The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide - Chapter 253

Spirits had no concept of death.

Even if their throats were cut or their abdomens pierced, no matter how much they bled out they would simply return to a fluid state, recovering their magic power over a period of time.

After resting and recovering their magic power over a period of time, they would eventually be able to manifest again for their respective Elementalist.

However, they did have the concept of a lifespan. While there was no concept of death, there was lifespan… One might be confused as to what that meant.

It was a bit difficult to say that spirits necessarily died, but that didn’t mean that they were technically alive, either.

According to scholars in the field, there were different ways to refer to such a concept. However, it was most commonly known as “natural regression.”

In order for a spirit to exist in the world, it needed the magic power of an elementalist with spiritual resonance. If they were unable to raise their rank or they ran out of magic power, the spirit’s soul would remain in a fluid state, becoming a part of nature.

Sometimes, they might become a part of the flowing water or the blowing wind… Whatever the case, that natural regression was a part of their lifespan. They simply reverted back to a part of nature before eventually starting a new life of sorts as a low-ranking spirit.

However, after going through that natural regression, the memories they previously had ceased to exist.

Thus, they were in a constant cycle that was difficult to differentiate between an entirely new life and a continuing one.

That was the life of a spirit.

* * *

“Going all the way to Pulan to investigate a spirit that’s a bear the size of a mountain. Aren’t you working too hard? You were just given the title of professor not long ago.”

“I need to work for how much I was given. In fact, no matter how hard I work, I can’t repay what I have received. So, don’t worry about it.”

Two men were smoking in the garden in front of the new Trix Hall.

Ed Rothstaylor didn’t have a habit of smoking, but after hanging out with Professor Kaleid for work, he started smoking every so often.

Professor Kaleid, the head of the department, was wearing a fancy and well-decorated magician professor’s robe. He roughly threw the tobacco he smoked onto the ground.

“What did you even steal from the school to act like that?”

“Tanya was the one who held the negotiations, not me. So, there’s no point in asking me. Either way, since I was told to go on this business trip, I’ll just have to go and do my work. You have no problem taking over while I’m gone, right?”

While Ed Rothstaylor was away, Kaleid had taken over his duties as an advisor. That was because Assistant Professor Trayciana was not yet capable of doing her duties on her own.

Professor Kaleid hated working more than necessary, but he could only frown. He didn’t say anything in response.

Ed Rothstaylor got along with Professor Kaleid quite well after becoming a professor.

Everyone else was always respectful and nervous in front of Ed, as he was a well-respected nobleman. However, Kaleid was someone who never cared about differences in authority or manners.

After all, Silvenia Academy was a place where the virtue of learning was prioritized more than status. There was no need for Kaleid to show Ed any particular respect, especially because he was his senior.

However, there weren’t many people who were strong-minded enough to be able to treat the young master from one of the strongest and most powerful houses on the continent so casually.

Because Professor Kaleid had already experienced so much over his life, he was able to talk to Ed without hesitation or worry.

“I was planning to drink today… But that’s ruined. Ruined.”

“It would be better if you didn’t drink so much when school starts. Aren’t there more people watching you now that you’re the head of the department?”

“That’s true, but… How can I say no to the sweet taste of alcohol? And look at you, taking after me. Don’t smoke this stuff… It’s not good for your body.”

Sitting down on the bench in front of Trix Hall, he put his arms on the backrest as he looked up at the sky.

“When life is tough, alcohol tastes even sweeter. There will be a day when you can tell the difference between the liquor distilled from the Goron Mountains and the wine from the Pulan Mountains. What’s that saying? Life is still sweet, so the alcohol tastes bitter? Someday, you will understand that, too.”

Ed looked at Kaleid with a pitying expression.

“What’s with that expression?”

“If you keep acting pretentious, the students will start spreading bad rumors about you.”

“P-Pretentious?! Do you think it was pretentious…?!”

