I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy
Chapter 99

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 99

Working at the academy, you see all sorts of things.

It’s inevitable, really, when you have all sorts of people gathered in one place. It’s not just the noble students of our empire, but also exchange students from the two kingdoms, and even elves.

Children of dukes and barons are a given, and we’ve even had royalty in the past. Lately, we’ve been getting a steady stream of foreign royals as well.

‘So, even a Lasker princess… isn’t that surprising.’

Of course, this was a first for me—a student receiving the Imperial Medal of Honor. Not just once, but twice. And on top of that, the Legion of Honor medal, the title of Benefactor of the Church, and so on.

“Alright, student Lefia. If you keep in mind everything I’ve explained, you shouldn’t have any problems during your four years at the academy.”

“Thank you for the thorough explanation.”

“It’s my job. If anything comes up, feel free to contact the academy administration.”

My job was done. Now it was up to this princess to navigate her way through. Or rather, navigate isn’t the right word, it makes our academy sound bad. Let’s just say, do well.

“Don’t worry too much. I hear she was practically kicked out of the Lasker royal family. Treat her with respect due to a foreign dignitary, but nothing more.”

My senior’s words came to mind. He’d been a bit nervous about a royal attending, but then he said that.

At first, I was a bit worried too, but seeing Princess Lefia’s reaction, I felt reassured. It was clear she understood her situation.

“Now, please follow me. I’ll guide you to your dormitory—”

I opened the door, and there, unexpectedly, stood several people.

“…Student Selena?”

“Hello, Administrator. It’s been a while.”

Has it been four years? The young lady of the Ifrit family, from the Marquisate of Nafplion. I heard she graduated with top honors but decided to go to grad school.

Honestly, when I heard that, I couldn’t help but sigh, ‘Why?’ A noble lady, and not just any noble, but the daughter of a marquis, making such a choice.

Grad school was usually chosen by commoner students who were passionate about academics or wanted to secure a better future. They aimed for master’s or doctoral degrees to build a brighter future.

Student Selena had no such need. She’d been the center of attention for male students since her freshman year.

Considering most of them were nobles, she would have caused quite a stir in the social circles after graduation.

‘Well, she did replace a boyfriend before even entering society.’

The academy was abuzz with the news at the time. The first love of all the male students and the most decorated returning student in the history of the Imperial Academy.

They had even confessed to each other once, with one accepting and the other rejecting.

“Yes, it’s been a while. And who’s next to you…?”

“Oh, my manners. Allow me to introduce you. This is Eloise Loengrand, an exchange student from Hyzens. And this is Lavrenti, a new student. Oh, and Lav is a recipient of the Silver Star Medal.”

…What’s with this? Is it because her boyfriend is such a big shot? The people she hangs out with are no joke either.

I know a bit about the elf, Eloise, as an imperial official. I heard she served in the Hyzens military, and not just any unit, but a special forces unit.

Recently, there’s been news that the elf exchange students, who used to keep to themselves, have suddenly become eager to mingle with the imperial students.

I wondered what was going on, but it seems Eloise had a hand in it.

‘And with the turmoil in Hyzens, they probably don’t have the time to worry about their exchange students.’

The prospective student next to her, Lavrenti. No surname, so she must be a commoner.

But that’s where it ends. Even if I’m a noble and she’s a commoner, she’s a recipient of the Silver Star Medal. If a bureaucrat like me were to disrespect a decorated soldier, I’d be out of a job.

People have been getting the wrong idea lately because of Student Karl, but the truth is, receiving the Medal of Honor while alive is a miracle in itself.

The Cross of Valor, the Silver Star Medal, and the Bronze Star Medal are the highest honors a soldier of the empire can realistically hope for.

To have earned the Silver Star Medal, she must be no ordinary person. I’d stake my entire career on it.

“Hello, I’m Eloise. Administrator, we met once before, right?”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Lav… Lavrenti.”

