Hero Names

When the students had taken a couple of days to recover, it was time for Estelle to head back to UA. She found herself being stopped on her way to school by those who recognised her from the sports festival. Estelle decided to take to the air to make her way there once she realised they wouldn't let her have her personal bubble. Estelle liked her bubbles.

'No fair.'

When she sat down in her usual seat next to Yaoyorozu, she listened whilst they all discussed their experiences of being recognised.

Aizawa finally walked into the classroom, bandage free and stated, "Morning."

"Good morning!" The class replied cheerfully.

"Mr Aizawa, your bandages are gone!" Kirishima chirped.

"The old lady went overboard with her treatment. More importantly, we have a special hero informatics class today."

The class rumbled in their assumptions, Aizawa once again put them to rest. "Code names", he started. "You'll be coming up with hero names."

"This is so exciting!"

"This is related to the pro hero draft picks I mentioned the other day. The drafts begin in earnest in the second and third years, after students gain experience and become immediate assets to the pros. In other words, extending offers to first years like you shows that they are interested in your future potential. These offers are often cancelled if that interest dies down by graduation," Aizawa revealed.

"Here are the totals for those with offers", Aizawa carried on and pointed towards the unveiled board. She was unimpressed because all the offers were focused on the top three rather than the whole class.

"In other years, it's been more spread out, but all eyes were on these three this year", Aizawa carried on.

"Gah, there's such a big difference! Those pros don't know a good thing when they see one!" Someone yelled out.

"Estelle's first, Todoroki's second and Bakugo's third? It's the opposite of their placement in the sports festival."

Estelle tuned everyone out while she checked her name on the board with full attention. Oh yeah, she was first with four thousand offers. She came back to reality when Aizawa spoke up once again.

"Keeping these results in mind. Whether or not anyone asked for you, you will all be participating in internships with pros."

"Internships?" Midoriya investigated.

"Yeah, you managed to get real-life experience at the USJ, but now it is time for you to see the pro's at work first-hand."

"Oh, so that explains the hero names!" Hagakure bellowed.

Aizawa looked on with boredom and replied, "Well, those hero names are still temporary, but if you're not serious about it..."

The classroom door slammed open. The hero Midnight stepped in and interrupted Aizawa, "Then you'll have hell to pay later! Because many hero names used by students become recognised by society, and they end up becoming professional hero names!"

"So, Midnight will be making sure your names are okay" Aizawa carried on as if he was never interrupted.

Estelle sat in thought while they continued talking in favour of thinking about a potential hero name.

'Does it even matter if I never really get the chance to use it? Hmm, I guess I could go with Elemental? Is just the same name as my quirk, but it encompasses it perfectly.'

The class went up to the front one by one to announce their hero names; she snorted at Bakugo's attempt. The ruby eyed male reared his head down at her and snarled at his choice being insulted.

The class stilled at the noise, always stupefied whenever Estelle showed any emotion. Estelle returned Bakugo's stare with a slight smirk causing his growls to grow louder. "What the hell are you laughing at, Lioness?"

'Lioness?' The rest of the class examined.

"Your choices", Estelle quickly countered, causing his wrath to dig deeper as he was ushered back to his seat.

Other than that, it was going smoothly until it was Estelle's turn to stand. She was holding out a whiteboard with the word written 'Elementa'.

"My quirk deals with the elements. It's pretty much a given," Estelle explained in a tone since it was apparent.

Once the names had been chosen, Aizawa stepped forward once again and spoke, "Now that everyone's has decided on their hero names, we'll go back to talking about the internships. They will last for a week. As for where you'll have them, those who had offers from pros will be given your own lists so that you can choose from those yourself.

"Those who didn't have offers will choose from among forty agencies around the country that will be accepting our interns. They all work in different places and have different specialities, so choose wisely!"

"Yes, sir."

"Turn in your choices before the weekend. Dismissed."

"That's only two days away!"

Estelle stared down at her choices whilst everyone conversed with one another. One specific name jumped out at her when she looked through her papers.

'Endeavours Hero Agency'

It could be beneficial for her fire; it wasn't something she used often, but she was still skilled at it. It couldn't hurt gaining new ideas and techniques from the number two hero. There was also the factor that she despised the man. But what better way to face your past? By spending a week with a man who reminded you of it.

