Disclaimer, don't own Log horizon or my hero academia or any other series used in this fic.
An: au,,,, ooc... Izuku is Shiroe (or a version of him at least)... accidental time-travel... sort off dimension travel... winged Izuku... magical Izuku...
"talking"
'thinking'
Chapter 5... one and the same
"so only Shiroe is missing then" Naomasa stated as he noted that almost everyone where here in the small apartment for said meeting. about 10 underground pro heroes, not counting the detective in that count, nor the analyst who's yet to arrive.
"and here he is" Eraserhead said as a knock was heard on the door.
Sir Nighteye stood up "what happened to Akihabara?" he asked the password that's been set up to avoid uninvited guests.
"it sank into the ocean" Shiroe answered thru the door not sure who it where that picked that password of all things.
the others looked slightly confused, frankly they couldn't place his voice sounding neither old or young, yet he had said the right password.
Eraserhead shrugged after all they've yet to meet him in person only online so the age where a very, very loose guess and apparently wrong.
opening the door the first they saw were white.
a white parka and wintery wings came out from his back currently relaxed folded and even if folded the sheer presence, the might is undeniable.
the wings seem to radiate a strength none of them could place, almost as if formed of energy as they shimmered, sparkled and almost glowed with something distinctly mysterious and Unknown.
the white color to the ice like blues n silvers flowing thru them forming intricate tribal rune like patterns that faded in and out of sight as if rain only enhanced the effect.
having light skin and dark turquoise hair, currently wearing dark shoes, and a black polo shirt turquoise tinted pants and a brown shoulder bag hanging at the side.
the heroes were shocked because this was the last, they expected. Eraserhead stilled as he noticed the eyes.
familiar eyes capable of seeing thru them into ones very soul. eyes that shone with hidden knowledge and unknown mysteries one couldn't begin to comprehend.
"you're Shiroe?" came the startled question and Shiroe no Enchanter gave a bland look at the question.
"would I be here if I were not?" Shiroe countered closing the door, as the pro shuffled slightly at that.
"right as we are all here, we can get started on the mission" Detective Naomasa began as Shiroe sat down in one of the chairs,
"wait, while most of us have worked with you before Shiroe we don't actually know you" Rock Lock pointed out.
"do we really have time for that? wasn't this time-sensitive?" Shiroe frowned slightly.
"perhaps but he does have a point, Enchanter" Eraserhead stated startling the pro's while Shiroe tilted his head slightly.
"wait what?!" Mr Brave startled.
"Eraserhead why do you say that?" Miss Joke asked looking between the two and while Eraserhead is one of the few pro's who had been the other in person such an accusation.
"visor or not, you're eyes are a recognizable trait" Eraserhead stated "the way they glow to how they paralyze others and the feeling that you look right past others into their souls instead, your visor do help but it don't stop others from seeing your eyes" he continued.
Shiroe raised a brow, 'my eyes?' he repeated mentally that, actually he should expect something like that considering he had been called villain in glasses before a title he thankfully hasn't gotten here. Honestly, he has massive wings that you can't really miss and others still recognize him by his eyes.
"is this true?" Naomasa asked,
"quite" Shiroe agreed easily.
everyone turned to Naomasa who nodded confirming the statement, as he himself tried to swallow it. they've tried to find information on Enchanter for over a year, close to over a year now with little to no success and now they actually have his Civilian self right here.
"and you just admit it so easily" Naomasa said as it sank in that the most elusive sort-of hero currently known just confirmed it so offhandedly.
"it's not like I hide it" Shiroe chuckled at the utterly stunned expression the detective got as the words registered as true.
'didn't... hide... it' the others thought slowly repeating that in their mind having problem even believing that statement even with Naomasa's reaction saying that it's true.
'he's just that naturally elusive?' Eraserhead thought blankly, but couldn't bring himself to feel surprise.
"now can we get back on track?" Shiroe asked his eye's flashing with eerie light
"right, of course" the detective started, "we brought some footage of a few known ring members for you to analyze, Shiroe" apparently the detective didn't know how to deal with that bomb either.
"if you're ready?" he paused blinking as did the heroes when Shiroe brought out a notebook and quill?
