It was about time I accepted it. I was royally fucked.
"You will no longer be recognized as a member of the Rothstaylor family due to your crimes. For inappropriately slandering the honorable Princess Penia, for illegally intervening with the Holy Silvenia Academy's entrance exam due to being blinded by your jealousy, and lastly, for neglecting your classes—these crimes have tarnished the family's name and cannot be taken lightly."
There was no reason to read the rest.
The letter was from the head of House Rothstaylor, Krepin Rothstaylor. It was filled with needless formalities, but in the end, the summary was as follows:
"You will be disowned by the family."
The life of living like a king with the support of a powerful family was over.
It felt like the God of Fate was mocking me.
Was he having fun laughing at my misfortunes? When my life had just become a living hell?
The letter's words lingered, stuck in my head. I wanted to respond to the unfair, mocking words.
Why me?
The Ed Rothstaylor that used his family name as a shield to live an arrogant life… was not me.
"I gathered all your belongings here. Thank you for your hard work."
The maid that worked at Ophelis Hall, the finest dormitory at Silvenia Academy, politely gave her greetings.
With a blank face, I accepted two large wooden suitcases from her.
Even though my room was so luxurious, all my belongings surprisingly fit within these two bags.
After the support from my family was cut off, this was all I had.
In other words, the luxuries within the room were never mine to begin with.
"I hope you live the rest of your life well."
Even though my life was essentially now in the gutter, I still received honorable treatment as a former noble. But the respect I received felt like rubbing salt into an injury.
Slam!
The Ophelis Hall's large door swung shut, leaving me all alone in its beautiful garden.
Ahh… I thought it was about time I came to terms with it.
"I… actually entered the game. I can't believe it…"
At the worst possible time, I became the worst possible person in my favorite game. A game of which I was the only fan.
Silvenia's Failed Swordmaster.
I lowered my bags and swiped both hands over my face.
I was fucked.
And I didn't know what to do.
****
'Ed Rothstaylor' was a name I was not too comfortable having.
'Silvenia's Failed Swordmaster' had a total of 43 episodes. I've replayed the game five times, but I barely recalled this name. The reason was simple.
Ed Rothstaylor was just a minor villain with little presence.
"Hey, look over there. Isn't that Ed Rothstaylor?"
"Shit! Don't look! He'll notice!"
"Do we even have to worry anymore? Wasn't he already expelled?"
"I heard from a friend at Ophelis Hall yesterday that they even kicked him out of his room. I guess we won't be seeing him next semester, then."
"It's funny, isn't it? Just like how we don't know how high the sky is, there really is no way to know what could happen to someone's life."
"Why did he even use such a trick at the entrance exam?!"
"I knew he was like this from the beginning! Even without skills, he always kept showing off!"
As soon as lunchtime arrived, the students began to gather at the student center.
After putting down my large wooden bags beside me and covering my face, my ears itched at the whispers.
A person's rise and fall was perfect fodder for gossip. But even though I understood that fact, I couldn't help but feel it was unfair.
Before I became this character, I was someone that lived frugally and honestly, working hard without ambition.
Wasn't it a bit too much to treat someone like me like a criminal?
"Haaah…"
I wanted to smoke.
I took a deep breath and looked at the crowd of people gossiping. They slowly dispersed and eventually disappeared.
Two hours had passed since I was kicked out of the dormitories.
It felt like my brain had stopped working because of the unbelievable situation I was in, leaving me feeling dizzy. Good thing I had finally calmed down somehow.
While I knew this was a completely unrealistic scenario, I was still able to accept these drastic changes to some extent. Being able to calm down quickly must have been something Ed Rothstaylor was capable of.
But enough about that. Right now, I needed to figure out what I had to do. I needed to establish my course of action.
I opened my wooden bag and took out an ornate mirror from my belongings. I looked at my reflection, my previous appearance now gone. Instead, there was a handsome-looking blonde boy staring right back at me.
That was now my new appearance.
[ Name: Ed Rothstaylor
Gender: Male
Age: 17
Academy Year: 2nd
Species: Human
Achievements: None
Vitality: 3
Intelligence: 4
Dexterity: 7
Willpower: 7
Luck: 6
Combat Skills Details >
Magic Skills Details >
Life Skills Details >
Alchemy Skills Details > ]
Having played 'Silvenia's Failed Swordmaster' five times, it was already familiar information.
That was the same method used to open one's information in the game. By using any object that showed your reflection—like a mirror, a creek, a pond, or even a glass cup—you just had to imbue it with your magic power to see your skills window.
The similarities thus far made everything feel even more like a dream.
And looking at my skills only made me wish it really was a dream.
Those pathetic skills were not befitting of a student attending the Silvenia Academy's Magic Department. His embarrassingly low Vitality must have been because of his upbringing as an aristocrat.
In the game, a regular farmer's Vitality averaged between a five to a six. The main character, who was focused on combat and fighting skills, had a Vitality of above 20. Considering these numbers, Ed's Vitality stat was truly pathetic.
Although looking at the numbers, my Dexterity and Willpower seemed to be decent, but still nothing extraordinary. Comparing my skills to those of the main character, the differences were quite obvious.
Ed Rothstaylor was just a third-rate villain that appeared at the beginning of the game to add some conflict.
He was nothing more or less than that. I couldn't even remember what happened to him afterward. No, wait—I did remember.
At the end of the game, he briefly showed up in the credits, begging on the streets of the city while sitting on a straw mat.
Ahh… Perhaps I shouldn't have remembered that.
"Haah…"
I couldn't help but let out a sigh as I laid back.
Ed was a noble that grew up sheltered, ignorant to the ways of the world, only to be thrown out onto the streets one day with nothing. It was an expected ending for him.
For now, I had to avoid starving on the side of the street as he did.
And how was I supposed to do that?
I didn't have the answer to that question.
But after thinking for a while, I came to one conclusion.
I will survive, using whatever means.
-x-X-x-
Silvenia Academy was more like a bustling city than an academy. Founded on the entirety of Acken Island, southwest of the kingdom, the academy was so massive that even alumni were yet to explore the whole campus. But what did that mean? It meant one could encounter anything walking around the extensive academy grounds.
The students' heavy gazes followed me as I walked, and I ended up at an undeveloped forest somewhere northwest of the island. Most academy facilities were located in the southeast, while commercial and service facilities were in the southwest. The island used to only have one bridge connecting both sides, the buildings naturally developing around it.
I eventually arrived at the northeastern edge of the island after walking the whole afternoon. My legs were so sore I had to sit on a tree stump to rest. After walking half the day, I was able to organize my thoughts and came to a conclusion.
"First things first. I'm not leaving this island."
There's no helping it. I was now Ed Rothstaylor. I had to find a way to adapt and live somehow. Silvenia Academy received the highest praise among the prestigious academies in the kingdom. It was an academy where noble families desperately aimed to enroll their children, an academy that required either overwhelming talent or wealth.
Obtaining a Silvenia diploma would enable me to make a living. I needed to bear through this and obtain mine. Nothing is as valuable in this difficult and unpredictable world. Besides, leaving the academy would be the same as throwing my life away.
I had played through 'Silvenia's Failed Swordmaster' a few times already. If Ed Rothstaylor had just been expelled, that meant the story had just begun. That meant I was in a position where I knew most of the things that would happen in the academy. As long as I was there, I'd be able to use my knowledge of the game to my advantage. I saw no reason for me to go out into the unknown world outside.
The sun was setting before I knew it. Sitting alone on a tree stump in a deserted forest, I let out another deep sigh and wiped my face.
"Let's see…"
I put the two wooden suitcases on the grass and opened them. They were full of clothes and old textbooks. There were some magic tools, but since their output was adjusted for students, they weren't very useful. Despite having lived in such an extravagant room, that was everything I owned. What an empty life…
Even though I got kicked out of my family, at least I hadn't been expelled from the academy yet. Although it could already be considered an expulsion, given I wouldn't be able to afford the enormous tuition without my family's support. Thankfully, my tuition had already been paid until the next semester.
If I could endure until then and get a scholarship or find a way to earn money, I would still be able to attend the academy. However, I needed to be mindful of my time limit. I only had until next semester to figure things out.
"The scenery sure is beautiful…"
I found a stream after walking a bit more. It flowed from the other side of the island all the way here. I let myself enjoy the beautiful forest bathed in moonlight, quiet with only the sound of crickets. But this wasn't the time to be sentimental. I'll starve to death at this rate.
There were a lot of things I needed to live a good life. I tore a twig off a tree and wrote on the ground.
