How to Survive at the Academy
Chapter 252

TL: TangSanFan

ED/PR: Tanthus

『Side Story』 Blossoms of the Wind (2)

Spirits don’t understand the concept of death.

Whether their throats are slashed, their bellies pierced, or they bleed profusely, they eventually return to their ethereal forms and take time to restore their mana.

After recovering their power for a certain period of rest, as if nothing happened, they can manifest once more to the call of a spirit user.

However, they do have a concept of a lifespan. It’s a bit confusing to have a lifespan when death is not a factor… One wonders what that really means.

The end of a spirit isn’t exactly called death, but it’s not really life either—it’s a state beyond those definitions.

Different elemental scholars have their own terms, but the most common one is ‘natural return.’

To exist in the world as a spirit, one needs the mana of a spirit user who is highly sensitive to spirits. If they can’t ascend the hierarchy and their mana runs out, the spirit’s soul will revert to its ethereal state and become part of nature for a while.

Becoming flowing water, or wafting winds… In any case, they become part of this natural cycle and eventually reemerge as ethereal spirits, starting a new life as lesser spirits.

However, once they start this new cycle, any memories from before they were ethereal spirits do not remain.

It’s an ambiguous boundary between a new life or a continuation of the previous one, eternally recycling.

That is the life cycle of a spirit.

“You’re working too hard, heading to distant Phulanka just to research a bear-sized spirit, and you’ve only just been appointed as a professor.”

“I should work for what I received. Don’t worry too much about it; no matter how hard I work, it’s still going to be profitable compared to what I’ve received.”

The two men were smoking tobacco in the garden in front of the new Triss building.

Ed Rothtaylor had no habit of smoking, but started occasionally when spending time with Professor Krayd due to work.

Wearing an exquisite magician’s robe, Department Head Krayd casually tossed away his finished cigarette.

“How much did you exactly manage to squeeze from the university administration?”

“I wasn’t the one negotiating; Tanya led that. So asking me won’t do much good. Anyway, I’ve submitted my trip report and since there are no complaints, I’m heading out, right?”

While Ed Rothtaylor is away, Krayd, as the acting deputy, would split the workload. This is because Assistant Professor Trissiana couldn’t quite handle everything alone yet.

Professor Krayd, who tremendously disliked additional work, simply made a pained face but no real complaints.

Ed Rothtaylor had gotten quite close to Professor Krayd since his appointment.

In front of Ed, due to his status as a noble heir of an influential family, everyone acted apprehensive or too formal, but Krayd was particularly free of such authoritarian demeanor.

After all, at Sylvania Academy, virtues of learning were more emphasized over status, and technically Krayd was superior to Ed, so there was no need to be too formal.

However, not many have the fortitude to treat a member of the continent’s most powerful family nonchalantly.

Krayd, having gone through his fair share of experiences, was able to speak with Ed frankly.

“I was going to have a drink today…

‘Tis the time, I suppose.”

“You might want to refrain from drinking during the semester. You’re the department head now; more eyes on you, right?”

“Well… but the taste of alcohol is so sweet~. Oh you, picking up habits like smoking. You shouldn’t smoke… it’s bad for your health~.”

Krayd said this with nostalgic expression, leaning back on the bench in the Triss building garden, gazing at the sky.

“Life gets dry, that’s when the drinks start tasting sweet~. The time will come when Guron whiskey or Phulanka wine will taste sweet~ What’s with that look? It’s because your life is still sweet that alcohol tastes bitter. You’ll understand someday~.”

“…”

“What’s with that look?”

Ed remarked with a look of pity for Krayd.

“Don’t strut too much, or you’ll end up a topic of not-so-good rumors among the students.”

“Huff, strut?! Did it seem like I was strutting just now…?!”

“If it tastes sweet, then it’s sweet; if it’s bitter, alors it’s bitter; why attribute so much significance to it…?”

“I thought I just threw out a decently macho and cool line…”

“Sounds more like a drunkard trying to rationalize their drinking than anything worth bragging about. Try to restrain yourself in front of the students, at least. You’re a department head, and it’s important to maintain some authority.”

In truth, Ed too would say whatever came to mind to Krayd.

Although Krayd was his direct superior, Ed’s status and influence were greater.

