The ride continued for several minutes before Gray spoke again. He had spent most of the trip watching the terrain and looking at the sky. He took in FrostBITEs earlier words. He asked the next question without even thinking about it.
"Why did you become a hero?"
FrostBITE glanced back briefly in surprise before returning his attention to the ground ahead. "Wow, Straight to the personal questions, huh?"
"Just wondering. You don't have to answer if you don't want to."
FrostBITE laughed.
FrostBITE remained silent for a few moments, only the engine and the wind filled the space between them. Gray assumed he didn't want to answer. But to his surprise, FrostBITE spoke.
"I wanted to help people everywhere. That's the simple answer most heroes give, and it was true for me too. But I was always more interested in environmental work than chasing villains around cities." He adjusted the snowmobile slightly as they crossed a rough patch. "My quirk made places like this easier for me than most people. I can stay underwater for a long time, and I'm built pretty well for rescue work."
Gray listened patiently as FrostBITE continued.
"I worked coastal rescue for a while, helped with marine incidents and environmental cleanup. Eventually I started working more often with researchers. One job turned into another, and somehow I ended up spending most of my time down here." FrostBITE gestured toward the darkness surrounding them. "Now I help keep the research teams safe, assist with support work in the field, deal with broken equipment, and make sure our presence isn't causing problems for the wildlife."
"So you still do research too?"
FrostBITE nodded "Support equipment research, mostly. But the real smarts are those scientists that actually figure out things."
Gray could respect that.
FrostBITE glanced back at him. "What about you, Haise? Are you planning on becoming a hero?"
Gray nodded. "Yeah."
"You already decided where you want to go?"
"I'm training for the U.A. hero entrance exam."
"Oh that's the famous hero school in Japan. "
"You've heard of it?"
FrostBITE laughed. "Of course, we don't live under a rock."
Gray underestimated U.A's popularity.
"You know much about Japanese heroes?" he asked.
"More than you'd think. " FrostBITE laughed. "All Might's hard to avoid no matter what country you're in. Every knows the Symbol of Peace."
Gray almost smiled at that.
"I hear Japan has a lot of good heroes," FrostBITE continued.
"I know."
"I figured you did." FrostBITE looked ahead again. "You've already impressed me a little, honestly."
Gray raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"You volunteered to come all the way down here for a school assignment when almost nobody else wanted it. You finished the work they gave you without complaining, and the staff already likes having you around. Now you're riding out into weather everyone else avoided because you wanted to help."
Gray shrugged. "It was a good opportunity."
"That's what you keep saying."
"It is."
FrostBITE chuckled. "Fair enough." He didn't press.
Gray watched the snow passing beneath them for another moment before asking, "If this goes well, would I be allowed outside on my own?"
FrostBITE did not answer immediately.
Gray already knew what that meant.
"Did you come out here to show me that you would be able to handle it so I would let you out?"
Gray had no reason to lie. It was better to be straightforward. "Yes."
"We'll see," FrostBITE finally said.
Gray sighed. "That's a no?"
"It means we'll see."
"That's usually what adults say when they mean no."
FrostBITE laughed loudly enough that Gray could hear it clearly over the wind. "You're not wrong."
Gray sighed again.
FrostBITE continued, "It isn't about whether I trust you. You're still new here, and you're just a kid. It would look terrible for us if we lost our first student in years."
Gray nodded, even if it was not the answer he wanted.
The conversation quieted after that. The wind continued battering them from the side, occasionally throwing loose snow across the path ahead. Gray had been wearing the field gear Mara insisted on, but the longer they traveled, the more uncomfortable he became. It was too much clothing for his taste.
After another minute, Gray finally spoke.
"I don't actually mind the cold." He tried again.
FrostBITE glanced back. "I figured that much."
"No. I mean I really don't mind it."
Before FrostBITE could ask what he meant, Gray pulled his hood back. His white hair immediately caught the wind and blew backward. Then he removed the face covering Mara had insisted he wear and pulled his goggles away from his eyes.
