I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 200

[ Welcome, new students! I am Lefia Arkebel, a third-year student and newly appointed vice president of the academy’s student council! First of all, I sincerely welcome all of you to the academy… ]

[ …There will be an event to welcome the new students in the auditorium, so please head there. Thank you! ]

The voice of an excited female student echoed throughout the school via magical broadcasting. Hearing the announcement, the newly admitted freshmen began to move.

“Did you hear? The new vice president was actually a Lasker Princess.”

“If she’s a princess, she’s a princess. What do you mean by ‘was’?”

“From what I heard, she renounced her royal status. She plans to stay in the Empire even after graduation instead of returning to her country.”

“Did she seek asylum or something?”

[TL/N: *Seeking asylum means a person has left their country of origin and applied for protection in another country due to persecution, war, or human rights violations.]

“Not exactly. It’s more like… hmm, how should I put it?”

As the freshman who was eagerly explaining trailed off, others listening in urged for more details.

“So, what is it then?!”

“It’s not asylum, but it’s not completely different either. Anyway! All I know is that she’s very close to a senior in the fourth year.”

“A senior in the fourth year? That’s quite a gap. Who is it?”

“Senior Karl Adelheit.”

At the mention of his name, everyone fell silent.

“….”

“….”

“Let’s stop talking about Senior Lefia.”

“Yeah. I’m afraid we’ll make a mistake if we keep going.”

Some were male, some were female. Some were commoners, and others were nobles. Despite their differences, everyone had heard of him.

Let’s skip the unnecessary details and get straight to the point. He’s a war hero of the Empire, a two-time Medal of Honor recipient, and a revered figure in the church who was even considered for sainthood while still alive.

There’s more to say, but this should suffice.

“I’m really curious. Just how extraordinary is this senior?”

“I thought I’d never see him in person since I was always out in the provinces. I guess I’m lucky to have a year to see him.”

“Is he really that imposing? I heard he could defeat an elf with one hand!”

“No matter how imposing he is, defeating an elf with just one hand seems a bit much….”

The freshmen, chattering noisily, moved toward the auditorium as instructed by the broadcast.

There’s going to be a freshman welcome event.

Well, it’s just going to be a few people giving speeches, and the freshmen clapping before dispersing again.

Still, it’s part of the official process of becoming a member of the academy, so there’s no harm in it.

After all, just graduating from the academy in the Empire is a significant advantage.

For nobles, it’s an opportunity to move closer to the center of political power.

For commoners, it’s a chance to showcase their abilities, dream of better jobs, or even rise in status.

At the very least, they can meet new people and build connections that might lead to a better future.

“Ah, ah. Mic test. One, two, three, four. Again. One, two, three, four.”

The mic testing ended, and various dignitaries took their seats in the VIP section.

Finally, a male student stepped up to the podium, lightly calling for attention before speaking.

“Alright, freshmen. We will now begin the welcome ceremony for those who have entered the Empire’s finest ivory tower, the Academy.”

Clap, Clap, clap!—

With the sound of applause, the welcome ceremony began.

As always, it started with a congratulatory speech from the academy president.

Just as always, the speech covered congratulations, the importance of focusing on studies, and the value of making good friends.

Cliché and trite, but it’s true, so what can you say?

Even the freshmen and current students have a look on their faces that says, ‘Just give us a break.’

“…I’ll stop here. Next, a representative from the highest grade, the 4th year, will give advice to the new students who have just entered the academy about academy life.”

Oh, another lecture? Isn’t two in a row a bit much?

For a moment, the freshmen’s faces were filled with fatigue, but it soon disappeared.

“Huh!?”

“Whoa!”

The freshmen closest to the podium let out a series of exclamations.

Then, as a male student stepped onto the podium, the exclamations spread like wildfire.

“Ah.”

It was a 4th-year senior, no different from the one who had just come up.

The difference was that he was incredibly handsome and had a well-balanced, strong body.

“Nice to meet you, juniors.”

But his introduction set him apart from the rest of them.

“4th year, Karl Adelheit.”

“Karl Adelheit!”

“It’s Senior Karl!”

“War hero!!”

“Senior! Thanks to your foundation, I was able to enroll here!”

“Has Goddess really given us a miracle?!”

The reaction was explosive, a stark contrast to the boredom everyone had shown just moments ago.

It would be natural to be flustered, but Karl, standing at the podium, handled it very smoothly.

“Yes, yes. I’m Karl Adelheit.”

“It’s better to call me a veteran than a war hero.”

