I’m Just an Ordinary Academy Student

11 – Oh. Hold on a moment.

The recipient of the Medal of Honor is an academy returning student! Not even a graduate, still in the midst of studies!

After the ceremony, the academy staff were beyond thrilled.

To have someone of such honor here, how wonderful it is.

And not just that, but to have such dedication to learning, returning to academics instead of staying in the military!

If the professors didn’t feel moved in such a situation, that would’ve been odd.

“To receive the Medal of Honor, it would have been better if he stayed in the military and received even better treatment.”

“That’s true. Seems like his dedication to learning is exceptional.”

“A truly righteous student. We ought to work harder too! Don’t you think?”

“Yes, indeed. To quench that thirst for knowledge, let’s teach even more diligently!”

Though the excitement was flowing in a rather peculiar direction.

“If we give more assignments, they’ll gladly accept, won’t they? Hahaha!”

“How about recommending graduate school? They can delve even deeper into academia!”

“Wow. That’s a great idea. I bet Karl would be more than willing!”

If Karl overheard this conversation, he might have dashed straight to the barracks and snatched a gun.

And wouldn’t he have exclaimed, ‘This is Abada Kedavra!’ and unleashed a volley of bullets?

*

One benefit of the Medal of Honor: the right to respect from anyone in the empire regardless of social status.

Two benefits of the Medal of Honor: invitations to any imperial events and the ability to attend.

Three benefits of the Medal of Honor: requesting support from the palace’s magical order when needed.

There are plenty more benefits, but listing them all now seems a bit much, so maybe next time.

But wait, does that Medal of Honor include the perk of being ‘the top priority for recruiting graduate students’?

“Karl, my student, I have a way to cool your fervor for knowledge. Do you happen to know about graduate studies?”

“This is truly a beneficial system. Being able to learn more alongside our professors and design your future together—”

The dragon within me roared. What on earth are these insane professors saying now?

What? Graduate student? Just out of the military, and now they want to tie me down to graduate studies?

Are they just itching for some target practice with bullets?!

The outcome is so unimaginable that it’s making my head spin.

‘A soldier who received a Medal of Honor now a graduate student at the academy?’

Is this some sort of ridiculous plotline that I wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole, even in my dreams?

Once in the military, twice shedding blood as a graduate student—I might as well be cursed.

The younger ones asking eagerly for ‘war stories!’ have toned it down a bit now.

So, I thought of releasing my invisibility charm, but this time, the professors are acting bizarrely.

“Why. What’s the big deal about being a graduate student? Try it before you judge.”

“Marcus, senior. It’s not okay to throw around such harsh words.”

“…Kid, I’m a graduate student too.”

“In that case, senior, you truly lack a conscience. Dragging juniors into hell just because you’re there. Did you perhaps blend your conscience into the soup served at lunch?”

The trials and tribulations of the military were enough. At least enlisting was my choice.

But becoming a graduate student was never even a consideration! I won’t do it, no matter what!

“Karl.”

“If you mention graduate studies one more time, I have this pen here. I’ll really use the tip to poke your forehead this time, so stop it, senior.”

“Terrifying, it’s terrifying. But that’s not what I was trying to talk about.”

Then what is it? What on earth is causing this strange atmosphere again—

“Is it really over between you and Selena?”

“Not to that extent. We just decided to stay as colleagues and friends.”

“…I’ve been hearing rumors lately, and it doesn’t sound like just colleagues or friends.”

What’s this guy hearing and bringing back to say such things?

Claiming to be a graduate student! And a teaching assistant! And still has so much free time?

Professor! Look here! Your slave― I mean, graduate student is fooling around!

“What kind of rumors have you heard?”

“They say you’ve met several times at the café. And there are even rumors that you were seen sticking together again.”

“Considering it’s coming from someone confined to the TA room, I can’t believe a word of it.”

“What are you saying? It’s just that news gathers where I am. Do you know how much my juniors adore me when they come here? I’m quite popular.”

“….”

Isn’t it more like being just casually approachable rather than being popular?

A TA stuck in the TA room. Wow. The title feels like it has a combat power of about

“Anyway, answer me. When you returned to school, you said you didn’t even want to run into Selena.”

“…That’s right.”

“Were you not sincere then? Or perhaps, do you still harbor any lingering feelings?”

“No, I don’t. I just genuinely want to be friends.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It’s been over six months, and considering we’re in the same academic year, it would be awkward to avoid each other forever.”

I just returned to school, and I want to part ways with a smile. That’s how it was back then, and that’s how I want it to be.

It’s something I learned in a past life and in the military.

