Reprimanded (Closed)

Izanami's gaze remained firmly affixed on her student, until she scoffed and turned her attention back to her computer screen. There was fear in the boy's eyes, he stunk of it. Every aspect of his behavior spoke of his nervousness. 'Good', Izanami thought to herslf. 'Let him sweat.' Fingers clicked rapidly on her keyboard as she finished grading the assignment she was working on. Content to let the silence between them fan the flames of fear, Izanami finished up her task before tabbing over into the school's chatroom server. She'd bookmarked the comments in question, and quickly pulled them up on her monitor.

"Kouen Shirogiri..." Izanami finally said, swiveling in her office chair to face him directly. She placed her elbows on her desk, fingers interlocking as the woman exhaled slowly though her nose. "I trust you know why I've called you to my office?" She said simply, cocking an eyebrow at the teen. Her question was purely rhetorical, she gave no time for him to reply. "In case you have forgotten, allow me to refresh your memory." The woman's armored glove reached out and she turned her monitor so Kouen could see.

Clear as day she had the section of the chat room's history superimposed on the monitor. "I'd like you to read your comments out loud for me. I much prefer hear what they sound like in person." The dragon hero said in a faux-motherly tone. The corners of her mouth upturned into the feignest glimmer of a grin. Though her eyes remained fiery and harsh as they locked onto her student's. "Afterwards, we can discuss the terms of your punishment. And if I am feeling generous after that, you may have the privilege of cleaning my office while I finish grading assignments. Understood?"

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The voluptuous young woman's grin only widened, becoming practically Cheshire as her hapless student recited his comment to her face. She drank up every word like the elixir of life, such was the vanity of Izanami Ryū. She blinked slowly, batting her long eyelashes before turning her monitor away and leaning back against her seat. "Well, as much as I appreciate the sentiment..." Izanami said slowly, her tone shifting from sultry back towards authoritative. "...And, not that I disagree with your opinion. But, let's try to keep these comments to ourselves, not share them on public message boards."

Izanami let her words sink in for a moment, before she began to speak. "As you and I both know, Shiketsu High's school policy discourages relationships between students, this includes remarks towards faculty of a sexual nature." She spoke very sternly, though for a brief moment that facade faded back to the vanity beneath. "Now, while your comments could technically be taken as sexual harassment, and for that I am supposed to reprimand you severely... I'm not going to."

At this point Izanami pulled open her calendar and began typing something into it. "Mother always says it was foolish to punish men for complimenting beauty, and I share her sentiment. So rather than the 'recommended' punishment of two weeks detention, mandatory sessions with the school guidance counselor on gender sensitivity, I've instead decided you get to clean my office."

The woman glanced at Kouen out the corner of his eyes, seeing the confused expression on his face and smirking slightly. "So I have updated my schedule... and yours online. Each day starting today and going until this Friday you'll be in my office at no later than five past the final bell. You will stay until six o' clock sharp, or until I dismiss you myself in the event something more pressing comes up." Izanami rolled her chair back to face the teen, locking her fingers together and resting her slender chin on her hands.

"While here you will do as I ask, vacuuming, dusting, sweeping, watering, whatever I feel needs doing. On the rare chance I have nothing for you to do, you will sit quietly on the couch in the corner and work on your own homework assignments or otherwise study. Are we in agreement young Shirogiri?" Despite the sarcasm in her last words, Dragon Queen's tone was once fully back to its stern harshness. The sooner she put this behind them the sooner she could finish grading her assignments.

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Izanami had already returned to her grading, eyes shifting from her student to the hastily written essay questions of his peers that lit up her monitor. "Hmm?" She said simply when young Shirogiri posed his question, her typing didn't seem phased as she mulled over her answer. "The reason is simple Shirogiri. The policy was put in place some time ago, long before I was a student mind you. It was the belief at the time that students going into the heroics courses are not emotionally mature enough to handle both the considerable stress of a hero training curriculum, the normal growing pains of being a teenager in high school, and the emotional burden of a serious physical relationship all at once." Dragon Queen glanced back at Kouen occasionally, violet eyes looking up from her monitor to gauge his reaction.

