor mansion. She was also the one who had sweet-talked Princess Selah into promising to actively assist in using Ed Rothstaylor as a political piece.

Yet that same girl was now sitting in Ed’s camp, even having a place of her own there.

Princess Selah spoke with a smile, as if amused.

“Was everything you said back at the mansion meant to deceive me?”

Lortel considered her response but chose to remain silent for the moment.

She already had a general understanding of what kind of person Princess Selah was.

“I suppose, from the beginning, it was all just a ploy to protect Ed Rothstaylor while he was unconscious, by placing him under the Elte Company’s care.”

It was now clear that she had attempted to deceive the princess.

And not just any princess—Princess Selah, who relentlessly condemned those who opposed her.

For an ordinary person, being exposed like this would have been enough to make them break out in a cold sweat. Lying to a member of the imperial family was a felony that could invite severe punishment, depending on the princess’s mood.

However, Lortel never panicked. Moreover, Selah herself had recently begun to reassess her opinion of Ed Rothstaylor.

Taking that into account, it wouldn’t be difficult for Lortel to slither her way out of the situation like a snake.

“That’s correct. In truth, I am someone who belongs to Ed. I’ve been assisting him for quite some time now.”

In the end, what mattered most was whose side one stood on.

At the Rothstaylor mansion, she had pretended to support Selah in order to save Ed. But now, standing before Selah, who had come to persuade Ed to join her side, presenting herself as Ed’s subordinate was more than sufficient.

Selah placed great importance on status and authority when evaluating others.

By lowering herself to Ed’s subordinate, Lortel removed herself from Selah’s direct scrutiny.

After all, people didn’t get angry at chess pieces—they got angry at the opponent moving them.

If Selah’s attention was focused squarely on Ed Rothstaylor, then Lortel could easily hide within his shadow. She would be dismissed as someone unworthy of the princess’s direct interference, which was an added benefit. It wasn’t a bad outcome for Ed either.

“He summoned me in advance in case something unexpected occurred after the incident at the Rothstaylor mansion. You may think of me as a tool that moves according to Ed’s orders, Princess Selah.”

“…Yet you live close to one another. You seem rather intimate.”

Lortel laughed softly, naturally agreeing.

Since Selah’s purpose was simply to persuade Ed, there was no need to complicate matters by pursuing Lortel further.

Understanding Selah’s position, Lortel was now absolved of the crime of deceiving a member of the imperial family. When dealing with others, she revealed a surprisingly delicate side.

“Living with him… well, that’s a personal matter.”

“There’s no need for me to concern myself with a man’s private life. I only require his status and capabilities. However…”

Princess Selah scratched her chin, then slowly opened and closed her sharp eyes as she continued.

“Does this mean the Elte Company is also under that man’s control? I heard Persica attempted various methods to take control of the Elte Company, but I suppose those efforts were all in vain.”

“I will leave that judgment to you, Princess Selah. Given my humble status, I wouldn’t dare contradict your assessment.”

“You really are a sly, foxlike person.”

Princess Selah smiled as she accurately described Lortel’s nature.

“Even capable individuals like you may betray your master one day. Someone who ascends the throne through betrayal will eventually be dethroned by betrayal. Isn’t that so?”

She spoke bluntly, maintaining her dignified composure while addressing a merchant of far lower status.

People like Balveron Elpelan were weak-willed and greedy, making their actions easy to predict.

But someone like Lortel was far more difficult to control.

She was the type who attacked at the first sign of weakness, shifting allegiance the moment she deemed it advantageous.

To use such a person as a close aide required constant vigilance and never exposing an opening.

“He holds quite the wild animal in his grasp, that man.”

“I’m not sure how I should react to being called a wild animal.”

Normally, Lortel would have ended the conversation there and summoned Ed.

She was always calm and rational. Even in front of the empire’s princess, she never allowed emotions to surface.

Lortel Kehelland was someone who hadn’t broken a sweat even when Silvenia Academy itself was being destroyed—a merchant possessed of monstrous rationality.

However, there were always exceptions.

And there were always things that one must never touch.

For Lortel Kehelland, the one thing that fell into that category was Ed Rothstaylor.

Whether by coincidence or inevitability, Princess Selah had stepped directly onto that landmine.

To put it bluntly, Selah’s words implied this:

You are a wild animal who would seize the throne if given the chance—even if it meant stabbing Ed Rothstaylor in the back.

In other words, Ed was nothing more than a steppingstone for Lortel’s ambition. There was not even a shred of loyalty.

Hearing Selah define her so casually was deeply unpleasant.

Selah wasn’t intentionally provoking her; she was merely stating her evaluation.

Lortel continued to smile, but the veins on her temple subtly bulged.

“Princess Selah.”

Her voice remained calm.

“However you may see me, I hope you understand one thing. I would never betray Ed.”

“Oh? I’ve never heard a merchant speak so romantically about loyalty. It would be more believable if vultures ate grass.”

“I believe you are underestimating Ed Rothstaylor, Princess Selah.”

There was no point in engaging in a battle of nerves with the imperial family.

The vast difference in status also meant a difference in influence. The only thing Lortel could do was lightly scratch at Selah’s pride.

And that was precisely her specialty.

“Underestimate? Haha… If anything, I believe I’ve evaluated him generously. Taking control of the Elte Company proves his competence. But how could I dare claim the throne if I couldn’t subdue a mere duke’s son?”

“Subdue… It’s difficult to say who will succumb first. After all, this is a race for the emperor’s throne.”

“Who will succumb? That’s an amusing thought.”

Princess Selah lifted her chin, smiling arrogantly.

“I have always been in the position where others succumb to me.”

Her self-esteem soared, bolstered by authority and lineage.

