Capítulo 84: Chapter 84: Unlocking Potential?
"Are you sure about this?"
"These dorms aren't just to ensure the students' safety. We'll also be able to deal with any threats we haven't taken care of yet..."
"So, in other words, a potential mole?"
"Yes."
Nezu and Shido were currently on the fifth floor of the main campus. While looking at where the dormitories were located, they were having a conversation.
"There are suspicions that have been arising for a while now. And I think to put an end to it, it's best to avoid a public investigation. We'll search for the perpetrator in secret. Though it pains me to suspect not only teachers but the students as well, given my position, it's what must be done."
"But you don't suspect me? I could be the potential mole for all you know."
Nezu turned his attention away from the dormitories and turned to face Shido, who was floating near the ceiling. He smiled wryly, "You must be joking.
You see, for years to come, I've always prided myself on my intelligence, but even after spending so many years with you, I feel worthless. Each time you revealed something new, I tried my best to analyse it and find ways to counter it. But every time I thought that I was close to suppressing you, you suddenly revealed more ridiculous weapons.
First was that clock of yours, and it already gave me so many problems when you summoned that ridiculous broom of yours. Then, you suddenly showed the ability of flight and permeability, then ice and fire manipulation. All without any drawback whatsoever, I might add.
So tell me, if you wanted to harm us, you would have just done it more straightforwardly. You have more than enough power to do it immediately, why would you ever use a spy or mole?"
Hearing Nezu's confession, Shido smiled. It was true that he didn't like Nezu analysing his abilities deeply, but it just showed that he genuinely cared for his students to the point where he would risk offending him.
"Haha...you've truly put a lot of thoughts into it."
"What can I say? Therefore, even though you are the most dangerous existence right now, you're also the one I can trust the most during these chaotic times. Besides, we're starting to feel the effects of losing our 'symbol' more and more as time passes...and I don't want to burden you for that 'job' after allowing you to truly 'cleanse' the streets at night."
"What do you mean? I didn't do anything." Shido had his usual smile up, not allowing any of his thoughts to show up on his face. Nezu looked at the child who was denying his words but didn't continue on that subject.
"Anyways, what we need now is a revival. At least for the students...we need to present them with prospects of a bright future..."
Shido thought that that notion couldn't happen. They have chosen the hero route in their lives, and they couldn't continue living their life as innocent, pure, and uncorrupted heroes in the future.
Bright future? Perhaps it was possible for some students like Todoroki, Bakugo, and Midoriya since their quirks would bring them to become the top heroes easily as long as they don't slack off their training.
Shido wasn't looking down on the other students, but reality would be harsh for some other students whose quirks weren't that...useful in specific scenarios.
It was a good talk with the principal. In fact, Shido was thankful that Nezu didn't bring up the topic of him being an alien at all. Shido looked at Nezu as he started making his way to his office to deal with his paperwork before turning his head in the direction of the dormitories.
'Should I let Eri join them so that she could make more friends?'
Shido might be leaving this world later when the situation here has stabilised, but it didn't mean they should totally remove the possibility of communication.
He opened his palm, and a black orb was present, floating above it.
"Amdusias and Ariel."
'Should I?'
*****************
"As I mentioned yesterday, our primary goal now is to get you your provisional licenses."
At this sentence, the class burst into excitement as they replied, "Yes!"
"Hero licenses are inextricably tied to the saving of lives, so one must be properly qualified for such a heavy responsibility." Aizawa gravely stated as he glared at Shido, who just looked away and whistled.
The class also turned towards him and stared at him.
"What? I don't have a hero license and still do my job better than you guys." Shido stated the truth with smugness in his voice.
"Urgh..." The class felt a stab right through their heart as they turned back towards Aizawa, who just continued on without pause.
"Naturally, the test is incredibly difficult. Even for provisional licenses, we only see a fifty percent success rate on average."
"Even the provisional one is that hard to get?" Mineta asked worriedly, with sweat pouring down his side.
"That's why starting today..." Aizawa flicked his finger, signalling for the door to open,"...each of you needs to come up with at least two..."
