Did I Mishear?
After the midterms ended and I visited the palace, and after hearing about the relationship between my sister and the crown prince.
From right after returning to the academy until a few days ago, it had been nothing but dramatic developments that were too extreme.
The stimulating taste, of course, was good. But if you eat too much of it, you get sick of it.
Moreover, as someone who was twisting my body to the limit to endure it, I was at the point of exhaustion, unable to even bear it.
“…So, you’re saying this time is really good?”
“Yeah. It’s so good that I might go crazy.”
Selena’s voice sounded a bit bewildered, but what could I do. It really was good.
Just after class, I’d sit on a bench for a bit during the remaining time, space out, and then go to the next class.
Ending the day like that, meeting my juniors, greeting them, greeting them again—it really felt good.
This was the life of a returning student that I had wanted. Not just hanging out with medals dangling!
“Even so, saying that the assignments are good too doesn’t seem right, Karl.”
“Hmm. Yeah, that was pushing it.”
Not long after the midterms, assignments kept coming in like a tsunami.
No, if this is the case, why did the professors say ‘I suffered’? If that’s the case, they should have said ‘Yeah, I suffered, and I’ll make you suffer more!’ Don’t make us expect things!
Maybe that word was right. Like the story of demons blending into human society under a new appearance.
They transform into health trainers, professors, and such to torment humans…
“Hot hot!”
“It’s going to get cold. Drink it quickly.”
Selena, holding out a cocoa in front of me, pouted her lips.
The weather had become quite cold. Not just ‘chilly,’ but really cold.
When I was fighting with the Gganfs back then, it wasn’t that cold even in winter.
Apparently, the temperature there was higher on average because it was south.
“Now it’s really winter.”
“Winter? It’s already November.”
Big deal. If that’s the case, I won’t be able to get up even in the morning, shouting ‘It’s dangerous outside the blanket!’
As someone who already knows too well how happy it is to roll around in the warm blanket, this winter season felt quite scary to me.
“Yeah. Karl, should I congratulate you?”
“What’s this suddenly?”
“I heard the news. About the alchemy foundation that put your name on it.”
Keuk, khep—
The sound of choking came out, and I almost spat out the cocoa I was drinking.
Fortunately, instead I gulped it down, thank god. If not, I would have seen Selena with cocoa all over her.
“…Selena. Pretend you don’t know even if you do.”
“Why?”
“I’m embarrassed. No matter what meaning it had, my name was stamped on it, so it’s embarrassing.”
“But it’s a good thing, right? The alchemy foundation that helps injured soldiers, the Medal of Honor recipient. With this, other noble families are saying they’ll help you too, right?”
“It’s not 100% with good intentions, is it?”
My name was already spread all over the Empire. Of course, in a good way. They might be trying to get something from the nobility by leveraging this fame.
The title of noble helping injured soldiers with the Medal of Honor recipient. Honestly, even if I were one of those nobles, I’d think ‘This won’t work, I can’t swallow it,’ muttering.
“Of course, each has their own thoughts. Everyone is human. But even if it’s like that, if they can show some good results or have a positive impact, it seems good.”
“Well… that’s also a valid point.”
Not everyone can be kind and righteous. After all, I don’t believe in the theory of good people.
But it’s not always bad. No matter the reason, people eventually move in a good direction. The catalyst, the person who can provide that catalyst, is important.
And although it wasn’t aimed at it, thanks to this alchemy foundation, surprisingly, praise for the imperial family continues.
I had already received the Medal of Honor long ago, and it was awarded twice, and most importantly, the relationship between my sister and the crown prince was officially revealed yesterday.
Everyone knows, but our Adelhaite family didn’t spare our bodies for the sake of the Empire’s peace.
The current head, my father, and the previous heads were like that. And now my sister and I (the details are still secret. Only that we worked for the Empire is known.) so the praise for the Adelhaite family continues.
And if the eldest daughter of the Adelhaite family becomes the crown princess, and even the future empress?
Since it’s a family that sacrificed everything for the Empire, of course, it will receive support from all imperial citizens.
It’s obvious, but supporting the crown princess and the empress is also the imperial family’s ability and duty.
There have been cases where the Empire almost fell into the abyss due to wrong choices. It came up in history classes a few times.
In that sense, sudden praise for the imperial family is actually understandable.
“Everyone has their hands in their pockets, lost in thought.”
Upon Selena’s words, I glanced around and indeed, everyone had their hands plunged into their pockets.
It wasn’t just that the weather was cold; now the wind was blowing too, so it wasn’t right to take out hands without gloves.
…Hmm.
Looking at that, suddenly something came to mind.
Well, think about it. Even in the south, which is less cold than here, when winter comes, everyone shivers.
The ones shivering here are, of course, ordinary soldiers like me, or junior officers.
And all of them couldn’t easily light a fire, or had no way to warm their bodies. Because if they lit a fire wrong, they’d become good targets for magic bombardment.
‘That time was really hell. Especially in the forest. There were countless trees that could be burned, but the magic bombardment that fell on that faint flame was itself the flames of hell.’
