I’m Just an Ordinary Academy Student

19 – Later

Warlike Minister, Boss Asim (that’s his name and title), clearly told me.

It’s not a secret, but don’t go around talking about it too much.

Keep it moderate. If possible, it’s even better not to talk about it at all.

Having been a soldier myself, I naturally agreed. What good is it to boast about it? It will only attract unnecessary attention.

People may cheer for a good deed, but in the end, it will only lead to unwanted scrutiny.

What I want now is only one thing: a peaceful academy life.

However, both I and the minister had forgotten something at that time.

< Shocking! Bold Train Kidnapping in Broad Daylight! >

< Kidnappers Revealed to be Elves! >

The next day, I found myself involuntarily exclaiming at the pouring newspaper articles.

Right, there was the media. I had forgotten something crucial about the world.

You can block everything else, but you can’t stop the eyes, ears, and hands of the reporters.

< According to witnesses, elves who identified themselves as leaders of the Holy War... >

< Despite the crew's brave resistance, they were all overpowered by the kidnappers... >

The first article contained information that anyone could easily understand.

Including the valor of the flight attendants, I thought it was a decent article.

But from then on, the real deal began to emerge.

< Urgent Acquisition! Kidnappers' ultimate goal is a train station explosion! >

< The remnants of the defeated Rosenz rebels not backing down from the Empire! >

< Is the Empire's security compromised? Are we safe? >

Take it easy, guys. Isn’t this too sensitive of a topic? Journalists.

I understand that you’re chasing breaking news, but still, respect some boundaries! People from various departments are dying!

< Were there heroes besides the brave flight attendants? >

< Empire Army Sergeant Mege Cantate (24 years old). Safely evacuating passengers! >

Impressive! Our army! Amazing! Our young man!

Oh dear, this person is sure to be promoted soon. Even without that, they’ll receive excellent scores.

Is there an officer who personally takes action for the sake of the Empire’s citizens? Just leaving them alone, is that how a nation operates?

From Noble mtl dot com

Of course, they should be promoted swiftly and enjoy the benefits of higher ranks!

It’s quite a pleasant thing to see someone who has endured together receive recognition.

Yeah, they need to be at that level so that when a similar situation arises in the future, they can stand firmly—

< Exclusive report! Another unnamed hero who saved Empire citizens has been revealed?! >

< The hero who saved Empire citizens and eliminated terrorists has come forward... >

Hero, Sergeant Mege. “I am not a hero. There are true heroes.” Confession!

They just laid it out in the newspaper. Sergeant Mege… Did you do it all by yourself?

This poor returning student must find it challenging enough to be recognized with a Medal of Honor and as one of the four protagonists…!

My head feels like it’s about to explode, so I rushed out of the room for a walk.

As soon as this comes to light, our juniors will probably be chasing after us again from tomorrow.

They’ll probably say something like, “It’s definitely an elf exterminator or a judge.” It’s clear.

…You might think it’s good to become famous. But the reason for becoming famous isn’t that great.

From my perspective, military life isn’t a shining memory I want to bring up.

I wish I could keep it to myself, but I keep being forced to come out!

“Carl.”

The culprits behind all this turmoil, the Kamps, and the four protagonists.

As I sit on the bench, resenting them, I hear a familiar voice from behind.

“…Selena?”

“Can I sit for a moment?”

“Oh? Uh, sure. Sit, sit.”

This bench is for students to share. I wonder why I even bother asking for permission.

“…”

“…”

Honestly, I’ll tell you. It’s really uncomfortable. So uncomfortable that it feels maddening.

Just sitting here brings back memories of what I did back then.

Selena, bewildered by my sudden confession. A freshman whose freshman life seemed impossible.

It kept getting on my nerves. And there I was, going all out with a ‘public confession.’

“Do it like everyone else, when you’re alone. Crazy idiot. Why did you do it in front of everyone?”

If that’s the case, it was only natural for Selena to be mad at me.

Back then, Selena was quite cold. That’s why I was even more shocked.

You know, there’s something about it. When someone who always smiles gets serious and scolds you, that memory lingers.

Maybe at that time, I felt even more embarrassment there.

Of course, I don’t blame Selena. Not a bit, really.

It was my doing, without a doubt.

No one told me to confess. I did it because I liked her.

I knew Selena’s situation well and still added pressure.

“I didn’t insult her personality by confessing.”

And running away to the military after being rejected was also my doing.

There’s absolutely no reason to be angry with Selena.

“Karl.”

Maybe that’s why. Perhaps I really feel okay now.

“Can you… forgive me?”

Sitting next to Selena, who suddenly said that.

Stupidly, all I could do was say, “Huh?” and sigh.

*

A few days ago, when I visited the staff room, Senior Marcus said this.

“Heard the news? That guy of yours. Tried to enlist as a soldier out of nowhere.”

“Four people? Senior?”

