Chapter Text
15-year-old Izuku Midoriya pulled a hoe from the ground and hoisted it to rest on his shoulder. He looked over his work and smiled. He had tilled the land so that his mother could plant the crops.
"Izuku! Dinner will be ready soon!" Izuku looked in the house's direction and saw his mother, particularly her scowl. Izuku sighed. He’d been working for too long. Overworking himself, his mother would tell him. He was never gonna hear the end of this.
Izuku walked into the house after putting back the farm tools and proceeded to rush to the bathroom. He stripped, grabbed a small stone trinket, and went over to the stone tub before reaching up to the shower orb that shone with a magic glow. He held the trinket up to it.
"Please…please…" the water finally came out of the orb in a steady stream. "Thank the gods," he sighed as he stepped into the shower.
"So, I didn't hear the water splash everywhere, does that mean you've got the hang of the new shower orb?" Hisashi Midoriya, Izuku's father, asked before he shoveled a large amount of food into his mouth. Izuku sighed.
"Yeah…I have to use that Trigger, but no problems with it."
"Good! Now I believe your mother has something to talk about with you." He said, getting serious.
"Yes I do," said Inko Midoriya, Hisashi's wife and Izuku's mother. She put down her fork and wiped her mouth with a cloth napkin. She had a small frown on her face and a furrowed brow. "I am getting concerned about you working as much as you are. You've almost missed dinner for three days in a row so far. I'd like to know why." Izuku looked away from his parents' gazes.
"I feel like a burden," he said after a long pause. His parents' eyes widened. "I have no magic, so you have to buy Triggers for all the magic things. I feel like I have to pull more than my weight to make up for being useless."
"Izuku, honey, you're not useless!" Inko said, placing his hand on Izuku's.
"Where did you get that idea?" Hisashi asked. "It was Masaru and Mitsuki's kid, wasn't it?" He asked with a scowl. Izuku's silence was the only answer they needed. "What did he say?"
"...he said I'm shaming you by not being able to follow in your footsteps." Inko and Hisashi suddenly stood up.
"That kid, I'll have words with him!" Hisashi said with Inko's face showing that she agreed.
"Mom, Dad, please! It's not a big deal," Izuku said, trying to diffuse them. Hisashi walked over and placed a hand on Izuku's shoulder.
"I may not say this enough, kid, but I am proud of you. Every day I'm more and more proud of the man you're becoming."
"But why?" Izuku asked in a small voice. "You're a decorated soldier, and I can't live up to that!"
"Izuku, do you know what my friends always say about you?" Inko asked. Izuku looked at Inko with tears in his eyes. "They say that they wish that their kid was such a hard worker. They say they wish that their kids would focus less on their magic. Every kid wants to be a soldier, and I did when I was that age, too. But let me tell you something," she paused, turning Izuku's head so he was looking her in the eye. "Most of them won't make it through the exam."
"Yeah, but Katsuki will. His magic is the best in this region!"
"I dunno, his personality would get him kicked right away, at least it would've when I was serving." Hisashi grumbled.
"Well, if he does get in, you won't have to deal with him anymore, and they'll probably whip him into shape," Inko chuckled
"Why are we even talking about this? The exam is three years away, and you could still get your magic!" Hisashi pointed out. "And even if not, you can prove your worth really easily."
"Thanks, Dad. You too, Mom."
The next day, while Inko used her magic to plant the crops and Hisashi dealt with the animals, Izuku went into town to get some food. The farm wasn't self-sustaining, and most of the time they weren't even producing food, especially in the winter. Winter had just passed and they had just run out of food. Izuku pulled the rather light cart and entered the town of Aldera. As he walked, many of the townspeople waved to him. He waved back with a smile and continued toward his first destination. However, something was clearly going on in town that day.
He walked toward his friend's house. Before he could even knock, Melissa Shield, his best friend, bumped into him on her way out of the house.
"Oh, Izuku! Come on, we've gotta go!" She said as she grabbed his hand and pulled him in the direction of a crowded town square.
"Whoa, what's going on?" Izuku asked, frantically as he was being dragged.
"The Duke of Mie is coming through here!"
"Oh! My parents aren't here," he said. "Don't they need to be here?"
"They're not collecting taxes, the actual Duke is here!"
"Wait, why?"
"The letter didn't say why, we just need to be in the square!" The two got to the square and were toward the back of the crowd. Very soon, they heard a servant of the Duke announce an order.
"The Duke insists that every young man between the ages of 14 and 20 step forward! A wonderful opportunity presents itself for one of you!"
"Go on, Izuku!" Melissa pushed him forward when he hesitated. He looked back to see a smile on her face as she pushed him. He was let through the crowd and ended up standing next to his primary bully, Katsuki Bakugo.
"You shouldn't even be up here, Deku." Izuku ignored him as the Duke left his extravagant carriage. He was a tall, strong-looking man, clearly battle hardened, not what one would expect from a Duke of his stature. He walked toward the boys who were lined up. He walked along the line and occasionally put his hand on the shoulder of one of them, saying things like "maybe, maybe…" and "no, you're not him…" which made everyone wonder what he was looking for.
As he got closer to the end of the line, where Izuku and Katsuki were, he clearly felt something and passed over several boys before placing a hand on every boy's shoulder down the line starting eight or nine down from Katsuki. He finally got to Katsuki before humming for a moment before saying "no…" He finally got to Izuku, the last one in line, and he slowly put his hand on Izuku's shoulder.
"You. You're the one." He said, looking into Izuku's eyes. "You will marry my daughter." The whole square went silent until Izuku regained his composure and gave an appropriately intellectual response.
"Huh?!"
"So, the farm is just down this way?"
"Y-yes, Your Grace." Izuku said, using the politesse he never thought he'd have to use. He honestly never thought he'd get a chance to talk to someone of Nobility.
