Chapter 37 – The Wrath and the Wisdom of a Custodian
The pairings for the tournament were drawn smoothly. All sixteen students had their opponents, and, coincidentally, after the recreational activities, the first fight would be between Melissa and the indigo-haired boy, Hitoshi Shinsou.
When recreational activities ended, Professor Cementos entered the arena. A square, concrete humanoid with closed black eyes and short grey hair in a ponytail. She wore a sleeveless brown dress with yellow stripes, shorts, and a long collar. Using his Quirk, he made a large fighting ring for students to face each other in rounds.
Izuku was at the entrance leading to the camp, upright and waiting for Cementos to finish his work, when he heard heels tapping behind him.
«Have you recovered, sensei?» he asked without turning around.
«Yes.» Midnight said, stretching and standing by his side.
«Good.» Izuku exhaled, relieved «Ready to resume your role as referee?»
«I remind you that you are an auxiliary referee.» she chuckled «Don't think that now that I've recovered, I'll take full charge of the role.»
«You got me.» He also chuckled, then turned to her «So, ladies first.»
«Thank you.»
Midnight and Izuku entered the arena. After stepping into the ring, Present Mic, energetic and boisterous, introduced Melissa and Hitoshi to the crowd. As the crowd reacted, he explained the tournament rules: victory comes if one fighter cannot continue or is forced out of the ring. Obviously, aiming at the opponent's life is not allowed.
Izuku noticed that his apprentice was determined and ready to give her all in this fight. Hitoshi appeared confident and conversed with Melissa. Izuku suspected the conversation was necessary for activating Hitoshi's quirk. But he wasn't Hitoshi’s opponent. Or so Izuku thought.
When Present Mic gave the signal to start the fight, Hitoshi made a statement Izuku could not gloss over.
«…And yet that monkey keeps talking about senseless and stupid things like his dignity.» Hitoshi stated annoyingly «For throwing such an opportunity to the wind, those two are pathetic idiots.»
Spectators watched the ring with trepidation, waiting for the fight to begin, but none of the participants moved, as if they were blocked by something.
«…What are they waiting for?!» asked Present Mic, confused.
«And why are you asking me?» Shota replied, collecting documents about the students facing each other «Hmph. I've always said it: the entrance exam's structure was completely illogical.»
«Huh, what do you mean?» asked curiously Present Mic
«Shinsou-san… although his Quirk wasn't bad at all, he couldn't exploit it and, as a result, didn't make a single point because of the rules that had been applied to it.»
«Can you be more specific?!»
«Simply put, how can you use a mind control skill on robots?»
The two presenters, particularly Professor Aizawa, believed that the blockage inside the ring between the two opponents was due to Hitoshi's Quirk, Brainwash. But as always, there is a chasm between theory and practice. And the cause of that abyss was the Custodian.
Unlike Melissa, Hitoshi, and Midnight, the two presenters and the audience were far enough apart that they were not overwhelmed by the heavy bloodlust that covered the ring like a tsunami; this was what had frozen everyone.
The three, overcome by intense anger, looked up at the origin and immediately regretted it. Izuku's eyes were dull, cold, and disappointed, locked intently on Hitoshi, a silent accusation burning within.
Izuku is certainly the most human among the Custodes. However, if you press the forbidden keys, he becomes the most difficult to calm when his wrath is unleashed.
There were only two cases where Izuku experienced uncontrollable anger and a seething bloodlust. The first time was when an Inquisitor wanted to sentence a loyal sergeant of the Astra Militarum to a dishonourable death for disobeying orders to save innocent civilian lives, during a purge against a Geenstealer Cult. The second was when a scion of a noble house not only claimed certain medical priorities because of his status, but also insulted a Hospitaler of the Adepta Sororitas to whom Izuku expressed gratitude and deep respect.
Earning respect from an Adeptus Custodes is already hard, but for Izuku's respect, it would be easier to fight a Warhound Titan with just a bayonet. In the 2500 years he has served, only a few have earned his full respect. The saying 'more unique than rare' barely covers it.
For Izuku, insulting someone he deems worthy of respect, not only from him but also from his brothers and sisters, usually amounts to a one-way ticket to the most painful and punitive hell imaginable.
