I’m Just an Ordinary Academy Student

15 – Quietly Returning…

After spending about two weeks together and undergoing training, the four of them withdrew into the weekend!

The news quickly spread to their fellow trainees.

They were heirs of noble houses, not from ordinary families or even imperial lineage. Despite the vast difference in status, they surprisingly got along well with each other.

The camaraderie of being fellow ‘soldiers’ and the bond forged through shared hardships transcended the significant gap in their social standing.

“The young masters are leaving?”

“Too bad. I thought we were getting assigned to the same unit.”

“Well, we’ve got a lifetime supply of free drinks now. We’re the only ones who’ve rolled with those incredible noble folks, right? Hahaha! I can probably get a few rounds on that!”

“True. I thought they’d be different because they’re nobles, but they were just like us. Hahaha!”

Nobles, yet at the same time, their training camp comrades. It’s truly regrettable that they’re leaving.

Now that they’ve become close, there’s a subtle sadness about their departure.

Just the fact that they suffered together in the same space made them feel like friends.

Of course, it’s not like they want to hold onto them if asked.

“Honestly, it’s right for them to go. It’s fun now, but later on, they’ll suffer together.”

“My brother in the neighborhood says it’s exhausting to have relatives with a top-down attitude who only care about making money.”

“The higher-ups just want you to stay in your place. It’s not good for both of us to come here and embarrass ourselves. While we appreciate the shared hardship, it’s a bit burdensome for us, you know?”

There are those among them who can handle it and those who can’t.

The familiar rural noble heirs who have met many faces? Yeah, that should be manageable.

But these four are the eldest sons of a marquis, and heirs of imperial lineage.

Without a single joke, if those guys even cough, the instructors will swear to kill the cold.

Or the instructors will threaten to kill those who made them catch a cold.

That’s why, when Shurifen, Wilhelm, Alexander, and Johaim returned to the barracks.

“Hahaha! It was entertaining! Young masters!”

“Since you’ve had your fun here, please understand our hardships and give us a raise!”

“It was enjoyable training together! Thank you for your hard work!”

They were already watching. From the beginning to the end.

Even when told to give up, they did not yield and held out until the end.

“They enlisted just like themselves, without any obligation, so they could leave anytime.

Even after rolling around like that for hours, their determination to endure was impressive.

Not a single trainee said, ‘It’s too tough, I’m running away,’ even after seeing that.

Meanwhile…

“…It’s like hell. Seriously.”

By some twist of fate, Karl ended up spending a day at the recruit training camp against his will.

Having eaten a meager dinner, he now found himself in the predicament of having to sleep on a bed for one night.

“It really feels like I’ve re-enlisted.”

Could this be some sort of premonition? If I had known, I would have brought some salt.

Karl, while drying his face, sneakily turned his head to look around.

A spacious and pleasant area that the instructors and drill sergeants had cleared out in one of the barracks.

At least, according to their standards, he should be able to endure a day here without any major issues. Of course, that’s only according to their standards; for Karl, it would just lead to more PTSD.

If they ask him to do night watch or duty, he’ll really kill them all.

With that thought in mind, Karl spread his mat on the mattress and lay down.

He wondered what would happen if the blanket was in poor condition, but luckily, the drill sergeant had provided an A-grade one.

“It’s almost like they brought this straight from a supply room.”

Perhaps it’s because he’s a recipient of a distinguished service medal that they’re taking such good care of him.

It was the first time he had ever felt so grateful for that shiny medal.

*

Ba-ba-ba-bap-bang!—

“…!”

As soon as the faint bugle sound reached his ears, his body reacted before his mind could fully awaken.

Of course, unlike when he was a private, he didn’t jump up in a panic and tidy up his bedding.

He simply pretended not to have heard and flipped the blanket over again, waiting for someone to wake him up.

…Oh, right. Come to think of it, I’m no longer in the army, and there won’t be any new recruits coming to wake me up.

He groaned as he slowly lifted himself up from the bed.

Let’s just do it roughly. I’m not a soldier or active duty anymore, after all.

And when he finally opened his eyes, he thought, Why the hell is my hair so neatly combed? I remember saying I’d just do it roughly!

Knock, knock—”

“Good morning!”

“Oh, yes. Lieutenant Megi. I hope you slept well too.”

I heard that this guy had slept roughly on the sofa in the break room.

I suggested we sleep together. Even if not here, there are at least twenty places available. Why do this?

No matter how much I tried to persuade him, he insisted on the break room, saying he didn’t want to make the Medal of Honor recipient uncomfortable.

Actually, I was thankful. It would have been quite strange if we had slept together. No, it would have been very strange.

“As I mentioned yesterday, the morning schedule is a lecture for the trainees. After a brief greeting, you can return by train!”

“Oh, yes. Those kids… the discharged trainees.”

“Those four individuals are finishing only up to the Sunday religious service and returning on the same day!”

