Chapter 5 New school chaotic life
After the two-hour nap, Izuku and Mei dived back into their shared world of invention. The shack was alive with the clinking of tools, the faint hum of machinery, and Mei's excited rambling as she darted from one workstation to another. She was in her element, but Izuku, having spent more time with her now, knew the dangers that came with her enthusiastic approach.
"Alright, this baby is going to—" Mei began, holding up what looked like a jumbled mass of wires attached to a pressurized canister.
"Stop!" Izuku interrupted, rushing over to her workstation and pulling the wires apart before she could connect them. "You're about to ignite the whole shack again."
She pouted, crossing her arms. "Aw, come on! It was just about to get fun."
"Mei," Izuku said, giving her a stern look, "you can't keep almost blowing us up. Somebody has to keep you in check, and apparently, that's me."
Mei blinked, then chuckled, her grin returning. "Well, yeah. Every Mama Mad Scientist needs a Sugar Daddy to look after her."
Izuku groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're never going to stop calling me that, are you?"
"Nope," Mei said with a mischievous smile, turning back to her project.
"Fine," Izuku said with a sigh. "At this point, I'm getting used to it."
Mei paused, giving him a sly glance. "You're mine forever now, broccoli boy. You'll never escape. You'll be forced to invent with me forever!"
Izuku smirked, leaning back against the wall. "Oh no," he said sarcastically. "Spending time with someone I actually like? How terrible."
Mei froze, her hands hovering over the tools she was holding. Her heart skipped a beat, and her face flushed slightly. She quickly turned her back to him, muttering, "S-sure, yeah. Let's get back to work."
Izuku didn't notice her reaction, already turning to a different workstation. "Yeah, let's get back to work," he said.
After hours of focused inventing, the two finally completed another one of Mei's "babies"—a grappling hook launcher with improved targeting and safety features (something Izuku insisted on). As they set it down on the workbench, Izuku stretched, rolling his shoulders.
"Alright," he said, grabbing his bag. "I've gotta head home. I need to relax for a bit."
Mei leaned against the workbench, giving him a lazy grin. "Fine, but don't forget, you're coming back tomorrow. We've got more babies to make, and I'm not doing it without my Sugar Daddy."
"Yeah, yeah," Izuku said with a chuckle, giving her a small wave as he headed out. "See you tomorrow."
When Izuku arrived back at his apartment, he found his mother waiting in the living room. Her face lit up when she saw him, but his own expression turned cold. He couldn't help it—the memories of her betrayal were still fresh, and he wasn't ready to forgive her completely yet.
"Welcome back, Izuku," Inko said nervously, her hands twisting together. "I, uh… I made your favorite for breakfast. Are you hungry?"
"No thanks," Izuku said curtly, walking past her and flopping onto the couch. He pulled his legs up, switching on the TV without another word.
The atmosphere was heavy, and Inko stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do. Izuku's phone buzzed, pulling him out of his thoughts. It was a message from Mei.
"Flip to Channel 12. Trust me, Daddy, you're gonna lovethis."
Izuku raised an eyebrow but followed her instructions. When he switched to the channel, he immediately saw the headline: "Local Principal Arrested in Scandal Over Discrimination Against Quirkless Students."
His lips curled into a smile as the broadcast showed footage of his former principal being handcuffed and led out of his office. The news anchor detailed the charges against him—discrimination, falsifying documents, and conspiracy to cover up abuse against students.
Inko, who had been standing silently, gasped when she saw the news. "Izuku… is this…?"
"It's about my old school," Izuku said, his voice calm but firm. "They're finally paying for what they did."
Tears welled up in Inko's eyes as she sat down beside him. "I'm going to file a lawsuit against that man," she said, her voice trembling with anger. "They need to pay for everything they did to you."
Izuku nodded, keeping his gaze on the screen. "You should. They deserve it."
For a moment, they sat in silence, watching as the story unfolded. Inko sniffled, brushing away her tears. "Izuku," she said softly, "I'm so sorry for everything. I should've believed you from the start."
He didn't respond right away, his focus still on the news. Finally, he stood up, stretching. "I'm going to take a nap," he said, his tone distant.
