Authors note:
Speaking: "…"
Thinking: '…'
___
A Week Later
Katsuki's POV
UA High – Teachers' Lounge
Alone in a room full of teaching supplies, the two newest additions to the UA staff were preparing for the lesson ahead.
"You really think it's the best course of action? Shouldn't we hide the secret a bit longer?" the explosive professor inquired lazily, taking a sip of his coffee.
Sinking the tea bag into the hot water he'd prepared, Midoriya began stirring the tea before turning to his long-time best friend.
"I don't think it's the best course, right now, it's the only course of action we can take," he began, sitting down across from Katsuki.
"Think about it. The chance of keeping our secret indefinitely vanished the moment Uncle Asahi revealed the existence of Aincrad to Nedzu. We're lucky he didn't know about aura, or this might've turned into a disaster. Now, it's best we feed Nedzu information at intervals we control, not wait for him to piece it together himself," the space-user explained.
"And with the things Shoto revealed last week, about Ban not only cooperating with the League but possibly discovering a way to obtain aura, it's best to start preparing for the worst," the ash-blond teacher added with a stern look.
"Precisely," Izuku confirmed. Then, taking the tea bag out of the cup, he set it aside and took a sip. "But if I'm being honest, with recent developments and the growing number of individuals possessing aura... I'm starting to think we've stepped into something much larger than I originally anticipated."
"I guess so," the crimson-eyed teacher muttered, eyes drifting to the ceiling in deep thought.
Ding dong.
The school bell tore them from their thoughts, reminding them it was time to go. With everything in mind, they made their way to Class 3-A , who after a week of daily, arduous training under the explosion user, were now ready.
Ready to head to Aincrad.
___
Alice's POV
Class 3-A – Classroom
Today was the day their teacher had promised them a big surprise, one that would change the way they approached combat altogether.
"I'm curious to see what this is about. We even had to temporarily cancel our work studies for the next month," Eugeo said, addressing his seatmate, who was currently deep in thought.
‚What did the professor mean with that last sentence during our first spar? What's Aincrad?'Alice wondered. Realizing her friend was waiting for an answer, she looked up with a dreamy expression.
"Sorry, Eugeo. I was stuck in my thoughts. What did you ask again?" she replied, a hint of sorrow in her eyes.
"It's nothing, Alice. I'm just excited for what's coming," he said, chuckling lightly. A small smile tugged at the blonde girl's lips as she sighed. ‚Maybe I'm just overthinking it.'
The next moment, the door opened and two individuals walked in. One was their Non-Hero Combat professor, Katsuki Bakugo. The other was someone they had only heard about until now, Izuku Midoriya, the second Non-Hero Combat instructor.
"Alright, brats, listen up. I brought a guest today. This is Izuku Midoriya, or 'Joker,' if you must. Today, with his help, your experimental combat training will begin. We've discussed the details with the principal, and he's given his stamp of approval," Bakugo began from the podium.
"Eraser wanted to come too, but Nedzu needs him to prepare the first-year students for their upcoming trip to the USJ and the Sports Festival. So, he won't be joining us this time," he added.
"Now then, before we get started, there are a few things you should know," Professor Midoriya said, taking the lead. "First off, what you're about to see is a secret that must not be revealed to the world. That's why all of you signed a contract legally binding you to confidentiality."
A bit more worried now, Alice perked up. ‚Isn't that a bit excessive for a simple training camp?'
"Second, your group will be the first to try out this experimental approach to training. So take everything with a grain of salt, it's the first time for us too. And lastly, try not to spend too much time on the avatar creation process, alright?"
At that, Kirigaya raised her hand. "Sorry, Professor, but where exactly are we going?"
Smirking at the question, Bakugo answered, "You, my dear brats, are going to spend the next six months in the floating castle, Aincrad."
___
The Next Day
Shoto's POV
Class 1-A – Classroom
The bell was about to ring, signaling the start of first period, or rather, for today, the only period. But the students of Class 1-A hadn't been informed yet about why that is.
Shoto, sitting in the back row, was currently in a quiet discussion with his second-in-command during combat, Momo, about why their schedules had been cleared for the rest of the day.
