Blossoms of the Dark

XCVII Selene: Cavalry

Where's the infirmary?

How long will it take to get there?

Actually, where is the nearest bed?

Is the bed plush?

The bed must be plush.

With fluffy comforters, feather pillows, and fresh-scented bedsheets.

The best that money can buy.

Nice and warm and no alarm clocks around.

I made it through the obstacle course, but unfortunately, I had to use my quirk numerous times. On top of that, I absorbed a preposterous number of quirks. This was not part of my plan. But at the very least, I hope Shigaraki was watching the events unfold from his computer screen.

I'm enduring the consequences now. And I'm coping well. In fact, I'm coping so well, that the grassy area of the stadium looks like a luxurious bed. I have to pinch myself to focus. Really, Selene? You've lost it to the point where the prickly grass appears as a soft bed? Just go get yourself some medical treatment before you make a fool out of yourself.

I proceed to exit the stadium, but Midnight-sensei's announcement of the next event forces me to delay. It's a cavalry battle, and I don't like the sound of it. And as Sensei explains how the teams will be formed, my mood sours further. Three people pretend to be a horse and one sits upon the shoulders of all three? And there's no exception for disabled people like me? Especially those that walk with a cane! Things certainly won't be fair if the disabled have to perform such functions! U.A.'s school system definitely requires some work.

The world requires some work.

My poor joints!

As if my joints are in agreement, I sit down on said prickly grass and subtly massage my knees. The aches flare like fire, and the lacerations sting like needles. I would not be surprised if the blood had seeped through the bandages and stained my uniform by now. Thankfully, it did not. Had I been in more private quarters, I would have already disinfected the wounds and activated my healing quirk; then the only thing I would have to bear were the arthritic flares. Regardless, it takes everything in me to not collapse. Sensei continues by detailing how there's a point system involved. I pay half attention until the word "ten million points" captures all my attention.

"Our first place participant is worth ten million points!" she declares. Everyone looks at Midoriya-san like he's the trophy. He certainly is. I can only imagine his expression: eyes bulging from his sockets and all color leeched from his face as though he saw a ghost. "The higher-ranked students are the ones to aim for! This survival game is a chance for a comeback. It's ANYONE'S game!"

The atmosphere changes, and it's so intense, I could cut it with a knife. It's only when Sensei provides more detail of the cavalry battle do the students look away from him. The battle will last for 15 minutes and each team member will wear a Velcro headband above the neck which has the point value written on it. To win, those headbands must be snatched from the opposing teams. The more headbands, the more points earned. But that's easier said than done when having more headbands makes one an even greater target.

"All right! You now have 15 minutes until then. Start negotiating your team-ups!"

Bloody saints of hell! No break whatsoever? At least give us - me - some time to recover!

But I cannot appear weak in front of thousands of strangers and TV. Since the class entered the stadium, I heard whispers about a girl with a cane. They ranged from disgust and suspicion to awe and intrigue. Even now, I hear the whispers. This time, however, there are more whispers of pleasant surprise. And I intend to keep it that way.