I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy

Chapter 44

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 44

The festival has ended. Although there was a slightly strange incident on the first day, it passed smoothly.

The Academy once again began to squeeze out students’ passion for learning as the Ivory Tower of the Empire.

“The midterm exams are just around the corner. Aren’t you all looking forward to it, students?”

The students who saw the devil in the laughing professor scratched their heads in frustration.

Discussing exams right after the festival seems a bit excessive. There are still two weeks left, so why use the expression ‘just around the corner’?

As the students of the Academy returned to their studies, leaving behind the joy of the festival.

Self-proclaimed ordinary returning student Karl found himself in an awkward situation due to the expected incident.

“Senior, what exactly happened on the first day?”

“That? It’s just that the booth was a mess.”

“Senior Karl, you jumped on someone with your fist…”

“Oh, come on. I’m not that violent, junior.”

“Senior, there’s a rumor that you were about to assault someone. Is it true?”

“What the hell? What nonsense… Ahem. Junior, do you want to die?”

The last one seems like something was seriously wrong, but it’s actually not wrong at all.

My actions indeed resembled an attack.

During the festival, everything seemed to have gone smoothly without a word.

It was assumed that Shulifen, Wilhelm, Alexander, and Joachim stepped forward in time to cover it up.

However, it was a misconception. It was just because of the festival period. There were many more important matters than uncertain ones.

But as the festival ended and life returned to normal, the events that had occurred began to spread little by little.

As a result, the most anxious party at present was not the Special Forces, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“If the kingdom and Hyzens make an issue out of this, it’s going to become troublesome!”

The fact that the Luzerne would cause trouble was expected long ago. They were even aware that they would target foreign students instead of imperial officials.

Yet the Empire did not take any preemptive action. Rather, they waited.

As a result, they succeeded in seizing the Luzerne leadership during the operation.

However, as the operation was exposed by an unfortunate incident, there was an increased possibility that they would get closer to the truth.

If this happened, the Empire could face criticism for using foreign officials for its own gain.

Actually, receiving criticism wasn’t much of a concern.

It was more about whether the pro-empire factions of the two kingdoms would falter.

Ultimately, the relevant ministers hastily convened, and this was the result.

– The Luzerne instigated trouble to drive a wedge between the Empire and the two kingdoms, as well as Hyzens.

– The Special Forces, by ‘coincidence’, was preparing an operation to eliminate their leadership but hadn’t paid attention to that aspect.

– It was almost a disaster, but ‘coincidentally’, someone who saved foreign officials appeared.

– It was none other than the Medal of Honor recipient, Karl Adelheit!

If it had been Karl, he would have been stunned, wondering why it was escalating.

As a returning student who just wanted to quietly lead his life at the academy, why did this keep happening to him?

Frankly, even the Minister of War couldn’t hide their mixed feelings towards him.

But the problem was that there were no better options from my perspective.

Honestly, unless it was Karl, unless it was the recipient of the Medal of Honor who ‘coincidentally’ prevented the attack, wouldn’t it be forced to say it was a ‘coincidence’?

He’s a returning student at the Academy. A veteran who survived on the battlefield. A Medal of Honor recipient, a rare figure in the long history of the Empire.

It wouldn’t be a problem at all if such a person ‘coincidentally’ intervened in the festival and prevented a terrorist attack, and even a tragedy at the Academy.

He prevented a train bombing and a tragedy at the Academy.

Since then, he has had a decisive impact on the future direction of imperial diplomacy not once, but twice.

If Karl is not hailed as a hero, then who else should be recognized?

The discussion on multiple awards of honor, which was already underway, suddenly gained momentum.

If only this incident could be covered up as an multiple award of honor, it would be a very welcome development.

“How about emphasizing that our Empire has done its best for the kingdoms and Hyzens through student Karl?”

“It sounds like a suitable narrative. Even a mere student is determined to stand up for foreign students. Just by doing this, the position of our Empire will become even more unshakable.”

“But… isn’t it going too far?”

“He’s already a Medal of Honor recipient. It’s just adding more glory to an already honorable person. It won’t cause any problems or harm to Karl, will it?”

A single Medal of Honor is etched in the history of the Empire forever.

But multiple honors? There has never been such a thing. And it was considered impossible in the future as well.

But Karl Adelheit achieved it. The one and only. Perhaps the first and last.

With such opinions being voiced, even I couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Is that so?’

And with the appearance of someone who put an end to my opinions.

“It would be best to summon him to the imperial court. That way, both kingdoms and Hyzens will understand how crucial Karl’s role was in this matter. Furthermore, they’ll learn how our Empire views and treats foreign students.”

