Chapter 31-35
Chapter 31: The Beginning of Everything
February 28th the official opening day of U.A. High School started bright and early at 7:30 in the morning.
After finishing the breakfast his mother had carefully prepared, Kaminari donned his freshly pressed U.A. school uniform, along with his cool electric gloves. Under his mother's gentle and encouraging gaze, he stepped out the door, ready to begin a new chapter in his life.
His father had already gone down to the underground garage, preparing to personally drive Kaminari to the subway station for this important day. Kaminari understood his father's feelings and, rather than rejecting the offer out of concern for wasting time, he accepted it. Sometimes, letting your parents show their care makes them happier.
Soon enough, Kaminari got out of the family's black BMW, standing at the subway station entrance. While the station was close by, his father seemed absolutely thrilled to be a part of this moment, which warmed Kaminari's heart.
"Thanks, Dad," Kaminari said with a smile as he waved goodbye. His father waved back enthusiastically before driving off.
As Kaminari approached the station entrance, a loud voice suddenly called out.
"Kaminari!"
Tetsutetsu, who was waiting by the entrance, shouted excitedly upon seeing him.
"Huh?"
The moment he yelled, however, the attention of people nearby those on their way to work or school was immediately drawn to Kaminari. They all glanced over at him curiously.
"Hey, that guy looks kind of familiar..." murmured a girl in a white school uniform, her long, light blue hair flowing down her back.
"Are you kidding? That's Kaminari Denki!" her friend gasped, giving her a little push. "You were just listening to Only My Railgun yesterday, weren't you?!"
"Wait, really? Let me check..." The blue-haired girl quickly opened her phone and pulled up the Japanese MTV app, comparing the photo of Kaminari on the screen with the boy standing at the subway entrance. In seconds, her jaw dropped.
"It's him! It's really Kaminari Denki... I can't believe we're seeing a celebrity in real life!"
And just like that, it was as if a spark had ignited in the air. More and more students began recognizing Kaminari, whispering excitedly among themselves. Seeing such a popular star—one of their own age, no less wasn't something that happened every day.
Click.*
Click.*
Phones were whipped out in an instant, and the crowd around Kaminari began snapping pictures of him. Some of the office workers, who hadn't initially realized what was going on, started taking pictures too thinking they might be able to brag later about spotting a celebrity on their way to work.
Suddenly, the familiar opening notes of Only My Railgun began to play, coming from somewhere in the crowd. The song was instantly recognizable; even the adults who weren't familiar with Kaminari had heard the tune on the radio or TV countless times before.
Kaminari couldn't help but smile his signature handsome smile. Curiously, he looked toward the source of the music and found it was coming from a black-haired girl standing next to the blue-haired one. She looked absolutely thrilled to have caught his attention.
The girl had done it on purpose. She'd played Only My Railgun on her phone just to grab Kaminari's notice, and now, her heart was pounding with excitement.
With her pink phone still playing Only My Railgun, the girl hurried over to Kaminari, her voice trembling as she spoke. "Hi! My name is Mizukawa Minami. I'm a second-year middle school student, and I—I really love your song Only My Railgun and Hero! Could we, um, maybe take a picture together?"
Her words stumbled slightly, whether from excitement or nerves, but she managed to get her request out in one breath.
Kaminari smiled warmly. "It's an honor to know you like my song," he replied graciously. "I'd be happy to take a picture, but just one, okay? Like you, I've got school to get to."
Mizukawa's face lit up with joy, and she eagerly grabbed the hand of her blue-haired friend, pulling her close. The two girls flanked Kaminari, while Mizukawa held up her phone to snap a selfie.
But as she positioned the phone, she realized it was too close to capture all three of them properly, which made her panic. After all, this was a rare chance! If the picture didn't turn out right, she'd regret it forever.
"Ahem," Tetsutetsu awkwardly cleared his throat, stepping forward. "Uh, I could take the picture for you, if that helps?"
"You... you are?" Mizukawa blinked in surprise but quickly noticed Tetsutetsu's U.A. uniform. "Wait, are you a Hero student too?!"
"Yeah, his name is Tetsutetsu," Kaminari chimed in with a grin. "He's my best friend and classmate."
"Wow... meeting two future Heroes in one day!" Mizukawa said excitedly, handing her phone to Tetsutetsu. Then, with a playful smile, she added, "Make sure the picture comes out great, alright? And when you're done, we'll take one with you too!"
After all, who knew? One day, Tetsutetsu could become a famous pro Hero too.
"Uh... no, no need," Tetsutetsu mumbled, suddenly shy. It seemed even the normally tough Tetsutetsu got nervous around girls, which Kaminari found pretty amusing.
The picture was taken, and Mizukawa was thrilled with the result. True to her word, she also took a picture with Tetsutetsu, who, despite blushing furiously, managed to stand still long enough for the shot. After thanking them both, the two girls happily waved goodbye and headed off to school.
"Phew..." Tetsutetsu wiped nonexistent sweat from his forehead, chuckling. "Looks like you've gotten really popular, Kaminari. I guess I can't just call out your name in public anymore, huh?"
"Alright, alright, let's go," Kaminari laughed, clapping Tetsutetsu on the shoulder. "The Shinkansen leaves in ten minutes. We don't have time to mess around."
With that, the two of them entered the subway station. Though the crowd of students and office workers was disappointed they didn't get to snap a picture with Kaminari themselves, they were still satisfied with the close-up shots they'd managed to get. At the very least, they had a great story to tell later that day.
After an hour-long train ride, during which Kaminari reviewed some material on electromagnetism, they arrived once again in Shizuoka Prefecture, at the gates of U.A. High School.
The two of them stood in front of the massive protective wall, gazing up at the Hero school emblem etched into the stone above them.
After a moment of silence, Tetsutetsu broke into a grin. "Hey, Kaminari, starting today, we're officially U.A. students, huh?"
"Yeah," Kaminari nodded. "Are you ready?"
"Definitely!" Tetsutetsu replied with confidence. Together, the two of them stepped forward, walking side by side through the gates. Behind them, the morning sun rose higher, casting a golden glow that formed the perfect backdrop.
"Heroes! Here we come!"
"Kaminari! Tetsutetsu!"
A familiar voice called out from behind them. When they turned around, they saw Jiro Kyoka running toward them, the sunlight framing her figure as she waved excitedly. She blended into the scene so naturally, it felt like the perfect moment.
From a distance, the three of them Kaminari, Tetsutetsu, and Jiro all dressed in their U.A. school uniforms, with the Hero emblem shining in the background, made for a picture-perfect sight.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city, a green-haired boy was stepping out of his house. Under the encouraging gaze of his mother, he took a deep breath and let the morning sunlight bathe his face.
"All Might! Here I come!" he shouted, determination filling his voice.
And with that, everything truly began.
Chapter 32: First Acquaintance
"This place is huge!" Tetsutetsu exclaimed as he looked around the sprawling campus of U.A. High School in awe.
"For real," Jiro agreed, glancing around as well. She tried to be discreet, but her eyes flickered over the other students wearing the same U.A. uniform as them, clearly just as curious.
"And there are so many students..." Tetsutetsu added, his initial excitement cooling off as his expression became more neutral. He even started stuffing his hands into his pockets, like he was already used to the vibe of being at U.A.
It was easy to tell that Tetsutetsu was beginning to see himself as part of this prestigious Hero school. His demeanor showed how simple guys like him could adapt quickly.
"Well, that makes sense," Kaminari chimed in from the front, keeping his eyes on the signs directing them toward Class 1-A. "U.A. doesn't just have the Hero Course, but also the Support Course, Business Administration, and even regular academic tracks."
"But even for the general subjects, U.A. accepts way fewer students than other schools. The entrance exams for U.A., whether practical or written, are no joke," Kaminari continued, leading the way as the three of them entered an elevator to the fifth floor.
The elevator opened to reveal a large hallway. To the left were classrooms for the Support and Business Administration courses, and on the right were those for the Hero Course.
"Here it is... Hero Course, Class 1-A," Kaminari announced as they approached a door with "1-A" painted in bold red letters above it. The number seemed almost too large, giving the door an intimidating presence.
