Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In a loud classroom filled with hopeful students' chatter, Izuku Midoriya sat at his desk, clutching his notebook tightly.
An explosion erupted nearby, drawing everyone's attention to Bakugo Katsuki, who stood with an evil grin. "Do you think you can make it to UA?" he sneered, his hand charged with an explosion.

In this world, quirks manifest in children by the age of four. Around 80% to 90% of the population possessed some ability, while a smaller fraction remained quirkless—individuals like Izuku.
Those with quirks could choose various paths; some became heroes, others turned to villainy, and many lived as civilians, trying to make their way in a world dominated by extraordinary powers.

Back in the classroom, Bakugo leaned closer, his eyes gleaming with disdain. "The only person worthy of going to UA is ME. You're just a DEKU."
He snatched Izuku's notebook from his grasp, flipping through the pages before landing on "Hero Analyses No. 15."
With a mocking scoff, he crushed the book between his hands. "What do you need this for? You're NEVER going to be a hero."

(Throughout his childhood, ever since he was deemed quirkless at 4 years old and into his teen years, Izuku would often be bullied by Katsuki, who would give him the nickname "Deku" (an alternate Kun'yomi reading of his given name's kanji that is homophonous with 木偶, meaning "useless person; good for nothing")

With a swift flick of his wrist, he unleashed his explosion quirk, incinerating the notebook and tossing the remnants outside, where they fell near the pond.
"So why don't you take a swan dive off a roof and wish for a quirk in your next life? Maybe then you'd be useful for once!"

His friends laughed, echoing Bakugo's cruel taunts, while Izuku felt the familiar sting of humiliation and despair.

Even with all the mean comments, Izuku doesn't bat an eye. He's used to these types of things, bullying, mockery, it's just a normal day in the life of a quirkless, useless Deku. Because that's all he is, a waste of space...

He can hear Bakugo and his lackey's voices fade away as they leave the classroom; still laughing at what just happened. "
Maybe... Maybe I should jump." Izuku murmured to himself, his head held low while gathering his belongings, once he gathered everything he slung his yellow bookbag over his shoulders he left the school for the day, not even bothering to get his notebook since he was sure that there was nothing left of it since Bakugo chared it.

He walks out of school and begins to walk home, though this time he walks a different route to gather his thoughts.
"Why do people hate me so much? Why must they crush my dreams? Why does being quirkless mean I'm a burden to everyone? Why... Why Kacchan?"

He walks under a bridge, still thinking about the events that just unfolded. "Take a swan dive off the roof and wish for a quirk in your next life."
That's all he can hear in his head, the words repeating and repeating.

Suddenly, Izuku walks over a rattling sewer hole cover, and as soon as he passes over it a green slime villain emerges from the sewers.
"Finally," It says to itself, its body expanding in what I guess is a stretch, "Im finally away from that son of a hero."

The villain looks around, his eyes landing on a sad-looking Izuku his head held low as his hands clutch his bookbag strap.
"HEY KID." the villain states, yelling towards Izuku.

The noise from the yelling made Izuku break from his thoughts and turn around. His eyes landed on the horrifying sight of the slime villain.

"I'm going to need your body in order to escape... SO GIVE IT TO ME!"
The villain lunges toward Izuku, who desperately tries to escape.
But his efforts were in vain as the villain covered Izuku with its slime body, trying to suffocate him while also going through Izuku's nostrils.

Izuku desperately struggles to free himself from the slime villain, fighting to breathe as he claws at it.
In his effort, he accidentally opens his mouth, causing the slime villain to push further down his throat.
Tears stream down Izuku's face as he tries to strain free.

"So... So this is it..."

His movements slowed, his strength fading, his body trembling as the fight left him.

Ha... Kacchan, maybe... maybe you're right. This may not be me jumping off a roof, but... it's close...

A weak sigh escaped his lips as his body went limp, his mind drifting as the darkness pulled him under.

He was tired.

So, so tired.

Maybe this was for the best.

Maybe he should just—

A sharp rattle.

A blur of yellow, blue, and white.

Then—

"TEXAS SMASH!"

Izuku felt his body jerk as he inhaled sharply, a desperate gasp for air filling his burning lungs. His vision was hazy, unfocused, his mind still reeling from the suffocating grip of the villain that had nearly claimed his life. A hand—firm yet gentle—was tapping his cheek in rhythmic succession, accompanied by a muffled but booming voice.

"Ah..!" The voice erupted, cutting through the fog in Izuku's mind like a knife. "I thought I lost you there! HAHAHA!"

Blinking rapidly, Izuku's eyes adjusted, and through the blur of his tears, he saw him. A strong, towering figure with sunken yet determined blue eyes and a wide, unwavering grin.

"A-ALL MIGHT?!"

The name barely made it past Izuku's lips, breathless with disbelief. His heart pounded against his ribcage as he stared at his idol, the Number One Hero, the very symbol of peace. He was really here. Right in front of him.

Izuku's mind raced, barely processing the words that followed. All Might gathered the defeated villain into bottles, securing him effortlessly. The interaction blurred together, a mixture of awe and shock gripping Izuku so tightly that he didn't even notice his precious notebook floating down the street, lost to the wind.

And then, it hit him.

He had a chance. A chance to ask.

As All Might prepared to leave, crouching down, muscles tensing in preparation for a jump, Izuku's body moved before his mind could catch up.

His fingers wrapped around the hero's leg.

His body tensed as the world around him blurred.

And in a blink—

(Few minutes later...)

The cold, hollow silence wrapped around him tighter than any villain ever could.

Izuku stared down at his worn-out shoes, the sound of retreating footsteps from his once-revered hero echoing in his ears like a cruel reminder. Tears streamed freely down his cheeks, blurring the world around him. "How could he... how could he crush my dreams so easily?" The words trembled in his mind, heavy with despair.

Memories flooded back—clinging to All Might's leg, desperate for hope, only to be met with the weight of an unbearable truth. The words still rang in his heart, sharp and unforgiving:

"Be realistic. You'll just be a burden to the real heroes."

In that moment, it felt as though All Might had extinguished the last flicker of light in his soul. The devastation was overwhelming, suffocating.

Before he even realized it, his body moved of its own accord, as if pulled by an unseen force. His feet carried him forward, step after step, until he stood before the chain-link fence that separated the rooftop from the void beyond. The wind tugged at his uniform, cold and unrelenting.

"I guess... I guess there's no reason anymore, huh?" he whispered, his voice barely audible above the breeze. Slowly, he began to untie his shoes, placing them neatly beside him. With trembling hands, he scribbled a note, setting it gently atop the shoes. Each movement felt distant, as though it belonged to someone else.

Climbing the fence, he perched on the ledge, the city sprawling out before him like a silent witness. The weight of his words fell heavy in the air.

"Sorry... Mother. Sorry I couldn't be the son you always wanted me to be."

His voice cracked, barely more than a murmur, as he stared into the distance, the emptiness ahead mirroring the hollowness within.

Izuku stared down at the broken remains of his body, the blood pooling across the pavement in thick, crimson streaks. The city lights reflected off the dark liquid, creating a grotesque shimmer against the cold concrete. His lifeless eyes, once filled with desperate hope, now stared blankly into nothing.

And yet, he stood there. Watching.

A strange calm settled over him, his thoughts quiet, almost serene.

Where did it all go wrong?

The question echoed in his mind, but he already knew the answer.

Everything—every rejection, every cruel word, every shattered dream—had led him to this.

And yet…

Why is this the only way I feel free…?

His gaze lingered on the blood seeping from his ruined form, a twisted sort of satisfaction bubbling within him. It felt right. Like this was what he was meant to do, meant to become.

But even with this strange sense of fulfillment, there was still something missing. A hollow ache deep inside him. A void that refused to be filled.

Until—

A flicker.

A soft, eerie glow illuminated the darkness before him.

Izuku blinked as a translucent green screen materialized in front of him, its presence unnatural yet familiar, like something out of a game. Lines of text scrawled across its surface, the words slow and deliberate.

—Hello, Izuku.—

The voice wasn’t heard, but felt, seeping into his mind like an old memory.

—You have been nothing but kind to all. But for what? What was your reason?—

Izuku swallowed, his hands curling into fists at his sides.

—Nothing.—

The word cut through him like a knife.

—But I have an offer for you.—

The screen pulsed, the words shifting, reshaping into something more sinister.

—If you accept… I can give you POWER.—

Izuku’s breath hitched.

—Something you’ve always wanted. But it was stolen from you.—

His chest tightened.

Kacchan. The teachers. The doctors. All Might.

All of them.

They had stolen it from him.

They had decided he was worthless.

And yet, here it was. A chance. A cruel, twisted mockery of everything he had once dreamed of.

The final line appeared, two options presenting themselves beneath it.

—Would you… Accept?—

[Accept] : [Deny]

Izuku took a shaky breath, his fingers hovering over the glowing options. His mind raced, but deep down, he already knew what he would choose.

He had nothing. No dreams. No future. No reason to keep going.

What did he have to lose?

But just as his resolve began to harden, the screen flickered violently, distorting as new text bled across its surface.

—If you don't accept, your face will be sealed, and you will DIE.—

Izuku’s breath hitched.

His face will be sealed ? What the hell did that mean? Would he suffocate? Would he rot away, trapped in some inescapable void? Is this some typo… Does it mean fate… What type of god makes a typo….

His hands trembled as he looked down at his own corpse again.

There was no coming back from this.

He was dead.

And yet, something… something still refused to let him rest.

The screen pulsed, the words burning into his vision.

Izuku clenched his teeth, his eyes squeezing shut as his decision solidified.

His fingers twitched.

And then—

He clicked.

[Accept]

The moment his choice was made, a searing pain erupted in his chest.

Izuku gasped, his body locking up as an unseen force gripped him, twisting into his very being. His veins burned, his mind felt like it was splitting open, his very existence being rewritten.

The world around him shattered.

Darkness swallowed everything.

And then—

He awoke.

But he was no longer the same.

Izuku jolts up, to his room. It’s different.. Well not his room… But He’s different.

He looks down at his hands, they’re smaller… did he… regress…?

Then, a ping noise could be heard and a green glow, the same glow he saw can be seen reflecting in his room.

A translucent screen hovered in front of him, its eerie glow illuminating the dimly lit room. Izuku's breath came in short, uneven gasps as his mind reeled. His fingers trembled as he reached toward it, hesitating just before making contact.

He swallowed hard.

This was real.

He wasn’t hallucinating. He wasn’t dreaming. And he sure as hell wasn’t dead—not anymore.

The screen pulsed again, text shifting and rearranging.

—Congratulations, Izuku Midoriya.—

—You have been selected.—

—Initializing...—

Another ping echoed through the room. Izuku flinched as new lines of text appeared.

—User Identified: Izuku Midoriya —
— Age: 4 —
— Status: Regressed —
— Synchronization: 10%... 20%... 50%...—

Izuku's breath hitched.

"Regressed...?"

He scrambled out of bed, rushing to the small mirror hanging by his dresser. The face staring back at him wasn’t the fifteen-year-old boy who had leaped to his death.

It was younger.

Softer.

Weaker.

His four-year-old self.

He staggered back, his chest tightening as the reality of it sank in. He wasn’t just given another chance.

He was sent back.

Before his quirk…

Before kacchan…

Before he had ever met All Might.

Maybe this can be different…

His mind raced, thoughts spiraling in every direction, but before he could even begin to process it—

—Synchronization Complete.—

The text shifted.

—Welcome, Izuku Midoriya. Your system is now active.—

Another ping. A small icon flashed at the bottom of the screen.

[ Skill Tree Unlocked. ]

Izuku's heart pounded.

A choice had been made.

And now...

Now, he had power.

Another screen flickered to life before Izuku, its neon-green glow casting eerie shadows across the room.

—Hello, Izuku. Welcome to your new… Life.—

Izuku narrowed his eyes. Why the weird pause? Is that supposed to be dramatic or something?

The text on the screen glitched for a moment before new words appeared.

—Yes, it’s for dramatic effect. Now stop overanalyzing everything and just listen, DAMN IT.—

Izuku froze.

His breath caught in his throat as he stared at the glowing text.

It could hear him.

His thoughts.

His private thoughts.

—Yes, I can hear you. And yes, I’ll keep doing this if you don’t stop being annoying.—

Izuku’s eye twitched.

"What the hell kind of system is this?" he thought, glaring at the floating screen.

—The kind that’s getting real tired of your attitude.—

Okay. Yeah. That was unsettling.

Izuku swallowed hard, rubbing his temples. This was a lot. He had literally just woken up in a younger body, and now he had some kind of sarcastic, mind-reading, all-powerful entity talking to him through a glowing green screen.

Was this really what he signed up for?

—Yes, it is. You clicked 'Accept,' dumbass.—

Izuku clenched his jaw, inhaling sharply. "Okay. Fine. Whatever. Let’s just get this over with."

The screen pulsed, as if amused.

—Good. Now shut up and let me explain.—

The text shifted again.

—Welcome to your new… Life.—

—You have been given a second chance. Not out of kindness, but because you are… entertaining.—

Izuku blinked. What.

—That’s right. You? You’re a special case. Full of despair. Full of rage. Yet, still holding onto some ridiculous sense of hope.—

—Pathetic.—

Izuku’s breath hitched. The words stung, even though they shouldn’t have.

—But that’s what makes you interesting. And that’s why you’re here.—

The screen dimmed slightly, as if giving him a moment to process.

Izuku swallowed, his fists tightening. "So what…? I’m just some entertainment for you?"

—Partially.—

Izuku grit his teeth. "Then why give me a second chance at all?"

The screen flickered.

—Because I want to see what you’ll do with it.—

A chill ran down his spine.

—Now, let’s begin.—

A new message appeared, different from the rest.

[ Would you like to view your Status? ]

[ Yes ] [ No ]

Izuku exhaled slowly. He didn’t trust this thing—not at all. But at this point, what choice did he have?

With a reluctant sigh, he reached out…

And clicked Yes.

Name: Izuku Midoriya
Age: 6 (Mentally 16)
Job: Unknown (View tutorial for more details)
Quirk: Manipulation [Level 1]
(Click for full details)

Additional Info:
"You've been given power, but what will you do with it?"

Skills:

• Analysis [Level 78/100] (Ability to analyze objects, people, and situations with extreme precision.)
• Cleaning [Level 50/100] (Ability to tidy and organize areas at an accelerated rate.)
• Intuition [Level 10/100] (A basic understanding of surroundings, granting a small boost to decision-making and awareness.)
• Endurance [Level 20/100] (Increase stamina and pain resistance slightly. Unlocked from the user getting their ass beat everyday.)

Izuku stared at the screen, his mind racing as he processed the new information. His eyes locked on the Quirk: Manipulation line, the words burning into his vision.

[Quirk: Manipulation]

No, this couldn’t be right. He had been quirkless for his entire life. There had been no spark, no flare of energy—nothing to give him the power he so desperately craved. How could this even be real?

His fingers hovered above the screen as doubt began to gnaw at him. He couldn’t be imagining it, could he?

He clicked on it.

The screen flickered for a moment before more text appeared, and this time, it was more detailed.

[Quirk: Manipulation]

Description:
This quirk allows the user to manipulate the physical world around them. It grants the ability to alter, control, or reshape matter in a variety of forms. From simple objects to complex systems, your control is limited only by your imagination and focus.

Ability:

• Object Manipulation: The ability to move and alter objects at will. This includes lifting, bending, breaking, or shifting objects within the user’s field of perception.
• Structural Control: Ability to rearrange, weaken, or strengthen the structure of solid materials, making it possible to reshape walls, create new formations, or even collapse them entirely.
• Elemental Interaction: Limited manipulation of natural elements—fire, water, air, earth. Though the control over these elements is weaker than direct object manipulation, it can still be used to move and change their state.
• Molecular Manipulation (Advanced): As the quirk develops, it allows manipulation at the molecular level. This can lead to altering the properties of materials (e.g., turning rock into metal, or water into steam) or even disrupting the stability of certain substances.
• Living Creatures: A potential, though unstable, ability to influence living beings at a cellular level. This requires intense concentration and comes with severe risks, as it could lead to uncontrollable consequences.

Additional Notes:

• Energy Cost: The more complex the manipulation, the greater the energy required. Prolonged use may result in physical exhaustion, and overextending your quirk could lead to irreversible damage to your body or surroundings.
• Range: The range of manipulation is directly tied to your mental focus and spatial awareness. The larger the area or object you wish to control, the more concentration it demands.
• Learning Curve: Mastery of this quirk takes time. The user must develop their ability to focus and train their mind to handle complex manipulations. Patience and practice are crucial for full control.

Izuku’s heart skipped a beat as the words continued to scroll across the screen. This was not just any quirk—it was vast. It was powerful. It was dangerous …?

The weight of it began to sink in. He could control objects—he could break through walls, move massive structures, and even… manipulate fire, water, and earth? But it came with a price. It was a quirk that required focus, stamina, and time to master.

He was given this power, but he had no idea how to control it. Could he learn fast enough? Could he really handle something this… monstrous?

A thought bubbled to the surface of his mind—was this too much? Too dangerous?

But as the thoughts rushed through him, he felt something else take hold. A pulse of energy, deep inside his chest. 

Izuku clenched his fists, the weight of the screen still before him, but now, the uncertainty was mixed with something new. His heart raced as he looked at the glowing words, his fingers itching to test what he had just read.

