The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide - Chapter 92

The most important virtue of a magician was to always maintain reason.

That was because magic and magic power didn’t always fit together perfectly, not like math formulas.

One had to always remain careful to not consume more than the necessary amount of magic power or to use an extremely high amount of magic power all at once.

And when it came to magic at a higher level than was suited to you, it was worthless to try and even imitate it.

In all circumstances, it was dangerous to use magic that was even one level higher than you could manage.

That was because magic interacted with the magic power that flowed through one’s body, utilizing it.

That was why one had to always be conscious of their limits. More than anything else, it was crucial to avoid excessive use of one’s magic power.

Among magicians, Elementalist were the ones that needed to be especially careful.

The amount of magic power that was used to handling spirits was overwhelmingly larger than other forms of magic. The subtype of magic, called‘Spiritual Resonance’, only increases one’s efficiency with magic power.

That was why elementalist that had trained to a certain extent would never lose their sense of reason.

That was why she needed to clearly recognize the level of her magic and objectively judge the spirits she could handle.

Yennekar Palerover was well aware of that fact.

However, knowing the facts and actually putting them into practice were two completely different things.

“…Wh-What is that…?!”

The scale of the magic circle rising in the night sky was larger than any ever seen before.

Yennekar Palerover was someone that could freely handle even high-ranking spirits. Once she completely lost her sense of reason, there was only one type of spirit left at a higher level than she could normally summon.

Even above the small number of high-ranking spirits that existed, there were beings that were recognized as having the greatest of strengths.

Highest-Ranking Spirits.

They were the ones that were at the pinnacle of strength within their respective element.

For Yennekar, who had already summoned the right hand of the highest-ranking dark spiritGlasskan, creating a summoning circle for another highest-ranking spirit wasn’t ‘impossible’.

Rather, that was the highest level she was able to reach after one year of training. For her, highest-ranking spirits were a level that was dangerous to reach—not a realm that was impossible.

The summoning circle shown in the sky was ironically the opposite of a water spirit.

It was the summoning circle for the highest-ranking fire spirit,‘Theorpis’, who was said to have burned down the entirety of the Apos mountains in the Mythic Ages.

It took the shape of a dragon whose tail was bigger than that of the imperial castle, which shot down flames that scorched the earth… It was a magnificent sight to see, one that deserved to be written in history books.

JustGlasskan’sright arm was enough to completely seal off the entirety of the massive education district.

The same could be said aboutTheorpis. The moment even one arm of his was summoned, it was clear that at least the entirety of the north forest would be engulfed in flames.

However, for the current Yennekar, such thoughts of the future didn’t come to her mind.

With the anger that filled her mind, she turned her gaze towards the murderer in front of her.

Shwaaaaa.

Rooooooooooooooar!

On the rainy cliffside, as he watched the magnificent magic circle fill the sky, Nox couldn’t help but widen his eyes.

There wasn’t a need to summon a highest-ranking spirit just to face off against him, as he was completely incapacitated.

However, anger paralyzed her reason.

The sorrow of a person that lost their loved one was something capable of making one lose all reason.

Ripping away one’s flesh, stabbing them in the heart. Such pain felt like fair play.

“You… Do you know what you did…?”

The red summoning circle was radiating with heat, much like the sun. The air above the sea began to turn to steam.

Even though it might seem hard to believe, the heat coming from the summoning circle even started to evaporate the rain before it could fall to the ground.

Steam rose like mist, covering the entire shore. It hid the girl’s angry face in darkness.

Nox was fully aware of his imminent death. It was a completely different type of murder than when Ed Rothstaylor had approached him.

It was obvious that a single attack stemming from that girl’s anger would be enough to end his life. To the point that the faint scent of a spirit in the air… could no longer bear with it.

Then, right when Nox was about to accept his nearing death…

Roooooooooooooooooooooooooor!

A strong gust of wind blew away the fog, and the one that roared and caused the large gust of wind was now standing in front of him… A massive wolf that was made from the air.

Whoooosh!

The strong wind that blew around the wolf was made from a strong magic power.

[Run away]

Nox didn’t even have a lick ofspiritual resonancewithin him, but he was still able to hear the wolf’s voice clearly in his head.

