The Academy’s Ankle Reaper – Chapter 200

It’s the last day of the semester.

It’s not that there weren’t any lectures, but I ignored all of them.

After all, there were many things I needed to finalize since it was the end.

The first place I visited was Professor Prague’s laboratory.

“Cindy is going back to the forest, but aren’t you coming, Professor?”

“Well, since that young lady is still affiliated with the forest, she has to go, but this is my home and workplace.”

This time, instead of experiments, I was grappling with formulas filled with unknown symbols.

The potion I created with the original formula did work for me, but the expected results didn’t appear.

Throughout the semester, I had just changed the ingredients in the formula I was originally using and experimented with various ones, but this time I was thinking of approaching it completely differently.

“What principle does this formula follow?”

“In the past, I only considered the normal cases. It was based on the idea that nutrients and stimulants promote growth by reaching each growth point.

Up to now, that has worked, but our client isn’t a normal case, so I need to rethink things.”

In the case of a normal scenario, I had all the essentials—ample nutrients, sufficiently likely genes, triggers—but I still didn’t grow taller.

There must have been just one tiny difference.

Overwhelming stress.

But a certain amount of stress can actually promote growth.

Since I didn’t die from it, that can’t be the problem.

“This time, instead of directly stimulating the growth points, I’m going to stimulate hormone secretion.”

“Hormones?”

“Yes. The ones usually called growth hormones. Although I’d stimulated a bit before, I didn’t do it since directly stimulating the growth points is more effective… But I’ve completely changed my thought process.

Since the sponsor has a remarkably ‘robust physique,’ it’s natural that they wouldn’t respond much to external stimulation.

However, if the hormones that command growth in the body are secreted in larger quantities than usual, that powerful physique will start working to grow itself.”

In the end, it meant I was going to stimulate the part responsible for producing growth hormones to see a reaction.

“Here’s a prototype; would you like to try it?”

Professor Prague pulled out a golden potion from the refrigerator.

“Is it safe?”

“The animal tests were stable. Lately, graduate students are unreliable, so I couldn’t conduct human tests…”

When I asked if it was safe, his words dragged on.

“Ah, I have no idea.”

Looking at him, I figured he must have some trust, right? Surely he wouldn’t think of sending me off as a poison if he’s struggling to show me proper results anymore?

“Ugh, the taste is awful.”

As soon as I gulped it down, my face scrunched up.

It felt like I was drinking a mix of mud and bitter herbs.

“Do you feel any unusual effects?”

“Nothing unusual so far.”

No matter how hard I concentrate, I feel nothing special in my body.

“Phew… That’s a relief.”

“???”

A relief?

My trust suddenly dropped sharply.

“Oh no, it’s just that the effects won’t show up immediately after drinking, just in case.

From now on, I’ll be helping with your growth hormone secretion for about two weeks… I’m curious about how effective it’ll be, especially for you.”

I also hope this new drug helps a bit more.

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When I stopped by the Swordsmanship Research Club, Sister Hera greeted me.

“You’re coming back in three weeks, right?”

“Yes….”

I had to definitely fix the schedule about the invitation I mentioned earlier to the Nemea Territory.

After all, she is family, and I had intended to visit someday, so it seemed like a good opportunity.

The Nemea Territory is also located near Blade Mountain, so it won’t take long to get there.

Before that, I had important matters to attend to, so I said I wouldn’t be able to come.

She didn’t reveal what was going on.

Since she told me to come in three weeks, I plan to secretly go two days before and have a serious conversation with my uncle… and then reveal the truth later.

I’m curious about how she would react when I reveal I’m actually two years older than she thinks.

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On the day the break starts, an unprecedented massive crowd gathered at the port of the Academy.

All the students trying to go home had gathered at the port.

Students from afar or those with unfavorable circumstances had given up and stayed at the Academy, but most of the recommended students had left.

Some students were trying to get out via the bridge, but with the narrow bridge having limited capacity, most students flocked to the port.

Seeing how many were there brought back memories of the entrance ceremony.

The worst part is that countless carriages will be waiting at the opposite port, presumably for all those students.

With just students gathered, the sight of that port filled with carriages is…ugh, I don’t even want to imagine.

In this situation, I think my choice to board Perda’s airship wasn’t that bad.

Whatever Perda’s scheme was, it’s break time, and I needed a little playtime.

The distance from the Academy to the capital is pretty far, so it was said it would take at least three days, so I had plenty of time.

