I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy
Chapter 79

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 79

There’s a saying among humans that ‘Strike while the iron is hot.’ And there’s a similar saying on the Elven side of things.

Valuing such sayings more than anything else, Eloise strongly expressed her intention to head south as soon as the Imperial Academy entered its full winter break.

“Oh, if we delay, it’ll just get more crowded! We need to go now to peacefully… have a good time! Anyway!”

“That sounded incredibly suspicious just now.”

And so, starting with Eloise, who could be considered the beginning of this journey, Karl, who was directly invited, along with Selena, and as a bonus, the accompanying quartet.

After everyone was ready, they all boarded the train and headed to The Great Forest near the southern part of the Empire, where the hot springs were.

The reactions of the hot spring travellers on the train were varied, to say the least, starting with―

“Wow. Suddenly it feels like we’re heading to a training camp on a train.”

“It’s still interesting to remember the reactions back then.”

“What was it? Did everyone faint? Was that what you joked about?”

“I’m pretty sure the drill sergeant freaked out.”

…At first, the quartet burst into laughter, reminiscing about the ‘self-proclaimed’ grand gesture they made a few months ago (which was not grand at all in Karl’s opinion).

Back then, after informing their respective families, they immediately took a train and headed straight to the training camp.

Of course, they were all already well-known figures within the Empire. Not just nobles, but the heirs to baronies, viscounties, and even duchies.

Under such circumstances, those travelling with them on the train were surely wondering why such esteemed individuals were travelling by train without any attendants.

The quartet may not have known it, but that moment was when everyone on that train became uncomfortable.

“A hot spring trip, huh? Sounds intriguing. Thanks for the invitation, Eloise Loengrand.”

“Feel free to call me by my first name. You’re technically my senior, right? Selena Ifrit.”

“Hahaha. Maybe later. When we’re really comfortable, I’ll be able to call you comfortably too, right?”

Selena seemed to declare that she would never get comfortable. And Eloise, looking at her, thought, ‘Indeed, it won’t be easy.’

One invites, and the other is invited. So, if we really have to define who’s the host and who’s the guest, Eloise, who invited, would be the host, and Selena, who accepted the invitation, would be the guest.

“Hopefully, we’ll just enjoy the hot springs and return safely.”

“Hahaha. Aren’t unexpected events what makes a journey enjoyable?”

“Is that so? That’s strange. Travelling is just about digesting the scheduled activities under careful planning.”

“Of course, it could be that way. But then it wouldn’t be fun, would it? Not interesting at all. Sometimes, it’s fun to get caught up in incidents. That’s what I think travelling is all about, Selena.”

“I just hope there are no incidents. Eloise.”

Don’t overstep. Don’t try to provoke. Since it’s a trip, let’s just enjoy the trip.

That’s what a trip is, so it’s natural that such things can happen! It’s a trip between men and women!

The constant tension. The one trying to replace a gap and the one not even giving them that. It was truly a battle of spear and shield. Whether to break through or to block, the fight was intense.

Fortunately, the place where we were sitting was not a regular passenger seat, but a special compartment we had all to ourselves.

If it had been a regular passenger seat, everyone around would have been on edge, constantly watching.

Lastly, the decisive reason why the shield and spear were clashing was Karl―

‘…Could there be another train terrorist incident? Those Kanfra bastards. I doubt any of them survived, but they’re like weeds and cockroaches. Just show me your face. I won’t leave you alone.’

Accompanying me on the hot spring trip was my long-time friend, ‘Greatsword,’ which I was fiddling with.

* * *

People, once they’ve experienced something, tend to worry about whether it’ll happen again in the future.

In that regard, what might be a comfortable train journey for someone was for me another occasion to wonder when another terrorist attack might occur and how I would reinforce my chest with another steel plate.

‘I don’t want to add any more here. Really. It’s heavy now, aside from everything else.’

Two Medals of Honor. Add to that the Medals of Order and the Military Merit medals, it’s eight in total. And if you include the elf Legion of Honor medal, that’s eleven medals in total.

Luckily, I only need to wear one Medal of Order, so it’s possible to reduce it to just one.

But even considering that, I still have seven medals shining on my chest.

Not to mention they’re not made of cloth, but gold, silver, and even with gemstones for extra flair.

The weight of one is ridiculous, but the weight of seven… Well, if you don’t feel it, you’re strange.

By the way, the jewels on the medals are from the elves, not the empire.

Why are there jewels on the medals anyway? I’m sure they’re just trying to get you to sell it when you’re in need, they’re a strange bunch.

