AN: I don't own HP or MHA.
Chapter 8
Aftermath of a Battle
His head was slowly pounding.
He was starting to rise, his eyes opening to the bright light shining on his face. Even wearing glasses over his green eyes, his vision was still blurry. His body was a little numb, but he slowly began to regain the feeling in his arms.
God, it was a familiar feeling he should be used to due to his past experiences in Quidditch. Nevertheless, he learned from said injuries.
Harry Potter woke up with a killer headache… again.
When he fully opened his eyes, regaining clearer vision, he noticed a ceiling and a window, the sun shining across from where he was sleeping.
A couch.
Huh?
How did he even get here?
Where was he anyway? This definitely wasn't the magical tent he used in the previous days. Wait a minute. Where was his wand? His mokeskin bag? All of the items he had in it?
Crap, okay, Harry needed to calm down and take a deep breath. He needed to act calm in this situation.
The young wizard began to sit up gradually, disregarding the throbbing headache that came with the abrupt motion. Owing to the Skele-Gro he had ingested earlier, his chest was starting to form new, healthy bones. He was recuperating from his clash with the brawny villain.
And running away from the pros as well… Lovely.
He took in his surroundings. The living room featured a brown couch, which he was currently occupying. The walls were adorned with vibrant colors—green on the walls and pale yellow above the ceiling—a table with wooden edges and counter shelves displayed glass cups and holders. A large black screen, presumably a television, was mounted on the wall, complemented by a small shelf below it.
Okay, he was in someone else's home. Alright, Harry knew he couldn't panic here. He had been in far worse situations than this before.
No, did that mean the pro-heroes found him? If that's the case, shouldn't he be in some prison cell? Why was he in a cozy home in the first place?
"I see that you're awake." A feminine voice called out to the young wizard. Harry abruptly turned to see who was calling out to him.
A woman with blonde hair wore a headband around her forehead. To accompany her casual appearance, she wore a beige, baggy sweater and dark jeans. She was holding a water bottle for him.
Did she find him?
Where? Did this house belong to her?
More questions have popped up in Harry's head.
The one nagging him the most is that he has seen this woman before.
It may seem odd, but Harry had the feeling he'd encountered this woman somewhere before. But where? Where had he seen her previously?
As Harry was pondering in his thoughts, he heard the gentle, concerned sound of the woman speaking to him.
"Hey, are you feeling alright, young man?" the woman inquired with concern. "Can you understand me?" she continued, switching to English, astonishing the raven-haired Gryffindor with her command of another language.
Harry blinked before shaking his head. "Ye-Yeah, I'm fine," Harry assured the kind woman in Japanese.
The blonde-haired woman appeared relieved, recognizing that he comprehended the language perfectly. "Oh! You speak Japanese. I wasn't sure if you could understand me."
Harry shook his head sideways. "No, it's fine. I can understand you clearly."
The blonde-haired woman seemed a little eased at those words. "Oh, that's good. You're probably wondering what happened to your bag. Don't worry, I left it at the counter table safe and sound. I certainly didn't want to look into your belongings without your permission."
Harry felt a little relieved after hearing that. "Thank you, miss. But if you don't mind me asking, where… am I?" The young wizard asked curiously and in a polite tone.
"You're in my house. I found you unconscious in my backyard. Are you feeling alright? Is your head not hurting anymore?"
Backyard? How did Harry even end up in her backyard in the first place? All he remembers is apparating from location, hiding from the pro-heroes, and avoiding trouble in the first place.
"No, I'm feeling quite better. I need to take it easy for a bit." Harry said honestly.
"I'm glad to hear that," said the blonde-haired woman with a smile. "My name is Ryuko Tatsuma. What's your name, young man?"
"Harry… Harry Black." Harry introduced himself using the same alias as before.
Ryuko nodded, recollecting the young man's name. "Alright, Mister Black. It's nice to meet you. If you don't mind, I would like to ask you some questions." She initiated her inquiry while Harry responded with a nod.
"Sure, go right ahead, miss," Harry said politely, taking a sip of the water bottle the kind lady gave to him.
"How did you even end up in my backyard?" Ryuko asked in concern as Harry gulped, knowing he might want to think correctly for an answer.
This was going to be difficult. Damn it, how long was Harry going to keep this up? This is like, what? The second or third time being interrogated. How would he explain his situation to this kind but suspicious woman? He definitely couldn't tell her that he was fighting a villain while breaking a thousand rules to save people from a madman. Don't get him started on him coming from a whole, new, different Universe where these quirks didn't exist but magic. Harry needed to improvise a bit. Thankfully, he thought of a cover story in case this happened to him.
Harry took a second before finally responding. "Well, I was… running away from someone. Someone who wanted to hurt me. And I ended up collapsing by mistake in your yard." Harry explained in his "own way."
It wasn't a lie, but not the whole truth either.
"I'm sorry for that." The raven-haired Gryffindor apologized for that.
"It's alright, young man. Just be glad that you're safe in the meantime. Now, this brings me to my next question: who wanted to hurt you, young man?" Ryuko asked, wondering what was the young man's story that brought her to her house of all places.
The woman's incredible kindness deeply moved Harry, yet he felt compelled to carry on with his somewhat fabricated story. He knew that sometimes, a little embellishment could make his words resonate even more. "A villain, I presume," Harry said, sprinkling his tale with bits of truth. "I don't recall much, only that he was large. Fortunately, I managed to escape. Beyond that, my memory of his description is quite foggy at the moment."
"I see. In that case, I can take you to the authorities, and they can help fill out a report for the man." Ryuko suggested as Harry quickly decided to change the subject.
"No. I mean, it's okay. He didn't take anything from me anyway. I'm fine. Really."
He needed to calm down quickly. If he continued to act jumpy, it would only raise suspicion, as he could tell on the blonde-haired woman's expression.
Ryuko's expression grew even sterner. "Young man, I cannot allow you to proceed without the presence of justice in your life. It pains me to witness actions left unaddressed. There must be justice, especially for someone as young as you."
Harry knew she wasn't wrong. She just wanted to bring justice for the young wizard due to being concerned for his well-being. It was understandable. The main issue was that Harry couldn't allow anyone into his dilemma.
"I just… don't feel comfortable going to the authorities. I'm still getting used to the environment here. You could say that I'm somewhat of a foreigner around here." Harry quickly changed the subject at the last second.
"Where are you from, Hari-kun?" Ryuko asked.
"I recently moved away from England. Lived there for the past seventeen years." Harry stated, without any falsehood, regarding that particular section of the background.
Ryuko appeared intrigued by the statement of the young man with raven hair. "Interesting. Did you go to school there, Hari-kun?" she asked curiously.
"I did, Miss Ryuko. Spent seven years in a private school around Scotland. I sorta got transferred somewhere before moving here to Japan." Harry clarified, sprinkling parts of the truth.
It wasn't the whole truth, but it wasn't a lie as well.
"What made you come to Japan in the first place?" Ryuko asked.
"Oh, I heard interesting things about your country. I wanted to see it for myself." Harry explained. Just thank Merlin that he didn't go as far as to mention a new world. This woman would think that he was a loony. And the last thing he needed further was more unwanted attention.
