How to Survive at the Academy
Chapter 256

TL: TangSanFan

ED/PR: Tanthus

『Side Story』 Blossoms of the Wind (6)

The shape of the valley carved along the ridges of the Phulanshan region, when looked down upon from the distant sky above, resembles claw marks. Gazing upon those valleys occasionally exposed between the rugged mountain ranges, people speak of the mountains as bearing scars. And indeed, they are traces of a catastrophic collapse from a bygone era, formed by the strike of a gigantic bear.

The mere thought of the supreme spirit that scraped out five valleys with a single swipe is enough to leave one slack-jawed in awe. That the recent connections to these events have started to be properly researched and reported to academic circles is a spectacle incredibly grandiose.

“People called it the calamity of the mountain. Surely there are some exaggerations and understatements passed down through oral tradition… but they say the shadow of that enormous bear stretching across the clouds was truly magnificent.”

“How long ago did these events take place?”

“Since it’s a story passed down orally, it’s difficult to give a precise account. You understand, don’t you? Being a remote mountain village, such tales aren’t systematically recorded, nor is there much active exchange with the central continent.”

Even for a herding village tucked away in the most secluded corner of the mountains, the thought that such a significant event could be reduced to mere folklore was…

It seemed more and more that this Toren village is somehow disconnected from the rest of the world – a world in its own.

“Well, it must have happened so quickly that our ancestors likely thought it was the wrath of the gods or a great natural disaster.”

“It’s not something to be taken lightly. The fact that it’s only now coming to light is almost laughable.”

“As you know, Phulanshan is completely isolated, and during the time of that great event, there was no proper long-distance transportation or communication system. In the end, only the aftermath remained, naturally blending into the landscape as we see today.”

Mayor Glems spoke as he quietly gazed at the pastoral scenery of the mountains.

It was barely morning, yet the village was already bustling with life. Ranchers and workers carrying fodder were moving about with strained efforts, boys leading mules, shepherds taking sheep to pastures, and women with laundry heading towards the stream – their laughter carried in the air.

There’s a unique ambiance to the countryside.

It was a world away from the Rothtaylor estate’s concerns with dignity and authority, or the Sylvania Academy, brimming with scholarly passion.

Having lived busily amongst them for a while, I found my disposition softening even more in this tranquil rural setting.

“It’s been less than 30 years since our village started major trade routes with the central parts of the continent. It wouldn’t have been easy for the imperial court to manage this mountain region firsthand, so, in a way, it’s natural.”

“I see.”

“Yes. Well, the villagers seem to be adapting just fine, so as the village chief, I’m quite moved. But what about you, Yenika? What are you doing in the corner?”

Chief Glems inquired, shaking his russet cowhide coat as he approached Yenika, who was seated on a bench in the corner with her head hung low.

For Yenika, the term ’embarrassment flush’ would be an understatement. The regret for last night’s display of indulgence was hitting her, commonly referred to as a ‘moment of wisdom’ – she was overwhelmed with shame recalling her actions.

Her disheveled appearance made it hard to believe she held a noble title. Her loosely braided pink hair was messy, her eyes were puffy, and her lips quivered uncontrollably.

Trying to leverage her large lightning tree wand to stand up, she eventually collapsed back onto the bench with a groan.

“My back…”

I hardened my expression momentarily, looking at Yenika who, until yesterday, seemed quite robust, but now appeared nearly lifeless, moaning of back pain.

Anyone else might have just dismissed it, but Mayor Glems, seasoned by all sorts of trials, probably had a rough idea of what happened.

Glems laughed heartily and then whispered to me, “Truly, as I heard, you’re quite the powerful one.”

I almost responded but held back.

There was no need to announce to the world that we had slept together. The mere thought of bringing it up to Yenika, who’s finally grasping the situation, filled me with mixed emotions.

Her obliviousness to the topic was rather characteristic of Yenika.

“Yenika.”

But then, Mayor Glems was a man of Phulanshan, direct and blunt, and without beating around the bush, he addressed Yenika,

“I’ll tell Kadan and Silla to feed you food that will give you strength. If Yenika could use a bit more energy, it would probably be for the best.”

He said it so naturally, with a warm smile on his face.

Yenika, blushing furiously at the hidden meaning in his words, protested with embarrassment.

“Wh-what are you talking about!”

“Hmm? Just as I said.”

“… Oh! Yes, that’s right! Food that gives strength! I need to eat a lot to get energy! With all the research work and returning to the baron’s estate to manage the territory, I definitely need strength!”

She clenched her fists against her knees, her lips trembling in a pitiful attempt at a smile.

