My Quirk (well, Quirks), although following the same basis of shadows, have two sides that are quite different. One side is what I refer to as 'Shadow Manipulation'. Not only can I control shadows, but I can solidify them into things like tendrils or pillars I attack with. If I don't solidify the shadows, they just float around in a dark mist around me, but if I hold focus like that for too long I feel faint. It's a similar thing if I try and create too many tendrils.

The second side I refer to as 'Shadow Stealth'. It allows me to disappear into the ground, only visible as a shapeless shadow. Like this, I can't be hit and I'm not really affected by gravity. When I come out of this form, it's generally at quite a high speed and I can jump a fair way. However, if I stay as a shadow for too long, I get dizzy and throw up.

However, in this form, I'm very fast.

I dive into the ground and dash forward as a shadow. Just before the camera at the end, I launch myself out the ground and cross the finish line.

"4.02 seconds."

Alright! That was pretty good! You'd think I'd get to practice with my Quirk loads, living with Aizawa. In truth, because I don't have my license yet, I'm not allowed to - but start a fight with me, I'll kick your ass, I've been taught how to do that much. Sure, we both know my capabilities with it than most do with their Quirk do, but I'm aware I've got a lot of room to grow.

I look over to Aizawa for some form of acknowledgement - pride even. Nothing. His face remains as serious as always. "Next event."

Sitting down, I drink some water. I've finished all my events now and I think I did pretty well. Aizawa is currently recording them all.

"Aizawa?"

"Mr Aizawa."

"Mr Aizawa, whatever, why did tell the other kids they'd get expelled if they came last?"

He chuckles. "A logical ruse to push them and their Quirks to the best of their ability."

"But say, you did this exercise thing when you were back here, surely you'd struggle. Your Quirk is like, super cool, but doesn't enhance you physically."

"I could still use my Quirk to give me an edge."

I look at him, confused.

"I can erase Quirks. If I don't get a physical enhancement, neither will anyone else."

"Wouldn't that be cheating?"

"What? You think villains will play fair?"

Point taken. I continue to sip at my water, watching the Sun disappear behind one of the towers of the building. The track is slowly becoming cast in shadow… I wonder…

"Mr Aizawa, would I be able to redo the 50 metres?"

"All the other students only got one chance."

"I know, but when I did it, it was sunny, but now," I point to the shaded track.

"You think the change in light intensity will affect your performance?"

"It would make sense."

A small smile creeps across his face. "Fine."

Once again, I take to the starting blocks. The gun fires, I dive into a shadow, I jump out the other end...I jump out a lot further and a lot faster than I usually do actually.

"Oh shit!" I tumble head-over-heels onto the floor, roll a few times before coming to a stop about five metres after the finish line. Sitting up, I look over at Aizawa, where I expect to find a disappointed glare being shot at me, along with a sigh. Instead, his expression is, in a word, shocked.

"2.78 seconds…"

"What?! Are you sure?"

He nods. "Before, you were traveling at about 45 kilometres per hour. Just then, you reached nearly 65."

"What?!" I jump to my feet and rush over. "I didn't realise there was that much of a difference!"

"Neither did I…"

"That's so cool!"

"One more thing."

I calm down.

"I couldn't see your shadow either. It would seem it blended in to what shadow was already being cast by the school." He smiles vaguely and gently cuffs me over the back of the head. "We'll make a stealth-hero out of you yet."

I smile widely. "Yeah! Come on, race you back!" And I dive into a shadow before he can anything… I get about 20 metres before I'm catapulted into the air again as I'm spat out of my shadow form, landing in a heap on the floor.

Aizawa walks past me, eyes red. "No."

I rejoin my class just in time to watch the end of the second battle. Apparently Bakugo and Midoriya had a ridiculous conflict and now Midoriya is in the Nurse's Office. Aizawa went off indoors and sent me back here -

Jeez, Todoroki is amazing! He just aced that! He iced an entire building and has heat too?! Dude.

"Without harming his ally or the nuclear weapon, he immobilised the enemy!" All Might announces as we all shiver uncontrollably.

"He's so strong!" Kirishima adds.

"Holy crap!"

"That guy's kinda intimidating."

"He got in on a recommendation, so he must be good!"

I feel I'm not living up to people's expectations…

Watching the remaining battles is interesting, but the one that stands out for me the most is the next one. The villains are Sero and Kirishima, the heroes are Asui and Tokoyami.

Tokoyami has a shadow Quirk too. Dark Shadow, he seems super powerful and the guy looks to be at one with it.

He's...me, but better in every way...

"That's a wrap! Well one, you really stepped up to the plate! And we didn't have any majorly injuries - except for Midoriya. Excellent training!"

Asui steps forward. "Thank you, it's nice to hear some encouraging words after our homeroom class. Mr Aizawa was kinda a buzzkill."

The way the entire class is nodding amuses me so much - he can be such an asshole.

"I'm honoured to bring such staggering positivity! Now, I'm off to give Midoriya his evaluation! Change out of those costumes and head back to the classroom!" And with that, All Might zooms off indoors at an incredible speed.

"So cool!"

After school, we sit in our classroom, discussing the last couple of days and waiting for Midoriya.

"You're lucky you only missed out on a few days, joining any later would really put you behind schedule!" Kaminari points out.

"Yeah," I shrug.

"I guess it's not too bad as everyone is still settling in too." Tsuyu adds. (Asui has been letting a few people - including myself - call her by her first name.)

"Yeah! We're still learning everyone's names and Quirks!" Ashido joins in. "By the way, I heard you got in on recommendations."

I laugh awkwardly. "Yeah, everything about my application has just got awkward for the school really."

"You must be really good though! Like, Yao-momo and Todoroki level good!"

"I don't know about that…" Thinking about it, Todoroki basically has two Quirks. Maybe it would be worth trying to talk to him about it sometime. "I mean, I'm a pretty good fighter, and my grades are alright."

"Stop being modest!" Ashido slaps me on the shoulder.

"I'm not." I look over to Tokoyami. "I'd lower your expectations of me, that's all. That guy there is a lot better than me. We both have shadow-like Quirks, and his is not only stronger, but he's more in control of it too."

Tokoyami catches on to our conversation and snorts. "That's what you think. I'm sure both you and your Quirk are fine. I can guarantee Dark Shadow and your Quirk are nothing alike, even if they're both shadow-related."

I guess we'll see…

"Oh, Midoriya's here! Welcome back, man!".