But there was no reason to be nervous. They'd made it. They were here, ready to meet their classmates and start their journey as heroes.
Kaminari, with a calm expression, pushed the door open and stepped inside. He felt a surge of curiosity more than anything—wondering who his new classmates would be and what kind of Quirks they had.
As the door swung open, the room fell silent. The students who had already taken their seats turned to look at the three newcomers.
For a moment, everyone just stared at each other, as if sizing one another up.
Then, a tall boy in the back with glasses suddenly stood up. With a serious expression, he walked toward them, stopping in front of Kaminari, Tetsutetsu, and Jiro before extending his right hand.
"Good morning!" he said in a formal tone. "I am Iida Tenya, from Soumei Private Academy! I look forward to working with you all."
Kaminari recognized him immediately as the same Iida who'd left a strong impression during the entrance exam. Despite their tense interaction back then, Kaminari didn't hold any grudges. He reached out and shook Iida's hand.
"Kaminari Denki," he introduced himself.
"Jiro Kyoka," Jiro said coolly, giving a small nod.
Tetsutetsu, on the other hand, puffed out his chest and declared proudly, "Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu! I'm going to be the hardest, most hardcore hero out there!"
For a moment, no one in the room reacted. But a red-haired boy sitting near the back raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Though he said nothing, it was clear from his expression that he was already making a mental note to challenge Tetsutetsu at some point.
The three of them made their way to seats by the windows, with Kaminari taking the middle one. As soon as he sat down, a taller-than-average girl with long black hair sitting nearby turned to look at him, her eyes lighting up with interest.
"Kaminari... Denki?"
"Uh, yeah?" Kaminari responded, flashing a polite smile, already used to people recognizing his name.
"Hello, my name is Yaoyorozu Momo," she said with a warm smile. "I've heard your music before."
Kaminari's eyebrows lifted slightly, surprised to meet someone here who knew his music. Yaoyorozu continued, "I'm not particularly into rock, but your songs are really enjoyable to listen to."
"Especially Only My Railgun. Though I think Hero is more of a boy's song," she added with a playful glint in her eyes.
"Thanks. It's an honor to know you liked them," Kaminari replied smoothly, having heard similar compliments from fans many times before. Even though Yaoyorozu was a beautiful girl, he remained composed.
"Pfft." Yaoyorozu suddenly laughed, giving him a playful glance. "Come on, we're classmates now! Is it really okay to be so formal?"
She then leaned in slightly and added with a teasing smile, "I've seen your page on MTV before. That's not how you replied to comments on there!"
Kaminari was momentarily speechless, while the other students who had been observing the exchange began whispering among themselves. Some of them seemed to be connecting the dots, realizing that Kaminari might actually be more than just a regular student.
A pink-haired girl sitting nearby quickly pulled out her phone and, after a moment of searching, gasped. "Wait a minute! You're the guy who sang Only My Railgun!?"
As soon as she said it, the rest of the students who were unfamiliar with the music scene started reacting too.
Several of them took out their phones and began searching for him, and soon the room was buzzing with murmurs of surprise.
"It's really him!"
"No way! Our classmate is the creator of Only My Railgun?" exclaimed Toru Hagakure, whose invisible figure was only noticeable by her floating clothes. Tetsutetsu kept glancing at her, clearly fascinated by her Quirk.
"Wait, Hero is your song too? I've listened to that track at least ten times!" shouted the red-haired boy from earlier—Kirishima Eijiro.
Even students who hadn't joined in on the phone searches, like Todoroki and Tokoyami, now glanced at Kaminari with mild interest.
Kaminari raised a hand, giving a small wave as he addressed the class. "Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the support, but remember—right now, I'm not a singer or a star. I'm just a student in Class 1-A of U.A., just like all of you. I look forward to working with you."
His calm response was met with approving nods. Kaminari knew this kind of attention wouldn't last long. After today, once everyone got used to him, it would all die down. They'd see him as a fellow student rather than a celebrity.
Bang!*
The door to the classroom suddenly swung open with a loud crash. The sound reverberated through the room, and everyone froze.
All eyes turned toward the entrance, where a boy with spiky, ash-blonde hair stood. His whole posture screamed arrogance. From the way he walked to the way he carried himself, he looked more like a delinquent than a student.
With a loud thud, he slumped into a seat in the back of the room, casually propping his feet up on the desk.
Kaminari watched him with mild annoyance. He didn't know this guy personally, but he didn't like him already. There was something about his demeanor that just rubbed Kaminari the wrong way. It wasn't just a matter of age, it was something simpler than that. He just didn't like this type of person.
"You!"
Chapter 33: The Current Limit
At this moment, Iida couldn't sit still. He stood up, walked over to Bakugo, and shouted, "Don't put your feet on the desk!"
"Huh?" Bakugo sneered, his sharp eyes glaring at the boy in glasses who dared to challenge him.
"It's disrespectful! To U.A.'s seniors and the people who made these desks!" Iida continued with a serious expression, his sense of justice overpowering any fear he might've had.
Bakugo, who was already irritated, found this comical. He laughed in disbelief. It was rare for him to meet someone so straightforward who wasn't afraid of him.
"Don't give me that crap!"
"And who do you think you are, huh? What school did you even come from, huh?! Some extra middle school?!" Bakugo taunted, his eyes flashing with disdain.
"I..."
Before Iida could respond, Kaminari, who had been silently watching this exchange, couldn't take it anymore. Bakugo's arrogance was grating on his nerves. He wasn't used to seeing this level of rudeness, especially from someone aiming to become a professional hero.
He interjected, his tone calm but firm. "Does it matter where he graduated from? He told you to put your feet down. Cut the nonsense and listen. Or do you not understand simple nihon? Maybe you have some kind of defect?"
"You bastard!" Bakugo's temper flared as he locked eyes with Kaminari, his hands instinctively curling inward, ready to ignite his Quirk.
"What? Not happy about it?" Kaminari shot back, completely unfazed.
Without hesitation, Tetsutetsu stood up, his fists clenched. He cracked his knuckles and smirked, stepping up beside Kaminari. "If you don't like it, tough luck. Hold it in!"
"You want to die?" Bakugo growled, his eyes darkening as he stood up, ready to escalate the situation further.
Die? Kaminari's eyes narrowed at the word. This guy's aggression was completely out of place. Was he really aspiring to be a Hero? His entire attitude seemed more fitting for a villain.
Kaminari didn't feel like backing down, but he also knew that fights weren't allowed. Still, he was confident that if things came to blows, Tetsutetsu would hold his own.
Before anything could happen, Kaminari noticed something out of the corner of his eye. He turned his head slightly and saw a green-haired boy standing hesitantly at the door. The tension in the room shifted as more people took notice of him.
Bakugo's expression changed the moment he spotted the boy. His lips curled in a sneer, but after a moment, he grumbled something under his breath and sat back down, shooting Tetsutetsu a warning glance.
For whatever reason, seeing that green-haired boy had made Bakugo back down. His feet didn't go back up on the desk either.
With the situation diffused, Iida, ever the representative of proper behavior, quickly went over to greet the green-haired boy. Soon after, a cheerful girl with brown hair—Uraraka Ochaco joined them.
But Kaminari's focus shifted. He was waiting for the person who mattered the most in this moment: their teacher.
And then, the door creaked open again. But this time, what Kaminari saw was… unexpected.
A man in a yellow sleeping bag, lying on the floor, made his way into the classroom. His movements were sluggish, his hair disheveled, and his eyes half-closed as if he'd just woken up.
"If you're here to mess around or make friends, go do it somewhere else," he said in a monotone voice, not even bothering to stand up properly. "This is the Hero Course."
"..."
The class fell into an awkward silence. They didn't know what to make of this strange sight.
"It took eight seconds for you all to shut up," the man muttered as he finally stood up, emerging from the sleeping bag with an exhausted expression. "That's way too long. You're all unreasonable."
Kaminari felt a twinge of disappointment. This was their homeroom teacher? He had been expecting someone more… dynamic. This guy looked like he could barely be bothered to be here. Kaminari couldn't help but wonder if this teacher even had the energy to fight.
