I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy
Chapter 72

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 72

Time keeps flowing regardless of whether we do anything or not.

And when we do something, that time seems to speed up several times over, like, you just go, “Huh?” and it’s gone.

Why am I saying this? Before I knew it, I was already taking final exams.

“Alright. Good job, everyone. You worked hard this semester.”

“Thank you, professor! You’ve worked hard too!”

“Have a good break, and see you next year.”

Finishing the final exam and leaving the classroom, I absentmindedly gaze up at the sky. It feels like half a year passed in the blink of an eye. It seems like just yesterday I was in the military, on the battlefield. I never imagined another winter would come by so quickly.

“Thank you, seniors!”

“Have a good vacation!”

“See you next year!”

The academy in this world is based on the university in my previous life. And just like that, when each person’s exam is over, it’s the end of the semester and the start of vacation. And when the new year comes and the spring breeze blows, a new school year begins.

“And the existing seniors will have to graduate.”

“Are you telling us to graduate, Karl?”

“Of course not. I’m just saying.”

Not long ago, I was busy teasing the four fools for stupidly mixing up their graduation scores.

But now it’s impossible. Why? Because Selena is a graduate student. Making fun of them with something like, ‘Can’t you guys graduate?’ would cause catastrophic damage to her too.

So you guys better bow deeply whenever you see Selena. If it weren’t for Selena, I would have made fun of you guys for being in the fifth semester!

“Does that mean it’s a temporary goodbye?”

At Shulifen’s question, Wilhelm, standing right next to him, grumbles with a disgusted look.

That kind of talk doesn’t suit you guys at all, and it’s an extra warning not to say it.

“A goodbye? Nonsense. We’ll meet at the New Year’s Eve ceremony, for patent issues, and for the pension foundation.”

“It feels like the vacation won’t be a vacation at all.”

Alexander and Joachim also seemed to be in a mood that didn’t agree with a brief parting.

Even Shulifen, this brat, was holding himself in a dignified manner in front of the Medal of Honor recipients, and the three of them took turns hitting him on the back of his head.

“Sigh. Karl, I’m always like this. Every time it’s just me!”

“…It seems like you’re always providing the cause, though.”

To be honest, among the four of them, Shulifen is the one who enjoys teasing the most and hits the hardest. If the person in question hears it, they’ll scream, ‘Why!? How!?’ so let’s just keep it to ourselves.

“Hey, hey. That’s not important right now. I was talking with the professor earlier and heard some amazing news! I’ll only tell you guys.”

“What is it, Wilhelm?”

“If it’s something weird, you’re on the same level as Shulifen.”

“There’s a saying that birds of a feather flock together, but there’s nothing particularly impressive about it now.”

The four of them grumble while bumping their heads against each other, then suddenly look at me.

“…Why? What?”

“You, too, come here quickly, Karl.”

“Don’t put me in there. Fuck off.”

“But I’m sure it’s news you need to hear.”

News I need to hear? Right now, the only news I need is about enjoying my academy life—

“Next year, there will be exchange students coming to the academy. Especially, there’s news about elf exchange students from the Hyzens side. It’s really amazing, so listen and decide.”

“…Move aside a bit. And stop bumping your heads together so much.”

It’s a blow to my pride to have to squeeze between them. And if you really think about it, they’re also protagonists, so it’s fitting.

“A while ago, a diplomatic delegation from Hyzens came to our empire.”

“And Karl got a medal from them.”

“Let’s not dwell on that story too much. So, anyway.”

“There was an exchange student in the delegation, and although it’s not certain, rumors say that he was an elf who was a big shot in Hyzens.”

A big shot? Well, I’m not sure. Even if she’s a big shot, isn’t she just an ordinary elf? Among the elves I’ve met, there was a woman who seemed a bit crazy. She had quite a past compared to my sister. Her name was not Pervert Elf, but Eloise Loengrand, I think?

“Eloise Loengrand, it was. I think?”

“…?”

Wait, did that just come out of my mouth? No, it didn’t. Then what is it?

“Wait, wait. Wilhelm. Who is she?”

“Eloise Loengrand. She was a high-ranking officer from the Hyzens side, but I’m not sure about the details. But judging by your reaction, it seems like you know something?”

Yeah, I know. But… why is that woman coming here? Why is she enrolling as an exchange student?

And she’s not just any military officer. She’s the commander of the Extermination Unit. If we compare it to my past life memories, she’s almost like a field commander. An elf that can’t be normal!

“Plus her instinct to keep wearing pieces of fabric instead of clothes!”

By all accounts, she is a woman who does not fit in at all here at the Imperial Academy.

Yet, she’s an exchange student. The Empire must know her identity, allowing her to study abroad. As I realized that, I couldn’t help but think, ‘Could it be?’

“The Luzerne guys resurrected again! This time as Kanfra zombies!”