"""Ultimate moves!!"""
The moment the door opened, Midnight, Ectoplasm, and Cementoss came inside and declared.
"Ultimate moves!" Ectoplasm said, "These are your finishers. Your most unique techniques!"
"Internalise these moves. Make them your own until they become unparalleled. Combat is all about finding and making use of your particular strengths!" Cementoss continued.
"Your moves symbolises who you are! Nowadays, pro heroes without ultimate moves are a dying breed!" Midnight exclaimed with a seductive wink.
"Let's move forward with a more detailed explanation and a practical demonstration. Change into your costumes and meet us at Gym Gamma." Aizawa said in his monotonous voice, ignoring the excitement of the students while leaving the classroom.
*****************
Gym Gamma...also known as...Training Kitchen Lab, or TKL for short.
'TKL? Sounds so uncool!' It was everyone's first thought when Cementoss introduced the facility.
"This facility was my idea. Here, I cook up the perfect terrain and objects to fit each student's needs. Hence, 'Kitchen'." Cementoss said proudly before becoming down, "But that only lasted until Shido arrived."
"It seems that Itsuka-sensei...had single-handedly reduced the number of job opportunities available..." Everyone in class muttered as Shido's face turned slightly red from embarrassment.
"May I please ask a question?"
Of course, class 1-A isn't class 1-A without at least a single question asked, so Tenya volunteered himself for that role.
"Why must we create ultimate moves to acquire our provisional licenses? Please explain the intention behind such a requirement!"
Aizawa didn't seem shaken by the vigorous shaking of Tenya and replied calmly, "Calm down. All in good time. Heroes deal with accidents, catastrophes, and disasters both natural and man-made...and it's our job to save people from just about any situation imaginable.
Naturally, in the licensing test, your ability to adapt to those situations will be observed. Intelligence gathering. Decision making. Mobility. Combat prowess. As well as communication skills. Charisma. Leadership abilities. The test contents vary from year to year, but applicants are always tested on a variety of criteria."
Midnight continued the explanation, "Among the numerous criteria, you can be sure that combat prowess will be heavily prioritised for potential heroes. Be prepared, and you've got nothing to fear! These moves could have a big impact on whether or not you pass."
"If you can keep a cool head and act with decisive. Stable moves...that means you have a high level of combat prowess. There's nothing that says your ultimate moves must be an attack. For example, take Iida's 'reciproburst'." Cementoss pointed at Tenya and explained, "That sort of extreme speed boost on its own is intimidating enough to be called an ultimate move."
At the teacher's praise, Tenya shivered in excitement, "It is really suitable to be called an ultimate move...?!"
Sato looked at Tenya shivering with a weird gaze and thought about their words, "I get it...so we gotta come up with moves that'll give us a big advantage in battle."
Midnight nodded her head in approval at his words and further elaborated, "Yes! Remember how Kamui Woods showed his stuff last week? His 'Lacquered chain prison' is an ultimate cookie-cutter move. It's simple and easy to understand."
"Your summer camp was cut short, but the quirk training we began there...was part of the process of creating ultimate moves. In other words, until the second semester starts...you'll be using the ten remaining days of summer vacation...to enhance your quirks and put together your ultimate moves...through some extra-intense training!"
Cementoss slapped his hand on the ground, and he molded the cement such that exactly twenty platforms of various heights rose up. At the same time, Ectoplasm also created another nineteen clones of himself, and each moved towards one platform.
"And...as your quirks grow and you start to formulate your ultimate moves...think about whether you need to alter your costumes. Use that plus ultra mentality to go beyond your limits. Ready?"
"Alright, and that's where I leave. Since I don't need to do anything, I guess I'll leave to not interrupt you guys~" Shido waved and teleported away.
"That brat...leaving all the work to me...." Aizawa grumbled as all the students stared at him.
"What an irresponsible teacher!" Tenya said with dissatisfaction in his voice, but Momo disagreed.
"Even if he's a teacher and much stronger than us, he's still a child before all that. So let him enjoy some of his childhood, all right?"
