I'm an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 28

Academy fourth-year students. Or the graduating class. They generally fall into two categories.

One is relatively relaxed (though ‘relaxed’ is far from the truth) preparing for graduation.

The other is frantically scrambling to graduate, with fire burning under their feet.

Among the latter, many are struggling to catch up on lectures they missed in previous years.

Some are enjoying their academy life, while others procrastinate, saying, ‘I’ll handle it when the time comes!’

Or perhaps they misunderstand their grades and neglect courses they should have taken.

The latter case is particularly pitiful, as they end up taking classes with their juniors.

And they become excellent examples, offering advice and lessons to their juniors firsthand.

For example—

“Karl, can I see your notes for a moment? I missed this part.”

“…This is ridiculous. ‘Make up your liberal arts points in advance.’ I went to the army and forgot everything else, but I remember this one. So why did you take the liberal arts credits so lightly?”

The four seniors sit down in the mostly freshman-dominated liberal arts classroom.

In order. Shulifen, Wilhelm, Alexander, and Joachim.

They all look like they’re perfect on the outside.

They all come from great families, and their test scores are top of the class.

However, the problem is that somewhere, there’s a loose screw.

“I didn’t take it lightly, I just forgot, Karl.”

“Are you suffering from young-onset dementia? Why would those who attend the academy forget that?”

“Uh, well… Isn’t it like soldiers sometimes losing their guns?”

“In the military, you don’t just lose your gun, Alexander. And if by some miracle you do, you’ll be punished severely until the end of days.”

From all sides, the returning student caught between the four of them was wailing.

It seems more like a comedy wearing the guise of a romance novel, for sure.

* * *

Shulifen, Wilhelm, Alexander, and Joachim. The four protagonists of the novel.

Of course, the world of fiction is just that – this world itself is not fictitious.

It’s a role that cannot be fake, as I’m living right here.

Recalling past lives doesn’t change anything. I’m still Karl Adelheit.

For that reason, there was no particular reason to become close to those four.

Being around them doesn’t make my life bloom, nor am I going back to the original world anyway.

So they live their lives, and I’ll live mine, that’s all.

Yet those guys keep sneakily approaching and buzzing around.

“If I knew this would happen, I should have taken it in my third year.”

“What were you doing back then?”

“Um… I made a club and spent a lot of time there?”

Suspicious. Really suspicious. Why on earth did they create a club?

Did they just throw away their crucial third year before becoming seniors?

“It wasn’t a big deal. Just a meditation club.”

“…Meditation club?”

Strange. When you hear the name, it sounds like a perfectly normal club.

Hey, Shulifen. Are you really being honest? A meditation club?

“What are you talking about, Shulifen? It was a chess club, not a meditation club.”

“…?”

Out of nowhere, Wilhelm tackles.

Well, one of his specialties is picking on Shulifen for every little thing, so maybe he intended to do that again this time…

“Hey, Wilhelm. You seem very serious about something.”

“What are you talking about, Karl? I’m speaking sincerely now more than ever.”

“So, you thought it was a meditation club instead of a chess club?”

What the hell?

“I always played chess with those guys during club time.”

“…Hold on. Hold on, you guys.”

No matter how you think about it, this feels chilly. I definitely need to confirm this.

“Alexander.”

“What, Karl?”

“What did you think the club was?”

“I thought it was a horseback riding club until I graduated from the third year.”

“…And Joachim, what about you?”

“I thought it was a ballroom dance club.”

After hearing that, I finally understood the whole story.

It started as a meditation club. But all they did was hang out day by day.

No wonder time just slipped away like that. Huh?

Looking at it this way, it’s a miracle that they have made it to the fourth year without failing.

They were smart, got good grades in exams, but why couldn’t they apply that in their daily lives?

Why do these fools always pop up in these corners? Are you really testing me to see if I am going to explode from frustration during exams?

“My classmates. Let’s graduate this semester.”

The thought of seeing you guys for another semester is so horrible, I think I’m going to die….

“Oh! What should I do, Karl? It seems like it’s going to be like that.”

“…What?”

“I’ve registered for all the classes this semester, but my score is slightly lacking.”

“No… Have you talked to the professors about it?”

