The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide - Chapter 87

Since it hadn’t been that long since Ophelis Hall had been reconstructed, there was no way that it would be shaken from the snowstorm.

The management staff are all veterans and the majority of students residing there were esteemed and talented, so compared to Dex Hall or Lorail Hall, the atmosphere was rather peaceful.

Preparations were completed to manage heating and the maids had already prepared most of the necessary items that might be needed. Therefore, Ophelis Hall felt as if it was going through a long break rather than an ongoing disaster.

Because it was winter, walking down the corridors could sometimes feel a bit eerie due to how subtly dark it could get. However, the various rooms and facilities inside Ophelis Hall were lit by soft lights, which gave off a rather cozy feeling.

In the middle of each floor of the student hall, it felt like a free space for the students living in Ophelis Hall to socialize. Of course, the space seemed overly large considering what it was being used for.

Throughout the hall, antique wooden beams lined the walls with tables neatly arranged in the area. The desserts and drinks that the maids always prepared in advance were put on a large wooden table in the center near the large hearth.

Most of the students spent time in their own rooms, but constantly staying in the same room could get boring.

That was why the student facilities inside Ophelis Hall were more crowded than usual.

Tables were set up for students to sit down, talk, eat desserts, or read books. Some students played chess and others were training in resonance by using minimal elemental magic.

“You want to duel?”

It hadn’t been long since Ziggs had returned from visiting his hometown with Elka.

Since they wanted to arrive before the snowstorm hit, they forced themselves to continue traveling without breaks. From all the difficulties he endured, he thought it would be a good time to steadily recover.

Ziggs, who was sitting at a table in the student hall reading an alchemy book, smiled. He was interested after hearing the impudent comments from the underclassmen that came to greet him.

“Yes, Ziggs.”

Ziggs folded the corner of the page in his book before putting it down on the table.

The underclassmen that approached him was Wade Callamore, the number 1 student amongst all the first years.

White hair and light gray eyes. The boy that was so white, you might mistake him for an albino, confidently greeted Ziggs.

And out of the blue, he requested a duel.

“Of course, not right now. I heard that you are one of the strongest people in this entire school, even beyond the magic department. As I am still a mere first year, I am not someone that can confidently ask for a duel.”

“I don’t really care about that. If all you’re asking for is a first-hit match, I can do that much.”

Ziggs sat, scratching his chin as he answered indifferently.

“But why?”

“Of course. As your underclassmen, I wanted to learn from you.”

“You asked for such a superficial reason?”

After Ziggs spoke, Wade smiled and nodded his head.

“I want to prove my worth. It seems that I have yet to properly show my strength here in school, so I am going up to my upperclassmen that are famous for their strength asking for a duel.”

“Ohh… Even though you are the best in your grade, you’re still saying that?”

“I am dying to have a duel with you Ziggs, but right now you seem to be exhausted from your journey. There is an order in everything, so right now it’s still too early for me to have a duel against you.”

Wade had a characteristically bright smile on his face, yet Ziggs felt that he wasn’t as pure on the inside.

Ziggs had that same unique feeling towards Tanya, who declared she would take the seat of student council president. Just like her, Wade said he would defeat all his upperclassmen in a duel.

Both of the underclassmen showed the same type of enthusiasm.

“Among the second years, after going up against the top student in the combat department Clevius, the top student in the alchemy department Elvira, I will come and face you.”

“But I’m not the top student in the magic department?”

“Isn’t the top student among the second-year magic students someone that every student must avoid?”

Wade pulled out a chair as he sat down, calling on one of the maids to get him a cup of tea.

It seemed that Lucy Mayreel was now out of the question for all students when it comes to ranking, grades, or duels.

“Given the situation, I think right now the top student in the second-year magic department is you.”

“I’m not sure. I don’t really want to think of things like that. Though, it is true that Lucy is stronger than me, so it’s not that I disagree.”

“I already know of your humble nature, but it’s the truth. If I can best you, I can prove that I am at a level where I can compete with the top students in the school.”