Goal = Graduation
My goal was to graduate. Ed Rothstaylor was currently in his second year. That leaves me six more semesters until graduation. The tuition fee for one semester was about 20 gold coins, an amount enough to buy a whole carriage covered in gold.
But that price was cheap compared to all the other expenses. Most of the students stayed in luxury dormitories, only ate fine-dining meals, and only used high-class magic equipment, all while bringing two to three servants with them. Taking all of that into account, the price of a gold-plated carriage didn't seem so expensive in perspective.
I didn't know what to do about my tuition fees, nor about obtaining a scholarship. With my lackluster skills, it'd be hard enough trying not to fail, let alone qualify for one. It makes no sense why Ed had such an arrogant personality given his lack of skill. But it was a question not even worth asking. He was just a character at the beginning of the game, written for the protagonist to win against.
Anyhow, the most important thing right now was to sort out the things I needed to live and survive. The important trinity of food, clothing, and shelter. I had clothes. I didn't know if I would be able to do my laundry, but I should be able to avoid looking like a beggar for a week. Food and shelter were my problems. I had nowhere to sleep and nothing to eat tonight.
"Haah…"
No! I shook my head and slapped my cheeks. "Nothing will change if all I do is sigh!" I clenched my teeth, stood up, and began stretching. First, my hips, then my legs, then a full set of the national gymnastic routine, finishing off with a set of jumping exercises and pushups. The sound of my heavy breathing refreshed my body and mind.
Because the entrance exam had already taken place, there shouldn't be much time left until the semester starts. If I were to guess, there were probably only ten days left. The first thing I needed to do was make a livable environment so I could continue going to the academy. I could build something in ten days.
I should build a place I could live in. There was a pleasant cool spring breeze blowing so I could sleep out in the open if I really needed to, but… I didn't know if I would be able to sleep on the ground. Should I make a simple tent? I didn't need to go out of my way to make a proper tent. A simple shelter shouldn't be all that hard. If I were to use thick tree trunks as supports and cover them with a canopy, it should become somewhat of a roofed shelter.
The forest in the northeastern part of Acken Island was quite well preserved. Spotting a spirit meant the place had yet to be touched by humans. There were many tree trunks that could be used to support the canopy in the area.
"I should at least be moving while thinking."
I didn't have the luxury to just think. I should also be working as well. Staring at my reflection on the stream, I focused on my eyes again.
Name: Ed Rothstaylor
Gender: Male
Age: 17
Academy Year: 2nd
Species: Human
Achievements: None
Vitality: 3
Intelligence: 4
Dexterity: 7
Willpower: 7
Luck: 6
Combat Skills Details >
Magic Skills Details >
Life Skills Details >
Alchemy Skills Details >
Ignoring my embarrassing stats, I focused on the details of my Magic Skills.
[ Magic Skills Details ]
Grade: Low-grade Magician
Specialized Field: Elements
Common Magic:
« Fast Casting Level 1
« Mana Sense Level 1
Fire Element Magic:
« Ignite Level 2
Wind Element Magic:
« Wind Blade Level 1
Magicians specializing in Elements only had two basic magic spells. Furthermore, first-year elemental-based magicians were required to choose two elements to specialize in. Ed looked to have chosen fire and wind, but seeing as he hardly trained even the most basics of his spells, he really was lazy.
Whatever. At least I was able to check that I had magic spells I could use. I felt the mana in my body the deeper I went into the forest. Of course, compared to the protagonist's overflowing amount of mana, mine was infinitely weaker. At least it enabled me to cut down these moderately sized tree trunks.
I used Wind Blade to cut the branches down to a manageable size. There would be no point if I couldn't carry them back. After cutting through five to six tree trunks, I was already out of breath. Just like I expected, this body couldn't handle mana freely. I desperately needed to train.
"Seriously. What a freaking pain."
I spat on the ground and caught my breath for a moment, then took the cut branches to where there was sunlight. The frames kept slipping off the ground because the strength wasn't balanced. This wasn't working. It would be better to dig out holes to put down the foundations.
After digging out the holes and setting up the four foundations, I angled them to meet in the middle. It wasn't an easy task. I only had two hands for the four support beams. Thankfully, I was able to compensate by holding the pieces of wood with my head and shoulder. I tied the pieces of wood together where they met with a leather belt. It was from a high-class tunic I found in my bag. I then used the last piece of wood as a stake through the middle, digging it into the ground to make sure the whole thing won't fall over.
Although a bit lame and unstable, the frame of my shelter was completed. It wasn't pretty. The branches didn't exactly meet in the middle, and because I didn't calculate anything, the resulting height was lower than I anticipated. That said, once I covered this with a canopy, it should be good enough to spend the night in.
I considered using some of my clothes to cover the top but ultimately decided against it. Not only would I need to use four to five pieces to cover the whole frame, but it would also mean sacrificing clothes I would wear starting tomorrow. I didn't want to do that. Besides, these clothes were of high quality. I may even be able to sell them. I didn't want to just use them as a roof.
To compromise, I decided to tie two pieces of clothes together and laid them on the ground. I couldn't just sleep on the dirt. What should I use to cover my shelter with? No matter how much I thought about it, I still didn't know what to do. I eventually went back into the forest and brought back tree branches with long and wide leaves. The whole process took almost an hour. And another hour to cover my shelter with the branches.
"Phew…. Ha… This is exhausting."
Finally done, I stretched my back and wiped my sweat off. It was hard work, but at least it's now over. In front of me was a shelter I could lay down in. I felt a sense of accomplishment at the feat.
[ Production completed. Production skills have increased. The list of completed products has been updated. ]
"Hm?" I tilted my head, puzzled. I went to the stream and focused on my eyes. The window that materialized wasn't the usual long information window. Instead, it was different.
[ Life Skills Details ]
Grade: Beginner Craftsman
Specialized Fields: None
« Handicraft Level 4
« Design Level 1
« Collecting Skills Level 1
"Oh? What's this?" It seemed like Ed was someone with a talent for production rather than magic. It made sense, I guess, given how his Dexterity was better than his Intelligence and Vitality.
[ Newly Crafted Product
Simple Wooden Shelter
A shelter where you can temporarily rest. It's of low-grade quality and is quite shabby. If you don't maintain it, its durability won't last long.
Production Difficulty Level: 0.5/5 ]
The window was a welcome sight. I didn't know the production system could be activated like that. If I were to manage my production proficiency, then wouldn't it be possible for me to do the same in other areas? That was great news.
Thinking about it, it was possible to overcome my current situation after all. I was too tired right then, however, and I was mentally at my limit. I needed a break. I went and laid down in my completed shelter, listening to the buzz of nature all around me.
Darkness arrived. Unable to see anything, I closed my eyes and felt myself slowly drifting off to sleep. I knew I was in a difficult situation, left with so many things to resolve. But for now, I needed to sleep. Sleep first, then I will face tomorrow. And tomorrow, after sunrise, I will find a long-term plan to survive in this academy.
-x-X-x-
Three days passed by somehow.
I didn't spend the last three days in vain. It would be too tiring to list everything I did, but also too difficult to briefly summarize them.
The first thing I actually did was fortify the shelter I made.
On the second night, my shelter unexpectedly collapsed, and I had to fetch more wood from the forest to reinforce the frame.
It would've been great had I had a rope to secure the frame together, but since I didn't have any, I just dug more holes for the foundation and stuck the support beams into each.
And then I was worried it might leak if it rained, so I ended up sacrificing three to four pieces of my clothes to cover the leaves I used as the roof. I then covered the clothes with even larger leaves.
Well, the added weight caused the support beams to collapse. I ended up having to add horizontal supports to hold the weight.
Then I had to twist some of my old clothes together and use them as ropes to tie the new frame together.
The truth was, I actually felt it was a waste to use some of my clothes that way. I thought if I took them to a pawn shop, I would have gotten at least a few silver coins for them.
Although, after giving it some thought, I decided not to. There was no way a pawn shop would buy such clothes unless they were luxury items adorned with jewels.
I still had a few valuables I could sell, so it should be fine. However, the pawn shop was in the next city.
It would be difficult to leave Acken Island just to go to the shop. I was worried I wouldn't make enough profits to even return, and that's something I didn't want. And while taking a carriage would be a quick trip, walking would take me two days and one night. Since I didn't have money for a carriage, walking would have been my only option. The journey wouldn't have been an easy one.
"Hmmm…"
Sitting by the stream, I sharpened the tip of a branch with my dagger.
Since I decided not to leave the academy grounds, I needed to work on my three basic needs: food, clothing, and shelter.
I had enough clothes to wear for the next few days. I even had a house, although shabby. The problem was that I had nothing to eat.