"Wait," Inko said, standing as well. "I made breakfast for you. It's your favorite. Can't we sit and eat together?"
Izuku hesitated, then shook his head. "I'm not hungry. Sorry. I just… I need some space."
Before she could say anything else, he walked to his room, closing the door behind him. He sat on the edge of his bed, taking a deep breath. I'll forgive her eventually, he thought. But not yet. Not today.
He lay back, closing his eyes for a quick nap.
…
A soft chime woke him up, and he opened his eyes to see a system notification.
"Dungeons reset. New opportunities available."
Izuku grinned, sitting up and stretching. "Finally," he muttered to himself. "This is going to be fun."
Izuku stepped out into the crisp air of the alleyway, his breath visible in the cool mid-afternoon as he adjusted his stance and opened the system menu. The notification about the reset still lingered in his mind, and his excitement grew as he reviewed his stats. The promise of new challenges ahead fueled his eagerness. He smirked, noting the addition of a new skill—stunning strike.
Testing its description, he muttered to himself, "A quick stun for a few seconds… three uses every ten minutes? That could come in handy. But high constitution enemies might shake it off. I'll keep that in mind." He rolled his shoulders, feeling the rush of energy as he prepared for his next adventure. "Time to get to work."
He navigated through the alleys until he found a glowing door nestled in the shadows. Its faint hum drew him closer. Reaching out, he touched the door, and it shimmered before opening into a dense forest. The cool breeze turned to earthy humidity, and sunlight filtered through the canopy, illuminating the dirt path ahead. Izuku grinned, stepping inside.
The sounds of faint rustling reached his ears, and he instinctively crouched low, surveying his surroundings. As he moved further along the path, the rustling grew louder. It wasn't long before a group of small goblins emerged, their crude weapons glinting dully in the filtered sunlight. Sticks and daggers—hardly a threat.
He smirked. "Guess this is my warm-up."
Lifting his hand, Izuku focused his psychic energy. The rocks around him trembled, then rose into the air, swirling in a loose orbit around his body. His fingers twitched, sending one rock hurtling toward a goblin. The projectile struck its target square in the forehead with a sickening crack, and the creature crumpled to the ground.
The remaining goblins hissed and charged forward. Izuku activated his psychic enhancement, feeling the rush of power course through his limbs. He dashed forward, his movements blurring as he closed the gap between him and the goblins in an instant. His first punch landed squarely in the gut of a goblin, the force of the impact lifting it off its feet before it crumpled, gasping for air.
Another goblin lunged at him with a dagger. He ducked under the swing and countered with a brutal kick to its knee, the bone snapping audibly as the goblin screamed. Izuku didn't let up, delivering a sharp elbow to its face and knocking it out cold.
The remaining goblins hesitated, their crude weapons shaking in their hands. "What's wrong?" Izuku taunted, stepping forward. "Afraid of a little fight?"
One of the goblins mustered its courage, charging at him with a guttural cry. Izuku's hand shot out, a green glow enveloping his fist as he activated power strike. His punch connected with the goblin's chest, sending it flying backward and crashing into a tree. The creature slumped lifelessly to the ground, its chest caved in.
The last goblin turned to flee, but Izuku wasn't about to let it go. He focused his telekinesis, grabbing a handful of rocks and firing them like bullets. The rocks tore through the goblin, leaving it bloodied and broken before it collapsed face-first into the dirt.
Izuku stood in the clearing, his breathing steady despite the exertion. He glanced at his system menu, noting the small XP gain. "Not much, but it's a start," he muttered.
He decided to take a moment to practice his telekinesis further. Gathering a handful of larger rocks, he concentrated on keeping them in orbit around him. It was a challenge at first; his focus wavered, and a few rocks clattered to the ground. But as he continued, the motions became smoother, the rocks responding to his will as if they were extensions of his body.
Another group of goblins emerged from the trees, drawn by the commotion. This time, Izuku didn't hesitate. He unleashed the rocks, firing them in quick succession before charging in. His fists and feet moved in a relentless barrage of strikes, each hit landing with brutal precision. The goblins were no match for his speed and strength, their crude attempts at retaliation easily dodged or countered.
