Chapter 31
Vesemir once again trained alone. The data collected by Power Loader was astonishing. The robots were now behaving like true Endregas. Their movements were fluid, full of sudden bursts, and their attacks were quick and unpredictable... for ordinary students. Vesemir had already known the fighting style of this monster species for years.
One of the machines leaped out from the side, trying to sneak up behind him. Vesemir didn't turn his head. He could hear the metal beast perfectly. A standard half-pirouette and a slash to the abdomen. The beast fell 'dead'. Sensors signaled a feigned death.
Power Loader didn't tell Vesemir that he had changed the program. He wanted to see how the boy would handle a situation he couldn't predict. The Endrega Warrior tried to strike Vesemir with his tail, spinning in midair. This was something a true beast couldn't do. The young witcher bent his knees and delivered a powerful slash that severed the robot's tail.
Vesemir turned toward the next robots, but they stood motionless... after a moment, he realized he hadn't heard the sound of metal hitting the floor... he turned his head and looked at the severed steel tail, which had frozen motionless... in mid-air...
He knew only one person capable of such a thing... He heard a whistling sound, forming a slow, calm melody... he looked up. From the air, like a staircase, slowly and deliberately descended...
Gaunter O'Dimm.
Vesemir felt fear, but didn't show it... or at least he hoped so. Gaunter only smiled at him. When he was close to the ground, he stopped whistling and spoke.
"Ahh, technology. It's amazing what the people of this world have achieved. Wouldn't you agree, Vesemir?"
Vesemir didn't answer, but sheathed his sword. He knew he had no chance against this... creature.
Gaunter laughed softly, a sound that didn't fit any normal joy.
"And you remain the same. Eternally serious."
Vesemir nodded slowly.
"Mr. O'Dimm, I presume."
"We haven't had a chance to meet yet, but you know me from Geralt's stories. You know me well enough to know why I come."
"You want to make me an offer I'll refuse. I remember well my grandfather's story about Olgierd von Everec."
Gaunter's smile widened, as if he'd heard a particularly amusing story.
"Oh, Olgierd... yes, the man who thought he could outsmart me at my own game. Well... he played and lost. He knew the rules well. I have another offer for you."
"I'm not interested in any deal with you."
O'Dimm held up a finger.
"You're not interested in any deal... that will change when you hear my offer. Don't worry. It's truly fair. You've already made the first move when you refused All Might."
"That doesn't mean I want anything from you."
"Relax, Vesemir. You don't even know what I'm offering you. I can promise you one thing: I've never lied to anyone before."
Vesemir narrowed his eyes.
"Then make your offer and leave."
"It's very simple, Vesemir. There's a boy who will receive a quirk from All Might. Your task will be to ensure he becomes a pro hero. That's all. I won't expect anything more from you. You don't have to be friends with him. Just make sure he survives until he gets his license."
Vesemir eyed him warily.
"Is that all? No hidden catch?"
"Yes. No blood oaths, no souls pledged. Just a small favor. In return... I'll help you unlock your abilities."
"What else can you give me that I don't already have? I don't have any hidden abilities I don't know about."
O'Dimm smiled as if he'd expected that answer.
"Elder Blood."
Vesemir flinched, though he tried to keep a straight face. He failed. At the sight, O'Dimm laughed slowly.
"I see I've piqued your curiosity."
"How... how do you even know..."
"I know everything worth knowing. I know your blood is not ordinary. That it carries a power you don't yet fully understand. I will point you in the right direction. I will unlock your abilities. You will be able to teleport across distances. You will be able to cover short distances instantly in a streak of light. In the future, you will even be able to teleport to other worlds... you will be able to return home... if you wish, but for now, this part of your heritage will be blocked... until the person you are to protect receives a license..."
Vesemir clenched his fists.
"Should I just take your word for it?"
O'Dimm's face darkened.
"Oh, Vesemir... I never lie."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then there's no telling when you'll unlock your full abilities. Maybe in 10, 20 years. By then, everything you knew will have changed. You may never fully unlock your gift."
Vesemir clenched his jaw... what O'Dimm was offering was different from All Might's. O'Dimm wanted him to fit into this world. All Might, on the other hand, was offering him the peak of his abilities... something that could give him an advantage in every battle... and a path back to Geralt and Triss...
Gaunter, as if reading his mind, leaned in slightly and began to speak as if he were telling a story.
"Imagine this, Vesemir... no bonds. No boundaries. The enemy draws his sword, and you're already behind him. And when the day comes when you want to leave this place... you simply disappear. This isn't a trap, Vesemir. This is the key. A pure and honest agreement. If you fail, I simply won't help you fully unlock your ability. You lose practically nothing, and you could gain everything."
"And I'm supposed to just believe there will be no price?"
"There's always a price, Vesemir... you just won't pay it."
The words hung in the air like a blade. Vesemir felt that unpleasant, primal instinct stir somewhere deep inside, alerting him to the threat.
"And who will pay it then?"
"No one you know. It won't be Geralt, Triss, or anyone else you know or are close to. I promise."
Vesemir stared at him for a long moment, trying to detect the slightest hint of a lie in his voice or gaze.
"Hmm... I'd like to add something to this agreement."
"What."
"Tell me if I have a quirk and how it works."
"Fine. If you just accept the previous terms, I'll do it."
"Just like that?"
"Vesemir. I've already told you the terms of our agreement. Yes. Just like that."
Vesemir exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of the decision weighing on his shoulders. He knew he shouldn't agree... deals with O'Dimm always end badly for someone, and often these include outsiders who had no part in the deal... but his judgment was clouded by the vision of returning to the sunny vineyards of Toussaint, to the frosty castles of Kovir, to Mahakam, bustling with mining life and excellent alcohol... and to his family.
"I agree."
O'Dimm smiled in triumph.
"That's a very good decision. For now, All Might's successor will remain a secret. You'll meet him when the need arises."
Vesemir blinked. O'Dimm vanished, and another robot lunged at him. It was too late to reach for his sword. He wouldn't have time to dodge either.
"Oh fuck!"
He shouted a curse. He only thought about where he wanted to be, and suddenly... he found himself behind the robot. For only a moment, he saw a streak of light leading from where he had stood a second ago. He was shocked, but his training told him he couldn't wait. He pulled the knife from the sheath on his chest and plunged the blade into the metal beast's back.
"Stop the simulation."
The robots stopped and returned to their starting positions. O'Dimm didn't tell Vesemir anything... but the boy somehow understood exactly how to use this power... he also understood how his quirk worked... his own version of Erasure. He could block the quirk of anyone in constant contact with a part of his body. This also included severed hair, sweat, tears, blood... he could freely decide whether he wanted to block someone's quirk or not. Vesemir understood that he had just become someone very powerful in this world. If he ever fought someone, all he had to do was spit on them or throw a few hairs at them... and the person relying on their quirk would be unable to use it.
.
.
.
High-quality footage from the training room played on a large screen in Principal Nezu's office. Only the sounds of the recording could be heard in the room.
Power Loader sat leaning forward, his hands clasped together. Aizawa leaned against the wall, watching the footage carefully. Nezu slowly sipped his tea. Aizawa finally spoke.
"Look how he stood before that teleportation. It was as if the camera hadn't captured part of his movement. He stood without a sword in his hand."
Nezu nodded.
"Do you suspect he was visited by the same person as you?"
"Yes."
"Then we need to talk to Vesemir and find out what they were talking about."
End of Chapter 31