喵绅HCMOIC士网页版

Chapter 30

Chapter 30

“Hmm….”

Finally, finally, it’s over! Oh yeah! I’m finally free!

I looked at the thick stack of paper on the desk while clutching my head.

The final gateway to Academy graduation. The toughest assignment ever.

I almost pulled all-nighters for nearly a week, but I could successfully finish it.

Originally, this wasn’t the plan. I intended to take it slow, to spend more time on it.

But I had to pick up the pace. That’s the only way I could meet with Karl sooner.

If I didn’t make the first move, Karl would never come closer than a certain distance.

He must think it’s for my sake. He must see it as a way to maintain our relationship.

If my feelings hadn’t changed, that would’ve been the answer. I would’ve wanted that too.

‘But….’

But not anymore. This time, I want to express my feelings.

Like Karl did once, this time, I want to confess!

“Hmm? You’re here earlier than I expected, Selena.”

“Yes, professor. Here it is.”

As I handed over the assignment, the professor paused his work and glanced at it for a moment.

In fact, it was more like a thesis or a formal report than an assignment. That’s how difficult and challenging the topic was.

I heard that more than half of my classmates hadn’t even halfway completed it.

“Hmm… I’ll need to examine it more closely tonight, but…”

I’m nervous. If he asks me to do it again, it’s really going to be a big problem.

Thinking about doing it from scratch… There’s no worse nightmare than that! Please, professor!

“Even though I’ve only skimmed it, it seems you’ve done quite well.”

“Oh! Th-thank you, professor!”

“Let’s not celebrate yet. I haven’t gone through it in detail. Anyway, good job, Selena. I was worried it might have been too early for submission, but even with a brief look, I can see traces of considerable effort.”

“Okay. Finally, it’s here. I can spend more time with Karl!”

“Wouldn’t it be great if Shulifen, Wilhelm, Alexander and Joachim were as diligent as Selena?”

“…What?”

“Oh? Aren’t all four of them in the same graduation class as Selena?”

“Yes, but why suddenly, Professor?”

Then the professor said, ‘Didn’t you know?’ and shook his head.

“It seems those four may have to defer graduation. They haven’t completed the required core courses I’m teaching, so their graduation scores are insufficient.”

“Uh… Is that possible?”

“They claim it was a mistake. Whether it’s true or just an excuse, I wonder.”

The professor clicked his tongue in disapproval. I couldn’t help but sigh with sympathy.

Goodness. How on earth can graduation be deferred?

I’d understand if they messed up an exam or neglected assignments.

Even if they didn’t attend classes diligently! But to lack credits for the lectures!

While other classmates would be celebrating at the graduation ceremony, they would just receive congratulations and once again…

‘…Wait a minute.’

Come to think of it, maybe deferring graduation isn’t such a bad idea?

Staying a bit longer at the Academy as a student.

If I also defer… I could spend more time at the Academy with Karl, couldn’t I?

Plus, I’ve already completed everything I need, so I’d have plenty of time!

For a moment, my gaze drifted to the assignment the professor was holding.

Should I ask for it back and not submit it within the deadline?

It’s a mandatory assignment for graduation. Then it’s definitely a deferment!

What should I do? Should I really snatch it back? Should I ask the professor for a favor?

“Hmm? Selena, is there a problem?”

“Oh? No, Professor. It’s nothing.”

“Then you may go now.”

In the end, I didn’t retrieve the submitted assignment.

Ah, this shouldn’t be happening. If this continues, I’ll feel regretful when I finally graduate…!

Only a little over three months left now. Then all the semesters will be over!

And then next year, I’ll graduate and leave this place, won’t I!?

I never imagined I would desperately wish for a graduation deferment like this.

Right now, it feels like even reason is mocking me, saying, ‘Are you crazy?!’

But… there’s nothing I can do. Karl is about to finish his first year.

This is the Academy. People can develop feelings for each other at any time.

If another female student confesses to him while I’m not around…

‘Perhaps… I should just apply for graduate school like this?’

No. No! That’s not it! That’s not a graduation deferment!

No matter how much I can be with Karl, graduate school is absolutely out of the question!

“Selena? Why are you shaking your head like that?”

“Eek! K-Karl?!”

When did he arrive?!

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, nothing! Absolutely nothing!”

It’s a relief that Karl initiated the greeting first. It means we’ve dispelled the awkwardness between us, at least for now.

I’ve heard it’s difficult for a man and a woman to progress straight from acquaintances to lovers.

At first, they’re just acquaintances. Then they become acquaintances who chat a bit. From there, they become close friends, and then suddenly…

“Selena?”

“Uh, yes! Did you call me?”

“How’s your graduation preparation going? Going well?”

“Oh, uh, yes! It’s going well.”

“Good to hear. You’ve worked hard. Keep it up, Selena.”

Is Karl cheering me on now? Oh my goodness! Thank you, Karl! That’s so encouraging!

But the truth is, I don’t want to graduate. I’ve only just developed feelings now, what should I do!?

“Oh, right. Selena. There’s going to be a autumn festival soon. Did you know?”

Autumn festival? Oh, right. There’s that. I momentarily forgot.

Wasn’t it said to be held grandly again thanks to the end of the Luzernes War?

But why is Karl suddenly talking about the festival in front of me?

“Selena. Um, I was wondering. If you’re free, would you like to be there with me at the festival?”

