The Academy’s Ankle Reaper – Chapter 3

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Vine
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The Academy, while within the Empire’s territory, was situated in its most remote location. Not on the border, but on a secluded island floating in the sea near the capital, close to the heart of the Empire yet isolated.

There were two ways to reach the Academy: by crossing the only bridge connecting the island to the mainland, or by boat. Most people chose the latter, provided they weren’t prone to seasickness. The bridge, a mere two lanes, was often congested, offering little advantage besides a cheaper fare.

As dawn broke, ornate carriages, each bearing the crest of its respective family, began arriving at the docks. Tension hung in the air, thick with the silent rivalry between the guards, occasionally punctuated by the palpable animosity between feuding families. The battle of prestige began even before boarding.

Having arrived early and completed my preparations, I observed the crests on the carriages from a nearby bench.

“…The White Wolf is Seymour… the Boulder is Russell, the Woodville Trading Company is here too… and the elves, they said they weren’t coming, but here they are.”

From old noble families to wealthy bourgeois, influential families from all corners of the Empire gathered at the harbor. Today was the Academy’s entrance ceremony.

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The enrollment process was incredibly simple. I merely followed instructions, walking from one point to the next.

There were two main ways to enter the Academy. The first was the standard entrance exam. The Academy’s facade of nurturing talented individuals to lead the Empire’s future remained, allowing anyone, regardless of social status, to enroll based on merit. However, applicants had to travel to the Academy at their own expense to take the exam. Even upon passing, those who didn’t achieve top scores received no scholarships, leaving commoners struggling to afford the exorbitant costs of uniforms, materials, and textbooks.

Despite these hurdles, countless individuals with potential flocked to the Academy, and numerous talents blossomed after overcoming adversity. This was the most conventional path, and once upon a time, the majority of students entered this way.

Once upon a time.

“Yes, your ‘recommendation letter’ has been verified!!”

Upon presenting my application and the Academy-sealed recommendation letter, its authenticity was magically confirmed, and I was welcomed in. Recommendation letter at the docks, recommendation letter upon disembarking, recommendation letter at the Academy building – each checkpoint required only the presentation of the letter. My enrollment was complete.

Yes, the second method of entry was the recommendation letter. This was how the majority of students now enrolled. Originally, only about 10% of students entered this way, but now, over half of the student body bypassed the exams. This letter, requiring no further vetting, was distributed solely to families selected by the Academy. Only the headmaster knew the criteria and distribution method.

Now that I’m in, should I start looking for him?

Regardless of my reason for being here, there was something I needed to do first. Find the protagonist of the novel.

If this world followed the plot of “Devil Slayer of the Academy,” everything would revolve around him. Until now, I had been too preoccupied with survival to investigate, a regret I now felt.

“Hey, you there, are you lost?”

As I sat on a bench, staring at the main gate, someone addressed me. Light, neatly styled blonde hair shimmered like gold dust, and amber eyes, full of spirit, focused on me. Every movement exuded an air of elegance, reminiscent of a pedigreed cat.

This is going to be a bother.

Despite being strangers, I knew who she was. River Seymour, the protagonist’s rival in the novel. The heir to the prestigious Seymour family, she was proud and had been raised to value balance. This often led to clashes with the impulsive, vengeance-driven protagonist.

What did she want with me?

“I know where the auditorium is.”

“Then why are you sitting here? You look like a new student… Don’t tell me you’re planning to skip the entrance ceremony on your first day?”

My solitary presence amidst the bustling crowd heading towards the ceremony seemed to have caught her attention.

“I’m waiting for a friend. We’ll go together.”

“Hmm… Make sure you come in right away. I’ll be watching.”

Satisfied with my explanation, yet still suspicious, River joined the crowd and headed towards the auditorium.

I’m not going, whether he comes or not. I hope she doesn’t remember this.

There was an unspoken pressure to attend, but the Academy imposed no penalties for absence. The only disadvantage was missing the opportunity to make an impression. It wasn’t a party where networking was encouraged, so there was no real reason to attend.

The bustling crowd dispersed, leaving only silence. The entrance ceremony had begun. Unlike the superficial gatherings of other elite families, the Academy’s ceremony included elaborate performances alongside the speeches, so it would take a while to conclude.

The web novel, “Devil Slayer of the Academy,” had no illustrations of the protagonist. His appearance was only hinted at through written descriptions. Yet, I wasn’t worried about recognizing him.

There’s no way I wouldn’t recognize him.

According to the descriptions, the protagonist was a striking figure, easily noticeable even from afar. Blood-red hair, a perpetually furrowed brow, tightly pursed lips, and hollow cheeks from a harsh life. He was said to resemble a ghost in the dark.

Someone entered through the main gate.

Is it him?!

I instinctively stood up at the sight of the approaching figure with vibrant red hair. The long, crimson locks reached their back, and round, innocent eyes gave them a youthful appearance. Could this be the protagonist? But their tall, well-proportioned figure, with a distinct curve at the chest… I hadn’t noticed from afar, but upon closer inspection, it was a girl.

No… it’s a girl… That’s not him.

The similar hair color had fooled me momentarily, but she was clearly wearing the female uniform. Disappointed, I sat back down.

Though not as late as the still-absent protagonist, the girl, realizing she was alone, fidgeted nervously, scanning her surroundings before her eyes met mine. She approached me with quick, almost timid steps, like a scurrying squirrel. Despite her hesitant demeanor, she was surprisingly fast.

Her breathing was slightly labored, her face flushed, either from running or embarrassment.

“E-e-excuse me… Do you know where the entrance ceremony is being held?”

“See that blue roof over there? It’s in that building.”

“Thank you!”

She bowed deeply, expressing gratitude for the simple directions. No, that’s wrong. Despite the shared red hair, the protagonist of Devil Slayer wasn’t a normal person. The protagonist, who became a demon to kill demons, couldn’t possibly smile so innocently.

Where is he…? It’s been a while.

“A yellow brooch… uh… You’re a new student too, right? Aren’t you attending the ceremony?”

“I’m waiting for someone.”

“I don’t know who it is, but they must be a close friend for you to wait like this. They’re lucky!”

I only said I was waiting, not that I knew the person. In fact, I didn’t even know their face. Nor did I particularly want to. I just wanted to learn about them. From now on.

“You might get unwanted attention entering midway. It’s better to just skip it. There’s no penalty for not attending.”

“It can’t be helped, I’m late, haha… But what’s done is done. I have to participate even if I’m late! Thank you for the information!”

She smiled brightly, thanked me again, and headed towards the auditorium. She had impressive courage, walking into the ceremony mid-way. And polite too, maintaining her courtesy until the end. Such a rare, kind child.

Students began trickling out of the auditorium. The protagonist never appeared. Not a single student entered through the main gate. What happened? Seymour, Russell, they had all enrolled. This was the year the main story began. Had I, a variable not present in the original novel, somehow altered the course of events?

I remembered the only late student with red hair, the girl from earlier.

“What’s done is done.”

That phrase sounded familiar. Where did I hear it…? It was from the novel…

Could it be?

“She’s the protagonist?”

How could the vengeance-driven male protagonist possibly transform into… her?

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