Chapter Text
Dainsleif, the founder and principal of Teyvat Academy and known throughout Teyvat as “The Twilight Sword”, has a dilemma. Now, that in itself is not unusual. Being in charge of dozens of students, most of whom are not that well-adjusted and have a penchant for destruction — like Wanderer when someone asked him one too many stupid question or called him “Hat Guy”, and Klee practically all the time, and Itto when he got worked up about something (which happened all the time), and Diluc and Kaeya whenever they got into one of their legendary arguments or when someone angered the House of the Hearth kids, or Xinyan who’s been influenced by Beidou a bit too much, or Mika in Alchemy classes but Dainsleif can forgive him since it wasn’t on purpose.
The alumni are barely better. Chevreuse has a strict “shoot as a warning” policy, and Chiori tends to take things too personal. Yelan would never hurt one of the students, but Itto can push her buttons like no one’s business. Now, most of the time, the staff can handle them. Except Venti but that’s less because he can’t and more because he’s a hellion who thrives in chaos. But the faculty also has Childe, who tried to drown a continent as a political move in the past — because of course he did — and Shenhe whose idea of a conversation includes dislocating shoulders. Again, they would never hurt the children, but each other…
So yeah, it’s not unusual for Dainsleif to have something or other making him regret the day he agreed to be in-charge.
But today is different. Today’s headache is something Dainsleif has never experienced before and unlike his students and faculty, this headache is something he did not sign up for at all. In fact, he’s pretty sure he did the opposite.
The source of said headache sits on the wooden table of the conference room, deceptively innocent. Dainsleif wonders if he can get away with simply burning it and pretending it never existed. But one glance at the people seated along the length of the table reminds him that that ship has already sailed.
“So,” Venti says, leaning forward with his elbows on the table. He’s wearing a smile that doesn’t even come close to reaching his eyes and Dainsleif is suddenly reminded that Venti, though nornally a bit too carefree and lazy, is one of Teyvat's strongest. It’s easy to forget with Venti’s normally happy-go-lucky act that he’s one of their continent's leaders. “What are you planning?”
From her position across Venti, Ei doesn’t even bother to open her eyes or uncross her arms as she scoffs. “It’s obvious, isn’t it? We have no reason to accept this proposal. If anything, we have several reasons not to.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” Nahida says, her finger folded against her chin in thought. “As of right now, we have no intel regarding the League of Villains. And sure, the Fatui can gather information in Japan, but there have always been several risks with that. If we are allowed to send people there legally, that should decrease the need for espionage and eliminate the risk of getting in trouble with the heroes.”
Zhongli hums thoughtfully. “You do have a point. While I can’t say I’m fond of the idea, it may be beneficial to have allies who have dealt with such situations.”
“But if they have dealt with these things before,” Mavuika says, “why would they need to ask us for help?”
“Perhaps it's less about needing help,” Venti says, his eyes glowing dangerously just a tad, “and more about seizing the opportunity to gather information about Teyvat.”
The air in the room seems to become colder and Dainsleif doubts he’s imagining it.
“It’s a risk we might have to take,” Neuvillette says. He raises a hand to stop Ei’s protest and continues, “I’m not fond of the idea, don’t get me wrong, but we haven’t had anything but a distant and fleeting contact with quirks in years. Our information is outdated and it showed in the last conflict. If we are to protect our people, this is a sacrifice we must make.”
The Tsaritsa sighs softly from her position. “Members of the Fatui can gather information just fine. I see no reason to subject our students to the hostilities of the outside world.”
Ei nods along and Venti’s smile grows sharper at the mention of his precious “children”.
“That is true,” Nahida says. “But I still think that it might be worth a try. And not just for the sake of defeating the League of Villains.” She glanced around the meeting room, studying their expressions for a moment. “It’s true that Aether, Lumine and Paimon are travelling across the world to search for people who might need to be here, and we have the Fatui and many of TA's alumni aiding our search. But wouldn’t it be better to create a world where such measures are not necessary?”
