Blossoms of the Dark

CXIII Selene: Lucifer

"Lucifer," I announce.

Everyone quiets immediately.

Such a contrast from before.

I like it.

To my delight, this wakes up Aizawa-sensei from his slumber, who looks at me with bleary eyes. "Come again?" he asks.

"Lucifer. Lucifer is my chosen hero name."

"That's the name of the Avatar of Pride. God's most prized angel, fallen and cast to hell when he rebelled," Midnight-sensei comments.

"That is exactly why I chose this name," I answer, never breaking my gaze with Aizawa-sensei. Smirking devilishly, I crouch down to his level. I hiss, "Do you know how a serpent captures its prey?" He stares at me with wide eyes, visibly confused at my change in conversation. Oh, but this is not a change in conversation. "That was not a rhetorical question. Do you know a serpent captures its prey?" When he stutters - actually stutters - that he does not, I continue. "It waits. It observes and waits for its prey to make a mistake. Step too close and it strikes. Kick it and it strikes. Aggravate it and it strikes. Its fangs sink into the skin, and its venom feels like necrotizing ice before it burns. That is what you did, Sensei. I am the serpent, and you are the poor, unaware mouse. You once told me to restrain my pride. However, how can I do that when my pride is what I cherish most? What defines me. After the Mock Battle and Sports Festival, you should have known well that I am a serpent. Arrogant, cunning, and patient. You can't rub salt into a serpent's wounds and not expect it to strike back. I've been waiting for this moment for a very long time, Sensei. Now it is my time to attack. Fear me." If his bulging eyes and silence are any indication, he will not be getting any sweet dreams for the next few weeks.

Pleased with the reaction, I rise and address the class. "Unique choice, isn't it? But I think it suits me splendidly. My sadistic games are no secret. I carry myself with poise and elegance. I am calm, composed, and intimidating simultaneously. Most of all, I crave power. So why not name myself after the embodiment of all these things?"

"But Lucifer is the name of the Devil. He is the incarnation of evil and damnation. It's more of a villain name than a hero one. Are you sure you want that name?" Midnight-sensei insists.

Who said I'm a saint? Even saints have sinned. I am damned. I am evil. I am a villain. But Lucifer is more than that. But you only need to hear the reasons that you want to hear. "Yes. I am certain. Lucifer is a powerful name that incites fear. I want villains to fear me when they hear my name."

That explanation is enough for Midnight-sensei to approve of my selection. With name selection now over, the teachers move to a different matter: internships. Students with nominations, including myself, receive a personalized list of internship options. These internships last for one week, and we have to make our selection within two days. Well, obviously I don't get a say in this matter. Where Hanada-sama tells me to go, I will have to go. With that, I give a cursory glance at my list before putting it away. But Todoroki-kun stops me. He holds my forearm holding the list as he asks, "Can I see?"

Not seeing the harm, I pass it to him. He scans it intently, before pointing out, "Looks like my dad took more than a passing interest in you. His office agency is listed right here." He points a finger at the name, and he's right. There it reads "Endeavor Hero Office." How did I miss that when I was perusing the list? "I don't have much of a choice; I'm expected to have my internship at his office," he glooms. "But you do, Hanada-chan. Please, don't choose his office. It's my desperate request." I understand why he's asking this of me. Endeavor did not nominate me to train me; it is a pretense to talk to me. He doesn't want me to meet his father - rather, he doesn't want his father to meet me - before the tentative meal with Hanada-sama. But I don't have any control in this matter, unfortunately, Todoroki-kun.

So I lie, "All right. I won't."