The Academy’s Ankle Reaper

Atlas spent a lot of time wandering around with River after coming to Shimoa.

It’s only natural since it’s his hometown.

However, they weren’t just hanging out alone; they often returned to the training ground together to give each other advice.

So, he didn’t feel too strange about being away for long.

This was River’s home, and it was a bit odd to jump straight into a duel with the head of the family upon arrival, but greeting his parents didn’t feel out of place.

River and Atlas had a much deeper relationship than most people thought.

‘Next up is our hometown, right?’

According to the original plan, they were supposed to visit their hometown one by one, leaving only Amy and Lucia.

Lucia had said she wouldn’t come back until she got stronger, and Atlas was debating whether to visit his father Carlos in Narni, his hometown, but Amy wasn’t in that situation.

Originally, it would have taken a whole month by carriage to reach the Academy, but thanks to Atlas, they could teleport in an instant, igniting a strong desire to go.

As they had started hunting demons, the time he had to meet with his family was decreasing, and he had already given up half of it by heading to the distant Academy.

While other students would use expensive teleport scrolls for that distance, the Parker family couldn’t afford such luxuries without feeling a significant burden.

They received some funding from the Church Country to encourage Amy’s voluntary activities, but every time they bought an artifact for demon hunting, they ended up in the red.

He missed his family after such a long time.

He desperately wanted to go back, but at the same time, he felt an immature surge of emotions.

‘… Our hometown is so rural…’

He felt embarrassed that his home seemed much humbler compared to others.

Fortunately, Amy had matured enough not to feel ashamed of her family, but it was the first time bringing friends who lived better than them back home, so it was only natural to be anxious.

‘Everyone’s really nice, so they’ll just say it’s a good place and brush it off, right?’

[Well, everyone will likely do that. No one would be mean enough to put down a friend’s house.]

Right, they definitely would.

But knowing that was warm-hearted made it all the more painful.

He wanted to treat his precious friends well, but it felt impossible.

Suddenly, he felt really embarrassed.

He felt ashamed of his own immature thoughts.

“So, I slapped that cocky White Dragon in the head, and it was hilarious…”

And beside Amy, who was deep in thought, Gemma was casually sharing her story.

“You said you were trapped inside, but it looks like you got out enough to play around, huh?”

“Father just disliked me going outside. He encouraged interaction among Dragons, though.”

While Atlas was away, Amy was taking good care of Gemma.

She had always liked her, but there was definitely someone else’s influence in her actions.

[It’s best to get as close as possible to Gemma, the daughter of Lord Aurum.]

Of course, the most significant figure who could influence Amy’s behavior was her companion.

[Before, I worried Atlas might be too harsh, but… I’m just glad he showed some leniency. It’s not a good choice to cross Lord.]

‘I don’t think he feels that way, though…’

[Ultimately, he stepped back, and Atlas probably has similar thoughts.]

Thinking of Atlas when he was angry, it seemed like he wouldn’t stop no matter who it was, but as he said, Atlas ultimately let it slide for Lord’s sake.

[Right now, they hang out together, but before the vacation ends, they will visit Lord’s Nest. He’s a Master, so he should know his position; I doubt he’ll take Gemma along, so let’s get her as close as possible before then. Having a friend who’s a Dragon is never a loss.]

“By the way, didn’t you all mention you’re attending this Academy together?”

Gemma was intrigued by the topic of the Academy that came up during their conversation.

Dragons had never had such experiences at all.

Sometimes parents became tutors, or they were invited from elsewhere, but there was no institution where different races of a similar age gathered to learn like the Academy.

“You said everyone is wandering around because of vacation, right?”

“Yeah. It’s a little over a month-long break, so everyone heads back home.”

“Hmm…”

As Gemma listened to the explanation about vacation, she seemed to ponder deeply.

“Then I’ll definitely have to return before the vacation ends.”

“… That seems likely.”

That was the promise.

Although Atlas hadn’t specified a concrete timeframe in front of others, he had mentioned numerous times that he would send her back.

For now, they were just taking a moment’s breather.

“Well, then I’ll enjoy as much as I can until I have to leave.”

