[You wait with the boy group to wait, as the girls take a little longer. But Bakugo goes on ahead.]
[Purple ball-hair kid attempted to peek in the girl's room but was stopped by your glare. He grumbles something about youth and backs off.]
'He seems like a problem.'
…
[A bit later, the girls come out together, Uraraka smiles, "Oh, everyone! You guys waited for us! Let's go!"]
[After gathering everyone, you arrive to the P.E. grounds outside of the school building to the side.]
'With the P.E. uniforms and the current behavior of Shouta, we're not going to have orientation.'
'Outside is a large gymnasium, the one you took the written exam in, and to the side are tracks for running, and a large field for what looks like a ball toss.'
[Shouta seeing the group arrive, speaks, "Alright everyone, took you long enough. Today's lesson is a Quirk Apprehension Test."]
'Everyone tenses. This is a pivotal moment in their lives. The opportunity to actually use their quirks.'
[Uraraka is surprised, "A quirk apprehension test!? What about the ceremony!? And the guidance counselor meeting!?"]
[Teacher Shouta, "If you want to be heroes, we don't have time for frilly niceties." Slightly glaring, "You all understand the school's reputation for freedom on campus. Well, that "freedom" goes for us senseis, too."]
'He's right. There is no mention of a clear dress code, behaviors, or anything that restricts a student's individuality. They are trying to foster creativity.'
[Shouta then lists out the agenda, "Softball pitch. Standing long jump. 50-meter dash. Endurance running. Grip strength test. Sustained sideways jumps. Upper body exercises. Seated toe-touch. These are all activities you know from middle school naturally. Physical tests where you were barred from using your quirks."]
'You weren't in middle school. You were "homeschooled." And these exercises… while you can do them with great power, using your quirk, and not just the quirk factors… have severe backlash. During the entrance exam, you didn't actually use your quirk, and it still caused nightmares, though, it was minor due to the rest afterwards. But…actually using your quirk, will be dangerous. It's like anything that requires balance, too much Elysium, you become too empathic, too much Tartarus, you become too selfish. You need balance, and after using a quirk, an actual quirk, like {LOGIC}, and not your base logic, the controlling side weighs heavier. In order to balance yourself, you need to allow Tartarus to have control, resetting the scales, and depending on what Tartarus does, it could be 1:1 or overextend itself and also need to balance itself. Both sides of the coin aren't inherently bad, they just need balance.'
☐I☐W☐A☐I☐T☐
[Shouta continues, "The country still hasn't gotten around to standardizing those sorts of records or keeping track of average performance levels. Well, that's negligence on the part of MEXT."]
'Abbreviated Term: The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.'
[Shouta then looks at you, "Dae-Gon, you finished top of the practical exam, right?"]
'Everyone except for Yaoyorozu is surprised. Bakugo looks at you.'
'Anger… and a hint of fear. Bakugo's emotions flair as your own. He's afraid… his world is crumbling and coping with the thought of someone else being stronger. Instead of rational thought, explosions ripple and muddle his emotions, and he seethes with anger. *Hold on…* a flash of deep, hidden emotion hits you. And as you look at the 6'7 tall, black-haired loser, Deku comes to mind. Deku… *What a BITCH.* *FUCKING DIE!* *A QUIRKLESS FUCK LIKE HIM!* *HE… he freaks me out…* *what makes him able to smile… to be so weak, yet… smiling.* *If he can… what does that make me…*'
'*CALM YOURSELF* Stay grounded. Your name is Oh Dae-Gon, and your quirk is "Elysios ek Tartarou." Remember yourself. Calm…down… you just warned yourself a few seconds ago.'
[Bakugo yells, "HEY!" he walks up to you, "Bastard!" He tries to grab your collar, but you step away. Bakugo angers, "Sensei! This bastard's first!?" Explosions flickering from his palm.]
'An explosive quirk… his personality must be warped by the quirk factors in his DNA.'
[Shouta's hair rises, and his eyes glow red, quickly erasing Bakugo's quirk, "Stop."]
[Bakugo has a flicker of surprise, and Deku blurts out, "The erasing hero, "Eraserhead"! …I thought I recognized those goggles…"]
'Everyone mummers that the name sounds cool. Deku mentions Eraserhead is an underground hero.'
[Shouta cancels his quirk and replies to Bakugo, "You think this is a joke?" He steps closer, "Compared to Dae-Gon, you're nothing." He looms over Bakugo who is frothing in anger but also hesitation, "Yes. Dae-Gon was first in the practical exam, higher than you with more than 220 points, compared to your 77 points." Now darkly, "Now… who do you think is better."]
'Everyone's eyes bulge a little, in their minds, your score is unfathomable, 3-4 times more than their own.'
[Deku is shocked, white-hair looks over at you, Kirishima's jaw is dropped, Ashido's eyebrows raise, Iida's posture stiffens, Uraraka is stunned, and Aoyama's face is sweating a little.]
[Bakugo is speechless, "W-what? That's impossible!!!" He snaps at you, "That bastard must've CHEATED!!"]
'While most of the class slightly thinks you may have cheated, Iida and Yaoyorozu show no skepticism.'
[Sensei Shouta looks at you then at Bakugo, "Then watch his throw." He motions you over and hands you a metal-cloth-like ball.]
[Bakugo just watches with angry anticipation. Everyone else too, they want to see the first-place holder.]
'Yes… perhaps it's time to switch…'
☐F☐U☐N☐F☐U☐N☐!☐
'Warn them first.'
☐A☐W☐N☐O☐F☐U☐N☐):☐
[Stepping up to the measuring starting circle, you look back to your class. Calmly, "Everyone… before I show my quirk, I must tell you something about it."]
'They look in anticipation, even Shouta is slightly interested.'
["My quirk, called, "Restless Mind," can increase my capabilities to extreme super-human levels."]
'Your registered quirk name is "Restless Mind." Having it named, Elysios ek Tartarou, is odd, and something that only you should know. No other quirk is named like that, but yours.'