Ei finally uncrosses her arms, frowning. “And you believe that such a world is possible? Even after that Vision Hunt Decree seven years ago?”
“The decree began because the hero society fears Visions and allogenes. I think that if we communicate with each other instead of staying separated, we’ll have an easier chance of understanding each other. Maybe not now or even in ten or twenty years. But eventually, if we all try hard enough, we can achieve real peace.”
“Perhaps,” Zhongli says. “But such an outcome would require effort from all parties. How can we guarantee that our efforts will be reciprocated?”
“We can’t,” Nahida says. “But someone has to take the first step. Otherwise, what happened in Natlan will happen again, either now or years later. Things need to change.”
It goes unspoken, but it's clear to all present that Nahida isn't talking about just the attack in Natlan. The Khaenriah Cataclysm happened around two hundred years ago. Dainsleif hadn’t been born back then, but even he grieved the loss of his original homeland.
“And we have no choice but to cooperate with these people for that,” Mavuika concludes with a frown. She sighs wearily. “Fine. I’m not happy about it, but they’re serious about this working together thing, I guess it’s worth a shot.”
“We’ve only ever met in war before,” Neuvillette muses, his words making everyone tense. The wounds from the Vision Hunt Decree are still fresh and the ones from Khaenriah will never fade away, and the world's insistence on leaving Teyvat to fend for themselves against monsters created by animals inheriting quirks isn't helping the matter at all. “Perhaps we would have a better result if we met in a non-hostile setting.”
Even he seems like he doesn’t believe his own words.
“Those people hate us,” Venti says, his smile replaced with a rare scowl. “I don’t want to subject my students to that.” He sighs, closing his eyes. “You do have a point though, even if I hate it. Information on the villains and the hero society as a whole will undoubtedly be useful.”
“One chance.” All eyes turn to Ei, whose face has gone blank in a way they haven’t seen in years. Out of all of them, Ei has been hurt the most by those outlanders and as much as reconnecting with her son has helped her, Dainsleif doubts those wounds will truly ever be gone. “That’s all I’m willing to give them. If they step one foot out of the line, I will end them myself.” She finishes her threat with her eyes glowing, reminding everyone that now that Zhongli has technically retired from the life of combat, Ei is the strongest of their active adventurers.
“You and me both,” Venti says, his threatening smile returning once more.
“There will be prejudices,” Zhongli reminds them. “It’s only natural after ages of conflict. We cannot expect an immediate reconciliation.”
“True,” the Tsaritsa says. “But there’s only so much we can tolerate. We couldn’t afford a war with those people back then, but now, we know we’re stronger. We’re not going to be pushovers anymore.”
That is true, Dainsleif thinks to himself. In the past, quirks used to be more powerful but now, according to the intel the Fatui have found, such powerful quirks have become rare. Quirks like cursing people to become monsters or changing the land itself to become hostile are unimaginable to those people nowadays. These days, a well-trained Vision user can easily defeat several quirk users.
“They’ve become complacent,” Mavuika says, “with that whole “hero” business. They rely on their heroes for everything. Especially that Number One of theirs.”
“So,” Dainsleif says, and all eyes turn to him. He’d been silent during this whole meeting, content to let them reach a conclusion on their own, but he did need to respond timely. “Have we reached an agreement?”
The archons share a look and then nod to him in synch, some more readily than others.
“Then let’s work out the details.”
For a moment, Aizawa stares at Nezu. In all the years he had known the rat, he had surprised Aizawa in various ways. But this? This takes the cake.
“Teyvat Academy?” All Might repeats, with Mic sputtering from his seat between them. “As in, the Teyvat? The country of Vision users and quirkless people?”
Nezu gives them a benign smile, as if they are having a pleasant chat about the weather instead of such a sensitive issue. “I believe they prefer the word “nation”. But yes, that Teyvat.”
Midnight crosses her arms, frowning. “Why do we need to work with Vision users?” She says the word with utter disdain, in a tone Aizawa hasn’t heard from her even when speaking about villains. “They’re just hero wannabes who’ll get in our way.”
