Chapter 19: The Job
After our little talk, Nezu didn't waste much time. The very next day I was already being transported to UA. I have already seen this place from the outside. But I still can't help thinking that it's unnecessarily big.
I was no longer cuffed, although they did put a small ankle bracelet on my leg to be able to locate me. Not that I couldn't get rid of it. It was some assurance for the authorities. It most likely also had a heartbeat sensor.
The one in charge of me was the ever-energetic Aizawa. I swear this man looks more and more tired with each day that passes. I decided to strike up some conversation the only way I knew, by being annoying.
"So, what's with the bags under your eyes? Been doing groceries lately?" He absolutely ignored the las part, he calmly responded.
"With your absence, the streets have been getting busier at night..." He was an underground hero now that I think about it, he usually acted at night. Damn, the years I was active must've been like a holiday for him.
"I was hoping villains wouldn't go apeshit without me keeping them in check..."I lazily said. I wasn't really bothered by this, I knew I could get back to my patrols after getting my hands on a provisional licence.
"Well, your presence was a lot more important in suppressing them than we first thought. They are going back to normal anyway, crime rates won't be zero but they still won't be like now." He was right, me being gone just gave them a massive boost in confidence, the novelty of it will soon be gone, and with heroes working overtime the situation was slowly getting under control.
We kept chatting a bit, mainly me asking questions and him responding. After a while, I could see the wall of UA. Aizawa guided me through the campus and into the school buildings, giving me a quick tour before taking me to the principal's office.
Most of what he showed me was just on the way, the rest he just mentioned in passing. As we got to the door I could hear some mumbling inside the room. I could sense Nezu and Toshinori being inside. Nezu on a boosted seat and Toshinori on a couch.
There were quite a few things on my mind. I wanted to find out what I was going to be doing around here. Nezu didn't specify anything and I really didn't want to be a janitor. I mean, if I had no choice I would do it, but I wasn't gonna be happy about it.
Aizawa opened the door and dragged me into the room, probably not wanting to waste any more time on his escort mission.
"I brought him, I need to go prepare for my next class now."After saying that he just left...
Bringing me out of my stupor, Nezu greets me energetically.
"Hello, young Allan! I'm very glad to welcome you to UA. I hope Aizawa told you about some of the facilities around."
"He mentioned some stuff, there's just one thing I wasn't clarified of..." I said, taking a pause, hoping Nezu would just catch on.
He just looked at me expectantly. As if he didn't know what I meant.
Sighing I continued "What exactly is my job here?"
He instantly replied, proving once more that he just wanted to see me struggle.
"Basically, you will be a combat instructor/ sparring partner for the hero course!" He was really lively while talking.
"First you will start as a sparring partner, you will do some courses on the side about teaching. Like Toshinori on the couch there." He said while pointing to Skinny Might.
Toshinori was really being awkward around me. I needed to break the ice. Taking on my usual lazy tone. I started speaking.
"Hey aren't you the guy that's been training Midoriya?" He immediately perked up, responding quickly.
"Oh yes, I thought you had forgotten about that."
"How's his progress been going?" We kept going like that for a while.
We talked a bit about his successor, he slowly became more relaxed during the conversation, Nezu just let us talk for a few minutes, he had probably noticed Toshinori's behaviour too, he was highly intelligent after all. He was probably expecting me to do something like this.
Now that my conversation with Toshinori was over Nezu started again." We should talk about your provisional licence. The government wanted me to test you thoroughly, but I don't think that is too necessary."
"Next week you will get a test, it will only have morality questions, a practical test is unneeded in this particular situation." Nezu had probably hoped to give me this licence without any further formalities, but it seems that his hands were being forced in this situation.
"Well, I doubt the test will be an issue. Will I be allowed to go back on the streets after gaining the licence?" This was what had been bugging me for a while. I needed to know if I could still have my nightly routine.
"Well, that would be a bit more complicated..." Nezu didn't look all that pleased while speaking about this. Toshinori also didn't look too comfortable at the mention of this.
"The court decided that even with a Provisional Licence you still need to be supervised by either a police officer or a Pro Hero at all times, even while wearing that ankle bracelet." He took on a neutral tone this time.
I was already expecting something to this level, but needing to have someone around me at all times would slow down my patrolling speed by a large margin.
"Is there no solution to this, like wearing a live camera or something to that end? I still need to be able to cover the entire city if I want to be efficient."
Nezu looked interested in my proposal, "I could try to speak about this subject to them in the following week. But don't get your hopes up. You might need to have a supervisor around you for a while anyway."
Well, at least I didn't get outright rejected. As long as my name is back on the streets then crime would lower by default. It is a temporary solution, but it will have to do.
"All right, this talk has been interesting Principal sir!" I said cheerfully.
This talk had been a lot more interesting than I thought it would be. I learned enough to almost completely understand my situation. Things were moving along in the rate that I would hope for.
" I will have someone lead you to your dorm room. I recommend getting further familiarized with the campus and its infrastructure." After that, we said our goodbyes and I went on my way to my dorm.
Guided by no other than Aizawa, I could tell by the sound of his gritting teeth that he wasn't all that pleased with being my guide, he probably just wanted to sleep right now, like always.
I eventually reached my room, Aizawa finally being released from his duty, returning to "prepare for his next class" which I already know means that he's going to sleep.
I quickly followed his ways, testing my new bed. And getting some rest.