The two maintained an intricate balance, allowing them to interact freely. This might be draining for some, but Ed found the exchange rather pleasant since there weren’t many people he could talk to this way.

“You’re harsh! Even with my status as a department head, I still end up being ridiculed~ This is why the drinks taste sweet.”

“I’ve finished all the necessary reports and the handover of work, so I’ll be going now.”

“Yeah~ Busy our Lord Ed must be, with university duties and research, as well as fulfilling the role of a noble.”

“If you know that, do your work. Goodbye.”

Ed grabbed his wooden case full of papers and left, waving his hand dismissively at Krayd. It was about time to leave since the carriage he had arranged for was due.

“Hey, Ed.”

However, just as Ed was about to step towards the stairs of the Triss building, Krayd called him back.

Lighting a new cigarette and puffing out smoke, Krayd spoke plainly.

“You’re going to make it.”

Krayd Rothtaylor.

The department head who spent half his life on the battlefield or in lawless regions, who eventually grasped glory as a war hero and took up a teaching position at Sylvania.

Always unshaven, with bleary eyes as if drunk or puffing tobacco, treated almost like some old fool by his department seniors and even reprimanded by his fellow professors.

But rotten wood also has its strength.

“Don’t end up like Glast or Zellan.”

Towards Ed, who was just turning back holding the wooden case in silence, Professor Krayd puffed out his cigarette smoke before speaking.

The three heroes of the Ain Tribe War.

Researcher Glast, lawbreaker Krayd, charger Zellan.

Glast had died, and it seemed Zellan had lost faith and was wandering the world.

Both of them were once comrades who had crossed the line of life and death with Krayd.

With those companions whose stories didn’t end well in mind, Krayd hung his head low, saying,

“I’ve seen too many capable guys come to grief for ridiculous reasons.”

“…”

“I hope that won’t be the case for you.”

Ed watched Krayd, who was lifting smoke into the air, for a moment, and then let out a laugh, at a loss for words.

The roaring of the dragons in the sky had long since subsided and the seemingly endless stage came to a close.

Having survived in a day that could have been likened to war, Ed had made it to the end of the story.

What was left was an epilogue.

─ And they lived happily ever after.

Most fairy tales end just like that.

With that one sentence, the story concludes as the book is closed with a thud.

All Krayd wanted was just that simple happy ending without any frills.

“Thank you for your concern.”

What else could be said in response to such a conventional expression of gratitude?

Leaving behind just that polite thank-you, Ed descended down the hill’s steps.

“…”

Left alone, Professor Krayd leaned broadly against the bench’s backrest, looked up at the sky by himself, and then chuckled.

“It was just me worrying over nothing.”

*”Ah, Professor Ed… When I applied the elemental reaction theory you mentioned the other day, the reaction to mana really improved… I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this on my own… So, I just wanted to say thank you…”

It was while he was waiting for the carriage in the residential area, reading a book.

After reporting the work to Professor Krayd, Ed just needed to depart for Phulanka.

The coachman he had previously hired was scheduled to come from Baron Faelover’s residence, picking up Yenika on the way here to Acken Island.

It would be a special feeling for Yenika to step foot on academic land after a long time; she’d probably be looking forward to it.

“So… I… well… I brought a gift…”

At that moment, the student who timidly approached me by the fountain was familiar.

She was a girl who always sat at the front during elemental lessons, listening with bright eyes latched onto the lecture.

Being human myself, I naturally took a liking to students with good learning attitudes. She reminded me so much of my own student days that I recall giving her a fair bit of advice on elemental magic.

The girl, her bangs neatly organized with a small hairpin, hesitantly handed me a small box.

“I’m not that skilled yet, so it might not taste very good…!”

“But I still wanted to offer some token of gratitude… really, the advice you gave was a big help! That’s why… I wanted to show my appreciation…”

I reached out with one hand and accepted the neatly wrapped box.

“That’s very kind of you. You were the Fjorn student from Kelkers family, right?”

“Yes! You remembered my name…!”

“I try to remember all my assigned students. But, private gifts or money exchanges can lead to misunderstandings, so it would be best to refrain from such activities in the future. The gift you are giving now doesn’t seem to have significant monetary value and appears to be given with sincerity, so I will accept it. Still, be careful.”

“Yes, yes! I hadn’t considered that, sorry if I’ve caused any trouble!”

