It was the day to take off for Internships, and Sensei checked to see that we were all packed up. As I turned to catch the train for Hosu, I heard Midoriya's voice, and turned to see him and Uraraka catching up to me.
"Iida!" cried Midoriya. "If it ever gets to be too much and you need to talk, just say something. We're your friends."
Uraraka nodded vigorously.
I turned around and put on my smile again.
"Sure."
Looking back…I wish I had spoken to him then, instead. I would eventually come to regret that day.
Manual's agency wasn't particularly big. It was a normal, perfectly average hero agency, fitting for the Normal Hero. The place had a small handful of sidekicks, an office on a second floor tucked in between a few buildings in a downtown area, and a regular schedule of patrols.
Manual, the normal hero, wore a fin helmet with a visor, in keeping with his water themed quirk, a simple bodysuit, and white gloves. He was about as tall as me and fairly young, an amiable person, and easygoing.
He smile widely when he saw me and told me he appreciated my diligence and was flattered that I had chosen to go to his agency - the younger brother of Ingenium…
Brother of Ingenium…
We were quick to go on patrol through the city streets.
"Typically, there'd be tons of waiting by the phone for requests," Manual explained to me. "But recently, well, Hosu's gotten a bit hectic. There've been a lot more patrols." Then he said once more, "I gotta say, I'm happy Ingenium's little brother came along with me and mine."
I said nothing.
The Hero killer. A Phantom who's evaded the capture of even modern society's dragnet. It might very well be beyond me. That said, there's nothing for it but to chase after him. For I cannot ever forgive him.
We returned to Manual's agency after a long day of patrols, and I removed my helmet, placing it upon the nearest desk.
"Well, if the Borough is in this kinda vigilance mode, then villains ain't gonna be popping out, are they!" Manual smiled.
"Is that so?" I answered mechanically.
Collecting information on Hero Killer Stain, I quickly figured it out. In all seven of the places the bastard has appeared so far, he's always injured at least four heroes. Whether there's some goal to it or it's some kind of jinx, I don't know. But it's certain. In Hosu, no one bessides my brother has been attacked yet.
"Tenya, I'm so sorry…"
The possibility that bastard will reappear in this part of town is very high. Come. I will dispose of you with my own hands.
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"Just another day of patrolling," sighed Manual as we continued our daily walk at the end of Day 3. "Sorry it isn't more exciting."
I kept looking around. Behind that alley? "No…it's actually…better that way," I said, not really listening.
"Hey," he said, stopping next to me. "I really hate to ask, but you're after the Hero Killer, right?"
I was thrown. He'd figured out out? "Well…" I started. HE smiled then, putting me a little more at ease.
"I just can't think of another reason why you'd choose my agency. I mean, I'm thrilled that you did! Don't get me wrong! It's just…don't let yourself be motivated by personal grudges. WE heroes don't have the authority to make arrests, or dole out punishment. It's only because of advances in quirk regulation that we can use our quirks at all. But vigilantism is strictly against the rules. And if you're caught going off on your own, that's considered a major crime." HE quickly gestured at me then, as if trying hard to reassure. "Oh! I mean, I'm not saying the Hero Killer should get off scot-free, of course. Just that you seem really serious about this! You have this intense look in your eyes. I'm just worried."
"I appreciate the warning," I told him. I know all that. However. However! This urge! What can I do about it?!
Only a few moments later, we heard the explosions, the noise and the chaos, a free streets over.
"Seriously?!" cried Mr. manual. "Why's this happening now, f all times!?" He turned about face. "Tenya! To the scene! Run!"
I thought it through in an instant. That murderer wouldn't be so flashy.
And then I saw it. Down an alleyway. The man I'd been looking for. My target, my enemy. The Hero Killer.
Without a thought, I charged in to deliver a finishing kick to the Hero Killer.
He swiped my helmet off my head, along with my glasses, with his sword, barely grazing my head.
"A child in a costume," he growled at me, bloodshot eyes taking me in from beneath the mask. "Who are you?" I was tumbling backwards from the force of his strike. "Get out of here. This is no place for children."
I pushed myself to my feet. Just like the reports. "A scarf red as blood, armed to the teeth with blades. You must be the Hero Killer Stain, am I right? I've been pursuing you. Though I didn't expect us to meet so soon. I am -"
The blade swept up to my face, inches from my nose. "Your eyes. You're out for revenge, aren't you? Watch your damn moth. Or your age won't be enough to save you."
"To save me?!" I cried. Standing up to face him. "So you don't even consider me a threat? Listen up. Criminal. I am the younger brother of a hero you attacked! Brother to the amazing hero among heroes. And I've come to stop you in my brother's stead."
My name. Inherit my mantle.
"So remember this name for the short time you have left. I'm Ingenium, the hero who's going to take you down!"
He turned a grim face to me now. "That so? Time to die!"