By the time he finished off the last one with a spinning kick, the clearing was littered with defeated goblins. Izuku flexed his hands, glancing at the faint glow of the dungeon exit in the distance. He considered leaving but decided to linger for a moment longer.
Sweat dripped down his brow as he continued practicing his abilities, moving the rocks with greater finesse and experimenting with the timing of his stunning strike. He could feel himself improving with every second he spent in the dungeon, his confidence growing with each small victory.
"Level one dungeons really are just chores at this point," he muttered, but the small grin on his face betrayed his satisfaction. He wiped his hands on his pants and began making his way toward the exit, feeling more prepared than ever for the challenges ahead.
Before leaving the dungeon, Izuku opened his system menu, reviewing his XP balance and progress. He decided it was time to invest. His fingers hovered over the upgrade options as he made his selections:
Power Strike leveled up to Level 2: Increasing its power output and efficiency.
Telekinesis leveled up to Level 2: Allowing for smoother control and slightly heavier objects.
Psychic Enhancement leveled up to Level 2: Extending its duration and boosting the damage multiplier.
Satisfied but still hungry for progress, he navigated to his utility skills. He invested in:
Stamina Recovery: Increasing his natural stamina regeneration during and after fights.
Mana Recovery: Enhancing the rate at which his MP replenished.
HP Recovery: Allowing him to recover from injuries faster, especially out of combat.
The costs were steep, draining almost all the XP he had earned, but it was worth it. He grinned at his progress. His Hand-to-Hand Passive skill was also just shy of leveling up, so he dumped the remaining XP into it. As the notification flashed, he felt a surge of satisfaction knowing his strikes were now even more effective.
When he checked the XP requirements for further upgrades, his grin faded slightly. "5,000 XP for the next level? Guess the grind's getting real now," he muttered, but there was no doubt in his mind that he was ready for it.
Finally, he collected all the loot from the dungeon—most of it being weapons and trinkets he couldn't use. Using the system's shop function, he sold everything, earning approximately 30,000 credits. He decided to save it for future upgrades or more significant purchases.
"Time to wrap this up," he said, continuing through the dungeon until the shimmering portal marked its end.
As Izuku stepped out into the alleyway, stretching his arms and savoring the fresh air, his heart nearly jumped out of his chest. Mei was standing right next to him, her pink hair slightly disheveled and a modified pistol in her hand. Her wide eyes were filled with worry, but as soon as she saw him, relief washed over her face.
"Oh, thank the stars, you're alive!" Mei exclaimed, lowering the gun and letting out a dramatic sigh. Then she gestured behind him at the disappearing portal. "Wait, what the heck was that?"
Izuku blinked, startled. "How did you even find me?"
Mei pulled out her phone, waving it in his face. "This! My GPS tracker on you went offline! I thought someone kidnapped you, so I traced your last location and came here." Her voice was rapid-fire as she continued, "I've been combing the area, looking for clues—blood, ropes, a ransom note, anything. I even thought about calling the cops! And then—poof—you just pop out of nowhere!"
Izuku scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Uh… yeah. About that…"
Mei narrowed her eyes, stepping closer. "You've got a lot of explaining to do, broccoli boy."
Izuku sighed, realizing there was no dodging this. "Alright, I'll tell you. But it's going to sound… crazy."
He explained the system to her—the dungeons, the skills, the XP, the leveling, and even the credits. Mei's expression shifted from disbelief to curiosity to pure, unbridled excitement as he talked.
"So, let me get this straight," she said, practically bouncing on her heels. "You've got a whole system like in a video game? You go into dungeons, fight monsters, level up, and get loot?"
"Yeah, pretty much," Izuku replied.
Her grin stretched ear to ear. "That's AMAZING! You're like a real-life RPG protagonist!" She grabbed his shoulders, shaking him. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?! I could've helped you test all your skills! We could make babies to optimize your fighting style!"
Izuku's face flushed. "I didn't tell you because… well, I wasn't sure how to explain it. And honestly, I wasn't ready for more questions."
"Questions? I've got a million of them!" Mei said, her eyes sparkling. "Do you get to choose your stats? Can you dual-wield weapons? What's your class? Do you get bonus XP for critical hits?"