Did he even know what he was saying right now? Declaring that he would win in front of the opponent could be seen as picking a fight in most circumstances.

However, Ziggs wasn’t someone that would get upset over such a thing. And there was a good chance that Wade knew that, too.

“It’s hard for me to confidently say that I will be able to defeat you, Ziggs.”

“Saying that, it sounds like you think defeating the other top students in the second year will be easy?”

Wade responded with a grin.

“Then, what will you do if you beat me?”

“Then I’ll just have to move onto the third-year students. There is Yennekar, who is the number one amongst all third years. There is Drake, who is the top student in the combat department. And personally… I want to compete against Ed who is famous amongst all the third-year magic students.”

“It’s good to be so motivated, but you need to be careful so that your confidence doesn’t turn into arrogance.”

Ziggs didn’t say that to try and be cheeky. He was just stating the facts as they were.

Wade responded appropriately, thanking him for the advice. Though, it seemed that he didn’t really listen.

“Well, the first thing I need to do is set a date to duel Clevius. Since we are in the middle of a snowstorm and have to stay inside, I think he should have plenty of time. I also think that we can use the facility in the basement of Ophelis Hall to have the duel.”

Since a week was too long to just stay indoors, Ophelis Hall had prepared several things to help pass the time.

One of which was student dueling.

“But… I’m a bit disappointed, as it seems Clevius wants to avoid having a duel with me.”

As Wade spoke, a smile came across his face.

It was obvious. There was not a chance that someone that was always so gloomy and negative like Clevius would accept a duel against an underclassman that was so full of energy and confidence.

Looking at Wade, he seemed like someone that had a strong desire to duel with someone, no matter what. Whether it was by conciliation or clinging on to him, he would try to find some way to face off against Clevius.

“Today, I just came to introduce myself and give you a heads up. The next time I come, I’ll ask you for that duel.”

“Thanks for being so thoughtful of me. Though, it’s useless.”

Ziggs smiled as he picked up the alchemy book, flipping through the pages.

“After defeating me, going on to the third year… especially against Yennekar and Ed… I don’t think that’s a great idea.”

“I understand what you mean. I also don’t think I’ll be able to defeat you so easily.”

“That’s not what I mean. Hearing the rumors about you, looking at your confidence, and considering your skills, you seem rather talented… But you still need to improve your ability to judge others.”

Ziggs turned the pages as he continued to casually talk.

“It seems you don’t know anything. You’re going to get stopped at Clevius.”

“……”

“It’s obvious you wouldn’t be able to go up against Yennekar or Ed. But you won’t even reach me.”

Clevius had always been a gloomy, cowardly, pathetic person. Rumors about that had already spread. There was also gossip about how someone like him would even be able to become the top student in the combat department.

Wade tried to express his displeasure by glaring daggers at Ziggs upon hearing that he thought he would lose. Though, Ziggs casually continued to double down on his opinion.

“If you want to beat me, come back when you get a sense of reality.”

***

A monster lived out in the North Forest.

Amongst the students that had no idea of Ed’s life in the wild, that type of rumor was being spread.

It was understandable that such a strange rumor would spread, as only a few students in the entirety of the school knew about Ed’s lifestyle.

Rumors of a man that held the bloody carcasses of wild animals with an eerie smile as he walked across the North Forest spread. Quite a terrifying rumor, but it made sense if you saw him.

Of course, to Bell, who knew the truth, hearing such a story felt strange.

Whooooosh!

“Ugh…”

The snowstorm was blowing in the North Forest. The large needleleaf trees helped block the snow quite a bit, helping to see further ahead. But the strong wind was still hard for someone with a small body like Bell to withstand.

However, she had made the necessary preparations before heading out. She wore layers of thin clothing underneath her maid outfit. She also brought a thick cape, which she wrapped herself in.

After warming herself up a bit with weak fire magic, she started to think it would be more doable than she had originally thought.