'why is he writing with a quill?' was the instant thought as the pro's n detective shared confused glances, because that's a rather peculiar, it even looks like a tiny flared out wing as it's made up out of several feathers in different sizes, glinting in a soft fluffy white.
Eraserhead looked at him in thought. normally people use various forms of pencils, and if they choose to go traditional a brush. So why would Shiroe go for a quill of all things.
Shiroe gave Naomasa a nod, and the footage started playing.
they could practically see gears turning in his mind and eyes, almost literally as the glow shifted and turned as if rapidly turning gears, the glow's color shifting in various blues, and almost white making them look almost like ice or pure raw charged energy. once in a while the quill swiftly went over the page slowly filling it as not even pausing even as the footage stopped and switched to a new one.
wings stretching out in pure laziness and page flipped to a new one and soon they couldn't even see Shiroe's eyes as a shadow fell over him and a small smile or no smirk started gracing his lips as he continued unhindered.
the heroes shivered, staring with wide eyes...
darkness
darkness had started filling the room, shadowing Shiroe's form. a darkness to deep that even the light from the window or lamps couldn't illuminate his form.
like a monster out of a nightmare a figure looming out the darkness, as creeping tendrils of shadows flicked about as if trying to bring them all into their depths as well.
the air thickening, and it started to get hard to breath. then there was a soft click and it just vanished.
Shiroe looking curiously at them the tip of his quill having tapped the table, his eyes no longer cold nor could they see any gears moving in the glow anymore, rather they had returned to that normal luminescent blue.
"are you alright?" Shiroe asked, his voice smooth and calming but the others felt anything but, when pinned under that calculating gaze, and while they have all read his analyses. actually seeing Shiroe make one was definitely a completely different tarrying thing all together.
'what Was that!?' several of the pro's wondered trying to get their breathing back together.
'I should have expected something like that' Eraserhead thought with a mental sight thinking back to their first meeting, how he paralyzed him with a mere glance. Eraserhead had the distinct feeling that, said paralyzation were completely unintentional.
/
'I let my mana drift again didn't I' Shiroe thought somewhat exasperated sighting mentally as he waited for the heroes to collect themselves.
Sure in theladasia that don't do any harm, here on the other hand that's a Major problem. this world isn't used to mana it's more or less a lost art form and those who do actually use mana are doing so without even being aware of that mana exist or that they have it.
that means his mana, his Magic as a Adventurer and a Enchanter is dense, and immense his reserves like all enchanters far surpasses that of a sorcerer or summoner of equal level, his magic honed, refined and sharpened making it so very perfect for mana-channeling... with his control raised to such height that Shiroe don't really have a problem creating new spells, his contract ceremony, to his more recent conjuring.
perfect for an Adventurer in theldasia.
problem...
people in this world never actually been under the presence and pressure of any form of mana, so for someone in theladasia where his mana fully unleashed is more akin to an intense pressure making it had to move and sets flight or fight response into high gear or make you really wary.
people in this world. well as his original theory had been quickly confirmed the first few weeks after waking up here, they'd feel like trying to move thru cement while breathing thru tar.
the feel of his magic always been rather shadowy and night like, probably felt more akin to a deep darkness or abyss for people in this world, much to his annoyance.
it means he has to restrain his magic constantly.
'honestly I need to find some solution for that' Shiroe frowned slightly.
"now then" Shiroe started startling the pro's who'd manage to recollect themselves, opening the notebook on the table.
"what in? what kind of languish is this?" Miss Joke asked seeing the notes, or rather the letters is that even letters? dots and circles with lines, it looked like a river or wind like circuit pattern running in vertical rows.
Shiroe glanced at said notes and promptly sweat dropped as he saw the elder-tale futhark. a rather lore heavy aspect of the game and even more important or normal part of adventurer culture. from rune masters to scribes like himself who uses it in their skills thought very different use, to ritian who often have curtain runes marking their bodies... or an explorer adventure ability to read it allowing for quests and locations that would go unnoticed.
even if most couldn't write it, half of the adventure population could read it or at least partially, so it wasn't really an issue there. here well it wouldn't surprise him if others believe it's a made up alphabet.