As if he didn't have that before.
"I see. Even so, young man, I cannot let you go back on the streets in your condition. First thing first, in the morning, I'll call the pro-heroes to swing by my place so they can help you with your case. But before we get there, you need to rest first." Ryuko asserted, recognizing the need for justice for the young man, while Harry was aware that the reality was quite different.
Bollocks. Harry appreciated the woman's kindness and generosity, yet he had no desire to be on the run again. He attempted to maintain a low profile for a while, but his options were starting to dwindle.
The most troubling aspect was Harry's sense of familiarity with the woman. But where had he seen her before? The more he pondered, the more his dilemma intensified as he awaited an official answer.
"In the meantime, do you have a parent's contact? Someone I can call to ensure your safety?" Ryuko asked, hoping for a caretaker or someone who could help the young man.
"My parents passed away, miss. I lived on my own." Harry declared, fully aware that it wasn't entirely the truth at worst.
"Really? I'm sorry; my condolences, young man." Ryuko sincerely apologized for asking.
Harry dismissed it. "It's fine, you were unaware. It happened a long time ago," the young wizard remarked, understanding that she had nothing to worry about now.
"Do you have at least a guardian? Is there anyone I can contact?" Ryuko inquired, hoping there was an alternative solution for this situation.
"No. I moved to this country on my own. My Aunt and Uncle lived in the survey in London. So you can't contact them that way." Harry stated, aware that it was impossible to reach someone who did not exist in this world.
That part was correct. How can one contact someone from an entirely different world? Moreover, it's not as if the Dursleys would care, except for Dudley, at this moment.
"I see." With a spark of curiosity in her eyes, Ryuko leaned in closer and asked, "So, where exactly do you call home, young man?"
What could Harry say here? That he lived in a magical tent and was always on the run. Once again, his infamous luck had gotten the better of him.
"I'm... staying at a hotel. Just temporarily until I can find an apartment." Harry explained, confident that the woman had nothing to worry about at this moment.
"Normally, I wouldn't allow a young man to stay here, especially since I don't have much of a background with you. At least not until I can contact the authorities, but how about this? I'll let you stay here for the night; at least think of it as a courtesy from one human being to another." Ryuko addressed Harry with sincere kindness while scratching his head, uncertain how to respond to the situation.
How could he? The last thing Harry desired was the assistance of a good Samaritan in this situation. It wasn't due to pride or independence but rather because the young wizard didn't want to exploit a kind woman, especially after his recent escape from the law.
"No, I don't want to be a bother to you, miss. I think you have better things to do than take in this tosser here." Harry politely declined, not wanting to burden the kind woman who found him in her backyard.
Ryuko refused to accept that claim, fully aware it was nothing but a blatant lie. "Don't be silly, young man. I'm always happy to lend help to someone young like yourself."
"I have to ask, why?" Harry asked with curiosity. "Why are you helping me out?"
"Because… it's what heroes do, Hari-kun." Ryuko stated, offering a kind smile to the raven-haired wizard.
Heroes huh?
Harry has heard that before.
Wait a moment. Did this imply that the woman was a professional hero? If so, Harry realized he had to exercise great caution.
He needed to leave quickly. Or, at the very least, not leave any tracks behind.
"Look, I was planning on making dinner. Do you want to stay before we go to the authorities in the morning?" Ryuko inquired with concern as Harry began to consider whether he should remain at that moment.
Harry had no choice but to keep quiet. It's okay. As long as he had his wand and supplies with him, then he should be okay.
"Alright… I'll stay. Thank you for your generosity, miss."
Ryuko smiled, nodding her head out of kindness. "Don't mention it, Hari-kun. Just get some rest while I prepare dinner."
All Harry could do was wait. Wait until the moment was right. Then, he would continue with his adventure, finding a way to reunite with his loved ones.
For now, Harry knows it's wise to remain out of the spotlight and prioritize discretion.
If only the Universe would grant him that chance.
"So you sure he was here?" Eraserhead engaged one of the bank's security guards, seeking vital information that could unlock the mystery at hand. He had been called without delay, the urgent news of a robbery echoing in his mind as he raced to the scene.
"Ye-Yes, well, we're not sure. Everything happened in a flashback. One minute, we were being held hostage; next, he just went down in a second." The security guard's vague explanation caused Aizawa to sigh as he scanned the area for any possible clues.
A moment later, he turned his attention back to the security guard.
"I see," Aizawa replied with an expression as devoid of emotion as a calm sea under a cloudy sky. "Did the security cameras catch anyone suspicious at all?" With anticipation flickering in his eyes, he asked, hoping to uncover a hint that might lead him to the answer he desperately sought.
"That's the thing, sir. It'd happened so quickly we're not even sure what happened. There might be something if you look closely." The security guard responded with uncertainty, not sure if the bank's cameras had recorded anything suspicious.
Aizawa sighed, knowing this was going to take a while.
"Show me," Aizawa said. The security guard nodded and guided the Erasure hero to the office where the camera footage was stored.
During the security footage, Aizawa noticed many civilians in the bank. So far, nothing horrible has happened.
All of a sudden, a man with boomerangs began to rob the place. He began to threaten, screaming at the civilians in anger. Aizawa gritted, wishing he could have been there to stop that mess in the first place.
Two security guards arrived to intervene in the situation. 'No, stay put! Wait for a hero to arrive! Don't risk your lives!' the Erasure hero thought to himself. Aizawa could do nothing but watch with increasing regret.
Before the boomerangs could reach the security guards, an unseen force intercepted and destroyed the weapons.
Aizawa's eyes widened at the sight. What the hell just happened?
Abruptly, the robber with the boomerangs stood still, seemingly confused, until he was knocked to the ground. His body appeared to be paralyzed by some unknown force.
Aizawa was relieved that the civilians were unharmed, yet this did not resolve his queries. Despite the absence of anyone, someone had managed to rescue the civilians undetected.
Before Aizawa could continue speaking, his ringtone interrupted him. He retrieved his phone and placed it to his ear to answer the call. "Hello."
A voice suddenly crackled to life on the other end of the line, unmistakably belonging to Detective Tsukauchi. "Aizawa-san, I'm sorry for calling you if you're busy, but do you have a second to spare?" He inquired, a hint of hope in his voice as he wished for Aizawa's presence to share a moment of conversation.
"What is it, Tsukauchi?" Aizawa called out.
"It's in Eusha City. It's about our friend "The Magician." Tsukauchi informed the Erasure pro-hero.
Aizawa stood silent. His expression was surprising, but he remained calm the entire time. "I'll be there right away."
Aizawa sighed, knowing this was going to be a lengthy investigation.
Before the Erasure Hero left the room, he turned around and continued to observe the cameras, realizing there must be a reason for this action. Aizawa then directed his attention to the security guard and proceeded to ask another question. "Was there anyone that came in the bank? Any that appeared to be suspicious?"
"No, sir. I remember there were a couple of foreigners who stepped in, but that's about it." The security guard responded truthfully, piquing Aizawa's curiosity upon hearing those words.
Foreigner? Aizawa knew that foreigners were not uncommon, especially in a country like Japan, where many of them visited for hero-related purposes. Considering the high regard for heroes like All Might, Endeavor, and Hawks, as Aizawa had heard from the West, it was not surprising.
