Izuku POV
"YOU, YOUNG MAN, HAVE UNDOUBTEDLY THE HEART OF A TRUE HERO!" he exclaimed with a broad smile. "I DEEM YOU WORTHY OF INHERITING MY QUIRK!"
"Wait, what do you mean inheriting your quirk?" I asked All Might, my voice betraying a mix of confusion and disbelief. The notion seemed unfathomable, something beyond the bounds of my understanding of quirks. "Is that even possible?" My eyes searched his face for any hint of doubt or hesitation, but all I found was unwavering resolve as if he had already made up his mind about the matter.
"YES," ALL MIGHT affirmed, his voice carrying the weight of centuries of legacy. With a sweeping gesture, he emphasized the significance of his words, as if tracing the lineage of One for All through the annals of time. "NORMALLY, IT WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE. BUT MY QUIRK, ONE FOR ALL, IS A SACRED TORCH PASSED DOWN IN GENERATIONS TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE."
As he spoke, his hand seemed to trace an invisible thread connecting past and present, a tangible reminder of the responsibility that came with such a formidable power. "I UNDERSTAND YOU ALREADY HAVE A POWER," ALL MIGHT continued, his gaze unwavering as he met my eyes with a sense of conviction, "BUT WHAT HAPPENED AT USJ CONVINCED ME THAT NO ONE BUT YOU IS WORTHY OF HAVING IT."
His words hung in the air, each syllable laden with a gravity that echoed through the chamber. In that moment, I felt the weight of destiny pressing upon my shoulders, the mantle of heroism beckoning me forward. With a steady resolve, I met ALL MIGHT's gaze, ready to accept the challenge that lay before me and prove myself worthy of the trust he had placed in me.
As our conversation unfolded, ALL MIGHT revealed the grim truth of his deteriorating condition, the reason behind his sudden decision to pass on One for All. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, a somber reminder of the fleeting nature of heroism and the sacrifices that came with it.
I couldn't help but feel a pang of concern for him, realizing that his time as the Symbol of Peace was slowly drawing to a close. His absence during the attack on USJ suddenly made sense – called back to Tokyo to handle an emergency, he had entrusted the class to Aizawa-sensei and Thirteen since his time for the day was up.
When I asked about Mr. Eindridi's whereabouts, ALL MIGHT's response was curt and to the point – he hadn't seen him anywhere throughout the day. The mystery surrounding Mr. Eindridi only deepened, leaving me with more questions than answers.
In the end, after much deliberation, I accepted ALL MIGHT's offer to inherit One for All. Despite the uncertainty of how the transfer would take place, I knew deep down that it was the right decision. Compared to Ceremonial Magic, the method of passing on One for All seemed far less disgusting.
The next day
'I hate Mondays,' I grumbled inwardly as I dragged myself out of bed. The sky mirrored my mood, a dreary mix of dark blue and gray, with the sun barely peeking over the horizon due to the ungodly hour. The promise of a new week felt more like a burden than an opportunity, weighing heavily on my shoulders as I trudged through the morning routine. In the not-so-far distance, I could hear the sound of air rushing, blades slicing through the air with a distinct "fwip" as they moved.
It seemed Ochaco was putting in more practice with the sword lately. After the incident at USJ, it wasn't surprising. Our teachers were injured, one severely, and if I hadn't managed to stop that monster, which was almost the case, it could have torn through our classmates like a bullet through tissue paper. The memory of that day lingered like a shadow, a constant reminder of the dangers we faced as heroes-in-training.
"I wonder what that thing was," I mused, my thoughts drifting back to the chaotic events of that fateful day. The memory of battling the creature lingered in my mind like a lingering shadow, its monstrous form etched into my memory with vivid clarity. It was fiercer than anything I'd faced before, its relentless onslaught pushing me to the brink of my abilities.
Even now, as I considered the creature's origins, a shiver ran down my spine. The claim that it was engineered to kill All Might seemed chillingly plausible. He's no pushover, even in his current state, but even he would have struggled against it, if he survived at all.
As I sat on the sofa, lost in thought, Ashido-san descended from the girls' side of the dormitory. Despite the early hour, she radiated energy and vitality, embodying the quintessence of a morning person fully prepared to tackle whatever challenges the day might bring. With each step, her movements were fluid and graceful, displaying her natural agility and poise.