[Run away, don’t look back. Report everything that you have seen and went through.]

[Survive. You have to survive.]

The wolf’s cry rang out through the rain. In that brief moment, the summoning circle that Yennekar had made temporarily disappeared.

“Th-This… Wh-What…? E-Eughk…!”

In the middle of the powerful wind, Nox regained his senses.

Even though he didn’t understand what was happening, he was certain that it was a chance for him to survive.

Nox quickly stood up, picked up the unconscious Kadek, and ran away into the north forest.

It all happened in an instant.

“Wh-What… What are you doing, Merilda?”

[Calm down, Yennekar. I understand what you’re feeling.]

Yennekar, who stood at the edge of the rainy cliff, looked straight back at Merilda.

And Merilda… started to slowly whisper something to Yennekar.

[Take a deep breath and think clearly, Yennekar.]

Merilda… was fully reading Ed’s intentions.

Yennekar, who had suddenly come to realize that fact, suddenly looked the other way.

“H-Huh…??”

Yennekar, who started to realize that something else might have happened, quickly looked down at the bottom of the cliff. However, the bottom of the cliff was far away and too dark, making it difficult to see.

She then looked back towards Merilda, taking a deep breath before crying out for help.

***

[ Dell Heim’s Hourglass (Legendary)

—

Restores the state of your body to a few seconds prior, removing all damage and wounds. One time use. ]

[Del Heim’s Hourglasshas been activated, rendering it unusable. (Destroyed) ]

[Magic Engineering Proficiencyhas increased due to the use of a legendary-grade magically engineered item. ]

“B-Bleuk… Ugh…!”

After making my way through the waves, I was barely able to drag my body up on one side of a rocky area at the bottom of the cliff.

I leaned against a nearby rock as I spat out the salty seawater.

“Bleukkk… Ughk… Bleukk…!”

It took a while of me coughing like that to get rid of the sea water I had swallowed before my body was able to calm down.

“Uhhh… Phew… I’m absolutely going to catch a cold from this.”

The deadly poison curse that had flowed through my body had disappeared. However, the effects ofDel Heim’s Hourglassdidn’t remove the cuts on my body from the sword attacks.

The salt water had entered my wounds, which was extremely painful. I even ended up swallowing the water as my temperature continued to drop.

Once I was able to move my body again, the first thing I needed to do was go back to the camp and give myself some basic treatment. Of course, that was only possible when my body was able to move again.

“I-I think that was a bit reckless, but… With this much… I should be fine… ugh…”

Del Heim’s Hourglasswas a legendary-grade magically engineered item that I was able to create after working like crazy over the break.

It wasn’t a level of magically engineered item that should exist during Act 3, but it was a treasure that I was able to make only after putting in much effort and hard work.

Though, I didn’t expect to have to use it so soon. It was disappointing that something that took so long to make had ended up disappearing in such a futile way.

Still, that was how the magically engineered item was meant to be used anyway… it was best to use such things when I needed to. As long as I had the materials and time, I could just make it again.

Though, it wouldn’t be easy.

With that, Ed Rothstaylor should be ‘dead’ for the time being.

Krepin Rothstaylor’sCause and Effect Determinationmagic was really tricky. Once he decided to kill Ed Rothstaylor, an incredible amount of magic power was used to find and create a reason within the near future to make sure I died.

With that… To avoid any more attention from him, the only choice I had was to ‘die’. That was because it would be too annoying and difficult to constantly handle every assassination attempt led by Krepin Rothstaylor that would continue to pour in.

No matter how powerful the title of Duke might be, it was near impossible to know all the details taking place within the island, as it is forbidden by school rules to send individual personnel onto Acken Island. Though, if he were to try, it wouldn’t be impossible. But after hearing the news that I died, he wouldn’t have a reason to go any further.

In the first place, the Rothstaylor Household and the Imperial Castle were far from Acken Island. Regardless of the school’s rules, there really was no choice but to trust the news. And since Krepin was an influential member and was helping the imperial family, he should also be too busy to focus any more attention on the matter.

Kadek and Nox were probably sent to the school under the pretext that they are temporarily helping Tanya with business.