“Wonderful. What are your parents like?” The Duke asked. He looked genuinely curious, so Izuku answered. It wasn’t like he wouldn’t either way, this was a Duke, someone who could have him jailed at the drop of a hat. However, this man had a gentle air about him despite his rugged look. The scars contrasted with the gentle smile he had on.
“Well, my mom is the nicest person I’ve ever met. She inherited the farm from her parents and she has plant magic, which helps. My father is a former soldier, but he was injured and honorably discharged. He even had a few medals. He’s a little rough, but he’s kind and works hard. His magic honestly isn’t much to write about, but he trained and used it effectively enough to be highly valued in the military.”
“I notice you talk about magic a lot. Is there a reason for that?” The Duke asked.
“Well, I love learning about magic despite my inability to use it.” The Duke raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, you told me about that. Honestly I’m shocked someone with such magic potential doesn’t have the ability to use it at your age.”
“Wait…magic potential?” Izuku asked.
“Yes, everyone has a bit of magic potential. The majority have at least a fair amount, allowing them to learn and use spells and use magic items,” the Duke paused, allowing the information to sink in. “Even those who can’t use it have a small amount of potential. More people than you think can’t use magic, and I’m honestly surprised you’re one of only two in your town without the ability. Your life must not have been easy. People are often prejudiced.”
“Honestly, aside from a select few people my age, I can’t complain about my circumstances. It could always be better, but couldn’t everything? We work with what we have.”
“A wise opinion. You seem older than your years.” Izuku blushed in embarrassment. “That boy that was next to you, was he one of those you spoke about?” Izuku nodded. “He looked ready to pitch a fit when I chose you.”
“To be fair, he’s had everything handed to him. He doesn’t really know anything but winning, so he hasn’t experienced anything like losing, especially to me,” Izuku said.
“I see, so you think it’s not entirely his fault?” The Duke asked with an unreadable expression.
“Well, if you’re going to blame anyone, it should first and foremost be the ones who allowed that attitude. He used to be my friend,” Izuku finished with a solemn expression.
“I enjoy talking to you, Izuku, you are definitely more mature than I expected.” The Duke smiled.
“Your Grace, if I may ask,” Izuku began. “You said I have great magic potential. Were you serious?”
“Of course! I will explain when we’re inside. I believe we are approaching your home.
Inko and Hisashi didn’t know what to expect when they saw the carriage on the horizon, one that clearly carried high nobility. They were thankful their son wasn’t home, as he had trouble with new people. They agreed that meeting a noble would probably make him faint. The cart had, expectedly, stopped in front of their house. It was at the end of the road, after all. They were shocked when the Duke of Mustafa himself stepped out of the carriage, followed by Izuku. The two seemed to be conversing with smiles on their faces as they walked toward the house. As they got close, the Duke’s attention turned to the two shocked parents.
“Ah, you must be Inko and Hisashi! Your boy has told me all about you.” The two bowed.
“O-Only good things, I hope, Your Grace,” Inko nervously said.
“Of course! He has quite the high opinion of you two.”
“Your Grace, if I may ask,” Hisashi started, waiting for the Duke to allow him to continue. He nodded, and Hisashi continued. “Why are you here, and with our son no less?” Inko swatted Hisashi on the arm.
“There really is no need for the formalities. I’m told you were a soldier. If so, we may have served at the same time.” The Duke said with a smile. “All of you can call me Sotatsu Uraraka, or Duke Mie.”
Inko, I have to say, that was a great meal,” Sotatsu praised. Inko glowed at the compliment from such a high noble. “Is this food grown here?”
“Yes it is. The animals and crops are raised right on this farm.”
“Well, you all do quite good work!” The room fell into silence, and Sotatsu gathered that the elephant in the room needed to be addressed. “I suppose you two are wondering why I’m here. Well, there’s no way to ease into the subject that I can think of,” Inko and Hisashi looked at him in apprehensive curiosity. “I have chosen your son to marry my daughter.” One could hear a pin drop in the room.
“Y-You’re serious?” Hisashi asked.
“Yes. Out of the men close to her age in Aldera town, or any town I've searched so far, he fits the qualities that my daughter insists on almost perfectly, and he has the most magic potential. On top of that, he has been quite interesting to talk to. You’ve raised a fine young man!”
“Thank you, my lord, but we only have done what we felt was right,” Hisashi said.
“Don’t we all?” He asked, rhetorically, before taking a sip of his water. “Parents I mean. Raising a child has been quite the trial for me and my wife, and to this day we wonder if we’re doing well at it. If we’re giving her a good life while teaching her what she needs to know for when we’re gone.”
“It’s difficult, sure, but rewarding nonetheless,” Inko said, looking at Izuku. The Duke nodded in agreement.
“I’m curious, what do you mean by the most magic potential? He’s never been able to use magic.” Hisashi pointed out.
“It is a very rare case, indeed. Something has locked away his magic ability, but his potential can’t be hidden from those skilled enough. It was almost overwhelming at first, the amount of potential I felt.” Sotatsu gained a serious expression. “It may not have been the first thing I was looking for, but I won’t deny that I did hope the one I chose would have great magic. My daughter is strong, no doubt. But having someone by her side that can protect her is a great boon.”
“I may have the potential, but if I can’t use it, what good is it?” Izuku asked, his head bowed.
“As I said, it’s a rare case, but there is a possible way to unlock your magic. Probable, even. There are mages who specialize in bringing out people’s magic potential. Most can’t use their full potential at first, you see. It’s possible that we can get you using magic,” Sotatsu said. Izuku smiled widely as the tears fell freely from his eyes.
“For you to even try…what can I do to repay you?”
“Just treat my daughter well, and you’ll have no debt to repay.” Izuku smiled and nodded.