Even in her uniform, she stood out like a splash of color against the morning haze. Her pink skin seemed to emit a soft glow in the early light, imparting a whimsical quality to the otherwise mundane surroundings. The vibrant hue of her hair, a vibrant shade of pink that matched her skin tone perfectly, cascaded down her shoulders in a playful cascade of curls.
Her uniform hugged her figure snugly, accentuating her curves in all the right places. Yet, despite the neatness of her attire, there was an unmistakable vivacity to her presence that distinguished her from the rest. With a cheerful smile and a twinkle in her eye, she greeted me warmly, her enthusiasm infectious and uplifting."Hey, Midori!" Ashido-san greeted cheerfully, her arms waving with an exuberance that made me wonder how much caffeine I'd need to keep up with her energy level.
"Hey, Ashido-san," I replied with a smile, though my voice carried a hint of sleepiness. "You're certainly lively for this early in the morning," I remarked, admiring her enthusiasm. Despite my own sluggishness, her energy was contagious, infusing the room with a sense of vibrancy that was hard to resist.
"Yeah, because today's the day we start learning about Ceremonial Magic!" she exclaimed, practically bouncing with energy. "And to top it off, it's under the Sarah Renier!"
Ashido continued to chatter excitedly about Sarah, and about the significance of Ceremonial Magic and its practitioners. Though I had little interest in the subject matter, it occurred to me that understanding their world might prove beneficial in the future, despite my reservations about their practices.
"Is she really that remarkable?" I inquired, still not entirely convinced despite Ashido's excitement. Yet, I understood the value of knowledge, regardless of the subject matter. If Sarah was renowned in the realm of Ceremonial Magic, there must be something truly exceptional about her expertise. Perhaps. Maybe.
"Absolutely! Sarah's like, a legend in the Ceremonial Magic community," Ashido replied, her enthusiasm undimmed. "Her techniques, her knowledge, her presence, it's all on a whole other level. You'll see what I mean once we start the class!"
As the door swung open, Ochaco entered the room, her presence commanding attention. Fresh from her sword practice, she exuded a captivating allure, her glistening sweat catching the morning light and casting a radiant sparkle upon her. The interplay of light and shadow bestowed upon her a mystique, further enhancing her already enchanting aura.
A flush graced her cheeks, a testament to the intensity of her training, accentuating the natural beauty of her features. Her eyes sparkled with determination, reflecting the fire of her resolve. Clad in a snug black shirt that accentuated her figure, she appeared effortlessly alluring, captivating my gaze and leaving me momentarily entranced by her presence.
"Good morning, Ochaco," I managed to greet her, though her presence momentarily left me in awe.
"Good morning, Izuku," she greeted back with a wide smile. "You look lively today. I trust you were able to get a full night's sleep?" Her genuine warmth washed over me, dispelling any lingering traces of awe and leaving me feeling grounded in her presence.
"It's not so much about the amount of sleep, but more about the timing. However, I've been up long enough to shake off any sleepiness," I explained to her.
"I see. That's good to hear. I'll go ahead and get ready for school. Could you wait for me for a bit?" she asked me, her voice carrying a hint of warmth. Her request filled me with a sense of companionship, and I nodded in agreement, grateful for the chance to spend a few moments in her company before the start of the day.
"Sure. I'll be right here," I replied, reaching for the remote to find something to watch while I waited for her. As I settled into the sofa, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment at the prospect of spending a few quiet moments in her company before the bustle of the day began.
After flipping through the channels, I settled on one airing an old battle featuring ALL MIGHT's clash against Toxic Chainsaw from around half a decade ago.
As I watched the footage, a mix of nostalgia and admiration swept over me. ALL MIGHT's towering form, bathed in sunlight, exuded an aura of invincibility as he faced off against the formidable villain. The screen crackled with energy as the two titans clashed, each blow echoing with the weight of their convictions. Despite the odds stacked against him, ALL MIGHT fought with unwavering determination, embodying the essence of heroism in every punch, every defiant roar. It was moments like these that inspired countless aspiring heroes, myself included, to strive for greatness, to stand tall in the face of adversity, and to protect those in need with all our might.
"Hey there, Midori!" Ashido-san chirped, her voice cutting through the air as she leaned in close, effectively blocking my view of the screen. "Is it true that you and the Princess are a thing?" she asked, her eyes glinting with mischief as she awaited my response. Her sudden appearance caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but feel a flush of embarrassment at the mention of Ochaco.