“I agree,” Cementoss says, though his words are much less hostile. “I heard that they sent out children against the League of Villains. Are you sure we can trust people like that?”
Aizawa frowns to himself. Having faced the numerous villains of the League, he can’t say he’s happy to hear about children being used to fight them. His own students had been targeted and had it not been necessary, he would have never let them fight such a dangerous opponent. Either these people are more powerful than they seem or they are idiotically reckless.
Personally, Aizawa is leaning more towards the latter. There’s only so much quirkless people can do, even with support items. He would know, with a quirk like his. It takes years to learn how to fight against villains with quirks and it’s not something everyone, especially children, can do.
“Now, now,” Nezu says, “this isn’t just about the League. It’s an opportunity to come to an understanding with each other. After years of cold war, wouldn’t that be a nice change of pace?”
Aizawa leans back in his seat and observes the rat carefully. “And you think that’s possible?”
“I don’t see why not.” Nezu shrugs nonchalantly. “Either we can get better relations or we confirm our suspicions and theories and destroy them. Not a bad deal either way.”
“But our students will be in danger,” All Might says.
Nezu smiles at him in that insincere way of his. “With the Number One hero around?” At that, All Might falters and Nezu’s demeanour grows more amused. “That’s why I called them here. Sure, they’ll be arriving with some of the older students, but they’re still just Vision users. They should be no threat to UA’s staff.”
Vlad King nods to himself. “That is true. But I’m still not sure about this.”
“It’s a good opportunity to gather information,” Aizawa says. “And as far as the risks are concerned, do not forget that our students are training to become heroes. Risks are a part of that and I doubt this will be the worst thing to happen in their lives.”
Nezu smiles at Aizawa and says, “Then it’s settled. Please do inform your classes about this arrangement. UA will be creating a dormitory for the Teyvat students in the meantime. Dismissed.”
As they begin to file out, All Might falls into step with him, much to Aizawa’s irritation. Just because he didn’t say anything against Nezu’s deal doesn’t mean he’s not annoyed by it. After all, dealing with a bunch of quirkless kids who are under the delusion that they can do the impossible will be his headache eventually.
“What do you think about this?” All Might says to him.
Aizawa glances at him from the corner of his eyes. “Don’t underestimate them.” At All Might’s visible surprise, he says, “The Vision Hunt Decree wasn’t that long ago. They may be quirkless but if this is an elaborate revenge plan, then they will come prepared.”
All Might stops walking with a thoughtful expression but Aizawa keeps walking. He is, after all, the unfortunate soul who will have to inform his class.
The chatter in class 1-A dies down as Aizawa-sensei enters the class. Normally, it would take a while but facing their teacher and his bizarre number of injuries is a reminder of what happened to them not too long ago. Not for the first time this week, Ochako thinks that perhaps Aizawa-sensei should take a break.
“Before we begin, I have an announcement.” Sensei’s eyes glare at them, daring them to speak while he’s talking. “There have been reports of the League of Villains attacking Teyvat.”
Teyvat. That’s not a word you hear routinely.
“Teyvat, as in the quirkless Vision users?” Ashido says, only to be silenced by Aizawa’s glare.
“Yes, the very same. Since we have a common enemy, Nezu contacted them to join forces and as such, there will be an exchange program. They will be here for two months and then you will go to their school for two months.”
“What? I don’t wanna go to some shitty quirkless school!” Bakugou says loudly. “What do I have to gain from this? This is fucking useless!”
As usual, Aizawa-sensei remains unfazed. “Take it up with Nezu. And no, I will not hear any word about this. That’s just how it is. Take it or leave the school.”
That threat makes all the chatter die down instantly. By now, they’ve somewhat gotten used to Aizawa’s constant threats of expulsion but they can never tell when he’s serious and when he’s not.
Ochako stares at him for a moment, trying to discern if this is another “logical ruse” but she can’t read her teacher at all. When Aizawa’s glare focuses on her for a moment, she squeaks and looks away, her cheeks eating up at the embarrassment of having been caught.