“Why are you suddenly talking about how alcohol tastes sweet when life’s hard…?”

“I thought that line was pretty cool though…”

“You sound like an alcoholic who has nothing to brag about besides your alcohol tolerance. At least in front of the students, hold back a little. It’s important that you maintain your image and authority as the head of the department.”

Ed could say anything he wanted to Kaleid.

Even though Kaleid was his direct superior, Ed still had his influence and status.

Because of that, strangely enough, there was a balance between them. They could both talk to each other without hesitation or worry. Others might see such a relationship as exhausting, but Ed rather enjoyed it, as there weren’t many people whom he could talk to as such.

“You’re quite harsh! Even though I’m the head of the department, look at you calling me a pretentious drunkard! This is why the alcohol is sweet.”

“Whatever. I submitted the reports and finished handing my duties over to you, so I’ll get going.”

“Alright. Seeing you take care of your job as a professor, your duties as a researcher, and even your title as a nobleman… You are so very busy.”

“If you know that, do your share. I’ll get going.”

Ed lifted his briefcase, which was full of papers. He then waved towards Kaleid to say goodbye. It was nearly time for his carriage to arrive.

“Hey, Ed.”

Kaleid suddenly called out to Ed, who was about to walk towards the stairs that go down the hiss Trix Hall was on.

“You’re a decent guy.”

Kaleid Roxster was the current head of the department who spent half of his life on the battlefield and in a lawless region. After becoming a war hero, he eventually became a professor at Silvenia.

He didn’t shave, was always drinking in the middle of the day and smoking. He was treated as an old man who was constantly scolded not only by the other department heads but even his junior professors.

But even though he acted like that, he was still a good person.

“Don’t end up like Glast or Zellan.”

Professor Kaleid exhaled the smoke from his tobacco as he spoke to Ed, who was looking back and holding onto his briefcase tightly.

The three heroes of the war against the non-humans.

Inquirer Glast, Outlaw Kaleid, Amputator Zellan.

Glast had passed away and Zelan was rumored to be wandering around the world, disillusioned with life.

Both of them were Kaleid’s comrades who fought alongside him on the battlefield, where their lives were constantly at risk.

Kaleid thought back to his comrades, whom he didn’t end things well with.

“I’ve seen too many decent guys end up unhappy and miserable for the most absurd reasons,” Kaleid lowered his head. “So, I’m hoping you won’t do the same.”

Ed stared at Kaleid for a moment. Slowly, he started to smile in disbelief.

When the dragon that roared in the sky quieted down and the stage, which seemed to last forever, had finally come to an end, he confirmed the end of that story by surviving a day where it wouldn’t be strange if they were to die at any second.

Everything else was just an after story.

They lived happily ever after—that was how most children’s books ended. The story always came to an end with that one sentence, and Kaleid wasn’t asking for anything more or less.

“Thanks for worrying about me.”

How else could Ed respond to him?

After saying his thanks, Ed began to make his way down the hill.

Professor Kaleid was left alone as he leaned back on the bench, looking up at the sky with a grin on his face.

“I must be worrying over nothing.”

* * *

“P-Professor Ed… After trying the elemental resonance theory you mentioned last time, my magic power resonance has definitely improved… It was difficult for me to accomplish this on my own, so… Uhm… I wanted to thank you…”

I was reading a book and waiting for the carriage to arrive at the entrance square in the commercial district.

After notifying Professor Kaleid, I was ready to head straight for Pulan. The coachman I had hired in advance was on his way to Acken Island from Baroness Palerover’s estate with Yennekar.

Once Yennekar arrived, we were set to take a half day’s rest before departing for Pulan. Yennekar must have also been quite excited about it, as it would be her first time back on the school grounds in a long time.

“S-So… I… uhm… Have a gift for you…”

While I sat near the fountain, a student I was familiar with came over and started to fidget around while talking to me.