'But you will give some information on your quirk, to protect them and yourself. Either way, they'll know about it sometime in the future, now, wouldn't matter. As always, honesty is the best policy, trust is something to be earned and is precious. And no villains will get ahold of this information, all the students in this class are more mature and friendly than most. But, later, after school, we'll need to have a talk with Aoyama.'
[With everyone's anticipation at the end of your tongue, "But, as the name entails, I have a restless mind. When I use my quirk, I won't be as level-headed as I am now… I'll become a semi-different person… I'll still be the same, but… I'll be very cold and calculating, or blurt out random things, or have the tendency to be egotistical. I'll be okay after a bit. But I'm sorry in advance."]
'Everyone is sort of spooked but also intrigued by such an odd limitation on a quirk.'
'All quirks have limitations that when reached, will cause backlash. It's the balance of power, to cause and effect, to give and take, to cost. But like muscles, quirks can be grown.'
[Everything set, you set your eyes onto the field and then look to the sky. Shouta announces, "Ready whenever."]
'Too much Elysium and you'll become the next person or machine you see, too much Tartarus and you'll break down and skip down the street killing people. Currently, it's been a month since your last 'big' nightmare, you're mind has already been warped by Bakugo's mind. You must switch. Tartarus will use its influence using your quirk, so Elysium will be ready when it's over.'
'Breathe. It's time to let go.'
☐S☐U☐B☐M☐E☐I☐N☐C☐O☐A☐C☐H☐
[You focus deeply onto your inner mind.]
☐THANKS!☐
☐I☐CHOOSE☐YOU☐
☐DISSOCIATIVE☐
[With your smile deepening, you ready your pitch.]
'KILL! KILL! SHOW THE MAGGOTS YOUR POWER!!! YOU ARE SO SIGMA!'
'With the engine of your heart and the metal of your body, you are ready.'
'Calculating optimal angle. Air resistance in account. Wind negligible. Everything is already predicted. Simple child math.'
'Perfection is your form. You are the best pitcher. You're impeccable.'
'Everything is ready.'
[In a second, your body rumbles, heat steams, and you grow in stature. Your heart goes into a tachycardia state, blood flows nearly to vapor. Readying your arms, they bulge and harden.]
'FUCKING KILL THEM ALL! SHOW THEM THEY'RE BOTS! MAKE THEM YOUR BITCH!'
[YOU SCREAM, "KILL YOURSELF!!"]
{PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT}
[In an instant, your body compresses and flickers. A MASSIVE SHOCKWAVE EXPLODES OUTWARDS BLASTING EVERYONE AWAY ONTO THE FLOOR. THE SOUND RUPTURES THE AIR AND AN EXPLOSION OF SOUND CRACKLE THE SPACE. THE ENTIRE CIRCLE IS CAVED IN AND A MOUND OF DIRT SURROUNDS YOU, DUST AND DEBRIS FALLING FROM THE SKY LIKE HAIL. RINGING IN THE EARS DISORIENTATES EVERYONE. A CLOUD OF DUST OBSCURES THE P.E. GROUNDS.]
[And then…the air settles. Revealing you standing. Smiling.]
'WHAT BETAS! LOOK AT THEIR FACES! HAHA!'
'Expected reaction. Result: We are the leader.'
'Compose yourself. Act natural.'
[With a hearty laugh you walk towards Shouta standing back up, "HAHAHA! How was it, teach?" Looking at Bakugo kneeling on the ground, "POOR BAKUGO! HAHAHA!" With a punch to your hand, "THIS IS TRUE POWER! AHAHAHAH!" Your face distorts with complete elation.]
'WHAT A RUSH! YOUR SIGMA GRINDSET IS BASED!'
'The drama this will cause is palpable. The future is bright and interesting!'
[As the dust settles, everyone stands up, except for a few, the ball-hair, yellow-bolt hair, and Aoyama, are laying on the ground.]
[You look closer and see that they peed their pants. With a smirk, "Ho~! We got some wetters here!" Stifling a laugh.]
'Everyone looks at you like your insane. Particularly, Uraraka and Yaoyorozu are slightly upset.'
[Your body softens and is back to your peak state.]
[Shouta groans, "Calm yourself, Dae-Gon." He then looks at Bakugo, and then to everyone else, "Everyone… This is the standard of U.A., if you cannot reach it… consider yourself expelled!"]
'Hmm, what a clever fellow. While he doesn't truly mean it, well… maybe expel and then re-enlist, he's using this as a teaching moment. What a good teacher.'
[Everyone in class 1-A shakes in fear a little, the few weaker willed ones have slight tears in their eyes, but others have resolve.]
'Take note. These will be your playmates.'
'Deku is tearing up but determined, Bakugo is angrily distraught but determined, white-hair guy is gritting his teeth and determined, Uraraka is overwhelmed but determined, bird-man is brooding but determined, Asui is sweating but determined, Ashido is shocked but determined, tail-guy is stern but determined, multi-limb-heteromorph is closing his eyes but determined, Iida is picking up his glasses shakily but determined, ear-jack is looking at the floor but determined, Yaoyorozu is shaken but determined, big-lips is kneeling but determined, blocky-elbows has a weak grin but determined, and Kirishima is smiling and determined. Invisible girl… determined?'
'The only weak ones are purple ball-hair, blonde-PQRST-line, and Aoyama, they are truly shaken to the core.'
'PATHETIC. LOL I COULD DO THIS IN MY SLEEP.'
'Hey now, it's now the best time to lift everyone up. You are a hero, and these are future heroes.'
[You look at everyone, "Everyone…" You smile, "Let's be friends!" Clapping once, "I'll be here to help you guys train!"]
'Take advantage of the moment. We will be the leader.'
'GIGA-CHAD THESE SUBHUMAN BOTS!'
[Glancing at everyone, "Let's not forget our purpose for coming to U.A.!" Dramatic pause, "TO BE A HERO!" You raise your hand to the sky, "PLUS ULTRA!"]
