The group trotted across the worn path towards the castle, faces grim and shadowed from the dying light. Todoroki's white stallion walked gallantry, snorting softly at the feeling of dried blood on its haunches.

Izuku had long since moved. He was completely unconscious, face buried in Todoroki's cloak collar. Todoroki patted the horse's neck, soothing it.

His teeth gritted as he felt Izuku's breaths on his neck. Short, light, and laced with pain he was not aware of.

Ochako walked alongside the stallion, clutching her staff to her chest with one hand. She had tears in her eyes, and wiped them away with the back of her hand.

In the other she held Izuku's great sword, sheathed in its scabbard.

The group was silent until they reached the castle.

"Quiet! Quiet, everyone!" The Master held up his hands as the Great Hall exploded with questions and demands. When this failed to quiet the room, Kayama cracked her whip.

The sharp crack sent the room into a sharp silence. "Now…if we would all calm down, there is no current need to panic. The threat has been dealt with. The student who was injured has been hospitalized and stabilized."

Audible sighs of relief rippled across the student body. "However, the knowledge of such a dangerous beast being so close to the castle is disconcerting. Thus, no one is allowed outside of the school grounds until this problem is settled."

Now there were howls of protest. "Silence!" The Master roared. Silence resumed once again. "There will be a battle party sent out across the West in order to determine the reason of the creature's appearance. There must be a reason the creature came here."

The Master raised his hands. "Now, relax and get to the dorms. Lights out at nine-thirty. Curfew is strict, and I'm sure you wouldn't want Kayama to catch you out."

Kayama cracked her whip again as if to prove her point.

Izuku lay upon the hospital bed, wrapped up in white sheets. His hands were covered with bandages, and healing cuts stood out on his cheeks.

Ochako sat by his bedside, biting her lip, tears in her eyes. Todoroki stood in the doorway, watching the unconscious boy with a worried gaze.

Izuku had been extremely injured.

His hand had been broken by the force of the sword's impact, and there had been sufficient nerve damage to both arms, as well as the other hand.

Geralt sat beside the bed, his muzzle buried in Izuku's limp hand. A soft whimper echoed from within.

Geralt had not gotten away unscathed either. A scar ran along the wolf's eye, and claw marks shone clearly through the bright white fur of his underbelly. Bandages were curled around his hind and front legs

"Um…Master Todoroki?"

Todoroki turned to look at Ochako, who sat upon the old weather-worn stool.

"Just call me Todoroki, miss."

"Oh…OK."

"What were you saying, sorry? I didn't mean to interrupt."

"It's just do you think…he'll be OK? His right hand…I heard it was pretty bad. The wolf-man's attacks were crazy…but how did that one attack with the sword cause him so much injury…?"

Todoroki rubbed the back of his neck.

"I don't have the slightest idea. I assume he activated fight-or-flight reflexes that weren't prepared for such sudden movement."

Ochako nodded.

Then she gasped.

Because Izuku had stirred.

The green eyes opened once, groggily. A small gasp of surprise.

"Ochako?! Todoroki?"

His eyes softened with familiarity.

Then they opened with such wideness you'd think they were saucers.

Because the sorceress had sobbed and flung herself onto Izuku with a bout of vigor.

Todoroki smiled as Izuku, red-faced and attempting to not notice where Ochako's front was pressed against, tried to pry away from her hug.

"You're OK! Oh, thank God!"

Ochako pulled herself away from Izuku, who gave her a small grin. "I'm OK. Don't worry."

Ochako frowned and she smacked Izuku's head lightly with her staff.

"No, you aren't. You keep getting hurt or passing out! Over and over! What's with you?!"

Izuku's face suddenly became wide with fear. Did they realize that the sword was more than it seemed? Surely, he'd passed out again due to the sword releasing more power than it should've. Or due to the rushes of adrenaline pumping his veins whenever he used the blade.

He was still far too immature.

Izuku. Sometimes, you should let your true feelings show. Holding it in like a bottle will only increase the pain.

That was true. His wounds hurt far, far less than the pain in his heart.

"Izuku?! What's wrong?!"

Izuku wiped the tears away from his eyes with the back of his hands. "Oh, it's nothing." Geralt jumped on the bed, careful to avoid Izuku's battered legs, and placed his head in Izuku's lap.

