I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 142

Surprisingly, Lefia and I had a lot to talk about.

Honestly, I thought it would be awkward when we met, but since we unexpectedly ran into each other in the south, we had many topics to discuss.

“I was worried about how you’d adjust to the academy, but seeing you traveling like this, it seems my concerns were unfounded, Junior Lefia.”

“Ah, this is… well… I joined a club, and they happened to be going on a trip to southern Empire.”

“It seems like more than just luck. If they didn’t like you, they could have left you behind.”

At first glance, she seems very shy, but she’s also quite sociable.

That’s probably why there was a movement in Lasker to make her the next queen, even though she openly declared her neutrality.

‘How should I put it? It’s just a feeling I had from the beginning, I guess?’

Anyway, that’s how it is. For some reason, I didn’t find it difficult to talk to Junior Lefia either.

“You said it’s almost impossible to find a place like this in Lasker, right?”

“Yes. Even in the summer, the sun isn’t this warm. And when the wind blows and the rain falls… going into the sea would be a strange thing to do.”

They must live in a harsh environment. Maybe that’s why they’re so obsessed with knights.

In places where life is tough, you need something to be proud of, something to hold onto. I understand.

But the one who mercilessly crushed that pride, like a bully kicking a sandcastle, was my father.

By the way, Lasker recently sent another ‘gift’ to my father. I’m not sure if it’s a real gift or a bribe that says, ‘Please stay away from our borders.’

“Are you really not going back to your home country at all?”

“I’d rather not, if possible. It would only make the domestic atmosphere awkward.”

“But last time, it seemed like the Queen of Lasker cared for her younger sister.”

“That’s exactly why I shouldn’t go. Since Her Majesty cares for me, I think it’s right for me not to cause her any trouble.”

It’s truly a sad situation.

One side cares for their younger sister, the other cares for their older sister. But due to past events, they can’t help but be wary of each other.

This is what power is, huh? A force that can make even parents and children forget each other, let alone easily separate half-sisters. It’s better not to get involved before it gets messy.

It’s pitiful. The more I get to know Junior Lefia, the more heartbroken I feel.

She’s a good person. She’s not the type to harm anyone. But because of her bloodline, she had to flee or be exiled to the Empire and can’t return to her home country.

The good thing is, as I mentioned earlier, Junior Lefia has a strange power to attract people. It’s not about seducing them, but rather making them feel comfortable.

Even I, who don’t trust people easily because of that damn war, didn’t have any trouble talking to Junior Lefia from the first time I met her.

“Assuming you don’t return to Lasker, have you thought about how you’ll support yourself after graduating from the academy?”

“Ah, that’s… Well… Wouldn’t the Empire help me out a bit?”

She gave up her title as a princess, but she’s still a member of the Lasker royal family. She’s hoping the Empire will offer some support, knowing that.

Indeed, our Empire wouldn’t mistreat Junior Lefia. Rather, they’d try to take care of her.

For whatever reason, a foreign royal settling in the Empire is not harmful to the Empire in terms of both justification and external relations.

“I hope so. I hope the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will take good care of you.”

“Well… There is actually someone who cares for me the most.”

Huh? What?

“What did you just say?”

“Oh, nothing! It’s nothing! If you don’t know, then it’s nothing!”

Someone cares for her? Has the Ministry of Foreign Affairs already taken action? That’s good news.

It wouldn’t look good if word got out that we mistreat foreign royalty.

I turned my head to look at the beach.

I still don’t understand why people go into that water, but the scenery is beautiful. The wind is blowing, and the sun is just warm enough.

I thought it would be scorching hot, but it’s not too bad. It’s true what they say about beaches being cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

“Senior Karl.”

“Yes, Junior?”

“How long… are you planning to use formal speech with me?”

How long am I planning to use formal speech? Ah, this.

“Well, you’re from another country, aren’t you?”

“But Eloise is also from another country. You speak casually with her.”

“That’s because… uh, hmm.”