Hitoshi just unleashed that wrath by insulting the two students who had just won a tiny crumb of Izuku's respect. And not only that…
Realising he had released his bloodlust, Izuku relaxed and took a deep breath. The oppressive aura vanished, allowing all three to unwind and regain movement. As soon as they were free, Melissa advanced without hesitation.
Hitoshi, who had lost the chance to activate his Quirk due to the provocation against Melissa, cursed, knowing he was at a significant disadvantage. He still tried to start numerous arguments to get a response from Melissa, but she confronted him without hesitation, demonstrating greater experience and throwing him out of the ring, sealing his victory.
*****
Hitoshi Shinso had always been viewed with suspicion because of his Quirk. His classmates, the people he talked to… everyone who knows his Quirk, Brainwash, has always judged him for how it could be used to do harm. A criminal-friendly Quirk makes a person a criminal.
Hitoshi didn't accept it and doesn't want to. That's why he signed up for the UA and set his sights on the Hero Course. He had prepared himself: he did everything he could to access it. But in the practical test against robots, Hitoshi’s Quirk was useless. The weakness of his Quirk is that it cannot affect machines. For this, Hitoshi ended in the General Course.
The UA Sports Festival. Hitoshi wanted to redeem himself there. He wanted to achieve what he failed to achieve in the entrance test. But now he had been defeated. It's infuriating! Hitoshi’s heart was broken, a knot was in his stomach, and the dream seemed further away than ever.
Heavy footsteps stopped nearby. When Hitoshi looked, he saw the Giant, who, according to rumours, caused the USJ massacre. At first, Hitoshi thought it was exaggerated, but the Giant's dark stare that had frozen everyone before in the ring hit him hard. Hitoshi trembled, a deep shiver running down his spine. The Giant's disappointed expression pierced him, making him feel small and helpless.
«“Make your actions speak for themselves. Prove that you are not just words when the opportunity presents itself.”» Izuku quoted in a calm tone, surprising him «I thought I was clear then, Shinso-san.»
«Hmph. Said the one who sabotaged-»
«You're such an idiot.» Izuku sighed, ducking «You've already shown your determination in the previous two games. Yet, you allowed yourself to be blinded and deafened by your goal of winning at all costs and by your fear, which you did not notice.» he ended by taking Hitoshi by the collar and lifting him up.
«Didn't I notice?» he asked, laughing mockingly «I have noticed your anger all too well. How could I not be afraid?»
«I wasn't talking about that fear.» Izuku stated, staring him in the eye «I leave you with this pearl: "Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides who we are." Look, think about it, and you'll understand not only why I'm disappointed, but also why I got angry. Oh, and don't worry. This time I'll let it run.»
He didn't understand. Hitoshi didn't understand what he meant. He felt frustrated, almost insulted by that statement. After all, it's Izuku’s fault he couldn't use his Quirk the way he wanted.
With heavy steps, Hitoshi moved toward the arena exit. Suddenly, the voices of his classmates called after him.
«You were great, Shinsou-san!»
«You are truly the star of our class.»
«Your opponent finished first in the Obstacles Race, yet you gave her a hard time.»
But those were just a few examples. Unbeknownst to him, having been overcome by Izuku's bloodlust, Professor Aizawa had blamed his Quirk for the momentary paralysis that had occurred in the ring. Many Professional Heroes were praising Hitoshi for his Quirk, its usefulness in dealing with criminals, and the fact that it was a shame that, despite this, Hitoshi had failed to get into the hero's course.
"Observe, think about it, and you will understand"… huh.
It wasn't much. He still couldn't understand. But, hearing others' comments and remembering Izuku's bloodlust and disappointed eyes, Hitoshi began to understand. He realised he had believed others' misunderstandings. The fear Izuku meant was being judged. Hitoshi was sure everyone would call him a criminal because of his Quirk.
Izuku Midoriya… began to turn towards the golden giant You're disappointed because I'm not respecting myself. And if so, then your anger…!
He didn't finish his thought. Izuku's gaze is fixed on him, and he has a hint of a smile on his lips. Izuku nodded slightly to symbolise his approval, as if he understood that Hitoshi was beginning to see.
Like the two he had once insulted, Hitoshi bowed low in a Saikeirei, gratitude filling every movement. His heart throbbed with newfound understanding.