"I am your homeroom teacher, Aizawa Shota," the man finally introduced himself in a low, lazy voice.
Most of the class exchanged uneasy glances. This wasn't the kind of hero teacher they'd imagined. Hadn't they heard that All Might would be teaching at U.A.? Shouldn't their class, being the top Hero course, have someone like him as their teacher?
But Aizawa didn't seem to care about their internal doubts. He pulled a bag from his shoulder, rummaging through it before pulling out blue and white tracksuits.
"Don't waste time. Put these on and meet me at the training ground."
Ten minutes later, the class gathered on the empty playground. It wasn't that the students were slow to change, but the boys and girls had to take turns using the indoor changing rooms. The girls, naturally, took a bit more time.
Kaminari had noticed something during the break. A short boy, barely over a meter tall, had been lurking near the girls' changing room, trying to eavesdrop with a perverted grin on his face.
This "purple grape" boy had definitely left an impression on Kaminari, though he didn't know his name yet. He was curious about what kind of Quirk this kid had to match such a sleazy personality.
Once everyone was gathered in their sportswear, Aizawa, who had been standing around looking like he was about to fall asleep, finally addressed them.
"Today's lesson is a Quirk Apprehension Test," he announced bluntly.
Uraraka, who had been looking forward to the entrance ceremony, let out a disappointed groan. But Aizawa shut down her complaint without hesitation.
"If you want to become a pro hero, there's no time for pointless ceremonies," he said coldly.
"I see," Kaminari thought. "So, the reason we haven't seen anyone on the playground is because everyone else went to the entrance ceremony."
It was becoming clear that Aizawa's teaching style was no-nonsense. And honestly, Kaminari liked it. He had always hated long, boring ceremonies.
Aizawa explained the premise of the test. Unlike the usual physical tests they had done in middle school, this time, they would be using their Quirks to push their abilities to the limit.
There were eight events in total:
Ball throw, standing long jump, 50-meter dash, endurance run, grip strength, repeated side jumps, sit-ups, and a forward bend.
Though the exercises were familiar, Kaminari felt a surge of excitement. Using their Quirks to test basic abilities? This was a chance to see what everyone else's powers were, and he was eager to see how his classmates would perform.
His thoughts wandered again, imagining the possibilities. Maybe there was someone like Tetsutetsu with Quirks akin to the X-Men from his previous life. That would be pretty cool.
But his train of thought was cut off when Aizawa suddenly called his name.
"Kaminari Denki. You came in first during the practical exam, correct?"
"Yes," Kaminari replied confidently, noticing Bakugo's irritated expression at being outdone by him.
"How far could you throw a ball in junior high school?"
"Seventy-two meters," Kaminari answered nonchalantly.
He wasn't boasting, he'd worked hard for those results. After years of consistent training, his physical fitness was well above average. He might not have Tetsutetsu's raw strength, but compared to the other students, he was sure he'd hold his own.
"Seventy-two meters…" Bakugo scoffed under his breath, clearly unhappy. His own record was 67 meters, and he didn't understand how Kaminari, who didn't seem particularly strong, could throw farther than him.
But Bakugo didn't know that Kaminari had been training for almost a decade. If he did, he'd probably be even more upset.
"Now, use your Quirk and try again," Aizawa instructed, handing Kaminari the ball.
Kaminari stepped up to the white circle that marked the throwing position. Everyone's eyes were on him.
"Alright, let's see what my limit is!" Kaminari muttered to himself as he focused his energy.
"High-Speed Movement, activate!"
Electricity crackled to life, enveloping Kaminari in golden arcs of lightning. The air around him buzzed with energy, and his cells fired into action as the current surged, especially around his right arm.
The power radiating from him increased steadily, and the current on his arm intensified as he prepared to throw.
With everyone watching closely, Kaminari took a deep breath.
And then…
Chapter 34:Todoroki Shoto vs. Kaminari Denki
Crack!*
As Kaminari swung his arm with precision, the ball in his grip shot into the air, enveloped in golden arcs of electricity. It streaked across the sky like a glowing meteor, leaving a dazzling trail of light behind. The ball flew higher and farther, pushed by the force of Kaminari's electric-enhanced muscles.
Everyone watched in awe as the ball soared until the electric current fizzled out, and gravity pulled it back down to Earth.
"412.7 meters!" Aizawa announced calmly, holding up the rangefinder for everyone to see. "This is how you figure out your limits."
In his mind, however, Aizawa was analyzing Kaminari's Quirk usage with keen interest. "Stimulating his muscles with electricity to boost physical strength… it's an interesting approach," Aizawa mused silently. "The control he demonstrated, channeling that electricity into his throw, he's definitely trained for this."
Meanwhile, the students erupted into a mixture of gasps and excited chatter, the impressive distance Kaminari achieved sparking their admiration.
"Whoa! No way! Over 400 meters?!"
"This is so awesome! We get to use our Quirks freely!"
"Being in the Hero course is seriously cool!"
Their excited outbursts, however, didn't go unnoticed by Aizawa, who gave them a sharp look.
"Fun, huh?" His voice was low, but it cut through the chatter, catching everyone's attention.
"Huh?" Midoriya and the others blinked, confused.
"If you think this is all just fun and games, you're in for a rude awakening." Aizawa's tone suddenly turned cold. "Do you really think you'll become pro heroes with that mindset?"
The class fell silent, tension rippling through the air as Aizawa continued.
"If that's your attitude, I might as well let you know right now… the student who ranks last in this test will be expelled."
"What?!" The collective shock from the class was immediate. Even Kaminari, Todoroki, and Tokoyami couldn't help but stare in disbelief.
"Is he serious? Expelling someone on the first day?" Kaminari's thoughts raced. He couldn't shake the feeling that this was similar to something a certain masked ninja from his past life would do. "Wait, what if he's not kidding?"
His expression turned serious, and he noticed other students like Todoroki and Yaoyorozu doing the same. Clearly, some of them were realizing the gravity of Aizawa's words.
Aizawa smirked slightly, lifting the long strands of hair that usually obscured his eyes. "Welcome," he said, his tone both mocking and challenging, "to the Hero Course of U.A. High School."
Uraraka Ochaco, who had been silently brimming with excitement for the entrance ceremony, couldn't hold back her frustration. "That's just not fair!" she protested, voicing what many others were likely feeling. "It's only our first day!"
Kaminari shared her sentiment, but something told him there was no point in arguing. He had a gut feeling that if Aizawa said he could expel someone, then it was within the school's rules to allow it.
Around him, other students seemed to realize the same thing. Yaoyorozu, Tokoyami, and Todoroki all remained silent, their expressions serious. They knew this was no time for complaints.
Aizawa's voice cut through again, this time softer but no less intense. "Natural disasters, major accidents, rampaging villains, these kinds of unreasonable situations can happen anywhere, at any time. That's the world we live in now."
He didn't need to raise his voice for the impact of his words to hit home. The weight of his message settled on the group, and the once-enthusiastic atmosphere turned somber.
"And the ones who stand in the way of all these disasters are heroes," Aizawa continued. "If you're hoping to coast through these next three years without pushing your limits, then you're in the wrong place."
The students, now fully silent, felt the immense pressure that came with the title of "Professional Hero." Aizawa's gaze swept across them before he concluded with one final statement.
"The road to becoming a pro hero is paved with suffering, and U.A. will give you plenty of it. You're either moving forward or falling behind. That's the reality." His eyes gleamed slightly as he added, "So remember this—Plus Ultra."
Kaminari wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but he could've sworn Aizawa's usually tired demeanor brightened a little when he said those last two words. Whether it was excitement or something else, Kaminari wasn't sure. But what he was sure of was that he had made the right choice by coming to U.A.
There was no doubt everything from now on would be beyond anything he had ever experienced before.
"Let's get started." Aizawa signaled the beginning of the Quirk Apprehension Test. "First up: the 50-meter dash."
"Ready… go!"
Pffft!*
With the sound of the starting signal, Iida Tenya rocketed forward, leaving a cloud of dust behind him. His glasses were off, and his face was set in concentration. His engines roared as he sped toward the finish line, his powerful Quirk propelling him far ahead of Asui Tsuyu, who was leaping along behind him.
