Two weeks had passed since his first date with Ochaco. Itsuka was tending to Izuku's wounds, wrapping the burns he'd received during his training session earlier that day.
"Ow, ow, ow!" Izuku winced as Itsuka applied the dressing to his burned skin.
Itsuka chuckled, patting the bandage. "Stop complaining, Izuku. You only have yourself to blame for this."
Izuku looked at her in disbelief. "Seriously?" he groaned. "Come on, it wasn't entirely my fault!"
He'd accidentally stumbled upon a Minotaur Lord during a solo training exercise and had become locked in a fierce battle. Unfortunately, a high-level Fire Elemental had also been lurking nearby and, seeing an opportunity, unleashed a devastating attack that even Izuku, with his Evoker resilience, couldn't fully withstand. He barely escaped with his life, suffering third-degree burns across his arms and torso. While the wounds would heal quickly thanks to his Evoker abilities, the pain was still intense, and he didn't want his clothes sticking to the burns.
"Still, it's crazy that you were able to take on a Minotaur Lord by yourself," Itsuka said, impressed.
"Yeah," Izuku sighed. "It was a brutal fight. I'm not even sure I would have won if the Elemental hadn't shown up and given me a chance to escape."
'Yup. I ran away from them. Still, if I had a nickel every time I saw a 'Minotaur' in this part of the world, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird it happened twice,' Izuku mused.
Noticing Itsuka's expression, he thought, 'Uh oh. I'm gonna get lectured, aren't I?'
"Welp. Thanks for this, Itsuka. I better go home since I might get the acceptance letter from UA any time now," he told her, wanting to escape here as soon as possible.
"You sure you don't wanna spend the night?" She asked, a suggestive glint in her eyes.
'Nope! Not falling for that one again,' he chuckled inwardly. It's not the first time she used this trick on Izuku to get him to stay and listen to her lectures all night. And no, it's not the fun kind of lecture.
"Not today, sorry. I'll do it next time!" he said as he booked it back to his home.
Over the past two weeks, he'd been in constant contact with Ochaco, their Friday night dates becoming a cherished ritual. He'd also made an effort to spend more time with Kinoko and Itsuka, their daily hangouts a comforting return to normalcy.
Izuku had made sure to spend more time with Kinoko and Itsuka, hanging out almost every day like they used to. Yui even joined them occasionally, bringing her own brand of cheerful chaos to their trio.
Walking home after a long day, Izuku reached his doorstep and turned the knob, a wave of exhaustion washing over him.
"I'm home!" he called out.
"Welcome back, Izuku," his mother greeted him in the hallway, her smile fading as her eyes fell upon the bandages wrapped around his arms and torso. "What happened to you?!"
"Sorry to scare you, Mom," Izuku reassured her, a pang of guilt twisting in his gut at the sight of her worry. "It honestly looks worse than it is. It's just to keep my clothes from sticking to the burns."
"You sure?" she asked, her eyes welling up with tears.
'Ah. I feel so guilty seeing Mom like this.'
"Yeah," Izuku confirmed, "You can ask Itsuka if you don't believe me."
"Don't say that, son," his mother chided gently. "I believe you, but suddenly seeing you like that..."
"It's really fine, Mom. You have nothing to worry about," Izuku insisted, trying to put her at ease.
"Alright," she said, her voice still laced with concern. "But if it gets worse, I'm dragging you to the hospital. Don't think just because you're a giant now, I can't do that to you, young man."
Izuku chuckled, relieved to see a hint of her usual spirit returning. "Okay, Mom. We have a deal."
"Oh, yeah. I just remembered that we received a letter from UA. It must be the results for your exam," she said, handing him an envelope from the table.
"Great!" Izuku exclaimed, his fatigue momentarily forgotten as he took the letter.
He retreated to his room, a sudden wave of exhaustion reminding him of the toll the battle with the Minotaur Lord had taken on him. 'Thankfully, it's much closer now than when I fought one with Ochaco almost a year ago,' he thought. But I still need to get stronger.
With a renewed sense of determination, Izuku opened the letter. A device the size of a large coin fell out, projecting a holographic image of All Might wearing a yellow suit with a blue necktie.
"I AM HERE...AS A PROJECTION!"
'Wait this is from UA, right? Eh?!' Izuku's mind whirled with surprise and excitement.
"YOU MAY BE WONDERING WHY I APPEARED IN THIS LETTER," All Might's booming voice echoed through Izuku's room. "I AM NOW PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT I CAME TO THIS CITY TO WORK AT UA."
