Arc 1: Fresh Faced Fools
Chapter 2: Battle Trials begin!
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It was lunchtime at UA, and Vlad King strode purposefully through the bustling halls. His mind was a whirl of confusion and determination as he made his way to the principal's office. He couldn't shake the surprise he felt during the morning's sparring session, and he had questions that needed immediate answers.
Upon reaching the principal's office, he knocked firmly on the door. "Come in," came the familiar voice of Principal Nezu.
Vlad entered, his expression a mixture of concern and curiosity. Nezu, the diminutive yet highly intelligent principal, sat behind his desk, his ever-present smile welcoming Vlad into the room.
"Ah, Kan-san," Nezu greeted cheerfully. "What brings you here?"
Vlad wasted no time. "Principal Nezu, why was I not informed that there is a Quirkless student in my class?" he asked.
Nezu's smile remained, but his eyes grew more serious. "Ah, I see you've met young Midoriya," he said. "Please, have a seat, Vlad, let's discuss this,"
Vlad sat down, still feeling the weight of his unanswered questions. "During the sparring session, Midoriya displayed incredible strength and combat skills, but he never used a Quirk," he told the rat, "I don't understand why he was placed in the Hero Course without one,"
Nezu nodded, his small paws resting on his desk. "Izuku Midoriya is indeed Quirkless, but his admission to the Hero Course is not without merit," Nezu replied.
"Which is what?" Vlad asked, his curiosity piqued. "I was informed by him, as well as Tokage and Honenuki, that he's the third recommended student, which begs another question... who recommended him?"
Nezu's eyes twinkled with a mix of amusement and seriousness. "Despite his Quirklessness, young Midoriya's physical capabilities are not what you would call normal," he began, reaching for a document on his desk.
He pulled out a piece of paper and slid it across to Vlad, who picked it up and began to read. It was Izuku's physical test results, and as Vlad's eyes scanned the figures, his eyebrows shot up in surprise.
Izuku's strength, speed, and stamina were off the charts. His strength rivaled that of students with strength enhancement Quirks; he could punch through solid concrete, dent metal, and outclass even the most physically formidable students like Shishida and Rin in combat. Even more astounding was his speed—Izuku could run at an astonishing 60.12 kilometers per hour.
Vlad looked up from the paper, his expression a mixture of amazement and disbelief. "These results... they're incredible! How is this possible for someone without a Quirk?"
Nezu leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "Truth be told, I don't know myself, but... it is interesting," He said.
Vlad nodded slowly, still processing the information. "But who recommended him? Someone must have seen his potential,"
Nezu's smile widened. "He was recommended by none other than myself," Nezu said.
Vlad's eyes widened in shock. "You recommended him?" he asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and curiosity. "Why?"
Nezu swiveled his chair to face the window, his expression unreadable. "It's... personal," he replied softly.
"Personal?" Vlad repeated, frowning. "In all the years I've known you, Nezu, nothing has ever been personal... So why this?"
Nezu sighed deeply, a weariness in his eyes that Vlad had never seen before. "Because I made a promise to someone that I would take care of him," he said.
Vlad blinked, stunned by Nezu's words. "Take care of him...? Nezu, how long have you been watching over Midoriya?"
"For a long while," Nezu admitted, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness.
"But why?" Vlad pressed. "Why go to such lengths for him?"
Nezu turned back to Vlad, opened a drawer, and pulled out a thick file. He handed it to Vlad, his expression serious. "Because of a promise and because like me... he's born cursed,"
"Cursed?" Vlad echoed, his confusion growing. "What do you mean, cursed?"
Nezu shook his head, his eyes closing briefly as if recalling a painful memory. "Forget it, Kan-san," he said quietly. "For now, just take young Midoriya's file and read through it, you'll understand a little bit more about why I've been watching over him,"
Vlad took the file, his fingers trembling slightly. As he opened it and began to read, he couldn't help but glance back at Nezu, questions swirling in his mind. What kind of curse could bind the fate of a boy like Midoriya to someone as enigmatic as Nezu? And what promise was powerful enough to drive Nezu to such lengths?
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It had been three days since the students had faced off against their teacher in their first combat exercise. While everything seemed to be going smoothly, Izuku found himself growing restless. Despite the intriguing lessons about his classmates' Quirks and the essential basics of their education, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for something more thrilling.
