Lesson

Chapter 29

Two weeks later. September 1st. New school year.

The new school year had begun. Nejire was in class 2A. Yui had to return home, despite her obvious displeasure at not spending time with Vesemir. Vesemir had spent his time learning to write and spending a lot of time with Letho before the start of the school year. His motorcycle riding skills had improved.

Early in the morning, Vesemir glanced out the window. He had never seen such a crowd of students. Today was the start of the new school year. His father was going to take the new class 1A for 'proficiency tests.' Letho was also planning to be there, so Vesemir had practically a day off to himself. He wouldn't waste it. He dressed appropriately for training, strapped his swords to his back, and strapped Letho's knives to his chest. He might as well see how the new students fared.

Before the classes even began, Vesemir was already at the training grounds, where he had brought with him a dozen robots that responded to voice commands. These robots had been created by Power Loader to train students in melee combat. The robots were interesting in that they had the ability to learn from their opponents, meaning they could pose a challenge for Vesemir after some time

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Fuwa Mawata watched a white-haired boy in leather armor check his weapons. He allowed the robots to surround him. She'd heard about him from the news... in fact, the entire new class of 1A knew about Vesemir. Some students were simply chatting among themselves, getting to know each other on their first day. A few were observing the 'White Wolf.' Their teacher hadn't arrived yet, so everyone did as they saw fit.

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A steel sword slid from its sheath. The robots registered hostile movement. The nearest one launched an attack.

Vesemir fell forward and suddenly swerved to the side, avoiding the spear thrust. He emerged from the pirouette with a long cut across the robot's torso. The red lights on the machine's head turned green. This meant the robot had been eliminated from the fight and was leaving the "battlefield," only to rejoin the fray soon.

Power Loader not only installed improved armor but also sensors on the robots that reported critical hits, simulating villains. This freed him from the constant repair of the robots destroyed by Vesemir.

The robots didn't wait. Three more advanced from different directions. Vesemir bent his knees and moved forward. He used the Aard Sign to push the attackers away, then dodged to the side, avoiding a halberd thrust that hit another robot. It glowed green.

The halberdier didn't have time to follow up his attack as Vesemir slammed his sword into his neck. The green lights flashed.

Another robot, scanning the situation, changed its strategy. He tried to feint, but Vesemir used Aard to throw him off balance and slash him twice: once above the knee and once around the stomach. The other robot returned to the back of the line.

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The new students were seeing this kind of fighting for the first time. Fast, ruthless, and precise. Fuwa didn't know if it was just a show-off for them or not... but she was shocked by how calm the boy seemed. No step was wasted. He attacked in such a way that he could then follow up with another slash at another robot. Even those students who had initially been chatting among themselves now stood silently, watching the white-haired boy wreak havoc among the armed robots.

Aizawa slowly slipped into the classroom in his sleeping bag. He remained unnoticed. For a moment, he lay still, observing the new students... he wasn't pleased with what he saw. After a minute, he finally caught their attention.

"I've been here for a minute, and none of you have noticed me. If you're going to be so distracted, go home immediately."

All the students' eyes immediately turned to the figure lying by the door. Aizawa slowly rose from his sleeping bag and looked at the classroom.

"Welcome to U.A. I'm Shouta Aizawa. From now on, I'm your homeroom teacher. If anyone thought this day would be all fun and games, like kindergarten, they should immediately reconsider their expectations."

Silence answered him. Aizawa turned and headed for the exit.

"You have two minutes to change. You'll have your Quirk assessment test in a moment."

The students rushed to the locker room to change into their practice uniforms. Aizawa just narrowed his eyes at their lack of organization.

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Aizawa waited on the training field. Letho joined him. The first students were already running towards him. Eraserhead glanced at the witcher.

"You still haven't told me where you're taking my son."

"And I still don't intend to tell you. This is his training, not yours."

"I'm his father."

"Which means nothing to me. Have fun with the special needs class. I'm going to Vesemir."

"Hey. You have your duties as a UA teacher."