I went to find food in the forest on the second day. I actually used to live in the countryside in my past life. That was probably why the forest and the mountain felt familiar somehow.
Finding food is a different matter, however. There were plants everywhere, but distinguishing which was edible was a different matter. I wasn't an expert on survival by any means. There was a limit to what my eyes could discern as edible or not.
In the end, I opted to cut the bark off some pine trees instead.
Tree bark had an inner white flesh. My grandfather told me about it when I was young. He said he used to boil and eat tree bark when harvests were terrible and food was scarce.
I ripped the white flesh off the outer bark using a ceremonial dagger I found in my luggage. Lighting a fire with my magic, I cooked the flesh in boiling water from the stream using a decorative cup, not having any pot with me.
Once cooked, I gnawed on the chewy bark of the pine tree. It was awful, but I managed to eat all of it.
Then I had raging diarrhea that night.
I guessed tree bark was never meant for human consumption after all.
I was starving on the third day. On top of that, I was also suffering from diarrhea. I looked beyond terrible.
I shaved off a branch and tied the ceremonial dagger to one end using a handkerchief. However, the handkerchief felt loose, so I had to use vines I scavenged from the forest to tighten the dagger and the wood together.
[ Newly Crafted Product: Simple Harpoon
Made using a ceremonial dagger tied to a well-cut branch.
Can be used for fishing or hunting.
The dagger is not as sharp, reducing its power and effectiveness.
Production Difficulty Level: 0.5/5]
[ Production completed. Production skills have increased. ]
When I was younger, I used to show off that I was skilled in catching freshwater fish.
But now that I was at death's door from hunger, catching fish had become serious business.
Even though the dagger wasn't as sharp compared to a traditional fishing harpoon, I could make up for it with my experience.
The firewood crackled as it burned. It was a relief I had fire magic. It meant I didn't have to go through all the trouble of starting a fire.
I somehow felt grateful to Ed for choosing to specialize in Fire.
****
Although, was this even something to be thankful for?
Anyhow, since I was having no luck in gathering food, it was the right decision to focus on hunting instead. I was able to catch some freshwater fish, thanks to the skills I had when I was younger.
I skewered the fish I had caught and grilled them over the fire. The problem was they became softer as they cooked. The meat started flaking and falling off the wood, causing me to lose so many precious pieces of fish.
It would've been great if I could make something similar to a grill, but because I lacked the proper materials, I wouldn't be able to right now. I ended up having to eat the hot fish straight from the stick, burning my tongue.
"Kyaaah!"
I could almost feel my body absorbing its much-needed nutrients.
To be honest, it didn't taste that great. But I was thankful enough to eat and fill my stomach with something.
I ended up eating about four to five fish. To drink, I dunked my head down the stream and gulped down a few swallows of the fresh water.
"Phew…"
I wasn't full by any means. However, I was able to deal with the immediate hunger that had been bothering me for the last two days.
I laid down on the gravel by the stream, looking up at the sky. Laying down idly, the sun slowly began to set.
One more week until classes began.
I had been having difficulties resolving my problems with food, clothing, and shelter. How much harder would it be when classes started? Would it even be possible for me to receive a scholarship?
But instead of debating with myself whether it'd be possible or not, I just had to go for it. A Silvenia Academy diploma would be a reliable tool to survive in this unpredictable world.
Graduates of Silvenia went on to become important individuals in the kingdom. No matter how poorly they did at the academy, the mere fact that they were from Silvenia allowed them to fill high-ranking positions in expedition forces and in the local underground magic society.
Simply put, no matter how hard staying in Silvenia may be, it would still be several times better than starting out with nothing.
"Is someone there?"
I heard a voice calling out while I laid down by the stream.
The northern part of Acken Island was not a place students and professors visited often. The area was never used aside for practical exercises and tests.
That was why hearing the young voice came as a surprise. Even more so that I recognized whose voice it was.
"Is that you… Ed Rothstaylor?"
It was the third princess of the Kroel Empire, Penia Elias Kroel. Also known as Princess Penia.
Princess Penia was one of the four main heroines in 'Silvenia's Failed Swordmaster'. She was an influential character during the first half of the story. Well, at least, that was what was going to happen. Right now, she must still be a freshman.
She was set to meet the protagonist "Taylee" during the entrance examination, where she took the exam with her identity hidden…
That's right. She was the one who accused me, revealing that I manipulated the test due to my envy of the protagonist, providing the perfect opportunity for my family to disown me.
"I heard you were disowned. What are you doing here?"
What was I doing there? That's what I wanted to ask her.
That wasn't a place the third princess would normally visit, someone who was usually escorted by six to seven of her knights.
I looked up at the princess.
Her elegant white-blonde hair and frilly dress did not match the wild forest background.
And yet, she didn't look to be dressed as fancy as she normally would have.
Only then did I realize that the 'Class Assignment Examination Episode' must currently be taking place.
It was definitely… an episode that took place in the northern forest of Acken Island.
Held a week before classes started, it was a test to determine the students' levels before entering the academy's Magic Department.
Professor Glast of the Magic Department, infamous for his nasty personality, was in charge of the freshmen's examination.
The exam was to find the magically infused marbles spread randomly across the northern forest. It was a test to see if the students were able to detect the magic. After all, the basis of magic starts with sensing it.
"It's an honor to meet you again, Princess Penia."
Her eyes were fierce, the eyes of someone who despised me. It felt unfair, given my circumstances. But no one would believe me even if I told anyone.
I sat up and respectfully gave my greetings to the princess.
"I thought you would have been kicked out of the academy."
"I was kicked out of the dormitory."
"I asked what you are doing here."
The princess looked at the simple shelter I built, the campfire I lit, and the bones from the fish I ate with disbelief on her face.
"You still haven't left the academy?"
"Unfortunate as it may be, I am still a student."
"Did you not go through with the expulsion process?"
"I didn't think it was necessary. I was humiliated and I am no longer receiving support from my own family, so there was no way for me to continue attending the academy."
Princess Penia's lips had twisted, probably finding it hard to believe that a nobleman that had been humiliated and excommunicated would be able to continue attending Silvenia.
"If the Academic Affairs Committee finds out about this, you will be expelled right away."
"I'll talk to the committee tomorrow. Did you think you would be allowed to stay here?"
My plan to obtain a diploma from Silvenia Academy was already about to be ruined.
But I shouldn't think like that. I let out a deep sigh and began thinking of a solution.
"If the princess herself judges it to be so, it can't be helped. In fact, not just you, but many of the students despise me. I'm sure it's the same for the academy's staff as well."
"If you already know that, why don't you just leave on your own then? Isn't it better to leave with dignity rather than go through a humiliating expulsion process?"
"I want to continue attending Silvenia Academy."
"I don't recommend doing it."
Princess Penia crossed her arms and stared at me with contempt.
"Leave. Everyone here despises you, and you despise everyone else."
"You must be mistaken. I don't despise anyone."
"You must not remember how arrogant you were, how much hatred you had inside of you. Well, it is difficult to view oneself objectively."
"That's not true."
My only way to salvage this situation was to talk myself out of it.
"The truth is, princess, I actually feel grateful towards you."
Princess Penia looked at me in disbelief.
-x-X-x-
The Rothstaylor family I was once a part of was a family of villains.
Drunk on the power of their name, every new generation had devolved into conceit and elitism. The honorable and generous ancestors had all gone. All that was left was their sense of privilege as they condescendingly sat in high positions of power in the empire.
Actually, the Rothstaylor family had a big secret. The head of the family, Krepin Rothstaylor, signed a contract with the Evil God of the Mythic Age, Mebula, to study the magic of eternal life. Due to that, many inhumane experiments had been conducted, sacrificing numerous lives in the name of research.
Two years later, that secret was discovered by Taylee, the protagonist.
After struggling until the end, Krepin Rothstaylor was finally defeated.
The head of the Rothstaylor family—Krepin Rothstaylor.
He was the final boss in Act 4 of 'Silvenia's Failed Swordmaster'.
After that, what happened to the arrogant and entitled Rothstaylor family was as expected. The family's horrible downfall brought excitement to the players. Everyone who actively took part in Krepin Rothstaylor's plans was executed. Even those who were only partially involved were, at the very least, either imprisoned or punished.
Considering all of that, my current situation was worthy of a second look.
Yes, I was cold and hungry, not knowing what I was to do with my life.
But wasn't I cut off from the Rothstaylor family in advance?
Simply put, there's only one thing for me to say. That was actually a good turn of events.
****
"Did you just say you are thankful to me? I find that hard to believe."