'Huh. I guess that makes sense,' Izuku thought, a sense of excitement bubbling up within him.
"I HAVE COME HERE TO ANNOUNCE THAT YOU, MIDORIYA IZUKU, PASSED THE WRITTEN EXAM WITH FLYING COLORS! ON TOP OF THAT, YOU MANAGED TO SCORE 87 VILLAIN POINTS DURING THE PRACTICAL EXAM, MAKING IT THE HIGHEST WE'VE HAD IN YEARS."
'Oh, that's a relief,' Izuku thought, his heart leaping with joy. 'That must mean I passed.'
"AND THAT'S NOT ALL..."
'There's more?' Izuku's eyes widened with anticipation.
"THE ENTRANCE EXAM THE OTHER DAY WAS NOT GRADED ONLY ON VILLAIN POINT! THIS IS A JOB THAT REQUIRES RISKING ONE'S LIFE TO PUT LIP SERVICE INTO PRACTICE SO WE HAVE...RESCUE POINTS! GIVEN BY A PANEL OF JUDGES. IT'S ANOTHER BASIC ABILITY WE AT UA LOOK AT! MIDORIYA IZUKU: 60 POINTS! TOTALLING YOUR POINTS TO 147 POINTS! ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN UA HISTORY!"
ALL MIGHT then reached out his holographic hand and declared, "HERE IS YOUR HERO ACADEMIA!"
Tears welled up in Izuku's eyes as a wave of emotions washed over him. He hadn't realized until this moment how much he had been yearning to become a hero, how much he had taken after his mother's emotional nature. Or perhaps ALL MIGHT was just that good at tugging at heartstrings.
ALL MIGHT continued, explaining that students were expected to live in a dormitory building overseen by Midnight.
'Does that mean I'll get to see Ochaco every day then?' Izuku's heart fluttered at the thought.
He learned that the staff at UA was aware of his status as an Evoker and had arranged for him to attend two extra classes a week, one on Mondays and another on Thursdays.
Bursting with excitement, Izuku shared the news with his mother, and they embraced in a joyful hug. His mother, though unsurprised by his success, insisted on preparing a fancy meal to celebrate.
During dinner, Izuku told his mother about his upcoming move to the dorms. "Are you sure you'll be okay living alone, Mom?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.
His mother smiled, tears glistening in her eyes. "I guess it'll be quite lonely without you around, but don't worry about me. Follow your dreams, Izuku."
"Thank you, Mom," Izuku replied, his heart full of gratitude. "I'll make sure to visit as much as possible."
"I'd like that," his mother said, her smile widening.
They finished their meal, a comfortable silence settling between them. After washing the dishes together, Izuku headed to bed, his mind buzzing with excitement and anticipation for the new chapter that awaited him at UA.
Izuku blinked awake, his eyes adjusting to the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves of a majestic oak tree. He found himself cradled in Ochaco's lap, their armored forms a stark contrast to the tranquil beauty of the sun-drenched glade. The air was alive with the scent of wildflowers, and the gentle lapping of a crystal-clear lake against the shore filled his ears.
He tried to speak, but the words felt distant, as if they were barely escaping his lips. He could hear Ochaco's voice, but it echoed as if from a great distance:
"I decline. Once, and once again, I was left watching the person I loved with all my heart disappear before my eyes. I will not let it become thrice. We will be together, My Tomcat...in this world, and in eternity."
Izuku's heart pounded with confusion and a growing sense of dread. As he looked around, he realized his body was engulfed in flames, an inferno that seemed to emanate from within him. 'What in the world is going on?' he thought, panic rising in his chest.
"Then take me back into your arms, if you my love would win. I shall hold you tight, and fear you not...you will be my gentleman," Ochaco's voice continued.
His lips moved again, forming words he could barely hear, as if his own voice was a stranger to him.
"But first you will change, all in my arms...into a wild wolf. I shall hold you tight and fear you not...you are my own true love."
The flames intensified, flickering erratically between a heat that could melt the world and an absolute zero that can Hell's Inferno. Both extremes seemed locked in a deadly dance, vying for control.
"And then you will change, all in my arms...into a wild bear. I shall hold you tight and fear you not...you are my Husband dear."
The inferno consumed him, its intensity growing with every passing moment. The flames licked at his armor, but seemed to do little to harm him. Instead, they spread outwards, scorching the grass and blackening the trees around them.
