The Academy’s Ankle Reaper – Chapter 9

Everyone was chatting noisily as I walked in, and then the door swung open with someone entering.

It was none other than Andy Robinson, the class supervisor I was already familiar with.

His face was recognizable, but he was wearing a rather distinctive outfit that made him stand out.

The students, who had been indifferent moments ago, began to buzz with excitement at the sight of his flamboyant uniform.

But realizing what he was wearing, I had no choice but to clutch my throbbing forehead.

‘Wow… Is he bold or just foolish…?’

He showed up in a flashy uniform adorned with all sorts of decorations and medals… That outfit was the ceremonial uniform of the Royal Knight Order that was only worn five times a year.

An retired officer deciding to flaunt his uniform on the very first day of the semester… That’s a blatant breach of military discipline. If the Commander catches him, he might as well be signing his own death warrant. What kind of guts does he have?

Looking at his expression, he’s probably thinking no one from the Royal Knight Order will find out about this.

“You are looking at your chief instructor for the year, Andy Robinson. Before coming here, I was with the Royal Knight Order.”

Oblivious to my headache, Andy appeared quite impressive as he introduced himself with all the grandeur.

Given that he came from the strongest military group in the Empire, even the students who had been yawning began to perk up.

“Oooooo…”


“The Royal Knight Order…!”


“I’ve seen that uniform before..! This is the real Royal Knight Order!”

It’s hard not to get excited when you think about it. Very few people retire from the Royal Knight Order in one piece and go elsewhere.

Look at how smug he is, with that smirk on his face.

“Students walking the path of the sword are fortunate. I will teach you using the curriculum from the Royal Knight Order, and if you keep up, your skills will undoubtedly improve this year.”

If he means the traditional training methods of the Order… That must refer to the training where even active knights drop out five out of ten times…

But there’s no way they could do that here.

If he were to run things like the Royal Knight Order, how many could endure it? Probably not even five.

Whether he plans to go through with it or just offer some standard training under the guise of the Order’s methods…

If he does intend to go through with it, I’d have to applaud his courage to withstand faculty evaluations.

“Just trust me and follow along!”

Looking to the side, I saw Amy gazing at Andy with sparkling eyes.

She was completely unaware that his words were just empty bravado.

When she noticed my gaze, she quickly turned her head, and our eyes met.

“…!!”

The moment our eyes locked, she jumped in surprise and turned back to her innocent desk.

There was still an awkward distance between us.

——————————————————

After that moment, Amy continued to avoid me.

She was deliberately creating distance and trying not to cross paths, confirming my movements.

Did I do something wrong yesterday?

I thought we could grow closer before we parted ways, but now I was bewildered.

However, I didn’t force the distance to close.

If I pressed too aggressively, it seemed like it would become irreparable due to her resistance.

I didn’t know for sure, but that was the feeling I had.

Then an incident happened.

“I’m… I’m sorry…”

“Is just saying sorry enough?! Do you know how much that costs?!”

On the very first day, Amy found herself in a troublesome situation.

As she was walking down the hallway, she collided with a student who dashed around a corner, and her expensive fountain pen tucked in her pocket got smashed.

Of course, while it might be considered expensive among regular people, in a place where nobles might receive recommendations, it’s nothing.

‘Amy’s not a recommended student, so she must be getting scammed.’

Academy life can be pretty brutal.

The brooch used to distinguish students displays red, blue, or yellow stripes depending on the year enrolled. The shape differs slightly between those who were admitted via recommendation and those who tested in.

Recommended students have a small wing decoration on their brooch, while those admitted by exam do not.

This is the primary means of differentiation.

Admission by recommendation is for those acknowledged by the Principal to have at least some background, while exam admission looks down on those without any background at all.

While an incoming exam student would usually have exceptional talent, it doesn’t matter if they’re outstanding or not.

In the end, most students who enter through the exam path find themselves working under recommended students after graduation.

‘If it had been Amy instead of Hayden… That punk’s head would be smashed into the floor.’

That nameless noble must be feeling smug about this.

