The Only Good Pinky Is a Dead Pinky (1)
It's been a while since I've reminisced about the old days. I used to think my master was truly strange for judging people by their hair color, but looking back now, it seems everything Master said was right. Come to think of it, this place is near the border of the Demon Realm. We won the last battle and successfully purified the outskirts of the Demon Realm. All of this is thanks to Lord Raphael's grace. Thank you.
The day before Ian and his classmates fought—
Once again the evening breeze was cool and pleasant. As always, Ian stood alone in the plaza, speaking to the statue.
"Ian, do you know this?"
"Yes? What are you referring to?"
"There is a pink-haired girl around you."
"Ah, yes..."
"You must be extremely careful with pink-haired girls. This is a social agreement. A social agreement!"
"Yes...? A social agreement?"
"That's right. That kind of trash is called a Pinky. They're so bad they could be labeled a social evil without exaggeration."
"And if that Pinky looks down on you or insults you, repeat after me."
"Get lost, you Pinky bitch."
"...?"
"Say it!"
"G-get lost, you Pinky bitch..."
"Louder!"
"Get lost, you Pinky bitch!"
"Good. That's it."
"The way I see it, she'll probably pick a fight with you tomorrow or sometime this week."
"Pinkies are the type that throw tantrums the moment someone beneath them rises above them, so..."
"Isn't that how everyone is?"
"Tsk. Pinkies are worse. So be careful this week."
"Yes, Master... But Master, do you have bad memories involving Pinkies?"
"Yes... In the past, the imperial princess was a Pinky. She was an ugly bitch who did nothing but bark orders—do this, do that."
"....? The imperial princess...? There was only one pink-haired princess, and I remember she was from twenty years ago."
"...Twenty years ago...? Has that much time passed...? Then what happened to that princess?"
"She died. As far as I know, she was executed for attempting to assassinate the Hero."
"...As expected, Pinkies are dangerous. Ian, you be careful too. Every last one of them is insane..."
"Master, could you even move twenty years ago?"
At Ian's question, the statue cleared its throat for a moment before answering.
"Twenty years ago, I manifested as a human and defeated the Demon King alongside the Hero's party."
"Most people probably don't even remember me anymore."
"The Hero's party! Master, were you perhaps the 'Nameless One'?"
"What are you talking about?"
Ian spoke in an excited, loud voice.
"There was an incredibly strong supporter in the Hero's party, but no one knew their name, so they were called the 'Nameless One.'"
"Especially during the final bloody battle with the Demon King, the records say they sacrificed themselves to take the Demon King down!"
"Master, is it true? Are you that legendary supporter?"
"...Yes. That was me."
"As expected of Master! I knew from the first time I saw you that you were extraordinary!"
"Ahem... Ian, let's speak a little quieter."
The statue spoke softly, embarrassed by Ian's praise.
"Anyway, be careful of Pinkies. Remember this well—a good Pinky is a dead Pinky!"
"And if anyone attacks you, just kill them."
"This Hero Academy allows you to respond to surprise attacks or assaults with equal force."
"Sometimes the opponent ends up dying in the process. If a Pinky attacks you, just kill them."
"Pinkies only cause problems while they're alive."
"Understand?"
"Yes! Pinkies are social evils and nothing but trouble! I understand perfectly!"
"You understood very well. Take care."
With those final words from the statue, Ian left.
Back in the present, the Pinky and her gang pointed their weapons at Ian.
"You dare call me a Pinky? I am Rachel Rose, the youngest daughter of the Rose family!"
"To think you would dare call me a Pinky... You'll pay for that crime with your life!"
The Pinky and her followers swung their blades at him.
"...You attacked first?"
"I don't care if you die."
Ian immediately drew his sword and countered. A blade flying toward his head, another toward his heart, and a final dagger aimed at his waist. He caught the incoming dagger with his bare hand and threw it back, then drew his sword and blocked the two blades aimed at his head and heart in a single motion. The dagger buried itself in its owner's skull, killing her instantly. The remaining two stared at their dead friend in shock.
"Kyaaaaah!! Maria!"
The girl named Maria, now with a dagger lodged in her head, made no sound as she died. Seeing this, the Pinky named Rachel froze in terror.
"Y-you... you killed someone... Don't you know this means expulsion?"
Step. Step.