"Slow down!" Izuku said, holding up his hands. "It's not exactly like a game. I don't think it even comes from this world…"
That made Mei pause. "Not from this world?" she echoed, her voice dropping into a more serious tone. "You think this system thing is… alien?"
Izuku shrugged. "I don't know. It just showed up one day. It's like it chose me."
Mei's grin returned, and she smacked him on the back. "Well, whatever it is, it's awesome. And now you're going to let me help you use it to its fullest. Deal?"
Izuku chuckled, shaking his head. "I don't think I have much of a choice."
"Nope!" Mei said, grabbing his arm and dragging him back toward her shack. "Come on, Sugar Daddy. Mama's got ideas."
As Izuku and Mei walked back toward her shack, she suddenly stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening.
"Hey, broccoli boy," she said, her voice tinged with confusion, "are you talking about this system?" She pointed to the air, where a translucent screen hovered in front of her.
Izuku froze, his stomach twisting. "Wait… you can see that?" he asked, stepping closer to her.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I?" Mei replied, tilting her head. "It's right here." She squinted at the glowing text. "It's asking if I want to join your party."
Izuku blinked in shock. "Party? What party?"
She shrugged and tapped the screen. "Well, let's find out." The moment she clicked "accept," her body glowed faintly, and a notification appeared before Izuku.
"Pink Terrorist joins your party!"
Mei frowned, crossing her arms. "Pink Terrorist? That's so unfair! It's called science." She huffed, then muttered under her breath, "Well… sometimes. Fine, I'll let it slide."
Izuku barely held back a laugh. "You did blow up your second shack."
"That's innovation!" Mei shot back. "Anyway, let's see what this thing can actually do." She waved at the screen, navigating through it like a pro. "Oh, look at this—it's asking me to choose a class."
Izuku leaned over her shoulder, scanning the options. "You already have a base class? What's it say?"
Mei tapped the notification. "It says I have a class called Quirk User. I can either enhance my Quirk, or I can replace it with another class." She paused, narrowing her eyes at the options. "Replacing my Quirk sounds interesting… Are there any classes for inventors?"
The system seemed to respond to her words, pulling up a list of options: Tinkerer, Artificer, Tech Mage, and Alchemist.
Izuku pointed at the descriptions as Mei read aloud. "Artificer... 'Renowned for crafting magical items that can cast spells or mimic Quirk-like abilities. Highly versatile, with superior crafting skills compared to others.'" She grinned, her eyes lighting up. "Oh yeah, that's the one."
Izuku nodded. "From the sound of it, Artificer is the best at creating things. It doesn't rely too much on raw magic—just the tools you make. It's like your dream job."
Mei smirked, already clicking the option. "Done."
As soon as she confirmed her choice, her body glowed brightly, and a rush of energy surged through her. Before Izuku could ask what was happening, a new notification appeared on his screen:
"Party Leader and Party Member teleported to Tutorial Dungeon."
"What?!" Izuku shouted, but it was too late. The world around them dissolved into light, and the two found themselves standing in the middle of a dark, eerie dungeon.
The air was damp and heavy, with faint echoes of dripping water resonating through the stone walls. A faint glow illuminated the space, highlighting cobweb-covered archways and cracked pillars. Izuku blinked, adjusting to the new surroundings. He turned to Mei and froze.
She was no longer in her usual grease-streaked outfit. Instead, she wore an intricate steampunk ensemble—a leather corset lined with gears, a pair of goggles perched on her head, and a belt laden with pouches and tools. In her hands, she held a sleek pistol, its barrel glowing faintly with a magical energy source.
Mei looked down at herself and let out an excited laugh. "Oh my gosh! Look at this outfit! This is amazing!" She spun in a circle, inspecting every detail. "And this gun—it feels perfect. I wonder what powers it?"
"Probably some kind of magical energy," Izuku said, glancing around. "Where are we?"
"Tutorial Dungeon," Mei replied, her eyes scanning her own notification screen. "Looks like it's my turn to get the system treatment. Let's see what this bad boy can do!" She turned as a low groan echoed through the hallway.
