I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy
Chapter 80

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 80

‘I’m Tired…’

I’m out of gas. I can see why they say debating makes you old.

Throughout the trip, I’ve been arguing with that Eloise woman.

I was so nervous that the elf would take advantage of an opening and get close to Karl.

I wish it was Lav. Laverenti would’ve been better. But Eloise? It’s like she’s determined to figure out how to deal with Karl no matter what. How can I ignore that?

Whenever Karl looks somewhere, she tries to meet his eyes. Whenever Karl moves, she tries to be there.

It would be easier to handle if she acted subtly, with some tact. But she’s too obvious.

“Could you please tone it down a bit?”

Eventually, I found myself blurting out irritably.

Revealing emotions first in a fight like this puts you at a disadvantage. I felt like I made a mistake. If Eloise tries to take advantage of this, it could be quite awkward―

“No.”

“….”

Wow. Really. How can she respond so nonchalantly with a smile like that?

She’s not laughing to provoke or tease me further. She’s just replaceing this situation amusing. She’s enjoying it.

“Why are you acting like this?”

Usually, when someone actively blocks you like this, most people either give up or pretend to give up and think of another plan. That’s reasonable.

But Eloise is different. She just laughs and charges at me head-on. It’s like watching a dog determined not to let go of a toy it’s found.

“It feels good.”

“Feels good? This?”

“Yes! Isn’t it great? Just being like this is enough, isn’t it?!”

“….”

There’s something… a strange aura that’s hard to handle. Madness? Is that the right word? That’s what it feels like.

I can’t grasp what kind of character she is. Weren’t elves supposed to look down on humans, be incredibly proud and full of pride?

“And, Selena, be careful. Even if the shield blocks, the spear always wins!”

Ah. Wait, wait a minute. No. No way! I can’t just let this slide.

The spear beats the shield? This is what Karl and I argued about before! I remember hearing that!

“Is that really the case? Everyone in the world knows that shields are far more advantageous.”

“What are you talking about? How can the shield be superior?”

“The spear has to pierce through, right?”

“The shield has to block everything. What else is there?”

Wait… Wait a minute. What was it again? Oh, right!

“So! What I’m saying is, no matter what scenario unfolds, in the end, the shield is more advantageous. Even if both are broken and destroyed―”

“If the spear breaks and the shield shatters, wouldn’t it be better to have neither?”

“That’s… well, right? Now that I think about it?”

The moment I heard Eloise’s words, I thought of Lav.

If Eloise and I both back off, naturally, that woman will be the final winner. Broken spear, shattered shield.

And even a ridiculous situation where the common enemy becomes more favorable!

“Right? So, in that sense, Selena, I think it’s best for us to fight moderately!”

“….”

It’s oddly convincing. To the point where I can’t immediately refute it―

“And since we’re going to fight moderately, it’s also good to just pretend we didn’t see anything! And as for me going next to Karl… ”

“Don’t even think about it.”

I’d rather have Lav. You’re too dangerous! Too obvious!

* * *

The quartet laughed happily. And between them, there were two women who seemed to be making crackling noises!

And finally, there’s the recipient of the Medal of Honor who seems determined not to leave the compartment even if the passengers crowded around, saying, ‘Wow, it’s the hero the conductor talked about! Amazing! Wow!’

They spent their time like that until darkness fell, finally reaching their destination.

“Ladies and gentlemen, our train will be arriving at the terminal shortly.”

“And before that, our Medal of Honor recipient will be disembarking. We kindly ask all passengers to remain seated until the Empire’s hero has exited the train.”

Enough. Please stop. I had to maintain a stern expression.

Part of me wanted to just hide on the train, but then the other passengers would have to wait on the train indefinitely. That wouldn’t be fair.

“The Empire’s hero!”

“Medal of Honor recipient!”

“We salute you!”

Unaware of Karl’s thoughts, Shulifen, Wilhelm, Alexander, and Joachim were busy teasing.

Selena would usually step in to calm things down, but she seemed preoccupied with a staring contest with the prospective elven raider.

