I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 170

I immediately sought out those responsible for creating the statue.

And I was met with even more shocking news.

“Wait, wait. Hold on a minute. Say that again. What did you just say?”

“An identical statue is already being made at the academy, Young Lord!”

“…”

For a moment, I thought I was dreaming. My mind went blank.

Grabbing my head, I barely managed to regain my composure and asked the statue makers.

“Is there any way to cancel it?”

“Pardon? I don’t understand why, but the academy statue is already well underway. Removing it now would take even more time.”

“But still…”

“You don’t have to worry too much. I assure you it will be a masterpiece that will never tarnish your reputation, Young Lord.”

That’s exactly what I’m worried about! Just how extravagant and grand are they making it?!

Look at the statue in the central plaza! Behind the scene of me carrying a wounded comrade, they even sculpted angels blowing trumpets and scattering light! It’s so over-the-top, they might as well have sculpted bullets flying around!

“How was the statue funded…?”

“It was funded by the Adria Marquisate, Gramstad Marquisate, Brunne County, and Thieradal County. The Bernstfall Duchy also provided partial support.”

“…”

“We absolutely did not touch the Pension Foundation’s money. I can assure you that you have nothing to worry about, Young Lord!”

So, it’s too late to back out now.

I told the people involved to do their best and turned away.

It seems that their warning of ‘just you wait’ was aimed at this.

Back then, I wasn’t particularly scared, but seeing the situation now, I’m suddenly worried.

‘I don’t think those guys are going to stop here!’

Just in case, I contacted the Ministry of Education, and my suspicions were confirmed.

“Information about Young Lord Karl Adelheit will be newly included in the academy’s history lectures by next year at the latest! We’re preparing as quickly as possible, but due to issues with verification and book printing, this is the best we can do. We apologize for any inconvenience!”

I wanted to tell them it was fine, they could just omit me from the books entirely. The words lingered on the tip of my tongue.

“Um, by any chance, do you know who were the ones who initiated this… I mean, who led this?”

“It was the young lords of the Adria Marquisate, Gramstad Marquisate, Brunne County, and Thieradal County! They’ve agreed to cover half of the cost of printing the new books!”

“I see…”

They put up a statue of me in the central plaza of the capital, and now they’re planning to put one up at the academy too.

And on top of that, they’re saying my story will be included in books that not only academy students but anyone who wants to learn history in the empire will have to read.

They’re even planning to interview my former comrades.

I asked them, not really a request but more of a plea, to please not make any mistakes.

If they happen to poke at any sore spots of the survivors, they’ll witness the wrath of my Greatsword, the Sword of Oaths.

Anyway, there wasn’t much I could do in this situation.

I could just watch, or…

“Let’s make a deal.”

“Yes, please speak, Young Lord.”

At the very least, I could return the favor, even if only half as much.

“I’ll fully fund it, so let’s make statues of those Hydras… I mean, the four young lords. If possible, as big and extravagant as mine.”

“Well… wouldn’t it be a bit much to make them as big and extravagant as Young Lord Karl Adelheit’s statue? We agree that your statue should be the best.”

“Then how about slightly smaller than mine? Is that okay?”

“…We’ll try our best.”

Good. Please do your best. Please.

* * *

As the cold winter days passed and the ice began to melt, signaling the approach of spring, statues of a certain man were erected in the capital’s plaza, the academy, and throughout the empire.

He was a great war hero, a model of imperial nobility, respected even by elves and knights of Lasker, revered as a saint by the church, and loved by the Goddess.

And beside his statues, four other statues of nobles also took place, showcasing their dedication.

“Karl! Are you serious?!”

“I don’t know, let’s just all die together.”

“It’s okay! Your statue is still the biggest and coolest!”

“Yeah, you guys got four each.”

The five men bickered amongst themselves as they gazed at the sight.

“Karl’s statue is definitely the most handsome.”

“Of course! Look at the guy!”

“Actually, I think it’s a bit uglier than he is in real life.”