A single zombie shambled out of the shadows, its gray skin peeling and its hollow eyes fixed on them. Its mouth opened in a guttural snarl as it stumbled closer, dragging one broken leg behind it.
Mei's reaction was instant. "Zombie!" she shouted, raising her pistol. Without hesitation, she unloaded the entire clip, the glowing bullets tearing into the zombie's chest, limbs, and head. The creature staggered with each hit until the last bullet blasted through its skull, sending it collapsing into a heap on the ground.
"BOOM!" Mei shouted triumphantly, twirling her pistol before striking a dramatic pose. "Now that is how you make an entrance!"
Izuku's jaw dropped. "Did you just… mag dump a zombie?"
"Duh," Mei replied, blowing imaginary smoke off the barrel of her pistol. "Why wouldn't I? This is awesome! I hope I get more guns!"
Izuku shook his head, a mix of exasperation and amusement on his face. "You're ridiculous."
"And you love it," she teased, pulling out a small tool from her belt to adjust the pistol's sights. "Come on, broccoli boy. Let's see what else this dungeon has for us. I'm just getting started!"
Izuku couldn't help but smile as they ventured further into the dungeon, the faint sound of Mei humming a cheerful tune under her breath echoing through the eerie halls. This is going to be an adventure, he thought to himself, tightening his fists as he prepared for whatever came next.
Mei flipped through her system screen, eyes darting over her new abilities with unbridled glee. "Ohhh, look at this! Infusion Weapon, Level One—it lets me add my mind stat to damage, plus a hundred extra damage on top. Mama likes." She wiggled her fingers as she read more. "And… oh, what's this?" A notification popped up, signaling her first reward.
Reward: Zombie Blunderbuss. Damage: Base plus poison damage.
Her eyes sparkled as the weapon materialized in her hands. The blunderbuss was rugged yet sleek, with intricate engravings and a faint green glow emanating from its chamber. It hummed softly as she held it up, grinning from ear to ear.
"Mama likes this a lot," she said, stroking the barrel lovingly. "Don't you, baby? You're gonna make Mama real proud."
Izuku sighed, trailing behind her. "You know, you're scaring me more and more with each passing second."
"You should be scared!" Mei chirped, testing the weapon by firing a shot into the air. The sound of the discharge echoed through the dungeon as she giggled. "Alright, broccoli boy, stand back. I'm handling the next floor."
Before Izuku could protest, she bolted forward, her laughter echoing as she sprinted up the staircase to the next level. Izuku jogged after her, muttering, "This is going to be a disaster."
The next floor opened into a sprawling cavern lit by glowing fungi scattered across the walls. Shadows danced in the eerie green light, and the faint sound of movement hinted at lurking enemies. Mei didn't hesitate for a second. The moment a goblin came into view, she was on it.
"Take this, you little pest!" she shouted, rushing forward with wild abandon. She slammed the butt of the blunderbuss into the goblin's face, the force of the blow sending it stumbling back with a yelp. Without missing a beat, she raised the weapon and fired, the shot reverberating through the cavern. The goblin, though severely injured, didn't go down immediately.
Izuku cringed as she stepped closer to the goblin, muttering under his breath, "She's going to get herself hurt…"
Mei unleashed another shot, the blunderbuss emitting a faint green mist as its poison effect kicked in. The goblin coughed violently, clutching its chest before finally collapsing. She stood over it triumphantly, planting her foot on its back. "Told you Mama was good."
Her celebration was cut short as another goblin darted out of the shadows behind her, dagger raised. Before Izuku could warn her, she spun around with practiced ease, drawing her pistol and firing a volley of glowing bullets into its chest. The creature staggered, but she wasn't done. Switching back to the blunderbuss, she delivered the final shot, sending the goblin sprawling lifelessly onto the ground.
"Two down!" she announced, twirling her blunderbuss like a showman. "Who's next?"
A group of goblins charged into the room, their guttural cries echoing through the cavern. Mei grinned, switching between her weapons with terrifying efficiency. She fired the blunderbuss at the first goblin, the poison-infused shot cutting through its defenses. As another approached, she dumped a full clip of magical bullets from her pistol, the rapid discharge lighting up the cavern.
