The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide - Chapter 81

[Clevius.

I may be destined to live in the gutter for the rest of my life. It’s unfair to simply say it’s the fault of my being born this way, but it’s better to not put up a struggle.

Even if you didn’t intend for it, the blood staining my hands won’t fade away.

As your father, I feel miserable.

I’m sure one day you’ll have a bright future. The ordeal you are going through now is only temporary… is what I want to say. I want to give you hope, saying that everything can be overcome.

But if I comfort you with such lies, it would be nothing more than avoiding reality.

Thus, I have no choice but to speak truthfully with you.

You are likely to live a gloomy and miserable life. More often than not, your efforts will not be rewarded.

There will be many times where you are living in the dark underground, longing for a mere ray of sunlight to shine through.

However, Clevius, I do believe that a life without light is also worth living. Even living a life in such an endless cave, I believe that meaning can be found.

I’m not saying these nice things to comfort you. I believe that the time will surely come where you will understand what I’m trying to tell you.

As you live on, I’m sure there will be times you resent the fact you were born with such blood.

You will also meet many people that live bright, dazzling lives in comparison to your miserable one.

Naturally, you will feel a sense of deprivation. Fight against your heart, which may believe it’s unfair and disappointing.

Why do I have to keep on living? Just what is the point in this type of life…? Rid yourself of such emotional thoughts.

As long as you keep on living with your head high, later on that meaning will somehow find its way to you.

I’m sorry that this is all I can tell you. But nevertheless, I truly believe it.

In your life, surely, there must be some value.]

***

“I-It’s my defeat…”

“Good work.”

Breaking the magic power stone that the student brought, I waved farewell to the underclassmen whose name I didn’t know.

I then sat back down on the altar as I took a rest. My whole body was aching, as all of this was no easy task.

With that, there were four students. The time remaining for the class assignment exam was also nearing the end, as the number of students that had reached the altar were smaller than I expected.

The most difficult one to deal with was the first student to arrive, Joseph. Honestly speaking, he deserved to pass. The fact that he had gotten through the apparitions so quickly without trouble meant that he was more than capable.

It was natural that the more a student struggled through the process to reach that point, their practical skills would also decline. Actually, the fact that he could do all of that as a freshman was quite amazing.

But it seemed that most of the freshmen that were following behind Joseph had been stopped by Anise or Clevius. It was a bit harsh to pit them against a soon-to-be third year student that is an honor student in the magic department or the soon-to-be second year top student in the combat department after they were already completely exhausted climbing up the mountain.

Already, most of the students had been knocked out by those two while the majority of the rest had used evasive magic to run past them or hidden magic to sneak past them.

Rather than fighting head on, they were students that used tricks.

In fact, their way of thinking was rather flexible and out of the box, which was something deserving of praise. But in the end, they had to show themselves in front of the altar, so I ended up blocking all of them.

“Phew…”

Aside from Wade, the son of the military commander of the northern border, most of the first year were pretty much at the same level. But that guy, he was a part of the combat department, not the magic one.

Of course, there were geniuses that stood out when compared to the average of their year like Joseph and Eigg.

But compared to the upcoming second years, the so-called ‘Protagonist Generation’… it was a fact that the pool of talent was rather small. Though, that generation was a miracle and didn’t at all mean that the current incoming students were low-level.

“The exam was simpler than I thought.”

The exam was nearing its end. I sat patiently on the altar as I let out a deep sigh.

The freshmen class assignment examination was not a main storyline within .

From the perspective of the protagonist generation, the news regarding the event was only at a level where you would think ‘Oh, there was something like that going on.’

Therefore, from my point of view there were many parts in regard to how the exam would progress that I couldn’t predict. It was too difficult to fully grasp all of the details.

However, there was still one thing I was questioning.

Assistant Professor Cleoh, who had lost her mind, failed to control the level of difficulty. Thus, none of the students were accepted into Class A.

Among all of the freshmen, given the exam’s difficulty, how did not even one student manage to have the power to pass through it?

Even Wade, who would take the spot as the top student amongst the freshmen, couldn’t guarantee his victory.