Aizawa knew there had to be more of a reason for that.
"Hmm, in that case, send me the bank footage. I'll have to look more into this later, but for now, I need to be called somewhere else." Aizawa issued an order to check the camera footage for any signs of evidence.
The security guard nodded in response. "Yes, sir! We will inform you if we find anything."
Aizawa nodded, pleased that an understanding had been reached.
As Aizawa continued to leave, another thought came across his mind related to what was happening in the current situation. 'I wonder what Tsukauchi has found.'
He hoped that whatever The Magician was up to, he hoped it wouldn't be as grave as he initially thought so.
Aizawa hoped he would be wrong on this occasion.
Finally, he thought he'd never made it.
Thankfully, the nearest train station wasn't that from his mentor's agency.
However, that wasn't his biggest worry. He was just worried about how he would explain his tardiness to his sensei. He should have let him know ahead of time. Of course, being a hero-in-training, you always have to make the most responsible choices.
Mirio Togata arrived at Sir Nighteye's Agency, hoping that Nighteye-sensei would not be upset by his late arrival. He was aware of how strict Sir Nighteye could be; he was confident he would receive a reprimand this time. He could already imagine it in his mind. Mirio knew that this was not going to be a pleasant moment.
Mirio understood that Nighteye-sensei had good intentions, but the blonde-haired student also recognized that he had to face the consequences of his tardiness.
Upon entering the building, Mirio was greeted by several workers, the blonde-haired student waving back out of politeness.
Once Mirio stood outside Sir Nighteye's office, his eyes noticed a young woman with blue skin and short, ruffled blue hair. She was wearing a skintight blue crop top with a high-collared section, a zipper in the middle of her suit with two yellow markings, and white boots to match her slim build.
Bubble Girl, also known as Kaoruko Awata, stood in front of Mirio, giving the school student a smile and a wave in return.
With a beaming smile, the vibrant bubble girl joyfully greeted the blonde-haired student. "Togata-san! How have you been?" She asked, her excitement radiating like the colorful bubbles floating around her.
Mirio beamed back, a warm, infectious smile lighting up his face. "I've been good; what about you, Awata-san?"
Bubble Girl let out a weary sigh, fully aware of the predictable answer that awaited her. "The same. Been busy filling out reports for Sir Nighteye." She expressed, her voice dripping with exasperation. "So much for being the top sidekick of Sir Nighteye." Bubble Girl quipped, letting out an exaggerated sigh that drew Mirio in.
Mirio couldn't stifle a laugh as he took in the amusing sight of his blue-haired companion, whose vibrant locks seemed to defy gravity and reason alike. "Don't worry, it'll get better from here. We are working for a Pro-hero, after all." "Mirio said, eager to lift the spirits of his blue-haired friend."
Bubble Girl's face lit up with joy the moment she heard that. It was as if a burst of sunshine had filled the room, instantly transforming her mood. "Yep! That's one plus side to all this. I hope I won't have to sit in the chair again if I fail to humor him once again."
That's right. Mirio was well aware that Sir Nighteye had a reputation for being quite strict when it came to humor in his agency. By the way, this was the perfect moment to question something about his sensei.
"By the way, Awata-san, did Nighteye-sensei say anything recently?" Mirio asked, wondering about his sensei.
"Oh, that," Kaoruko said blankly, scratching her head. "Well, he is expecting to see you. Can't say that he's happy about it."
Hmm, figures. So Nighteye-sensei has been expecting him before. Hopefully, it's for a good reason.
"Oh, I see." Mirio realized. "So where is Nighteye-sensei?" he asked once again.
"He's in his office, expecting you. Just be sure to make up a good excuse for your tardiness." Kaoruko issued a gentle warning, fully aware that Mirio anticipated what was to come.
"Gotcha ya! Thank you for the head-ups, Awata-san!" Mirio gave a thumbs-up in return.
Turning away from the blue-haired sidekick, Mirio slowly opened the door to his sensei's office. The school student noticed a figure sitting on his desk.
He was a tall, lean man with a sharp, elongated face and a plain business suit. His dark green hair had three yellow streaks, and he wore glasses behind his yellow, stern-looking eyes, giving off a sense of authority.
Sir Nighteye, known as Mirai Sasaki, continued to write paperwork on his desk, his eyes concentrated on the task at hand.
"Togata-san." Without lifting his gaze from the endless stream of paperwork before him, he spoke to his intern, his voice steady and focused." "Care to explain to me why you're late."
Mirio hesitated, nervously fumbling for words, acutely aware that he was short on excuses this time around. "Ye-Yes, Nighteye-sensei! Forgive me for my tardiness! I was just on my way to your agency, but I had to help someone on the way! I know that's not a good excuse, but I just couldn't let that go!"
Sir Nighteye let out a heavy sigh, fully aware that the real reason for his student's tardiness lay just beneath the surface.
Nighteye shifted his gaze from the cluttered paperwork, a sharp intensity in his eyes as he focused on Mirio. His expression was stern, holding a weight that suggested he was ready to discuss something crucial. "Togata-san, I understand that you mean well, but you can't keep making excuses for your shortcomings." Nighteye's voice carried a strict reprimand, his eyes narrowing slightly as he caught Mirio's gaze drifting to the ground, a hint of shame shadowing his features.
Nighteye, it turned out, had a lot more on his mind than just that. "However, that's not to say it's not okay to make mistakes. After all, there is a reason why I choose you. Do you know what that reason is?"
Miro shook his head in confusion. "No, why is that, Nighteye-sensei?"
Nighteye stood up from behind his desk as the office-dressed hero walked over to his intern. "It's because I see potential in you, the potential to become a great hero. The one hero to surpass All Might in the late future. This is why I want you to do your best, to show the brightest you can be."
"Am I making myself clear?" Nighteye questioned strictly.
Mirio stood up immediately. "Yes, sensei!"
Sir Nighteye smirked. "Good, now, come with me. We'll continue improving your quirk. There's more to it than just using it to battle villains. In this case, for emergencies as well."
"Yes, Nighteye-sensei! I understand entirely." Mirio responded.
Before Sir Nighteye could continue with his lecture, a sudden ping set off his phone. Nighteye paused briefly before going into his right pocket to pick up his phone. He answered. "Yes?"
Nighteye's face became grim, his expression hardening as the sudden call became essential to him.
Mirio was becoming worried about his sensei. What, or who could be calling him at this moment?
"Alright, we'll be there as soon as possible." Nighteye hung up the call, placing the phone back in his pocket. He took a deep sigh, putting both of his fingers at the bridge of his nose due to the sudden stress of the call.
"Nighteye-sensei, what's wrong?" Mirio inquired about his sensei's concern.
Nighteye sighed, knowing it wasn't good news he had with him. "It's Centipeder."
Mirio tilted his head slightly to the left, his eyes reflecting a look of worry as he wondered why Centipeder was even mentioned. "Centipeder-san? What about him?" Mirio inquired, concerned.
"Centipeder is injured in the hospital after the incident in Eusha City," Nighteye answered grimly.
