The Academy’s Ankle Reaper – Chapter 64

“Students, have dreams. Dreams are like a lighthouse in life. They guide us with goals and direction as we navigate each day.

How terrible would a life without dreams be? Living day by day without purpose is just like being a golem. Dream big!”

Under the blazing sun, a booming voice echoed.

“The Academy of the Empire is a wonderful place filled with dreaming students! May the blessings of the gods be with the students who will carry the future!”

As the speech concluded, thunderous applause erupted.

He spread his arms wide, welcoming the cheers with a mere smile.

The Sword Master had been incredibly busy since arriving.

He was inspecting classrooms and giving lectures.

Always smiling, he had a charm that captivated the students, unlike Linda, who felt distant even when close by. Sword Master Adolf embraced everyone with a refreshing grin.

It hadn’t been long since the students became fans of the Sword Master, gathering around him like idol chasers. Perhaps predicting this situation, the Sword Master seemed to soar through the sky with ease.

With his cloak billowing and a friendly smile, he gestured from above, resembling a hero from my previous life.

“What are you doing over there?”

Lemnos was staring fiercely at the Sword Master, who was soaring in the sky.

“Ah, Atlas. What brings you here?”

“I asked first. Why are you glaring at the Sword Master so menacingly?”

“… I was just curious about how other country’s Masters behave.”

Having seen two Masters until now, it seemed they all had a knack for flying.

Watching Edgar’s stoic demeanor prompted a sudden question.

“Edgar, do you have a fiancée?”

“Why are you suddenly asking that?!”

“I just thought someone like Lemnos would have one.”

“… I don’t.”

It was surprising that someone like Lemnos hadn’t formed a powerful alliance through marriage yet.

“Is it that being a prominent house like yours is better off marrying a modest noble instead of just gaining power for the sake of it?”

“Why are you being so detailed about this?! It’s not for that reason.”

“Then what is it?”

His voice raised, as if I’d hit a sore spot.

“Why do you care about this out of nowhere… You worried because your friend has a fiancée?”

“Oh, you know. Just curious about how it feels.”

“I have no idea… Are you concerned that Shimoa has a fiancée?”

“Yeah.”

“Isn’t that ordinary? There are plenty of people in our class with fiancées.”

“I know that… But having a fiancée and, uh, that fiancée being an old man in his seventies? And he’s flying around like that? Doesn’t that seem weird to you?”

“Flying is odd, but your friend’s engagement shouldn’t concern you.”

It wasn’t an emotional issue, but I didn’t intend to spill such trivial matters to Edgar.

Noticing I was still sulking, he continued.

“If it’s bothering you so much… you don’t think of Shimoa as more than just a friend, do you?”

That was an intensely irritating assumption.

My concern for River’s fiancée wasn’t merely her having one, but rather that River unequivocally disliked and feared her.

If my friend was caught in an engagement without her own will, I’d want to help her anytime. Yet since River was refusing, it left an unsettling feeling.

However, if I didn’t articulate this, anyone might see it as me obsessively pining over River.

And there was a bigger problem at hand.

“That’s not it. No one could ever love someone like me.”

What a cynical thing to say.

I disliked myself enough that it didn’t make sense to think someone could love me.

“Ugh… I’m exhausted…”

Lucia Russell sighed deeply.

Since this morning, she’s been trapped with the student council, suffering until just now.

She just wanted to participate in the event with Atlas, but unexpectedly, all five pillars — including herself — were designated as representatives to welcome Clover Academy.

It wasn’t elves or dwarves coming; just students from a small border kingdom’s academy, and she thought it was all a fuss over nothing.

But she couldn’t voice her dissatisfaction.

This time, Prigia had been oddly agreeable, usually the first to voice concerns.

Seeing that should have tipped her off that something was different.

Sure enough… Clover Academy didn’t just send students; they sent the Sword Master himself.

Edgar frowned as soon as he spotted the Sword Master entering.

The official letter from the Clover Kingdom mentioned someone would be sent in an advisory capacity, but it never stated the sword master would be among them.

Considering Prigia’s and the Academy’s demeanor, it must mean they had prior knowledge.

Yet, the fact that Lucia and Edgar were kept in the dark was quite unpleasant.

After being busy with the student council, they’d finally been released.

Being surrounded by many people drained her energy.

“I want to see Atlas.”

She felt a strange sensation that just seeing him could wash away her fatigue.

‘Oh right… Atlas’s friend is the Sword Master’s fiancée…’

Lucia recalled River being lifted into the sky by the Sword Master.

The whole ordeal about the Sword Master’s fiancée surprised Lucia too.

Nobody knew the master had a fiancée within the academy.

‘Is that a relief…?’

Atlas was always seen with her, making Lucia wonder if he preferred that type of girl.