Whatever had popped out of the purple apparition disks, he should have had the power to somehow defeat it… So, it was strange that he didn’t even manage to make it into Class A.

“…Maybe they didn’t want to stand out.”

In fact, that was close to the answer.

I sat still on the altar as I caught my breath, looking up at the open sky. I had prepared all sorts of things, but I guess there was no use for it.

I quietly sat hoping that the exam would end like that.

***

Clarice’s earliest memory as a saint came from when she baptized the Kroel Empire’s Betis Margrave.

When she was just a short young girl, she drew the holy cross with her hand, wetted by the holy water as she put a red silk cloth symbolizing God’s servant on the Margrave’s shoulder. The image of the Margrave, who looked as if he was most honored with his head bowed, was etched into the girl’s mind.

And then it was Viscount Selah, who protected the Sale Lakeside.

And then, the head of House Rothstaylor, Duke Krepin.

Even though she was called a girl, Clarice was actually more like a child. The image of Krepin kneeling before such a girl, showing his respect… Even though a lot of time had passed since then, Clarice clearly remembered that moment.

Among all the dukes, he was the only one that had yet to be baptized by the Telos Religious Group. So, Clarice was worried that he may have had some animosity towards them. His sudden support for the Telos Religious Group had left some people doubtful and suspicious.

However, his appearance at the baptizing ceremony was unexpectedly that of an ideal monarch himself.

A benevolent, dignified, wise, and understanding person.

Not only was it Krepin, but the family and servants he had brought with him were all overflowing with grace. Clarice then understood that ‘this was a real, proper aristocrat.’

Among them, there was the heir to the house, who always showed elegance with a beautiful smile. Arwen Rothstaylor sat in the seat reserved for honored guests.

That was the class that came from an esteemed daughter. She couldn’t help but think that upon seeing her.

The highest duke of the empire would indeed have elegance with everything. For a young Clarice, all of that seemed unfamiliar to her.

All members of the Rothstaylor Family were elegant and greatly understanding. Surely, if you grew up in such an environment, you couldn’t help but be the same.

He was a person that could surely overcome any hardships.

Before she realized it, Clarice had formed such a preconceived idea.

“Haah… Huff…”

Tanya was shaking, barely managing to stand up straight as she heavily exhaled.

Halfway up the mountain, there was an ‘apparition disk’ trap. As soon as you neared the vicinity of it, you would lose your mind and fall into the magically engineered trap. You would be forced to fight against an illusionary enemy.

Of course, it was only an exam, so she wouldn’t actually get injured.

But for a freshman with no proper combat experience to deal with various monsters and wild animals, even if it was only an apparition, it was still a huge mental rush.

Thus was the case with Tanya.

“Haah… Haah…”

Tanya stood, leaning against a nearby tree as she wiped off the cold sweat from her body.

If she had made a mistake, the apparition would have stabbed right through her with a blade. Had she not quickly usedWind Bladeto defeat the goblin, there would have been a hole right through her stomach.

Of course, she wouldn’t feel any pain, nor would she be hurt, but… Her legs kept on shaking.

As they approached the summit, all kinds of apparitions had a surprise attack on Tanya’s mind.

It was not just once or twice, but several times already. Her fingernails had pushed back into her skin from all the combat, and she had even been stabbed a few times.

Whenever that happened, she had felt as if her vitality had been significantly drained. Now just going up the hill was no easy task. Mentally she was quite preoccupied too.

“Here, look at this. Pinecones!”

“It’s amazing that something so small can be planted into the ground and become such a large tree!”

“Wow! Look. The leaves here and there each have a slightly different color. Maybe it’s because the amount of sun they receive is different?”

“I wonder if this mushroom is edible. Hmm…”

However, unsure if the person tagging along with Tanya knew of her current state, she kept looking around excitedly as if she was on a picnic.

With just all of those apparition devices and magic set up, just how could that girl run around and be so excited?

In the first place, seeing as she looked perfectly fine, it didn’t seem like the magically engineered items had any significant impact on the girl.

Thinking it was strange, Tanya took a look at Kylie, but there weren’t any signs of anything like defensive magic on her.