'I forgot to write in latin-script' he thought dryly, looks like his scribe habit took over.
"ignore it" Shiroe said bluntly.
'could he be?' Eraserhead thought, he hadn't entertained that thought earlier, but that writing. 'perhaps it's worth considering'
"you said this where known ring members" Shiroe paused slightly his voice even and calm
"yes" Naomasa responded causing Shiroe to shake his head
"no" he said simply "that don't fit what I saw nor what I've heard" Shiroe countered.
"I completely forgot how dangerous it could be getting supplement for the footage, but what makes you counter the ring statement?" Mr Brave brought up, because the current evidence pointed to a ring, yet the resident analyst is openly disagreeing with that.
"the way I gather information differ from normal methods so I'm not really in any direct danger" Shiroe answered as he spread out the photos of the known criminals on the table bringing out a map of the city as well.
"no they're just smart" Shiroe smirked all fangs.
"the main problem and power of the group is the illusionist" Shiroe pointed to one of the pictures "his quirk is what make the front possible, appearing as several different people or forming illusions of people, making them appear like a large organization, which they're using to avoid capture"
"an, illusionist, of all things" Eraserhead cursed annoyed. that would make the case harder because he can easily slip any of the other members away and they'll not know who's real and who's fake.
"the group are professional, while doing some hits themselves most of the time they're hired by various villains, so while the illusionist is their escape he's probably not their tactician"
the quill hovered between two photos of the known 5 members who right now may as well be the only members. "the shark part is mere cosmetic his actual quirk is an elemental some form of shadow manipulation can be used to blind, trap seem to use it dominantly for mobility stealth he makes sure they can get in and out, probably is weak to light or heat due to his quirk and physiology respectively" Shiroe paused.
"the third member, is female" he said startling them as he pointed to the hazy photo. "she's using the illusionist illusions to change form, her quirk status is unknown no matter what form she appear in there's been no sing of a quirk use so any quirk she has may not actually have one, or it could be merely cosmetic might be an mental, reflex or sensory, but I can't give any confirmation until I see her in person" Shiroe shrugged.
"so not only is she an unknown, she's their lookout making sure that there's no interference and if it is that they get out of there quickly" he stated moving to the next photo as he continued the verbal analysis going more in depth as he went along.
the pro's where getting a bit pale several openly gaping as they listened.
'and Enchanter's analyzations are as merciless as ever' Naomasa thought faintly, reading the plans and theories from the folders he sent is one thing, actually hearing the man behind them explain it in person is a completely different matter.
"even knowing what they can do actually capturing them will be hard" Sir Nigtheye frowned.
"that depends on if you're willing to indulge me" Shiroe smiled startling them all.
'indulge?' was the shared thought at that comment.
"please listen" Shiroe started his expression neutral, as he explained a plan and by the time he where done, the pro's and detective where feeling a bit unnerved.
they'll have Eraserhead nullify the illusionist with another one of the pro's capturing him hindering the groups ability to escape and whatever illusion currently running. in the meantime Sir Nighteye would be taking down the get away driver thought it where only a 70% shot of him actually being there at the next heist.
Miss joke where going to knock the rock user down while Rock Lock stopped the shadow wielder trapping him.
the woman often disguised where a bit of a problem, as she's more unknown then any other in the group. and the remaining pro's wwould be split up between the five groups to provide support and to prevent anything from going wrong.
if this worked then they'll catch all five of them all at once.
"these villains are professionals, but it should be even odds if you're humoring my plan that is" Shiroe finished the temperature dropped suddenly, before returning back to normal.
the others looking a bit pale, some even openly gaping.
"I don't think I have anything to add to that" Naomasa said faintly at the professionalism demonstrated, "do any of you have anything to add?" he asked getting several shakes and no's in response.
"then we can end today's meeting" the detective stated.
/
the door closed again leaving only three people left in the room.
"of course, he'd be a genius tactician" Naomasa sighted feeling utterly exhausted,
"nor is he an old retired pro" Sir Nighteye said dryly, before this meeting the entire hero network was working on the belief that Shiroe was an old retired pro who decide to impart with his knowledge and experience.
well the sheer knowledge and experience is undeniable on paper and not to speak of what they saw during the meeting in person.
it wasn't mere intelligence, no it spoke practically radiate of sheer experience and well honed skill that takes years to reach.