"We simply hang out every now and then. It's purely platonic," I lied to her, hoping to deflect any further probing into my personal life. While Ochaco and I may share a close bond, revealing the true nature of our relationship could lead to complications, especially considering her father's strict views on such matters. Granted, we haven't been doing a stellar job at that, but confirming it would be a disaster. As I spoke, I forced a casual tone, masking the turmoil of emotions churning within me.
"You're a terrible liar, Midori. But okay, I'll let it go. For now," she teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief, promising that this conversation wasn't quite over yet. Despite my attempt to deflect her inquiries, Ashido's keen intuition had pierced through my facade, leaving me feeling exposed and vulnerable in her playful scrutiny.
I redirected the conversation towards Ceremonial Magic, and she eagerly launched into a detailed account. It turned out her mother had studied under Sarah, which explained her excitement; she'd grown up hearing tales of Sarah's skills. As she spoke, her eyes sparkled with a mix of reverence and anticipation, her words painting a vivid picture of Sarah's expertise and the wonders of Ceremonial Magic.
After half an hour, Ochaco finally returned, looking prepared to head to class with us. Without further ado, we set off, realizing that lingering any longer would only make us tardy.
"Hey, Ochaco. Would you mind teaching me how to wield a sword?" I inquired, feeling the need to expand my combat skills beyond just relying on the cards and One for All. Recent events have made it clear that I can't afford to be complacent with my abilities, especially when facing opponents who possess unique and formidable powers. The thought of adding another dimension to my fighting style intrigued me, and who better to learn from than someone as skilled and determined as Ochaco?
She looked at me with surprise at my request, then nodded her head. "You are becoming more and more like a knight," she giggled at the thought before continuing, "Sure, Izuku. I would be more than happy to teach you the sword. When would you like to start?" Her smile was warm, reflecting her eagerness to impart her knowledge of swordsmanship onto me.
"Whenever's fine, so long as it's not too early," I told her, mindful of her busy schedule. While I appreciate her consideration, I know she has more classes than me, mostly scheduled after the regular UA lessons. So, I can't be too picky either. Hopefully, it won't be as early as this. Balancing our hero training with additional combat skills would require careful coordination, but I trusted Ochaco to find a time that worked for both of us.
"All right. Would Thursday at 7 be okay?" She inquired, gauging my reaction, perhaps hoping it was not too early for me. It is. But as I said, I can't be picky right now. While the prospect of an early start wasn't exactly appealing, I knew that committing to this training was essential for my growth as a hero. With a determined nod, I agreed to the arrangement, steeling myself for the early wake-up call that awaited me.
"Sure, that'll work. Perhaps it'll help me get the habit of waking up late out of my system," I replied with a chuckle. Despite my apprehension about the early start, I couldn't help but appreciate Ochaco's optimism and her willingness to accommodate my schedule. With her guidance, together, I was confident that I could overcome any challenge, even if it meant sacrificing a few extra hours of sleep.
As we descended the staircase leading to the basement, a sense of intrigue filled the air, heightened by the anticipation of what awaited us. The hallway seemed to stretch on endlessly, the dim lighting casting elongated shadows that danced eerily along the walls. Finally, we arrived at our destination: classroom DGN1.
Stepping inside, I surveyed the room with a calm sense of assurance. The flickering candlelight bathed the room in a soft, ethereal glow, creating an ambiance that was both tranquil and inviting. The air carried the faint scent of incense, a subtle reminder of the mystical practices that would soon unfold.
In the center of the room, the Magic Circle lay sprawled across the floor, its intricate patterns illuminated by a gentle, otherworldly light. It was a sight that held no fear or reverence for me; rather, it simply piqued my curiosity about the arcane arts I had yet to explore.
Taking my seat among the others, I awaited the beginning of the lesson with quiet confidence.
"Hey, Izuku. How've ye been doin'?" I heard a feminine voice behind me. I turned around to find Nana standing in the doorway. "Not a class I'm thrilled to have, but I'll at least take it with you," she said as she sat down to my right. Ochaco was on my left, and Ashido-san was to her left.
With a smile, I turned to acknowledge Nana's presence, feeling a sense of relief at seeing another familiar face in this unfamiliar setting. "Good to see you, Nana," I greeted warmly before turning to introduce her to Ochaco and Ashido-san. "Ochaco, Ashido-san, this is Shimura Nana. She's my classmate in the Evoker class," I explained, gesturing towards Nana with a nod of my head. "Nana, this beauty here is Ochaco Pendragon. And the other one's Ashido Mina-san," I added, trying to inject a bit of humor into the introduction, though it seemed to earn me a playful pout from Ashido-san.
