Chapitre 5: Chapter 5
3 months passed.
He was doing hero work, searching for leads.
It wasn't getting anywhere, he might need to branch out…
But he was sent to Japan as well as Faruzan, so there must be a reason.
He needed to keep looking.
But right now he had other matters.
Wanderer was currently interviewing a new employee for his agency, he thought Faruzan would handle this but she put it on him since he's the boss, they need a HR department…
Jin Bubaigawara… a man in his 20s looking for work, his quirk was called double, cloning? Useful…
Wanderer glanced up from the cluttered desk, locking eyes with the man sitting across from him. The worn fabric of his suit, frayed at the cuffs and marked by visible stitches.
"So, Mr. Bubaigawara… what kind of work are you hoping to do here?" Wanderer asked, placing the folder back down with a soft thud.
"I… well…" Jin hesitated, his voice faltering, nervousness in his body.
Wanderer's gaze shifted to the resume in front of him. "You have no college degree," he stated flatly, noting the sparse entries detailing small, low-paying jobs.
"No…" Jin slumped in his seat, a look of defeat washing over him.
"Why not?" Wanderer pressed, his tone laced with curiosity.
Jin's gaze dropped to the floor, seeking refuge in the shadows. "My parents died when I was in middle school. With no relatives to take me in, I was on my own. I couldn't finish school and had to work just to keep myself from going hungry…" His voice trailed off, and he fiddled with the frayed hem of his shirt.
Wanderer narrowed his eyes, sensing the truth in Jin's words. The world outside was indeed a cruel place, a reality he knew all too well. Yet, maybe he can make the darkness a little less suffocating.
"This building has rooms that are empty," Wanderer began, a plan forming in his mind. Jin's head shot up, hope flickering in his eyes. "You could take residence in one of them. You can start working as soon as you sign some papers and get yourself settled."
"A-are you serious?" Jin's voice wavered, and tears brimmed in his eyes.
"Yes," Wanderer replied, his voice steady. "I understand what it's like to be alone at a young age, to feel lost without purpose." He closed his eyes briefly, recalling his own struggles.
"You just go from place to place, trying to get by…" Jin murmured, the weight of his words hanging in the air.
"Exactly. I won't let you drift aimlessly if I can help it. You'll do some small tasks around the office, and if one fits you, we can focus on that," Wanderer said, rising from his seat. "Welcome to the Wanderer Agency, Jin Bubaigawara." He extended his hand, an invitation to his new beginning.
Jin shot up, gripping Wanderer's hand with unexpected fervor. "Thank you, boss! You won't regret this."
"Then make it so that I won't," Wanderer replied blandly.
Jin nodded vigorously, a spark igniting in his eyes. "YES, SIR!"
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A month had passed.
Faruzan burst through the office doors, her bright smile practically glowing as she waved her phone in the air. "Wanderer, have you seen this!?"
Wanderer, seated comfortably in his chair with an engineering textbook open on his lap, barely looked up. "What are you shouting about now?" he asked, his tone laced with mild irritation as he flipped a page.
Faruzan hurried over, still grinning like a child with a secret. "Listen to this!" she said excitedly, reading directly from her phone. "The Wind Hero: Wanderer has soared into the Top 10 heroes in less than half a year!"
Wanderer groaned, closing his book with an audible thud. "I couldn't care less about these popularity contests," he muttered, clearly unimpressed.
Faruzan pouted slightly, undeterred. "This is big, sir! You're rising in the rankings faster than anyone! People are starting to talk!"
Wanderer exhaled, rubbing his temple as though her enthusiasm was giving him a headache. "Don't forget why we're here," he reminded her, his voice suddenly cold. "We're still searching for a way back home."
Faruzan's excitement visibly deflated. She lowered her gaze. "Yes… I remember," she murmured, the weight of that unresolved goal heavy on her shoulders.
It had been months since they'd first arrived in this unfamiliar world, working tirelessly on finding a way back home, and so far, nothing. The likelihood of someone possessing a teleportation quirk that could take them back was slim to none.
Wanderer glanced at her somber expression, feeling a twinge of sympathy. He sighed. "Still, I have to admit… it feels nice to know I'm making some kind of impact here."
Faruzan blinked, caught off guard by the rare admission. A smile slowly crept back onto her face. "I knew you cared more than you let on," she teased, her eyes softening. "You're not as bad as you pretend to be."
Wanderer rolled his eyes but let the comment slide. "How's Jin doing?" he asked, steering the conversation away from himself.
Faruzan straightened. "He's adjusting well, actually! There've been a few slip-ups, but nothing major. He's been using his quirk to help with some of the more menial tasks. Though he keeps asking if he's allowed to use it."
Wanderer waved a hand dismissively. "I'm a pro hero. He has my permission to use it, as long as it's within the office."
At that moment, Jin appeared in the doorway, carrying a steaming mug. "Your coffee, Madam Faruzan," he said politely, handing her the cup with a slight bow.
