The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide - Chapter 228

“I’m going to sneak into Trix Hall and read the Sage’s Seal.”

A book written by the Great Sage Silvenia that had yet to be deciphered even halfway.

An unknown tome filled with texts relating to Celestial Magic, magic engravings similar to runes, and other unusual elements that no one fully understood.

That book—a treasure of Silvenia Academy—had often been at the center of various incidents.

At one point, the senior professor Glast stole it and attempted to flee. Later, the Elte Company gained ownership of it due to the school’s long-term financial difficulties.

After negotiations with the Elte Company regarding its ownership, Lortel eventually returned the Sage’s Seal to the academy. Just like that, it was placed back inside the treasure vault within Trix Hall…

“I want to read through it at least once. However, no matter how many requests I submit, I’m unable to meet with Headmaster Obel. Well… that’s only natural. There’s no way they would let a regular student browse through the school’s most prized possession—especially one that has already been stolen once…”

“So, are you planning on stealing it?”

“I’m not going to steal it—just borrow it for a bit.”

It felt strange to see Ayla act so shamelessly.

We were in the student square, where the imperial household’s band was performing. Even though it was the last day of the festival, the sun was still high in the sky, and the festive atmosphere had yet to fade.

It was the day when the festival was at its most grandiose, and the closing ceremony would be held in the central plaza.

Since it was the final day, I also wanted to rest and enjoy the festival. I sat on a bench near the student square, enjoying the warmth of late spring.

Even though I was only enjoying some fresh air and a refreshing drink, I had been so busy lately that even this small bit of free time felt precious.

“If it were a month earlier, we could have asked Lortel to let you read it.”

“I know… Lortel was in charge of the Sage’s Seal the entire time. But back then, it couldn’t be helped—I wasn’t aware of how serious the situation was.”

The Sage’s Seal had already been returned to the academy. Lortel had used it to negotiate her standing within the Elte Company and secure more power.

“That’s why… tonight, when the festival is at its peak, I’m going to sneak into Trix Hall. But Ed… what is all of this?”

Although we were having a serious discussion, Ayla couldn’t suppress her curiosity. She glanced at the pile of gifts stacked on the table.

“These… they all have the symbol of the Imperial Household engraved on them…”

“Ah, those? It’s nothing special. Princess Selah gave me a few things to help with my school life.”

“Princess Selah…? I already knew you were acquainted with Princess Penia, but you’re also connected to Princess Selah?”

“We’ve only met a few times. I wouldn’t say we’re close.”

Ayla’s mouth fell open as she stared at the sheer number of gifts clearly meant to curry favor.

She knew I was acquainted with many people, but she hadn’t expected me to be in contact with the Princess of Frost.

“Then… what about Yennekar?”

“Yennekar… don’t worry about her.”

Yennekar, who had decided to view the festival with us, was lying face down on the table between the presents.

Since I was content simply resting for the first time in a long while, I didn’t feel much motivation to walk around. I remained beside Yennekar, who had collapsed from exhaustion.

I spoke quietly so she wouldn’t hear.

“She was recently betrayed by her parents.”

“Wh—what…? Yennekar has such a dark family history?”

“Well… it’s not exactly dark…”

Yennekar’s parents, Orte and Saila, had been thoroughly influenced by Lortel for the remainder of the festival.

It wasn’t quite brainwashing, but Lortel’s manner of speaking and conduct had effectively turned them into fervent supporters of the Elte Company.

Listening to her parents endlessly praise the Elte Company’s business model, its plans to develop the Pulan Region, and how it would improve their village, Yennekar’s mental endurance gradually wore down.

Yennekar was an exceptionally kind and thoughtful girl, but when faced with Lortel, she developed a strong sense of pride.

She was already talented—once the top student—but when compared to Lortel, she refused to fall behind in even a single aspect.

However, she was also a daughter who never wanted to direct her frustration at her parents. So instead, she isolated herself, groaning quietly while repeatedly muttering Lortel’s name.

It wasn’t surprising. Lortel was someone who could manipulate even elderly merchants with ease.

Still, dragging Yennekar’s family into a battle of nerves was undeniably ruthless.

“Ugh… Ed… My mom and dad suddenly started talking about wool distribution and future trends in the livestock market… They only care about the cows back at the ranch…”

“……”

She looked like a child whose parents had fallen for a pyramid scheme. It was tragic enough to sting the eyes. Still, in reality, the situation was much better than that. At the very least, Orte and Saila were planning a stable and realistic future.

Simply put, Yennekar’s only issue was that it involved the Elte Company.

“She’s gone too far! Bringing my parents into this is crossing the line!”

“Even if it feels that way… she hasn’t done anything harmful to them. If anything, she’s helping them.”

“Money isn’t everything in this world! So why does Lortel always act like it is?!”

“Unfortunately, money is almost everything… You should know that by now.”

“…At this rate, I might actually run away from home.”