[Everyone looks at you stunned, with a unique gaze, admiration, fear, and hope. Deku starts first, raising his fist, "P-PLUS ULTRA!" Then everyone else follows, "PLUS ULTRA!" x 15.]
'Great… your movement starts here. Command and control.'
'These folks will be your great friends in the now and future.'
'Yes. Mold them into your ideal. They are like puddy in your arms.'
[Sensei Shouta looks at the class with an un-characteristic smile.]
'Finish the deal.'
[You walk over to the fallen over ball-hair, blonde-hair, and Aoyama, reaching out to for their hands.]
'Yes… they seemed to have forgotten your previous belittling comment, a slip of the tongue. They look at you with shame and admiration.'
[They grab your hand, "You guys go back and get changed. Sensei, you have extra uniforms right?"]
'FILTHY. HEH, YOU'VE NEVER PISSED YOUR PANTS!! '
[He nods, "There are extra uniforms in the white lockers."]
[The three boys nod and go to the locker room to change.]
[Shouta then alerts everyone's attention, "All right! Dae-Gon." He lifts a small tablet, "45,544.4 meters."]
'Around 28 miles.'
'PEPELAUGH'
[A few people cover their mouths, shocked again. Such power is amazing yet scary.]
[Kirishima gasps, "T-that's insane!" Others nodding to that sentiment.]
[Yaoyorozu raises her hand and speaks, "Teacher Shouta. How are we supposed to achieve that?" She pauses, "Won't we all just be expelled?" Everyone looks at her then at Shouta, in question and distraught.]
[Shouta hums, "Hm. How about this, the last place person will be judged to have no potential and will be expelled." Gasps of relief fill the air, at least it's not an impossible task.]
'Shouta seems to love the atmosphere that you've created. He may use you more often, so you should as well. Simple reciprocation.'
[Clapping his hands together, sensei orders, "All right. Trial 1, 50-meter dash!" Pointing to two tracks side by side, "Step up to the plate! Two at a time." Pointing to Asui and Iida, "Go."]
[Asui and Iida line up, "Start!" Iida's engine legs rev up and boots him forwards as he sprints, and Asui leaps quickly like a frog.]
["Iida, 3.04 seconds! Asui, 5.58 seconds!"]
["Uraraka and Ojiro, go."]
[Uraraka uses her quirk on herself and lines up, Ojiro's tail sways up and down.]
[Shouta waits, then, "Start!" Uraraka runs like normal, and Ojiro boosts with his tail push against the ground.]
["Ojiro, 5.49 seconds! Uraraka, 7.15 seconds!"]
["Aoyama and Ashido, go."]
[They line up, Shouta shouts, "Start!" Aoyama jumps backwards and a belly beam blasts out, launching him backwards, and Ashido runs on a slick liquid excreting from her feet.]
[Aoyama falls on his butt but does another blast. "Ashido, 5.41 seconds! Aoyama, 5.51 seconds!"]
["Mineta and Yaoyorozu, go."]
[They line up, Mineta smiles and Yaoyorozu grimaces. "Start!" As Yaoyorozu runs normally, Mineta runs behind her watching her behind and swaying body.]
["Yaoyorozu, 7.1 seconds! Mineta, 8 seconds!"]
["Hagakure and Jiro, go."]
[They line up. "Start!" They run side by side.]
["Jiro, 7 seconds! Hagakure, 7 seconds!"]
["Sato and Kirishima, go."]
[They line up. "Start!" Kirishima is athletic but he is more durability than agility. Sato, build like a body builder, but is quick on his feet.]
["Kirishima, 6.6 seconds! Sato, 6.9 seconds!"]
["Tokoyami and Shoji, go."]
[They line up. "Start!" Shoji is a little top-heavy. Tokoyami is swift.]
["Tokoyami, 6.4 seconds! Shoji, 7.1 seconds!"]
["Sero and Kaminari, go."]
[They line up, "Start!" Sero seems to be more nimble. Kaminari doesn't have any agility.]
["Sero, 6.8 seconds! Kaminari, 7.5 seconds!"]
["Bakugo and Midoriya, go."]
[They line up and Bakugo crosses his arms. "Start!" Bakugo swipes outwards towards his back and explodes himself forwards, while Midoriya runs normally.]
["Bakugo, 4.13 seconds! Midoriya, 7.02 seconds!"]
["Dae-Gon and Todoroki, go."]
'He saved you and Todoroki for last.'
[As you step up, your stone heart beats with purpose, and then for steel. *Bang* *Bang* *Bang*. Reaching your tachycardia state, your body swells, ready. Todoroki glances at you and whispers, "I'll beat you."]
'Beat? HA…HAHAHAHAHA!!!! KILL HIM! NOW!! STRANGLE!'
'Stop. Calm… strangle and kill him by winning!'
☐LETS☐HAVE☐SOME☐MORE☐FUN☐
[You laugh out loud, "HAHAHA!!! OH~ THAT'S FUNNY!!! TODOROKI WAS IT? HA!!! YOU CANDY CANE!! HAHAHA!!"]
'He's not reacting!!!'
'Trying to find his weakness, your mind snags a piece of knowledge off the ☐Tree☐of☐Reality☐. ☐DADDY ISSUES!!!☐ ☐MOMMY GAVE HIM THOSE SCARS!!!☐'
[Smirking, you whisper, "did your mom give you that scar?" Cooing, "heh~, did she hate your dad that much, or are you that much of a failure."]
[Todoroki's eyes widen in fear.]
'BINGO!!! REACTION!! HAHAHA!!!! SUCH A PUSSY!! LOL LOL LOL KKKKK. LOSER!'
[Shouta yells, "Start!"]
{PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT}
{SAVOIR FAIR}
[Flicker of your image and then gone. No dust is left in your wake.]
[With a martial art, Wave Transfer, every step neutralizes any force with your joints, hip, thigh, knee, and then ankle, allowing a smooth and dustless sprint. Right under Mach speed, so no breaking the sound barrier this time.]
[Loosening all joints and turning, you perfectly appear on the opposite side of the track, looking at Todoroki, still at the starting line.]
