I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 152

Mothers are creatures who can’t help but brag about their children’s test scores.

Men are creatures who can’t help but tell their teammates about carrying a game.

The Emperor is a person who can’t be satisfied until he lets the world know how great his empire and subjects are.

In that sense, I could understand, just a little bit, this absurd behavior of our Emperor.

Of course, only a little bit. I absolutely can’t understand anything more. Damn it. Damn it!

‘Your Majesty! Have you really gone senile?!’

If this inner thought were to be revealed, I could be dragged straight to the underground prison, regardless of any honorary medals.

But it can’t be helped. Nowhere in the history of the empire has an emperor ever rushed out of the Imperial Palace to the Academy to bestow medals on a subject!

Until now, it had only happened once for the princess and once for the crown prince. Even that was absurd.

If you’re going to receive a medal, you go to the Imperial Palace. There’s no reason for the esteemed members of the Imperial Family to make an outside visit.

Even this started because I half-jokingly said, ‘It’s a bit difficult for me to move as a student,’ and they said, ‘Ah, then we’ll go. That works, right?’

I heard there was some talk back then about whether I was getting too much special treatment.

Of course, now, it seems like the Emperor himself would personally step in and knock the block off anyone who said that.

[TL/N: *Knock someone’s block off – hit someone very hard..]

“Congratulations, Saint Karl Adelheit!”

“Saint!”

“Congratulations!”

In that sense, I want to knock the blocks off these four right now. Ugh.

“You guys, what the hell are you doing?”

“What do you mean, what are we doing?! We’re just doing our best for you as your Patron Saints!”

“The saint’s name must shine forever!”

“We are fulfilling our duty, so please don’t worry about a thing!”

“…”

I looked at the three of them and then turned my gaze to Joachim, the last conscience of the Hydras.

The other three were idiots, but I thought at least Joachim was somewhat normal.

But even he ended up betraying me.

“We are merely fulfilling our duties as Patron Saints!”

What duties as Patron Saints? You guys said you wouldn’t do it even if you died not too long ago!

And now you’re suddenly acting all passionate? Do you think I don’t know what you’re up to?!

“Young Lord, have you heard the news? The Karl Adelheit Foundation is rolling out new public initiatives.”

“They’re researching new ways to prepare for drought and a simplified magic-based water supply system. All the funding for this is going under your name.”

“New employment support for military veterans is also under your name—”

This is revenge. They’re getting revenge. They’re definitely getting back at me for acting on my own without consulting them!

There’s no way the foundation bearing my name would be plastering it everywhere without some ulterior motive!

Normally, I would have dissuaded them. Even if I didn’t, those around them would have strongly opposed it.

In a country ruled by the Emperor, the name of one noble is becoming too prominent?

Anyone can see it’s like waving a red flag, practically begging for intervention. Even if I were the Emperor, I’d think, ‘Hold on, aren’t these guys getting a bit too ambitious?’

But what if that very Emperor is busy boasting about that noble more than anyone else?

What if he’s going to the place where foreign dignitaries are gathering and openly showering them with rewards, shouting, ‘This is what an imperial noble is!’?

The result is obvious. Everyone will happily join in, saying, ‘This is true loyalty to the empire and the Imperial Family!’, and they’ll launch me into the sky with the Emperor.

It’s not even a plane. It’s like putting me on a spaceship and sending me beyond the sun.

“You petty bastards. Even so, how can you take revenge like this? I admit I went a bit overboard, but!”

“It’s fortunate that you realize you went overboard, Saint!”

“I accept your determination to be immortalized for generations with your friends!”

“No, but…”

You know what’s even sadder? I can’t undo it now. My name has already been spread too far and wide. People start clapping as soon as they hear the name ‘Karl Adelheit.’

If I suddenly remove my name now, or withdraw from the projects with my name on them?

Image is hard to build, but it falls apart quickly. The moment rumors start circulating that something might be wrong with me, the political situation will become a real mess.

“Well, that was all a joke, Karl.”

And these guys, as expected of nobles, immediately switch to a serious demeanor.

