I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 150

Autumn has arrived at the Academy. And that means the festival is just around the corner.

“Hehehe.”

The president of the Academy’s student council, Carly Rhodes, let out a very satisfied laugh.

Until the previous student council, the Autumn festival had been a time of joy and, at the same time, a time of agony.

Planning a festival to satisfy countless students and faculty members, all with different backgrounds, ages, and genders, was an incredibly difficult task.

There was even a saying among the student council members, ‘A student council member who enjoys the festival is not a true member.’

‘But this time is different. At least until next year when I’m still the student council president! Hehehe!’

There’s no reason to worry. The ultimate attraction, no matter when or how it’s used, is right here.

“Welcome, senior! I’m Carly Rhodes, the current student council president!”

“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you, President.”

Karl Adelheit. Honestly, I’m still not sure how I should address him.

For now, I’m calling him ‘senior,’ but looking further ahead, that can’t be the end of it.

The heir to the County of Friedrich, the home of the Crown Princess. A two-time recipient of the Medal of Honor. A recipient of the Legion of Honor medal. A skilled swordsman who wields the sword of the Twelve Knights. The benefactor who found the Church’s sacred relic.

‘And the one who received a miracle and is certain to be canonized after his passing, following the canonization discussions.’

At first, I considered calling him a ‘Saint-to-be,’ but it felt a bit distant, so I decided against it.

Besides, according to rumors, Karl is quite embarrassed by such things, so it’s better to approach him casually, the student council president concluded.

“I heard you were looking for me.”

“Yes. I need your help with the festival this time.”

“My help?”

From last year to this year, perhaps even next year and the year after that… the student council president thought that the biggest attraction of the Academy would be the person sitting in front of her.

Even though he had already achieved so much and enjoyed so much glory, it didn’t seem like it would be the end.

This year, next year, and the years after that, he would probably create more headlines and become the center of attention again. That was her prediction.

“We need something to wow the crowd at the festival, and it seems like you’re the best person for that right now, senior.”

Meanwhile, Karl’s anxiety was growing.

Surely they wouldn’t ask him to go on stage and sing or dance, or even worse, participate in that hellish talent show?

He could handle dancing, but singing was a no-go. He hated singing, both in his past and present life. It was so bad that even his superiors in the military told him, ‘Hey, just don’t sing.’

“First, we’d like to ask you to give a congratulatory speech. Would that be alright?”

“A speech is fine… But wait, isn’t that usually done by the Chancellor or someone else on their behalf?”

“That’s true, but we think it would be more fitting for you to do it this time! We’ve already consulted with the Chancellor, and fortunately, they readily agreed!”

No, they might not be happy about it deep down. They just had their speech taken away by a mere student.

Go ask them again. Three times. They say the real conversation starts after three refusals. Go, now!

Whether or not she knew what Karl was thinking, President Carly continued chattering away.

“You even ran a snack booth at the last festival, right? This time—”

The memory of beating up the Kanfras was far more vivid than the snack booth.

Karl tilted his head.

Or was it the delicious snacks that led to that cursed mint chocolate?

“Can we expect something different this time?!”

Don’t get your hopes up. I might suddenly receive a miracle in the middle of the festival.

I’m scared that might actually happen. If it happens in front of all the students, I might swear, saint or not.

Karl subtly protested, ‘Shouldn’t the festival be about all the students? Isn’t too much spotlight on me a bit much?’

Of course, the student council president immediately crushed his protest with a ‘Not at all!’

“Then, we’ll be counting on you, senior!”

“…Alright. I’ll do my best.”

Please, let nothing happen. Please.

* * *

“…So, you guys are going to have to work hard too.”

“You say that like you never made us work before.”

These guys. When did I ever make you work?! You were the ones who clung to me!

When I voiced my frustration, the four of them looked at me with a strange expression.

“So, what are we doing for the festival this time?”

“Bungeoppang and hotteok again?”

“Not this time.”

Since they’re already successful, there’s a high chance that someone else will prepare those even if we don’t.

Besides, it’s the best tactic and strategy to not use something you’ve already used once.

“Then how about mint chocolate? Finally, Karl will also experience the beauty of—”

“Wilhelm, gag him.”

“Yes, sir.”

After suppressing Shulifen, who was hindering my thoughts, I pondered what to do for the festival.

What would be good? What should I do to have a festival worthy of my enormous reputation?

“Why do you have to do anything?”

“Huh?”

Joachim, who rarely speaks, finally opens his mouth.

He’s the weakest of the four… not really, it’s just that he’s relatively quiet compared to the other three, so his presence is a bit faint.