Izuku blinked at the screen, still trying to process the overwhelming flood of information. The voice that had been taunting him earlier echoed in his mind once more, cutting through his thoughts.

—Shut up, you're annoying. —
— Who cares if it's dangerous or not? It's yours. Use it.—

Izuku rubbed his temples, the sarcastic tone grating on his nerves. He was starting to get a headache from all of this. Manipulating objects, controlling elements, and now this voice that was getting increasingly condescending.

He squinted at the glowing green screen, still floating in front of him like some surreal nightmare. There was a part of him that felt like he was losing his mind.

“Wait… is it a boy?” he muttered, more to himself than to the screen.

—What?—

“No, no, not that,” Izuku quickly corrected himself, realizing how strange it must sound. "I just... I mean, is it really okay to ask? You know... at this age, people are sensitive to that kind of thing."

—Really? Is this what we're doing now? You're worried about gender right now? You have the power to manipulate reality itself, and you're concerned about labels?—

Izuku stared at the words, and a surge of frustration built up in his chest. “It’s not like that!” he snapped back. “I just... never mind. Just answer the damn question.”

—Fine. For the sake of simplicity, I’m male. Satisfied? Now stop wasting time and do something you useless prick.—

Izuku sighed, rubbing his forehead again. “Alright... male. Got it,” he muttered, still processing the fact that this entity—whatever it was—could not only read his mind but also mock him at will.

He took a deep breath, looking back at the glowing green screen. It was strange, unnerving, and yet there was a part of him that was… curious. Maybe this was exactly what he needed to finally take control of his life.

Izuku stared at the screen in confusion, his mind racing as he tried to grasp what was happening.

“What…” he muttered, barely above a whisper. His hands trembled as he looked down at his tiny, young body, the weight of it sinking in again. “I’m only 4… or… 6? Yeah, I’m 6. How am I supposed to do anything like this? My body’s... so weak.”

The screen flickered.

[ UNLOCKED : EMOJICONS ]

Izuku blinked, squinting at the words, trying to process them. Emojicons? What the hell are those?

His fingers hovered over the screen, but he had no idea what it meant. What was the use of unlocking emojis in a situation like this? What was going on with this system?

Then, before he could even think about clicking it, the voice, which had been so annoyingly persistent before, responded.

—Shut the fuck up for once… —
— Stop asking so many questions, I swear you’re gonna be the death of me… —
— (´д｀)ゞ—

Izuku froze, staring at the screen. That was... an emoji? Did the voice just use an emoji on him? Was this really happening?

“Oh…” he murmured softly. “I guess... that’s it then? Emojis? Really?”

He couldn't decide whether to laugh or scream. What kind of system was this?

The screen stayed silent for a moment, and Izuku's mind spun. But no matter how he looked at it, he still couldn’t ignore that deep-down, there was power now. It was in his hands, somewhere in that small body, just waiting to be unlocked.

Chapter Text

THIS IS A FILLER! YOU CAN SKIP! 

— Maybe you should register your ‘quirk’ and stop looking at me like that. —

Izuku stared at the glowing green screen, his mind still adjusting to everything. Right… he was four now—well, six , but in the body of a four-year-old. This was around the age when quirks typically manifested, which meant registering his "quirk" wouldn’t raise suspicion.

Still… how was he supposed to explain it? What exactly would he even say?

Oh yeah, I can manipulate things with my mind, and a sassy, possibly sentient system lives in my head.

Yeah. That would definitely not go over well.

He sighed. Looks like he had no choice but to play the part of an excited kid who just discovered his quirk.

Taking a deep breath, he did the only thing that made sense.

" MOMMY! MOMMY!! "

His small voice echoed through the house as he bolted down the hall, arms flailing wildly for maximum effect. His tiny feet pattered against the floor as he sprinted full speed into his mother’s room, barely stopping himself from crashing into her.

Inko Midoriya nearly jumped out of her skin, startled by the sudden intrusion.

"Izuku, sweetie! What’s wrong?!" she asked, hand clutching her chest in panic.

Izuku beamed up at her with wide, sparkling green eyes—eyes that mirrored hers perfectly. It was almost eerie how much they looked alike.

A flicker of green caught his attention.

— Damn, you two really are carbon copies… It's uncanny. —

Izuku’s eye twitched. Shut up, he thought, mentally willing the system to disappear.

No response.

Figures.

“Sweetheart, what’s wrong? You scared me running in like that.”

Izuku forced himself to shift gears, plastering on the most innocent, childlike expression he could manage. He widened his eyes just a bit, let his lip tremble slightly, and then—

“Mommy! Mommy! My quirk! I think my quirk came in!!”

Inko gasped, eyes going wide. “Your—your quirk?! Really? Oh, honey!”

Before Izuku could even react, he was pulled into a tight hug, his mother squeezing him with so much force it was a miracle his tiny ribs didn’t crack. He let out a small, wheezing sound but endured it.

— Damn, that woman’s got a death grip… R.I.P. brat, I hardly knew you. —

Izuku ignored the text flashing in his vision, instead focusing on his mother, who was now holding him at arm’s length, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “Oh, Izuku! I was so worried…! You were starting to get close to the age where some children never manifest… but look at you!” She cupped his cheeks, sniffling. “My baby boy has a quirk…”

Guilt twisted in Izuku’s chest for a brief moment. He wasn’t lying, technically . He did have a quirk now. He just… wasn’t sure what exactly it was yet.

“I-I don’t really know what it is, but look!” Izuku scrambled backward, spotting a small toy car on the floor nearby. He focused, remembering what little the system had told him. Manipulation. It wasn’t clear how it worked yet, but… if it let him change objects, then…

He exhaled and focused.

Instead of forcing the toy to move, he pictured something different. He imagined the hard plastic softening, shifting, reforming. A clear image formed in his mind—a small, green figurine instead of a car.

A warmth spread through his fingers, a strange pull in his gut, and then—

The toy shimmered.

Right before his eyes, the tiny car twisted, its plastic morphing like melting wax. Within seconds, it reshaped into a crude little figure—lopsided, uneven, but undeniably changed.

Inko gasped, covering her mouth with both hands.

Izuku tried not to look as shocked as he felt.

“I-I did it!” he squeaked, eyes wide.

—Oh wow. You made an abomination. Picasso would be proud. —

Izuku definitely wasn’t acknowledging that.

Inko, however, was in full proud-mom mode. She sniffled, wiping her eyes before giving Izuku another bone-crushing hug. “This is amazing, Izuku! We need to get this registered right away!” She pulled back, eyes shining. “I’ll call the quirk registry office today! We should celebrate!”

Izuku nodded eagerly, though inside, his mind was spinning.

His quirk was real. He had actually used it.

Now, he just needed to figure out what else it could do.

— You’ve barely scratched the surface. I suggest you try more than just melting plastic next time. —

Izuku tried to block out the system’s annoying voice, focusing on the sense of warmth still lingering in his fingers from manipulating the toy. There had to be more to his quirk, right? He needed to experiment more, see what else he could change. The possibilities felt endless, but the uncertainty of his control kept nagging at him.

Inko, still beaming, pulled out her phone and started dialing the quirk registry office. Her hands trembled slightly as she held the phone to her ear, probably just as excited as Izuku was—if not more. He couldn’t help but feel a little guilty. It wasn’t like he actually knew what his quirk could do, but she had been waiting so long to see it manifest, and here it was. At least, in some form.

As his mother spoke on the phone, Izuku's mind raced. He could change things. That’s what it felt like. But how far could it go? Could he change bigger things? People? He clenched his hands into fists, hoping the tingling sensation would return. Could he change the world around him?

— Don’t get ahead of yourself. You need practice. —

“Alright, sweetheart, it’s all set,” Inko said, her voice full of relief. She hung up the phone and gave Izuku a big smile. “We’ll go tomorrow. I’m so proud of you.”

Izuku nodded, though his thoughts were elsewhere. He wanted to try more, but he wasn’t sure how to do it without accidentally wrecking something important. The idea of experimenting with his quirk in an uncontrolled way terrified him a little.

What if he couldn’t reverse it? What if he accidentally turned something important into a pile of mush?

His eyes fell on the table nearby, where his mother had placed her cup of tea. He wasn’t sure if he could change something that small , but what if—

— Focus, kid. —

Izuku exhaled and stretched out his fingers, willing the warmth back into his hands. He closed his eyes, imagining the cup turning into something entirely different. His heart raced as he focused, picturing a change—just something simple.

The tea cup wobbled.

He held his breath.

Nothing happened.

Izuku frowned, a little disappointed, but he didn’t give up. He reached out again, this time visualizing the cup turning into something softer, like a stuffed toy. He tried to clear his mind of everything except the image of a fluffy, harmless bear.

The cup shifted slightly, a faint outline of its new form starting to appear.

— Well, at least it’s progress. —

“Whoa…” Izuku whispered to himself, marveling at the slight changes. His heart skipped a beat as he looked at the cup. It wasn’t quite what he imagined, but there was something there. He was beginning to understand his quirk, piece by piece.

— You’re getting there, kid. But remember, don’t rush it. —

Izuku wasn’t sure how to feel about the system’s constant remarks. Part of him wanted to ignore it, but there was no denying that the system’s words held some weight. Still, he couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if he pushed his quirk further. How far could he really go?

Inko glanced over, her smile softening as she saw him playing with his quirk again. “Izuku, sweetheart, just remember to take it easy, okay? Your quirk is special, but we don’t want you pushing yourself too hard.”

Izuku nodded absentmindedly, still caught up in his own thoughts.

He had a feeling that tomorrow would change everything.

Maybe if he touches it… It would be; different…

The next morning, the sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting soft rays across the room as Izuku sat at the breakfast table, his mind preoccupied. The previous day’s events kept replaying in his head, the feeling of his quirk— his quirk—coursing through him. His fingers still tingled from the brief experiment with the cup, and though it was small, it was a start. He wasn’t going to let himself forget that.

“Mom, we’re going to the quirk registry today, right?” Izuku asked, his voice quiet but hopeful. His excitement was palpable, even if he was trying to hide it.

Inko, bustling around in the kitchen, smiled back at him as she set a bowl of oatmeal in front of him. “Of course, sweetheart. I already called. We’ll head over as soon as you finish breakfast.”

Izuku nodded, digging into his oatmeal while his mind wandered. He wanted to try more. He needed to. But at the same time, there was that nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach. What if he messed up? What if his quirk was too dangerous for him to control?

— You’ll figure it out. Don’t waste time worrying. —

Izuku forced himself to push the thought aside. The system’s constant remarks were becoming less and less annoying as time went on, but they still didn’t help ease his nerves. In fact, it only made him feel more pressured.

After finishing his breakfast, Izuku and Inko left the house, heading toward the quirk registry office. It wasn’t far, just a short walk through the neighborhood. The streets were calm and quiet this morning, and Izuku couldn’t help but feel a slight sense of pride as he walked next to his mother.

“So, Izuku, what do you think your quirk will be like? Do you have any ideas?” Inko asked, her tone light, but her eyes were full of hope.

Izuku glanced up at her, trying to picture what he might be able to do once he had more control. He could only imagine the possibilities, but it all felt so overwhelming. “I think it’s… about changing things,” he said hesitantly. “Like, I can manipulate objects. I don’t know exactly how it works yet, but I think I could turn something into something else.”

Inko blinked in surprise, pausing mid-step. “You mean… like, turning a toy into something else?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Izuku nodded. “Kind of, yeah. But I think it might be more complicated than that. I’ve only tried changing small things. I’m not sure if I could do more yet.”

“Well, that’s a great start, sweetheart. It’s always exciting to see your quirk grow and develop. Just be patient with yourself,” Inko said, gently guiding him along.

As they approached the quirk registry office, Izuku felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. The building loomed in front of them, a tall, glassy structure with a steady flow of people entering and exiting. It was where people came to register their quirks, get their official documentation, and sometimes even receive training or advice on how to handle their abilities.

Once inside, they were greeted by a friendly receptionist who gave Izuku a warm smile. “Hello! You’re here to register a quirk today, correct?” she asked, her tone calm and welcoming.

Izuku nodded, still feeling a little unsure of how to go about the process. “Yes… I’m here to register my quirk,” he said softly.

The receptionist gave a gentle nod. “Alright, let’s get you set up. We’ll need to test your quirk first, just to get a better understanding of its potential.”

A small knot formed in Izuku’s stomach at the mention of testing. What if he messed up? What if he couldn’t demonstrate it properly? He clenched his fists, his fingers itching for the warmth of his quirk to return.

— Don’t chicken out. You’ve got this. —

Izuku took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He was here now. He had to push through.

Inko patted him gently on the back. “You’re doing great, sweetheart. Just do your best.”

(Timeskip to the quirk registry office the next day)

Izuku's nerves were starting to get the best of him as he followed the receptionist into a small testing room. He could feel the pressure building, especially with the nagging voice of the system in his mind. He couldn’t afford to screw this up.

As he entered the room, a simple table was placed in the center with a few random objects scattered on it—a ball, a cup, and a metal rod. The receptionist gave him a reassuring smile.

"Now, Izuku, let's see what you can do. Just relax, and show us what your quirk is all about," she said.

Izuku nodded, trying to push down the anxiety that was bubbling in his chest. He had to show them something impressive. After all, this was the moment that would define how others would perceive him. The pressure felt heavier than it had before.

—Focus, kid. You've got this. Just try something you understand first. A small change. You’ve got the toy from yesterday down, so let’s see what you can do with something bigger. You've already got the basics.—

He took a deep breath, then glanced at the objects on the table. His gaze flickered over them, focusing on the metal rod first. He remembered how he had turned the car into a figure the day before, how the change had felt warm in his hands, how his mind had shaped it with ease. Now, he had to take that feeling and make it work for something more complicated.

Izuku extended his hand, palms facing the rod, and concentrated on the sensation he had felt before. The warmth returned almost immediately, flowing through his fingers like a gentle current. His mind focused intently on the metal, visualizing it bending, transforming into something entirely different.

For a brief moment, nothing happened. He clenched his fists in frustration, but then, the rod began to twitch, a soft shiver rippling through it. Slowly, inch by inch, the rod bent, the metal twisting unnaturally in the air, until it warped into the shape of a flower, petals forming from its once rigid, solid form.

The receptionist's eyes widened, and Inko gasped. "Izuku... Is that...?"

Izuku stared at the twisted flower in his hand, still panting from the mental effort. He couldn’t believe it had actually worked, but now that he had done it once, the anxiety seemed to lessen just a bit. He was more confident than he had been moments before.

—Nice work, kid. But we’re only just getting started. Try something else. Don’t let them see you’re out of ideas. Keep going.—

Izuku could hear the system's voice in his head, urging him to keep pushing. He had only reshaped something small. He wasn’t ready to stop yet, not when he was so close to understanding what his quirk could really do.

His eyes scanned the room. There was a cup on the table next to the rod, its porcelain surface gleaming under the bright fluorescent light. Izuku's fingers twitched again as he reached for it. This time, he imagined the cup transforming into something entirely different, something entirely soft, like a stuffed animal. His mind began to picture the cup turning into a fluffy little bear, its round eyes staring up at him.

But as he concentrated, the change didn’t quite happen. The cup wobbled slightly, and the outline of a bear began to form, but it was incomplete, like the image in his head wasn’t fully realized.

—It’s progress. You're getting closer. Don’t expect to perfect it just yet.—

Izuku frowned slightly but didn’t let it discourage him. He looked over at the receptionist, who was still watching him carefully, a smile tugging at her lips as she observed his determination.

"You're doing great, Izuku," she said warmly. "But maybe we should slow down just a little. Take your time with it."

Izuku nodded and took a deep breath. It was easy to get carried away when his mind was swirling with possibilities. The system was pushing him, and he had to keep up. But he also had to learn to control it, or else the changes could spiral out of control.

He let the warmth flow through his fingers again, this time taking his time to focus. He wanted to shape something familiar, something he had seen many times—a simple flower. This time, he could feel the mental effort much more intensely. But with each passing second, the cup’s shape started to morph, the porcelain turning softer, the edges becoming more rounded as petals began to form.

The transformation completed, and there it was—an intricate, delicate flower, its petals a perfect blend of light hues, blooming from the cup. Izuku held it carefully in his hands, breathless from the effort.

Inko clapped her hands, beaming. "Izuku, sweetheart, you’ve done it! It’s amazing!"

The receptionist, too, was impressed. "That’s incredible control for someone so young. It looks like you’ve got a real grasp on your quirk already, though it might take a little more practice to fully master it."

Izuku smiled, though a slight shiver ran down his spine. This was just the beginning. There was so much more to his power, and he was only scratching the surface. Still, he felt a sense of pride swelling inside him. He had done it. He had shown them that his quirk was real.

"Mom… I did it. I really did it," he whispered softly to himself, though his mother couldn’t hear the quiet words over her proud exclamations.

—You’re just getting started. Now let’s see how far you can really take this, kid. Don't hold back. It’s all about testing your limits. But remember—you can always undo it. Control is everything. So don’t be stupid. Push, but don’t break.—

The fuck is the system being so nice for…? I'm so confused.

THIS IS THE END OF THE FILLER!! YOU CAN CONTINUE READING HERE !

Izuku sat in his kindergarten classroom, feet swinging impatiently under his chair. His heart pounded with excitement as he scanned the room, searching for one particular spiky-haired boy. Kacchan. His best friend. His first and only friend—at least, in his old life.

