The Academy’s Ankle Reaper

It’s that time again when everyone scatters across the week.

In the cultural history class about different races that I attend separately, various races share the same lectures.

The academy sends many students abroad for study.

Just before the lecture started, someone approached my seat.

It was a man of similar height with bulging muscles, making him seem particularly short.

The most unusual feature was his well-groomed beard that reached his abdomen.

His beard was intricately braided with several golden accessories attached.

It was Hal Baud, a Dwarf from Class 2.

“Hey, sword-swinger, have you finished next week’s assignment?”

He casually strolled up and asked me.

In this class, I somehow came to know a few faces.

During the first week, there were so many bad rumors that everyone hesitated to approach, but after a few duels, the races that don’t bother with the political situation here were the first to come up to me.

Hal, the Dwarf, always called me “sword-swinger” instead of my name.

He said he saw me fighting with a Class 1 student in the hallway during the first week.

“No, not yet.”

“What? You haven’t finished it yet?”

“I always finish it a day in advance, so I haven’t touched it yet.”

“Ever the confident one… I envy how humans can be like that.”

“I’m just throwing things together, not being confident…”

“Ugh, I haven’t even started yet! Isn’t this assignment a bit cruel!!”

Hal clenched his fist in frustration.

But I know.

This Dwarf is not just complaining because the assignment is difficult.

“Isn’t it just because you don’t want to write about the history of Elves?”

“Yeah! If it were about our Dwarven political system like last time, I could write that easily!

I could write endlessly about the empire’s history, but… an assignment about the Elves’ tribal social structure? Isn’t that a bit much?!

The Elves just build huts in the forest and live like uncivilized people!!”

“What nonsense are you talking about, you dwarf idiot!!”

Someone shouted from behind Hal.

An Elf with striking long ears contrasting their short green hair stood out.

Dressed in human clothes like other students, they wore a strangely out-of-place white cloth draped over their shoulders.

Cindy Lue, an Elf displaying her noble status with pure white silk, snapped at Hal.

“What do you mean Elves are uncivilized?? You lot digging tunnels and getting all dusty, are you moles??”

“What?! You filthy ear-witch…! Come outside and duel me!!”

“You think I can’t fight you??”

The two were glaring at each other like they were about to throw down, but they never did.

Up until about the second week, everyone was tense, wondering if they’d really duel, but now it seems they’ve gotten used to it and don’t even glance their way.

They, representing their respective races at the academy, recognize that fighting here would just cause a ruckus.

“Heh heh heh.. I’m really glad I came out of the tribe. Each day is amusing.”

While humans just sneak glances, there was one person openly laughing.

It was a Beastman with striking orange fur, splotches of black stripes, and round ears.

The Tiger Beastman, Volte Jin, was among the strongest of his kind.

He always found joy in watching those two bicker.

“You didn’t do your assignment either, did you?”

“Do I look like I did?”

“Definitely not.”

Receiving a recommendation letter and coming to the academy, everyone is of precious status.

They’re all peculiar folks thinking about living among different races far from home.

“Alright, let’s start class.”

The classroom, which seemed like it would remain noisy, went ghostly quiet as soon as the professor walked in.

I guessed those two were merely pretending to feud.

—

After class, I found Amy waiting for me.

“What’s going on?”

“There’s been a big problem!”

The story Amy shared was unbelievable.

“Kasey punched someone?”

“Yes, Instructor Andy said he told Atlas.”

It seemed that Kasey, who had only recently transferred, got into a fight with two classmates, and Andy intervened.

Since Andy had called for me, I hurried over.

‘I feel like I’m going to fetch a kid from the police station as their guardian.’

I was still technically Kasey’s guardian.

Kasey was inside Andy’s personal office.

I distinctly heard that three people were fighting, yet Kasey was the only one inside.

Kasey was unscathed.

She stood upright, her expression stony, fiddling with her hands as she stared at the floor.

She really looked like a child doing something wrong.

“Kasey..!”

“..!”

Upon entering the office, Kasey flinched at my voice.

Though her face betrayed nothing, her actions resembled that of a kid caught red-handed.

As I stepped fully inside, Andy rose slightly.

“How serious is this matter that you called me?”

“The three of them got into a skirmish, one is hospitalized… and another was calmed down and sent home. Kasey’s not someone I can control… How about you talk to her.”

“This wouldn’t escalate, right?”

“It seems like the one with the broken tooth might raise hell, but you can handle that. The other used magic in the hallway, which was a violation of school rules, so the two agreed not to escalate further.”

“Magic in the hallway?”

“Yes, it surprised me…”

When fighting in the hallway, you don’t just go throwing punches or using cold weapons for no reason.

Even if the academy’s rules are a mess and chaotic, there are still limits.

No matter what, the core idea is to refrain from using magic or Aura Blade inside the building.

Using massive spells in a confined space when tempers flare would not only wreck this expensive building but could also be devastating for casualties.

Because of those rules, the prestige of the ‘Swordsmanship Research Club,’ which specializes in internal brawls, has remained consistently high throughout history.