“How do you like our family’s airship?”

As we moved to the boarding location, Perda was already there, confidently greeting people with her arms crossed.

Anchored at the cliff, Perda’s airship had a sleek, streamlined body painted in ivory and a deep blue, with the Perda family emblem engraved on it.

The wooden deck looked sturdy, and there were golden decorations on the railing.

It was frustrating but definitely a ship of notable size.

“Wow… so this is an airship.”

“Looks like a regular ship to me.”

“…!”

Everyone gaped in awe at the sight of the airship, unable to close their mouths.

The airship was docked on the opposite side of the harbor filled with students.

On the opposite side of the port, there was a cliff that looked like it had been carved down, and Perda’s airship was anchored next to it, floating in the air.

While it looked similar to the Magic Ship using the Orion Engine, due to the lack of an anchor, the fact that it was floating made it feel even more special.

It seemed all five pillars had opted to board.

Since Perda’s territory was the furthest, they probably intended to drop us off one by one on the way.

Our group consisted of River, Amy, Casey, and me, totaling four.

Adding Perda’s girls, there would be around 15 of us boarding the airship.

But I spotted a familiar face I didn’t expect.

“Cindy?”

“Since Perda has deep ties with the elves… But you’re not actually going to Perda, are you?”

“I’m just getting off midway, so don’t worry.”

“I was hoping to invite you to the forest when you got to Perda, but it’s a shame.”

It seems the elven exchange student Cindy was also boarding the ship.

Given that Perda’s family had relied on relations with elves, it makes sense they’d take an elven exchange student along.

“What? You’re getting on too?”

“Ugh….”

As I looked inside to board, I saw Lemnos and Albion walking towards me.

Apparently, they hadn’t heard that I’d be boarding.

“Did Perda not tell you? I was invited yesterday.”

“I didn’t see you yesterday because I was busy packing.”

Suddenly, Lemnos stepped closer.

What’s this, looking for a fight?

“What’s up suddenly?”

“…I have something I want to ask. Is it true?”

It was an unexpectedly careful tone.

“Are you the one who took down Carlos?”

Looks like the rumor spread somehow.

The wrecked annex, Carlos secretly hospitalized, and me, relatively unharmed.

I guess it’s understandable to be suspicious.

But what I wanted to tell him was just one thing.

“What do you want to think?”

Upon hearing that, Edgar looked surprised.

“Ha… is that how it is? Well, what does it matter? I’ll think whatever I want.”

Edgar shrugged and boarded the airship with Albion.

Now that all my group had boarded, I was about to leave when I noticed someone else coming from a distance.

It was Shaara, who was smaller than me.

She was walking with a large trunk, struggling against the fierce wind coming from the cliff, making her long hair whip around wildly.

I approached and helped her with the trunk.

But even then, her hair was getting blown around so much that she couldn’t see who I was.

“I don’t know who you are, but thank you.”

That Prigia actually said thank you…

I was a bit surprised.

If she had been like how she was at the start of school, she would’ve been annoyed and questioned why I was only helping her now.

I felt a bit happy that my guidance had some effect.

I turned slightly to shield her from the wind, and finally, she saw who I was and was taken aback.

“Oh… Atlas?!”

“What are you carrying so much for?”

Shaara, flustered, hurriedly tidied her wind-tousled clothes.

“I… I’ll carry it!”

“Don’t worry. Didn’t you know I was coming?”

“…No.”

I patted her head once and began walking toward the airship.

“Still, let’s be careful around each other.”

“Understood.”

Shaara lowered her head, trying to hide her flushed face.

By the time we were almost there, the people who had already boarded the airship called me out.

“Atlas, what are you doing just standing there?”

“It’s amazing in here!! Come quickly and see together!!”

As soon as I confirmed everyone was on board, the anchor lifted, and the platforms connecting the cliff and the airship folded, making the vessel ascend with a whoosh.

The feeling of it lifting off the ground was entirely different from a ship floating on the surface.

Most people who had carelessly unpacked their luggage had climbed onto the deck to watch the airship float, and Perda, dressed as an impressive captain, drew everyone’s attention.

“Ahem! Before we set sail, allow me to introduce myself.”

Suddenly, the formality was quite amusing.

Seeing Perda’s girls cheering excitedly, I figured it was just part of the act.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our luxurious airship ‘Titanic’ prepared by Perda!”

What kind of ship name is that?