Chapter Text
The Mastermind let out a soft chuckle as they took a seat on the sofa across Principal Nedzu. "It's very kind of you to invite me here."
Nedzu smiled as he poured some tea into a cup. "Of course! I'm always up for a nice little chat." The principal of U.A. High was a rather small thing and looked more like an animal than a human. He had white fur and a prominent slash scar vertically across his right eye. "May I know your name first, by the way?"
"Very well. Also, my name isn't very important." The Mastermind nodded politely. "I'm here to discuss an important topic regarding your school, if you're alright with that."
Nedzu's ears perked up. To be honest, they didn't really perk up since they were already like that in the first place, but a slight twitch confirmed it. "Oh? And what is it? I won't judge." He was genuinely curious. His "invited" interrogator looked no older than the first-years in the school, yet had a much more... mature demeanor. No teenage attitude, just a noticeable aura of calm radiating off them.
"Since your school is currently in the process of recruiting students, could I suggest a few... changes to the curriculum this year?" They asked. "The current method is a bit... generic. Fighting off bots encoded with AI, repetitive practices to improve Quirks, I think you get the point. Every other Hero academy in Japan has a similar procedure."
"We use the 'generic' ways to prevent casualties. It was proven to be the safest technique in training. Although the combat-testing bots are programmed to act like Villains, murder isn't in their database. U.A. High School is not a place for killing," Nedzu said. He was smiling, but the idea of this random high schooler persuading him to change the school curriculum made the smile a bit forced.
"So, may I tell you about my idea of the new school recruiting method?" The Mastermind looked like if they had ignored the "murder-free zone" statement.
"Oh, alright... Please do tell me what you have in mind," Nedzu had a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
"I was considering on making the Entrance Ceremonies more realistic," The Mastermind suggested. "Your bots were programmed to never kill, am I correct? If so, do Villains take mercy in people's lives? Some do, some don't. Heroes have to stop those kind of events from happening, and sometimes they just have no other choice than to kill the Villain for justice. To sum it all up, I suggest getting rid of the AI and replace them with... actual people. Make them compete in a mutual killing game, casualty or not. Enroll the ones that are last standing or has outstanding performance. Competition is just how life works." Their fists were slightly clenched, as if demanding approval.
It also didn't seem like the Mastermind told Nedzu everything. They obviously had something else in mind along with what they said.
The animal-like principal closed his eyes and shook his head slowly, earning a blank, slightly disgruntled stare from the teenager across him. "I'm afraid your rather unique proposal must be declined. We are not going to make innocent people commit genocide just for enrollment." He was somewhat intrigued by this kid's twisted views on competition and justice.
"So?" Nedzu's interrogator looked more and more pissed off by the second. "The world isn't fair. Sometimes, people just have to die. The best kind of Heroes rise from the rubble of destruction and despair. Also on second thought, your current Entrance Exam is way too biased towards students with power Quirks. A killing game requires wits and logic, which makes it more efficient in finding new Heroes." With his beyond-genius thinking, Nedzu noted that the Mastermind was trying to convince him into something much worse, just twisting their words to make it more appealing.
Nedzu sighed. "I am not saying this one more time. Hero academies are not intended for mutual killing games. Please kindly leave this area if it doesn't suit your tastes."
The Mastermind gritted their teeth and stood up from the sofa. As they headed towards the door, Nedzu closed his eyes and took a sip from his teacup.
Suddenly, a jolt of pain shot up his spine followed with an unbearable feeling of drowziness. He dropped his cup of tea and landed face-first onto the table in front of him, struggling to retain consciousness. "W-what...? I-" Nedzu's words were cut off by some sort of cloth slapped onto his face along with a sweet scent.
Apparently, the Mastermind hadn't left the room and used Nedzu's tea sip as an opportunity to try and knock him out. They pulled out something from his back, revealing a syringe full of unknown liquid. The high schooler snickered as they waved the needle in front of them.
"So uncooperative. I tried to persuade you, but I guess my talking skills weren't the best, hmm? The only choice left is to do this with force." They pressed the cloth, most likely doused in chloroform, against Nedzu's mouth with excruciating strength.
He tried to scream. He really did. But whatever was injected into his back made it ten times more difficult. His airway was practically closing upon him against his will. All his joints were frozen in place, his head throbbing like crazy. Nobody was in the room other than him and this malevolent kidnapper. Nedzu's body went limp as the teenager cackled quietly.
Everything went black.