And there he was.

A familiar head of ashy blonde hair stepped into the room, his usual confident swagger in full display. Izuku didn’t hesitate. Grinning ear to ear, he shot out of his seat and sprinted forward.

“Kacchan!”

Before Bakugo could even react, Izuku crashed into him, tackling him straight to the ground.

“Oi—what the hell, Deku?!” Bakugo sputtered, but Izuku was already talking over him, too excited to notice the irritation on his friend’s face.

“Kacchan! Kacchan! Guess what!!” Izuku practically vibrated with energy. “I GOT MY QUIRK!!”

The classroom went silent.

Every kid within earshot immediately turned toward them, wide-eyed and whispering. Izuku barely registered the attention, too focused on the look of shock flickering across Bakugo’s face before it twisted into something more familiar—a wide, sharp grin.

“Oh yeah? Show me.”

Izuku bounced back to his feet, still beaming. “I’ll show you at recess!”

“Tch. You better.” Bakugo dusted himself off, planting his hands on his hips. His grin stretched wider. “If it’s some lame-ass quirk, I’m gonna—”

—Why wait till recess? What, afraid they’ll see your masterpiece and call child services on your ‘art’?—

Izuku twitched. Of course, the system just had to pop up now. The glowing green text hovered in his vision, as obnoxious as ever.

Shut up, he thought.

—Ooh, real scary, kid. I’m trembling.—

Izuku groaned internally, rubbing his temples in frustration. He was getting real tired of this thing’s attitude.

Then he noticed Bakugo staring at him—not at him, exactly, but at the air in front of him.

“Oi, nerd.” Bakugo jabbed a finger at Izuku’s chest. “What the hell is that?”

Izuku blinked. “Huh?”

“That!” Bakugo jabbed again, eyes narrowing. “That glowing green… whatever the hell that is.”

Izuku’s stomach dropped.

The system’s screen.

He snapped his head toward the other kids in the class, but none of them seemed to be reacting. They were still watching him, some whispering about his quirk, but not a single one of them acknowledged the floating green text in the air.

Only Bakugo.

“How can you see it?” Izuku asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Bakugo scowled. “Was I not supposed to?”

“No…”

A beat of silence stretched between them. Bakugo’s face twisted with confusion before his scowl deepened. “Then what is it?”

Izuku hesitated. Should he tell him? What if this was just a weird side effect of Bakugo’s own quirk? Or—

“Oi, don’t ignore me, nerd!”

Izuku sighed. “It’s part of my quirk.”

Bakugo raised a skeptical eyebrow. “That thing floating in front of you?”

Izuku nodded. “Yeah.”

“…Is it sentient?”

Izuku hesitated before nodding again. “I think so.”

“Oh.”

“….”

“….”

“I DON’T KNOW.”

“…"

“IS THAT THE ONLY FUCKING THING YOU KNOW TO SAY, YOU STUPID DEKU?!”

Izuku's heart stopped, eyes widened. Shit… The nickname… the nickname that started all of his problems… his horror… his terror…

Bakugo’s eyes gleamed like a predator that had finally cornered its prey. “Ohhh? What’s with that look, huh? Nervous? Scared?”

Izuku swallowed. “No…?”

—You look terrified.—

Shut up, system.

Bakugo snorted. “Whatever, nerd. You still haven’t answered my question.” He crossed his arms. “What the hell does it do?”

Izuku bit his lip. “I… don’t know all of it yet. But I can change things.”

Bakugo’s eyes narrowed. “Change things?”

“Like—” Izuku looked around, spotting a small toy block on the floor nearby. He focused on it, feeling the same strange warmth from before. The block shimmered, its edges twisting, reshaping until—

Plop.

A lump of misshapen plastic fell onto the ground. It was supposed to be a toy figure. Instead, it looked like something Picasso would have created after waking up from a fever dream.

“…That’s fucking ugly,” Bakugo deadpanned.

—Told you.—

Izuku groaned. “It’s a work in progress!”

Bakugo stared at him for a long moment before his lips curled into another grin. “Hah! Well, at least it’s not totally useless.” He tilted his head. “But seriously, what’s with the floating text?”

Izuku hesitated. “…I don’t know.”

—Liar.—

Izuku ignored the system. “No one else has ever been able to see it.”

Bakugo frowned, his expression shifting. “Then why can I?”

For the first time since he’d gotten this quirk, Izuku had no answer.

And the system? The system didn’t say anything, either.

Which was somehow even worse.

Bakugo’s eyes suddenly widened, as if he just had the greatest realization of his life.

“WAIT. DO I HAVE A STATS SCREEN?! CAN YOU SEE HOW STRONG I AM?!”

—I’d wager a high strength stat and a dangerously low impulse control stat.—

Izuku wheezed. He wheezes out loud.

Bakugo grabs him again. "TELL ME, NERD!"

"M-Maybe..?!?" Izuku yelps.

Bakugo shook Izuku like a ragdoll. “THEN CHECK, DUMBASS!”

Izuku flailed. “I—CAN’T—DO—IT—WHEN—YOU’RE—KILLING—ME—”

Bakugo huffed and finally let go, dropping Izuku like a sack of potatoes. “Fine. Hurry up.”

Izuku groaned, rubbing his arms before glaring at the floating text in front of him. “System… uh, do I have a status check for other people?”

—Oh, so NOW you ask nicely? Well, since you begged…—

A new window popped up in front of Izuku. And Bakugo, to his absolute glee, could see it too.

***

Katsuki Bakugo
Quirk: Explosion
Strength: 9/10
Speed: 8/10
Intelligence: 5/10
Impulse Control: ERROR—STAT NOT FOUND

***

Izuku’s lips pressed together. He did NOT want to read that last one out loud.

But Bakugo, squinting at the text, was already muttering to himself. “Tch. Strength should be a ten, but whatever. Speed’s good. Intelligence should be higher—”

Then he noticed the last line. His entire face scrunched up. “OI. What the hell does ‘Error—Stat Not Found’ mean?!”

Izuku bit his lip. “Uhhhhh—”

—It means what it says, Angry Pomeranian.—

“WHO THE FUCK SAID THAT?!” Bakugo spun around, eyes wild.

Izuku paled. “Kacchan—wait, you can HEAR it?!”

Bakugo’s head snapped back to him. “THAT WAS YOUR QUIRK?!”

—Wow, you’re slow. Maybe lower that intelligence stat while we’re at it.—

Izuku gasped. “System! Don’t make him madder!”

—Why? It’s funny.—

Bakugo cracked his knuckles. “Alright, I’m blowing that thing up.”

Izuku shrieked. “YOU CAN’T PUNCH A SYSTEM!”

Bakugo already had a palm raised, tiny sparks crackling. “LIKE HELL I CAN’T—”

“BOYS! NO QUIRK USAGE INSIDE!”

Both froze. Their teacher stood in the doorway, arms crossed, radiating ‘I will call your parents’ energy.

Izuku immediately bowed at a perfect 90-degree angle. “Sorry, Sensei!”

Bakugo clicked his tongue but lowered his hand.

The teacher sighed, rubbing her temples. “Honestly, you two. Get to your seats.”

Izuku scrambled back to his desk, heart still hammering. He peeked at Bakugo, who was still scowling but… oddly quiet.

Then, under his breath, Bakugo muttered, “Tch. We’ll check my stats again at recess. Bet my intelligence is higher.”

Izuku let out a long, suffering sigh.

—Spoiler alert: it’s not.—

Shut up, system.

Lord i wanna kill myself already….

After class, the bell rang, signaling the start of recess. Izuku quickly gathered his things and bolted out the door, hoping for a peaceful moment before the storm that was sure to come. He just wanted a break from the constant buzzing in his mind, from the ever-present system that haunted his every step.

But of course, that wasn’t going to happen.

“OI, DEKU!!”

Izuku winced, eyes snapping open as the unmistakable roar of his best friend—his loudest best friend—rang out across the playground.

There was no mistaking it. The voice. The heat. The intensity. Bakugo. The one and only Angry Pomeranian .

Izuku sighed, not even bothering to look up before hearing the footsteps pounding toward him. He could almost feel the air around him heat up as Bakugo closed the distance. It wasn’t just his quirk—it was his whole damn presence.

“What now, Kacchan?” Izuku sighed, his voice barely audible as he glanced over at the fiery-eyed blond.

“SHOW ME MORE OF MY STATS! I WANT DETAILS, DAMN IT! NOT THE CRAP YOU GAVE ME IN CLASS!” Bakugo growled, crossing his arms and tapping his foot impatiently, a familiar scowl plastered across his face.

Izuku blinked, caught off guard by the intensity. “S-Sure, Kacchan…” he stammered, barely managing to keep his voice from cracking. The last thing he wanted was to upset Bakugo. “System… can you show Bakugo’s stats… the full version?”

—Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y—YES, MASTER!—

Izuku froze for a moment, his eyebrows furrowing at the system’s strange response. Master? Really?

He bit his lip and looked at the ground, trying to ignore the system’s increasingly obnoxious tone.

The moment he thought it, the stats appeared before him—flashing clearly for all to see.

Katsuki Bakugou (Angry Pomeranian)
Quirk: Explosion

Stats :

Strength: 9/10
Description: This stat represents the character's physical power and ability to exert force. Higher values indicate superior physical capabilities.

Speed: 7/10
Description: This stat measures the character's movement speed and reaction time. Higher values imply quicker reflexes and faster mobility.

Endurance: 10/10
Description: This stat gauges the character's stamina and ability to sustain physical exertion. A higher score means greater resistance to fatigue and more sustained physical effort.

Intelligence: 4/10
Description: This stat reflects the character's cognitive abilities, problem-solving skills, and knowledge. Higher scores denote sharper reasoning and more advanced learning capabilities.

Agility: 9/10
Description: This stat measures the character's balance, coordination, and flexibility. A high agility score suggests faster, more precise movement, especially in complex situations.

Perception: 4/10
Description: This stat represents the character's awareness of their surroundings. It includes sensory acuity (sight, hearing, etc.) and the ability to detect hidden or subtle details.

Impulse Control: ERROR—UNAVAILABLE
Description: This stat evaluates the character’s ability to control their emotions, reactions, and avoid rash actions. Lower values indicate a tendency to act impulsively.

Charisma: 1/10 (EWWW UGLY!!!)
Description: This stat indicates the character’s ability to influence, persuade, and inspire others. Higher values reflect strong leadership skills or charm.

Luck: 4/10
Description: This stat measures the character's fortune or ability to succeed through seemingly random events. A higher score can mean more fortunate encounters or escapes.

Special Abilities (Optional):
Annoying and Brash
This skill gives the user a 100% boost in being an obnoxious brat.

Additional Information:
Affiliations: Aldra Elementary School Student
Weaknesses: The cold, water, any place he’s unable to sweat.
Notable Achievements: Most annoying person in the world! (According to the system)

Status:
Condition: Healthy
Energy Level: High
Mental State: Angry/Calm/Excited (How is that possible?)

Bakugo’s eyes scanned the floating screen with a mix of surprise and annoyance. "This is shit !" he growled, glaring at the screen. “Intelligence? Four?!” He flicked his hand in frustration. “Tch. What the hell does ‘Impulse Control: ERROR’ mean?”

Izuku winced, but the system didn’t hesitate to respond.

—It means the system doesn't even want to calculate that for you, Angsty Pomeranian.—

Izuku instantly turned bright red, his heart racing as he shot a panicked look at Bakugo.

“You hear that?!”

Bakugo’s eyebrows shot up. “WHO THE HELL SAID THAT?!”

Izuku immediately covered his face with his hands. “S-Sorry, Kacchan! It was the—uh—system…” he stammered, unsure how to explain the growing nightmare of his situation.

Bakugo clenched his fists, teeth gritted in fury. “I swear, if this thing is screwing with me…”

—Screwing with you? Me? I’m just telling it like it is, buddy. Maybe you should take a hint.—

Izuku froze in place. Please, please don’t make him angrier!

Bakugo’s glare intensified, but suddenly, his expression shifted. A flicker of realization flashed in his eyes, followed by a wicked grin. “Wait… I can’t see my Charisma stat, huh?”

Izuku swallowed. “No, Kacchan, I didn’t…”

Bakugo's grin widened, and he clenched his fist, his fingers crackling with sparks. “Well, too bad. I’m gonna fix that later. Maybe get myself some real charisma…”

The system snickered.

—You mean fix your ability to talk to anyone without getting punched? Good luck with that.—

Izuku's heart sank as he felt Bakugo's gaze burning into him. "Tch. Stop making it worse, system."

The playground fell into a tense silence. But only for a moment.

Bakugo, still looking irritated, glanced sideways at Izuku. “Alright, Deku. I want to see your stats next time.”

Izuku nodded quickly, feeling a wave of relief wash over him as Bakugo walked off to join the others.

He sighed, wiping sweat off his brow, thankful for the temporary break. But deep inside, he knew this was just the beginning.

AUGH MY LIFE IS HELL!!!

Chapter Text

Izuku sat in his kindergarten classroom, hands gripping the edge of his desk, feet still beneath him. His heart pounded, but not with excitement. He kept his eyes trained on the table, refusing to scan the room, refusing to let himself look.

He knew who was there. He didn’t need to check.

Katsuki Bakugo.

Even after everything, even after dying and waking up again with a brand-new life and a cheating, all-knowing system attached to his soul, the last thing he wanted to do was see him again.

But the universe wasn’t kind.

A pair of familiar footsteps stomped into the room, and the whole class turned to greet their fearless leader. A five-year-old tyrant in the making. Izuku’s stomach twisted as he watched, from the corner of his eye, Bakugo strut toward his usual seat, already surrounded by eager, fawning kids.

Izuku took a slow breath and forced himself to stay still.

—Oh? Not running up to your bestie ?—

Not now, system, Izuku thought bitterly.

—Wow, that’s cold. You sure you don’t wanna hug it out? Maybe shed a tear? Recite a monologue about friendship?—

Izuku clenched his jaw. He didn’t need this. He didn’t need him . Not anymore.

But then, of course, the inevitable happened.

“Oi, nerd.”

Izuku stiffened, fingers twitching against the wood of his desk. He didn’t look up. Maybe if he ignored him, Bakugo would leave him alone.

“Oi. I know you can hear me.”

Izuku exhaled sharply through his nose, eyes locked onto his notebook, pretending to be engrossed in absolute nothing.

Bakugo stomped closer. “The hell’s your problem? You deaf or something?”

—Ooh, he’s mad. You sure you wanna keep this up?—

Yes, Izuku thought. I’m sure.

Bakugo’s eyes narrowed. “Tch. Whatever. Just don’t get in my way, got it?”

Izuku didn’t move. Didn’t respond. He kept his hands still, his breath even. He could feel Bakugo’s   glare drilling into him, waiting, expecting something.

It never came.

Eventually, the blonde scoffed and walked away, muttering something under his breath before joining his usual crowd. Izuku didn’t look. He didn’t let himself look.

Instead, he stared down at his desk and felt the tension in his shoulders ease, just a little.

—Ohoho, now that was interesting. Never thought I’d see the day where you, of all people, ignored the human explosion machine.—

Izuku didn’t answer.

—Silent treatment for me, too? Man, you are committed. Alright, I’ll bite. What’s the plan here, Zuzu? Avoid him forever?—

If I have to, Izuku thought firmly. Yes.

The system let out a low whistle.

—Damn. Guess you really don’t wanna be friends this time, huh?—

Izuku inhaled deeply, steadying himself, before answering.

No. I don’t.

Izuku glared up at Bakugo, eyes sharp with something colder than resentment. His fingers twitched, but he didn't move. Instead, he reached out to the system.

"Can I view his stats?"

—Why in the world would you want to do that?—

"Why wouldn’t I?"

The system scoffed inside his head, the sound dripping with exasperation.

—Fine. Whatever. If it makes you happy.—

A screen materialized in Izuku’s vision, listing out Bakugo’s stats in a neat but somewhat sarcastic display.

Katsuki Bakugo (Angry Pomeranian)

Quirk: Explosion

Stats:

• Strength: 9/10
  Ridiculously strong for a kid. Don’t get in arm’s reach unless you want to regret it.
• Speed: 7/10
  Fast, but he’s not untouchable. You can work with this.
• Endurance: 10/10
  Why won’t he go down?? Seriously, it’s annoying.
• Intelligence: 4/10
  Not the brightest, but he gets by. Unfortunately.
• Agility: 9/10
  He’s like a damn cat with explosives. Watch your step.
• Perception: 4/10
  Barely notices anything unless it directly affects him.
• Impulse Control: ERROR—UNAVAILABLE
  The system refuses to acknowledge the existence of this stat. No further comments.
• Charisma: 1/10
  (EWWW UGLY!!!)
• Luck: 4/10
  He’s not winning the lottery, but he’s not getting hit by a bus either.

Special Abilities (Optional):

• Annoying and Brash: Boosts obnoxiousness by 100%. Lucky you.

Additional Information:

• Affiliations: Aldera Elementary School Student
• Weaknesses: The cold, water, and anywhere he can't sweat.
• Notable Achievements: Most Annoying Person in the World! (Certified by the system.)

Status:

• Condition: Healthy
• Energy Level: High
• Mental State: Angry/Calm/Excited (How is that even possible??)