["Dae-Gon, 0.295 seconds!"]
[Everyone is in disbelief.]
'YES! PRAISE ME! I AM YOUR KING! THE FEMOIDS WILL BOW DOWN TO YOU!'
[Everyone cannot cheer in shock, only Shouta seems relatively fine.]
[Shouta looks at Todoroki, "Go, the time already started."]
'AW~ BABY BOY IS TRAUMATIZED! WHAT A CUCK!'
[Todoroki staring blankly, walks to the other side.]
["Todoroki, 1 minute and 15 seconds."]
'HAHAHAHAHAH!!!! KKKKKK!!!! YOU'RE THE GOD OF WAR!!'
[You look at Todoroki at your side of the track, "SO? WHO WON?" Your grin is vile.]
[He looks at you… in fear? Fear? Your face goes serious, tilting your head, "Todoroki… Don't fear what you can't comprehend~" You poke your temple, "It'll hurt your brain." Smiling again, you walk away whistling.]
'What peons! How are these flesh lights going to be heroes?'
'Stop it. Remember your core mission! Stop ruining every-☐NO☐LET☐HIM☐COOK☐'
[Shouta then calls out, "Inside the gymnasium, its grip strength time."]
[You yell out, "Yes, sir!" Saluting, waltzing like a gangster, whistling a shoddy tune.]
'THEY FEAR SIGMA!'
[Uraraka comes over and hesitantly asks, "Dae-kun… are you alright?"]
'AWW~ How sweet. The BECKY is kind! Makes yah want to squeeze her!'
'POKE HER!'
[You smile and poke her check gently, "Uraraka-chan~ This chad is going through redpill!"]
'She looks worried.'
[You show teeth, "Don't worry, I'm SIGMA! You NORMIES wouldn't get it." Cackling.]
'Yaoyorozu seems disgusted by the crass words.'
'BAH THEY CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH! WOMEN!'
☐STOP☐COOKING☐
☐BRO☐CHILL☐OUT☐A☐LITTLE☐
'Okay bro. Chill, I was just play'n. No need to get so ass mad. Lololol.'
'You need to calm down. Your mind is racing to fast.'
☐FUCKING☐LISTEN☐TO☐ME☐
'lol okay dude…'
[Taking a deep breath, you center yourself, "Sorry. Sorry, I can't help myself! My brain is talking funny!" you lightly tap your temples. You smile softly, "Please bear with it until the quirk test is over, alright?" Uraraka and others nod, "Thanks! Yah bone heads."]
'Ha~ yeah, take a chill pill and calm your heart! Two of the hardest challenges are over, only the sustained sideways jumps may increase your heart rate. Let them have the L. LOLOLOLOL. ALT ON THEIR ASSES!'
'Who is this? Your mind is not sure. Why are-☐YOU☐ARE☐HAVING☐TOO☐MUCH☐FUN☐DEPERSONALIZATION☐'
[Inside the gymnasium, a box of grip tests, specialized for quirks, are on a table.]
[Shouta instructs, "Everyone grab one and I'll report your results." Everyone grabs one.]
[Grabbing a grip test, you squeeze hard on the bar.]
{PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT}
[You yell, "FUCKNG KYS!!" Clenching you hand with astronomical force. The machine then beeps and reveals your number, 3,950 kgf, able to squeeze the weight of a pickup truck.]
[Everyone else's scores are normal, except for Shoji, who's able to do 540 kgf, able to squeeze the weight of a refrigerator.]
'Wow… That Subhuman is low-value. Bleh~ lol. kkkkk'
☐FUCK☐OFF☐
[Shouta exclaims, "Alright, next up is"- Blah blah blah, you're mind drifts into a mirrors and you no longer see anything.]
☐IM☐SORRY☐ILL☐DO☐BETTER☐
☐IM☐NOT☐USUALLY☐LIKE☐THIS☐
…
[Sparkles are strange, what are they? Hmm…]
["HEY!" …"Are you okay?" …"Dae-Gon?" Suddenly a bright red light flashes, and you appear in front of Shouta with red eyes and floating hair.]
'Hm? Does it not work? It only snaped you out of it.'
[You tilt your head, eyes focusing on him. "Sensei Shouta? What's up?"]
[He grumbles, "Are you not paying attention? You've been staring at nothing for a while now. The test is over, I'm going to give the final results."]
[You smile, "Mr. Shouta, I'm sorry, I've been busy lately~. *Sigh* You know, I think I mentioned it before, but I'm being bombarded by voices." Your smile turns into a smirk, "But my assessment is good right?" You look at him, "Mr. Shouta I'll practice my quirk till I can be sane." You speak again, "No, Mr. Shouta I'm not a student going crazy in front of your eyes." You tilt your head, "Hm? Yes I can read your thoughts, well… more like I'm predicting them." Mimicking his inner voice, "your crazier than I thought, hey. Stop saying, what, stop. Stop. Your annoying me, stop. Shut up…. *sigh* why do I have to deal with this, this was all Nezu's- hey, I told you to stop!" His eyes turn red and hair floats. You stop mimicking and say, "Your next words are, 'You know I have dry eyes, right- shit?!'"]
[Shouta says, "You know I have dry eyes, right- shit?!" He grabs the back of his head and shakes it, "Whatever." He walks to the front of the students.]
[You realize you're outside, and that everyone is looking at you.]
'Your mind is calmer, but you perceive things two times, one in the present and one calculating the future.'
☐HE☐GOT☐ANNOYING☐SO☐I☐SACKED☐HIS☐ASS☐
☐IM☐BORED☐AND☐TIRED☐
☐WAKE☐ME☐UP☐WHEN☐THINGS☐PICK☐UP☐
☐SOWWY☐BWIG☐BRWO☐
'Everything is a little foggy, but you feel in basic control.'
'Goddammit, all your trust is down the drain. You're going to need to blame the quirk, which is correct.'
