The Academy’s Crude Pink-Haired Martial Artist

“Did you have a spar with the Knight Order?”

As we were enjoying dinner, I heard my father’s voice filled with anxiety and concern.

“Yes.”

“Good. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I’m perfectly fine. You know, it’s the Eustetia Knight Order we’re talking about; their skills were absolutely amazing! I fought more than thirty times, and I didn’t even get a single bruise!”

Zing- I shot my father a look that could sour milk.

“Look at this arm. I’m right-handed, and there isn’t a bruise in sight, right? My shoulder is fine too.”

“Hmm, hmm… I see.”

Being under my father’s scrutinizing gaze, he awkwardly cleared his throat and took a sip of water.

“Oh dear, our Ellie must feel quite neglected, huh?”

My mother smiled brightly as if she had anticipated this.

“Yes. I almost cried from feeling left out. It felt like everyone was shunning me, and I was all alone in this world. If I had known it would be like this, I would have preferred to hit a scarecrow during that time. Scarecrows don’t talk or have feelings, so there’s nothing to worry about. Sigh.”

I let out a huge sigh as I devoured a woof- massive piece of beef.

Omnomnom.

“Uh, still, I heard that Yurasia put up a solid fight…”

“Was that really the case? Well, looks like I’ll have one more personal attendant soon.”

“Pfft.”

Kerian finally burst into laughter. My father turned to Kerian, the only person he could win against in this situation.

“So, Kerian. What do you think of our Ellie’s skills?”

“That depends on who this ‘Turius Eustetia’ sitting right here thinks I am.”

“Just speak as if I were your brother.”

“Alright. But first, can I ask you one thing, brother?”

Tap tap- Kerian looked at me, his eyes twinkling.

Are you okay with this?

I nodded vaguely, munching on my steak.

Kerian was asking me because of the request I had subtly dropped before coming to dinner.

Sure, I rambled a bit, but the gist was:

Help me get a genuine sword.

After much contemplation, Kerian agreed.

Omnomnom.

Initially, I thought it would be bothersome for Kerian to discover my skills, but then I realized it was an opportunity.

A chance to get my hands on a real sword.

So I decided to use that to my advantage, thinking that Kerian—who was closer to martial prowess than my father—would understand my intentions.

But he’s helping out more actively than I expected?

“Seriously, did you not tell Ellie anything?”

My father’s cautious gaze turned towards me.

Zing- I glared back.

“…Including Julie, nope. Not once.”

“Then Ellie is a genius!”

I flinched. My father’s body shook.

My mother’s smile grew wider.

“…A genius?”

“I’m not saying this just because she’s my little sister or to make you happy, brother. I’m saying this as the vice-captain of Muyeong. Brother, Ellie is a genius. She might even surpass our captain someday.”

The gaze my father previously directed at Kerian shifted back to me.

It wasn’t cautious or worried anymore; it was that of a head of the family.

Though still filled with affection, an unknown charisma overshadowed it, eliciting a reverence I had forgotten for a while.

By the way, who is this Muyeong captain anyway?

If Kerian is this strong yet just a vice-captain, the captain must be something else entirely.

I doubt I’d get an answer even if I asked.

Muyeong isn’t called that for nothing.

I want to see them someday.

It would be great to spar with them.

With a sense of longing, I took another huge bite out of the beef.

Omnomnom.

Anyway.

Since Kerian has done enough for me, it’s time for me to step in.

I had some strategies to bring up the sword topic naturally and persuade my father in that flow.

I had something in mind, but it would probably resonate better with my mother.

So, the tactic to use on my father would be appealing to emotions.

I chewed a mouthful of meat and locked eyes with my father.

…For the time being, let’s try the honorable way before resorting to anything disgusting. It might actually work.

“Father.”

“Yes, Ellie.”

“Uncle just said that I could handle a genuine sword, right, Uncle?”

I gazed at Kerian with eyes that screamed for quick agreement.

Kerian nodded sheepishly and chimed in.

“That’s right. The other knights and captains present probably agreed with me.”

Very good.

I chomped on the beef in satisfaction.

“And Ellie isn’t the type to just swing a sword randomly, is she, brother? I mean, you know Ellie’s temperament better than anyone.”

“That’s true, but still, genuine swords are off-limits. Ellie, I’m just worried about you getting hurt.”

I spat out the meat I was chewing.

“Wait, am I going to get hurt? With just one sword, there’s no way I would!”

In my previous life, I wielded over twenty weapons that could peel skin upon contact.

Even if I got blind drunk and couldn’t recognize my parents, I wouldn’t get hurt by my own weapon.

But how am I supposed to explain that?

“Ellie, life doesn’t flow according to our whims. Of course, I know you have exceptional skills, but you’re still too young. Even Kerian here only got his first genuine sword at seventeen.”

Citing Kerian, who’s stronger than me now, would make it hard to rebut.

Frustration bubbled up inside me. I felt like my insides were boiling.

I want to scream that I was Ronan in my past life and that all those lousy fairy tales scattered throughout this world are lies.

But I can’t do that.

No one would believe me.

So what do I do?

What can I do?

I need to use whatever trick I have to convince my father.

Sigh.