Currently, the students of Class 1-B were seated in their classroom, eagerly awaiting the start of their heroics class and the arrival of All Might. As the old saying goes, speak of the devil and he shall appear.
With a dramatic burst through the door, All Might entered the classroom with his usual exuberance. "I AM ENTERING THE CLASS LIKE A NORMAL PERSON!" he declared, his booming voice filling the room.
The students couldn't help but smile, their eyes lighting up with admiration for the Number 1 Hero. Izuku was among them, his heart swelling with the same awe and inspiration that All Might had always instilled in him.
"Today is a special day!" All Might announced, his grin as wide as ever. "We will finally be starting your physical training!"
A chorus of excited shouts erupted from the students, with Izuku and Tetsutetsu leading the charge. "Oh hell yeah!" they cried in unison.
All Might chuckled, clearly pleased with their enthusiasm. "Yes! Now, we will be giving you your costumes and assessing how well you can work with a partner," he continued. "Your costumes are waiting for you in your lockers, packed neatly in suitcases. Once you've changed, please proceed to Ground Gamma,"
The classroom buzzed with excitement as the students cheered, thrilled at the prospect of testing out their powers and showing off their costumes. As they hurried to the changing rooms, Izuku felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. He hoped his costume had turned out as he envisioned, given its simple design but crucial importance to his hero identity.
With hearts racing and spirits high, the students of Class 1-B prepared for their first taste of real hero training, eager to prove themselves.
The boys and girls filed into their respective locker rooms, heading to their assigned lockers. Inside, each locker contained a case, which held their eagerly awaited hero costumes. Izuku opened his case and was pleased to see his costume just as he had envisioned it. Quickly, he donned his outfit and then paused to take in the sight of his classmates in their new gear. They all looked so cool and stylish, each costume reflecting their unique Quirks and personalities. That is, except for...
"Midoriya? What is that?" Awase asked his tone a mix of curiosity and mild disbelief.
Izuku's hero costume was simple: a black long-sleeve shirt that resembled a gakuran, layered over a forest green hoodie, black pants, and his signature red high-tops.
Izuku raised an eyebrow at Awase. "What's wrong with it?" he asked.
"It's just way too plain, dude!" Awase exclaimed.
Izuku shrugged. "I didn't want to be flashy, besides, I don't have a Quirk that needs a special costume, so why not fight in something I'm comfortable in?"
"You're comfortable fighting in what looks like a middle school uniform?" Manga asked, incredulous.
Izuku nodded confidently. "I got in a lot of fights in middle school."
"What? Why?" Shoda asked, genuinely curious.
Izuku sighed, recalling the tough times. "Because some guys thought that just because I was Quirkless, I couldn't fight," He replied.
Juzo chuckled, "You sure showed them," he said, reminiscing. "I remember a few of them came after you while you and I were hanging out."
Izuku looked a little bashful, his cheeks reddening at the memory. "Aw, don't bring that up, please!" he pleaded.
Juzo laughed heartily at Izuku's slight embarrassment, and a few others joined in the laughter. However, some couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Izuku, knowing all too well how the Quirkless were often treated differently from the rest of society.
With their costumes now on, the boys left the locker rooms and headed down to Ground Gamma for the Battle Trial. As they arrived at the training ground, everyone gazed in awe at the setup. The grounds resembled a labyrinthine dungeon straight out of a video game, complete with twisting halls and convoluted pipelines.
"You could get lost in there if you don't have the paths memorized," Shoda noted, his eyes scanning the complex maze.
"Or what if it's like those stairs from that one wizard movie where they change?" Manga speculated, wide-eyed at the thought.
"Hey-o, boys!"
All the boys turned to see the girls arriving in their costumes. The sight left some of them wide-eyed, stunned by how impressive and cool their classmates looked.
As Setsuna approached Izuku and Juzo, they couldn't help but marvel at her costume—a skin-tight blue suit that resembled reptile scales.
"You boys see something you like?" she teased with a mischievous grin.
Juzo snickered. "Nice try, Setsuna, but we saw your design before you submitted it, remember?" he replied.
Setsuna pouted dramatically. "Hmph! Well, you might not be affected, but Izuku sure is!" she said, flashing her sharp grin at her fellow greenette.