"And then you will change, all in my arms...into a lion bold. I shall hold you tight and fear you not...and you will love your child."
Izuku watched in horror as the fire surged towards Ochaco, her face a mask of pain, a single tear tracing a path down her cheek. Yet, even in the face of his own destructive power, her eyes held only love and acceptance.
"And then you changed, all in my arms...into a naked man. I wrapped you in my coat so warm...and I have brought you home."
With a final surge, the flames engulfed Ochaco, vaporizing her instantly. Izuku tried to scream as he watched the love of his life disappear before his eyes, yet not a sound can be heard.
Beside the tranquil lake, now a cauldron of molten fury, the all-encompassing flames continued to flicker, enveloping Izuku, the universe itself, and beyond. Amid this cosmic flame, a profound stillness marked the solemn moment as the flames, once confined, now consumed everything in a quiet, all-enveloping embrace.
Then everything...turned dark.
Disjointed voices echoed in the darkness, their words a chilling prophecy:
"The Son shall wash away the Father's Sins...paying in blood and fire the toll long postponed. The Light of the Black Sun shall cleanse the world."
'WHAT?!' Izuku's mind screamed in silent terror.
"Thrice paid. Once in Loyalty. Once in Service. Once in Love. Thrice paid...before The Return."
*I AM...HERE TO WAKE YOU!* *I AM...HERE TO WAKE YOU!*
ALL MIGHT's booming voice startled Izuku awake. He bolted upright in bed, covered in sweat, his heart pounding in his chest. His room came into focus, the familiar posters and ALL MIGHT merchandise reassuring him that he was back in reality. He took a few deep breaths, trying to calm his racing heart.
'Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breath out. Wax on. Wax off.'
The familiar mantra helped him center himself, the lingering echoes of the unsettling dream fading away. Izuku quickly showered, shedding the bandages from his training injuries. He paused, examining the now absent burns of his arms and torso.
'What was that all about?' he wondered, the cryptic images and Ochaco's words replaying in his mind.
In the following days, Izuku couldn't shake the lingering unease from his dream. He scoured books and online resources, searching for any mention of a "Black Sun" or the cryptic phrases that echoed in his mind. But all his efforts led to dead ends, leaving him with more questions than answers.
A week later, on the first day of UA, he found himself walking down the hallway, searching for Class 1-A. As he reached out for the door, a commotion caught his attention,
"Don't put your feet on the desk!" a voice called out. Izuku turned to see a boy with blue hair and glasses reprimanding another student.
'Of all the people...' Izuku thought, recognizing the other student as Bakugou Katsuki, his childhood friend
"Huh?!" Katsuki retorted
"Don't you think that's rude to the UA upperclassmen and the people who made the desk?" the bespectacled boy questioned.
"I don't! What middle school did you go to, you side character?" Katsuki asked, his voice dripping with disdain.
The boy seemed momentarily taken aback, but quickly regained his composure. "I attended Somei Private Academy," he replied. "My name is Iida Tenya."
"Somei!?" Katsuki's grin widened. "So you're a damn elite, huh? Looks like I'll have fun crushing you."
"'Crushing'? You're horrible," Tenya retorted. "Are you really aiming to be a hero?"
Katsuki merely scoffed in response.
'It's too early for this,' Izuku thought, sighing inwardly. He had enough of the bickering and made his way to an empty seat behind the blond.
"Good morning!" Iida continued, undeterred by the other student's dismissiveness. "I am from Somei Private Academy. My name is Iida Tenya." He approached Izuku's desk.
"So I heard," Izuku replied, his voice neutral. "Midoriya Izuku."
"Midoriya-kun," Iida began, his tone more serious now, "you realized there was something more to the practical exams, didn't you? I had no idea. I underestimated you. I hate to admit it, but you're better than me."
Izuku blinked, surprised by Iida's sudden confession. "I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, Iida," he replied honestly.
"Eh?"
"If you're thinking about what I did to the zero-pointer, it was nothing more than me trying to save someone. I had to take down the robot because I had no idea if anyone else was in danger," Izuku explained, gesturing towards the invisible girl standing nearby.
"Is that so?" Iida said, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I still respect you for doing what you did, even more so now. Also, I'd like to apologize for my rude words toward you and your friend back then." He bowed deeply. "I may have been on edge because of the exam, but what I said was still unbecoming of me. Please accept my apologies."
"Apology accepted," Izuku replied, a small smile tugging at his lips.
'He looks funny,' Izuku mused, 'and we may have started on the wrong foot, but I'll give him another chance.'
