A Good Excuse Is a Dead Excuse (3)
Baden. It’s been a while. It’s already been about twenty years since you graduated from the Hero Academy. A new student enrolled this time, and he seems connected to Raphael, so I’m writing to you. He uses the same skill as her… that power of Raphael’s that erases magic itself. I believe this student is tied to her in some way. So please, stop drowning yourself in despair. It isn’t right for the hero who slew the Demon King to remain lost in grief for so long.
— Your mentor, Flora
Boom—
Suddenly the heresy inquisitors bowed their heads and apologized to me.
“Sorry about that. What you said was true after all…”
“The Raphael you spoke of was our comrade—a living legend.”
“So we tested you rather harshly… We truly are sorry.”
Ian stood there, completely flustered as the entire group of inquisitors apologized at once.
“Uh… it’s all right. She must have been someone very precious to you all…”
“Indeed… she was practically our savior…”
“Then… I’m not connected to any demons?”
The inquisitors smiled brightly.
“Of course not! And we’ll watch your back from now on. The families of the ones you killed may try to pressure you.”
“We will shield you from that pressure.”
“Since we’ve met like this, it must be fate…”
“Thank you so much!”
“No need for thanks… If anything, we’re the ones who should be grateful.”
“Now that we know Raphael is watching over us…”
The inquisitors turned to leave the way they had come. The oldest among them approached me one last time.
“Your road ahead will be rugged… But at the end of it lies what you desire, so strive with all your might.”
“…! What do you mean by that??”
“Heh heh… Well then, we’ll be going.”
“Wait—!”
Shrrrrrk—
With that, every single inquisitor vanished at once.
What on earth did he mean? My path would be difficult, yet at the end lay what I wanted…? I’d have to ask Master about this.
Ian recounted everything that had happened to Raphael exactly as it occurred. After a brief silence, she asked him,
—Ian. What is it that you truly want?
—Why did you come to this Hero Academy?
“I… I came here because I want to protect people.”
“More precisely, I wanted to become a hero and protect them.”
Hmm… That old man isn’t the type to say such things lightly…
“…! Do you know the person who said those strange things to me??”
Yes. That old man has the power of foresight.
Now that I think about it, he once said something meaningful to me as well.
“Through your noble sacrifice, it shall finally become perfect.” That was the prophecy I heard.
At first I thought he was just a crazy old coot, but he turned out to be right.
He even predicted that I would truly make a sacrifice…
Raphael’s voice gradually grew weaker. Was she lost in old memories?
“Master… are you all right? Your voice sounds darker than usual…”
…I’m fine. For now, erase that prophecy from your mind.
Think of prophecies as nothing more than arrows pointing down your path. They’re just for reference.
Let’s drop this topic.
“Yes, Master! So since I’ve been cleared of any connection to demons, does that mean everything’s over?”
Huh? Ian… it’s only just beginning. What do you mean, over?
Now you have to prove that killing them was unavoidable self-defense.
And you’ll also have to fend off the pressure from those families.
“Huh…? But Master, I think I’m fine?”
What are you talking about now, Ian?
“The inquisitors said they’d watch my back and they seemed friendly toward me??”
You idiot. You should’ve led with that!
“Ah, sorry, hehe.”
You’ve gotten a bit cocky lately… Tsk. I don’t like it.
Startled by his master’s tone, Ian immediately straightened up.
“Master, you know I was just joking, right? Haha!”
And if someone from those trash families shows up tomorrow, just ignore them.
“Ignore them? How?”
Sigh… Can’t you even figure out something that simple?
Just say something like “You’re infringing on my rights!” They’ll get scared and back off.
Teachers and instructors will fold 100% of the time if they hear that.
“Uh… yes… I sort of get it, I think…”
Raphael let out a long sigh as she looked at him.
Hmph. Go back for now.
Starting tomorrow, I’ll teach you the real Raphael-style Swordsmanship.
“Whoa!! Finally! I get to learn it?”
Yes. You should have learned it long ago.
Hurry back. That’s all for today!
“Yes! See you tomorrow, Master!”
The Sealed Angel has gained 30 Faith.
…Huh? Out of nowhere? And thirty at once?
Wait, could it be because of those heresy inquisitors?
Sigh, they really stayed helpful right to the end. When I finally manage even a weak manifestation, I should go visit the inquisitor kids right away. I want to manifest soon…
The next day, the instructor called Ian out in the middle of theory class.
“Ian! The Rose family, the Petela family, and the Lilac family are looking for you.”