—There. Happy now?—

Izuku’s eyes flicked over the stats, analyzing every detail. Bakugo was strong, fast, and damn near unbreakable. But his intelligence, perception, and impulse control… that was where he lacked.

"Of course he has to be overpowered," Izuku muttered to himself, his jaw tightening. He clenched his fists, frustration bubbling beneath his skin. I wish I could just… make him weaker.

[NEW SKILL UNLOCKED: STAT CHANGER]
View skill for details.

Izuku’s breath caught.

—Wait. What?—

Even the system sounded startled.

A slow grin crept onto Izuku’s face.

Now this… this was interesting.

"View skill: ‘Stat Changer.’"

Another interface flickered into existence in front of him, displaying the details of his newly unlocked ability.

Skill: Stat Changer

• Level: 1 (Use to level up)
• Type: Active
• Description:
  This skill allows the user to modify the stat points of others, increasing or decreasing them at will. However, using this ability temporarily lowers the user's Intelligence by 2 points per use.

Drawbacks:

• The Intelligence reduction lasts only 10 minutes before recovering. (So, just don’t take a math test right after using it. Duh.)
• If Intelligence drops to 1/10, the user will experience severe brain fog and temporary dumbassery (System's official term). (You might forget how doors work. Maybe even trip over air. Proceed with caution.)
• The skill cannot be used to boost Intelligence above the target’s natural limit. (No, you can't turn Bakugo into a genius. Sorry.)
• Cooldown: 5 minutes. (Because unlimited stat changes would be too OP, and the system refuses to let you break reality. Yet.)

—Omg… I hate this skill already.—

Izuku’s grin widened. But… I think I love it.

A few hours later, primary school was let out. Izuku, as usual, was the last one in the classroom. The teacher had assigned him to clean the tables.

It’s fine, he told himself. It’s fine.

At least this meant he didn’t have to see that annoying , angry , pomeranian-shaped menace.

But no. Fate—being the absolute bastard it was—had other plans.

Just as Izuku was reorganizing the cubbies, the classroom door creaked open . His hands froze mid-movement. He already knew. He could feel it in his soul.

That grating , infuriating , unwelcome presence.

A familiar voice practically oozed arrogance before he even turned around.

—Damn. Fate really hates you, huh, kid?—

Izuku inhaled sharply through his teeth, already bracing himself.

And sure enough—there he was.

Katsuki Bakugo.

Standing in the doorway like he owned the place , his signature, annoying, sadistic, smug-scowl-grin-thing plastered on his face.

Izuku clenched his jaw. He didn’t even do anything and he already wanted to punch him.

“OI—NERD!”

And just like that, the urge doubled.

Izuku slowly turned his head, already mentally preparing himself for whatever nonsense was about to spew from Bakugo’s mouth.

“Oi, nerd!” Bakugo barked again, stomping further into the room like an angry goblin that just discovered someone stole his gold. “Why the hell are you still here? Tryna steal the teacher’s lesson plans so you can be less of a useless loser?”

Izuku rolled his eyes so hard they nearly left orbit. “Yeah, sure. That’s exactly what I’m doing, Kacchan,” he deadpanned, turning back to the cubbies.

—Smart move, ignore the gremlin. Maybe he’ll go away—

“Oh? You got a problem, Deku?”

Izuku exhaled through his nose. He always does this. ALWAYS.

If Izuku ignored him? Bakugo got mad.
If Izuku responded? Bakugo got mad.
If Izuku existed in his general vicinity ? Bakugo got mad.

There was no winning.

Bakugo, apparently unsatisfied with the lack of reaction, lunged forward, aggressively shoving a desk out of his way. It screeched across the floor, making Izuku wince.

He sighed. “What do you want, Kacchan?”

Bakugo grinned , eyes practically sparking with sadistic glee. “What, can’t a guy just check in on his favorite punching bag?”

Izuku’s left eye twitched.

—Alright. He deserves whatever’s coming to him.—

Slowly, deliberately, Izuku let his hands drop to his sides.

And then he smirked.

Not the usual nervous, awkward smile. No.

This was a grin. A slow, creeping, almost unsettling smirk.

Bakugo faltered. Just for a second. But Izuku saw it.

“…The hell you smirkin’ for, nerd?”

Izuku tilted his head, watching him like a cat that just cornered a particularly stupid mouse.

“Nothing,” he said lightly. “Just thinking.”

Thinking about stats. Thinking about a certain new skill.

[SKILL: STAT CHANGER—ACTIVATED]

And oh, this was going to be fun.

A cold shiver ran down Bakugo’s spine. He didn’t know why.

Maybe it was the way Deku was looking at him —like he had a secret. Like he knew something Bakugo didn’t.

Or maybe it was the way he wasn’t flinching.

Deku always flinched. Always stuttered. Always acted like a kicked puppy whenever Bakugo got too close.

But not today.

“…Oi,” Bakugo growled, rolling his shoulders. “You’re actin’ real weird, nerd.”

Izuku tilted his head again, like he was just so fascinated by this discovery.

“Weird?” he echoed. “Nah. I’m fine.”

Lies. He was having the time of his life.

[STAT CHANGER ACTIVATED]
[SELECT TARGET: KATSUKI BAKUGO]
[WARNING: USING THIS SKILL WILL LOWER INTELLIGENCE BY 2 POINTS]
[CONFIRM? Y/N]

Izuku’s grin widened.

[Y]

[SELECT STAT TO MODIFY]

Ooooh. Choices.

—Where do I even start?—

Strength? Too obvious.
Speed? Nah, still too noticeable.
Endurance? Tempting. Very tempting.

…But then his eyes landed on Impulse Control.

[ERROR—UNAVAILABLE]

Tch. Figures.

—Coward’s way out.—

Fine. Time for Plan B.

His gaze flickered down to another stat, and oh, this was going to be good.

[SELECTED STAT: PERCEPTION]
[CURRENT VALUE: 4/10]
[APPLY CHANGE: -3 POINTS? Y/N]

Oh, absolutely.

[Y]

Izuku blinked, and the second the system confirmed the change, Bakugo’s entire body twitched.

“…Huh?” The blonde muttered, his brows furrowing as his eyes lost focus for half a second.

Izuku watched, fascinated.

Bakugo blinked a few times, shook his head like a dog shaking off water, and scowled. “Tch. The hell was that?”

Izuku fought the urge to giggle.

It worked.

—Oh, this is dangerous.—

“Something wrong, Kacchan?” he asked, so very innocently.

Bakugo scowled deeper. “Shut up.”

He turned away, muttering to himself as he stomped toward the door—

And walked straight into a desk.

BANG!

The desk screeched against the floor as Bakugo full-body collided with it.

Izuku slapped a hand over his mouth as Bakugo stumbled back, blinking in utter confusion like the desk had just materialized out of nowhere.

“Wh—THE HELL?!”

Izuku bit his lip so hard it almost bled.

Oh, this is the best day of my life.

Loves and kisses to you… Kacchan…

Izuku's Profile:

[Status Window]

Name: Izuku Midoriya (The one who makes Picasso wanna cry)
Age: 4 [HIDDEN: 16]
Job: Unknown (View tutorial for more details)
Quirk: Manipulation [Level 1] (Click for full details)

Additional Info:
"You've been given power, but what will you do with it?"

Skills:

• Analysis [Level 78/100] – Can break down objects, people, and situations with terrifying accuracy. (Basically, Sherlock Holmes but worse for your self-esteem.)
• Cleaning [Level 50/100] – Can tidy and organize at inhuman speeds. (Your mom would be proud.)
• Intuition [Level 10/100] – A basic sixth sense for danger, deception, and dumb decisions. (Still can’t predict Bakugo’s tantrums, though.)
• Endurance [Level 20/100] – Boosts stamina and pain resistance. (Unlocked from getting your ass kicked daily. Congrats?)

Quirk: Manipulation [Level 1]

Description:
Allows the user to reshape, alter, and control the physical world around them. Basically, reality bends to your will— if you don’t pass out first.

Abilities:

• Object Manipulation – Move, shift, and alter objects. (Telekinesis, but cooler.)
• Structural Control – Strengthen, weaken, or reshape solid materials. (Turn walls into sand, make sand into walls. Go nuts.)
• Elemental Interaction – Limited control over fire, water, air, and earth. (Weak compared to true elementals, but hey, baby steps.)
• Molecular Manipulation [LOCKED] – Change the fundamental properties of matter. (Rock into metal? Water into acid? Yeah, not happening yet.)
• Living Creatures [HIGHLY UNSTABLE] – Influence living beings on a cellular level. (Side effects unknown. Also, probably illegal.)

Skill: Stat Changer

• Level: 1 (Use to level up)
• Type: Active

Description:

Allows the user to alter the stat points of others , increasing or decreasing them at will. However, using this ability temporarily lowers the user's Intelligence by 2 points per use.

Drawbacks:

• Temporary Dumbassery – Intelligence drop lasts 10 minutes. (Avoid math and life-altering decisions during this time.)
• Severe Brain Fog – If Intelligence hits 1/10, you might forget how doors work. (Or how to breathe properly. Proceed with caution.)
• Limits Exist – You can’t boost someone's Intelligence beyond their natural max. (No, you still can’t make Bakugo a genius. Sorry.)
• Cooldown: 5 minutes. (Because the system refuses to let you break reality. Yet.)

Stats:

Special Abilities:

• Tactical Genius – Can predict, strategize, and manipulate situations with near-perfect accuracy. (A nightmare for anyone who pisses you off.)

Additional Information:

• Affiliations: Aldra Elementary School Student
• Weaknesses:
• Overexertion = passing out in inconvenient places
• Requires high concentration (A single distraction can mess up big-time.)
• Quirk instability (You are basically a living science experiment.)
• Notable Achievements:
• First recorded instance of a Quirk developing beyond childhood.
• Recognized by the system as a potential high-level combatant. (Good job?)

Status:

• Condition: Healthy (Minor fatigue detected.)
• Energy Level: 89/100 (Stable but draining from quirk use.)
• Mental State: Agitated (High anxiety detected. Maybe take a nap?)

Chapter Text

Izuku grinned as he stepped onto the sidewalk, feeling a rush of pride bubble up inside him. The cool afternoon breeze tousled his hair, but nothing could cool the smug satisfaction that burned in his chest.

"Hey!" Izuku called out mentally. "Do you think I did good there?"

—Why do you care what I say, kid?— the system’s voice replied, flat and unimpressed.

Izuku puffed out his cheeks, looking like an offended hamster. "Y’know… because I just wanna…"

The system sighed loudly, the kind of exasperated sound that implied it was counting the seconds until it could leave. —You did good, I guess.—

Izuku’s fist shot up into the air. "HA! I knew it!"

—Don’t let it get to your head, genius. You barely even used your ability properly.–

Izuku slowed his steps, crossing his arms. "Hey, hey, I did plenty! I got back at Bakugo, messed with his stats, and walked away with all my limbs intact. That’s a win in my book."

—Temporary win. You realize he’s going to come after you the moment he figures out what happened, right?—

Izuku froze, suddenly feeling his confidence crumble.

Right. Crap.

Izuku’s victorious grin wavered. "...Wait. You mean he’s gonna notice?"

—Of course, dumbass. You think he’s just gonna wake up and not wonder why he suddenly sucks at everything? Bakugo may be an angry Pomeranian, but even dogs notice when their favorite chew toy disappears.–

Izuku swallowed, the smugness evaporating like steam. "O-Okay, but! He doesn’t know it was me, right?"

—...Right now? No. But give it, like, a day, and he’ll probably figure it out.–

Izuku inhaled sharply. "Okayokayokay—wait—what if I just… undo it? Yeah! I can just go back and—"

—Ohhh no, you don’t.— The system’s tone turned even more irritated. —You finally stood up for yourself, and now you want to backpedal? Wow, truly inspiring. Let me get the world’s tiniest violin.–

Izuku groaned, tugging at his hair. "But he’s gonna kill me! Like, actually kill me—"

—Correction: He’s going to try to kill you.—

Izuku blinked. "...Try?"

—Uh, yeah? Did you forget you can literally change his stats whenever you want? If he comes after you, debuff him again. Make him weak, slow, or clueless. Watch him trip. It’ll be hilarious.–

Izuku stopped in his tracks, a slow grin creeping across his face.

That… actually made sense.

He could keep messing with Bakugo, playing him like a game of whack-a-mole. If Bakugo got stronger, he could knock him back down. If Bakugo charged at him, he could slow him to a crawl. If Bakugo got cocky, he could drop his perception so he’d run headfirst into a wall.

For the first time, the thought of Bakugo losing it didn’t seem terrifying—it was downright amusing.

A devilish grin spread across Izuku’s face. "Ohhh, I like that."

—Atta boy.— The system sounded almost approving. —Now, let’s get you home before you do something actually stupid.—

Izuku practically skipped the rest of the way home, his mind buzzing with a thousand ways he could mess with Bakugo. But then, just as he was feeling the thrill of it all, a familiar green screen popped up before him.

[Skill LEVEL UP: Stat Changer → Level 2]

"Oho?" Izuku hummed, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Now this I gotta see. System! View skill details!"

—Sigh. You and your weird obsession with menus… Fine.—

The screen changed, revealing the skill's updated details.

[Skill: Stat Changer]
Level: 2 (Use to level up)
Type: Active
Description:
This skill allows the user to modify the stat points of others, increasing or decreasing them at will. With the recent level-up, the skill has improved!

New Features :

• Multi-Target Editing: You can now alter stats for multiple people at once. (No more one-at-a-time nonsense.)
• Extended Duration: Stat changes now last 30 minutes instead of 10 before reverting.
• Lesser Intelligence Penalty: Using this skill now only lowers your Intelligence by 1 point instead of 2 per use.
• Partial Stat Locks: You can now make certain changes permanent at a small energy cost. (Be careful. This might make people suspicious.)

Drawbacks :

• If Intelligence drops to 1/10, the user will experience severe dumbassery (System’s official term).
• Cooldown increased slightly due to higher power output. (Now 7 minutes instead of 5. Sucks to suck.)
• Overuse might cause unintended side effects. (Like making someone TOO weak. Or TOO dumb. Or TOO fast. You get the idea.)

Izuku read through the changes, his grin stretching wider with every detail.

"Oh-ho-ho… Oh, this is dangerous."

—That’s the point, genius.—

Izuku practically vibrated with excitement. Multi-target editing? Permanent stat locks? The possibilities were endless. He could nerf Bakugo permanently, or just make anyone weak, dumb, or slow with the snap of his fingers. No more getting pushed around. No more feeling helpless.

He wasn’t a victim anymore.

Then, just as Izuku was about to lose himself in the chaos he could create, a thought flickered in his mind.

"Wait… am I able to use this on myself?" He murmured, eyes narrowing. "And is there a way to break the 10-point cap? Why is my limit so low when others clearly have higher thresholds?"

"System, why is my stat cap so low?"

—You’re weak, lol.—

Izuku twitched, offended. "Excuse me?"

—Fine, fine. Lemme put it this way—stats scale based on a person’s natural potential. You? Your base limit is 10. But if you meet the right conditions… you can push beyond it. Just not yet.—

Izuku’s frown deepened. "So it’s possible?"

—Duh.—

That was a bit of hope for him, but still, something didn’t add up.

"What about my mom’s stats?" Izuku asked, now intrigued.

The system paused for a moment.

"System, show Midoriya Inko’s stats."

A blue screen flickered into view.

[Status Window]

Name: Midoriya Inko (Formerly: The Magnetic Phantom)
Quirk: Attraction of Small Objects
Title: Ex-Vigilante: Magnet
Affiliations: [REDACTED]
Notable Achievements: Once ranked #4 among Japan’s vigilantes. Retired after ‘The Incident.’

[Stats]

Strength: 40/200

• Represents raw physical power. Even with a weaker quirk, she trained her body to enhance its capabilities.

Speed: 70/200

• Despite her motherly demeanor, she was fast. Really fast. (Makes sense, she does catch falling cups like a damn ninja.)

Endurance: 53/200

• A high stamina level. Probably from years of dodging authorities and raising a chaotic child.

Intelligence: 130/200

• This stat reflects cognitive ability, problem-solving, and tactical thinking. She’s been holding back.

Agility: 100/200

Perception: 190/200

• Near-perfect situational awareness. This woman could feel someone about to knock over a glass before they even touched it.

Impulse Control: 200/200

• Unshakable.
• If you thought Bakugo was scary when pissed, you never wanted to see Inko mad. (System refuses to elaborate.)

Charisma: 100/200

• Despite her soft-spoken nature, she could convince anyone to do things her way. (System suspects this is how she got away with being a vigilante for so long.)

Luck: 40/200

• Below average. Given her past, this makes sense. (Or maybe she just used up all her luck keeping Izuku alive.)

[Special Abilities]

Phantom Magnetism (Sealed)

• A passive ability developed through quirk evolution. Originally, Inko could only pull small objects towards her. However, during her vigilante days, this skill expanded to include mid-range object redirection—allowing her to manipulate trajectories of incoming attacks.
• [Status:] Locked due to inactivity. May reawaken under extreme stress.

[Weaknesses]

• Her son. (No further explanation needed.)
• Emotionally-driven abilities. Her quirk and perception are tied to emotions. Strong distress can amplify her power but also make it unstable.
• Physical strain. Unlike pro heroes, she wasn’t built for extended combat. Years of civilian life dulled her edge.

