How to Survive at the Academy

[Gaiden] Windflower (1)
Pulan people called the pansies blooming along the mountain ridge ‘wind flower’.

Since when, everyone in the village has been calling me so, and Yenika, as a child, also called the beautiful flower the wind flower without any doubt.

The open mountain range. As I walk along the ridges where the clouds and warm sunlight shine through the blue sky, I often get the illusion that time has stopped.

As a young girl, clasping her picnic bag and diligently walking down the open ridge, the wind swept across her cheek was a delight.

Whirririk The wind that gently brushed the skin gently fluttered the shiny pink hair. When I left my body in the tepid wind peculiar to early spring, a refreshing feeling that was hard to describe in words filled my heart.

If you look up quickly, there is an alpine area that is colored white only around the top of the snow capped mountains.

Cows grazing on the edge of the ridge on the other side graze, and on the side of the road, a few butterflies flap their wings and sit on the grass nearby to take a break. As I listened to the pleasant chirping of birds, the open sky came into my eyes again.

If you look at such a peaceful and idyllic landscape unique to Pulan, it is as if you are living in a world where worries and anguish are gone.

Yenica Palerover was born and raised in such a fairy tale landscape.

The girl didn’t realize how great a blessing it was, but at least she had the awareness that every day was enjoyable.

If I had someone I loved, I would like to at least walk this road together… but I shook my head thinking what it might mean.

The world is too small for Yenica, who is still young. All she cares about is her family and the villagers.

The precious people I have kept in my heart are all living happily together in this Pulan, so it’s hard to think of anyone wanting to introduce this sight to you.

Everyone knows the beautiful scenery of this ridge well enough.

The girl captures her neatly braided hair and reaches out her hand to the sky.

The light of the sun that seeps through between your fingers tickles the corners of your eyes.

The girl leaves for Sylvania Academy next year.

Leaving the cradle-like town of Torren behind, she goes to face a new world. Yenika is too young to live forever in a rural village, and the rest of her life is too long.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, but the thought of meeting new places and connections made my heart pound.

It’s a feeling I couldn’t feel when I was stuck in a pulan and just helping the ranch.

I breathe in the fresh air and breathe out, and my mind is at peace.

After that, what you see is the Pulan’s mountain range that is still wide open.

This peaceful fairy tale world is the starting point and ending point for a girl named Yenika Palerover.

After going out into the wide world, meeting many people, and experiencing many experiences, it is here in Pulan that Yenica Palerover will finally be able to play.

The girl’s journey goes round and round, and she will eventually come back here again.

The girl slowly closed her eyes as she leaned against the short fence erected by the roadside.

A beautiful flower was swaying gently.

The pansy flowers that bloomed along the ridge were shaking their heads in the direction of the wind all year round.

That’s why it’s called a wind flower.

*

“I have to go to Pulan this week.”

It was the afternoon of Yenika’s return to the Baron’s house when Ed Roth-Taylor spoke like a whistleblower.

Yenika, who is being treated like a mansion owner, has not yet adapted to her noble status.

It’s okay to get used to it in two years, but it was very difficult to wield a person at a girl from a rural village.

So from time to time Edgar would visit Baron’s house to help with the maintenance of the mansion, so I thought this visit would be like that.

It was nice to be able to see Ed’s face only from Jenica’s point of view, but… Ed’s unexpected remark forced me to put down the teacup for a while.

“…what?”

For a moment, Yenika doubted her ears.

Ed Roth Taylor goes to Pulan. That one short and simple sentence was not accepted at once, so I had to question it once.

“I have to finish my research work before the vacation is over. I think I’ll have to go personally to close the case against the highest wind spirit from the Pulan side.”

“Uh, yes… that’s right. Ed. He, but… Are you going near Torren Village?”

“So I came looking for you. If you want to go there, it would be more convenient to go with a local person. Don’t you know the Pulan side very well? It’s home.”

Yenika swallowed her dry saliva.