"that experience, his quill, it says more about him then it does any of us" Eraserhead stated.
"the quill?" Naomasa frowned for a moment, the wing like quill-pen had been rather strange.
"instead of using a pencil like everyone else or even a brush if one felt traditional, he chooses to write with a quill like he's done so his entire life" Eraserhead pointed out, a curtain thought having struck him when Shiroe were analyzing the footage.
Nighteye's eyes widen as it struck him, "you mean, he could be an incarnation"
"or an isekai case, but either one would explain his skill" Eraserhead stated. "if he's a hero of old, there's no telling what time or even what world he's originally from" Eraserhead said barely keeping himself from grinning.
"it don't explain the wings" Naomasa frowned there's nothing hiding the sheer power those wings contain the potential of what he can do with them, there was no denying that those wings where on par with hawks. but he himself had confirmed Enchanter's recorded statement of not having a quirk of being practically quirkless.
"while very unusual a child can inherited mutant quirk trait without having the quirk factor, it might also be a throwback trait if he got one intense enough" Nighteye suggested, "but if he's a isekai case it might just simply be world difference that their powers don't have quirk factors to exist" he shrugged.
"that do make sense" Naomasa nodded, before rubbing the bridge of his nose. "we now known Enchanter is Shiroe but we still have no clue who Shiroe is do we" he said dryly.
Eraserhead chuckled at that "perhaps but we do now know how to contact him, something we lacked before"
that means they not only can contact him if or when needed they can also recruit him after all it's not like trying to capture him would do a squat and what would they even catch him for?
but it's not Naomasa's decision to make nor one he's even allowed to make.
/
Shinso rested his head against the window-frame feeling utterly exhausted. he should have been asleep hours ago yet sleep eluded him, all he could think of was the training tomorrow.
knives, arrows, swords or perhaps it won't be about weaponry but rather stealth? Shinso didn't know hell for all he knew it might end up a theory practice or possible even a spar.
it was going to be hell.
the last few days have been hard, and he's quite sure the writing he's been reading is starting to blur together into something else. Shinso have been working way harder than ever lately, between the odd jobs he does for the locals in his neighborhood, his own chores and schoolwork.
that's not even adding into the training.
training he so desperately needed if he even wanted a shot at a hero course.
"-ey Kiddo? you don't look so good"
Shinso jeered back startled before blinking as he saw red?
a blond haired man stood carefully balanced on the edge of the gutter, crimson wings flared out keeping him from falling down, as he stared at him with a careful frown.
'that's Hawks?' Shinso's sleep deprived mind offered, seeing Hawks raise his hands to show no weapons or any intention to attack. Shinso took a shaky breath not quite sure if Hawks is actually here or if he's seeing things.
"I just needed some fresh air" Shinso said.
"really" Hawks said simply with a raised brow "children and teens need rest to grow, and sleep is needed for any person for that matter. a hero in training especially needs their rest" Hawks said.
"hardly I'm not in the hero course" Shinso snorted, trying to keep bitterness out of the tone.
"do you want to be a hero?" Hawks asked, to that
"I'm going to be a hero" Shinso took a breath trying to shake the feeling of not being good enough "just waiting for the entrance exam"
"exam, purple hair, looks to need more sleep, white pupils. you're Shinso the kid Shiro's been training" Hawks realized and Shinso startled eyes wide as he blinked rapidly.
"you know Shiro?" he asked.
"obviously" Hawks responded giving Shinso a pointed look. "you do know that when Shiro notice your lack of rest he'll put you to sleep, and he Will notice" Hawks stated there was no doubt about that.
Shiro already described the teen as an Insomniac as is, tells enough. And while adventurers can handle far less sleep than a normal human, especially at the higher levels you still needed rest regardless of how little.
"he wouldn't, would he?" Shinso frowned, wondering if Shiro would actually do so, or no he would 'but can he?' he thought before tiredly realizing that he don't actually know what kind of powers Shiro is capable of as a mage.
