Chapter 2

"So now that I know what will have to work with, I think it´s time to inform you about what we are going to do in the next two weeks."

Although everybody's head felt like it was about to explode from the mind-numbing amount of questions they had just weathered class 1-A collectively perked up. Miss Degurechaff had bombarded them with inquiries about their work-out routine, their diet plans, their quirk training, their combat experience and much more over the course of the last hour with a ferocity that had even exhausted Izuku.

They all had to write their answers down as fast as she asked for them. Apparently that had been part of an exercise, but she wouldn´t elaborate for what exact purpose. Afterwards a silvery shimmer had surrounded each piece of paper and lifted them up through the air, collecting them on the teacher´s desk. (A sight that had Izuku frantically scrambling for his notebook.)

"You might have survived against common street thugs and a few high-level villains, but in comparison to what you are about to face you are totally underprepared. A match against those vastly weaker or stronger than you can teach only so much, but against those of similar skill... That is where you will need to truly push yourself and overcome your weaknesses."

The whole class was hanging at Argent´s lips.

What would she say?

What could be worse than actual villains?

"I am talking of course about the annual sports festival."

Chaos broke out.

"Really?" "Oh man, I thought she was gonna say we have to fight All Might or something!" "Ridiculous!" "This can´t be…" "Is she for real?"

Until suddenly Degurechaff´s voice cut through the noise like butter:
"SILENCE!"

Most instantly quieted down and the rest lowered their voices to a whisper to finish their thoughts.

"There is no need to scream like monkeys. You are heroes in training. Act like it!"

Iida sheepishly looked down at his desk.

"If you have questions, raise your hand and ask. Like I said, the sports festival will be held in two weeks."

"B-but shouldn´t the school postpone the event?"

"Yeah, what if the villains attack again?" asked Kaminari.

Many shivered at the mere thought.

"The principal made the decision and I am not here to question his orders. Regardless if you agree with Nedzu´s judgement or not you will have to attend if you do not wish for a one week long detention with me."

Her tone was so flat and her glare so icy that it instantly shut them up.

"Besides, the principal is probably the most intelligent being on this planet. I doubt he would carelessly expose you all to danger. Whatever his reasons are, they are most likely very good."

Momo thoughtfully nodded at that.

"The lesson is almost over, but let me tell you this: I am going to assist with your training and offer advice where necessary, but you will be the ones that have to put in the effort. If you require upgraded support equipment go to the support course! If you want to get stronger go to the gym! I am not here to hold your hand. As future heroes you are expected to take care of yourself. Do you understand?"

"YES MS. ARGENT!"

"We will go over some training routines for you next time. Any more questions for today?"

Nobody dared to make a sound.

"Dismissed." she said with a wave of her hand right before the bell signalled the end of class. How she had timed that so perfectly was anyone´s guess.

~[#҈#]~

"Midoriya, a word please."

Oh no. Was he in trouble? Had he said something wrong? Did she think that he had written too much information on his sheet? Was he too annoying? Would he get detention? Would he-

"Relax. Nothing of the sort is true."

While that was a relief his cheeks started colouring from embarrassment. He had been mumbling again.

"Yes, you are mumbling. A nervous tick that you should get under control sooner rather than later. I know that you are an intelligent kid judging from your ninety-six percent in the entrance exam. So giving away your potentially insightful thoughts to your enemies might backfire at the worst possible moment. Understood?"

"Y-yes, Miss Degurechaff."

"Good. What I want to talk with you about is why you are by far the most injured student in this institution only one week after school has started. I read your file and you have been treated by Recovery Girl three times already, not counting the one time after the USJ incident. Why is that?"

"Um... Eh... My... M-my quirk is... ah... tricky to control. I end up hurting m-myself if I use it..."

"Is that an innate feature of your quirk? Do you need to get hurt to get stronger?"

"N-no, Ms. Degurechaff! It´s just... I... It came in really late. I mean my quirk. I don´t have much experience... using it..."

"So what you are saying is that with more practice you could reach a point where you don´t cripple yourself accidentally?"

Ouch. If she put it like that it sounded so brutal. Well, it kind of was actually...

"Yes?" he whispered.

Argent just nodded as if she had heard that story a thousand times already.

"Good."

"W-what?"

"That means you can improve. Do you go to quirk therapy or quirk counselling?"

"No?"

"You know that this school has trained professionals to do that job? Have you not been sent to UA´s quirk counsellor yet?"

"T-they have a counsellor?" he asked in puzzlement.

"But Eraserhead – I mean Mr. Aizawa knew about your... condition?"

"Yeah. I-I told him."

Ms. Degurechaff groaned and muttered something unintelligible under her breath. Izuku could only make out: "... X... punish... again."

Finally she bit her teeth together and hissed out: "And pray tell, what did he say in response to your problem?"

"Um... Mr. Aizawa told me that I need to figure out how to use my quirk without injuring myself."

"Really? That´s it?"

"Y-yeah?"

He shrunk in on himself under the sheer, ice-cold fury of her glare. Argent was smoldering with fury! Objectively Izuku knew that his teacher was a pro hero who wouldn´t hurt him, but that didn´t change the fact that he suddenly felt very afraid for his physical well-being. Whatever he had messed up... He would surely be expelled for it now!

"I-I´m s-s-sorry M-ms. D-degurechaff! It w-won´t happen a-again!" he pleaded while bowing as deep as he could.

"What? Midoriya stand up."

Hesitantly he straightened his back, but could not bring himself to meet her gaze. Thankfully she did not force him to. He did not want her to see the tears beginning to form in his eyes.

"Why would you believe that you are at fault here?" she asked softer this time.

"I… Am I n-not?"

"Of course not. You should never apologize for being ignored or mistreated. Everybody deserves help and those that deny them that are either monsterously incompetent or villains."

Despite his shame he could not stop himself from gawking at her in shock.

"Let us continue this conversation another time. A hallway is hardly fitting, no? Today after school, go to Hound Dog´s office and say him that I sent you there with a Code Blue-35. He will know what that means. Understood?"

"Y-yeah. B-but…my mom… she might worry..."

"Ah, then better text her now and maybe ask Hound Dog for a letter that explains your absence."

"Good. And tomorrow afternoon you are going to come to the teacher´s lounge and wait for me there. Together we will test your abilities a bit before I hand you over to the specialists. Most likely this remedial quirk training will commence every second weekday for the next few months until this lapse in your education has been corrected and you are on a comparable level with your classmates. Can you do that Midoriya or do you have appointments that might come in the way?"

He shook his head quickly.

"N-no. I should be f-fine. I'll have to ask my mom, but I'm s-sure she'll be okay with it."

"Then go Midoriya. You don´t want to be late for history class. Meanwhile I will have to talk with the principal about this debacle."

Izuku, filled with new panic, turned around and ran.