The Academy’s Ankle Reaper – Chapter 194

There was a clash of opinions among the five pillars regarding Russell’s engagement battle.

No matter how you look at it, they were emotionally arguing, but is it really okay to view it like that? There were those who thought mediation was necessary, while others felt that since it was a family matter, a third party shouldn’t butt in.

Both the heirs of the five pillars in the Academy and those outside were hesitant to voice their opinions since it was a family issue.

“Well, if he said to do it, we should just go along. It’s his decision; we shouldn’t interfere.”

“But come on, that seems a bit too harsh. It’s not like he was raised that way from the start, and if all he does is swing a sword every day and is told to stop… that would be tough on anyone.”

“But is it really strange for parents to decide their children’s fiancées? Isn’t there something similar around here?”

“…I don’t get what you’re saying~?”

When Shaara glanced at Perda and spoke, Perda deliberately ignored her.

“Yeah, I think it’s normal for families to decide fiancées, but the method is quite unpleasant. Even if not all kinds of people are at the Academy, it’s disturbing to think that someone will be chosen through such a ridiculous means. Shouldn’t a more thorough verification process be involved?”

Lemnos crossed his arms, clearly dissatisfied with this decision.

It was rare for individual emotions to come into play when the five pillars welcomed their respective partners.

This wasn’t just about gaining a companion; it signified the formation of a close alliance between large families, and the royal family always kept a watchful eye on such matters.

If the signs of powerful families continuously marrying each other to form enormous forces became evident, the royal family would step in to restrict things.

So, trying to sift through and find what would benefit the family without interference from the royal family was a challenging task, yet to think it would be decided through something so childish was extremely displeasing to Edgar, who had a memory of not being able to be with his first love in childhood.

At that moment, new information came in.

Amid the stir at the Academy yesterday, Atlas, who hadn’t shown his face, was reported to have headed to the student council room with a fearsome expression.

“Really? Atlas went to the student council room looking furious? What was he doing to just show up now?”

“I told you! He wasn’t at the Academy yesterday.”

Edgar, who hoped this ridiculous situation would get sorted out, was irritated. He had waited all day yesterday, but the one person who should have rushed out first hadn’t shown up, so he felt frustrated. Apparently, he had been expecting a lot from Atlas.

“The student council president, huh…”

“Is there a problem, Perda?”

“Nothing major; just that there are rumors about the student council president being a regular at the underground auction.”

The underground auction refers to auctions held secretly beneath the port city.

Being an auction site where various things come together from different ports, it’s famously known for featuring items that are hard to find elsewhere. According to those who have been there, though it’s on a smaller scale, it has more fascinating items than those at the capital’s auction.

It’s not that they are more competent; the auctions in the capital mostly feature verified items, while the port auction offers anything that seems interesting.

“A regular at the underground auction isn’t referring to you, is it? You just went there two weeks ago.”

“Anyone hearing that would misunderstand! I merely visited the supplier as instructed by my father.”

“Yeah, sure.”

“That’s not the point! What did the student council president purchase there? Typically, three types come up: slave of the races, sea monsters, and dangerous artifacts. Both the slave and the monsters can’t be brought to the Academy; so, what remains is unverified artifacts.”

“What you’re implying is that the student council president is preparing some illegal deal? If those dangerous artifacts were in use, wouldn’t others have noticed?”

“Exactly, I’m just curious about it.”

—————————-

-The observer for this duel is the swordsmanship instructor Andy Robinson…

The weak voice echoed through the arena.

Though he must be angry for being summoned when he wanted to rest at night, what’s to be done about it?

He earned the medal, so he had to.

Heard through the grapevine, students were gathering to spectate. It seems the issue was that the time for using the coliseum hadn’t ended yet, but the last ones entering were the problem.

“Alright, alright! Last betting!! Who will win? According to the duel’s record, there’s no one who has lost yet!! The student council president boasts an impressive achievement of ‘undefeated’ over four years, and even the new student Atlas has an undefeated record in duels up to now! Now hurry; once we begin, you won’t be able to enter!”

There was a particularly loud commotion from the spectator seats. It seemed a betting game had started during this time.

But being undefeated for four years… that’s something to brag about.

Just how impressive is being undefeated? Even the commander lost a few times when he was a newcomer, yet that student council president has never lost a single time.

Although they’re wary of me, I can somehow feel their confidence stemming from these records.

“Junior, you’re saying this now, but can’t I just go instead?”

“What?”

The student council president suddenly made that proposal.

“I’m talking about Russell’s son-in-law position. I really need it. So, can you just step aside for me just this once? I only need the position. I won’t even touch Russell’s daughter… okay? Let’s just settle this amicably.”

“Did you say that to Lucia, too?”

“What can I say to Russell’s daughter? It would only sound like teasing.”

I felt my head cooling down. I didn’t answer anymore after that.

“That was a rare proposal… but you’re completely ignoring me. Is it because you’re confident in your skills?”

