The Academy’s Ankle Reaper – Chapter 16

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Vine
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River went to meet Atlas, but I couldn’t move. I wanted to go, but my feet felt like lead. I was terrified of Atlas.

The blood and screams echoing through the hallway, the terror in the students’ eyes, the clash of weapons, Atlas relentlessly targeting legs—it was a completely different person from the one I knew. His usual gentle smile was replaced by a mask of rage. He wielded his sword with hatred.

Behold his cruelty. What you’ve seen so far was merely a facade.

A raspy, masculine voice, like acrid smoke, echoed in my mind, despite being alone. I wasn’t surprised. It was the voice of my most familiar companion, my soulmate. My secret friend since childhood, my advisor, the one who guided me to survival.

That is Atlas Titan’s true nature. A demon obsessed with height, a madman who will kill anyone who mocks his stature.

But Atlas… is a good person…

Whether you believe it or not, the fact remains that Atlas Titan is a ticking time bomb, consumed by his hatred for his own flaws. He will make a pact with a demon. And then it will be too late. He will become a formidable demon.

The voice that had always guided me now warned me against Atlas, urging me to kill him. It claimed he would become a demon. I didn’t want to believe it. In this unfamiliar, hostile environment, Atlas was the first to extend a hand of friendship.

You’re judging him for something he hasn’t even done?

Have I ever lied? Your survival is thanks to me. The demon attack, the incidents at the Academy, everything happened as I foretold. Trust me, as you always have.

It was true. My companion had never lied. Everything it predicted came to pass. It was my companion who revealed Atlas’s true surname, Titan, not Nemea. The deception had created a distance between us.

Atlas is a good person… He treated me kindly even when I deliberately distanced myself…

I had intentionally avoided him, yet he hadn’t shown any resentment. He continued to treat me with kindness. My companion had always been right, but I wasn’t convinced Atlas would become a demon.

Atlas Titan will inevitably betray you. His obsession with his height will consume him. He is a far greater threat than the Five Pillars. Judging by his recent actions, he is growing stronger rapidly. He might have already made a pact with a demon. If you don’t kill him now, you won’t stand a chance.

He hasn’t made a pact yet.

By then, it will be too late.

My companion sighed, frustrated by my indecision. Fine, it’s your life. Choose. Die at the hands of a demonified Atlas, or kill him before he transforms. But remember this. What’s done is done.

The Academy buzzed with excitement. A brawl in the hallway, followed by a duel announcement, had amplified the already heightened atmosphere. News of a Five Pillar, Edgar Lemnos, dueling a freshman, Atlas Nemea, after a bloody confrontation, had spread like wildfire. It was the perfect entertainment. Even some professors skipped their classes to watch. Andy, munching on grilled squid, was among them.

The duel was scheduled for the following day, in the same circular arena used for the entrance exams. Lemnos and I stood in the center, facing each other, our gazes locked in a silent battle of wills.

I wore my usual clothes, my longsword, almost as tall as myself, strapped to my back. Lemnos wore the same outfit as yesterday, a wavy-bladed Flamberge at his hip. Neither of us wore armor. This wasn’t a battle for survival, but a clash of egos. Excessive armor implied fear.

I was annoyed by his initial scheming, but his subsequent straightforwardness was… admirable. He would have thrived in the Royal Knights… It was a shame.

I addressed him,

“I commend you for showing up.”

“Look who’s talking…!”

“With such a large audience, try not to faint after one punch this time.”

“Don’t get cocky! We’ll see if you can still talk like that after the duel begins!”

His face turned red again. The Lemnos family, known for their fiery nature, lived up to their name. I apologized in advance. My earlier words were a lie. I wasn’t planning on ending it quickly. I was going to toy with him. Someone who’d lived such a smooth-sailing life needed a reality check.