It’s been almost six years since I left home. 4 years at the Academy of Sylvania, 2 years at the Duchy of Roth Taylor.

I’ve been there once to see my family, but I’ve never been to Pulan with Ed Roth-Taylor… so I couldn’t help but sweat in a cold sweat.

That’s the way it is.

The sinister, rosy gaze of the Pulan people equally penetrates regardless of their rank.

Already when I was visiting last year, rumors of Ed and Yenika were getting out of hand.

The rumors that started from the marketplaces and markets rolled like a snowball and grew out of control.

Already among the swings, Yenica and Ed are between Ball Jean Dabon. A good man and a beautiful woman, a natural relationship, a bond occupied by the sky, and a fate that will never happen again.

Rumors are so scary. In particular, after Orte and Seyla came to Aken Island and confirmed their relationship with Ed, it grew even more terrifying.

Yenika also confirmed the rumor that she had become bloated when she visited last year, but…

Yenika… she didn’t bother to stop or deny it…! I didn’t even agree!

Because… it wasn’t really that bad…!

I can’t say anything to anyone because I’m shy, but after hearing the rumors, I was able to find myself with the corners of my lips rising…!

I know that’s bullshit, but…! I know it’s not very dignified to support rumors that are getting bigger than necessary, but…! Still, human emotions are not what we want them to be!

It’s good to feel good!

Anyway, Ed Roth-Taylor is very busy managing the duke’s residence and doing his bachelor’s work.

Isn’t he a person who doesn’t have the energy or need to care about rumors circulating in a small town in the faraway Pulan province? How could the continent’s best master of the duke’s family spend his mind on such a local rumor?

That’s how Yenica Palerover rationalized her own aid.

“The carriage was arranged by me, so let’s go together next week. I’ll leave it up to Bell to manage the baron.”

Now is the time to pay for that sin…

Yenika forced her to stop breathing and replied with a difficult smile.

“Eh, Ed… that’s right. You’re coming to Pulan. Haha… Ed is the first Pulan, right? You will be surprised when you go. It really is like a fairy tale place. The scenery is beautiful… hehe… hehehe…”

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t come!

Although on the surface they are comfortable with each other, in principle, Yenika Palerover is a vassal of the duke’s master, Ed Roth-Taylor. It is the story of Ed Roth Taylor’s subordinate, bound by a clear hierarchical relationship.

It is thanks to Ed Roth-Taylor’s consideration that Ed and Yenika can exchange conversations as easily as they did when they were in college. Thanks to Ed’s kindness, who doesn’t want to hit the wall with Yenika, Yenika can have a lively conversation.

However, we cannot escape from the nature of the hierarchical relationship. In the end, Yenika is in a position to be subordinated to Ed, so if Ed wants to do it, he has to do it.

Ed never dares to direct Yenika to do something that makes her uncomfortable or in trouble. However, if it is related to academic affairs, it is a public matter, so there is no way that Yenica’s situation can be brought in.

So, Ed will definitely come to Pulan… and there’s no way for Yenika to stop it.

Then there is only one bow left.

“Ed… that’s… sorry!!! Sorry! Now Torren Village is… that…!”

Ed seldom narrowed his eyebrows, showing a bewildered look at Yenika’s sudden apology with her head bowed.

“…”

The silence that lasted for a while could not have been so heavy.

Yenica sat facing Ed with her eyes closed and her head bowed.

After hearing the explanation, Ed pulled the end of the wizard’s robe to organize his thoughts for a moment, then opened his mouth.

“To sum up, in Torren Village, we already know that we have seen everything, right?”

A ray of electricity ran through Jenica’s back at the sound of those words.

Exhausted, Yenika had to fan her face with her hands for a moment. This mugwort-like reaction did not change even after several years. How would a person do something like this in the first place?

“How the hell did you get to that point…”

“Ed too, I know because I met my parents… so… because there are only people who like this kind of gossip… How did this snowball roll over and over… I’m sorry… I don’t know what to do. I couldn’t write..”