"Hey there," Nana greeted bluntly, her expression revealing her lack of enthusiasm. I winced inwardly, realizing the potential tension in the room. Nana has aversion to Ochaco for being a princess, and adding to that the fact that Ashido-san was a Ceremonial Mage didn't help matters either.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I have heard of the Shimura. Your father has been a great ally of the Court," Ochaco said in a formal voice, her tone measured and devoid of much emotion. "What your father did that day is something we shall never forget, he has saved the lives of everyone in the city," she added. While her words are respectful, I can't help but feel there's thorn on her words.
A tense silence hung in the air, thick with unspoken tension as Nana scoffed at Ochaco's gesture, clearly unamused by the mention of her father. I shifted uncomfortably, unsure of the history between them and the implications of their strained exchange. It was clear that the atmosphere was on the verge of escalating into a confrontation, and I needed to diffuse the situation before it spiraled out of control.
"H-Hey, Nana. How have you been these past week?" I asked, swiftly interjecting to divert the conversation away from the minefield of their history. With an arm around her shoulder, I aimed to diffuse the tension and shift the focus to more neutral territory. However, it didn't escape Ochaco's notice, earning me a questioning glance.
"It's fine, I guess. You still haven't been to our gym even though I'm looking forward to that," she told me, her tone softening. "But it's been the usual routine; train, slay monsters, bash someone's head in, and train again," she continued with a wry smile, revealing the grit and determination that defined her as an Evoker.
The door swung open, drawing our collective attention as our teacher, Sarah Renier, made her entrance. She was dressed in what appeared to be traditional Middle Eastern dancer attire, each movement accentuating the flowing fabrics and intricate designs of her costume.
As my gaze inadvertently lingered, I couldn't help but notice, 'Dang, her breasts are big,' a smirk forming on my lips. At least my eyes won't be suffering through this lesson, I mused to myself, finding a small silver lining in an otherwise potentially tedious class.
"Welcome, students, to my class," she greeted, her voice dripping with mystery and allure, drawing my attention. "Here, you will learn the ancient secrets of Ceremonial Magic," she continued, her words tinged with a seductive undertone.
"I like the dress code," I muttered under my breath, unable to resist commenting on her attire.
"I know, right?! Sarah is like totally old school. It's so cool!" Ashido-san exclaimed in agreement.
"Before there were Enchanters, before Magic entered the human bloodlines, the race of Man and Elsewhere mingled. This, then, is the birth of Ceremonial Magic!" Sarah exclaimed, her voice filled with reverence for the ancient arts she was about to impart. "Whether it is a young shepardess at a spring near Mycenae, or a young maid in Nazaret, Gods and creatures from beyond have long lusted for humans. The beautiful young virgin is irresistible to the denizens of Elsewhere," she continued, her words carrying a weight of history and tradition, though they stirred discomfort in me. The practice is something I personally abhor, and also the reason why I'm not a fan of Ceremonial Mages.
"Wait, virgin? Nana, don't tell me..." I asked Nana to my right, unable to hide my surprise. She doesn't strike me as someone without experience.
"Not me, kid. Ain't nothing much to do these days from where I'm from but get drunk, watch sheep, and have sex," she said with a chuckle, her tone revealing her lack of concern over the topic.
"Yeah, you don't strike me as a blushing virgin," I said, unable to contain a smirk at the thought.
"Shh... I wanna hear this," Ashido-san hushed us, eager to listen to Sarah's history lesson.
"Fine," I acquiesced, already feeling a twinge of boredom creeping in.
"Historically, interacting with the Elsewhere tended to be a process not easy to control or repeat, but with the advent of the MM circles, we have grown to mastery of the process," Sarah continued, her voice carrying a hint of reverence for the advancements made in the field. "And with MM 3.0, unfortunate accidents are practically a thing of the past. Ceremonial Magic has come a long way, and is now among the most influential schools of Magic," she continued.
'I wouldn't call it influential,' I thought, unimpressed. The meager amount of Magic they glean from monsters is barely enough to sustain their aging bodies. Most of them just use it to marry into a wealthy family, a practice that hardly seems worthy of praise.
"Now, each of us can reach out and almost touch the Divine. To draw inspiration and power from the forces of Elsewhere. To glory in the presence of Magic and Mastery," Sarah continued, her words tinged with reverence and excitement, as if she were describing a sacred ritual.
"You mean to whore yourself out to creatures from beyond for fun and profit," Nana whispered to me, her tone dry and sarcastic, revealing her disdain for Ceremonial Magic.