“I did, but they couldn’t give a definite answer.”

That’s it. Any more and my head would explode.

“Anyway, Karl. How about Selena?”

“After hearing depressing stories about delaying graduation, now we’re onto this as the conversation topic? Don’t you have something more innovative, cheerful, and interesting to talk about? Huh?”

“Oh, come on. Just curious. Curious.”

“Be quiet. I have nothing to say. Back off. Damn it, back off. You guys!”

Despite my intense gestures, these guys cling more and more.

Their eyes glare, and they let out a soundless shout, ‘Talk to us!’

“Come on, I’m the one who got dumped before you guys, huh?”

“Well, that’s true.”

“But Karl. Despite being dumped, you’ve been unusually close recently.”

“That’s right. And it’s almost to the point of being misunderstood by others.”

“There’s also the possibility that Selena’s feelings have changed.”

They usually bicker with each other, but at times like this, they get along so well.

“How many times do I have to say it? Among the people I saved in the past, there was Selena’s older brother, and Selena appreciates that. The reason why we seem so close is because Selena and I recently cleared up a misunderstanding between us. That’s all.”

“Hmm.”

“Hmmm…”

Look at that. You’re not going to believe me, so why are you even asking?

I know what answer you’re looking for, but I’ll never give it!

“Karl. Just for once, hypothetically speaking, what if Selena realized her feelings for you late?”

“What?”

“Alexander, you idiot. Do you have to beat around the bush like this? Hey, Karl. I mean, what if Selena said she liked you?”

Selena likes me? Why? No, if that were true, why reject the confession?

“…I’ve already sorted out my feelings in the military.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“Look into my eyes for a moment.”

Wilhelm grabs my shoulder and we lock eyes.

I’m dying of awkwardness, being face to face with a boy like this.

“It doesn’t seem so. From what I see, Selena is still there.”

“That’s probably your perspective, not mine. Aren’t you the ones still holding on?”

“Holding on… holding on…”

“Well, I don’t know if it’s holding on or wanting to erase a memory.”

These guys. Did they enlist to forget about their confessions and rejections?

“Hey, you four.”

“Yeah?”

“Huh?”

Come to think of it, they’re just like me.

It’s unfair if I’m the only one targeted. They should experience it too!

“What will you do if Selena and I actually get along?”

“Huh?”

“You all confessed to liking that girl, got rejected coolly. But if I start walking around with Selena by my side, I wonder how you’d all feel?”

The girl who rejected your confession is dating your colleague.

Whether it’s discomfort or jealousy, it’s obvious that something will change!

Can you guys handle it? If I succeed, it’ll hurt you guys!

“I told you, Karl. We’d be okay with it.”

“Yeah. Even if others don’t know, if you’re willing to date her, we’ll understand.”

What’s this? Suddenly everyone’s grown up. Just because the girl you liked is flirting with another guy?!

“Frankly, Karl, if you’re my opponent, I’ll have to give up.”

“That’s right.”

No… Is it right to give up so easily…?

Isn’t being clingy essential in romance novels…?!

“Hmm. Seeing you talk like that, it seems like there’s something between you two, even though you’re pretending not to be?”

“Absolutely not.”

“There is, there is!”

“I said no.”

“There is!”

“Damn it! I said no! Get lost, will you?! Huh? Do you want me to twist you around like I did in boot camp?!”

“Sorry!!!”

* * *

< Kanfra. Kanfra. Kanfra! Losers! >

< Defeated losers of the miserable forest, losing in regular battles and irregular ones alike. >

< Can peace truly exist? Wouldn't true peace come from an even bigger club? >

Kwasik!―

Fiercely crumpled the newspaper he was reading. He bit my lip until it bleeds.

Like an old man chewing on anger, he rose from his seat and heads off somewhere.

At first glance, just an ordinary old man, one you could see anywhere in the empire.

He suddenly enters an empty alley and fumbles for something.

A moment later, he pulls a ring and opens a door, then swiftly descends underground.

“Let’s wait and see. Damn imperial bastards. Soon, they’ll know the wrath of the forest.”

The old man moved with a swiftness that was uncharacteristic of an old man.

His ears were gradually taking on a pointed shape.

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

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