She was the girl who always sat at the very front of my elemental studies class, listening to my lectures with bright eyes.

Since I was only human, I couldn’t help but show more affection towards students who showed a good attitude in my classes. Seeing her work hard reminded me of myself when I was a student, so I gave her some advice regarding elemental magic.

The girl had neatly trimmed bangs with a small hairpin. She held out a small box to me rather hesitantly.

“I-I’m not that skilled, and… I’m lacking in many ways, and… It might not be to your liking…!”

“…”

“But I still wanted to give you something in return… What you taught me was really helpful, so…I just wanted to show my thanks…”

I reached out to accept the beautifully wrapped box.

“I see. Thanks. You’re Fiora from House Kelcus, right?”

“Yes! You remembered my name…!”

“I remember the names of all of the students I am in charge of. However, giving and receiving money or personal gifts like this can cause issues, so it would be better to refrain from doing so from now on. However, since this doesn’t seem like money or anything like that, I will gladly accept it with my utmost sincerity.”

“Th-Thanks you…! I hadn’t thought of that. I’m sorry if I was a bother!”

“No, of course you weren’t a bother. I was just telling you as a precaution. Thank you for your gift.”

After giving my honest thanks, she continued to stand around, fiddling with her fingers.

It seemed like she wanted me to open it there.

It wasn’t a difficult request. However, the moment I was about to open the box…

Neigh!

Clip-Clop.

The sound of a tired horse slowly approached.

After finishing the entry procedures at Silvenia Academy, a large carriage came down the road leading to the entrance plaza in the commercial district.

The engraved cosmos of Baroness Palerover’s house that was on the carriage wasn’t particularly flashy, but it did look expensive.

The carriage stopped right in front of me in the bustling commercial district, and the door slowly opened.

Baroness Yennekar, master of the House Palerover, slowly stepped out.

It was a name that every trained Elementalist in the empire knew well. Yennekar Palerover, who was a genius elementalist who acted as the shield of Rothstaylor, drew everyone’s attention nearby.

I wasn’t surprised, as I saw her often, but to the other students in the square, it must have been a fascinating sight.

Because of her modest nature, Yennekar Palerover didn’t like to wear flashy dresses.

Rather, she preferred wearing a modest blouse and skirt that was embroidered with various flowers.

The embroidered flower patterns on her outfit were still gorgeous enough to maintain her dignity and status as a noble. However, the dress was still relatively simple, making her look less intimidating.

Yennekar held her skirt up as she stepped down from the carriage, looking around. Silvenia Academy had changed quite a bit since she was last there.

“You’re here, Yennekar.”

“Ed!”

Yennekar had a bright smile on her face as she came towards us. However, suddenly looking over at the blushing girl next to me, her expression briefly stiffened.

And when Fiora looked up, seeing the legendary Elementalist suddenly appear, she also froze.

“Who is this…? Ah, is she one of your students?”

“Yes. This is Fiora from House Kelcus in the Northeastern Plains. She’s a star student of mine. Say hello.”

The opportunity to meet the great Yennekar Palerover was something she could have never imagined. It was a great honor for Fiora.

However, Yennekar looked down at the box in my hand, then back up at Fiora, who was acting shy… She then broke into a cold sweat as her eyes trembled.

“E-Ed…are you really close with your students?”

“No, not particularly. But I don’t mistreat them, either. After all, they’re the kids I have to teach.”

“I see… Of course… Thank you for giving a present to the young master of Rothstaylor, Fiora…”

“P-Pardon…? Ah, yes of course…”

Yennekar thanked Fiora, although her eyes still trembled as if she were afraid of something.

After greeting each other, Yennekar continued to stare at Fiora as if she were deep in thought. She then turned her head towards me.

“E-Ed! We have to act like we always do! Just like how people sleep and breathe, we need to act like we always do!”

“What?”