The main goal she had decided on was reaching Ed’s cabin.

If Saint Clarice traveled out into the North Forest, then the only person she could meet was Ed.

“A footprint…!”

Could it be good news? It seemed it hadn’t been long since those footprints had been left and the direction led straight to Ed’s cabin.

Students that don’t really know Ed said he was a cold person that didn’t talk much, but Bell knew him well, as they had talked many times before… Surprisingly, he was someone with common sense, good communication skills, and even though he might not look it, he was also considerate.

It was much better if she ended up running into Ed than someone she didn’t know.

There was also the fact he was someone that faithfully completed all of his duties and responsibilities. And that was despite such high-maintenance women like Yennekar, Lortel, and Lucy always flirting with him. At the very least, he was a trustworthy person. That was why it was safe to say that there was no way he would have any bad thoughts or do anything harmful to Clarice.

Even if he came across Clarice, rather than harboring any ill intentions he would definitely try to send her back to Ophelis Hall.

If there was a problem, it was that there were too many unnecessarily complicated relationships that revolved around Ed. And Bell had enough headaches thinking about it already.

Off in the distance, Ed’s cabin came into view. It took longer than she thought it would due to the snowstorm.

“Young master Ed… He probably doesn’t know about Lady Kylie’s true identity, right?”

Kylie’s true identity was Saint Clarice, who received protection from Telos.

Even if he didn’t know her true identity, he was still someone that would treat her kindly…

Positive that was the case, Bell opened the door to the cabin.

Creaaak!

“……”

Opening the stiff door, she saw Ed and Clarice right in front of her.

“Oh, Bell. It’s you. You also came.”

Ed was full of anger as he continued to wrap his wounds with bandages.

In the corner of the cabin, she saw Clarice trembling on her knees, holding up a wooden chair with two hands—as if she were being punished.

Bell was already starting to get a headache.

***

The two girls were trembling, but for different reasons.

One was trembling because her arms, which were holding up the chair, were going numb. The other was terrified at the fact that the saint, who is being protected by the Telos Religious Group, was currently being punished.

But still, she couldn’t tell Ed of Kylie’s true identity… Bell couldn’t do anything but sit down at the table and take the tea handed to her.

“U-Uhm… Y-Young master Ed.”

As soon as he finished cleaning up the mess in the cabin, he looked over at Bell, wondering why she was calling him.

“I-I heard your explanation, but if I don’t take Lady Kylie back with me soon, the snowstorm will only get stronger and then we’ll be in real trouble.”

Hearing that, Ed thought to himself for a moment before nodding his head.

“That makes sense. It wouldn’t be good for the head maid of Ophelis Hall to be gone for an extended period of time.”

“Y-Yes, that’s right. And…”

Sweating up a storm, Bell glanced over at Clarice, thinking she had to figure out a way to take her back.

“……”

Ed pulled out a wooden chair, sitting right in front of Clarice, who was still in her punishment.

It was an awful sight, seeing her tremble with tears in her eyes as she continued to hold the chair upright.

Ed was still thinking things over.

When Clarice had first arrived in the cabin, he must have been scared out of his wits.

However, it wouldn’t take long to think things over and figure out the reason she had come all the way to his cabin.

It was probably because of that little accident that took place during the class assignment exam.

During the battle with Merilda, she had accidentally dropped her brooch. He tried to quickly cover up her mistake, but… it seemed that Clarice had started to think that Ed figured out who she really was because of what he did.

Obviously, Ed’s response wasn’t the most natural since it was such a sudden and desperate situation. However, there wasn’t a better way to deal with things more amicably.

Kylie’s true identity was a key plot twist that wasn’t revealed until the second half of Act 3.

If Kylie’s identity were revealed so soon, she would be placed under the constant protection of the Knights Templar, who would monitor her every move. Thus, it would be impossible to know how that would affect the future.

When Ed tidied things up in the cabin, he had also organized his thoughts.

