I’m Just an Ordinary Academy Student

45 – The Most Terrifying Person in the World

In the days following the festival’s end, Cal had to endure all sorts of rumors.

Why did he, who seemed like an ordinary returning student, attract such attention?

Who was the unidentified man he was beaten to death, and where did he go?

Even though the Academy could clarify, why was no one speaking up?

Actually, there was no need to speak up. It was fine to just wait.

But the curiosity started to reach Selena and the other four who shared that curiosity.

He didn’t want anyone to feel awkward or tired because of him. It’s a nuisance.

During the serious contemplation of how to deal with it, sudden newspaper articles burst out as if fulfilling a promise.

“The Savior of the Battlefield, Cal Adelheit. After preventing terrorism, now the Academy?”

It began with newspaper articles that unexpectedly erupted like a promised event.

“Shocking! It’s revealed that there were those targeting students from the Rasker Kingdom and Avelishty Kingdom!”

“The one who moved ahead of the Empire is the recipient of the Medal of Honor!”

“In-depth investigation. Why can’t Lusence give up the battle against the Empire?”

If one has a certain level of discernment, they would have already roughly figured it out from there.

Not what they are saying, but why they are saying it.

Why such articles are suddenly erupting simultaneously.

However, the next words that came were even bigger, enough to overshadow the strange atmosphere.

“Karl Adelheit. I extend my praise to your courage and spirit of sacrifice, and humbly request the honor of sharing a drink with a decorated hero.”

The sender of these words was none other than the Imperial Prince.

Upon hearing that, all doubts and curiosity within the academy were neatly resolved.

A decorated hero who saved hundreds of imperial soldiers on the bloody battlefield, crushed terrorism after discharge, protected the innocent, and now even thwarted an assassination attempt on foreign students.

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While everyone was immersed in the festival, only one person did not join in.

“He’s a hero! A true hero!”

“We have such a remarkable hero in the Empire! Take that, you uncivilized camp people! Kingdom folks!”

*

There’s a saying that “nationalism is scarier than drugs.”

And now, I’m keenly experiencing that.

“Seniors!”

“Juniors!”

“Look, it’s Karl student!”

The news that the Imperial Prince wants to meet me has spread throughout the entire institution.

At this rate, it might reach the entire empire within the next week.

I never thought asking about the academy incident would lead to this.

Before the kingdom could protest, the empire threw in a pre-emptive strike, saying, ‘The empire did its best.’

It’s hard to believe that they knew in advance that a transfer student like me would ‘coincidentally’ step forward.

Moreover, even the Imperial Prince, expressing gratitude to the decorated hero, puts pressure on those who received his protection to keep quiet.

As a result, Lascer and Avelleusti officially conveyed their gratitude to both the empire and me.

Expressing thanks for safeguarding the nation’s students, they openly showed displeasure towards Rosenz, who had been accused as a suspect.

“I heard they’re even forming an anti-terrorism alliance with the empire, the two kingdoms, and Haisens?”

Despite knowing, the empire concealed the fact and smoothly buried the mistake that happened during the operation.

It wasn’t that they didn’t inform the kingdom; it was that the incident occurred before they could disclose it, and it happened to be coincidentally averted.

No wonder the imperial citizens, seeing a picture of ‘even a foreigner bravely stepping forward with courage and sacrifice,’ naturally held the sentiment of ‘the empire is truly the best!’ That’s the essence of it.

It’s quite impressive. Indeed, those playing politics are different. They’re exploiting this situation again.

“Captain Karl Adelheit! Please take a look over here!”

“Ah, Student Karl Adelheit! This guy messed up his title from the beginning!”

Oh… I quite like that journalist. Quickly catching on, referring to him not as a captain but as a student.

With genuine interest, he pushes aside others and responds to the journalist’s interview.

“Student Karl, how did you come to know about the attack on Lusence’s exchange students?”

“It was truly a coincidence. While helping with the booth work, I took a short break, and it seemed suspicious when people who weren’t Academy students gathered and were up to something.”

“Did you have a conviction that they were terrorists?”

“Having already thwarted such an attempt once, it wasn’t difficult to deduce.”

It’s not an outright lie, and it doesn’t bother my conscience.

They were terrorists, I stopped their terror. Ultimately, a happy ending.

Isn’t this enough without informing the kingdom and proceeding with the matter discreetly?

“There’s also speculation about the possibility of receiving duplicate honors.”

“I just did what needed to be done. And the medal already hanging on my chest is too heavy; I don’t need another.”

I hope they don’t add one more here. This alone is burdensome enough.

Even after searching through imperial history, there’s no insane person who has received two honors.

Not someone who killed more enemies than me, not someone who achieved more victories than me.