“Ahaha, Ed. You silly…! You already forgot….? Alright, here… My…forehead…”

Despite everyone looking our way, Yennekar still came over and lifted her bangs, putting her forehead right toward my nose.

Now I understood what she was getting at. She was trying to get me to kiss her forehead, which we had been unable to do so far.

It was strange that she would boldly try to push her forehead towards me in a place where so many people were watching.

No matter how many times we tried, she would get embarrassed and start bleeding from her nose… But maybe because we were heading to Pulan soon, she was starting to try even harder.

Since Yennekar was going to be helping me with my research, it was only right that I helped her as well.

So, I slowly wrapped my arms around her shoulder as I gave her forehead a kiss.

Yennekar had become as hot as a furnace in that brief moment. She let out a gasp as she blushed. She fidgeted around while holding her wand with both hands. It looked as if she was barely keeping it together.

When we first kissed, I remember that she was the one who came onto me first… Just how much courage had she gathered back then? Seeing the way she was acting now, made me want to applaud her for what she had accomplished back then.

“This…”

It wouldn’t be strange if Yennekar were to suddenly faint, yet she still managed to open her mouth and exclaimed in one breath, “This is nothing! We kiss every day so this much is nothing and it’s not like I feel especially embarrassed by it or anything like that! A kiss like this is nothing more than a greeting between us!”

I wanted to tell her to take a deep breath before trying to speak, but if I suddenly corrected her, I had the feeling she would pass out and die from embarrassment.

Yennekar then put her bangs back down as she looked towards Fiora.

“Oh my, I’m sorry about that! You must have been flustered! But this is something we do every day.”

“O-Oh…”

“Yes! Well, we should head to Pulan as soon as possible to finish the research! We should leave right now, right Ed?!”

“What? I’m sure you had a hard time coming straight here from the Rothstaylor Estate, so you should take a break first. After you look around the school, we can leave a bit later…”

“No! We need to go now! Stop procrastinating! Come on! Let’s go!”

She grabbed my arm as she pulled me along, all the way toward the carriage.

I didn’t particularly care, as it was something that I did want to take care of quickly. However, I had purposely made some time in the schedule because I figured she would be tired after traveling such a long way.

But she didn’t want to rest, instead pushing me inside. I had no choice but to nod my head and follow along.

Slam!

The carriage door was shut tight. Through the window, I could see Fiora’s puzzled expression.

A breeze passed by as she stared blankly at the carriage that slowly went away. Holding down her hair in the wind, Fiora could only watch as the carriage quietly left.

* * *

“Wow, these cookies are delicious! Wait! Never mind, they’re not that good!”

Yennekar had eaten nearly all of the handmade cookies that Fiora had given me.

“They’re not good! But, I mean… well… she worked hard to make these… So I shouldn’t just say that they’re not good like that… That wouldn’t be polite to the person who made them…”

I watched the cookies disappear without a word.

“Whatever, they’re bad! I don’t care!”

Was she talking to herself…? After eating as much as she wanted, she was now reviewing the cookies and declaring that they weren’t tasty.

However, being the kind person she was, Yennekar couldn’t bring herself to simply ignore all of the effort and sincerity that went into making them.

If you made up your mind, you had to see it through to the end. But Yennekar couldn’t bring herself to do it. It was funny to watch her go back and forth. No matter how badly she wanted to insult them, she couldn’t bring herself to go all the way.

“Aren’t you tired, Yennekar?”

“I think it would have been more tiring to stay at the school any longer…”

The carriage we were in was heading towards Pulan from Acken Island.

From the window, I could see countless flowers blooming across the plains.

Seeing the butterflies fly under the warm sunlight was a peaceful sight. The sound of the wheels of the carriage rolling along and the occasional whip of the coachman created a very relaxing atmosphere.

“So… Do you often get gifts like these…?”

“What? From my students?”

“Yeah.”

After thinking about it for a moment, I answered.