——————

The entire way back to the mansion, River clung to my side, showing no signs of wanting to detach.

“Atlas, are you really okay?”

“My head hurts a bit, but I’m fine.”

River started worrying non-stop after I mentioned I heard voices and saw things that weren’t there.

I’d probably worry too.

You could think the kid might be losing it, but at least it was reassuring that it was the site of the Temple.

As it was a place where the god residing over Shimoa blessed the bloodline, everyone seemed to accept it.

There wasn’t an answer for why it showed itself only to me.

If I had to say, maybe it was because I was the one with the highest realm among them, or perhaps it was due to absorbing various tonics and essences from long before.

‘Definitely grown, huh.’

If I focused, I could distinctly feel the essence of the Wolf God that had been slightly inside me becoming much larger.

It used to be significantly smaller than the Dragon’s essence, but now they were about the same size.

The others were probably squished by the energies of the two, so it seemed like quite a balance.

They said they added more as a gift. I wonder if it’ll be useful someday.

I had no clue what functions had been added.

The blessing of the god that was originally inside me served as an alarm that notified me when danger approached River, so if there were any other functions added…

“I wouldn’t want something like the Blessing of Immortality.”

“Do you dislike not aging?”

River seemed puzzled by my ramblings.

The Blessing of Immortality imbued in the bloodline of Shimoa was something Sword Masters aspired to attain throughout their entire lives.

Even other powers had coveted it, but it was hardly attractive.

“After all, I’m a Master, so my bodily aging is already quite slow. Aside from that, external intervention preventing aging usually results in halting bodily changes altogether. That would mean stopping growth. I want to keep growing, so saying I’d have to live forever like this height would be terrifying.”

Upon hearing my explanation, River nodded in agreement.

“That absolutely sounds like you.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Yep, it’s a compliment.”

For some reason, River giggled to himself, holding my hand and swinging it around joyfully.

.

.

.

I learned about what functions had been added to the enhanced essence of the Wolf God inside me starting from the early morning the next day.

[You have a habit of waking up early. I like it.]

A peculiar housemate had taken residence inside my body.

It seemed to really have a sense of self, as it had claimed to be a clone.

Fortunately, it didn’t pester me like a malicious spirit, but having a separate entity with its own self inside my body was hard to adapt to.

When I went for an early jog, it would chat away to itself, reflecting on the changed world.

It commented on how fascinating the artifacts made with magical engineering technology were and shared tales of past heads of the Shimoa family.

‘If you enjoy coming out like this, why not put a clone in another Shimoa and hang out with them, too?’

[I wouldn’t say I mind, but how could I do anything when I can’t even hear my own voice? It’s not something I can do for everyone.]

The doppelgänger of the Wolf God nestled inside me chatted for a bit before it fell asleep around noon.

I couldn’t tell if it was weaker than the original or if that was just how it was, but it seemed to sleep more than be awake.

It had a lifestyle pattern reminiscent of an old man.

Living with a senior felt strangely comforting.

I was relieved it wasn’t stressful to that degree.

‘Since calling you ‘God’ feels a bit rough given the world outside is so harsh, what would be easier for you to be called?’

[I don’t mind being called that way, but… if it makes you uncomfortable, I’ll let you know my name.]

‘Your name? Is it okay for you to share it so easily?’

A god’s true name carries a weight far beyond that of a human name.

It’s a name that even one’s own priest would be reticent to disclose.

Even the Pope of the Church Country might not know the name of the god he serves.

Would it really be alright for someone like me, who just saw such significance yesterday, to learn it?

[It’s fine, my child. Can I not trust you with that much?]

It was worth the investment to sift through memories.

I couldn’t figure out what prompted it, but it trusted me considerably.

[Hmm… what was it again? It’s been so long since I’ve called it that, I can barely recollect now.]

‘If you can’t remember, there’s no need to feel pressured to share.’

[No, no… wait a moment. It was Leah, yes, that was the name. If you want to call me by a different name, you may call me Leah.]

‘I’ll tuck that name in my heart and will refer to you as ‘Elder’ on regular days.’

[That also pleases me.]