A Tarnished Hero

Chapter 27: Rodent Shenanigans

Melina was confused. She didn't think that more of her fellow countrymen would be arriving in Izuku's home world. It made her a little hopeful that there would be a way to get Izuku back to the Lands Between so he could fulfill his promise to her.

The hallways were eerily silent. Izuku, Patches, and Blaidd tread through them slowly, both the wolf-man and bald man unnecessarily cautious, while Izuku whistled a tune without a care in the world. Each of their steps echoed throughout the area, the rhythmic tapping of boots and shoes creating a cacophony of noise that could instill anxiety in anyone caught dead alone in these halls.

Patches and Blaidd were content to follow the greenette in abject silence, their eyes wandering around to see if there was anything out of the ordinary in the place, not that they would see anything amiss since they weren't used to Japan's architecture.

As they trudged through, Melina couldn't help but observe both of her companion's wayward guests. Patches was someone she held no trust of, whatsoever. She had encountered the man numerous times in the past with her previous companions, and they were scammed by the bald man, resulting in their multiple deaths. Of course, they went back for sweet revenge because that was the normal reaction.

Most of them weren't able to do it. They either died to him or died trying to get to him. But that didn't mean the bald man was no stranger to death. He had already died a handful of times at this point. Strange seeing him retaining the same personality after hundreds, if not thousands of years.

Blaidd, on the other hand, she knew... She knew all too well... Izuku was the only one out of all of her companions to come face to face with the shadow serving Ranni. It was a sight seeing Izuku interacting with Blaidd like they were old friends. He did, after all, help the half-wolf find Darriwil, the traitor that he was.

"So, Izuku, a small question, if you would be kind enough to answer." Blaidd's smooth tone contrasted his rugged looks. Izuku turned his head around, his lips still whistling that eerie tune. "I know you've said that we'll be meeting the... principal of this academy, but may I ask who he is?"

"Hm, true. Can't really make a good first impression if we don't know even a single thing about the man." Patches hummed, a hand cupping his chin. "Like, his favorite food? Maybe his hobbies? What about dislikes?"

"Well, he does like his tea. The sweet ones, at least." Izuku said while his feet continued guiding his way. "Principal Nezu is also something of a control freak. He likes being on top of people."

The speakers around the hallway buzzed with static, a light-hearted voice coming from the undoubtedly principal of this here academy.

"Oh my, Midoriya. I do like how you know me in such deep detail." The rat chuckled, the speakers conveying the mirth hidden from observing eyes. "However, I would like to surprise them when we meet face to face. Considering the circumstances, I would be most pleased if you didn't babble some things about myself that would ultimately be harmless."

"... Oh right, forgot that the walls here have ears." Both Blaidd and Patches looked at Izuku like he had grown a second head, their apprehension showing through their body language. It may not be obvious, but Melina had spent millennia observing the world and its inhabitants, and as someone who was invisible to the naked eye, she managed to pick up a skill or two here with reading people. It was reminiscent of the rat that ran this academy, now that she thought of it. "Anyway, no need to worry. Principal Nezu wouldn't hurt you two, unless you give him a valid reason."

"Oh great... That just makes this a tiny bit bearable... not." Patches sighed, and Melina couldn't help but think that Blaidd thought the same. "So, where is his office, anyway? Everything here looks the same, and it's messin' with my head."