The journey back to UA was... quiet. Nemuri wondered what she could really do about Vesemir's behavior... She really had no power over him, unless Nezu extended her options regarding the young boy... after all, he was still a UA ward... until Aizawa took him as his son... which he was after all...
"Madam...?" Vesemir's voice rang in her head.
"Madam?" Once again, louder this time. Nemuri opened her eyes and looked at the troubled boy.
"Excuse me, Vesemir?"
Despite his nervousness, Vesemir looked her in the eyes... which was also not easy due to... he was a growing teenager. He managed to control himself and said.
"I am deeply sorry, Ma'am, for the lack of restraint in speaking to... Sir Brave. I understand that at the time I was under your care and I insulted your authority." The young witcher bowed his head down, looking at the bottom of the carriage... a vehicle called TAXI. "I want to assure you that I intend to take full responsibility for my... lack of tact."
Midnight was shocked. No normal teenager would do something like that... but no normal teenager had to fight in battle, killing people who wanted to kill him... She was overcome with sadness at the thought of how Vesemir had lost his innocence... childhood... forced to fight... to kill... . The teenager sitting before her is the result of many neglects, abuse and even... torture... because no one will ever convince her that leaving scars on a child's body will help in raising him. The boy lacks the warmth of a family... Aizawa will probably treat him like a son, but in addition to a father, every child needs a mother... Nemuri decided that she would fill this gap. With herself, if necessary. "Vesemir... I understand that... due to your upbringing you may see things differently... but you can't just threaten heroes like that... you shouldn't threaten anyone."
"My lady. I didn't threaten anyone."
"Really? And a challenge to a duel?"
"As you put it yourself... a challenge is not a threat. If... Sir... Brave wants satisfaction, then I will gladly give it to him on the beaten earth and with a sword in my hand."
Yui listened and looked at both of them. She was still shocked about Vesemir's... adventures... Despite the fact that he had killed criminals and had killed in the past... she couldn't blame him. It was all the fault of the world he came from and the conditions in which he had to grow up quickly. With a neutral expression on her face, she finally decided to speak up.
"Please don't fight him."
Vesemir looked at her. There was no challenge, insult or rejection in his eyes. There was curiosity there.
"Miss Yui. I would like to know the reason you know why I should not accept a potential challenge to a duel."
Yui glared at him. What could she possibly tell him? That she was worried about him? That she never wanted to see his blood again?
Vesemir sensed her hesitation and decided to react.
"Forgive me, Miss Yui, but if Sir Brave were to decide to challenge me to a fair duel, which I myself proposed, I would be insulting my honor, your Lady Aunt, and... Sir Brave, since he accepted the challenge."
Yui's heart began to beat slightly faster... Vesemir has... an interesting worldview... honor...
"Why would you insult my aunt's honor?"
"Because, I warned Sir Brave about his manner of addressing Lady Midnight, which is not becoming of a gentleman. However, he has the right to seek satisfaction if he felt offended by my words."
Yui and Midnight exchanged glances. They both understood that they wouldn't convince Vesemir. He lacked knowledge about how people of this world lived.
Midnight hoped that Mr. Brave would prove to be a true hero and wouldn't demand a duel. She was also sure that even if Brave turned out to be an idiot and challenged a 14-year-old boy to a fight, Nezu wouldn't allow it... although knowing her employer... she could use this opportunity to test Vesemir's skills...
.
.
.
After arriving at UA, Midnight received a message on her phone to go with Vesemir to the principal's office as soon as Vesemir was ready.
The young witcher was given a studio apartment in the teachers' building. Right next to Aizawa's apartment. Yui used her quirk once again, this time to enlarge the bags to their original size. Midnight explained to the boy how the fridge, toilet, shower, intercom and other items in the studio apartment worked. What interested Vesemir the most was... the radio. A wonderful device that allowed you to receive music and news broadcasts, or by inserting a small flat music disc previously purchased in the store. A real cultural revolution. Unfortunately, there was no time to explore the possibilities of... the radio... because Mr. Nezu required Vesemir's presence at the meeting. Yui had to go back to her parents, so Midnight took Vesemir to the principal's office where they of course found Mr. Nezu and Mr. Aizawa inside.
"Ah! Vesemir, it's good to see you again! I hope your shopping went well?"
"Of course, Sir. Thank you for providing me with the things I needed. I promise to repay the debt I owed you." Vesemir bowed slightly, feeling obliged to show respect.
Nezu smiled to himself. "Ah, no problem Vesemir, no problem. Do you perhaps have any idea why I invited you to talk?"
Vesemir had his suspicions... but perhaps he shouldn't show his cards too soon... enough stupidity for today. "You may have many reasons to talk to me. Instead of throwing them out blindly, I'd rather not waste your important time."
(The boy can think... he's promising) Nezu thought. "Mr. Brave challenges you to a duel. He claims he can easily defeat you in a sword fight and that he intends to teach you humility."
Midnight sighed heavily, but before she could say anything, Vesemir forestalled her.
"Sir Nezu. Please inform Sir Brave that I accept the challenge and let him set a date of your choice. If possible, please have the duel take place in your domain."