Tenya thought for a while but continued arguing, "But since he had taken up the job as a teacher, he should shoulder on his responsibilities as a teacher."
"Sigh, what were you doing when you were twelve?" Momo sighed at the stubbornness of her friend.
"Huh? Why do you ask?"
"Just answer."
"Um...I was studying and training my quirk?"
"Did you hang out around with your friends?"
"Of course."
"Tch...as if you have friends with that stiffness of yours." Bakugo sneered as he started walking towards one of the higher platforms.
"Hey!"
"Anyways, that was my point. At Itsuka-sensei's age, we enjoyed our lives, studying, playing, and training as any other children. But Itsuka-sensei does not have any of that. He was a pro hero for five years, meaning that he started shouldering responsibilities from the young age of seven when we barely even started our training, much less stopping villains."
All the other students heard her words and went to ponder. Some of them started having a guilty expression for letting a child suffer so much more. Even Aizawa paused for a while before continuing whatever he was doing.
In contrast, others like Izuku had a look of admiration, Katsuki had an annoyed expression.
[A/N: I mean, Katsuki always have an annoyed/arrogant/pissed expression. It was the best expression to use out of the three choices.]
"I see...it seems that I have lost sight of myself and my goals. How will I ever become a great hero myself if I have to even depend on a child to grow as a hero?" Tenya placed his fingers on his chin and went into deep thought.
As usual, he had overcomplicated things. Momo only wanted to justify Shido's actions but caused Tenya to contemplate about life.
Seemingly having made a decision, Tenya decided, "I'll apologise to him the next time we meet."
Some of the other students nodded their heads as well, agreeing with Tenya's statement before each of them got onto one of the platforms and started their training with Ectoplasm's help.
And just like this, Shido's prestige had risen in his student's eyes just because he had decided to slack off for the rest of the training.
*****************
"Hey, Eri! I'm here!" Shido cried out as he pushed open the doors to the dojo.
Eri, who was in the middle of a spar, didn't reply to him and focused on her fight.
Her opponent was an old man, but he wasn't like Gran Torino. With a height of a hundred and ninety centimeters, his body was lean but well-defined muscles. If it wasn't for his naturally white hair, Shido would have thought that the old man was in his prime.
Kicks and punches were exchanged between both of them. Blows landed on Eri's face and Shido, who was watching, felt his heart ache a little before resolving himself.
'Sigh, this is really hard to bear...'
His job as her guardian was to allow her to grow to her full potential. That means that she had to suffer her own share of hardships for that to happen. Despite wanting to continually protect and prevent even a speck of blood off her, he knew that it would be impossible since he knew that Eri would definitely reject his protection.
Eri also didn't want to be pampered by him. What she wanted to do was to stand beside him, not behind.
Neither of them had confessed their love to each other, but they knew the other party's feelings towards themselves.
Shido knew that the constant spars they had were very beneficial for Eri. She could improve her body and, at the same time, learn how to protect herself.
Shido watched until the end of the spar, where Eri finally fell to the floor, exhausted. He thought for a bit before summoning Michael.
A bright light shined within the dojo, and both the old man and Eri looked towards him.
"Shido! How have you been?" The old man greeted cheerfully.
"Shido! What are you doing here?" Eri asked curiously. She wasn't complaining. What could bring her greater joy than to see her beloved?
"Good afternoon, Bang ojii-san." Shido greeted respectfully before turning towards Eri and smiling cheerfully.
"Hello Eri, I took a leave from school, so here I am." Shido nonchalantly shrugged as he lied through his teeth as smoothly as he breathed.
"So you're here to see me?"
"Yes." Shido responded, to which Eri smiled.
"I've been thinking about something, Eri."
"Hm?"
"Do you want me to unlock your potential?"
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A/N: I'm back from camp! And I'm here to deliver to you a fun chapter. This chapter was really fun to write, hope you guys enjoyed it!
If you want to support me or/and want 14+ chapters in advance, link:
https://www.patréon.com/spirits_everywhere
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