“I’m glad you benefited from the foundation. Congratulations on your discharge, junior.”

“A miracle from Goddess… yes, I received one. That’s why I’m still alive.”

After roughly answering each question, Karl continued speaking.

“We all come from different places, some of us from different social statuses, and we have different genders. But here at the academy, we’ll become peers, seniors, and juniors. I hope the next four years are fulfilling and enjoyable for all of you.”

“Oh, and I understand how excited you all are as freshmen, but don’t have too much fun! If you fail your exams, that’s a big problem. If you don’t get enough scores to graduate, that’s an even bigger problem!”

Though his last remark was aimed at four specific individuals, fortunately, the freshmen had no idea who they were. They just listened to Karl with smiles on their faces.

“There will be a banquet tonight. It’s not mandatory, but I highly recommend attending it. Even if socializing feels like a hassle, it’s important. Isolating yourself because you think you’re special might lead to taking a break from school, and returning after that has its own set of challenges.”

With that, Karl concluded.

“Alright! That’s all the advice from your old senior!”

However, it seemed the freshmen still had more questions for him.

“Senior! Senior!!”

“What do you prefer to be called? Medal of Honor recipient? War hero? Or a revered figure of the church?!”

What he wanted to be called had been decided from the beginning.

Karl chuckled, casually grabbed the mic, and answered.

“A Returning Student.”

For that, he had survived hell and lost countless comrades. Yet he returned, met many new people, formed new relationships, and finally came back to where he belonged.

It was proof that he had returned to an ordinary life.

“An ordinary returning academy student.”

* * *

Evening.

Freshman welcome banquet hall.

“Did you really say that?”

“Yeah.”

“Wow… calling yourself ordinary. That’s a bit much.”

Karl was having a quiet conversation with Selena on one side of the balcony.

“But that’s exactly what I wanted. It’s what I lived for.”

“…Yeah, Karl. That’s good enough.”

Karl gazed at Selena as she patted his shoulder, then gently hugged her.

“There’s less than a year left of this returning student life.”

“Right? So, what’s next?”

“Next, I’ll be an ordinary husband. An ordinary dad. Something like that.”

“Heh. That doesn’t sound bad at all.”

Karl smiled, and Selena smiled back.

A moment of hesitation, a brief silence, then as if by agreement, they were about to…

“Whoa, whoa. Not here, no matter what!”

“Master, there are a lot of eyes watching.”

“Uh… I think it looks nice!”

Eloise, Lavrenti, and Lefia appeared out of nowhere.

The sudden interruption left Karl and Selena momentarily flustered, but they soon laughed it off.

“When did you all get here?”

“Geez. You guys are like ghosts.”

“When the two of you suddenly held hands and went to the balcony, of course, it was suspicious.”

“For once, Eloise is right.”

“I think it’s fine!”

“Looks like we’ll have to continue this somewhere without any interrupters next time.”

“I think so too. It’s a shame, but we can always kiss later.”

As Karl and Selena spread their arms, the three girls quickly snuggled in.

They began chattering about their day, each sharing their stories.

“…But what’s with these petals falling from above?”

“Right? We’re on the third floor…”

“Hold on.”

Curious, Karl approached the balcony railing and looked up.

“Hey.”

At Karl’s call, four familiar voices replied from above.

“Yo.”

“Oops.”

“Karl.”

“Busted, huh?”

Four faces peeked over the upper balcony—Shulifen, Wilhelm, Alexander, and Joachim.

Karl, staring up at them, was momentarily speechless.

When did these guys get in? They aren’t even students anymore!

“We came as guests.”

“And we’re showering you with flower petals, just for fun.”

“Yeah, remember, we were the first fifth-year students at the academy.”

“…Uh, Alexander, that’s not something to brag about.”

“Shut up, Joachim.”

‘How is it that these guys never change, no matter how much time passes?…Or maybe it’s better that they haven’t changed.’

Shaking his head, Karl looked up at the night sky, surrounded by friends who would be part of his future.

He thought back to his time on the battlefield a few years ago, which now felt like a lifetime ago.

The ordinary life he had longed and dreamed for then felt like a blessing now.

“So, Karl, any chance you could help us with our love lives?”

“…You guys never give us a moment to set the mood, do you?”

“Since when were we ever the serious type?”

“True enough.“

Karl laughed. The women beside him and the four on the upper balcony laughed as well.

Their laughter carried on the wind, drifting through the night sky and lingering among the stars before fading away.

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

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