The Academy’s Crude Pink-Haired Martial Artist

After that, there were some things that could be needed for the demon realm expedition and the commanders of Muyeong. I handed out weapons one by one.

There wasn’t a lack of types of weapons. I had an abundance. In my previous life, I had used all sorts of weapons, so I didn’t need to worry too much.

Everything they needed was available.

Throughout the process, Mom didn’t ask about the origins of the weapons. She simply went through shock, laughter, surprise, and expressed her gratitude.

After that… we had all sorts of conversations again.

There were the weird states of the students who attended Paid’s classes, discussions with Silina about how to handle the side branch, and matters concerning Behrhaigen.

Mom didn’t know anything about Behrhaigen. Alongside that, she was unaware of Jeniela Behrhaigen, Stella’s mother.

It wasn’t that the direct line of Eustetia was involved. Hearing that made… I unknowingly feel a bit relieved.

As the night deepened, the moon rose, and curfew approached, Mom and I couldn’t stop talking.

It was trivial talk.

Conversations we had shared many times at home before.

Yet, the time spent today felt different.

Maybe it was because I had fully opened my heart, and Mom fully accepted it.

It felt much, much more comfortable than before.

“Even if I miss Mom, I have to hold back, right?”

“…If I really miss you, I’ll come see you.”

“Then Mom will scold me.”

“You have to prepare enough to be scolded.”

Mom’s smile deepened.

“Don’t overdo it. I don’t want to see my Ellie struggling.”

“That’s the same for me.”

One step, two steps, three steps.

I tiptoed and hugged Mom’s waist.

“Be safe and come back well.”

“Make sure to stay healthy, my Ellie.”

“Okay.”

“Yes. I trust you, my Ellie.”

Smack

Mom’s gentle, warm lips touched my forehead.

“I love you wherever you are, my daughter.”

“Um… I… I love you too.”

As a last gesture, with a squeeze – Mom hugged me tightly and then stepped back.

Mom was smiling.

So, I smiled too.

Seeing my expression, Mom beamed even brighter.

Is my face funny? I don’t know. I had no time to care.

A little wavering hand. I waved back.

That was the last moment before Mom vanished from my sight.

“…She didn’t look back.”

Shadows, traces, everything disappeared.

But the scent remained.

Not the scent of Muyeong’s blood, but Mom’s fragrance. Was it intentional? I couldn’t tell, but I stood still until that scent disappeared.

*

Click-clack

The sound of Julie Eustetia’s footsteps echoed under the cold moonlight.

The next step didn’t come.

“Did you come for a parent-teacher conference?”

“Well, something like that.”

A voice that sounded like a transparent glass marble rolled echoed around the outskirts of the system.

The enchanting red eyes met Julie’s red eyes.

“Have you been well all this time?”

“As the Duchess’s wife, of course, I’ve been well. My husband, my daughter, all lovely, every day is happiness. How about you?”

Julie’s gentle voice reached the other person.

The smile remained, and the kind eye smile was still there.

There was a scent of blood in the air.

“Is the academy professor job going well? Adelia.”

Adelia Baros blocked Julie’s path.

“I have a new student that I really like, so this year should be interesting. I don’t know who she takes after, being so pretty and capable.”

“Of course, she takes after me. She’s my daughter.”

“Oh? I never said who I was talking about.”

“There are no pretty and capable students in the academy except for my daughter.”

“That’s a pretty baseless statement, but I can’t deny it.”

Chuckle – Adelia laughed.

“But seriously, where are you going, leaving such a pretty daughter behind?”

“I’m going to teach a lesson to the rogue who touched my daughter.”

“Wasn’t that lesson enough? They lost 80% of their lifespan and had an arm chopped off.”

“That wasn’t me who taught the lesson.”

Grin – Julie smiled.

“Why? Should I stop you? You, Adelia?”

“I could never stop Julie. I just came to see your face after a long time. Of course… it would be nice if I could stop you, but heh. I’ve never been able to outmatch Julie’s stubbornness. So, I won’t.”

Adelia smiled likewise, grin.

“I’m glad to see you’re doing well, Julie.”

“I’m glad to see you’re doing well too.”

With that last sentence, Julie continued her walk. Click-clack, click-clack – as Julie’s footsteps brushed past Adelia.

Adelia spoke.

“Julie, you’re doing well as a mom.”

Julie replied nonchalantly.

“Well, I’m a mom.”

That was the last conversation between the two.

What had been Adelia’s body was torn to shreds in Julie’s ideation, leaving no trace behind.

Thus, only the black feathers of crows remained in the empty space.

Click-clack

Then, when the next step was taken, a pink-haired man in a black coat appeared behind her.

Kerian Eustetia showed up.

He didn’t question the previous conversation.

Kerian merely walked behind Julie.

Julie handed him the sword she was holding in her right hand.

He couldn’t suppress his curiosity about it.

“What is this…?”

“It’s a gift my Ellie is giving to her uncle.”

Kerian, whose eyes absorbed the darker-than-night blade, couldn’t contain his admiration.

“What… metal is this?”

“Muyeonghan Steel.”

“Oh my god. Did you bring this from the Imperial Treasury? No, Muyeonghan Steel shouldn’t even exist in the palace. This is the metal that disappeared during the Human-Demon War 400 years ago, right?”

“Don’t ask too much. Take this too.”