Actually, “I didn’t use my hands,” would be more accurate, but Yenica couldn’t even say it that far.

Even though it’s embarrassing, there’s a degree. No matter how much we communicate with each other, there are limits. It’s no different from saying openly that I want to be with you while I’ve seen everything.

Only from Yenika’s point of view, the desire to cross the front line with Ed is overflowing, but there is certainly a line that is difficult to cross between Ed and Yenika.

The most apparent line is ultimately the difference in status.

There is an unbridgeable gap in status between Yenikawa, a baron who started out as a commoner and barely received a territorial estate, and Ed, who was born as a duke and receives the protection of the imperial family.

Who is Ed’s mate is an important political issue that ultimately affects the entire duke, so it’s not easy for Yenica to step over the place.

Ed also knew that Yenica felt a lot of pressure on the gap, so he didn’t force him to do more work than necessary.

However, I didn’t want to be protected by the name of Yenica as the baron’s hostess forever.

How about taking this opportunity to go beyond the front lines using the rumors of Pulan as a name?

A strange possibility came up that she would not normally have imagined, and she swallowed dry saliva.

“Sa… In fact… Rumors spread as soon as they spread… Now it’s not…! Not like that! If I say that, I might turn into a liar and absurd…”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah… what should I say, I was so sick of it that I just didn’t deal with him… I never imagined that the rumors would grow so out of control…”

“Then I said, ‘We are just vassals with the lord. Don’t get me wrong.’ What will happen if I announce it?”

“…well… the villagers won’t say anything, but on the inside they will feel very pity for me…”

After thinking about that, Yenica felt a little dizzy too.

Ah, our Yenika was very lonely… Just thinking about it…

Actually, Bocchan Ed, you are a wonderful and reliable person… You have to have that kind of heart…

I’m sorry… Yenika…! Because I can’t recognize your loneliness…!

You were lonely! That’s the age!

I’m still young, so I don’t have to worry about becoming an old virgin! She’s a noble and talented noblewoman… Why was she in such a hurry…

Let’s understand… Jenica… wouldn’t want to lie like this…

“I’d rather kill you…”

Thinking of the villagers’ compassionate and warm gaze, Yenica pulled her hair out and spoke.

“I just imagined it, but it’s so terrible that I think I’m going to vomit. Yenica.”

“It’s okay…it’s okay…it’s self-sufficient, so it’s my job Ed…don’t worry too much…”

Ed stared at Yenica with a pale complexion, then sighed deeply and threw the papers in his hand on the desk.

“Anyway, it’s something I can just hang out with. Isn’t it?”

“Huh? What do you mean, Ed?”

“It’s just a matter of taking action with the feeling that the rumors are true. This is also directly related to your authority as a baron… so let’s hang out for a little bit…”

You don’t have to go along with this nonsense, but Ed is a fan of Yenica anyway.

“This time, I will act according to the rumors somehow, so from now on, slowly clear up misunderstandings so that your authority is not undermined.”

“Is that so…?”

“Yes. It’s actually not that difficult. Can’t we just show our friendly feelings in front of the villagers? First of all, we’re good. You just have to do it as usual.”

Actually, it’s unusual for a baron baboon, who has just been crowned, to have a conversation with the master of the Duke of Roth Taylor.

“So… what specifically were the rumors about? I’ll do everything for you, so tell me.”

Ed Roth-Taylor is merciless toward sinful vassals and erring servants, but tends to be merciful to Yenika Palerover.

Yenika herself knew that well, so thankful for Ed’s co-operation like that brought tears to my eyes.

“That’s…”

However, telling Yenica directly what kind of rumors have been spread is… in fact, close to torture.

“That…”

Yenika crouched and wiggled her fingers, then bowed her head and blushed.

There’s no way to know how the rumor of a large joint has spread so much that just talking about it makes your face blush like that…

In the end, all Ed Roth-Taylor could do was wait.