Holding onto it alone is a loss. It needs to be let go.

To do that, it’s not about waiting passively; sometimes, it’s okay to take the initiative.

“…Just in case, I’ll ask, but confessing again and getting rejected, rejoining the military, that would be tough, right? It’s not some grand plan to enter graduate school, is it?”

“Hahaha!”

I immediately grabbed the pen lying on the desk. Whether senior or whatever, I’ll kill him!

*

“You crazy bastard! You really filmed it! You did! Aaargh!”

“It’s not that loud. There’s not even any blood.”

“But it hurts! Damn it! A junior outsmarting a senior! Oh my god!”

“If you want to be treated with respect, then act like a senior!”

Our senior Markus, well, he’s definitely not a normal person.

Even after I gave him a warning, he dares to provoke. Can this be forgiven just because I haven’t shot him yet?

‘…No. It might be that I can’t live a normal life since becoming a graduate student.’

Hmm. If that’s the case, I might be able to endure it a little.

Did he expect me to play along if he knew it would turn out like this? …No. Still, he’s crossed the line as a graduate student.

“Corporal Karl Adelheit?”

Today seems to be an afternoon break; I was planning to return to the dormitory and take a nap.

‘Why is it a corporal again, not a student behind me?’

A serious question that has been bothering me lately. Is this place an academy, or is it a military base?

Why do they keep looking for a corporal more than a ‘Karl senior’ or ‘Karl oppa,’ not to mention ‘Karl student’?

“Yes. I’m here. Who are you?”

“Ranshtak! (Imperial Army salute.) I’m Major Megi. I just came from the war castle.”

“Oh, yes. Major Megi. Nice to meet you. But you don’t have a beard.”

“Huh? Oh, yes. I’m still in my twenties. Haha!”

Well, if it were my past life, I would have thrown in a dad joke. It doesn’t seem to work here.

“But why did you come again from the war castle? You’ve already received a medal of honor, and I thought you were really done with the military. You didn’t come to ask for the medal back, did you?”

“W-why on earth would I do that?! The Medal of Honor is awarded to those who have performed the most honorable and brave actions! As it is awarded after strict scrutiny and selection, there is absolutely no reason to return it! Rest assured, it is an honor that does not disgrace the Imperial Army!”

“…”

Major Megi. You’ve only been a major for a short time, right? Just a month ago, you were a sergeant, wasn’t it?

I made a joke, and if you react so seriously, it’s a bit awkward.

“Calm down, calm down. It’s a joke. I know I’m from the medical corps, even though I was enlisted.”

“Oh, yes! I’m sorry. I had no intention of disrespecting Corporal Karl Adelheit.”

“No, just… stop taking it so seriously. Why did you come?”

Upon hearing this, Major Megi suddenly became serious.

Why the seriousness? Could it be that he’s not asking for re-enlistment, is he?

“Well, the Director of Personnel Administration has requested a meeting.”

“The Director of Personnel Administration…?”

If it’s personnel administration… literally, it’s about managing personnel matters.

Why are they suddenly looking for me when I’m not even in the combat field?

“If you ask what’s going on, the lieutenant probably doesn’t know for sure, right?”

“Ahaha. Yes. I only received orders to bring them.”

“I see.”

“Well, although I might be able to help. Just from what I’ve heard, the personnel administration director was tearing his hair out, wondering why these fellows suddenly applied for enlistment…”

Huh? Enlistment? Surely, commoners wouldn’t enlist.

Then what? Are there other fools like me who chose to join the Blue Blood theme?

And not just one but several of them? The director must be going through a lot.

“It seems like a situation similar to mine.”

“That’s right. But considering the current circumstances differ quite a bit from back then, he heavily sighed, suggesting that perhaps it would be appropriate to discharge those four.”

“I see. Four… four of them….”

…Ah. Wait a moment.

“Lieutenant.”

“Yes.”

“By any chance, those damn fellows… no, those four. Weren’t they all tall, slightly uncouth, but surprisingly good-looking?”

“Uh… judging by the way female officers blush, it seems to be accurate.”

He grabbed his head as it hit him. Damn it.

I momentarily forgot. The four main characters! No wonder it’s been too quiet!

The war is over, there’s no reason to recruit nobles as soldiers.

Besides, it’s not like I went in secret; it would have been immediately known to the family.

Seeing them return like that, it looks like our panicked family demanded their release.

…Come to think of it, did Father just laugh and say, ‘Who can stop a man’s resolve? Go and come back well!’ when he found out his son had crazily enlisted as a soldier?

Father! Did you really just pat your son on the back that day and encourage him? Couldn’t you have at least scolded him!