The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide - Chapter 275

I once saw a stray cat chasing a butterfly while I walked down a quiet street.

Its eyes were drawn to the butterfly’s fluttering wings as it eagerly chased after them. Sadly, such butterflies were rarely ever caught by a cat’s small paws.

But eventually, that cat was led to a flower field that was full of butterflies. He watched them all fly high into the blue sky.

The sight of the butterfly flapping its wings looked like a flower in flight. The cat would keep following it all the way to the flower field.

It was an animal with no home. Nowhere to go back to.

Not tied down to anything, it spent its days simply chasing the butterfly… Before he knew it, the scenery around him had drastically changed. It was impossible for him to know just how far he had traveled since he first started chasing it.

But that didn’t matter.

The road was his home. For the cat that continuously chased butterflies for a long time, as if possessed, none of it was a major change to his life.

It would always fall asleep on the ground with the sky as its roof. And when the sun rose, it would continue its leisurely walk down the road.

Like that, time continued to pass by.

That was the life of a stray cat.

* * *

“Amputator Zellan.”

At the start of the new semester, the scenery of Silvenia was quite different than usual.

The students and faculty were all still full of energy, but as time passed, the campus would slowly become busier and wither away at their excitement.

At that moment, the atmosphere was like a flower that bloomed in the warm spring. Those who thought of their school life as a romantic journey would praise the atmosphere, calling it the most beautiful and brilliant moment of their lives.

“My old comrade… You should find her…”

Outside of the lively school atmosphere, there was a man who looked as if he was about to die.

My senior professor, Kaleid Roxster.

Seeing him rub at his chin like that was a rather pathetic sight. He had been hungover since early morning, but when he saw me smoking off in the corner, he waved his hand as he came over to me.

As for me, I was busy trying to come up with the curriculum for the semester’s Elemental Studies class. I was on my way to meet with the other professors.

That was when I ran into Professor Kaleid. When I saw him, I remembered I had something to ask.

The body of the ultimate wind spirit, Tyrcalaques.

When I showed him the ultimate artifact I had found in Yennekar’s hometown, Kaleid opened his eyes wide as he looked at me.

When I asked him how I should make good use of it, he ended up saying the name of the famous magician, ‘Amputator Zellan.’

“I don’t know where you found the body of an ultimate-rank spirit, but there’s no one on Acken Island that can afford such a thing.”

It was just a small, bead-like object, but its value was tremendous. It required a special type of magic power processing to properly utilize it.

“Ugh… Wait…I feel so nauseous…”

“Did you drink yesterday?”

“I did… Yesterday, the day before… Three days ago…”

I was no longer surprised to see Professor Kaleid drunk before school started.

He groaned for a moment as if he were on the verge of throwing up. He let out a deep exhale before he laid back on the bench.

“It’s something I found in Pulan.”

“Hey. I heard that you were causing a mess in Oldek for some internal dispute, so when did you make the time to go to Pulan? It seems our new professor had a very fruitful break this time.”

“I just did it all while doing the work the school assigned to me.”

I would’ve complained to him about how busy I was as I worked my ass off during the break, but I knew Professor Kaleid wouldn’t care about that.

“Anyway, my old friend Zellan was quite skilled when it came to processing artifacts like these. I still remember her quite clearly. She helped me a lot during the war with the non-humans.”

Inquisitor Glast, Outlaw Kaleid, Amputator Zellan.

The names of the three magicians who were said to have slaughtered the largest number of non-humans in the world. I heard countless stories about how they helped the Guardian Obel Forsyth, making great contributions to the subjugation of the non-humans in the northern regions.

However, Glast had tragically died and Kaleid had stepped away from the front lines to become a professor.

But where was Zellan now? And what is she doing?

“That girl must be old now… Maybe not a grandmother’s age yet. But an auntie…?”

“Can you think of a place she is?”

“Well… She’s someone who always disappears, only to show up in the most random of places… Still, they say for the past few years she’s been walking the Lamelin Mountain Range researching the archmage Glockt.”

Even though she was old, she was still full of energy and passion. After he said that, he took out some more tobacco. Professor Kaleid had an awful appearance, not suiting the image of a teacher.

“Glockt Elderbane?”

