My Legacy, My Decree, My Will (BNHA x AOT)

The class buzzed with excitement as Aizawa stood at the front of the room, his usual disheveled expression doing little to mask the faint glimmer of amusement in his eyes.

Despite his stoic demeanour, he knew this was a moment the students had been eagerly anticipating. Beside him stood Midnight, her vibrant energy already filling the room as she waved cheerfully to the students.

"All right, settle down," Aizawa said, though his tone lacked its usual bite. "Today, you'll be choosing your hero names. Midnight will assist in evaluating your choices, so make sure they're good."

Midnight stepped forward, her bright smile and commanding presence immediately drawing the students' attention. "That's right, everyone! Your hero name is your brand, your identity—it's how the world will remember you. So pick something that's bold, memorable, and represents you! No pressure, of course," she added with a wink.

Aiden, leaning back in his chair, looked over at Celeste with a grin. "This should be fun," he said. "I wonder what kind of names everyone will come up with."

Before Celeste could reply, Midnight's gaze swept across the room and landed briefly on Aiden. She smiled at him, her expression warm and playful, and for a brief moment, he was frozen. Midnight was stunning, every bit as captivating as he'd heard from his classmates. Her confidence, her poise, her charm—it all hit him like a freight train.

"Wow," Aiden muttered under his breath, his golden eyes wide. "She's… she's—"

Before he could finish, a sharp pinch on his arm snapped him out of his trance. He yelped and turned to see Toru glaring at him, her green eyes narrowed in disapproval. On his other side, Celeste gave him a similar look, her fingers pinching his other arm with surprising strength. Mina, sitting a few seats away, leaned over and smirked. "Eyes up here, Romeo," she teased, winking at him.

"All right, all right, I'm awake!" Aiden said, rubbing his arms and laughing nervously. "Geez, I get it."

"Focus," Celeste said, adjusting her glasses. "You're supposed to be thinking about your hero name, not… her."

"I was multitasking," Aiden replied with a grin, earning another pinch from Toru.

Midnight, oblivious to the drama unfolding at the back, clapped her hands together to get the class's attention. "Alright, everyone! Let's get started. Your hero name is a big deal—it's how the world will remember you. Make it something unique, something that captures who you are as a hero. Let's hear what you've got!"

...

One by one, the students stepped up to announce their chosen names, each name earning reactions ranging from cheers to laughter to impressed nods.

"King Explosion Murder!" Bakugo declared, his voice brimming with confidence.

Aizawa sighed deeply. "Rejected. Try again."

"Fine. Lord Explosion Murder," Bakugo muttered.

"I said no."

Kirishima stepped up next, his sharp-toothed grin infectious. "I'll be Red Riot! I want to honour the unbreakable spirit of my hero, Crimson Riot."

"That's a good one," Midnight said with an approving nod.

Uraraka followed with a cheerful smile. "I'll be Uravity! It's simple and cute, just like me."

"Excellent choice," Midnight replied.

As the class continued, each student revealed their hero name.

Iida proudly declared himself Ingenium, honouring his brother.

Todoroki kept it simple with Shoto.

Tsuyu became Froppy, while Kaminari went with Chargebolt.

Mina, ever the energetic one, chose Pinky.

As the line of students dwindled, Aiden finally stood and walked confidently to the front of the room. Midnight tilted her head curiously, her smile encouraging as she gestured for him to speak.

"Well," Aiden began, his golden eyes glinting with mischief. "I gave this a lot of thought, and I think it fits me pretty well. My hero name is…"

He paused dramatically, letting the suspense build, before flashing a grin.

"Basileus."

The room murmured in curiosity, and Midnight raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. What does it mean?"

Aiden straightened, his playful tone softening slightly as he explained. "It's Greek. It means 'king.' And since my quirk lets me shape reality itself, I figured it's fitting. A king of reality."

Midnight smiled approvingly. "It's bold, unique, and it suits you. Well done."

As Aiden returned to his seat, a few of his classmates nodded in approval. Kirishima gave him a thumbs-up. "Manly name, dude!"

"Of course it is," Aiden said with a wink. "I'm a manly guy."

Next up was Celeste. She walked to the front with quiet confidence, her black hair glinting under the classroom lights. Adjusting her golden-trimmed glasses, she faced the class and spoke clearly.

"My hero name is Lustris."

Midnight's eyes lit up with interest. "Oh, I like that. What's the inspiration?"

Celeste pushed her glasses up with a faint smile. "It's derived from the Latin word lustrare, which means 'to illuminate' or 'to purify.' Since my quirk reflects and redirects energy, it felt appropriate. Plus, it has a nice ring to it."

"Very elegant," Midnight said, clapping her hands together. "It's memorable and classy. Excellent choice."

As Celeste returned to her seat, Aiden leaned over and whispered, "Lustris, huh? Fancy. I like it."

Celeste gave him a sidelong glance, her faint smile betraying her amusement. "Basileus isn't bad either."

The rest of the names were finalised, and Midnight praised the students for their creativity and effort. "You've all done wonderfully," she said. "These names will be the foundation of your future careers as pro heroes. Wear them proudly!"

As the class settled back into their seats, Aizawa gave a small sigh, clearly relieved that the session had gone smoothly. "Good work, everyone. Now, let's get back to the lesson."

