I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy
Chapter 68

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 68

After finishing midterms and visiting the palace, and hearing about my sister and the prince’s relationship, it’s been nothing but overly dramatic developments from the time right after I returned to school until just a few days ago.

The thrilling excitement is good, of course. But if you have too much of it, it bites back.

And for someone like me, who’s already dealing with twists and turns to the point of physicall contortion, it was exhausting, to say the least.

“So, you’re saying you’re enjoying this time so much?”

“Yeah. I love it so much it’s driving me crazy.”

Selena’s voice sounded a bit puzzled, but what can I do? It really is good.

Just sitting on the bench during the spare time between classes, zoning out, then going to the next lecture. Finishing the day like that, meeting juniors, exchanging greetings, that was really nice.

This is the kind of life I wanted as a returning student. Not just being buried in medals!

“But even saying you enjoy assignments seems a bit much, Karl.”

“Mmm. That was a bit much, wasn’t it?”

It hasn’t been long since midterms ended. But it feels like assignments keep pouring in like a tsunami.

If that’s the case, why bother saying ‘well done,’ professors? If it’s going to be like this, might as well say, ‘Yeah, well done, now suffer more!’ Making me expect for nothing!

Maybe that saying is right after all. The existence of demons has infiltrated human society in new forms, that kind of eerie story. They disguise themselves as fitness trainers, professors, whatever, and torment humans…

“Ouch!”

“Just made it for you, it’ll get cold. Hurry up and drink.”

Selena holds out cocoa to me and pouts.

It’s weather has turned much colder. It’s not just ‘chilly,’ it’s really cold. It didn’t feel this cold even in winter when I was fooling around with the Kanfras. Maybe because it’s further south, the temperature there was generally higher than here.

“It’s really winter now.”

“Winter? It’s November.”

Oh no. If it’s like this, I won’t even be able to get out of bed in the morning, shouting ‘outside the blanket is dangerous!’

As someone who already knows all too well how happy I am to be snuggled up in a warm blanket, the prospect of winter has become quite frightening.

“Yeah. Karl, do I have to congratulate you?”

“Why are you suddenly saying that?”

“I heard the news. The pension foundation that put your name on it.”

Keh, keh―

I almost spit out the cocoa I was drinking when I heard that.

Fortunately, I managed to gulp it down. If not, I would have seen Selena covered in a fountain of cocoa.

“…Selena, even if you know, please pretend you don’t.”

“Why?”

“It’s embarrassing. Whatever the meaning, having my name plastered out there is too embarrassing.”

“But it’s a good cause. The Medal of Honor recipient’s pension foundation that helps veterans. Other noble families are also coming forward to help, right?”

“It’s not one hundred percent for a good cause, though.”

My name is already spread all over the empire. Of course, in a good way. Nobles may be trying to gain something based on my reputation. The title of a noble who helps veterans along with a recipient of a medal of honor. Honestly, even if I were one of those nobles, I wouldn’t be able to digest this.

“Of course, everyone may have different thoughts. Because they’re people. But if they can show some good results like that or have a positive impact, it seems like a good thing.”

“Well… that’s also true.”

Not everyone can be good and just. I never believed in fairy tales to begin with.

But they’re not all evil either. In any case, for some reason, people ultimately move in a positive direction, whatever the reason may be. The catalyst, or someone who can provide the catalyst, is important.

And although I didn’t aim for it, thanks to this pension foundation, praises for the imperial family have been continuing.

Already, I’ve received honors long ago. There were even two instances of being awarded. And most importantly, it led to the formal revelation of my sister’s and the prince’s relationship yesterday.

People who know, know, but the Adelheit family has never spared its efforts for the empire’s well-being. My father, the current head, is like that, and so were the previous heads. And now, with me and my sister (the details are still confidential, but it’s known that we worked for the empire), the praises for the Adelheit family continue.

And if the eldest daughter of the Adelheit family becomes the prince’s wife, and even further, the future empress? A family that sacrifices everything for the empire, naturally, can only receive the support of all the empire’s citizens.

Of course, praising the crown princess and the empress is expected and it’s the duty of the palace. There have been cases where the empire almost fell due to wrong choices. It came up several times in history classes.

From that perspective, praising the royal family suddenly seems understandable.

“Everyone seems to be on edge.”

After hearing Selena’s words, I looked around and saw that everyone was walking around with their hands in their pockets.

The weather is already cold, but now that the wind is blowing, it might be a bit awkward to put your hands out without gloves.

‘…Hmm.’

Seeing that, suddenly something comes to mind.

Now, let’s think. Even in the less cold southern regions, people shiver less when it’s winter.

Those shivering there were naturally ordinary soldiers like me or junior officers.

And all of them were men who couldn’t light a fire, or had no other way to warm themselves. One wrong fire and you’d be a good target for a magical bombing position.

‘It was hell back then, especially in the forest. There was wood everywhere that was ready to burn, the faint flame of a single fire was like the fire of hell itself, attracting magical bombardment immediately.’

