Chapter 64
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
Chapter 64
“Are there any students in this class for whom today’s exam is the last one?”
Several students quietly raise their hands at the professor’s question. Upon seeing this, the professor smiled contentedly.
“Well done. You’ve worked really hard preparing for the exam. Of course, there’s still the final exam ahead, but we’re halfway there. Let’s keep up the good work as we have done so far.”
For students who had been crushed by the exams, these words were undoubtedly a small source of comfort.
Until now, the professors’ words had been dry, like ‘the exam will begin’ or ‘any cheating will result in a zero.’
As the students smiled inwardly, the exam papers were distributed in front of them.
“….”
“….”
The exam questions set by the professor were boasting an extreme level of difficulty. The sight of the students who had been smiling or moved now turned to garbage.
Indeed, it was clear that the presence of the professor was like a demon growing on the students’ tears.
* * *
The midterm exams were over. It was truly a difficult and dreadful time in many ways.
“Ugh…”
“I hate the professor…”
In the end, the defeated students, despite being freshmen, left the classroom with their shoulders slumped.
Even though they were freshmen, exams were exams. Having messed up the midterms, they had to stake their lives on the finals.
The lower the scores, the more they would suffer in the next year.
If you want to have a relaxed senior year, you have to start working harder in the lower grades.
“Looks like you did well on your test, Senior Karl.”
“Hmm?”
“You seem pleased.”
As I left the classroom together, one of the juniors spoke quietly.
“Well, I didn’t do exceptionally well, but I didn’t completely fail either.”
“Is that so? It’s impressive how you manage not to neglect your studies, being a recipient of the medal of honor.”
Sorry, but I got the leaked exam papers. You should have asked for something like that.
After leaving a word of thanks, I patted the junior’s shoulder and headed to the agreed meeting place.
It was a cafe near the academy, which had recently unveiled a new menu.
< Hot Topic! Mint Chocolate! Combined with ice cream! >
< New menu. Try the mint chocolate ice cream! >
Just looking at it, I was about to shout, ‘Eww. This devil’s stuff again!’ But reading the text underneath made it impossible.
< Part of the sales proceeds of mint chocolate will be used as operating funds for a pension foundation for the honorable soldiers of the empire and their families. >
‘After all, they’re the main characters, they’re the only ones who can think straight.’
The empire operates on conscription. Therefore, most imperial citizens have served in the military at some point. Many of them have directly or indirectly experienced the battlefield.
So, they couldn’t help but react sensitively to the statement that part of the sales proceeds would go to the soldiers. It made the bad look worse and the good look better.
Perhaps some of the absurd popularity of mint chocolate could be attributed to that. I just want to eat it, but if it can help someone, that’s even better.
“Hey, Karl. Did you do well on your exams?”
I walked in and saw the four of them sitting at a table.
In front of them was, of course, mint chocolate ice cream. I felt something stir inside, but I decided to be grateful that it wasn’t in Bungeoppang and left it at that.
“I did well.”
“Did that help?”
I nodded in response to their answers.
“As expected.”
“We told you. We did well on the test.”
“We’re smart, Karl. You still don’t believe us after all this?”
“Of course I don’t. How can I believe you guys?”
“Why? You said you did well on your test.”
Don’t you know that, my friends. After taking a sip of water, I continued.
“Do smart people ever face the risk of being held back because of your grades?”
“Ugh…”
“Damn. I’m at a loss for words.”
“Cowardly, Karl! That’s too cowardly!”
Don’t call me a coward! It’s your fault for creating that bullshit in the first place!
“Well, anyway, thanks. Thanks to you, I did well in the midterms.”
“Of course. We’re friends, so of course we should help.”
Shulifen laughed as he pushed a mint chocolate ice cream towards me.
I almost wanted to kick him back, but realizing I was in a cafe, I refrained.
“How’s the patent going? Seems like it’s going well?”
I pushed the mint chocolate ice cream that had been brought over to the opposite side to Joachim.
Joachim casually catches it and begins diligently shoveling it into his mouth.
Shulifen grumbled about why I was giving it to him, but I ignored it.
“It’s going really well. The biggest concern was financial management, but the noble families have assigned professional managers to handle it, so it seems to be resolving well.”
“Are they trustworthy?”
“Of course. They’ve all been in their respective families for at least twenty years.”
If they’re the ancestors of those two from their families, they must be trustworthy. If so, the biggest worry about money should be alleviated.
“Don’t rely too much on mint chocolate. Make sure to do well with the Bungeoppang and hotteok business.”