Ian ignored the summons. He could feel the other students’ stares boring into him, but he kept his eyes fixed forward.
“……”
“Ian!! Are you ignoring me right now?!”
“Why should I go?”
“…What do you mean, why? You caused this mess, so of course you have to go!”
“No. I’m currently in class. On what authority are you trying to drag me out?”
“Are you aware that you are infringing on my right to receive instruction?”
“Should I report you for violating my right to attend class?”
The moment those words left his mouth, the instructor froze like ice and eventually shut his mouth. The students watching the scene began to regard Ian as completely insane.
“Wow… you need guts like that to act out like this…”
“Still, it’s a lot more peaceful in class now that the bitches Ian killed are gone.”
“True. But look at his eyes. They’re completely clear.”
“Is that what they call a clear-eyed madman?”
“Shh! He just made eye contact with me!”
Ian heard the whispers and felt his face burn with embarrassment, but he didn’t let it show. His ears, however, had already turned bright red.
“…Fine. Then when would be a convenient time for you…?”
The instructor had become strangely docile.
“I’ll go myself when I have the time.”
“Are you perhaps thinking of infringing on my right to pursue happiness as well?”
“Ha… No. Just do whatever the hell you want…”
The instructor turned away, cursing under his breath as he left the classroom. A male student who had been watching the entire spectacle burst into loud laughter.
“Puhahahahaha! You really are a crazy bastard, aren’t you?”
“I thought the academy was going to be boring…”
“Somehow, hanging out with you looks like it’ll be fun.”
Swish—
The male student who had been sitting in the very back of the room instantly appeared right in front of Ian. There wasn’t even a trace of magic flow… This guy was strong.
“I’m not crazy. I simply asserted my rights.”
“Hmm, hmm. The way you talk is already crazy. You’re a friend overflowing with madness, huh?”
Clap—
The boy extended a hand for a handshake.
“Nice to meet you~ I’m Eiron. No last name. Let’s be friends starting today?”
And just like that, Ian accidentally gained a new friend.
Black hair and golden eyes—an unusual combination. He was the complete opposite of me. I have white hair and silver eyes. It felt like looking at a decalcomania.
“…Yeah, nice to meet you too.”
“Oh! You’re really accepting me as a friend?”
“No one ever wanted to be friends with me. I’m so happy~”
Suddenly Eiron threw his arms around him in a hug. It happened so fast that Ian froze solid.
“…! Fuck, you crazy bastard!! Why are you hugging me out of nowhere?? Are you gay??”
“Whoa, feisty. Even so, calling someone gay? Isn’t that discriminatory language right now?”
Ah. So this is what having a friend feels like. My head’s spinning… Is this seriously my first friend? What’s my school life going to be like from now on…
While Ian and Eiron were busy bickering—
“How utterly rude… to dare keep us waiting.”
“Indeed. Making us wait like this?”
“Hmm… Why isn’t he coming…?”
The principal was sweating profusely as she dealt with the three family heads. She was barely managing to hold them back; the moment they saw Ian, it looked like they would kill him on the spot.
Among them, the most composed—the head of the Rose family—spoke.
“Principal. How about we make a deal?”
“Hand that boy over to us without resistance. If you do, we’ll leave this place immediately.”
“It’s a win-win for both sides, is it not?”
Win-win my ass. You’d kill the child the moment you got him, wouldn’t you?
“If we hand him over obediently, what exactly do you plan to do to that child?”
“That is for us to decide.”
The invisible battle of wills between the principal and the family heads was reaching its peak when—
Swish—
The heresy inquisitors suddenly appeared before the family heads.
“Unfortunately, that will not be possible.”
“…!”
The family heads were visibly shocked by the inquisitors’ abrupt arrival.
“Why are you intervening?”
“You do not need to know the reason. It is enough for you to understand that we stand behind the boy named Ian.”
“Therefore, would it not be best if you left quietly?”
“…..”
“You are aware that the justification lies with the boy named Ian, yes? It means we could also judge your own children as heretics.”
At those words, the family heads instantly released an intangible aura. They growled like enraged lions.
“…Are you truly suggesting we test that?”
“We are merely stating facts.”
“………”
“Give us a moment.”
The Rose family head conferred briefly with the other two before speaking to the inquisitors again.
“…Hoo. Very well. We will leave for today. However, that boy Ian will eventually pay the price.”
“I do not understand why you, who are supposed to be fair and impartial, are acting so unreasonably, but do not think you will be able to protect him forever.”
With those final words, the family heads vanished on the spot.