Where do I even begin to explain this? I guess I’ll have to start with what happened that day, the train hijacking and attempted terrorist attack that happened over a year ago.

“…Oh my goodness.”

After hearing my story, Lefia reacts with a ‘What?!’

She repeatedly covers her mouth in surprise, astonished that I single-handedly stopped the Kanfras from taking over the train.

“As expected of Baba Yaga’s son. That’s why you received another Medal of Honor.”

“Honestly, I’m not sure if that deserved a Medal of Honor.”

“Of course it did! You didn’t just save the train and the passengers, you prevented another war from breaking out! I think you absolutely deserved it!”

Whaaat? Why such a dramatic reaction?

“Relax, relax. Anyway, that’s when I met Eloise. And after that, we kept running into each other in various places. She’s from another country… or rather, another elf? Anyway, it felt a bit… strange to use formal speech with her after that. We’ve seen each other too much.”

Junior Lefia nods as if she understands.

Of course, she only nodded, and something completely different came out of her mouth.

“But you’ve seen me a lot too…”

“Huh?”

“Senior, you’re close with Eloise, but we’ve also talked a lot…”

“…”

Wait, does she want me to drop the formalities? I was being considerate because she’s a princess!

She doesn’t appreciate my kindness! This senior is a little disappointed in his junior!

“If you insist… then let’s drop the formalities from now on. No, I’ll drop the formalities, Junior Lefia.”

“Thank you, Senior. Honestly, it was awkward for me to be addressed formally by you.”

“Why would it be awkward? There’s no reason for it to be a problem.”

“There is, isn’t there? You’re a two-time recipient of the Imperial Medal of Honor, you carry the sword of one of the Twelve Knights of Lasker, and now the church calls you a Blessed One. It’s a bit much for you to use formal speech with me…”

Come to think of it, she’s right. I’m making her uncomfortable by trying to be polite.

Considering how uncomfortable she must have been, it seems like treating her more casually would be better for her to adapt to life in the Empire.

“How are you getting along with Selena, Eloise, and Lav? You seemed to be getting along well last time I saw you.”

“We’re getting along. To be honest, it’s not just getting along, they’re keeping a close eye on me.”

“Keeping a close eye on you?”

“Aren’t you popular with the ladies?”

“…Me?”

That’s strange.

The people who are interested in me are mostly those who want to give me work, or those who call me ‘Blessed One!’ Or those damn four troublemakers.

“That’s only natural. As you said, I have the Medal of Honor and all that.”

“I don’t think it’s just because of that.”

It’s not just because of that?

I was about to ask Lefia for more details, but I closed my mouth for a moment because of some people passing by.

“It’s ice cream. We didn’t really have that in Lasker.”

“It’s because it’s hot here. Honestly, I think there’s no better vacation than going into the sea for a swim and then having something cold in your mouth.”

Some kids run up from afar and pay for ice cream.

It’s not like the 31 flavors ice cream from my past life, but it’s still a success with just chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla.

That kid has strawberry, and that kid has chocolate. Then the kid next to him should obviously have vanilla to maintain the balance—

“Here! Mint chocolate ice cream! Here you go!”

“Thank you!”

“…”

Oh, for fuck’s sake. Why do the misdeeds of the four troublemakers keep popping up just when I forget about them?

These damn brats. Was this the future of the Empire you truly desired?! You demonic fiends!

I flinch involuntarily, and Lefia shivers slightly beside me.

“What do you think of mint chocolate, Senior Karl?”

“Me? Well, I respect individual tastes, but I’d rather not have it offered to me.”

As I always say, mint has its own flavor, and chocolate has its own flavor.

You wouldn’t mix fried chicken and soup just because you like them both, right? It’s the same thing!

“Are you by any chance positive about mint chocolate?”

“I don’t like it either. Why combine them when you can enjoy them separately?”

Lefia and I looked at each other.

Lefia and I looked at each other.

We both confirmed our shared distaste for mint chocolate, and then we burst out laughing.

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]