Lortel quietly gazed up at Selah, a faint sense of defiance forming within her.

Selah had never relied on anyone, nor had she ever knelt before another.

Lortel found herself becoming uncharacteristically emotional.

That arrogance was a trait of someone who had never desperately needed anything—someone who believed they could obtain anything at will. A belief that could easily be shattered.

“Then I will call Ed over. Please wait by the campfire.”

However, Lortel Kehelland already knew.

The answer Ed Rothstaylor would give to Princess Selah’s overture had long since been decided.

***

“I apologize, but I intend to continue supporting Princess Penia.”

Selah had never expected him to kneel and accept her offer with delight, but she had at least anticipated courtesy.

After all, he was no mere commoner. He was an aristocrat belonging to the empire’s strongest ducal house.

She expected respectful distance and minimal decorum.

Instead, when Ed returned to the campfire after Lortel summoned him, he rolled up his sweat-soaked sleeves and drank cold water in large gulps.

He showed no courtesy toward a member of the imperial family.

Naturally, there were reasons.

This was not the imperial palace. It was Silvenia Academy on the isolated Acken Island, far from the empire’s political center—a place where learning took precedence over status.

Here, nobles and commoners studied together. Status held far less weight.

Even so, those with titles such as Princess or Saint still received preferential treatment due to their exceptional standing.

Yet Ed Rothstaylor made no effort to appear polite as he sat across the campfire, setting down his cup as though he had just finished laboring by the river.

His attitude made it clear.

He had never intended to accept Selah’s offer.

Selah noticed.

“You said yourself that I am the one most deserving of the throne. Now that the competition is over, my position has only strengthened.”

“That is correct.”

“And yet, despite seeing her closely, you must know Penia is not fit to become emperor.”

Lortel looked on, slightly surprised.

She had expected Selah to become irritated after his rejection.

Instead, Selah calmly asserted her superiority.

“Most of the power within the imperial household already supports me. Aside from that irritating Knight Templar commander backing Persica, nearly all key figures stand with me.”

“That is a testament to your abilities, Princess Selah. Given your talent and virtue, such support is only natural.”

Though flattering, Ed showed no loyalty.

Selah disliked that.

“Do you understand what I am offering? I will erase all suspicion toward you. I will cease attacking you in imperial conferences—and support you instead.”

“I would be honored.”

“You believe that would be free?”

“If you desire something in return, I will do my best to comply. However, I will not change sides in the succession struggle.”

“How strange.”

Selah crossed her arms, eyes wide.

“Shouldn’t you support the one you believe most worthy of becoming emperor? If you truly believe I am superior, you should be on my side.”

“Humans cannot always act rationally. I know Princess Penia’s path is difficult, but I will support her regardless.”

“Why?”

“She earnestly looks to those beneath her and tries to wield politics for their sake. It is a thorny path.”

At that moment, everything clicked for Selah.

Penia was a naive idealist—at least in Selah’s eyes.

Idealists who ignored reality were crushed by it.

Power demanded betrayal, secrecy, violence, theft, and pressure when necessary.

Survival required embracing cruelty.

“And I intend to support her along that path. Someone must.”

Penia endured because someone calm and rational stood beside her.

Someone who understood reality, capable of conspiracies and hidden battles—yet willing to respect her ideals.

Blind idealism led only to detachment from reality. Someone had to balance romance with realism.

Selah had assumed Ed was using Penia as a steppingstone.

But she was wrong.

He understood Penia deeply.

That was why he supported her.

Ed Rothstaylor would become the pillar that allowed Penia Elias Kroel to pursue her ideals—not as a naive child, but as a legitimate idealist.

Those seeking power alone would have sided with Selah.

Understanding this, Selah realized Ed would never be persuaded.

Their paths diverged.

Yet for some reason, Selah’s eyes sparkled.

Lortel, watching closely, felt unsettled.

A loyal, capable, tenacious man.

No wonder Penia downplayed him—she had wanted to hide him.

Selah’s eyes gleamed with unmistakable intent.

“It would be best for you to leave. This camp is full of insects and dirt—unbefitting your noble status.”

Some people derived pleasure from taking what belonged to others.

Selah’s eyes gleamed as if she had found a treasure.

It was desire—the crude, predatory thrill of stealing.

***

“My older sister Selah has always enjoyed taking things from others.”

On the terrace of the royal residence, Penia accepted the tea Claire poured.

Growing up together, she knew Selah better than anyone.

As a child, Penia’s treasured teddy bear had been torn apart by Selah.

“It’s cuter this way,” Selah had said, smiling.

Persica’s beloved magic book, her favorite maid—both taken.

Selah ruled tyrannically, taking whatever she desired, then discarding it when bored.

She always craved what she couldn’t have—especially if it belonged to someone else.

“During the festival, we must appear to trust one another completely.”

“Then what should I do?”

“Very little. Just act as though you believe in me completely.”

She remembered drinking tea with a blonde-haired boy on the terrace.

“That won’t be difficult. And besides…”

“There is a letter from House Elpelan.”

“Bring it.”

Ed’s records lay piled beside her teacup.

During the festival, their loyalty had to appear absolute.

Penia reviewed his life carefully.

Music drifted from the school grounds.

The festival continued.

“And besides… I have always supported you.”

She smiled faintly.

Ed Rothstaylor.

The name lingered pleasantly.

***

“You wish to read the sage’s seal?”

“Yes.”

They stood before Trix Hall.

Ayla tugged at Professor Kaleid’s collar.

“Then I just need permission.”

“It’s tightly guarded… but Headmaster Obel might allow it.”

Kaleid was already drunk.

“…Understood.”

Leaving him behind, Ayla entered Trix Hall.