Chapter 2 Find your own path
Izuku dashed through the streets, his breath steady and his steps light. The glowing map in his vision guided him toward a large tree at the corner of a quiet park. On one of the higher branches, a fluffy orange cat yowled, its tail twitching nervously. Izuku came to a stop beneath the tree, craning his neck to get a better look.
"There you are," he said, his tone soothing. "Don't worry, I'll get you down."
He glanced at the trunk and sized up his options. Thanks to his recently acquired Nimble Body skill, he felt confident. Crouching slightly, he leapt forward, planting his foot on the base of the tree and springing off with precision. His hand gripped a branch, and he swung himself upward, his movements fluid and almost instinctual.
"Whoa," he whispered, perched on the branch next to the cat. "This skill is amazing. I feel like a ninja!"
The cat hissed at first, but Izuku gently reached out, speaking softly. "It's okay, little guy. I'm not going to hurt you." The cat hesitated, then allowed him to scoop it into his arms. With the cat secured, Izuku took a deep breath and leapt down. He flipped midair, landing gracefully on his feet like it was second nature.
"That… was awesome," he said, grinning as he looked at the cat in his arms. "You're lucky I've got these skills now, huh?"
The quest marker guided him to a middle-aged woman pacing near a bench. Her face lit up as Izuku approached, holding the cat. "Oh, my goodness, you found him!" she exclaimed, taking the cat from his arms. "Thank you so much, young man. I was so worried."
Izuku rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "It's no problem, ma'am. I'm just glad he's safe." He waved as he walked away, the woman calling out her thanks again.
A soft chime echoed in his mind as the quest completed. "50 XP."
….
Later that day, Izuku sat in his room, his desk cluttered with books and his phone. He had used some of his XP to purchase the Studying skill, curious to see how it would help. Flipping open his history textbook, he began to read, and something clicked immediately. The words felt clearer, their meaning more obvious. Concepts that usually took him hours to grasp made sense after just a few minutes.
"This is incredible," he muttered, his green eyes wide with amazement. "I've always struggled with history unless it was about heroes. But now… it's like the information just sticks." He spent the next hour breezing through chapters, occasionally pausing to take notes.
When he needed a break, he opened his phone and searched online for free PDFs of martial arts manuals. "If I can't afford a teacher, I'll just teach myself," he said, downloading several guides. He opened one on basic combat stances and began practicing the movements in his room. Every punch and kick felt sharper, more precise than before.
After a while, Izuku returned to the skill menu, scrolling through the Magic section. His eyes locked onto a skill that caught his attention immediately: Heal.
"Heal," he murmured, his thoughts racing. "I could use this to recover during fights… or help other people." The description said it cost 1000 XP. He frowned, glancing at his remaining XP. He had only 100 left after buying the Studying skill. "Looks like I've got more work to do."
Determined, Izuku set out into the city, tackling as many quests as he could find. He started at the beach, clearing away piles of trash. Each section he finished granted him 50 XP, and he watched his total steadily climb.
"Who knew cleaning up garbage could feel so rewarding?" he joked to himself, wiping sweat from his brow. "And hey, this place is looking way better."
Next, he found a flyer about a missing dog and used the map function to track it down. It took some coaxing to get the dog to come to him, but eventually, he returned it to its grateful owner. Another 50 XP appeared in his notifications.
Not every task earned XP. When he helped an elderly woman cross the street, he checked for a reward and saw nothing. But he didn't mind. "Not everything needs a reward," he told himself with a small smile. "Helping people feels good on its own."
After hours of running around, completing quests, and racking up XP, Izuku finally hit his goal. He stood under a streetlamp, the glow of the evening sky behind him, as he opened his skills menu. His heart raced as he selected Heal and confirmed the purchase. The familiar warmth of the system enveloped him as the skill activated.
He clenched his fists, excitement bubbling over. "I've got it," he said aloud, a grin spreading across his face. "I can heal now!"
Eager to test it, he focused on his left hand, channeling energy into it. A faint green glow surrounded his palm, and he felt a comforting warmth. Even though he wasn't injured, the sensation reassured him. "This is going to make a huge difference in battles," he said, his confidence growing.
As he walked home under the fading light, Izuku couldn't help but feel proud. Each small step brought him closer to his dream of becoming a true hero.
zuku yawned, stretching as he set his pen down. His homework was finished in record time, the Studying skill working wonders. "Fifteen minutes," he murmured, a small smile tugging at his lips. "This is unreal. I used to spend hours on this stuff."
Satisfied, he turned to his PDFs on martial arts and decided to squeeze in some practice before bed. Grabbing his things, he jogged to the park under the dim glow of streetlights, his heart light with excitement. "If I keep this up, I'll level up in no time," he thought, his fists clenching in anticipation.
