“Not all of them took it as easy, did they?”

“No, some of them were stricken with despair, but since all of them will be heading to the boot camp anyways, there's nothing to worry about other than overseeing the ones who failed the practical exam.”

Previously, Darkem has been doing a little bit of research while examining his students’ works, grading them on how well they did best on the philosophical course. The usual school work.

Of course, it only determined who were ‘open minded’ behind the beliefs of this world’s morality. And maybe in time, he might be able to guide them to a more… Realistically approach in the future.

Taking a small break by strolling around the school grounds, he noticed Aizawa walking around with a cup of coffee in hand. Assuming he took a small break, he decided to have a chat with him.

Though he ignored the initial sense of fear and anxiety that man emitted, it came to pass in a moment later.

“We did have a discussion on that in the past week, especially that you were the one who suggested such a thing.” Darkem said. “A change of training regime is needed, perhaps we might need to put the children in the U.A premises so that they’ll be monitored.”

Aizawa hummed. “What made you suggest that?” The man eyed the Reaper-in-disguise.

“In a sense, the danger is still there and the enemies will try to harm our students. It's better to assume that we need to make the students focus on the training for the future.”

The idea is sound… Logical even. But the sudden idea of building a dorm within the U.A grounds and monitoring them is sudden.

“Can you see the future?”

The reaper-in-question scoffed at the statement. “I may be an entity that reaps souls, but that doesn't mean I can look into the future. It's a rather tedious chore to do so and sometimes the future can be changed. Not all of the possibilities are set on stone.”

Now that brought up some questions in Aizawa’s mind.

Was this a trick question? Why is he talking to him? Is he giving out subtle hints? If so, then why? Can he not look into the future?

So many questions, with very little to no answers.

“You spoke of… an ‘evil approaching’.” Wording the words carefully. “Can you tell what that is?”

“I am no oracle, if you wish to know. Looking through the future gives a… chill down my soul. It's as if looking through the abyss of Nothingness just to get a glimpse of a picture in the days ahead.” Darkem frowned. “Like I said; it is a rather tedious job.”

“But in this way I can tell you; there will come a blanket of danger and evil. It will spread throughout this land and perhaps other spots of the world, it will make itself known and it will put another mark of its previous self to this era. It will happen perhaps during the Pillar’s Peace, or the collapse of it. Anything is a possibility right now, what does it ensure the success of it.”

Aizawa almost groaned out in annoyance. The man’s answer is so confusing that he couldn’t give a straight answer? If so, why? He couldn’t almost understand what he was saying, but he could somehow tell that he was giving a warning.

‘Damn it! I can't understand what he is trying to say!’

“Why not just give a straight answer?”

“And ruin the semblance of time itself?” Darkem countered, shaking his head. “No. Ruining the sense of balance when I, myself, have already changed the waves of motion of this world? Even I wouldn't dare risk changing on such a thing, the risk of destruction aims high, and so does the attention of the One Above All.”

“!” That caught his attention. “Do you mean… All for One?”

‘Bad news if he is allied with him…’

The reaper chuckling was unnerving. “It pains me to tell you that who you mentioned to I say the ‘One Above All’, is not what you meant for what I meant him to be.”

‘If it's not him, then who…?’ “Who is this… ‘One Above All’ then?”

“...” The silence itself was deafening. Even despite the birds singing, the rustling of the wind against the trees and plants around, it almost felt deafening to see the reaper; whom they now see as an Other Worldly being that was somehow transported into their world, become silent to his question.

“...Unless you wish to stay sane then I suggest you withdraw asking that question away from the deepest part of your own mind.” The reaper’s tone was so monotonous and cold that Aizawa felt danger from his words.

‘...’ “...What do you mean by that?”

“Ignorance, sometimes, is a blessing. Knowing things is quite important, yes, but there are many things; many things around this restraining world that doesn't know anything and merely theorizes it…” Darkem turned to look Aizawa in the eyes, and this made the man feel very, very nervous.

“So I may not be answering that question regarding Him, Mr Aizawa.”

‘Is this ‘One Above All’ so dangerous that knowing them would drive someone crazy?’ “I… see…”

Darkem looked at his pocket watch, “It seems the time’s up, Mr Aizawa. I’ll have to return to work. I apologize for using up your free time.”

“It is… not a problem.” He felt his coffee growing cold despite feeling its warmth around his hands.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

Aizawa could only watch as the reaper-in-disguise walked away, and was still looking to see where he disappeared when turning around a corner.

