Hey. If you have any questions or ideas please leave a comment. I will try to answer as soon as possible.
Vesemir walked towards the exit. The fight was fast. From the beginning he dictated the terms of the fight. He forced his opponent to make a series of mistakes. The first was that Mr. Brave was too arrogant, and Vesemir, not responding in a way that would satisfy the pro hero, caused his arrogance to turn into anger. The second mistake was to attack immediately after getting up. Walking away, Vesemir wanted to give the pro hero a chance, but he did not take the opportunity to assess the situation. Mr. Brave's third mistake was that he once again attacked Vesemir from a distance, where the first time it did not give the expected result.
Despite the roar of the audience, he did not react. He did not bow. He did not even look at anyone.
"If the pro hero is so weak... then how does that tell others? Are they as weak as Mr. Brave? Is Mrs. Midnight stronger than him, for example?" He thought.
Without waiting for anyone, he left the hall, walking towards the building he had come from. He remembered the way to his room. Now the most important thing was to take care of his equipment. It didn't matter if the fight lasted 20 seconds or 2 hours. The weapon had to be cleaned. The armor had to be checked for any invisible damage. Only then would he go for a late breakfast. Entering the building that Hound Dog had led him out of earlier, all he heard was the door to the hall he had fought in opening behind him and the sounds of students commenting on his fight.
.
.
.
Midnight, Aizawa, Present Mic, and Hound Dog stayed inside to talk. Midnight sent Yui to join Vesemir and take him out for breakfast.
"Let's start with you Hound Dog. Can you give us an analysis of what happened here?" Midnight asked.
Hound Dog looked at the door Vesemir and the students had exited through. Mr. Brave was taken away by robots on a stretcher. There was silence for a moment, broken only by the faint echo of excited conversations of the students coming from outside. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet.
"Vesemir was playing with him. That was my first impression. Now I think he was doing what he was trained to do... which personally scares me. Even before the fight, he was in control of the situation. He knew exactly how to use Mr. Brave's arrogance against him. This wasn't a duel. The boy came here to complete a task. That's what it looked like to me."
There was silence for a moment. Present Mic said. "Did you see the same thing I did? There was no joy of victory. No youthful pride. What did you do to my nephew, Aizawa?"
Aizawa didn't answer right away. Instead, he slowly turned his head towards his friend. His eyes were tired, as if this was not the first time he had been asked this question. After all, he asked himself this question almost every hour.
"I had no influence on his upbringing. I didn't even know he existed. Ciri never told me about him. If Nezu hadn't ordered a blood test and compared the results with the Pro Heroes database, I wouldn't have even known..... that I have a son..... The world he grew up in forced him to be who he is. He doesn't know childhood. He doesn't know safety."
Present Mic rubbed his face with his hand, embarrassed. After a moment, however, he was smiling again, and pointed at Aizawa with his finger.
"I was about to kick your ass for taking away my chance to be an uncle, but Nezu convinced me not to. Still, I demand satisfaction! At least two days a week to show him what life is all about! I'll take him to my radio show, to the arcade! He'll love Mortal Combat! And I'm getting him his first birthday cake!"
Aizawa narrowed his eyes at him, with the same tired, but slightly softer expression he'd had since the beginning of the conversation.
"If he's even half as much as me, don't count on him being able to talk you into karaoke. Besides, he can't read our language yet. But he speaks like a native Japanese."
"Boys, this isn't the right time for such conversations. Let's get back to Vesemir. In my opinion, his blank stare is just for show. After this fight, I can tell he's just analyzing the data. He's using not only his eyes, but also his ears. Did you see how he walked away from Mr. Brave? As if he was ready to continue fighting." Midnight butted in.
"His body knows no relaxation. As if he lives in a constant state of alarm." Hound Dog stated.
"So what? The kid pretends to be emotionless because he thinks it's weakness?" Present Mic asked, his voice restless.
"This is how someone who has never stopped fighting lives. Someone who has had only one goal since childhood. To survive." Hound Dog stated once again.
"How can I help my son?" Aizawa asked quietly.
Midnight looked at Aizawa. For the first time that day, he looked truly helpless. Not tired. Not cynical. Just... human.
"I don't know yet, but you won't be alone in this. We'll help in any way we can."
.
.
.