Izuku followed behind, ready to jump in if she needed help, but Mei seemed completely in her element. She let out a maniacal laugh as she reloaded, sidestepping a goblin's swing and blasting it point-blank in the chest.
After a few chaotic minutes, the room fell silent. Goblin corpses littered the floor, and Mei stood in the center, panting slightly but grinning from ear to ear.
"Now that's what I'm talking about!" she said, holstering her pistol. A notification popped up before her:
Reward: Goblin Sniper Rifle (x3).
She let out a squeal of excitement as three sleek, glowing rifles appeared before her. They were lean, with long barrels and magical runes etched along the stock.
"Mama loves this!" she exclaimed, hugging one of the rifles to her chest. "So many new toys to play with!"
Izuku raised an eyebrow. "Do you even know how to use a sniper rifle?"
"Do I need to know?" Mei shot back, her grin widening. "I've got three now! Besides, I've got brains, guts, and a Sugar Daddy to carry the extra ammo if needed."
Izuku groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This dungeon is going to be the end of me…"
"Don't be so dramatic!" Mei said, slinging one of the rifles over her shoulder and holding the blunderbuss in her other hand. "Now, let's move! I wanna see what else this dungeon's got for us!"
Izuku followed her, his thoughts swirling. Mei was reckless, over-the-top, and completely unpredictable, but he couldn't deny her effectiveness. He tightened his fists, ready for whatever challenge came next. This party is going to be… interesting.
The room was massive, with towering stone pillars and a glowing rune-covered floor. At the center stood a hulking ogre, easily twice the size of a normal human. Its green skin was marred with scars, and it wielded a massive spiked club that looked like it could flatten a car. It roared, its voice echoing through the chamber as it charged forward, shaking the ground with each step.
"Oh, Mama's gonna have fun with this one," Mei said, a wild grin spreading across her face as she pulled out her goblin sniper rifle. She aimed for its legs, the rifle glowing faintly before she fired. The bullet zipped through the air, slamming into the ogre's knee. The creature howled in pain, stumbling forward as it clutched at its wounded leg.
"Nice shot!" Izuku shouted, positioning himself to flank the creature.
Mei ignored him, already switching to her pistol. She unloaded a volley of shots into the ogre's groin, each magical bullet eliciting another guttural roar from the beast.
"That's for all the goblins you probably raised to be jerks!" she quipped, twirling the pistol before holstering it.
The ogre, now limping and furious, swung its massive club toward her, but Mei ducked effortlessly, laughing as she closed the distance. She pulled out her blunderbuss and unleashed a devastating shot point-blank into the ogre's abdomen. Green blood sprayed from the wound, and the ogre staggered, its movements becoming slower.
Izuku stepped in, activating his psychic enhancement to land a flurry of punches against the ogre's side, creating an opening for Mei to attack further. "Your turn!" he shouted, dodging back as the creature swiped wildly at him.
Mei didn't hesitate. She reloaded her blunderbuss and continued her onslaught, alternating between her arsenal with terrifying efficiency. Rifle, pistol, blunderbuss—every shot hit its mark. The ogre roared in defiance, but the relentless barrage was too much. It finally collapsed with a thunderous crash, the rune-covered floor dimming as its lifeless body disintegrated into green mist.
Boss defeated. Rewards earned: Ogre Plate (25 Defense).
Mei walked up to the glowing chest that appeared where the ogre had fallen and pulled out the plate armor, her eyes sparkling. "Ooooh, shiny!" she said, quickly equipping it. The piece adjusted to her body, forming a sleek, steampunk-inspired chest piece with metallic plating and small glowing gears.
"This is amazing!" she said, striking a pose. "Mama's officially unstoppable now."
Izuku chuckled. "You did most of the work. That was impressive."
"Of course it was," she said, grinning as she opened her system screen. "Let's see what else I got."
Mei's stats had increased by 5 across the board, and she'd unlocked new crafting options and abilities.
Weapon Infusion, Level 1: Adds her mind stat to the damage of any weapon she wields.
Weapon Wheel: Allows her to carry up to 10 weapons and switch between them seamlessly.