"3.04 seconds!" came the result.
"Whoa! His Quirk is insane!" Kaminari couldn't help but be impressed, especially at the sight of the exhaust vents on Iida's legs. It was such a unique and fascinating ability.
Next up were Uraraka Ochaco, Aoyama Yuga, Shoto Todoroki, and Bakugo Katsuki. Kaminari watched each of them closely, observing their Quirks with interest.
From the explosion-fueled speed of Bakugo to the gleaming laser of Aoyama, each student demonstrated abilities that were impressive in their own right. Kaminari mentally noted their quirks, already thinking about how they might compare to his own electric powers.
"Final group: Todoroki Shoto and Kaminari Denki," Aizawa called out.
Kaminari blinked in surprise as his name was called. His competition would be Todoroki? He hadn't interacted with him much yet, but from what he had seen, Todoroki exuded a quiet, confident aura.
Unknown to Kaminari, Aizawa had grouped them together on purpose. He wanted to see how the top scorer from the practical exam would match up against Todoroki, who had been accepted through recommendations. Both had been trained in their Quirks for years, and Aizawa was curious to see whose abilities would shine brighter in a speed test.
As Kaminari and Todoroki lined up at the starting line, neither seemed particularly phased. They exchanged a brief glance but otherwise remained calm. Despite the competitive atmosphere, neither felt especially pressured by the matchup.
But those watching felt differently.
"Kaminari's going to win! Speed is his thing!" Tetsutetsu declared, confident as always, with his hands still in his pockets.
"Yeah, he's super fast," Jiro agreed, recalling the lightning- speed she had experienced firsthand.
But their conversation caught the attention of Yaoyorozu Momo, who overheard them and decided to chime in. "You guys clearly don't know about Todoroki's abilities, do you?"
"Huh?" Tetsutetsu and Jiro both turned to look at her, curious about what she meant.
Yaoyorozu crossed her arms, her gaze drifting toward Todoroki. "Shoto Todoroki is the strongest recommended student this year."
Tetsutetsu frowned, not fully convinced. "So, what's his Quirk?"
"Ice," Yaoyorozu explained simply. "He can create and control ice."
"Ice, huh?" Tetsutetsu mused, rubbing his chin. "It sounds powerful, sure, but how does that make him faster than Kaminari? Kaminari's speed is no joke!"
Yaoyorozu didn't respond directly but instead shrugged, her expression calm. "You'll see soon enough. Todoroki's training with his Quirk is on a whole other level."
As the two boys stood ready at the starting line, Kaminari glanced sideways at Todoroki. There was a quiet intensity in Todoroki's demeanor, but Kaminari wasn't fazed. He was confident in his speed.
"Everyone, get ready!" came Aizawa's voice, giving the two competitors their cue to prepare.
Kaminari focused, the familiar crackle of electricity dancing across his body as he activated his high-speed movement. The golden arcs of lightning began to swirl around him, charging his muscles for a burst of speed.
Next to him, Todoroki's calm gaze didn't waver. A thin layer of frost began to form on the ground beneath his feet, signaling the activation of his ice-based Quirk.
"Ready… go!"
Ksssh!*
Crack!*
In an instant, Kaminari and Todoroki launched forward, moving almost in unison. Kaminari's body surged with electricity, propelling him forward in a golden blur, while Todoroki's ice coated the ground in front of him, creating a slick path for him to glide across effortlessly.
Chapter 35: Kaminari Has Infinite Grip Strength?!
"Here we go!"
All the teachers, students, and onlookers fell silent as Kaminari and Todoroki stood ready. Despite not knowing each other well yet, everyone was focused on the outcome of this race, eager to see the results of this thrilling face-off.
The distance was short just fifty meters so if they didn't pay attention, they might miss the critical moment when the winner crossed the line.
"Huh? This is even possible?"
Tetsutetsu, who had been confident that Todoroki's ice-based Quirk wouldn't provide a speed boost, was left in shock as he watched the race unfold.
On the track, Todoroki was creating a path of ice beneath his feet, sliding across the frozen surface with impressive speed and stability. Even on such slick terrain, his balance remained perfect, a clear sign that he had mastered this skill through rigorous training.
Of course, Kaminari wasn't oblivious to what was happening beside him. He was running at full speed, electricity coursing through his body, but the blue blur of Todoroki was right next to him. Kaminari couldn't look directly at him, but the corner of his eye and his senses told him that Todoroki wasn't falling behind at all.
"Shua—"
"Crack!"
In a matter of seconds barely the time for a second breath both Kaminari and Todoroki had crossed the finish line. They finished almost side by side, each pushing their Quirks to the limit in this close race.
Interestingly, while Kaminari's path was clean and clear, Todoroki left a long trail of ice, glittering under the morning sun.
"Who won?!"
The spectators, unable to tell who had reached the line first, immediately turned their attention to the speedometer, eager to know the results.
"3.03 seconds!"
"3.09 seconds!"
The numbers were announced, but they didn't indicate who achieved which time, leaving everyone still uncertain about the outcome.
"Wait, that's… crazy fast!" Mina Ashido exclaimed, her eyes wide in disbelief.
But while most were impressed by the sheer speed, Iida Tenya, who had completed the race earlier, was left feeling a bit conflicted. "Their speed is on par with my third gear…" he muttered to himself.
Though his Quirk had higher speed potential, given enough distance, the fact that Kaminari and Todoroki had developed their Quirks to this level, especially when their abilities weren't naturally tied to speed, left Iida deep in thought.
"Kaminari won?" Ashido Mina shouted again, impatient to know the final answer.
"Who got the 3.03?!" someone else added, voicing the question on everyone's minds.
"Uh…"
Even Aizawa hesitated. Despite being their teacher, he hadn't been able to keep track of the race well enough. He might have powerful Quirks, but they didn't exactly include high-speed perception, and his eyes had dried out after straining to watch the race so intently.
"Kaminari got 3.03," Aizawa finally announced, holding up a small display linked to the speedometer.
"Yes! Kaminari won!"
"Kaminari's Quirk might be electric-based, but who knew he was this fast?"
"That was so cool to watch!"
Tetsutetsu, in particular, was beaming with pride. "Haha! I knew Kaminari would win!" he declared with a wide grin.
"Strongest recommendation student or not, Kaminari is the best first-year student here!" he added, sneaking a glance at Todoroki, who was quietly making his way back to the group.
However, while everyone was celebrating Kaminari's victory, Kaminari himself hadn't returned to the group yet. Instead, he had walked over to the icy trail left behind by Todoroki. He crouched down, placing his hand on the cold surface, and his palm immediately sparked with golden electricity.
"Crackle—"
The currents from his hand danced across the ice, but something strange happened they couldn't spread very far. The electricity dissipated almost immediately after touching the ice.
Kaminari frowned, deep in thought. "No conductivity... Is it because this ice was created by his Quirk?"
The reason wasn't hard to guess. In theory, pure water and ice don't conduct electricity. It's only when impurities are present that they become conductive. The ice Todoroki created was likely close to pure, uncontaminated by any natural elements, which explained why Kaminari's electricity wasn't spreading through it.
"This means Todoroki's ice has to be controlled through physical contact," Kaminari deduced. "He's powerful, but it's not like the freezing abilities of those in the world I know, where they can freeze entire areas just by releasing cold air."
His mind wandered for a moment, comparing Todoroki's abilities to that of a certain ice-based admiral from another world, but before he could get too lost in thought, Aizawa's voice snapped him back to the present.
"What are you doing over there? We're moving on to the second event."
"Uh, yes, sensei!" Kaminari quickly rejoined the group.
The second event was the grip strength test.
Each student was handed an electronic gripper to measure the force they could exert. Kaminari, naturally curious, inspected his device before activating his electric Quirk to briefly stimulate the muscles in his right arm. With his grip fully enhanced, he squeezed the handle hard, waiting for the result.
"?"
"Eh?" Kaminari blinked at the screen, which had displayed nothing but four question marks. He was confused what was this supposed to mean? Did he break it?
As the others around him began calling out their results, Kaminari remained silent, his mind processing what had just happened.