'Feelings of regret and frustration wash over you. You've burnt some bridges, but you hope perhaps there is some way to fix it. Someday…'
'Clarity fills your mind. After an episode, balance needs to occur. If Elysium is used, Tartarus grows, and if Tartarus is used, Elysium grows. It feels like Tartarus overextended a little, so Elysium boosted {LOGIC} and {PERCEPTION} for a few seconds.'
'Analyze and adapt. Find the errors and correct them. Know the past and control the future. Calculations have already been made before you woke up, this is to be expected. From observation, Tartarus had used the quirk 7 times, thrice Physical Instrument, once Savoir Faire, 3 times Endurance. But it seems it lost its gamble for an interesting personality, trying to use its own domain, Disassociate, a roll of the dice, but it got snake eyes. Tartarus usually goes for his favorites, narcissist and sociopathy, but what it got was an internet troll, rage-bater, incel. The rage-baiter has soured all previous built-up relationships, but at least you warned them beforehand, so they aren't too put off. The only person you really need to address is Todoroki. Out of everyone, you *need* to make amends to him.'
'In two seconds, you observe your surroundings. You are outside, right after the ball toss test. It seems that while you were zoning off, all the other tests have passed and somehow you made it through without thinking.*Oh* a tingling in your primal instincts reveal that someone strong is watching, but there is no malice… Later. In this moment, Bakugo looks really mad at Deku, which you see Shouta's scarf marks against his face and on his hair. Did Deku do well? Why would Bakugo be so mad? Glancing at everyone, you see that the other students are giving you space and try not to look at you. They instead look at Deku, in amazement and concern. Concern? Ah, looking closer, Deku's finger look all broken, purple and stiff. Hmm, Deku looks happy but has a hint of worry all over his face. Let's get a read on everybody else. Uraraka bitterly smiles in anticipation. Iida stands stern and light glances off his glasses. Yaoyorozu looks lax, probably because she thinks Shouta wouldn't expel anyone. Kirishima has a confident smile. Kaminari is back to normal, he's looking at Uraraka, maybe he fancies her. Tokoyami hides his face from the sun. Asui hangs her arms low in a relaxed stance. Mineta looks worried but is also glancing at all the girl's butts. Ashido has a weary smile and also glances at Kirishima's hair with curiosity. Jiro has her hands on her hips. Ojiro's tail is swaying up and down in anticipation. Shoji is just standing, his mask covering any emotions, but in a crease, you can see something like a scar. Sato, big man, is licking his lips, standing strong. Sero has a smile and is chilling. Aoyama is playing confident but subtly glances at you. Hagakure, invisible girl, has her hands behind her back, gently swaying. Todoroki has a blank look on his face, but you can tell, his arm is flexing in anxiety.'
'Sensing an emotion, you can feel your own regret, but also Todoroki's own regret. Something else haunts him, not just your words. He feels shame, regret, pressure, and hatred.'
'A second has passed, Shouta is about to announce that everything was a sham. Yaoyorozu is going to mention that it seemed obvious, and everyone will be shocked. After that classes will officially start. We'll be given our curriculum by Shouta, learning our syllabus, teachers, and schedule. With this time to think, calculate some more, it's an optimal opportunity. …Done.'
[Shouta exclaims to the class, "Alright… Time to present the results." He brings out a small tablet, "The total is simply the aggregate sum of each of your scores. If I recited all your scores it'd take a million years, so I'll disclose them all at once."]
'Inaccurate, Sensei Shouta will not show the correct scores. His goal for this exam was to gauge and teach students to use their quirks and try their best using them. The scores will show Shouta's opinion.'
'The calculations of your quirk has diminished, 5 seconds of a boost, not much at all, but the effects were as strong as using the quirk form. Going dark with a mental map now.'
[Pressing a button on the tablet, a projection appears,
Oh Dae-Gon 1st
Momo Yaoyorozu 2nd
Shoto Todoroki 3rd
Katsuki Bakugo 4th
Tenya Iida 5th
Fumikage Tokoyami 6th
Mezo Shoji 7th
Mashirao Ojiro 8th
Eijiro Kirishima 9th
Mina Ashido 10th
Ochaco Uraraka 11th
Rikido Sato 12th
Tsuyu Asui 13th
Yuga Aoyama 14th
Hanta Sero 15th
Denki Kaminari 16th
Kyoka Jiro 17th
Toru Hagakure 18th
Minoru Mineta 19th
Izuku Midoriya 20th]
'Deku is distraught. He feels an emotion that corresponds to guilt. A strange emotion for failing, perhaps someone sacrificed for him to be here.'
[Turning off the projection, Shouta, "Oh yeah, that whole 'expulsion' thing was a lie." Smiling, "It was a logical ruse, to pull out your best performances." Everyone is shocked except Yaoyorozu. Shouta steps away.]
[Yaoyorozu mentions, "C'mon guys, use your brains! Of course it was just a ruse!"]
'It was not a ruse. He was really going to expel the last place, and of course, re-enlist them, but something over the course of the test changed his mind.'