Faruzan took a sip and beamed. "Perfect! Just the way I like it. Good job, Jin."
Jin's face lit up with pride as he bowed again, then quietly left the room. Wanderer watched him go, noting several of Jin's clones scurrying about the office, busy with their respective tasks.
"Double his pay," Wanderer remarked casually. "He's earned it."
Faruzan grinned. "Noted, sir."
===========================
Another month passed.
Wanderer's rise continued to surprise even the most seasoned heroes. He had now pushed himself to the number two spot, surpassing Endeavor, much to the flame hero's chagrin. Their rivalry had only intensified as Endeavor struggled to reclaim his position, but no matter how hard he tried, Wanderer's rise seemed unstoppable.
One afternoon, Endeavor arrived at the scene of a shootout, flames blazing as he prepared to deal with the situation—only to find the confrontation already over. Wanderer stood calmly over the subdued shooters, his presence commanding.
Endeavor's fury was palpable, his flames burning hotter. Wanderer, noticing him, merely turned to leave without a word. As he passed by, he heard the unmistakable growl from Endeavor's throat.
"What?" Wanderer smirked without turning back. "Still stewing over our previous run-ins?"
The two heroes stood still, the tension between them thick as a crowd gathered, watching with bated breath.
"Well?" Wanderer added, glancing over his shoulder with an almost amused expression. "What are you going to do about it? Take your time. I'm in no hurry."
With that, he continued walking, leaving Endeavor behind, burning with rage.
===========================
Wanderer leaned back in his office chair, reflecting on the day's events. As much as he enjoyed tormenting Endeavor, his mind drifted to the more pressing issue at hand.
Nezu, the irritating rat principal, had convinced him to take on a student for work study. Wanderer had no interest in babysitting kids, much less dealing with the inevitable headaches that would come with it.
There was a knock at his office door.
"Let's get this over with," he grumbled. "Come in."
Faruzan entered, ushering in a girl with a shock of green fire for hair, her expression eager and hopeful.
"Here's your hero student, boss," Faruzan announced with a smirk before quickly exiting the room.
Wanderer sighed inwardly. That troublesome woman...
The girl gave a deep bow. "Thank you for taking me on!"
Wanderer wasted no time. "Name and quirk," he demanded, his voice brisk.
The girl blinked, momentarily confused by his directness, before straightening up. "Kamiji Moe! My quirk is Blazing Hair! I can throw chunks of my flaming hair at enemies!"
Wanderer nodded, filing the information away. "Useful. How proficient are you in close-quarters combat?"
Moe shifted awkwardly. "I'm… about 40% good at hand-to-hand combat," she admitted.
Wanderer raised an eyebrow. "Anything else? Any additional skills?"
"I… well…" Moe scratched the back of her head, clearly nervous.
"Fine," Wanderer interrupted, sensing her discomfort. "I'll teach you more hand-to-hand combat. After that, we'll go on patrol, and later we'll refine your quirk. Follow me."
Without waiting for a response, Wanderer strode past her toward the door. Moe's eyes lit up, and she quickly fell into step behind him, her eagerness returning.
As they exited the office, Wanderer glanced over his shoulder. "One last thing—what's your hero name?"
"Burnin, sir!" Moe answered proudly.
Wanderer nodded. Burnin... He could work with that.
===========================
Burnin had been thrilled when she started her work-study a week ago.
Now, she was sore, sleep-deprived, and utterly exhausted. The initial excitement had given way to grueling reality—working under Wanderer was relentless. He was a whirlwind of intensity, pushing her far beyond what she'd ever thought possible.
Every sparring session ended with her being taken down, Wanderer drilling close-quarters combat into her in the most old-fashioned, brutal way: by beating it into her system, over and over. No matter how much she improved, he was always one step ahead, never holding back, forcing her to adapt, to get stronger.
Their patrols? They felt like races. Wanderer moved at an unyielding pace, barely stopping, and Burnin often found herself panting as she sprinted to catch up. He never slowed for her. If anything, he seemed to take some perverse enjoyment in seeing how far she'd push herself.
It was only when the clock struck 3 a.m. that he finally stopped. But by 7 a.m., she was back in the gym, her muscles screaming, training hand-to-hand combat under his watchful eye. Wanderer didn't believe in shortcuts. Every lesson was hard-earned, every mistake corrected by repetition.
Then there was the time he decided to teach her how to fly. Instead of offering tips or a gentle introduction, he led her out onto the balcony of his agency and casually suggested she use her flaming hair to fly. Before she could even process his words, he shoved her off the edge.
Burnin's heart raced as she plummeted, the ground rapidly approaching. She scrambled to ignite her hair, flailing wildly. At the last second, she managed to stabilize herself, hovering awkwardly in the air. It wasn't graceful, but she did it.