At the park, he dropped his bag near a bench and began practicing stances and punches from the PDFs. His movements were deliberate, and though they felt awkward at first, the fluidity of Nimble Body soon took over. Each swing of his fist grew sharper, his kicks more precise. A faint chime rang in his ears after about twenty minutes, signaling a small gain: Class XP 15.
"Not bad for just practicing," he said, wiping sweat from his forehead. He opened his class menu and checked his progress: Class XP: 15/150. "I'll need a bit more to level up my Martial Artist class."
He paused, scrolling through the quests menu. His eyes landed on a nearby dungeon marker: Level 1 Dungeon: Beach of Trials. The thought of taking on another dungeon thrilled him. "I could grind one out quickly," he reasoned. "If I level up my class before bed, I'll be stronger tomorrow."
With a determined nod, he followed the glowing map marker, leading him toward the shoreline.
When Izuku arrived at the beach, the soft crash of waves greeted him. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of salt. As he reached the designated spot, a glowing notification appeared: "Speak the words: 'Open.'" He hesitated briefly before saying the command aloud.
"Open," he said, his voice firm.
A shimmering blue door materialized in the sand before him, its surface rippling like water. Above it, glowing letters read Level 1 Dungeon. Izuku stared in awe. "It's still so surreal," he muttered, reaching out to push the door open. It felt solid under his hand, and as it creaked open, he stepped through.
The world shifted, and he found himself standing on a small island surrounded by an endless expanse of ocean. The beach was pristine, the sand white and soft under his shoes. To his left, a few rocky outcroppings jutted into the water, while to his right, a steep hill rose into a plateau. "That must be where the boss is," he guessed, shielding his eyes to squint at the distant peak.
Movement caught his attention. In the distance, several large shapes scuttled across the sand. As they came into focus, he realized what they were: giant crabs, each twice his size, their shells glistening under the sun.
Izuku cracked his knuckles. "Alright, let's see what these things can do."
He ran toward the nearest crab, fists raised. The creature noticed him and clicked its claws aggressively, scuttling sideways to face him. Without hesitation, Izuku threw a series of punches at its shell, but each one bounced off harmlessly, the sound of impact dull and unsatisfying.
"Tough armor," he muttered, jumping back as the crab snapped its claw at him. The attack was fast and powerful, the air whistling with the motion. He narrowly dodged, twisting to the side with a leap. "Okay, brute force won't work. Think, Izuku."
He observed the crab's movements, noticing how its joints were exposed when it reared its claws. "The weak point is at the joints," he realized. "I just need to time it right."
The crab lunged again, its claw slicing through the air. Izuku dodged to the left, then darted forward, aiming for the joint where the claw met its body. "Power Strike!" he yelled, channeling his energy into a single punch. His fist connected with a satisfying crunch, and the crab's claw snapped off, falling to the sand.
"One down," he said, jumping back as the crab flailed. The second claw swung wildly, but Izuku was ready. He ducked under the swipe and delivered another Power Strike to the remaining joint. The second claw broke away, and the crab collapsed onto the sand, motionless.
Victory!
Gained: 100 XP Class XP Gained: 10
Izuku wiped his brow, staring at the defeated creature. "Low health but high defense," he noted. "I'll need to conserve my SP if I'm going to fight more of these."
He turned to face two more crabs advancing toward him. Their claws clicked menacingly, and he felt a bead of sweat roll down his temple. "Here we go again," he muttered, raising his fists.
The next few minutes were a blur of movement. Izuku ducked and weaved, dodging claw strikes with his enhanced agility. Each time he saw an opening, he struck the crabs' joints, breaking their claws one by one. His SP bar dwindled rapidly, but he managed to defeat both creatures without taking a hit.
Gained: 200 XP Class XP Gained: 20
Panting, he stepped back and surveyed the battlefield. The crabs didn't vanish like the tutorial monsters. Instead, their remains littered the sand, their claws and shells gleaming in the sunlight. A notification popped up, explaining: "Creatures in this dungeon do not disappear. Their remains can be harvested for resources."
Curious, Izuku checked his inventory. He had collected three crab cores, several shells, and a few chunks of crab meat. Another notification appeared, introducing him to the shop system.
"You can sell items?" he said, intrigued. Opening the shop, he sold the cores for 300 credits, the shells for 75, and the meat for 25. And the three goblin Gloves for 200 each The total left him with 1,000 credits.
He scrolled through the shop, his eyes widening at the array of items. Magical trinkets, potions, and even equipment were available. One item caught his eye: Boots of Agility. The description read: "Doubles the wearer's speed for one minute. Cooldown: five minutes."
"That could be useful," he said, purchasing the boots for 1,000 credits. They materialized in a flash of light, and he quickly swapped them for his current shoes. Testing them out, he jogged in place, feeling a noticeable difference in his speed.
