Days later…
Izuku got onto the train heading to UA. He was bouncing on the soles of his feet, anxious to get there. He tried to ignore the stares he got on the bus, maybe if he didn’t interact with them they wouldn’t…
“Hey brat,” A man in a business suit said. His hair slicked back in what looked like slime,” you were in the sports festival right, the quirkless one?”
Izuku winced as the car erupted into murmurs. “That’s me.” he had said with a strained smile.
The man eyed him up, Looking him over twice. “What a joke! If those hero students had gone all out, then you would be in the morgue right now, and now you’ve taken a hero spot because of their pity. Well let me tell you now kid, the villains won’t send you home in anything but a bodybag.”
The crowd had quieted down, all attention now on him and the man.
Izuku took a deep breath. He wouldn’t engage the man.
The man got visibly angry at being ignored, Standing up. “Your whole kind are all the same, evolution’s rejects, destined to weigh humanity down and take up valuable space and resources.” Izuku didn’t react, this was pretty tame compared to some of the things he’s heard in school, and if he wanted to be a public hero, he’d have to get used to hearing this stuff all the time. He looked around seeing the still silent crowd, some were nodding their heads along with the man, whilst others looked uncomfortable. The man continued, his face getting red with rage. “Oh little null wins the festival on a technicality and thinks he’s suddenly too good to talk to the public? Well then ‘hero’ you best pick a different field if you can’t handle talking to one person.”
Izuku stared at the man, an unimpressed look sneaking its way onto his face. He looked at his phone, almost there.
The man's face grew red with rage. "Well Null. why do us all a favor and jump in front of the train next time." The train screeched to a halt. Izuku rushed onto the platform, everyone moving out of his way as the only sound was that of the train’s motor. He could feel the man glaring at him as he sped away from the station towards UA. He hoped this wouldn't become a daily occurrence.
Izuku Came face to face with the doors to 1A. This is it, I’m here.. he pinched himself.. He wasn’t dreaming. He was finally at the class he had dreamed about since he had been in diapers, the hero course of UA… He stood there, basking in the warmth of it all.
“So. are you just gonna stand there, Just because we made it this far doesn’t mean we can afford to waste time like this If we plan to catch up” Izuku felt his face flush as he turned around to see Shinsou standing there with a grin on his face.
“I was just… I know that… Shut up” he said pouting as the lilac teen began laughing at his expense.
“I should’ve kicked your but in the finale”
Shinsou had a huge smirk still on his face. “As if your burnt ass could’ve beat me”
Izuku huffed, shoving the teen in mock anger as he looked at the door “I still could’ve won, especially with your arms.” he said as he walked into the room, Shinsou was about to retort before he saw all the eyes looking over as they walked in. Kaminari who had been oblivious to the boy’s “After one event we’ve all become celebrities”
Tail guy said in a annoyed tone “I got told ‘great job at turning tail’ by some kids”
Kaminari “Yeah some kids said I really ‘Shocked them with how quickly I lost’ feels bad man.”
Izuku who couldn’t keep his mouth shut said “That's alright, I got told to ‘jump in front of the train next time’ so it could always be worse”
Shinsou “Mood”
The class had become silent for a second as they all finally took in the two new arrivals.
Kirishima “They said what?! Not manly at all”
Bakugou had shrunk into his seat ever so slightly.
Ashido “But didn’t you win, why would they..”
The class had erupted into argument
Their new teacher's hair raised up, eyes glowing red as the class quieted down, sitting up straight, But Izuku’s eyes were trained on their teacher “Wait, Eraserhead teaches this class? I’m gonna learn from The Eraserhead” Izuku was geeking out, his favorite hero was now his teacher, sure he had seen the Hero in UA before, but he didn’t think he’d even get to talk to the man.. Much less be in his class. He was vibrating with excitement. Shinsou for his part seemed rather unbothered “You, didn’t look at the papers we got did you”
Izuku sputtered to his defense “I had been so excited I kinda blacked out while reading it.”
Eraserhead The Eraserhead cleared his throat. “Yes well class, as you can tell we have two new students.” he gestured to them in a lazy manner. “Well, introduce yourselves and sit down” Shinsou pushed Izuki to the front who for his part glared back at the boy before turning back to the class, all staring at him expectantly. Except for Bakugou, who seemed to be avoiding eye contact with him for some reason.
He waved awkwardly to the class “Hello I am Izuku Midoriya, I hope we can get along” he hurriedly shuffled to one of the two open desks, both in the middle row of the class, next to one another, he chose the one next to Iida, not wanting to chance sitting next to Bakugou.