Then, he saw Ochaco walk into the classroom. For a split second, a flicker of the dream image of her in armor flashed through his mind, but it was quickly replaced by the sight of her in the UA uniform, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
'I gotta say, she looks cute in that outfit,' Izuku thought, a smile spreading across his face.
"Greetings, My Knight," she said, her voice carrying a hint of formality.
"Hello to you too, Ochaco," Izuku replied, his smile widening. "Told you we'd be in the same class."
"Indeed you did, Izuku," Ochaco said, returning his smile. "I am looking forward to spending this time with you."
"And I wouldn't miss a single moment of it for the world," Izuku declared, his heart filled with warmth and affection.
"OH MY GOD! ARE YOU TWO DA-" a pink-skinned girl squealed, jumping up and down in excitement, only to be interrupted by a voice from the doorway.
"Go somewhere else if you want to play at being friends," a caterpillar-like figure grumbled, its voice muffled. It stood in the doorway, shrouded in what appeared to be a yellow sleeping bag.
'Geez, someone didn't wake up on the right side of the bed last night,' Izuku thought, a wry smile touching his lips. 'First Kacchan, and now him. They're making the guy standing on the wall with a bird-shaped head over there look like bursts of sunshine and rainbows in comparison.'
The caterpillar-like figure began to wriggle out of its sleeping bag, and Izuku's eyes widened in surprise as it revealed itself to be a man.
'Oh, so it's a person. Here I thought some caterpillar creature from Elsewhere escaped and was about to freeze him.'
...
'I've seen some weird things over there, okay!?' He internally retorted. To whom, even he didn't know.
The man, now standing before the class, addressed them with a tired voice, "I'm your homeroom teacher, Aizawa Shota. Nice to meet you." He paused, then pulled out a gym uniform from his sleeping bag. "It's kind of sudden, but put this on and go out onto the field," he instructed.
At the UA field
"Quirk apprehension test?" several students echoed, including Izuku, a mix of curiosity and apprehension on his face.
"What about the entrance ceremony? The orientation?" Tsuyu Asui, a girl with frog-like features, inquired.
"If you're going to become a hero, you don't have time for such leisurely activities," Aizawa-sensei stated flatly. "UA's selling point is how unrestricted its school traditions are. That's also how the teachers run their classes."
He looked at the students, a phone displaying eight different exercises held up for them to see: ball throwing, standing long jump, 50-meter dash, endurance running, grip strength, repeated side steps, situps, and seated toe-touch.
"Physical fitness tests where you weren't allowed to use your Quirks. The country still uses averages taken from results from students not using their quirks. It's not rational. Well, the Ministry of Education is procrastinating."
Aizawa turned to Izuku. "Midoriya, you finished at the top of the practical exam, right? In high school, what was your best result for the softball throw?"
"84 meters," he answered. Izuku can throw it way more without the use of 'quirk' because really...I don't have any. But it would raise eyebrows if he didn't hold back to something more in-line with the average person.
"Then, try doing it with your Quirk," he said as he handed him the ball and Izuku walked inside the encircled area. "You can do whatever you want as long as you stay in the circle. Give it your all," he continued.
I then manifested the cards and used Force as the effect. While playing a Straight Flush! I wound up and released the ball with all my might. The sphere sailed through the air, tracing an arc against the backdrop of the open sky. The force behind the throw carried a momentary weightlessness, a fleeting connection with the kinetic energy propelling the ball into the distance. As it soared, the world seemed to pause, capturing the intensity of the moment when potential energy transformed into a kinetic dance through the air.
It took a while before Aizawa-sensei's phone beeped and showed the results to the class: It took a while before Aizawa-sensei's phone beeped, displaying the result to the class: 12,877.44 meters. Gasps of astonishment filled the air, except from Ochaco and Bakugou.
"Almost 13 km, for real?" Denki Kaminari exclaimed, his blond hair with black streaks standing on end.
"What's this? It looks fun!" Mina Ashido, the pink-skinned girl, said with a wide grin.
"We can use our Quirks as much as we want! As expected with the hero course!" Sero Hanta, the dark-haired guy with a big, round elbow, said.
"It looks fun, huh?" Aizawa-sensei said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You only have three years to become a hero. Will you have an attitude like that the whole time? Alright, whoever comes in last place in all eight tests will be judged to have no potential...and will be punished with expulsion."
The entire class was shocked by his declaration. Izuku, despite his confidence in not being last, couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for whoever would be deemed "without potential."