“I heard they even boil eggs in hot springs.”

“Is that possible, Shulifen? It’s not even boiling water.”

“Of course not, you probably just heard nonsense and are proudly repeating it.”

“No, Wilhelm! It’s true! They really boil eggs in hot springs!”

“Yeah, yeah. I want you to get into the boiling water. I’m not sure you can call it a hot spring anymore, though.”

Yeah, that’s right. Strange folks weren’t only found in distant places. They were right here too.

“There really are hot spring eggs, Wilhelm.”

“What?”

“Hey, Karl! Did you know?!”

“Yeah, I did. Of course, but they’re eaten soft-boiled in water that humans are never allowed to enter, just before it boils.”

Western-style fantasy with hot spring eggs. What kind of world is this? Anyway, it’s all strange.

“Look at this, Wilhelm! I was right!”

“Didn’t you just hear Karl? It’s water that no one can get into, just eggs soaked right before boiling! They just call it hot spring eggs, but in reality, they’re just semi-cooked eggs!”

Those guys seem to never tire of chattering. They fight with new topics every day.

The four of them are the offsprings of prestigious families recognized even within the empire. It’s astonishing. Whatever.

More strange is that if I remember correctly, when it comes to romance, the gender ratio should be balanced when travelling like this.

But no matter how I look at it, the only women I see now are Selena and Eloise. In contrast, there are five men, including me.

It’s meaningless, and it’s clear who those two women, sitting there and glaring at each other, are targeting.

Ah. Could it be? Come to think of it, are they extras? That seems to make sense, doesn’t it?

Or maybe they’re not extras. Whatever it is, I just wish they’d stay quiet.

“….”

When I turned my head slightly, Eloise met my gaze as if she had been waiting.

She seems to sense my gaze. Anyway, it’s amazing how elves have such keen senses.

“Wow! Karl, look outside! The scenery is really beautiful!”

Selena seems to have noticed too, exclaiming for me to look outside.

However, she’s fixed her gaze on Eloise, not outside the window.

“Look over there. Isn’t it really pretty?”

“Uh huh, yeah. Yeah, it’s pretty.”

“Look at it a little more, Karl. It’s good for your mind and body.”

She says, then turning her gaze away and whispering to Eloise.

Enough is enough, why do you keep trying to meet each other’s eyes on purpose?

Eloise, pretending it’s a coincidence, just passes by without any fuss.

It seems like the trip to the southern part of the empire won’t be quiet after all.

If things go according to plan, we’ll barely arrive today.

“Ah. Oh.”

At that moment, a voice came through the magical reception speaker in each cabin.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this train is the 17th train departing from the Imperial Capital to the southern part of the empire. I am Steven, the train conductor who will accompany you to your destination.”

“Our train will stop at each station for 20 minutes to meet and part with other passengers. Please be aware that the train will depart exactly 20 minutes after each stop, so please be careful not to miss the boarding time due to any delays. Please note that the train company is not responsible for any missed boarding due to time delays.”

There are always those who are late and can’t board on time.

The only silver lining is that here, the troublesome passengers won’t cause a ruckus demanding compensation.

Here, public order is prioritized over human rights, so you might receive a punch or a kick if you misbehave. After all, guns and fists are more effective than words.

“…And we will ensure a safe journey to the final destination. If any inconvenience arises, please inform the crew members. The weather in the southern part of the empire is reported to be pleasant. Have a pleasant journey.”

“Oh, and one more thing, there is something I need to inform all passengers about.”

It’s strange. Today, the announcement seems a bit longer than usual. It’s also the first time I’ve heard them mention having something to inform passengers about.

What’s going on? Could it be that the voice suddenly changes and says, ‘This train has been hijacked. If you cooperate peacefully with us, no one will die. Long live Kanfra!’? No, surely not that nonsense, right?

“Currently, on our train, we have a recipient of the Medal of Honor on board. This person demonstrated courage and self-sacrifice for the empire. I can confidently say that honoring such a hero is the proudest moment of my career as a train conductor.”

…No, no. What on earth is this, Mr. Train Conductor!? What kind of announcement is that!!

“If any of the passengers happen to see the honoree, please treat them with respect and courtesy.”

“May the gods bless the empire and Emperor. May you stand alongside the heroes of the empire in your presence.”

With a clink, the train conductor’s greeting echoed through each cabin, ending the announcement.

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

Everyone, Selena, Eloise, and even the quartet who were laughing and talking, all stared at me with their mouths shut.

I quietly turned my gaze out the window.

Wow. The scenery is really beautiful. It must be good for the mind and body.

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]