Hadn’t she already done that once?

…Well, she would never truly run away. Yennekar was the type who could never abandon her parents.

“I think I’m in puberty, Ed.”

“People going through puberty don’t usually announce it themselves.”

“No, I’m sure this is puberty. When I go home, I won’t help with the ranch anymore. Well… harvesting herbs in the garden is fun, so I’ll keep doing that. But I won’t do anything difficult. I’ll still bring back the cows that wander past the fence at sunset—that’s just practical. But I refuse to clean manure or milk cows. Absolutely not. They might ask me to help deliver milk, so I’ll sleep in and avoid the front garden in the morning… Yeah. I won’t fold laundry or change the bedsheets either. That’s my plan.”

When inherently kind people rebelled, they always did so in peculiar ways.

“Then I’ll need to make a to-do and not-to-do list.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I need to figure out how much I can refuse to do without inconveniencing my parents. Mom and Dad… you’ll regret falling for Lortel.”

She might have been the only person who could devise such a considerate plan for rebellion.

Knowing Orte and Saila, they would likely assume their daughter was simply resting during her break and wouldn’t think much of it.

The outcome was obvious, but I didn’t have the heart to tell her.

And after graduation, she would be entrusted with managing the outskirts of the Rothstaylor Estate as a baroness… Seeing her think only about the ranch made me uneasy, yet at the same time, it was reassuring.

I sighed as Yennekar continued muttering to herself, then turned toward Ayla.

“Well, I don’t think you need to risk stealing the Sage’s Seal. If we talk to Lortel or Princess Penia, we might be able to negotiate with the academy and get you permission to read it. I’m glad you came to talk to me first.”

“But that would take too long.”

“Even so, it’s far less risky than breaking in and reading it secretly.”

“Ed, we don’t know when your prophecy will occur. I don’t feel comfortable remaining uncertain for that long. More importantly, this directly affects Taylee. If there’s even a chance this could put Taylee at risk, I don’t want to gamble.”

There was no need to rush… yet I knew this wasn’t something I could say to her. Ayla had a valid point.

“It’s true that formal procedures could take weeks—or even a semester. You’re right, Ayla.”

“I plan to hide inside Trix Hall while everyone is distracted by the festival tonight. But I need someone to draw attention away from it—preferably far away.”

“You’re taking this more seriously than I expected.”

“You’re the one who convinced me of how serious it is.”

Seeing the heavy expression on Ayla’s face, I scratched my chin and nodded.

“If you’re this serious, then there’s something I should tell you.”

“What…? You were hiding something else?”

I pulled an old book from my leather bag and placed it on the table, removing the cover I used to conceal it.

Ayla stared at it, dumbfounded, and swallowed reflexively.

[Introduction to Celestial Magic] — Author: Glockt Elderbane

She immediately stood up to inspect it more closely.

Because she already possessed a foundational understanding of Celestial Magic, she recognized the book’s value at a glance.

“This… You just casually carried this in your bag?”

“I just… happened to have it on me.”

“This isn’t something you ‘just happen to have’! This is—!”

An unpublished manuscript by the Archmage Glockt.

Its condition, handwriting, and the latent Celestial Magic contained within made its authenticity undeniable.

“I’ll lend it to you.”

“Hey—this isn’t something you can lend out so easily!”

“It’s a record left behind by Archmage Glockt. There are notes regarding the Great Sage Silvenia as well. I’m sure it’ll help your research.”

“……”

“And come by the camp when you have time. I’ll introduce you to Merilda. Bring Taylee with you.”

“Merilda… You mean the wolf spirit?”

I nodded.

“She’s a spirit who met the Great Sage Silvenia in person. At this point, she’s likely the only one who can speak about Silvenia from personal experience.”

“…Oh my.”

Ayla nodded slowly, looking as though she could barely breathe.

“It really was the right decision to talk to you.”

“But we still haven’t resolved the core issue. We need to determine the Great Sage Silvenia’s true objective. Once we do, the matter of Velbrok’s seal will become clear as well.”

“For now, I’ll investigate everything I can, but…”

Ayla stated firmly, “We can never put Taylee in danger.”

“That… unfortunately, I can’t guarantee. He is destined to live a difficult life.”

“……”

“Isn’t it better for me to tell you the truth rather than lie?”

“…Yes. It is.”

Ayla nodded with a somber expression.

“Since you’re acting tonight, we should discuss the details.”

***

As the sun set, preparations began for the festival’s grand finale.

Student assistants hurried to prepare the stage while student council members verified attendance.

Everyone gradually gathered in the central plaza to hear speeches from distinguished guests, watch large-scale performances, set off fireworks to light up the night sky, and conclude the Grand Crestle Festival.

As the festival’s highlight, it drew immense anticipation.

Renowned bands were scheduled to perform, and influential figures from across the Empire—including the Saint and the Princesses—would be in attendance.