"Whoa, 540 kilograms?! Are you an octopus or something?!" Sero Hanta exclaimed, amazed at one of his classmate's results.
"Octopus…? That's kind of kinky…" Mineta muttered, his thoughts clearly going somewhere inappropriate.
Kaminari, still holding the malfunctioning gripper, looked over at Tetsutetsu, who had just walked over to him. His friend, unaware of what had happened, asked, "Kaminari, what's your grip strength? Mine's 610!"
Before Kaminari could respond, Tetsutetsu glanced at the screen in Kaminari's hand, his eyes widening at the display of question marks.
"Holy crap!" Tetsutetsu shouted, his voice carrying across the group. "Kaminari's grip strength is unknown? Does that mean it's infinite?!"
The entire class fell silent at this, their heads turning in unison to stare at Kaminari.
"..."
Aizawa, who had been watching from the side, raised a hand to his face, looking utterly done with the situation. "The gripper short-circuited," he deadpanned, his usual calm demeanor slightly shaken by the absurdity of the situation.
Kaminari stood there awkwardly, scratching his head. "Well... that's embarrassing..." he muttered, trying not to laugh at the absurdity of it all.
Chapter 36
Chapter 36: Touma or Blackbeard?
The third event was the standing long jump.
Kaminari channeled his electric current into his legs, and with a powerful burst, he jumped 10.8 meters. It was a respectable result, but compared to others—such as Asui Tsuyu, who excelled in jumping, Aoyama Yuga, who propelled himself with his naval laser, and Uraraka Ochaco, who made herself weightless and floated across—Kaminari found himself outshined in this event.
Interestingly, Todoroki Shoto, who had shown impressive control over his ice powers earlier, performed rather ordinarily in this task. He didn't stand out at all, behaving almost like a regular person.
Another surprise was Midoriya Izuku.
Midoriya was a complete enigma to Kaminari. Despite watching him closely, Kaminari still couldn't figure out what kind of Quirk the boy had. So far, Midoriya had shown nothing remarkable.
"How did he even pass the entrance exam?" Kaminari wondered as he glanced at Midoriya. For some reason, he couldn't shake an odd feeling about the boy. There was something about him that made Kaminari curious, though he couldn't quite place what it was.
Then there was the invisible girl, Toru Hagakure. Kaminari was curious about her too—though not just because of her Quirk. He wondered how she'd look if she were visible. But he dismissed the thought quickly. Once he mastered electromagnetic fields, invisibility wouldn't matter.
The fourth event was the repeated horizontal jump.
Kaminari paid special attention to Minoru Mineta during this event. The boy's grape-like Quirks were intriguing, if not a bit ridiculous. However, Kaminari couldn't help but wonder how strong those "grapes" really were. Could they be destroyed physically? Would his electricity have any effect on them?
Kaminari concluded that Mineta's Quirk would be highly effective in certain situations. If his sticky "grapes" couldn't be destroyed easily, it was actually a pretty strong ability. But Kaminari also noticed a problem—Mineta had to throw the grapes manually or place them on the ground, which meant they had a low hit rate unless there was some strategy behind their use.
Kaminari chuckled inwardly. Mineta's Quirk required tactical brilliance to maximize its potential, but judging by the boy's constant perverted remarks, it was hard to tell if he had the intelligence to back it up.
The fifth event was the pitching test.
When Kaminari saw Uraraka Ochaco throw the ball infinitely far thanks to her zero-gravity Quirk, he immediately thought, "This girl's going to be the next Golden Lion!"
He wondered if Uraraka could eventually manipulate objects she made weightless, much like how the Golden Lion Shiki could control floating rocks. What if she could lift entire chunks of the earth and throw them like weapons? The thought excited him, though he knew she probably wasn't there yet. It was merely speculation about the future potential of her Quirk.
As Kaminari's turn had already passed, the next person called up was Bakugo Katsuki. Aizawa's voice cut through the air.
"Bakugo Katsuki, you're next."
"Finally!" Bakugo growled, stepping up with barely contained excitement. He had been stewing with frustration ever since Kaminari and Todoroki had taken the spotlight. He was determined to prove he was the best.
Bakugo's self-esteem bordered on arrogance, and watching others receive more attention than him drove him crazy. He couldn't stand it. Why were those two getting all the praise? Didn't everyone know he was the strongest?
"Boom—!"
With an earth-shattering explosion, Bakugo launched the ball into the air, his palms propelling it with a fiery blast. The ball shot through the sky like a missile, trailing fire and smoke behind it.
"Die!" Bakugo shouted, as if trying to blow up the very heavens.
Watching this, Kaminari leaned over to Tetsutetsu and muttered with a grin, "Well, when it comes to roughness, even you can't beat him."
"Tch," Tetsutetsu clicked his tongue in annoyance. He had already formed a strong dislike for Bakugo. After witnessing Bakugo's brash attitude and rude behavior—especially toward Midoriya—Tetsutetsu concluded that Bakugo was little more than a thug. A bully.
He saw Bakugo's constant explosions as a reflection of his unstable personality. Tetsutetsu couldn't stand people like that. He respected discipline and honor, traits Bakugo seemed to lack entirely.
"705.2 meters," Aizawa announced after glancing at the rangefinder. His voice remained calm despite the impressive result. "That's your current limit. Remember it, and work to surpass it."
"Whoa!"
"Over 700 meters?! That's insane!"
The other students were astonished by Bakugo's performance. Kaminari had thrown the ball over 400 meters earlier, which had already seemed incredible. But Bakugo had just shattered that by nearly 300 meters.
"Well, I guess his explosive power is a lot better than mine," Kaminari thought to himself, feeling no shame in the comparison. He had been working on controlling his Quirk and improving his physical abilities for years. For Bakugo to reach such heights at his age was impressive, but Kaminari didn't feel the need to compete with a fifteen-year-old over something so trivial.
However, Bakugo seemed to feel differently. As he walked back, he shot Kaminari a defiant glare, as if daring him to challenge his dominance. Kaminari responded with a calm look, making it clear he wasn't fazed. Instead, he turned his attention to the next person.
"And finally... Izuku Midoriya," Aizawa announced, his voice softer this time, as if he knew what was about to unfold.
Iida and Uraraka, both of whom had seen Midoriya in action during the entrance exam, looked hopeful. But others, including Kaminari, Tetsutetsu, and the rest of the class, were simply curious. Midoriya hadn't shown anything extraordinary so far, so how had he passed the Hero Course exam?
Bakugo, however, was filled with disdain. He still believed Midoriya was Quirkless and had no place here.
"He's just a Quirkless loser!" Bakugo spat out, confident that Midoriya would fail.
"What did you say?!" Iida, startled by Bakugo's claim, turned to him in confusion. "Quirkless? How could he be Quirkless after what he did in the entrance exam?"
"What feat?" Kaminari perked up, his curiosity growing. He had heard nothing about any major accomplishment by Midoriya during the exam. How had someone who seemed so... ordinary made it this far?
Midoriya, gripping the ball nervously, threw it... but nothing remarkable happened.
"46 meters," Aizawa said, almost in disbelief. The result was underwhelming, to say the least.
"46 meters?!" Kaminari couldn't believe his eyes. How had Midoriya passed the entrance exam with such a weak performance? Had he somehow cheated? Or did he get in through some kind of backdoor?
Just then, Aizawa stepped forward, pulling down the white bandage around his neck.
"I erased your Quirk," he said, his voice low and stern.
Kaminari's eyes widened. "Erased his Quirk?!"
The implications of Aizawa's words hit Kaminari like a ton of bricks.
The ability to eliminate someone's Quirk entirely? Kaminari immediately thought of Touma Kamijou, a figure from another world with the power to nullify supernatural abilities. But Aizawa was clearly even more powerful than Touma. He could neutralize Quirks from a distance, without needing to make physical contact.
"Is this guy even human?!"
Kaminari's mind raced, but outwardly, he remained composed, merely showing a hint of surprise. After all, someone aiming to be a superstar needed to maintain their cool, right?
Chapter 37: A Blockbuster
"Eliminating Quirks…"
Midoriya murmured to himself. As his eyes flicked to the yellow goggles hanging around Aizawa's neck, a sudden realization dawned on him. He remembered something from his endless research on professional heroes.