"We're free to do what we want about the circumstances of our students. Welcome to UA's Hero Course," Aizawa concluded.
"Last place will be expelled? But it's the first day of school! No, even if it wasn't the first day of school, this is still too unfair!" Ochaco protested.
"Natural disasters, big accidents, and selfish villains. Calamities whose time or place can't be predicted. Japan is covered with unfairness. Heroes are the ones who reverse those situations.
If you want to just talk with your friends at the local fast food store, then too bad for you. For the next three years, UA will do all it can to give you one hardship after another. 'Go beyond. Plus Ultra.'" Aizawa-sensei retorted.
"That was a long-winded way of saying you are too lazy," Ochaco retorted. "Is it not your job to help guide the students so long as they are willing to learn? Or are you so eager to laze in your sleeping bag that the first thing you do after arriving at class late is to find an excuse to have fewer students?" she continued. "You are correct that none of the things you listed there are fair, but is it not the point of us attending UA in the first place for us to have the guidance to learn how to deal with those said unfairness once we are out on the field? And 'no potential'? Need I say more about how imbecilic that sounds?"
Aizawa-sensei's eyes bulged, taken aback by Ochaco's bold rebuttal. The rest of the class watched in stunned silence, fearing for her. Izuku, however, simply chuckled at the exchange, knowing Aizawa wouldn't be able to do anything to a princess.
"You should stop now, girl, or..." Aizawa began.
"Or what?" Izuku interjected, his protective instincts flaring up. He wasn't a fan of this teacher's methods, and he wouldn't let him threaten Ochaco.
Ochaco placed a hand on Izuku's arm, silently reassuring him that she could handle the situation.
"No, I won't, Aizawa-sensei," Ochaco said, her voice firm. "For what kind of Hero would I become if I turned a blind eye to this injustice?"
Aizawa sighed, a hint of grudging respect in his eyes. "All right, you made your point. There won't be any expulsions happening."
The class erupted in sighs of relief.
After that incident, they were finally able to do the quirk apprehension test.
The first test was the ball throw. Ochaco, utilizing her Quirk's gravity manipulation, effortlessly launched the ball into the sky, achieving a score of infinity as it floated away. Yaoyorozu Momo, showcasing her resourcefulness, created a cluster of helium balloons to lift the ball, achieving an impressive distance before the balloons popped, earning her a score of around 14,000 meters. Izuku watched with interest, noting the clever application of Momo's Quirk.
The standing long jump proved to be a simple test for many in the class, as their Quirks allowed them to effortlessly clear the distance.
Next was the 50-meter dash. Izuku, with his enhanced Evoker speed and a subtle boost from his Quirk, cleared the track in a blinding 0.042 seconds. Ochaco, using her gravity manipulation to lighten her body, came in a distant second with a time of 1.02 seconds. Iida Tenya, relying on his Engine Quirk, secured third place with a time of 3.02 seconds.
The endurance run stretched on for what seemed like hours, but Izuku and Momo were neck-and-neck. Momo's ingenuity shone through as she created a diesel-powered bike to maintain her pace, while Izuku's Evoker stamina seemed inexhaustible. Ochaco, while not matching their endurance, still outperformed the rest of the class by a wide margin.
In the grip strength test, Izuku, Ochaco, and Momo all broke their measuring tools, demonstrating their exceptional strength. Momo, ever resourceful, even managed to create a pulley system to amplify her grip. Mezo Shoji, with his Dupli-Arms Quirk, came in fourth with a recorded grip strength of 540 kilograms.
The repeated side steps test was a breeze for Izuku, who easily secured first place. Minoru Mineta surprised everyone with a clever use of his Pop Off Quirk, sticking his purple balls to the ground for traction. Inspired by Mineta's strategy, Momo created wheeled shoes and attached bouncy balls to her sides, but her performance fell short compared to the more naturally agile students like Ochaco.
Izuku took first place in both the sit-ups and seated toe-touch, his Evoker physique giving him a clear advantage. Ochaco followed closely behind in second place. Momo, seemingly running low on resources, couldn't devise a creative solution for the sit-ups, but managed to create a glove-like contraption for the toe-touch, allowing her to barely bend her body and secure fifth place.
"Okay, I'll quickly tell you the results," Aizawa-sensei announced. "The total is simply the marks you got for each test. It's a waste of time to explain verbally, so I'll show you the results all at once."
