章 7: [7] Calculated Brilliance
The night before the entrance exam, I sat cross-legged on my bedroom floor, eyes closed, focusing on the ebb and flow of One For All within me.
A soft knock interrupted my meditation. "Izuku?" Mom's voice called softly. "Can I come in?"
I opened my eyes, releasing a slow breath. "Sure, Mom."
She entered, carrying a small, ornate box. Her eyes were bright with unshed tears, a mixture of pride and worry that I'd grown accustomed to seeing over the past months.
"I have something for you," she said, sitting on the edge of my bed. She patted the space next to her, inviting me to join her.
I stood, stretching out the kinks in my muscles before sitting beside her. "What's this about?"
Mom took a deep breath, as if steeling herself. "I know tomorrow is a big day for you. The entrance exam... it's what you've been working towards all this time." She paused, her hands tightening on the box. "I want you to know how proud I am of you, Izuku. No matter what happens tomorrow, you've already proven yourself to be an incredible young man."
I felt a lump form in my throat, unbidden and unwelcome. These moments of genuine emotion with Mom still caught me off guard, stirring feelings I wasn't entirely comfortable with.
"Thanks, Mom."
She smiled, blinking back tears as she handed me the box. "This is for you. I've been saving it for a special occasion, and I think this qualifies."
I took the box, curiosity piqued despite myself. Opening it carefully, I found two items nestled inside: a simple silver ring and a pair of emerald earrings, the stones surrounded by tiny diamonds in a halo setting.
"Mom," I breathed, genuinely surprised. "These are... where did you get these?"
She reached out, gently lifting the ring from the box. "These were your father's," she said softly. "He left them for you, before... well, before he had to go away."
I stiffened slightly at the mention of my "father." The original Izuku's memories of the man were hazy at best, and I'd gathered that he'd been absent for most of Izuku's life. But the way Mom spoke of him... there was more to the story, clearly.
Mom continued, oblivious to my inner turmoil. "He wanted you to have them when you were ready to chase your dreams. I think now is the right time."
She held out the ring, and I took it, examining it closely. On the inside, an inscription caught my eye: "From your forever #1 fan."
These weren't meant for me, not really. They were for the original Izuku, the boy whose life I'd hijacked. And yet...
"They're beautiful," I said, slipping the ring onto my finger. It fit perfectly. "Thank you for keeping them safe all this time."
Mom smiled, tears finally spilling over. "Oh, Izuku," she said, pulling me into a tight hug. "You've grown up so much. Your father would be so proud of you."
I returned the hug, my mind racing. The father angle was an unexpected complication. I'd need to dig deeper, find out more about this man and why he'd left such valuable items behind.
As we pulled apart, Mom wiped her eyes, chuckling softly. "Look at me, getting all emotional. You should get some rest, sweetie. You've got a big day tomorrow."
I nodded, forcing a smile. "You're right. Thanks again, Mom. For everything."
After she left, I sat on my bed, turning the ring over in my fingers. The earrings glinted in the low light, their emerald color reminding me of the sparks of One For All.
I pulled up my quirk status, curious to see if anything had changed:
{QUIRK EVOLUTION STATUS}
Current Adaptations:
Enhanced Strength (Lv. 5)
Accelerated Healing (Lv. 4)
Improved Stamina (Lv. 4)
Enhanced Reflexes (Lv. 3)
Heightened Senses (Lv. 2)
Mind-Body Synchronization (Lv. 2)
Heat Resistance (Lv. 2)
Cold Resistance (Lv. 2)
Kinetic Energy Absorption (Lv. 1)
One For All Sync: 3.4%
Evolution Progress: 78%
Next Potential Adaptation: Unknown
I frowned, noting the miniscule increase in One For All Sync. Looks like real combat was the only way to raise it.
Tomorrow would be the true test of my abilities, the first real step towards my grand vision. But for now, I needed rest.
February 26, 2136
My eyes snapped open before the alarm could sound. Exam day. The moment I'd been preparing for had finally arrived.
I got up, feeling the cool metal of the ring against my skin. A reminder of the legacy I was building, both real and fabricated.
The apartment hummed with the familiar sounds of morning - the washing machine's rumble, coffee brewing, and... something else. The unmistakable aroma of breakfast rice wafted through the air, making my stomach growl.
I entered the kitchen, finding Mom at the stove. "Morning," I said, taking my seat.