He continued exploring the island, encountering more crabs and testing his strategies. Each fight grew easier as he learned their patterns. At one point, he discovered a treasure chest hidden among some rocks. Opening it revealed a shimmering sword.
"Finally, a weapon," he said, picking it up. But as soon as he gripped the hilt, a sharp jolt of energy coursed through him. A notification appeared: "Item incompatible with class."
Izuku groaned, setting the sword down. "Of course. I'm a Martial Artist, not a Swordsman." Another notification explained the inventory system, allowing him to store the sword for later. With a sigh, he added it to his inventory and moved on.
He found more chests, collecting treasures and resources while defeating crabs along the way. And collecting their drops. Though exhausted, he felt exhilarated, his confidence growing with each victory. He knew the boss fight was approaching, but he wasn't ready to stop just yet.
Izuku stood at the base of the mountain plateau, looking up at the massive incline ahead. He adjusted the straps of his shadow cloak, his breath steady but filled with anticipation. The battles with the smaller crabs had prepared him for this moment, but the notification that flashed as he ascended filled him with equal parts excitement and dread: "Boss Detected: Giant Crab Titan."
"Okay, Izuku," he whispered to himself, flexing his fingers in the Orc Gloves. "You've leveled up your stats, gotten stronger… you can do this."
As he climbed the rocky path, he couldn't help but feel a mix of pride and exhaustion. His exploration of the beach dungeon had been fruitful. From the treasure chests, he had collected swords, daggers, and bows, along with several iron ingots. Though he couldn't use the weapons due to his class, they were safely stored in his inventory, waiting for the day they'd prove useful. His real reward was the XP he'd gained. With 130 Class XP and 1200 regular XP to his name, he had taken the opportunity to strengthen himself further. He spent 500 XP to boost his Physical stat to 40 and another 500 to raise his Body stat to 40.
He could feel the changes in his body. His punches felt heavier, his stamina deeper, and his health bar now stretched to a whopping 4000 HP.
"Alright, big guy," he muttered as he approached the plateau. "Let's see what you've got."
When he reached the top, the sight that greeted him took his breath away. The Giant Crab Titan was unlike anything he had fought before. Its massive form towered over the landscape, at least ten feet tall with legs as thick as tree trunks. Its claws glinted in the sunlight, razor-sharp and menacing. But what truly set it apart was its speed. The crab moved quickly, its legs scuttling with surprising agility.
Izuku clenched his fists, taking a deep breath. "Okay, focus. You've got this," he said, stepping forward. The Giant Crab Titan turned its attention to him, its eyes glowing a faint blue. Without warning, it opened its mouth and unleashed a high-pressure jet of water aimed directly at him.
"Whoa!" Izuku shouted, leaping to the side. The water stream hit the ground where he had been standing, carving a deep gouge into the rocky surface. "That's definitely not something I've seen before."
The crab didn't give him a moment to recover. It scuttled forward, swinging one of its massive claws down at him. Izuku barely rolled out of the way, the claw slamming into the ground with a thunderous BOOM that sent debris flying.
"Fast and strong," Izuku muttered, circling the creature. "I can't let it pin me down."
The crab lunged again, this time swiping horizontally with its other claw. Izuku ducked under the swing, pivoting on his left foot and delivering a quick jab to the joint of the claw. The impact connected, and a "-150" floated above the creature.
"Gotcha!" he said, but his celebration was cut short as the crab spun suddenly, its back leg catching him in the side. The blow sent him tumbling across the rocky plateau, and a "-250" flashed above his head.
Izuku groaned, clutching his ribs as he scrambled to his feet. His HP had dropped to 3750, but he refused to let the pain slow him down. "Stay sharp," he told himself, dodging another water jet. The stream tore through a boulder behind him, shattering it into pieces.
The crab advanced, using its claws and legs in a relentless barrage of attacks. Izuku ducked under a claw, rolled away from a leg stomp, and leapt over a sweeping attack, sweat pouring down his face.
"I need to get in close," he thought, narrowing his eyes at the creature's joints. "Its shell is too tough, but those weak points…"
He darted forward, using his Nimble Body skill to leap onto the crab's leg. Climbing swiftly, he reached the base of the claw and unleashed a Power Strike, his glowing fist slamming into the joint. A "-300" floated above the crab as the claw cracked slightly.
The crab roared—or at least, made a deep gurgling sound that shook the ground—and thrashed violently, throwing Izuku off. He hit the ground hard, his HP dropping by another "-150."
"Damn, that hurt," he muttered, coughing as he got back up. He focused on his Heal skill, channeling energy into his hands. A warm green light enveloped him, restoring 100 HPat the cost of 25 MP.