The screen lit up with the final rankings:
1. Midoriya Izuku
2. Ochaco Pendragon
3. Yaoyorozu Momo
4. Todoroki Shoto
5. Bakugou Katsuki
6. Iida Tenya
7. Tokoyami Fumikage
8. Shoji Mezo
9. Ojiro Mashirao
10. Kirishima Eijiro
11. Ashido Mina
12. Koda Koji
13. Sato Rikido
14. Asui Tsuyu
15. Aoyama Yuga
16. Sero Hanta
17. Kaminari Denki
18. Jiro Kyoka
19. Hagakure Toru
20. Mineta Minoru
Minoru sighed with relief knowing he won't be expelled.
"Lastly, Ashido, Midoriya, and Pendragon. You three are called to the Principal's office.
With that, we're done here. There are handouts with the curriculum and such in the classroom so when you get back, look over them," he said.
"Eh?! I'm included?!" Mina exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Let's just get it over with and go there," Izuku said, taking charge. "I doubt it'll take long."
As Izuku opened the door, he was met with a peculiar sight: a creature that resembled a mouse, a dog, and a bear all at once.
"Good afternoon to you three," the creature greeted them in a chipper voice. "Am I a mouse? A dog? A bear? My real identity is...the Principal!"
"Good afternoon," Izuku, Ochaco, and Mina responded in unison.
"Glad to see that the three of you are here," the Principal said, his beady eyes scanning the trio. "Now, the reason I wanted you here is that, in addition to the Hero courses you're supposed to attend, I want you three specifically to attend a few more classes to further hone your talents. I believe we've already provided you this information when you got your acceptance letters?"
"That is correct," Izuku answered for the three of them. Mina, however, timidly raised her hand.
"Yes, Ashido-kun?" the principal said.
"Sir, I thank you for providing more guidance for us. I appreciate it, but I don't know why I'm included. Going by the Quirk Apprehension Test, these two are beyond amazing, but I have no idea why I'm grouped with them," she said.
"Oh, that is because you are aware of the hidden side of the world, just like these two, and the world of Magic," he said.
Izuku's mind whirred. It wasn't surprising to find someone who knew about magic in the top hero ranks, but it was almost unheard of for a hero-in-training to be aware of it. He hadn't sensed any power emanating from Mina during the tests. This could only mean that she knew someone from Elsewhere or she was an Esoteric Mage. At the very least, he didn't feel any Spark inside her. Looking at Ochaco, he could tell she was having similar thoughts.
"Ashido-san, are you a Mage?" Izuku asked her directly.
"In a matter of speaking, I guess?" Mina responded, looking between the two of them. "Wait, are you two Mages?"
"Yeah, I'm an Evoker. Ochaco's an Enchanter," Izuku told her.
"Oh..." Mina said, her nervousness evident in her fidgeting hands. "I'm...I guess a Ceremonial Mage. At least I was taught by my Mom."
Izuku felt a surge of irritation. Ceremonial Mages and Evokers had a notoriously strained relationship, often clashing over their differing views on magic and its use. However, he quickly calmed himself, reminding himself that this was not the time or place for such conflicts.
"I see," Izuku addressed the Principal. "So what are these classes we're taking?"
"The three of you, along with another student, will be attending a Ceremonial Mage class!" he said.
"Please tell me you're kidding," Izuku asked him.
"No, I'm not. You'll also be attending an Evoker class along with one other person. Ashido-kun, you are allowed to take dancing classes if you want. Princess Pendragon, you'll be enrolled in a few Enchanter classes. I'm sure you'll like the advancement of Magic we've made," he said.
"Wait, Princess?!" Mina looked at Ochaco in shock.
"It is nice to meet you, Ashido-san," Ochaco said with a polite nod. "I am Ochaco Pendragon, Princess of Blood. Heiress to the Throne of Camelot founded by Merlin and the late King Arthur Pendragon, my great grandfather."
Mina, clearly overwhelmed, performed a curtsy bow. "Holy crap, I'm classmates with a real princess," she mumbled.
'Okay. If she stays like this, she might not be all that bad,' Izuku thought. 'Would she be the first Ceremonial Mage I won't want to drop in a pool of Acid?'
It was then that the door opened and a woman with blue eyes and blonde hair entered. Her hair was long and braided at the side, and she wore a grey button-up dress with a choker around her neck. Her nametag read Professor Sarah Renier. Izuku found her hot, but reminded himself that she likely is older than electricity.
