"Seriously, what is wrong with this city? Why does everything have to stink?" Shirou muttered to himself as he approached his new temporary school, Winslow High. All he could do was scrunch his nose in disgust at the filth and dirt around him. It was truly out of a nightmare. For someone who had been called a fake janitor, the state of the place was beyond appalling.
The building itself looked old and neglected, with graffiti marking its walls and trash littering the grounds. The stench of uncleanliness permeated the air, making it hard to breathe without feeling a wave of nausea. Shirou had seen his fair share of unpleasant places, but this one ranked high on the list.
As he walked through the entrance, the hallways weren't much better. The floors were sticky, and the walls were adorned with peeling paint and more graffiti. Students loitered around, some with a menacing air, others just trying to survive the day. The atmosphere was oppressive, a stark contrast to the structured and disciplined environment Shirou was used to.
Slowly, Shirou could hear whispers swirling around him as he walked through the crowded corridor of Winslow High. It seemed he had unwittingly become the center of attention on his very first day. Ignoring the curious glances and hushed conversations that followed him, he approached his locker to stow away his belongings.
Students nearby stole furtive glances at him, their eyes lingering on his unfamiliar face and the air of composure that seemed out of place in the chaotic school environment. Shirou paid them little mind, focusing on the task at hand as he neatly organized his books and supplies.
For the first time in a long while, the attention that had always seemed to gravitate towards Taylor Hebert had shifted. A buzz rippled through the halls of Winslow High School about a new student who had joined in the middle of the semester. This newcomer sported striking features—auburn hair and amber eyes—that caught the eye of many. Whispers followed him as he navigated the corridors, and Taylor found herself momentarily relieved to not be the focal point of discussion for once.
Girls clustered in corners, their voices filled with admiration for the new arrival. They spoke of him in hushed tones, likening him to an idol.
As she made her way through the throng of students, Taylor couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversation:
"Have you seen the new guy? He's so dreamy."
"Who is he? He just appeared out of nowhere."
Another person to avoid. Taylor sighed inwardly as she navigated through the bustling hallways of Winslow High, her thoughts lingering on the new student who had suddenly become the talk of the school. She had overheard the excited chatter and admiration directed towards him from her peers, and a sinking feeling settled in her stomach. As she hurried to her next class, Taylor couldn't help but reflect on the implications. Her experiences at Winslow had taught her to be cautious of drawing attention, especially from those who seemed to effortlessly command it.
With those thoughts swirling in her mind, Taylor settled into her seat in Parahuman Studies, a subject that, ironically, felt more grounded than the daily turmoil of Winslow High. As the classroom gradually filled with students, she couldn't help but notice the one empty bench next to her, a small pocket of space amidst the growing crowd.
Just as the bell signaled the start of class, the door swung open, and he entered—the new student who had been the subject of much gossip and admiration throughout the school. Taylor's eyes flicked towards him almost instinctively, noting his stride and the way he seemed to effortlessly draw attention without even trying. She couldn't deny the cliché of it all—the handsome guy making a grand entrance at the last moment.
He scanned the room with an easy grace, his amber eyes briefly meeting hers before he moved towards the only available seat left, which happened to be right next to her. Taylor shifted uncomfortably in her seat, suddenly conscious of his presence beside her. She averted her gaze, focusing intently on the textbook in front of her, hoping he wouldn't engage her in conversation or draw any unnecessary attention her way.
The air in the classroom seemed to shift subtly as he settled in beside her. Taylor couldn't shake the feeling that her quiet corner of anonymity was about to be disrupted.
Parahumans study—it was a subject that fascinated Shirou. To defeat his enemies, he first needed to understand them, and to do that, he had to delve into the origins of Parahumans and the mysteries surrounding their existence. These were not the mysteries he was familiar with, which made the parasites the only plausible source of their power.
As Shirou walked through the school corridor, his mystical senses picked up the distinct smells of smoke and blood. Turning slowly toward the source, he spotted a black girl with braids standing in a corner, flanked by two other girls—one short, the other with striking red hair. The glimpse lasted only a moment, but it was enough for Shirou to memorize their faces. They, too, seemed interested in him, their eyes following his movements. However, he knew their interest was not for the same reasons as his.
Feigning disinterest, he continued walking.
Entering the classroom, Shirou scanned the room, quickly locating the only empty seat next to a bespectacled girl. She was tall, about his height, slim, with long black hair. She seemed uncomfortable, her posture tense. He decided it was best to leave her alone; drawing attention to her might only cause her more trouble.
As he took the seat beside her, he felt her subtly trying to increase the distance between them, making herself as inconspicuous as possible. At the same time, he could sense the eyes of the other students falling on them, curiosity and scrutiny mingling in their gazes.
Something about the girl stirred feelings of regret within Shirou, a sensation he couldn't quite place. It was likely tied to Archer's past, fragments of memories that had been absorbed along with his abilities. The girl must be connected to some old, unresolved memory of Archer's—a poignant reminder of choices and consequences long past.
