The Academy’s Ankle Reaper

A traffic jam occurred in the wide hallway, which usually allows many students to move around without any issues.

The cause was a man and a woman facing each other in the middle of the hallway.

It would have been fine if it was just the two of them standing there, but they were surrounded by a dozen students in a standoff, preventing others from using the hallway.

“Don’t new students greet their seniors anymore these days?”

“Seniors? Even in the Academy, that kind of joke isn’t funny.”

One of the people in the standoff was Shaara Prigia, the leader of the noble faction representing the Empire, one of the five pillars.

On the surface, she had an incredibly charming doll-like appearance, but she was clashing words with a tall, lanky, yet stunningly handsome young man who could leave people spellbound when he kept his mouth shut.

Callyon Ostry, the prince of the Ostry Kingdom, one of the five kingdoms, and a senior two years above them.

In typical circumstances, new students tend to fear their seniors.

It’s not just about age; it’s usually because they’ve learned more and reached a higher level.

The students from the same class standing guard behind her fully recognized this, yet none of them showed a hint of fear.

“That mouthy duke’s daughter is rather arrogant.”

“Better than a country bumpkin playing king in a land the size of a mouse tail. What are you trying to compete with? If you still can’t feel the reality since coming to the Academy, you might as well go back now!”

The exchange of words was quite fierce.

While Callyon, being a prince, looked higher in status at first glance, the reality was different.

The territory of the Prigia Duchy, known as the Golden Ball’s domain, was more powerful than most self-proclaimed kings, considering territory size and the flow of gold.

That’s why they often referred to it as a princely kingdom.

If one were to point out a downside, it would be that they only had mid-level experts at best, which meant a qualitative difference in military strength.

However, since Prigia was a member of the five pillars and a noble of the Empire, should they need military power, heroes like Lemnos or Russell… or even the Empire’s foremost swordsman could always show up, making that shortcoming negligible.

In fact, they used the low quality of their territory’s guarding forces to signify their loyalty to the royal family.

‘How did it escalate like this?’

Up until the beginning of the semester, they had thoroughly ignored each other, so it was odd that a conflict arose now, yet it made sense.

When it comes to people clashing, did reason ever intervene? If one doesn’t like something and feels confident, resorting to a fight is instinct.

In this type of verbal conflict, the person who possesses objectively superior traits usually holds more composure.

Despite being a noble, one could trace Shaara’s lineage back to the imperial family; she had more wealth than even the Ostry Kingdom and held a higher social status within the Empire.

Just as I was starting to consider stepping in as I sensed emotions reaching a breaking point, the situation resolved itself quite simply.

“What’s up with all these people?? Is it okay to pass through?”

“The Master is passing by!”

It was because Hulan, the ‘Master’, casually remarked while eyeing the now-crowded hallway.

“Everyone, make way.”

As Shaara made another comment, everyone parted, murmuring and stepping aside.

There was still a semblance of reason left to stop their qi conflict before the Master.

Whenever Hulan moved between the Academy buildings, his followers would always swarm after him, and this time was no different.

“Wasting time on pointless things. Let’s go.”

“Yes!!”

As the crowd parted, the tension that had been taut faded away like air escaping a balloon.

Staying any longer didn’t seem worthwhile, so each person chose their own way.

“Same place as always.”

As I passed through, I subtly signaled to Shaara.

Considering we hadn’t met lately because of various matters, she might have forgotten, but it seemed she had not.

A flush crept onto Shaara’s face.

.

.

.

A few minutes later, Shaara Prigia arrived alone at an empty classroom.

Well, it wasn’t entirely empty.

I was already waiting inside.

When she got to the door, Shaara hesitated before entering.

Though I couldn’t see through the wall, I had heightened my senses out of boredom and could feel some actions occurring inside, albeit not in detail.

As she paused, she took out a hand mirror to check her appearance and fix her clothes.

Her desire to look good resembled that of any ordinary girl her age.

After fidgeting for a moment and seeming satisfied, she covered the mirror and knocked before entering.

“I’m sorry for being late, Atlas.”

“It’s alright. I haven’t been paying attention for a while… How have you been?”

“Thanks to you, Master Atlas, all the students are safe and sound.”