Staring at Class Teacher Aizawa in shock, he shouted, "Those goggles... I know who you are! You can erase other people's Quirks by looking at them! You're the Erasure Hero, Eraser Head!"
The moment Midoriya revealed Aizawa's true identity, murmurs rippled through the group. The students began to talk excitedly about their teacher, but Kaminari wasn't part of the chatter. Instead, he absorbed the information Midoriya had just shared, his mind racing.
"A Quirk that erases other Quirks just by looking at someone? That's way more powerful than Kamijou Touma or even Blackbeard. They both need to physically touch their targets, but Aizawa can do it from a distance!"
Kaminari's thoughts continued to swirl. "But there must be a limit. No Quirk is truly flawless. If I ever have to face Aizawa, I need to figure out how to deal with his ability."
His curiosity deepened as he observed Aizawa. The teacher's control over his bandages was also fascinating. "What's the deal with that? Is it another Quirk, or just some insane technique? Or maybe there's some kind of telekinesis involved?"
The more Kaminari analyzed Aizawa, the more intrigued he became. There was so much to learn, and he knew mastering these lessons would be key to his future success.
At that moment, Aizawa suddenly lashed out with his bandages, wrapping them tightly around Midoriya as if to make a point. Whatever he said, it had a visible effect on Midoriya, whose face turned pale. But instead of crumbling, Midoriya's expression grew determined, his resolve hardening.
"He's not giving up." Kaminari watched closely as Midoriya returned to the pitching circle. Something had shifted. The boy's eyes were lit with a fierce intensity that hadn't been there before.
Midoriya prepared to throw again, and Kaminari's heartbeat quickened. He had a strange feeling about what was coming next. Something inside Midoriya had ignited, and Kaminari couldn't tear his eyes away.
Then he saw it.
Midoriya's finger began to glow, the light intensifying with each passing second.
"No way… His finger is glowing!"
Suddenly, Midoriya roared, "Smashhhhhhhh!"
With that cry, the white ball in his hand blasted forward, tearing through the air with a deafening boom, leaving a trail of white airwaves in its wake. The sheer power of the throw seemed to break the sound barrier.
"Boom!"
The air pressure from the throw caused an explosive sound that sent shockwaves across the field. Kaminari and the others shielded their ears from the noise, but that wasn't all. The ground itself rippled from the force, sand and dust kicking up in wild spirals around Midoriya.
Kaminari could only stare in disbelief. "What just happened?!" He looked up at the ball, now a distant dot in the sky. "That power... It might even rival my railgun. No, the range alone puts it way ahead!"
He wasn't the only one floored by the display. All eyes were on Midoriya now, including Bakugo's. The explosion-loving boy was speechless, his usual sneer replaced by wide-eyed shock. This entire time, he had believed Midoriya was Quirkless. Now, that belief was crumbling before his eyes.
For the first time in a long while, Kaminari felt like he was a background character, watching someone else take center stage. He glanced at Midoriya with a complicated mix of emotions, the gears in his head turning.
"705.3 meters!" Aizawa announced after checking the rangefinder, but before anyone could react, Midoriya called out.
"Sensei!" Midoriya's voice cracked with emotion. His entire body was trembling, but his expression remained resolute.
"I... I can still move!"
Those words echoed in the silent field, carrying a weight far heavier than anyone expected. Midoriya's tone, filled with pain and determination, struck something deep within Aizawa and, unbeknownst to the students, All Might, who was secretly observing from a distance.
Kaminari, still trying to process everything, analyzed what he had just seen. "So, his Quirk releases an explosive burst of power in a single moment?"
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "If that's the case, I can handle it. As long as I avoid that one powerful hit, he shouldn't be much of a threat."
It was an instinctive reaction—one that Kaminari couldn't help. Ever since he became fascinated with manga and Quirks, he had made a habit of analyzing different abilities and figuring out how he would deal with them in combat. It had become a game for him—a game he found endlessly fascinating.
The rest of the test went by quickly. Midoriya, having pushed his Quirk to its limit, didn't do anything noteworthy after that. It was as if his earlier display had drained him of all his power. Kaminari's suspicions were confirmed—Midoriya's Quirk was probably an explosive, one-use ability, or perhaps it required time to charge up.
As the test concluded, Kaminari felt a sense of accomplishment. He had gained valuable insight into the abilities of his classmates, and more importantly, he now knew his own limitations. Quirks like Shoto Todoroki's ice abilities and Yaoyorozu Momo's creation power intrigued him the most.
"Man, everyone here is so impressive," Kaminari thought with a grin. But the smile didn't last long before he reminded himself, "My Quirk isn't bad either. In any world—whether it's here or the Marvel Universe—lightning abilities are always top-tier."
With the test over, Aizawa stood in front of them.
"The assessment is finished. You'll be given a lesson plan. Study it carefully. I don't want any of you being late or missing a class."
He turned on his heel, clearly intending to leave, but paused.
"And remember... no matter how good you think you are, there's always room for improvement."
The students glanced at each other, then slowly began walking back to class in pairs or small groups.
"I wonder what the next class will be," Tetsutetsu mused, hands shoved into his pockets. He was excited about the prospect of using his Quirk again in the future. He also shot a glance at Midoriya, who was limping toward the infirmary.
"That kid is seriously weird. He has a crazy strong Quirk, but he acts all weak and scared around that Bakugo guy."
His voice wasn't particularly loud, but it carried in the quiet space, enough for Bakugo to hear. Surprisingly, Bakugo, who had been fuming just moments earlier, didn't react. Instead, he stared at Midoriya's back, his expression dark and unreadable.
"You lied to me, Deku," Bakugo muttered under his breath, his hands sparking ominously.
Kaminari glanced at Bakugo, then leaned closer to Tetsutetsu. "Maybe he's not scared of him at all. Maybe he's just worried about accidentally hurting someone else with his power. It's a reasonable assumption, don't you think?"
He wasn't trying to provoke Bakugo, just voicing his thoughts out loud. Kaminari was someone who always spoke his mind, even if it ruffled a few feathers. He didn't believe in holding back when it came to voicing his opinions, especially when they made sense.
But the moment those words left his mouth, Bakugo froze in place. The air around him crackled as tiny explosions popped from his palms.
"What did you just say?!" Bakugo's voice was low, his gaze snapping toward Kaminari. His fiery temper was flaring once more.
Chapter 38: Conflict and Invitation
Bakugo had always seen Midoriya as a weakling, a little tagalong who envied him from the sidelines. That was the natural order, especially after discovering that Midoriya was Quirkless. Bakugo's superiority complex deepened, and he believed that Midoriya's only role in life was to look up to him.
But today had shattered that illusion.
Midoriya—the same kid Bakugo had mocked for being Quirkless—had been accepted into U.A. alongside him. And worse, Midoriya had thrown a ball with enough power to rival his own. That one throw was like a slap in the face, as if reality itself was mocking Bakugo's arrogance.
His anger was palpable. Midoriya had deceived him for years. Bakugo felt humiliated, as though all those times he'd lorded his strength over Midoriya had been part of some elaborate joke.
What if Midoriya had been pretending all along? What if all the times Bakugo had belittled him, Midoriya had just been holding back, afraid of hurting him?
And then, to make it worse, Kaminari had said it out loud:
"Midoriya wasn't afraid of you, he was afraid of hurting you."
Those words were like gasoline poured on a raging fire. Bakugo's vision blurred with fury, his mind filled with violent thoughts. His hands trembled as his palms began to secrete the explosive sweat he was known for.
"What did you just say?" Bakugo's voice was low, strained with rage.
Kaminari turned, meeting Bakugo's intense glare without a hint of fear.
"You heard me," he said coolly, showing no intention of backing down.
Bakugo's bloodshot eyes narrowed. To him, Kaminari's calm response was infuriating, like he wasn't worth the effort. Bakugo had never encountered someone who talked to him like this—not since he was a kid. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
"You're dead," Bakugo growled. Unable to hold himself back any longer, he swung a punch at Kaminari's face.
"Kaminari!" Jiro shouted in alarm, seeing the punch coming.