It only took him a moment to realize he had been unconsciously holding his breath for gods-know how long.

His encounter with the Reaper, those questioning and subtle words he chose, the way he said it; it was concerning.

Luckily this time, he had come prepared when he might encounter U.A's resident Reaper-in-disguise. He had a recorder tucked in his pocket, he was quick enough to turn it on when Darkem approached him.

‘Note to self: Have all the staff carry a recorder on their person.’ He tapped at his pocket holding the recorder inside…

. . .

It seems that the day never went quiet as he would have expected it to be. Especially with the 1st Semester passed, and summer vacation is closing in.

He would have all the time in the world to prepare whatever wickedness is coming. He could feel it, but couldn’t locate it. For it is all around, growing, rising. The time will come, sooner or later, it will come.

And it's best to prepare now.

He had heard news on what had happened after class when most students of Class-1 A went to go shopping in preparation for their Summer Camp training. The leader of the League of Villains had come in contact with the promising boy, Midoriya Izuku.

There was no possibility that they would have known that the boy has close relations with All Might, so it might just be an act of jealousy if what he heard was the disclosed information from the police which he had acquired by one of his Shadow Demons.

The League of Villains seemed to be preparing for an attack, but it seemed they were still recruiting many more for their cause before planning for action. A fortunate boon when he had summoned many creatures to do his bidding. Shadow Demons, Liches and Doppelgangers, though he has limited resources in summoning the latter, they can provide even more in-depth information gathering.

The ‘man-child’ Leader of the League of Villains, Tomura Shigaraki, didn’t seem to be a leader at all if what the reports that had gotten to their little hideout are true - no, they are true. His summons wouldn't lie to him, he’ll have to fix that train of thought on his summons’ possibility of betraying him.

Tomura seems to take ‘guiding’ orders from the man on the screen which the former calls him his ‘mentor’ or ‘master’ sometimes.

He hadn't found out Tomura’s Mentor’s location, as he always spoke through the screen. He’ll have to summon a dozen more Shadow Demons to gain more ground in searching thoroughly.

And while it would seem better to get rid of the villains right now but… It would seem that he felt that he is doing this job for them instead of themselves. From what he could obtain, there is virtually, if not, literally no one that could kill him.

Harming is a possibility, but not to the extent that he would be able to die.

He will only intervene when all is lost, he will not let himself do all the work.

Erasing all Evil from the World? A simple pipe dream, yet he could do it if he dared… But he opposed such an idea.

Evil cannot exist without Good, and neither can Good exist without Evil.

Both must exist, there must be a balance. There always must be a balance…

. . .

Taking a midnight stroll around the city didn’t seem as bad as he thought.

It has been a while since he had gotten out of the school, the work quota had been stressing his mind quite much, but not that he can't handle such paperwork.

Compared to the hellish work back in his old world? This one is tolerable.

Even more with the help of music!

He is still bummed out that his old music list is gone. But oh well, he managed to find some new ones in this world, some similar, some which are entirely new.

Ahhh~ The pleasures of such a world that isn't totally controlled by the businesses.

Although… Taking a midnight stroll around the city isn't the only reason he is out here…

“AHHH!”

Cleaning out some trash.

Stepping to the side as the bat missed his head by an inch, he grabbed the attacker and flicked at their forehead, making them fly and crash onto a nearby wall.

The attacker then fell onto the ground motionlessly. Wounded, bruised, and incapacitated.

‘Hmmm… So there is much more to clean around this place…’

He thought, eyeing around the area that is littered with groaning bodies of pain, wounds, bruises and broken bones numbering more than a dozen.

He was fully tempted to kill some of them with souls he felt were... irredeemable in a sense. But he withholds the urge to kill them, because in a logical perspective, deaths would bring attention from the authorities, Heroes, Villains and certainly unwanted parties that would come to do many possibilities for him.

And also with them alive, they would be able to spread the word of fear to the others around. Stopping them from doing stupid things.

With enough suffering and pain given to them, they might rethink their choices. If they don’t, then well… He certainly gave them a chance.

Leaving the group of fallen thugs which he was certain that none of them would do anymore harm for the night, he called the authorities using his phone and left the place.

There was certainly a… charm in walking down under the midnight sky on a city sidewalk. Compared to his world, this has much more freedom, no restricted breathing equipment, no curfews, nothing to worry about equipment failure and panicking to buy another respirator module.