"yes he would, and while adventurer's physic do come in handy, you still need rest. Heroes work in shifts for a reason, I've been rank 3 for years and never had to stay awake for more then two days in a row" Hawks started "you make mistakes when going without sleep. it affects your performance, your reflexes and reaction drops, it causes Mistakes that could be prevented mistakes that can cost you your life out on the field"
Shinso shook his head for a moment, trying to keep his breathing under control, as Hawks carefully placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I know you work allot. but you have to give yourself time to decompress, it'll be easier to absorb that knowledge with a fresh mind, then one who's on brink of playing with you" Hawks started "so let me take you for some food, you can chill for half an hour, and if you're still raring to go I won't complain. can't say the same about Shiro tomorrow thought, Okay?" hawks asked.
"okay" Shinso answered not able to think of anything else. even if the thought of leaving it unfinished made him a bit twitchy even if the thought of sitting back there made him dizzy. but the chance to hang out with Hawks, were not something you'd just simply pass up.
"Okay" he repeated, with a bit more strength,
Hawks grinned "good, I'll take you to my favorite place in this city. it's open 24/7, you're okay with flying there?" he asked making to move to pressure him, simply standing on the gutter with easy smile and if Shinso where a bit clearer headed, he'd notice the worry glinting in Hawks golden eyes.
"yeah sure I'm fine with it" Shinso answered and didn't really get time to react, as Hawks slides down a visor over Shinso's eyes making sure it's sitting properly before scooping him up with a laugh.
"lets go then. the sooner we get something into you the better" Hawks said out moments before they're out the window and into the air.
Shinso couldn't hold back the scream, his eyes squeezed shut, but obviously the fall never came. taking a shuddered breath for a moment as he slowly opened a eye.
Hawks can fly, that was a fact that never felt as real as it do now, seeing the land so far down, the lights still on looking so tiny, Shinso could barely keep his eyes open.
"ah, he fell asleep" Hawks chuckled softly, wings flapping tilting slightly as he turned around heading back to the room.
landing quietly wings folding before walking to the bed and placed Shinso in it.
'I need to talk to Shiro' Hawks thought but the mere idea of Shiro being cause for it is ridiculous, Hawks is perfectly aware of how much the mage care for others, rookies and children especially.
but he had to have some form of idea of what's going on.
/
Hawks keen eyes picked up on a curtain white cloak at one of the roofs.
"good night, generally you arrive to my home" Shiro greeted.
"true enough" Hawks agreed easily, cheerful even, it's true after all, he liked that building it's silent. something that's a blessing and sweet relief, and not something Hawks is willing to let go of.
"I met your little student tonight" was all Hawks needed to say
"it's bad isn't it" Shiro said blankly, keeping his emotions under tight leash, it didn't keep his pupils from slitting or the darkness that scratched and threatened to lash out.
"you'll put him to sleep tomorrow won't you" Hawks
"that bad" Shiro didn't ask but turned to look at Hawks instead of focusing on his spread-out senses.
"depends on how much this nap will help him" Hawks answered.
letting out a sight, "adventures thrive in combat yes we're spiritually wired for it, but too much too fast to high level will just run us over faster than we can react. his adventurer physic is young low level at the moment but it's the only thing keeping him form being hospitalized" Shiro explained.
"and you don't have a solution for it yet" Hawks said dryly.
"exhaustion aside he's not showing up with physical injuries, his health is running strong but his mana is running on fumes. reporting this situation. right now, there's nothing to stop him from ending up somewhere worse, which leaves this situation in a problem"
it's nt as bad as his last foster parents, being ignored by the current one is better then starved, beaten and muzzled. right now it's safe, if cold.
"I would but my body is that of a teen and I technically don't really exist anymore other then on paper somewhere, so my emancipation is mote point. hell I exploit the quirk discrimination to vanish before I'd end up massacring the place" Shiro said agitated.
"couldn't dabi claim the kid?" Hawks mused.
"Dabi's legally dead" Shiro deadpanned making Hawks blink.
"okay, didn't expect that" Hawks admitted, rubbing his templets.
"we need a possible guardian that we know won't neglect or abuse him regardless of his quirk, before taking Shinso from his current foster parents" Hawks stated.