[Status]

• Condition: Healthy (Slightly fatigued from parenting duties.)
• Energy Level: Moderate (Coffee required.)
• Mental State: Calm, but prepared to scold someone at a moment’s notice.

Izuku started. His mother’s stats were insane. She was hiding this all along?!

His gaze landed on the stat cap. "Wait… System. Why is her cap 200?"

—...No comment.—

Izuku raised an eyebrow. "System."

—Fine, fine… Look at it this way: She’s older than you. And who wants a 4-year-old with 200 strength?—

Izuku rubbed his forehead. “If only I’d known this sooner…”

Izuku re-reads the system….

“WAIT?!?! EX VIGILANTE?!”

Chapter Text

Izuku walked into his house, still reeling from what he had just learned.

His mother—his sweet, innocent, kind mother—was an ex-vigilante?

The words echoed in his head like a broken record, bouncing around alongside the mental image of her scolding him for not cleaning his room.

"This... This has to be a mistake..." Izuku muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair.

The system had to be wrong. Right? His mom was the type to cry during dramatic soap operas, not punch villains in the face. She was the type to apologize when someone else bumped into her, not dodge the authorities while running on rooftops.

And those stats...

Flashback Mode Activated!

Strength: 40/200 – Apparently, his mother had more raw power than some low-tier heroes. That explained why she could haul grocery bags like they weighed nothing.

Speed: 70/200 – She was fast. Really fast. She did tend to catch falling dishes before they hit the ground like some kind of ninja...

Endurance: 53/200 – Years of dealing with both vigilantism and raising him had clearly built up some insane stamina.

Intelligence: 130/200 – ...So she wasn't just good at mom logic; she was actually smart. That was unsettling.

Agility: 100/200 – She had the reflexes of a trained fighter. Izuku suddenly remembered all the times she'd avoided stepping on his LEGOs at the last second. How had he never noticed this before?

Perception: 190/200 – This woman could feel when he was about to sneeze from the other room. It all made sense now.

Impulse Control: 200/200 – Unshakable. If Bakugo was scary when pissed, then his mother was something far worse. The system even refused to elaborate on what she was like when angry. That was a giant red flag.

Charisma: 100/200 – ...Oh. That explained how she always managed to talk store clerks into giving her discounts.

Luck: 40/200 – Yikes. Guess she used up all her luck keeping him alive.

End of Flashback!

Izuku shuddered, shaking his head furiously. Nope. Nope. Not thinking about it.

Then, as if on cue, the mama bear in question appeared.

"ZUUUUZUUUUU!!"

Before Izuku could even blink, he was ambushed. Warm, familiar arms wrapped around him, and he was suddenly trapped in a vice-like Mom Hug™—a hug that had probably taken down criminals in the past.

—Speak of the bear, and she shall appear...— the system muttered dryly.

"Ohhhh~ My little ZuZu!! How was school today?!"

Izuku let out a very manly squeak as he found himself completely immobilized in her grasp.

He needed an escape plan. Fast.

"A-Ah! Uh—g-good! Totally normal! No reason to be suspicious!" he blurted out, face turning red as he frantically tried to wiggle free.

Inko blinked. "...Suspicious?"

"NOPE. NOT AT ALL." Izuku coughed, desperately trying to play it cool. "Just, um—A little birdie told me something today!"

He tapped his temple with his pointer finger, hoping he looked thoughtful and not like he was having a minor breakdown.

Inko pulled back slightly, tilting her head. "Oh? And what did this little birdie say, sweetie?"

Izuku swallowed.

"...T-That my mom used to be a—"

—WARNING. WARNING. DANGER DETECTED. ABORT MISSION.—

Izuku's survival instincts screamed at him to shut up.

Inko's eyes, usually so warm and soft, suddenly gleamed with something unreadable.

"A what, ZuZu?" she asked sweetly, smiling as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

Izuku felt a cold sweat drip down his back.

Abort. Abort. ABORT.

"UHH—A-A... A MAGNIFICENT COOK! YES! THAT'S IT!" he yelped, pointing dramatically toward the kitchen. "I mean, wow, your katsudon is criminally good! Haha!"

His mom blinked again. Then, just like that, the tension disappeared.

Inko giggled, pressing a hand to her cheek. "Oh, ZuZu, you're so sweet~!"

Izuku forced a laugh. Crisis averted.

—You coward.— the system muttered.

"Shut up." Izuku mentally hissed.

But the relief was short-lived.

Because as Inko turned away, her smile lingered just a little too long.

Her eyes glinted with something knowing.

...Like she was onto him.

Izuku gulped.

He was so dead.

Izuku barely had a second to breathe—barely a second to think—before his mother reappeared in the doorway.

And she was holding a belt.

Not just any belt.

The Belt.

The one she only pulled out for the most heinous of crimes. The one that had struck fear into his childhood soul. The one that had him questioning if his quirkless status was because she had already beaten the quirk out of him in his other life.

Inko's smile remained perfectly sweet. Too sweet.

"Now... ZuZu..." Her voice was soft, dangerously soft. "Tell me what the little birdie really said..."

Izuku froze.

Shit.

It was one of those moments.

The ones where if he didn't say what she wanted to hear, she was going to discipline the secrets out of him.

His brain went into overdrive. Options. He needed options.

Deny everything. (Risk: 100% Death)

Make something up. (Risk: 80% Death, 20% Disappointed Mom™)

Tell the truth. (Risk: ???% Unknown Outcomes. Possibly Double Death.)

Run. (Risk: 200% Death. Because she was fast.)

...None of these were good.

"U-Uhh... M-Mama! W-We can talk about this, right?" Izuku stammered, taking a step back. His back hit the wall. Trapped.

"Of course, sweetie." She stepped forward, belt in hand. "We can always talk."

Izuku's entire life flashed before his eyes.

—Idiot.— the system muttered. —You should've run while you had the chance.—

"You saw the stats! She's got a SPEED of 70! Where am I gonna go?!"

—To the grave, probably.—

Izuku gulped. "I-It's just! I-I was surprised, y'know? Like! Haha! Who would've thought my sweet, gentle mother was actually an EX-VIGILANTE?!"

Silence.

Inko blinked.

Izuku swore he saw the air crack.

BIG MISTAKE.

—Oh my god, you actually said it.— the system sighed.

—I can't believe I'm gonna witness a murder.—

Inko took another step forward, rolling the belt in her hands like some final boss preparing to use their ultimate move.

"And why," she hummed, "would my sweet, innocent ZuZu think that?"

Her smile did not reach her eyes.

Izuku opened his mouth, shut it, then opened it again—his survival instincts screaming at him to say something, ANYTHING.

But it was too late.

She grabbed his ear.

"Y-YOWCH! OKAYOKAYOKAY—WAIT, WAIT, MAMA HAVE MERCY!"

"Mercy?" Inko dragged him toward the couch, belt still in her other hand. "Oh, sweetie. I'm just making sure you're not listening to bad influences!"

"THE SYSTEM ISN'T A BAD INFLUENCE, I SWEAR!"

"System?" She raised a brow.

Izuku internally screamed.

Shit.

—Good job, dumbass. Now she knows.—

Inko sighed, letting go of his ear, but she did not put the belt down. Instead, she crossed her arms. "Alright, young man. Start talking. Right now."

Izuku panicked. "O-Okay! Okay! I—I just have this, uh, thing—this system thing! And it, itsmyactualquirkbutlikeitslikeagamingsytemanditshowsmestats! And I—I just saw yours! And I—oh god, please don't kill me—"

Inko blinked.

Izuku held his breath.

Then.

She sighed.

She put the belt down.

She walked over to the couch and collapsed onto it, covering her face with her hands.

Izuku stared. What.

"...I thought I was done with this life," she muttered, rubbing her temples. "I was supposed to be done with this life. And now my own son is looking at my combat stats like I'm some kind of RPG character."

Izuku hesitated. "...I mean. Technically, you are?"

Inko lifted her hand just enough to glare at him.

—Izuku shut up.—

Then, she sighed again, shaking her head. "...Guess you were bound to find out sooner or later."

Izuku perked up. "So it's true?! You really were a—"

"I'm getting tea."

She stood up and left the room.

Izuku sat there, stunned.

—Damn. Even I didn't expect that.—

"What do I do now?!"

—Follow her, dumbass. She's about to tell you everything.—

Izuku scrambled up and ran after her.

Izuku cautiously peeked into the kitchen, watching as his mother calmly prepared tea.

Too calmly.

He recognized this behavior. This was the "I am coping with stress so I do mundane tasks while deciding how to react" behavior.

She poured the tea, stirred it exactly three times, took a long sip, and finally turned her gaze to him.

Izuku tensed.

"...Alright, ZuZu," Inko sighed, placing the cup down. "Ask your questions."

Izuku's mouth opened—and then shut, because where did he even start?!

—Start with the juicy parts.— the system suggested.

"How do I even—"

—Ask if she's killed peop——

"NOPE. No. Absolutely not."

—Baby mode, then. Ask how she started.—

Izuku took a deep breath. "...Okay. So, um. How—how did you even become a vigilante in the first place?"

Inko raised an eyebrow. "That's your first question?"

Izuku nodded furiously. "Yes. Please. I need to ease into this before my brain explodes."

She sighed, leaning back. "Alright... well. It all started when I was a teenager. I was... rebellious."

Izuku blinked. "...Huh?"

Inko smiled faintly. "Not in a bad way! I was just... different back then. More ambitious. I hated how corrupt the world was. How heroes could pick and choose who they saved."

Izuku listened, riveted. This was not the story he expected.

"I wanted to do something about it," she continued. "So... I did. I trained. I got stronger. And I started fixing the problems no one else would touch."

Izuku's jaw dropped. "Wait. WAIT. You trained?!"

Inko tilted her head. "Well, of course."

"...But you're so... soft?" Izuku gestured to her. "Like... you're not... you know... ripped?"

SMACK.

Izuku yelped as his mother lightly flicked his forehead.

"Language, young man!"

Izuku pouted, rubbing his forehead. "That's not even a bad word!"

"It's improper!" Inko huffed, crossing her arms.

Izuku grumbled under his breath but wisely shut up.

Inko sighed. "Sweetie, do you really think muscle just disappears because you become a mother?"

Izuku paled.

...Oh.

OH.

The strength stat.

The 40/200 strength stat.

THIS WOMAN COULD BENCH PRESS HIM INTO ANOTHER DIMENSION.

"...Mom," Izuku whispered. "Did you ever suplex someone?"

Inko took another sip of tea. "...Maybe."

Izuku felt faint.

"ANYWAY," Inko waved her hand, "I was good at what I did. Too good. People started noticing."

Izuku leaned in. "Who noticed?"

She sighed. "...The authorities. Pro heroes. Underground organizations. People who didn't like an unregistered vigilante messing with their business."

Izuku held his breath. "...Did they catch you?"

She smirked. "No."

Izuku exhaled.

"...But I had to disappear."

His stomach dropped.

Inko took another sip of tea, looking away. "...That's why I retired. I was getting too close to things I shouldn't. And then, well..." She gestured to herself. "I wanted a normal life. I wanted to be a mother. So I left it all behind."

Izuku was stunned silent.

His mom. His sweet, gentle, baby-obsessed, apron-wearing mom...

Was once one of the most feared vigilantes in Japan.

—That's awesome.—

"You're telling me!"

Izuku swallowed. "...Mom. Your title in the system said 'The Magnetic Phantom.' What did that mean?"

Inko tapped her chin. "Well... my quirk evolved over time. It started with small object attraction, but I eventually learned how to control trajectories, redirecting attacks mid-air. If someone shot at me, I could make the bullet spin around and hit them instead."

Izuku's brain short-circuited.

"...That's—"

SMACK.

"—awesome???" Izuku finished, rubbing his forehead again. "What was that for?!"

"Watch your tone, young man!" Inko scolded.

Izuku huffed. "I didn't even—ugh, fine."

Inko smiled, satisfied.

But then, a thought hit him.

"...Wait." Izuku narrowed his eyes. "If you were such a badass—"

SMACK.

"—OW! I mean! SUCH A STRONG PERSON—how did Dad win your heart?"

Inko froze.

Izuku saw the tiniest twitch in her eye.

"...Mom?"

—Oh, this is about to be GOOD.—

Inko let out a suspiciously long sip of tea.

"...Mom. Answer the question."

She put the tea down.

Then, with the most deadpan expression, she sighed.

"Your father was the first person to land a hit on me."

Silence.

Izuku's soul left his body.

"HE HIT YOU?!"

"NOT LIKE THAT!"

Inko waved her hands frantically. "We were fighting, okay?! It was a mission! I was being reckless, and he... well... caught me off guard."

Izuku stared.

His father.

The mysterious man who was never home.

He was strong enough to land a hit on THE MAGNETIC PHANTOM?!

"...Mom. What the heck does Dad even do?"

Inko paused.

"...Government work."

Izuku squinted. "Vague."

Inko sipped her tea. "Intentional."

Izuku groaned, running his hands through his hair. "Holy cra—"

SMACK.

"—AAPES! HOLY APES!"

Inko nodded, satisfied. "That's better."

Izuku dropped his head onto the table.

"...I need a moment."

—Take your time, bud. This is the best day of my life.—

Izuku lay face-down on the table, his brain melting under the weight of too much information.

His mom was an ex-vigilante.
His dad somehow beat her in a fight.
His dad also did "government work."

And worst of all...

HE COULDN'T EVEN CURSE ABOUT IT.

"Mom," Izuku mumbled into the wood. "What... exactly does 'government work' mean?"

Inko sipped her tea way too calmly.

"It means he works for the government."

Izuku squinted. "Mom. That tells me nothing."

Inko smiled. "Exactly."

—Oooooh, she's hiding something.—

"You THINK?!"

Izuku sat up, crossing his arms. "Okay. So, hypothetically..."

Inko raised an eyebrow. "Hypothetically?"

"...If Dad was in a fight with All Might, who would win?"

Inko stared at him.

The air changed.

Izuku sensed danger.

"Zuzu."

"...Y-Yeah?"

"You're asking if the man I married—who trained me, landed a hit on me, and is currently working a high-level government job—could win against the Number One Hero?"

Izuku gulped. "...Yes?"

Inko smiled sweetly.

"Izuku, dear. I want you to think very carefully about that question."

—OH MY GOD SHE'S NOT EVEN DENYING IT——

Izuku felt his soul exit his body.

"H-Holy—"

SMACK.

"—C-CARP! HOLY CARP!"

"Good save," Inko praised, taking another sip.

Izuku clutched his forehead. "Mom. MOM. Are you telling me that Dad—MY DAD—is strong enough to fight ALL MIGHT?!"

Inko hummed. "I'm not saying anything. But if I were saying something... I'd tell you that you seriously underestimate your father."

Izuku sat in stunned silence.

His dad wasn't just some boring salaryman.

His dad was terrifying.

And Inko married him.

Izuku suddenly felt like he was living in a crime thriller.

"...So, uh. Does he, like... kill people?"

Inko choked on her tea. "ZUZU!"

—BAHAHAHAHA!—

Izuku flinched. "I MEANT, LIKE—IF HE WORKS FOR THE GOVERNMENT—"

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Inko scolded, horrified. "Your father may be powerful, but he does NOT—" She stopped, exhaled, and massaged her temples. "Goodness, child, where does your brain even go?"

Izuku mumbled. "Well, you were a vigilante, and he somehow fought you, and the 'government' is super vague, and—"

"Enough," Inko huffed. "Your father does covert operations. That's all I'm telling you."

Izuku froze.

"...Covert operations?"

Inko nodded.

Izuku squinted. "So like... a secret agent?"

Inko gave no response.

"...A spy?"

Still no response.

Izuku's jaw dropped. "MOM. ARE YOU MARRIED TO A FREAKING SECRET AGENT?!"

Inko took a very long sip of tea.

Izuku stared at her.

Sipped.

Still stared.

Sipped.

Still. Stared.

Sip.

"...Mom."

Sip.

"...MOM."

Sip.

"MOM, STOP DRINKING TEA AND ANSWER ME."

Inko put the tea down.

"Zuzu, dear."

"...Yes?"

"If you keep asking questions... I'm going to make you drink decaf for a week."

Izuku gasped in horror.

"Y-You wouldn't."

Inko smiled.

"Test me."

Izuku shut up immediately.

—Oh my god, she's a menace.—

Izuku was now 110% convinced his mother had been an actual crime lord.

"...Okay," he muttered. "Fine. I'll stop. For now."

"Good boy."

Inko ruffled his hair, completely unfazed by the existential crisis she had just put him through.

Izuku slumped in his seat, re-evaluating everything he thought he knew.

His mom was a retired vigilante.
His dad was probably a government assassin.
He, a quirkless nerd, had somehow inherited both their insanity.

—Yup. You're doomed.—

Izuku groaned, flopping onto the table.

"...I need therapy."

Inko patted his back. "I'll make cookies."

"...That helps a little."

Izuku sat slumped over the table, his little four-year-old brain struggling to process the sheer madness of his life.

Life was hard.

"...Mom?" Izuku mumbled, barely lifting his head.

"Yes, sweetheart?"

He hesitated. "...Can I have two cookies instead of one?"

Inko raised an eyebrow. "What do we say?"

"...Pwease?"

Inko smiled. "Good boy. You can have one and a half."

Izuku pouted. "But I asked nicely!"