She turned, beaming. "Good morning, sweetie! I made your favorite."
"You're going to do great today, Izuku," she said, her voice filled with conviction.
I nodded, swallowing a mouthful of rice. "Thanks, Mom. I'm ready for this."
After breakfast, I retreated to my room to get dressed. The outfit I'd chosen was simple but effective - White hoodie - white compression shirt - black form-fitting sweatpants. And of course, the earrings.
I stood before the mirror, assessing my reflection. The changes were undeniable. Lean muscle had replaced the scrawny frame of the original Izuku. My eyes, once wide and innocent, now held a sharp, focused intensity.
"Izuku?" Mom's voice called from the doorway. "Oh my... you look..."
I turned, catching the tears welling in her eyes. "Thanks, Mom," I said. "I should get going."
She nodded, pulling me into a tight hug. "Call me as soon as it's over, okay?"
"I will," I promised, allowing myself a moment to return the embrace before pulling away.
The walk to U.A. was filled with a palpable energy. Other examinees hurried along the streets, some looking nervous, others excited. I kept my pace steady, my expression neutral.
As I passed through the gates, I became aware of the stares and whispers following me. Snippets of conversation reached my ears:
"Isn't that the guy from the sludge villain incident?"
"I heard he has some crazy strong quirk..."
"Damn, the camera did not do him justice..."
"Oi, Deku!"
I turned at the familiar voice, unsurprised to see Bakugo stomping towards me, his usual scowl firmly in place.
"Morning, Kacchan."
He stopped in front of me, red eyes narrowed. "Don't think I've forgotten our little chat. I'm still gonna crush you, got it?"
I met his glare evenly. "Looking forward to it."
For a moment, we stood there, the air between us crackling with tension. Then Bakugo snorted. "Just don't embarrass me out there, nerd."
As he stalked off, I allowed myself a small smile. Bakugo's rivalry could be useful, a constant external push to improve and evolve.
I settled into my assigned seat, ignoring the nervous chatter around me. The chair creaked, but held firm. Good. I'd hate to make a scene before the exam even started.
The proctor's voice cut through the noise, demanding silence. I took a deep breath, centering myself. This was just the first hurdle. The real test would come later.
The exam booklet landed on my desk with a soft thud. I flipped it open, my eyes scanning the first question:
"Describe the ethical implications of using a mind-control quirk during hostage negotiations. Cite relevant sections of the Heroics Ethics Code."
A smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth. This was child's play.
"Ethical implications of mind control..." I muttered, my pen flying across the page. The Heroics Ethics Code flashed through my mind, each principle neatly categorized and ready for recall.
Bodily autonomy violations, potential for abuse, long-term psychological effects on the victim... I weighed each factor, citing the relevant code sections. The answer took shape, nuanced yet decisive.
A groan echoed from two rows down. I glanced up, spotting a kid frantically flipping through his booklet. Probably stuck on the quirk classification question. Amateur.
I moved on to the next question: "Analyze the potential societal impacts of quirk-enhancing drugs becoming widely available. Address both short-term and long-term consequences."
My pen never stopped as I delved into the complexities of quirk-based social structures, power imbalances, and the ethics of artificial enhancement. All those nights researching quirk theories were paying off.
Time flew by as I worked, the questions becoming more complex, more nuanced. But I never hesitated, never doubted. This was my element.
"Propose a strategy for integrating individuals with dangerous quirks into society, considering both public safety and individual rights."
"Evaluate the current hero ranking system. Suggest potential improvements or alternatives, taking into account public perception, effectiveness, and fairness."
"Discuss the ethical considerations of using quirks for non-heroic professions. How might this impact the economy and social structures?"
Each question was an opportunity to showcase not just knowledge, but critical thinking and a deep understanding of the complex world of quirks and heroics.
"Time," the proctor called, snapping me out of my focused state. Around me, sighs of relief mixed with panicked mutterings.
"Brutal," a girl with pink skin said as we filed out. "I think my brain melted a little."
I kept my face neutral, but inwardly, I was pleased. The harder the exam, the more it weeded out the competition.
The proctor's voice boomed through the hallway, rattling off instructions for different courses. I tuned most of it out, focusing only on what mattered:
"...those of you applying to the hero course, please head to the auditorium for a briefing on your practical exam."
This was it. The real test. A chance to show what I was truly capable of, to begin laying the groundwork for my future.
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