I’m Just an Ordinary Academy Student

14 – Protagonists. Allowing for discharge

Adria Viscount’s eldest son, the heir of the Lossberg family, Shüllefen.

Even with such an impressive background, he too had a painful past.

It was a confession to Selena, his academy colleague several years ago. Since then, he hadn’t easily run into Selena, avoiding her repeatedly.

He still didn’t know why he acted that way. He just… wanted to.

Thinking about that time when my sharp confession was cut off, my heart trembled inexplicably.

Even though I wanted to overcome it as if it were nothing, it didn’t go as smoothly as I hoped.

After agonizing for two years in contemplation and anxiety, one day, everything changed.

“Enlist as a soldier.”

The motivation that had changed so much compared to before, advised me like that.

He had experienced it himself. After serving in the military, everything became clearer.

In Shulipen’s eyes, Karl’s advice seemed to make sense.

Even though he had been severely scolded by Selena at that time, the atmosphere between them was surprisingly good.

The events of that time now seemed like a distant memory, neatly tucked away.

At that moment, Shulipen realized, “Ah! That’s how it can be after serving in the army!”

Immediately, he applied for military service, taking a break from his studies along with other friends.

Naturally, there was opposition, but he persevered and ended up at the recruit training center.

“Trainees! From now on, you will become great soldiers of the Empire! However, before that, you must overcome even this basic training!”

It was days of hardship in succession. He realized that his life had been too comfortable until now.

To protect this empire, he learned how many young people shed sweat.

A new world. A place he had never known before. Was that why Karl gave such advice?

Certainly, it seemed good to forget the pain, fear, and shame of that day.

That sentiment seemed to be shared by Wilhelm and Alexander, who enlisted with him.

However, a bolt from the blue struck them.

“Trainees 124, 125, 126, 127, fall out. Prepare to return to your families.”

They were ordered to return to their homes, with a warning to behave appropriately in their respective families.

The atmosphere suggested that one person was enough for such troublemakers in wartime.

Everyone argued that not everyone should leave, but they knew that this wasn’t the solution.

Even Karl, who had given advice, used it as an excuse, but that wouldn’t last forever.

So, what should the four of them do? They were just discussing this a moment ago when—

“Fall back for sleep.”

“Fall forward for sleep.”

“Sit. Stand. Sit. Stand. Sit. Stand. Stand. Damn it, who said to sit! Get a grip!!”

A demonic figure with the energy to expose even the souls of the poor four trainees descended.

Tomorrow is a joyful weekend. The weekend. Whether there’s a schedule or not, it’s a truly precious weekend.

So, I have to finish it today.

After finishing, I must definitely return to the academy with those guys.

I can’t spend this damn weekend at the cursed boot camp for recruits.

Anger rises as if past memories are vividly coming back.

“Can’t you get your act together! What can you do with such mental strength!”

“Ugh!”

“Schlipen. Huh? Get out. If you’re going to do that, go home! The Lady is looking for you!”

“No!”

“Wilhelm, you too. Are you already trying to give up? No? No way!”

“Grrr!!”

“Repetition command. Repetition command! Alexander. Keep making mistakes like that. Your comrades are the ones suffering!”

“Sorryy!”

“I guess you think I’m not watching, Joachim? Keep slacking off like that. Let’s see who wins. Additional 10 rounds for everyone! Execute!”

“Ye, execute!!—”

Even if those guys adapted well in the boot camp, in the end, the instructors were thinking about their future. It’s obvious without looking. How dare they try to coast through recruit life.

As long as I’m here, it won’t happen. No way. Treat them the same way… no, like the other soldiers!

“Do I still look like your fellow, Academy’s 19th class returning student, to you?”

“No!!”

“Yeah. No. I’m Imperial Army Sergeant, Karl Adelheid! It means I’m a precious talent that won’t change even if I load you chicks on a carriage!”

Actually, no. I wish I looked like Karl Adelheid, not the 19th class student.

I’d rather have a life at the academy than the military, even if I hear the returning student sound! Kyaaaah!

In my opinion, you guys are still far off! You came to grow, to improve, right? But is this the attitude?! It’s embarrassing for me, the one who gave advice!”

“Aaaah!”

“Give up! Just pack your bags and leave! Academy suits you better anyway!”

“Aaaaah!”

No, guys. This isn’t telling you to endure. It’s really telling you to give up.

So, please, as a favor, stop enduring, give up, and don’t pack your bags, okay?

“All awake.”

“Wake, wake!”

“Here’s the paper. See it? Just sign this. There’s no need for words like ‘I give up.’ That’s freedom. Honestly, you guys have done a lot. You’ve done enough. Things others wouldn’t do, you came and did it all. That’s enough. You’ve done what you could. If you stop here, no one will say anything. They might even say you’ve worked hard.”

“…”

“I’ll give you one chance to sign now. If not, starting from 12 laps around the training ground.”

This is the devil’s paper that anyone would have to sign.

Even those who lived elegantly as members of noble families refused to sign… right?

Shurifen, Wilhelm, Alexander, and even Joachim. Without needing to ask who’s first, they all start the 12 laps.