Mirio's eyes widened, shocked at what he had just heard. "What?! I was just there in Eusha City! What incident?! Is Centipeder doing alright?!" A barrage of questions was frantically thrown at Sir Nighteye, becoming worried about what happened to their colleague.
With a gesture of authority, Sir Nighteye raised his hand, silencing the eager chatter of the young hero-in-training. "Togata!" he exclaimed, halting any further questions from forming in Mirio's mouth as he gazed respectfully at his bespectacled sensei, who maintained a composed expression. "Calm down, Togata-san. Do not stress yourself. According to the authorities, he is currently receiving treatment at the hospital. He and a few other pro-heroes were involved after a crazed villain broke out and nearly caused havoc in the city."
"Then, what are we doing here?! We need to see if he's okay!" Mirio attempts to reason before nearly running out of Sir Nighteye's office.
Nighteye intervenes, stopping the young man by placing his hand on his shoulder. "Togata, wait a moment! I understand your concern, but we need to take a moment to calm down. Look, after we hear more details on what happened, we'll visit Centipeder as soon as possible to make sure he and the other pro-heroes are alright." Nighteye clarified, knowing that panicking wouldn't offer a solution in the first place. "In the meantime, take a deep breath and start to act like a calm, professional hero in this situation. What did I teach you? Always be calm in a serious situation like this." He concluded his statement with wisdom.
Mirio reflected on Nighteye's words, a heavy sense of regret washing over him. Deep down, he understood his mentor was right, and the realization stung. It felt as though he had betrayed not just himself but also everything he stood for by allowing his doubts to take control. Nighteye was right, and he needed to act calm in this situation. "Yes, Nighteye-sensei! I'm sorry for raising my voice, sir. I'm just concerned about Centipeder's well-being."
Nighteye gently rested his right hand on Mirio's shoulder, a gesture meant to offer comfort and support in uncertain moments. "I know you are, Togata-san. It's why I chose you to be an intern at my agency since you show care among others in this society. But you need to remain calm at a time like this," he advised again, a look of regret crossing Sir Nighteye's face. "After all, it's my fault for sending him to the bank to run a few errands. I'm just extremely thankful he wasn't killed there, or any of the other Pro-heroes for that matter," Nighteye lamented, consumed by a suffocating sense of guilt, haunted by the weight of his decision.
Mirio shook his head, rarely disagreeing with his sensei. "But Nighteye-sensei, it wasn't your fault! You couldn't have known that a villain was going to be there where Centipider-san was!"
"Even so, he got injured due to being there. After all, his life would have been on my conscience. That's why I want you to learn from my mistakes to be the best out of all of us. Do you understand, Togata-san?" Sir Nighteye inquired, his concern for his student evident.
Mirio nodded, knowing his sensei was right once again. "Yes Nighteye-sensei. I'll learn to control my emotions next time."
"Don't worry, you're still a student in learning. You'll grow and learn over time. But for now, come on, let's get going. To see if Centipeder-san is doing alright."
Mirio nodded. "Yes, Nighteye-sensei."
With that, Mirio and Sir Nighteye began to leave the office, hoping that their friend was doing alright. While deep in thought, Mirio learned something today. He realized that his sensei, although a bit strict, demonstrated why he regarded him as a good hero, due to his initiative in handling situations.
That single glimmer was all Mirio required to push forward confidently. He hoped Centipede-sensei was doing well, for what kind of hero would he be if he did not care for the lives of others more than his own? One by one, he would look after their well-being.
Starting today, this will mark the beginning of saving others here.
God, he wasn't expecting this to happen today.
This was one of the last occurrences he desired on a day like this—not for himself but for those who had experienced a traumatic event today, and it angered him that he wasn't there to prevent it.
Aizawa was aware of this; he had reminded himself not too long ago. He had hoped to be wrong this time. Regrettably, that would not be the case here.
Arriving at the scene as swiftly as possible, Aizawa grew increasingly concerned about the situation, which he deemed pretty troublesome.
"Aizawa, glad you're here." Detective Tsukauchi greeted the Erasure Hero with a warm smile and a firm handshake.
"Detective." Aizawa greeted him with a firm handshake, conveying confidence and openness that left a lasting impression.
Aizawa surveyed the entire scene. Overturned cars littered the area, the streets were devastated, and the sound of ambulances filled the air as numerous attendants attended to the injured civilians.
Aizawa has said it before, and he'll repeat it: He should have been here. It was frustrating that a villain had been causing so much chaos as he wasn't here to prevent it.
"So what's the news here, Tsukauchi?"
"It's grim, Aizawa. Unfortunately, there were two fatalities. That psychopath brutally killed the security guards at this bank. There are eleven injuries reported, among them a middle-school student and four professional heroes caught amid his rampage." Tsukauchi explained grimly, his expression hardening as numerous innocent people became victims in the psychopath's destructive rampage.
"Tch, figures," Aizawa spoke with a weight of remorse in his voice. "Are they gonna be okay?"
"Yes, they're currently recovering. Ambulances had come for them. Thankfully, there weren't any other civilian casualties." Tsukauchi explained that Aizawa, despite not showing it, was relieved that other innocent people were unharmed and able to escape safely.
Aizawa found himself consumed by a single pressing question that echoed in his mind, refusing to let go.
"And Muscular?" The Erasure Pro-hero asked, his eyes keen and alert.
"Dead," Tsukauchi confirmed it coldly. "Died on his way to the hospital due to blood loss and overuse of his quirk. "The Magician" didn't hold back on his power."
"Damn," Aizawa stated firmly, his voice tinged with gravity. "Can't say if he did the world a favor by ridding that psychopath or if he might be a bigger threat than we originally thought."
Tsukauchi gave a thoughtful nod, a silent affirmation that spoke volumes. "Indeed, from confronting a sludge villain to the Hero-Killer, and now this powerhouse. This vigilante has seen more action than most rookie heroes encounter, or even seasoned veterans for that matter."
Aizawa knew that was true. He had already handled more situations than many Pro-heroes in the country. The worst part is that there was no clue to his nearest location or sighting of him in the last couple of hours.
"That's why we need to locate him immediately. We can't gauge this man's capabilities," Aizawa stated, aware of the peril the vigilante posed. "The sole reason this vigilante survived Muscular and his quirk is due to his undisclosed tactics, which afforded 'The Magician' the element of surprise," Aizawa elaborated to the detective. "That's precisely why we must not underestimate him. He may have an array of quirks at his disposal."
Tsukauchi nodded in agreement. "Exactly. At best, we need more workforce or a plan if we want him under our radar. Especially if he has some multi-quirk on his side."
"At this rate, we need every pro-hero in the country on the lookout for this vigilante. Hopefully, with the recent news report, it should notify the other heroes on sight once they realize that this is a bigger deal than it originally is." Aizawa clarified, aware that this had to be halted at some juncture.
Given that vigilantism is one of the most serious crimes in this country, Aizawa knew they needed to find this man before any innocent person got involved in his actions.
"Yes, on the other hand, let's just be grateful that a lot of casualties were prevented today. Even then, it still doesn't excuse the actions of this vigilante." Tsukauchi concurred with the Erasure Hero.