Izuku took one look at the bandages on Geralt's legs and began to sob. He pulled the wolf to his chest, burying his face into the wolf's white fur.

"I'm…so sorry, you guys. I should have been stronger. To protect you all. I…I let my guard down."

Ochako made a choking sound and wrapped her arms around the both of them.

Todoroki could only watch the trio as they sobbed, a small frown crossing his face. Izuku's obvious sadness was surprising…why would he feel down after he'd beaten such a powerful creature…almost entirely on his own?

He decided he would ask when Izuku felt better.

Right now, he needed to get this out.

"Izuku Midoriya?" Izuku turned away from the conversation he'd been having with Todoroki and Ochako to see an old woman waddling towards them.

Ochako and Todoroki bid Izuku farewell before leaving the nurse and him privacy.

She was petit and had a gentle face, yet her expression spoke of grave concern. A small cane in her hand whacked the side of Izuku's hospital bed.

"I swear, boy. The head master said you were prone to passing out, but this is ridiculous. Your injuries were extremely severe, and I could heal only the interior damage."

She carefully unwrapped the bandages on Izuku's hand, revealing them. Two curved scars stretched across his right hand. There was still a slight tingling sensation in his fingers as the bandages fell away from his hand.

"I spent about two hours working this hand with the strongest healing magic my mana could sustain. Boy…if you do this kind of damage again, I will be forced to stop healing you. Your body is not something you can put through such tremendous stress. It has a limit, and I refuse to help you reach it."

Izuku shook as he nodded. "Yes, ma'am. Um…what is your name, actually?"

The woman smiled. "As long as you understand, I am happy. On to more pleasant news, Izuku. I am Chiyo Suzeki. Aka, "Recovery Girl." The students round here seem to have made me quite the nickname."

Izuku gave her a smile. "Ok, Recovery Girl."

The nurse laughed heartily as she left the room, door shutting with a click.

Geralt whined, placing his head in Izuku's lap. Izuku gave him a sad smile, holding his scarred hand in front of him. "Well…I did it to myself, I guess, boy."

I'm sorry. I should have warned you...some guide I am.

"It's OK, All Might. I trust you. I…I should've kept my fear down. But my injury…it was due to my carelessness…not just you." Izuku spoke aloud. The soft words bounced off the walls of the empty room.

There was a relieved sigh.

thank you, young Midoriya. I will try my hardest to be better at this whole spirit guide thing.

Izuku smiled.

We'll grow together.

Izuku sat up carefully, dragging his legs over the side. He stood up, breathing out a sigh of relief. Wiggling his fingers, he rubbed the back of his head absentmindedly.

"At least my injuries weren't that bad…imagine if I couldn't use my hand anymore."

Geralt leaned against Izuku's side, balancing him. Izuku ruffled the wolf's ears, and the wolf's pleased grumble rolled out of his throat.

Izuku pushed the recovery room door outwards, only to be met with the fierce stare of the Head Master. Ochako and Todoroki stood behind him, looking somewhat frazzled.

"Midoriya. Ochako and Todoroki. If you would follow me, please."

Izuku was led into a majestic private quarters. The walls were lined with books of all shapes and sizes, some floating with ease as they whistled through the air. The Head Master sat carefully at the large table in the center, clasping wizened hands together.

Todoroki raised a hand, and the Master looked over at him. "Todoroki. Do not worry, the walls are soundproofed with the finest sealing charms I could produce."

Midoriya and Todoroki shared a knowing glance, Uraraka looking at them in confusion.

"Due to your incident with the surprise newcomer, Midoriya, I have decided that an adventure party will be sent out across the land, in order to determine the reason of such a rare creature attacking our academy. As you well know, such creatures as the one that attacked are rare. They rarely travel unless there is something they very much want."

"However, the creature you fought and killed was investigated. It was bound by dark magic. Old magic, from the depths of time. Such magic can only be wielded by a great mage. Previously, I would have wanted nothing more than to chat with the wielder of such powerful magic."

"However, if the mage in question sent this creature here to attack the Academy in search of something…then the Mage must be dealt with."

Izuku's eyes widened.

"However, I have also decided that it would be best to have, mainly, the people who came into contact with the beast follow its trail and return with results. Thus…"

He pointed a finger at the small group of three. "You three shall head out on the journey together. I want you to head across the lands, to Daemon."