"And you are four years old, Zuzu. Any more sugar and you'll be bouncing off the walls."

Izuku grumbled into the table. "That's slander."

SMACK.

"Ow!" Izuku yelped, rubbing his forehead.

"Language," Inko scolded, wielding her legendary Wooden Spoon of Doom.

Izuku whined. "I didn't curse!"

"You thought about it," Inko said, eyes narrowing.

—Ohhh, she's scary...—

Izuku gulped. "...Can I at least get some milk with my cookie?"

Inko hummed. "Only if you promise to take a nap after."

Izuku gasped. "Bribery?!"

"It's called parenting, dear."

Izuku scowled. "Corruption!"

"Do you want the cookie or not?"

Izuku shut up real fast.

—Man, she's good.—

Inko headed to the kitchen, humming happily, leaving Izuku to sit alone with his thoughts.

...Bad idea.

—Hey, kid.—

Izuku sighed. "What now?"

—You do realize this means you're like... the secret love child of a spy and a rogue vigilante, right?—

Izuku froze.

—That's like, anime protagonist levels of nonsense.—

Izuku's tiny hands gripped the edge of the table. "...Oh my god."

He was FOUR YEARS OLD.

He was supposed to be watching funny animal cartoons.

Not having existential crises.

His mom was a former crime-fighting ninja.
His dad was James Bond but Japanese.
And he was stuck eating a nap-time bribe cookie.

Life was so unfair.

"...Mom?" Izuku called weakly.

"Yes, dear?"

"...Does Dad at least do cool spy stuff?"

Inko returned with his cookie and milk, setting them down with a smile.

"Sweetheart," she said gently, ruffling his hair.

Izuku blinked up at her.

"You are four. Eat your cookie."

Izuku pouted.

—Yeah, good luck getting answers, kid.—

Izuku huffed, stuffing the cookie in his mouth.

One day, he was going to figure all this out.

One day.

...After his nap.

Chapter Text

 Izuku groggily blinked awake, smacking his lips as he slowly sat up. His brain was still stuck in that weird post-nap fog, where everything felt too quiet and too bright at the same time.

—Ugh… what time is it?—

He rubbed his eyes, his tiny four-year-old body still sluggish from sleep. Maybe if he just lay back down for a few more minutes—

DING!

A bright blue screen popped up inches from his face.

[New Quest Alert!]

Path of a Hero
Every great hero walks a path filled with trials, choices, and growth. Do you have what it takes to begin yours?

Objectives:

• Complete three acts of heroism (0/3)
• Increase any stat by 1 point (0/1)
• Do not cry if you fail (0/1)

Rewards:

• +10 Hero Points
• +1 to a Random Stat
• A Mystery Box (??? Contents Unknown)

Failure Penalty:

• Crushing disappointment (Mostly from the system. Possibly from yourself.)

Izuku stared.

Then blinked.

Then rubbed his eyes again because maybe he was still dreaming.

Nope. The screen was still there, glowing in all its annoying, quest-giving glory.

"...Are you kidding me?" Izuku muttered.

—Nope! Quest time, kid!—

Izuku groaned, flopping dramatically onto his pillow. "I just woke up! Can’t I have, like, five minutes?"

—Heroes don’t get five minutes, nerd. Now get up.—

Izuku groaned louder. "Can I at least get another cookie first?"

—No. Now read the quest.—

"I already did," he grumbled, squinting at the floating text. "...And what do you mean by 'acts of heroism'?"

—You know, heroic stuff! Like saving a cat, helping an old lady, stopping a robbery—

"I'm four."

—Yeah, yeah. Adjust accordingly. Go help your mom or something.—

Izuku groaned again, dramatically shoving his tiny hands under his pillow.

"...What if I don’t do it?"

—Then I will be SO disappointed.—

"...That’s it?"

—Yup.—

Izuku narrowed his eyes at the screen. "...You’re lying."

—Maaaaybe.—

A stare-down ensued. Tiny child versus glowing, omnipotent text box.

After a moment, Izuku sighed. "Fine, fine," he muttered, rolling out of bed. "But this better be worth it."

—Oh, trust me. It will be.—

And just like that, Izuku took his first step onto the Path of a Hero.

…Whatever that meant.

[New Quest Alert!]

Path of a Hero (Part 2)
Objective: Train your body and mind, work hard, and prepare yourself for UA High School! Get ready to become the greatest hero. (Just, you know, no pressure.)

Time Remaining: 10 years (Time to train like crazy!)

Rewards:

• Increased Strength & Quirk Mastery – You’ll be able to handle your quirk like a pro.
• Extra Confidence – You’ll stop stuttering when talking to your future classmates.
• Hero Costume – Yep, it’s gonna be awesome. You’re gonna look cool.
• Quirk Boost – Maybe you’ll unlock a hidden level to your quirk? Who knows, let’s find out.
• Bonus: A secret stash of unlimited snacks (and maybe some cool gadgets). You never know!

Failure:

• A lifetime of "what ifs" and endless questions like "Could I have been a hero?"
• No UA acceptance, meaning a less-than-glamorous career path.

Izuku’s eye twitched.

"...Okay, first of all—why does this sound like a pyramid scheme?"

—Pyramid schemes don’t offer cool costumes and infinite snacks, kid.—

"That’s exactly what a pyramid scheme would say!"

—Less talking, more training.—

Izuku groaned dramatically, flopping face-first onto his bed. "Why do I have ten years to do this?! That’s forever!"

—Exactly. So stop wasting time.—

"I’m four."

—Excuses.—

Izuku huffed, rolling onto his back. "...Okay, but what does ‘train your mind and body’ even mean?"

—Get stronger. Get smarter. Learn to fight. Learn to win. And also, stop being a wimp.—

"I am not a wimp!"

—You literally cried earlier today because you saw a butterfly too close to your face.—

"It startled me!!"

—Uh-huh.—

Izuku scowled, crossing his tiny arms. "Fine. Fine! I’ll train. But I better actually get those rewards!"

—Don’t worry. The snacks are real.—

"...Why do I feel like you’re lying?"

—Heh. Get moving, kid.—

Izuku sighed, staring at the glowing blue quest screen with the same level of enthusiasm as someone staring at a plate of vegetables.

"...Okay, fine. Where do I start?"

—Push-ups. Obviously.—

Izuku blinked. Then looked down at his tiny noodle arms.

"...I’m four."

—And?—

"And I weigh, like, a feather. I don’t think push-ups are gonna do much."

—Oh, my bad. Start with 50 then. No slacking.—

Izuku sputtered. "F-Fifty?! Are you crazy?!"

—Debatable. Now get to it, hero.—

Still grumbling, Izuku dropped to the floor, his tiny hands flat against the carpet. He took a deep breath, bracing himself for what he was certain would be an absolute struggle.

And then he barely bent his arms before his face met the floor with a soft thud.

"Ow."

—...Wow.—

Izuku groaned, rolling onto his back. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, stupid system."

—Oh, I am. Trust me.—

"You suck," he muttered.

—No, you just need more muscle. Try again.—

Izuku sighed, pushing himself up with as much determination as a four-year-old could muster. "Fine. But I’m taking breaks."

—No you’re not.—

"I hate you."

—You love me.—

And so, Izuku began his first training session.

…Which mostly consisted of face-planting onto the floor over and over.

[Two Hours Later…]

Izuku lay on the floor, absolutely defeated. His arms felt like wet noodles, and he was pretty sure his face had become best friends with the carpet.

"Ughhhh…" he groaned, dramatically rolling onto his side. "Am I strong yet?"

—No. Do more push-ups.—

Izuku let out a tiny, suffering whimper.

—Okay, okay, fine. You get a break. Go drink some water.—

Izuku perked up. "Really?"

—Yeah. But don’t get used to mercy.—

The four-year-old didn't even care about the ominous warning. He immediately scrambled up and waddled out of his room, legs wobbly from exhaustion.

He made it all the way to the kitchen before realizing—

His mom was there.

And she was watching him.

"...Izuku, honey?" Inko tilted her head, her eyes full of curiosity (and the slightest bit of suspicion). "Why are you walking like that?"

Izuku froze.

Oh no.

Her mom instincts were activating.

"U-Uhh…" He quickly thought of an excuse. "I… I was playing hero!"

Inko gasped, clasping her hands together. "Oh! My little Zuzu wants to be a hero?!"

Izuku hesitated for a split second.

Then, seeing her eyes sparkle with adoration, he nodded rapidly. "Y-Yeah! I was doing, um, training! Just like All Might!"

Inko squealed, immediately scooping him up into a tight hug.

"Ohhh, my little hero! Training so young!" She gushed, spinning him around in excitement. "You’re just like your father!"

Izuku blinked.

"...Huh?"

—Oh wow, look at the time. Gotta go. Good luck with that conversation.—

"...You coward."

Izuku groaned into the couch, arms splayed out like a defeated starfish. His entire body felt like mush—his arms especially. Even breathing felt like it took effort after his rigorous (read: pathetic) training session.

" Ughhhhhhh... "

—Pathetic.—

" Shut up... "

—No, because that was just sad. If this is your level at four, UA is going to eat you alive.—

Izuku sluggishly turned his head, shooting the floating blue screen a glare. " I just started! Give me a break!"

—Heroes don’t get breaks, nerd.—

Izuku scowled. " All Might takes breaks! "

—All Might also punches villains into the stratosphere. You, on the other hand, just lost a fight against the floor.—

Izuku twitched. " It was an even fight! "

—Sure, buddy.—

Before he could scream into the cushions, his mom returned, a plate of cookies in hand. "Here you go, sweetheart! A well-earned treat!"

Izuku perked up instantly, pushing himself up just enough to reach for the plate. His tiny hands trembled, his muscles barely cooperating—

" Ow— " His arms gave out, and he flopped face-first onto the couch again.

" …Help. "

Inko giggled, sitting beside him and breaking off a piece of a cookie. "Here, I’ll feed you."

Izuku wanted to protest. He really did. He was a big kid! He could eat by himself!

...But his arms didn’t work, and the cookie smelled really good.

So he begrudgingly opened his mouth, letting his mom pop a piece in. And ohhh— worth it.

—Tsk. Weak. But fine, you earned it. Barely.—

Izuku ignored the system in favor of enjoying his snack. He chewed slowly, savoring the taste, before swallowing. " S’good. "

Inko beamed. "I’m glad! But you know, sweetie, you shouldn’t push yourself too hard. You’re still so young!"

Izuku hesitated mid-bite.

—Ignore her. Push harder. Train harder. No mercy.—

His eyes flickered to the screen, then back to his mom.

...What was he supposed to say? He couldn’t exactly tell her about the weird game-like system ordering him to get stronger or risk a lifetime of regret. She’d just think he was imagining things.

So instead, he settled for a small nod. " I just... wanna be strong. "

Inko's face softened, her expression turning fond. She reached out, gently cupping his cheek. "Oh, my sweet boy… you are strong."

Izuku blinked.

—Not physically.—

" You shut up, " he muttered under his breath.

Inko tilted her head. "Hmm?"

" N-Nothing! "

She hummed, unconvinced but unwilling to push. Instead, she smiled and ruffled his hair. "Well, I know that whatever you set your mind to, you’ll accomplish, Izuku. My little hero~"

Izuku's cheeks flushed pink. He squirmed but didn’t pull away. "...T-Thanks, Mom."

—Alright, enough of that. Time for the next act of heroism.—

Izuku groaned. " Can’t I rest first? "

—Nope. Hero work is never done.—

" I hate you. "

—And yet, here you are, still listening.—

Izuku huffed, stuffing the rest of the cookie in his mouth. " Fine! " He chewed aggressively before swallowing. " What do I do next? "

—Glad you asked!—

The quest screen flickered, updating before his eyes.

[New Sub-Quest Added!]
Tiny Hero, Big Heart!
Not all heroes fight villains! Some help in everyday ways. Time to do your part!
Objective: Help someone in need (0/1)
Reward: +5 Hero Points, Slightly Less Disappointing Arm Strength
Failure: Mild Disappointment (Again, mostly from the system)

Izuku stared at the screen.

Then, very slowly, he turned to look at his mom.

She was already gathering the empty plate, humming to herself.

"...System," he whispered. " Does helping Mom count? "

—...Yes.—

Izuku grinned. Easy.

UA Entrance Exam – Time to Show Off

Izuku stood in front of UA’s massive gate, rolling his shoulders. Years of relentless training had transformed his body from a noodle-armed crybaby to something actually resembling a hero. He had muscle now—actual muscle. Sure, he wasn’t jacked like All Might, but at least he didn’t look like a strong gust of wind could knock him over.

Still, despite all the preparation, his nerves were eating at him. This was it. The big day. The moment he had been training for, pushing past exhaustion, grumbling at the stupid system, and nearly dying from an excessive number of push-ups as a four-year-old.

He took a deep breath. "Augh... this training better have been worth it..."

— Yeah, yeah, blah blah—

Izuku twitched. "Grr..."

Unfortunately, his frustration was muttered out loud. And the moment he did, he felt it.

A lot of stares.

— Oh hey, look, you've officially become the weird kid. Congrats! —

His eye twitched. He didn’t even have to look to know that people were staring at him like he had completely lost his mind.

"Who the hell growls at the air?"
"Was he talking to himself?"
"Is he already cracking under pressure?"

Great. Fantastic. Day one, and people already thought he was insane.

Izuku swallowed down the embarrassment, standing up straight and quickly making his way inside. Ignore them, ignore them, just focus on the exam.

— Aw, you’re embarrassed. That’s adorable. Want me to call your mom to pick you up? —

"Shut. Up." Izuku hissed under his breath.

He ignored the amused chime of the system and continued forward, dodging past clusters of examinees. Some were chatting excitedly, others looked terrified, and a few were clearly just here to show off.

“Augh… they look so frail… I can tell they never trained a day in their life…”

— I know you’re not talking. You’d look the same if it wasn’t for me. —

"Oh, shut it..." Izuku muttered with a growl.

They were eventually led to the auditorium, where they met his fifth favorite hero, Present Mic. Unfortunately, they also met the annoying blue-haired rule boy who wouldn’t stop yelling. Oh, and of course, Izuku had to sit next to Bakugo for the entire briefing.

At least they weren’t in the same testing site. Small victories.

Unfortunately, the blue rule-stick was. And some brown-haired girl, but he wasn't able to think about that when a screen appeared in front of him.

[NEW QUEST ALERT]

Main Quest: Pass the Physical Entrance Exam

This is it. Your first real test on the path to becoming a hero. No pressure.

Rewards:

• +10 Stat Points (Distribute as you like.)
• +500 Hero Points (Congratulations, you’re not a complete failure.)
• 1 Mystery Skill Upgrade (A random skill will level up. Maybe something useful, maybe something weird. Who knows?)

Failure Penalty:

• Crushing Disappointment (Mostly from yourself.)
• No UA Acceptance (…Have fun with a normal life.)

[SIDE QUESTS]

Get Above 10th Place

Prove you're not just scraping by. Show them you're at least better than average.

Reward:

• +1 Free Perk Unlock (A minor passive ability boost—maybe enhanced stamina? Faster reaction speed?)

Get 5th Place or Above

Top five? Now you’re proving something.

Reward:

• +3 Stat Points

Get 3rd Place

Alright, now you're making a name for yourself.

Reward:

• +5 Stat Points
• Unlocked: ‘Hero’s Instinct’ (Increased danger awareness. Slightly precognitive in battle.)
• +1 Custom Equipment Slot (Something special will be provided for you later. Maybe a gadget?)

Get 2nd Place or Above

You're officially a rising star.

Reward:

• +8 Stat Points
• Unlocked: ‘Adrenaline Rush’ (Short bursts of increased speed and strength when under extreme stress.)

Get 1st Place

Absolute domination. No excuses.

Reward:

• +15 Stat Points
• Unlocked: ‘Limit Break’ (For a short time, temporarily exceed your normal limits in a fight.)
• Exclusive UA Sponsor Interest (Some top hero agencies will already have their eyes on you.)
• Secret System Bonus Reward (Even the system won't spoil this one. But it’s really good.)

Izuku’s eye twitched.

"...Okay, what the hell is that last reward?"

— Hehehe. Wouldn’t you like to know? —

"...I don’t trust you."

— You shouldn’t. Now stop wasting time and go break some robots. —

Izuku sighed, rubbing his face. "Fine. But if this is some kind of scam, I’m deleting you."

— Try me, nerd. Now go out there and cause some destruction. Heroically, of course. —

Izuku took a deep breath, stretching his arms.

This was it.

Time to see if all that training actually paid off.

“System, go humanoid for this, alright?”

[Status Window]

Name: Izuku Midoriya (The one who makes Picasso wanna cry)
Age: 14 [HIDDEN: 26]
Job: Unknown (View tutorial for more details)
Quirk: Manipulation [Level 70] (Click for full details)
Additional Info: "You've been given power, but what will you do with it?"

[Skills]

• Analysis [Level 78/100] – Can break down objects, people, and situations with terrifying accuracy. (Basically, Sherlock Holmes but worse for your self-esteem.)
• Cleaning [Level 50/100] – Can tidy and organize at inhuman speeds. (Your mom would be proud.)
• Intuition [Level 10/100] – A basic sixth sense for danger, deception, and dumb decisions. (Still can’t predict Bakugo’s tantrums, though.)
• Endurance [Level 20/100] – Boosts stamina and pain resistance. (Unlocked from getting your ass kicked daily. Congrats?)

