Higari Maijima had come to cool off. Maybe grab a coffee to soothe his throat and weary soul. The evening promised peace and quiet. Most of the people had gone home by now. A development Higari considered fortunate given how he still hadn't changed out of his hero costume.
After spending all day yelling at UA students, he couldn't find it in him to go all the way home to change.
There stood Power Loader, excited to finally relax after a long day. What he wasn't aware of, however, was that he was being hunted.
Arthur Boyle stared at the golden dragon with narrowed eyes.
The dragon was far larger than him. Still, it shall be overcome.
It appeared far stronger. Still, it shall be bested.
Arthur had no sword. Still, he would fight.
Letting loose a battle cry, Arthur sprinted towards the beast, his eyes aflame with fiery passion.
Power Loader's eyes, in contrast, were flooded with confusion.
Why is a literal baby charging towards me screaming?
The boy, upon reaching him, began punching and kicking his legs with all the might of a minor inconvenience.
"FALL FOUL DRAGON."
"Huh?"
"YOUR TREASURES SHALL BE MINE."
"Huh??"
"TODAY MARKS THE FIRST CONQUEST OF THE GREAT KNIGHT ARTHUR BOYLE."
Finally snapping out of his stupor, Power Loader reached forward and grabbed the brat by the back of his shirt.
The boy didn't cease his attacks. In fact, he got even more desperate.
"UNHAND ME FIEND."
Higari raised an eyebrow. "Why? So you can keep trying to take me down?"
"I SAID UNHAND ME."
Higari sighed.
"I guess you don't plan on listening to me anytime soon."
"A KNIGHT DOES NOT CONVERSE WITH HIS ENEMIES!"
This world keeps spawning all kinds of weirdos.
Arthur's struggle had not ceased for even a moment. Through sheer luck and will, he managed to achieve his goal. The nail of his middle finger, which had gone untrimmed for at least a month, managed to scratch Higari's bare chest.
"TAKE THAT!"
"HEY!"
Reacting purely on instinct, Higari's free hand went straight for the back of his captive's head, knocking him out instantly.
All resistance ceased.
There stood the hero Power Loader in an almost empty street, staring at the limp boy in his arms. Only one thought came to mind.
Why me?
When Arthur came to consciousness, he was met with a man sipping a cup of coffee in front of him.
The man had startling orange hair, green eyes, and a hint of facial hair on his jaw. All things considered, he appeared to be a perfectly ordinary citizen, save for the fact that he was shirtless.
"The dragon…" Arthur began to ask. "Where is it?"
The man's face twisted into a wry grin.
"Taken care of."
Arthur smiled. It seemed he had succeeded in his mission.
"I see." The boy said, his voice solemn. "And its treasure?"
The man's smile grew wider. "The government confiscated it for the betterment of the country."
Arthur's back immediately straightened in righteous indignation. "WHAT?"
"Why? Did you need it for something?" Higari asked with a raised eyebrow.
Arthur's lips trembled. He was hungry, tired, and – worst of all – still broke.
"I needed it for my power." He answered in a small voice.
"And what do you need that power for?" Power Loader gently asked the child.
Any semblance of childish fear and worry vanished instantly.
"To become a knight."