A school full of quirkless people who fought the League of Villains… It sounds unbelievable. Her whole life, Ochako has only heard about Vision users and not in a good light. Which makes sense, considering how they used illegal items to bypass their biological differences. At least normal quirkless people accept their position and live with it. But Vision users remain in denial and are a danger to both themselves and others with the way they resort to dangerous methods to get the feel of having a quirk.
Ochako is not looking forward to this program. But she is a hero trainee so maybe she can help save some of these people from themselves.
Since the announcement, the halls of Teyvat Academy have been extremely quiet. The list of volunteers remains empty even now, a whole day later, as the students of Teyvat debate internally whether this program is worth it or not.
They know that their teachers will never do anything that could potentially harm them and that some of them will go with them. Still. Teyvat has never had any positive contact with outlanders and they doubt this can go well. As such, the general mood in the normally lively place is at an all-time low. Even the library, which is usually always quiet because no one is foolish enough to cross Alice the librarian, seems more silent than normal.
Mika has always liked the silence, but even he can’t help but find it unsettling. For once in his life, he thinks he wouldn’t mind having someone to talk to, if only to stop his mind from wandering to the inevitable elephant in the metaphorical room.
It’s been almost two years since he came to Teyvat with his brother. Both of them are technically illegal immigrants and are probably still wanted in Japan, over that stupid fake accusation because Mika’s Vision manifested at the worst yet also the best time possible. The principal has reassured him that their names have been cleared and that all the students will be under UA’s protection, but the thought of returning still makes him uneasy.
Sure, Dainsleif did give him the option to refuse and Mika knows that no one would hold it against him, but the prospect of disappointing everyone is, frankly, nauseating. But he still remembers what life had been like over there — a quirkless kid with a caretaker who was only a few years older than him was a prime target for bullying. The last thing Mika wants is to do is return to that.
But he can’t refuse, no matter how much he wants to. This isn’t just an exchange program; it’s an opportunity to gather information. And as the academy’s best cartographer, Mika will be needed. Sure, no one would blame him for refusing, but not going would be selfish and the last thing he wants is to create problems for the people who have been so kind to him.
But he wouldn’t be going back as just Mika. He and the other students would be representing not just the academy but Teyvat as a whole. Mika can’t do that. He’ll mess it up for sure. But he can’t say no either.
Each thought makes him slouch more and more in his seat, and Mika groans.
Oh, why did he have to be such a mess of a person?
“Hey, what’s got you so down in the dumps?”
Mika glances up at Captain Kaeya, who takes a seat in front of him with an easy smile.
Mika straightens from his slouch immediately. “Oh! Captain Kaeya! Hi.”
Captain Kaeya simply laughs. “Just “Kaeya” is fine. I’ve told you that. We’re not in a team right now, remember?”
Mika ducks his head sheepishly. “Right. Sorry.” He sighed. “I was just thinking. About this whole exchange program.”
Capt— Kaeya hums in understanding. “Did you talk to your brother about this?”
Mika nods. “Yes. He just told me to do what I want, but I don’t think he was happy about this.”
“He’s worried. It’s only natural. He’s your older brother, after all.”
“I just… I don’t know… Do you think I can do this?”
Mika looks at him helplessly, but Kaeya simply observes him for a moment. Finally, he says, “Does it matter what I think?” At Mika’s surprised blink, he adds, “The only person you have anything to prove to is yourself. No one else here doubts you. You know this.”
“I… I guess…” Mika can’t say he really understands why everyone thinks so highly of him, but to say that the others dislike him or look down on him wouldn’t be fair to him.
“Do you think you’re ready?” Kaeya asks.
“I…” Mika lowered his eyes to his hands that are clasped tightly on the table. He’s not sure, to be honest. He doesn’t feel confident at all, but at this rate, he doesn’t think he ever will. But he knows he’s not the same person he was back when he first set foot in Teyvat, and the person he is now doesn’t like to run away no matter how difficult things get.
“I would like to be,” he says honestly.