Izuku's cheeks turned a light shade of pink as he quickly looked away. "I don't!" he protested.
Setsuna chuckled, leaning in closer. "Aw, ya little tsundere~!"
"Shut up!" Izuku cried, his embarrassment growing.
From the side, Kendo watched their exchange with an amused look on her face. However, her attention soon shifted as she noticed Monoma smiling to himself while looking in Izuku's direction.
'Just you wait, Midoriya,' Monoma thought smugly.
Kendo sighed, shaking her head in disbelief and annoyance. 'He's scheming again, isn't he?' she thought.
The playful banter continued as the students gathered in the training area, their excitement building. All Might's booming voice soon called for their attention. "Alright, everyone! Gather around! Today marks the beginning of your journey to becoming true heroes. We'll be conducting a Battle Trial to test your abilities, teamwork, and strategic thinking!"
The students cheered, their spirits high and their determination evident.
All Might chuckled, delighted by their enthusiasm. "Now then, if you're ready, I'll explain the rules!"
A couple of flying bots hovered over a monitor, which lit up to display a map. On the map, there were two blue dots on one end, a green dot in the middle, and two red dots on the other end. An arrow pointed to the exit.
"In this Battle Trial, there will be two teams!" All Might announced. "One team will consist of two students playing Heroes, one playing the Villain, and one playing the Damsel. The goal is for either the Heroes or the Villains to reach the Damsel and carry them to the exit within 20 minutes!"
Pony's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Oh, it's a... rescue operation!" she exclaimed, pausing to find the right Japanese words.
All Might pointed at her approvingly. "Exactly, Miss Tsunotori! If the Heroes carry out their Damsel, they win, however, if the Villains do, they win," he explained.
A lightbulb seemed to go off over Yosetsu's head. "Then could the Heroes defeat the Villains?" he asked.
"AH-HA! I knew one of you would ask that!" All Might exclaimed. "However, this is not what the Battle Trial is about! Remember, you must save the Damsel! It doesn't matter if the Villains are defeated—if the Damsel isn't saved, then all is lost!"
Jurota raised a finger thoughtfully. "He's right. This Battle Trial is all about rescuing people, not defeating the villains. That means while we can defend the Damsel from the Villains, we cannot waste time trying to defeat them."
The students absorbed this information, their minds racing with strategies and plans. All Might continued, "This exercise is designed to simulate real-life rescue missions. As heroes, your priority should always be the safety of those in danger. The Villains' role is to test your ability to adapt and overcome obstacles while keeping the Damsel safe."
Izuku, standing amidst his classmates, felt his heart pound with anticipation. This was a chance to demonstrate his growth and apply everything he had learned so far. He glanced around at his peers, each of them determined and ready for the challenge.
"Now, let's divide into teams and get started!" All Might said, his voice booming with excitement.
He waved his hand, and the monitor's image shifted to display the upcoming matches.
Match 1: Heroes: Pony Tsunotori / Yosetsu Awase - Damsel: Ibara Shiozaki - Villains: Togaru Kamakiri / Hiryu Rin.
Awase grinned confidently at his partner. "We got this, Tsunotori!"
Pony smiled back, her eyes shining with determination. She turned to Ibara, her expression full of resolve. "We'll rescue you in no time, Shiozaki!"
Ibara, the vine-haired girl, gave a slow, serene nod. "I am in your care," she said calmly, her voice steady.
On the other side, Rin turned to his partner with a serious frown. "Looks like we've got our work cut out for us, Togaru."
Togaru shrugged nonchalantly, his demeanor relaxed. "We can beat 'em," he replied, his voice filled with quiet confidence.
The monitor flickered, displaying the lineup for Match 2:
Match 2: Heroes: Setsuna Tokage / Shihai Kuroiro - Damsel: Kinoko Komori - Villains: Jurota Shishida / Juzo Honenuki.
Setsuna smirked at Shihai, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "This is gonna be fun!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious.
Juzo gave her a blank look, crossing his arms. "Don't think you're gonna be kicking my ass all of a sudden," he said, his tone challenging yet calm.
Jurota grunted, his brows furrowing in thought. "We must be cautious," he advised, his deep voice resonating with concern.
Juzo chuckled, a confident grin spreading across his face. He patted Jurota's arm reassuringly and then turned back to his partner. "Don't worry, I already have a plan," he said, his eyes gleaming with determination.