Aizawa glared at his... son. He had previously talked to the headmaster about how this would be a good opportunity to test the young boy's skills. He himself did not want to put Vesemir in danger, but Nezu was right. We can test Vesemir's abilities in a controlled environment, and the boy himself would probably give his all to defeat Mr. Brave.
"Of course! However, there is one thing we need to discuss before I agree to this duel. Both of you will be able to use your abilities at will. Mr. Brave will use his quirk, while you will be able to use your... magic. Of course, everything within the limits of common sense. The duel will take place tomorrow morning, while you, Vesemir, will receive a sword made by Power Loader. He is our teacher from the Support Course Development Studio."
Nezu saw Vesemir weighing his words for a moment. It did not take long before Nezu heard the answer he had been expecting.
"I agree, as long as I can test the weapon first."
Nezu looked at Aizawa. He nodded at him, and he bent down to the piece hidden behind the desk. He threw it towards Vesemir. The young witcher grabbed the weapon, then slowly pulled the blade out of the sheath. He weighed the blade in his hand.
Nezu began to wonder if Vesemir would notice the slight differences in the sword. He had Power Loader make a replica of the boy's sword, with some minor changes that only a swordmaster could find. Another test. One of many that Nezu had thought of for Vesemir.
"Can we go outside? I don't want to accidentally damage the principal's office."
"Of course! Follow me, Vesemir!" Nezu led the entire group outside, away from the curious glances of the staff and other students staying at UA. Despite the holidays, the number of students was quite large. UA offers free training rooms for its students all year round.
Vesemir once again pulled the blade from its sheath. He handed the sheath to Aizawa and walked away to dance...
"Do you need any goals, Vesemir?" Midnight asked.
The young witcher shook his head, denying it... he closed his eyes and imagined his opponents...
A cut, a cut, a pirouette and a jump.
The blade began to sing, cutting the air. Aizawa was surprised. He hadn't expected such a display of skills from his son. Nezu, smiling, assessed the boy's skills. Midnight stood like a pillar of salt, remembering Vesemir's story about the battle...
*In Vesemir's head*
Vesemir smashed the delivered blow into his chest. He made a half-turn and decapitated his opponent, another soldier with a halberd tried to cut him off, but Vesemir dodged! He found himself slightly behind his back and slashed him in the back. Another opponent eliminated.
Cut, jump, block, cut.
The blade sang its song, drinking blood, severing limbs, ending lives.
This was no knightly fight, but an ancient art called slaughter. It was hard to tell who was on your side. Fortunately, the enemies were easy to recognize, after all, they were the ones attacking. The slashing of horses, the screams of the wounded, requests directed to various deities. All this was echoing in the boy's head. A boy who had not chosen his fate. A boy who had to fight to survive. The Battle of Toussaint, countless other skirmishes, slaughter, fear, excitement.
Cut.
Another assassin decapitated. Once again, they had come for him. Vesemir had loved and hated Novigrad... a city where he had met someone who understood him. Someone he could talk to, laugh with, cry with. Now, a tainted body lay in the gutter, and above it a group of drunk Redanian soldiers.
Anger... hatred... revenge...
Six Redanians had paid for their crime.
Sorrow...guilt...
*Nezu, Aizawa, and Midnight's POV*
The group watched what Vesemir was doing with his sword. His movements indicated a high level of training. Training that must have cost him a lot of sacrifice. Nezu stopped smiling when Vesemir's movements became seemingly random.
Aizawa, having experience in hand-to-hand combat, said. "He sees them... the people he fights with..."
Nezu just nodded, reading the emotions on the boy's face. Pain, fear, determination...
Midnight noticed something towards the very end of the test. An unshed tear. She looked at the rest of the audience and realized that both gentlemen had seen it... they were teachers after all...
Vesemir finished his dance... time to return to reality. He took a few deep breaths... emotions had to be chased away. He couldn't give in to them...
He slowly walked up to Aizawa and took the scabbard from him. Securing the sword in the scabbard, he said.
"Thank you, Mr. Nezu. In a very short time, Mr. Power Loader managed to create an almost replica of my sword."
"Almost?" Nezu said.
"It's made of a different metal, although the steel's shade is the same. The weight is shifted a centimeter higher, compared to my blade. It makes a different sound when cutting the air. It's not sharpened." Nezu smiled broadly. Vesemir was a master. This test told him a lot about the boy's skills. He also noticed... the emotions that came out during the sword testing. The boy hides his problems, but it didn't surprise him.
"I'm glad you liked the sword. This is a version intended for training. I kindly ask that you do not use your swords when practicing with others, unless the teacher gives permission. You will find your equipment in your room in the closet. As agreed, your swords are there as well. Now you can go for a well-deserved meal. You can move around UA without any problems, just remember to carry this card. It is a device that marks you as a UA student. If any teacher asks who you are, just show them this card." Nezu handed the boy his student card.
Midnight looked at Vesemir gently. "Come on Vesemir. I'll take you to the cafeteria."
End of Chapter 10