I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy
Chapter 63

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 63

“Karl! Over here!”

“Have you had lunch? If not, come eat with us!”

Oh, there they are. The group of four. Target acquired. You bastards!

I immediately rushed over and unleashed a flying knee kick.

“Oooh!”

“Kyaak!”

Once again, the hydra-like group scattered in all directions like bowling pins.

Other students, bewildered by the sudden commotion, turned their attention towards us.

While as a recipient of the Medal of Honor I could easily label this as a student brawl, but let’s save that for later.

Right now, I need to figure out why these guys are pulling such a stunt. That’s what I need to hear first.

“Karl! What’s wrong with you again?!”

“Are you still mad about the mint chocolate?!”

“That’s crossing the line, you know? Anyway, that’s not it!”

“Then what?!”

Do they really not remember, or are they pretending not to?

“You guys told the heads of your families about the pension foundation.”

“Huh? We did?”

“Of course we did. It’s a good thing and something we ought to do, but it doesn’t make sense to keep it within our circle only, does it? It’s a win-win situation. It improves our family’s reputation, and it provides proper support for the veterans.”

Yeah, yeah. Win-win in every aspect. I get that. But seriously, why name the pension foundation like that? My opinion?!

“But here’s the thing. Why do you all insist on calling it the ‘Karl Adelheit’ Foundation?”

“Well, because you suggested it, didn’t you?”

“I assumed you’d agree in the end, Karl. You always do.”

“What? Why would I just agree?”

This is ridiculous, Alexander. Why do you assume I’d agree unconditionally?

“Karl. You’re a recipient of the Medal of Honor, right?”

“…Yeah?”

“And you also fought in the Luzernes War. That means you understand and empathize with wounded soldiers better than anyone else.”

So far, so good. Acknowledgment.

“I’m not sure we’re comfortable with the idea of using our four families as the mainstay of the beginning. We need something more iconic.”

“No, so why do we need a symbolic figure? Explain that from the beginning, Alexander.”

“Because we have no intention of stopping here.”

The answer came from Joachim, who was standing next to him, smirking.

“Our families may be the starting point, but we don’t intend to end it there.”

“What do you mean?”

“We’ll appeal to all noble families. More attention should be given to those who sacrificed for the Empire. It’s time to repay the debt of gratitude.”

Uh… hmm. Good intentions. But I wonder if you’re pushing too hard.

And if too many families get involved, it might corrupt the initial good intentions.

I know this from past life memories. Foundations are perfect for embezzlement purposes.

That’s why I proposed it only to these guys. At least those four families weren’t that corrupt. If they were problematic, they wouldn’t have been chosen as protagonists.

“I know what you’re worried about.”

“You do?”

“Yeah. The gathering of the family heads was for precisely that reason.”

“You’re worried that the money for the pension foundation will be used for other purposes.”

These guys, even though they say they’re okay with it, it seems like it’s not entirely true when they say it themselves.

When I stared at them, urging them to continue, Shulifen just smiled confidently and continued.

“That’s why we need your name, Karl.”

“My name?”

“Think about it. Imagine someone trying to do something stupid with the funds. What’s the name of the foundation? It’s Karl Adelheit. The name of the madman who received not just one but two Medals of Honor.”

“It was bestowed by the First Princess, and the Crown Prince personally. That’s a lot of imperial honors, and I’m not sure there’s a big enough bastard left to tarnish that.””

At Wilhelm’s words, the other three nodded in agreement.

He adds, ‘You have received medals other than that. If you add all that together, tarnishing your name would be like insulting the entire Imperial Army.’

“Well, would that include Hyzens as well?”

“What do you mean?”

I Hadn’t told them yet. I discreetly showed them the medal.

“What’s that?”

“This? It’s the Legion of Honor. It was given to me by a delegation from Hyzens’s.”

“…Hey, Shulifen. Did I hear that wrong just now?”

“I don’t know either, but I think you heard it right.”

The four suddenly diverted their attention from me and whispered among themselves.

Crazy. A really crazy guy. Now you’re collecting medals from the elves too.

What’s that? Is it as good as the Medal of Honor? I think so, given the name.