Even thinking that felt odd.

Anyone with such charm would naturally attract affection.

‘Yes… that’s obvious. River’s not huge or anything… doesn’t have anything wrong with her unremarkable hair… and she speaks just fine…’

Images of River floated through Lucia’s mind.

River Shimoa came close to the ideal she’d envisioned.

With her attractive height, a figure that wasn’t overly large but perfectly curved, and those shining blonde locks catching the sunlight, Lucia couldn’t help but feel envious.

She had never seen River in a lavish dress, but it would surely suit her noble stature perfectly.

Unlike Lucia, who wouldn’t look good in such a dress since she was big and unkempt.

Comparing herself to her left her feeling quite downcast.

But River was the Sword Master’s fiancée.

Their engagement was set in stone.

Lucia would have to maintain a strictly platonic friendship with Atlas.

Being engaged to the Sword Master was indeed fortunate for River.

A marriage with the Master benefited both kingdoms.

Building a blood-bound relationship with a power few could rival on the continent would bring monumental advantages.

River would be treated like royalty in the Clover Kingdom, and the Empire would welcome newly forged connections with a Master outside their borders.

It was good for the Empire, good for the Shimoas, and good for me…

At that moment, images of Atlas with a joyful smile alongside River flashed through her mind.

‘… what’s there to be happy about.’

It made her stomach turn.

Realizing what she’d been thinking left her feeling queasy.

‘I really can’t do this… I’m neither a Master nor cute… and here I am feeling jealousy in vain…’

Overwhelmed by fatigue and a cascade of self-deprecating thoughts, her mood darkened.

Just then, something caught her eye that she absolutely didn’t want to miss.

“Atlas!”

Atlas was scurrying off somewhere.

Lucia waved her hand, and he spotted her, striding over.

“Lucia! Haven’t seen you today. You were with the student council, right?”

“Yeah…”

Atlas seemed unfazed.

Did he have no special thoughts about River’s engagement?

She recalled that amongst their classmates, there were quite a few already engaged.

‘…Then having a fiancée isn’t a big deal, but was I overthinking it all alone?’

“Are you okay? You look tired.”

As she fell into her self-pity, Atlas seemed to notice the change in her expression and gently patted her forehead.

His small hand brushed coolly against her skin.

“Oh… no! I’m fine!!”

Surprised, the words tumbled out before she could stop them.

She genuinely felt overwhelmed but blurted out that she was okay.

Realizing he was worried for her caused an involuntary smile to spread across her face.

“Speaking of which… you just came from the Swordsmanship Research Club room, right?”

Worrying she looked too cheerful, she refocused on controlling her facial muscles.

“Yeah, that’s right. I asked to lead the charge at this exchange meeting.”

“… But Atlas, you’re not in the Swordsmanship Research Club.”

“I want to go.”

That was odd.

Atlas usually never cared about grades, always maintaining his nonchalant demeanor.

Most club activities were directly tied to grades, thus everyone worked hard, and Atlas always denied invitations to join.

But now, Atlas wanted to join the Swordsmanship Exchange?

It was hard to believe he would willingly step into the arena under the gaze of a multitude.

“Uh, I heard the head of the Swordsmanship Research Club is your sister… is that why?”

Recalling the rumor about Hiro Nemea and Atlas Nemea being related, she figured she had found the answer.

“No, I just got into an argument with them. I want to settle things.”

“You had an argument??”

Atlas spoke without blinking.

“If it’s an exchange meeting, I can hit them legally, right?”

“Atlas… do you know what an exchange meeting means…?”

An exchange meeting is meant for sharing achievements and experiences while fostering friendship among attendees.

It seemed Atlas interpreted it quite differently.

“Of course I know what it means.”

“… They prohibit excessive violence at an exchange meeting…”

“I won’t go overboard. Are you coming to watch tomorrow? I’ll put on a good show, so it’ll be fun.”

—————————————————–

That night, she fell asleep early.

With the exchange meeting coming up, she wanted to be in top condition.

Outside, the moon was glowing dimly, almost full.

‘…?’

Suddenly, she woke from sleep.

Someone had slipped into her room in the dead of night.

Even with the door quietly opening and someone holding their breath, it was easily detectable.

‘Who would dare…’

An assassin sent to kill me?

So many faces crossed my mind.

If they came within reach, I’d snap their neck in an instant.

Feigning sleep, I waited for the intruder to approach.

-Creak…

The bed tilted slightly.

Not only had they entered, but they’d climbed onto my bed as well.

They must have thought I was deeply asleep.

This was enough.

The intruder had now straddled my body.

Just at that moment, I shot up relentlessly to subdue them, but I found myself unable to move.

“….Atlas, wake up.”

A refreshing citrus scent filled my nostrils.