“Yeah. The one every magician on this continent is familiar with. That man has left behind many relics and magic engineering devices.”

Glockt Elderbane. A magician who was well-versed in all fields of magic. The relics and magic engineering devices left behind must all have been of a high level.

“Those items he used or studied when he was still alive are all over the place. However, there are rumors that a fully intact and completed item was hidden somewhere in the Lamelin Mountain Range.”

“I’ve never heard of that rumor before…”

“Me either. After all, if such rumors were well known, treasure hunters would have filled the entire mountain ranges, tearing everything down to find the treasure Glockt left behind.”

It was a bit of an exaggeration, but many people would have certainly searched every inch of the mountain range.

Glockt Elderbane was a famous magician. The book he wrote before his death was now worth thousands of gold coins alone. So, whatever was buried in the mountains was valuable in terms of magic research, historical significance, and monetary value…

“I think it’s just some stupid rumor, but it seems Zellan knows something.”

I didn’t know everything, but it seemed that Zellan was wandering around the Lamelin Mountain Range to find whatever Glockt had left behind.

“Hmm…”

“Why, do you have any guesses?”

“No. But as you know, I’m protecting Glockt’s favored pupil at my estate.”

“Ah. That small girl that’s like a stray cat.”

Lucy Mayreel.

A magician who was so powerful that she could control the world if she so pleased. However, at that moment she was taking a break and restoring the magic power she had lost.

“She was personally taught by the Archmage Glockt and lived with him in the Lamelin Mountain Range for several years. So, she probably knows Glockt’s past residence better than anyone else.”

“…Zellan would be happy to hear that.”

“Do you think if I tell her the location of Glockt’s past residence, she will help me process Tyrcalaques?”

“Of course. In fact, you could probably get money out of her as well.”

I felt like I was starting to learn more about the Amputator Zellan. She was curious, adventurous, and a decent person. I also heard that she was the one who asked the Abbess at Cledric Monastery to protect the non-humans.

Although she was nicknamed ‘Amputator’ after slaughtering countless non-humans, she still protected the young non-humans who did no harm.

“Though, I find it hard to believe that something was left behind in Glockt’s old residence…”

“You think so? Rather, don’t you think there is going to be something big, worthy of a famous archmage?”

I heard that Lucy left Glockt’s residence as soon as he died… Chances were that the residence was still exactly the same as when Lucy left it.

Of course, since it was a simple log cabin, it might have deteriorated and collapsed over time.

The problem was… How to find Zellan?

The issue was that the semester had started. I couldn’t just leave my responsibilities as a teacher behind. Like I said before, I needed to work my hardest given how much I was paid.

“Well, if it’s not urgent, you can just take your time to think about it. Or was there some reason you had to process the artifact right away?”

“That’s not it…” I sat on the bench as I continued to smoke my tobacco. “But I have some ideas…about Ultimate-rank Spiritual Skills…”

I continued to talk as I gathered magic power at my fingertips. At the tips of my fingers, a small amount of wind blew before fading away.

I was already fully accustomed to using the power of the high-ranking wind spirit Merilda. That was why it was time for me to move on to the next step. Professor Kaleid listened to me with a grin on his face.

“As expected, you’re wild.”

If I had to pick which one of us was wilder, I thought Professor Kaleid would be closer to it.

“Anyway, for the time being, I’ll just have to focus on my work as a professor… I can take my time and think things through. When I go back to my estate, I’ll try talking with Lucy. Though, I don’t have any plans to head back home soon.”

“Well, that can’t be helped. But as you know…things don’t always go as planned.”

“…Why would you say something so scary?”

“Well, no reason.”

Professor Kaleid laid back on the bench, laughing. Despite everything, he was still a good man.

* * *

“Professor Ed. All of the documents you asked for have been organized. Should I bring them to the classroom?”

“No, you can give it to me now. I’ll look over them when I have time.”

“Yes. Please wait a moment.”

In the laboratory that the school prepared for me, I had six different assistants. One of them was a clever guy holding a stack of documents. As I had asked him to do, he put the documents down on my desk one by one.

“Uhm… Professor Ed. May I ask you a personal question?”

“…What is it?”