"Indeed, in the meantime, let's continue this investigation at the hospital. Since the pro-heroes on duty, thankfully, did survive the encounter with Muscular. Let's hope that we can get a few clues there." Aizawa stated, hoping to find a clue regarding the vigilante's whereabouts. "What else have you found about today besides the vigilante?"
"Well, it's like this. From statements from Ectoplasm and Rock Lock, the vigilante used some teleportation quirk. Teleporting constantly to escape from them. But here's the real kicker: he had some flying broom. A flying broom."
What? Did Aizawa hear that correctly? A flying broom? Okay, now, this was becoming a fantasy tale of all things.
Still, Aizawa was somewhat shocked, if not flabbergasted, as he was not aware that such a quirk existed. At least, not to his knowledge. "How is that even possible? No quirk allows you to animate or use an object like that."
"That's what they said, Aizawa-san. At best, all we can say is that it's nothing like they have never seen before. The biggest thing is that he had a few moves that managed to slow them down, like Crust being hit by an unknown force, laughing constantly, or The Fly being paralyzed by "The Magician's powers. At best, it's… bizarre." Tsukauchi conceded at the end of his sentence.
"Hmph, from what I'm hearing, it is," Aizawa admitted, knowing this was way too strange for his liking.
Aizawa and Tsukauchi continued to exchange their theories in the conversation, discussing the various theories of the enigmatic outlaw. So far, nothing has come to the table. It wasn't making sense by far, and they lived in a world where everything was mainly unordinary. The more they thought about it, the more it became repetitive.
Aizawa was aware of the situation; he had reminded himself of it not long ago. He had hoped to be mistaken this time, but unfortunately, that would not be the case here.
She should have minded her own business.
It would have been wiser for her to concentrate on her own life instead of meddling in someone else's.
For the last twenty minutes, her friends have been scolding her, their voices a mix of frustration and concern as they chastise her for her reckless behavior.
"Are you crazy, Mina?! You could have died! What the hell were you thinking?!" One of her good friends from middle school continued to scold her out of concern.
Right… It was out of concern…
Two of her friends, Mika and Rin, were checking on their pink-haired companion after the muscular villain's actions nearly killed her.
Mina Ashido lay in a hospital bed, listening to her two school friends reprimand her. She realized that this situation could have been worse, and her parents could have lectured her as well.
Mina ran a hand through her hair, the weight of her friends' words settling heavily on her shoulders. Deep down, she couldn't deny they were right about the whole situation.
"Okay, okay! I get it! I'm sorry, you guys." Mina took a moment to reflect on her recent impulsive decisions and, with genuine remorse, issued a heartfelt apology for her reckless actions. "I know I was being careless, but what do you expect? I couldn't just do nothing while people were nearly dying."
"Just be thankful that nothing bad happened to you, Mina," her friend Mika said, expressing concern.
"By the way, what do you think of the guy who saved you?" Rin, her first friend, inquired, curious about that aspect as Mina suddenly recalled whom she was referring to.
That's right! There was that guy who saved her after all.
Mina would not be resting in a hospital bed if it were not for the mysterious vigilante who saved her life. She would not be alive at this moment.
Mina couldn't shake the thought of what might have unfolded if that mysterious vigilante hadn't appeared out of nowhere. The possibilities raced through her mind, each one more gripping than the last. What if she had been left to face the danger alone? Would her fate have been different, or perhaps even far worse? The uncertainty consumed her, igniting a whirlwind of questions that demanded answers.
"I don't know. I didn't see his face." Mina hesitated, a wave of curiosity washing over her as she longed for a glimpse of his true identity.
"Oooh~ A mystery man." Mika playfully teased her pink-haired friend, lighting up the moment with a cheeky grin. Mina's cheeks flushed a soft shade of crimson, a clear sign that Mika's words had struck a delightful chord. The playful banter filled the air, weaving laughter and warmth between them.
Hey! That was supposed to be Mina's thing. She was meant to tease others about their relationship matters.
She was familiar with tales of The Magician. His presence was unusual yet fascinating, as she had never encountered anyone with such a distinctive quirk. Deep down, she held a cherished dream of one day finding the perfect words to convey her heartfelt gratitude for his brave acts of heroism.
His quirk was undeniably awesome, whatever it may have been.
Without warning, a nurse entered the room, capturing the attention of Mina and her friends. "Alright, visiting hours are over. Ashido-san needs to rest," The nurse compassionately addressed the three girls, assuring them that everything would be alright.
"Okay, see you later at school, Mina!"
"Feel better soon!"
"Bye, see you guys at school!" Mina waved her hands in an enthusiastic farewell, her smile bright as she bid goodbye to both of her friends.
Kami… she couldn't imagine what she would do without them. A small smile crossed Mina's face. She had great friends by her side.
After Mina's friends had departed, the nurse focused her attention on the pink-haired girl, her expression one of consideration. "Is there anything I can get for you, Ashido-san? Water? Warm blankets for you?"
"Ah, no, thank you. I should be good. How long am I going to be staying here for?" Mina asked, wondering how long she'd stay in the hospital for.
"Right now, the doctors are reviewing your X-rays. If they find nothing major, you should be ready to go. In the meantime, we've contacted your parents to come and pick you up in case you're fine." The nurse politely informed the pink-haired girl.
Mina nodded, understanding her words, but she knew that this would lead to conflicting results later on. In plain English, how was she going to explain this to her parents? The pink-haired girl was not looking forward to that conversation in the slightest.
"Now, are you sure I can't get anything for you, Ashido-san?" The nurse asked kindly, just in case the pink-haired teen needed anything.
"No, thank you. Just water's fine." Mina spoke with genuine politeness, her tone inviting, as the nurse acknowledged her with a nod. Trusting in the nurse's care, she felt reassured as the nurse departed to bring her the water she needed.
Right as the nurse left, closing the door behind, Mina was left alone in her thoughts.
Mina sighed, realizing she would be released from the hospital once her parents came to pick her up. She could already hear the scolding from both of them. This wasn't going to be good for her.
Still, she had to admit it. It was pretty awesome, and she couldn't deny it any further. She did wonder what was the big deal about that vigilante.
She was aware that vigilantism was against the law, yet how the enigmatic man came to her rescue seemed straight out of a movie. It was reminiscent of a knight saving a damsel or a scene from a cliché superhero film where the hero rescues the girl from peril.
The realization that genuine, kind-hearted people existed in the world filled her with an overwhelming sense of joy. Although they may have been pushing the boundaries, her view of the mysterious hero remained unshaken. His enigma's allure only deepened, captivating her imagination in ways she never anticipated. Had it not been for him, she would not be alive today.
'He's so cool! I wonder if I'll ever see him again.' Mina marveled in disbelief, her amazed sigh echoing the depth of her wonder.
Her heart raced as she recalled the moment her hero saved her from an unfortunate demise at the hands of a villain.
A warm blush tinted her cheeks as curiosity stirred within her about the magical qualities of her savior.
Well, that was a decent rest.
It was one of the rare moments when he had peace to himself; no lunatic was out to get him, nor did trouble arrive unexpectedly.