'Already calculated, it was Deku. The hair he ate was probably All Might's hair. Elementary deduction. All Might has recently been more active in Musutafu. The strong presence earlier has to have been All Might, and he's watching his successor, Izuku Midoriya. Yes. The timeline maps out. Deku had gained All Might's quirk when the sludge incident happened, and, from previous observations, recently gained muscles. It was consensual since All Might is watching and Deku feels burdened with purpose. You don't know if it's All Might's quirk or Deku's quirk, but Deku seems to have some part of All Might's quirk power, as the punch he threw during the entrance exam was calculated to be an incredibly high number comparable to the elites of quirk users. But the one thing that confirms it is that Deku's body can't handle the quirk. Every quirk, no matter how destructive, has a balance that harmonizes with the body. Example: Mina Ashido's quirk, which looks and acts like acid, should normally melt and burn her skin, but she has pink skin and black scleras, all bodily factors that regulate the quirk. This hypothesis can be reinforced by Aoyama. Why would he be an informant? Previously it was pulled that his parents are held hostage, but why? Now you know why, not just out of pure random chance, but for the quirk Aoyama holds. You've had an understanding that these types of quirks may appear someday but finally coming across the knowledge that there is a person, a villain, who has the ability to give quirks, but not to grow the seeds, to steal and transfer. Aoyama's control is pitiful, and while the quirk's strength is high, it's calculated because the previous owner was probably older than Aoyama. Truly, Aoyama wears a belt over his stomach and can't use it for more than a second, showing the incompatibility with his body, the incongruent quirk factors. BUT there is more. Aoyama has not exploded or experiencing some destructive mental disorder, which you of all people know that will happen when the host's body is not strong enough to hold quirk factors. Aoyama was either, quirkless, a dying breed, or had his original stolen. But why go through all the effort just to replace his original quirk? So, Aoyama is calculated to have been quirkless. *Hold on* you've used that term 3 times today, these 2, and one when you were referencing Deku as Bakugo. Is Deku also quirkless? Bakugo seems to have thought so. Something is up, and it's not the sky, it's something as fishy as the sea. With this new data, your previous analysis of All Might's quirk being a quirk-accumulation quirk is contradicted. Either Deku always had a hidden quirk, or All Might's quirk allows him to pass down his quirk, but… All Might is still active. Calculation data insufficient, and not necessary. Your plan is to meet Nezu after confronting Aoyama, you'll bring it up then, and the different scenarios depending on Nezu's quirk will confirm your predictions.'
[Shouta looks back to the class, "And... right. Yep, with that, it's over. Your curriculum sheets are back in the classroom so give them a once-over. And Midoriya." Looking at him, Shouta hands him a teacher's note, "Go to recovery girl and get yourself patched up. Since your eyeballs will doubtless pop out of their sockets at tomorrow's absurd ordeal." Midoriya is confused.]
'Since All Might is watching over his successor, it's simple to surmise that tomorrow's ordeal will be All Might teaching. He'll probably be teaching the heroics studies class.'
…
[Everyone walks back into the school and changes back into their clothes. Then, waits in the 1-A homeroom.]
[After changing, you wait for everyone to file in.]
'Alright, everyone is here except Deku.'
[As you stand at the teachers lectern, you speak, "Apologies to everyone." You do a short bow, "My quirk is very strong, but the cost is very high. The personality you saw today was unlucky, an unusual one. Sorry everyone."]
'Eyes of understanding look at you. Great, warning everyone beforehand has softened the shock, now everyone's opinion is back to neutral-favorable. They can see your honesty, so there is nothing really to dislike.'
'Why do you need to apologize?'
'Shut up. Keep calm.'
☐S☐O☐R☐R☐Y☐
[Iida speaks up, "Dae-san! There is no need to worry. Your excellent performance makes your negative words negligible."]
'That's not really a good thing, you hoped he'd care more on a personal level.'
[Kaminari, the blonde guy, "Yeah dude, you're like, totally overpowered. I didn't even get to use my quirk, but you're a league above me."]
[Mineta, "Tch. If I had your power… hehe~ I'd have all the girls."]
'The girls in class sideways glance at him.'
[Ashido raises her hand, "No problem, Dae-kun! You weren't all that bad! But, yeah, like, you're super strong! Your quirk is amazing!"]
[Asui comments, "Dae-chan's quirk must be hard to control." For which you nod.]
[Uraraka also comments, "Eh~, I didn't even really know what you were saying!"]
[Kaminari smiles, "Yeah man, if you say that you're not like that, you're totally cool man."]
[You smile back and slightly bow, "Thanks everyone." Sternly, "I am meant to be a hero, so, truly, I apologize." Pausing a little, "If anyone needs help, then you can ask me." Then walk back to your seat that has a sheet of paper with your schedule.]
'In order, English with Present Mic, Mathematics with Ectoplasm, Modern Literature with Cementoss, Modern Hero Art History with Midnight, Civics/Ethics with Eraser Head, Heroics with Snipe, and Foundational Hero Studies.'
'Interesting that all teachers are pro-heroes. It's most likely Nezu's plan to enforce a heroic standard within students and the whole of U.A..'
[Since Sensei Shouta just finished his 'orientation,' the schedule is back to normal with Present Mic first to teach English.]
…
[Everyone waiting in class, Present Mic opens the door with flair, in English, or, more so North American, "HELLO EVERYONE! HOW ARE YOU GUYS DOING!" He raises his ear to silence.]
'You feel no obligation to respond.'
[Present Mic continues, in Japanese, "OKAY OKAY, LISTENERS! TODAY WE ONLY HAVE A QUICK RUN DOWN ON THE SYLLABUS! YEAH YEAH! CHECK IT, STANDARD LANGUAGE SKILLS IN ENGLISH! VOCAB! GRAMMAR! SYNTAX AND THE LIKE! DURING THE SEMESTER, SOME QUIZZES, AND, AT THE END, EXAMS! BUT THAT'S NOT ALL! THE EXAMS ARE SPEAKING ENGLISH TO ME! DON'T WORRY THOUGH!" In English, "I'M CHILL~!"]
…
[After English, Math, Literature, and History, the Lunch bell rings.]
'Finally, time to interact with others.'
[Getting up, you look to the right at Ashido and Asui, "Hey, let's eat together in a bit. But, first, I'd like to apologize to Todoroki."]
[They nod. Ashido, "Yeah! No problem. Solve your issues!" Asui nods again.]
'You didn't ask Uraraka as she may want to talk to Deku. You overheard her conversation in the morning.'
[Everyone in class getting up and leaving, you wait and step next to Todoroki. He looks at you with a blank face, no, slightly frowning.]
'Damn.'
[You nervously smile, "Hey Todoroki?" Looking at him. He just watches, so you continue, "I'd just like to apologize for earlier." You slightly bow.]
'Damn he's still just looking.'
[You question, "Todoroki?" His face is frowning heavier, and it looks like his teeth is clenched. You back away a little, "Uhh, you okay?"]
[Todoroki speaks, "Did my father send you?" He steps forward, "Do you work for him." With some emotion.]