The air was cold, fresh and clear. Of course there was some pollution such as smoke, dust and dirt in the air, but it was clearer…

There was literally nothing to worry about on just… walking around in the night.

Oh how he envies the people of this world to be able to be given such privilege without knowing. It was almost just mocking.

Almost as if God had placed him wrongly… no. He should not think that.

It was they who had destroyed themselves, damaging everything around them in the path of greed and self destruction.

God did not destroy them. They destroyed themselves…

Ahhh~ The beauty of the cycle of recreation and destruction. The Ouroburos of the Unbroken Wheel of Existence.

“...Hm?” His thoughts were broken as he noticed a jewelry store that is currently being robbed.

A couple of robbers brute forcing their way and stealing valuable jewelry into their bags.

The bystanders around seem to just look at what was happening, some immediately calling the police with their phones. Though a couple few seemed smart enough to run away in case something dangerous happens.

He frowned at the sight of a helpless store being robbed whilst everyone was watching or not doing anything. But he can't blame them after all, the civilians, they with no combat experience and didn’t want to cause any trouble because the law prevents them from using Quirks…

Oh how stupidly that law was made.

Though it was already night, and the store was in the process of closing. The robbers must have planned this.

He began walking towards the store looking like a badass as his coat was swaying against the cold breeze. It had been not too long ago since he just beat a group of thugs he had encountered on his stroll. It almost seemed like Fate was giving him some stress relievers to use…

He heard some people around him calling out to him, but he ignored them all as he approached the store. Gunshots sounded in the store, making other bystanders flinch and move away as far as possible.

By the time he was in front of the store, the robbers were finished with their stealing and noticed him.

“Trying to play Hero are ya!?” The robber grinned as he aimed a shotgun at his face. “If you don’t wanna die, move!”

“...” Darkem merely stared at them blankly, unimpressed by the threat.

One of the robbers moved closer to him, cocking a gun leveling to his face.

“Do you really want to die, huh!?”

“What about you?” He replied calmly. “Do you?”

The robber was confused at his response, so he continued on.

“Now that you draw your weapon, you are putting your life on the line…” He stated calmly, his expression blank.

The robbers flinched, but held strong.

“What kind of shit are you saying, huh!?” One of the robbers shouted. Anxiety noticeable in his voice.

“Guns aren't for threatening people… They are made for killing… Show me if you are willing to kill…”

The robber pointing a shotgun at him didn’t seem as confident when someone like him isn't afraid from being pointed by a weapon.

“Alright, you're asking for it!”

*BANG*

The people around screamed bloody mary as the gunshot rang throughout the street.

Darkem quickly snatched the shotgun out of the robber’s hands and aimed at its former wielder. Not giving any time for them to process what happened, he then shot at the robber’s arm, blowing half of it off.

“GAAAAHHHHH!!” Said robber screamed as he fell to the ground in pain as he tried to stop the bleeding.

Darkem quickly aimed towards the other robber, who froze at the weapon being pointed at him. Directly at his face. If he pulls the trigger, insta-die.

With a blank expression, he asked. “You, do you wish to die?”

“H-How the hell did you survive!? And what kind of a hero shoots limbs off!?” He screamed.

”…Have I ever said that I am a hero?”

Said robber looked at him with fear in his eyes, realizing that their assumption was wrong. And considering what he had done to his friend, he is dead serious…

“Answer my question,” He said, cocking the shotgun with its shell loaded and ready to fire. It made the robber flinch. “Do you wish to die?”

“W-What kind o-of a question is that!? No! I don’t wanna die!” The robber cried as he dropped his gun immediately as he cowered onto the ground, begging for his life to be spared. “W-We haven't killed anyone! Please, don’t kill me!”

The soul was in fear, fear for its life. It was genuine, not faking for a surprise attack as he expected.

He then dropped the weapon before unloading its ammunition, and turning to the armless robber. “And yet, your friend was willing…”

“I-I didn’t kill anyone!” The wounded robber groaned in pain.

Yet the soul told him otherwise… He lies.

“And yet you fired.” He said, tone reeking disappointment. “Had it been anyone else, you have killed a person…

“You're still alive aren't ya!?”

“Would that seem justifiable? I can just kill you right now for trying to kill me, it seems fair.”

“P-Please… No, please.” The other robber trembled in fear.

Darkem then cast a {Sleep} spell on the two, and applied {Mend} onto the robber’s bloody stub closing the wound so he wont bleed out. He won't heal him, for he would rather give the man a scar that he would remember throughout his days.