Fortunately for Shirou, he could easily compartmentalize and ignore these emotions. He was no hero of justice, after all. If this was some lingering regret for failing to save someone, it wasn't his burden to carry. He had other priorities now, and dwelling on Archer's past wouldn't serve him.
Mr. Gladly, the teacher, stood at the front of the classroom, his demeanor friendly and approachable. He cleared his throat, signaling the start of the lesson.
"Alright, everyone, settle down," he began, his voice carrying a note of enthusiasm. "Today, we're going to talk about a topic that's both fascinating and incredibly relevant to our lives: Parahumans."
The room buzzed with curiosity, and Shirou noted the attentive expressions on his classmates' faces. Mr. Gladly continued, "Parahumans, or 'capes' as they're often called, are individuals who possess extraordinary abilities. These abilities can range from enhanced physical strength and speed to more esoteric powers like manipulating elements or even time itself."
He paused for a moment, letting the information sink in. "Now, you might be wondering how Parahumans came to have these powers. The truth is, it's still somewhat of a mystery. What we do know is that the trigger events—usually intense, traumatic experiences—play a significant role. These events somehow unlock these extraordinary abilities."
Mr. Gladly walked over to the whiteboard, writing "Trigger Events" in large letters. "For instance, someone might develop super strength after surviving a life-threatening situation, or gain telepathy following a deeply emotional ordeal. It's important to remember that these powers often come with a heavy emotional and psychological burden."
He turned back to the class, his expression serious. "In Brockton Bay, we have our fair share of Parahumans, both heroes and villains. The Protectorate and the Wards are examples of organized groups of heroes who work to protect the city. On the other hand, we have villainous groups like the Empire Eighty-Eight and the ABB, who use their powers for more nefarious purposes."
The mention of these groups caused a ripple of tension to pass through the room. Mr. Gladly nodded, acknowledging the unease. "Yes, it's a complex and often dangerous world. That's why it's so important for us to understand it. Knowledge is power, and being informed can help us navigate these challenges more effectively."
He smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "But it's not all doom and gloom. Parahumans also inspire us with their bravery and their capacity for good. They show us that even in the face of great adversity, we can find the strength to rise above it."
"That wasn't very helpful," Shirou thought, his mind sifting through Mr. Gladly's words. This was basic information, the kind of thing one could easily find on the internet. He needed more, something deeper.
Discreetly, he channeled a bit of energy into his eyes, dilating his perception. He picked up the textbook for Parahuman Studies, flipping through the pages at a speed that would make it seem to an observer as though he were merely weighing the book's content.
As he scanned the book, the text unfolded before him in rapid succession. The pages detailed the classification of powers, the psychological profiles of Parahumans, case studies of notable trigger events, and analyses of various Parahuman groups, both heroic and villainous. There were diagrams and flowcharts, timelines of significant events in Parahuman history, and even some theoretical essays on the nature of trigger events and the source of Parahuman abilities.
Yet, despite the wealth of information, Shirou found himself sifting through a lot of speculative and surface-level content. It was clear that even experts were still in the dark about many aspects of Parahumans.
He would have to find another means of acquiring knowledge. As he skimmed through the book, his eyes widened as he recognized a name he knew all too well:
Parahuman - Killer, Emiya
A complete case study of his father. Kiritsugu Emiya, a non-parahuman assassin, feared throughout both the parahuman and mundane communities for his unparalleled proficiency at killing anyone.
The section speculated Kiritsugu's methods, his infamous moniker "The Parahuman Killer," and the impact he had on the world of both parahumans and humans. It spoke of his ruthless efficiency, his mastery of unorthodox tactics that left even the most powerful parahumans vulnerable. The text described numerous high-profile targets he had eliminated and the strategies he employed to outmaneuver beings far more powerful than himself.
Kiritsugu was believed to have died in Kyushi during a Leviathan attack.
A small smile crept onto Shirou's face. He should be able to access his father's resources. Before Kiritsugu had departed, he had educated Shirou on the various resources at his disposal and how to access them. While this was a parallel world, there might be some differences, but Shirou believed the accounts and means to access them should be similar.
Kiritsugu had set up a personal LAN disconnected from the wider world, with its own servers housing details of all his assets and resources. An IP address that could only be accessed through a specific method. The servers were scattered across different properties worldwide, hidden from public knowledge with assistance from high-level contacts.
Now then, the next activity is to be done in groups of two. I expect it to be submitted before the winter break," Mr. Gladly's voice broke through Shirou's thoughts. Glancing around, Shirou noticed the expectant faces of his classmates already paired up.
Realizing he needed a partner quickly, Shirou scanned the room. Most students seemed to have already settled into pairs, leaving him with limited options. His eyes fell on the bespectacled girl sitting next to him, who had been trying to keep her distance earlier.
"Anybody who hasn't gotten a partner?" Mr. Gladly scanned the room, and Shirou leaned back, raising his hand. Beside him, the bespectacled girl also raised hers.
"It seems Taylor, you will be partnering with our newest student, Luca," Mr. Gladly announced, directing his attention towards Taylor. She nodded in response, though Shirou couldn't help but notice her discomfort. It seemed his E Rank luck was rubbing off on others as well.