"and until we have that, we can only keep an eye on him, making sure that Shinso knows he have someone to turn to if needed" Shiro said.
letting go of the subject for now, "how did the meeting go?" hawks asked
A smirk flashed "they're now aware that Enchanter and Shiroe are the same person, it's only a matter of time before I get a message for a meeting"
"you got me as backup don't even try to stop me from vouching for you" Hawks said and Shiro stared at him.
"if I fail or become a villain your reputation will be in ruins" he stated.
"you're not that kind of man" hawks said simply, no enchanter Shiro he cared too deeply there's no doubting that. if there were a problem, and Shiro can fix it he'd try to even if he couldn't he'd still try to find solutions it's just who and how he was.
"and there's no lower limit on how old you can be to take the license exam" Hawks continued, already aware that Shiro's physical and mental age is two completely different things all together.
"I won't stop you" Shiro responded "i still want to get into UA somehow" he admitted.
"forecast something bad" Hawks asked to that, not hundred precent sure if Shiro's ability to predict is an form of clairvoyance or if it's insanely strong observation skills.
"war is coming" was all Shiro said causing Hawks to still.
"and UA is in the center of it"
'oh my' Hawks thought. 'clairvoyance it is' Hawks thought
/
Tsukauchi Naomasa put down his coffee cup, his head still reeling from the fact that Shiroe and Enchanter is one and the same person. but that wasn't a bad thing.
"you called?" Tsuragamae said as he entered the office noting the file on the desk, yet several copies of analysis for various cases all made by the same master Analyst where also on the table with copies of data and analysis gathered n made by the pseudo-hero.
"yes sir, it's about Enchanter" Naomasa said gesturing for his boss to close the door behind him.
"yesterday evening during the meeting who the Master analyst Shiroe had been invited to, and arrived, we found out something startling" Naomasa started as Tsuragamae sat down.
"the Underground pro hero Eraserhead called Shiroe out by the name of Enchanter and when asked why he answered with that Shiroe's eyes are a recognizable trait which appears to be the truth, the crutch in the matter is that Shiroe didn't deny it at all rather he where silent until I directly asked him if it where true then simply confirmed it. even stating that he hadn't bothered hiding that connection" Naomasa barely manage to keep the exasperation out of his voice.
the police chief looked somewhat started before glancing at the various papers.
"in hindsight that is rather obvious" he admitted, the similarity where there after all.
"we still don't have the faintest clue who Shiroe is outside of his alias but there's some other things about him that's rather" Naomasa paused "confusing"
"confusing? why would he be confusing" Tsuragamae asked.
"for one instead of using a pen to write when watching the footage, he used a quill" Naomasa stated. "another is the fact that enchanter is functionally quirkless, yet have large bird of prey wings who's anything but merely cosmetic I have no doubt in my mind that those wings are capable of True flight"
the police chief blinked surprised at hearing that of all things.
"Sir Nighteye suggested two potential theories for the wings, the first being that he got a inherited trait or intense throwback trait, both cases proven capable of it regardless of how rare or unlikely." Naomasa paused
"the second theory is that Shiroe the Enchanter is a isekai case causing the wings"
Tsuragamae mused at that either theory was possible unless Shiroe somehow where able to lie to one of the strongest truth quirks existing.
"Eraserhead also suggested the possibility that Enchanter, is a incarnation which would explain his skill, experience that had everyone believing Shiroe was an old man. that he uses a quill instead of a pencil do point to that" Naomasa continued.
"but we don't know which theory that is the truth" the police chief stated before going quite taking in the new information he's just heard
"should we work with him officially sir? both the data and analysis he provides have proven invaluable, Eraserhead is also willing to vouch for him" Naomasa pointed out.
"well it's not like trying to arrest him would get us anything other than annoying him" Tsuragamae sighed scratching a ear perfectly aware that they don't actually have anything to hold him for and at best if they manage to push they might get a fine on him for some reason.
"but it is better to have him with us then against us, I want to hear any information Enchanter shares with you, and I'd like to meet him myself"
Naomasa smiled in relief "I'll arrange a meeting, sir" Naomasa answered.
/
an: chapter 5 over.
they now know that enchanter and Shiroe are the same person. still completely unaware that he's technically Izuku on paper.