After Violence unleashed chaos, children crying, adults screaming, and people just in shock.
I stayed there, watching everything while covering Selphira. I looked at the man that Violence had "arrested." His four limbs were broken, he was bleeding all over, and several of his teeth had been torn out. The only reason I thought he was still alive was because of the spasms he was having.
At that moment, I understood a somewhat famous saying:
"There are two types of heroes: those who save the day and make the news, and those who don't make the news."
And all I could think was, Is this really what a true hero is like?
I'm not an idiot, I understand that not all heroes are role models, but isn't this too much?
...
Time passed, the police arrived, and the paramedics attended to all the people who needed help and took the injured to the hospital. However, something that caught my attention was that the reporters never arrived, and the police were preventing people from recording.
Still, we were able to leave without much trouble. Selphira and I called it a day after that, so I went home, where mom was waiting for me.
"How did your exam go, darling?"
"...Good."
Mom looked at me more closely and said,
"Is something wrong?"
Since I hadn't planned on hiding it from her, I sighed and told her what happened at the mall.
"I see. Is that what you're worried about, or is it something else?"
"...Is that a true hero? A man who goes and brutally beats a criminal with excessive force, harms civilians, and just leaves afterward? Is that a true hero?"
"The world isn't that simple, dear. People like Violence become heroes for several reasons, from convenience for some to just doing a good job. So things like this are overlooked."
"And that's it? They just give a pat on the back to all those injured people and send them back to their families?"
I expected any answer from mom, but I was still surprised by what I heard.
"Yes, that's what they get for being weak, mere collateral damage."
"!"
"To be honest, darling, we live in a dangerous world, with everything from mutated beasts to genocidal lunatics, but where anyone can be strong. Even if your gene isn't useful in combat, you can train your aura, and still, there are people who live in weakness, waiting for their 'heroes' to come save them." She lets out a small laugh and continues, "If they knew how little those heroes really care about them."
"So what? Just because people are weak, they deserve to be treated like this?" I couldn't help but get upset by what mom said. She… she was just devaluing all those people.
"I didn't say being weak is bad, even I admit that the road to strength is full of obstacles." Mom stands up and walks toward me until we're face to face. Even though she's shorter than me, I can't help but feel overshadowed by her presence, like a small ant in front of a lion.
"But the fate of the weak is to be trampled by the strong, nothing more, nothing less, darling. That's partly why I've always supported you becoming a hero, because that's a path to strength."
I feel cold sweat running down my back, her face shows no expression, but her eyes... her eyes convey an emotion I can't identify.
"So, darling, remember, it's either be strong or be trampled. There is no middle ground."
Mom turns and walks around the corner to the kitchen, but then she sticks her head out from around the corner and asks with a smile that's so familiar to me, "By the way, what do you want for dinner, darling?"
Hi, I know this is a short chapter, but I didn't have much time today. But don't worry, the academy arc begins in the next chapter.
By the way, I would appreciate it if you could leave a review so I can know how you're liking the story, along with any recommendations in the comments.