Chapter 50 – Emergency Stop
It's been just three days since Izuku and Melissa were welcomed and hosted by Gran Torino to complete their apprenticeship. Over those two days, Melissa trained like crazy, and Izuku had never seen her so focused and elated. Although the training under the elderly hero and the venerable Custodian took a considerable physical toll on the girl, the results were indisputable.
«That girl sure is smart.» Gran Torino said smugly.
Since the self-propelled safe could never have entered the building, it had been left outside. It may seem reckless, and perhaps a little is, but the precautions- Izuku's constant vigilance, constant updates to security systems, and the fact that the combination of safe and contents, which would likely weigh around 1 ton, made it incredibly difficult to steal and made it relatively safe.
Now that the safe was open in front of Gran Torino, the robots chanted the binarical prayers necessary to awaken the Machine Spirit of "Aegis of Fortitude" and dressed Izuku.
«Shield-san has always demonstrated a strong desire for improvement and a great ability to connect the cues provided during training.»
«Just out of curiosity, how long did you train her?»
«Two weeks and a few days.» Izuku replied. «And like you, I didn't go easy either.»
At the statement, Izuku noticed a satisfied yet incredibly frightening grin appear on Gran Torino's face.
«Well said. This is why we train: you never know what might happen.»
At the statement, a smug, approving smile appeared on Izuku's face before the helmet hid it. The familiar sound of the armour pressurising symbolised the activation of the armour's seals and the tactical visor operated by the Machine Spirit, which provided him with every single detail of the area around him, giving him a renewed sense of security and certainty.
«It must not be forgotten that a teacher's duty is not to pave the way for the student, but to best prepare the disciple to walk it.»
«Ha! I like this one.»
Izuku secured the Misericordia to his belt, and his hand subsequently rested on "Mercy". The weight of his ancient companion and the joy of the Machine Spirit, dormant until recently, resonated in his soul.
«I have to say this armour is very flashy. I hope it can do its job.»
«Aegis of Fortitude never betrayed me. It always did its duty to perfection. Do you want to test it?»
«I think I'll pass.» Gran Torino said, approaching and striking the armoured leg with his stick. «A force field, huh?»
The front door opened, and Melissa came out wearing her heroine costume, her face bruised and a little emaciated, but with eyes full of life and impatience for what was on the agenda today: fieldwork.
At first, Gran Torino's decision took Melissa by surprise because she believed it was too early for her to hunt criminals with the elderly hero, and, above all, she didn't believe she was mentally ready for such a step. But his concern was downplayed by Gran Torino's reasoning: she can't limit herself to just one environment and, therefore, if she wants to increase her flexibility and adaptability when she hunts the Villains, she has little choice but to start now.
Izuku supported this claim and added that she had faced a dangerous situation before. Dangers and enemies won't wait until Melissa is mentally ready. Eat or get eaten.
«If we're all ready, then we can go. Destination: Shibuya.» Gran Torino stated, raising his arm to call a taxi.
«Shibuya?» Melissa asked «Why are we going to the fashion district?»
«We're in a sparsely populated area, so crime is rare, unlike densely populated areas where crime is always in action.» Gran Torino began to explain «Also, what better place to show off your hero costumes? You have to wear them and show them off with pride.» he finished. Then he got into the car.
«So, we'll have to take the high-speed train from Kofu to Shinjuku?» Melissa asked, sitting next to the old man.
«Yes.»
Izuku didn't let it slip: that slight tremor had caused Melissa to have a thought he could only guess at, though he couldn't confirm it.
That route should pass through Hoshu. I guess her thoughts have returned to Ida-san's state of mind. Izuku sighed.
«What are you doing? Aren't you coming?» Gran Torino asked, noticing that Izuku had remained motionless.
«I'm too heavy to get in the taxi.» Izuku said, ducking «And since I'm wearing my regalia too, the same could be true for the train. I'll reach you on foot.»
Melissa, Gran Torino, and even the driver looked at him with uncertain expressions, as if they had heard a joke that wasn't funny.
Izuku ignored their expressions. After creaking his neck bones and loosening his legs slightly, he rotated his spear so the blade pointed toward the ground and began to run.
«UOAH!!!» «KYAAA!!!»
Izuku's sprint displaced air so violently that it agitated the taxi, nearby bushes, and trees, bending them and risking breakage. When they looked ahead, they saw Izuku already running, jumping over buildings and parkouring with such naturalness and grace that it seemed anomalous, until he became a golden dot and disappeared.
«…Why do I have the impression that he will arrive at our destination a few minutes after us?» Gran Torino asked.
******
The train carriage was quiet, and the air conditioning kept the temperature ideal. Melissa kept her eyes on her cell phone, hesitant and unsure whether to warn Tenya that they were passing through Hoshu and, consequently, whether he needed help.
«You've had your phone in your hand since we got on, girl. Problems with the boyfriend?» Gran Torino asked.
Caught off guard by Gran Torino's question, Melissa hit her head against the seat in front of her, then turned to the old man with her face so red and glowing it would probably have been used as a stove.
«B-b-b-boyfriend?!» Melissa asked panickedly «I-I'm still single!!!»
«Isn't that big boy your boyfriend?»
«NO!!!»
The reaction made Gran Torino laugh out loud, drawing an embarrassed, sullen look from Melissa, still red from the question. Soon after, however, her cell phone vibrated, bringing Melissa's attention back to the device: a message from Izuku.
I'll be in Hoshu in a few minutes. Something doesn't add up. In extreme cases, you may use Conservai in basic mode.
The message sent a shiver down Melissa's spine. Even though it was only a message, she could sense Izuku's sharp, serious tone, and if he had sent it, she had no reason to doubt that something might happen, even though she hoped nothing would.
«Ladies and gentlemen, we will soon apply the emergency brake.» the conductor spoke over the loudspeaker «Please remain in your seat.»
A few seconds after the announcement, the train suddenly stopped, the carriage she was in imploded, and an injured hero landed inside. He was about to get up, but a long pale arm pinned him to the ground.
From the smoke, another figure emerged. It had pale skin, a thin yet muscular physique, four eyes directly connected to the exposed brain, and torn beige trousers.
Seeing it, a single word appeared in Melissa's head, confused, surprised, but also scared.
Nomu?!