[Quirk: Manipulation – Level 70]

Allows the user to reshape, alter, and control the physical world around them. Basically, reality bends to your will—if you don’t pass out first.

Abilities:

• Object Manipulation – Move, shift, and alter objects.
• Structural Control – Strengthen, weaken, or reshape solid materials.
• Elemental Interaction – Limited control over fire, water, air, and earth.
• Molecular Manipulation – Change the fundamental properties of matter.
• Living Creatures – Influence living beings on a cellular level.
• Quirk Manipulation – Able to manipulate quirks.
• Gravity Control – Can increase, decrease, or alter gravity within a certain range.
• Energy Infusion – Temporarily enhance objects and attacks by imbuing them with energy.
• Dimensional Shift – Can slightly bend space to teleport small objects or distort attacks.

[Advanced Skills]

Skill: Stat Changer – Level 50 (MAX)

Allows the user to alter the stat points of others, increasing or decreasing them at will.
Drawbacks:

• Temporary Dumbassery – Intelligence drops by 2 points per use.
• Severe Brain Fog – If Intelligence hits 1/10, you might forget how doors work.
• Cooldown: 10 seconds.

Skill: Humanoid – Level 30

Allows the system to take a humanoid form.
Appearance: A tall, tan-skinned male with red hair, sharp eyes, sharp canines, and a well-built physique.

[Additional Skills]

• Enhanced Reflexes [Level 40] – Reactions and movement speed increase significantly in combat.
• Hyper Regeneration [Level 25] – Heals injuries at a much faster rate, even regenerating lost limbs with enough energy.
• Combat Prediction [Level 60] – Can anticipate enemy movements seconds before they happen.
• Shadow Step [Level 35] – Temporarily become intangible for a split second to dodge attacks.
• Mental Fortress [Level 50] – Immune to most forms of mind control, illusions, or emotional manipulation.
• Shock Absorption [Level 45] – Reduces the impact of physical damage.
• Multi-Tasking [Level 55] – Can split focus efficiently between multiple things at once.
• Data Absorption [Level 20] – Can instantly memorize and process any written or verbal information.
• Stealth Mastery [Level 30] – Can move undetected with ease.
• Tactical Foresight [Level 50] – Can predict the outcome of battles based on enemy behavior.

[Stats]

[Special Abilities]

• Tactical Genius – Can predict, strategize, and manipulate situations with near-perfect accuracy.
• Overdrive Mode – For a short time, boosts all stats beyond their limits. (Comes with a nasty crash afterward.)
• Absolute Focus – Can slow down perception of time for more precise attacks and strategies.
• Reality Anchor – Immune to most forms of reality warping or instant-death effects.
• Combat Adaptation – Can quickly adjust to an enemy’s fighting style, making countering easier.

[Weaknesses] (Revised because he’s stronger now.)

• Overexertion – Using too much power still results in fatigue but no longer causes instant blackouts.
• High Concentration Requirement – Precision-based abilities like Quirk Manipulation require intense focus.
• Quirk Instability – The stronger the ability used, the harder it is to control without backlash.
• Mental Strain – Prolonged use of advanced skills can cause migraines, nosebleeds, and disorientation.

[Notable Achievements]

• First recorded instance of a Quirk developing beyond childhood.
• Recognized by the system as a potential high-level combatant.
• Successfully modified his own Quirk to surpass normal limitations.
• Unlocked system integration before official combat experience.

[Status]

• Condition: Healthy
• Energy Level: 10,000/10,000
• Mental State: Excited

—Augh finally..!!—

Chapter Text

“System, go humanoid for this, alright?" Izuku said.

As he spoke, the air shimmered, and pixel by pixel, a humanoid form began to materialize. A deep blue outline took shape, gradually filling in with details—shoulder-length red hair, striking red eyes, and tan skin. The figure was dressed in a compression shirt that accentuated its well-defined muscles, along with a pair of sweatpants.

The newly formed humanoid system struck a dramatic pose as its consciousness fully entered the body.

"Heh… I'm hot, aren't I?" it said, grinning.

"No."

The system staggered as if the very fabric of its world had been shattered. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN I'M NOT HOT?! I'M THE BEST-LOOKING PERSON HERE!"

The sudden outburst drew the attention of nearly everyone in the exam hall.

"Hey… isn't that the dude who growled at the air earlier?" someone whispered.

"Yeah, I swear I saw him talking to himself."

"Wait… why is his friend kinda hot?"

Before Izuku could process the unwanted attention, a familiar, annoying voice cut through the murmurs.

"Hey, you!"

A rigid, robotic chopping motion accompanied the words as a blue-haired boy stomped toward them, his expression stern.

"You need to get that quirk of yours under control! You're distracting everyone here! That’s not the role of a hero!"

Izuku blinked.

Then tuned him out entirely.

Izuku was fairly certain that the blue-haired guy was still lecturing him, but he couldn’t be bothered to listen. His focus was elsewhere—on the massive gate looming ahead.

Something the system had drilled into him over the years nagged at the back of his mind. "Always pay attention to your objectives."

Yeah, yeah, he got it. Not like he never paid attention. He just… rarely did.

At least the system had some uses.

“…And if you truly intend to be a hero, you should conduct yourself accordingly!”

Izuku snapped back to reality just in time to see the blue-haired guy finishing his rant, his rigid posture making him look like he was built from spare robot parts.

“Oh, wow, you’re still here,” Izuku muttered, unimpressed.

The guy frowned. “Of course I’m still here! Were you even listening?”

“Absolutely not.”

His bluntness left the guy momentarily speechless.

Before he could recover, Present Mic’s voice boomed over the speakers.

“ALRIGHT, LISTEN UP, EXAMINEES! IT’S TIME FOR THE PRACTICAL TEST! YOU’LL BE FACING FAKE VILLAINS IN THE CITY SIMULATION—DEFEAT THEM TO EARN POINTS! NOW GET READY!”

The ground beneath them rumbled as the giant gates groaned, gears grinding as they began to slide open.

Izuku cracked his knuckles.

Time to move.

Without another word, he took off.

No hesitation. No waiting.

Just sprinting straight into the battlefield.

"HEY! THE TEST HASN’T EVEN STARTED YET!" the blue-haired guy shouted after him.

Izuku didn’t slow down.

Neither did the system.

— What a nerd. —

Izuku smirked. "I know, right?"

And with that, he disappeared into the city simulation, ready to raise hell.

Present Mic’s voice boomed through the speakers, practically shaking the ground beneath them.

“WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING?! THERE'S NO COUNTDOWN IN A REAL BATTLE! ACT LIKE THOSE TWO—THEY GOT THE RIGHT IDEA! GO, GO, GO!!!”

The examinees snapped out of their stunned silence, the realization hitting them like a truck.

Then—chaos.

Everyone scrambled forward, a stampede of aspiring heroes surging through the gates, some still fumbling to get their bearings.

Izuku, however, was already weaving through the fake city streets, analyzing the battlefield as he ran. The system’s voice echoed in his head.

— Alright, kid, time for some strategy. You wanna go for speed, efficiency, or full-on destruction? —

Izuku smirked. “Why not all three?”

— Now we're talking. —

His eyes locked onto the first robot—a hulking, three-pointer bot that had barely finished crawling out of a side alley.

No hesitation.

Izuku twisted mid-air, fingers barely brushing against the bot’s metal plating.

In an instant— POOF! —the towering green machine was no more.

Standing in its place was…

A perfectly detailed statue of Present Mic.

Microphone in hand, shades positioned just right, one hand raised mid-exclamation, as if frozen in time yelling, "YEAHHHH!!!"

Silence.

Then—

“...What the hell?” Izuku muttered, blinking at his own work.

The system snickered.

— I take full credit for that. You’re welcome. —

Somewhere in a U.A. staff monitor room, a sleep-deprived Eraserhead stared at the screen in utter disbelief, his eye twitching.

“No. No, no, no. Please don’t put that problem child in my class.”

Beside him, Present Mic was wheezing , gripping his stomach as he practically fell out of his chair.

“BAHAHAHAHA! OH, I LIKE THIS LITTLE LISTENER!” He slapped the table, wiping a tear from under his shades. “Look at that craftsmanship! The detail! That’s ART, man!”

Back on the battlefield, the other students had stopped in their tracks, unsure whether they were hallucinating.

“The hell kinda quirk is that?!” someone shouted.

“WHY IS IT SO ACCURATE?!”

Meanwhile, Iida—who had just finished scolding another examinee—froze mid-karate chop, glasses nearly slipping off his face. “THAT IS A BLATANT MISUSE OF QUIRKS DURING AN EXAM!”

Izuku’s mind snapped back into focus.

Alright. More points. More points.

— Oh? Finally realized that standing around doesn’t get you anywhere? —

"Shut up and fight on your own," Izuku muttered under his breath. "We need to split up if we wanna get as many points as possible."

The system—no, Yarou —grinned. (During the years Izuku and the system spent together izuku named it ‘Yarou” which means Bastard. Which is very logical if you ask Izuku.)

— Heh. Giving me full freedom? Bad idea, nerd. Hope these bots are ready for some chaos. —

Before Izuku could regret his decision, Yarou cracked his knuckles and took off in the opposite direction, already setting his sights on a group of three-pointer bots.

Izuku exhaled and did the same.

Izuku dashed forward, weaving through the battlefield. A one-pointer locked onto him, glowing red sensors tracking his movement.

Too slow.

The bot lunged. Izuku twisted, grabbing onto its outstretched arm and transmuting it on contact.

BANG!

The one-pointer crumpled into a pile of harmless gears before it even hit the ground.

+1 Point.

A two-pointer barreled toward him.

Izuku didn’t stop running. Instead, he vaulted over it, hand brushing its surface mid-air.

POOF!

A perfectly sculpted Midnight statue now stood where the robot had been with a sigh saying ‘YOU CAN DO IT!’

Somewhere in the U.A. staff room, Present Mic with the addition of Midnight, was losing their mind.

+2 Points.

Another two-pointer. Izuku sprinted toward it, using a fallen bot’s frame as a springboard. Mid-air, he twisted—

His hand tapped the bot’s head just before he flipped over it.

POOF!

Gone. In its place?

…A life-sized rock-paper-scissors hand making "scissors."

"What the hell," Izuku muttered as he landed.

— Pffft. Whoops. My bad, that was a random one. —

Izuku rolled his eyes and kept moving.

+2 Points.

A cluster of one-pointers swarmed a nearby examinee with gravity-defying lilac hair and eye bags that could rival eraserheads.

Without thinking, Izuku slid in, hands outstretched—

POOF! POOF! POOF!

One bot became a teacup. Another turned into a rubber duck. The last… turned into a Recovery Robot..?

The boy stared. "Uh—thanks?"

Izuku just nodded and took off again , But not before noticing that the boy’s quirk was not suited for this, so… During the process of running; he touched his shoulder changing something about his quirk.

+3 Points.

Yarou, across the battlefield, was absolutely demolishing bots.

A three-pointer lunged at him.

Yarou dodged with ease , grabbed it by the head, and flipped over its back before slamming it into the ground.

BOOM!

+3 Points.

A second three-pointer approached. Yarou grinned.

"Hope you like fireworks."

He plunged his hand into the bot’s chest— and with a surge of blue energy, the bot disintegrated into neon cubes before vanishing completely.

Examinees nearby stared.

"Okay, what the hell is THAT guy’s quirk?"

Yarou just laughed.

+89 Points.

Izuku, panting, slowed to a stop. His arms ached, his legs burned, but he felt alive.

Then—

BOOOOM.

The ground shook.

The sky darkened.

A shadow loomed over the battlefield.

Izuku looked up.

…Oh.

The Zero-Pointer.

Yarou, appearing beside him, whistled.

— Ohhh, that’s a big boy. —

Izuku exhaled sharply, hands clenching into fists.

“…Alright. Let’s see if we can break it.”

BOOM!

The Zero-Pointer’s arm swung down , crushing a row of abandoned buildings like paper. Debris flew everywhere.

Izuku dashed forward, dodging falling metal as he ran straight at the monster.

The other examinees? Already running.

“HE’S INSANE!” someone yelled.

Izuku didn’t care.

That was until he heard—

A scream.

He skidded to a stop, ears straining.

There— under a collapsed metal beam, a girl struggled to move.

Brunette hair, bob-cut, shoulder-length , her wide brown eyes darting frantically as she tried to free herself.

She looked up, spotted Izuku—her lips parted in panic.

“H-Help!” she choked out.

Izuku’s breath hitched.

A second later, the Zero-Pointer’s shadow loomed over her.

His blood ran cold.

No time.

"Shit—!"

Move.

MOVE.

Izuku launched forward.

"Hey, don’t you DARE die on me!" he snapped.

She gasped as Izuku gripped the metal beam , muscles screaming as he lifted it just enough for her to crawl out.

“GO!” he barked.

She hesitated, staring at him.

“RUN!”

That got her moving. She scrambled away, limping.

But Izuku stayed put.

Because now?

He had a reason to break this thing.

He turned back to the Zero-Pointer.

And he ran straight at it.

The Zero-Pointer swung its arm down, aiming to crush him.

Izuku jumped— vaulting off debris, launching himself toward the monster’s leg.

First touch—!

POOF!

A chunk of its knee disappeared , replaced with a massive screw jammed in place.

The Zero-Pointer lurched.

Izuku pushed off and landed on its arm.

Second touch—!

POOF!

Its left forearm warped , turning into a metal chair.

"NOT ENOUGH!" Izuku gritted his teeth.

The Zero-Pointer swung its arm in an attempt to shake him off.

Izuku jumped again , barely dodging.

— Dude. I dunno if you noticed, but you’re on your last chance before you get swatted like a fly. —

He ignored Yarou. One more. Just one more touch.

Izuku lunged.

Third touch—!

POOF!

Its entire chest caved inward , turning into a massive trampoline.

The Zero-Pointer staggered.

— HAHAHAHA! WHAT THE HELL?! —

The machine took one step back. Then another.

And then—

CRASH!

It fell.

Straight onto its back.

The battlefield shook. Dust exploded into the air.

Silence.

Then—

"…HE DID IT!?"

Izuku stumbled back, panting, hands on his knees.

He felt like every muscle in his body was on fire.

A soft voice spoke behind him.

“H-Hey…”

He turned.

The girl— brunette bob-cut —stood there, clutching her side.

“…Thank you.”

Izuku blinked, surprised. “Uh—yeah. No problem.”

She smiled, small but real. Then, she bowed.

"Really. Thank you."

Yarou, watching from the sidelines, snickered.

— Look at you. Saving damsels. What’s next, getting fan mail? —

Izuku groaned. “Shut up.”

But he didn’t deny that… it felt good.

The buzzer blared , echoing across the battlefield.

“THE TEST IS NOW OVER! PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE AUDITORIUM FOR THE WRITTEN EXAM!”

Present Mic’s voice rang through the intercom, still full of energy despite the carnage on the battlefield.

Izuku exhaled sharply, shoulders sagging as the exhaustion hit him all at once. His entire body ached , his muscles screamed , but…

He was still standing.

And he had 89 points.

Yarou materialized beside him, looking as smug as ever.

— Hey, genius, you’re welcome for those points. Just sayin’. —

Izuku rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Good job, Bastard.”

Yarou just grinned.

Around them, other examinees groaned, limped, or collapsed where they stood. Some were celebrating, others… not so much.

Izuku turned, gaze flickering across the field—

And there she was.

The brunette bob-cut girl he’d saved.

She was still clutching her side , but she wasn’t struggling anymore. In fact…

She was watching him.

The second their eyes met, she gave him a small smile.

Izuku blinked. His face heated up.

— Oooooh, you got an admirer now? Damn, that was fast. —

"Shut UP," Izuku muttered under his breath, turning away.

Yarou snorted.

The two of them made their way toward the exit, weaving past broken bots and exhausted students.

And now?

It was time for the written exam.

Meanwhile, in the Staff Room again..…

Aizawa rubbed his temples, barely suppressing a groan.

“That problem child…”

Beside him, Present Mic was still wheezing, Midnight was wiping away tears of laughter, and Nezu was just… watching with unsettling amusement.

“Ohhh, this year is gonna be chaos ,” Midnight giggled.

“…I need coffee,” Aizawa muttered.

As Izuku and Yarou walked toward the exit, a sharp buzz ran through the system.

— WARNING: External AI assistance is not permitted during the written examination. We’re talking to you, Izuku Midoriya. —

Yarou clicked his tongue in annoyance.

— Tch. Looks like I gotta sit this one out. —

His form began to flicker, pixels unraveling from his body. The cocky grin on his face remained until the very last second.

— Try not to fail, nerd. —

And with that, he was gone.

Izuku exhaled. “Yeah, yeah… Bastard.”

He rolled his shoulders, ignoring the lingering emptiness that came whenever Yarou left. He had gotten too used to the system being around.

Now?

He was on his own.

A group of students murmured as they passed him, still glancing at the destroyed battlefield.

“I still don’t get what his quirk is…”

“That dude was fighting like a villain.”

“He turned a bot into PRESENT MIC, bro. What the hell??”

Izuku ignored them. He had bigger things to worry about.

Like the written exam.

Meanwhile, in the Staff Room…

Aizawa stared at the screen, already regretting his life choices.