I suggested Mayor Glems let the matter rest and turned my gaze back to the expansive ridgeline.

“So in essence, Mr. Ed, you believe that these great traces were caused by the supreme wind spirit Tir Kalax’s rampage.”

“Yes. We only recently received the land survey and topographical study reports for the Phulanshan region… but it seems there can be no other explanation.”

“Then why did that ancient wind spirit rage so fiercely in the first place? And, if such a powerful being was indeed on a rampage, who could have possibly stopped and subdued it?”

Mayor Glems asked a reasonable and legitimate question.

If the supreme wind spirit Tir Kalax had truly unleashed its fury, it could have devastated the Phulanshan region, leaving little behind.

However, the great bear had only left the marks of its claws on this mountain region and was likely subdued by someone and vanished.

“Even the legendary archmage Glookt Eldain, it is said, struggled to subdue a supreme spirit. So, in this rural mountain region, with hardly any notable personages, who could have stopped such a catastrophic disaster?”

Glems said this and fell silent. It was a question with no apparent answer, given the distant past of the tale.

Yet, I felt like I had a rough idea of the answer. There was no concrete evidence, but piecing together the circumstances hinted at a subtle picture. After all, not many on this continent could confront a supreme spirit.

The legend of the supreme wind spirit Tir Kalax, who descended upon this remote region of Phulanshan.

How did Merilda, who had lived for centuries on the distant Acken Island, come to know the tale of the great bear?

Considering the facts, there was only one conclusion to draw.

“The Grand Sage Sylvania.”

It was that grand sage, during her lifetime, who had subdued Tir Kalax in the Phulanshan region.

* * *

“Oh my, Mr. Ed! When you arrived at Toren village, I should have been the first to rush out to greet you – I’m truly sorry! I had been checking on the cattle grazed along the ridge…!”

I had been considering collecting information about the events of Tir Kalax’s descent while touring the village.

When I arrived at one of Toren’s most reputed ranches, Faelover Ranch, I was greeted by a pleasantly familiar face bowing deeply.

The owner of Faelover Ranch, Kadan Faelover. A middle-aged man with a brawny build and a hearty laugh.

Since we had already met once on Acken Island, formal introductions seemed unnecessary.

“The ranch must keep you busy.”

“Indeed. Sometimes checking each and every cow scattered across different pastures, I end up preparing overnight and sleeping thereabouts. Anyhow, you’ve had a long journey, please come in! And hurry, Yenika!”

“Ah, okay!”

Yenika seemed to relax somewhat upon returning home, finding comfort in familiar surroundings.

As we entered the house, Silla Faelover bowed deeply in greeting, having prepared a substantial feast – perhaps she had been informed in advance of my potential visit.

It appeared to be Silla Faelover who had ushered Yenika into my room last night, judging from the way she smiled broadly upon seeing Yenika’s sheepish expression.

“Ah, Mr. Ed, such an honor for you to visit our modest home!”

Taking off my coat and seating myself at the table, Yenika followed suit and joined me. Despite this being her home, Yenika seemed the most out of place – a likely consequence of her parents’ meaningful smiles since earlier.

The events of last night were probably no secret, thus my own comfort level was not at its peak.

‘Yenika…’

‘Why…?’

‘I’m not sure how to say this without embarrassing you, Ed, but I just want to die from shame…’

‘…Get used to it….’

It was ironic how she regarded her parents like a bomb waiting to go off. Since it was unpredicted what might spout forth in the current situation, I decided to take the initiative.

“I was just passing through the village, conducting scholarly research and needing to ask many questions.”

“Scholarly research?”

“About the story handed down in this Toren region – that ancient tale of a monstrous bear that once filled the sky.”

At my words, a silent tension seemed to descend for a moment.

It was unclear whether they knew something about it or were simply ignorant, but either way, their reaction was ambiguous.

“Didn’t the village chief share anything with you?”

“He gave a rough outline, but it seemed like he was avoiding specifics.”

“… That’s understandable. Even in Toren village, it’s a story known chiefly by the older generation and one they’d likely rather keep under wraps.”

“Is that so?”

“Probably the chief decided it’d be better to hear it directly from the villagers.”

Amidst a table laden with various salads and meat dishes, Yenika tilted her head in thought.

“Eh, huh? This is new to me…”

“Of course, Yenika. There was no reason for you to be told such tales.”

Kadan began his story with a somber look, even as he took his place at the table.

“Actually, at first, we were opposed to Yenika attending Sylvania.”

The conversation suddenly pivoted towards Yenika. Not wanting to jump to conclusions, I listened attentively.