Oh hell, she was just an idiot.

Yolo

(She learned that the other day too.)

Estelle was finishing up early, so she packed her bag once class ended for lunch. She was startled to hear Aizawa speak up from the front of the classroom.

"Estelle, stay behind for a moment."

Nodding in recognition, she waited and watched the class leave for the cafeteria. Estelle looked up at Aizawa expectantly. She had a hunch she knew where this was going.

"As I watched the sports festival, my interest was piqued with a particular general studies student. It seemed he had a lot of potential, so I figured I would offer to train him. Imagine my surprise when I find my student was already doing just that."

Oh. That was not what Estelle expected.

Estelle smirked. "Sorry, but I saw enough potential myself that I decided to give him a leg up. I'm sensing that you're not very happy about this?"

Aizawa shook his head in disagreement. "No, he needs all the help he can get right now. Your skills are great; it would be a huge help to Shinsou. But I'm also going to train him if he agrees, of course."

Estelle agreed with a slight smile. "I think that's a wonderful idea. I'm sure Shinsou will be grateful. I'm happy to join if you need me; I don't mind a spar now and then."

"Appreciated. There was another thing I would like to speak to you about."

'Ah. Here it is.'

"Would you like to explain the incident with Bakugo at the sports festival?"

Estelle winced. It seemed that nobody was keen on forgetting this since she's had to talk about it a few times now.

"What about it?"

Aizawa breathed tiredly and contemplated down at the closed-off female. "Don't play dumb with me, Estelle. We both know you're too smart for that."

"It doesn't matter."

"It does, Estelle. What happens if you're fighting a villain and this happens again? You could get seriously hurt. That can impair your job as a hero."

"I understand; I'm working on it. It won't happen again."

"I see; you are unwilling to explain."

"My apologies, but this is something that I must work on. Alone."

Aizawa clenched his fist behind his back and gritted his teeth in frustration. Estelle silently watched as he attempted and failed to hide his grievances. He could see the signs! but he couldn't do anything about it until she spoke up. "What about the scars you have? Where did they come from?" He asked, on the verge of desperation.

Estelle looked at Aizawa sympathetically. "I'm sorry, I know you're just trying to help. I appreciate it. I do. But you don't need to hold any concern for me. The scars are many years old that I forget they're even there. The sports festival was a freak occurrence. It will not happen again. Do you have anything else you want to ask?"

Aizawa wasn't satisfied, but he recognised that he was probably pushing her further away by demanding answers.

"No. I just want to repeat what I said before. The UA faculty - me included, always prioritise our students. We can help you should you ever decide to come to us."

Estelle smiled once again at her homeroom teacher before bowing slightly towards him. "Thank you, I appreciate it."

"Yeah yeah, go on. You have a shift to keep, don't you?"

Estelle widened her eyes slightly since she was probably late. After quick goodbyes, Estelle rushed to the front gates.

When Estelle was making her way out of UA, she was interrupted by a stuttering voice.

'Why am I always getting stopped?'

Turning around swiftly, she faced a red Midoriya as he struggled to get the words out of his mouth. Estelle let out a fed-up grunt causing him to stop on his fifth attempt. She finally heard a withdrawn "Sorry for bothering you."

She swayed her head in reply. "You're not bothering me, but you are taking your time to say what you need to, Midoriya."

"Sorry.."

"It's fine. What do you need?"

"Well. I waswonderingifyouhadanyadviceforme."

"What?"

Midoriya took a deep breath before gently repeating, "I was wondering if you had any advice for helping me use my quirk."

"Ah, I see. Come to the coffee shop called The Beanery after school. We'll talk there."

"Hah?! Really? Okay! I guess I'll see you there!"

"Hmm."

Midoriya walked through the doors of the coffee shop only to be greeted by the same woman he met at the sports festival.

"Oh! You must be Mrs Nona. It's good to see you again."

"Ms Nona but yes! That's me. You must be one of Estelle's friends from class. Come in, take a seat. I'll get her and a nice cup of joe for you."

"Thank you!" Midoriya blurted whilst he watched the woman walk away.