I stood up from my seat. But considering I had lived in the wild for the last three days, I probably didn't look my best. I'm guessing that was why the princess looked taken aback.
Only a few days ago, she saw me as a noble, acting like a condescending jerk to others. It must've felt satisfying for her to see me now. Although there might also be a bit of pity there.
I thought of taking advantage of that. However, as far as I know, Princess Penia never let her personal feelings intervene with public judgment. Appealing to her emotions would more likely backfire.
What was the best outcome for me in this situation?
Regardless of whether I went to this academy or not, it would be for Princess Penia to stop concerning herself with me.
Not only the princess, but all the other students of Silvenia Academy also needed to stop paying me any attention. If it was uselessly publicized that Ed Rothstaylor hadn't been expelled, I would be the only one losing.
From the academy's perspective, it wouldn't be strange if I quit school at any time. I was already straddling the border of expulsion. From a more academic perspective, I shouldn't do anything to stand out until I was in a better position to not get expelled.
It wouldn't do me any good to be hated by the princess.
"My fate will be decided by Princess Penia. I will obediently follow your will."
I calmly said, pretending as if nothing was wrong.
It was a bit disappointing, but groveling at her feet would only backfire. The more cornered and desperate one looked, the easier it was for people to think of them as useless and a mess.
Princess Penia was known as the 'Princess of Benevolence' due to her unique 'eyes'.
Eyes that gave insight into the depths of people's humanity.
She grew up recognizing when she was being told words of flattery, lip service, and malicious deceptions.
Hidden within a princess with seemingly infinite benevolence were the eyes of a monarch capable of weighing human nature with a glance.
I turned to look at my campfire, the burning firewood turning into ashes.
I could use Jgnite to light it again, but I hadn't properly trained my body yet. I didn't want to use magic for no reason.
I walked past the princess and sat by the fire, stirring the embers with a stick to collect the scattered pieces back into the hearth.
"You have been here for three days now?"
"I have to do what I can to live."
I've decided on a definite rule.
The best way to not receive attention was to not give anyone attention.
I didn't care what others did. If I kept that attitude, they would probably stop paying attention to me as well.
But the fact that this was the third princess of the empire had brought tremendous anxiety. Although compared to crying and begging on my knees, this was a strategy that had the potential to succeed.
Please don't pay me any mind, princess.
However, I knew that alone wouldn't be enough.
"I heard the step every royal takes is noble. Even for short walks, dozens of servants were said to follow. Even half-day outings required the presence of heavily armed guards."
Bribery and flattery were necessary.
Nevertheless, there was an issue.
If you had nothing to offer, your words would be nothing more than cheap flattery.
"The sun is just about to set, and the noble Princess Penia is traveling alone in the dangerous northern forest. I suppose there must be a reason for that."
Even when she was walking around the academy, her servants followed and waited on her wherever she went.
In that situation, she must have had her guards with her, hiding among the trees with weapons in their hands. It was obvious that any wrong move toward the princess would have dire consequences.
"What are you trying to say? If you want to harm me since I don't have a knight with me, you will regret that decision."
Then I guess I could try saying things a bit more boldly.
I smiled.
"Professor Glast's class assignment examination is rumored to be viciously tough among the second years. He's a professor who likes to make students suffer in quite unique ways each year. I'm guessing you must be taking his exam right now?"
I didn't even look at the princess and continued poking at the campfire.
"If you go to the lake southeast of the forest, you will find a small rocky island in the middle of it. The size can only fit about one grown pine tree. That tree is 'The Guardian Tree of Merilda'. If you look inside the tree, you're bound to have a good harvest."
"What did you say?"
"Either way, you will search through the entire forest anyway. It won't hurt to stop by."
I could feel the princess glaring at my back. Even though it felt like she was burning a hole through me, I pretended not to care.
"What are you planning? Do you still want to get revenge?"
"As I told you, I just want to continue attending Silvenia."
The campfire crackled with a spark as I barely managed to revive the fire.
"This is… It can be considered a bribe that I'm offering the princess."
I finally threw the stick I'd been using into the fire.
"If you don't like it… There's nothing I can do if you won't take it."
The princess glared at me for a long time. She later left after scolding me that whatever I was planning wasn't funny.
Well, the princess's decision was now out of my hands.
****
"Let go of me! Don't you know who I am? I am Ed Rothstaylor, the second son of the Rothstaylor family! Get your dirty hands off me, you pigs! Just where are you touching me?"
"Taylee? Ha… A low-ranking failure of a student who's all talk."
"Eh? P-Princess? The Benevolent Princess Penia? M-my apologies, I didn't notice the princess."
"Princess! If you defend bugs like Taylee, your noble and high name will be tarnished. Please punish him!"
"This… This is wrong. This is a trap! A setup! That trash Taylee is just jealous! That filthy bug!"
"Is he even the same person?"
As Princess Penia walked through the forest, she recalled what she saw during the entrance exam.
She remembered a vain nobleman that tried to force out Taylee, a student who eventually failed, by tampering with his test.
That Ed Rothstaylor was such a pathetic and ugly human being that the princess didn't even need to use her unique 'Insightful Eyes.' Anyone could tell that he was an arrogant and unsightly man.
He groveled in front of those with power and was cruel to the weak. When the princess hid her identity at first, she was also a victim of such rudeness.
She believed that such a person shouldn't belong in Silvenia, so she made a move herself.
Even though Princess Penia was still just a student, the Academic Affairs Committee couldn't thoughtlessly ignore her opinion. After all, she held a position within the royal family.
Three days had passed since Ed Rothstaylor's evil misdeeds were revealed and his family excommunicated him.
The way he talked had become much more poised.
It might be true that three days should be enough time for a person to reflect on oneself and change. Though honestly, she didn't have time to pay attention to that right now.
The problem she needed to focus on was the Class Assignment Examination.
The infamously evil Professor Glast's exam, consisting of searching for the magic-infused marbles.
Students were tasked to find the marbles scattered throughout the northern forest and then return to the faculty building. The test started just after noon and continued on until then, as the sun had almost completely set.
Of the 310 new students of the Magic Department, about 290 of them had already found marbles and had returned to the faculty building.
More than half of the students returned with a marble within the first hour.
Only a few students remained searching the northern forest until sunset.
Princess Penia had actually found marbles almost immediately. Having basic magic power detection abilities would enable anyone to find as many as possible.
The princess already found a lot of marbles: between leaves, near piles of dirt, under a small wooden bench.
But something felt strange.
The number of magic-infused marbles was higher than the number of students. It wasn't more than just a few, it was several times more.
Even though it was only the first test since getting accepted, it felt way too easy. The exam itself was too kind to have been given by Professor Glast, who was infamously known for being an evil professor.
It was obvious there was a hidden intention. That fact wouldn't leave the princess's mind.
Most of the students quickly returned to the faculty building, assuming the exam was a 'first come, first serve' basis.
When the sun began to set, the students who were skeptical of the exam's easy difficulty also began to return without finding an answer. It was interesting to see them return with a good number of marbles, focusing on quantity rather than quality.
The moon was now in the sky.
Nevertheless, Princess Penia didn't return to the faculty building.
She constantly thought that there must be some hidden intention within the test.
After walking for a while, she ended up at the lake.
There, she saw the rock island that Ed Rothstaylor mentioned.
A pine tree mysteriously sat in the middle of the lake under the moonlit sky.
According to him, that tree was 'The Guardian Tree of Merilda.'
"Hmmm…"
Princess Penia held her chin as she thought it over for a while.
Eventually, she gathered magic power at the tip of her toes.
"Water Walking."
It was a spell that consumed a lot of power, allowing the user to walk on water.
But due to its poor magic power efficiency, it was hard to maintain for long. Thus, it was not a very practical skill in battle.
However, in that case, it should suffice for the short length so the princess could cross without getting wet.
Princess Penia slowly walked across the surface of the lake and noticed that part of the tree had fallen off.
Perhaps Ed Rothstaylor was still set on revenge and had set a trap.
If he were to do such a thing against the Benevolent Princess, things wouldn't end well for him.
Ed Rothstaylor should be well aware of that.
But there was nothing wrong with being more careful. The princess cautiously approached the old tree, alert as much as possible.
"A magic-infused marble…? But the color is different…"
There was a bright golden marble in the hollow of the tree, shining softly.
Princess Penia tilted her head.
"It's a unique design… It's golden in color and gives off a subtle glow but… there's nothing else to it."
Just in case, she tried to detect the marble's magic power, but the amount of magic itself was very insignificant. It was hardly noticeable.
"Although… it seems like an object with some meaning."