Vesemir walked down the corridor. He heard soft footsteps behind him that would have escaped the attention of an ordinary person. He also smelled the delicate scent of perfume that a certain person was wearing. He stopped, and without looking back, he said.
"If you have any questions, you don't have to follow me far away," he said to Yui.
Yui stopped abruptly, surprised, although her face didn't betray her astonishment.
"I didn't get too close because I didn't want to scare you," she said, stepping closer to Vesemir. As soon as she was face to face with him, she continued.
"Auntie told me to take you for breakfast. But also... I wanted to talk to you. After the fight. Besides, you know how it looked from our perspective."
"Our perspective. Please, clarify?"
"The spectators who saw the duel. Everyone thought that Mr. Brave would play with you. They thought that you had no chance. But you were the one who ended the fight... without even breaking a sweat."
Vesemir was silent for a long moment. He looked at Yui, as if assessing whether her words were a provocation, a compliment or perhaps an attempt to recognize his weak points. However, he shook his head slightly. Miss Yui was not like that... He slowly came out of the trance he had entered before the fight. Finally, he spoke in a calm, tone.
"Because it wasn't a fight. It was a test. For him... and for me."
"And who failed it?"
"Nobody."
Yui blinked a few times, trying to understand.
"Nobody?"
"Mr. Brave got a lesson in humility, about the fact that there is always a bigger fish in the river. On the other hand, I got information about the expectations of the people gathered inside."
"And what were those expectations?"
"You said it yourself. They expected me to fail because they thought a fourteen-year-old boy couldn't be better than themselves. If most heroes are at Mr. Brave's level, then I pity them. It only takes one man with the right training to kill the likes of them."
Yui shivered slightly, not from the cold, but from the impression Vesemir's words had made. There was no anger, contempt, or boasting in them. There was only a harsh, almost ruthless logic. The boy's words carried a weight she didn't expect from someone her age.
"Is that what you see when you look at all of us? Weakness?" she asked quietly.
Vesemir looked her straight in the eyes. His gaze was calm, devoid of emotion, but not indifferent either.
"During our first meeting, you said you wanted to become a pro heroine. If you reach Mr. Brave's level, you'll be able to handle any bandit you come across. But if you meet someone with my training, not only will you not save people, but you'll also die. Because of so-called quirks, people think they're invincible. Mr. Brave thought so. Look what happened to him. If this fight had taken place a year ago, I would have killed him."
Yui paled, but didn't back down. There was no threat in his words, but there was brutal honesty. With his words came the realization of who Vesemir really was. Yui replied after a moment quietly.
"But you didn't kill him."
"I'm trying to understand your rules and code of conduct, but if Mr. Brave was a threat to me... a really serious one... then yes. I would kill him."
Yui tried not to break eye contact. After a moment, Vesemir began to speak again.
"If you want to become a pro heroine, you have to know that the world isn't just divided into the bad guys and the good guys. Sometimes... there are no heroes or villains. Only people who stayed alive, because the difference was that if they had chosen the second option, it would have ended with their death."
Vesemir turned around.
"I know how to get to the cafeteria. I'll be there soon for a late breakfast."
And after these words, the sound of the young witcher's footsteps rang in Yui's head for a long time.
.
.
.
Vesemir entered his room. He put down his swords, took off his armor and put on clean clothes. White shirt, black pants with black shoes. He looked like a typical UA student... or at least that's how he looked until he put both swords back on his back.
He wondered if he hadn't been too harsh towards Yui. She didn't know his world. After a moment, he came to the conclusion that he didn't regret his words. Better for her to find out what the world was like now than later, when it would cost her her life.
He went to a small desk in the corner of the room. On the table was a kit for maintaining weapons. Wipes, grease, a set of small tools. Vesemir sat down and took care of the steel sword. His movements were calm, precise.
"It's not too late yet. You don't have to fight anymore."
The words of Mr. Hound Dog rang in his head. What did he mean? Fighting is something normal... natural. There will always be those who want to hurt someone for various reasons. This world was no different. He had seen it from his first day, even his first hour in this world. If he couldn't return to his world.... and similar things were happening in this world.... then people might need someone like him.... A witcher. Maybe he could even become a pro hero? Finally he stood up. He sheathed his clean blade in the sheath on his back and walked out of the room towards the cafeteria.
.