The Imperial Crown Prince, Lufreheit Ragnar, began to step forward.

* * *

While the Special Forces were hunting down the vermin hiding in the country, Eloise faithfully carried out her duties.

She provided advice while moving with them, and sometimes even went to the scene to relieve stress.

The most important task was to transfer some of the Luzerne leadership to Hyzens.

“Now, can I finally take a break? No more work, right?”

For over a month, I worked tirelessly day and night without rest.

It’s not a joke. I really need to rest now. My face is pale and tired, isn’t it?

My smooth and shiny skin has lost its luster. If I keep working like this, I might really die!

If there’s any conscience left in the higher-ups, they won’t overwork me anymore.

Because Kanfras are Luzernes and not Hyzens. I’m an elf of noble and considerate nature, so of course they won’t do that!

[ I’ll hand you the next mission. ]

“Ah! Seriously, just stop!”

It was only natural that expletives would fly out of my mouth as soon as I heard those words.

“Are you kidding me?! I’ve been working my ass off for a month! My total sleep time for the past month is barely two days! Look! Dark circles under my eyes!”

Grabbing the squirrel, I brought it close to my face.

[ I see it, Eloise. So, clean up your face. ]

“Sitting down and giving orders all the time, you don’t know how tough it is on the field!”

[ Some of the Luzerne leadership we escorted have gone missing. Investigate to find out exactly what happened. ]

“Why do you want me to investigate when it’s clear that the Empire is behind it?”

[ It’s a prediction. It’s better to be sure. ]

Ugh—

Eloise sighed and scratched her head nervously.

I’m more annoyed because there are no mistakes. As the saying goes, there is nothing better than certainty.

Moreover, it’s a crucial issue that could distort relations with the Empire.

‘But this is going too far. You said they would let me rest.’

My insides boil with anger. It’s too different from what was initially agreed upon.

I took on the role of commander because I was guaranteed breaks and time off.

It’s natural for me to get angry when they keep changing the terms of the contract.

“Crack! Keung! P-Please, spare me! Spare me!”

“Shut up. You won’t die. Don’t worry.”

Among the things developed in the Empire and seeped into elf society is something called ‘carbonated water.’

At first, those who asked why they should pay for such water soon became captivated by its taste.

There was nothing else that could replace the refreshing feeling that came the moment they drank it.

Ordinary elves started to be fascinated by this new drink and began to drink it like water.

Meanwhile, some of them found new possibilities in that carbonated water.

“Come on. Drink it all up.”

“Gasp! K-Keung! Keung!”

My method, which I called ‘a little stimulation to extract the desired information.’

And to explain as it is, it’s just pouring carbonated water continuously into the nostrils.

It’s not a method of torturing flesh and breaking bones. It’s just pouring water.

Thanks to that, there were hardly any issues that could arise, and it was enough to instill a fear of death.

“How does it feel? Having your nose cleared up?”

“Kahak! Kuk! Kweok!”

“Let’s take it easy. I want to go rest for a bit. If I add up all the sleep I’ve had in over a month of work, it might barely amount to two days. I barely slept for more than an hour a day.”

My question to the prisoners was simple.

What happened that day? Did your leader really die? If it’s certain that he’s dead, why did such a crucial figure meet such a futile end?

“Kahak! Kuk! Wait, wait! I’ll tell you! Please!”

This is a question about people who are already dead. This is a question about Luzernes, which has already collapsed.

Deciding that there was no point in pushing further, he quickly continued speaking.

“He died! Yes, it was then! Just as our Luzerne was about to launch a massive counterattack. The moment when we were closing in on the isolated Imperial troops to annihilate them in one fell swoop! A bullet suddenly flew and pierced his heart!”

“Is that really all?”

“Yes, yes! He died on the spot. There was no chance to try to heal him or anything!”

Quietly listening to his words, I gently grabbed his hair.

Then, I leaned his head back and resumed pouring carbonated water into his nose.

“Kahak! Kuk! Khek!”

“Do you have anything else you want to say?”

“I-I’ve said everything! Please! Kahak! Kuk!”

This time, I poured carbonated water mixed with juice and salt generously.

Perhaps due to exhaustion, my eyes were droopy. It was rather eerie.

“Kyahak! I-I don’t know anything else! Kuk! He died like that. I really don’t know anything else!”

He knew. He knew this woman was thinking of killing him. If he wants to live, he must say something.

“Yes, yes! Because of the chaos that day, we withdrew our troops! That day! Taking advantage of that, some Imperial troops withdrew from the encirclement! I really don’t know anything more than that! Kweok! Kuk!”

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]