In The Academy As Sukuna

Ch 47 - Are We Even Human Anymore?

"The line between hero and monster blurs when the cost of survival is paid in blood."

(POV: Ryomen Sukuna)

The park was hustling with activity, couples roaming around, hand in hand, children playing on the slides and swings, not knowing the monster, the ruler of all, the supreme magician...mage...something...sitting amongst them...hehe.

Anyhow, I was sitting on a bench, the seat beside me empty as I waited for someone.

As I was thinking of this, a figure caught my eye, a beautiful girl with long black hair, Eva.

She came towards me with slow, almost hesitant steps, lowering herself to sit beside me, maintaining some distance, her head hung low.

In her eyes, I could see a flood of feelings, fear, guilt, desperation, and something else I couldn't get a hold on.

I knew of her dejection, which had started ever since the 'event'.

I leaned back on the bench, my face showing no expression. "You've been avoiding me."

Eva flinched, her head still hung low as she fiddled with her fingers, thinking of how to respond.

She finally sighed, giving in, not finding any excuses for her actions.

"It's been on my mind," she said, her voice a low whisper, almost drowning in the hustle of the park. "We...killed innocents."

My eyes flickered with a single moment, impossible to not miss, of amusement.

I turned my head to her. "Eva," I started, her eyes still fixed on the ground. "Sometimes, sacrifices must be made."

Eva's brows furrowed, the conflict in her mind not easing in the slightest. "But...they didn't deserve to die."

I looked at her, my eyes narrowing.

We had already had this conversation, and if this was on her mind for too long, it would cause problems in the future.

"Deserve?" I said, my tone slightly commanding as I leaned towards her. "This world isn't fair, Eva, you know it better than anyone."

Her hands were slightly trembling as she took in my words.

"What did they do that they deserved to live?" I asked, flipping the question back on her.

Her eyes slightly widened, her head snapping up as she looked at me. "Nobody–"

"Nobody what?" I cut her off, looking right into her eyes as she struggled to get words out.

She looked at me, her lips moving, but no words coming out.

"Look at them," I said, pointing to a group of adults, talking with each other, occasionally laughing, their laughter echoing in the park.

Her head turned to them, looking at their harmonious actions.

"Do you think they won't sacrifice each other to save themselves?" I asked, leaning into her ear, almost whispering.

"This world is a battlefield, and in a battlefield, there are no 'innocents', only victors and the vanquished."

Her eyes lowered to the floor again, her mind running as she took in my words. "But–"

"Didn't you do it too?" I asked, whispering in her ear like a little devil.

Her eyes widened as I said that, the memories of her actions resurfacing.

"To find the killer of your family, you've massacred hundreds," I continued, my hand cupping her chin and lifting her head up, forcing her to look at me.