"Alright, let's finish this," he said, determination burning in his eyes.
The crab lunged again, its claws moving faster now. Izuku dodged left, then right, weaving between the attacks like a leaf in the wind. As another claw came down, he leapt to the side and sprinted forward, aiming for the exposed joint.
"Power Strike!" he shouted, his fist slamming into the weakened joint. This time, the claw snapped off completely, falling to the ground with a deafening crash.
The crab staggered, its movements becoming more erratic. It unleashed another water jet, forcing Izuku to dive behind a boulder for cover. The water hit the rock with enough force to crack it, sending shards flying.
"I can't let up now," Izuku thought, circling around the crab. He sprinted forward, ducking under another swing and delivering a series of rapid punches to its remaining claw joint. With a final Power Strike, the second claw broke off, leaving the crab defenseless.
The creature let out a guttural groan, its legs twitching as it tried to retreat. Izuku didn't let it. He leapt onto its back, raising his fists.
"This is for everything you put me through!" he shouted, driving his fists into the crab's exposed joints with relentless force. Each punch sent cracks spidering across the creature's shell until, finally, it collapsed with a shuddering thud.
A notification appeared as the crab dissolved into shimmering particles: "Boss Defeated! XP Gained: 700. Class XP Gained: 70."
Izuku fell to his knees, panting heavily. His HP bar had dropped to 3400, and his SP was nearly depleted. "That was… insane," he said, wiping sweat from his forehead. He used Heal one more time, recovering another 100 HP.
A treasure chest materialized where the crab had fallen. Izuku approached it cautiously, his body still aching from the fight. As he opened the chest, a soft glow emanated from inside, revealing his rewards.
Izuku's chest heaved as he stood over the defeated Giant Crab Titan. The treasure chest before him gleamed, its intricate carvings shimmering faintly. With a cautious hand, he opened it, revealing two new items: a pair of Hard Shell Gauntlets and a Hard Shell Necklace. He carefully examined them, a notification popping up with their stats.
Hard Shell Gauntlets: 30 Damage, 10 Defense
Hard Shell Necklace: 30 Defense
He equipped them immediately, feeling the gauntlets fit snugly over his hands. They were sleek but sturdy, their material tough enough to endure heavy blows. The necklace felt cool against his skin, a comforting weight as it settled around his neck. "These are amazing," he said, clenching his fists and feeling the extra power they provided.
Another chime sounded, signaling his level up. "Level up achieved!" the system announced in his mind. He felt a sudden surge of energy as all his stats increased by five. Opening his menu, he checked his skills and noticed a new addition: Unarmored Defense.
The description read: "Combines Mind and Body stats to increase Defense."
Izuku grinned. "So that's how it works. I've already got high stats in both Mind and Body. This skill is going to make me really tough to take down."
Satisfied with his progress, Izuku felt exhaustion beginning to creep in. "Alright," he muttered, closing the system interface. "That's enough for today. Time to head home."
The next morning, Izuku woke up feeling refreshed, the events of the previous night still vivid in his mind. As he sat at the breakfast table, his mother, Inko, looked at him with a warm smile.
"You seem… different this morning," she said, tilting her head curiously. "Did something happen, Izuku?"
He shook his head quickly, offering her a reassuring smile. "Nothing, Mom. I just… feel really great today. I think things are finally starting to look up."
Inko beamed. "That's wonderful, sweetie! I'm so proud of you."
As much as Izuku wanted to share his secret with her, he held back. "Not yet," he thought. "I have to figure out more about this system first."
After breakfast, Izuku grabbed his bag and headed to school. The walk was peaceful at first, the early morning sun warming his face. But as he turned a corner near the school, a familiar voice reached his ears.
"Get out of my way, freak," snarled a boy with a voice like gravel. Izuku's eyes narrowed as he saw the scene ahead.
It was the kid with the Stone Fist Quirk, one of Katsuki's usual lackeys. He had a girl cornered against the wall, his rocky hand pressed menacingly to the bricks beside her head. She looked terrified, her hands clutching her schoolbag as tears welled up in her eyes.
Izuku didn't hesitate. "Hey!" he shouted, dropping his bag as he sprinted forward. The boy turned just in time to see Izuku launch himself into the air, his enhanced agility from Nimble Body carrying him higher than expected. Izuku's foot connected with the side of the boy's head in a precise karate kick, sending him sprawling to the ground.
The girl gasped, clutching her bag tighter. Izuku landed in a crouch, his fists raised. "You think you're tough, huh?" Izuku said, his voice steady but filled with anger. "Picking on someone who can't fight back? Not on my watch."
The boy groaned, sitting up and rubbing the side of his head. His eyes widened when he saw Izuku standing over him. "You little—!" he growled, but before he could finish, the girl ran to his side.