Shinsou calmly walked up to the front of the class. “Hey, I’m Shinsou Hitoshi and I had to fight my way through the festival to Join you all. I may be behind you all now, But don’t think that means you’ll be able to walk over Me or Midoriya. We won’t hold this class back, So you best not try and hold us back” He walked calmly to his desk, sitting next to Izuku as the class erupted into whispers.
Izuku whispered to Shinsou “You’re gonna make them hate us”
Shinsou whispered back, pointing to the boy with the tail, who was still glaring at the Lilac teen. “It's a bit late for that” Izuku stared back at the tailed boy, who was still Glaring at Shinsou.. Izuku looked back to the front. Well even if Shinsou was right, they’d still have at least two friends in IIda and Uraraka. He looked over to them, sitting next to each other. Uraraka smiled at him, giving a thumbs up. Over IIda who’s eyes were glued to his desk. He seemed deep in thought.
Eraserhead "Now onto what we needed to go over today. We have a few announcements. First."
He hit a button on his desk as A list of names and numbers showed up on the board behind him.
Todoroki: 5143
Bakugou: 2551
Uraraka: 370
Ashido: 356
Denki: 278
Iida: 201
Yaoyorozu: 102
Kirishima: 87
Sero: 5
Eraserhead "you will all be participating in an internship starting next week. You will all effectively be sidekicks at those agencies for the week you will be there. Don't forget none of you have your licenses so you may only fight with the permission of a hero. I expect you all to represent UA accordingly, or I may be forced to expel you."
The class shivered at that threat. Unlike Shinsou and Midoriya i. They had seen the teacher expel one of their classmates already.
"These are how many internship offers everyone got."
Kaminari, the electric teen "how come neither of the winners got any internships?"
Aizawa 's eyes glowed red as midoriya watched his fellow classmates flinch
"They weren't part of the hero course yet, so they weren't labeled as an option for internships"
You were all being appraised by hero agencies around Japan during this. Not everyone got internship offers this year. But for those who didn't som3 agencies have agreed to take you all on. This is mandatory so don't think you can get out of it."
Midoriya raised his hand.
Aizawa "that includes the new transfers. All the paperwork has already been signed so you are officially hero students. Act accordingly "
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
Midoriya lowered his hand.
“Oh and one more thing” the class tenses as the door opens, in comes The pro hero Midnight
Midnight “You will be picking your hero names, Best make sure it’s a good one, as you might be stuck with it forever, right Eraserhead?”
“Yes.. that’s why Midnight will be here to help you all pick names, good luck” Their teacher pulled out a way too bright yellow sleeping back and cocooned himself into it, seemingly falling asleep on the spot
Hero names, I hadn’t thought of one yet…
Izuku stared at the whiteboard as Midnight put it on his desk, what was he gonna call himself. He thought about the hero names he picked before ‘Small Might’ ‘Mighty boy’ and ‘All Might jr.’ He cringed at the memories. Yea none of those will work.
He looked over to Shinsou who looked just as lost as him, “Any ideas?” he asked his friend.
He looked over, a sigh escaping his lips “I was about to ask you the same thing. I didn’t think we’d have to pick our hero names so soon, We just got here..”
Izuku nodded his head “Usually they don’t have first years doing hero internships, it seems they’re rushing things this year, probably due to the increase in villain attacks after All Mights…. ” The air around them seemed to chill as the students became silent. He could feel their piercing gazes as they no longer chatted freely. Some seemed to have paled slightly. He curled up slightly, laying his head on the desk, covering his face with his hands. Good job Izuku, way to make a good first impression..
Shinsou patted him on the back whispering “And you said I was gonna make them hate us.”
Midoriya groaned attempting to bury his head further
Midnight “Well I believe that's enough time, any volunteers?”
A few hands went up.
Midnight “howww about.” she looked around the room “Pinky you’re up first” she said pointing dramatically at the girl
She walked up to the front, flipping her whiteboard over with a smile on her face “Alien queen!”
Midnight “Like that scary monster.. No way”
Eraserhead “Nemuri your bias is showing”
Midnight glared at the yellow cocoon, Eraserhead was lazily watching the action, one eye gazing at the class. “Fine, Alien queen is fine..”
Ashido jumped up happily “Thank you Aizawa-Sensei!”
Aizawa grumbled something under his breath before shutting his eyes again
Izuku’s mind was still blank as more and more students came up, giving off their hero names.
Aoyama “Can’t stop sparkling”
Asui “Froppy”
Kirishima “Red Riot”
Izuku stopped paying attention to them as he desperately tried to think of a name, clocking back in to see Uraraka go up
“ This is the name I thought of… Uravity”
Midnight clapped her hands “I love it”
Uraraka sighed in relief sitting down.