Setsuna and Shihai huddled together, discussing their strategy. "We need to use our abilities to blend in and create diversions," Setsuna suggested. "I can split into pieces and scout ahead while you use the shadows to our advantage."
Shihai nodded, his expression serious. "Agreed. If we can move undetected, we can reach Kinoko quickly and get her to safety."
The monitor flickered once more, displaying the lineup for Match 3:
Match 3: Heroes: Yui Kodai / Reiko Yanagi - Damsel: Kojiro Bondo - Villains: Kosei Tsuburaba / Manga Fukidashi
Reiko glanced at Yui, her expression serious. "Are you okay with this?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.
The quiet girl nodded, her demeanor calm and collected. "Mmm," Yui replied softly, her gaze steady.
Reiko gave a small smile, appreciating Yui's quiet confidence. "Alright then, let's show them what we can do," she said, determination creeping into her tone.
Yui nodded again, her eyes reflecting a shared resolve.
Match 4, the final match, flashed the lineup:
Match 4: Heroes: Izuku Midoriya / Itsuka Kendo - Damsel: Nirengeki Shoda - Villains: Neito Monoma / Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu
Itsuka smiled confidently at Izuku. "You better keep up, Midoriya!" she teased, her voice tinged with playful challenge.
Izuku smirked in response, his competitive spirit ignited. "I should be telling you the same thing, Kendo!" he replied, nodding affirmatively.
Itsuka then turned to Shoda, offering him an encouraging smile. "Don't worry, Shoda, we've got this in the bag!" she assured him proudly.
Shoda nodded, his nerves settling slightly under Itsuka's reassuring gaze. "I-I have no doubt!" he said with newfound determination.
On the opposing side, Monoma observed the rival team with a smug grin. He glanced at Tetsutetsu, his partner in villainy. "You ready to show them how it's done?" he asked confidently.
Tetsutetsu grinned broadly, punching his palm with enthusiasm. "Hell yeah! We'll win with our manly pride!" he declared, his confidence matching Monoma's.
Monoma's eyes gleamed with a mischievous twinkle as he glanced over at Izuku. 'Good luck, Izuku Midoriya, because the real star is about to shine!' he thought to himself, his competitive spirit burning brightly.
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As the class progressed, each match unfolded with its own unique dynamics. The first three matches showcased the diverse abilities and strategies of the students.
In the intense atmosphere of the first match, tension mounted as both teams battled ferociously for supremacy. Pony and Togaru demonstrated exceptional prowess with their long-range attacks. Their coordinated assaults created an unpredictable environment, forcing their opponents to constantly adapt and react.
Meanwhile, Awase and Rin engaged in a grueling close-quarters combat. Rin's superior physical strength gave him the upper hand as he relentlessly pressed forward, forcing Awase to rely on his Quirk's defensive capabilities. Awase, known for his ability to fuse materials together, attempted to erect defensive structures to shield himself from Rin's onslaught. However, Rin's relentless assault proved challenging, disrupting Awase's efforts and keeping the Hero team on the defensive.
Despite the intense exchange of blows and strategic maneuvers, neither team succeeded in rescuing Ibara Shiozaki before the timer expired. The match concluded in a tense draw, highlighting the evenly matched skills and determination of both sides.
In stark contrast, the second match unfolded with a decisive victory for the Villains. Setsuna's meticulous planning and Shihai's versatile Shadow Quirk initially provided an advantage. Setsuna's strategic mind laid the groundwork for their approach, while Shihai's ability to manipulate shadows offered tactical flexibility.
However, their plans were soon thwarted by the Villains' relentless onslaught. Jurota's animalistic ferocity in close combat overwhelmed Shihai, his powerful strikes incapacitating the Hero and tipping the balance in favor of the Villains.
Juzo's quirk added another layer of complexity, manipulating the environment to create traps that hindered Setsuna's movements and prevented her from reaching Kinoko Komori. With Kinoko secured, the Villains capitalized on their advantage, leaving the training ground victorious and underscoring their adaptability and teamwork in heroics training.
As for the third match, it unfolded as a swift and resounding triumph for the Heroes. Yui and Reiko executed a flawless ambush on Kosei and Manga, as Reiko's Poltergeist Quirk allowed her to manipulate objects around the Villains, ensnaring them with a binding rope that restricted their movements.