"Don't come any closer! If you take one more step, I'll really kill you!"
Ian smiled at Rachel's nonsense and kept walking forward.
"So it's okay for you to try to kill me, but not for me to kill you?"
"Are you joking?"
"S-stop right there, commoner!"
The noble who had attacked alongside Rachel spoke to him.
"If you stop here, we will consider this never happened, on the name of Rosemary Petela!"
"So how about you stop now?"
Both Rosemary and Rachel were trembling as they spoke to him. How ridiculous. The ones who attacked him first were now showing this pathetic sight. If he had been weak, they would have been far more vicious. Just as Master said, these beings were cancerous. He would simply kill them here. The justification was entirely on his side anyway.
Shing—
"Y-you... why are you drawing your sword again?!"
"Do you think the Petela family is a joke?"
Step. Step. Step.
"The Petela family and the Rose family will punish you! Are you not even afraid?!"
Ian stood before Rosemary and spoke quietly.
"I already have nothing left to lose. I'm an orphan without a family. Do you really think your pathetic threats would work on me?"
Rosemary collapsed to her knees.
"Please... please spare me... I won't act out again."
"...Fine."
Ian turned around, preparing to leave the area. At that moment—
"You stupid commoner! Did you think I would actually forgive you?!"
Rosemary laughed mockingly as she cast a second-circle fireball at him.
Grin—
Ian looked at the incoming fireball and smiled.
"I clearly gave you a chance, didn't I? You were the one who threw it away."
Swoosh— Swoosh—
Ian's sword sliced the fireball into two perfect halves, causing it to dissipate in flames.
"...How did you cut magic with a sword...? That's impossible!! Did you make a contract with a demon?!"
"That's rich coming from you. From where I'm standing, you're the demon."
Slash—
The moment Ian finished speaking, Rosemary's head was severed and fell to the ground. Rachel, who had been watching, immediately tried to run away.
"That monster... monster... I don't want to die... Someone help me!!!"
Shing—
"Huh...?"
"Aaaaaaaaagh! My legs... my legs...!!"
Both of Rachel's legs were sliced clean off, and she screamed in agony.
"Haa... Rachel... You shouldn't have done that. You're the one who tormented me the most this past month. Did you really think I'd let you live?"
"You're truly a stupid Pinky bitch."
"Ugh... please... please... spare me... If it's money, I'll give you money... If you want the family's secret manuals, I'll tell you... Just please spare my life..."
At those words, Ian suddenly burst into laughter.
"Pfft... Hahahahahaha! That was actually funny."
"So you can make jokes?"
"Hic... since it was funny... you'll spare me...?"
Swoosh—
Ian sliced off her right arm in a way that would cause maximum pain. Rachel thrashed in agony.
"Kyaaaaaaaaaah!!!"
"You won't be leaving here alive tonight."
After making Rachel feel every bit of the pain he had endured for the past month, Ian walked toward the plaza.
In the cool night air, only Ian stood in the plaza. He looked at the angel statue and told it everything that had happened that day.
"...So I ended up killing all three of them."
"It felt incredibly refreshing at the time, but now I'm starting to get scared..."
"I don't regret killing them, but I doubt their families will let me off the hook."
"Should I have spared them after all..."
The statue listened quietly to Ian's words. After he finished, a voice finally came from the statue.
"Ian. Do not be afraid. I taught you to look forward, not to look back."
"And Ian. It sounded like you cut magic with your sword during the fight. Is that true?"
"Yes..."
Suddenly, laughter began to echo from the statue. It sounded as if it was incredibly happy.
"Ian. Do not worry. I will give you a guardian that no one will dare touch."
"As soon as morning comes, tell the professors or instructors what you killed."
"Huh? Shouldn't I hide it?"
"This is the Hero Academy. It is a place where you take responsibility for every action you take."
"Declare confidently that you killed them."
"Especially make sure to say you killed them using that sword that can cut magic."
"Wouldn't that be the same as revealing my skill? I thought it was better not to reveal your skills."
"Unfortunately, it is necessary in order to summon your guardian."
"Summon a guardian? Who exactly...?"
"The current generation's Hero who killed the Demon King."
"He is the one who will become your guardian."
Ian was shocked by the statue's words.
"You mean that Hero?!"
"Yes. That guy will definitely help you."