Next Todoroki walked up, Flipping his board to show “Shoto” he said in an even tone.
Midnight “Are you sure you want to use your name?”
“I Don’t want to be associated with my father” the boy said as if that explained everything.
Midnight awkwardly said “Alright then, you may sit down, just know you can change you name before the internships if you want”
IIda walked up fidgeting with his board before flipping it over to show nothing. It was blank
Iida talked in a hushed tone “I couldn’t think of a name, sorry”
Midnight scrambled to say “No it’s okay, you just need to think of a name before the internships. Don’t worry there is no rush.”
Shinsou was next, walking up in a lazy manner flopping his board over to show “Siren”
Midnight “Love it! Fits the whole mysterious vibe.”
Next Midnight Called up Bakugou who held up his board “Bakugou”
Midnight’s smiled faltered for a second before fitting back into its original shine “Wonderful, that’ll do”
FInally it was Iida’s turn to present his name, he walked up in his normal robotic fashion, flipping over his board with lightning speed to show “Ulciscor”
Midnight Blinked slowly, digesting the name “Definitely an IIda, Right Shouta”
Aizawa stood up suddenly, stretching out his limbs as the yellow sleeping bag slipped down onto the floor
“Tensei will love it” IIda blushed on the stage as The bell rang. Izuku stood up, his stomach growling at the thought of Lunch Rush’s food. He packed his stuff, Signaling for his friends to go on without him. As he went to exit the door he felt a cold hand on his shoulder
Todoroki “Can we talk?” Izuku didn’t answer immediately, Todoroki seemed relaxed, I would like to talk about his quirk
“Sure thing Todoroki”
Todoroki nodded, walking out of the door, Izuku took note of the small limb the boy tried to hide. They headed away from the cafeteria. Izuku Rushed to catch up, falling into step behind the teen. Todoroki stopped in an empty hallway
Midoriya “So what did you want to talk about?”
Todoroki “I don’t understand you”
Midoriya did a double take. “What, do you not understand?”
Todoroki “I vowed to win without my Father’s quirk, To prove I didn’t need his power. I had assumed Bakugou would be my biggest challenge for the festival, but then you showed up. Beating me in every part of the competition with no power to call your own. Using my own vow to defeat me in the Tournament. I should be mad at you, Father certainly hates you. He made that more than clear. But I can’t make myself hate you.”
Izuku took a deep breath, there was a lot to unpack there. “I met Endeavor at the festival, it seems to be a pattern with the Number one hero being a quirkist.” Izuku muttered out in loathing, before covering his mouth.
Todoroki “You mean All Might, don’t you”
Izuku gestured widely “No No, It just slipped out..”
But Todoroki was already seeming to put the pieces together “ He always seemed to favor a few of us, those of us with stronger quirks in class, even talking to some of us alone. Don’t tell me, you were All Mights secret love child”
Izuku “wait, hold one”
“No it makes sense, All Might’s family was a closely guarded secret, But If All Might’s parents were to have had a similar quirk to his, they would’ve been found out eventually, especially when the quirk registry got hacked. I had assumed he had either been an orphan, or he was a first generation quirk user, maybe both. And if he were a first generation quirk user, he’d have increased chances of a quirkless kid. One someone as powerful as All Might would’ve shunned, maybe even disowned. But his son, determined to prove his father wrong, entered the prestigious UA, only for a tragedy to strike his father, leaving the boy with only one goal, to be the hero he needed his father to be.”
Izuku was once again hit with what felt like whiplash.
“I’m not All Might’s son, and non first generation families can still have quirkless children.”
“But it’s much rarer”
Izuku was desperate to change the conversation away from this..
Todoroki “And I know what happens to sons that don’t inherit their father’s quirks”
“You, you do know that that’s your quirk not his, right?”
‘He gave me..”
Izuku interrupted the boy, “You might’ve inherited a similar quirk from him, but that quirk is all your own, he can’t control it. He can’t use it. Only you can.”
Todoroki stared at him. “Have you ever heard of quirk marriages”
Izuku Smiled sheepishly “You mean how Endeavor bought a wife with a compatible quirk so he could make a perfect quirk?”
Todoroki’s eyes widened in shock “How, how do you know”
“I overheard yours and Bakugou’s conversation…. Sorry, it hadn’t been on purpose, I had just been trying to get to my friends
This seemed to confuse the boy even more “You knew, and you still say this quirk is my own, how..?”
