Leon had been back at the Academy for a week.
During that time, not a single 22nd class student had approached him...
Not even out of curiosity, pity, or by accident. Nothing.
It was as if he were surrounded by an invisible barrier labeled "Do Not Engage."
---
Thinking back to his previous life, academy stories in novels were almost gospel truth.
A world similar to university. Close same-sex friends. Fresh-feeling relationships with the opposite sex.
And throughout, a peculiar environment perfectly set up for satisfying moments of vindication.
The kind of place where misunderstandings turned into romance, friendships formed over silly arguments, and every day felt like a new chapter.
There's always a reason things are entertaining and popular.
Perhaps I was also tempted by that when I applied to return to school.
A little bit of youthful excitement before settling into the noble life?
Yeah… that must have been it.
'Well. This isn't exactly what I expected...'
I'd forgotten. All those academy story protagonists were ordinary students.
They weren't like me, returning from military service to study with juniors three years younger!
Three years makes a big difference.
To them, I'm practically an old man dragged into class.
"Let's begin the lecture. We covered up to page 25 yesterday, correct?"
"Professor! The weather seems so nice today, don't you think?"
"You're right. The weather is lovely. Speaking of which, shall we have a pop quiz?"
"Aaaaargh!"
"Just kidding. Hehe."
The atmosphere is nice. Really nice. Right?
The playful banter, the laughter, the relaxed energy—
This is how an academy should be.
A place where everyone is carefree and youthful, where futures feel bright and possibilities endless.
And yet… sitting among them, I feel like a retired veteran who accidentally enrolled in a freshman class and sitting in the corner seat just doodling with my pen.
The contrast is almost comical. Them: full of energy and excitement. Me: mentally sixty years old.
The 22nd class students are chatting and joking around, but I can't join them... sob.
Their laughter feels so light, so natural—like they belong here.
Meanwhile, I feel like a misplaced NPC from a completely different genre.
I understand, really. From the perspective of the 22nd class juniors, I must make them uncomfortable.
A senior who's a full three years older but in the same freshman year—of course they'd feel awkward.
Not to mention I committed the insane act of enlisting as a common soldier despite being a noble.
That alone is enough to make anyone approach me with caution.
...Damn. Thinking about it this way, I wouldn't approach me either.
Who wants to casually chat with someone who looks like he has war flashbacks during homeroom?
"Sigh."
A sigh escaped before I realized it. And somehow, someone noticed.
"Ah! I'm sorry!"
"Huh? Oh, um..."
A junior who pushed his chair back and slightly bumped my desk.
His eyes widened as if he had just stepped on royalty.
Perhaps mistaking my sigh as a reaction to that, he immediately apologized profusely.
No, junior. I'm not angry. And though our enrollment years differ, we're in the same grade.
Please, I'm begging you, don't speak formally to me... Just treat me casually!
I'd gladly trade ten years of my lifespan for someone to speak to me like a normal classmate.
"Ah, everyone. I should inform you that your midterm exam will be replaced with a group project."
The instructor's announcement cuts through the noise, and instantly the room erupts.
Groans, complaints, whispers—everyone has something to say.
"Nooo! Professoooor!"
"Why are you all reacting like that? Isn't that better than studying for an exam? It's not the beginning of the semester anymore, you all know each other somewhat by now, right? If you don't like it, we can go back to having an exam."
"No, that's not necessary!"
"On second thought, a group project sounds great!"
Shit. No. I don't think that's right. It's not!
Why are they all betraying me so quickly?! Do they not understand the magnitude of this disaster?
Professor! Please! Don't do this. Let us take the exam, the exam! The exaaaam!!
wink
"..."
I caught it in that moment. When our eyes met, the professor winked as if to say "how about that?"
A smug little wink, the kind a man gives when he thinks he's doing something thoughtful.
I suppose in his mind, he's giving me, the returning student, a chance to befriend the 22nd class students...
A noble intention. Sure. I get it.
But—
Ah! Even so! Shouldn't you ask for my opinion first?! Don't you care what I think?!
I'm going to die of discomfort!
I'll make friends on my own, so please stop this!
I don't need forced bonding! I need peace! Peace and invisibility!
What freshman would want to be in the same team as someone three years older?!
They'll probably think I'm some undercover teaching assistant or a spy sent by the professor.
Please, please, PLEASE, God! Someone speak up and say they hate group projects!
Just one person! One brave soul who values written exams more than their own sanity!
Despite praying desperately, it seems that while reincarnation exists, God does not.
Not even a divine whisper.
Just silence… and the professor smiling like he's doing something wonderful.
In the end, the first midterm after returning to school was replaced with a group project.
Damn it.
"I'll give you some time now to form your groups."
At the professor's words, the 22nd class students excitedly start chatting and laughing.
From their perspective, using lecture time for group formation must be nice.
A break from studying, a chance to socialize—perfect.
But not for me. No way… Professor, I don't even know their names…
I can barely remember the names and faces of my actual classmates…
Everything feels like I'm wandering into a reunion for a group I was never part of.
If I'd known it would be like this, I should have just stayed in the military—
No, that's crazy.
Absolutely insane.
But still… the thought slips out before I realize it.
"Um, senior… sir?"
"Huh?"
"We still have some space in our group. Would you like to join us?"
Oh.
Ohh!
Indeed, indeed! God does exist! Damn it! He does!
And it's not even some smelly guy, but a female student approaching me first!
Academy life, you beautiful unpredictable thing.
"That would be great. But are you sure? Won't your friends be uncomfortable?"
"Not at all. Actually, everyone's curious about what kind of person you are. The two guys want to hear stories about your military service."
So basically, they're treating me like some kind of weirdo?
A walking war documentary?
An exotic creature who has tasted mud and death and somehow returned to take classes again?
Still… at least they're inviting me.
That alone puts them miles above the usual academy crowd.