“No need for apologies, just be mindful for the future. Thanks for the thoughtful gift.”

She bashfully fidgeted as I properly conveyed my thanks.

Perhaps she hoped I would open it right then and there.

It was no trouble, so I started to peek inside the box when—

– Neighhh

– Click-clack, tickity-tap.

The weary horse’s hooves slowly approaching.

A large coach had completed its entrance to Sylvania Academy, trekking across the residential area plaza.

The carriage embossed with the cosmos emblem of Baron Faelover was stately though not extravagant.

As the vibrant plaza quieted, the carriage halted right before me and its door slowly swung open.

And from within, emerged Baroness Yenika of Faelover, slowly revealing herself.

A name known to anyone studying spirit arts in the central imperial regions—Yenika Faelover, a prominent spirit user, ostensibly serving as the shield for the Rothtaylor Ducal House. With her entrance, the surrounding glances subtly gathered.

To me, seeing her often was nothing new, but I couldn’t help but feel stirred inside.

Though the campus square pedestrians may find it a surprise,

Yenika Faelover seldom wears flamboyant dresses due to her modest nature.

Rather, blouses and skirts adorned with various floral embroideries suit her much better,

yet they still maintain an air of nobility with their graceful patterns, never shedding their casual appearance.

With her skirt fluttering, Yenika descended the carriage steps briskly and scanned her surroundings. The Sylvania Academy must have changed considerably since her last visit.

“Have you arrived, Yenika?”

“Ed!”

Beaming, Yenika approached, then abruptly froze, cheeks reddening as she noticed the girl at my side, who seemed utterly petrified by the sight of the legendary spirit summoner.

“Who is this…? Ed, is she one of your pupils?”

“Yes, she’s Fiorun of the Kelkers household, tasked with managing the northeastern plains. A top student. Say hello.”

It’s rare to get acquainted with Yenika Faelover – a stroke of luck for Fiorun.

Yenika, however, kept alternating glances between the box in my hand and the hesitant Fiorun, until finally, her eyes wavered, and she broke out in a cold sweat.

“Ed, you seem rather close with the students?”

“…? No, not particularly… But I don’t keep them at arm’s length. They are my students after all.”

“Ah, I see… Thank you, Fiorun, for presenting such a gift to Ed, the Duke of Rothtaylor.”

“Uh… Yes, yes…”

While Yenika thanked Fiorun, her eyes betrayed a sense of fear.

The pleasantries continued for a while, and Yenika seemed deep in thought as she fixated on Fiorun before suddenly turning to me.

“Ed! Our usual routine! You know, the thing we do like a daily breakfast ritual!”

“What?”

“Ahaha, Ed, really…! Have you already forgotten? Here… erm, my forehead…”

Despite the many onlookers, Yenika stepped forward and boldly presented her forehead.

At last, I understood. She was challenging us to perform the oft-failed forehead kiss right here.

By proffering her forehead so fearlessly in public, Yenika Faelover declared her determination.

Despite repeatedly failing and nose-bleeding in practice, this shy person now took such a stand. Perhaps with time for the journey to Phulan approaching, her resolve had strengthened.

To honor Yenika’s efforts, I had no choice but to reciprocate.

I embraced her shoulder and kissed her forehead.

The warmth I felt in that moment was almost furnace-like. Her beet-red face, nervously mumbling lips, and the fidgeting hands on her staff all seemed to fight back an imminent explosion.

The memory of our first kiss, initiated by Yenika’s bold advance, made me want to applaud her even more now.

“Nothing spectacular! It feels so routine now, like a daily greeting since we do it so often!”

I bit back advice to breathe between words, to avoid overwhelming her with shame.

Swiftly, Yenika pulled back her forehead, insisting to Fiorun, “Oh, sorry! That must have been startling for you! It’s just everyday norm for us! Normal!”

“Uhm… Ok…”

“Right! We should hurry to Phulan to align our research schedule! Shouldn’t we, Ed?!”

“Wait, you’ve had a tiring journey from Rothtaylor. How about resting for half a day, maybe reacquainting yourself with the academy…”

“No! We leave now! Delaying work is not an option! Let’s go! Come on!”

Clutching my arm tightly, Yenika hurried me onto the carriage.

Though the work piled up, I wanted to ensure Yenika wasn’t exhausted, so I had planned a relaxed schedule.