Even so, keeping up with Wanderer in the air was no easier than on the ground. He moved with effortless precision, cutting through the sky like a blade. Occasionally, he'd offer pointers on how to adjust her technique, but mostly, he expected her to figure it out on her own.
Every day followed the same grueling routine: training, a brief break, a long patrol, and finally, sleep—if you could call a few hours of unconsciousness sleep. At least Faruzan was kind, often offering a few words of encouragement or a knowing smile when she saw how worn out Burnin had become.
Yet, despite it all, Burnin loved it. She thrived under the pressure, knowing that Wanderer was pushing her to become a better hero. He didn't coddle her, and she was grateful for that. She had never felt more alive, more driven.
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One month into her work-study, Burnin and Wanderer stood atop a skyscraper, surveying the sprawling city below. The night was cool, a gentle breeze tugging at Burnin's fiery hair.
"Sir?" she ventured, glancing at Wanderer, who was scanning the horizon, always alert.
He turned his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "Do you want to return to the office?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No!" Burnin said quickly. She took a deep breath, summoning her courage. "I was just… wondering… when I graduate, would it be alright if I worked for you? As your official sidekick?"
Wanderer remained silent for a long moment, his gaze fixed on her. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest. Had she overstepped?
She was a valuable asset, that much was clear. In their patrols, she did her best to keep up, helping him when he needed it most. Whether it was creating fires to fuel his wind-based attacks or pulling civilians out of danger during intense fights, she had proven her worth time and again.
"Why?" Wanderer finally asked, crossing his arms. "Don't you want to be a solo hero? Go out on your own?"
"I do want to help people," Burnin admitted, her voice firm. "But seeing you rush around, never stopping, always pushing yourself—that inspires me. I want to help you, sir. I want to be a part of what you're doing."
Something in Wanderer's stern demeanor shifted. His stare softened, just a little, and he turned away, almost as if the sentiment made him uncomfortable. "The choice is yours," he said quietly. "If you want to come back after you graduate, I'll accept you as my sidekick."
Burnin's face lit up with a wide grin. "Thank you, sir!"
Before she could say more, Wanderer suddenly stiffened. "Villain attack." Without another word, he shot into the sky, the winds bending to his command. Burnin didn't hesitate, her blazing hair igniting as she followed after him, determined as ever to keep up.
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Two years later.
Wanderer's life had changed in ways he hadn't anticipated. He had risen to become the number two hero, doing more good than he ever thought possible. Despite the responsibilities that came with the title, he still valued his independence.
Jin had become a dependable employee. Over the past two years, Jin had grown immensely. He had his own apartment now, even a girlfriend. His life was piecing together in a way Wanderer was glad to see.
Burnin, as promised, returned to his agency after graduating as an official sidekick. She took great pride in being his first, and Wanderer couldn't deny that she had earned her place.
Faruzan, ever resourceful, had recently hired someone new—a young woman named Aiba Manami, fresh out of high school. Manami's quirk allowed her to empower those she loved, but her real talent lay in her cyber security skills. With Faruzan's guidance, Manami had quickly become the head of their IT department.
Wanderer was finishing up a villain attack, assisted by the number 12 hero, Ryuukyuu. As usual, the fight itself didn't bother him—it was the aftermath that annoyed him.
"I have no interest in 'teaming up' with you, Ryuukyuu," Wanderer said, crossing his arms as he glared at the dragoon heroine.
Ryuukyuu smiled gently, unfazed by his cold demeanor. "This will benefit us both, Wanderer. I have resources, and you have valuable information. Together, we can do this faster."
Wanderer narrowed his eyes, unwilling to fully trust her. "…Fine," he muttered. "Let me just find my hat. It flew off during the skirmish." With that, he walked off.
A few more minutes passed by...
A nearby officer, scratched his head. "I… don't think he's coming back."
Ryuukyuu lowered her head and sighed, a faint smile on her lips. "I figured as much."
===========================
Wanderer was always a lone wolf. Becoming the number two hero had given him more freedom than ever, but it also came with a curse—constant attention. He was constantly hounded for interviews, partnerships, and, worst of all, personal matters.
Like right now.
"I will not allow you to touch my hair," Wanderer snapped, adjusting his hat firmly on his head.
Best Jeanist, who had assisted in taking down the villain, stood beside him with a comb in hand. "Your hair is a disaster," Jeanist said with an exasperated sigh. "You'd look much better if you let me style it."
Wanderer's eyes narrowed dangerously. "If you so much as touch me, I'll show you how many windblades it takes to cut through reinforced denim."
Faruzan and Burnin burst out laughing when they read the tabloids the next day, the headline gleefully reporting, "Best Jeanist Seen Chasing Wanderer With Scissors and Comb!"
Sometimes, Wanderer wished the world would leave him alone.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
Gamblerect
Gamblerect This... Well this was something that I was just writing on my phone, timeline might be a bit wonky but hopefully it makes sense.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone