I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy
Chapter 97

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 97

Within the Imperial Academy, there exist various student-led groups besides the official clubs.

Among them is the one known as the ‘Azure Whistle.’

This group was formed by exchange students from Hyzens, with the purpose of providing mutual support for elves living in a foreign land, away from their homeland.

Of course, this is just one of the reasons for its existence. The bigger reason was to stick together and avoid mingling too much with the humans of the Empire.

No matter how much the Empire had grown, no matter how much the elves had adapted, they couldn’t completely abandon their elven pride.

“We do not reject the useful aspects of the Empire. We acknowledge their strengths.”

“But elves are undoubtedly a great race. There’s no doubt that we are superior to humans.”

“Therefore, let’s embrace the Empire’s technology and achievements, but not lose our elven identity.”

Despite being exchange students at the Imperial Academy, despite being comrades and allies who fought the same enemy, the elven students focused on forming their own small elven society, sticking together rather than mingling with the people of the Empire or learning more about their society.

Perhaps it was inevitable. Most of the elven exchange students came from prominent families in their society.

From their perspective, it was natural to want to limit the Empire’s influence, which could potentially harm the prestige of their own families.

Of course, there were elves who opposed this. They argued that this was wrong.

“What is the reason we came here as exchange students? It’s not simply to follow the Empire, but to stand beside them someday, or even surpass them. This is the first step towards that goal!”

“This approach will only hinder that step. A narrow perspective and biased thinking will only hold us back. We need to interact more with the Empire, mingle with them, and embrace new things!”

It was the right argument, the correct words. But their arguments didn’t have much impact.

Most of those who advocated for this were lower-class warriors, those who held little power in elven society.

Thus, the elven exchange students at the academy became insular, despite their status as ‘exchange students.’

This contrasted with the Lasker and Abileshti exchange students, who mingled relatively well with the Imperial students.

Leading this insularity was, of course, the ‘Azure Whistle’ group.

However, at some point, a wind of change began to blow within the Azure Whistle.

More precisely, it was after a certain woman joined the group.

< This year's goal for elven exchange students: Make at least 5 friends among the Imperial students! >

< If you fail to achieve this goal, Eloise Loengrand will give you a ‘little motivation!' >

“…”

“…”

The elves were speechless at the message posted on the group’s bulletin board.

Since when did threatening to cut off ears become a ‘little motivation’?

And on that day, some of the exchange students who opposed Eloise actually had pieces of their ears cut off.

[PR/N: Dayum! 💀💀]

“…How many friends have you made?”

“Not a single one yet.”

“I’ve at least started a conversation with one.”

As mentioned before, most of the elves who came to the academy as exchange students were from high-ranking families. In Imperial terms, they could be considered nobles.

Being from such backgrounds, they could have rebelled or refused to comply. But they were trying their best to follow Eloise’s suggestion on the bulletin board.

To be precise, they had initially contacted their home country, or rather, their families. They reported that the new woman was acting crazy, threatening to cut off their ears if they didn’t do as she said, and that she had actually cut the tips of some ears.

“If you don’t do as I say, I’ll cut off all your ears and pickle them in salt!! How dare you defy Karl—ah, I mean, whatever!”

They wondered if those words could have come from the mouth of an elf like them. So, they reported Eloise’s words to their families, word for word.

“What kind of nonsense is that!”

“This cannot be tolerated! Absolutely not!”

“Loengrand? We will lodge a formal complaint with that family!!”

This was the reaction the exchange students had expected from their families. They had no doubt about it.

But the responses they received were completely different from their expectations.

“…I’m sorry to hear that. But I understand.”

“It must be uncomfortable. What can we do? Since she’s not wrong, just follow her for now.”

They doubted their own ears. They even wondered if their ears had actually been cut off.

But they had heard correctly. Their families expressed regret, but that was all. They didn’t seem inclined to escalate the matter any further.

Something had happened. There was some other issue back home that prevented them from paying attention to this matter.

The exchange students realized this and soon received news from their homeland and families.