Harry reclined in the living room, savoring a moment of relief after his intense showdown with the formidable villain. He fought bravely, and now, as he basked in the aftermath, the thrill of the victory coursed through him, proving that every challenge faced was a step closer to triumph.
In his experience, however, this was not the case, as the curse of Potter Luck would strike whenever he was not vigilant, thereby negating any potential benefits.
Usually, he would leave at this point, but not when experienced pro-heroes and potential villains were actively searching for him, especially since he was technically under the custody of a pro-hero.
Technically, the woman who offered Harry a place to rest had no idea he was a vigilante. He swears, on the other hand, that woman, while yes, kind, was familiar.
Harry rose from the couch and strode across the room to the parted blinds, gazing out the window. The cityscape resembled a nocturnal canvas, with lights that shone brightly, casting an almost painterly glow in the raven-haired Gryffindor's view.
Although Harry was a stranger to this world, he admired the beautiful scenery outside the window. The former Hogwarts student had listened to tales of Japan's splendid cities. Of course, confined to the small cupboard at his aunt and uncle's house, he had little opportunity to travel and see the world himself.
Now, look at him; Harry couldn't help but grin, knowing it was the other way around.
"Hari-kun, lunch is ready. It should be cooling down now," Ryuko called out to the young wizard.
Hearing Ryuko call from across the room, the young sorcerer felt a rush—dinner was ready, and he could not miss out. After all, obtaining a decent meal was one of the few luxuries Harry could enjoy when he was not on the run or when deranged lunatics attempted to kill him daily.
Ryuko leaned closer, a frown creasing her brow, as she looked at the young wizard with genuine concern. "How did you sleep, Hari-kun?" she asked, her voice laced with worry for his well-being.
"Good, my headache is gone. I feel like I can conquer many challenges." Harry quipped confidently, stating his point.
Ryuko let out a soft laugh, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she listened to the raven-haired wizard's words. "That's good to hear, Hari-kun. Anyway, I took the liberty of cooking some dishes. Even warmed up some instant ramen due to my lack of ingredients." The blonde-haired woman explained as Harry nodded, realizing he was feeling a little peckish after the battle he had just experienced.
The young wizard approached Ryuko, who had arranged the bowls filled with noodles and spices beside them on the small table where she placed the food to enhance its flavor.
"Sorry about that, Hari-kun. Haven't had time to do grocery shopping early in the day." Ryuko apologized for the food shortage.
Harry shook his head slowly, a knowing smile creeping across his face as the understanding washed over him thoroughly. "Don't be. You already have done enough for me, Ryuko-san." Harry expressed his thoughts respectfully and with significant consideration.
That's more care than his aunt and uncle ever provided.
Harry took a seat at the small table, grabbing a utensil. Just as he was about to enjoy his meal, Ryuko's voice interrupted him.
"You know, it is customary to pray before we begin eating." Ryuko gently admonishes, urging improvement.
"Oh, sorry." Harry promptly set the utensil down, his sincere apology echoing in the room as he acknowledged his mistake.
"It's okay. It's just a way to express gratitude for having food on the table. I should be sorry for not telling you earlier." Ryuko offered an apology, but Harry dismissed it, assuring her that it was not a matter of concern.
With bated breath, Harry and Ryuko bow their heads in solemn prayer, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. Harry had never prayed for a meal before, which made it somewhat awkward for him to participate. However, he did not judge, as he understood that food was indeed a luxury and thus recognized the necessity of the prayer at this moment. Suddenly, the blonde-haired woman steps forward, her voice steady and melodic as she utters an ancient word that seems to spark a flicker of magic in the air around them.
"Itadakimasu!" Ryuko's voice brimmed with gratitude, her eyes shining with sincerity, as Harry maintained an unreadable expression, his face a perfect mask of composure. The contrast between her warmth and his cool detachment filled the air with an unspoken tension, leaving a sense of curiosity hanging between them.
"Now we can begin eating." Ryuko declared.
Harry smiled after hearing those words. It had been a while since he'd eaten something.
With eager anticipation, Harry dove into his bowl, the rich aroma of the ramen wrapping around him like a warm embrace. He brought the long, steaming noodles to his lips, slurping them up with gusto, each bite bursting with flavor that made his taste buds dance.
The young wizard understood that one should never complain about food. He grasped Ryuko's point on expressing gratitude for meals. Harry, too, spoke from experience. On his quest with Ron and Hermione to destroy the remaining Horcruxes, the dark-haired Magician foMagicianle time to dine. Particularly with Voldemort and his followers relentlessly hunting him, he recognized that food was indeed a luxury during those times.
Instant food or not, it was much better than eating table scraps left out for him by the Dursleys.
"How's the ramen, Hari-kun? Not too cold?" Ryuko asked, wondering if the food was warm enough for the young man.
Harry nodded, acknowledging that it was the finest meal he had consumed since his arrival in this strange world. "Yes, Miss Ryuko. It's quite delicious if I do say so myself."
Ryuko was pleased to hear those words coming from the green-eyed teen. "Ah, thank you, Hari-kun. Ramen has always been one of my favorite meals to eat. It is an excellent meal on the go when one does not have time to cook at home," she quipped, as Harry could not help but chuckle, knowing that was somewhat relatable.
Harry and Ryuko continued to consume the warm bowls of ramen as the young wizard pondered his thoughts. A part of him felt guilty for being an uninvited guest in this woman's household, but he knew that it was not entirely his fault, as the mad villain terrorized innocent people on the streets.
Granted, Harry could have allowed the professional heroes to handle it, but that was not his nature. He did what was necessary to protect those who needed saving at that moment. He wondered if he had gone overboard with his spells, considering that aside from Voldemort, this was the first time he had given his all in a battle between life and death since the Battle of Hogwarts.
After a few moments of silence, Harry's ears perked up, noticing the television playing another news report.
"In breaking news, earlier in Eusha City, an incident broke out near the bank of Eusha City where a crazy villain by the name of Muscular began harming civilians."
A wave of dread washed over Harry as he realized that things were about to take a turn for the worse.
"Renowned Pro-heroes like Airjet, Backdraft, Hound Dog, and Centipeder, the former sidekick of Sir Nighteye, engaged in combat with the deranged villain, shielding civilians from danger. Regrettably, the formidable strength of Muscular overwhelmed them, almost resulting in their demise."
Shite, shite, shite, no, of course this would happen!
"Amidst the chaos, an unidentified middle-school girl, seemingly possessing an acid quirk, stepped in. Her intervention bought time for the civilians of Eusha City to flee the villain's furious assault. However, her lack of experience in combat left her vulnerable, and she was injured by a shockwave emitted from the villain's hands. Before the villain has the opportunity to harm the girl, a hero arrives to assist her. Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that the rescuer was not a famous hero such as All Might, Endeavor, or Mirko; rather, it was The Magician who intervened. This was the same Magician from The Sludge Incident and his confrontation with 'The Hero-Killer."
A clip of Harry, dressed in his dark cloak and green basilisk jacket, combats the sludge villain, followed by another clip of him fighting the Hero-Killer in a dark alleyway.
Harry cursed to himself; he should have been more careful in concealing his surroundings.
"We have confirmation from a few witnesses."
The camera zoomed in on a middle-aged man who seemed to be in awe the entire time, sharing his thoughts on the topic.
