บท 1: Beginnings [1]
Kaigen was unsure of what to do.
He lay on his bed staring at the ceiling, wondering how he could enter UA. His first power was useless, the ability to be perceived as a weakling wouldn't work against robots.
Thankfully he didn't have to take it; he could scrap it for a chance to reroll the next one into something useful.
For the theoretical exam, he wasn't worried at all; he got lucky with his gift package and got Rapid Learning, which made learning things five times faster than normal. However, it made classes incredibly boring, so he blatantly took out other textbooks to read.
Thankfully his teachers were somewhat understanding as long as he was not disruptive and correctly answered, they wouldn't reprimand him.
Kaigen was unsure if it was because of pity or if they were more accommodating to outliers because of all the Quirk shenanigans going on with society.
Kaigen snorted, 'Maybe it's both—scratch that, it's definitely both.'
He lifted himself off the bed and walked to his desk to continue studying when a knock on the door interrupted him. He opened the door, and the woman seemed startled for a second before she regained her composure.
She seemed to be in her early thirties, with light blue hair and amber eyes, she looked like she hadn't slept well as the bags under her eyes, which was understandable as her older sister and brother-in-law died two weeks ago.
It was a distant way of putting it, considering they were his parents, but Kaigen didn't remember them, so it was hard to find an emotional connection.
"Kaigen-kun, do you need anything? Do you want something to eat or drink?" His aunt's voice and posture were steady, but her fidgeting fingers showed her nervousness.
He shook his head. "I'm okay, thank you, Mizuki-san." Her expression dimmed a bit, she wanted to help him somehow, in whatever she could. Kaigen appreciated that even in her grief she tried to look out for him.
'Or is it because of her grief?' It didn't matter in the end, she wanted to help him, and that was what mattered. Just as she started to turn around, Kaigen spoke.
"Though I need a break, and I was thinking of going to the beach that's nearby. Would you like to accompany me? I'm pretty sure I would get lost otherwise." It was a lie. As long as he had his phone he could find his way back.
However, without it he wasn't making it back.
Mizuki nodded as she said, "Let me change clothes, and we'll go."
Kaigen grabbed a jacket from his closet and sat at the kitchen table, staring at the air. A second later, a screen appeared in front of him that only he could see.
[You have a Tier 0 roll available!]
Kaigen rolls it, he isn't worried that a change will happen, to activate it, he needs to put it in a Power Slot first.
-+-
Power: Privacy
Category: Shaker/Stranger
Tier: 0
Description: You can summon an intangible curtain that may selectively reflect both light and sound. You can't change its position once it's summoned.
-[Reroll (1)] - [Scrap] - [Accept]
-+-
Kaigen decides to reroll it simply because it can't move once summoned. It would have been amazing if it would move relative to his position so he could gain a stealth-like ability.
Besides, it didn't say anything about a cooldown between summonings, maybe it's almost zero, but he highly doubts it. If it's anything like one minute or higher, then it isn't worth it. The UA exam is too short, and if its cooldown is too long, this wouldn't be effective.
Kaigen presses the reroll option.
-+-
Power: Power Nap
Category: Breaker/Brute
Tier: 0
Description: You can enter into a state of hibernation at will. While hibernating, your subconscious mind will keep watch for danger and wake you when you want it to, allowing your conscious mind to rest in an enhanced sleep. Hibernation is four times more effective than sleeping, allowing a full night's rest in just two hours.
-Accept
-+-
Kaigen has no choice but to accept it, but he would've taken it anyways, because it can save him six hours of sleep. The part of watching danger is very situational, and he doesn't think it'll be relevant, as this isn't a fantasy setting where he has to camp out and look for threats.
This power will give him a lot more time and energy to train, which is what he needs right now. A more offensive power would be better, but this is also acceptable.
He was tempted to put it into the Power Slot, but the sounds of his aunt getting ready dissuaded that idea. He then summons the status window.
-+-
Name: Kaigen Kuroda
Age: 15
Perks: Eliminate the Negative, Rapid Learning.
Power Slot 1: None.
Powers Available: Power Nap.
Skills: None.
Rolls: None.
-+-
Kaigen reviewed his favorite perk once again.
-+-
Perk: Eliminate the Negative.
Description: You are now immune to the negative side effects of your self-derived powers.
-+-
It was this perk and the option to unequip powers that gave him the confidence to roll the Worm Gacha. Because most of these powers should've come with an innate drive to conflict.
That was one of the most tame drawbacks, some of these powers change their users for the worse forever. One of the most famous ones was Rachel, her power gave her the ability to enhance and communicate with canine species better but almost destroyed her ability to understand other people.
If that's a possible drawback, Kaigen's not rolling anything. The System must've known that, which was why this perk was on the gift package.
Kaigen was snapped out of his daze when Mizuki stepped into the room in jeans, a dark blue top, and a leather jacket.
Kaigen complimented her, "You look good."
Mizuki snorted, "Thanks. Are you ready?"
Kaigen nodded. She walked off towards the entrance and started putting on her boots.
Kaigen followed her, and he too started putting on his boots. They stepped out of the house and walked their way to the beach.
There was an uncomfortable silence, a tension that Kaigen knew Mizuki felt as well.
"So..." Mizuki started, "How's school?"
Kaigen choked a laugh. "That's the best you got? How's school?"
Mizuki offended said, "You're not much better."
She lowered her voice. "You look good." She then complained, moving around her clenched fist, "At least try a little harder!"
Kaigen replied, "I'm sorry, Your Highness. Next time, I'll say you are as beautiful as the ocean when dawn breaks."
Mizuki smacked his shoulder. "That's a bit much. Though not entirely wrong."