Most exam students are financially strapped.

They’re trying to exploit Amy like she’s their bonded servant because of her purse.

Amy’s troubled gaze flickers towards me.

She glances at me once, then quickly averts her eyes back down.

There are too many people watching.

If I were to put that jerk on the floor, it would create quite a commotion.

Just a day after I vowed to keep quiet, I knowingly stepped forward even though I was aware of the impending chaos.

“Stop it; she doesn’t want this.”

But before I could get closer, someone stepped in front of Amy.

“And what about you?”

“If you’re a noble expected to shoulder the future of the Empire, shouldn’t you maintain a level of dignity rather than trying to fool others with your nonsense? Aren’t you ashamed?”

River Seymour stood firmly, protecting Amy as he confronted the man.

Having lost my chance to intervene, I awkwardly tried to approach but could only pause and observe the situation unfold.

“Nonsense? That girl broke my precious fountain pen… Is it wrong to demand compensation?”

“That cheap fountain pen? I’ve got plenty of those; I could give you one, so just shut it.”

Cheap… Well, it wasn’t in the least. It was a brand often gifted by nobles to their children when they start using pens; it may not be a luxury but certainly a fancy item.

“No..! My… my fountain pen was a gift from my father..!”

“Did your father teach you to threaten me by name? I’d like to meet him someday.”

‘Whoa, that was harsh.’

Saying something that severe made the man’s face turn bright red.

“Y-you dare insult my father…!!”

Unable to control his rage, the man removed the glove from his left hand and threw it at River.

“Come outside… It’s a duel!!!”

“When you lose an argument you resort to violence, huh? That’s exactly what I wanted.”

River confidently caught the man’s glove and smiled.

This feels eerily familiar.

An event happening on the very first day of school to showcase the protagonist—it’s an excellent device for highlighting them.

The ignored protagonist finally gets to show their worth and grab everyone’s attention.

This incident was supposed to happen to the main character, Hayden Parker.

Now it’s happening to River?

Does this mean…

Can I switch protagonists?

—————————————

“Get lost from my sight.”

“Hiik..!!”

The moment River’s sword touched the unnamed man’s neck, he let out a gasp.

The duel ended quickly.

River is among the top ten in skill among the new students, excluding me.

Meanwhile, his opponent was just a student with a bit of training.

He had enough skill to boast, but he was still just an ordinary guy who couldn’t even generate an aura with his sword.

River, who had already reached the initial stage of the Expert level, was simply on a different level.

“Th-thank you.”

“I merely did what a noble is supposed to do.”

Look at him; he’s so cool with his words. I wish most of the nobles here could hear that.

As I approached, Amy, who had just finished her thanks, dashed away.

“Seymour.”

“… You actually spoke to me first.”

As I addressed River, she gazed at me with wide eyes.

“You wanted to spar with me, right? Clear your evening schedule.”

“What? What’s gotten into you?”

“I’m not just offering, there’s a condition.”

“What condition?”

This condition is crucial.

If she thinks she’s destined for Hayden’s fate… This is essential.

“If I win… you become my disciple.”

“That’s… pretty cocky of you…?”

River smiled broadly at my proposal.

She probably thinks I’m just joking around.

But I wasn’t joking at all.

If River has taken on Hayden’s destiny, she needs to undergo hellish training and improve.

Being merely at the beginner stage of the Sword Expert level, she’s destined to die on the first invasion.

Somehow, she needs to be trained up to at least the Advanced Expert level to stand a chance.

While River doesn’t realize my intentions, she just laughs.

“Did you see the duel earlier? I’m pretty strong; are you confident?”

“It’s nothing special. Save your energy and recuperate. Just don’t say anything once you lose.”

“No, if the conditions for you winning are that, then there should be conditions for my victory too… It’s unfair otherwise.”

“… Tch, you’re not making this easy, are you?”

She’s not just going to let me slide with my conditions.

“If I win… you have to train with me.”

“What??”

So, wouldn’t that just make it a tie, regardless of who wins?