“Just because your dad broke a few laws so he could try and eugenics his way into a child with a better quirk doesn’t mean it magically becomes his quirk. It is still your quirk Todoroki, no matter how you got it.”
Todoroki “ Sorry for taking up your time Midoriya, I’ll be going now” The two toned boy walked away towards the cafeteria, leaving Izuku there absolutely confused. He’s gonna get himself hurt if he keeps that mindset, If only I could convince him… Izuku began walking in the opposite direction from the cafeteria.
Izuku walked through the opening door to meet Nezu sitting there, a curious look on his face. “What brings you here Midoriya, Our class isn’t until after lunch.”
Izuku sat down, taking a sip of the already made tea on the desk. It was a dark green tea, one he had never had before. “I wanted to ask” Izuku took a deep breath, Eyes brimming with determination. “How do you take someone down when they seem untouchable?
Nezu put his paw to his chin, as if puzzled. “This doesn’t happen to correlate with a conversation you had with the son of Endeavor, does it?
Izuku nodded, Nervously.
Nezu “Splendid, I had been wondering when you were gonna bring that up, especially after your altercation at the festival.
Izuku’s eyes went wide “You saw that”
Nezu grinned “Oh my dear student, I have eyes and ears everywhere, Although I hadn’t expected you to threaten the Number one hero so soon.” The principal said this in a tone of wonder, as if it had been a pleasant surprise, As if he had opened a chocolate box only to find an extra piece left inside.
Izuku for his part was red as a Tomato, Head buried in his hands.
Nezu “Izuku do you know why I chose that tea you are drinking today?”
Izuku looked up, “I know you usually pick different teas for every person you bring into the office, as you’ve told me. Usually their favorite type of tea, but I have never had this tea before. I can’t place it.”
Nezu Looked at the cup of tea, tail swishing side to side. “It was the first Tea I had bought for myself. The scientist who had experimented on me had Fed me different teas that had supposed positive benefits for intelligence. They wanted to test how it’d affect my quirk. It had been the only times I had enjoyed myself back then.” I had heard the rumors, but he really was experimented on.. “So when I got out I decided I would splurge a good portion of my hard won money on a tea that I could just enjoy. You are drinking Jade Tea, Which is normally associated with strength, Luck and Balance. But for me it represented Freedom, The freedom to choose my path in life. The freedom to choose your own path. Izuku felt a warm feeling deep in his guy at the thought. “And I had wanted to spread this freedom to others, So I Took over UA, and transformed it slowly, with much push back from the Hero Public Safety Commision into the best school in all of Japan, one of the few Hero schools that is also open to people of all backgrounds.”
Izuku stared into the teacup in his hands, the green mixture swirling from how quickly he had grabbed it. “Why are you telling me all this”
Nezu opened a drawer “I’d like to offer you an opportunity for internships. Aizawa wanted to take both you and Shinsou as a way to catch you both up to speed, but If you would” He pulled out a piece of paper, one of the internship forms all filled out. “I’d like to take you on an internship with me, where we will be doing something I’m sure you’ll enjoy.”
Izuku read through the paper, It was an airtight internship form, all for one missing spot. “And what would that be?”
Nezu’s face contorted into a wide grin “Why we will gather evidence on the Number One Hero of course, what better way to train that sharp mind of yours.”
Izuku’s resolve steeled as he took the pen off of the desk, Signing the paper.” Holding the paper back out for the Teacher
Nezu took it into his hands, reading the sheet one more time, eyes going wide as he read the Signature “May I ask if that is really what you want your hero name to be?”
Izuku gave a blinding smile “You said it represented Freedom, and when I’m a hero, I want to be able to give that same freedom to every child born like me, Those society deems undesirable.”
“That;s a lofty goal Jade, I hope you are prepared.”
Izuku stared directly at Nezu, eyes giving no room for argument “I would fight the world before I gave up on that dream”
Nezu cackled, a cackle that echoed throughout the school as Everyone in the staff lounge Shuddered at the sound.
Aizawa “It seems the problem child accepted the offer.”
Yamada “You just got the student, how is he already a problem child?”
A second laugh echoed throughout the halls, much less menacing, but laced with mania.
Aizawa for his part just pointed in the direction of the office with a face that screamed ‘you see this?’
Yamada sighed “Maybe we shouldn’t of introduced the rat to him, he had been so nice”
Aiawa crawled out of his sleeping bag in one swift motion, rolling it back up into its bag “They’ll either save or destroy this world, but there’s one thing I know, and that’s that If it comes down to it, you have to side with the rat every time.”
Yamada shivered at the thought of fighting Nezu, those beady eyes boring into his soul. “That we agree on”