They roll as they’re supposed to, panting, yet gritting their teeth and moving forward.

Even while retching, they don’t stop, showing a truly stubborn determination.

“…This is insane. Seriously.”

Before the end of the afternoon work, they expected to be dismissed.

However, even after the work hours ended and passed into the evening, with the sun setting.

“Heyah! Hah!”

“Cough! Huff!”

Those darn four never gave up. They didn’t even glance at the paper.

Strange. Are they all planning to enlist as officers later?

Nah, right? They’d just graduate from the academy, go to parties, get some attention from young ladies, and then return to their respective families to become heirs, right??

I glanced briefly at the edge of the training ground. There stood instructors with worried expressions.

Understandable. Regardless, they are from esteemed families. If something happens due to my actions, they won’t be able to escape responsibility.

Honestly, I worry about that too. Others suffering because of me.

Even though I’ve completed my service, they have to continue as officers.

If they get a blemish on their careers because of me, they might face the worst outcome of missed promotions.

This can’t go on. I can’t just send them home like this.

“Recruits. Assemble.”

“Aye, assemble!”

The sun had already set, leaving us in darkness. Today’s return home is a bust. Sigh.

Looks like we’re bound to this training camp until Saturday.

No wonder. I wondered why I suddenly had this terrible nightmare of redeployment.

“From now on, just listen. No salutes, no formalities.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Without saying anything in return.”

Where should I start this story? How should I say it to return these things to where they belong?

“I’ve seen enough of your determination. I understand better than anyone how much you’ve suffered.”

“…”

“As someone who spent three years in the military, objectively speaking, you guys are quite something. Despite insignificant reasons, you felt the weight of your choices and decisions, never gave up. Maybe if you’d been on the battlefield, you’d have been more remarkable than me.”

I’m not just saying this. I mean it. Truly, it might have been so.

“But you know, people eventually have a place they should be. I didn’t know that, made many people uncomfortable, even myself. Setting an example is good, but maybe it was just my own idea, not for others.”

“…”

“If you stay here longer, many people will suffer.”

It’s not a time for propaganda like in my case. They’re not some countryside nobles.

Even if these four stay here and become soldiers, the losses outweigh the gains.

“And honestly, haven’t you achieved your goal?”

“…?”

“Did anyone here think of Selena?”

It’s unlikely. They were probably rolling and tumbling around without a moment’s peace. It’d be strange if they remembered.

Embarrassment over what happened? Doubts about themselves? All of that must’ve been erased.

And now, finally, it’s time to use the ultimate weapon.

“Alright. Everyone, fall back for rest.”

Are they trying to roll again? The instructors watching from behind murmur with concern.

But no, this is a magic that makes anyone whine when they were once trainees.

“Look at the sky. Look at the stars. Think about your parents and family waiting for you.”

“Ah…”

“I don’t know what words they said, but your parents must be worried about you doing this without consulting them. Especially your mother. Right? Try to picture her face.”

Even as a corporal, during training, the most intense word was ‘mother.’ Mom.

I remember crying my eyes out back then. I must’ve been a pitiful sight.

“…The knife.”

Has sanity finally returned? Shurifenn speaks up.

“Why.”

“Are we really allowed to go back?”

“If you feel like you’ve truly changed.”

“…I don’t know if things have changed. But now, even standing in front of Selena… I don’t think I’ll feel any pain.”

“Me too.”

“Same here.”

“…Agreed.”

Damn bastards. I envy them. I think I realized it when I was almost done with my basic training.

“I told the professors. Ask them to consider your break as just a short period of being unwell. Conveniently, the reason for the leave was medical.”

“What are you talking about, Karl? Medical leave is…”

“Damn it, shut up. Save that talk for later, go tell Marcus-senpai.”

If I bring up that topic again, it might set him off, so talk to Senpai about it.

“Anyway, trainees. Make it so they can discharge. Understood?”

“Yes. Understood.”

“Look at the tone of your voice. Already losing it?”

“…Yes!! Understood, aargh!!”

Good. It’s over. Now let’s eat. You guys. What kind of suffering is this because of you—

“As expected, you seem qualified, Karl.”

“Huh?”

“I think so too. You’re a guy who can handle it.”

“Are these guys all crazy together? What are you suddenly talking about?”

Get up already. Let’s have dinner! All we had today was boiled eggs and carbonated water!

“Confessing to Selena again.”

“…What?”

“I thought of trying again if I muster the courage, but it seems like you’re the only qualified one, Karl.”

“Cheer up, Karl! If it’s you, Selena will like you.”

“Of course, she would, as you’re a much cooler guy than us.”

Hahaha. Hahaha!

“Trainees, rise.”

“?”

“Aren’t you going to salute in uniform? Rise! You bastards!”

The returning student Karl disappears, and once again, Corporal Karl Adelheid takes over.

The instructors, who were smiling contentedly, rush over in panic? Yeah, get lost.

“Just let it roll all night long. Prepare to beg for your life!”

You twisted creatures of the distorted wasteland!