Kylie already thought that Ed knew her true identity. And as long as that fact didn’t change, she would continue to be anxious. But there was currently no way to dispel that thought.

That was why Ed decided to overcome the issue by going the opposite direction.

“I apologize for being so rude to you, Saint. The chair… you may put it down.”

Hearing those words, Bell and Clarice began to tremble at the same time.

Clarice pupils widened in an instant as Bell responded with a shaky voice, so unlike her usual tone, to confirm that she wasn’t hearing things.

“D-Did you already know…?”

“I am also a believer of the Telos Religious Group and have even been baptized myself. Being that close to you, watching the illusion magic wear off, it was easy to recognize you.”

“R-Really…?”

Actually, that was not completely the case.

At the time of the class assignment exam, Kylie’s illusion magic hadn’t actually completely worn off. And even if that were the case, it was still hard to justify naturally giving her the brooch.

Of course, it was hard to prove anything. So as long as you used a bit of improvisation and quick thinking, she wouldn’t have anything to say.

Otherwise, it didn’t make any sense that Ed would have already figured out Kylie’s identity.

“Th-Then…”

“I told you, you can put the chair down now.”

“Ah… O-Okay…”

As for what to do, the basis of it was done.

In any case, Ed didn’t want to get involved any further with Saint Clarice.

So, after admitting that he was clearly aware of her true identity, the first thing he had to do was get rid of what was making her so anxious.

The next thing to do was to instill confidence in her that he wouldn’t reveal her identity to anyone.

“As a member of the Telos Religious Group, I am sorry to have done such a disgraceful thing to the Saint I so heavily respect. However, it was also my duty to show you the fears that come with freedom.”

The dark cabin. The strong winds. The occasional sounds of the wind hitting the roof.

The environment was so poor that it was the complete opposite of the Saint’s private bedroom Holy Father Building or Ophelis Hall.

Looking up at Ed, who was sitting on the chair, behind him were walls covered in blood.

There were blood-stained hunting traps and hacksaws, carcasses and organs of wild boars and other animals being dried on hooks, and the smell of blood filled the room.

Of course, given the snowstorm he was forced to bring everything inside the cabin, but Clarice wasn’t in a position to think of such things.

However, looking at Ed with his hands clasped together, leaning forwards as he continued to talk… it was the complete opposite of what she thought.

The first time she had ever seen Ed was when he was guarding the altar, looking down at her.

Holding a dagger in one hand while he gathered magic power in the other, he looked down at the first years.

At the time, rather than a human being, he looked more like a wall or ordeal that needed to be overcome… She had not once thought of Ed as a regular human with his own burdens to live with.

“Since you are hiding your identity and trying to casually get by the people at school… It seems that you have a strange romanticization when it comes to freedom. Some would agree with you. And it certainly is… worthwhile.”

“Th-That’s…”

“I am also in a position where I can live freely, here in the forest. So, I am also well aware of just how frustrating and hard life is when living with restrictions.”

The beautiful view that the romantic Adele had sung of.

It wasn’t strange to romanticize a world full of colors and the smell of flowers.

However, that path to freedom wasn’t one that was always full of flowers.

In fact, just like the cabin, it was full of the smell of blood… There were many times where you would have to hold your breath and push down on your lungs to survive.

“As for the type of life I live… Are you taking a guess?”

An upperclassman two years above her. It was hard to describe him as simply strong and terrifying.

In the corner of the cabin, he sat there not caring about his bleeding wound… surrounded by carcasses of animals that were killed horribly… She could tell that the type of life he lived was entirely different.

Believers of the Telos Religious Group basically knelt in reverence and respect whenever they saw Saint Clarice. The idea of getting angry at and punishing a saint seemed impossible.

And yet, here was a boy that continued to casually look down at the Saint with those cold eyes of his.

He knew the meaning and value that came with faith, but what preceded that was one’s survival. At the very least, the boy had grown up and survived in such an environment.

