Chapter 68
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
Chapter 68
After finishing midterms and visiting the palace, and hearing about my sister and the prince’s relationship, it’s been nothing but overly dramatic developments from the time right after I returned to school until just a few days ago.
The thrilling excitement is good, of course. But if you have too much of it, it bites back.
And for someone like me, who’s already dealing with twists and turns to the point of physicall contortion, it was exhausting, to say the least.
“So, you’re saying you’re enjoying this time so much?”
“Yeah. I love it so much it’s driving me crazy.”
Selena’s voice sounded a bit puzzled, but what can I do? It really is good.
Just sitting on the bench during the spare time between classes, zoning out, then going to the next lecture. Finishing the day like that, meeting juniors, exchanging greetings, that was really nice.
This is the kind of life I wanted as a returning student. Not just being buried in medals!
“But even saying you enjoy assignments seems a bit much, Karl.”
“Mmm. That was a bit much, wasn’t it?”
It hasn’t been long since midterms ended. But it feels like assignments keep pouring in like a tsunami.
If that’s the case, why bother saying ‘well done,’ professors? If it’s going to be like this, might as well say, ‘Yeah, well done, now suffer more!’ Making me expect for nothing!
Maybe that saying is right after all. The existence of demons has infiltrated human society in new forms, that kind of eerie story. They disguise themselves as fitness trainers, professors, whatever, and torment humans...
“Ouch!”
“Just made it for you, it’ll get cold. Hurry up and drink.”
Selena holds out cocoa to me and pouts.
It’s weather has turned much colder. It’s not just ‘chilly,’ it’s really cold. It didn’t feel this cold even in winter when I was fooling around with the Kanfras. Maybe because it’s further south, the temperature there was generally higher than here.
“It’s really winter now.”
“Winter? It’s November.”
Oh no. If it’s like this, I won’t even be able to get out of bed in the morning, shouting ‘outside the blanket is dangerous!’
As someone who already knows all too well how happy I am to be snuggled up in a warm blanket, the prospect of winter has become quite frightening.
“Yeah. Karl, do I have to congratulate you?”
“Why are you suddenly saying that?”
“I heard the news. The pension foundation that put your name on it.”
Keh, keh―
I almost spit out the cocoa I was drinking when I heard that.
Fortunately, I managed to gulp it down. If not, I would have seen Selena covered in a fountain of cocoa.
“...Selena, even if you know, please pretend you don’t.”
“Why?”
“It’s embarrassing. Whatever the meaning, having my name plastered out there is too embarrassing.”
“But it’s a good cause. The Medal of Honor recipient’s pension foundation that helps veterans. Other noble families are also coming forward to help, right?”
“It’s not one hundred percent for a good cause, though.”
My name is already spread all over the empire. Of course, in a good way. Nobles may be trying to gain something based on my reputation. The title of a noble who helps veterans along with a recipient of a medal of honor. Honestly, even if I were one of those nobles, I wouldn’t be able to digest this.
“Of course, everyone may have different thoughts. Because they’re people. But if they can show some good results like that or have a positive impact, it seems like a good thing.”
“Well... that’s also true.”
Not everyone can be good and just. I never believed in fairy tales to begin with.
But they’re not all evil either. In any case, for some reason, people ultimately move in a positive direction, whatever the reason may be. The catalyst, or someone who can provide the catalyst, is important.
And although I didn’t aim for it, thanks to this pension foundation, praises for the imperial family have been continuing.
Actually, I roughly understand the principle. It contains iron powder and a catalyst, and when opened and mixed with air, heat is generated. Something like that.
The problem is, I only know the principle vaguely. I don’t know the details either. Ugh. In my past life, I was in the liberal arts, so I don’t know anything. Help me out, science majors!
“You guys are all from distinguished families, right? Whether it’s a renowned engineer or a talented mage, you all have connections, don’t you?”
“Talking like that, Karl, you sound like you’re not one of us? If someone hears, they’ll think the Adelheit family is some rural noble family! Soon your sister is going to be the Crown Princess!”
“Ah. Our Adelheit family knows nothing but to be on the battlefield. Look at me, a recipient of the Medal of Honor. When did I have time to make connections? I was busy being on the battlefield. Therefore, it’s only natural that those of you from distinguished families should take care of it.”
Wow. What an asshole. Is that all you did on the battlefield? He’s a good talker.
Complaints from the four of them poured out, but it was short-lived.
“Well, Karl’s right. It’s not like we don’t have any connections.”
“How the hell does this work, anyway?”
“Are you sure this isn’t explosive?”
Uh, sorry. From what I remember, it exploded a few times when it was in liquid form.
“Once it’s made, it’s not feasible for small-scale production, right?”
“Of course not. This has to be mass-produced to be profitable.”
“It’s for warming your hands on cold days. Even if it’s not that, even for a little warmth... This seems similar to the concept of the winter snacks we’re in charge of. Did you aim for this, Karl?”
Well? Did I aim for it? For now, the concept seems to overlap with what you guys are saying.
I looked at the four of them with my arms crossed.
At first, they were wondering what this was all about, but now they’re all eagerly discussing among themselves about how this works and whatnot.
Hmm. I think I threw them enough to chew on. It’s time for the protagonist to leave soon.
“Think hard about it. I’m going to go now.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m meeting Selena for dinner.”
At that, the four of them who were discussing simultaneously looked at me. Wait. What.
“Are you really trying to get back together with her?”
“Whoa, who confessed to whom first?”
“I’m voting for Selena.”
What are they talking about? That’s not it.
“That’s not it.”
“Then what?”
“There’s not much time left until Selena graduates, right? So, that’s why.”
“Graduate?”
“Selena?”
...What’s with that reaction? It’s like they think Selena can’t graduate like these guys.
“Karl, haven’t you heard yet?”
“Heard what?”
“Selena’s not graduating.”
“...Huh?”
“Ah. Technically, I guess I should say she’s graduating but not leaving the Academy?”
Scratching the tip of his nose once, Shulifen finished.
“Selena, is going to be a graduate student?”
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]