The next day, I walked down the hallway toward Classroom 1-A. In my hand, I held the single form out of that entire stack of four thousand that possessed genuine strategic value to me.
When I opened the classroom door, most of my classmates were still actively discussing things around their desks. Midoriya was taking notes in his notebook with a serious expression, Bakugo was growling angrily by the window, and Todoroki silently studied his own paper.
Aizawa was lying in his yellow sleeping bag by the teacher's desk, but as soon as he felt my footsteps, he cracked one eye open.
"Made your choice already, Mephisto?" he spoke in a raspy voice, freeing a hand from his sleeping bag.
"Yes," I nodded, placing the completed form on his desk. "I want freedom of movement and quick access to information. I'm betting on speed."
Aizawa looked at the name on the paper and raised his eyebrows slightly for a second. "Hawks... The Number Three Hero. He might be an unguided missile who loves camera attention, but his efficiency is indisputable. If you can handle his pace, it will be good field experience for you."
"His pace won't be a problem for me," I replied calmly and returned to my seat.
The following morning, we all gathered at the train station in the capital. Everyone had their suitcases and costume cases with them. Aizawa gave us a final briefing regarding public conduct and the rights associated with wearing hero costumes.
I said goodbye to the class. Toru gave me a cheerful wave with the sleeve of her uniform, and I offered her a brief nod. I boarded the Shinkansen heading toward the agency.
After a few hours of travel, I arrived at the modern, glass skyscraper housing the Hawks Agency. The receptionist in the international section greeted me respectfully and took me up the elevator to the top floor, home to a private training hall and the office of the Number Three Hero himself.
The elevator doors slid open silently.
In the middle of a massive glass room overlooking the entire city sat Hawks on the back of a sofa—the red-haired hero with large red wings, a casually unbuttoned jacket, and sunglasses.
But he wasn't alone.
Standing by a table with a costume case in hand was Fumikage Tokoyami. When the elevator doors opened and I stepped inside, Tokoyami turned around, his eyes widening in surprise.
"Mephisto?!" Tokoyami blurted out, his Dark Shadow popping out from his shoulder for a second, just as taken aback as its master. "You're... here?"
The sight of him caught me slightly off guard, but I quickly regained my cold composure. "Tokoyami. It seems we share the same taste in mentors."
"I... had no idea you chose Hawks," Tokoyami said, an unexpected yet deep respect in his voice. "I thought you would head to someone like Endeavor or Edgeshot."
"Too many eyes and limited freedom," I replied, placing my suitcase on the floor. "I was looking for someone who wouldn't tie me down with rules."
"Hah! Then you're in the right place, kid!" Hawks chimed in with a broad smile, gracefully hopping off the sofa. His red wings flared slightly. "Honestly? When I sent an offer to you, Mephisto, I didn't count on you accepting it. The festival champion who crushed everyone in a single blow! And on top of that, Tokoyami, a boy with incredible potential. I've got a full shadow division here today!"
Hawks walked over to us, took off his sunglasses, and inspected us both with a watchful yet relaxed gaze.
"But let's get one thing straight," Hawks continued, his voice turning serious for a moment. "In my agency, we don't sit in an office. We fly fast and react even faster."
I looked at Tokoyami. "Looks like we're going to make a fairly effective team, Tokoyami."
Tokoyami nodded, determination flaring in his eyes. "It will be an honor to fight by your side, Mephisto."