The Academy’s Ankle Reaper – Chapter 51

—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Vine
—————————————————————–

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

“Why did the busy Captain of the Royal Knights suddenly visit the Academy?”

Linda paused.

The reason for her visit was Atlas. She had found a clue about the third Master’s whereabouts, the Empire’s Shadow, who had vanished years ago, leaving only a letter.

She wanted to keep it a secret, going to see him on her own accord.

She was worried.

Unlike Wendy, Atlas was obedient and responsible.

His disappearance was… peculiar. It happened right after all his previous duties were over.

Up until that point, Atlas’s life had revolved solely around the Titan family, and the Royal Knights.

He had little life experience.

She feared some evil person would try to take advantage of him, like that time he came back with a street kid in tow.

‘…Was he already taken advantage of?’

She had observed him at the Academy. His friends were all women. It was suspicious, but luckily… he wasn’t like that.

He was physically healthy, his social life seemed normal, he wasn’t doing anything dangerous… he just… lived.

“I was curious about the new students. Their skill is… noteworthy.”

“You cared about the Academy that much, huh? You’re so weird.”

“Of course, I do, another Master might rise from here.”

Edward frowned, but then smiled.

“Yes… I can see a Master there, as well.”

“Oh?”

Linda’s eyes narrowed.

‘He noticed Atlas was a “Shadow”? Unusual…’

“The future Master of the Lemnos family…!”

It wasn’t what she had expected.

‘…He’s showing off his son.’

Her disappointment was palpable.

“Then, he’ll definitely win this duel?”

“Of course! He will crush that nobody! Edgar is already looking at high expert status. He’s stronger than I was at his age… He will be a Master, unlike me.”

Linda knew about Edgar’s defeat.

Edward should know about it as well… but he acted as if nothing had happened. He wanted to believe in his son.

“I hope you are right.”

“Why are you smiling…?”

“It’s amusing to see how much you care for your son.”

Edgar Lemnos would lose.

His opponent was a Master. He was told not to lose, and he wouldn’t.

What face would Edward make, when he sees his son being defeated again?

Would he be so proud, then?

Linda was looking forward to that moment.

“You’ll know when you have kids. … oh right you’re still single… my bad?”

Edward laughed triumphantly. Linda’s single status was well known.

He thought he had hit a nerve, but Linda didn’t flinch.

“That’s right, Masters are busy.”

“I-Iik…!!”

The jab was more insulting that she had anticipated.

She did not like being talked about in that way, about her dating life.

Among her peers, she and her sister were the only ones who were single.

They were Masters so they were not affected by age.

Dating or marriage… was a secondary thing.

She just didn’t like men she had met, they were too boring and dull.

She had a specific image in mind.

They needed to be capable, at least a high-ranking Expert. They should be a Master.

She didn’t want someone stronger than her, but, Masters were special, they understood each other more.

They shouldn’t be annoying, and… if they were cute… that would be a bonus.

Big men were too arrogant.

‘…No, this is nonsense.’

Someone flashed in her mind. It was ridiculous.

Wendy considered him her brother.

“Hey, you two! Why do you bicker when I’m right here?!”

The Headmaster, tired of their argument, finally snapped.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

I wanted to finish the duel quickly, but things were getting prolonged.

I was starting to lose strength. If I used too much power, Edgar might die.

I had to be careful.

And Edgar’s skill had increased. He had dodged two of my attacks, that were meant to end him.

If he hadn’t improved, it would have been over already. He had made some changes.

“How is it?! My sword!”

He no longer flaunted the power of the magic blade.

He knew I wouldn’t use my Aura Blade. He seemed to be trying to control his power output and keeping a safe distance.

He was attacking carefully, while maintaining his distance, and mine, instead of depending on sheer power.

Had Edgar always been this skilled, or had he improved in that short time?

“I appreciate that loss… I realized… I had grown complacent. There were no equals among those of my age, I was deluded into thinking I was the best among all equals.”

Edgar was enjoying this fight, his attacks were swift. It seemed like he was having fun, but… his attacks were not reaching me.

“I’ll surpass you…! I will prove that the Lemnos’ swordsmanship is the best again!”

Lemnos’ sword grazed my chest.

The heat from his blade burned a hole in my shirt.

He had gotten faster.

I avoided his attacks.

“Lemnos… do you smell something?”

“We’re in a volcano, it’s sulfur.”

It wasn’t the smell of sulfur.

It was the heavy smell of gas, lingering low to the ground. My body felt heavier.

It must be a paralytic. I had only started to notice it after moving.

If it was this bad for me, normal people must be dying down there.

The gas seemed to settle under 150 cm.

The 180cm Lemnos was immune to it.

Was this intentional? A hazard of the arena? I was very annoyed.

‘Anyone above 160 cm wouldn’t have noticed it…’

A trap, specifically designed for short people.

Lemnos was standing there, completely unharmed, while I was suffering.

“…I’m getting annoyed.”

I gripped my sword.

“Taste this…!!”

Lemnos’ blade erupted in flames.

He had improved his blade skills since our last duel. He was trying to be tricky and smart now.

His body shimmered and multiplied, surrounding me with six copies.

The Lemnos’ Secret Technique, multiple attacks with clones.

Six powerful, flaming Aura Blades charged at me simultaneously.

I raised my sword, and swung, without activating Aura Blade.

I didn’t hold back.

I wanted this to end, now.

-Crash!

“Kaaaaaaaaaagh!”

The effect was overwhelming. His clones shattered.

The impact of my sword had ripped them apart. Lemnos, the real one, was sent flying.

His armor shattered, his body bruised.

“H-How… how did you break my secret technique…?!”

He was on the ground, panting.

My mind was filled with one thought.

“Who created this stage?!”

This trap, targeting anyone under 150, was annoying.

Edgar had fallen, but the dimension had not disappeared. I shouted.

“He’s down! That’s the end of the duel! Deactivate the damn arena! He’ll die!”

“What…?”

Lemnos gasped, his skin turning purple.

The gas he had inhaled was doing its job. He was foaming at the mouth.

“…”

His movements slowed and stopped.

“…?”

He couldn’t… be dead…?

It had only been a few seconds.

“Hey! Hey! Wake up! Don’t you dare die!”

I rushed over, lifting him off the ground. If he died, it’d look like I killed him.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

[Your Text Here]