As the class settled into their groups, Shirou couldn't shake the feeling that Taylor wasn't entirely at ease with the arrangement.
"Hello, I am Luca Saijo, pleasure to meet you," Shirou greeted Luca with a well-practiced smile.
"Taylor Herbert," came the soft reply, her eyes remaining fixed on her books, avoiding any direct eye contact.
"So, we have to write a thesis on our favorite hero, whom should we pick?" Luca asked Taylor.
Again without looking up, she replied quietly, "Alexandria."
Luca nodded thoughtfully, sensing that her demeanor might be more than just her personality—it could be a defense mechanism, making her appear meek and skittish.
"Very well," Luca said, relaxing and leaning back in his chair, closing his eyes. He sensed Taylor finally lifting her face to look at him.
Shrugging casually, he continued, "I'll need to study about her a bit, maybe jot down a few notes. Then we can go over them together."
"We can meet up on Saturday in the library and go over the notes together," Luca suggested as the bell finally rang, signaling the end of class. Both of them stood up from their seats.
"See you next time," Shirou stated formally. The girl didn't reply, which didn't surprise him. With his words said, he turned to leave the class. However, just as he was about to go, the parahuman he sensed earlier that morning entered the room, accompanied by her two friends, who seemed like her cronies.
Before passing him and walking up to Taylor, they seemed to be scrutinizing him, sizing him up as if he were a piece of meat. Turning back, Shirou noticed Taylor's expression souring, as if she had just tasted something unpleasant.
A few weeks ago, Shirou might have been someone who wished to be a hero of justice, someone who would have intervened to help her, but now he wasn't. He started walking out of the class, though something still seemed to weigh on him. Then he heard them.
"Would you look at her, Emma? She's already making a bad impression on the new guy."
"Seriously, what was she thinking sitting next to him? I can imagine what he must be thinking. Why should he have to sit with such a turd?"
"Huh, you know what would have helped the new guy and the whole school? If you just went to some corner and died"
"Hey!" Before Shirou could fully process what had happened and it was his voice that disrupted their bullying, he found himself already moving to confront the bullies. The trio turned to look at him, their expressions ranging from surprise to indignation. Taylor, too, wore a look of astonishment.
"You know," Shirou began, a sneer curling his lips, "I was just thinking if it's only the city that stinks, but now that I see, it's the people like you."
"How dare—" the red-haired girl started, but Shirou cut her off without hesitation.
"If you think you can talk up to me like that, then that's your delusion", His words wouldn't have held much weight on their own, but the faint magical energy seeping from him carried his intentions. It was just enough to unsettle regular humans like them.
But for Sofia, she perceived Luca as a challenge, adopting a more aggressive stance, while her cronies retreated in fear of the man before them. Acting on impulse, she launched a strike that would have posed a serious threat to most people. However for Luca it all seemed to happen in slow motion, in the single moment Sofia took an aggressive stance to attack, he could see Taylor's eye widening after which an Idea formed in Luca's mind, he anticipated her movements and swiftly dodged with calculated precision just enough so that his face lined perfectly with Sofia's nail which grazed his cheek, drawing blood from a shallow cut.
As Sofia registered what had transpired, her eyes widened in shock. The realization of Luca's deliberate and controlled response dawned on her too late to react.
A smirk played on Luca's lips as he turned on his heel and began walking out of the classroom. In the crowded corridor, the trio followed him at a cautious distance, with Taylor trailing behind them. Once they were outside, where everyone could see the blood on his cheek, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
"Hello, Mom," Luca said, his tone casual despite the situation. "There was a bit of an issue at school. If you could come and help out." With that, he ended the call and slipped the phone back into his pocket.
The crowd around him buzzed with whispers and curious glances, the sight of Luca's blood-streaked face drawing attention. The trio looked uneasy, unsure of how to react to the unfolding scene. Taylor stood a little apart, watching with a mix of confusion and concern.
Turning back to his assaulter, Luca fixed Sofia with a calm, piercing gaze. "Now then," he said evenly, "should we wait for my mom to come, or would you like to follow me to the principal's office?"
Taylor lay back in her bed, replaying the day's events in her mind. She still couldn't believe what had happened. First, she got partnered with the new student, Luca, something she had desperately wanted to avoid. Then, the trio found her and started their usual bullying, only for Luca to come up and stand up for her. What followed was Sofia attacking Luca, which drew blood.
Luca then proceeded to call his mother, who turned out to be a world-famous reporter, photographer, and book writer. Nobody—especially not a school principal—wants to anger an overprotective mother with the power to ruin careers with a single article. As a result, Sofia and her cronies were suspended until the end of winter break.
Taylor stared at the ceiling, still in shock at how the day had unfolded. She had never expected anyone to stand up for her, let alone someone she barely knew. And the way Luca had handled the situation, with such calm and precision, was something she couldn't get out of her mind.
Her mind still warned her that Luca was not someone to be trusted so easily. Everyone pretends to be friends, but anyone could betray you. Luca would be no different. She would have to keep an eye on him, keep her guard up. She couldn't afford to let her guard down, especially in front of some handsome guy.