"Stop it!" she shouted, glaring at Izuku.
Izuku blinked, confused. "What are you talking about? He was bullying you!"
The girl's face flushed with guilt as she looked down. "He wasn't… I mean… he's my friend," she stammered. "I—I didn't ask for your help!"
Izuku's fists lowered, his expression turning to one of disbelief. "Friend? He had you pinned to a wall! That's not what friends do!" His voice was sharp, his frustration evident. "You were crying. You looked terrified."
The girl bit her lip, her hands trembling as she glanced back at the boy, who was now standing, glaring at Izuku. "I… I was fine," she insisted weakly. "You didn't need to get involved."
"Fine?" Izuku repeated, his voice rising slightly. "He was about to—"
"Shut up, Deku!" the boy interrupted, stepping forward. His stone fist clenched as he glared daggers at Izuku. "You've got some nerve pulling this crap. Why don't you go back to being the quirkless loser you've always been?"
Izuku's jaw tightened, but he didn't back down. "Maybe I don't have a flashy Quirk," he said, his voice calm but firm. "But I won't just stand by and watch someone get hurt."
The girl stepped between them, holding out her arms. "Stop it! Both of you!" she cried. She turned to Izuku, her expression torn. "I don't know why you think you're some kind of hero, but I didn't need your help, okay? Just… leave us alone!"
Izuku stared at her, his resolve wavering. He could see the conflict in her eyes, the way her voice trembled. She wasn't angry at him—she was afraid of something else. But before he could say anything, she grabbed the boy's arm and pulled him away.
"Come on," she muttered, her head down as she led him off.
Izuku stood frozen, watching them go. His fists unclenched, and he exhaled deeply, the adrenaline from the encounter fading. He felt a pang of frustration mixed with confusion.
"What just happened?" he muttered to himself. "Why did she defend him? Why would she protect someone like that?"
He retrieved his bag, slinging it over his shoulder as he continued toward the school. His thoughts swirled as he tried to make sense of what he had seen. "Maybe there's more to this than I realized," he thought. "I need to figure out what's really going on."
Izuku walked into the classroom, his thoughts swirling from the chaotic morning. He did his best to focus on his lessons, but his mind kept drifting back to the strange encounter with the girl and the boy with the Stone Fist. Something about it still felt off, but he couldn't piece it together. He took notes mechanically, the words barely registering.
When lunch rolled around, he sat in his usual spot and reached for his hero journal, the notebook where he recorded everything he admired and analyzed about heroes. His heart sank as he patted the inside of his bag and came up empty.
"Ah, great," he muttered, digging through the rest of his belongings. "Just my luck. Did I drop it on the way here?" He frowned, replaying the morning in his mind. "It's fine," he sighed. "It's just one journal. I've rewritten these things a dozen times before."
Despite his attempt to brush it off, a nagging worry settled in his chest. After lunch, he headed back to the classroom early and scanned his desk. Relief washed over him when he saw a familiar notebook sitting on the edge. He grabbed it and held it tightly, a small smile crossing his face.
"There you are," he whispered, slipping the journal into his backpack. "I thought I'd lost you."
Class resumed, and Izuku was just starting to feel normal again when the door suddenly opened. The principal, a stern-looking man with a sharp suit and tired eyes, stepped inside. The entire class went quiet, their eyes darting between the principal and Izuku.
"Midoriya," the principal said firmly. "Come with me, please."
Confusion rippled through the room. Izuku glanced around, his classmates exchanging puzzled looks.
Izuku stood hesitantly, grabbing his bag.
"Uh… yes, sir," he said, his voice uncertain.
The walk to the principal's office felt like an eternity. Izuku's stomach churned as he stepped inside, only to find his mother sitting there. Her face was pale, her hands trembling as she stared at the computer screen in front of her. The room was thick with tension, and Izuku's heart dropped further when he noticed another familiar face: Mitsuki Bakugo, Katsuki's mother, standing next to her son.
"Mom?" Izuku asked hesitantly, taking a step forward. "What's going on?"
Inko turned to him, her eyes wide with a mixture of horror and confusion. "Izuku… what is this?" she whispered, motioning to the screen.
The principal cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Midoriya," he began, his tone grave. "We've received some concerning evidence regarding your behavior."
The screen played a video, and Izuku's blood ran cold as he watched. It showed him attacking the boy with Stone Fist, but the footage was heavily edited. The angles and timing painted him as the aggressor, leaping at the boy unprovoked. The girl's terrified face was frozen in a single frame, looking more like she was scared of Izuku than of the boy with Stone Fist.
"This isn't right!" Izuku blurted out, his voice shaking. "That's not what happened!"
"Enough," the principal said, raising a hand. "This video clearly shows you attacking another student without provocation."