With the situation appeased, he began to walk into the store. It is good manners to check up on the people you saved trouble from.

He saw several persons on the floor, a couple of them wounded but alive.

Their souls were in a haze, dizzied and dazzled.

“P-Please… H-Help…” One of them groaned weakly, reaching out to him.

Using {Life Essence}, the results were that they will not be able to make it to the hospital in time. That is, if he decided to not intervene.

He cast {Regenerate} onto the wounded, their injuries disappearing. They felt a soothing sensation in them and the pain subsided, as if they weren't shot in the first place.

Nodding in satisfaction, he exited the store just to see a couple of heroes on the scene. And it seems they took notice of him and… is one of them aiming a bow at him?

Well, to their understanding, it may just be because of his outfit looking quite… intimidating. Almost close enough to be in a pair of having ‘villain’ vibes.

‘It might be why everyone’s been avoiding me…’ He realized why the people parted space from him as he walked by, giving nervous glances along the way.

A man in a black suit brandishing what looks like gauntlets crackling in electricity and another wearing what seems to be like a hunter costume with a bow and arrow.

‘Light attire, both seem agile. Close Combat and Ranged, possible support and distraction.’ He deduced in his mind.

“You will not get away from this, Villain! Surrender immediately!”

…Initially, he would show his Hero License and correct them so that he would be on his way… But now he wanted to test if these pairs are worthy to be called “Heroes” that are doing what is just, or are the industrially raised ones simply just going for fame and wealth.

Of course, there are circumstances he would allow for the second reason…

‘Time to test myself as a villain…’ He is fortunate that he wasn’t wearing his usual clothes in the U.A. He wouldn't want to trouble the school because of his… Misbehavior.

It also didn’t help that he was holding a shotgun as well.

“...Unimpressive.” He commented. “You must have little sense of awareness to know what is going on, do you?”

“Ha! Like that taunt would work on us!” The armored Hero bellowed.

“Hey, those two are bleeding!” The archer Hero pointed at the two robbers who were face down on the ground that looked like they were attacked. And considering the armless robber that has a puddle of blood around his stub was… very convincing. “That bastard must have done it!”

“So, let us test your mettle.” He spread his arms wide in an exaggerated posture. “Will you take chances in taking me on, or will you save them?”

“Let them go, villain!”

“...Kindly make me so, hero.” He dropped the shotgun as he smiled. Playing as the villain. He wondered what kind of faces they would make once he showed them his license?

The two heroes seemed confused when he dropped the shotgun, but they seemed hesitant to make a move that would risk the civilians on the ground to either die should they go for him.

Without any warning, the archer hero fired several arrows at him in a quick draw. Darkem swatted them away without any difficulty, just to see the other hero with his hands open, crackling with electricity.

‘It looks like they are good in their teamwork, distracting with arrows as one would charge under the cover of a ranged attack… Good tactic, but slow.’ He thought as he front kicked the electricity hero away.

Another rain of arrows went his way, humoring the man, he blocked them with effort that he showed he took several steps back as if he was being pushed back.

“Grab them now!”

The black suit hero grabbed the two unconscious robbers before backing away in a safe distance.

Darkem smirked at the hero's plan. It seemed the other hero planned to knock him out unconscious with electricity, but with the plan failing, they went to save the robbers he knocked them out.

With them not in danger, the Heroes could properly ‘deal’ with him.

“...With them out of the way,” He folded his hands behind his back. “Nothing is holding you back. Will you be able to bring out your best against me?”

“Tch, you wanted it!?” The black suit hero charged up, the electricity growing increasingly, crackling around his body dangerously. “Fine! I’ll give it to you!”

The hero moved, no, blurred towards him. But not for him, the hero was going in a slow motion for him, but decided to humor the hero by blocking the incoming attack, just for the hero to swirl around and throw his hand onto him. The reaper-in-disguise could see what he was doing so he grabbed the man’s wrist and pinned him onto the ground with his hands behind his back.

“A sound move… but it was too slow.” He commented.

“Let go of me-!”

“I do not think you're in a position for negotiation, Hero.” He reminded as he increased the pressure on the grip, causing the hero to grunt in pain.

“Damn it!” The archer hero cursed as he aimed his bow at him. “Let him go!”

“...Will you risk having me kill your comrade here?” He frowned. “There is no need for a standoff when I can just walk away and we’ll forget about this. Since the incident has been cleared.”

“What!? What the hell are you talking about!?”