It was far too grand to be called a mere school festival. The students eagerly awaited the finale, knowing they might never witness something like it again.

Before nightfall, I needed to prepare equipment at the camp. Since the distance between the academy grounds and my camp was considerable, I headed back early to prepare thoroughly.

Yennekar was busy with the Spiritual Studies Conference. Lortel was occupied with Elte Company affairs, and Lucy was nowhere to be found. I was alone.

“Whew…”

Stars appeared as the sun fully set.

With most students heading toward the central plaza, the path back to camp was quiet.

The camp itself was silent as well. When I first settled there, surviving alone, that had been normal. But as more people began to visit and live there, such silence had become unusual.

Realizing this, I felt strangely emotional. The camp had become my home.

Yet once I graduated, I would have to leave it behind.

Pushing those thoughts aside, I gathered my dagger and magic engineering tools.

When I stepped outside my cabin, however, someone was sitting by the campfire.

“Ah, Young Master Ed. You’re here.”

The broad, sturdy figure was unmistakable—Yennekar’s father, Orte Palerover.

“I heard the finale is at the central plaza. What brings you to my camp?”

“Kahaha. Of course I’m going to watch it. But since it’s the last event, it feels different. Early tomorrow morning, Saila and I will head home. Today is our last day here.”

Orte sat by the fire, leaves clinging to his clothes as if he had come through the forest.

He brushed them off and drank deeply from a mug.

“I wanted one last drink here—and to see you one last time.”

“Where’s your wife?”

“Saila and Yennekar are heading to the plaza. I’ll be joining them soon.”

So why had he come alone?

“Care for a drink?”

“I don’t drink.”

“Haha. Saila would love that. She always says she prefers men who don’t drink—so I don’t know why she married me.”

Orte had come to see me one final time.

After a brief pause, I accepted the mug he offered.

“You don’t need to force yourself. I can drink on my own. Kahaha.”

“It’s fine. Since this might be the last time we see each other for a while.”

“I see. You’re quite compassionate—even toward an uneducated man like me.”

He gulped his drink and wiped his mouth with his forearm.

“I came to thank you. Not as the head of House Palerover, but as one man to another.”

“I haven’t done anything deserving of gratitude. Everything I did for Yennekar was necessary.”

“Still, she benefited greatly from you. Burp—excuse me.”

He apologized with a grin.

“I was blessed with a good wife and daughter. When I was young, I obsessed over work. As I grew older, I obsessed over raising cows. One day, my life reached a turning point.”

His tone grew serious.

“I never lived with ambition or dignity like you nobles. I can’t even read properly. Yet despite living such a life, I achieved something incredible—Saila and Yennekar.”

“You’ve already lived a successful life.”

“Yes. They’re my greatest achievements.”

Orte smiled softly.

“I know my place. I’m an uneducated commoner—an idiot who only knows how to work hard. I never rebel against those above me. But you, Young Master Ed—you’ve given us so much. Of course I’m loyal to you.”

“That’s embarrassing to hear.”

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. But…”

He took another sip.

“If someone makes my daughter cry, I won’t forgive them.”

His values were firm.

“I’ll bow to merchants younger than me to make a living. But touch my family, and I won’t hesitate—noble or royalty.”

“…”

“I’ve seen nobles treat commoners like dirt. You endure it to survive. But family is different.”

He smiled again.

“Still, it seems my Yennekar truly dislikes Lortel.”

“A few difficult relationships are good to have in one’s youth.”

“…You’re more open-minded than I thought.”

“I can tell Lortel doesn’t cross the line. But watching Yennekar hide things from us made me realize something.”

He spoke quietly.

“She’s grown up.”

They had always known Yennekar carried secrets.

“It feels like yesterday she cried after falling at the ranch. Now she can summon a spirit the size of a house.”

“I can’t imagine.”

“It doesn’t feel like much. Just—wow, she grew up fast.”

Orte finished his drink, then suddenly knelt and bowed his head.

“Even though my daughter still has much to learn…”

That was why he came.

“Please continue to guide her. There’s little more I can do.”

I closed my eyes briefly.

“She’s the one helping me. Please don’t bow.”

***

My business with Yennekar’s family ended there.

With that settled, I needed to focus on more pressing matters—helping Ayla read the Sage’s Seal, resolving affairs with the Imperial Household, and ultimately subjugating Velbrok.

After checking my equipment, I headed toward the Education District. After attending the finale, I planned to move toward Trix Hall, where Ayla would be.

However, things did not go as planned.

“Emperor Kroel has summoned you.”

I had encountered him often enough that we could almost be called acquaintances.

Selah’s butler, Dest, spoke with his head lowered.

“It seems the contents of Princess Selah’s letters have reached His Majesty.”

“…What?”

I recalled Emperor Kroel’s satisfied gaze during our last meeting—eyes that gleamed as if appraising treasure.

“It is a royal order.”