“You’re much stronger than I am, so it must seem strange for me to say something like this.”

He smiled slyly as he saw me not listening.

-Now then… let the duel begin.

At Andy’s declaration, the duel started, and my body was launched like a projectile.

I didn’t even grab my sword.

Emotions surged, compelling me to want to punch him instead.

What I feel now isn’t solely anger because of the student council president, but since he’s the only one I can hit right now, I hope he can handle it.

The student council president didn’t even realize my attack had begun.

The conditions for winning the duel are that the opponent must either acknowledge defeat or become incapacitated, so while I won’t kill him, I will hit him hard enough to hurt.

I’ll at least break his jaw.

Unaware of the imminent danger, the student council president casually crossed his arms.

“But do you think I’ve only fought with experts a couple of times?”

-Crunch!!!

And then the sound of something invisible shattering echoed through.

“Ah!! What the…!!”

“What?!”

My attack was blocked by an invisible barrier.

It wasn’t just one or two barriers. In an instant, around twenty barriers were formed, and I smashed through nineteen of them, getting stopped by the last one.

Despite boldly declaring, the student council president looked shocked upon seeing me right before him.

‘Looks like he didn’t even detect my attack. Is it some sort of automatic defense magic?’

It’s not a force field, but feels like a solid thing grazing a window.

If it’s not preset magic, I should consider the possibility of an artifact providing this function.

“Did you break all of them except this last one? Are you even human??”

The student council president, sweating profusely while seeing me so close, started casting magic.

I have to commend him for not jumping in with a sword.

Considering he was behind a shield, attempting to use a sword would have easily led to him getting pulled out of the barrier by sword grappling.

But using magic doesn’t change the outcome.

‘I’ll smash this last barrier with my magic.’

The remaining barrier seemed to be the strongest, but it was not impenetrable.

After breaking that barrier with my magic, I would finish him off.

However, as I saw the magic being completed, my thoughts changed.

‘This is no ordinary magic, is it?’

I pulled back to dodge the magic, and black tar-like liquid consumed the spot I had just occupied.

The aimless black mass that fell to the ground emitted foul smoke and even started melting the arena floor.

‘Corrosive black fluid… it was the breath of a black dragon.’

I wouldn’t have died, but it definitely would have hurt.

While it appeared he was using magic, it did seem to have gone through an artifact.

It’s a similar type to ‘Holy Flame of Saint McKinto’ used by Amy.

The difference being, while the Holy Flame is an artifact infused with ‘Holy Power’ through the breath of a Red Dragon, this is the breath of a Black Dragon with strong ‘Acidity.’

The fiery breath of a Red Dragon burns objects to nothing, while the horrific item layers a sticky acidic solution to dissolve and corrode objects.

Although the Master’s body has some resistance, if a regular person were hit by that, they would have melted without a single bone fragment left.

“Had that been me instead, I would have died.”

“But you’re alive, aren’t you? To face a strong expert like you… this much is necessary!”

As soon as the student council president finished his sentence, my body felt heavy.

It wasn’t gravity magic, but seemed to be a type of curse.

I had heard he was a jack of all trades, but I didn’t expect him to be able to use this as well.

It didn’t seem like a high-level curse, so I ignored it and charged again.

Having seen it once, I had some grasp of it now.

I kicked the ground with all my might, aiming to sweep through the invisible barriers.

“Ugh, this is dangerous…”

-Crunch!!!

The barriers surrounding the student council president couldn’t withstand my kick, shattering loudly.

Last time, I hadn’t been able to break that final barrier, but this time was different.

Originally, I attacked to test the waters, but if he could maintain that level of defensive magic, I could put in more strength.

The barriers couldn’t hold up against my assault, breaking one after another until the final barrier shattered.

My kick connected with the student council president’s abdomen.

-Thud!!

“Gah??”

The student council president was bent backward as he flew back, crashing against the arena’s wall.

The solid concrete wall shattered, sending debris and dust swirling everywhere.

“Th-that barrier… is an automatic defense artifact that can withstand 6th-circle magic…”

“Is that so? No wonder it was tough. I was just trying to be careful since I couldn’t kill him, but if it’s that tough, I might as well go all out. Right?”

“Ugh… ugh…”

The student council president was trying to stand again.

I had a feeling he must have cracked a few ribs.

It would be tough to even breathe, yet somehow he was still trying to get up.

“Ah… no! Please get up, Mr. Student Council President!!!”

“You only got hit once!! Hang in there, President!!”

“I’ve poured my whole fortune into this!! Please get up!!!”

The last voice had a different intention, yet most of the students gathered in the arena were supporting the student council president.

He slowly pulled something from within and began to stand up.

“Yeah… it’s not over yet…”

“It’s over.”

-Bam!!

As he was about to use another artifact, I swiftly kicked him and knocked him out.

His jaw must have turned, but still, it’s better than dealing with a crazy guy shooting black dragon breath.