"Good afternoon, students," she said. "I'll be the one who'll educate you on Ceremonial Magic. And originally, it was supposed to be Professor Booker who'd assist the Evokers, but due to an emergency, someone else was sent in for the temporary position."
"What happened?" Izuku asked.
"What usually happens if you're found on top of Calton Hill wearing steel armour during a thunderstorm," she answered.
"Ouch," Mina said, empathizing with the Evoker professor.
'I'm liking her more and more,' Izuku thought. 'Not a big deal or anything, but certainly liking her more than other Ceremonial Mages.'
"Bloody Evokers, you lot will be the death of me," Sarah muttered under her breath. "Anyway, the Infirmary says he'll likely pull through, though he's still prone to uncontrolled muscle spasms, so there's that."
Izuku was surprised. Evokers were notoriously difficult to kill, though no way easier to just incapacitate. An injury that would put an Evoker out of commission for more than a day was rare.
"So who's teaching us?" Izuku asked.
"We were fortunate enough that another Evoker was found and sent," the Principal said.
"While his academic background might be a...little unconventional...he comes with strong recommendations from several alumni," Sarah explained.
'Finding an Evoker over 35 is damned hard,' Izuku thought. 'We're rare enough as is, but most of us bite off more than we can chew at far younger ages. An older Evoker that can teach, on top of that? Yeah, they're lucky, alright.'
"You'll meet him soon enough next week on Thursday," the Principal said. "Anyway, that's all I need for you three. Have a great rest of the day."
After getting the handouts from the classroom, Izuku, Ochaco, and Mina made their way to the dorms, named the Heights Alliance.
"Ah finally, you've arrived," Aizawa-sensei greeted them without his usual sleeping bag. "Midnight's not here, so I'll be the one who'll inform you lot about the dorms. Each class will have its own building. The building's separated with girls on the right and boys on the left. But the first floor is the common area. Food, baths, and laundry are on this floor. These are the keys to your rooms." He handed them their keys. "Curfew's at 10 pm. If you people want, there's a bar just across the street outside the university gate run by Midnight," he continued and walked outside, though without reminding them again about the curfew or mentioning their responsibility for any incidents that might occur there.
The three students went to their respective rooms to change and relax. After a while, Izuku, curious about the bar Shota mentioned, decided to check it out. What greeted him was a tall, curvaceous woman with long, thick, dark purple hair and permanently glowing eyes.
"Welcome to The World Famous Aleister Crowley pub. Walk in, crowl out! The finest pub in Mustafu!" Midnight pitched.
"It seems kind of empty for a World Famous bar," Izuku observed.
"Very funny," Midnight said sarcastically, clearly unamused.
"It looks kinda...old," Izuku noted, taking in the bar's worn appearance.
"It's been lovingly restored to its original condition; an immaculately preserved fragment of a bygone era. Bloody job, it was too," she said, still trying to pitch for the place.
"What was wrong with it?" Izuku asked. 'Except for being old,' he thought to himself.
"Well, all the blood, first of all," Midnight said with an exasperated tone. "As I said. Pain in the ass to get it off the wood, and forget about the cushions. Then the claw marks, but I think I covered those up quite well."
Izuku's eyes widened as he noticed the signs of struggle scattered around the bar. "Wait, is it safe now?" he asked.
"Safe is such a...relative term," Midnight replied with a shrug. "It's totally safe compared to some parts of the world."
"Should you really be running a pub in a place like this?" Izuku questioned.
"Oh yeah," Midnight said with a confident smirk. "And I've gotten in touch with some additional security to help prevent any future...mishaps. Should be here any moment now."
"Like a bouncer?" Izuku asked.
"Sorta. Yeah, let's go with 'bouncer.' Sounds Normie enough," she replied. Then, a glimmer appeared in her eyes. "Ah! You're Inko's boy. Huh. You look older than I expected. But...yes, I can see the resemblance to your Father," she said, her tone as if she had just solved a long-standing mystery.
Izuku's heart skipped a beat. "Did you know my dad?!" he asked, his voice filled with urgency.
"Oh, very much," Midnight purred. "In a most biblical way."
"What are you talking about?" Izuku asked, already regretting the question.
"We used to fuck like bunnies. Your Father, Inko, and I, in that huge bed back on the ranch. Good times," she replied casually.
'Gods, why did I have to ask that?!' Izuku thought, his face flushing crimson. He realized her glowing eyes indicated she was a Mage.
"So my Mom...is she also a Mage like you?" he asked, hoping to steer the conversation away from the awkward revelation.