Thanks to that, after that, I started to dislike winter.
White snow was annoying, the wind that pierced the clothes was annoying, and even if I stayed still, the cold that dug into my bones was annoying. Everything related to winter was just cursed.
At the same time, while rummaging through the memories of my previous life from a while ago, I came to yearn for one thing intensely.
I didn’t feel much gratitude when I used it, and more importantly, because it reminded me of military life, I avoided it on reflex.
“Hot pack.”
“…Karl? What did you just say?”
It seemed my inner monologue was a bit loud. Embarrassment flooded in, but it was only for a moment.
“Selena. Is there something that can warm your hands in winter?”
“Gloves?”
“Not that. Gloves are just insulation tools. What I mean is, something that generates heat on its own.”
“Eh… If it’s that, I don’t know well…”
Okay. First, check. Since I found there’s nothing similar, it’s definitely needed.
Putting a hot pack in my pocket is much warmer than just putting my hand in my pocket, right?
‘More than anything, thinking about my juniors who will be on guard duty shivering on this cold day, it’s definitely a necessary item.’
It looks like nothing, but if it’s there, it’s convenient or necessary.
I hope it gets supplied to military soldiers soon. This thing is surprisingly useful.
Well, the reason and concept are roughly done. Now what’s left? Gather the workers.
By the way, those guys who can patent this and put it into the alchemy foundation funds.
“…So, you called us?”
“Yeah. Otherwise, why would I call you?”
“You said you weren’t interested in patents before, but now you seem very interested.”
Wilhelm, who checked my ‘Hot Pack Development Proposal’, looked at the content roughly.
“So. Now, Karl, what you’re saying is to make a kind of hand warmer needed for winter military soldiers, outdoor workers, and those who do outdoor activities for a short time, right?”
“Exactly.”
“…Will it sell well? It doesn’t seem completely useless, but isn’t there a risk in starting a business just by looking at winter?”
Well, Wilhelm. Will it really? It seems like you’re saying that because you haven’t tasted the real winter of the army. Once you experience winter in the army once, you’ll realize that the hot pack business can’t fail, it can only succeed.
And it doesn’t have to be limited only to ‘outdoor’ cases. It will be a good item for those who don’t want their hands to freeze even for a short time in winter. Maybe it can be used usefully in other seasons too.
“I’m more curious if this principle really works? What do you put in such a small size to generate heat and warm hands enough to melt?”
Alexander asked that, and I smiled with a ‘heh’ and answered.
“That’s something you have to figure out yourselves.”
“No, you brat… That’s too much!”
Actually, I know the principle roughly. Iron powder and catalyst, and after opening, iron and catalyst mix with air and heat is generated. Something like that.
But the problem is, I only know the principle roughly. I don’t know the details either.
Kieee. In my previous life, I was a liberal arts major. So I know nothing. Please teach me, science student!
“You guys are all sons of great noble families. Don’t you have connections with famous technicians or outstanding mages?”
“Karl, saying that, you’re saying you’re not like that? Who would think the Adelhaite family is a rural noble family! The crown princess will come out soon!”
“Huh. Our Adelhaite family is so busy rolling in the battlefield that we know nothing. Look at me, the Medal of Honor recipient, sons of the house. Where was there time to build connections? I was busy rolling in the battlefield. Therefore, I think the sons of the house present here should do what they have to do.”
Wow. Really bad guy. Did you only roll in the battlefield? You’re well-mannered?
The complaints of the Four Idiots poured out, but it was only for a moment.
“Well, Karl is right, we don’t have no connections.”
“What’s the principle of how it works like this?”
“Is this explosion-proof?”
Ah, sorry. From my memory, it exploded a few times when it was liquid.
“Well, if it’s made, it won’t be for small scale or anything.”
“Of course. This structure must produce in large quantities to make a profit.”
“For cold weather, to melt hands. Or even if not, a short warmth… This seems similar in concept to the winter snacks we’re in charge of. Did you aim for this, Karl?”
Well? Should I say I aimed for it? First, as you said, the concepts overlap.
I crossed my arms and quietly looked at the Four Idiots.
At first, they were saying what this was, but now they were earnestly bickering among themselves, discussing what was good and what was bad, earnestly expressing their opinions.
Hmm. At this level, I’ve properly thrown the fodder. Now it’s time for the protagonist to exit.
“Think hard. I have to go soon.”
“Where?”
“I’m having dinner with Selena.”
Then, the Four Idiots who were bickering looked at me almost simultaneously. Why. What.
“Are you really trying to date again?”
“Who. Who confessed first.”
“I’ll give it to Selena.”
What are these guys saying. That’s not it.
“That’s not it.”
“Then?”
“Now, there’s not much time left until Selena graduates. That’s why.”
“Graduates?”
“Selena?”
…What? That reaction. Like Selena can’t graduate like you guys.
“Karl. Haven’t you heard?”
“What.”
“Selena isn’t graduating.”
“…Eh?”
“Ah. To be precise, she’s graduating but not leaving the academy, or something?”
Schlippen, scratching the corner of his mouth, continued.
“Selena is doing graduate school?”