Grancrest oneshots

Certain AU

3rd pov

The number in Espers in academy city is not small by any means, but neither is it the entire population. The level's had never really done anything either, except pit them against each other as the city wants, so there's no surprise there. The Board of Directors rule over the City, but most of them are corrupt, wishing for the Espers to continue fighting until they're either dead or a whole new level, so most are not well known. The two that are known are the two most protected ones, since no one wants to willingly take on an Esper.

Theo is a level 4 Esper - or at least that's what he tells others, refusing to admit his level had not actually been certain or known - and he is the best known Director on the Board, if for no other reason that the parts of the city he runs are not filled with blood and hate, not like the other districts. Sure, there are gangs and thugs and others like that, but they're more just the mode of transport and protection for most everyday people, getting paid to do it. The citizens have their jobs, no prejudice or refusal due to being an Esper or not, and the whole Rank and Level thing, most don't care since they know Theo just wants them to be happy.

Due to that, most people refuse to make a hit on him, scared of the number of Espers and people that would come after them in return, since he's so loved by his people. Lassic and Moreno are the two most well known, with the blonde having a strength ability that means most people don't want to get on his bad side and the skinny man having an ability that lets him turn invisible, both more than adept with swords. Theo runs his districts well, and that throws a loop in the plans long made, because he was never supposed to make it on the Board, but he somehow did.

The arguments he has with researchers and shady people - Kihara and others like him the best examples - are always filmed, though they're not released, not just yet, they need people to think Theo is just an extreme pacifist, so when they're struck by fangs and teeth, ripping through their throats, they'll never see it coming. When Theo targets Milza and the Rossini's - the first having killed the man holding his position, Villar as well as the man's wife Margaret, and the 2nd due to a mix of personal vendetta and righteous anger at the obvious oppression the people are under - none of those working with him are surprised. (Another reason they like him, he actually works with them, not above them, and he interacts with his people too, goes for walks or travels with a small number of guards, and that is not something any others can claim.) They set up a plan, but they hit a stall while trying to recall who might help the man. He's got a secretary with no ability, but he has something. An ability that lets him do something, but none of them can recall what.

They're taking a break, having gone over the videos a few times, the screen paused on an image of Milza with his ability activated, his blade glowing a horrid red color, when Theo calls in his secretary, a new thing for him since he'd refused one until he was almost smothered by paperwork and it was demanded he get one. The young girl walks in, clearly confused.

"Sir?"

"Would you be ok going to grab us some lunch? You can grab yourself something too, if it helps."

"I can grab you lunch. Let me just..." She grabs the card Theo hands over, pausing in her speech as she spots the screen. " If you're trying to figure out his ability, it lets his sword inflict great wounds, vibrating the metal while he attacks."

"Thank you! I've been trying to figure out what the hell this asshole uses for the last hour!" Moreno says in exasperation, from his slumped over position. Lassic is sprawled over a bean bag, looking dazed and completely out of it, but he offers her a thumbs up as well. Theo sighs, tension falling from his shoulders and nods at her.

"Thank you. Are you able to help us with the Rossini's once you get back?"

"Yes, sir."

"Ah, none of that. Just Theo, I'm not one for formality."