“Do they have to?”

“They requested it, and the training camp approved it!”

Well, whatever. Do as you please. There’s nothing to do at the academy on weekends anyway.

Honestly, finishing training camp life with just a religious service isn’t a bad idea.

“More importantly, is it really okay?”

“Did I mishear?”

“It’s Saturday today. The weekend. Isn’t it the trainees’ rest time? My lectures were scheduled for weekdays during regular training, and now, with this arrangement, can we ensure the conditions for weekend rest?”

“Oh, that part has already been settled. Instead of conducting the discipline training today, it was decided to ensure the soldiers’ rest conditions during the next week’s discipline training!”

“…”

Really… impressive. Huh? Impressive. With this level of sincerity, I guess I have to do that damn lecture. I have to.

“Anyway, looking forward to the lecture!”

“Does Lieutenant Megi also…”

“Of course! A lecture personally given by the Medal of Honor recipient! Isn’t it amazing?!”

It’s astounding. If someone hears it, they might think I prepared the lecture in advance.

Me, giving a lecture. The only thing I can talk about is military stories.

What could be a lecture topic for me in front of trainees? Well… I don’t know. Damn it. Let it be whatever.

And then, during the morning lecture, confidently and boldly, I wrote on the board in front of all the trainees (including the four protagonists).

– Why does the Imperial Army call elves “kanpra”? –

Coincidentally, the word “kanpra” exists in this world too. Maybe it’s because the original work is a novel.

– 101 Reasons Not to Trust Kanpras –

By the way, when I say “Kanf,” I’m referring to those Elf-loving Rosen Alliance folks. On the flip side, the Highgens, who are more into pigeons, fall into the category befitting the term “Elf.”

“There’s a saying. If you know your enemy and fight, you won’t be in danger even after a hundred battles. As you all know, I’m a veteran of the Rosen War. That’s why I claim to know them well. Therefore, today’s lecture is precisely about this – the persisting threat to the Empire’s security, the stubborn and radical Elves, the Rosen Alliance.”

Although I might get some frosty looks from the Elven side rushing in from the Foreign Ministry…

Well, what can you do? Honestly, they struck first, didn’t they? Isn’t their anti-Elf sentiment a consequence of their own actions?

And on the Highgen side, they’re just dealing with the Rosens without considering them kin.

During the lecture, I passionately listed reasons not to trust the Kanfs.

I also shared stories of intense battles with the stubborn Rosens over the past three years.

And when the nearly two-hour lecture finally concluded:

“Trainees, Elves are our allies. But Rosens are not. If we had to call them something, what would it be?”

“Kanfs!”

“That’s right. So, what are Kanfs?”

“Our enemies!”

Hmm. Very satisfying. You all seem like you’ll make excellent soldiers!

*

It was a sudden dispatch task. However, it was quite satisfying.

A mere lieutenant like me moving with a Medal of Honor recipient. What an honorable task. I’ll definitely boast about it when I have children! Absolutely!

“Are you really going tomorrow? Just go with us today.”

“I just want to attend the religious ceremony. I want to greet them properly.”

“Well… okay. Do as you please.”

After exchanging greetings with friends (Captain Karl Adelheit says they’re enemies, but whatever), I and the captain returned to the carriage and moved to the station.

Whether the training camp commander had mentioned it or not, our train compartment was assigned as first-class.

“Phew.”

As soon as he sat down, the captain sighed deeply, leaning back.

Seems like he’s quite tired. Well, giving a passionate lecture in front of hundreds of trainees would make anyone tired. I should be careful not to disturb him—

“Ah, Lieutenant Megi. You’ve worked hard too.”

At the somewhat unexpected words, I, too, involuntarily sighed and muttered, “Ah.”

Honestly, calling it hard work would be an exaggeration; it was just a dispatch task. I’m even an officer. It’s a natural duty. But Captain, even after completing his service, is like this. So, if we’re talking about hardship, he’s endured ten times more than me.

“No, it’s not. Captain Hasa suffered more.”

“Well, that’s true. Then, let’s pay a little attention to those who have suffered together. Being in that damn barracks makes all sorts of thoughts pop up, making it hard to sleep.”

Where can you find a soldier who doesn’t like rest! Indeed, a recipient of an honor medal is different.

If he were a senior, he would have advised on what to do after returning and pondered over the remaining tasks. Now, about 40 minutes of a good nap…

Kwaaang!—

“Ueoeoeoeok!”

What, what’s going on? An explosion? Oh, could the train have derailed?!

Is it a major accident?! Am I going to die like this? I just got promoted to lieutenant!

“Ca-Captain Kal! Are you, are you okay—”

“…Damn. Those damn Kempf bastards.”

Suddenly, without realizing it, I found myself holding my breath.

The person I liked, Captain Kal, disappeared, and in front of me appeared a devil from hell.