I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy

[Translator - Angel Dust]

[Proofreader - Prototype]

Side Stories 25

"Wow, this is a big deal."

"Huh? What's wrong, Eloise? Is something wrong?"

Eloise touches her slightly bulging belly, and my heart skipped a beat. Selena, Lav, and Lefia were also startled by my reaction.

"What? What? What? Tell me quickly if something's wrong. I'll stop the train."

"No, it's not like that. Why are you overreacting?! You're making me nervous!"

Eloise tapped my head and grumbled for me to calm down. But from my perspective, that was quite unfair!

"It's natural to react this way. When a pregnant woman suddenly says, 'This is a big deal,' who wouldn't be worried?!"

"He's right, Eloise. You started it."

"I-I agree with Lav this time!"

"Tsk! No one's on my side?! Oh dear, my baby. Your little aunties are making it so hard for your mommy!"

Hey, won't our baby understand when they see how their mother acts later on?

"Anyway, what's the big deal?"

"Ah, well, umm..."

Eloise looks conflicted, unsure whether to say it or not.

Come on, you're going to say it anyway, so why hesitate? Just spit it out!

"If you're not going to say it, don't bother, Eloise."

"I am going to say it! Just wait, Lav! It seems like... it might be a girl, not a boy!"

"Huh?"

"Ehh?"

Everyone except for Luen, who's in Selena's arms, tilts their heads in confusion.

This woman, who's been singing about having a son, is suddenly changing her tune?

"That's a bit sudden."

"Right? You were all about having a son, Eloise."

"Well, this little one just kicked, and it felt like a very energetic kick, just like me. It couldn't possibly be like Karl with his calm demeanor..."

That doesn't sound very convincing. But then again, it kind of makes sense in a weird way. Especially since it's coming from Eloise herself.

More importantly, this is a problem. Mother-in-law wanted a grandson. Not a granddaughter who takes after her daughter, but a grandson who resembles her son-in-law!

She said having a daughter like Eloise was enough!

[TL/N: Mama elf fed up of her😭😂]

"If that's true, it's a big deal."

"It is."

"Indeed, it is."

Lefia, Selena, and even Lav nodded in agreement.

"Big, big! Big deal!"

Even our daughter thinks it's a big deal. Oh no, Eloise. It seems like it really is a girl.

"Waaaah! Even Luen agrees! Auntie is so sad!!"

"Sad?"

"Yes! Sad! Waaaaah! I'm going to cry!"

"Hey! What are you doing, Eloise?! You'll make Luen cry!"

"Too late. Luen is already sniffling."

What am I even witnessing?

Our daughter, who was tilting her head curiously, is now on the verge of tears. And next to her, an elf who's lived for decades is pretending to cry. And three women scolding Eloise for her antics.

Well, this is the married life I chose. It's certainly... eventful.

* * *

"It's been a while, Brother Karl."

"I hope you've been well, Your Holiness."

Pope Pellestrino XVII still looks healthy.

Normally, I should have visited him a few times to check in. He's helped me out in many ways, and I've benefited greatly from the Church.

The problem is, things kept happening, leaving me no time. For example, the Kanfras' final uprising, or marriage, marriage, marriage...

Huh, now that I think about it, it's all been about marriage? Ahem.

"You've gained many beautiful wives in the meantime."

"Cough! Cough! I apologize."

"Hahaha! I'm not blaming you. That's the nature of the human heart and love. I suppose an old man's words of admiration could easily be misunderstood. Hahahaha!!"

The Pope patted my shoulder and offered me a seat. He then subtly glanced at me, seemingly unable to hold back any longer.

"Well then, Luen? Let's greet His Holiness."

"Ha-boo-ah? Ha-boo-ah!"

Thankfully, Luen didn't cry from being shy around strangers. Even though she's only a year old, she seems comfortable with the Pope and smiles at him just as brightly as she does with her father.

"Hahaha. She's a bright child, just like her father."

"Wouldn't you say she takes after her mother more?"

"Hmm? Now that I see it, Brother Karl is quite the doting husband!"

It's more like I'm worried she might enlist in the military like me.

