I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy
Chapter 3

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – ChiSync]

Chapter 3

To be honest, that situation was very uncomfortable. It was so uncomfortable that I felt like I might die from embarrassment. Facing the embarrassing memories from my past has always been an unpleasant experience.

But then again, it’d also be awkward to say in person, ‘Ah, we shouldn’t be seeing each other like this. Let’s just end it here.’

Thinking about it. Who was the one who confessed? Me. And who got upset? Selena, who was sitting in front of me.

If I were to say it first, she’d be cold to me, and I’d be sulking! Apologizing about something I didn’t even do. I don’t want to be that pathetic guy.

…Wait. Did I really do that? I’m getting a little confused about my past life. It’s fortunate that my consciousness seems more aligned with the present rather than the past.

“Did you greet the others?”

“Just Etienne. I didn’t meet the others.”

“They’re all probably busy. Since it’s the end of the semester, those who haven’t met their credit requirements must be busy too.”

Come on, guys! The professors warned us to earn credits early and enjoy, didn’t they?

Human beings are all inevitably like that. They only start working at the last moment.

Assignments, exams, and credits. Ultimately, cramming in is the best way, isn’t it?

“But, Karl. You mentioned that you served in the military, right?”

“Huh? Oh. Yeah?”

“You also fought in the war against Luzern, right?”

“Yeah. I practically spent the entire three years of my military service there.”

That’s strange. I thought women hated talking about military stuff.

I suppose I should be grateful since she was the one to bring it up first.

Since Selena allowed it, I casually shared some of my military anecdotes. Though nothing too profound, focusing more on the entertaining stories.

Fortunately, her reaction wasn’t bad. Look, she wasn’t forcing herself to laugh.

“…Karl.”

Selena, who was chuckling, suddenly out called my name.

“I don’t know if it’s because you’ve been in the military, but you seem different.”

“Different?”

“Yeah. How should I say it? It seems like you have become more composured compared to before, and also….”

If I didn’t know about my past life, I would have thought, ‘Oh! Isn’t that a good thing?!’ But as someone who has already experienced the hellish military twice, it was not that impressive.

When you mention having served in the military, don’t you often hear responses like that?

You seem different. You seem more mature. But, in reality I was just a slave.

“Oh, right. Karl, have you ever met my brother?”

“Your brother? Where did your older brother serve?”

“He was a platoon leader in the 7th Division of the Imperial Army.”

“There are many platoon leaders there, so I’m not sure… Hmm, I don’t think I’ve met him.”

“Really? That’s strange. I thought you said you were an officer.”

“I was not an officer. I was just a soldier.”

Selena reflexively noded, ‘Ah, I see’, to my response.

But soon she exclaimed, ‘Wait. What did you just say?’ and became visibly flustered.

How many times have I seen that reaction today alone?

If I knew it would be like this, I would have definitely enlisted as an officer.

“You enlisted as a soldier?”

“Yeah.”

“Not as an officer? Why?”

Yeah, why did I enlist as a soldier? I’m curious too.

Let’s recall how I felt at that time. Right. Let’s see. The me back then. Why did you do that? Ah, yes. To forget the pain. Oh, I see! That fucking idiot.

No matter what, it’s still unbelievable that a noble’s son ended up as an ordinary soldier.

And to make matters worse, at that time, I ended up going to war, and my family didn’t even receive the slightest honor.

While all Imperial soldiers were fighting hard, someone quietly retreated to the rear?

Once that’s revealed, everyone involved will suffer.

“So, you went to the battlefield as a soldier, not an officer?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh…”

Selena must have been so shocked that she kept saying ‘Oh my god’ while covering her mouth.

Then suddenly, she seemed to gain a significant realization and jumped up from her seat.

“Wait. It can’t be, right?”

“What?”

“Enlisting as a soldier. Th-that wasn’t because of me, was it?!”

“Huh?”

“Was it because of me?! Because I rejected your confession. So, you got hurt!”

“Huh? Uh… no, it’s not like that. It wasn’t because of you!”

I was just a bit naive back then. At best, I was an idiot.

I was a fool who thought that if my body got tired, the pain in my heart would lessen.

But Selena didn’t even give me a chance to say that.

“I had no idea… and I’ve been talking about it so casually all this time… No wonder, it was strange from the start that someone like you, a noble’s son, enlisted as a soldier…! Karl, I’m truly sorry….”

Wait, there. Selena? Listen to me! I’m asking you to listen!

Yes, it was because of you, but there’s no need for apologies whatsoever.

If anyone should apologize, it’s the stupid past me for making such a ridiculous decision!

I sighed inwardly and finally decided to bring it up.

There was a story being spread around the department of war news.

First, I needed to adjust my posture and lower my voice for sincerity.