“Shulifen, Wilhelm, Alexander, and Joachim. Those guys.”

I heard that those four suddenly weren’t around. I also knew they took a leave of absence.

But never would I have guessed it was due to military conscription. When I heard those words, something struck me. This is just like…

“Karl, that rascal seems to have vanished. Anyway, he’s not in his right mind.”

Upon hearing the person’s words, an inexplicable discomfort stirred within me.

It was a time of immaturity. A moment when being loved seemed like an entitlement.

Past instances where I unloaded negative emotions from others onto undeserving individuals.

Karl was a victim of that side of me. He suffered greatly because of my actions.

Yet, he withdrew with a smile. He claimed to understand and ended up supporting me.

And then, he enlisted as a soldier, heading to the battlefield to rescue his brother.

He must have gone through tremendous hardship himself. He put others before himself, even more than I did.

“At that time, I was the opposite of what I am now, putting others before myself.”

Whether it was a coincidence or something else is not important.

What matters now is that this shameful past memory resurfaces so vividly.

And there’s something else. I’ve come to understand another’s feelings.

Suddenly, I felt anxious. It was an emotion I had never experienced before.

Academy life has barely six months left. After that, graduation.

Of course, I might encounter Karl outside. But it won’t be as pure as this.

Encounters tainted with all sorts of political and external influences await.

I detested it. I wanted to somehow untangle the mess I caused.

Karl approached me first last time. Should I take the initiative this time?

Apologize for my immature self back then, explain my situation at that moment, even if it’s an excuse.

Wouldn’t that give me at least one chance?

“Huh.”

Was it a coincidence? Or was it an opportunity given to me by a higher power?

Even on a weekend, not a weekday, I unexpectedly encountered Karl at the academy.

“Can I sit for a moment?”

I realized I was already speaking before I fully gathered my thoughts.

The notion that Karl might feel uncomfortable came later.

So saying that, there was a moment of slight regret.

“Oh? Oh. Of course. Sit, sit.”

Cal, as nonchalant as ever, truly nonchalant, accepted my words.

It was just like that time. Despite it not being because of that person, it was at that moment when everything was laid bare to that person.

I had caused hurt, yet Cal smiled unaffectedly and stepped back.

Perhaps he enlisted as a soldier after privately grappling with shame and pain.

He claimed it wasn’t because of me, but there must have been a reason. It’s clear.

Because of me. He went through unnecessary hardship that he didn’t need to endure because of that person.

But Cal, amidst all that, was there for others, not for me.

That’s how he saved countless people, even my brother.

Cal was a hero. But he never flaunted it. Instead, he felt embarrassed.

I know the reason. It wasn’t to become a hero.

It was for someone else. Because he was the man I knew.

“Cal.”

So, I had to say these words even more.

Now, he needed a moment for himself.

“Can you… forgive me?”

“…Huh?”

“Well, you see.”

Unconsciously, I poured out my story in front of Cal.

Not because I genuinely hated you. It wasn’t because I despised you so much.

Just because, really just because. It burned inside, unable to confess amidst so many confessions and unable to even start my freshman year.

Even though I knew you did nothing wrong, it was an irrational anger.

Sigh. Saying this makes me sound more foolish. Making excuses while seeking forgiveness.

I felt pathetic, but my mouth moved independently of my will.

In the midst of it, Cal, thankfully, not only listened silently but also supported me.

To prevent me from feeling embarrassed or awkward. With the kindness he had shown all along.

“…So, I. I rejected you so callously. I want to apologize for causing you pain and seek forgiveness for the suffering you went through because of me.”

“Selena. It wasn’t because of me.”

“I said it wasn’t because of me. But, no. I know. Inevitably, it became a reason, even if only a little. The hardship that shouldn’t have been endured, the pain that shouldn’t have been felt. It happened because of me and you experienced it because of me.”

Karl was silently listening to me without denying, just like this time.

Despite feeling somewhat sorry for the fact, there was a sense of relief in hearing the truth again.

“So, sorry, Karl.”

“….”

“It’s not for any other reason. Ah, well, there might be… well, there could be other reasons. Anyway… Can I ask for your forgiveness?”

Tension builds. My stomach tightens. How will Karl respond?

“Of course, that’s…”

As Karl was about to answer, his face suddenly stiffened noticeably.

“Selena.”

“Uh, yes?”

“Later.”

Wearing an unusual expression, he stood up abruptly.

Without looking back, he turned around and took his steps away.

“Oh….”

Tears suddenly well up. I still can’t be forgiven, it seems—

“There he is! Over there! It’s confirmed! Captain Karl Adelheit!”

“Captain! Captain!! It’s in today’s newspaper! Please say something!”

“Do you believe that reconciliation between the Empire and the Elves is truly possible? Please answer!”

“What are your thoughts on the current national security! Please share your opinion!!”

“A short interview, please! Captain Karl Adelheit!!”

What… What’s going on here?