Yui's Size Quirk came into play as she shrunk the rope, tightening its grip on Kosei and Manga and rendering them effectively immobile. In their desperate attempt to pursue the Heroes, the Villains stumbled and collided with the intricate pipelines of the training ground. The impact was significant enough to incapacitate Kosei, while Manga's own momentum caused him to trip over his fallen teammate.
With Kosei down and Manga momentarily out of commission, Yui and Reiko swiftly secured Bondo. Their swift and coordinated efforts ensured a record-breaking rescue, leaving the Heroes triumphant and reinforcing the importance of strategy and teamwork in achieving victory in heroics training.
Now, the stage was set for the fourth match to commence. The teams quickly positioned themselves on either side of the expansive training ground, with Shoda stationed in the middle as the pivotal figure of the match.
Izuku ran alongside Itsuka, adjusting his pace to match hers while strategizing aloud. His eyes focused on Kendo as he formulated their approach. "Monoma won't be targeting me since I don't have a quirk, he's more likely to go after you or mimic Tetsutetsu's Quirk," he reasoned, voicing their opponent's potential tactics.
"That's a good assessment," Itsuka replied, her expression thoughtful. "If he comes for me, he'll need a Quirk like Tetsutetsu's to counter, can you handle Tetsutetsu if it comes to that?" she asked, seeking reassurance from her teammate.
Izuku nodded confidently, determination etched on his face. "Count on me. I'll handle Tetsutetsu," he affirmed, his resolve unwavering.
Suddenly, a resounding battle cry pierced the air, drawing their attention upward. Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu hurtled towards them, his metal-coated form a formidable sight in motion.
Reacting swiftly, Itsuka activated her Quirk, enlarging one of her hands just in time to swat Tetsutetsu away mid-air. The impact sent the metallic teen crashing into a nearby large pipe, debris scattering upon impact.
As the dust settled, Tetsutetsu emerged from the rubble with a broad grin, his enthusiasm undiminished by the collision. "Nice hit!" he exclaimed, acknowledging Itsuka's quick reflexes with genuine admiration.
Izuku stepped forward, assuming a defensive stance, his gaze locked on Tetsutetsu. "Kendo, go ahead! I've got this," he declared with unwavering confidence, signaling Itsuka to proceed with their plan.
Itsuka nodded in acknowledgment, recalling their strategy. With determined steps, she sprinted towards Shoda's position, prepared for the impending challenge posed by Neito Monoma and the Villain team.
Back with Izuku, he faced Tetsutetsu with a determined expression, ready to spring into action at any moment.
Tetsutetsu grinned, a fierce excitement gleaming in his eyes. "I've been itching to fight you since your spar with Vlad-Sensei!" he exclaimed. "Let's have ourselves a manly battle, bro!"
"Bring it on!" Izuku replied, his voice charged with adrenaline.
Without hesitation, Izuku launched forward with incredible speed. But as he closed the distance, a sudden impact struck the right side of his face, sending him stumbling. Regaining his balance, Izuku wiped the blood from his mouth and turned to identify his attacker. To his surprise, Monoma stood there, his arms coated in the same steel-like skin as Tetsutetsu's.
With a smug smirk, Monoma sauntered closer. "Looks like I'm your opponent, Midoriya," he declared confidently.
Izuku shifted into another fighting stance, this time adopting a looser, more adaptive posture. He knew he had to stay on his toes.
Monoma chuckled, signaling to Tetsutetsu to pursue Kendo. Tetsutetsu nodded and dashed off, leaving Monoma to face Izuku. Monoma then mirrored a stance Izuku recognized from Kendo, a testament to his observational skills and mimicry.
Izuku's mind raced as he analyzed Monoma's stance and potential moves. 'He's copying Kendo's style... I need to stay unpredictable,'
'Five minutes... I just need to hold out for five minutes,' Monoma thought, his strategy clear. 'If I can endure, I'll have the upper hand,'
The air grew thick with tension as both fighters prepared to strike.
With the stage set and the clock ticking, both combatants surged forward, their battle commencing with explosive energy. The outcome hung in the balance, hinging on each strategic move and counter, as the fierce encounter between hero and villain unfolded...