If this were a movie or a drama, would he be the character you’d say, ‘Oh right, there was that character too?’ at the end?

“Why do you have to do anything?”

“But the student council president keeps saying she has high expectations of me. She seems to want me to do something.”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

Did I just fail to understand Joachim’s words? Just in case, I glanced at the other three, and they were also looking at Joachim with strange expressions.

‘What is he talking about?’ Or ‘Speak in the Imperial language… in the Imperial language.’ Or maybe even ‘That’s all you have to say?’ Are those the looks they’re giving him?

“This festival, instead of you doing something, Karl, you should visit all the booths run by your juniors.”

“I did that last time, too.”

“It was only for a short time. This time, do it properly. That way, the booths will naturally gain more attention thanks to you, and your reputation will increase as well— Ah, anyway.”

Aha. So it’s like a kind of food tour? No, wait, a booth tour?

Joachim’s suggestion, after his long silence, was quite good. That’s usually how these types of characters are, quiet until they say something that makes you go, ‘Oh!’

‘I think I heard something strange at the end, but let’s just ignore it for now.’

I’m reminded once again that these four guys have distinct personalities. There’s the eccentric one, the seemingly sharp but actually clumsy one, the one who balances the other two, and finally, the quiet one.

“That doesn’t sound bad.”

“Right? I’m much better than those guys.”

“I agree.”

“Then, in recognition of my contribution, how about getting me out of the position of Patron Saint?”

What are you talking about? No way. You’re not seriously trying to betray your friends for something like this, are you?

“Joachim, let’s all hold hands and leave our faces on the murals of the Holy Cathedral together for generations to come.”

“But… it’s already weird enough seeing my portrait now, do I have to make others see it too…?”

Right. That’s exactly it. I’m the one who has to do it, but I want to do it together.

I patted Joachim on the back in encouragement and immediately headed to inform the student council of this great news.

“…Eloise?”

“Oh, hi, Karl! Ah, Senior Karl!”

“Lav and Lefia too… What’s this strange combination?”

Eloise greeted me cheerfully, Lav smiled quietly beside her, and Lefia, squeezed between them, managed to wave a hand after some struggle.

Meeting these three wasn’t strange in itself. The question was, why were they all gathered right on the path to the student council office?

The reason was soon revealed.

“…The elves are setting up a booth together?”

“Yeah! What do you think?!”

First, Eloise said that the Elven exchange students were working together to set up their first booth.

This had never happened before. Although Elven exchange students had been seen occasionally at festivals, they had never taken the initiative to create a booth and participate so enthusiastically.

This is good news. It means the elves are starting to integrate into the Academy.

The Empire had already established a cooperative atmosphere with the elves, so it was a welcome development for the young people who would one day lead the Empire to become closer to the elves.

“What’s the theme?”

“We’ll decide that from now on!”

“…Never mind.”

It was worrisome that Eloise was in charge of that, though.

“Is Lav doing the same?”

“Yes. I’m planning to set up a booth with the commoner students. Master. Ah, Senior.”

“What kind of booth?”

“…I apologize, but it’s a secret.”

Ah, a trade secret, I see. It would be rude to pry further, so I’ll retreat.

“Junior Lefia, are you also going because of a booth?”

“Ah, yes! Mine isn’t a secret! I haven’t decided on a theme yet! I’m just going to apply for a booth!”

All three of them have their own booths. Hmm, this means I have three places I must visit during the festival.

I was once again impressed by Joachim’s foresight. If I had been messing around like last time, I wouldn’t have been able to see the booths these three are running.

* * *

The Academy’s Autumn festival.

At that event, none other than Karl Adelheit will be giving the congratulatory speech!

“Brother Karl might offer some words of wisdom. It would be an honor if he could attend and grace the occasion with his presence.”

“It’s a semi-formal affair, and it would be awkward if we didn’t attend. If someone of his stature were to express any disappointment with the elves, it could create quite a stir.”

“I’m curious to hear what kind of congratulatory speech an honorable knight would give. I will officially request permission to travel to the Empire.”

For their own reasons, congratulatory guests suddenly started gathering for the Academy’s festival.

Even Avileshti, who had no particular connection to Karl, said, ‘Uh, if we don’t go, won’t we be the only ones left out?’ and word reached the Empire that they would be sending mages.

As a result, the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs was in an uproar.

“Why, just why! Did these guys all take drugs or something?!”

It was only natural for the Minister of Foreign Affairs to clutch his head and lament the sudden influx of work.

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]