But before Bakugo's fist could land, a loud thud echoed across the hallway. Tetsutetsu had stepped in, catching Bakugo's punch in mid-air with his own iron-hard hand. His face was a mask of controlled fury as he stared down Bakugo.
"Enough of that, Bakugo," Tetsutetsu said, his voice steady but filled with tension.
His grip on Bakugo's fist tightened, and Bakugo, for the first time, felt real resistance. Without using his Quirk, Bakugo wasn't strong enough to overpower Tetsutetsu's steel-like grip.
Bakugo's eyes flickered with frustration. "You're not giving in to me, huh?" His voice was laced with venom as he tried to pull his hand back, but Tetsutetsu wasn't letting go. If anything, his grip only tightened further.
Tetsutetsu stared into Bakugo's eyes with a coldness that matched the steel of his Quirk.
"Not everyone is going to roll over for you, Bakugo. Some of us don't care who you are or what you can do."
Bakugo's hand began to heat up, his sweat turning volatile. Small explosions popped in his palm, signaling his growing anger.
"Let go before I make you," Bakugo spat.
Before things could escalate further, Iida appeared, rushing over to the scene. He grabbed both Bakugo and Tetsutetsu by the shoulders, his stern voice cutting through the tension.
"Stop this at once! We're all classmates now. Fighting won't solve anything."
Despite Iida's intervention, Bakugo and Tetsutetsu stayed locked in their standoff for a moment longer, their muscles tense, before finally relenting. Tetsutetsu released Bakugo's hand, and the explosive boy took a step back, seething.
"Tetsutetsu, let's go." Kaminari gave a slight nod to Tetsutetsu, then motioned for him and Jiro to follow. They walked away, leaving Bakugo to glare at their retreating figures, his fists still clenched tightly at his sides.
"I'll make them pay for this," Bakugo seethed inwardly, his mind racing with thoughts of revenge. He had never been so humiliated in his life, and the feeling gnawed at him, pushing him closer to the edge.
Back in the classroom, Kaminari paid no further attention to Bakugo. He sat down and glanced at the schedule on his desk, skimming through the list of upcoming classes.
He noticed that while other subjects had only six classes, the Hero Course had seven—four in the morning and three in the afternoon, with a break for lunch. Saturdays were especially rough for Hero students, with classes extending until the sixth period, unlike other departments that got out after the fourth.
"Hero training really is no joke," Kaminari thought with a sigh.
He was particularly looking forward to the science classes, hoping he could dive deeper into electromagnetism, which would help him develop his Quirk further.
But after his first science class, Kaminari felt a pang of disappointment. The material covered was too basic—nothing close to what he had hoped to learn about electromagnetism.
After class, he approached the science teacher, a bulky Hero with a robotic arm known as Engineering Robot.
"Sensei," Kaminari started, "when will we start learning about electromagnetism in depth?"
"Electromagnetism?" Engineering Robot scratched his head awkwardly. "That's usually covered in more detail starting in your second year."
Kaminari frowned. "Second year? But I really want to start learning now."
The teacher smiled apologetically. "I'd love to help, but I don't have time for tutoring right now. Between teaching and maintaining the school's infrastructure, I've got my hands full."
"Ah, I understand. Thank you anyway," Kaminari replied, trying not to let his disappointment show.
As the teacher left the room, he sighed and turned to go back to his desk. But just as he was about to sit down, he heard a voice behind him.
"You're interested in learning about electromagnetism?"
Yaoyorozu Momo's voice was gentle, but her tone carried a hint of curiosity.
Kaminari turned, surprised. "Do you know anything about it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Momo smiled confidently. "Yes, I've studied it quite a bit. While my specialty is in molecular structures and chemistry, I've also delved into electrostatics, magnetic fields, and the basics of changing electromagnetic fields."
She spoke effortlessly, rattling off terms that went over the heads of most of their classmates. Kaminari, however, was impressed.
"You really know your stuff, huh?"
Momo shrugged modestly. "I try to keep myself well-rounded. I'd be happy to teach you what I know."
Kaminari hesitated, surprised by her offer. "You'd... really do that?"
"Of course!" Momo's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "I love helping others learn. Why don't you come over to my house after school today? We can go over some electromagnetics for a couple of hours. I'm sure you'll pick it up quickly."
Kaminari grinned. "Sounds good to me."
He didn't notice the slight frown that crossed Jiro's face as she watched the exchange. Her eyes flicked from Momo to Kaminari, a thoughtful expression settling over her features. She said nothing, though, simply turning her attention back to the class schedule in front of her.
Chapter 39: Their Own Thoughts
At 4:10 PM, Class A was dismissed, marking the official end of Kaminari and his classmates' first day at U.A. High School. However, for some, school ending didn't mean the day was over, Kaminari and others still had plenty to do.
Kaminari made a quick call home to explain why he'd be coming back later than usual. Afterward, he waved goodbye to Tetsutetsu and Jiro, who seemed a little out of sorts, at the gates of the 'Hero Protective Wall.'
"Alright, lead the way," Kaminari said, turning to Yaoyorozu Momo, who was practically buzzing with excitement.
She was thrilled this was her first opportunity to officially teach someone. For as long as she could remember, Yaoyorozu had been learning on her own, accumulating knowledge far beyond that of her peers. But today, she wasn't just studying; she was going to impart what she knew. The idea of being a mentor filled her with enthusiasm.
"Lead the way?" Momo repeated, momentarily puzzled by Kaminari's words, before understanding dawned. She pointed to a sleek black limousine rolling toward them and smiled. "Our ride is here!"
"Uh... okay," Kaminari said with a casual shrug. It was just a limo, no big deal. Though, in the back of his mind, he couldn't help but compare it to the car at his own home, which, while nice, was nowhere near this level of luxury.
Forty minutes later, they arrived at a sprawling mansion in Aichi Prefecture. Kaminari stepped out of the car and took in his surroundings, a bit speechless.
"Seriously? Is this for real?" he muttered under his breath as he stared at the enormous mansion before him. Although he'd figured that Yaoyorozu Momo came from a wealthy family, this was on another level entirely.
To be fair, anyone would be floored by such grandeur. After all, mansions like this only existed in movies and TV dramas, at least for most people.
"Come on, let's go inside," Momo called, breaking his daze. "I've asked the butler to prepare everything."
Kaminari took a deep breath and told himself to stay calm. "I'm just here to learn about electromagnetism," he reminded himself. "Focus on that."
Even so, he made a mental note to research the Yaoyorozu family later. He couldn't believe that a family this wealthy didn't have some kind of public profile.
While Kaminari was in the mansion, sitting in an overly spacious hall, sipping top-quality black tea, and absorbing Momo's explanations about electromagnetism, his friend Tetsutetsu was pouring his energy into another endeavor training at the judo hall.
Boom!*
For the umpteenth time, Tetsutetsu hit the wooden floor with a heavy thud. This time, the fall left him more dazed than usual. He lay there for a moment, staring up at the glaring lights on the ceiling, his chest heaving.
Not far away stood Goro Daimon, his judo instructor a massive man, well over two meters tall, clad in a white judo uniform. He looked down at Tetsutetsu with calm eyes and asked, "Are you giving up already?"
"No... not yet," Tetsutetsu grumbled, pushing himself up with a groan. He looked at his teacher with frustration. "But when are you actually going to teach me some judo?! All I do is get thrown around!"
Ever since he started training here, all he'd done was get tossed across the mat. It didn't matter if he was facing fellow students or Daimon himself, Tetsutetsu's role was always the same. Where were the throws, the moves, the techniques he was supposed to be learning?
"You can't learn to throw until you understand why you're being thrown," Daimon said, his tone still calm but with an edge of sternness. "Do you feel the movements of the person throwing you? Do you think about how to minimize the impact when you hit the ground? Have you thought about countering their movements?"
Tetsutetsu lowered his head, embarrassed. He hadn't considered any of that.
"Up until now, you've just been reacting without thinking," Daimon continued. "Do you think fighting is just about learning a set of moves like it's some video game? Do you believe that memorizing a few techniques is all you need to win a fight?"
Tetsutetsu's silence deepened.