“How should I say this… I have a unique constitution.”

“Constitution?”

Sensing that Tanya was curious, Kylie grinned as she spoke vaguely.

“It’s complicated to explain it in detail… Also, there isn’t much time left in the exam, right? Look over there, it’s not much further to the summit. First, let’s go and finish this exam!”

Tanya glanced back at Kylie with sunken eyes.

Until they had gotten close to the summit, climbing halfway up the hill, Kylie was just looking around excitedly like a kid on a picnic.

Even though she said she would help with the exam, all she had been doing was walking around the mountain.

“You’re amazing too, Tanya… In fact, since the exam is so difficult, it would have been fine to give up halfway through… and I’m sure there are many students that have given up, so there aren’t many left taking the test.”

“That’s true, but… I really want to enter Class A…”

Tanya cleaned off her skirt as she stood up and set her shoulders wide again.

“It can’t be helped if I’m not good enough. Even then, I still should do everything that I can! Giving up would be most embarrassing!”

“Is that so? Even if you don’t get into Class A… You are still very beautiful and honorable. You’re kind-hearted, and you have your own skill in magic.”

“Oh my, so you know how to compliment. I appreciate it, but still. I’m not satisfied with just that.”

Tanya took a deep breath as she proudly spoke.

“The moment you lose the desire to advance, that is when you completely stop as a person…!”

“I-Is that so…?!”

“Kylie, you may not know since you are from the border, but for those with a higher status, there’s a responsibility and burden that comes with it!”

Kyle’s eyes started to twinkle as she clasped her hands and nodded her head. Tanya felt some sort of unknown sense of satisfaction.

In fact… being a villainous esteemed daughter, she also had her own share of followers.

Even though Tanya didn’t do anything special, as an esteemed daughter other girls would always hover next to her, agreeing like a clique.

Tanya thought that it wasn’t right to be so blatantly fake without a justified reason. But at the same time, it was still a good feeling to her nonetheless…!

The look of respect and admiration towards her that made her out to be an amazing person… It wasn’t as bad as she thought…!

“Indeed…! What you are saying is completely true…!”

“Hmph…”

It was all the more fatal because Tanya had a strong desire to be recognized. Kyle Eckner… her reactions were especially good…!

A strong reaction that came from ‘sincerity’. Kylie was genuinely sympathetic to Tanya’s long-winded rhetoric of high status and the weight of responsibility.

…’Sympathetic’?

Tanya felt that something was wrong for a brief moment. Still, the ongoing exam right in front of her was more important than that.

“I guess it really is important to try your best in everything. I think seeing you work so hard like this, I’m also getting stimulated!”

“A-Alright! You should always do your best in everything, and not live a life in vain, so you can naturally gain prestige…!”

“As expected, people from House Rothstaylor are all so hardworking and thoughtful!”

Clenching her two fists, pumping them up in the air towards Tanya, Kylie passionately nodded her head in agreement. Then, right when Tanya was about to be proud that she had once again shown the high status of House Rothstaylor…

“You don’t even see me as a human being in the first place, do you?”

“So, what are you going to do? What even can you do? Will you try and kill me? Our sister Arwen has already left us, so once I’m dead you will take my place as successor.”

“Alright, then try and stab me. Okay, here’s a ceremonial dagger. Now, put it right through my chest. Here, just like this… I’ll put it in your hand.”

“…Not all of us are like that.”

“Pardon?”

Tanya was still in the midst of confusion.

Ed’s appearance at the camp was as if he had completely turned over a new leaf, but… She still wasn’t convinced that he wasn’t still like when he was younger.

The imprinted horrors still lingered in a corner of Tanya’s heart.

Ed Rothstaylor was the worst of the worst. There was no way that such a person could change his heart so easily… That conviction wouldn’t go away so easily.

“Not all of us are. No matter how much power a house might have, after years of existence, even a piece of shit… A ridiculous, unbelievable jerk will come out…”

“…Then… Who…?”

Kylie couldn’t finish her sentence as Tanya’s tone of voice lowered.