'Work for? His father? Is he a big deal? Think… Todoroki family name. Oh, Endeavor, Enji Todoroki. Triple damn.'
[You respond, "Is your father Endeavor?"]
[Immediately he tenses and steps really close to you, "So he did?" A chill fog leaking.]
[You look down at him, slightly confused, "No?"]
[He furrows his brows, "Then how'd you know." He doesn't let up, "Be honest, or I'll make you…"]
'His confidence and anger promote the idea that Todoroki's quirk is strong. Hmm, cold, ice, oh! The person Yaoyorozu mentioned lost to the aerokinesis person. Todoroki is also a recommended student? I guess with Endeavor as his parent, it was easy. But… cold, and fire? White and red hair? Does he have a fire quirk in there?'
'Be honest, you have no secrets.'
[You smile nicer, "My quirk told me."]
[Todoroki's eye twitches, "…Seriously?" He lessens his cold.]
["Yep! There's knowledge in insanity, and it happened to pick up some data from you."]
["…data?"]
["Yeahhh, I wouldn't usually just blurt out the knowledge I acquire, but this was an unusual case. …I told you in class already that this was an abnormal personality!"]
["…"]
["…" You smile.]
["…whatever." Todoroki walks off.]
'Phew, being honest really is the best. Todoroki semi-believes you now, so let's just hope it can be better in the future.'
'Calculations predict that Bakugo will take time, his case cannot be rushed, only Deku can spark the change in him. Afterwards though, all routes of conversation have been predicted.'
[Whistling a tune, you walk to the cafeteria.]
…
[Good food for cheap?! You wish you could live on campus! Having Lunch Rush as the cook would make it worth it.]
'Lunch Rush is probably here as a volunteer time of job. As heroes work to fight villains, there are also other duties that heroes can do like community service, or, in Lunch Rush's case, being a cook for U.A..'
[With Lunch Rush as the cook, there is no time for a line to build, so you pick up a tray of rice and curry. And walk to where Ashido and Asui are.]
'Japanese curry is your favorite food. The spices tickle your fancy.'
[Next to Ashido and Asui are Yaoyorozu, Kirishima, Kaminari, Tokoyami, Hagakure, and Jiro.]
'Seems like the girls sit together, with some of the more confident boys.'
'You had the feeling Ashido knew Kirishima.'
[Ashido spots you and waves you over, "Ah, Dae-kun! Over here!"]
'What a nice feeling. Bubbly and sweet. Never forget, this is why you want to become a hero.'
☐S☐U☐C☐K☐M☐Y☐D☐I☐C☐K☐O☐R☐P☐U☐S☐S☐Y☐
[You walk over, and Ashido opens up a seat next to her. You politely smile and let yourself in.]
'They all look at you in interest.'
[Ashido continues, "Dae-kun, we were just talking about you!" She does a pump-up motion, "You're so strong! We want to know all about it!"]
'Ah. Well, we already talked about it, but clarifying might clear some more of the air.'
[Kirishima chimes in, "Yeah bro, it felt like you were a totally different person! One second you were like this, and then the other you were like, 'die!' …Kinda like Bakugo?"]
[Asui comments, "Yes, Dae-chan, you were quite intense, it startled me."]
[You rub the back of your head, "Yeah, well, my quirk relies on giving me mental disorders to balance my power." They look a little more surprised, "Ah, well, it's like a coin you know? Both are technically me, one sane and the other insane… It… just depends on how you look at it."]
[Tokoyami nods his head in acknowledgement, "I completely understand. My quirk is similar to yours in that it's separate but we are one." He looks away dramatically, "The shadow is my world, but yours is of your own mind." You nod.]
'Very astute bird-man.'
[Ashido perks up, "Wow Tokoyami, you understand Dae-kun." She then looks at you, "We were comparing you to All Might!" She smiles.]
[Kaminari speaks, "Yeah man! The power of your throw reminded me of All Might! Totally insane!"]
[Yaoyorozu also, "Yes, Dae-kun, your speed is something that should be studied."]
[Kaminari again, "Oh! Yeah! Man, I blinked, and you were already gone!"]
[Hagakure, invisible to your right, "Yeah, Yeah! How did you not pick up any dust?"]
'Over years of minor training in the mountains or reading, and constant usage of Logic, Encyclopedia, Endurance, Savoir Faire, and Physical Instrument, you've formulated a perfect body for martial arts and all styles, creating some of your own. Though… the nightmares were rough, enough of a deterrent to only do it occasionally after a long break. Like…god, some were… not…good…'
[You think for a bit, "I've learned a ton of martial arts and work out." You flex and your shirt's arm bulges. "I used a form of martial arts I've created that makes the body mimic joints, allowing me to bend and step with no excessive force but light taps. Called Wave Transfer."]
'They want to poke you.'
[Ashido pokes you arms, "Woah! It's like, solid!" You extend your arm, allowing others to touch.]
[Kirishima leans over and pokes your arm, "Damn! It's as hard as my quirk!"]
[Others reach to touch. Yaoyorozu lightly but startles herself.]
[You laugh, "Haha, yeah, to support my power, I'd need a strong body. Or I'd explode, y'now?" You look around, "And, as I've said in class, if any of you want help, I can teach you martial arts too."]
[Silently, you can feel an invisible hand groping your bicep.]
'A little too close, but I'll let it slide.'
[Ashido and Kirishima immediately agree. Ashido, "Really? Then we can also do some dancing too!" Kirishima, "Hell yeah bro! I'd totally like to spar."]
[You look at everyone else, "If you feel like your quirk doesn't benefit from learning martial arts, don't worry, I can also help with being a sandbag!" Now everybody looks with interest. You say, "U.A. has an open quirk gym, so why not use the facilities?" Again, "And, if I use my quirk, I can increase my intelligence to help out with your quirks too!" This time their hooked.]
[Asui mentions, "You can increase your intelligence, Dae-chan?"]