From ordinary soldiers to the Supreme Commander of the Imperial Army. No one!

I don’t want to be the first. If I have to, let it be the second.

They talk about how glorious and honorable it is, but I don’t feel that way at all.

It’s burdensome. And embarrassing. Above all, I never wanted the medal.

“Karl Adelheit, ha… no! Student! Breaking news just came in! A major announcement from the Imperial Ministry of Justice!”

“A major announcement?”

“It’s regarding the issue of duplicate honors not explicitly stated before! It is impossible to receive multiple honors in the same major. However, receiving the same medal in different majors is possible. And that includes the Medal of Honor, they say!”

This is bad. It seems I’ve become the first target for this duplicate honors mess.

“This is really a big problem.”

Why does this keep happening? Why complain about me receiving honors for what I did?

Is it because of the intense acting? Did I get swallowed up by the concept of a regular returning student?

I wish that were the case. I wish I were doing this for that reason.

[ Karl. ]

“…Yes, Mother.”

[He hasn’t been in touch properly. This is how I’m delivering the news to this mother.]

“Forgive me, forgive me.”

I was wrong, Mother. I’m sorry, Mother.

So, please, don’t open those eyes. If Silnuncae opens her eyes, it’ll be a big problem…!

Ricata-nuna, known by the terrifying nickname “Blade Queen.”

And the fact that I could survive on the battlefield fighting like a madman.

It’s probably because I inherited something from Mother.

Oh, and of course, if you ask if Father is weak, that’s not it either.

Didn’t they say that similar people end up becoming a couple?

Father was even more formidable than Mother; he was definitely no less.

Anyway…

“I really had no choice, Mother. Things piled up, and when I tried to contact you, I got busy, and when I tried to contact you again, something happened, and I was overwhelmed.”

I desperately tried to prove my innocence to Mother.

Even if it seemed like an excuse, I couldn’t help it. I don’t want to see Mother open her eyes.

The moment she sees that, she might immediately slam her head on the ground and beg for mercy!

[Sigh….]

Fortunately, it seemed that Mother had no intention of scolding me.

She just seemed disappointed in her son who didn’t contact her properly.

“You’ve been through a lot, our son. I heard that you really worked hard for our family and the empire.”

“It was nothing, Mother. It just happened that way.”

“Don’t say that. Your mom knows about your hard work better than anyone else.”

Even through the magic communication device, Mother’s warm encouragement resonates deeply.

Is it the sense of security that comes with the name “Mom”? Or is it the understanding felt as a senior, an experienced person?

Whatever it is, my mood improves. Even if others don’t know, Mother’s approval means a lot.

“How is Father doing?”

“He’s fine. Cal, your recent actions have made him the most restless.”

“Ahaha… Please apologize on my behalf.”

“Apologize? On the contrary, a smile blossomed on your dad’s face. He said that if you’re a man, you should proudly make your name known to the world and receive everyone’s praise. That’s what he said.”

Well, Father, muttering ‘a man’ didn’t even stop me from enlisting as a soldier.

Honestly, if he had stopped me at that time, it would have been much better.

Hmm, it’s almost time for class. I should greet her and end the magical communication.

[Karl Adelheit.]

Suddenly, my mother’s full name comes out. And automatically, I switch to tension mode.

[But still, ease up a bit now. Your mom just wants you to live as a student, quietly. There’s no need for you to take on troublesome tasks.]

“Yes, understood. Mother.”

[Please, just do that. Besides, your sister is returning to the field on her own already.]

…What?

“Mother, what are you talking about? Could it be that my sister…”

[She’s temporarily going back to the Special Operations Execution Unit.]

My sister heard about me. And she strongly wants to return to the field.

There’s only one thing this means. My sister wants to fight against the Rosen’s and the Kamps for my sake.

My heart pounds violently, and my stomach churns as if it’s boiling.

In the past, it was my comrades, recently it was Selena. The ones who hurt the damn Kamps.

This time, it could be my sister. And all because of me. If my sister gets hurt for the first time in a long while…

[Karl.]

“…Yes, Mother.”

[Breathe. Slowly, deeply.]

Following my mother’s words, I regulate my breathing. I calm my messed-up mind and chest.

“Let me ask you one thing, our son. Is your sister someone who would be defeated by mere Kamps?”

I shook my head. The sister I know is definitely not that kind of person.

Someone stronger than me, incomparable to someone like me. Truly, an unshakeable person.

[Exactly. So don’t worry. I hope your mom didn’t bring back Kamp heads as souvenirs.]

Unconsciously, I nod at my mother’s words.

By the way, there was a time when my mother actually gave a Kamp head as a gift when she was dating Dad…