The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide - Chapter 250

Lucy Mayreel was the hero of the empire.

She received various commendations, plentiful rewards such as gold and silver, and great honor from the Kroel Royal Family.

Still, Emperor Kroel never granted her any position of status or any lordship, even though Yennekar—who was far weaker than Lucy—was given the title of baroness.

Being the wise emperor that he was, he realized that such titles would only serve as shackles to someone as talented as Lucy Mayreel. In the first place, she was not the type of person who could live up to a noble title. Rather, she would most likely discard any estate she was awarded.

So Lucy never experienced a change in status. She simply left Silvenia Academy and placed herself under the protection of the Rothstaylor mansion. She had decided that there was no longer anything for her to do on Acken Island.

After drawing out years’ worth of her magic power in the final battle, she was no different from an ordinary girl. At least for the next few years, she needed someone to protect her.

Was she paying the price, or was she simply uninterested in wealth? Whatever the case, she handed over everything she had received from the Royal Family to House Rothstaylor. Lucy then remained in the mansion, spending her days recovering her magic power.

Once she fully recovered, the Rothstaylor Estate would certainly become impenetrable, with both Yennekar and Lucy protecting it.

Many people spoke about her, and Lucy’s magic power actually recovered much sooner than expected.

However, what Lucy Mayreel had not anticipated was Ed scouting Bell Maya after searching for someone to keep her in line.

“Lady Lucy, when you lift the teacup, you must move your arms gracefully.”

“Lady Lucy, please don’t leave crumbs behind.”

“Lady Lucy, the hem of your dress is touching the garden floor.”

“Lady Lucy…”

“Lady Lucy.”

Lady Lucy, Lady Lucy, Lady Lucy, Lady Lucy, Lady Lucy.

The two maids who stayed by Lucy’s side came from Ophelis Hall. As direct subordinates of Bell Maya, they were not only competent, but they also never backed down from Lucy.

In the first place, with Lucy having lost her magic power, she could no longer run away.

Lucy could only sit at the table with a pale complexion, whispering, “Save me…”

Trayciana scratched her forehead awkwardly. She finally understood what Bell Maya had meant when she said she felt responsible for something.

Before Lucy regained her powers, Bell Maya had a strong desire to turn Lucy into a proper human being. That intention was conveyed clearly. She truly was a responsible person.

“…”

Regardless, since Lucy stayed at the Rothstaylor mansion, she clearly enjoyed her life there.

In a few years, when her powers returned, she would once again be the strongest and most gifted magician in existence. If she wished, she could stand at the top of every magic tower in the empire.

Yet Lucy Mayreel chose to remain at the Rothstaylor mansion with Ed Rothstaylor. The reason was obvious. Everyone in the mansion knew it as well.

She had a blatant crush on Ed Rothstaylor.

“L-Lucy…”

Yennekar set down her teacup as she looked at Lucy.

Yennekar’s greatest concern was none other than Lucy Mayreel.

Ed Rothstaylor treated Yennekar as special, but the same was true for Lucy.

Whenever he returned to the mansion, he always checked on Lucy’s condition to see if she was experiencing any discomfort. He made sure she was doing well.

Lucy did not dislike the affection Ed showed her, either. She often leaned into him or sat on his lap. Despite her blatant flirting, no one stopped her.

In fact, she was one of the most distinguished guests at the mansion. Even the owner of the house, Tanya Rothstaylor, never treated Lucy rudely.

Watching this, Trayciana could not help but think:

Just how many women are there in my advisor’s mansion…?

He was likely only trying to take responsibility for everyone who had helped him, but it could not be denied that it looked as though he was building a harem of sorts.

Of course, since Trayciana knew the circumstances, she did not truly believe that. However, to an outsider, it might appear as though he were a greedy noble with an eye for women. That could not really be helped.

Trayciana could already see the future.

She looked at Yennekar, who was frowning as she brought the teacup to her lips, and at Lucy, whose dark expression betrayed her awareness of Yennekar’s gaze.

It seemed that neither of them—nor any of the other women who visited the mansion—would be willing to give up on Ed Rothstaylor easily.

Saint Clarice, Deputy Director Lortel, and the Imperial Princess Selah… None of them appeared to have any intention of letting him go.

Each of them could be considered among the most influential figures in the empire, so it would not be an easy battle. There were many who wanted him, but only one Ed Rothstaylor.

Because of that, the outcome was not difficult to foresee.

This would be a long, thorny road…

One had to be capable before taking in another.

Trayciana prayed that her advisor was a man of limitless capability.

Because there would be far too many things he would need to shoulder.

***

“Sorry I’m late.”

Bell Maya, who had gone out to find Tanya, returned about twenty minutes later.

However, she did not come back with Tanya. In the end, she was unable to find her.