Letho didn't even turn to face Aizawa.

"Yes, but as you know, I haven't been appointed homeroom teacher for any class. My classes start tomorrow. For now, I plan to spend some time with my nephew."

Aizawa narrowed his eyes. Nezu had the idea of introducing the Pro Hero from the USA to the people as Vesemir's distant cousin. The reason is that they both have the same... 'quirk'... and due to their age difference, Letho, known as Pro Hero Viper, calls Vesemir his 'nephew.'

Eraserhead sighed heavily. It took almost four minutes for the entire class to gather. He was very displeased.

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Vesemir finished sparring with the robots when he noticed Letho approaching. The boy nodded to his 'uncle.'

"Greetings, Honorable Mr. Uncle!"

"Okay, just call me Letho. I'm going to puke. All the students call me 'Sensei'."

Vesemir spread his arms dramatically.

"But how could I show such disrespect, Uncle?"

Letho leaned against one of the robots.

"Today we'll see what awaits you next year."

"Hmmm..... Aiz..... Father doesn't look pleased."

Letho shrugged and stretched lazily, glancing at the newly arrived students.

"Because he's not. This class doesn't take this seriously. It'll end badly."

Vesemir sighed, sheathing his sword.

"But that's probably why they're here, right? To train?"

"Theoretically, yes, but practically... if you don't have any predispositions beforehand... you won't make a hero."

Vesemir looked at Letho suspiciously.

"And how did you become a pro hero?"

Letho pulled a hip flask from under his vest and took a few sips.

"By accident. I saved the ass of some big shot who was on the commission that recruited pro heroes from the vigilante. I took the job because I had nothing better to do."

Aizawa began the test. They both focused on the group of students.

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An hour later. Aizawa wasn't even dissatisfied anymore. He wasn't embarrassed... he was disgusted. This group was worthless. A few students might have some talent, but they behaved reprehensibly. Instead of giving their all, they were showing off in front of their peers. He needed to teach them a good lesson in fear and humility... He looked around and caught sight of Letho and Vesemir... He smiled eerily, as he did when he had a plan...

"Enough. None of you are fit to be UA students. Pack your bags and get out of my school. You're all expelled from the hero course."

The expelled students immediately raised their voices.

"You're kidding, right?! I threw the ball the farthest! I have the best physical results!"

"You can't just... expel me!"

"But... I tried... I really tried!"

"What kind of fucking setup is this?!"

"I want a second try!"

"I didn't come here from another city to be thrown out like that!"

"I have potential! Seriously! Don't throw me out!"

Aizawa directed a smile at them.

"Do you want to stay at UA? Fine. Anyone who defeats my son will be reinstated. You each have one chance."

Aizawa turned his head.

"Son! Come join us!"

The armed boy walked up to Letho without rushing.

"What do you need, Father?"

"I just expelled this group of students from this school, but I gave them one chance. Those who defeat you in combat will stay at UA. Be so kind as to test them."

"Hmmmm...."

Vesemir calmly looked around at the students. He seemed to understand what Aizawa meant. He took a few steps toward them.

"I warn you... I won't be gentle."

Some students recoiled instinctively, but among them stepped a boy with a quirk that increased his muscle mass. He was clearly the strongest of the group.

"Come on, he's just a kid who thinks he's better than us!"

Letho folded his arms across his chest.

"This kid has killed dozens of people. Vesemir. Show them no mercy, but don't kill anyone. You can cut them up a bit. Recovery Girl will tend to their wounds, but she won't heal them if you kill them."

The white-haired man just nodded.

A silence fell upon the group. Even the bravest glanced at each other in uncertainty. The boy who had been shouting earlier charged at Vesemir. His muscles doubled in size.

Vesemir drew his steel sword. The boy didn't even hesitate. He charged at Vesemir. He performed the Aard sign, straight at his opponent. He was thrown back a good dozen meters. He fell into a group of other boys who were debating whether to join the fight. Vesemir decided to speak.

"I don't have all day, so you can all attack me at once."