She showered me with compliments upon seeing me.

Shaara’s cheeks were slightly flushed upon our reunion.

Normally, I would have arrived first at our meeting place, so the switch might feel different.

She greeted me formally and sat in the chair in front of me.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t visit you when you were hospitalized… are you feeling okay?”

“As you can see, I’m fine. I haven’t had anyone bothering me recently, so it’s been a bit peaceful, hasn’t it?”

“…That can’t be true. That’s too much, even as a joke. I was worried a lot.”

I had just tossed out a light joke, yet she showed a serious expression.

I should be careful with this type of humor.

“Not coming is to be expected; that was our promise.”

On the surface, our relationship had to remain a secret.

Even if I had openly gone to visit her while she was in the hospital, I would have acted as if I hadn’t.

I might have sneaked in during the night, but that’s another story.

“You didn’t think I was upset and didn’t contact you because of that, did you?”

“….”

Shaara couldn’t meet my gaze and hesitated to respond.

“…Really?”

“I don’t think so, but… I thought you no longer needed me and… I had my doubts.”

“I clearly told you I wouldn’t abandon you before. Did you doubt that?”

Even though I said our meetings weren’t solely based on need last time, she doubted it.

When I placed my hand on Shaara’s shoulder, her petite, delicate frame trembled greatly.

Before, I had once used this position to pierce her qi and inflict pain,

but that was in the past.

Now, it’s more effective to resolve things through dialogue.

“Well, it’s fortunate we can meet again… it’s okay.”

“Ah… no! I’m sorry for thinking so shallowly!”

Shaara attempted to leap from her seat.

It seemed she thought I had given up on punishing her out of disappointment.

It was similar but somewhat different.

“I’m saying it’s okay.”

However, my hand was still on her shoulder.

With my unmoving arm, Shaara couldn’t rise and ended up awkwardly sitting back down.

“Ugh… Yes…”

She became quite disheartened.

That wasn’t what I intended to cause, but every time I saw her recently, our conversations drifted in this direction.

Should I meet her more frequently to care for her?

It seems I need to pay more attention from now on.

I should keep the conversation flowing as a distraction.

“I’ve been busy lately and couldn’t check in; have you noticed any suspicious movements?”

“Master Atlas, there have been some suspicious signs lately.”

“Suspicious signs?”

There were other suspicious movements near me?

“Did you know there were bounties placed on certain students during the Hunting Festival?”

“That happened?”

“Bounties were set on promising participants among those attending the Hunting Festival, and some even included members of the five pillars. It seems to be a product derived from betting related to the festival.”

“Bounties on the five pillars within the Empire, huh? That takes guts.”

To put bounties on the heirs of the five pillars, the leaders of the noble factions holding sway over the Empire must be out of their minds.

If someone were identified, the five pillars would dispatch armies to turn their territory into rubble, and even the Emperor would likely turn a blind eye.

“Recently… there have been movements suggesting someone is investigating you, Master Atlas.”

“Me?”

“If someone approached you directly, you would have noticed. It seems they are surveying the surroundings.”

“You think the one placing bounties and the one lurking around me are connected?”

“Yes. I can’t confirm it, but if it’s not someone capable of that scale, they wouldn’t dare to.”

I pondered for a moment.

If someone were investigating me, it wouldn’t be surprising.

I hadn’t precisely hidden everything.

My face is the same, my name is the same.

Although I only changed my surname… honestly, I wouldn’t care much if it were discovered that I am a Titan.

People already know that this name is associated with the less-than-bright heir of the Titans, so I merely avoided disclosing my actual surname to avoid discomfort.

“I see… don’t you find it curious? You know better than anyone that I must be hiding plenty.”

“I’m not curious. The person you show me is you, Master Atlas.”

The moment she previously showed doubt was nowhere to be found as she spoke with firm belief.

I moved my hand from her shoulder to pat her head.

“That’s a good answer.”

“So what should we do about those bounties?”

“If you can track down their group, please do. If you capture any clues, I’ll take care of the rest.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

Once we find out who they are, I’ll ask why they did it, who sent them, and all that.

Whether it was out of curiosity or suspicion of my identity, they would have to pay the price.