The princess swept her platinum blonde hair up and lowered herself, careful not to have her well-managed hair touch the ground.
Crouching down, she looked at the marble stuck in the tree and thought about taking it.
"I can't do that."
She only discovered the marble because Ed Rothstaylor told her where it was.
The princess herself had not discovered it. Therefore, her pride wouldn't allow her to take the marble for herself.
In the end, Princess Penia decided to leave the lake.
She knew all too well how shameless it would be to pass the test in such an unjust way.
-x-X-x-
[ Newly Crafted Product
Low-Grade Fishing Rod
Made from a tree branch polished by a dagger,
repurposed silk threads from fabric, and a small nail as a replacement for a hook.
It has poor durability.
Difficult to determine whether a fish has bitten or not due to the lack of a fishing float.
Production Difficulty Level: 1/5 ]
[ Production completed. Production skills have increased. |
I realized that the biggest drawback to harpoon fishing was the fact that it required too much energy.
Because of that, I thought about using a fishing rod and made one instead. There were a lot of branches for me to use, so I just chose the one closest to the right size.
I then found a fabric among my belongings made of silk. I pulled a few threads out and layered them to use as the fishing line.
I also had to take one of the small nails attaching the hinge of one of my wooden suitcases. I ended up breaking one of the bags as I didn't have a claw hammer to take it out.
In the end, I had a fishing rod, low-grade as it may be. For bait, I was able to obtain earthworms from under the rocks near the stream.
With everything ready, I threw the line into the water.
I sat down by the stream and waited for a fish to bite.
"It wasn't so bad sitting down waiting, chin in my hand. Compared to running around in the water and getting drenched, this felt as though I have become some sort of god.
"It would be great if this succeeds."
I remembered when I was young, running around the mountains and streams in my childhood. I had no worries back then, no fear of dying from hunger. I was able to just be happy. Thinking back on those times made me feel emotional for some reason.
"Hmm… I don't think I did anything wrong."
I thought of pointless things as I held onto my fishing rod, wondering if I made the right decision telling Princess Penia about the golden marble.
"IT should be more careful next time."
My biggest advantage was knowing everything that would happen at Silvenia Academy in the future.
But if I were to do something useless and end up changing the future… then wouldn't I have just thrown away my own advantage?
According to what I knew, Princess Penia wasn't supposed to find the golden marble.
If it were to follow the story, the person who was supposed to find the location of that marble was someone named 'Lazy Lucy'.
She was a talented person who always placed first in the Magic Department, starting from the class assignment examination all the way to graduation.
"Well, in my defense, that was the only plan I could come up with in that dire situation."
It couldn't be helped; the more pressing matter was to make sure that Princess Penia wouldn't expel me from the academy.
I knew desperately begging and appealing to her emotions would be the worst thing I could do.
While the best thing was to make her strangely suspicious of me so she feels that she shouldn't kick me out of the academy.
It wasn't the most convenient choice, but I thought it wouldn't be too dangerous. Although it was an unusual stance to take.
If someone were to ask me what kind of nonsense excuse I was saying… Well, I would have nothing else to say. I mean, it's not that difficult to talk crap, to be honest.
****
Professor Glast was known as the 'rude skull-faced bastard' amongst the students.
It wasn't unusual for students to give teachers mean nicknames. However, even Professor Glast's nickname could be considered a bit too harsh. Although the reason for it was rather accurate, the professor was both rude and resembled a skeleton.
"T will announce the results of yesterday's Class Assignment Examination."
The busiest and most well-maintained area was Phillis Hall, located in the southeast part of the island. All the freshmen students from the Magic Department sat waiting while Professor Glast was on the podium.
He had a scrawny and pale appearance. And due to his neatly slicked back light-green hair, his bony facial features were more prominent.
"First off, all of you 'brats' that came back within the first hour will all start in Class F."
The entire hall became noisy at his words.
"Next, all of you 'brats' who thought for a bit then brought back lots of marbles, you still have room for improvement, at the very least. Depending on the type of marbles you brought, you will be assigned to a class ranging from Class E to Class D."
Looking down on the students and having the attitude to keep calling them 'brats' was already quite rude. Among those students were famous aristocrats, powerful and wealthy people, and even royalty—and yet, he didn't care.
It was law in Silvenia Academy. When it came to education, the hierarchy shouldn't be important.
It was considered separate from the lifestyle and personal relationships of the students. Learning was an even playing field.
"There are only three students accepted into Class A, where they will be guaranteed the highest level of treatment and education—Lortel, Lucy, and Ziggs. Among them is Lucy, who came on top of the class. As for the rest of you, you can check your position on the list I distributed. I do not accept appeals. That will be all."
After his speech, chaos ensued once again. Professor Glast tried to come down from the podium, dusting off the fabric of his robe.
"What is the meaning of this? I can't accept this!"
"The criteria wasn't even clear. Did you just randomly assign our classes?"
"Please explain yourself! What were the intentions of this test and what skills did you want to see?!"
Some students loudly complained amidst the commotion. Professor Glast went back to the podium, as if he had already expected this reaction, and cast Voice Expansion on himself.
"The intention… why should I have to explain any of that?"
Everyone was shocked by his words. Princess Penia was shocked herself.
The princess looked at the issued list and was left speechless.
The freshmen were divided into six levels: Class F to Class A.
Only three students made it into Class A, and not a single student made it into Class B or C. The remaining students were all split into Class D, E, and F. Princess Penia's name was listed under Class D. And even then, she couldn't believe that her rank was already in the top 10%.
"If you want to get into a higher class, then prove your ability. That's what you need to do."
The situation was more ridiculous than the princess had thought.
She felt humiliated but soon shook her head.
Before the entrance ceremony, the headmaster already talked about this. Once she entered Silvenia Academy, there would be many cases where she would not be treated comparably to her authority as a princess.
It was Princess Penia herself that decided to escape her grand but impractical training room to learn magic at Silvenia Academy on equal footing with everyone else.
She was ready to accept this humiliation. But she still needed to understand.
"Even then, at the very least, you can explain the situation a bit more, Sir Glast."
The words left her lips.
She didn't raise her voice, but the murmuring ceased at once. Everyone was already aware.
That here with them was a princess of the kingdom.
As a student, she temporarily placed the importance of her status behind her, but she couldn't completely erase her inherent noble nature.
"Princess Penia, I'm sorry to say this, but this is my education policy."
A cold gaze.
She had felt that very same gaze from the many vassals who sat next to the king, vassals who were knowledgeable in their abilities and ways. Professor Glast's eyes contained that same specific coldness.
"But… If Princess Penia says so, I will make an exception just this one time."
And that attitude of willingly ignoring his own rules was also similar.
"However, even if I tell you, I just know you will all misunderstand and say I made the reason up. To prevent this, I will have the top student explain it instead. Lucy Mayreel? Lucy?"
The professor called Lucy's name but there was no answer.
"Ms. Lucy? She should be here right now. Ms. Lucy?"
Another commotion broke out as the students looked around, trying to find where Lucy was.
"Ush… Keugh…"
Just then, the girl sitting two seats ahead of Princess Penia reacted.
She looked a bit disoriented. The witch hat that covered her face was much bigger than her head, so much so that even her shoulders were covered.
Her frame was so small that even the sleeves of her robes were hanging off her arms.
"Were you dozing off?"
"Ah… yes… I dozed off…"
Her voice itself sounded drowsy, coupled with her droopy eyes that made her look tired.
She even admitted that she had dozed off. She was clearly one of those… weirdos.
"Would you like to come up to the podium for a moment and discuss the intention and methods you used to solve the test?"
Lucy's eyes shook at the professor's suggestion. It was obvious she was annoyed.
"Do I have to do it… now?"
Tension filled the air at her words. She just openly said, 'It's bothersome,' in front of Professor Glast, someone who was known to be extremely rude.
However, some of the students who had heard certain rumors about Professor Glast weren't very surprised at his answer.
"That's right."
"Uuek…"
The professor was extremely harsh to the untalented but was merciful to those who are. Professor Glast was that kind of person.
"Keehh… Ackk…! Kyaaak!"
Lucy threw her wide-brimmed witch hat to the empty seat next to her. She stretched both her arms and legs wide apart like a baby cat who just woke up from a deep nap.
She stood up like a caterpillar. Although it would be more apt to say she looked like a sloth.
"You may answer there if you don't want to come all the way here. Just explain how you found the golden marble in 'The Guardian Tree of Merilda'."
"Ah, really? Uhm… this should be quick then."
Half-sitting on her chair, Lucy began to explain as if it were nothing.