“That… he walks around with his arms crossed every time he walks around… or kisses his forehead when they make eye contact…”

“When we ride together in a wagon, we always hug each other… or leaning on each other with our heads on our shoulders…”

“How could such a rumor go through…?”

“Originally, rumors don’t grow through logical events…”

“In the meantime, you didn’t actively deny it…?”

“Sorry! I have sinned to death!”

Ed swept up his bangs as if absurdly, then did a dry wash. I needed to organize my thoughts.

But, I don’t think it’s too complicated.

“Okay, keep talking.”

“Sorry… I have a fever in my head, so I need to rest…”

“It’s okay, so take it slow.”

“Ummm… just… yea, other than that, most of the stories are similar. Like holding hands wherever they go, kissing in places where no one can see them… And, at night… um…”

“…Sorry, this is the realm of obscenity again.”

“Well, you kept your sanity amidst those rumors. You may feel humiliated or ashamed.”

“There is no such thing as goodness in the slurs of the villagers…”

In fact, let alone a sense of shame or shame, while imagining the absurdity of a newlywed life alone, the corners of my lips ascended and I rolled my feet. Of course she didn’t even get to talk there.

“Anyway, I got a rough idea of ​​the situation. Even if we can’t get along completely, we can give credibility to the truth of the rumors by showing them that we’re good friends.”

“Hey, yeah…”

“By the way, isn’t it just that the rumors get bigger if I do this for nothing? It is not a drug, but rather a poison.”

“That’s not it! However, if you feel that they are good friends, then the rumors are not lies at all! If some of the rumors are true, the rest are inflated…. It won’t hurt my authority… It’s a completely different feeling from lying at all…”

Yenika’s parents, Orte and Seyla, also know that Ed and Yenika are good friends.

If such eyewitness information overlaps well, the fact that Ed Roth-Taylor and Yenica are more special than you think will be accepted as the truth.

Then, there is no need to write a stigma that Yenica could not overcome her loneliness and abetted such nonsense. It is enough to confirm only part of the rumors.

“Yeah… I got it…”

Ed took a deep breath, but understood Yenika’s position.

“I’ll do my best to get along, so you just cooperate with my research work.”

“Ugh… I’m not sure how helpful I will be…”

“I think it will be of great help. And Merylda too…”

Yenica glanced down and looked at the papers Ed had opened.

Data on the highest wind spirit, Tyr’kallax.

The story of the traces of the wind left by that giant bear-shaped spirit when it melted into nature, located in the high mountains of the Pulan region.

The story of the end of the giant bear spirit who commanded Pulan was also left as a research subject.

Was the wind that permeated through the ridges of the alpine areas of Pulan, where the pasture land was spread out, were also traces of the highest wind spirit?

Coming to think of it that way, the notes in the research journal that Ed brought to Jenica felt special to her as well.

Pulan’s wind is warm and cozy.

The girl who grew up in the wind since she was young was Yenica Palerover.

“By the way, if you’re trying to live up to the rumors, I think you’re going to suffer more, not me.”

“Uh, huh? do you mean me No, if Ed had to suffer more, he suffered… What do I have to suffer?”

“If you did anything in the first place, would it only make you more suspicious?”

Yenica Palerover has absolutely no immunity to men.

Especially against Ed Roth-Taylor, he shrugs his shoulders and bows his head as if an electric current jumps through his body just by rubbing his skin…

If you had folded your arms in such a posture or kissed your forehead, it would have been an unnatural reaction.

If, even with a nosebleed, you can’t overcome the shame and push Ed away, it will only make you more suspicious.

“At first, I think you need to get used to things like skinship.”

“Is that so? Must it be? If you don’t have to, you probably won’t, but if Ed says you have to, then I might be ready to put the effort into it!”

“The problem is already gibberish, you.”

“Oh, but… how do you do something you’re not familiar with!”