“Sergeant Karl Adelheit. They created a super soldier serum and made forest elf soldiers!”

“Kaaaaagh!”

Surely it won’t happen like that. Oh, come on, surely not. No matter how you look at it, this is just too much, isn’t it?

The Empire and Hyzens have been working together to stomp the shit out of the Kanfras, and then suddenly they come back as zombies or Super Kanfras!

…But still, it’s unsettling. Especially considering that an elf who was the commander of the Extermination Unit is now an exchange student. I can’t help but feel uneasy, imagining her suddenly coming and shouting, ‘Karl! We need to act now!’

“Found you! Karl! Karl Adelheit!”

“Oh, come on.”

I didn’t even say anything out loud, did I? I just thought about it!

What am I going to do when Eloise shows up like that?

“Huh.”

“It’s an elf.”

“What, why is she so beautiful?”

And there go those four fools, marveling as if they’ve never seen an elf before.

You guys! Did you think there were no elf exchange students at the academy? And judging by looks, Selena is prettier than Eloise! Are they just too used to seeing Selena?

“It took a while to replace you. Karl! Oh, should I call you Senior Karl?!”

“…Senior? What a frozen, dead senior.”

“But it’s true! I’ll be here from next year, as a first-year student at the Imperial Academy! Woohoo! You know?! I finally escaped that damn— Ahem, excuse me. Anyway, I finally left that shitty job!”

“….”

From grumbling at the first meeting to finally escaping from the military, it seems like Eloise has escaped too.

I’m curious about how inflated she must have been to not be able to withstand even such a character. Isn’t it right to nurture and cherish good talents?

“Anyway! With this, my lifelong wish is one step closer.”

“Lifelong wish?”

“Yeah. Oh, didn’t I mention it? I feel like I did.”

“I don’t remember.”

“Really? Then let me tell you again. My lifelong wish is, you know, to meet a good man quickly, get married, have one or three children, and live happily!”

That’s quite a specific plan. Cheer up, Eloise. I always support the second plan.

Plus you are a true Patriot. I heard that lately, the birth rate among elves has been plummeting. Isn’t it said that elf couples who have children are even more remarkable than warriors?

“Cheer up.”

“Ahaha! Thanks! Of course, I have to cheer up! Ahem! I’ll cheer up and speak!”

“…But why are you looking at me with such a suspicious look while saying that?”

More importantly, why did she choose to study abroad at the academy, for what purpose? I was about to ask when suddenly the four guys behind me grabbed me and pulled me back.

“oof.”

What’s this? What’s going on? If you have something to say, say it. I’m not an object!

“Hey, Karl. This isn’t right.”

“What’s not right?”

“What about Selena, that beauty!”

“You can’t do that, Karl. Even though in the Empire you can have multiple wives, this is really not right.”

“Did you guys collectively do drugs because you couldn’t graduate?”

I’ve never even thought about that. It’s not just unfair, it’s mind-boggling.

I was about to tell them to stop worrying about unnecessary things, but suddenly Eloise butted in between us and grinned, saying, ‘Hehe!’

“By the way, Karl. Just so you know, I’m not interested in my own kind.”

“…Huh?”

“I prefer human men. They may be short-sighted, narrow-minded, and rigid, with nothing remarkable except for their longevity, but human men are far more impressive than elves.”

I respect personal preferences. If I can respect mint chocolate, I can’t object to anything else.

“And I mean, if I’m going to marry a human man, I’d prefer someone much more impressive, good at fighting, handsome, and honorable. It’d be even better if he had a medal!”

To that extent, I pushed Eloise’s face away with all my might. Then, I turned to the four guys with a look that said, ‘See this.’

“Don’t tell Selena. I’ll handle it.”

“Will it really be handled?”

“I think it’s better to just be honest.”

“Wouldn’t it be better for Selena to know about it too?”

“No, it won’t work, Karl. Just raising her suspicions this winter—”

Damn it. They’re really no help. This is why you guys are still single!

“Karl! Karl!! Let’s go on a hot spring trip this winter!”

“No way!”

“Noooo! Don’t say that, let’s go! I promise, I won’t do anything weird!”

Isn’t promising not to do anything weird already being weird?!

“Of course, it’s not just the two of us. We can bring other companions along.”

“That’s why I’m not going.”

“Shouldn’t we at least consider it? It’s like the top hot spring resort?! Even the nobles in the empire can’t go, it’s the best hot spring resort in the area!”

…I’ve heard that Great Forest Hot Springs are famous. It’s even said that the hot springs are one of the reasons why the Empire covets the Great Forest. They said it’s good for skin care and mental relaxation, didn’t they?

“Regardless of what happened, I said I’m not going—”

“Let’s go.”

“Let’s go, Karl.”

“You have to go.”

“Please, let’s go!”

“….”

All the way to the end!, you bastards!

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]