He nervously waited at the table. To him, it was foreign to be talking with the girl. He was surprised she was the one who invited him! Maybe she was starting to warm up to them a little. He shouldn't hope too much, but it was a step in the right direction. He couldn't help but feel her loneliness. He always saw her walking to the trees outside every lunch. She mainly was only there for heroics class, and then she would leave without a word. When she is there, she usually disregards everyone. Hell, even Todoroki wasn't that distant.

"You done muttering about me?"

Midoriya jumped out of his seat, blushing pink at the fact he was mumbling his thoughts out loud. He just can't stop humiliating himself. Midoriya just wanted to melt into the carpet at this point.

"You're still doing it. It's fine. Relax. Here's your cup; I figured you would like it sweet."

"Yeah, I do! Thanks!" He stated with a smile, the red still tainting his cheeks. He didn't hear Nona chortling in the background. Estelle took the seat across from Midoriya and asked for privacy from Nona. The cafe was quiet, so she agreed as long as Estelle operated the counter and headed to the backroom.

Midoriya was the first to speak, "So you work here when you're not at school?"

Estelle nodded in affirmation and explained, "Yeah, Nona struggles with working the whole cafe on her own. I do most of my classes at home, so I can work here whenever she needs me."

"That's amazing!" Midoriya started with a genuine smile, "That's a pretty big workload, and you're still top of the class! All while helping her!"

Estelle gave a small smile at his enthusiasm. "It's nothing. I do what I can, but thank you for the kind words."

Midoriya just smiled in response, the red dusting on his cheeks coming back in full force. After taking in a few moments of silence, Estelle decided to move on to the main topic.

"So, your quirk. You were previously powerless before All Might came along, yes?"

Midoriya agreed and bit his lip uncomfortably.

"When you're using your quirk, do you use it like an on and off switch?"

"I guess so. I just try to power up, but I use too much, and my body can't take it. It's why I get injuries. I try to picture an egg in a microwave, slowly being cooked, but it's like it explodes!"

"Hmm, I see. What's your evaluation of Ojiro's quirk?"

Midoriya moved back slightly, clearly taken aback by the strange question but answered nonetheless. "He has a tail connected to his body that he can control like an extra limb. Why do you ask?"

"So, we could say that Ojiro's quirk is an extension to himself. Correct?"

"Yeah?"

"You agreed that you use it like an on and off switch. Ojiro seems to use it as an extension of himself. Think about it; it will come to you."

"I think I get it...and what you're trying to imply. I kinda wish you would say it outright, though."

"Where's the fun in that?"

Midoriya sweatdropped "uh..."

Estelle chuckled slightly. "I'm kidding; the best way to learn something is to figure it out yourself. I've laid out some breadcrumbs for you to follow. I'm sure your internship will be a great help too."

"You have such a different way of looking at things. It's amazing! I understand; I'll think deeply about your words. Thank you!"

"It's fine. I said you could talk to me whenever you needed."

"Of course, I appreciate that. I know this is out of the ordinary for you but before I go...canyoupleasetellmemoreaboutyourquirk?"

"Huh?"

"Can you please tell me more about your quirk?"

"Uh...Sure, I guess so?"

"Great!" Midoriya shouted and dug into his bag to take out his esteemed quirk journal.

"My quirk contains the four elements - water, air, fire and earth. They can usually be created and moved with the movements of my body, for example, through martial arts or simple hand gestures. They all correspond with how I move. If my gestures are relaxed and flowy, it resembles water, and I then control water. Earth is unmovable, so my body must remain that way. Fire is unpredictable and wild, and the air is unrestrained. That's the best way I can describe it."

"Oh! I think I understand, how fascinating! You don't use your quirk as much. Is there a reason why?"

"I am fully trained in martial arts. If I can take someone down with it, then why do I need to use my quirk? It's not necessary."

"So, you only use it when you need to? That's surprising; you would be powerful if you did."

"I am also strong without; I wouldn't be surprised if a quirkless hero made it. It's possible."

"I wish someone told me that when I was younger, it doesn't matter now, though. I was lucky to be given this gift by All Might."

"You're right, so keep training."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Estelle snickered.

Midoriya grinned.