Maybe she blamed herself for the dreary mood as Kylie hesitatingly changed the topic of conversation.

“A-Anyway, if that is what you think, Miss Tanya, then I will do my best to help you both physically and mentally! Let’s both proudly get into class A!”

Seeing her fist clenched, Kyle quickly cheered her up, worried that her first friend that was the same age as her may have gotten offended.

“I… I appreciate your support, but what do you mean you are going to help me?”

“Ah… Even though I’m like this… I do have a specialty. Once you see it, you’ll be so surprised. But there are times… When I can’t control it as I desire…”

Just what was so exciting for Kylie to be grinning like that? Tanya only let out a fleeting sigh.

***

“But Ziggs… Why did you even join the magic department? Even though I’m a part of the magic department, it’s such a shame for you to follow me, given all your other talents.”

Next to the northern grassland of the empire, the Islam Barony was a land of archaeology that had produced numerous historians.

Because of that, even though it was a relatively small territory, it has its own status amongst aristocrats.

The librarian Elka Islam, a longtime connection to Ziggs and now practically a companion in life, was looking out the window of the wobbly carriage

They came quite far from Acken Island, which was in the southwestern part of the continent. She was already happy, thinking of finally seeing the faces of family and vestiges back home after such a long time.

Sitting down across from the girl was ‘The Spear of Nature’ Ziggs. Quietly chewing on some snacks, he tilted his head as he looked towards Elka.

Getting bored on the long journey, she had chatted on about this and that, but the topic was completely out of the blue.

Ziggs was an all-around person in every field.

He knew how to use one-handed swords, large swords, long spears, short spears, knuckles, bow, blunt instruments, and was already close to mastering intermediate magic. His knowledge of alchemy was also outstanding, to the point where he had even more knowledge in certain areas than the alchemy students.

In addition to that, most of it was all ‘practical knowledge.’ Because his knowledge surpassed an academic level, it had a much greater meaning.

He was a ‘perfect individual’ that got top grades no matter what he did.

“Why are you bringing that up all of a sudden?”

“If you went to the combat or alchemy department, you would have been the top student. I just feel a little bad, since it feels like you gave up all of those benefits because of me.”

However, in the magic department there was a rare monster that sat at the top.

Lucy Mayreel was a massive wall that couldn’t be faced off against, no matter your ability or knowledge.

Since she had a lazy temperament and didn’t do much, she could be seen as a corpse that played around the campus. But if she so decided, she could become the best student in history, surpassing the title of just being the best in her grade.

In a carefree manner, Ziggs glanced at Elka, who was looking back at him hesitantly. He then started laughing, seeing Elka worry so much about it.

“I don’t value anything like that. It’s fine, Elka. So don’t worry too much.”

Then Ziggs added on.

“And I’m not sure about the alchemy department, but… in the first place, I wouldn’t have been able to be the top student in the combat department.”

***

Breathing heavily, the hand that was gripping his sword started to tremble.

Clevius already knew it himself. He could no longer become ‘unruly’ while holding the sword like in the past.

Ridding himself of the brutality he had, now no matter the action it would never return.

All that was left was the fear of cutting people down that was etched into his heart, which was the cause of his nausea.

The southern entrance of the altar was guarded by Clevius.

Not a single freshman had made their way through the southern entrance.

“Ahh… Shit… Haa… Phew… Haah…”

With twenty students, they all ended up losing their magic power stone from Clevius’ sword attack and flew back from the wind coming from the sword itself.

The freshmen that had gotten stuck in a nearby tree trembled in fear. It looked as if he detested the overwhelming difference in power.

However, it was actually the same for Clevius, who was shaking.

“Really… If you’re going to do that… don’t come at me… Please…”

Wiping off his cold sweat, which was frantically pouring, Clevius loosened his grip on his sword. It had been a long time since he had fought for that long.

Wielding a sword brought back bad memories. Then, he had lost his reasoning, but he still clearly remembered it. The sense of cutting through human flesh remained at his fingertips.

His sword rolled on the floor. The handle hit Clevius’ toe.

“Aghkkkkk-!!!”

As Clevius lost all strength in his legs, he sat down on the floor.