"Gods, no," Midnight scoffed. "Inko's the least magely person I've met. Though she had her own...magic...of course. Those gorgeous eyes, that body, and she could suck like the air intake on a jumbo jet," she tells me.
"Need...mind...bleach. How about my dad?" I asked. Maybe I can finally have some answers to these mysteries.
"Oh, he was magical alright," Midnight said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Not a mage, though...to his kind, Magic is as easy as breathing."
"Can you tell me anything about him?" Izuku pleaded.
"Not right now," Midnight replied, her tone turning serious. "Also, I need a bouncer for my bar, and you're it. I'm not expecting you here 24/7, but I need you to be on call if I need someone exterminating."
"Wait, why do I have to do this?" Izuku asked, his voice laced with confusion.
"Because, dearie," Midnight said, her eyes locking with his, "you and I both know that this is the only way forward. The answers to your questions, to protect those you consider yours, can only be found by doing this."
Izuku hesitated, but he knew Midnight was right. She knew more than she let on, and the information she held was too important to ignore. The only way to protect those he cared for, especially Ochaco, was to play along.
"To sweeten the deal," Midnight continued, "I'll even let you use one of the rooms we got for whatever you need, as long as the building's not damaged in the aftermath. For now, you don't have to be here, but you're welcome to try the drinks."
Izuku accepted her offer, sampling a few of the stronger drinks on offer. However, due to his Evoker metabolism, the alcohol had little effect on him. He eventually left the bar, sober but filled with a new sense of purpose and a growing unease about the secrets Midnight seemed to hold.
Meanwhile
As he lay on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, Bakugou Katsuki relived the memories of the day in his mind. The image of his classmates effortlessly utilizing their Quirks to dominate the physical tests burned into his memory. Izuku, in particular, stood out. He knew the other boy could use his Quirk in far more impressive and creative ways, but he hadn't even needed to try. He felt like as if he was saying, 'You're so far below me, I don't even need to break a sweat.'
And he was right. Aside from a single event, Izuku had crushed them all without even trying. He hadn't even broken a sweat! 'What is he?' he wondered, a bitter taste rising in his throat.
A part of him wished Izuku had been assigned to a different class. Maybe then, his pride wouldn't be so utterly shattered. But he knew it was a futile thought. Even if they were in different classes, Izuku's overwhelming power would still shatter it the second they get matched up against one another should there be a chance.
Katsuki sighed, turning onto his side as memories of his childhood flooded his mind. He had always idolized ALL MIGHT, believing that heroes were those who emerged victorious, no matter the odds. When he discovered his own Quirk, the praise and admiration had fueled his ambition, convincing him that he was destined to become the next Symbol of Peace.
Izuku had received similar praise for his own Quirk, but back then, it hadn't seemed like a threat. Katsuki had seen him struggle to lift even an adult, a far cry from the explosive power he now wielded. But as they grew older, the gap between them had widened. Katsuki had watched in silent frustration as Izuku's strength increased exponentially, effortlessly lifting and throwing cars around as if they were toys.
Before he knew it, he was trapped in Izuku's shadow, his dreams of becoming the number one hero fading with each passing day.
Even so, he had never given up. He trained relentlessly, his hands raw and bleeding from the constant use of his Quirk. He clung to the hope that even if he couldn't be the top hero, he could still stand beside him, a worthy rival and a powerful force for good.
But today, that hope had been extinguished. The shadow he had been chasing had become a black hole, a void of power that he could never hope to escape.
A hollow laugh escaped his lips. He couldn't even muster the energy to feel angry or frustrated. All he felt was an overwhelming sense of emptiness, a crushing realization that his lifelong dream was slipping further and further away.
I don't feel like doing anything anymore, he thought as he closed his eyes, the weight of his defeat pressing down on him like a suffocating blanket.
Midnight knew Izuku's dad and got involved with him. She'll reveal more later.
Hope I didn't go too hard with Ochaco's rebuttal against Shota. It was already trimmed down. Originally, I wanted Izuku to bring up these points, but Ochaco beat him to the punch. She's far less likely to take things lying down in this version. And yes, as much as I also like Shota as a character, I'd had to admit he's a frickin' terrible teacher. He's not the worst, but still.
EDIT: Fixed some stuff and added Katsuki's POV. How'd you like it?
Next chapter, we'll finally get to see Nana and Eindridi. We'll be getting our first Evoker lesson!
Thanks again for reading this story. And, as always, let me know if you have any questions or feedback about it.