The combat magic typically taught is developed for effectively slaughtering many on the battlefield.

To be considering using such magic is a truly terrifying thought.

“I’m going to step out, so talk nicely…”

With that, Andy exited his office.

Andy had a discomfort toward Kasey.

Setting aside Kasey’s personality, it was chiefly because she was much stronger than Andy.

Since I became an executive, there haven’t been many chances for Andy and me to chat, but I’ve seen him enough passing by.

And I also saw him bringing Kasey along and training her.

Not long after, when that little Kasey reached expert level and joined the knight order, the other ordinary members became fearful of her.

They said it might be because she has a similar aura to mine.

Who else loves peace as much as I do? I almost never attacked first.

With just the two of us, Kasey seemed even more sullen.

“So, did you win?”

“… Of course, I did.”

“Then that’s enough.”

“… You’re not going to scold me?”

“Why would I?”

As I said that, Kasey lightly bit her lip.

She took a step back, then struggled to speak.

“That’s right… you’re not even my guardian.”

“What are you talking about, kid… ”

Guess she’s hit puberty.

Every word she said sounded like something a teenage kid would say when upset with their parents.

“I trust your judgment. And you didn’t hit them for no reason, right? Isn’t that so?”

“Yeah…”

“And I’m not in a position to lecture anyone on this. I also knocked down plenty when I just got here.”

“… So that’s how it was…?”

“Right.”

“But you could have done better.. knocking out the teeth was a bit clumsy.”

“Clumsy, you say?”

“If it were me, I could have made it hurt without a bruise; I taught you that before.”

“What’s the use in dealing pain without destroying the enemies…?”

“It helps to break their spirit, not just their body. This was a good opportunity.

You kept avoiding me. Now sit down.”

“What am I…?”

“Being obstinate. You ignored me when I tried to talk.”

“…”

I decided to get Kasey comfortably seated and continue our conversation.

It was perfect timing.

She kept avoiding me, and now we had a chance to talk together in this space.

Kasey avoided my gaze, fidgeting until she realized there was nowhere to escape and sat quietly.

“You didn’t come here for no reason. The one who helped you transfer… is the Commander, right?”

“… How did you know?”

“The brooch on your outfit is only for those who received recommendation letters. What power could you possibly have to get a recommendation letter… no one else but the Commander could’ve helped.”

“Brooch?”

Kasey looked at the brooch attached to her chest.

“Weren’t they all like this?”

“You didn’t pay attention. Other students will be paying attention later, you should care. Anyway, it’s not like the Commander sent you here just to have fun at the academy, so you must have received some kind of mission, right?”

“She said that incidents happening in the academy are serious, and to remain on standby.”

“… That much is true. It seems like it’s going to get worse…”

The Commander appears relaxed, but that’s really only true for shadows like me.

No matter how many personnel there are, it’s insufficient, so throwing people around is not the Commander’s style.

There have been suspicious movements detected in the academy lately, so it seems another person was dispatched alongside me.

“….”

“….”

For a while, we shared an awkward silence, seeming to gauge each other before I broke the silence.

“I’m sorry for not contacting you, Kasey. I was lost in my own world.”

“Now you say that…”

Kasey hung her head and bit her lip.

“… I’m sorry for stabbing you, Uncle.”

It was a hesitant remark.

“… But seriously, have you gotten dull? You weren’t fazed at all when the Knight Order ambushed you during meals.”

“How about we spar sometime soon?”

“No way, you can’t even fight, Uncle.”

“Ugh..!! Getting cocky over just one stab…!!”

Even so, I’ve decided to let her win this time.

Once things settle down, I’ll need to clarify the hierarchy again.

“Well, it’s fine. Now that you’re at the academy, try to make a friend. You’ve been holed up in the Knight Order without seeing peers of your age, right?”

“I don’t need that.”

“You definitely need it, so just try.”

It can’t be helped, but the Knight Order is not a good environment for raising kids.

It’s a violent, hierarchical, and rigid group driven by power.

I tried my best, but I know that my best is not the best.

I just taught her how to fight when she asked, but I never wanted her to become a knight.

Could this be the reason my younger sibling sent me to the academy? Now, I think I might understand it a little.

Since she’s at the academy, I hope Kasey can relax like students her age.

“… And you, Uncle, are surrounded by girls but not a single male friend.”

Kasey pouted as she said that.

She seems filled with some grievances.

Damn, thinking about it, I really do have a lot of female friends.

Almost all the male students in the academy are jerks, making it hard to get along.

Most of them nervously avoid my eye contact or even try to backstab me.

“Ah… no, I have male friends too…!”

“Who? I’ve never seen you with a guy! The boys in your class all seem to be wary of you!”

“They’re in a different class…!”

“Then show me one.”

Wanting to flex a little, I blurted out some nonsense.

I might have a few casual acquaintances, but I can’t think of anyone I could confidently call a friend.

I really should make some friends now.

But who should I call??