FrostBITE turned his head enough to look at him properly.
"Haise."
Gray remained completely calm.
The freezing air struck his exposed face and hair without any visible reaction from him. He did not squint, shiver, or tense. His breathing stayed steady as he looked out across the frozen darkness.
Gray took a deep breath, taking it in. He felt a weight lifting off of him. He sighed, contently.
"I told you," Gray said. "I like the cold."
FrostBITE stared at him for several seconds before facing forward again.
"Well, that's ridiculous."
Gray gave a small laugh. "You have an elephant seal quirk."
"Exactly. But your quirk is much stronger than I expected."
Gray pulled the goggles back over his eyes but left the hood down.
FrostBITE shook his head. "I think you've got better cold resistance than I do."
"I doubt that. I'm a little jealous."
Gray laughed quietly.
The snowmobile continued onward until two dark shapes finally appeared ahead beneath the headlights. FrostBITE slowed as they approached, and the outlines of the damaged drones became clearer. One had landed on its side with part of its outer casing cracked open, while the second had come down several meters away. A few pieces of equipment had spilled into the snow around them, though most of the cargo containers appeared intact.
FrostBITE stopped the snowmobile and climbed off.
"You know what, it looks salvageable."
Gray stepped down behind him.
They worked together to recover the scattered equipment first. FrostBITE checked each container for obvious damage while Gray carried the lighter pieces toward the storage sled. The cold was stronger now that they were standing still. But Gray didn't really feel it.
He continued moving equipment while quietly activating his quirk.
A narrow thread of ice spread from beneath his boot and disappeared under the snow. It was a trick he was practicing. This was the perfect place to try it.
Then another.
The ice remained thin, and blended seamlessly with the snow. It was extending away from him while he continued carrying equipment as though nothing had happened.
Gray did not look down.
That was the point.
For months, most of his training had focused on improving the raw strength of his quirk. He also had pushed his physical strength until he felt a bottleneck. At this point, there was only one more thing to perfect. Control.
The thin connection spreading beneath the snow remained inside his awareness. Gray could feel where it moved even while lifting a damaged case onto the sled. He extended it farther, splitting the ice into several narrow paths and allowing them to travel beneath the surface while he kept his attention on FrostBITE and the equipment.
He wanted using his quirk usage to become as natural as moving his fingers.
In theory, he would be able to react instantaneously when fighting. He would also never remain stationary.
Gray picked up another container. He continued using his quirk.
FrostBITE did not notice.
They had nearly finished securing the last of the cargo when FrostBITE walked back toward the snowmobile and tried the ignition.
The engine started.
Then sputtered.
FrostBITE frowned and tried again.
The engine sputtered on for a few seconds and died.
Gray stopped beside the sled. "Problem?"
"Looks like it."
FrostBITE crouched beside the machine and checked it for a short while. He did not seem especially concerned, but after another failed attempt, he stood and scratched the side of his face.
"Well, this is unfortunate. Something must have gotten inside and damaged it. I don't have the right tools to fix it."
"Can't we just carry it back?"
"You want to carry it back six kilometers?"
Gray looked toward the darkness in the direction of the facility. He had an idea, but he wasn't sure if FrostBITE would allow it.
Then he looked back at FrostBITE, who, for the most part, looked calm and composed. Clearly he had this issue before. He looked deep in thought.
"Can I have permission to use my quirk to get us back?" Gray said, interrupting him.
FrostBITE turned to Gray. He looked surprised. He studied Gray for a second.
He didn't think for very long..
"Alright, Haise. I'll allow it. Show me what you've got."
-
Gray looked over the broken snowmobile, the recovered drones, and the equipment they had spent the last several minutes securing. He made sure it was all secured.
Gray stepped away from the snowmobile and lowered his hand to the ground.
Ice spread beneath his palm immediately.
A thin layer formed beneath the snow and traveled outward in every direction. It passed beneath the snowmobile, continued under the drones, and widened around the equipment they had collected. It continued until the shape became a large, clean rectangle platform beneath the entire recovery area.