It was something Trayciana would learn later, but Tanya Rothstaylor had a habit of disappearing from time to time when she had too much on her plate.

Trayciana stared blankly at Bell, completely dumbfounded. Bell Maya, however, waved her hand casually as if it were nothing, then approached the table and glanced around.

She scratched her chin thoughtfully. After bending down, she suddenly lifted the tablecloth.

Tanya popped out from underneath.

Ever since arriving at the mansion, Trayciana had been perpetually dumbfounded.

Tanya emerged wearing a neat shirt and skirt, along with an expensive cape. She cleared her throat lightly.

“Th-thank you for coming all this way, Miss Trayciana.”

“…”

“At Silvenia, I met you as the student council president. But I believe this is our first proper meeting here, as the head of the Rothstaylor mansion.”

“Wait… how long… were you under there…?”

“…How long was it…?”

Needless to say, she had been there from the beginning.

Trayciana began to wonder whether there was anyone sane in the Rothstaylor mansion.

She quickly dismissed the thought, as it was rude. This was the most powerful ducal family in the empire.

Standing before Duchess Tanya Rothstaylor—the true head of the mansion—Trayciana hurriedly stood up to bow, but Tanya waved her hand to stop her and took the empty seat at the table.

“I quite enjoy hiding in dark places. You must have been surprised. That strange sense of stability and safety can be rather comforting. When you have a headache or feel exhausted, you should try it. I highly recommend it.”

“…”

“A closet is nice, or perhaps under your desk. It’s even better if you wrap yourself in a blanket.”

“Master.”

Bell Maya called out softly. Tanya’s eyes widened as she turned toward her.

Bell’s tone carried a clear message: maintain dignity and straighten up.

Perhaps because she was meeting an alumnus after a long time, Tanya had relaxed too much.

She quickly adjusted her cloak, straightened her posture, and spoke again.

“It seems you’re quite interested in my older brother’s relationships.”

At those words, Trayciana realized her mistake.

She had spoken far too freely about another household’s personal affairs. Such a conversation might have been acceptable with Yennekar alone, but it was entirely different with Tanya listening.

Duchess Tanya Rothstaylor was one of the most powerful individuals in the empire, second only to the Emperor himself.

She did not act authoritarian and spoke candidly—but that did not mean Trayciana could afford to be casual in front of her.

Trayciana understood then.

Though Tanya looked youthful and approachable, her discernment and mindset were anything but immature.

She could assess another’s worth at a glance, feigning indifference while calculating everything instantly.

She had served as Silvenia Academy’s student council president for three years and as the head of House Rothstaylor for two.

With that much experience, even the most naïve girl would become a veteran. Her friendliness and ease were themselves calculated.

Realizing this, Trayciana bowed deeply.

“Oh my.”

At that reaction, Trayciana understood something else.

Tanya had seen through the fact that Trayciana had figured her out. For some reason, it felt as though Trayciana was now in the palm of her hand. She swallowed dryly.

“There’s no need to be so uncomfortable around me. Everyone else at this table treats me with excessive respect because of my status. Please, just relax while you’re here.”

Yennekar smiled and responded.

“That’s because we’ve known you for a long time, Tanya. We’ve grown close over the years.”

“…Then please get these maids away from me… please…”

Despite Lucy’s desperate plea, Tanya pretended not to hear. Ed himself had instructed her to ensure the maids never left Lucy’s side.

“But it seems you came to see my older brother. Unfortunately, he left for Acken Island a few days ago. The first-year entrance exam he’s in charge of is just around the corner.”

“W-What…? Professor Ed left? Then…”

“Yes, you just missed him. If it’s urgent, perhaps you should hurry back.”

Trayciana slumped into her seat.

After everything she had gone through to get here, she had missed him by mere days. It felt as though fate itself was mocking her.

She took a deep breath and spoke.

“…I understand. Then I suppose I should leave soon. Thank you for your hospitality, even though you must be busy.”

“It was nothing. I’ll be returning to Silvenia for the next semester as well, so I’ll see you then. Since we’ll be professor and student, there’s no need to speak so formally.”

“I see. Alright.”

Though she doubted she could truly drop formalities on campus, Trayciana agreed for now.

“And… I believe you overheard me discussing personal matters regarding your household. I apologize.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. There are many rumors surrounding my older brother, so people naturally become curious. And since he’ll be your advisor, it’s only natural you’d feel the same.”

“Ah, yes… Thank you for your understanding.”

As Tanya continued to reassure her, Trayciana suddenly felt something was off.

“But… how did you know Professor Ed would be my advisor…?”

She had not even told Bell yet. Internal matters like that were not meant to be shared so freely.

“Oh my, did you forget? I am the student council president of Silvenia Academy.”

Hearing that, Trayciana realized it again.