“The news of you receiving medals from His Majesty has already spread throughout the empire.”

“And there’s also this opinion going around. That no matter what, it’s not right for the ruler of the empire to personally come and bestow medals. That you, as a subject, should go to the Imperial Palace.”

“There’s been some talk about this among the nobles as well.”

In short, what these guys are saying is that they’ve been making such a fuss because of that very reason. Since the Emperor is making a move, they’re trying to solidify the justification for it.

By raising my reputation beforehand, it becomes more difficult for the nobles to raise their voices against the Emperor’s personal involvement.

It would be the most frustrating thing if they were trying to prove their loyalty but ended up being resented instead.

So, they’re telling me this in advance before I get the wrong idea. That the Emperor isn’t doing this out of necessity, for public sentiment, or for show, but after careful calculation of the empire’s benefits.

They’re saying I don’t need to struggle to maintain a loyal image, just pretend to dissuade them and then discreetly step back when the time is right.

“It’s an unprecedented event, Karl. Since His Majesty is making the journey, we need a stronger justification.”

“That’s the only way to firmly show that the Emperor’s steps are not taken lightly.”

“We have our own serious reasons for doing this. Keep that in mind.”

“…So they say, Karl.”

I understand, guys. If your only reason for doing this was to tease me, I would have thrown a fit.

But if there’s a legitimate reason like this, I’m willing to listen. I’m reasonable.

Suddenly, a thought crosses my mind.

Maybe the Emperor secretly pushed these guys to do this.

* * *

Finally.

The day has finally arrived.

Originally, it was just the start of the Academy’s autumn festival.

Truly, it was just a day when students gathered at booths instead of lectures to enjoy their own time, nothing particularly special.

But not this time. At least, not this year’s autumn festival opening day. It was completely different from any other time.

Starting with the key figures of the empire, there was the unofficial delegation from Hyzens, the cardinal delegation from the Holy See, the knights of Lasker, and even the mages of Avileshti.

It was hard to tell if this was merely a school festival or a grand imperial celebration.

And soon after, the highlight of today’s event was approaching.

“It’s the Imperial Guard. And behind them, the Imperial Knights!”

“Oh my god. I never thought I’d see them like this…”

The Academy has children from high-ranking noble families, but on the other hand, there are also children from relatively low-ranking families.

There are even many commoners among them, those who strive to advance solely based on their abilities.

How often would they get to go near the Imperial Palace? How often would they get to see the Emperor’s spear, sword, and shield right in front of them?

Therefore, it was only natural for these young students to be both nervous and excited by their appearance.

“Make way! Everyone, make way!”

And from behind, the one who would outshine everyone gathered at the Academy today was approaching.

“Long live the Emperor!”

“Eternal be the Empire!”

“Goddess, protect the Empire and the Emperor!”

Every time the carriage passed, everyone, regardless of age, gender, or social status, knelt and shouted from the bottom of their hearts, their voices echoing through the academy grounds.

Meanwhile, the carriage passed through the tightly controlled main gate of the Academy and entered beyond.

Inside, the guards and imperial knights were already lined up in formation.

Normally, they would have controlled everyone even more thoroughly, but this time, they needed more ‘spectators.’

* * *

‘I’m going crazy.’ This was the only way to describe Karl’s current state.

And indeed, he was literally trembling, his hands and feet shaking, openly expressing his current mental state.

He was amazed, or perhaps ashamed, of himself for receiving medals from the Emperor, not in the Imperial Palace, but at the Academy, in front of all the students and guests.

“Young Lord, it’s time for you to move.”

“Ah, yes. I understand.”

He followed the Special Task Force agents who were waiting for him and walked down the Academy hallway.

Even from afar, the distant cheers and shouts of ‘Long live the Emperor!’ reached his ears, along with the chants of his own name, the Empire’s hero, all seemingly under the Emperor’s tacit approval.

Exhaling, Karl slowly walked to the end of the hallway.

Taking a deep breath, Karl slowly made his way to the end of the hallway.

Finally, he emerged from the shadows, stepping onto the central podium bathed in bright sunlight.

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]