"The Magician appeared out of thin air, throwing rays of light and powers at that man. It was like something out of an anime!"
Another shot from the camera zoomed in on a civilian, revealing a man in his mid-thirties. His expression appeared excited about what he was about to say.
"He managed to do the heroes' job for them! A vigilante who hasn't been seen much on the battlefield managed to defeat a villain alone without much struggle, unlike the official pro-heroes who nearly die in his grasp!"
The camera then shifted to a shot of a man in his mid-twenties and a woman of the same age, both appearing eager to share their perspectives on the event.
"It was f$#*#*# insane! He managed to distract the villain enough for me and my wife to escape from harm's way!"
Another shot focused on a man wearing merchandise of various heroes, such as All Might and Hawks.
"No way! Right before that huge dude could land a hit on that poor girl, The Magician came and saved her from his clutches!"
Another shot focused on a man in his mid-twenties, who appeared angry in front of the camera, looking as if he had something to say
"Man, where the hell were the other pro-heroes?! While you guys were probably eating in a fancy restaurant or looking at your fanmail, a real hero appeared, allowing us to be safe from that maniac! It's because of him I am alive to this day so I can see my daughter once again."
On this occasion, another couple stepped out of the camera, providing their candid opinions.
"The Magician saved me and my girlfriend! Forget the laws, let "The Magician" run free since he acted like a true pro-hero, unlike actual pro-heroes who are mainly just jokes at this point."
Harry knew this situation would not improve from here, especially if it involved the damn media, based on his past experiences with the press; if anything, it only made him a bigger target.
Subsequently, the news concluded with the following statement.
"The infamous vigilante known as 'The Magician' was instrumental in defeating the villain and rescuing the civilians, as well as aiding the injured pro-heroes. Regrettably, despite the pursuit by other pro-heroes like Ectoplasm, Crust, The Fly, and Rock Lock, they could not capture 'The Magician,' who successfully evaded them. The Hero Public Safety Commission has announced an extended investigation into the location of 'The Magician' and his potential involvement in the disappearance of the Hero-Killer. Updates on the investigation will be broadcast until further notice."
'Wonderful.' Harry seethed silently, his mind racing with frustration.
Harry said it before, and he'll repeat it… Bullocks.
Lost in his thoughts, Harry suddenly became aware of a shift in Ryuko's expression. A flicker of something deeper crossed the young sorcerer's face, pulling Harry from his reverie and igniting his curiosity. What sparked this change? Almost as if she was… upset about something.
"Miss Ryuko?" Harry spoke with a furrowed brow, his voice laced with concern.
"They dare call us jokes… after what we do for them," Ryuko leaned in close, a flash of irritation sparking in her eyes as she whispered fiercely, causing Harry's ears to perk up at the tantalizing fragment of her words.
Ryuko caught sight of the unease etched across Harry's face, his brow furrowed in concern.
"I'm sorry, Hari-kun. It's been a rough month for me." She began to apologize sincerely for her tone. I don't like that people take us for granted, especially since we put our lives on the line for them so that they can live happily the next day." Ryuko apologized to the young wizard, who did not respond but instead gave her a solemn expression.
Harry held his tongue, fully grasping the weight of her anger. He recognized the depth of her frustration and chose to respect her feelings, knowing that sometimes silence speaks louder than words. So that was what was bothering her.
Harry gave Ryuko a sympathetic look, and the young wizard knew why. She felt like a shadow, her courage and sacrifices overlooked as she tirelessly fought to protect the innocent. Each selfless act seemed to vanish into the air, leaving her grappling with the haunting question: were her efforts all in vain? Finally, Harry spoke. "It's okay, Miss Ryuko. I understand," he said sincerely.
"You do?" Ryuko posed a critical question to the young wizard, seeking clarity and truth in his response.
"I do," Harry answered honestly. "After all, heroes that I knew back where I came from always put their lives on the line to help others. You aren't different from those people and believe me. Those are the kinds of role models I wish to be when I get a chance to achieve those goals. From what I know of you, you aren't too different from those role models."
Ryuko paused, letting the young Gryffindor's words hang in the air for a moment. A smile slowly spread across her face, a spark of warmth breaking through her initial silence, as if those heartfelt words had ignited a flicker of joy within her. "I never thought of it like that. I guess we do have different impacts on people, after all."
Harry smiled, knowing he was speaking from his fair share of experience. While the young wizard pondered, relishing his noodles, he heard Ryuko's gentle voice calling out to him.
"You do know that I am a pro-hero, right Hari-kun?" Ryuko inquired.
"Yeah, I kinda got the feeling you were," Harry said truthfully.
"Well, yes. At the same time, what's the point of being called a Pro-hero if I wasn't there to help those innocent people? They weren't wrong about those comments; they could have died if no one was there to intervene to save them from that maniac." With a heavy heart, she expressed her deep regret once more.
Harry spoke up, attempting to cheer up the blonde-haired woman. "Miss Ryuko, it's okay. It wasn't your fault that you weren't to stop it. At least "The Magician" or whoever that person managed to save those people. As you said yourself, people managed to be saved because of the actions of that one vigilante."
Harry hoped those were the right words to use. The last thing Harry wanted was to upset this woman from her troubles.
"The Magician… Yeah, so I heard. A vigilante who is putting himself in danger when it's a known fact that it's illegal to use your quirk in public without a license." Ryuko observed as Harry looked intrigued, realizing that the rules in this reality were very similar to those of The Wizarding World's laws and regulations.
With a spark of curiosity illuminating her eyes, Ryuko asked, her voice brimming with intrigue. "You have similar laws like that in your country, too, huh, Hari-kun?"
"Yeah, it's a little different how it works in England," Harry said, knowing he, too, faced similar difficulties.
Ryuko's intrigue deepened as she pored over those statements, her mind buzzing with questions and possibilities. "How so?" The Dragoon heroine asked, wanting to learn more about Harry's customs from his hometown and country.
"Well, in England, you have to be at a specific age to use your… "quirks" in public." Harry fabricated an excuse on the spot, but there was some truth behind the matter. "We could only use them at school but not at our homes. Students there needed to wait until the age of seventeen to freely use quirks, upon graduating freely, of course."
Harry definitely didn't need to lie about that.
Ryuko hummed in interest. "Huh, I see. Interesting. Guess not all countries operate the same way Japan does."
Harry hesitantly agreed with the Pro-Heroine. "Yeah, you could say that," Harry jokingly said, and Ryuko chuckled at the young wizard's words.
"Miss Ryuko, if you don't mind me asking, what kind of Pro-hero are you?" Harry asked in genuine curiosity.
"Well, I'm one of the few well-known heroes in this city. I am not sure if this applies to your country, England, but in Japan, we have a ranking system that puts us in a specific place. Like for example, it depends on the general popularity or our contribution to society, like how many lives we've saved or on how strong we are. There's a big event that presents it, that announces where we ranked officially." Ryuko elucidated Japan's ranking system's intricacies, enabling Harry to comprehend its regulations.
With a spark of intrigue lighting up his eyes, Harry leaned forward, his voice filled with anticipation. "Okay, so where do you belong on the ranking chart?" he asked curiously.