Kaeya smiled. “Then you have your answer.” He reached out to ruffle Mika’s hair, his smile slipping more into the lackadaisical grin Mika is used to from him. “Besides, you’re not going alone. You have allies to rely on. That’s what Teyvat is about, right?”
Mika nods. “Family.”
Teyvat as a whole may be divided into seven nations, but ultimately, it’s meant to be a community. It is an unspoken rule in Teyvat to help each other whenever you can, however you can.
“Supporting each other is how people survive,” may as well be Teyvat’s second motto, right after “Ad Astra Abyssosque”.
“Thank you, Cap— I mean, Kaeya.”
“I volunteered to go to Japan.”
From where she’s floating in the middle of the room with the aid of her Vision, his mothers eyes snap open as she snaps out of her meditation, and she gently lowers herself to the ground. Her face is completely blank in a way Wanderer hasn’t seen in a while. “I see.” Nothing in her tone gives an inkling of what she’s feeling, and Wanderer finds himself scowling.
He had expected a more violent reaction considering how overprotective his mother can get and he’s not sure what to do with this more subdued reaction. It leaves him off-kilter in a way he really doesn’t appreciate.
She probably already knew, he realises. It’s the only explanation he can think of for… this. The thunderstorms around Narukami Island had been more violent all week, and Wanderer had chalked that up to the program as a whole. But it would make sense for this to be the reason instead.
It was probably that friend of hers. Yae Miko always seems to know stuff she shouldn’t and frankly, Wanderer is past the point of questioning how or why she keeps tabs on him in particular. The former is probably a Yae thing and the latter is most likely concern for her closest friend.
“Can I ask why?” Her voice is completely flat and perhaps Wanderer is imagining it, but he can swear he just saw her eyes flash for a sliver of a moment.
Wanderer chooses his words carefully. “We can’t guarantee the students’ safety. I… don’t remember that place, exactly, but I’d like to be there anyway. In case something goes wrong.”
His answer must have been the correct one because his mother’s expression seems to soften. She walks towards him and cups his cheek with her hand.
Wanderer scowls out of pure habit but he doesn’t pull away. This is hard on her, he knows. She has lost so much to the Japanese already and now he’s going back into the den of the enemy. It can’t be an easy pill for her to swallow.
A small, sad smile forms on his mother’s face. “You’re just like Makoto. In appearance and personality.”
Wanderer would disagree. From what he’s heard of Aunt Makoto, she was gentle and loving, happy-go-lucky and wise. He is not as violent and angry as he used to be, back when the Fatui had first found him, but he’s nowhere close to being as fundamentally good as Aunt Makoto had apparently been.
His mother pulls him into a hug and Wanderer lets her. “I’ll be fine,” he says. “I can take care of myself.”
His mother just smiles at him as she releases him from the embrace. “I know. I just worry.”
Wanderer fiddles with his hat. He never knows what to do when she gets this sentimental. “Well, don’t. I’m not a child.”
“I’m your mother. It’s my job to worry. Just… promise me you’ll keep your phone with you at all times.”
Had it been anyone else or a different situation, Wanderer would have said something scathing in reply. But he can’t deny that he’s uneasy — at least, not in the privacy of his mind — and having a way of communication would make this a great deal easier.
As the head of the Student Council, Jean supposes it’s only natural for her to have been selected as the “leader” of the group that will be leaving for Japan soon. She’s not a stranger to leadership at all, but she can’t say that she wouldn’t have preferred to leave that to Wanderer or Ayaka or Kokomi. Unlike her, Kokomi and Wanderer are both alumni and they’re technically her seniors, and Ayaka has been involved in politics more than her as the daughter of the Kamisato clan. But Wanderer had refused to be in-charge of children immediately, and Ayaka simply said that she didn’t want to give the HPSC the opportunity to cite political interference should things get ugly, and Kokomi just said that Jean is much more suited to the role and refused to elaborate.