“What will you wager, Lemnos?”
“If I win, you will arrange a duel between Lucia Russell and me.”
“Why are you asking me? Shouldn’t you ask Lucia? Even if you win, there’s no guarantee.”
“This is enough.”
It was strange, but that was the nature of duels. The loser had to make a reasonable effort to fulfill the conditions of the wager. I wasn’t sure about the Lucia situation, but Lemnos seemed confident. I was glad he brought it up first.
“In that case, let me state my condition.”
I had something similar in mind.
“If I win, you and your followers will forget about the incident in the hallway and never speak of it again.”
He brought up Lucia, so I’d bring up his followers. If I won, he’d tell them to forget about the beating. They wouldn’t dare disobey a Five Pillar.
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The date, time, and conditions were set. Bets were already being placed. Atlas Nemea, a relatively unknown freshman, versus Edgar Lemnos, a Five Pillar. On paper, Lemnos should have been the overwhelming favorite. But those who witnessed the hallway incident were betting on me, shifting the odds to 6:4 in Lemnos’s favor, according to Andy.
“Senior, who did you bet on?”
“I bet my first Academy paycheck on you.”
“I could throw the match.”
“You? Don’t be ridiculous. See you tomorrow.”
He left, a greedy smile on his face.
Why did Lemnos target me?
This wasn’t in the original story. Edgar Lemnos was… straightforward to a fault. Arrogant, yes, but not one for underhanded tactics. He’d challenge you to a duel directly, not send his lackeys to harass you. This wasn’t his style.
Which means there’s someone else pulling the strings…
I had a suspect in mind. I’d have to deal with them to ensure my peaceful vacation.
As I pondered on the balcony, someone approached silently.
“Y-you… you don’t have to duel… I’ll do it…”
“What?”
Lucia Russell. Surprisingly stealthy for her size.
“I… overheard… Lemnos’s condition… about dueling me…”
“It was a bit unexpected. Are you alright?”
I didn’t know the details of their conflict, but I could guess. She was probably forbidden from dueling, and Lemnos, eager to prove his superiority, kept challenging her, only to be refused. Her restriction was likely a family matter. Lemnos must have thought this was a clever workaround… But why involve me? I’d have to investigate.
“…If it’s going to happen anyway… I’ll just do it… It’s between Lemnos and me… I’m sorry you were dragged into this…”
She apologized, her face filled with concern. She was willing to duel Lemnos directly… Admirable.
“No.”
But this was different.
“Why…?”
“I made a wager with him. I *have* to duel him.”
“I’ll take your place.”
“Why should I trust you? If you lose, I’m expelled.”
“…”
I was already involved. I couldn’t rely on anyone else. And I wasn’t sure who was stronger, Lucia or Edgar.
“You couldn’t even break free from my grip. You’re too weak.”
“…I’m strong…”
“No, you’re not.”
“…I am strong…!”
She raised her voice, offended.
“If you were so strong, you would have settled things with Lemnos already. He’s only acting like this because you keep avoiding him.”
“…That’s why I’m trying to fix this.”
“You should have done it sooner. It’s too late. I’ll handle this myself. Stay out of it.”
I turned to leave. She grabbed my coat, her lips pressed together, as if she still had something to say, but she remained silent.
“…Russell, if you have something to say, tell me tomorrow. I’ll make time.”
“…Okay.”
My curt response seemed to have satisfied her. Her expression softened.
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The next day, the Academy buzzed with anticipation. Students, from freshmen to seniors, gathered to witness the duel between two hot-headed freshmen. The duel was held during class time, but many, including some professors, skipped class to attend. Andy, munching on grilled squid, was a prime example.
The arena was the same circular one used for the entrance exams. Lemnos and I stood in the center, our gazes locked in a silent battle of wills.
I wore my usual clothes, my longsword, almost as tall as myself, strapped to my back. Lemnos wore the same outfit as yesterday, a wavy-bladed Flamberge at his hip. We weren’t wearing armor. This was a battle of pride, not survival. Armor implied fear.
I was annoyed by his initial scheming, but I appreciated his subsequent straightforwardness. He would have thrived in the Royal Knights… It was a shame.
I addressed him,
“I commend you for showing up.”
“Look who’s talking…!”
“With such a large audience, try not to faint after one punch this time.”
“Don’t get cocky! We’ll see if you can still talk like that after the duel begins!”
His face turned red. The Lemnos family, known for their fiery nature, lived up to their name. I apologized in advance. My earlier words were a lie. I wasn’t planning on ending it quickly. I was going to toy with him. Someone with his privileged life needed a reality check.

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