"Obviously, we as staff can do nothing to limit the first two. Heroics courses are stressful, that is the nature of the business. It only gets worse out there in the real world, though we still try to ease our students into the burden of their responsibility." She spoke less harshly, less a disciplinarian and more a teacher simply informing a student with her opinion. "And as for high school drama and typical adolescent stress, everyone experiences that. It's a very tumultuous point in your young lives where you struggle with a lot of things about your identity, goals, and future." Izanami then turned in her seat, her gaze focusing on her young student.

"So, what we can limit is romantic relationships between our students. You are all far to young to have truly matured notions of things like love, commitment, and romance. It's all just crushes and first loves, and for many of our students this is their first real chance to bond with like minded individuals of the opposite gender. Shiketsu merely believes this is an necessary distraction, and cause far more headaches than it is worth. For that reason faculty are tasked with nipping this in the bud before it escalates. We would hate to see a promising throw away a potential career as a Pro-Hero over something as trivial as a bad breakup."

Izanami shifted slightly in her seat, thinking back to her own high school years at Shiketsu. Though she was a stickler for rules, this was one she'd paid no mind to during her youth. Dragon Queen had left in her wake a trail of broken hearts and brief flames of passion. She'd worked much of this out of her system, and since graduating her romantic pursuits had been effectively snuffed out by the heavy time commitment of her work life balance. "Do not repeat this..." Izanami said sternly, shifting back to her usual tone. "But I personally think that policy is antiquated and could do with revaluation. Pro-Heroes form powerful bonds with team members, partners, sidekicks, even romantic partners. Encouraging these kinds of relationships between heroes in a healthy and supportive environment would be more productive than pretending they don't exist. But I digress..."

With that said, Dragon Queen raised a finger and pointed to her potted tree in the corner by the windowsill. "First thing I need you to do. Water my dragon tree. There's a beaker on the windows ledge and a bag of plant food. Two teaspoons fertilizer, one liter water, there is a plastic spoon in the bag to reuse. You may use the sink in the teacher's lounge down the hall." The woman's attention turned back to her computer, and she resumed typing as her focuses shifted back to her grading.

"Once that is through you can begin alphabetizing my filing cabinet by the bookshelf. Don't think you're being sneaky reading through the folders, it's just the physical copies of the quizzes and exams from last year. All the grades are available online and I create new lesson plan material each semester, so I won't be reusing old questions." Izanami gave a wry grin, pleased with finishing her current student's assignment and tabbing over into the next. "That should keep you busy until six o clock."

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Dragon Queen raised an eyebrow, hearing the sound of running water in her office. She didn't have a sink, and when she peaked around her monitor, the woman saw Kouen pouring water into her flask using his Quirk. She briefly wandered where exactly he'd summoned his Warp Gate, possibly the fountain in the courtyard or perhaps one of the ponds around the campus grounds? Either way, she did not speak up on the matter, watching instead as the boy quickly emptied his container and left to fill it the 'proper' way as he had  been instructed to.

Curiosity got the best of her, and when Kouen had completed his task Izanami suddenly spoke to him in a questioning tone. "Shirogiri, where exactly did that Warp Gate lead to a minute ago? The koi pond in front of the dormitories?" That seemed the most logical place, Izanami could physically see it out the window of her office. The student dorms were north of the main campus buildings, separated by a walking path and road. She imagined Kouen had glanced out the window and siphoned water from the pond only to be worried he'd be disciplined further for it.

When Shirogiri spoke up about having a girlfriend, Izanami stopped working at her computer and simply stared coldly at the teen with clear irritation in her eyes. "After all I just said about following school policy the first thing you have to say in response is 'I want a girlfriend?' I'm aware hormones are a thing and this is a very adventurous time in your young life Shirogiri, but really, I'd expected slightly more tact from you." The buxom teacher paused, tapping her armored fingertips along her desk as she mulled over her course of action.

"I have already punished you for your gaffes once today. Twice would just be kicking you while you are down. I like to think myself strict, not cruel." With that Izanami returned to her work, her black nails once again clattering against her keyboard in a steady rhythm as she typed. "If you want to get a girlfriend, please do so away from school grounds... or some place I do not have to see the two of you together. While you are a student under my supervision you are subject to my jurisdiction, though I cannot punish you for what I did not see." The woman spoke in a very matter of fact tone, as if she was recounting facts out of a textbook. "I already explained to you my feelings on the school's policy, though I will continue to uphold it all the same."