So, Jean is the one left to compile the list of the people leaving — Wanderer for his battle experience and strength in case things go south, Ayaka since she is an Inazuman (the closest language they have to Japanese) and can help with any potential language barriers, Kokomi for her strategic mind and battle tactics, Mika for his skills as a cartographer and his superior knowledge of Japan from the virtue of having lived there a few years ago, Bennet because of his experience as a budding adventurer and so that poor Mika doesn’t have to do all the socialising himself, Razor and Fischl who natural follow Bennett everywhere, Xiangling because she is a friendly person who is sure to be able to build connections easily, Xingqiu and Chongyun because they’re not easily separated from Xiangling, Barbara in case the kids need a healer close by and Kokomi's not available, Noelle since she’s easy to approach and may make interacting easy for the hero students, and Heizou for his attention to detail and his ability to find and solve mysteries out of nowhere.
After that, Jean also has to make a list of their supplies and compile everyone’s documentation from both the Adventurer’s Guild and their respective nations as proof of their citizenship, along with their weapon licences and their documents from TA. And then, Jean has to plan their travel route (with aid from Mika and Lisa since Jean herself has never left Teyvat before) and coordinate their schedule with Captain Beidou. And then—
“Take a break,” Diluc says from where he’s seated in front of her in the common room. “Before you pass out.”
It’s still a surprise to see him around sometimes, after the falling out he and Kaeya had had a few years prior when Crepus died. They have only recently reconciled and sometimes, Jean still can’t believe it.
Jean shakes her head. “I can’t. I have to—”
“Relax, dear,” Lisa says, closing the book in her hand with a calm smile. “I’ll lend a hand after a nice cup of tea.”
Jean sighs, her shoulders untensing. She hadn’t realised how stiff she’d been until now or that she had been holding her breath. A bad habit. “Right. Thank you.”
“No need for that. It’s our pleasure,” Kaeya says with a chuckle from where he’s sprawled on the floor in front of all the final year textbooks scattered near the table around which the rest of them are seated. “We can’t have our Acting Grand Master too stressed, now can we?”
Jean feels her face heat up at the reminder of the title the knights had given her during her internship with them last year. It had probably been something they came up with as a joke, mostly directed at Grand Master Varka and his nonchalant approach to handling matters, and the way Jean had almost completely overtaken his position in her eagerness to help. “Kaeya! It was temporary.”
Kaeya laughs. “We’ll see in a few years.”
Diluc snorts and gives Jean a once over. “I’ll give it a few months at most.”
Jean feels her face flush even more but Kaeya’s eyes light up in amusement as he laughs once more. At that, she can’t help but smile despite the joke being at her expense. Just a few months before, Kaeya would have responded with a taunt, probably something about Diluc’s old position with the knights. That they can poke fun at each other like this is a refreshing reminder of how far they’ve all come.
As if she can read her thoughts, Lisa gives Jean a smile over Kaeya’s head.
Now that the dorms for the exchange students are almost complete, Ochako kind of wishes she could stay there instead of having to pay the rent every month for her small flat. It would certainly be easier on her parents’ bank account. But while no one said UA students can’t stay in the dorms, no one disagreed either and Ochako doesn’t wish to cause trouble. Besides, it’s… a little embarrassing, though she hates to admit it. Out of everyone in UA, Ochako knows that she’s probably one of the poorest students. It’s bad enough to be reminded of it constantly when standing next to the likes of Iida and Yaomomo. She doesn’t want more people to know than necessary.
That said, any reminder of the construction of the dorms always brings up another conversation.
“Tomorrow, huh?” Ashido says with a grin. As usual, she’s been really excited at the prospect of making new friends.
“The Teyvat students will be arriving in the evening, I believe,” Iida says. “So they won’t be joining us until Monday.”
“Hey, do you think if we stick around after school, we’ll be able to meet those guys?” Kaminari asks.
“I wanna do it!” Ashido agrees immediately.
Ochako has to hide a laugh at the way Iida frowns disapprovingly. “I highly suggest not—”
As if summoned by the chaotic duo’s scheming, Aizawa-sensei wakes up from his daily homeroom nap to glare at them. “Anyone caught in the school for no good reason when the exchange students arrive will be expelled immediately.”