"That is a rather nice way of summarizing it, yeah," I replied to her in a whisper, unable to suppress a wry smile at her blunt assessment.
"As I was saying," she said with a forceful tone, "Miss Shimura, if you would kindly pay attention. To touch the divine, and draw power from it. This is the heart of Ceremonial Magic," Sarah continued, directing her attention firmly towards Nana, urging her to focus on the lesson at hand.
"And what's this MM circle thingy?" I interjected, aiming to divert the conversation away from Nana.
"The MM 3.0 Magic Circle. It ensures that there are boundaries, and allows humans some degree of control over the encounter," Sarah explained, her voice taking on a more informative tone.
"I see," I don't see it.
"Here, let me demonstrate," she said. In the softly lit classroom, Sarah stood just outside the confines of her meticulously crafted magic circle. With a voice that resonated with both command and reverence, she began the incantation, each syllable carrying the weight of centuries-old knowledge. The air thrummed with anticipation, every breath tinged with the electric energy of the unknown.
As Sarah's spell reached its zenith, the magic circle erupted in a dazzling display of ethereal light, casting intricate patterns across the room. A rift materialized within its bounds, that brought forth the Defiler. It emerged with a sinuous grace, its form a dance of shadows and flame, its eyes burning with an ancient hunger.
A revolting creature straight out of a horror film, resembling a rejected design from Ripley's darkest nightmares. Its blue skin stretched taut over a grotesquely bulbous head. These abominations are notorious for abducting unsuspecting women who wander too far into Elsewhere, subjecting them to unspeakable atrocities. If by some cruel twist of fate, the victim becomes pregnant, her torment only intensifies as she is forced to endure daily violations until giving birth, one after the other then a grisly fate awaits as they are consumed by these vile creatures after getting skinned and chopped while they're conscious. A male isn't safe from these guys either, but the ones they catch would become dinner. Thus, they earned their fitting moniker: the Defilers.
"Disgusting creatures," I seethed internally. Though not formidable adversaries by any stretch, their vile nature always stirs a deep anger within me. Whenever I find myself overwhelmed stressed out, I make it a personal mission to eradicate these abominations by the dozens. Their rapid reproduction ensures they remain a persistent threat, their vile existence perpetuated by their insatiable hunger for cruelty. Unfortunately, unless someone possesses the abilities of an Enchanter, an Evoker, or a particularly strong quirk, these creatures can easily overpower most people. I heard female heroes fall to them, at times.
"Ah, lovely. A fecking Defiler. I hate Defilers," Nana muttered, scowling at the creature.
"You and me both, Nana. You and me both," I echoed in agreement.
"What to even expect? Gods and Elven Lords don't need to show up for some glorified camwhores," she said with a sharp undertone, causing Ashido-san to flinch. "The creatures that do show up tend to be the less savory inhabitants of Elsewhere," she continued, her words laced with disdain for the dark side of Ceremonial Magic.
"Yessss, Madam Sarah...we meet again. And I can ssssmell the delicioussssss ssscent of virginssss. What performance are they putting on for me today? Are the two young onesss lesssbian?" the disgusting creature hissed and slithers its tongue, its voice dripping with vile intent as it addressed Sarah.
'Irritating,' I thought to myself, struggling to contain my frustration. There was no reason to escalate the situation by unleashing a fireball in such a confined space.
"I like the little brown-haired one...ssssshe'sss unssssullied. What I wouldn't give for jussst an hour or two with her. Alone," it hissed, its gaze fixed on Ochaco with a predatory hunger. "The innocent onessss tassste the sssweetessst. Especially their ssscreamsss assss they break. Delicioussss ssscreamsss," it pointed at her, its hips moving in disgusting motion.
"Keep your vile desires to yourself, or I'll reduce you to nothing but ashes," I warned, my tone firm and laced with determination. I've just got enough of this pest. I materialized a STRAIGHT FLUSH fireball on the palm of my hands.
"Mister Midoriya, please refrain from disrupting the ritual," Sarah warned, her voice tinged with urgency, but my patience was wearing thin, and I couldn't care less about protocol at that moment.
"You call this a divine ritual?!" I interjected, my irritation evident in my tone as I challenged her choice of words. I aim at the Defiler, ready to vaporize it. "I call it a barbeque party."
As if a surge of survival instinct had suddenly kicked in, the creature vanished from the circle, retreating back to whence it came.