Morons! Don’t you know what that is? The Legion of Honor. Légion d’Honneur! It’s The Légion d’Honneur!

What’s that? Elves consider it truly honorable. Those medals are earned from there.

“…Hey, I don’t like it when you guys talk amongst yourselves when you’re right in front of a person who can hear you.”

“Did you hear that?”

“Yep. Very loud and clear.”

“And you’re sitting there with a Legion of Honor medal, talking like it’s some cheap gift. Honestly, sometimes I wonder if you, Karl, are really a noble like us.”

“What are you saying? Even though it’s the Legion of Honor, I’m not a Ka..an Elf.”

This is the Empire, so medals from other nations, while admirable, don’t carry much weight.

If you’ve received them, it’s like, ‘Oh, that’s impressive.’

Even so, one’s splendor is comparable to the Empire’s Medal of Honor. Those Elves, they put their lives on the line for medals. So, this Legion of Honor must be at a similar level to the Empire’s Medal of Honor.

Meanwhile, the guys who were whispering among themselves approached me and tapped my shoulder.

“Karl. Can we ask for a favor?”

“If it’s weird, I’ll split your skull.”

“It’s not weird, don’t worry. We’ll be friends forever. We’ll be friends even when we’re all old and bony.”

Friends. Friends, huh… Hmm. Nobles, You’re asking me to be your friend without paying for it, to a Medal of Honor recipient? Basic etiquette seems lacking here.

“For free?”

“Wow, you asshole. We agreed to support the pension foundation!”

“That’s your family’s affair. I want something personal as your ‘friend.’ Honestly, with two Medals of Honor, the Legion of Honor, the Elves’ highest medal, and various other medals. I’ve got enough armor plating on my chest here.”

Thinking about the medals I’ll wear on my chest, I don’t think there’s a single noble in the history of the Empire who’s ever been honored at this level.

Actually, it’s natural. After the establishment of the noble world, I was the only truly insane guy who enlisted as a soldier. It makes me realize once again how truly out of my mind I was.

“Well. So, esteemed family heirs here. What can you give to a mere commoner like me? Hehehe.”

“No, Karl! You’re just an arrogant high-ranking noble! Where’s the honor of the Adelheit family gone? Aren’t you ashamed?”

“Karl Adelheit may be ashamed, but Academy student Karl isn’t ashamed at all.”

Whatever it is, I want something interesting from them.

If they don’t agree willingly, the Medal of Honor recipient will remember this.

“…Wait. Karl.”

“If it’s weird, I’ll split your skull.”

“It’s definitely not, so don’t worry.”

The four of them whispered to each other before simultaneously offering something.

Despite their different appearances, they all had one thing in common— they are covered in handprints.

“What’s this?”

“It’s nothing. Just class notes.”

“…I told you not to talk nonsense.”

“No, it really is class notes. Karl, remember it’s midterm season?”

“Midterm?”

Uh. Ohh. That’s right. It’s really midterms the day after tomorrow. Oh, goodness.

Recently, I’ve been so preoccupied with everything going on that I completely forgot. Is this alright?

“It seems like you forgot, judging by your reaction.”

“…Damn. I really did forget about the midterms. With everything going on, I’ve been running around so much that I forgot.”

“I thought so. That’s why this is even more necessary, Karl.”

They say it’s class notes, so I can roughly guess what that means. They’re in the same class year as me. But they spent a few more years here at the Academy than I did.

They must have encountered more lectures, more professors. In the process, they would have taken notes on important parts, condensed them for later use in exams.

‘In other words, genealogy.’

Others get it from seniors, but I seem to be getting it from my classmates. I feel like a very late returning student.

“So, Karl. Is this enough for a deal?”

“…Can I trust the notes of students on academic probation?”

“Our test scores are pretty high, you know?!”

“That’s just because you’re mistaking lecture scores for test scores!”

That’s even more ridiculous, you idiots! What’s the point of doing well on tests! You can’t even fill out all the lecture scores!

“So. Karl. What’s your answer?”

Ha. It’s a given.

“A model of a great deal. My friends.”

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]