“Haaa…. Haaa… Haaa… Seriously… How did this happen… That’s right. Ed… Ed Rothstaylor…! Fucken bastard…!!!”

Ed was the one that came up with the idea in the first place.

Although Clevius was the one that had gotten caught up in the atmosphere and couldn’t say no, he still needed someone to blame it on anyway.

Suddenly, Clevius began to succumb to the evil in his miserable self.

A gloomy and dreary person.

A person that couldn’t overcome his own natural blood and the trauma that came from it. One who couldn’t say anything positive, but instead could only complain and say hateful things.

Just looking at his own shaggy and sunken appearance made him depressed.

A premature baby. A murderer. Ghost Sword. A disgrace to the house. A defect. A mutant.

After becoming numb to all the obscenities he carried, he managed to escape to Silvenia. However, it was the same there, too.

If I am going to live so miserable like this til the day I die, just what’s the point in living?

“Oh my, it seems there are still trials that we have to pass through.”

He thought that the exam was nearly over, but there were still a few visitors left.

That was the point where the apparition-type magically engineered items had stopped being set up. At the entrance of the altar, two girls stood a far distance away, staring at Clevius.

One girl had nicely kept blond hair that flowed down her back. The other was a girl with brown hair that fell down to her waist, and she seemed strangely benevolent, a warmth to her aura.

He didn’t know who she was, but he did know the other girl. The esteemed daughter of House Rothstaylor, who had taken part of this exam.

“Alright… Haah… I’m a little tired, though…”

Clevius Nortondale was a human with a life in the shadows.

He would probably spend the entirety of his life down in the gutters.

What about Tanya Rothstaylor? Within that prestigious family, she would properly lead a glorious and bright life, receiving the favor of those around her.

Thinking over just what type of life the two of them would live until the day they died, he could once again feel the difference between them as the evil came out.

Clevius then picked up his sword again.

The cursed blood, the neglect of his family, a life where he would not once shine until the day he dies.

He no longer felt anything towards his father’s words, words from a man that was so irresponsibly convinced that even his life would be worthwhile.

“I am sorry, but… I’m not… in the best mood…”

After taking a deep breath, he stood up from his seat.

Grinding his teeth, the sword he took out had a reddish energy covering it. The cold air of the winter created steam around his mouth. He glared angrily towards Tanya and Kylie.

“I’ll finish this quickly.”

BANG!

“Oh, geez… was that holy magic spell too strong…? A-Are you okay…?! N-Nothing broke anywhere, right?! Uhm… I guess I shouldn’t use holy magic that I’m not use to…!”

Clevius was knocked out by an unknown shock that came from behind him.

Now hanging from a nearby tree, Clevius couldn’t even tell what he had been hit by.

However, he could only hear the surprised voice of the girl with brown hair.

After closing his eyelids, the world blacked out.

Just before losing consciousness, Clevius lamented to himself.

It was extremely dark, so there was no light in his life.

A life with no value. This was miserable.

***

The light from the Substitute Altar was fading.

The sun, which was floating high in the sky, was also slowly fading away.

Twenty minutes before the end of the exam.

A time that was cutting it close. Most of the students had already been defeated or given up on the exam.

In fact, the overall picture of the exam was already nearing its conclusion.

Ed sat on the altar, staring at the two of them. Probably the last two visitors of the day.

Tanya swallowed her breath. It was a familiar face.

Once a subject of fear, a subject of hatred, now a subject that couldn’t be abbreviated in just a word.

Looking like a wreck, Ed Rothstaylor sat on the altar. There were traces of several fierce battles that he went through.

Sitting on the altar in front of the headstone, which was emitting a halo, he slowly exhaled a small breath that disappeared in the air.

He looked rather exhausted, so Tanya recognized that the situation was quite favorable to them right now.

“Older brother… I guess you are the last part of the exam.”

“I won’t say much. Just hand over your magic power stones.”

He stood up from the altar as he relaxed himself, taking out a dagger.

On the other hand, he was drawing out magic power from a magic power stone.