“W-What’s this? Hahaha… you could probably establish a nation out in the outskirts with all this.”

Recognizing the various types of weapons, Kerian realized their considerable value and potential uses.

But that didn’t mean he could just be surprised.

Julie kept moving.

“I’m worried,” Kerian asked softly, draping his coat over Julie’s shoulder.

“Is it okay?”

“There’s strong opposition from the royal family. The Holy Kingdom has also sent a message. They told us to refrain from rude actions.”

Rude actions – at the word, Julie’s stride halted.

“Oh my?”

It was a vague statement whose rudeness was not directed at anyone in particular, but Julie knew the target.

“Rudeness? Since when did we need to ask for politeness from the demon race?”

It wasn’t a question directed at Kerian.

Kerian knew to stay silent.

“Honestly speaking, is there anyone in this world that we need to seek politeness from?”

Draped in the coat, Julie rummaged through her clothes and put on black gloves.

“There isn’t.”

When that declaration fell, numerous shadows emerged behind Kerian.

“What are you?”

No answer came.

There was no need to answer.

They were given no name.

“What is your purpose for existing?”

No answer came.

Similarly, there was no need to answer.

Their reason for existence lay with Muyeong.

“Then what am I to exist for?”

Julie produced a pure white mask from her pocket.

The mask reflected the moonlight; it bore no emotion, pattern, or meaning.

“Eustetia? No.”

She gazed at the mask.

Memories of her daughter came to mind beyond the mask.

Her daughter’s image, confronting mighty foes with a small body.

Fierce, sharp, dignified, yet fragile.

The memory of her daughter wrapping her small body around hers.

“Ellie.”

My beloved daughter.

The daughter I can’t help but love.

“To protect and blossom the little cherry blossom.”

She donned the white mask. Her muscles reformed. A bloodlust-filled red mana erupted. A thick scent of blood wafted into the air.

“For my daughter.”

With that final voice, all sounds around her vanished. Shadows, presences, scents, all erased. What remained were black and white.

And red.

“To make the cherry blossoms bloom, shadows are unnecessary.”

In that chilling silence, Muyeong turned around.

“Then I shall head to the demon realm.”

With that, as she took a large step forward.

“Go and erase the shadows.”

Behind Muyeong, a hundred Muyeong followed suit in unison.

*

A quiet and peaceful week passed, and it was now Friday afternoon.

It was time for Yurasia to return.

Originally, I should have listened to Leona’s lectures until late at night, but Leona hadn’t arrived at the academy yet.

“Hmm, I like this outfit. Pina, I think you should wear this. But… wow. Beastman clothes have holes like this?”

Nod nod –

Maybe that’s why, Pina and Stella had been planning this since dawn, and after school, they kept pestering me.

The two girls were so excited I thought my soul was leaving my body.

I genuinely have no idea why they are changing clothes in my room.

Of course… I’m not completely indifferent myself.

I’m also looking forward to seeing Yurasia again.

Specifically, I want to see Yurasia’s reaction when I give her the gift.

Well… I guess I want to see Yurasia a little.

“I’m fully dressed. Pina, are you dressed too? Eliaernes, what about you?”

Nod nod –

“I’m almost done.”

With that, after changing clothes, tying my hair on both sides, and just in case grabbed potions and emergency rations, I took the black card Dad had given me.

But…

“Ugh… what are you guys wearing?”

“Why? Doesn’t it look cute? Pina’s cute too.”

“If that’s the case, why not just go out naked?”

“Wh-what?”

“Look at this! It’s showing my belly button! You’re going to wear this out? Skirt? Goodness, is this a skirt or pants? If the wind blows, you’re going to show off your underwear to the whole neighborhood. Are you crazy?”

“It’s not that short! It’s just pretty!”

“Shut up! Change into something else quickly. Pina, you too, hurry up. Just a little wag of your tail, and you’re done for.”

“Eek…”

“Why? What’s wrong? I’m wearing this.”

“Hey?!”

Stella, pouting her lips while applying something, suddenly turned to me with a smug smile.

“Why do you want me to change? Hm? What if my panties are seen? Why? Are you worried? Eliaernes, are you worried about me?”

“You’re insane.”

“Hmm? Then what is it? Why are you acting like this?”

“I’m embarrassed to be seen with you, you brat.”

“Eek! Did you just hit me?!”

“Be thankful I didn’t hit you with my fist.”

Thirty minutes later.

When all preparations were complete, and we stepped out of the academy’s main gate onto the official road.

“Ah! Young Lady!”

A familiar voice rang out.

“Stella!! Pina!!!”

Seeing Yurasia with twinkling blonde hair running towards me, I couldn’t help but smile.

If anyone could see that cheerful face, they’d have to be an emotionless human.

“Yoooooung Laaady! It’s been a while!”

Yurasia, with a smile that seemed to outshine the sunset, immediately wrapped her arms around me.

Unable to resist, I hugged Yurasia back.

“Yeah, it’s been a while. Did you have a good time?”

“Yes! I went to tell Grandma about my sword mastery… Wait… huh?”

Yurasia, who had stopped mid-sentence, tilted her head.

Then she took a deep, slow sniff of my hair.

“…Young Lady.”

“What are you doing all of a sudden?”

Why is she acting like this? Is she really a dog?

I blinked and looked up at Yurasia.

Her usually clear blue eyes seemed a bit cloudy for some reason.

“Why do you smell like Stella?”

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