“Wilhelm and Alexander are in charge of that.”
“Is that so?”
As Shulifen mentioned it, the two nodded.
“Mint chocolate isn’t bad, but it’s not really great either.”
“We’re thinking, instead of that, Karl, about what else we can change beyond what you’ve told us. Since snacks like that sell better in winter than in summer.”
“Since we’re on the subject, putting mint chocolate in Bungeoppang is the worst idea ever. Eating it cold is tolerable, but eating it hot is really not good.”
Thankfully, Wilhelm and Alexander agree with my strong opinion, saying, ‘Yeah, you’re right.’
On the other hand, Shulifen and Joachim lament, saying, ‘It has its own unique flavor even when served warm!’
Once again, my sense of justice wanted to burst out, but I barely held it back. These are friends. Allies. I can’t shoot them. I can’t stab them!
“But Karl, are you really not going to take interest in both the patent and the pension foundation?”
“Yeah. I’ll just hear about how things are going from you guys.”
“Why?”
“To be honest, your family members will be much more effective in handling those matters than I am.”
It’s honestly difficult to be practical even if you present the concept well.
Above all, I’m not good with numbers. Money is always sensitive. When one number moves, it can often be very significant.
It’s better to just stand quietly behind rather than risk making mistakes that could tarnish my reputation.
Perhaps the heads of their families haven’t put my name on the pension foundation for a reason. If I get too involved, it might look like the foundation is for my benefit.
“And I’m busy. There’s something else I need to take care of.”
“What? What is it?”
“Are you going somewhere for fun?!”
“With whom are you going? Is it Selena?”
Why is Selena suddenly brought up? And what’s with the fun?
“It’s not about fun. And you guys. When have I ever gone to have fun?”
Suddenly I feel unjustly accused. Right after I returned to school, you guys went off to the military, and while I was in the middle of training, I got caught up in a terrorist attack and caused a scene with just a greatsword. Even after that, I protected the academy exchange students and handled everything else. I never went for fun.
“It’s work, work. So stop talking nonsense.”
“Why are you doing something after the midterms? I know you’re going somewhere for fun!”
“Just tell us. We’ll keep it a secret. Okay?”
“Who are you going with? Is it really Selena?”
Haha. They have no intention of listening to me.
“Okay, let’s go. Let’s go. Together.”
“Huh? Really?”
“Yeah. Let’s go. I’ll take you. To the palace.”
Whoa! They freeze as if they’ve made some kind of promise.
Now they must be wondering what’s wrong. Maybe they’re doubting if that’s really what I said.
But no. You heard me right!
“Let’s go together? Oh, by the way, the one who called me was neither the first princess nor the crown prince. His Majesty the Emperor himself called. I was going alone, but I would be grateful if you could come with me.”
First, Shulifen picks up the ice cream in front of me.
Then, as if it were water, he drinks it all down, then sets it down with a bang.
“I have something to attend to, so I’ll leave first. Take care, Karl. Good luck, guys.”
“Oh, wait. Come to think of it, I have something urgent too.”
Following Shulifen, Wilhelm leaves. Then Alexander.
“Uh, um. Have a good time, Karl.”
Lastly, even Joachim disappears as if afraid to go with me. I didn’t expect it, but… damn. Traitors. At least they could have said, ‘Shall we go together?’
* * *
As much as possible, I tried to remain silent. Too much interference could create precedents.
There weren’t many heroes in the history of the empire who had been awarded the medal of honor, but there were certainly a few.
All of them received heroic treatment, whether they were commoners or nobles, young or old. It didn’t matter, they all lived in glory and honor.
The Emperor of the empire was also one of those who praised them. Despite being noble, despite being absolute.
No, precisely because he was the noblest and most powerful, he had to be like that. That way, even those heroes could eventually acknowledge this empire, this dynasty, as the rightful owner.
But that’s as far as it goes. They are not called upon more than necessary, nor are they brought to the forefront of the Empire.
They had their lives, and it wasn’t good for the empire to rely too much on one hero.
Moreover, if you treat one person too well, wouldn’t it make it awkward for the other recipients of honors?
‘…I’m sure those heroes of the past will understand.’
The Emperor, who had just gotten up from his seat, thought of the young man who was now on his way to the palace.
Honored twice with the Medal of Honor, four times with the Order of Military Merit, and awarded various military medals. And even though it’s not from the empire, the Legion of Honor medal from the Elven side, considered the greatest honor.
Being silent now isn’t for the sake of that young hero anymore.
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
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