"That disgusting thing is lucky it had a Magical Circle surrounding it, or I would have unleashed my fury upon it as well. I've seen firsthand what those creatures do to people they catch," Nana remarked, her tone tinged with anger and disgust.
"Be that as it may, it was safely contained," Sarah acknowledged her tone firm. "Mister Midoriya, as a reward for your intervention, you can write me a paper on the historical significance of magic circles. Due next Monday. I expect no less than 10 pages," she instructed with a hint of disapproval in her voice.
"Are you alright, Ochaco?" I inquired, concerned as the creature seemed to have focused on her.
"I am fine, thank you for your concern, My Knight," Ochaco replied, her voice steady despite the unsettling encounter.
"As I was saying, the Magic Circle provides a limited portal between Elsewhere and our world. Through it, we can summon creatures from the beyond and engage with them," Sarah continued the lesson, her voice carrying a mix of fascination.
"So you people are magical camwhores. The creatures come here, and then pay with Magic or gems for a show," Nana said, her expression sour as she leveled a critical gaze at the teacher.
"That is unhelpfully harsh, Miss Shimura. We merely provide an acceptable way for the creatures of Elsewhere to engage with humans, for mutual benefit," Sarah replied calmly, her tone measured despite Nana's accusation.
"Female. Human. Virgins?" I interjected, unable to contain my disbelief at the absurdity of the situation.
"Well, it works better with virgins. There's something about the purity of their aura that enhances the summoning process. And, of course, they're willing to pay more for the virgins," Sarah explained, her tone matter-of-fact.
"So they pay you magic for you to be able to use it. So, what? You guys are Normies, basically," I remarked to Sarah, pointing out the mundane nature of their transactions.
"That is not a polite term, Midoriya. And as Ceremonial Magicians, we are formally considered mages. Merely born without a Spark. Do you not see its importance? Ceremonial Magic allows for true democratization of Magic," she explained, emphasizing the significance of their practice. "Though since you're already an Evoker, you have no need for the ritual. And as a man who isn't a virgin, nobody would pay for you. Your lessons with me will focus more on the theory and history underpinning Ceremonial Magic. Some mental practices, that sort of thing."
"Apart from that, this course is primarily graded on coursework. You'll be working in groups of two. Let me see...Shimura should be paired up with, ah yes...Ashido," she announced, her tone betraying a hint of calculation. Whatever machinations were unfolding in her Ceremonial Magic-wired mind, it was evident that she had a plan, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I might not be fond of it.
"Sounds like we're working together, Ochaco," I turned to my left to tell her. Whatever it is Sarah's planning, I have zero hesitation that Ochaco and I can overcome it.
Nana looked pissed though, her fists were clenched, and if I didn't know any better, I'd think she was about to throw a punch. But she's not. She's still incredibly pissed though. What surprised me was Ashido-san is fighting back with the insults.
"Here is your first assignment, to be completed by next Monday. Kindly refrain from opening the envelope until you are ready to start the task," she instructed, handing out the assignments. Ochaco held onto ours, while Ashido-san took charge of theirs.
"How do you want to approach this, Ochaco?" I inquired, deferring to her since she had more classes to manage. Despite being excused from Heroics classes due to the USJ incident, we were still expected to continue with our other coursework according to the Principal.
"I think it would be better if we finish it as soon as possible," she suggested. "Do you want to go to your room now so we can work on it?" she asked, seeming unaware of the ALL MIGHT merchandise in my room.
"How about the room Midnight-sensei is letting me use? I've had a look at it, and it's quite good. Pretty clean, enough chairs, and a desk in case we need it," I suggested, keen to keep her away from my actual dorm room.
"Hmm~? Are you hiding something there, perhaps?" she teased with a little smirk on her face. It's good to know that the Defiler didn't affect her. She relented and said, "Okay, let's use that. But I wanna see your room soon," she added with a playful glint in her eyes.
"Alright, maybe later," I replied, the words laced with a hint of mischief as I returned her playful smirk. A playful banter between us, a gentle dance of words, with promises of shared moments yet to come.
Aaanndd, there we have it, folks. The first part of Ceremonial Magic. I was going to put the first homework together in this (mostly because I have a feeling it'll take 100+ chapters for us to get to The War arc at this rate, nevermind The Return), but halfway through that, I noticed it's already at 9k words so...I simply decided to split it into two parts. It's almost done though so I'll release it in a day or so.
Again, thank you for reading this part. Let me know if you have any questions or feedback on the story.