Chapter 07
A week had passed since Karl returned to the Academy.
During that entire week, not a single member of the Class of ’22 approached him…
* * *
Thinking back to my previous life, academy novels were practically a genre unto themselves.
A world much like a university. Close friends of the same gender. Fresh-faced friends of the opposite gender.
And sprinkled throughout were all kinds of satisfying situations where arrogant idiots got put in their place.
Stories become popular for a reason.
Maybe that was part of why I decided to reenroll in the Academy.
‘Yeah… this isn’t what I expected.’
I’d forgotten something important.
The protagonists of those academy stories were always ordinary students.
Not people like me, who had gone off to the military and come back to school three years older than everyone else.
“Let’s begin today’s lecture. We finished up to page twenty-five yesterday, correct?”
“Professor! The weather’s way too nice today! Don’t you think so?”
“It certainly is. Since the weather’s so pleasant… shall we have a pop quiz?”
“AAAAAHHHH!”
“I’m kidding. Hahaha.”
The atmosphere was great. Really great.
Yeah, this was what an academy should feel like.
Meanwhile, I was stuck in the farthest corner of the classroom, absentmindedly scribbling with my pen.
The Class of ’22 students chatted and joked with one another.
I couldn’t.
Honestly, I understood why.
From their perspective, I had to be awkward to deal with.
A senior who was three years older than them, yet somehow still a first-year student.
Anyone would feel uncomfortable.
Not to mention I was a noble who had done the insane thing of enlisting as an ordinary soldier.
…Damn.
Now that I think about it, even I wouldn’t have approached someone like that.
“Sigh…”
The sigh slipped out before I realized it.
“…Ah! I’m sorry!”
“Huh? O-Oh…”
One of the juniors had accidentally bumped my desk while pushing back his chair.
He must’ve thought I’d sighed because I was annoyed.
He immediately apologized.
No, kid.
I’m not angry.
And sure, we’re from different enrollment years, but we’re in the same grade.
Please…
You don’t have to use honorifics with me.
Just treat me normally…
“Oh, everyone. One more announcement. Your midterm exam will be replaced with a group project.”
“NOOOOOOO, PROFESSOR!”
“What’s wrong? I thought you’d prefer this over studying for exams. It’s not even the beginning of the semester anymore—you all know each other by now. If you don’t like it, we can switch back to a written exam.”
“No, that’s not it!”
“On second thought, a group project sounds great!”
Damn it.
No.
No, Professor.
That’s definitely not better.
Please!
Let us take the exam instead!
An exaaaam!!
Wink.
“…”
I saw it.
The professor looked me straight in the eye and gave me a wink.
He was probably trying to help me make friends with the Class of ’22 students.
But…
At least ask me first!
Don’t my opinions matter?!
I’m the one who’s dying from the awkwardness!
I’ll make friends on my own, so please don’t do this!
What first-year student would willingly choose to be on the same team as someone three years older than them?
Please…
Someone…
Anyone…
Object to the group project!
I prayed with all my heart.
Apparently, reincarnation existed…
But God didn’t.
My first midterm after returning to school was officially replaced by a group assignment.
Damn it.
“All right, then. I’ll give you some time now, so go ahead and form your groups.”
At the professor’s words, the Class of ’22 students burst into lively chatter.
Naturally.
To them, using class time to form teams was a blessing.
Not for me.
Professor…
I don’t even know these kids’ names…
I can barely remember my own classmates’ faces from before I enlisted…
If I’d known it’d be like this, maybe I should’ve just made the army my career—
…No.
What the hell am I thinking?
“U-Um… Sen… Senior?”
“Hm?”
“Our group still has an opening… Would you like to join us?”
Oh.
Ohhh!
See?!
God does exist!
A female student had actually come over and invited me first!
“Thanks. I’d appreciate that. But… are you sure? Won’t your friends feel uncomfortable?”
“No. Actually, everyone’s curious about what kind of person you are. The guys especially want to hear stories about you enlisting as a regular soldier.”
So basically…
They all think I’m some kind of lunatic.
That hurts a little, you know.
Still…
Better than sitting alone until the professor forcefully shoved me into someone’s group.
Thinking positively, I followed behind the junior student.
Then—
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Despite the noisy classroom, the knocking echoed clearly.
…Why did that sound so familiar?
Where had I heard that before?
…Ah.
Wasn’t that how I’d used to bang on my platoon commander’s office door?
“Hm? Everyone, quiet for a moment. Who is it?”
“We’re from the Imperial Ministry of War. We apologize for interrupting your lecture, but may we come in?”