“Like hell we would let you, villain!”

“I am not a villain, good sirs.” He said. “Merely just a passerby tucking those two away for a good sleep.” Gesturing at the two unconscious robbers who were being examined by other people in a distance.

“Hmm?” He then heard sirens from a distance, signifying that the police were coming.

It means that he won't have to stay here for any longer.

“Ah, it seems our time is up.” He said as he released his hold from the hero who he was pinning onto the ground, and tossed him over to his comrade who caught him before he could fall.

“I’ll be leaving now, be sure to check those two thugs before tossing them away.” With those words spoken, he walked away. The act was so sudden that the two heroes stared at his back with dumbfounded expressions.

“...Huh?”

“Where do you think you are going, villain!?” The archer hero managed to recompose himself quick enough as he aimed at the man.

Darkem stopped and pointed towards the jewelry store, in which the two employees just appeared with blood stains on their clothing.

“Ask them, they will answer your questions.”

“Stop-!” The lighting hero was about to charge at him once again before one of the people of the jewelry store stopped in front of the hero, arms spread out as if protecting him.

“Wait, no! He helped us!”

“Wha- Wait, your arm-!”

“He didn’t do anything bad, he saved us!”

“He healed us, we thought we were going to die!”

“What? Isn't he a villain?”

“No, those two are!” One of the bystanders pitched in and pointed at the two unconscious men from the side. Though he wondered what took them so long? Were they just watching instead of correcting what was going on truly?

“Yeah, they were robbing the jewelry store and fired some shots! It must be them shooting!” Another one agreed.

Then another one and another, more came to the man’s defense. The heroes then eased the people down just in time for the police to arrive.

Darkem would have bothered to leave, but he wouldn't mind staying just for a little bit longer… To show them a little bit of uncovered ignorance.

“...You're coming with us.” The black suit hero said, glaring at him. No doubt taking his hits on a personal level.

“Pray tell, why must I so?” He mused, already knowing where this was going.

“You using a Quirk without a license is considered against the law, therefore you are under arrest.”

“Even when the lives of innocent people are on the line, the law is still to be followed when I have the opportunity to stop a terrible thing that was about to happen?” He hummed.

* “Certainly the government doesn't really bother on that part of the life cycle.”

The hero flinched, although looking confused on the man’s blabbering, but he pushed on. “If you continue to resist, then you will be under arrest.”

“Oh, but I will continue to do so.” He smiled. “And I am not exactly real in your eyes, merely a… figment of your imagination.”

“Sir, you are-”

Darkem then used {Time Stop}, effectively stopping everything. Hopping over to a nearby rooftop that would allow him to oversee the scene, with the cloak of the night, he is completely obscured from anyone’s sight and sees how they would react.

Once gone, he let time continue.

“-under arrest-!” The Hero and anyone nearby looked around in panic. “What the!? He’s gone!”

“Where did he go!?”

“He just disappeared!”

“Damn, what kind of Quirk does he have!?”

There was some kind of twisted amusement on seeing them trying to look for him.

The two heroes were flawed. But despite that, they were willing to go through risks that no matter what, will have to save people. Although they didn’t seem to examine the situation carefully and distinguish who was who, though that was also the fault of the crowd for not telling them what was going on early before they attacked him.

He assumed that they were both careless and wanted to apprehend him to get the glory when they first attacked, but no, they coordinated to rescue the two undistinguished robbers that were laying in front of him.

It was brilliant.

But other than that, they are good people and so does his skill. And it is far too early to judge them, deeper insight on their persons would convince him, but it is much work. All he can tell is that their souls deemed them not evil.

As much as he was disgusted by the laws and this world’s morals, the betterment of fools they are, the heroes are doing both their job and morals. Of course, aside from personal glory, fame and power. But he had to remind himself that he lived in a whole other world, and it was utterly on the verge of destruction.

Strife, death, corruption and pollution all around.

Here? It is… not that excessive. And the reminders remind him of the horrible world he was born in…

Looking up into the sky, he felt conflicted…

“God… What is it do you have me here in this world?” He asked quietly. “Am I here to install change? To let them see the corruption? To get rid of the dirt? To unbind their dirt covered eyes onto the light?”

Of course, he expected no voice to answer him from the above. The ever silent christian God that he had faith never diminishing…

And for almost a month since he had arrived into this world; he prayed for guidance.

Looks like I’m losing my touch on this story… Doesn't matter, I’ll write until I die.