Imagine how much our daughter would laugh if she heard the story of how her dad confessed to her mom and got rejected, then joined the military out of heartbreak.

While I'm lost in silly worries, Luen is nestled in the Pope's arms, smiling brightly.

Her personality has become gentler since she's been around not only me and Selena, but also Eloise, Lav, and Lefia. She's not very shy around strangers either, which is why she's so adorable.

"Hahaha. She's truly a lovely child."

"Your Holiness, your joy is quite evident."

"That's the wonderful thing about aging, wouldn't you agree? One can't help but cherish the innocence of youth."

Woo-woo! Kyaaah! Abooo! Kyaaaaa!!

I'm glad no one else is here besides me. If the attending priests or paladins were here, they would have cleared their throats countless times.

They'd say the Pope is making strange faces and noises.

"Your Holiness."

"Yes."

The Pope, noticing my subtle gesture, immediately composed himself, resuming his dignified demeanor. Just then, the door opened and an attending priest entered.

"Your Holiness, everything is ready."

"I see. Let's go then. Brother Karl, ah, this child..."

"Wouldn't it be better for Your Holiness to carry her to the venue?"

This is the occasion of Luen's first birthday, where the Pope himself will give his blessing. Since it's come to this, it would be better for her to be carried by the Pope.

The Pope also agreed with my suggestion and nodded several times.

We pass through several large, white doors towards the center. As we open the door adorned with numerous angel sculptures, a new sight unfolds before us.

"Your Holiness."

I had requested to keep the ceremony small, as I felt too many people might overwhelm everyone involved. After all, the significance of the occasion wouldn't change with the size of the audience.

However, looking around, it seems the entire College of Cardinals, the highest-ranking officials of the Church, have assembled. And before them all, our daughter will receive the Pope's blessing on her first birthday.

'I hope Luen doesn't decide to join the Church later.'

The thought briefly crossed my mind, but I quickly dismissed it.

Absolutely not. Our daughter must carry on our family legacy. She can't become a nun. Who else would inherit the title of Count Friedrich?

Meanwhile, the Pope, holding Luen, moves to the center of the sanctuary. The College of Cardinals follows, along with Luen's parents, Selena and me.

The rest of the priests, paladins, Eloise, Lav, and Lefia are seated, witnessing everything with their own eyes.

"Let us all pray. For this little life that has been brought into this world, and for the first birthday she celebrates. For this child, to the One who looks down upon us from above."

Luen is placed in the center, and everyone kneels, forming a circle around her with the Pope at the head. Selena and I join them, along with the three other women present. ...Although Eloise, being pregnant, remains seated.

After a period of solemn prayer...

"Karl."

At Selena's whisper, I subtly raised my head and looked forward.

There, our daughter, Luen, was smiling brightly and playing with something.

At first, I thought it was something the Pope had given her.

But I soon realized it's not. Why? Because the Pope had the same reaction as us. Even the cardinals around him were all gasping in astonishment.

"Karl, that..."

"I know. It seems... it might be real."

A pure white, radiant beam of light streams through the window. One of those beams is resting precisely in Luen's hand.

It should have no form or texture. But Luen is waving it around as if it were a toy. With each movement, other beams of light scatter around her, adding to the sparkle.

"It seems the Goddess is quite fond of our daughter."

When I said that, Selena smiled and replied, ‘Isn’t she?’

Indeed, she had been blessed so much even before our marriage. It's only natural that our daughter would receive this kind of blessing too!

I'm not sure how Luen will remember this day in the future. But at least, for now, as her father, I'm simply overjoyed.

"...By Your will, may Your love be with this small but radiant soul."

Looking at this scene, it feels somewhat surreal.

A one-year-old child, receiving blessings from the Pope and his cardinals in celebration of their first birthday. Holding a beam of pure white light in one hand, smiling.

'...If someone were to paint this scene later, there might be some strange rumors.'

Just in case, I glanced around and saw several recorders frantically writing and sketching the scene in real time.

Well, um, Luen, my dear daughter. Good luck. There's nothing even your dad can do about this. It seems the One above is showering you with a bit too much love. Ahem.

[Translator - Angel Dust]

[Proofreader - Prototype]