"It's what Glockt, the archmage, defined… The three qualities of an archmage that seeks truth. Magic resonance, quick and accurate judgment, and the will to explore. You wanted to check if we had these qualities, right?"
The name that was written the largest in all magic history textbooks was that of the archmage Glockt. The qualities of an archmage he defined were quite well-known.
"Uhmm… I was just taking a nap nearby and when I woke up, the sun was already setting… So I just gathered the magic marbles that I could sense around me."
The students began to lose interest as Lucy mumbled on. However, Professor Glast was still waiting patiently for her to finish.
"Of course, no one else could have located that marble except for me."
Her words sounded arrogant, but the way she said it couldn't be considered as such.
The tone she used to explain was nothing but reciting an obvious 'fact', like the sun rising in the east or a glass cup breaking if it fell to the ground.
She stated her words as if it was nothing special.
As she continued to elaborate through her drowsiness, the other students felt a sense of incompatibility.
A genius. Someone that can't be explained logically.
Lucy Mayreel was someone who was born with innate talent.
And those like her would surely manifest their unique prowess.
-x-X-x-
Silvenia Academy's royal accommodations were located in the western part of Acken Island. Amongst them was one perched at the edge of a cliff closest to the coast.
It was quite far away from the commercial district in the southwest, where various amenities and small business facilities were located.
When it came to academics, the royal family were treated as equals to other students, but they could not be treated the same when it came to their lifestyle and residences. That was the reason a royal accommodation was built solely for Princess Penia.
The grand mansion was quite spacious. Regular students weren't even allowed to enter its garden, attesting to how much special treatment the royal family received in the academy.
"It's very different from the academic district."
The sun was setting. Looking out the window, there was a vast view of the ocean. The subtle sound of the waves could be heard from the windowsill, filling up the entirety of the princess's enormous private quarters.
Princess Penia sat at her desk as she watched the sunset from her window. It was a personal desk made from high-quality wood, engraved with intricate patterns. It was even larger than Principal Obel's own desk.
In every way, the royal family's life had to always be one of extreme opulence. It was a life completely different from that of a regular student in the academic district.
Princess Penia swept her neat platinum blonde hair in front of her left shoulder. She opened her magic history and Elemental book but soon put her pen down. The princess was lost in thought.
The golden marble that Lucy Mayreel showed during the class assignment examination announcement was definitely the marble she found inside The Guardian Tree of Merilda. She came to a realization.
The marble looked unique, but there was nothing strange about it other than that. You could barely feel the magic power inside of it because it was so weak.
Indeed, Princess Penia's judgment was correct. The marble really was nothing more than a marble with a unique appearance and a small amount of magic power. However, the fact that it was 'filled with weak magic power' was the key itself.
"Not bad, Ms. Lucy."
The three qualities of an archmage that coveted the truth as the archmage Glockt defined:
Magic resonance
Quick and accurate judgment
The will to explore
The students that jumped to the conclusion that the test was judged on a 'first come, first serve' basis were deducted points in the 'quick and accurate judgment aspect.
What determined the top performers was those who did well in 'magic power resonance', judged by the amount of magic power in each marble. The smaller the amount, the harder they were to detect.
Now that Princess Penia thought back on it, there were different amounts of magic power in each of the various marbles that were spread out. But the difference was so minimal that it was difficult to even notice if the princess hadn't focused.
The more marbles found with less magic power inside, the more extra points in the 'magic power resonance' aspect. And the golden marble that Lucy Mayreel casually found after she woke up from her nap…
"The Guardian Tree of Merilda is the oldest tree in the northern forest. It's a tree protected by Merilda, a high-ranking wind spirit, so it's always surrounded by abundant magic."
Professor Glast said at the podium, talking with his unique skull-like face.
"In a small space where there is an abundance of magic power present, I placed a marble with the smallest amount of magic power infused into it. Even the location was just a rock island in the middle of a lake. Unless you were a student who was able to sense that minuscule magic power, it was a place that you wouldn't have found."
There was no end to the intricacies of magic power resonance. The same way a person's scent would be impossible to distinguish in a crowd, it was harder to notice unique magic power when mixed or buried among others.
Lucy Mayreel was born with the ability to push her magic power resonance to the limit. Not only that, she was dozing off, acting like she didn't know anything… when she actually understood Professor Glast's intentions already. Evident in the fact that she came back to the academic district with nothing more than that golden marble.
It meant Lucy Mayreel was already on top of the field.
"Alright, I can understand that…"
It was the first time the princess heard the name Lucy Mayreel. However, it turned out she was already quite well known amongst the others.
"Lazy Lucy."
She could be seen around campus curled up on benches, tree stumps, or even on the grass field taking a nap. Her origins were unknown, but it was rumored she was already a genius, able to push her sense of magic power to the limit.
It was a truly enviable talent, but it's a talent that she was born with. It's something that could just be accepted as unfair. But there was still a part she couldn't understand.
There was one more person who knew where the marble was.
"That tree is 'The Guardian Tree of Merilda'. If you look inside the tree, you're bound to have a good harvest."
Ed Rothstaylor.
Princess Penia felt deeply troubled. That meant he also knew the location of the golden marble, something that couldn't be explained as an accidental discovery.
The marble only held a small amount of magic power, in a space surrounded by powerful magic power from The Guardian Tree of Merilda. It was also located on a rocky island in the middle of a lake. It's not a place that one can find by accident while walking about.
Therefore, there was only one conclusion to be drawn. Ed Rothstaylor was born with the same level of magic sensitivity as Lucy Mayreel.
"Let go of me! Do you know who I am?! I am Ed Rothstaylor, the second son of the Rothstaylor family! Get your dirty hands off me, you pigs! Where do you think you are touching me?!"
"You think I would stoop so low just to mess with a nobody failure like Taylee? Let go of me! These dirty and ignorant commoners! Do you even know what you're talking about?!"
"What? P-Princess? The Benevolent Princess Penta? I'm s-sorry, I didn't notice you!"
"I'm sorry! Princess! I'll punish myself and hit my head like this! Please! Please show your mercy!"
"Princess! If you defend bugs like Taylee, your noble and high name will be tarnished. Please condemn him!"
"It can't be."
Princess Penia shook her head. Ever since she could remember, she had lived judging others. The disgraceful appearance that Ed Rothstaylor exhibited at the entrance exam was something anyone would recognize as a last-ditch effort of someone backed to a corner.
The princess heard that his magical abilities were nothing exceptional. Rather, it was a mystery why he was so arrogant when he had nothing to boast about. It was probably because of the Rothstaylor family's unique training method.
But more than that, Professor Glast wouldn't have left him alone if he had that much talent. The professor was someone who was madly obsessed with talent, so much so that he would find hidden talents among students and help them bloom.
There was no way the professor wouldn't have noticed his level of talent. However, the uncomfortable feeling persisted in Princess Penia.
"Was he really the same person?"
There wasn't a sense of relief or that of convincing. More than anything, there was something about that calm side of Ed Rothstaylor in the forest… His shameful attitude, trembling in fear and unable to hide his sense of awe in the face of power, of becoming weak in front of someone powerful—she didn't feel it at all. She thought he was bluffing at first, but seeing his actions changed her mind.
Ed Rothstaylor seemed more concerned about the campfire extinguishing rather than the angry Princess Penia in front of him. He sat by the campfire and talked, kindling the firewood with his poker. He didn't look at the princess even once.
She felt a sense of discomfort. A sense of discomfort from the fact that this might not be the same person. But the appearance and behavior he exhibited as an arrogant aristocrat that Princess Penia saw at the entrance exam—that was real.
"Was there a chance that he just changed?"
The biggest chance for him to change was probably after being disowned. But even when she thought about it, it seemed too strange. She was the reason Ed Rothstaylor was disowned.
He should have either blamed her or begged her for forgiveness. If he did, the princess wouldn't be feeling this strange unease. However, this new Ed Rothstaylor's eyes held no such unjust feelings. The eyes that Princess Penia had seen—Indifference. Apathy.
A good impression. He even appeared to be relaxed. The fact that these were the feelings in the eyes of someone who had just been thrown away by aristocracy… The princess thought it was unrealistic.
"No way… was he not in shock over what happened to him?"
No, Princess Penia shook her head. He lived as a member of the Rothstaylor family his whole life. No matter how calm and composed of a person he may be, there was no way being disowned from the comfortable life he had been living thus far wouldn't be shocking.
"Hmm…"
Closing her magic book, Princess Penia fell into thought. What kind of family was the Rothstaylors? The person that came to mind is Krepin Rothstaylor, whom the princess first met at a royal banquet.