With a sigh, I started to gather my belongings, but the attendants waiting outside the door panicked and hurried over.

“Allow me to assist. We’ll handle everything, sir.”

“Huh? Oh, it’s fine, but…”

“It’s not fine for us. We’ll take care of all your belongings.”

Strange. They seemed respectful when I boarded, but not to this extent.

The attendants practically snatched the bags from my hands.

Could it be because there were no servants around? But that wouldn’t make sense since there were already servants waiting in the south. Or did the four families request something separately?

As I stepped out of the train, I understood the reason.

Clap, clap, clap!―

Applause so thunderous that even I, who had spent three years on the battlefield, was startled.

Although there was no shouting, the applause was enough to drown out any cheers.

“…The south.”

Right. I momentarily forgot where we were going.

This was the southern part of the Empire. Just a few hours by carriage from here will take you to a region where soldiers like me have fought in battle.

Naturally, war is no stranger to the people here. For them, it was a matter of survival, whereas the rest of the Empire was just ‘fighting against elves.’

There were tons of Imperial soldiers being drafted here. Men who had lost comrades, lost arms and legs, and eventually lost themselves, and were returning home as lifeless corpses.

So they were desperate. For them, it was a war against the Elves, a distant battle that would end in ‘I’m worried.’ For others, it was a war that mattered to them, and they wanted it to end.

Out of that war came a man who wore the Empire’s highest honor, the Medal of Honor.

A nobleman of the Empire who enlisted as an ordinary soldier. And then there’s Luzernes, who suddenly collapses not long after he saves his men.

To them, that young nobleman seemed like the key to ending the war.

And as if to prove it, when other things happened, he stepped up to the plate and performed the insane feat of earning another Medal of Honor.

“….”

Meanwhile, Karl, who received those praises, simply smiled and followed the attendants without any further acknowledgment.

He raised his hand in response, but there was no gesture to show off or encourage more praise.

Not pretending either. It was clear that he thought it was natural to receive such praise and that it was a far cry from wanting more.

Now, he was receiving on behalf of those who couldn’t receive.

That was how one could define Karl Adelheit, who was now quickly escaping the station.

* * *

“Hehe.”

I barely managed to suppress a chuckle that almost escaped my lips.

If Selena had heard that, would she have been on guard again? Phew. Thankfully not.

‘So different. Not like other men of my kind. So different.’

If Karl weren’t there in that situation, but instead another male from my kin, I wonder how it would’ve been.

And the conclusion I came to was that he would likely walk around with an air of ‘Praise me more, I deserve it,’ as he moved.

Is it because they’ve lived for so long? Or were they just born exceptionally talented?

Our kin inevitably have excessive pride. To me, it seems a bit extreme.

But when they were beaten by the Empire, their pride must’ve taken quite a hit.

As a result, those who couldn’t bear it became Luzernes, and those who endured became Hyzens.

‘As for me? Well, honestly, I don’t care much about winning or losing. I just enjoy the process.’

Anyway, watching Karl shyly sneak away made me chuckle. Even though he’s the hero of the Empire, seeing him like this makes him seem childish. Hehe. Isn’t he just too adorable?

“You’re running away without knowing where you’re staying?”

“I don’t care, we need to get out of the station first.”

When I caught up with Karl and asked him that, that was his response.

Honestly, I wanted to tease him a bit more, but I decided to hold back to avoid denting the few points I’ve accumulated.

“Karl.”

Still, I have to say it. Honestly, how do I hold this in?

“You seem like a really cool guy.”

“What’s with the sudden talk? Have you been drinking? Are you drunk?”

“Huh? Oh! Yeah, I’m drunk! Drunk on an amazing human being who’s incomparable to other male kin! Hehehehe!”

“…Are you seriously crazy?”

You wouldn’t understand. Probably, forever. Because all heroes, they don’t know why others worship them.

But that’s exactly why everyone keeps falling for them.

So, be careful, Karl! I’m so deeply in love with you, I can’t escape now!

I even quit my job for this! Even though I will manage during my study abroad with my severance pay, after that, you’re gonna have to support me!

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]