The ice thickened.
Then the whole platform rose.
FrostBITE shifted his footing as the snowmobile, drones, equipment, storage sled, and both of them lifted several inches from the ground. Nothing tipped or slid. Gray had made the surface flat enough that the cargo remained exactly where they had placed it. A few rails formed around the rectangle.
FrostBITE looked down at the platform beneath his feet, clearly impressed.
"You're moving all of this at once?"
Gray nodded. "I'll be easy."
The weight was light.
Gray had spent years strengthening himself and his quirk. Creating large amounts of ice had become natural to him, and moving heavy objects with it was nothing difficult.
Gray stepped onto the center of the platform and focused on the ice beneath him. This was one of the abilities he obtained after his awakening.
It was difficult to describe. He felt a mental connection with the ice he created. Gray pushed that feeling forward.
The platform began to move.
At first, it slid slowly across the snow. Then Gray increased the pace.
The ice platform pulled itself forward under his control. If anyone were to look closer, they would see the ice was hovering off the ground.
The wind grew louder almost immediately.
FrostBITE steadied himself near the snowmobile and watched the ice moving beneath them. He had seen plenty of quirks during his career, but a 14 year old with this much skill was incredible.
Gray focused ahead. Although he didn't get to stay too long, it was enough for today. For now, he had to get them back to the base.
Gray increased the speed again.
They crossed the open plateau much faster than the snowmobile had managed on the way out. There were no roads or buildings to navigate around, only the even frozen surface ahead of them. If there was any rough sections, Gray reshaped the bottom and continued moving, avoiding any rocks or bumps along the way.
FrostBITE eventually looked ahead and noticed the distant lights of the facility.
He stared for a moment.
"We're already close."
Gray followed his gaze.
The outpost was still small in the distance, but the lights were clearly visible from afar.
He had not realized how quickly they were moving.
A small sense of satisfaction settled over him.
Good. They would arrive far sooner than expected.
Gray resisted the urge to speed up even more. He couldn't risk some of the equipment flying off and getting damaged.
The equipment was more important than testing how far he could push the platform, and FrostBITE had trusted him enough to let him try this in the first place. Dropping several expensive machines into the snow because he wanted to see how fast he could go would probably ruin that effort.
So he maintained the same speed until they reached the edge of the facility.
Gray slowed the platform carefully and brought it toward the equipment entrance. The large slab settled back onto the snow without disturbing the cargo.
Once everything was stable, he released his control.
The platform settled on the ground. He could probably still move it if needed.
He stared down at it for a second.
The exterior door opened before he could think about it much longer.
Mara stepped outside in full cold-weather gear and immediately looked between the two of them. Her attention quickly settled on the snowmobile sitting on top of the massive rectangular platform.
"You're back already? That can't be right. The distance and speed of the mobile-"
FrostBITE climbed down first. He spoke up, interrupting her babbling.
"The snowmobile stopped working a few minutes after we finished loading everything."
Mara's expression tightened. "Then how did you get all of this back?"
FrostBITE glanced toward Gray.
"Haise carried it."
Mara followed his gaze.
Gray stepped down from the ice.
"With your quirk?"
He nodded.
FrostBITE gave the platform another look before turning back toward her. "He put everything on that slab of ice and moved the whole thing back here. Snowmobile included."
Mara looked between Gray and the platform for another few seconds before stepping closer to inspect the recovered equipment.
"Anything damaged?"
"The drones took most of it," FrostBITE said. "The cargo should be alright, but we'll need to check everything properly. Let's carry it inside quickly."
Mara visibly relaxed.
"That's good. We already had a delay, if these get damaged, it would delay it further."
FrostBITE nodded. "That's why I didn't want to leave them sitting out there."
He turned toward Gray afterward.
"Thanks, Haise. You saved us a lot of trouble."
Gray gave a small nod. "It was nothing."
FrostBITE nodded, gratefully.