Izanami shook her head to herself as Kouen recounted his adoptive parent's 'live fast die young' mentality. It stood in start contrast to the many lessons her father had forced upon her over the years. "Shirogiri, I will not tell you how to live your life, but I will tell you to practice good judgement and try to think beyond the immediate future. My father has a saying, 'swift action should be backed by sound judgement.' Anything worth rushing is only worth doing so if you have a clear plan of action. Whether it be charging into a burning building or committing to a serious relationship."

Though she would never admit it to the boy, it was slightly refreshing to have someone to walk to while she worked. Aside from the occasional chit chat from a fellow teacher passing by, Izanami usually spent this time of day working alone in silence. Even if it was mostly her lecturing Shirogiri on his impulsiveness, it was a pleasant change of pace. "You're still very young Kouen, you're not even an adult yet." Dragon Queen said, speaking now with a softer tone. "You have your entire life ahead of you, there is no need to rush. I promise you, the days will start flying by so fast by the time you stop to get your bearings you'll be amazed how much time has gone by."

Izanami let out a soft sigh, reflecting on her own words. There was more truth to them than Kouen could possibly understand yet. "It feels like just yesterday I was in your shoes. Sitting in this very office, listening to Rhinosaurus Rex scold me for threatening to incinerate the U.A. students for not keeping up during our joint training. Next thing I know I'm graduating as class Valedictorian, then a Sidekick working under my father, then getting the official photograph taken for my Professional Hero License. You would be appalled if I told you how much I spent having my hair styled that day."

Dragon Queen let out a wistful sigh, thinking back to all the milestones in the last ten years since she'd first set foot within Shiketsu High's walls. "Now somehow I'm right back here, but now it's my desk, my office, and my student I have to scold." She paused again, for the first time giving Kouen a genuine smile. It was brief, but it was there. "What I'm saying is, learn to take things slowly, because before you know it time starts to fly."

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Izanami was genuinely surprised when Kouen admitted his Quirk had conjured a warp gate all the way to the Mariana Trench. She had no idea the accuracy of the statement, but her student also had no real reason to lie to her. If it was a boast, she could just easily force him to prove these claims and prove him a fraud. If Kouen was even reasonably foresighted he'd realize that as well. "Kouen..." She said after a brief pause. "That is over two thousand kilometers away. I had no idea your Quirk had such impressive range." And to think, on a first year no less.

If Kouen could hone his Quirk, allowing him to move people as well... He could become incredibly influential to world politics, helping world leaders travel quickly and safely across the globe. Political tensions could be diffused in hours, not days, and the risk of getting attacked in transit was non-existent. Or using his Warp Gate for moving sensitive materials. Toxic waste, nuclear missiles, high security prisoners. All moved from A to B without risk of being intercepted along the way by more nefarious forces. So much potential staring right at her, Izanami to this day frequently found herself silently impressed by the Quirks her students brought to Shiketsu. She supposed that her teachers once thought the same things about her...

Izanami listened as Kouen lamented her way of thinking, dismissing it for what his adoptive parents had taught him. It was natural he'd reject the advice of a teacher to embrace the ideals of his parents. That much was to be expected. "You should never shape your actions based on what you assume others will think of you." Izanami said sternly, "...but rather by what you want them to want them to think of you. There will always be detractors, no one is perfect and as Pro-Heroes we find ourselves under the microscope of public scrutiny."

Dragon Queen swiveled her seat away from her computer, coming to face her pupil once more. This was more important a conversation by far. "Every day I can look online and see a thousand negative things said about me, written across a hundred articles. Too harsh, too ruthless, too sexual, too intimidating, too vain. People are never satisfied, they will always find a new outlet to complain about." Izanami's tone grew more stern, and her gaze more severe. "Never let the opinions of others keep you from following your dreams. Only you can claim your future with your own two hands."