He was a wonderful nobleman with a warm-hearted smile, dressed neatly and stylishly in appearance. But that was through the eyes of the young Princess Penia at that time.
Because her 'Insightful Eyes' were gifted to her by God like a sixth sense gave her the ability to measure a person's being, and they saw something different. Inside the benevolent noble head of the house, Krepin Rothstaylor had something that the princess couldn't explain well with words. A black and unpleasant snake living in the pit of his stomach.
Behind the perfect example of a kindly ruler was something hiding in the shadows. Every once in a while, the princess would notice his face darken as he left the royal conference hall. He was a villain wearing the mask of an innocent nobleman. Princess Penia had been sure about this for a long time.
There were even private troops secretly sent to investigate the family, seemingly hiding a darkness that no one knew. There was a rumor that items would occasionally go missing at the annual royal treasury meeting, only to turn up later. There was also a rumor that a staff member that worked at the family's mansion went missing. And a rumor that Krepin Rothstaylor indulged in books about the 'God of Destruction'. Something suspicious was going on.
However, the basis for this speculation was not enough.
Princess Penia suddenly stopped fiddling with her pen. Her Insightful Eyes that measured a person had never been wrong in her entire life. No matter how unusual it may be, if her sixth sense was going haywire, then there must be something going on.
But this was only a hypothetical 'what if'. Even though her sixth sense could sense it, the Rothstaylor family's misdeeds were yet to be revealed. What if Ed Rothstaylor was trying to leave that darkness?
It would explain how he could remain so calm despite being disowned by his own family. It was because he was trying to naturally cut off his ties from said family. However, it wasn't easy to leave the blood lineage of the aristocracy. If he wanted to be disowned naturally, he would have to leave behind a destroyed reputation.
Princess Penia's face stiffened at the realization. More than anything, if this was true…
"Let go of me! Do you know who I am?! I am Ed Rothstaylor, the second son of the Rothstaylor family! Get your dirty hands off me, you pigs! Where do you think you are touching me?!"
"You think I would stoop so low just to mess with a nobody failure like Taylee? Let go of me! These dirty and ignorant commoners! Do you even know what you're talking about?!"
Then even that ugliness he showed, that worst part of human nature he exhibited during the entrance examination… That meant it was all an act.
This meant he had a different type of inner strength that even her Insightful Eyes couldn't see. In other words, he was a mastermind manipulator who even used the princess of the kingdom for his own purpose.
"That was… all an act…?"
The princess quickly shook her head no. That couldn't be true. However, the change in Ed Rothstaylor constantly bothered Princess Penia. If what she saw was acting…
If he knew something about the darkness of the Rothstaylor family… If he used the princess to cut ties with that darkness… If all of that was planned in the palm of his hand…
If that's true…
Slam!
"This is too exhausting."
The princess pushed herself up from the table. She went to the window and was greeted by the cool sea breeze; her platinum blonde hair flew refreshingly in the wind. The feeling helped cool her head.
"I should catch up on the admission schedule and my studies, I can't afford to pay attention to state affairs."
Go enjoy the happiness of learning. That was the encouragement the King gave her when she left for the academy. She had been able to shed and escape some of the rules and mannerisms of being royalty in Silvenia, a place for her to study. She should let go of these thoughts now.
A life full of politics, power struggles between aristocrats, caring for the people, and diplomacy with international nations… The princess was starting to get tired of it all. Maybe she was already tired. She was just overestimating Ed Rothstaylor.
Not everyone lived their life hidden inside layers of masks. Perhaps this had become a bad habit for the princess, measuring a person due to living life walking a tightrope amongst aristocrats and ministers.
Physically, Princess Penia was just a foolish girl who was yet to have her coming of age ceremony. But her heart felt as though it had grown old.
Besides, she wasn't even at the age that she should be measuring others, but rather at a time when she should be focusing on herself. The princess sighed as the wind whistled by.
"Did I mature too early for my age?"
She looked at the mirror by the window. A beautiful platinum blonde princess who grew up well cared for stood in the mirror wearing light sleepwear. She gathered her hair and rolled it up, then she tried splitting it in the middle and tying her hair in pigtails, and then she tried tying everything to one side.
But by then, she'd let out a big sigh and let go of her hair.
"It's not that I'm not interested in dressing up, but I don't know why I get so embarrassed about it."
Authority sometimes bound a person. Since she was in a position of authority, the fatigue was indescribable. But it couldn't be helped. To some people, the princess's position looked like a blessing.
"I'm always thinking too deeply and too hard about everything… It might have become a bad habit."
Princess Penia still kept thinking as she stood by the window, feeling the wind. She stood there thinking about Ed Rothstaylor. Knowing the dark secret of the Rothstaylor family, he deliberately used the princess to get himself disowned and break ties with his family.
The assumption was too absurd. It made sense if she were to stitch together various pieces but… it was too much of a leap in terms of logic.
But his attitude had strangely changed and did a 180°…
"Let's just think he went crazy because he got disowned."
He also found the location of the golden marble before Lucy Mayreel and told Princess Penia…
"That is… I don't know… He must have found it by chance."
On the contrary, it felt too convenient. Princess Penia was aware of that fact, but she also felt relieved, having reasoned it out for herself.
"When we had a conversation before, I didn't feel anything dark from inside of him…"
Princess Penia's face froze. The conversation she had with him in the northern forest. She forgot how natural their conversation flowed.
As soon as she saw him, she immediately snapped at him.
"Get out of this academy! People here despise you. Don't you also despise this academy as well? Don't you hate me for getting you excommunicated?"
How did Ed Rothstaylor respond to that? With a surprised reaction, he stared at Princess Penia and said a reason that nobody would believe—
"The truth is, princess, I actually feel grateful towards you."
Stuck in such a bizarre situation, she couldn't ask the significance behind those words. Just what was he thankful for?
Princess Penia was the person who had the biggest influence in getting him excommunicated. Just what was there to be thankful for to such an enemy?
Was getting disowned something to be thankful for?
Slowly, Princess Penia stopped.
Crackle!
She could hear the occasional crackling of the campfire, as if experiencing an auditory hallucination.
There wasn't a lot the princess saw that day. The only thing she saw was the wide back of a boy rekindling firewood with his poker.
****
Fwoosh!
"I caught it!!!"
It was my seventh catch. The fishing rod I made in a hurry was performing better than I thought. The freshwater fish I just caught looked similar to bluegill and was already my seventh catch.
With that much, it wouldn't only be to stave off my hunger, but it should be enough to eat until I was full. I was always hungry, but after coming to this terrible world for the first time, it looked like I might finally be able to feel 'satisfied'.
So satisfied that I couldn't help but give a thumbs up.
"What a great catch!!!"
-x-X-x-
Hearing the cicadas chirping among the grass was nice.
The moonlight reflected on the water at night creates a relaxing atmosphere.
I was cleaning the fish I caught in front of the crackling campfire.
I worked a lot the past three days just to survive.
My once shabby living space had become quite decent.
First was my shelter, which was made with wood, clothes, and leaves. I had now reinforced it with clay from the river, filling the gaps connecting the support beams and making them sturdier. The gaps on the roof were also neatly covered. Even if it rained, there probably won't be any leakage.
However, the support didn't look like it could withstand the added weight of the clay. I had to reinforce it with more wood, adding volume to my shelter.
And as for food, I found rock salt downstream of the river leading up to the coast. I then ground some fragments into smaller pieces and used it to season my food. I also found a large flat stone by the river and used it as a grill.
"I'm slowly getting the hang of it."
I couldn't catch bigger fish with just a low-grade fishing rod. Usually, I would only catch small fish like Japanese rice fish, but sometimes I would reel in a Bluegill fish that I could actually eat.
I had also become quite good at preparing fish.
Using the ceremonial dagger that had now become my trusty companion, I cut through the fish belly and removed its guts. After that, I dragged the blade across the skin to descale it, and then scored through the flesh to let the seasoning seep well into the meat. I then sprinkled salt all over it and grilled it on the stone plate.
[ New Dish Made
Grilled Bluegill with Salt
Bluegill caught in the river that was cleaned and then grilled with salt.
It's simple but the tastes of the ingredients are incorporated well together.
Production Difficulty Level: ●●○○○ ]
[ Cooking skills have increased. ]
Oh, I obtained something new.
There weren't any messages like that when I only caught and roughly grilled my fish.
But ever since I started cleaning and preparing the ingredients, seasoning and cooking them properly, my cooking skill began to improve.
That meant the increase in my daily life production skills reflected on my level as well. I took my mirror out and looked at my reflection to check my information window.
