I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy
Chapter 88

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 88

“Just as I thought! That damn elf! No wonder they call them ‘Kanfra’! Argh!”

I wanted to burst through the door, but I couldn’t. This was a men-only space, and the one inside was none other than Karl.

“Karl! Ca-Can I come in?!”

Wait, that sounds weird. Stupid me!

“I mean! Is everything alright in there?! I thought I heard Eloise’s voice!”

What would Karl say? Would he lie and say no? Or would he be honest?

‘Whatever he says, I’ll accept it!’

If he lies, it must mean he’s flustered and I can understand that. If he’s honest, it means he doesn’t want to hide anything from me, which is also good. So, Karl, please just answer me.

“Eloise was just here, Selena.”

“…I see.”

My voice dropped without me realizing. Stupid! This isn’t good. This will only make Karl feel awkward, especially after he was honest with me.

“So… is Eloise still inside?”

This was the question I was most curious about. Was Eloise still inside? Or had she run away?

The latter would be a relief, but the former would be a headache. If she’s still inside and Karl is covering for her… I might be a little sad.

“No. She ran away.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

Thankfully, Karl’s response came back, confirming that she wasn’t here anymore. Phew, a sigh of relief escaped me.

But then, a slightly foolish question sneaked up in my mind, ‘Did she really leave?’

‘I need to trust Karl. I have to trust him,’ I whisper to myself, but then the image of Eloise’s face pops into my head. I can’t help it. Ever since we shared a room, she kept looking at me and laughing strangely, ‘Ufufufu!’

“Um, Karl. I mean… I’m not doubting you, but I’m doubting Eloise! Are you absolutely sure she’s gone?”

“She’s really gone. As soon as you came, she bolted like a child caught doing something wrong. She was so quick, just like an elf.”

[PR/N: I mean… she’s one.]

His answer came without a moment’s hesitation. Yes, this is enough. Now I can believe him.

Actually, even this is wrong of me. If Karl says she’s not here, then she’s not here. It’s not about whether I believe him or not, I should have just believed him!

“Well then, I should get going. When I get back to our room, I’ll give Eloise a piece of my mi—”

“Selena.”

“Yes, Karl? Did you have something to say?”

“Would you like to come in?”

For about three seconds, I blinked, wondering if I had heard correctly. After another three seconds, I was finally able to open my mouth.

“…Huh?”

“No, never mind. Forget what I just said. I think I lost my mind for a moment because of Eloise. Just think of it as nonsense. Anyway, there really was nothing going on, so don’t worry, Selena.”

Forget it, he said. Think of it as nonsense. Hmm. I see. Well, if Karl says so, then I…

“I’ll go wash up right now.”

…Huh? What did I just say? Uh, uh oh?

* * *

“Would you like to come in?”

I clapped a hand over my mouth, immediately regretting my words. What on earth did I just say?

‘I messed up.’

You crazy bastard. You senseless fool. Calling a woman into the men’s only hot spring? If someone sees this, they’ll easily misunderstand and think ‘That guy has gone mad with lust.’ You even did this to Selena? Then what will Selena think of me? Huh?!

Fuck. Fuck. This is all because of Eloise. That seductive elf has ruined my sanity!

Damn it! The way she looked was too deadly! I thought covering up would be safer than being nude, but hiding it made her seem even more tantalizing and seductive! Arrrggghhhh!!

“…Huh?”

“No, never mind. Forget what I just said. I think I lost my mind for a moment because of Eloise. Just think of it as nonsense. Anyway, there really was nothing going on, so don’t worry, Selena.”

Goodness. First, he’s influenced by those four guys, and now he’s picking up Eloise’s habits—

“I’ll go wash up right now.”

…Selena? Selena??

Did I mishear? Or maybe Eloise was playing a prank.

But a moment later.

“….”

“….”

Selena actually opened the door and stepped into the hot spring with a gentle splash.

What was I doing, you ask? What else could I do? I just kept staring at the wall, preparing for the worst.

This world isn’t exactly a super-conservative, Confucian society, but those values still exist. Unmarried men and women being alone in a private space is enough to raise eyebrows. And being naked (even with robes on) in the same bath is unthinkable.

‘What the hell. Why the hell. If I just say it was a slip of the tongue, it’s fine, but why Selena?!’

I’m going crazy. Seriously, I’m going nuts. What would my mother, my sister say if they saw this?

This is insane. Absolutely crazy. What would my mother or sister say if they saw this?

…Hmm. Just imagining it gives me chills.

Plop—

“Ah.”