The snowmobile was taken inside for inspection, and Gray helped move the recovered equipment into storage. It was clear the cold didn't affect him, so he helped move everything over. The rest of his day continued normally after that. He returned to the common area and relaxed. Some of the others asked him some questions about the excursion, checking on him. After seeing he was fine, they went off to do their work. The rest of the day was mundane, he ate dinner, and eventually went back to his room.
He didn't ask FrostBITE if he could go out yet. He didn't want to annoy him.
For the next few days, he continued following the same routine. He woke early, ate breakfast, reported for work, and completed whatever the staff gave him. The research season had not properly started yet, so there was rarely enough administrative work to fill the entire day. Gray made sure what little he did receive was completed properly.
Mara quickly reviewed his work. She spent less and less time each time. It was a good sign.
Gray was patient through all of it, as much as he wanted to train, he held off.
Musutafu could not give him this. Ordinary winter weather barely registered anymore, and even
Several days after the trip, FrostBITE approached him while Gray was finishing one of his duties.
"Haise."
Gray looked up.
"Can you come here for a minute?"
Gray saved his work and followed him into his office. It was far less organized then Maras. There were stacks of log books on his desk. There were shelves filled with books.
FrostBITE leaned against the desk before speaking.
"I talked with Mara."
Gray immediately paid closer attention.
"I know you haven't been here long, but you've been doing good work."
Gray waited quietly.
FrostBITE looked at him for a moment before continuing.
"So I'm going to let you spend some time outside on your own."
Gray blinked.
He had expected to ask eventually. He had not expected FrostBITE to offer first.
"Wait, really?"
FrostBITE nodded "A couple of hours. Only after your work is completely finished."
Gray nodded immediately.
"There are conditions," FrostBITE added. "You tell Mara before you leave, sign out properly, and record where you're going. If the weather changes drastically enough that communications tell you to come back, you come back."
"understood."
FrostBITE's expression became more serious.
"And if you're given two hours, I expect you back before those two hours are finished. If you're late for any reason, you lose this privilege."
Gray understood.
"I won't be late."
FrostBITE studied his face for another second, then nodded.
"Good."
He reached into a nearby storage cabinet and handed Gray two pieces of equipment.
The first was a compact field GPS designed to function in the extreme cold. The second was a heavy digital watch built much more sturdily than anything Gray had seen.
"The facility is already marked on the GPS. Your approved boundary is loaded into it too.."
Gray took both.
For the first time since arriving, he had trouble hiding his excitement.
"Thank you."
FrostBITE noticed.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"I think that's the happiest I've seen you since you arrived."
Gray returned to his desk with a big smile.
"You look ecstatic, did something good happen?" Mara smiled.
Gray rolled his eyes. It was obvious she already knew.
The rest of the work day felt like it was dragging.
He finished every assignment Mara gave him and double and triple checked his work before turning anything in. If he was going outside, he was not going to give anyone a reason to stop it.
He also made sure to eat plenty, and packed a few field rations.
By now Gray had become used to the heavier food served at the facility. He ate more than he normally would have at home, taking extra bread with his meal and finishing everything on his plate. If he planned to train for several hours in the Antarctic cold, he knew he would need the energy.
Once everything was finished, Gray returned to his room and prepared.
He secured the watch around his wrist, checked the GPS, and took the radio FrostBITE had told him to carry.
Then he headed toward the main exit. He stopped by the front desk, signing out as he was instructed.
Gray filled out the sheet properly.
"Keep the radio on."
Gray nodded.
"Remember, if the weather gets treacherous, you have to return."
"I understand."
Gray opened the door, and the wind entered immediately, cold air rushing past him into the heated building. Gray stepped outside and shut the door behind him.
He stood there for a few seconds and looked across the plateau. Gray checked the GPS one final time.
The boundary FrostBITE had given him was farther than 6 kilometers. It was more than enough.
Gray looked toward the empty plateau again, and a wide smile slowly spread across his face.
He walked out into the cold.