“That’s right. It’s nice to see you again, Eloise. And Lavrenti, is it? We’re meeting for the first time. We’ll probably see each other again regarding new student matters.”

After exchanging greetings, I was about to resume my duties when student Selena stepped forward again.

“The person next to you is an unfamiliar face. A new student?”

“Yes. Well, you’ll replace out later, but… Student Lefia? Please introduce yourself. One of them is your senior, and the other two will be your classmates in the first year.”

“Ah, I see. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Lefia, from Lasker. I look forward to getting to know you.”

Good. She didn’t flaunt her royal status and maintained a humble demeanor. Well-educated, indeed.

“Aha, are you perhaps the Fifth Princess from the Lasker Kingdom?”

“That’s me. But here, I’m just another student like everyone else, so please treat me as a junior or classmate!”

“I see. Well then, Administrator? You were going to show her to the dormitory, right?”

I nodded, and student Selena suddenly smiled. What was that? Why was she smiling?

“I’d like to say hello to my junior and have a chat. You must be busy, Administrator. Would it be alright if I escorted her to the dormitory?”

“Student Selena, are you sure?”

I glanced at student Selena. There was no problem, per se. She was the daughter of a marquis and a senior who had already spent four years at the academy. She might be able to offer Lefia more advice than I could.

Honestly, it would probably be better for this somewhat pitiful princess to interact with fellow students rather than a bureaucrat like me.

I turned my gaze to student Lefia. If she seemed uncomfortable, I would immediately refuse. After all, she was a guest from another country, and we had to treat her well.

In that regard, student Lefia’s reaction was positive.

“I’m fine with it, Administrator. I think it would be better to talk to my senior and classmates.”

“If that’s what you think… Hmm.”

Escorting an important foreign student was one of my duties as an administrator. I shouldn’t leave it to someone else.

But this was Selena Ifrit, not just anyone. Top of her class, daughter of Marquis of Nafplion, and most importantly, the girlfriend of none other than Karl Adelheit.

‘It should be fine… right?’

After a bit more deliberation, I finally handed student Lefia over to student Selena.

Surely, nothing would happen. She probably just wanted to offer some advice as a senior.

* * *

As soon as the administrator left, Lefia’s maid approached her.

She seemed flustered, which was understandable. Instead of the administrator, three students were suddenly taking her mistress away.

“E-Excuse me. I’ll accompany you. I need to stay with Your Highness—I mean, Miss Lefia…”

“Hey! What are you talking about? This is the Imperial Academy. Even foreign dignitaries are just students here. No escorts allowed, right, Senior Selena?”

Eloise asked with a bright smile, and Selena slowly nodded.

This was true. The children of other noble families in the empire, even the royalty, had to do everything themselves as students at this academy.

There was no special treatment for foreign royalty. They couldn’t bring escorts everywhere. The escorts could stay at the academy but only as observers from afar. Any interference in student life was strictly prohibited.

“B-But…”

“It’s okay. I’m fine, so please go. I heard there’s a separate space for escorts. You can stay there. You’ve worked hard coming all this way, so think of it as a vacation.”

When Lefia herself said so, the maid had no choice but to back down.

With only the four of them left, Selena, Lavrenti, and Eloise exchanged glances and slowly nodded.

“Alright then.”

First, Selena smiled brightly and slyly stepped in front of Lepia, blocking her path.

“Could you tell us a little more about that, junior?”

“Y-Yes?”

[PR/N: Poor Lefia 😭]

“I heard you were embraced by Karl.”

“I certainly was.”

“In Master’s arms…””

Lefia sensed something ominous in the air, but it was already too late.

* * *

“Hmm?”

What was this strange sense of foreboding? It wasn’t the kind that signaled impending doom, but… how should I describe it?

It was like a persistent tickle at the tip of my nose.

“Karl? What’s the matter?”

“Oh, it’s nothing, Father. Just a strange feeling.”

“Hmm?”

“Please continue what you were saying.”

It seems those four are up to no good again. I’m used to it by now, so I’ll just ignore them.

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]