Every living being is allowed to be free, even if they have no flesh and bones.
-Author
--------------
[Izuku's POV]
I was holed up in the garage condo, tapping away at my computer. If you're wondering what I was working on, let me tell you: this was my greatest creation yet, Project AI. Yeah, I know, not exactly what you'd expect a teenager to be doing on a Saturday night, but hey, everyone needs a hobby, right?
I wasn't sure if creating an advanced AI like Tony Stark's JARVIS was even possible, but I had to try. Tony Stark always said, "Learn from your mistakes." This AI needed to work. It would help me with everything and be loyal to me alone. Plus, it's not like I have a social life to interfere with my programming.
After hours of typing in complex algorithms, I was finally done. Project AI was complete. Now, it was time to upload it to the servers I had built using the best equipment I could buy, modified for future improvements. Fingers crossed it doesn't turn into Skynet.
"Let's hope this works. It took me two months to program everything," I muttered, hoping the universe was listening.
(A/N: The encounter with Nejire Hado was three weeks ago, meaning Project AI had been in the works for two months.)
I initiated the upload, and a loading countdown appeared on the screen, moving at a snail's pace.
"This might take longer than I expected. Well, Rome wasn't built in a day," I sighed.
In the meantime, I decided to work out and practice my martial arts using the iron spinning dummy I had made a while ago. It was either that or binge-watch anime, and I needed the exercise.
~~~~~~~~~
[Meanwhile at UA]
Principal Nezu, Shota Aizawa (Eraserhead), Hizashi Yamada (Present Mic), Nemuri Kayama (Midnight), and Higari Maijima (Power Loader) were having a discussion about the vigilante known as Silent.
"So, you all know why you're here, right?" Nezu began.
"It's about the vigilante Silent," Eraserhead responded, sounding as gloomy as ever.
"That's right!" Nezu replied cheerfully. "As you can see, this person has a very advanced suit. It can fly, blast powerful beams of energy, shoot strings from his fingertips, and that glowing device on his chest powers the suit."
"So, you're telling us that glowing thing on his chest gives his suit enough power to function?" Present Mic asked.
"Correct. Based on what we've seen, it's a powerful core that could generate electricity for a lifetime. Reports say he might have stolen this device, but I highly doubt that," Power Loader explained.
"I fought this vigilante before. His skills are at a pro hero level. His dual tonfas have hidden blades that can cut through my binding cloth easily. His strings are so tough that not even my dagger can cut them. His fighting style and reaction speed are on another level. He even fought Nejire Hado by erasing her quirk and beat her in hand-to-hand combat," Eraserhead added.
"Nejire said he erased her quirk by looking at her with red eyes," Power Loader noted, shocking everyone except Nezu.
"So, he has a quirk similar to mine, but none of the villains he defeated reported losing their quirks," Eraserhead said.
"He likely only uses it against strong opponents," Nezu suggested.
"This guy is hard to track down. He dodges all the surveillance around the city. The cameras can barely catch a glimpse of him," Midnight said.
"Based on my observation, his physique matches that of a teenager, probably 13 to 14 years old. Let's hope he joins UA as a student next year," Nezu said.
"You want that vigilante to join UA? Wouldn't he disagree? Nejire Hado even offered him the chance to become a hero if he surrendered, but he refused. Even if he did join UA, he probably wouldn't reveal himself. Plus, we don't know anyone with a quirk that can erase quirks other than Eraserhead," Midnight pointed out.
"Let's hope he considers becoming a hero," Nezu said. "That will be all for today's meeting. You are all free to go."
As they left, Nezu was left alone, contemplating how great a hero the vigilante could be if he joined UA.
~~~~~~~~~~
[Nejire's POV]
I sat at a cafeteria table, staring into the distance, lost in thought about what happened three weeks ago. I should probably get a hobby that doesn't involve obsessing over vigilantes, but here we are.
I had encountered a vigilante named Silent. He was incredibly strong, erasing my quirk and beating me in hand-to-hand combat without even taking the fight seriously. When I offered him the chance to become a hero if he surrendered, he rejected it and said:
"The title of a Hero should only be given to those who have shown true heroic deeds. I am unworthy of such a title, as are you."
His words made me question what it truly meant to be a hero. Isn't being a hero about saving people and obeying the law? Or is it something else? Do I need a cape to be taken seriously?
As I pondered, my friends Mirio Togata (Lemillion) and Tamaki Amajiki (Suneater) noticed my distraction. Worried, Mirio decided to snap me out of it.
"Hey, Nejire! Time to come back to the land of the living!"
"Ahhh...!"
Startled, I looked at Mirio in annoyance. "Don't scare me like that! I almost used my quirk on you!"
"Sorry, I thought you needed cheering up. You haven't been yourself lately," Mirio said.
"Yeah, you've been silent this entire time. It's out of character," Tamaki added.
I told them about my encounter with Silent and what he said to me.
"Well, if you're thinking about what he said, just forget about it," Tamaki advised.
"Yeah, you're a great hero! Don't let his words get to you," Mirio said cheerfully.
Their support lifted my spirits. "You're right. It doesn't matter if he thinks I'm not worthy. I am a hero."
"That's the spirit! Now, let's get back to class before we're late," Mirio said.
The three of us headed back to class, and I felt more like myself again.
~~~~~~~~
[Izuku's POV]
After two hours of working out, I took a shower and dressed. As I stepped out, a ding from my computer alerted me that the upload was complete. Time to see if my future is about to get a lot more high-tech or if I just created a very expensive paperweight.
Suddenly, a female voice introduced itself.
"Hello, I am Nora. How may I assist you, sir?" she said warmly.
"Since you're up and running, start by hacking into the HPSC data server. Steal their dirty secrets, but be discreet. I don't want them coming after us with guns blazing. I've seen enough spy movies to know how that ends."
"As you wish, sir," Nora replied and began her task.
I smiled at my creation. It was functioning properly and loyal to me. I hoped it wouldn't go rogue like Ultron. Nora would be a great assistant, making my vigilante work much easier. The last thing I need is an AI with a god complex.
My next task was to create smart glasses for her to connect to, allowing us to communicate seamlessly. I wanted the glasses to look ordinary, suitable for daily wear. I'd also connect her to my suit for easy communication and enhanced situational awareness. Because why stop at just one super cool gadget?
"Sir, I have copied all the data from the HPSC servers without being detected," Nora reported.
"Good job, Nora. Please secure the copied data in our servers. I'll check it later. And please, no world domination plans, okay?"
"Yes, sir," she replied, sounding almost amused.
With Nora's help, my life would get much easier. Here's hoping she doesn't develop a taste for global conquest.
--------------
That's all for today's chapter! I hope you like it! 😊😊😊
🎄🎄🎄Merry Christmas Everybody!🎄🎄🎄