“We were aware of Yenika’s talent in spirit magic, but there was a reason we had to remain silent about it, and it’s closely related to all of this.”

“And that reason is?”

“This goes back to a story hardly told except in oral tradition, but, in fact, there was once another spirit mage from our village of Toren.”

Yenika looked completely taken aback, as if hearing this for the first time. Perhaps this was indeed a tale only spoken of amidst Toren’s older generations.

This ancient story, deliberately kept quiet, had now piqued Yenika’s intrigue as well.

“As you may know, old spirits that have accumulated a certain level of magical power can manifest in human form in this world.”

Of course I knew. I always brought along someone who could serve as an example.

“And that’s the story about how Tir Kalax, who manifested in such a way, fell in love with the spirit mage…”

It’s quiet. Silla bowed her head silently, and Kadan continued to speak.

Perhaps Mayor Glems had hoped that Kadan himself would hear this story directly. It seems that he thought it was not an issue to speak about himself.

The reason would probably be…

“Her name is Keitin Faelover.”

Because it’s someone else’s family affair.

Could it be that spirit resonance is also a talent handed down after all? If we look for the source of Yenika’s extraordinary spirit magic, surely the influence of lineage played a role.

Although, her parents Kadan and Silla seemed to have no talent in that direction at all.

“… She is our distant ancestor.”

“Is that so…”

After saying that, Kadan paused briefly. As he glanced at Yenika’s expression, it was clear this was the first time she’d heard of this.

There must be a valid reason as to why even her daughter was not told of this…

“It seems her end was not a pleasant one.”

“This story is a secret known only by a very few in the village.”

Kadan put down his fork and looked up at the ceiling for a moment.

“She died from a magic overload while trying to forcibly contract with the supreme spirit Tir Kalax. I heard her blood ran backward.”

“…”

“It’s a fact I too heard from my grandfather. Initially, she had no talent for spirit magic at all, but at some point, after contracting with a higher spirit… Eventually, she sustained injuries from trying to forcibly contract with Tir Kalax and met the end of her life. However, it’s odd.”

By now, Yenika too was fully attentive to Kadan’s words. For the time they’d lived together as a family, this was surely the first time this story had been told.

“The highest spirits are esteemed as heavenly beings, awarded with great accolades simply for being summoned. It would have been enough just to temporarily make them appear by force, so I wonder why she attempted a direct contract… These questions remain, from what I’ve heard.”

“What do you think, Mr. Kadan?”

“Well… It’s too old a story to leave any particular sentiments over, and I’m not really in a position to.”

To Kadan, it was nothing more than a legendary tale passed down by his grandfather.

Yet, when his only lovely daughter began to show an affinity for spirit magic, the significance completely changed.

“That’s why when Yenicca managed to contract with spirits and wanted to enroll in Sylvania, my heart skipped a beat. Now, she’s our pride and joy, but… I was very worried.”

One can only imagine how Kadan felt when Yenika announced she’d walk the same path as a spirit mage given the tragic end of their ancestral spirit mage.

“Father… That’s why you opposed it.”

“Well, but after seeing your firm resolve, Yenika, I quickly consented. So imagine my feelings when I heard you caused a stir trying to summon Glascan and failed.”

Kadan and Silla must have felt their world collapsing.

The person who grew up hearing tales of someone meeting their death while summoning the highest spirit, to hear that their daughter became involved with the highest spirit and overexerted…

“Now, seeing you grown into a proper spirit mage, I couldn’t be happier, but there are times when anxious feelings still well up. It can’t be helped.”

Silla, who had been listening quietly, chimed in.

Keitin Faelover.

A spirit mage who died trying to forcibly contract with the highest wind spirit Tir Kalax.

It felt unsettling to keep it in mind, but it seemed necessary to remember.

* * *

As mornings come early, so do nights. Perhaps that is the case with country living.

The people of Toren village end their day’s work as the sun sets, and as the moon starts to show its face, they prepare for bed promptly.

To sleep early and wake early—a surely commendable practice, but it does not mesh well with my habit of researching and working late into the night.

It seemed the same was true for Yenika, as she came out to see my condition while smoking tobacco in front of our quarters.

It’s late summer, which also means autumn is approaching.

It was sweltering even at night on Acken, but truly it’s a mountainous region, for it’s already quite chilly here.

“Ed.”

“Why, stay in your room.”

Yenika appears accustomed to the early chill of this place, wrapped in a puffy pajama and a long, ash-gray shawl.

She looked almost like a person hiding in the curtains, grasping the shawl that hung over her shoulders down to her waistline.