"This is the first time something like this has happened. Don't you think it's odd they're not telling us what this is about?" the onyx-haired girl asked, clearly anxious about being left in the dark.
Shoto, though he already knew what was coming today, more than anyone, wasn't going to reveal it. He knew today would be difficult for the young creation user. But seeing the worry on her face, he offered some comfort.
"You don't need to worry too much. Mr. Aizawa will explain everything during first period."
Pausing for a moment to gauge her reaction, he still saw anxiety lingering. Sighing softly, the ice-user did something he hated, he lied.
"Look, even if something were to happen, you've got both Mr. Aizawa and Mr. Midoriya here, not to mention you've still got me."
As her tension finally eased and she prepared to answer, the bell rang and the classroom door opened, revealing the two teachers, plus Toshinori.
She mouthed a silent "Thank you" to Shoto before turning her attention to the front.
Eraser Head took the stand behind the teacher's desk, with Joker and Toshinori standing diagonally behind him. The sleepy teacher began.
"Alright, listen up. Today, we're going on a training trip, to Japan's top facility for rescue operations: the Unforeseen Simulation Joint, or USJ for short."
‚The exact same as Universal Studios Japan' the entire class thought in unison, before cheering.
"Quiet," Eraser commanded, activating his quirk to silence the uproar. "This trip will take up the rest of your school day, which is why all later classes are canceled. Also, while this trip is focused on hero work, Joker will be joining us for support, especially once we split into groups."
He paused, noticing the flurry of raised hands. "Don't bother asking questions now. A pro specializing in rescue will answer those later. Alright, let's move. Iida, Haruki, lead the class to the buses."
Iida sprang into action, shouting instructions, but his voice was drowned by the class's excitement. Sighing in defeat, he turned to his partner.
"Haruki, if you would?"
Grinning, the class clown saluted before cracking his knuckles. "A pity I don't have a proper wildcard, but I'll make due with Illusion Weaver."
Five illusions of him appeared throughout the classroom, each one dressed as a flight attendant. With cartoonish movements and comedic tone, they herded the students to the door in an orderly line.
Afterward, Iida led them outside. Shoto was about to leave too, but Midoriya's hand landed on his shoulder.
"Toshinori, go ahead with the rest of the class. I need a quick word with Shoto about today's responsibilities," the space-user requested.
Thinking for a moment, the former No. 1 hero nodded and left.
Once out of earshot, Midoriya tapped his cane once on the floor. Shoto felt the space in the room change.
"Good. Soundproof barrier's up. Let's continue," he said.
Tapping the cane twice more, a circular portal with green edges appeared. Out stepped a familiar white-haired figure.
"Good to see you again, Luna," Shoto greeted.
"Spare me the pleasantries, Odin. You know the plan. Fork over your card," the moon girl replied, catching the poker card he tossed her.
"Thanks," she smiled. The gem on her necklace glowed purple. Reality around her fractured into triangular mirror shards before reforming, revealing a perfect copy of Shoto.
"Even after a year of seeing it, that divine object of yours still baffles me," Shoto muttered.
"Really? Is the power to manipulate reality that hard to grasp, or is it just weird seeing yourself?" Luna teased, posing femininely with Shoto's voice and body.
"Stop doing that. It's creepy," he said, tone laced with disgust.
"Fine. Time for you to go anyway."
Black and green mist enveloped him, transporting his body elsewhere.
"Just don't embarrass me while looking like that," he managed to say before the fog swallowed him.
___
Opening his eye, singular, for now, Shoto found himself in a meeting room at the Eight Rings hideout. Midoriya's Dragon persona waited, seated calmly.
Already dressed in his Odin gear, hood up, wooden mask covering his face and left eye with an eyepatch, Shoto stepped forward.
Uncrossing his legs, Dragon leaned in. "You ready?"
In response, a bolt of golden-blue lightning struck nearby. From within it, the divine weapon of Odin appeared: Gungnir, the Spear of Creation.
Grabbing it by the shaft and spinning it once, Shoto gave his answer.
"Always."