There was no escaping the duchess’s grasp.

Though young, Tanya Rothstaylor had risen to her position with astonishing speed. Trayciana could clearly feel the difference between them.

She could see the full picture now.

Tanya Rothstaylor was the final authority behind everything involving House Rothstaylor.

There was no way she would be unaware of Ed Rothstaylor’s actions or relationships. Slowly, Trayciana began to envision Ed’s future.

To a girl who would do anything for the prosperity of House Rothstaylor, the relationships surrounding her brother must have appeared as a treasure trove of gold.

An exceptional elementalist. A genius magician. An imperial princess. The Saint of the Holy Father Building. The Deputy Director of the Elte Company.

She had no intention of giving up on any of them. She was prepared to ensure that Ed Rothstaylor had all of them firmly within reach.

With someone like that backing him, the future Ed would eventually reach…

I need to get as close to him as possible while he’s still my advisor.

Unfortunately, Trayciana herself was just as materialistic as the rest.

***

I had developed a habit of smoking.

It started after I became a professor and spent too much time with Senior Professor Kaleid.

He was the type who did not shave or take care of himself, who would fall asleep with a book over his face and mutter nonsense. Nevertheless, he was undeniably skilled.

“Haah…”

I extinguished the flame with magic and looked up at the sky.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, stinging my eyes. Still, the cool breeze felt refreshing, as though it were clearing my head.

I was standing in front of my private lab at the edge of the North Forest.

The first thing I did upon returning to Acken Island was check on the lab I had established there.

The campfire at the center had grown much larger, its flames dancing steadily.

Yennekar’s cabin had been converted into a warehouse, while my own cabin had expanded into a large building that served as part of my private lab.

Normally, the academy would never allow a private research facility like this. But when I told them I preferred the North Forest, they quietly arranged it. Their consideration was evident.

Whenever I came here and sat quietly, watching the camp, I was overwhelmed with emotion.

I closed my eyes.

When I opened them, I saw a pathetic fallen noble who had been expelled from Ophelis Hall, sitting alone on a bench.

The boy had been cast aside with nothing to his name. Still, he refused to give up on living.

He entered the North Forest, set down his wooden bag, and sat there for a long time.

Eventually, he chose to act. He gathered leaves and branches to build a crude wooden shelter.

That was where the story began.

A small campfire was built in front of it. The boy sat on a tree stump beside it.

He made a workbench, a drying rack, a fishing rod, wooden shears, and more, placing them nearby.

The temporary shelter slowly improved. A girl occasionally visited to bring him food and chat. Another girl came to nap there. An underclassman passed by while training. A merchant girl appeared from time to time, proposing interesting deals.

One day, a small wooden warehouse was built, followed by a proper cabin.

The tools he crafted while sitting on that stump steadily improved.

The campfire grew large enough for a dozen people to gather around.

The sun rose and set. Rain fell. Snow accumulated. With each changing season, the camp expanded.

Now, when I looked around, I was surrounded by tall, neatly constructed buildings.

I watched the wood burn as I tossed the cigarette butt into the fire.

I had survived.

Yet a question inevitably followed all who survived.

How would they continue to live?

The past became the present, and eventually, it would become the future.

I no longer knew anything about .

After running forward relentlessly, I had reached the end of that story.

But the world itself had no ending. The only certainty was my eventual death. As long as I lived, I had to keep moving forward.

In the end, the ‘Cliff Point’ Silvenia had observed—the future where everything ended—never came to pass.

Even after the game’s scenario ended, the world continued onward, two years after Velbrok’s death.

Every scenario had an ending.

Did the ‘Cliff Point’—the endless darkness where all scenarios ceased—no longer exist?

Because I had entered this world as a variable, had that future vanished? Or was it merely postponed, with the world still drifting toward that eternal darkness?

There was no way to know.

The future was unknown.

Until now, I had confronted every crisis using knowledge of the future I had taken for granted. That alone was abnormal.

The future was meant to be uncertain.

That was why we lived.

Because we did not know what awaited us, we continued to live.

“You were here.”

A voice spoke from behind me.

I turned to see a familiar face—Taylee McLaure.

I was surprised to see him.

A lot had happened between us, and despite the time that had passed, we had never truly reconciled.

Taylee sat across from the campfire and set down the sword he carried. He bowed his head quietly.

“Thank you for everything.”

It was unexpected. Even at my graduation, he had never addressed me with such sincerity.

“…You’ll be graduating soon as well.”

“…Yes. Since you became a professor right after graduating, I kept seeing you on campus. But after I graduate, I don’t think we’ll have many chances to meet.”

He spoke without raising his head.

“Why are you acting like this all of a sudden? Like you said, we probably won’t see each other again.”

“I know, but… when I look back, you were always there during the most important moments of my life.”