"Your foster mother was right, always stand up to your detractors. Otherwise all you do is prove them right. You should continue to trust your instincts, and follow your heart. You have noble goals Kouen, admirable goals. Wishing to be dependable, overcoming the adversity of your past, proving those who doubt you wrong." Dragon Queen lifting a hand to her slender chin, letting out a soft sigh as her tone softened. "In your own way, you remind me of myself. I won't pretend our situations are equal, but I too had to struggle with negative expectations of me. I'd like to believe I proved my critics wrong."

Kouen's last remark though quickly sent the anger returning to Izanami's fair face. Her brow creased, and a slight scowl formed at her lips. The woman's words came harsh and sharp, like the fangs beneath her lips. "Young Shirogiri if you truly believe what you just said then you can get out of my office and withdraw from Shiketsu." She paused, letting her words sink in. "You would not have applied to this hero school if you didn't believe in yourself and your abilities. Your Quirk is far from useless, and it has extraordinary potential."

"You are fifteen years old, barely an adult and you've only had your Quirk manifest for a decade. Think about how well you could read at five years old... compare that to how well you can read today." Izanami scoffed, folding her arms across her expansive bust. "Now think about your Quirk in relation, and how well you'll be able to utilize it in another ten years."

"As a first year student, you are all potential, with none of the skill or experience you need. And that is okay Kouen. The entire purpose of this school is to help you develop your Quirk, and the entire purpose of my curriculum is to teach you what you need to become a Pro-Hero." Izanami paused, for the truth was it was not all sunshine and rainbows. "I can promise you though, it will not be easy. It will take time, practice, drive, always pushing yourself one step further. It will take years to fully realize your potential, years longer to hone that potential with experience."

"I am also loathe to say this but... I may not ultimately be the best one to truly help you realize your own abilities. Our Quirks are wholly different, a transformation and an emitter. But I am here to help guide you as best I can, and to find someone who can help you become the Hero you want to be. There will be internships, work study programs, Sidekick recruitment. Every step on the way you will have veteran Pros more than willing to help you. All you need do is ask." Izanami's expression softened once more, and she gave Kouen a knowing look. "Now, how is my filing cabinet coming along?"

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Izanami just rubbed at her chin as she mused over what her student had said. "I think you simply underestimate your own Quirk. Portals, teleportation, and other long range forms of mobility are indeed rare. Very rare. Portal creation and telepathy have to be among the two least common forms of Quirks I've seen. And although you don't think much of it, your Warp Gate has the potential to be exceptionally powerful." Izanami turned her complete attention back to her student, as she began to elaborate.

"I have seen only a few portal making Quirks over the years, most at Shiketsu High but also I've observed several failures in our entrance exams as well. Most come with extreme limitations. The student has a very finite range, must stand still to channel their portal or it collapses, or are unable to transport organic matter. Your Warp Gate is the exception. Not only is its range an order of magnitude greater than most, you also can create and maintain it seemingly with ease. Granted, that is because your current portals are admittedly rather small, and that may change as you train to create larger and more numerous portals. But in terms of raw technique you have the most potential of any portal based emitter Quirk I've seen. That is why I vouched on your behalf in the entrance examination."

Dragon Queen's eyes practically lit up when Kouen lamented the fact he needed someone's help. "Darling, if you wanted help training your Quirk you need only ask. It's early in the term, and I was going to ramp up Quirk training over time naturally. But, if you wish to focus on that in your free time I would not be opposed to private tutoring." Izanami furrowed her brow slightly, there remained a slight catch. "I can't say I've ever trained a portal based emitter Quirk, though it cannot be much different than other emitters. Your body can exert a physical force, yours just happens to be a dense smoke that you can shape into portals. It shouldn't be that different from fire, or fog, or any other gaseous emitter when it comes to stamina training."

The buxom teacher did not actually have hard science to back this up. Quirks were... very unpredictable, and much of the science of their study remained shrouded in mystery. For all Izanami knew, Warp Gate behaved nothing like a Fire or Water emitter under conventional training, but she couldn't let Kouen know that. "When my filing cabinet is done, we can discuss your desire for training more. I am nearly finished grading your class' latest assignment. I will tell you now you scored an 82%, and would have benefited from the practice questions I put on the class web page as optional homework."

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