Hope's Peak

Dual Assignment

It had been just two weeks since the turn of the new year, and yet Hope's Peak had once again sprung to life. The students of the prestigious academy had filed into the great iron gates, eager to establish or re-establish their place as an Ultimate. Yet as the frigid air hung cold over the school grounds, the hope and passion of the returning students seemed to warm the air around the grounds. Talents of every type: whether involving mathematics or literature, science or computing were all catered to here; their wielders refining them to a razor-sharp edge. And so it came to be that in order to cultivate that talent, it was inevitable those gifted with them would have to interact. Or at least, that was what those running the place decided.

Often times these "interactions" were more akin to nuclear meltdowns on a rather grand scale, as clashes between Ultimates and classes began to take place rather quickly and end just as quickly, usually in what would be described as a grandiose show of… enough with the fancy talk, it was in just a dick-measuring contest.

Of course, these "dual-class assignments" had been ended long ago. Having Ultimates at each other's throats wasn't all that problematic, squabbles between teenagers were natural. But those in charge didn't like how it reflected the rather pristine image of the school. However, this year was different.

Both Class 77 and Class 78 were both the most promising and most odd classes the school had seen in years. The talents (and the people behind them) hallmarked a promising (and enigmatic) future for both classes. There also seemed to be some overlap in personality and synergy in talents Hope's Peak wished to see put to good use. Perhaps out of hope, but most definitely out of an odd masochistic desire to see past failures undone, it was decided upon the turn of the new year to dust off the old fuck-up cabinet and see if they could actually do something that could help the students and their talent and not have them at each other's throat's come the end of term.

The students of Class 78 were all sat inside their classroom, patiently awaiting the arrival of their teacher, Chisa Yukizome. Conversation arose about what could happen this year; their hopes; ideas; and what massive fuck-off disasters awaited.

"I fear if I excel too much this year, the true power of my Dark Devas will awaken and I will bring ruin to the mortal realm!"

"No-one's buying that, Gundham..."

"I just hope I get through the year without people being mean to me..."

"Like THAT'S happening, pigshit!"

"...Did someone mention shit?!"

"Man, all this talking sure is making me hungry..."

"Well… I could prepare you something. Of course, I'd need repaying… Cash is my second favorite option..."

Y'know. Teenage stuff. And you can tell who's talking there. I don't even need to specify it. Continuing on…

Suddenly, a woman dressed in a sky-blue skirt suit and white dress skirt entered the classroom. Her orange hair caught the sunlight that flowed through the window panes at the side of the classroom and her demeanor seemed to brighten up the already polished and austere classroom. Following behind her was a man dressed in a black suit and tie, with short black hair that was somehow unkempt and professional at the same time entered the room.

"Everyone, this is Mr. Rao. You don't need to remember the name, he'll be gone by the end of this chapter."

"...what was that Miss Yukizome?" Peko chimed in.

"Disregard it. And also disregard the fact we're talking like Americans despite the fact we're clearly Japanese." Chisa replied.

"Man, this is one weird alternate universe..." Mahiru called out, ignoring the boundaries set out by the author.

"Anyway, Mr. Rao is here to explain the failings of our education system and why it will totally work this time."

"I'm… not here to do that. At all. Have any of you students heard of the old Hope's Peaks' dual-class assignments?"

Many cries of "no,' a few confused looks and the odd snore from Chiaki told Rao all he needed to know.

"...Same as 78 then. It involved a merging of two classes within the academy, in order to cultivate talent and create long-lasting bonds between Ultimates. I'd say it was 50% hit 50% miss." Chisa suddenly shot Rao a piercing glare. "Well, 100% miss. But this year, it's different. Maybe. Looking at the talents, personalities, personal records and sometimes," Rao shot a glance at Fuyuhiko, "criminal records, we've decided to try this one more time. So if you could all come with me to the hall-"

"Which hall? There are, like, fifty."

"The second floor, hall two, Miss Mioda. Just down the hallway from this classroom, in fact. Please, follow me."

The whole of Class 77 stood up and prepared to make their way to the hall. Apprehension and excitement clashed between them. The class was comfortable working with one another – mostly. So would working with a group of complete strangers even work? The optimists among them thought "of course!" but the pessimists among them thought otherwise. Rao swung open the door to the hall.

The hall itself was a testament to the wealth of Hope's Peak. It was spacious and grandiose, with new technology covering every wall and corner; a statement within itself. And in the middle of it all, two classes of complete strangers sat, ready to forge ahead with what the next few weeks were to throw at them. No matter how far south it went.