Chapter 26

Chapter 26

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 26

“...So, during this period, a more sophisticated system of the empire was established... hmm.”

The professor, who had been deeply engrossed in the lecture, suddenly stops speaking.

Then, crossing his arms, he begins to stare intently at where the students are seated.

“...?”

“?”

Even the students who were taking notes while listening to the lecture realize that something was amiss.

Soon, they too turn their gaze in the direction the professor was looking.

“Hmm....”

With his head propped up, a student sleeping in a rather uncomfortable position is spotted.

“There he goes again, sleeping.”

“Hey, wake him up.”

At the urging of the students, another student sitting nearby wakes the dozing student.

“Huh?”

Startled, the awakened student quickly sits up and tries to act nonchalant.

However, by now, the attention of everyone in the classroom is focused on him.

“Is it because of lack of sleep due to studying? Or is it something else?”

“I-I’m sorry!”

“If you feel sleepy, don’t just sit there, stand at the back and listen to the lecture. That’s the minimum courtesy for a professor here.”

“I’m sorry!”

The professor, clearing his throat, refocuses on the lecture.

“Again. During the early days of the empire, there were numerous wars, large and small, unlike anything we see today. Emperor Konstantine II, for instance, left his mark for eternity through territorial expansion. And the system he personally created back then was the system of honors.”

The highest honor bestowed upon those who showed heroic deeds on the fiercely contested battlefield.

As it was a system created directly by the emperor, it had been strictly adhered to since then. Though not as fervently as in the past, even now, being awarded an honor is a mark of a remarkable individual!

“....”

“....”

Suddenly, as the professor passionately lectures, the students again turn their heads, this time collectively, to somewhere else in the room.

One by one, then ten by ten, in an instant, the attention of the entire classroom shifts.

Their gaze is fixed on a male student who was murmuring while taking notes.

“Why... again.”

He’s undoubtedly a senior student who returned to school less than a month ago, also a classmate from the same year.

In less than a month, he has made an enormous presence known, aptly named the storming returnee.

“Student Karl.”

“Yes, Professor?”

“If you’ve finished taking notes, can you erase what’s written here?”

“Sure, thank you.”

The returning student was now busy adjusting to life at the academy.

* * *

This is driving me crazy. Seriously, it’s driving me insane. Was note-taking always this difficult?

I guess I spent too long in the military. That’s why my head and hands have stiffened.

Otherwise, it shouldn’t be this hard to write down the lecture on the board!

Ah, Professor! Please don’t erase there! I haven’t finished writing it all yet!!

‘Darn it... seriously, this military aftermath is too severe.’

Even the best of us are said to become ordinary after two years in the military.

In that regard, I, who was originally just an ordinary person, have become below average...!

“Excuse me, Riley.”

Then Hyzens try to stop them, only to be outmaneuvered by Luzernes.

Oh. Just so you know, it’s been less than 30 years since Hyzens took control.

Before that, they were constantly being outmaneuvered, both verbally and physically, by hardliners.

It wasn’t until after the Eighth Great Forest War, in which I participated, that the tide turned.

Even though elves inherently look down on humans, and because of that, Hyzens initially struggled to gain support and faced numerous crises.

But conflicts between groups tend to erupt when one side becomes tired and can no longer fight.

And the Luzerne elves were completely overwhelmed by our empire in two aspects.

“The Luzernes elves were too reliant on their own magic and archery. even when Hyzens actively introduced guns and gunpowder invented by our empire, they ignored it and regarded it as a joke. But what was the result? In the Seventh Great Forest War, one division of our empire defeated over ten thousand Luzerne warriors.”

Highly trained knights are undoubtedly a formidable force.

A spellcaster with unimpeded casting is a disaster in itself.

Guns don’t make one invincible. Because the guns of this era are not automatic rifles.

But there were definitely more advantages than disadvantages. It was enough to turn the tide of battle.

That’s the outcome. The empire and the Hyzens soared. Conversely, the Luzernes plummeted.

‘And then, the best they could come up with was to carry out terrorist acts to sow discord between the empire and the Hyzens. Anyway, damn tricky bastards. They need to be dealt with.’

“As it became increasingly difficult for Luzernes to achieve victory against the empire, they recently changed their tactics. They sought to divert public opinion among the empire’s citizens against the elves through terrorist acts targeting the empire. I remember there was an incident where they almost succeeded in doing just that.”

...Here we go again. Huh? Here we go again.

As soon as they start talking about terrorist acts, my juniors all look at me again.

Especially Riley, who was sitting right next to me, who was singing ‘Shabang Shabang’ with his eyes.

[PR/N: ‘Shabang Shabang’ (사방 사방) literally means ‘Twinkle Twinkle’ is a song by Korean Trot Prince, Park Hyun Bin.]

“Let’s take a moment to applaud the hero of the empire who prevented such incidents.”

At the professor’s words, the juniors applauded enthusiastically. The classroom is about to collapse.

Um, but professor. If you’re already offering applause, couldn’t you also offer extra credit?

And if that’s not possible, could you at least write on the board a bit slower... I’m struggling to keep up with you...

* * *

“Karl!”

As the lecture ends, Selena comes running up to me.

Seeing her receiving greetings from my juniors and acting all hesitant, something seems to be up.

“Karl, I’m really sorry, but are you free tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow? When?”

“Late afternoon, or maybe evening.”

“I suppose I could make time then. But why?”

“My brother really wants to see you.”

Ah. Is she talking about the person I rescued on impulse?

“Should I meet him?”

“That’s your decision, Karl, but I’d appreciate it if you could. My brother really feels like he owes you a lot. Please.”

At Selena’s words, I instinctively scratch the back of my head.

Others may praise me for doing something great, but I just feel embarrassed.

All I did was some crazy stunt to save my squadmates, and this is what happened.

Every time they mention medals or heroes, it just makes me even more uncomfortable.

“...Sure. I’ll meet him.”

“Oh! Thank you! Thank you, Karl! I really appreciate it!!”

The reason I couldn’t refuse, despite everything, is because I understand that feeling.

Wanting to express gratitude but not having anyone to express it to, feeling sorry for not being able to.

‘Damn bastards. Why were they in such a rush to go first? They didn’t even let me thank them for saving me.’

William, Thomas, Martin, Frederick, and the other squadmates.

Fucking bastards. They were fucking awesome.

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]