Ed rested his chin for a moment in thought, then got up and approached Yenika.

“In the end, I don’t think there is an answer other than getting used to it after trying a lot.”

“What!”

Before Yenika could say anything, Ed ruffled Yenika’s bangs, revealing her forehead.

Yenica was breathing hard, but she couldn’t resist. She said that there were rumors of her going round and round that whenever her eyes met, she kissed her forehead. It’s true that she’ll have to practice her from now on, once she’s going to show that she does it naturally.

I understand the logic, but it’s too big a wall for the naive Yenika.

Ed Roth Taylor is a veteran who has gone through all kinds of life experiences before and after childbirth, so I’m not in a position to be nervous about having some skin-to-skin contact with a woman. Rather, as she acted more like a sign of her duty to help Jenica, she brought her face more freely.

Yenica couldn’t stand the blood flow that was filling her face to the limit, and she came to the point of pouring out her nose…

Actually, the moment I faced myself that I didn’t like the current situation that much, I rather closed my eyes.

Like that, half nervous and half anticipating the moment I wait for the faint heat to hit my forehead——

– Knock, Knock.

“Excuse me. master. About the schedule of managing the baron while Miss Yenica is away…”

After a formal knock, Bell Maia entered the reception room and witnessed the situation.

Bel Maia was silent for a moment when she saw Edgar wiping Yenica’s forehead…

“I will be back in 30 minutes, Master.”

After saying hello with her skirts raised in an old-fashioned posture, Bell firmly closed the door of the reception room again and left.

Ed and Yenica remained silent, and slowly regained their composure in the again quiet reception room.

Bell Maia came out of the reception room and buried her head in the hallway wall, pressing her temples.

‘I started as an apprentice maid when I was young, and this year is my 17th year of experience…’

Work is always done quickly and reliably. That was Bellmaia’s motto, but I was so distracted by that policy that I made a huge mistake.

‘What a rudimentary mistake…!!’

Initially, most of the emotional exchange is done in a ferocious way because of the heat.

As soon as he saw the faces of the two men, who had regained their sanity with Bell’s appearance, Bell had to swallow a scream with a sense of pity.

The moment that timid Baron Yenica is about to slow down, he must be on his way to get work orders…

It would be absurd for an ordinary person to predict such a situation and move… but it felt like a huge mistake for Belle Maia, the maid who should always be perfect.

‘Whoah… Let’s calm down…’

Anyway, from Jenica’s point of view, I will accompany Ed to Pulan from now on, so there will be plenty of opportunities to slow things down.

In fact, Bell feels a bit reassured since they say they are already ready to bite, suck, and do everything like that.

It’s actually Belle. Ed, his master, is ready to applaud whoever he is with, but he can’t help but fall in love with Yenika.

She’s just like a succulent when it comes to dating, so she needed someone to push her from behind a little bit.

The problem is, Tanya Roth-Taylor doesn’t want to let that happen.

Tanya was doing everything she could to get Ed away from all the relationships around him. If it is for the revival of the Duke of Roth Taylor, there is no way that the splendid connections of the older brother can be left unattended.

‘Master Tanya… How do you see the situation…’

Bell tilted her head for a moment.

From Bell’s point of view, whatever happens to my owner, Ed Roth Taylor, all I have to do is assist him…

Honestly, Bell’s guess was that if Yenica and Edgar accompany them on that long journey to Pulan, they would cross the line and then return. It’s more difficult not to do that.

Ed Roth Taylor has been so busy moving between the Dukes and Arken Island in the meantime…

If Yenika and I go on a leisurely schedule to a romantic and beautiful land like Pulan… Isn’t the game actually over here…?

Bell shrugged her chin and was lost in thought for a moment, then shook her head.

Actually, it was because it was a pointless issue for Bell to think about.

Just get ready to see Ed and Yenika off to Pulan. A maid has the duty of a maid.

Remembering that, Bell adjusted her outfit and headed out across the hallway.