I wished he wouldn’t think that way. Taylee McLaure was meant to walk the path of a hero. Still, from his perspective, it was an understandable misunderstanding.

I had helped him grow stronger so that he could stand on the final stage and defeat Velbrok. That was all I had ever intended.

Now that his role was fulfilled, I felt no particular attachment.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t thank you sooner. I misunderstood you many times and held resentment toward you… but in the end… Ed—no, Professor Ed—you were always right.”

“There’s no need to thank me. You had your own struggles.”

I had never harbored ill will toward Taylee. In truth, I was often the one who forced him into hardship.

But he endured. He completed his role and stood until the very end.

There was nothing more to say.

“I just wanted to see you one last time before graduation.”

I looked at him quietly, then nodded.

“…Alright.”

Taylee picked up his sword.

He had become a swordsman whose name would be etched into history. After graduating from Silvenia Academy, he would walk his own path, traveling with Ayla.

He would accomplish many feats and live a radiant life as a hero.

He passed by me, continuing down the forest path.

As I watched him go, I remembered sitting injured in my room, staring blankly at a computer screen.

Through every hardship on that screen, Taylee never failed. He lived as a hero, basking in the spotlight.

Though it was a story beyond my screen, it had felt like salvation during the days I was trapped in my room, unable to adapt to peace.

Even if it was fictional, even if it ignored the extras beneath the stage, watching it unfold had saved me.

The story of those who overcame hardship was enough to save another.

“Hey, Taylee.”

I called out one last time. He turned back, puzzled.

After a brief pause, I poked the fire with a poker, tossed it aside, and said, “Good luck.”

That was all.

Taylee looked back once more, offered his thanks, and continued on his way.

The road sometimes split and merged, but it always went on.

As long as life allowed, it would continue onward.

***

The number of children aspiring to become first-year students at Silvenia Academy had not decreased.

Despite the calamity that scarred it, the academy continued to produce heroes. Its reputation only grew.

Taylee McLaure, the swordsman who slew the dragon.

Ayla Triss, inheritor of the title of Great Sage.

Ziggs Eiffelstein, hero of the Northern Grasslands.

Clevius Nortondale, the Demonblade who mastered Blood Swordsmanship.

Elvira Aniston, the innovative alchemist.

Penia Elias Kroel, the next empress of the Kroel Empire.

And Lortel Kehelland, the next director of the Elte Company.

The generation of protagonists graduated under radiant acclaim, praised at their ceremony, destined to live on as heroes etched into imperial history.

And Silvenia Academy, where they had grown, still stood proudly on Acken Island.

It existed to foster new heroes and nurture talents who would shape the next era.

Without hesitation, new students continued to flock there.

***

“Wow…”

A young boy clutching a magic wand stared at the crowd of prospective freshmen gathered at the entrance to the North Forest.

Children from prestigious houses filled the area. The boy, hailing from a distant village, looked around in awe.

His childhood friend patted him on the back.

“Don’t get discouraged, Felim!”

“H-Hey, Elia! Who’s discouraged?!”

“Anyone can tell you’re scared—you’re shaking! In times like this, you have to act confident! Don’t let it show you’re from a village! When it comes to effort, you won’t lose to anyone!”

The girl cheered him on as he tightened his grip on the wand. Slowly, he regained his composure.

“T-That’s right… When I work hard, I won’t lose to anyone!”

As he focused, a tall man walked through the crowd.

The area erupted.

“Th-That’s Ed Rothstaylor…!”

“I-It’s really him…!”

“Shh! He’ll hear you! He’s the professor overseeing admissions—of course he’s here!”

Though not much older, the title of professor and the cloak he wore intimidated the students.

Assistant Professor Trayciana followed behind him, taking notes. The pressure was suffocating.

Eventually, the man stepped forward. At Trayciana’s signal, the crowd fell silent.

With the North Forest at his back, he spoke.

“It must have been difficult to come this far. I’m sure each of you has your own reason for seeking admission to Silvenia. Unfortunately, only half of you will be accepted.”

Ed Rothstaylor delivered the harsh truth without expression.

Hearing his voice, which they had known only through rumor, filled the students with vigor. Only then did they truly feel they had stepped into Silvenia Academy.

At his signal, Trayciana stepped forward and released her magic.

Apparition Disks throughout the forest activated. Low-ranking monsters and spirit illusions appeared. Though harmless physically, being struck would inflict mental damage.

Roars echoed through the trees, reaching the entrance.

The prospective freshmen, inexperienced despite their backgrounds, swallowed nervously.

“You must reach the other side of the forest, at the Northern Cliffside. I won’t tell you how.”

Ed Rothstaylor closed his eyes.

“You only need to survive.”

That was the requirement.

Because survival was the most important thing.

Surviving at the academy.