I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 149

Why me? Why? Just why?

Roderick Fredericks, a full professor at the Imperial Academy and Selena’s graduate advisor, clutched his head and screamed internally.

Despite his reputation for setting slightly difficult exams, he was considered a good professor by the students.

He had a pleasant personality, didn’t harbor any sense of superiority despite being a noble, and most importantly, he had a tremendous passion for academics, as befitting a professor.

For these reasons, when Selena, the daughter of the Marquis of Nafplion, became his graduate student, Professor Roderick applauded and praised her enthusiasm for learning.

Some noble students saw the Academy as merely an extension of their social circles. This greatly displeased and frustrated him.

They were at the Empire’s most prestigious educational institution, the most glorious ivory tower, and what were they doing?

Instead of learning something to contribute to the Empire, they spent their time on meaningless social activities, which made him feel suffocated.

Then Selena chose to pursue graduate studies. Despite being the daughter of a Marquis, she was interested in pursuing a higher degree.

It just so happened that Professor Roderick specialized in Imperial history, and she also wanted to study history, so they smoothly became advisor and student.

From then on, he was passionate about his role as an advisor. He strived to set a good example for a student eager to learn.

Selena was keeping up well, and he was feeling quite satisfied when he heard the news.

“Professor Roderick, I’m not trying to belittle you or anything, but… be careful.”

“What do you mean?”

“Selena Ifrit, the graduate student. I heard she’s dating that young man.”

“That young man?”

“Karl Adelheit.”

There was no response like ‘Who’s that?’ Of course not. No matter how much an Academy professor immersed himself in academics, there was no way he wouldn’t know that name.

No, rather, as someone dealing with Imperial history, he should be more familiar with that name than anyone else.

A fair number of individuals have received the Imperial Medal of Honor in the history of the Empire. Most of them were common soldiers of common birth, but there were also a few noble recipients.

However, among them, not a single one, not even once, has had the honor of wearing it twice.

Perhaps it’s only natural. Half of the Medal of Honor recipients, no, more than half… almost 70% received it posthumously.

Most of the remaining 30% received it while so severely injured that they could no longer fight. It was a miracle they were even alive.

So how could anyone receive it twice? That’s preposterous.

‘But it actually happened.’

He received the Imperial Medal of Honor twice. Once for single-handedly breaking through enemy lines and rescuing hundreds of Imperial soldiers.

The other time, right after his discharge, he single-handedly stopped Luzernes’ elves from hijacking a train for a terrorist attack, saving hundreds of innocent Imperial citizens.

When Professor Roderick first heard the news, he thought, ‘Am I hearing things?’

The opponents were all elves. Even average elves were stronger than most Imperial soldiers, and he achieved such an unbelievable feat against elves trained as regular soldiers!

And he didn’t even do it with other squad members, but completely alone!

“Good heavens.”

It was astonishing.

Nobles usually associated with other nobles, but he never imagined his graduate student’s lover would be the recipient of the Medal of Honor, not just once, but twice!

Perhaps that was the turning point. The graduate student, who had been simply admirable, started to seem different.

To be precise, it was because of the warnings he received from those around him, ‘Don’t push your graduate student too hard. You’ll be in real trouble if you do. The military already treats him like a hero, and now she’s the lover of someone the entire Empire knows!’

He tried to remain indifferent. But Professor Roderick was also human, so he couldn’t help but be affected. His graduate student was now engaged to a two-time Medal of Honor recipient!

‘I wish it had ended there. That was the limit of what I could handle.’

Not long after, the Hyzens unexpectedly bestowed upon him an honor that was only allowed for elves.

The Legion of Honor medal being awarded to a human! Upon hearing this news, both Elven history researchers and Imperial historians cried out in astonishment, proclaiming it a momentous event.

Following that, a lost sacred relic of the Church suddenly came to light through Karl’s hands.

Even the 4th Diocese had half given up on it, but he found it and returned it to the Church.

Thanks to this, Karl became known as a benefactor or a Blessed One within the Church, receiving immense respect.

Was this the end? No. This time, it was Lasker. Those knights, obsessed with their knighthood, relinquished their honor to him.

They personally requested that he safeguard the sword of the Twelve Knights until they regain their qualifications, promising to return for it someday.

