Me and Prince Shouto began to head west in hopes of locating some folks to help with our mission. I hugged my mother goodbye with a reassuring smile, telling her not to cry for me as I was setting off on accomplishing what could be my life's purpose. She tended to be emotional when things seemed rough, but I knew all and through she cared deeply for me and was quite proud. Grabbing my gear and a sword, I followed Shouto into the woods.

The trail was a bit rocky and coarse, but we hiked over it with consistent ease. Shouto began speaking about some of the champions who had been recognized for their heroic feats in battle, skill and magic. "I heard from a bard of a witch in the deep woods here whose skill in the manipulation of forces through magic should provide some benefit." Shouto told to me. I stuttered a bit nervous, shaky at the mention of who he was looking for.

"A w-witch?" I spoke a bit panicked. "You mean like the ones that lure innocent travelers in with hospitality and then...c-curse them into horrible beings?". Shouto smirked a bit, knowing well why I felt some fearful. "Don't be afraid Izuku, this witch is quite unlike those who set an example of woe. She is quite young much like us and has a pure, understanding nature." he told me. I rolled my eyes a bit, feeling awkward I may have over-exaggerated on my response; so I just laughed it off. We walked carefully down the hill on our trail to a small grove in the woods.

The sun gleamed softly between the forest canopy, beaming softly upon flowers and mushrooms which sprouted around at each corner. Shouto had a reassuring smile on his face as he gazed around at the glade. I was checking off notes on a map of everywhere we had traveled so far; as I felt it would possibly come important if we had to travel somewhere else. "You sure seemed focus on taking notes there? Afraid we're gonna get lost." Shouto had asked me. I shook my head no and explained my habit of jotting information would provide beneficial to the journey. "I see what you mean. That's very smart of you, Izuku." Shouto replied with confidence. I was known to be quite intelligent for a peasant; especially given I spent most of my time outside of tending to livestock and doing tasks like splitting the firewood I would read up on historia of Horikokka's culture and society. To other boys, they considered my interest ludicrous and called me a "nerd". Shouto's kind regards though made me feel more proud I was studying up on things.

Just as we were trailing aside a stream flowing, I noticed Shouto perk up a bit intimidated. "Is something wrong?" I asked him before he insisted to stay quiet and crawl down, as it was possible beasts were watching us. We both drew our swords from their sheaths in hand and glared around. The heavy huffs of snarls and frenzied breaths echoed around. Shouto could make out the shadows of the monsters as they crept around, cackling and chuckling. "Gnolls." He added. They were hyenine beasts who scavenged on the flesh and bones of anything they could sink their teeth into, armed with powerful clubs and spears. I felt a chill as one's breath was upon the back of my neck.

Panicked, I swung the sword about at the creature. I had managed to slash a bit into its carapace made of scavenged ribs; but the attack wasn't efficient enough as it swung for me with its powerful club. Just as I thought I was down and out though, I saw Shouto in front of me. From his right shoulder I could make out his arm encased in a force of ice. He had created a sturdy shield from the sleet shackling his arm. "I can hold him off for a bit, you go in to make a kill!" Shouto ordered me. I went in at the gnoll while it struggled to pull the club back, slashing my sword directly at its throat. It fell over in eradication as I wiped my blade clean of the fresh blood. More gnolls were circling in, so I had to improvise. I took a plated shield from the slain beast's corpse and used it to block off attacks. Shouto continued safeguarding himself with the chunk of ice he had created, slashing and thrusting his blade at any gnolls he could get an opening attack upon. A few enemies had fallen in defeat, but there still were far too many lurking around.

"Izuku, I have a crazy plan, can you trust me on this?" Shouto told me as his left hand with sword ignited into a fiery blaze. I had no idea what he was referring to directly, but I had to go with it if with chances we would be make it out alive. A gnoll began to strike at Shouto with its prolonged spear of bone and tree bark. The prince just smirked a bit as he swung his blade for the spear, burning it to a crisp right down to the creature's paws. As it shuttered from the stinging burn, Shouto went in once more with the sword and swept its head clear right off. He continued slashing and striking as gnolls clashed in at each corner. I could make out him bashing the jaw of a rather savage one as it tried to lunge and bite Shouto, only to be smashed by his icy shield. Myself, I had taken down nearly three gnolls before Shouto seared one that was about to grasp me by the neck.

The remaining members of the pack began to flee like the bunch of cowards they really were as we both got out of the clear territory. We had a few bites and scratches; but it was nothing too fatal that would crush our spirits. I looked upon Shouto with a perplexed expression, both impressed and curious how he was able to produce the elements of ice and fire from his hands like nothing. "It's really nothing special in my family's heritage."

He explained to me. "My father was crafted in manipulating and using fire as an advantage, while my mother could cast particles of ice from the palms of her hands. Being the child of both of them, I inherited both abilities as one and trained to use them for the advantage of defense and protection." I smiled in high esteem hearing about how Shouto was able to be gifted with such abilities, a "quirk" of sorts. One thing I did know is many heroes often opened up a special ability by the time they were four years old. While this never happened in my case, I was not the least disappointed and just truly proud for learning things on my own.

Shouto placed his hand gently on my shoulder; it left a chilly but harmless tap as I shivered a bit. He looked at me smiling with compliments. "Your swordplay skill is beyond fascinating for your level of experience, I'm truly grateful you were able to spring into action like nothing. Now, let's go see if we can find that witch." We both shared a chuckle while walking ahead, feeling a bit vigorous.