The Academy’s Ankle Reaper – Chapter 306

Shaara was afraid of Atlas at first.

She had thought she could bend the entire world to her will, but he made her realize just how arrogant that notion was.

Atlas wielded pain and fear as tools to educate Shaara.

What he taught were very moral societal norms.

One shouldn’t harm others carelessly. One shouldn’t covet what isn’t theirs. Just because one has power doesn’t mean they can bully the weak—values that weren’t given much importance in Prigia.

She couldn’t understand why she had to learn such things.

At first, he never destroyed Shaara, even when talking about killing and such.

She felt pain so severe she wished to die, but she never got hurt.

Though the memories were painful, scary, and disturbingly regretful, Shaara was able to feel love amidst it all.

Within the overwhelming pain that reverberated through her body lay Atlas’s sincerity.

Was this what it was like for parents to discipline their children strictly, as seen in books?

It was a situation hard to understand in the cold, emotionless education-centered Prigia.

Through Atlas’s training, Shaara’s self-centered world was shattered and rebuilt.

In the newly constructed world of Shaara, the subject was no longer herself, but Atlas.

Caught between the values she learned in Prigia and those she learned from Atlas, Shaara constantly pondered, but in the end, it was Atlas who triumphed.

——————–

The sudden confession caught me off guard, but I decided to respond calmly.

“Ugh…”

‘How did this happen?’

Seeing Shaara cry, I softened and hugged her to soothe her, offering gentle pats on her back.

Then I started to think frantically.

Is this what love feels like? Rationally?

I never imagined that a reckless person who would send assassins at anyone she disliked would start something like this.

I’ve heard of nobles who fell in love after being badly beaten, but who would think that would happen to me?

“I’m sorry for showing you my ugly side… I have no intention of throwing a tantrum.”

“You’re allowed to hate me for confirming your feelings and not being ready to respond properly.”

Shaara, who was sniffling, slowly gathered herself.

She wiped her tears and steadied her rising emotions.

“No, it’s fine… How about this instead?”

Shaara’s gaze returned to normal as her emotions settled.

“You’re… using this situation to your advantage.”

“Am I using the name of Prigia?”

“Yes. Delaying an official response to my father’s proposal while just showing off my presence with you in front of everyone will be enough. People eager to make connections with Prigia will line up with treasures. Doesn’t that sound like a good idea?”

It was indeed a rather good suggestion.

After the Golden Ball made that statement, continuously showing that I was seen with Shaara would lead everyone to think that.

Was the rumor true that the next partner of the Golden Ball had been decided?

While pondering, it would seem like a gamble worth taking a risk for.

But there was a significant issue with what Shaara said.

By fabricating such a superficial relationship for my benefit, I was essentially thinking of falling back on the crumbs left by Prigia.

If I never establish a real relationship with Shaara, they’d all become disappointed and leave.

Well, neither of us had really acknowledged the relationship, so I couldn’t say I was lying.

No matter how much they made a fuss, the other side was the high noble Titan and Prigia.

Would calling for help even matter?

But there was a serious flaw in Shaara’s thinking.

The moment one accepts such a proposal, both sides might be placed in danger.

“Thanks for the suggestion, but it’s going to be tough. Didn’t Prigia’s territory mention my family?”

“I’m sorry… I didn’t hear that part.”

It seemed she actually hadn’t heard it.

“The house I used at the Academy is my mother’s family. It originally belonged to Titan.”

“So, you mean the owner of Blade Mountain? Then…”

Hearing the name Titan, Shaara bit her lip slightly.

She realized what I was worried about.

If the rumor spread that Titan and Prigia were tied by blood, the royal family would react first.

Titan, the noble who could rally the nobles of Blade Mountain, and Prigia, controlling the empire’s gold.

Supposedly, the families with the most influence among the imperial nobles were joining forces—would they really go insane and cross a line?

I had no idea what thoughts the Golden Ball had in proposing such a thing to me.

Was it because they thought someone who had given up on connecting their family would be fine?

Seeing that she didn’t get an answer, Shaara appeared anxious.

“Then… you don’t have to answer. We can just go on as we were… you can use me as you see fit based on my abilities.”

That thought was never in my mind from the beginning.

After getting this far and pushing her away would mean everything I worked hard for would vanish.

With this level of obsession, if I carelessly brushed her off, it wouldn’t be surprising if the original Shaara came out.