"That's not true!" Izuku insisted. "He was cornering a girl! I was protecting her—"
Mitsuki Bakugo cut him off, her voice sharp. "Protecting her? That's rich, Midoriya. My son told me you've been acting out lately, and now this? You're becoming dangerous!"
Katsuki smirked faintly behind her, his arms crossed, but he stayed silent.
Izuku's head whipped around to his mother, desperate. "Mom, you believe me, don't you? I wasn't the one—"
The principal coughed again, silencing him. "Midoriya, your behavior has raised serious concerns. You've been accused of stalking other students and displaying an unhealthy obsession with Quirks. This isn't the first time we've noticed troubling signs."
Izuku's eyes widened in shock. "What are you talking about? I haven't done anything like that!"
The principal's expression hardened. "Let's take a look at your journal, then."
Izuku hesitated, his hand instinctively clutching his bag. He didn't want to give them his journal—not because he had anything to hide, but because it was personal. It was his heart and soul, filled with his dreams and admiration for heroes.
"Midoriya," the principal said, his voice firmer. "Hand it over."
Reluctantly, Izuku pulled the journal from his bag and handed it over. The principal opened it, flipping through the pages. His brows furrowed as he read aloud.
"'Kill, murder Katsuki Bakugo. I wish I had his power. I wish he were dead. He doesn't deserve his Quirk—I do.'"
Izuku's breath caught in his throat. "What?" he whispered, taking a step back. "No… no, I didn't write that. I never wrote that!"
The principal slammed the journal down on the desk. "Deny it all you want, Midoriya, but this is your handwriting, and it came from your backpack."
"That's not possible!" Izuku shouted, his voice cracking. "Someone must have… they must have planted it or changed it! I'd never write something like that!"
Mitsuki crossed her arms, her tone dripping with scorn. "You're not fooling anyone, kid. This obsession of yours with heroes and Quirks—it's gone too far."
"I'm not obsessed!" Izuku shot back, his voice trembling. "I just… I just want to help people. I want to be a hero!"
The principal shook his head, his expression pitying. "Midoriya, I know you're a troubled boy, but you have to own up to your actions. Denying it won't help you."
Izuku clenched his fists, his mind racing. "This isn't fair," he thought, panic bubbling in his chest. "This isn't fair! I didn't do any of this!"
His mother stood, tears in her eyes. "Izuku… please, just tell me the truth. Did you… did you write these things?"
"No!" Izuku cried, his voice breaking. "Mom, you have to believe me! I didn't do this!"
The principal's tone grew cold. "You've left us no choice. Your behavior cannot be tolerated any longer. We'll be recommending disciplinary action, possibly expulsion."
Izuku stared at him in disbelief, his world crumbling around him. "I didn't do anything," he whispered, his voice barely audible. But no one seemed to be listening.
Izuku squeezed his eyes shut, his heart pounding in his chest. He prayed that everything happening was a cruel dream—a nightmare that he'd soon wake from. But when he opened them, he found himself not in the principal's office, but in a dark, endless void. The air felt heavy, and he couldn't see anything beyond the shadowy expanse surrounding him.
A faint glow appeared in front of him, and with it, a text bubble from the system:
"What are you doing right now? They don't believe you. Your mother doesn't believe you. Everyone looks at you with disgust. They have won. What will you do?"
Izuku's hands trembled as he stared at the words. His mind swirled with anger, sadness, and confusion. "No one believes me," he whispered to himself, his voice hoarse. "Even my own mom… they think I did it. They think I'm some kind of monster."
The text bubble changed, the system continuing:
"New Quest: Become a man. Punch the blonde-haired explosion boy. Reward: Special. Find your own path."
Izuku clenched his fists, his breath shaky. "Punch Kacchan? You want me to fight him? That won't fix anything… will it?"
The text faded, replaced by two simple words: "Wake up."
Izuku jolted as if pulled from a deep sleep, his surroundings snapping back into place. He was back in the principal's office, his mother still crying, the principal still lecturing him, and Mitsuki Bakugo glaring at him with barely contained contempt. His knuckles tightened, the words from the system echoing in his mind.
Everyone already thought he was a villain. His heart screamed against the injustice, the unfairness of it all. "They already see me as a monster," he thought, a fire igniting in his chest. "Then maybe it's time I do something I've always wanted to do."
He turned slowly, his gaze locking onto Katsuki Bakugo. The blonde leaned lazily against the wall, his arms crossed, smirking smugly at the entire scene. "Tch, you're pathetic, Deku," Katsuki sneered. "You can't even own up to your own—"
Before Katsuki could finish his sentence, Izuku moved.