“I get quite a lot. I’m lucky to have so many students wanting to show me their appreciation for what I teach them. When I was a student, I never thought much of it… But after becoming a professor, I came to appreciate such gestures. Well, back then my life was always in danger, so I didn’t have the time to give the professors gifts of my own.”

“I-I see… You get quite a lot of them…”

“Yeah.”

Yennekar looked down for a moment. She hesitated for a moment before saying, “By the way… It’s not like I’m jealous or anything… No, let me correct what I just said.”

It seemed that Yennekar had just changed her mind like she always did. After taking in a deep breath, she spoke with a dignified expression on her face. “I am jealous.”

“It’s a bit disappointing for you to just say that with such a grand expression on your face…”

“I-I know that, too! But what can I do about feeling jealous?!”

“…”

“F-From my experience, when I’m jealous, acting only makes me more miserable!”

“I see… It’s important to learn from your experiences…”

“But admitting that I’m jealous also makes me miserable and pathetic… What the hell…? No matter what I do, do I have no choice but to stay miserable…?”

“Well, do you really have to feel so miserable?”

After thinking about how I should comfort Yennekar, I just ended up saying whatever was on my mind.

“Well, I think I would be the same in your position. If you were talking to another guy as if you were close to them, I might also get jealous.”

“Y-You? Jealous? Of me?”

“I told you. I take great pride in being close with you.”

“R-Really…?!”

I only spoke hypothetically, but Yennekar still fidgeted as her lips went up, as if she were happy to hear that.

“But that would never happen… Another guy aside from you, Ed—I can’t even imagine it…”

“Aside from getting to know other men, now that you’re a noble it would be a good idea to get to know other people as well.”

“Well… I like how everyone treated me comfortably when I was a student. But after becoming a baroness, I don’t know how to behave anymore… It’s quite troubling.”

“It’ll get better with time.”

“But because I act like this, it feels like I’m the only one who ever loses! Technically speaking, I’m the only one who can get jealous…!”

Yennekar shook her head as she spoke. She then let out a heavy sigh, as if she were done with it all.

“Haa…”

She was exhausted after handling all of her pent-up emotions. As for the reason behind that…

“I guess I’m just a jealous person.”

“People can’t have only positive emotions, right?”

“Still, I don’t want to be a burden to you, Ed.”

“You aren’t.”

“But even now, I’m being a bother to you about this nonsense.”

“Isn’t talking about this nonsense what makes us so close?”

Seeing Yennekar so depressed and frustrated with her emotions, I couldn’t leave her alone. So, I cleared my throat and made it clear.

“I told you this before. What kind of relationship is it when you don’t bother each other sometimes? I’m indebted to you, just like you are indebted to me. That’s why the two of us can be so close.”

“Is that so…? I guess you’re right. There’s no such thing as a fated and promised relationship like a prince and princess in a fairytale…. Yeah, this is reality.”

After saying that, all of a sudden Yennekar started fiddling around in her seat.

It seemed that she was still as embarrassed as she always was. She must have belatedly realized that she had just compared us to a prince and princess in a fairytale.

“No, what I meant was…!”

Hahaha. You are all still so full of energy.

The moment Yennekar’s face turned red and she was about to say something, a wind spirit manifested in the seat across from me in the carriage.

The normal shape of the spirit was a wolf the size of a modest house, but at the moment, she was in a smaller form that minimized the consumption of magic power.

“Merilda.”

[It seems like the two of you don’t need me here as a travel companion. Still, there’s something I wanted to tell you.]

In the carriage to Pulan, the high-ranking wind spirit Merilda—who had been quiet up until that point—cleared her throat… She then continued to speak.

[It’s about the ultimate wind spirit Tyrcalaques… I am recommending that the two of you not look any further into the final moments of that massive bear.]

Merilda wasn’t the type to suddenly show up just because she wanted to.

However, as if she had something she needed to tell us, she sat across from us, kicking her pale bare feet in the air.