The group of students froze. No one moved. Some looked at their fallen friend, who was getting up with the help of others.

One girl with a fire quirk clenched her fists and charged towards him. Two boys followed close behind. One had long fingernails like a vampire's. The other had the ability to grow his hair rapidly, protecting him like a hedgehog.

The idiots attacked from the same direction. The girl made the biggest mistake. She could have attacked from a distance. Vesemir didn't wait for her attack, but instead jumped in and struck her in the stomach with the hilt of his sword. When she flinched from the blow, he followed it up with a knee strike straight to the face. There was no mercy.

"You dick!"

One of the boys shouted, shooting his nails at Vesemir, which were slipping from his fingers. The young witcher easily dodged the blow and slashed at his nails, closing in on his enemy. Vesemir slashed his calf, leaving a long but shallow gash on his leg. The boy fell to the ground and began screaming in pain, as if someone was murdering him.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH"

Vesemir jumped over him and made the Igni sign towards the hedgehog boy. His hair immediately caught fire. The boy began running, screaming, for the nearest water source, which were the faucets at the entrance to the locker room.

The entire fight lasted less than ten seconds. Vesemir looked around at the others.

"Anyone else want to try?"

The remaining students stood paralyzed. Some had tears in their eyes, others looked at Vesemir in horror.

Aizawa glanced at his watch, as if assessing how much time had passed. Letho snorted. One of the boys behind him tried to say something else, but after a moment, he lowered his head and retreated to the group. No one else tried. Everyone realized they had no chance.

Vesemir sheathed his sword. His father approached him.

"If this were a real fight with the villain... these three would be dead by now. Pack your things. The injured are to go to the nurse. This is your last day at UA."

Some lowered their heads. Others stood still. Someone tried to say something... but there was no point. The decision was made. Aizawa stood still, watching the would-be heroes leave the training ground. They walked slowly, silently, with a sense of defeat they would never forget.

Vesemir remained silent. He felt no triumph. This was a test they had all failed. In his place, he allowed these four people to take up the challenge to stay, but he was not a teacher.

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Late afternoon. Teacher's lounge.

Midnight leaned over the table.

"Aizawa... did you really kick them all out?"

Aizawa calmly sipped his coffee.

"Don't be dramatic, Midnight."

"I'm not being dramatic. I'm serious. It was the first day of school. You didn't even give them a chance..."

"They had a chance. And they wasted it. They were supposed to take the test with full dedication. Instead, we got theater, showboating, and lack of discipline. I can't teach people who don't want to learn."

Midnight leaned back in her chair, was silent for a moment, and finally asked.

"So what... you kicked them out because they're not like Vesemir?"

Aizawa looked up from his mug. His gaze hardened, though his voice remained calm.

"Watch your words, Nemuri."

"You're comparing them all to a boy who went through hell before coming to our school. We all know they didn't stand a chance against him on the first day."

Aizawa set his mug down with a distinct thud.

"My son had no choice. He learned to fight, or he would have died. They have a choice. They grew up in comfort. They have a system that gives them the tools. And what did they do with that chance? They wasted it on showboating and talking. The world has changed."

Midnight crossed her arms, feeling the tension in the air.

"So what? Are we supposed to measure everyone on Vesemir's scale now?"

"It wasn't about winning. It was about how they approached the situation. And they failed."

"God... Aizawa, they're just kids. Give them a chance to learn..."

"That's what I'm doing."

Midnight blinked.

"What did you say?"

Aizawa sighed heavily.

"I didn't expel any of them. They'll all be back at school tomorrow. They'll get the information on their phones around 9 P.M."

Midnight snorted softly and shook her head.

"You damn manipulator..."

Aizawa shrugged.

"They need to understand that this isn't kindergarten. That if they want to stay here, they have to work hard. They have to take this seriously."

Midnight sighed and leaned her elbows on the counter, rubbing her face with her hand.

"So, do you think that will shake them up enough to smarten them up?"

"We'll see tomorrow."

End of Chapter 29