Most of the magicians from House Rothstaylor distinguished themselves with fire and wind. Since it ran in the family, Tanya was also the same.

However, the magic Tanya was capable of using was still only beginner level, and the proficiency was lacking. As a magician, she was average amongst the freshmen.

In the first place, Tanya wouldn’t be able to get into Class A with her combat abilities alone. All she was doing was trying her best.

“Did you say older brother… Then that person…? He’s from House Rothstaylor…?”

Kylie, who was standing next to her, looked back and forth between Ed and Tanya. Then, as she stood still completely stunned, suddenly Tanya’s frightened face caught her eye.

The setting sun. The red sky. Looking down from the high altar with a dagger in one hand, and a magic power stone in the other.

You couldn’t even see his expression as the sun was against his back. However, the cold glare that vaguely came through his hair told her that he was staring right at them.

“Not all of us are. No matter how much power a house may have, after years of existence, even a piece of shit… A ridiculous, unbelievable jerk will come out…”

Only then did Kylie notice. He was the terrible jerk that Tanya was talking about.

She didn’t know just what type of things he did to Tanya, but given how she was normally so confident and elegant, to suddenly become so panic-stricken… To some degree she started to think he wasn’t a good person.

Kylie fixed her posture as she stared right at Ed.

His hair was scorched and unruly from a series of battles.

The sleeves of his shirt were full of burn marks, and his pants were covered in dust and dirt, as if he had rolled around the ground.

The dagger in his hand seemed to be for ceremonial purposes, yet it had the traces of being used for a long period of time for survival. The fact that the blade itself was so neatly kept left a strong impression.

Kylie had a strange fantasy when it came to a male aristocrat.

All the more so when it came to a prestigious family like House Rothstaylor.

A clean appearance, gold-rimmed accessories, a gentle and embracing smile, and elegance that oozed from every gesture of the hand and step they took.

Imagining her prince charming that she would one day meet some place after traveling around the world… They would need to be such an aristocratic and elegant man.

In fact, it was a romance that made sense for a girl of her age to have at least once. That was especially true of Kylie, who had extremely little experience of seeing men.

But seeing the appearance of a person that seemed to embody the exact opposite of that… Kylie had gotten scared.

Strictly speaking, he was the exact opposite of her ideal type.

“Tanya.”

Finally, the boy had said her name. Tanya and Kylie stiffened for their own different reasons as they waited for the boy’s declaration of battle to follow.

“I’m sorry, but can you just head on back…?”

“……?”

Something completely unexpected came out of his mouth.

The boy was already a wreck, so he didn’t want to fight anymore. He was already at a point of exhaustion.

“But if you are still going to come… Come here…”

Sitting back on the altar again, he drew in magic power.

The exam was going to come to an end anyway. There was no reason to save the magic power stone any longer. Grabbing all the magic power stones that were left on the altar, Ed used all of the magic power using elementalist to ‘manifest’.

A headstone that was even larger than the pillars of a fairly large building.

Sitting on the top of it, a wolf made of wind had its tail wrapped around the headstone with its mouth open.

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaahk!”

An unmanageable violent wind blew. A violent wind, strong enough that it wouldn’t even be strange if it sent a person flying, was formed as the high-ranking wind spirit was manifested.

Tanya and Kylie managed to bear the weight of the wind by clutching onto a nearby stone structure. When the wind started to die down little by little, they couldn’t help but look up at the top of the headstone.

The size of it was that of a house. The magnificence of it was truly the same as the heavy storm itself.

Above Ed, who was sitting on the altar, a wolf that wrapped itself around the huge headstone looked down at the girl from the storm. Saliva dripped out of its torn mouth and the blue aura in its eyes had a magic power that exceeded any limit.

That was… a sight that went beyond any sense of reality. Before, he was completely useless, unable to even properly master beginner magic.

But now?

Just what was with that thing he summoned?

Tanya looked at Kylie as she clenched her teeth.

Right when she was going to ask Kylie if she was okay… Holding onto the stone pillar, Kylie spoke with eyes welling with tears.

“I’ll just leave.”

But you said you would help me until the end.

Even Tanya couldn’t question her like that.