He immediately goes back to sleep after saying that, and Ochako is caught between laughing and being concerned. Being an underground hero must be pretty draining if this is what Sensei is like every day.
Meanwhile, Ashido and Kaminari share a look. “Uh… Was that another logical ruse, or…?”
“Ha!” Ochako almost rolls her eyes at Bakugou’s familiar laugh. “Who cares about a bunch of quirkless extras anyway? They probably won’t be good enough for this place anyway.”
Iida takes in a breath and prepares himself for another lecture, perhaps at the words or at the way Bakugou has firmly planted his feet on the desk.
But Kirishima speaks up first. “I don’t know, man. Didn’t they fight off the League of Villains?”
Bakugou scoffs and looks away petulantly, as if he doesn’t have an answer to that.
“It could have been the teachers,” Yaoyorozu says, her finger folded under her chin as she thinks to herself. “But rumours have it that the people of Teyvat have quirk-adjacent powers despite being entirely quirkless.”
Deku shifts at the mention before he starts muttering to himself in that unique way of his, and Ochako can’t help but smile. He’ll probably start interrogating those poor exchange students the minute they arrive.
“Must have been pretty scary to be attacked out of nowhere though,” Hagakure says. “Imagine not knowing about quirks at all and suddenly, a bunch of villains just jump you out of nowhere.”
Kaminari shakes his head. “I still can’t believe those people just sent students after the League. Isn’t that, like, super dangerous? We all nearly died and we’re hero students.”
Finally, someone says it, Ochako thinks to herself.
Jirou nods along to his words. “And we at least have our quirks to fall back on. Those guys are quirkless. That probably breaks all kinds of child safety laws.”
Ojiro shrugs. “Who’s to say Teyvat even has those? People always say that they’re really old fashioned. Who knows how far behind they are when it comes to these things?”
“But aren’t there going to be some older students too? Maybe they’re the ones who actually fought,” Ashido says.
“I wonder how different those Visions are from our quirks,” Deku says, mostly to himself but loud enough for them all to hear. “And what the limitations are for those people.”
Ochako shakes her head. “It’s still crazy no matter what. People are born the way they are for a reason. The way these Vision users go about is just wrong!”
Something flashes in Deku’s eyes but before Ochako can decipher that, he buries his head in his notebook, muttering to himself.
“I must say, I agree,” Iida says. “The life of a hero is a dangerous one. For quirkless people to enter such a dangerous profession is a hazard for everyone involved. There’s only so much heroes can do without quirks.”
Deku bites his lower lip and seems to be thinking hard about something. “B—But doesn’t Aizawa-sensei have to fight quirkless too?”
That… is a good point.
Tsu shakes her head. “He has his quirk to disable the villain’s quirks though. And yes, being a hero requires more than just strength, but that doesn’t mean strength isn’t valuable at all.”
Deku frowns and falls silent. Ochako wonders what he’s thinking.
Technically, Aizawa should be in school waiting to receive the exchange students with the rest of the faculty instead of being at the airport watching them file out of the plane that landed not too long ago.
The students don’t seem that old, with the exception of perhaps three who appears to be around the same age as UA’s third year students. The way the blonde girl watches as the kids group up in front of her — and then wait for that one kid that tripped over thin air while walking out of the plane and then got his bag seemingly lost amongst the passengers' luggage — makes him certain that she’s the one in charge.
So far, they’re all rather unimpressive. Nothing about them screams powerful and Aizawa wonders if this is really the group that made the League of Villains retreat. Then again, these children are all quirkless. Perhaps he shouldn’t have expected much to begin with.
Just what are the ones in-charge of Teyvat thinking, sending children on a mission like this?
Then, the air around them changes. A chill goes down Aizawa’s spine, not unlike when around a dangerous villain. Glancing around, he finds no one, but when he turns back to the group, he finds the kid with the ridiculous hat staring directly at him. The eye contact doesn’t last long as the kid’s eyes wander over the entire building, and had it not been for Aizawa’s years of experience, he might have mistaken it for an innocent observation of the surroundings.
Well. This certainly changes things.