[ Name: Ed Rothstaylor
Gender: Male
Age: 17
Academy Year: 2nd
Species: Human
Achievements: None
Vitality: 3
Intelligence: 4
Dexterity: 8
Willpower: 7
Luck: 6
Combat Skills Details >>
Magic Skills Details >>
Life Skills Details >>
Alchemy Skills Details >> ]
My Dexterity increased by a point from 7 to 8.
Proficiency in various daily life production skills was extremely important in 'Silvenia's Failed Swordmaster.'
That was because skills in cooking, construction, woodworking, pharmaceutical, and other production areas could create a variety of useful items, but were also useful when combined with practical combat abilities.
As an example, Dexterity was closely connected with a person's sensitivity. It had something to do with being able to detect the subtle flow of energies or movements around you.
It had little relation to magic, but it brought a significant differences in swordsmanship, archery, and alchemy.
I didn't know when my Dexterity increased but a point was already a great feat.
The higher your stats were, the harder it became to raise them.
Although it may not take long to raise low stats like 3 or 4 to a 7 or 8, you would need to complete a legendary quest just to earn a point once you reach the 20s.
Most of the daily life production skills were closely linked to Dexterity.
Combat Skills were affected by Vitality, Dexterity, and Willpower.
Magic Skills were influenced by Intelligence, Willpower, and Luck.
Life Skills were from Dexterity and Willpower.
While Alchemy Skills needed Intelligence and Luck.
It may seem unnecessarily complicated, but the key thing to remember was that each skill was affected by different stats.
I tasted a piece of fish. As it was seasoned well, it was really delicious,
I drank a few gulps of water from the stream and sat down on a large rock I've been using as a substitute for a chair.
"I still have a lot of work to do…"
The wooden shelter was uncomfortable at first, but it somehow became cozy as the days went by.
I still had a lot of extra clothes left.
When it came to food, I had somehow survived by catching fish and foraging nuts and berries from the forest.
I wouldn't say my standard of living is high, but it sure could improve little by little.
"I need a drying rack to wash my clothes, but how do I make something like that… If I go to the library in the academic district, wouldn't I find some related books about it? And I don't want to only rely on fishing and gathering, I want to hunt too."
While walking around in the forest yesterday, I chanced upon a wild boar roaming around. Apart from it, there were also plenty of wild animals such as rabbits and squirrels.
Since the academy had to be built on Acken Island, a large-scale monster subjugation took place first. It would be hard to find monsters that could count as a threat to human life now, but there were quite a few wild animals that lived in the forests, naturally belonging in nature.
Hunting wouldn't be a choice, but a necessity. Meat was about supply and demand, but if I were to collect oil from the animal I caught, the quality of my cooking would greatly increase.
"Come to think of it, I need some cooking utensils…"
The tools I had were all ceremonial items used at academic events— a ceremonial dagger, an iron bowl, and a mirror. These things were usually kept neatly, but at this point, I didn't have the leisure to pay attention to such empty formalities.
The ceremonial dagger had already gone through all sorts of hardships, and there was no reason to keep the bowl and mirror neat. It was something that couldn't be helped.
"It'd be so convenient if I just had something like a pot, a proper kitchen knife, a ladle, or at least a plate for the food."
Using a twig, I wrote down the necessary items I could think of on the ground. I didn't have money and couldn't leave the island right away, but if I were somehow able to obtain the funds, these were the things I really wanted to buy.
"I still have so many things left to do… But there are only three days left before classes start…"
ugh…
I let out a deep sigh and stretched.
At least I had enough tools to live with.
Over the past week, I worked hard to build a place I could call my own. It could now be considered something like a 'camp.'
The wooden shelter that I put my most effort into.
A campfire surrounded by small rocks to manage it efficiently.
On top of that, a large stone plate that I used in place of a cooking grill.
Along with these things was the neatly arranged luggage I brought from Ophelis Hall.
There were also quite a few other items I made by myself that I had organized separately.
"Then for today… let's try making a bow using some silk threads."
The silk I found in my luggage had been a huge help. It looked like a luxury product that I almost shed tears as I unraveled the fabric. The fishing line was made with that silk, and I also used it to tie and close the fabric on my roof.
The silk was of high quality and was quite durable. If I twist it well, it would be usable in a bow. I also found an appropriately sized piece of wood in the forest for the bow itself.
Making and learning how to use a bow would be a huge help.
Most importantly, archery had good compatibility with both magic and Dexterity.
That was because various magical modifications could be applied to the arrows, greatly increasing their power.
If I could increase my proficiency with a bow and arrow, I would see a direct growth in my abilities.
Based on my experience, hastily learning a skill resulted in inferior proficiency. It was easy to fall out of balance.
Prevention was better than cure. No matter how busy I may be, I needed to make sure I did all the necessary preparations first.
"I think it's going to be another long night."
Shrugging my shoulders, I got myself ready to go back into production mode. I guessed I would be sleeping late today once again.
****
Dean McDowell smiled contentedly as he swept his mustache. It had been a while since he laughed like this.
The position as Dean of the Magic Department at Silvenia Academy was hard and difficult to endure for a gentle soul like him.
There were many eccentric students that dominated the academy, but even the professors had big egos. Trying to mediate in the middle of it all, getting swept here and there, had made his once-shiny black hair start turning white.
The deans of the Combat Department and Alchemy Department didn't seem to suffer nearly as much. It looked to be that the Magic Department was just particularly difficult.
But there were times when he felt like he was being rewarded.
He smiled as he looked through the results of the freshmen class assignment.
The lineup this year was truly a gold mine.
Even though he had become old, the brilliant glow of these talented gemstones made his heart flutter.
First of all, it was a good sign that Professor Glast assigned three students to Class A.
Professor Glast, who shook his head not only at students but even at high-ranking professors, recognized as many as three students.
'Spear from Nature Ziggs', whose talents had blossomed even in the harsh northern grasslands.
The greatest merchant in the continent that led the Elte Company, 'The Golden King' Elte Kehelland's only child, 'The Golden Daughter Lorelt.'
And the one whose origins and past was unknown… The girl that made Professor Glast applaud with just her overwhelming talent—'Lazy Lucy.'
Dean McDowell couldn't help but be surprised at Professor Glast's praise for Lucy Mayreel.
"She was born with the qualities of an archmage who will make a new mark in the history of magic. I am honored to be her teacher."
Taking into consideration how Professor Glast had looked at many magicians who had been called prodigies before with cold and distant eyes, and looking at his words and actions now, Dean McDowell couldn't even begin to imagine what kind of talent Lucy Mayreel had.
Compared to last year, this year's freshmen were a great harvest.
There were barely any students who stood out from last year's freshmen. Only Yeneka, who succeeded in signing a contract with a high-ranking spirit, caught his attention.
Rather, their average scores were on the decline. They even had a student who was excommunicated for interfering with this year's freshmen entrance exam. It was a batch of students that could be considered the worst generation.
"Last year must have been really grim for the sake of this year."
McDowell was about to sign the report, hoping that Silvenia's great name could be raised once again.
"Dean. Please wait a moment… A guest has arrived."
His secretary knocked on his office door. He had told her not to let anyone in unless they had scheduled a meeting in advance, but it seemed as if she had already forgotten.
McDowell sighed and was about to reprimand her when the door swung open without his approval.
It was Claire, the royal knight, and Head Escort under the direct control of Princess Penia. With the door open, the princess herself came in, dressed in a dark blue dress.
Dean McDowell was scared out of his wits. He bowed his head and tried to honor the royal family, only to quickly stop himself.
They were in the academic district in Silvenia.
It was a place where the virtue of learning took precedence over the status of nobles.
Outside of the academic district, there would be people bowing their heads in front of the authority of the royal family. But here, Dean McDowell was considered Princess Penia's professor.
He couldn't treat the princess carelessly, but he had to at least act as a teacher and treat her as a student. This was the policy of the emperor who founded Silvenia Academy.
Dean McDowell ended his courtesy by carefully bowing his head.
"I can't believe the Princess has traveled all the way to the academic district at this hour. And what reason brought you here, princess?"
"I am sorry I didn't contact you in advance, Professor McDowell."
Despite her petite frame, Princess Penia faced him with an intimidating aura. She modestly sat down on the sofa meant for guests while the Head Escort Claire and the two other royal knights stood firm.
"There's something I wanted to discuss. Will that be okay?"
The Benevolent Princess Penia was not one to use her authority to pressure others. McDowell knew about that fact quite well.
So what could her reason be for recklessly coming into his office to ask him for a discussion?
Either way, Dean McDowell had no choice but to listen to what she had to say.