But seeing her insistence, I had to nod in agreement.

-Thud!

The carriage door shut. Through the window, I caught Fiorun’s bewildered gaze.

As the carriage trotted away, she stood motionless, the breeze playing with strands of her hair.

“Wow, these cookies are good! No, not that good actually!”

Yenika nearly finished the homemade cookies Fiorun had gifted.

“They’re not great! But, there’s effort… feels wrong to dismiss the hard work… But they were made with such care…”

Silence.

“No, they’re actually bad. It is what it is.”

It was an awkward soliloquy of cookie critique by Yenika Faelover, who couldn’t deny her kindness, or ignore the sincerity that went into making them.

She needed to be resolute to the end or her ambivalence became laughable. She was reaching her limit in trying to be merciless.

“Aren’t you tired, Yenika?”

“I think staying at the academy would be more exhausting…”

The carriage left Akenzum and continued toward Phulan.

Scattered across the plains visible from the window were blossoming flowers.

The peaceful scene of a few butterflies floating in the warm sunlight, along with the rhythmic rolling of carriage wheels and the occasional snap of the coachman’s whip, comforted the mind.

“Do you get many gifts like this… Ed?”

“From the students?”

“Yes.”

After some thought, I replied,

“Quite a few. Thankfully, many students are eager to show gratitude for their education. When I was a student, I never really thought about that… It’s different when positions change. Maybe I should have expressed it more, but I guess I was too focused on survival then.”

“It’s that common, huh…”

Yenika, looking down, hesitated before speaking,

“I’m not jealous or anything, but…”

“…?”

“No, I should correct myself.”

Yenika changed her tune,

“I am jealous.”

Taking a deep breath, she boldly stated,

“It’s silly to blatantly say so…”

“I’m aware! But I can’t help feeling jealous!”

“…”

“Experience taught me pretending not to be jealous just makes me more miserable!”

“Alright… It’s commendable to learn from experience.”

“But admitting jealousy still feels miserable… Is it that I’m bound to be distressed either way?”

“There’s really no need to be so distressed.”

I pondered how best to comfort her, opting to speak candidly,

“Put yourself in my shoes. If I saw you talking amiably with another man, I might feel jealous too.”

“You would? Of me? Jealous?”

“I’ve said it before, I take pride in our good relationship.”

“Really…?!”

The hypothetical situation and the fact that there was no other man were enough to lift Yenika’s spirits.

“But it’s such an unlikely premise… I’ve hardly considered anyone other than Ed.”

“Truthfully, it wouldn’t hurt to expand your social circles given your status.”

“Eh, I preferred when everyone was casual at the academy, but since I became the marchioness, it’s challenging to know how to act… I’m struggling.”

“Time will sort everything out.”

“It feels like I’m at a loss here! Structurally, I’m the only one who can be jealous!”

Yenika sighed heavily after her lamentation,

“Oh…

“

It was a sigh laden with emotions, a recognition of her own capacity for jealousy.

“People can’t always live with only positive emotions, right? Wouldn’t you agree?”

“I didn’t want to burden Ed.”

“You’re not a burden.”

“But this whining could be bothersome.”

“Isn’t it normal for relationships to have this back-and-forth?”

At a loss with her emotions, I firmly stated,

“I’ve told you before – no relationship is completely free of burden. You owe me, I owe you. That’s how we settle and live.”

“That’s true… I suppose not everyone lives a fairytale like those destined lovers in stories, right… Yeah, this is reality.”

Then, straightening up suddenly, Yenika started,

“Oh wait, I mean!”

『Ahaha, everyone’s spirits are overflowing.』

Just as Yenika was about to correct herself, a wind spirit manifested across from us.

The high-level wind spirit, Merilda, originally a wolf as large as a house, now appeared in a minimized form to conserve magic.

“Merilda.”

『It seems you don’t need a travel companion. Still, I had something on my mind to say, so here I am.』

On the way to Phulan inside the carriage, the silent high-level wind spirit sung softly, then continued,

『I suggest you avoid delving into the final moments of the highest wind spirit ‘Tirkalrax’ – that giant bear.』

It was rare for her to appear of her own will.

Nevertheless, with something to say, Merilda nonchalantly sat, swinging her pale bare feet.