Thanks to that, I, who didn’t particularly dislike winter, started to loathe it since then. The white snow was annoying, the wind cutting through clothes was unpleasant, and even the cold that penetrated to the bones when sitting still was unbearable. Everything related to winter seemed cursed.

At the same time, I found myself longing for something I remembered from my past life. At the time I used it, I didn’t feel grateful, and above all, it reminded me of military life, so I instinctively avoided it.

“Heat packs.”

“…Karl? What did you just say?”

My muttering seemed a bit loud. I felt embarrassed, but it was just for a moment.

“Selena. Do you happen to have something that can warm your hands in winter?”

“You mean gloves?”

“Not that. Gloves are just insulation. I mean, something that generates heat on its own.”

“Uh… if that’s what you mean, I don’t know…?”

Okay. First, confirm. Since there isn’t anything similar, it is necessary.

Wouldn’t it be warmer to have a heat pack in your pocket rather than just putting your hands in?

‘Especially considering the juniors who are on guard duty shaking in this cold weather, it’s definitely necessary.’

It seems like nothing, but having it would be convenient or even necessary. I hope it gets supplied to the soldiers soon. It’s more useful than you think.

Alright. The reason and concept are roughly there. Now what’s left? Gathering workers.

As a side note, I could patent it and put it into the pension foundation funds.

“…That’s why you called us?”

“Yep. Why else would I call you guys?”

“You said you weren’t interested in patents before, but now you seem really interested.”

Wilhelm looks over the ‘Heat Pack Development Proposal’ I handed him.

“So, Karl, you mean to create some sort of hand warmer for soldiers in winter and outdoor workers?”

“Exactly.”

“…Will it sell well? It doesn’t seem like a useless item at first glance, but there might be a risk in starting a business just for winter, don’t you think?”

Well, Wilhelm. I wonder about that. You haven’t experienced a real winter in the military, it seems. Once you spend a winter in the military, you’ll realize that the heat pack business can’t possibly fail.

And it shouldn’t be limited to ‘outdoor’ situations. It would also be good for people who don’t want their hands to get cold even for a moment in winter. Maybe it could be useful in other seasons too.

“I’m more curious if this principle really works. What exactly do you need to put in such a small size to generate enough heat to warm hands?”

When Alexander asked, I smiled and replied.

“Well, that’s something you guys have to figure out now.”

“No, you asshole…. You’re taking it too far!”

Actually, I roughly understand the principle. It contains iron powder and a catalyst, and when opened and mixed with air, heat is generated. Something like that.

The problem is, I only know the principle vaguely. I don’t know the details either. Ugh. In my past life, I was in the liberal arts, so I don’t know anything. Help me out, science majors!

“You guys are all from distinguished families, right? Whether it’s a renowned engineer or a talented mage, you all have connections, don’t you?”

“Talking like that, Karl, you sound like you’re not one of us? If someone hears, they’ll think the Adelheit family is some rural noble family! Soon your sister is going to be the Crown Princess!”

“Ah. Our Adelheit family knows nothing but to be on the battlefield. Look at me, a recipient of the Medal of Honor. When did I have time to make connections? I was busy being on the battlefield. Therefore, it’s only natural that those of you from distinguished families should take care of it.”

Wow. What an asshole. Is that all you did on the battlefield? He’s a good talker.

Complaints from the four of them poured out, but it was short-lived.

“Well, Karl’s right. It’s not like we don’t have any connections.”

“How the hell does this work, anyway?”

“Are you sure this isn’t explosive?”

Uh, sorry. From what I remember, it exploded a few times when it was in liquid form.

“Once it’s made, it’s not feasible for small-scale production, right?”

“Of course not. This has to be mass-produced to be profitable.”

“It’s for warming your hands on cold days. Even if it’s not that, even for a little warmth… This seems similar to the concept of the winter snacks we’re in charge of. Did you aim for this, Karl?”

Well? Did I aim for it? For now, the concept seems to overlap with what you guys are saying.

I looked at the four of them with my arms crossed.

At first, they were wondering what this was all about, but now they’re all eagerly discussing among themselves about how this works and whatnot.

Hmm. I think I threw them enough to chew on. It’s time for the protagonist to leave soon.

“Think hard about it. I’m going to go now.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m meeting Selena for dinner.”

At that, the four of them who were discussing simultaneously looked at me. Wait. What.

“Are you really trying to get back together with her?”

“Whoa, who confessed to whom first?”

“I’m voting for Selena.”

What are they talking about? That’s not it.

“That’s not it.”

“Then what?”

“There’s not much time left until Selena graduates, right? So, that’s why.”

“Graduate?”

“Selena?”

…What’s with that reaction? It’s like they think Selena can’t graduate like these guys.

“Karl, haven’t you heard yet?”

“Heard what?”

“Selena’s not graduating.”

“…Huh?”

“Ah. Technically, I guess I should say she’s graduating but not leaving the Academy?”

Scratching the tip of his nose once, Shulifen finished.

“Selena, is going to be a graduate student?”

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]