"Good fighting is about constant thinking. You need to feel your opponent's movements and analyze your own in response. That's what you should be focusing on right now," Daimon said, crossing his arms. "Once you understand the fundamentals of being thrown, then we can move on to the next stage. Mastery of throwing someone is a lifelong journey."
The words ignited something inside Tetsutetsu. His frustration melted away, replaced by determination. His eyes gleamed with renewed energy.
"Got it, Sensei! Let's go again!" Tetsutetsu shouted, charging forward once more, but this time, his eyes were sharper, more focused. He was watching Daimon's every movement, trying to predict the next throw.
In his heart, Tetsutetsu roared: "Kaminari wants to be the strongest lightning-type Hero? Then I'll be the strongest hard-core Hero!"
Though he and Kaminari hadn't known each other for long, Tetsutetsu could already feel how impressive Kaminari was. The sense of urgency to improve weighed on him. He couldn't let the gap between them grow too large he wouldn't allow it.
If a powerful villain appeared in the future, he wanted to stand shoulder to shoulder with Kaminari, ready to fight. He didn't want to be the one standing in the background, helpless.
To him, that wasn't a true partnership. He had to become stronger.
"Here I come!" Tetsutetsu roared inwardly, and the sound of bodies hitting the mat filled the dojo once again, but this time, there was a sense of struggle Tetsutetsu was beginning to resist.
Back in Shizuoka Prefecture, Jiro Kyoka walked home in silence, her black schoolbag slung over her shoulder. Unlike her usual routine, she hadn't put on her headphones to block out the noise of the world. Instead, she seemed lost in thought.
Her phone buzzed inside her bag, playing "Only My Railgun" as her ringtone. She unzipped her bag and pulled out the phone, answering the call without checking the screen.
"Hey, Kazama," she said quietly, recognizing the caller's voice instantly.
"How's it going at U.A.?" came the gentle voice of a young man on the other end.
Jiro paused, glancing around at the street she was walking down. It was quiet, peaceful, but something about today had left her feeling unsettled.
"...It's fine," she replied, her voice more guarded than usual.
"Just fine?" Kazama's tone was soft but knowing. He could tell when something was off. "You don't sound like yourself, Kyoka."
Jiro hesitated, her thumb tracing the edge of her phone case absentmindedly. She didn't feel like explaining everything, but at the same time, keeping it to herself was making her feel even more out of sorts. She sighed quietly, deciding to brush off her unease with a half-truth.
Chapter 40 Creation, Expectation, Tomorrow
"Yeah, just a lot to take in, that's all. New school, new people. You know how it is."
The memory of Yaoyorozu Momo inviting Kaminari over to her place flashed through Jiro's mind again, making her feel a bit irritated.
"Yeah..."
The sound of the wind over the phone did little to mask Jiro's mood, and it didn't go unnoticed by the boy on the other end.
His normally soft gaze hardened with concern. Was Jiro being bullied at U.A.? He clenched his jaw at the thought, frustrated at his own failure to get into the hero course. If only he had spent more time on his studies.
But instead of confronting Jiro directly, he switched the topic with a casual tone, trying to lift her spirits by talking about things she liked. "By the way, have you met that Kaminari Denki?"
"Kaminari... what about him?" Jiro's brow furrowed. She suddenly had the urge to end the call.
"Hey, did you already forget?" The boy let out a small laugh. "Weren't you the one who said you wanted to start a band with Kaminari? I've been waiting to hear how that's going."
He was fully behind the idea, not only because he admired Kaminari's music, but also because it would be a way for him to stay close to Jiro, even if they were in different schools. It seemed like a win-win to him.
"A band..."
For some reason, that word sparked a faint light in Jiro's eyes, a fire that had been nearly extinguished by the day's events.
"If I start a band with Kaminari, does that mean we'd be spending a lot of time together?"
She wasn't sure why she felt this way. She couldn't even explain to herself why she felt the need to be around Kaminari so much lately, only that she didn't like the idea of him being alone with Yaoyorozu Momo.
"I'll talk to Kaminari about it tomorrow!"
"Great, don't forget this time! And maybe introduce me to him when you get the chance," the blue-haired boy teased, trying to lighten the mood.
"Don't worry, I won't forget!" Jiro said with newfound resolve, then quickly ended the call. Her finger hovered over Kaminari's contact number on her phone.
Although she said she would talk to him about it tomorrow, she was tempted to call him right now. But then again... he was probably still studying with Yaoyorozu Momo at the moment.
She didn't want to disturb him, especially since he seemed so invested in learning about electromagnetism. Glancing at the time, she finally sighed and locked her phone.
"I'll just tell him in person tomorrow."
"7 p.m."
Kaminari had gained a lot from Momo's help and was now on the Shinkansen back to Saitama. Meanwhile, Momo herself was staring at a small whiteboard filled with complex electromagnetic equations, feeling quite pleased with today's progress.
"Just a bit more, and he'll be caught up," she murmured to herself with a satisfied smile.
However, remembering the speed at which Kaminari absorbed the material, she couldn't help but feel a little troubled.
"It looks like I need to start preparing more advanced material, or else I'll run out of things to teach him soon."
With this thought in mind, she put down the crystal glass in her hand and turned to the elderly butler standing behind her. "Please move all the books on electromagnetism to the study."
"Yes, Miss," the butler replied with a courteous bow.
On the train, Kaminari leaned against the window, quietly contemplating Yaoyorozu Momo's Quirk. He found himself enjoying this quiet time alone, lost in thought. After all, Momo had put so much effort into helping him; the least he could do was think about ways to reciprocate.
While he might not be as knowledgeable as Momo when it came to academics, he had his own insights, especially when it came to the development of Quirks. He was confident he could offer some helpful advice.
"Her Quirk is called 'Creation.' It allows her to create any inanimate object, as long as she understands its structure. It's an impressive ability, but it's not without its limits."
From what he knew, 'Creation' had its fair share of restrictions, just like every other Quirk in this world. The first major limitation was her own "energy reserve" in her case, body fat. The more complex or larger the object she wanted to create, the more fat she had to burn.
If she used her Quirk recklessly, it could take a toll on her body. After all, a human body with no fat reserves would face serious health risks.
The second limitation was her understanding of the objects she wanted to create. The more detailed her knowledge of an item's structure, the easier and smoother the creation process would be.
While the first issue could be resolved with a more caloric diet, the second required innate intelligence and an aptitude for learning. Not everyone had the talent to memorize complex schematics and molecular structures. Kaminari realized that if this Quirk belonged to an average person, they'd probably only manage to create simple items like tissues their entire life.
In short, Momo's Quirk was as high-end as her family's wealth—top-tier, but not without challenges.
"But why does it feel like her Quirk doesn't fully live up to the name 'Creation'?" Kaminari pondered, before suddenly realizing what was bothering him.
"If it only allows her to reproduce objects that already exist, shouldn't it be called 'Manufacturing' instead? She's not really creating something new she's just making known items based on pre-existing data."
True creation involved innovation, bringing something new into existence. If he asked Momo to create something fantastical like a 'Golden Saint Cloth,' would she be able to do it?
The answer was clearly no... at least not right now.
However, another possibility dawned on him. What if Momo's Quirk really was 'Creation,' but her current limitations were due to her age and inexperience? Perhaps, as she grew stronger, she might unlock its full potential.
"If that's the case, the key to her Quirk might not just be understanding the molecular structure of objects, but also gaining a deeper understanding of the world itself."
Whether or not this theory was correct, Kaminari had decided to maintain a close relationship with Momo. Was that opportunistic of him? Maybe, but he was an adult at heart far beyond the naive age where friendships had to be free from any ulterior motives.
Besides, he didn't have any bad intentions. He genuinely valued her potential and had elevated her position in his mind because of it.
After all, everyone had different levels of intimacy with their friends, and absolute equality was an illusion. That's just human nature.
"I need to share this theory with Momo soon... maybe tomorrow," Kaminari thought as he watched the nightscape blur past the train window.
The more he immersed himself in this world, especially since getting involved with U.A., the more he found himself genuinely excited by everything he encountered.
Living a life where there was always something to look forward to who wouldn't want that?