“…Huh?”

Did I just hear wrong? No, I must have heard wrong. Didn’t I… What the hell!

No, it can’t be! I heard it correctly! Karl just asked me to be with him!

‘…Could it be?! No way, no way?!?!’

Could it be that Karl still has some feelings left?

Maybe that’s why he’s asking me to come with him during the festival….

“Actually, the four of them are running a cooking booth. Somehow, I ended up helping out there too.”

“?”

“But I feel a bit uneasy if it’s just them. I thought it would be better if you and I took turns helping out.”

“….”

Yeah… there was a reason I rejected the confessions from those four!

It won’t help! You guys are on graduation deferment! And now you’re running a cooking booth!

It was the first and maybe last time I’d get to be with Karl at the festival! Ugh!!

“If you find it difficult to face them, it’s okay to refuse…”

“No! No way!”

You never know. But still, maybe those four will notice and back off… wouldn’t they?

* * *

“I-I’ll help. Karl! It’s definitely not because of those four! Remember that!”

Okay. With this, we have a great supervisor added.

Why did I invite Selena in the first place? It’s because of the four.

I can’t always guard the cooking booth.

I’m not a resident inspector and counselor at the Academy.

And those kids offering me something even slightly better made…

Ahem. No, wait. If it’s to be sold to the students, I must do my best.

And Selena’s presence undoubtedly ignites that desire to do my best.

I may have been dumped, but it’s a man’s instinct to look good in front of a woman!

“Shulifen. You’ve prepared all the necessary ingredients, right?”

“Oh. Yeah, all the ingredients are ready.”

“The framework you showed. That’s something Wilhelm said you’d take care of.”

“For your information, the Marquis of Gramstad, where Wilhelm’s family has settled, is the land of renowned blacksmiths.

When it comes to pouring molten metal and creating something, there’s hardly a match to be found.

“What do you think of the skills of our blacksmiths, Karl? You should have learned long ago.”

“All right. Then, Alexander? You know how to set up a tent, right?”

“Yeah. It’s similar to what we did during training at the camp.”

That’s right. It’s a very desirable attitude to apply military skills to everyday life.

Even though he’s only had a little experience in camp life, he seems to have got the hang of it!

“Lastly, Joachim. Actually, your role is the most important. Can you handle it?”

Joachim hesitates and stammers in response to my question.

Then, Shulifen, Wilhelm, and even Alexander gaze at him.

There’s an atmosphere of ‘Surely, as a man, he won’t say he can’t do it,’ filling the air.

“I-I can do it. I’ll manage.”

“All right. In fact, the most crucial aspect of running a restaurant is the initial hawking. Your duty is heavy, Joachim.”

“I get it. I understand, but… um, can I not wear that ridiculous costume, Karl?”

“Oh. That’s the character of our food booth, Joachim. You must leave an impression on the customers.”

“No…! If that’s the case, you might as well make a mask with it! And make me wear a weird yellow fish costume with my head exposed! It’s too ridiculous!!”

I’m sorry, Joachim. But that’s not possible. Anyway, your face is your weapon.

If you cover your handsome face, the female students won’t flock to you, and then the curious male students will also come, seeing you in a sorry state!

It’s a sacrifice for double the effect! Sacrifice!!

As we’re earnestly preparing for the festival,

“Excuse me for a moment, Karl.”

Once again, an uninvited guest shows up in front of me.

“…Why. What’s the matter this time?”

“A guest has arrived.”

Once again, a special agent from the Special Forces guides me somewhere.

Grumbling inwardly, I follow, and there…

“Perverted Elf.”

“It’s Eloise!”

Today, as always, the elf stood there confidently wearing her ‘heavenly rags.’

“What’s wrong? Weren’t you supposed to return to the homeland?”

“Yeah. But when I got there, I couldn’t rest at all and worked through the night.”

“Hmm.”

She said she worked through the night, and I could immediately guess what that ‘work’ was.

Even though she looks fine now, I could faintly sense the scent of blood from Eloise’s body.

After spending three years on the battlefield, my nose couldn’t ignore it.

“You must have had a hard time.”

“Hahaha! Hard time? Not really. It was just a bit bothersome. More importantly… I came to tell you something.”

I didn’t want to hear it. I really didn’t want to hear it, but I felt like I had to.

In the end, I had to sigh and ask, ‘What is it?’

“This time, they might be targeting the academy. It’s not certain, but the possibility is high.”

“….”

“Do you have any events in mind that could be suspicious?”

I do. The first thing that came to mind right after mentioning the academy.

It’ll be such a chaotic and crowded event that a terrorist attack could easily go unnoticed for a moment.

“There’s a festival planned. With the Luzernes War over, the autumn festival will be held again.”

“Then that must be it. Anyway, those guys will mess with anything related to elves.”

What can’t those guys who even carry out train kidnappings do?

“Eloise.”

“Oh?! calling me by name? Okay, okay. Honestly, that pervy elf was a bit much!”

“Enough of that. What makes it more likely.?”

“Huh?”

“It seems like there’s something they’re particularly interested in at the academy.”

Then Eloise and the Special Forces agent glanced at each other alternately.

Their eyes seemed to say ‘Can I say it?’ and ‘It seems like you can.’

“Well, you see, Karl. It seems like some Luzernes higher-ups might be hiding in the Empire.”

…What?