< Elves must change! The Empire has learned through bloodshed, but why haven't we elves? >

< Treatment worse than humans! We fought together, but we're oppressed just because we're warriors! >

< Once again, the Legion of Honor medals are only for the commanders! Look at the Empire! They give the highest honor to ordinary soldiers! How long will we elves continue to let only the noble families take all the glory?! >

The grievances of the elven warriors, who had been holding back, began to erupt. More precisely, it was due to the influence of the Empire.

The Empire had a more rigid class system than elven society. Nevertheless, veterans were respected by the nobility, even if they were commoners. They received at least a basic level of courtesy.

The proof was the welfare provided for veterans. Recently, a huge pension fund had been established to take full responsibility for their care.

And a soldier had received not one, but two Medals of Honor!

< The hero of the Empire is an ordinary soldier! Karl Adelheit! He fought on the front lines, just like our warriors!! >

< Even that hero said that the true heroes are those who die fighting on the front lines! Then what are we? Are we just swordsmen and archers for the noble families to use and discard?! >

On the contrary, what about the elves? It was the lower-class warriors who fought against Luzernes, but the noble families took all the credit.

Even the treatment of veterans and social recognition were no better than in the Empire. They were even whispered about as those who shed blood with their own kind!

With a situation like this, the Hyphens’ leadership could no longer ignore their voices.

Ignoring them could lead to a disaster if they turned against them. It could even trigger the resurrection of Luzens, whom they had barely managed to defeat.

Coincidentally, warriors who were not from noble families had emerged in the leadership of Hyzens.

It was a natural consequence of the war, as the military faction grew stronger.

And they embraced the opinions of the lower-class warriors and began to check the power of the noble families.

The noble families were outraged, but they lacked the justification to suppress them. It was the warriors who had shed the most blood during the war.

And one more thing—the Empire was in more frequent contact with the military leaders than with them.

Thanks to these reasons, the noble families remained silent about Eloise’s so-called ‘rampage.’

If the warriors saw the elves, who were sent abroad at great expense, huddled together and claiming elven superiority, the atmosphere would become even more unsettling.

“And just a word of caution, don’t do anything to offend the Empire.”

“We sternly warn you. Don’t give them any reason to cause friction with the Empire.”

“Why? It’s obvious. The friendship between the Empire and the Radiant Church is at its peak. If we fall out with the Empire in this situation, we’ll lose not only in power but also in justification.”

In other words, they were telling the students to take care of themselves because the situation back home was chaotic and they didn’t want to provoke the Empire.

Thus, the exchange students, who could no longer rely on their families’ backing, became obedient puppies.

To exaggerate a little, they would bark if Eloise told them to bark and wag their tails if she told them to wag their tails.

Is that too much? Yes, it is. But the families’ power was far away, while Eloise’s violence was right in front of them. Naturally, they had to obey.

At least, none of them wanted to end up as elves with their ears cut off.

‘Human friends. It’s a difficult task…’

‘Five is doable. And the fact that she gave us a doable task means she won’t let us off the hook if we fail!’

The exchange students of the Azure Whistle were busy pondering the problem of ‘making new friends’ when…

Bang!—

“Hick!”

“Huh?!”

The door burst open, and Eloise entered. She was radiating an aura that screamed, ‘I’m furious right now. Touch me, and I’ll skin you alive.’

“…”

“…”

Not long ago, these exchange students were boasting about their prestigious family backgrounds. But now, they were just like puppies watching their master, their eyes darting around nervously.

The law is far, but the fist is close. And the fist is close, but the sword is even closer.

“Ugh, this is getting more and more annoying.”

Eloise’s muttering sounded even more ominous and frightening today. Was it just their imagination?

The elven exchange students, tense with anticipation, quietly awaited Eloise’s next words.

“The Fifth Princess of Lasker Kingdom. A first-year, like me.”

Lasker? Is she talking about the human kingdom known as the Kingdom of Knights? Why is she suddenly bringing up their Fifth Princess?

Could it be that this Fifth Princess is among the new exchange students from the kingdom?

“I don’t like exchange students.”

It was unclear which exchange students she was referring to. But upon hearing this, the elves cried out, ‘Oh no!’ and immediately prostrated themselves before Eloise.

“We’re sorry, Eloise!”

“W-we’ll try harder! We’ll definitely make five friends!”

“We won’t cause any friction with the Empire! So please spare our ears!”

“…What are these idiots talking about…?”

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]