"Well, I'm the Number Ten Hero, so I'm definitely in the top ten, known as Ryukyu, the Dragoon Hero. That's the alias I go by when I'm out patrolling the streets." Ryuko introduced her pro-hero alias. Harry seemed slightly amazed but skeptical about the name.
Ryukyu? That name does sound familiar. But why? Where has Harry heard of that name before?
Wait a minute, hold on. Harry slowly begins to recall his thoughts, the memories flowing in slowly—the news. When Harry was watching the news before, after his battle with Stain, he remembers hearing a similar name.
Back in the dark alleyway, Harry saved that poor woman who was nearly assaulted if it weren't for his interference. After Harry saved the woman's life from that thug, he remembers another person appearing in the alleyway; this time, a pro-hero who resembled a dragon.
A dragon? Now, that's when it hit Harry.
He remembers!
This was the woman from the alleyway. The same woman was a pro-hero who cast a memory charm on her by wiping it out. The same woman came to tend to him after he nearly escaped other pro-heroes who were hot on his trail.
This was the woman who was on his mind lately.
Harry's skin went pale as if he was staring at a ghost, knowing he was in the Lion's Den.
"Hari-kun, Hari-kun, Hari-kun. Are you okay? You're scaring me, kid." Ryuko began to worry for the young Gryffindor.
Harry quickly emerged from his daze, turning to meet Ryuko's gaze, which was filled with genuine concern for the raven-haired Gryffindor.
"Ye-Yeah, I'm fine. Just had a lot on my mind." Harry lied. Shite, Harry needed to steel himself. He was already getting unwanted attention from Ryuko, and that was the last thing he wanted. Harry had nothing against this poor woman, nor did he hate her obviously, but the fact that she was a Pro-hero.
If not, as she discusses not too long ago, she was the bloody number ten hero. He couldn't afford to stay in her house any longer, but what choice did he have? He couldn't use another memory charm on her; Harry felt terrible the first time and didn't want to repeat the same action over again, especially after she had taken him inside her home to treat his fatigue.
Bloody hell, this was getting complicated, even for him, who should be used to this stuff.
So what could Harry do in this situation? Well, there were a couple of ideas he had in his head. He could pack his things and leave her house while she was still asleep, but doing so would likely attract attention and could lead to him being on the run once again. So, that idea was quickly discarded.
As well, he wasn't going to cast another memory charm on this poor woman; the last thing he needed was more guilt to carry in his head. Harry knew he was overthinking, but for now, he needed to take a break, especially since he wasn't in any condition to be going out at this time.
All Harry could do at that moment was wait, his heart pounding with anticipation as the seconds stretched into an eternity.
Just wait and nothing more than that.
With worry etched across her face, Ryuko leaned in, her voice laced with concern. "Hari-kun, are you sure you're okay? You look a little pale. Do you need to go to the hospital?" she asked, the weight of her unease palpable.
Harry shook his head, knowing that was unnecessary. "No, I'm fine, Miss Ryuko. I just had a sudden headache. I might need to rest for a bit. Forgive me if I am worrying you."
Ryuko shook her head, knowing he had nothing to be sorry about. "No, you don't need to apologize, Hari-kun. You're a guest here, especially since, from what you told me, you've been through a lot recently."
Oh, you have no idea. Harry knew he didn't have to be told that twice.
"Tell you what. After dinner, you can sleep in the guest room." Ryuko continues to assure the raven-haired wizard, who is a bit shocked at her words.
"Are you sure? I don't want to bother you, Miss Ryuko," Harry said with guilt, not wanting to intrude on her property.
"It's okay, Hari-kun. What's important is you get back on your feet." Ryuko assured the young wizard kindly.
Yeah... as if he had any choice at that moment. Nevertheless, Harry understood that he could not refuse, at least not until he found the appropriate moment to depart from the area.
"Alright, thank you, Miss Ryuko." Harry smiled, albeit it was a forced one.
"Don't mention it, Hari-kun." Ryuko began to smile, feeling a bit better by the whole ordeal.
Soon, both Harry and Ryuko continued to eat the remainder of their dinner without any difficulty. However, Harry knew that it was not as simple as that. He understood that he had to face his battles alone, determined not to drag anyone else into his turmoil.
This was his journey, and he, alone, would go through with it.
He wouldn't drag innocent people into his battles, especially the woman who helped him when he needed it.
After all, he had his own "quirks" on his sleeve in case he needed to bail out of trouble for once.
"The infamous vigilante known as 'The Magician' was instrumental in defeating the villain and rescuing the civilians, as well as aiding the injured pro-heroes. Regrettably, despite the pursuit by other pro-heroes like Ectoplasm, Crust, The Fly, and Rock Lock, they could not capture 'The Magician,' who successfully evaded them. The Hero Public Safety Commission has announced an extended investigation into the location of 'The Magician' and his potential involvement in the disappearance of the Hero-Killer. Updates on the investigation will be broadcast until further notice."
"Hmmm, interesting."
The television continued to play as the man, despite being visually impaired, was captivated by this remarkable event.
It appeared that this vigilante had more "tricks" up his sleeve than he initially anticipated. He pities the villain who perished during the battle, proving that he was merely a weakling compared to the vigilante.
He would require the league to capture him and evaluate his potential for their plans, particularly in ushering in a new era under his leadership in the Quirked Era.
It would be beneficial for his future endeavors as he aimed to establish a new order of Quirks under his control.
AN: Hello Everyone! Chapter Eight of A Wizard's Second Academia is finally here!
Special thanks go to Meraj Alimi (King 101) for helping beta-read this chapter! I appreciate the support, as always!
Harry's pretty much stuck in a corner! Everyone's after him, and the only one who offers him shelter is the first person he ran into trouble with here!
Speaking of Ryuko, she will have an essential role in the story, considering she is the most suitable mentor, depending on how the relationship grows from here. And she's a dragon, of course, and Harry has had his experiences with dealing with dragons before. It should be interesting!
Also, other characters from the previous chapters have appeared, like Mirio, Eraserhead, Gentle, and Mina, who will show up again sometime in the future, same with the different characters and got to see Sir Nighteye for the first time in the story! Hopefully, he will have a better fate here than how he did in canon, but won't go into full detail without spoiling much.
Some fan favorites like Mirko or Stars and Stripes might make a future appearance, but again, it will be a while due to bringing other characters into the fic. As well, I bet you can guess the mystery character who appeared at the end of the fic!
Overall, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. I would like to hear your thoughts on whether you want the direction this story is taking! I plan for this fic to diverge a bit from canon and follow a more original story than "Random MC Goes to UA Academy" since those do get pretty repetitive to read once you read one. Once again, I would like to hear your thoughts on that, as well!
Please leave a favorite, follow, and review this fic! Of course, no flames, but constructive criticism is always welcome here!
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Code for Berserker Jeanne- /bmRdHFGa
In case you want to chat with me on there! Good servers if you're looking for a place for fanfiction!
Enjoy these five updates from me! Check out the other fics that were updated today. I will be taking a small break from writing due to personal reasons involving family and education studies. I appreciate your support!
Stay safe, stay awesome, and have a great day out there! Adios!