His life… rather than ‘living’, he was merely ‘surviving’… Even though it might seem that the difference between the words was trivial, in reality it was quite big.

In everything, there is light and darkness. Freedom is no different.

If Adele was a bard that glorified the beauty of freedom…

Then he was someone that showed the struggles and darkness that came with freedom more clearly than anyone else.

“It would be best if you went now. Don’t come near this cabin again. Even with the Holy Blessing, avoiding distress and starvation is still inevitable.”

Ed continued to talk as he lowered his head.

“I am sorry for the bluntness. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be anyone around you, Saint, that can talk to you about such a topic.”

He then stood up as he made his decision.

“Now, you should head on back.”

From Clarice’s point of view, there wasn’t even a chance to respond.

Ed quickly turned around. Clarice didn’t even have the chance to let out a single word.

***

They had to go back to Ophelis Hall immediately, before the storm got any worse. And with Bell leading the way, they would get back in no time.

Once they go back to Ophelis Hall, she could warm up while eating some delicious soup in a warm and cozy room.

She could sit down in a well-organized room as she peacefully read a book. It would be like an entirely different country, far away from the snowstorm.

As long as you stayed inside Ophelis Hall, the fierce snowstorm would just become a passing story that was happening ‘outside the window’.

Leaving the camp while holding onto Bell’s hand, Clarice looked back at it with difficulty.

After watching the two of them leave the camp, Ed went back into the cabin with a hand axe on his shoulder.

The inside of the cabin would still be chilly, and the smell of blood would remain. The weight of reality weighed on her shoulders again. That scene, which was engraved in Clarice’s mind, would never disappear.

That boy didn’t feel any burden from the weight of reality. For him, it was just the weight of life that one must bear to survive.

Clarice had read about it once before in a book. It said that even the most beautiful of swans still kept their ugly feet under the water. And a life of freedom was no different.

Seeing him defend the altar as he stopped the first years, wielding magic against them without a care, it was impossible to imagine everything he was dealing with behind the scenes.

“Ms. Bell.”

“Yes, Lady Clarice?”

“I’m sorry for having you come all the way out here because of me…”

“I was only doing what I must. Don’t worry about it too much.”

Holding Bell’s hand through the snowstorm, Clarice kept looking back at the cabin.

Either way, since coming to Silveria, that was the first time she met an upperclassman that she wholeheartedly respected.

At the very least, in the Holy City… she would never have gotten the chance to meet such a person.

“……”

Of course, Bell, unable to figure out what was actually happening, continued to break out into a cold sweat as she watched Clarice look back at Ed as they left him behind.

It can’t be. Right? There’s no way…? Right? I… I have no idea…

Bell continued to be overwhelmed with such worries.

***

The snowstorm was still ongoing as winter slowly passed. It was obvious, but to each person winter was different.

Some might stay in an underground library studying magic engineering, while others chatted with spirits while sitting at the window in Dex Hall.

Meanwhile, in a private bedroom in Ophelis Hall, there was a girl who sat by herself, taking care of her company’s books. Then, there is another girl trapped in her room, constantly watched by the maids as she screamed in pain.

An assistant professor that was working through the break to finish taking care of any paperwork for the school. A failed swordmaster who continued to train diligently. A guardian that came from the northern grasslands, sitting down in the student hall and reading a book on alchemy. A cowardly Ghost Blade that locked himself in his room, unwilling to go out. Everyone had their own way of spending the winter.

And the same went for a platinum blonde girl that sat quietly in her private bedroom at the royal residence, looking out her window.

Watching the raging snowstorm, Princess Penia lowered her sad gaze as she made her decision.

Spring would come and a new semester would begin. A time where many things would change.

The election for the student council president was nearing.

And Penia Elias Kroel, who was trusted by various individuals throughout the school, was considered a strong candidate for student council president.

“I guess, after all… I won’t run for student council president…”

From Ed Rothstaylor’s point of view, it was the sound of the entire premise behind the story falling to pieces. The beginning of all disasters.