“I don’t care about any position. If you tell me to abandon my house, I will. So… at least let me stay by your side like I am now.”

“Who said I would abandon you?”

After the party ends, I need to figure out how to handle things in the Capital.

Whether to completely deny the rumors, maintain the ambiguous relationship as Shaara suggested, or accept it.

Thinking of the rumors sure to shake the continent from tomorrow, I had no choice but to hurry to the capital and meet the Emperor.

For now, I could only delay my response.

“If everything gets organized properly… I’ll think positively about it. So think about it too.”

“… Yes!”

Seeing that Shaara’s gaze ignited again at my mention of a positive consideration, I felt relieved.

.

.

.

Returning alone, I could spot Carmel amidst a crowd of people even from afar.

“Cough…!”

Suddenly, Carmel’s words came to mind.

She said if I was left alone in a place where knights couldn’t enter, it would definitely cause trouble, so I should ask for help.

I thought it would be fine to chat briefly with Shaara, but in that few minutes, a tremendous crowd had gathered.

I wasn’t flustered by the situation.

Standing upright as if I’d experienced it a few times already, I adeptly controlled the people surrounding her.

Shaara crossed her arms, standing before them, and spoke in an authoritative tone.

“I can’t get through. How about everyone makes way?”

Normally, people would have stepped aside even before she spoke.

But surprisingly, even when the noble lady of Prigia spoke directly, no one moved aside.

“That’s right. If everyone acts like this, it’s impossible to get through!”

Shaara’s faction chimed in together, but it was completely ignored.

It seemed everyone was entranced by the Saintess, unable to hear anything.

Feeling a profound sense of responsibility, I decided to step in.

“You say you’re trying to pass through?”

I unleashed a strong aura towards the dazed people.

Those who were shocked as if they had ice water dumped on their heads snapped back to reality.

“Huh?? What have I been doing all this time…??”

“I’m sorry, Saintess!”

“I must have been blind, so…”

People, back to their senses, bowed their heads in apology and quickly dispersed.

Feeling things were finally settling, I approached Carmel, who was unusually angry.

Her expression was hidden behind the veil, and she seemed to be making an effort not to reveal her emotion through her calm voice, but it was evident she was quite upset as she didn’t even look me in the eye.

“You must have had a tough time. Are you okay?”

“Sure. I can’t express how much I struggled when a guard who promised to protect me suddenly vanished without a word.”

Her words had a sting to them.

“Did you have a nice time together? It’s heartwarming to see you spending time together right after getting your father’s permission. How wonderful to see such harmony already. While you may not be praying, it’s clear Atlas is a faithful believer.”

“Ah, no, that’s not how it was…”

She looked angrier than I’d ever seen.

I tried stepping closer to ease the mood, but she took a step back, trying to distance herself.

Usually, if someone looked a bit upset, stepping closer would prompt them to ruffle my hair or clasp my shoulder while smiling, but this was my first time being rejected.

Watching this, Shaara took a deep breath and stepped in front of Carmel, bowing down.

“I just committed an offense a moment ago. I sincerely repent from the bottom of my heart, so could you please forgive me?”

“Y-Yes… what?”

Seeing Shaara unexpectedly bow, the Saintess stumbled over her words.

Until just now, it seemed unimaginable that Shaara would act like this, and now Carmel was surprised to see her bowing.

“Lift your head. We just had a conversation a moment ago! This isn’t the way to go about it.”

Carmel, flustered, tried to raise Shaara’s head, glaring at me through the veil.

It seemed to be a silent question asking whether I had instructed her to do this.

I offered no reaction to her inquiry.

Whether Shaara noticed the situation, she lifted her head and surprisingly beamed a bright smile.

“Then was it just my misunderstanding? I’m truly relieved.”

“Y-Yes, it is.”

“If so… should we be friends instead of reconciled?”

Carmel, biting her lip, grabbed Shaara’s outstretched hand, and cheers erupted around us.

Everyone praised the friendship between the Saintess of the Church and the heir of the Golden Ball as a symbol of goodwill between the two countries, but Carmel holding Shaara’s hand didn’t seem particularly happy.

I wanted to yell and ask what was going on, but I felt it wouldn’t do to be sharp after bowing my head first.

“Ha… Haha.”

Carmel awkwardly laughed, and I clapped alongside the crowd, but suddenly, her gaze shifted to me.

“Atlas, look over here this time.”

So she’s addressing us now.