.
.
Despite the holidays, the cafeteria was bustling with life. Students were having conversations while eating. Some were quiet, others were animated and loud. Some were comparing Vesemir to famous heroes, others were trying to analyze his fighting style.
As soon as Vesemir entered the cafeteria, the conversations died down. Almost all the students' gazes turned towards him. He wasn't looking at anyone. His step was calm, composed, as if he didn't notice the attention he was attracting. They recognized him by his two swords. They didn't know yet... that one was for monsters and the other for humans.
"Vesemir-kohai!!!!!"
Nejire called out, with a smile full of genuine interest, as if she had just seen him in the hallway, and not playing out one of the most crushing duels in the history of the school. She joined him in the line for food.
"A few of my friends will be sitting with us today! You'll meet new people!"
Vesemir looked at Nejire out of the corner of his eye. At first he wanted to refuse, but her smile was wide, radiant, inspiring hope... so he could only nod.
"Okay. I'll meet your friends."
As soon as they took their food, Nejire pulled him towards a table where a few people were sitting.
"These are my friends! This is Tamaki, and this is Mirio!. Guys, meet Vesemir!"
Tamaki nodded, looked down and munched on his toast without saying a word. Mirio, on the other hand, spoke with his typical enthusiasm.
"I saw how you defeated Mr. Brave without much effort. Good job, but don't you think a little more... restraint would be useful?"
"He wanted a duel, so he got it. He underestimated me and lost."
Mirio, despite his cheerful tone, listened attentively. He smiled the whole time.
"Ouch! I hope you'll treat me kindly when it comes to training together! Speaking of training, I'd love to practice with you if the opportunity arises!"
"Hmmm..... As of today, I'm neither accepting nor rejecting your offer, Mr. Mirio. I think that whether or not I should be allowed to practice is up to Mr. Aizawa, Ms. Midnight, or Mr. Principal Nezu. I wouldn't want to go against their.... recommendations."
Nejire said to Vesemir.
"I told you guys that Vesemir is super mysterious!"
They ate their meal for a while. When asked where you were from and what you're doing here, Vesemir would say something like "I'm sorry, but I can't say anything about that right now without permission from one of the teachers." That closed any further similar questions. At one point, Mirio's phone vibrated, informing him of a new message. Mirio looked at the screen, then turned the phone so everyone could see what was happening on the screen.
"Look. It's that villain again, who looks like a ghost with a sword and a lantern. This is the third week that the heroes have been trying to deal with him. He appears at night and disappears before morning. Always in the same place. He attacks anyone he encounters."
Vesemir leaned down to look at the creature on the screen of the so-called phone. He froze. So there are monsters in this world too, but judging by Mirio's reaction.... they don't know what they are.... he thought he was a human who probably has the quirk of turning into a ghost.....
"That's not a human. That's a Wraith. A monster."
Tamaki looked up from his plate, eyebrows slightly raised, as if he wasn't sure if he heard correctly.
"Wraith? Is that the name of that villain? Do you know him?"
"Oh oh! Is that who you're hiding from?" Nejire asked immediately.
"No. It's a monster. I've seen Wraiths before. They're creatures born of pain, anger, often death. They hate the living. They don't attack because they want to gain something. But because their existence is suffering. They can't be resocialized or captured. They have to be killed... before they kill innocent people."
Tamaki looked in disbelief, stopping eating. Mirio frowned, and Nejire, despite her usually cheerful nature, suddenly became serious. Finally, Mirio spoke up.
"Wait... Are you sure it's not someone with a quirk?"
Vesemir nodded. He stood up and looked around. He saw Lady Midnight.
"Mr. Mirio. Please show Lady Midnight the same thing. I need to talk to her."
Mirio didn't protest. He did as Vesemir asked. After a brief explanation of what a Wraith was, Vesemir said.
"Miss Midnight. I need to talk to Director Nezu as soon as possible. I need to prepare."
"What do you want to prepare for, Vesemir?"
"Miss Midnight. From what I understand, Wraith has been wandering around this bridge for 3 weeks now. Pro heroes won't be able to kill him. I've killed a few like that before. That's my trade."
Midnight nodded displeased and took Vesemir straight to Nezu. She hoped that the mouse wasn't going to send Vesemir to fight... a monster.
End of Chapter 15