Although it was true that I had already interned with Mr. Manual, there was also the undeniable fact that I had broken the law under his tutelage. If I wanted to go back to work for him, in a more advanced, paid capacity - a work study, no less - I would have to do a thorough job.

Hero Agencies have fan sites, websites, and a great deal of information available online. They're available in order to allow the public to learn about them and their services, to serve as an invitation for sidekick applicants, and to allow fans to gain information about their favorite pros. I started by thoroughly scouring Mr. Manual's agency website - far more than I had done the first time - in order to create a proper application and interview responses. His agency had a long list of goals and priorities, so I compiled together a list of answers, trying to draw on my experience fighting villains and training in order to have the proper responses. What have I learned this last year? And what can I show Mr. manual - how can I convince him to take a chance on me again?

As I went through each question, to my surprise, I found it was easier to think of examples and responses than I expected. Although I couldn't be specific about what had happened in Camino or Hosu - I could think of a great many ways in which I was qualified for the position, based on his website's requirements. It really was as Togata had said - experience teaches far better than any other master.

It was rather disheartening, then, when I sat down in class the next morning and heard from Mr. Aizawa,

"Regarding the first years' hero internships, the results of yesterday's conference made it abundantly clear. Plenty of teachers, including the principal, said: Don't even think about it."

I felt my heart plummet into my shoes. Around me, my classmates moved in similar outrage.

"Huh? Even after that whole demonstration we got?" Kirishima protested.

"It makes sense, though, given how we ended up in dorms in the first place," said Kaminari.

"S WHATCHA GET!" cried Bakugou, jumping to his feet.

"Just because you wouldn't be able to," Hagakure pointed out.

"However," Sensei interrupted him. "There were also those of the opinion that the current policy keeping you all constantly under our protection wouldn't raise you into strong heroes. So, we decided that 'if limited to offices that had a good track record when it comes to taking in interns, first years should be allowed to do work studies'. That's the new policy."

With that, Homeroom was over. Behind me, Uraraka said aloud "I wonder if Gunhead's place'll be all right."

In front, Asui leaned towards Ashido. "I suppose I should try to reach out to Selkie."

I turned to Uraraka. "You learned a great deal from your internship with Mr. Gunhead. Do you have any advice for how to make the best of a work study?"

She jumped and tilted her head. "Me? You're asking me?"

"Yes, indeed, Uraraka-san. I admire how much you have grown as a fighter, thanks to that decision."

She blushed a little and smiled. "Oh, well, you know. I got really lucky! I had a great teacher."

"What do you recommend?"

She looked thoughtful. Then she said, "I think it's best to look back at the areas you're not as strong in, and think about how you can be better. That's what made me pick Mr. Gunhead. It was a challenge, really, a chance to do things differently."

I nodded. "Of course! Strengthen your weaknesses. Like Togata said - turn your weaknesses into strengths."

She nodded. "Do you have any idea where you're going to go?"

"I am hoping to return to Mr. Manual's agency. I feel that I - did not make as much of my internship there as I could have…and I would like to do better this time."

"What exactly happened there last time, Iida? You and Deku and Todoroki are always so quiet about it."

Before I had to come up with an excuse or a lie, the door opened and Present Mic joined us, starting class.

I saw when classes were over that day that I had a missed call on my phone from Mr. Manual.

I picked up as soon as I was out of the school building and dialed him.

"Tenya?"

"Mr. Manual! I apologize for my late response. I was in class at the time and I always make sure to have my cell phone off during our teachers' lectures."

"It's no problem. How have you been?"

That was a difficult question. Since I'd last seen Mr. Manual, I'd learned of the damage to my right arm, been attacked by the League of Villains, broken the law to rescue a classmate in the midst of tragedy, seen the world as we knew it end, and attained my provisional license. Hearing Mr. Manual's voice felt almost like a memory from another life.

After a moment, I decided it was best to simply say, "I have been quite well, sir. I was calling to ask about doing a work study with your agency."

"With my agency?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Well, I'll be honest with you Tenya - that's surprising."

"Surprising?"

"You were ranked third in the draft for the UA sports festival, weren't you?'

I wasn't sure how he knew that, but I simply answered, "Yes, sir."

"That means you probably got offers from thousands of hero agencies."

"I did."

"You have all those options for your work study. Why come back to me?"

Why indeed. The familiarity? The chance to make amends for using Mr. Manual's agency in the past? The hope that I could redeem myself? Those would be the wrong reasons…

Uraraka had advised me to challenge myself, to look at my weaknesses and turn them into strengths.

"Frankly, sir, I showed myself to be a truly unworthy hero when I last did my internship with you. I failed as Ingenium's brother, as a hero, and as the student tasked with representing Class 1A - and most importantly, I failed you, sir. I wish to make amends to you for my past mistakes. I hope to learn from my behavior in Hosu and become a man truly worthy of the Hero name Ingenium."

There was a pause until Mr. Manual said, "Is that your hero name now?"

I hesitated. I had not exactly promised myself that Ingenium was a name I would not take up until I felt truly worthy of succeeding my brother, but somewhere in my mind I had been delaying the change. I hadn't given that name on my Provisional License or submitted it with my costume changes. Could I in good conscience call myself worthy of my brother's title?

"For now, my hero name is still as it was before. Tenya."

"Well, Tenya, come down to the office. If you're willing to go through an interview process, we can try to start over again."

"Nothing would please me more, Mr. Manual."

And so that weekend I took the train from UA into the heart of Hosu City.