Crafting Skills:
Weaponsmith: For crafting weapons.
Armorsmith: For crafting armor.
Magical Trinkets: For utility items.
Potion Brewer: For consumables.
Gunsmith: Specializing in ranged weapons.
Her weapon wheel glowed as she placed her firearms inside, inspecting them one by one. Each weapon now showed an MP cost for recharging its magical battery:
Pistol: 6 shots – 50 MP to recharge.
Blunderbuss: 8 shots – 50 MP to recharge.
Sniper Rifle: 10 shots – 50 MP to recharge.
"I've got ammo for days!" she said, practically bouncing with excitement.
After exiting the dungeon, Mei turned to Izuku with a wide grin. "So… another dungeon? Let's keep this momentum going!"
Izuku opened his system screen, scrolling through the available dungeons. Most were still around level one, perfect for their current strength. "Yeah, we've got a few options," he said. "Let's do it."
The following morning, Mei was already hard at work in her shack. Izuku watched as she tinkered with monster materials they had gathered from the dungeon, her hands moving with practiced precision.
"This is so much easier now," she said, holding up a glowing crystal she had extracted from a goblin. "It's like the system gave me blueprints for everything."
Izuku peered over her shoulder, noticing a few scraps of ogre hide and goblin claws laid out on the workbench. "You're actually using the materials? I thought we'd just sell them."
Mei shook her head. "No way! These are super useful. Monster materials can be turned into weapons, armor, and trinkets. Look at this!" She held up a small amulet crafted from goblin bones and a glowing shard. "This little baby boosts MP regeneration."
She paused, frowning. "Although… it sucks we can't turn any of this into actual cash."
As if on cue, a system notification appeared in front of them:
Credits can be exchanged for items valuable in your world, such as gold.
Mei's jaw dropped. "What?! We can turn credits into gold?!" She spun around to face Izuku, grabbing him by the shoulders. "Do you know what this means?"
Izuku nodded, already grinning. "You're thinking we could be rich."
"Richer than rich!" Mei exclaimed. "Mama's getting herself a new lab!"
Izuku chuckled, shaking his head. "Let's focus on getting stronger first. We've got plenty of dungeons to tackle."
"You're no fun," Mei teased, turning back to her workbench. "Alright, broccoli boy, let me finish up here, and then we'll head out. Just don't let me blow anything up this time!"
"I make no promises," Izuku replied with a laugh. "Let's see what you can come up with before we head to the next one."
The following morning, Mei was already hard at work in her shack. Izuku watched as she tinkered with monster materials they had gathered from the dungeon, her hands moving with practiced precision.
"This is so much easier now," she said, holding up a glowing crystal she had extracted from a goblin. "It's like the system gave me blueprints for everything."
Izuku peered over her shoulder, noticing a few scraps of ogre hide and goblin claws laid out on the workbench. "You're actually using the materials? I thought we'd just sell them."
Mei shook her head. "No way! These are super useful. Monster materials can be turned into weapons, armor, and trinkets. Look at this!" She held up a small amulet crafted from goblin bones and a glowing shard. "This little baby boosts MP regeneration."
She paused, frowning. "Although… it sucks we can't turn any of this into actual cash."
As if on cue, a system notification appeared in front of them:
Credits can be exchanged for items valuable in your world, such as gold.
Mei's jaw dropped. "What?! We can turn credits into gold?!" She spun around to face Izuku, grabbing him by the shoulders. "Do you know what this means?"
Izuku nodded, already grinning. "You're thinking we could be rich."
"Richer than rich!" Mei exclaimed. "Mama's getting herself a new lab!"
Izuku chuckled, shaking his head. "Let's focus on getting stronger first. We've got plenty of dungeons to tackle."
"You're no fun," Mei teased, turning back to her workbench. "Alright, broccoli boy, let me finish up here, and then we'll head out. Just don't let me blow anything up this time!"
"I make no promises," Izuku replied with a laugh. "Let's see what you can come up with before we head to the next one."
The first rays of sunlight peeked through the window as Izuku walked into Mei's shack, adjusting the straps of his backpack. The smell of grease and faint gunpowder hung in the air, a signature of Mei's non-stop tinkering. He froze in the doorway, his eyes immediately drawn to Mei sitting cross-legged on her workbench, wearing an oversized T-shirt that made him do a double take.