Kaigen rolled his eyes. "Fine, fine. I like how you dress; it makes you have a cool older sister vibe."
Mizuki nodded to herself, "That's better." She hummed a bit, "Though I had to admit you are a bit of a sweet talker. Should I be worried for the girls at your school?"
Kaigen waved her off, "I'm not interested right now. Graduation is right around the corner." Besides, he was worried things would go to shit during this year.
Mizuki examined his face as they walked, "Is that so?" There was now silence between them as they arrived at the beach.
The once garbage-filled beach was a few weeks closer to being completely cleaned. Just five weeks away considering that was the time when the UA entrance exam was.
Kaigen pointed towards the small gazebo and said, "Let's go there."
Mizuki hummed in affirmation. Kaigen and Mizuki walked towards the end and leaned into the metal railing.
The smell of the ocean, the breeze brushing against his face, and the slowly hiding sun calm down his heart.
There was a moment of peace, and there was nothing to worry about. Until Mizuki spoke.
"Hey." Her voice was soft. "I wanted to ask you one thing."
Kaigen hummed in affirmation.
Mizuki continued, "It's the only question that matters really." There was silence for a moment, and she said it almost like a whisper, "Are you okay?"
Kaigen felt that the peace was shattered. He took a deep breath and said, "That's a loaded question." He let that answer linger for a moment, "Is anybody ever okay? What does okay even mean?"
Kaigen knew he sounded like a teenager going through a phase.
He leaned deeply into the railing, his face looking at the water. Someone was looking back.
It was a stranger's face. He looked young, with sharp features. Amber eyes, light blue hair, with its edges in black. A blank expression stared back. It took him a moment to realize that it was him.
Kaigen turned to look at Mizuki, who patiently was waiting for an answer. There was something on her face that made Kaigen say that he was doing great, but he knew from experience that he shouldn't lie about this.
"I'm not doing badly, I suppose." Kaigen's face turned away from her. "Classes are boring. My new classmates don't talk to me too much, which is great for me. Self-defense class is great, and studying for high school exams isn't too bad."
There was a sigh of relief from Mizuki. She leaned into the railing, her elbow propping up her face, "That's good."
Kaigen does the same, but his ear is propped up looking to the side, he stays that way before he decides it's too uncomfortable and stands up normally, "How about you? Are you doing okay?"
"Like a turd that's been too long on the toilet."
Kaigen choked a laugh, "Do you have to explain it like that?"
Mizuki let out a small laugh, "Heh. That's the same way Fuwa-chan replied."
Kaigen replied, "If you ever want to talk about it or need some help, you only need to ask."
Mizuki said, "The same to you. If you want to speak to me or a professional, just tell me. Don't let things get too hard."
Kaigen nodded. Time passed quietly and slowly until sounds came from the garbage. Kaigen turned his head and immediately knew who he was looking at.
Midoriya Izuku. And he wasn't alone, a blond, emaciated man was off to the side and looked as the boy dragged garbage into the truck. Yagi Toshinori, better known as All Might.
Mizuki commented to the side, "So he's the one cleaning up. Some kind of environmentalist?"
"I think it's training. Not sure for what." A lie. "Thanks to him, the property prices are going to go up." Kaigen joked.
Mizuki replied, "What do you know about property prices?"
"You're just embarrassed; you don't know what I'm talking about."
Mizuki pinched his cheek, "Don't get so uppity with me. I'm an adult; I know these things."
Kaigen looked at her skeptically before switching the conversation, "We should thank them."
Mizuki groaned a bit, "I'm not feeling up to it."
Kaigen looked at her, "You wanted to walk up to them and talk to them?" He looked at her disdain and said, "Let me teach you how it's done."
Mizuki had an expression, 'You're not any better than me,' and she said, "Don't be proud about avoiding conversations!"
She was a bit loud, which prompted some stares from the pair in the distance. Kaigen took the opportunity, cupping his hands around his mouth, "Thanks for your hard work!" He waved at them as they left the beach, Mizuki following behind him and waving at them too.
Midoriya seems flustered and unsure of how to respond. The man beside him was about to say something when he started coughing.
In no time at all, Kaigen and Mizuki left the beach and walked home.
Kaigen said proudly, "See! This is how a pro does it."
Mizuki looked at him in disdain, "Again. Don't be proud about avoiding conversations."
Kaigen kept moving forward, ignoring her words, when suddenly he heard her voice, "You're going in the wrong direction."
Kaigen turned back and made sure to follow her lead. He checked his System to distract himself from his embarrassment.
[You have (x2) Tier 0 rolls available!]
[You have a Perk roll available!]
[You have a Skill roll available!]
Damn! He didn't think he'd get so many! Kaigen eagerly followed Mizuki back home.
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A/N: Okay, first chapter done! Some things to explain. I'm actually rolling, just as you've read in the summary, I'm using "Lt Ouroumov's Worm CYOA V17" as a data source. I put them in by category in a Google sheet [Perks, Drawbacks, Skills, Powers: T0, T1 (Low), T1 (Mid), T1 (High)]. The Powers are divided that way by SP cost. T1 Low: 1-5. T1 Mid: 6-10. T1 High: 11-15.
How I roll: I roll three dice for the category and pick the one that's better for the story. The reroll function in the story makes me only roll once and forces me to take the one that appeared.
How does the MC get rolls: It's something he has yet to figure out, but by the end of this chapter, he gets pretty big clues. 1. Meeting relevant people. 2. Going to relevant places. 3. Being in an 'Event' (for example: UA sports festival) and getting a quest. 4. Do interesting things (example: confront his aunt, make a friend grow stronger, help people out, etc.)
That's it! Hope you like and support this story!
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