An involuntary sigh escapes my lips as I feel the sensation of her warmth against my back. Selena must have leaned against me, her back to mine. I feel the wetness of the water, the texture of her robe, and the undeniable warmth of her body.

Neither of us speaks, our backs pressed together. Or rather, we both want to say something, but the words won’t come easily. Honestly, it’s a bit awkward to break the silence in this situation.

“Karl.”

After a moment, Selena cautiously spoke first.

“Scared? Of what?”

“Whether I can truly be the woman you deserve.”

“I wonder if I can really become a woman worthy of Karl.”

I was about to ask what she meant, but her next words came faster.

“A Medal of Honor recipient. A war hero of the Empire. A young noble who saved countless lives. A human respected even by the elves. And now, a benefactor of the Church. I’m so proud that my boyfriend is such an amazing person, but sometimes the thought scares me.”

“…”

I want to say that’s nonsense, but I realize it would be thoughtless.

Selena’s worries aren’t unfounded. In fact, anyone would be justified in thinking the same way.

Selena is the daughter of the Marquis of Nafplion. She comes from a prestigious background and is undoubtedly of noble status.

But the same goes for me. I’m the eldest son of Count Friedrich and now the heir. I’ve risen from a common noble to a titled noble, so my status is no less than Selena’s.

On top of that, as Selena said, my name is now followed by a string of titles. Any one of them would be enough to feel burdened, but there are more than two or three.

‘It must have been difficult for her. As Selena said, it must have been scary.’

Putting myself in Selena’s shoes, it makes perfect sense. That’s why I need to say something more sincere. I need to show her clearly that she has nothing to worry about.

“So what I mean is—”

“It’s already enough, Selena. To me, you’re more than enough.”

Selena’s body trembles slightly, the sensation transmitted through our backs. It’s as if she’s asking, ‘Really? Do you really mean it?’

“The people around us might question it. Strangers might question it. And the world might question it. But Selena, none of that matters. Just one thing. You and me. That’s enough. And to me, you are more than enough. You’re more than I deserve.”

Hmm. Saying this out loud makes my face flush. Did I lay it on too thick?

I chuckle involuntarily, and Selena lets out a small laugh, too. ‘Pfft.’

We stay like this for a while, backs pressed together, laughing. Then Selena speaks again.

“Ah, I’m such an idiot. Why did I reject your confession?”

“Well, maybe it was a divine move for the future? To make things more passionate. They say if first love is too easily attained, you don’t appreciate its value.”

I shouted like that, but in reality, it was nothing more than nonsense I blurted out.

Of course, even such words from me, Selena sincerely accepted with a “Is that so?”

* * *

I thought this hot spring trip would just be about soaking in the water, but it ended up with another incident. After achieving another unbelievable feat, it’s time to go home.

Well, it wasn’t bad. In fact, it was quite good. I got closer to Selena, Eloise is finally dressing properly, and those four guys… well, look at the glow on their faces. They’re practically shining.

“Strange. We all soaked in the hot spring, but why do only they look so refreshed?”

Well, Eloise, maybe it’s because you put Selena and me through so much trouble that we don’t show it. Besides, you were too busy trying to sneak into my room to enjoy the hot spring.

“So you’re leaving, Brother Karl.”

Cardinal Beolant, who was standing behind us, speaks with a chuckle as we wait for the train.

I was already feeling the pressure with all the officers, soldiers, and families of the martyred soldiers in the South. Now, people from the Church, including the cardinal, are clinging to me.

It’s suffocating. Is this what it feels like to be watched every second of the day?

“Ah, Brother. Here.”

Right. I almost forgot. My greatsword. My precious friend. I missed you so much.

“As a gift to the benefactor of the Church, this old man has bestowed a blessing upon it.”

What? This sword that only craved the blood of kanfras has received a blessing from a cardinal? It’s like a bloodthirsty magical sword being suddenly quenched in holy water.

It’s like the cursed sword, thirsting for blood, suddenly being sanctified as a holy relic.

“I wish I could personally visit Count Friedrich to express my gratitude. However, with the matter of the recovered sacred relic and the affairs of the 4th Diocese—”

“It’s alright, Your Eminence. It’s nothing to dwell on. Your presence here is more important for soothing the unsettled hearts of the people.”

“…Indeed. The war may be over, but post-war recovery is just beginning. Truly, Brother, you are worthy of God’s grace.”

Worthy, my foot. I’m just a madman who ran wild with a ‘whatever happens, happens!’ attitude.

I bet even the Goddess of Light was like, ‘Is this guy crazy?’ when I confessed my love publicly and then ran off to the military after being rejected.

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]