“While I was reviewing Silvenia Academy’s academic records, I happened to see Lucy Mayreel’s records…”

He was a quick and smart kid, so I decided to take care of him. Hoping I could answer his questions and help him, I listened to what he had to say. But surprisingly, he ended up saying Lucy’s name.

“Uhm… What was Lucy like when you were a student?”

I was silent.

“Given how legendary Lucy is, she must have been a model for all the students…”

The name Lucy Mayreel was already a legend at Silvenia Academy.

Lucy had reached a point where all the students thought of her as an idol, even though she never graduated or finished her academic studies, as she had dropped out.

Still, made sense. Ever since entering Silvenia Academy, everything she had achieved went far beyond setting records at the school. She was reaching glorious achievements that would go down in the history of the empire as one of the greatest.

She had fought against the Holy Blue Dragon Velbrok for hours on her own. She neutralized the magic of the Great Sage Silvenia… No one could predict just what kind of monster she would grow up to become if her talent continued to blossom.

Because she was considered the most talented magician of this century, countless rumors about her circulated here in the school.

Intellectual appearance. Always walking with a sense of dignity and grace. Beautiful and thoughtful. She walked around with a gentle smile on her face, representing the students of Silvenia.

…Rumors were bound to be exaggerated, but anyone who knew Lucy Mayreel personally would know that was beyond ridiculous. Of course, there was no reason for Silvenia Academy to say otherwise. So, naturally, those false rumors were never proven wrong and only continued to grow bigger.

“She’s…like my idol…”

I was speechless for a moment, looking at this boy’s curious and innocent eyes. Even though he asked me what she was like in school… There was no way I could lie and say she was a hard-working student.

However, I couldn’t disrespectfully trample on the dreams and wild imagination of such a young child…

“…Lucy…”

Yes…I was also a part of the school. So, it only made sense for me to do things that benefited the school. And regardless of whether it was true or not, as long as it motivated the students to work hard, wasn’t that fine?

I couldn’t avoid answering any longer. I decided that sometimes, honesty was not the answer.

“Yes…Lucy… She was an incredible magician. One that every magician looked up to…”

“J-just like I thought… I always wondered what kind of person she was…”

It was a relief that her astronomical number of demerits and absences weren’t left behind in her academic records.

Thank the heavens she chose to drop out.

“Even though she could quickly master any magic without much ever, she never neglected her training and was always sincere.”

I… I felt kind of guilty saying such things…

Anyway, Lucy was stuck at the estate after losing her magic power… It wasn’t like anyone was going to meet her soon. And that way, I could at least motivate the student to study…

“I also want to become a magician like Lucy someday…”

“It’s possible if you work hard. Everything is achievable, so continue to work hard towards your goals.”

“Yes… I might be weak now, but I’ll do my best to someday be like Lucy.”

My assistant clenched both of his fists with a fire in his eyes.

Yeah… That was enough.

* * *

Once the semester started, Ed Rothstaylor was rarely ever able to return to his estate. It couldn’t be helped, as he was busy taking care of his job as a professor.

I miss Ed… It was only natural for her to start having such thoughts.

Lucy Mayreel lay on her bed in her pajamas, staring at the ceiling of her room.

It had already been a few years since she lost her magic power and entrusted herself to the Rothstaylor Estate. Now, she could handle some magic power on her own. But considering the enormous amount she used to wield in the past, that much was far too weak.

She shot flame from her fingertips, sending it flying into the air. She then raised her hand, grabbing ahold of it.

Even though years passed, she could now use beginner magic. Even though it wasn’t a powerful spell, in the hands of Lucy, that changed.

Veterans who had wielded knives for decades were able to overpower beasts with just their knives.

Although it was only beginner magic, Lucy’s magic power resonance was incredible. That meant she could use it infinitely by only requiring a small amount of magic power to cast it.

Even though it was just beginner fire magic, in the hands of Lucy, that power was completely different.

After staying at the Rothstaylor Mansion for so long, she had already learned the lifestyle patterns of the maids. Not having seen Ed Rothstaylor for some time now, the tip of her nose was starting to get itchy.

Looking up blankly at the ceiling, Lucy suddenly said, “…Maybe I should escape…”

…That was a sign of a major incident.