Alright, let’s begin.

“That’s not it, Selena.”

Not a bad start. Surprisingly, Selena was taken aback by my lowered voice.

The seniors always said my voice was too high-pitched and a bit weird.

They even suggested I deliberately lower my voice, and I guess, they were right.

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – ChiSync]

“I just wanted to fulfill my duty as a noble to the Empire. And since I was going to do it, I wanted to see things from a soldier’s perspective, rather than being an officer.”

“Really?”

“Really. Who in their right mind would enlist as a soldier just because they got rejected?”

Yeah, who would? Ta-da, this crazy guy is right here!

“Well, if that’s really the case… I’m relieved… Really, right? That’s really the reason?”

“I’m telling you, don’t blame yourself. If you keep doing that, my years of sacrifice for the Empire will seem like they were wasted because of some silly reason.”

Please. Please don’t see me as some idiot who enlisted as a soldier just because he got rejected.

I’ve had enough of those who look at me with pity. I don’t need any more.

Please. Please!!

After my tearful persuasion, Selena seemed to calm down a little.

Imagine hearing that the guy you rejected ended up enlisting as a soldier and feeling sorry for him because of it.

If someone hears that and thinks, ‘Oh, I see. What an idiot.’ then who would be the real villain here?

Wouldn’t that be the behavior befitting of a villainess or a tyrannical empress?

***

The reunion with her was the worst… Although nothing happened.

It was really fortunate. As soon as I saw her, Selena said, ‘Sorry. There’s still no place for you in my heart.’ She might still be like ‘He must still be unable to overcome the horrible things I did to him in the past and he might drop out again.’

“Anyways, Welcome back. Karl. Oh, are you a junior now?”

“Yes, yes. I’m just a fledgling freshman. Senior Selena. Good luck with your graduating class.”

“…Something about you seems drastically different from back then.”

“Yeah, it’s different! I deeply reflected on myself after seeing what life is like in the military.”

Then Selena bursts into laughter.

It seems like my response really struck a chord with her.

I mean, I understand. Although I just blabbered out some nonsense.

Reflecting on themself after seeing what life is like in the military? Then that guy must’ve had it easy in the military.

Where in the world would one have the time to reflect on life in the military? There’s only time to work your ass off.

Usually you’re on a mission. You just get caught in a drill and you get screwed.

Then when war breaks out, you feel like ending everything but just have to keep living.

Then you get to a point where you’re simpley like, ‘Fuck life’, and each day just passes by.

“Um, sorry. I said something similar to my brother.”

“It seems your brother also had a very difficult experience.”

“That’s what he said. Ah, it’s time for my lecture now. See you later.”

Why the ‘see you later’? Can’t we just stop seeing each other after this?

I feel damn uncomfortable. More precisely, I feel like I’m going to die thinking about the past…!

‘But still… It’s fortunate that the past me wasn’t some weirdo.’

Seeing her face to face like this, it was definitely Selena.

She wasn’t just some heroine. She wasn’t just a woman who got confessed by more than ten guys for no reason.

She was extremely beautiful. Maybe if she was someone else, I would have ended up blushing.

Of course, to me right now, she’s an uncomfortable colleague for a certain reason, nothing more, nothing less.

Slurp—

After finishing the remaining coffee in the cup, I slowly left the cafe.

It hasn’t been long since I returned to the academy, so I still don’t know what’s what.

I should walk around a bit and get more familiar with the place, so I don’t end up getting lost at the academy.

“Ugh.”

Suddenly my body leaned back, and before I could know what happened, I was being dragged away.

Wait, what. Kidnapping? In the middle of the academy, of all places?!

Could this be a spy calling for the Imperial Military secrets? Please spare me! Don’t burn me alive!

“I brought him.”

“He was talking to Selena just a moment ago?”

“That’s right. I saw it with my own eyes.”

“…This guy was the first. Unbelievable.”

Voices from all directions come in different tones.

One thing was for sure, they were all dudes.

After a moment, I wiggled free and looked around.

“…What the hell.”

Suddenly, I realized who the ones who brought me here without a warning were.

From the right, there were Shulifen, Wilhelm, Alexander, and Joachim.

The glorious quartet of male leads. And they were all four of the Four Heavenly Kings who had been rejected by Selena.

Right. How could I not know these guys’ names and faces?

It was too obvious. Even in another man’s eyes, these bastards were annoyingly good-looking.

When they gathered, not in pairs, or threes, but in fours, it was almost a guarantee they were the male lead quartet.

“What’s up with you guys?”

However, no matter whether they were called the quartet of male leads or quartet of male lovers, I’m the one who was rejected first.

It’s too early for you guys to break my record… not yet, bastards.

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – ChiSync]