“Nezu,” he sighed, “Do we have a policy against AI spirits committing war crimes during the practical exam? ”

Nezu simply sipped his tea, smiling far too much.

“…No. Not yet, at least.”

Aizawa groaned.

“Ohhh, this kid is gonna be a problem.”

The auditorium was packed.

Rows of examinees sat at desks, murmuring nervously. Some fidgeted, others tapped their pencils, while a few just looked like they were ready to pass out on the spot.

Izuku slumped into his seat, arms crossed. The absence of Yarou was too quiet. No sarcastic remarks. No smug commentary. Nothing.

He could already feel a headache coming.

A stack of papers landed on his desk with a thud.

Oh joy.

Present Mic’s voice boomed over the speakers :
“ALRIGHT, LITTLE LISTENERS! TIME TO PUT THOSE BIG, BEEFY BRAINS TO WORK! YOU GOT EXACTLY ONE HOUR! NO QUIRKS, NO CHEATING, AND NO CRYING—”

A loud sniffle was heard from somewhere in the room.

“—OKAY, MAYBE A LITTLE CRYING! BUT KEEP IT QUIET! AAAAAAAND—BEGIN!”

Pens hit paper.

Izuku scanned the questions.

What is the ethical limit of Quirk usage in self-defense situations?
Define the Hero Public Safety Commission's role in hero licensing.
How do Quirk laws differ internationally?

… Alright. Not bad.

He grabbed his pen and got to work.

Meanwhile… In the Teachers’ Lounge. Once again…

Aizawa sat with his head on the table.

Midnight leaned over him, smirking. “Tired already?”

“I don’t get paid enough for this.”

Nezu, ever the menace , was reviewing the practical scores. His eyes twinkled with mild amusement .

“This Midoriya boy… His transmutation ability is quite fascinating. A rather unique application of a Quirk!”

Aizawa peeked up from his arms. “You think it’s a Quirk?”

Nezu sipped his tea. “Oh, I know it’s not.”

Aizawa sighed. “So, we’re just letting an unknown entity run wild?”

Present Mic spun in his chair, grinning. “Bro, you’re just mad ‘cause he’s gonna be in your class.”

Aizawa visibly aged 10 years.

Back in the Auditorium.

Izuku cracked his knuckles. Almost done.

Most students were still sweating over their exams, but he had burned through the questions like nothing. Yarou’s endless commentary had drilled way too much information into his head.

— I’m basically an honorary lawyer now. Great. —

With a final stroke of his pen— done.

The buzzer rang.

“PENS DOWN! TIME’S UP, LISTENERS!” Present Mic called out.

Izuku stretched, letting out a quiet breath. That was easy.

A few days later, Izuku sat in his room, waiting.

And waiting.

And—

DING-DONG!

He jumped.

The letter. It was here.

Izuku snatched it, fingers trembling slightly. Slowly, carefully, he tore the envelope open—

A tiny projector disk slid out.

…Wait. What?

Before he could even react, it lit up , and—

“YEEEEEEAAAAAHHHH! WHAT’S UP, LITTLE LISTENER?!”

Izuku flinched as Present Mic’s hologram exploded to life in his room.

“CONGRATS, KID! YOU ABSOLUTELY CRUSHED THE PRACTICAL EXAM!”

Izuku blinked. “Wait, I—”

“YOU GOT 89 POINTS FROM DEMOLISHING THOSE BOTS! PRETTY WILD, HUH? BUT WAIT—THERE’S MORE!”

The image flickered, shifting to show… Recovery Girl?

She smiled gently. “Heroism isn’t just about fighting, dear.”

A clip played—Izuku, saving that brunette girl from the rubble.

“Your actions in the exam showed selflessness and quick thinking.”

Present Mic popped back up. “SO GUESS WHAT?! YOU EARNED YOURSELF AN EXTRA 60 RESCUE POINTS! BRINGING YOU TO A TOTAL OF—”

149 POINTS.

Izuku’s brain shut down.

“…What.”

The hologram leaned in as if Present Mic was staring into his soul .

“WELCOME TO U.A., KID!”

The hologram cut off.

Silence.

Izuku sat there.

Processing.

…Then, Yarou materialized beside him , cracking his neck.

— Sooooo… You passed? —

Izuku exhaled slowly.

Then grinned.

“Yeah… I did.”

Izuku stared at the letter. The words “Welcome to U.A. High” seemed unreal.

He clutched it tightly, heart pounding.

This was it. He did it.

A deep breath—then he bolted out of his room.

“Inko!” Yarou called after him, floating lazily behind. “Your child is about to sprint through a wall —”

“ MOM!! ”

From the living room, a startled shriek.

“IZUKU!?”

His mother barely had time to react before he crashed into her, hugging her so tightly her feet lifted off the floor.

“IZUKU—! CAN’T— BREATHE—”

“Sorry! Sorry!” He let go, grinning like an idiot. “I got in —I GOT INTO U.A.!!”

Inko blinked.

Then, slowly, her hands trembled as she took the letter from him. Her eyes scanned the words, lips parting slightly.

Silence.

Then— tears.

She covered her mouth, shoulders shaking. “You… you really…”

Izuku felt panic bubble up. “M-Mom, don’t cry—”

“I-I can’t help it!!” She sniffled, pulling him into another hug. “I knew you could do it, I just—” She hiccuped . “M-My baby boy is going to be a hero! ”

Izuku’s grin softened.

He hugged her back. “Yeah… I am.”

After some much-needed celebratory dinner (and about forty more minutes of happy crying ), Inko sat across from him at the table.

She dabbed at her eyes, smiling. “So… this Quirk of yours…”

Izuku tensed. “Uh…”

She tilted her head. “You never really explained how it works, honey.”

Crap. Crap.

— Just say you don’t know, — Yarou suggested unhelpfully.

Izuku resisted the urge to punt him into the void.

“…It’s, uh, complicated,” he said carefully. “It lets me change things I touch. It also…” He paused. “Talks.”

Inko blinked. “It… talks?”

“Yeah. I—uh.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I kind of have a second voice in my head?”

Silence.

Inko slowly put her teacup down. “…Sweetheart, are you hearing voices?”

“…Not like that! I mean—it’s sentient! It has a personality and everything.”

More silence.

Then, a third voice joined in.

“Hi, Miss Midoriya~.”

Inko’s soul nearly left her body.

She whipped around as Yarou materialized next to Izuku, grinning.

“Nice place you got here. Love the decor.”

Inko’s jaw dropped.

Izuku buried his face in his hands. “Oh my god.”

Yarou leaned on the table. “Sooooo. I’m kind of like an AI assistant. But, y’know—cooler. More handsome. Great hair. Also, I make sure Izuku doesn’t die. Pretty great gig.”

Inko’s brain rebooted.

“…So you’re… part of his Quirk?”

“Let’s go with that.”

She stared at Izuku.

He gave her a sheepish shrug. “Surprise?”

A long, tired sigh.

“…I need another cup of tea.”

Izuku lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

Tomorrow, he’d walk into U.A. Tomorrow, he’d be a hero student.

“…This is real, huh?” he muttered.

— Yup. —

“…You think I’m ready?”

Yarou snorted. — Ready? Kid, you’re gonna break that school in a week. —

Izuku groaned. “That’s… not comforting.”

Yarou chuckled.

“…Thanks, though.”

Silence.

Then—

— Get some sleep, Problem Child. —

Izuku rolled his eyes but smiled.

Tomorrow was the first step.

Izuku stood in front of U.A. High’s massive gates, heart hammering in his chest.

“…Alright,” he muttered. “Deep breaths.”

— Pffft, you’re gonna pass out before you even step inside. —

He ignored Yarou and forced himself forward, dodging a few students as he navigated the halls.

Class 1-A.

He inhaled sharply before stepping inside.

Immediately, he was met with a familiar voice.

“You! Growling guy!”

Izuku blinked.

The blue-haired student— Iida Tenya, if he remembered right—was standing before him, chopping the air with machine-like precision.

“I must apologize for my behavior during the entrance exam,” Iida said, bowing slightly. “I misjudged you. Your actions were most commendable, especially your rescue of that young woman.”

Izuku blinked. Oh. Right. The brunette girl he had saved from the Zero-Pointer.

— The one you totally had a hero moment for. —

Shut up, Izuku thought.

Before he could respond, someone else jumped in.

“You’re the guy who turned a robot into Present Mic, right?!”

A pink-skinned girl with horns and black sclera grinned at him. “Dude, that was sick! Are you some kind of transformation-type Quirk user? What’s your Quirk even called?”

“Uh—”

Before he could respond, a shadow loomed over them.

“Move.”

A familiar voice.

Izuku turned—and immediately regretted it.

Bakugo was there. Staring. Unblinking.

And he did not look happy.

“Oh,” Yarou snickered. Here we go…

Mid-Morning: Enter Aizawa… and Chaos.

Bakugo hadn’t blown him up yet, so Izuku considered that a win.

But then—

“If you’re here to make friends, leave.”

Aizawa Shouta.

A.K.A. Eraserhead.

A mummified, sleep-deprived caterpillar in the shape of a man crawled out of a yellow sleeping bag like some kind of demon reborn from exhaustion.

Everyone froze.

Yarou, from inside Izuku’s head, whistled. Oh, this guy is gonna hate us.

Aizawa scratched his head , looking as though he was debating whether he should keep talking or just take a nap on the floor.

“…Put these on and head outside,” he finally muttered, tossing a gym uniform at them. “We’re doing a Quirk assessment test.”

Students exchanged glances.

Then—

“Huh?! What about orientation?!”

“Shouldn’t we—”

Aizawa’s dead-fish glare shut them up instantly.

“U.A. isn’t a normal school,” he said flatly. “If you want normal, leave.”

Silence.

Yarou snickered. I like this guy.

The first few tests went… okay.

Izuku wasn’t last (thanks to Yarou tweaking his muscle control ), but the real problem?

The ball throw.

Aizawa threw the ball to Bakugo first.

BOOM.

705.2 meters.

The class gawked.

Bakugo grinned. “Ha! Beat that. ”

Then it was Izuku’s turn.

Aizawa handed him the ball. “Use your Quirk.”

Izuku nodded, taking a deep breath.

He wound up his throw—

And then his fingers brushed the ball.

POOF.

Aizawa blinked.

The class blinked.

Everyone stared at the glorious, polished marble sphere that now resembled All Might’s head giving a thumbs-up.

Silence.

“…The hell,” Bakugo muttered.

Aizawa rubbed his eyes. “Midoriya. Explain.”

Izuku scratched his cheek. “Uh. Oops?”

Yarou cackled in his head.

Aizawa sighed deeply. “…Throw it anyway.”

Izuku did.

The marble All Might soared into the sky.

…It didn’t come down.

Aizawa looked at the device.

∞ (Infinity)

The entire class lost their minds.

Yarou, inside Izuku’s head, was wheezing. Congratulations, kid. You just broke physics.

Aizawa took a long, long sip from his juice pouch.

Then he muttered, “I need a raise.”

Everything calmed down.

For a while.

Izuku sat at his desk , taking notes as best he could.

But then—

BOOM.

Smoke. Ash. Anger incarnate.

Bakugo loomed over him.

“The hell was that, Deku?” he hissed. “What kind of Quirk lets you just— do that?! ”

Izuku blinked. “Uh—”

Bakugo grabbed his desk.

“DON’T ‘UH’ ME!”

Aizawa, from his sleeping bag, groaned. “ Midoriya, if you kill him, do it quietly. ”

Yarou snorted. Oh, I love it here.

Welcome to U.A. High, Izuku.


Class 1A Students:

Izuku Midoriya
Katsuki Bakugo
Shoto Todaroki
Ejiro Kirisima
Denki Kamanari
Tenya IIda
Ochaco Ururaka
Kiyoka Jiro
I cannot stop twinking
Mina Ahsido
Momo Yayurozu
Tsyuu Asui
Sero. 
Octo Man
Shinsou Hitoshi
Touru Hagakure
Pony Tsunotori
Nenito Monoma
Toga Himiko
Setsuna Tokage

Chapter Text

Sorry i havrnt been updating this, i've kinda been working on alot of stories at a time that i forgot about this one...!

I know i should focous on one but like... I HAVE SO MANY IDEAS! IM SORRY TOT

Chapter Text

Flark this...

This story... is getting a rework.

WHAAA OMGG!!!

Yeah, it's getting a rework... but it's probably time that I stop doing everything on my own and actually maybe kinda start exploring some collab work?

Hmm... I don't know though.

But!! Yeah, Limitless is getting a rework — in the format of my new writing style, and with the story finally going the way I ORIGINALLY planned it. Anyways, yeah.

Since the story is one of my... most like peices on AO3, WATTPAD, AND FANFICTION.NET (Lord i hate wattpad...) but yeah... </3 Umm hope this excites some of you... ig?

It was also MY FIRST FANFIC!! :3

So i need to give it the love it deserves by guvug ut a rewirj,,,

Hehe... i'll give you guys a little sneak peek!!

Izuku stood on the side of the school building, back against the wall. Tears dropping, staining the concrete floor below. Today is just like every other, something happened that pissed off his friend, now turned bully—Katsuki Bakugo.

“I heard you applied for UA,” He said, voice low—almost eerie. He got closer, putting his hand on Izuku’s right shoulder, burning it.

Izuku flinched at the touch, his breath catching in his throat. He wanted to speak up, defend his dream, but the words catched in his chest. 

“Look here, Deku…” Bakugo’s voice was low, “You really think some quirkless freak like you belongs at UA? HA,” he snorted, “—you think they’ll ever accept you?”

Izuku opened his mouth, voice shaky. “Kacchan, I—”

Bakugo shoves him back against the wall, palm still searing on Izuku’s shoulder. “Don’t talk. You don’t get to talk, Deku.” His eyes narrow, amusement showing. “You’re pathetic. Always have been.”

Izuku’s throat tightened, "I'm not pathetic,” he muttered.

Bakugo leaned in, his breath hot against Izuku’s ear. “Oh? Not pathetic?” He let out a humorless laugh. “That’s rich coming from the guy who can’t even stand without shaking.”

Izuku swallowed hard, his fists trembling at his sides. “I-I’m going to be a hero… no matter what,” he said, barely above a whisper.

Bakugo tilted his head, mocking. “A hero? You? Don't make me laugh.” He released a tiny pop of an explosion beside Izuku’s head. 

He stepped back half a step—only to twist the knife further. “You know, a little birdie told me your mother has been on her knees licking boots just to keep food on the table.” His grin turned vicious. “Maybe she should just admit what she is—a desperate whore,” His words were sharp. “Pathetic, huh? Guess desperation runs in the family.”

Izuku’s eyes widened, his breath hitching. But Bakugo didn’t stop. “One day, you’ll end up just like her—groveling, scraping for scraps. Like mother, like son.”

The world seemed to go silent around Izuku. His fist clenched so hard his knuckles went white. “Don’t… you dare… talk about my mother like that.” His voice trembled, “You want to know what you are… Bakugo Katsuki, you’re a coward… A bitch that picks on the weak just to feel good about yourself. Get your pussy out the gutter, Katsuki and do something with your life.”

“You dare talk to me like that…?” Bakugo’s voice was low, trembling with fury, his entire body coiled like a spring ready to snap.

Izuku’s eyes widened, his hands shooting up to cover his mouth as the words hit him harder than any explosion could. The adrenaline in his veins made his chest feel like it might split open.

“Wait—Kacchan, I—” he tried to explain, voice barely more than a whisper, but Bakugo didn’t let him finish.

The first blow landed before Izuku could even inhale. Pain exploded across his stomach, knocking the wind out of him. He doubled over, gasping, his vision swimming. Another hit to the ribs sent him staggering back against the wall. Fists and explosive sparks collided with his flesh, tearing at his body, his lungs, everything.

He tried to crawl backward, tried to defend himself, but it was too much. Every flinch, every attempted retreat only made the attacks worse. Pain seared through his sides, split open his lip, and a few shards of blood dripped down to stain the concrete below. He wanted to scream, wanted to cry out, but his throat constricted, each sound choking in his chest.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Bakugo grabbed him by the collar, hoisting him off the ground with surprising strength. Izuku’s legs kicked weakly, hitting the air, but it was useless. His heart pounded, blood and sweat mixing, tears streaking his face.

Bakugo dragged him across the courtyard, up the stairs, every movement brutal and deliberate. By the time they reached the rooftop, Izuku was shaking violently, body battered, clothes torn, and barely able to breathe without a sharp, stabbing pain shooting through him.

Bakugo shoved him onto the rooftop. Glaring down at the boy below, “Look… let's make this easy for each other… Pick between these two choices. Jump off, and kill yourself. Or… He put out is hand, making an explosion—Ill burn a hole into your and do it myself…”

Izuku’s body froze, heart hammering so hard he thought it might tear through his chest. The wind whipped past him, but it couldn’t drown out the roaring in his ears. Every instinct screamed to run, to escape—but there was nowhere to go.

“K-Kacchan… Please—Don’t, I’m sorry…”

Bakugo’s smirk twisted, amusement dripping with malice. “Sorry? That’s cute, Deku. Real cute. But I think… It’s too late for a sorry.”

He got closer, the souls of his shoes scraping against the concrete. Izuku backed toward the edge, knees weak, every bruise screaming in protest.

“Don’t worry, sweet… sweet little Izuku, I’ll make sure this is as harmful as I can make it.”