Aiden leaned back in his seat, his grin as bright as ever. "Basileus," he muttered to himself, savouring the sound of it.

He glanced at Celeste, who was jotting notes in her notebook, and Toru, who still seemed giddy about her name.

-

-

The grand halls of Paradis' royal palace glimmered under the soft glow of sunlight streaming through stained glass windows. King Maximilian sat upon his gilded throne, lost in thought.

His usual commanding presence seemed heavy with contemplation. His fingers drummed on the armrest, a rare show of unease. The hit on Aiden lingered in his mind, each passing moment feeding a rising storm within him.

Eleanor, the queen, stood by his side, her elegance radiant even in such moments. Draped in flowing silks of deep crimson with golden accents, she approached her husband, her hand lightly brushing against his shoulder.

"You'll wear a hole in that throne if you brood any longer," she teased softly, her voice melodic.

Max glanced at her, his stormy eyes momentarily softening. "Someone dared to touch my son, Eleanor. My heir." His tone was low but dangerous.

She knelt beside him, wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders. Her lips curved into a sly smile as she whispered, "You're terrifying when you're angry, you know that? But let me soothe that fire for a while." Her lips grazed his ear, a deliberate distraction.

Max chuckled, though it was strained. "Eleanor..."

"What? A little love never hurt anyone," she replied mischievously, her fingers tracing patterns along his chest.

Suddenly, Max's body tensed. A faint tingle spread through his hand, and his fingers clenched involuntarily. Arcs of yellow lightning sparked across his knuckles, illuminating the chamber briefly before fading. Steam hissed from his skin as he exhaled sharply, the air thick with the smell of ozone.

Eleanor leaned back, concern replacing her flirtatious expression. "Max? Is it the Founder's power again?"

He nodded grimly, flexing his hand as the residual energy dissipated. "It's fading. The transfer is nearly complete. As Aiden grows into his power, what remains in me ebbs away. Soon, it will be his entirely."

"Is that not what you wanted?" Eleanor asked gently, resting her hand over his heart. "For him to be the future? To bear what you have carried?"

"It is," Max admitted, his voice heavy with resolve. "But it doesn't make me any less protective. He's not yet ready for the burden, Eleanor. And these mercenaries..." He stood abruptly, his towering form casting a shadow across the throne room. "They've signed their death warrants."

Eleanor rose gracefully and placed a calming hand on his arm. "What will you do?"

Max's eyes darkened as he looked toward the western horizon. "I need to speak to him. If anyone can handle this, it's Elara's brother."

Eleanor stiffened slightly. "You mean him? The one who..."

"Yes," Max interrupted. "Elara's brother. He chose confinement because he feared himself, not because of guilt. But for this, I need his skill and resolve."

The western edge of Paradis was a desolate landscape of jagged cliffs and unyielding stone. The maximum penitentiary, a fortress of black steel and reinforced walls, loomed like a dark sentinel against the horizon. It was an impenetrable labyrinth designed to house the kingdom's most dangerous individuals.

As Max approached, the guards at the gate saluted, their movements stiff with fear and respect. They opened the massive gates without a word, and Max strode inside, his cape billowing behind him.

The air within the penitentiary was thick with tension. Cells lined the walls, each one designed to suppress even the most formidable abilities. The prisoners inside stared silently, some with fear, others with defiance. None dared speak.

The warden, a wiry man with sharp eyes, met Max at the inner gates. "Your Majesty, what brings you to this cursed place?"

"I'm here for Cell Zero," Max replied curtly.

The warden paled. "Cell Zero? But...he's not a criminal. He—"

"I know who he is," Max interrupted. "Take me to him."

The warden hesitated but nodded, leading Max down a winding staircase to the lowest level of the prison. Cell Zero was isolated, surrounded by layers of reinforced steel and enchantments. The air grew colder as they descended, and the distant hum of security systems filled the silence.

Finally, they reached the cell. Behind the thick, enchanted glass sat a man, his posture relaxed, his presence unnervingly calm. His dark hair was cropped short, and his piercing grey eyes locked onto Max with unsettling clarity.

"Maximilian," the man said, his voice smooth and steady. "What brings you to my humble abode?"

"Arlen," Max greeted him. "I need your help."

Arlen Ackerman leaned forward, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I chose this place for a reason, Your Majesty. What could possibly warrant my involvement?"

Max's expression hardened. "Someone has targeted my son."

Arlen's smile disappeared, replaced by a cold, calculating gaze. "Aiden? The boy with the Founder's power?"

"Yes," Max confirmed. "He was attacked, and I expect more to come. I need someone I can trust to handle this discreetly. Someone with your...expertise."

Arlen stood, his movements fluid and controlled. "You do realise what you're asking, don't you?"

"I do," Max said firmly. "And I know you're the only one who can ensure this doesn't happen again."

Arlen regarded him silently for a moment before nodding. "Very well. But I'll need certain assurances."

"Sure," Max replied.

Arlen smirked faintly. "You say that now. Let's see if you still mean it when this is over."

As the cell door unlocked with a resounding click, Arlen stepped out, his presence suddenly overwhelming. The air seemed to shift around him, charged with latent energy.

"Let's get to work," he said, his tone carrying a dangerous edge.

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