“…Eh? O-Of course! Please come in!”
The classroom door swung open.
A whole group of Imperial Army officers filed inside.
Behind them, Marcus was standing there looking completely flustered, unsure what to do.
But more importantly…
Why would officers from the Ministry of War come to the Academy?
Were they looking for a deserter?
…No.
If that were the case, the Military Police would’ve come instead.
Or maybe they were here for a voluntary enlistment campaign?
That didn’t make sense either.
The war was already over.
I’d spent nearly three years on the front lines and never once heard anyone complain about a shortage of officers.
“We apologize again for the interruption, Professor. This is an extremely important matter.”
“Not at all. It is only proper to accommodate the Empire’s glorious sword and shield. But… may I ask why you’ve come to my classroom?”
“Is there a student here by the name of Karl Adelheit?”
…Huh?
Who?
Karl Adelheit?
That’s me.
Definitely me.
But I’d already been discharged.
I’d cut all ties with the military.
So why were they looking for me?
Did I screw something up during my discharge process?
My mind raced through everything I’d done before leaving the service.
Sure, I’d gotten into a little trouble here and there.
But nothing unusual.
Things every discharged soldier did.
Like “borrowing” a few pieces of military equipment.
Or scribbling “I’m finally going home!” somewhere.
Maybe making fun of my commanding officers behind their backs.
Or cracking a few jokes that had been just a tiny bit too inappropriate.
Seriously.
Nothing major.
Surely they weren’t here over something like that.
“Professor, would this be the reenrolled student from the Class of ’19?”
“Hmm. I believe so.”
“Then… yes. There he is. Karl? It seems these gentlemen are here for you.”
As the professor pointed toward me, every student in the classroom turned to look.
The officers did the same.
“Sergeant Karl Adelheit?”
“…Yes. I was Sergeant Karl Adelheit.”
Step. Step. Step.
Damn it.
Could you stop marching in perfect formation even inside the classroom?
You’re scaring all the first-years!
And don’t come any closer!
I was just about to start getting along with everyone!
What is this?!
And what’s with the pistols on your belts?!
Did you come here just to intimidate a bunch of students?!
“Sergeant Karl Adelheit. You voluntarily enlisted as a common soldier in April, Imperial Year 219. You served with distinction throughout the three-year Lugens War, were promoted to sergeant, and were honorably discharged in July of Imperial Year 222. Is this correct?”
“Y-Yes, that’s me. But… why are you here? I’m already discharged. I’m not part of the Army anymore, so I don’t see why you’d come looking for me.”
Even though I hadn’t done anything wrong…
I was already terrified.
Especially because these weren’t junior officers.
There were field-grade officers among them.
Back in the army, whenever people like them came looking for you…
Nothing good ever happened.
You got chewed out for something.
Or had your soul ripped apart because some performance metric was below standard.
Or something else entirely.
I could practically feel my PTSD kicking in.
Please.
Just go away.
Please…
Snap!
All the officers suddenly saluted me in perfect unison.
The angles of their hands were so sharp they looked capable of cutting steel.
“Sergeant Karl Adelheit. We first wish to express our deepest respect for your devotion to the Empire. In recognition of your distinguished service, it has been decided that you will be awarded the Medal of Honor.”
“…What?”
Wait.
Awarded… what?
And to whom?
“The investiture ceremony will be held one week from now at the Ministry of War.”
One week from now?
Wait.
That’s a weekday.
Can’t you see I’m a student now?
You’re expecting me to skip class?
“Um… excuse me.”
“Yes?”
“The ceremony is on a weekday, so that’s a little difficult. I’m a student now.”
Only after saying it did I realize I could’ve simply explained the situation to my professor and asked for permission.
Three years in the army had made the idea of asking before leaving feel completely foreign.
Just as I was about to correct myself—
“Understood. We will inform the Ministry that you wish the investiture ceremony to be held here at the Academy.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Once again, thank you for your service and sacrifice. We look forward to seeing you at the ceremony.”
Salute!
Hey!
Instead of saluting, could you at least listen to the rest of what I was saying?!
A Medal of Honor?!
Where did that come from?!
And why the hell is my body automatically returning the salute?!
Damn military habits…
Looks like it’ll be a long time before I finally shake them.
“We apologize again for interrupting your class, Professor. Thank you for your understanding. We’ll take our leave.”
With a final bow, the officers filed out of the room.
The door closed.
The classroom returned to normal.
But—
“…”
“…”
“…”
No one said a word.
Myself included.
…What the hell just happened?