Years of pent-up frustration, anger, and betrayal fueled him. Using Nimble Body, Izuku closed the distance between them in an instant. Katsuki's eyes widened in shock, but it was too late to react. Izuku's fist swung forward with a speed and force Katsuki had never seen from the boy before.
The punch connected squarely with Katsuki's jaw, the impact echoing like a thunderclap through the office. Katsuki's head snapped to the side, and he staggered backward before collapsing to the ground. Blood dripped from his split lip as he coughed, his breath ragged from the sheer force of the blow.
The room froze in stunned silence.
"Izuku!" Inko screamed, her hands flying to her mouth. "What are you doing?!"
Mitsuki rushed to her son, crouching beside him. "What the hell, Midoriya?! Are you insane?!"
The principal slammed his hands on his desk, his face pale with shock. "Midoriya, have you completely lost it?!"
But Izuku didn't look at them. His green eyes were locked on Katsuki, who groaned as he wiped the blood from his mouth. Slowly, the explosive boy propped himself up on one elbow, glaring at Izuku with fiery rage.
"You…" Katsuki growled, his voice low and dangerous. "You think you can just hit me? You think you're better than me, Deku?!"
Izuku's voice was steady, almost unnervingly calm. "I'm tired of letting you walk all over me, Kacchan. You've pushed me around my whole life. I've never fought back because I thought… maybe one day, you'd see me as an equal. But now? Now I see the truth."
Katsuki staggered to his feet, his fists crackling with sparks. "You're dead, Deku," he hissed.
Izuku didn't flinch. His stance was firm, his hands steady. "Go ahead, Kacchan. Do what you always do. Prove to everyone that I'm the monster they already think I am."
The room was silent except for Katsuki's heavy breathing and the faint crackle of his Quirk. But for once, he didn't attack. The rage in his eyes flickered with something else—hesitation, maybe even confusion.
The principal finally broke the tense silence. "Midoriya!" he barked. "You've gone too far this time! This kind of violence—"
"Too far?" Izuku interrupted, his voice sharp and cutting. "What about all the times Kacchan's gone too far? What about the bullying, the threats, the way he treats people like they're nothing? Where were you then?"
The principal's face flushed, but he didn't respond.
Izuku turned to his mother, his expression softening. "Mom… I know what I just did was wrong. But I've been pushed to my limit. I've tried to be the good kid, the one who never fights back, but no one listens to me. No one believes me."
Tears welled in Inko's eyes, and she reached out for him, but Izuku stepped back, his resolve hardening. He glanced at Katsuki one last time. "This is the last time you'll ever push me around, Kacchan. I'm done being your punching bag."
With that, he grabbed his bag and walked out of the office, leaving the stunned silence behind him. His heart pounded, and his fists still ached from the punch, but for the first time, he felt something he hadn't felt in years: freedom.
The system's words echoed in his mind: "Find your own path."
Izuku stomped down the hallway, his heart pounding with a mix of anger and frustration. His hands clenched tightly into fists, his knuckles aching slightly from the blow he'd delivered to Katsuki earlier. The memory replayed in his mind, fueling his simmering rage. As he reached the stairwell, he froze. Standing at the bottom was the girl from earlier, the one who had been with the boy with Stone Fist.
Her face was pale, her eyes wide with fear as she saw him. She hesitated, then bowed her head low. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice trembling. "I just… I just wanted to make them stop hurting me. They promised they would stop if I helped them."
Izuku's emerald eyes narrowed as he stared at her. His mind raced, piecing together the situation. Her Quirk… a supposedly "useless" ability to manipulate words on pages. But he now understood the extent of its power. She had used it to twist his journal into a tool of manipulation, turning harmless notes into monstrous, incriminating ramblings. If she'd been more creative, he thought bitterly, she could've been drawing or writing creations to life. Instead, she'd chosen to ruin him.
"That's all you have to say?" Izuku growled, his voice low and venomous. "'Sorry'? You ruined my life! You made me look like a psychopath, like I wanted to kill someone!" His words came out sharp and cutting, fueled by his raw emotions.
The girl flinched, her shoulders shaking. She glanced up briefly, her lips quivering. "I didn't know it would go this far," she whispered. "I thought… I thought they'd leave me alone if I did what they said."
Izuku's glare softened for a moment as he saw the genuine fear in her eyes, but his anger quickly returned. "You're not worth it," he said coldly. "I hope I never see you again."
Without waiting for her reply, he turned on his heel and walked away. His footsteps echoed down the hallway, each step heavier than the last. Behind him, he could hear his mother's voice, faint at first but growing louder as she called his name, her hurried steps coming down the stairs.
"Not now," he muttered, glancing over his shoulder. He didn't want to face her. He didn't want to explain himself or argue. He just wanted to be alone.