Ochako and Todoroki gasped simultaneously.

"Once you are there, I would like you to find the person or peoples responsible for the unprovoked violence. Once the culprit is found, return. We shall send an elite, controlled force to that location and eradicate the threat."

Izuku nodded. Ochako 's hand shot up, and she shook her head violently. Izuku pulled his head back to avoid an accidental slap. "Me, sir?! I can't fight well… I wouldn't be of any assistance. I'm just a simple student with her head buried in spellbooks!" The Head Master laughed and stroked her head.

"Not at all. I saw how you protected Midoriya with the dragon. That shield spell was advanced, far beyond your years. You may be small in experience, but you stand tall with cleverness and wit, Young Uraraka. I have no doubt you will be an asset to your team. That's why I want you to go with them. Grant them wisdom. "

Uraraka bit her lip and looked at the ground. She suddenly reached up to her face and slapped it. Izuku jolted back. "Uraraka?!" He simply stared as she stood up, and bowed to the Master. "I will make you proud, Master!" The Head Master smiled.

"Indeed. Now, Todoroki."

Todoroki stood straighter as the Master walked over to him. He bent low, drawing his scabbard out of its holster and slamming the point of the it into the carpet. The Master patted his head. "No need for formality here. I should be bowing to you, begging you to make this journey for me."

Todoroki shook his head. "I would travel across the world if you wished, Master. You have given me a home and a great position. Such kindness will be paid back with interest, I assure you."

The Master smiled. "Indeed, you are deserving of the title."

Uraraka continued to blink owlishly.

The Master placed his hand on Todoroki's head. "May your position be a knowledgeable guide for the students I command you to protect. Give all your strength and courage to them, and let them guide you back. Grant them experience and knowledge that they do not possess."

Todoroki nodded into the hilt of his blade, eyes tightly shut. "Of course, Master."

Izuku shook as the Master looked at him, hands clasped in his robe.

"Ah, the brave soldier boy. The one who amazed me with his swordsmanship skills. You healed from terrible wounds with such vigor, regardless of the healing performed on you, and it speaks of a restless heart. I would like for you to grant this group leadership and strength."

Izuku nearly fell over.

"Master! I'm not fit to lead at all! Let Todoroki take the helm, he has much better experience!"

The Head Master broke out into laughter this time. "Just like your young sorceress friend. I can really see why you two are joined at the hip." Izuku pushed down the resulting blushing fit, albeit with difficulty.

"No, Midoriya. You are fit to lead. I could see it when you made the decision to save Ms. Uraraka and your wolf companion during the fire. You also worked with her to kill the wolf-man. Such strategy is the work of a leader. You may be a fledgling student, but in terms of leadership, you are well on your way."

Izuku could only stare.

"Now…do I have your consent? Are you willing to risk life, and limb, to protect your peers and find out the reason for such an attack? If you refuse, it is completely understandable. I will send a different party consisting of army soldiers."

"I have given you my terms. It is up to you to accept or defeat. Your call."

Ochako stood up. "You have mine. I will use all my brainpower!"

The Master's smile was a gentle curve. "Brave for one so kind."

Todoroki stood up. His sword was drawn in a flash, and he drove it into the carpet, piercing the stone below with a sharp ringing sound.

"You have my sword. I will fight to defend my friends and family."

The Master's smile widened to a broad curl.

"A true warrior. Fight on."

Izuku was still shaking. Geralt nudged his side, burying his nose in Izuku's hand.

Your call, young Midoriya. But if I recall correctly, this is what you wanted, yes? Adventure?

Izuku's quivering lips became a fearless grin.

Yeah. This is perfect…All Might! I'm on my way to succeed you! The opportunity is right in front of me!

"Yes, sir! You have my word. We will find the reason for the attack and return victorious!"

The Head Master's smile was so wide now it was blinding.

"And the story of Young Izuku begins."

The Head Master clapped his hands. "Go to your dorms and retrieve the necessary items you need. Then, to the kitchens. You will need proper food to sustain your journey."

The Head Master winked.

"Ah, that's right. I forgot. I am sending one more person on this journey…one you may recognize."

He gestured to the door.

"Come in. They have agreed."

The door opened with surprising grace for such a speed.

Izuku did fall over this time.

"…YOU?!"