“I agree… he’s much more handsome in person…!”

The four women gazed at Karl’s statue with sparkling eyes.

They also looked at the five men bickering and whispered to each other that they were quite a match, constantly trying to outdo each other in praising Karl, a group of very close friends.

And as time passed, the day finally arrived.

* * *

“Oh. Finally, graduation.”

“Yeah, finally graduating.”

“Wow, finally graduation!”

“Ugh, you’re finally graduating?”

The last one wasn’t Joachim, but me. And I said it while looking at the Four with a very disappointed expression.

Shulifen, as if feeling wronged, stepped forward and said, ‘Hey! We only failed one semester, Karl! The rest of the time, we stayed for you!’

“For me? Can you say that with a clear conscience?”

“Of course!”

He immediately looked up at the sky and shouted, ‘Oh Goddess! If what he’s saying is true, please send him a ray of light!’ The answer came quickly.

“See? No light, right?”

“Oops.”

“Oops, my foot, you Hydra. You guys stayed because it was more fun for you!”

At least put some spit on your lips before you lie, guys. You can’t even fool me.

One of the reasons they stayed was to build a stronger bond with me.

Two of them are from marquisate families, and the other two are from count families. Their heirs failed a year and couldn’t graduate.

If people only heard that, their families would be in an uproar, and it would be quite embarrassing for them in the eyes of other families.

But when they said, ‘Oh! We wanted to spend more time with Karl, the war hero of the empire and the saint of the church, so we purposely stayed behind!”’ all those worries disappeared.

Their families even readily accepted their decision, saying, ‘That’s a good idea. Stay for another half a year!’

‘But that’s over now.’

One year was the limit they could stay. Any longer, and it would be too much, even with me as an excuse.

There have been ‘fifth-years’ in the academy’s history who stayed for an extra semester or two, but never a sixth-year!

“Today, we see our classmates, seniors, and juniors who will leave the academy and scatter across the empire. Some may call this a farewell, but it is actually a true beginning. Everyone will do their part in their respective places—”

I was worried they might ask me to give a graduation speech, but thankfully, that wasn’t the case.

While listening to the academy staff congratulating the graduates on the podium, I glanced at the Four.

“…”

“…”

Even though they pretended otherwise, all four of them were clearly emotional.

After all, it must feel strange to think that they’re leaving the place they’ve been for five years, perhaps forever.

It’s different from my military discharge, yet somewhat similar, so I can understand.

After the graduation speeches, some people gave flowers to the graduates, and others offered their congratulations.

As for me, I didn’t really have anything to do.

“Good work, everyone.”

“Thank you, Selena.”

“Wow, we’re getting flowers from Selena!”

Selena, who had taken the time to come, handed out flowers to the Four.

“I’m sure we’ll see each other again after graduation, right?!”

“Of course. You can always come visit our family, Eloise.”

“Ahaha! I’ll look forward to it!”

Eloise was already thinking about visiting the marquisate and the count families.

“Thank you for everything. And thank you for working hard for people like me.”

“It’s our duty, so it’s okay. Lavrenti.”

It felt a bit strange to be thanked, but Lavrenti expressed her gratitude nonetheless.

“Please take good care of Karl, okay?”

“Huh? That’s something you should be saying to Selena, not me…!”

Lefia’s face turned bright red at the blatant question.

After saying their goodbyes to the four women, the Four approached me.

“Karl.”

The atmosphere wasn’t playful. They, and I, were very serious now.

Those who leave first, those who stay behind, and those who will continue to walk together, shoulder to shoulder.

“We’ll go ahead.”

“Work hard.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll do our best to manage the Pension Foundation.”

“If there are any problems later, I’ll double the number of your statues in the empire.”

“Hearing that makes me want to work even harder.”

A time that was both long and short.

A time of laughter, chatter, jokes, and clashes.

These guys must be thinking the same thing as me. That they met some decent people.

“We’ve worked hard, and we’ll keep working hard.”

I shook hands firmly with the future marquises and future counts.

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

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