Reaching a nearby window, he flung it open and jumped out. Using his Nimble Body skill, he landed gracefully on the ground below without a scratch. Without looking back, he broke into a sprint, his feet pounding against the pavement. He didn't know where he was going, but he didn't care. He just needed to escape.
His movements became more fluid as he leapt onto rooftops, bounding from one house to another with ease. The wind whipped past his face, carrying away the sounds of the school behind him. His legs burned with exertion, but he didn't stop. Finally, he landed in an old junkyard on the edge of town, surrounded by heaps of rusted metal and discarded machinery.
Izuku's body shook as the weight of the day came crashing down on him. His fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms. A scream tore from his throat as he swung wildly at the nearest pile of scrap, his bare knuckles colliding with a sheet of rusted metal. The impact dented the surface, sending a jolt of pain up his arm, but he didn't stop.
Again and again, he punched the metal, his anger and frustration spilling out with each strike. "The principal set me up," he muttered through gritted teeth. "He knew I'd try to gather more evidence. He probably planned this all along." His punches grew more forceful. "And Kacchan… of course he had a hand in it. He always does."
After what felt like an eternity, Izuku stopped, his breath ragged. His knuckles were bruised and sore, but he felt a strange calm settle over him. He thought back to the punch he had landed on Katsuki earlier, the satisfying moment when his tormentor felt even a fraction of the pain he'd been dishing out for years. For just a moment, it had felt good—cathartic.
As his breathing steadied, a notification from the system popped up in his vision: "Class Advancement Unlocked."
Curious, Izuku opened the menu and saw a list of advanced Martial Artist classes:
Tech Fist Style
Four Elements Style
Animal Style Fighter
Mystic Style
Berserker Style
Open Palm Style
He stared at the options, his heart racing. Each choice seemed incredible, each a path to unlocking even greater potential. But before he could decide, a creaking sound behind him made him freeze.
He spun around, his fists instinctively raised, and saw a shack that hadn't been there before. It was ramshackle and poorly built, its wooden frame warped and splintered. The door creaked open, and a laugh rang out—a strange, high-pitched giggle that sent chills down his spine.
A figure stepped out of the shadows. She was a girl with wild, pink hair tied into twin buns, her goggles askew on her forehead. Her grin was wide and unsettling as she held up a makeshift gun cobbled together from scrap metal and wires.
"Stay away from my baby material," she said, her voice sing-song and teasing. She pointed the gun directly at him, her bullseye-like eyes glinting with excitement.
Izuku blinked, his fists still raised. "Who… who are you?" he asked cautiously, his body tensing.
The girl tilted her head, her grin never faltering. "Me? I'm Mei Hatsume. And you're trespassing on my treasure trove!" She cocked the gun, a sharp metallic click breaking the silence. "Now, tell me why I shouldn't blast you into next week!"
Izuku's heart pounded as he stared her down, unsure whether to fight, flee, or try to reason with the eccentric inventor.
Author's Note:
Hey everyone! I hope you're all enjoying the story as much as I'm enjoying writing it. Things are getting interesting with Izuku's growth and challenges, and I'm especially excited about the Class Advancement moment. There are so many directions this could go, and I'd love to hear what you all think! Here's a quick breakdown of the advanced classes for anyone.
Tech Fist Style: High-tech gadgets incorporated into martial arts. Think cool gloves, weapons, and devices to enhance combat. Definitely the most inventive and tactical choice.
Four Elements Style: Like Avatar! Izuku could master elemental martial arts, blending the raw power of fire, water, earth, and air with his physical skills. Visually stunning and versatile.
Animal Style Fighter: Based on animal movements and attacks, like tiger claws, crane strikes, and monkey flips. Quick, dynamic, and highly adaptable in fights.
Mystic Style: A fusion of magic and martial arts. Izuku could cast spells and enchantments while fighting up close—a perfect balance of sorcerer and warrior.
Berserker Style: For those who love brute strength and raw power. Izuku would gain a brawler-like fighting style, with overwhelming punches and durability. Perfect for smashing enemies to bits.
Open Palm Style: The ultimate Shaolin monk vibe. Izuku could master elegant yet devastating martial arts that focus on precision, technique, and weapon usage. A graceful powerhouse.
I'm personally leaning toward Mystic Style because, let's be real, magic AND martial arts together sounds badass. But if you have strong opinions about another class or a great argument for why Izuku should choose a specific one, I'm totally open to it! Let me know your thoughts—this choice will shape a lot of his future battles, and I want it to feel just right.
Also, can we talk about the chaotic entrance of our pink-haired mad scientist, Mei Hatsume? I mean, if your first meeting with her isn't at least a little dangerous and unpredictable, is it really Mei? She's already bringing the energy I love writing, so expect some fireworks (maybe literally) in the next chapter.
Can't wait to hear your feedback and keep this adventure going!