The more I think about my next actions, the more I loathe myself.

But for the sake of the sword.

For my own growth.

I can accept that much.

After all, it’s better than before, right?

Back then, I was licking the shoes of some loser just to get accepted as a disciple.

Hoo. Alright. It’s better than back then.

All for the sword. Just for the sword.

So, like back when I licked shoes.

Like a man, just close my eyes and charge!

I am Ronan. Ronan Luzarack.

The hero who has slain the most demon heads.

And right now, I am—

Ellie.

Elliaernes Eustetia.

The only daughter of the Eustetia Duchy.

A 15-year-old girl with a very, very cute appearance.

So there’s nothing strange about this at all.

Hoo. I let out a deep breath, gazing intently at my father.

“Humph.”

With a smug little snort, I turned my head away.

This movement made my pink twin-tails tickle my cheeks.

At that moment—

“Hey!”

My father gasped in shock.

“Oh my?”

My mother, rarely flustered, was taken aback.

Gulp.

Kerian doubled over, trying to stifle his laughter.

I felt like I was going to vomit. My stomach was churning, my limbs felt twisted, and my ribs itched.

I want to scream all sorts of curses to cleanse myself of this dreadful memory, but I can’t.

The genuine sword.

I need to obtain a genuine sword that can perfectly contain my mana.

No exceptions.

An icy silence settled.

In the end, my father managed to stammer out a response.

“Uh, Ellie…?”

“What?”

“A… I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

“I don’t know. I hate you, Dad. Humph.”

Swish- I spun around this time.

Once again, my pink twin-tails fluttered behind me.

“A-are you really saying you hate me… but you still call me Dad…?”

My father wore a confused expression, uncertain if he should be pleased or distressed as he rose from his seat.

He approached me cautiously.

“Don’t come near me. If you come any closer, I’ll go into my room.”

I nailed him in place.

My father, pale as a ghost, slumped back into his chair.

My mother gazed at me, as if relishing my cuteness.

Kerian was on the verge of bursting from laughter.

I struggled to suppress the dreadful feeling of insects crawling all over me as I bit into the meat with a crunch-.

Then, slyly, I glanced back at my father. Our eyes met, then—swish.

Swish- swish- swish-

With each shake of my twin-tails, my father’s complexion turned grayer, but there was nothing I could do.

Seriously, how wonderful it would have been if they had just given me one knight when I first asked.

How many times had they ignored me since then?

Now, almost on the verge of tears, my father cautiously inquired.

“Ellie… is there anything I can do to make you forgive me?”

Having waited so long for these words, I immediatly blurted out what was stuck in my throat.

“A genuine sword.”

“Huh?”

“Please give me a two-handed sword made of black iron.”

GACK…

He released the tightly crossed arms he had unconsciously been holding and turned to face me.

“But, I’m not asking for it for free. I will spar with someone you designate from the Knight Order, and if I win, then you can give it to me. If you’re worried that I might get hurt, then you and Uncle Kerian can be the referees. The both of you should be able to prevent any injuries to either me or my opponent.”

It’s unlikely anyone would actually get hurt.

“Huuuh…?”

“Is that a no?”

My father flinched, his body trembling, but he was no longer the doting father he used to be.

“In that case, Ellie. Can I ask you just one thing?”

“Yes.”

“Why do you want to get so strong? I’m quite curious.”

The reason I want to get strong.

It’s quite simple.

To kill the Demon King.

For my comrades who must kill the Demon King, who has been sealed away.

That is the reason for my strength, and the reason for all this trouble I’m going through.

But I can’t say that.

Damn peaceful era.

So I’ll twist it slightly.

“Because I’m from Eustetia.”

Arisa Eustetia.

The descendant of that chimpanzee and the hero of the past.

I’ve been reincarnated as their descendant.

Or perhaps someone reincarnated me.

Whatever the case may be, the reason I have to become stronger is more than enough.

Swallowing the rest of my words resulted in a vague response, but my father nodded along.

“That’s right. We are Eustetia.”

He fell into thought for quite a while before breaking into a bright smile.

“Alright, I understand. If Ellie wins the spar, I’ll gift you that two-handed black iron sword.”

“Yes, thank you.”

A moment ago, I felt like my teeth would grind down to dust, and my brain would explode from the pressure.

Yet now, thinking about having that genuine sword in my hands makes me feel good again.

Black iron—the material I loved to use in my past life.

It won’t break even if I pour mana into it.

Though it comes at a steep price, it’s worth every coin.

Seeing this, it’s clear that being from a noble family has its perks.

I can freely purchase that expensive black iron.

Of course, nobility varies.

The comfort I get from eating and sleeping is all thanks to my caring parents.

Even if I had been born a commoner, this family would have undoubtedly been a happy one.

“…So you don’t hate me anymore, right?”

“Yeah, sort of.”

“Then how about a kiss as a celebration—”

“No way.”

“How about calling me ‘Papa’—”

“No way.”

“Then, then… how about you just pat my shoulder later…?”

That’s just fine.

“I’ll do that.”

I nodded willingly.

A little massage isn’t cringy at all.

“Thanks, buddy.”

My father replied in a husky voice, beaming with a bright smile.

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