Let's dive...Into Madness! (UA War Game)

Ah, yes, the sweet thrill of victory.

Class 1B? Wiped out. Their so-called "strategy" had been nothing more than a flimsy paper shield, torn apart the moment they were forced to deal with me. Honestly, I expected better.

But now, with no more targets immediately presenting themselves, I found myself at a crossroads.

So, what's the next step?

Simple. I needed weapons.

Not because I needed them—I had already proven that I could handle things just fine with nothing but my wits and a couple of knives—but because I wanted them.

After all, if you're going to be labeled a monster, you might as well look the part.

I turned toward one of the drones hovering near me, grinning up at it as if it were an old friend.

"You've been following me for a while," I mused, tilting my head. "How's the audience? Enjoying the show?"

The drone, of course, gave no response.

I hummed, tapping my chin. "I bet they're all watching with bated breath. Teachers, heroes, my classmates... probably debating whether or not I should be allowed to keep going at this rate."

I spread my arms wide. "Oh, but no one's stopped me yet, so I suppose that means I get to have a little more fun, right?"

The drone simply hovered in place, its camera lens locked onto me.

I chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes."

With that, I turned and made my way toward the Villain Lair.

It was an abandoned mining system, repurposed as one of the exercise's designated villain strongholds. I had briefly considered burning the whole place down earlier—just to see what would happen—but ultimately decided against it. Too much work.

Now, though?

It was the perfect place to go shopping.

I stepped into the darkness, the cool air of the underground tunnels wrapping around me like an old friend. My footsteps echoed softly as I navigated the narrow pathways, searching for something useful.

Then, I found them.

Guns.

A lot of guns.

Rifles, pistols, even some grenades tucked neatly away in crates.

I let out a low whistle, running a hand along the side of one particularly nice-looking firearm. "Now this is what I call an upgrade."

I picked up a pistol, spinning it around my finger before aiming it at the drone hovering behind me.

"Oh, don't worry," I assured it with a smirk. "I know they're fake. Just blanks, right?" I cocked my head. "But that doesn't mean I can't use them."

I turned back to the weapons, considering my options. "I mean, if I were a real villain—and let's be honest, that's what everyone is thinking right now—then I would use these, wouldn't I?"

I grabbed a second gun, dual-wielding them like I was in an action movie. "I mean, I did just take out an entire class without using my quirk. Wouldn't it be fair to give them something to really be afraid of?"

Then, just as I was about to pocket a couple of pistols for later—

"NO."

Aizawa's voice boomed from the speakers above, making me pause.

I blinked. "What?"

"No guns."

I turned to the drone, eyebrows raised. "You're talking to me?"

There was a slight delay, then—

"Who else would I be talking to?" Aizawa's voice was dry, tired, and just the slightest bit exasperated.

I smirked. "Well, it could've been directed at the people watching at home. Hi, Hawks!" I waved at the drone for dramatic effect.

Aizawa sighed. "Put the guns down."

I spun the pistols again, casually inspecting them. "Oh, come on, Dad, don't be so uptight. It's not like they're real."

"Doesn't matter. No guns."

I let out an exaggerated groan. "Ugh, fine."

I tossed the pistols back into the crate with an audible clatter and turned back to the drone, crossing my arms. "Honestly, you let me have knives, explosives, and all kinds of other fun stuff, but guns are where you draw the line?"

There was a pause, then—

"Yes."

I narrowed my eyes. "...That's discrimination."

Aizawa sighed. "Prob—"

"No, no, let's talk about it," I interrupted, pacing back and forth dramatically. "Why knives but not guns? Why flashbangs but not bullets? Oh, is it because a gun looks scarier? Or is it because, deep down, you know that if I did have a gun, this whole exercise would be over even faster?"

Aizawa's silence was enough of an answer.

I grinned. "That's it, isn't it?"

The drone tilted slightly, as if unimpressed.

Aizawa, on the other hand, sounded tired. "Stop monologuing and get back to the exercise."

I huffed. "You're no fun."

"And you're going to get a three-hour lecture after this."

I froze.

"That's what I thought. Move."

With a grumble, I kicked one of the crates for good measure before turning on my heel and making my way out of the mine.

The drone followed.

I glanced at it. "...You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"

The drone, of course, didn't answer.

But I could feel the silent amusement from Aizawa on the other end.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine, fine. No guns. I get it."

I sighed dramatically, stepping back into the light of day.

Time to get back to work.