A while later, after the confrontation with the bullies, I finally had a moment to check the mission rewards. The system notification flashed in my mind:
Mission Complete: Defeat the Bullies
Rewards:
Level Up! (You are now Level 11)
1000 Gold
I couldn't help but smirk. I should thank those idiots for helping me level up. At the very least, this should keep them quiet for a while. No one likes being humiliated, and I doubted they'd want a repeat of today's performance.
That night, I knew it was time to talk to my parents about my decision to become a hero. It wasn't something I'd been keeping from them intentionally, but I wanted to make sure I was ready—both in terms of my abilities and my resolve. Now, with the UA entrance exam just around the corner, there was no more time to delay.
During dinner, I glanced at my parents as they ate, their faces calm and content. I took a deep breath and spoke up. "Mom, Dad… I want to become a hero. I've been preparing to take the UA entrance exam."
The room fell silent. My parents froze, their chopsticks hovering mid-air as they stared at me in surprise. My mother was the first to recover. "Jin, that's… that's wonderful," she said, though her voice wavered slightly. "But… when did you decide this? And how have you been preparing?"
I knew this was coming. I'd rehearsed my explanation in my head countless times. "I actually awakened my Quirk a few months ago," I said, keeping my tone steady. "It allows me to absorb energy, store it in my body, and release it. That's why I've been going to the dojo—to train my body so I can pass the practical part of the exam."
My father's eyebrows shot up. "You awakened your Quirk? And you didn't tell us?"
I shrugged, trying to play it off casually. "I wanted to make sure I could control it before I said anything. I didn't want to worry you."
My mother's expression softened, but there was still a hint of concern in her eyes. "Jin, you know UA is a very prestigious school. The acceptance rate is incredibly low. Don't push yourself too hard, okay? There are other hero academies, too. We'll be proud of you no matter where you go, as long as you're happy."
I understood what she was getting at. To them, I was still their son who had only recently awakened his Quirk and had been training for a few months. They didn't want me to set my heart on UA only to be disappointed. But I wasn't the same person I'd been before. I'd worked too hard to doubt myself now.
I looked at them, my voice firm. "Don't worry, Mom. I'm confident I'll get into UA."
My father leaned back in his chair, studying me with a curious expression. "Tell us more about this Quirk of yours. How does it work? What can you do with it?"
I gave them the answers I'd prepared, careful not to reveal too much. I explained how I could absorb energy from my surroundings and release it in controlled bursts, but I left out the details about the system and my training techniques. Some things were better kept to myself.
The night before the exam, after my final training session at the dojo, Kendo's father—my sensei—called me into his office. He was a tall, imposing man with a stern demeanor, but there was always a hint of warmth in his eyes when he spoke to his students.
"Jin," he began, his voice calm but serious. "Are you taking the UA entrance exam tomorrow?"
I nodded. "Yes, Sensei. I am."
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk. "How are you getting there?"
"My parents are driving me," I replied. Honestly, I would've preferred to go alone, but my mother insisted on being there. Plus, the exam was on a Sunday, so it didn't clash with regular school.
Sensei paused for a moment as if considering his next words carefully. "Would you mind taking Itsuka with you? I'd like to take her myself, but something's come up, and I don't want her going alone."
I didn't hesitate. "Of course, Sensei. I'd be happy to."
He nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Good. I know she'll appreciate it."
Later, when I told my mother about the arrangement, she gave me a knowing look. "Is she your girlfriend?" she asked, her tone teasing.
I kept my face completely neutral. "No, Mom. She's just a friend from the dojo."
My mother chuckled, clearly unconvinced, but she didn't press the matter. I sighed inwardly. Parents.
As I lay in bed that night, my mind raced with thoughts of the upcoming exam. This was it—the moment I'd been working toward for months. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and let the tension melt away. I was ready.