“Professor Roderick?”

“Eek! Se-Selena! What is it?!”

“Um… I found the materials you asked for earlier.”

“Ah. Ah! I see! Haha! Thank you!”

Every time Karl’s achievements soared, Professor Roderick’s anxiety rose in direct proportion.

No matter how much of an Academy professor he was, in the end, such individuals were replaceable. There were many others like him.

But there was only one Karl Adelheit. Only one. In that situation, if that young man were to suddenly ask, ‘Professor, you’re not mistreating my fiance, are you?’ and confront him…

‘Can I… continue my life as an academy professor?’

This was his worry until just a few days ago. Yes, until a few days ago.

< Lumenous Council Concludes. Canonization of Karl Adelheit, Heir to the County of Friedrich, to be Discussed – Canonization Confirmed. However, the Timing to be Discussed Later >

The news that reached him was truly shocking. That young man had ascended to the ranks of sainthood. He had displayed the glorious act of receiving a miracle from the Goddess in the Holy See!

With a situation like this, if, just if, Karl were to look at him with arms crossed and say, ‘Hmm…’

It wouldn’t just be a matter of continuing his professorship…

‘Can I… can I even survive?’

Yes, that worry is probably more realistic.

“Professor.”

It’s Selena. It wasn’t like this at first, but now just hearing her voice makes my heart pound.

Oh my. Do I really have to endure this for another two years? Can’t she just graduate early? It would be great if grad school, like the Academy, allowed early graduation for top students?!

“I’ve organized and brought what you asked for last time. Do you have anything else for me to do?”

“Huh? Oh! No, nothing. Nothing at all.”

“Okay. I’ll be in my research room, so please contact me if you need anything.”

Even with such an incredible fiance, Selena never bragged or tried to use her influence.

I’m grateful for that, but it also makes it even scarier. If she flaunted it, it would be easier to understand, but since she’s like this, I have no idea where the line is that I shouldn’t cross!

“That professor made Brother Karl’s fiance suffer!”

“He dared to harm the one loved by the Church’s benefactor?! You heretic!”

“Burn him! Tear him apart! Bury him! Drown him! Oooooh!”

Once again, Professor Roderick, who had briefly fallen asleep, woke up thrashing from a nightmare.

* * *

“What’s up? You seem to have a lot of free time lately?”

“Not really. It’s just that I have more time to focus on my thesis, so naturally, I have some time to clear my head.”

That’s strange. I remember Selena being very busy last semester.

Wasn’t she also assisting her advisor in addition to preparing her own thesis?

Well, having more free time is good for both me and Selena.

“By the way, I heard you had another audience with His Majesty.”

“Uh… yeah, it turned out that way.”

“You’re really amazing. I bet you’re the only heir in the history of the Empire who’s had so many audiences with His Majesty and the Crown Prince.”

It’s not that big of a deal… I’m getting more medals, Selena…!

“Speaking of which, did you hear the news?”

“What news?”

“Huh? You haven’t heard yet?”

What news? I have no idea what she’s talking about.

“The festival this time.”

“…Ah.”

Right. It’s already that time of year. The Academy’s autumn festival. I experienced it once last year, and at that time—

“Hmm.”

“Karl?”

“It’s nothing. Just thinking about last year.”

I remember the time I crushed the Kanfras with freshly baked, piping hot bungeoppang and hotteok.

Their faces were quite a sight back then. The moment they flinched and backed away is still vivid in my mind.

“Karl. Karl? Are you okay?”

“Huh? What?”

“No… I mean, like last time.”

I immediately understood what Selena was worried about. I hadn’t fully recovered from the nightmares of the past. The sight of those bastards trying to harm those close to me again made my eyes turn red.

“It’s okay, Selena.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

The good thing is that I’ve gotten much better since then. I won’t go crazy and beat those Kanfras to a pulp like I did back then.

Of course, I’ll still be angry enough to break a limb or two and hand them over to the Special Affairs Department.

“…Anyway, the student council said they have a favor to ask of you for this festival.”

“Me? What kind of favor?”

“They want you to give a congratulatory speech before the start of the Academy’s autumn festival.”

No, no… A congratulatory speech at the festival! This is driving me crazy! Aaaaagh!

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]