The Academy’s Ankle Reaper – Chapter 172

The students all came up from the underground waiting room to the arena.

The ominous atmosphere that started in the waiting room still lingered.

“Now, I’ll start the second test.”

Though the starting signal could be heard, nobody dared to move.

They must have all wanted to dash out the moment it began, but everyone was hesitating.

This was because the air throughout the arena had strangely transformed.

It was so heavy that breathing felt difficult, and the air was scorching hot, as if stepping into a sauna.

And the one creating that situation was Lucia and Edgar, who were positioned in the center of the arena.

Thanks to the two of them wielding their auras, they had taken control of the air around them.

They could do nothing but keep watching.

The other students had never experienced such a sensation before.

While Albion had been able to win alone, he was by himself.

Sure, there were other guards, but Albion was the only one with such power.

However, this time there were two swords of the five pillars and Atlas, who was watching with his arms crossed.

Could they truly land a proper hit on those two who commanded the entire arena with their presence just by rushing in together?

Wasn’t it more likely they would foolishly move first and end up getting eliminated?

“What are you so scared of?! We’re all human!! We’re the same age, don’t be afraid!!”

“Yeah, you cowards! Remember, if you act like earlier, you can win, don’t be scared!!”

In an arena filled with silence, someone shouted loudly and dashed out, triggering a response.

Following that student’s words, everyone began to move, and even the two who had been locking eyes shifted their positions.

“!!!!”

“Ha… Haah!!!”

From Edgar’s Flamberge burst forth red flames, while Lucia brought down her two-handed sword wrapped in aura.

The blazing magic sword Flamberge collided with Lucia’s two-handed sword.

-BANG!!!

It was clearly not the sound of swords clashing.

The collision of their swords produced a noise akin to a bomb going off.

“Uwah?!”

“Hey… hey, back off!!”

A few students who had charged in with enthusiasm were hit directly by the shockwave and fell backward.

Though it wasn’t a massive impact since they hadn’t used proper techniques, it was a good warning for those who recklessly tried to interject.

‘… Is it better to just let the two of them fight it out?’

After all, letting the two battle and one get eliminated first seemed like the wiser choice.

Getting involved would probably be far more dangerous.

-CLANG!!!

Lucia and Edgar’s swords clashed with a terrifying sound.

The serious showdown between Russell and Lemnos was officially commencing.

———————————————

The Saintess and Bishops were also in the same room as the evaluating professors.

“The five pillars fell rather quickly.”

The Bishop’s offhand comment darkened the atmosphere among the academy professors who were evaluating.

“Something bad must have happened.”

Without being asked, he began to represent Albion’s position.

He didn’t realize that the longer he spoke, the more it looked desperate.

It was the Saintess’s words that broke the awkward situation.

“The magic not being cast in time was due to other students in the back casting Dispel… and the crucial factor was that a student ruined the finished magic. It was a decent combination. Does the academy teach such tactics?”

“Y-yes! Of course!! It’s all part of the curriculum!”

Seeing one professor say that made Hulan giggle.

The principal sighed heavily, though.

And soon, the second test began.

The faculty members, who were enjoying refreshments in the VIP room and watching… or rather evaluating, were quite satisfied with the second round, which was showing a completely different dynamic from the first.

With the two swords, known as the strongest of the five pillars, clashing and causing massive damage all around, no one dared to intervene.

“Haha, it seems the earlier incident was quite amusing.”

“Since the matchups were chosen randomly, it really seems an accident occurred.”

“These are the pillars of our Empire. What do you think?”

Earlier, there was an incident where the five pillars fell to the attacks of regular students, but this time it was different.

The clash between Russell and Lemnos created an atmosphere that prevented regular students from daring to get involved.

The fear of becoming the target themselves kept them at bay.

Just like that, the previously grim atmosphere vanished, and things returned to a light-hearted mood.

“Haha, the academy students are amazing. I thought the coordination used in the earlier test was impressive, but the dance they’re showing now is also outstanding.”

“Y-yes! That’s the strength of our students!”

Of course, Hulan, who was merely enjoying the show, found joy in whatever entertaining situation arose, regardless of who was winning.

While Hulan smiled, the professors connected to Albion still had serious faces.

Some professors were enjoying their refreshments, but others were diligently observing the situation, jotting down notes and conducting evaluations.

‘Those two… They scare me to evaluate them.’

It was Andy, the swordsmanship instructor who had to conduct this test.

Somehow, it had turned into a form of group battle, meaning a more comprehensive evaluation would be necessary, which didn’t please him.

For this test, they had to assess not only the swordsmanship but also the use of magic, artifacts, and various tactics.

In that sense, he envied the two students engaging in the brutal duel at the center of the arena.

As Lemnos swung the flame magic sword, flames roared, spewing intense heat all around, while Russell’s sword strikes caused the ground to tremble and clouds of dust to rise.

A few brave students aiming for behind were caught up in the techniques used by the two and got eliminated right away.

They were barely new students at the academy… but it seemed they had already reached the expert level.

While reaching a high-level status like that wasn’t uncommon, perhaps the two had learned Vision Swordsmanship from their families, leading to the incredible power of each technique.

Andy thought as he evaluated.

‘It’s not that the swordsmanship from the Royal Knight Order is bad… it’s just a bit bland.’

Though that was only a contemplation he wouldn’t voice aloud.

Among those using the Vision Swordsmanship from the Royal Knight Order, many excellent individuals existed.

The commander was a prime example, and those high-ranking members who reached the upper expert level had learned Vision Swordsmanship from their clans, but they primarily based it on the Royal Knight Order’s teachings.

Complaining about a successful product only implies there’s an issue with the person, not the swordsmanship itself.

In the midst of all this, a slight change occurred in the arena.

The rest, except for the two ferociously dueling in the center, had begun to encircle one individual.

Seeing that, the principal muttered.

“Hmmm… those students… they’re trying to shake hands.”

He wasn’t saying one student was unfortunate, but rather the others were.

“What do you mean? Everyone’s ganging up on him except for the two, and you call that shaking hands?”

“Isn’t it obvious? How many incidents has that student caused this term alone that you still doubt his skills?”

“Oh… Are you telling me that student’s quite the troublemaker?”

Hulan grinned and asked the principal.

“Don’t even get me started… right after the new term started, there were brawls and duels… it’s been quite a spectacle.”

In truth, if you exclude the two, there was practically only one viable target left.

That student’s name was Atlas.

———————————————

“So, struggling to jump in there, are you thinking of facing me instead?”

No answer came back.

Everyone kept a safe distance, watching me like prey, circling around cautiously.

“Sindy, since you’re the smartest, maybe calculate this out. Both of them lost to me before, but jumping in there seems scary; do you really think I can take them on? Honestly?”

“If those two settle this… and it looks like you’ll end up facing one of them, it’s probably best that we wait for it all to finish…”

“Right, so that’s decided…”

Before I could finish speaking, Sindy continued.

“But you’re not the type to just sit back and watch us, are you? You’re clearly just waiting to attack us when we’re at our weakest; isn’t it better for everyone to strike when we’re all in good shape?”

Busted.

If I had planned to sit back, I would have actually tried to ruin the moment, but she caught on quickly.

“Did it show that much?”

“I’ve been watching you fidgeting since you entered the arena, you know?”

Even as they spoke, they still feared me.

As I hadn’t drawn my sword and merely rested my hand on the hilt, every tiny movement I made had them on edge.

“Then how about I finish this up before they call it?”

“Don’t underestimate me…!!”