[You nod, "Yeah, anytime I use my quirk, I can increase any aspect of myself I want, but y'know, at the cost of a temporary mental disorder." At the mention of this, some of their enthusiasm simmers down.]
[Ashido gently, "Ah, Dae-kun. If that's the case, then we could do something else?"]
[Kirishima agrees, "Yeah, man. If you're not down, we can hang."]
'Hang… hang…? Jesus Christ. Nausea just hit you. Fuck.'
{COMPOSURE}
'Compose yourself. Breathe. Be calm. Breathe, and compose. Do not lose sight of what matters now. Be strong, for you are.'
[With an awkward smile, "No. I'm fine. I need to train my quirk too, right? Practice will only help me in the long run, so, I'd also appreciate it if you didn't mind me being different." They nod.]
'Phew, calm. You had to bite the bullet, but it'll be alright.'
'Term: Bite the bullet, deciding to do something difficult or unpleasant that one has been putting off or hesitating over.'
[You ponder a bit, "Let's settle a time, and if anyone wants to join, they can come."]
'Hagakure is still, invisibly, groping your arm.'
[They nod.]
…
[After lunch, you go through Civics with Sensei Shouta, and then, Heroics with Snipe.]
[Afterwards, when the Foundational Hero Studies class is supposed to start, Shouta comes out.]
[Shouta tells the class that today, he will be giving the syllabus talk, but tomorrow it'll be someone else.]
[After a small talk, the class is then let free to go home a little early.]
…
[After saying goodbye to the new friends you've made, Ashido, Kirishima, Asui, Tokoyami, Kaminari, Yaoyorozu, Hagakure, Jiro, and also Uraraka, you stalk for Aoyama.]
[Aoyama leaving last, you stand in front of him.]
[You firmly speak, "Oi, Aoyama, my dear friend, let's talk."]
[His demeanor is still flamboyant, but his face is rigid, "Bonjour, Dae-ami, why do you want to speak to mwuah?"]
'Translation: Ami = friend.'
[You're aura changes, whispering, "Garçon français. Je vais révéler au directeur que tu es un traître si tu ne viens pas."]
'Translation: French boy. I will reveal you're a traitor to the principal, if you don't come.'
[He squeaks and nods quickly. So, you lead Aoyama outside, and then into the empty gymnasium building. Inside, you toss him into an equipment storage room.]
'Checking earlier, there aren't any cameras here. From Deku, Uraraka was recorded in school, so you were cautious.'
☐A☐B☐U☐S☐E☐H☐I☐M☐
'You're only here to interrogate him and use this as a gateway to Nezu.'
☐A☐W☐N☐O☐B☐U☐S☐S☐Y☐
[Aoyama finally speaks up, "Um…Dae-ami, what's going on."]
[You lock the door. Walking closer and pushing him to a wall, you pin him.]
☐?☐
'This is all calculated, swap.'
☐WHAT☐ERM☐OKAY?☐
'His sharp face glistens with sweat and fear emanates from him. He swallows and gulps a mouthful of saliva'
[You look into his eyes, "Aoyama." Using your left hand, you grip his shoulder, "Tell me…"]
[He looks away, "…ah!…Dae-san…please…"]
[You tighten your grip, and lean closer to his ear, "…What's a quirkless boy like you doing here?"]
[His eye's shake, and his body trembles.]
'Push further.'
["…Aoyama…" you lean your body even closer, "…What would happen to your parents if I told U.A.?"]
'His spirit has left.'
[Aoyama cries.]
[You loosen you grip, and lean back a little, "Aoyama… I'm giving you a chance here." You smile, "If you tell me, you can be a hero too!" Whispering this into his ear, "…even if you don't tell me…I'll report you… and if they find out…" Closer, right into his ear hole, "They'll gut you, rip you apart in front of your dear parents." With a smile, "They'll cry over their baby boy… and then… they're next."]
[Aoyama yells and tries to push you away, But you don't budge.]
[With a cold gaze, "Aoyama. Tell me!"]
[After a silence, he whimpers, "…o-okay…okay…." Tears dropping, "…just….please…don't tell them…"]
[Your smile widens, "Of course Aoyama." You pat his back, "It's okay~ It's okay~…" You rub his back, "Now… tell me."]
[He takes some time to stabilize, "…I-I was given instructions to give information to t-them…"]
[Rubbing his back more, "…who?"]
["…I …I don't know. But… a man in black gave me my q-quirk."]
["Describe him."]
["…eh….he looked like… like an old man. Ah, a friendly, gentleman-like old man."]
["…is that it?"]
["hmm…? ah, no. His hands had holes in them."]
["Holes?"]
["Mh. Red light came out of him… and into me…"]
["How old were you?"]
["…I was a young boy."]
["Anything else? Any requests?"]
["Yes… I was told to hand over our class's schedule…" He snaps out of it, "Ah! B-but I won't! I won't!"]
[You shush, "Shhh, Aoyama, you can do it." You smile, "Otherwise, they'll kill you remember?"]
[He yelps.]
[You pat him on the head, "Now now, Aoyama, you'll be alright." You straighten him up, "Just do as they say, and continue as you've been." You smile again, "…And tell me any order they give you, okay?"]
[He nods.]
[You take a moment and look deep into his eyes. Focusing a deep pressure onto his memory of you.]
'It's time. Let's do something a little risky.'
{EMPATHY}
'Light flickers between you two and your mind melds into Aoyama. An abyss shrouds the land. Deeper, and deeper. Darker, yet darker. Oblivion, to NULL and to The Pale. Upon the Unmaking, the VOID unravels. Streams of relentless data etch it's way into matter, till The Pale Silence. ☐THE☐NAMELESS☐SPEAKS☐'
☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐
☻ - Yes?
👁 – You see that the meta-factor belongs to another.
☯︎ - Lingering is a fragment of a vestige.
𝒵 – Zen Shigaraki.
☻ - Have a key!
🗝 = ♻
⏱ - Goodbye.
☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐
["Aoyama."]
["Y-yes?"]
["You can go now."]
[He bolts away.]
'What the fuck?'
…