That was why, once Tanya’s business was finished, they would be forced to leave Acken Island.

“Probably… that would be after the student council election and negotiations over the Sage’s Seal…”

Both events would take place near simultaneously, so it wouldn’t take a long time. It was only a few days.

Until then, I needed to remain dead. At the very least, I needed to make sure that Krepin wasn’t aware that Ed was still living on Acken Island. Even if it was too much to maintain for my entire life, if I could keep it a secret for one to two years, that should be enough. All I needed to do was make sure Tanya kept her mouth shut.

One to two years should be more than enough time for House Rothstaylor’s fall.

“Eughk… But still… moving my body…”

I straightened up a little as I lifted my upper body. As time passed, I was starting to feel my strength return little by little.

It was a bit much to go all the way back to the camp in the rain with my body like that… but it couldn’t be helped.

That was when-

Rooooar!

“I-I found you…!”

It felt like a scorching heat, and the source for it was right above my head.

“What the…”

It was a spectacular sight to see. A gigantic lizard made of flames was hanging off the side of the cliff.

The girl that jumped from it was none other than Yennekar.

Seeing Yennekar run across the rocky area at the bottom of the cliff towards me… It was nice to see.

“Phew… I feel like I’m on the verge of death, with pain aching all over my body… to have you find me like this…!”

I expressed my gratitude towards her as I waved at Yennekar.

It was reassuring to have a friend willing to help and show up no matter when I needed it.

Though, first things first, I had to explain the situation to her.

After thinking about how I should even start things off, right when I was about to open my mouth, Yennekar quickly ran over to where I was.

“Yenne—”

She wrapped herself around my neck as we fell to the floor… Burying her face in my shoulder, she hugged me tightly in her arms.

Shwaaaaaaaa.

In the pouring spring rain, Yennekar, who was squeezing me tightly… didn’t say a word.

After thinking about what to say, all I could do was wrap my arms around Yennekar, hugging her back.

“It seems I always make you worry. I’m sorry for that, Yennekar.”

It felt as if Yennekar’s head, which was buried in my shoulder, was shaking from side to side.

Though… she probably didn’t say anything.

***

Crackle.

It burnt quite well considering the wood was wet. That was probably from the power of elementalism.

A cave… I guess it was a little too small to call it that. At the bottom of the cliff, inside a small indent, I sat down with Yennekar as I explained everything to her.

“So… Ed, what you’re saying is that you want to keep the fact that you’re alive a secret for a multitude of reasons. At least until after the student council election.”

“That’s right. I don’t want House Rothstaylor to find out that I survived. As long as I can persuade Tanya, I can keep my existence hidden from my family at least while I’m attending school.”

Rather, that meant it was more comfortable for me to continue living on Acken Island than hiding around outside.

“So… What I’m saying is, I need to stay in hiding for a while. At least until the vassals help Tanya leave… And that won’t be until after the student president election.”

“Then, I’ll bring you your daily necessities and the tools you use. Don’t worry too much, Ed.”

“Yeah… As always, thank you, Yennekar. By the way… It’s starting to hurt…”

There was plenty of space around the campfire.

However, Yennekar continued to hold onto me, wrapping around me tightly ever since she found me at the bottom of the cliff.

I didn’t want to make Yennekar feel uncomfortable, so I hadn’t mentioned it before. But as time continued to pass, my body was reaching its limit.

Yennekar quickly gasped as she let go of me…. She then took a deep breath before speaking.

“I-I’m sorry… Since I was holding onto you, I felt a sense of relief…”

“…N-Never mind. Can you forget what I just said…?”

“……”

Yennekar quickly flailed her arms around before wrapping her arm around her knees, shoving her face down and holding her breath. She kept holding her breath until the tips of her ears started to turn red.

I wanted to say something to her, but my body started to hurt again so I had to move my body around.

And then… I looked out of the cave at the rain.

It seemed that the spring rain would last a while longer. Though, it didn’t seem like it would be as long as the snowstorm in winter or the rainy season in summer.

“Still… There’s some things left that I need to do…”

For the moment… I decided to wait for the rain to stop.