The shirt bore a bold image of his old principal, face contorted in shock, being handcuffed by police officers. The caption underneath read: "Justice Served."
"Morning, broccoli boy," Mei said casually, sipping from a mug shaped like a goblin's head. "What's up?"
Izuku pointed at the shirt, his face caught between shock and amusement. "Where did you get that?"
Mei tilted her head, smirking mischievously. "No, no, no. The question isn't where I got it." She reached into a drawer and tossed another shirt at him. "The question is: where did we get it?"
Izuku caught the shirt, shaking his head with a laugh. "This adventuring stuff's really rubbing off on you, huh?"
"Oh, totally," Mei said, leaning back with her trademark grin. "I heard the principal's trial is coming up, and guess what? We might be able to sit in on it. So, obviously…" She gestured to her shirt, laughing maliciously. "I made these."
Izuku snorted. "Oh yeah, we're definitely wearing these when the time comes. But for now," he gestured to his uniform, "we've got school."
Mei groaned theatrically, sliding off the workbench. "Ugh, school is so boring. Can't we just go dungeon-crawling instead?"
"Unfortunately, no," Izuku replied, rolling his eyes. "Let's go."
Mei's expression brightened as she opened her system menu, unlocking one of her newly acquired skills: Clothing Wheel. She snapped her fingers, her oversized T-shirt and workshop attire shimmering and shifting until she was suddenly wearing her neatly pressed school uniform. The blazer fit perfectly, but the mischievous glint in her eye remained unchanged.
"Ta-da!" she said, doing a small twirl. "Transmog is my favorite skill. Now I can make any gear look like anything I want."
Izuku glanced at his hands, noticing how his martial arts gloves had seamlessly transformed into normal leather gloves. "Yeah, I gotta admit, that's pretty handy."
"More than handy—it's genius. Now let's get this over with," Mei said, tossing her goblin-head mug onto the table and dragging Izuku out of the shack.
….
The school buzzed with activity as students milled about, chatting and laughing. Izuku felt a pang of nervousness but quickly shook it off, reminding himself of his goals. He was here to start fresh, make friends, and prove himself.
As he stepped into the classroom, he scanned the room, his eyes landing on a familiar face. Sitting in one of the back rows was a girl with short, messy orange hair. Her sharp eyes met his for a moment before widening in recognition. She stood up so suddenly her chair screeched across the floor, drawing everyone's attention.
"You!" she shouted, pointing directly at Izuku.
The classroom fell silent, every head turning toward the exchange. Izuku froze mid-step, completely caught off guard. "Uh… me?"
"Yes, you!" the girl said, her voice faltering slightly. "Let's… fight!"
The tension in the room immediately shifted. Whispers broke out among the students, some confused, others snickering.
"Did she just challenge the new kid?"
"Why's she so aggressive?"
Izuku blinked, unsure how to respond. "Wait, what?"
The girl's face turned beet red as she seemed to realize how her words had come out. She waved her hands frantically. "No! I don't mean it like that! I meant—ugh, let me explain!" She looked around the room, clearly flustered.
One of the teachers standing nearby raised an eyebrow. "You want to pick a fight with the new student?"
"No, no, no!" the girl practically yelped, bowing her head apologetically. "That's not what I meant! I-I'm sorry! It's just… he's a martial artist!"
That statement caused a ripple of confusion. The students looked at Izuku, their eyes scanning his lean, unimposing frame.
The teacher crossed his arms. "You're saying thisstudent"—he gestured to Izuku—"is a martial artist?"
The orange-haired girl nodded quickly, determination flickering in her eyes despite her embarrassment. "Yes! He came to my dojo. I wasn't there, but he fought ten students and won! It has to be him!"
The whispers grew louder, with students now looking at Izuku with a mix of curiosity and disbelief.
"He doesn't look like a martial artist…"
"Are you sure you've got the right guy?"
Izuku finally found his voice. "I… uh… yeah, that was me."
The room went silent again.
The teacher raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "So, you're saying you fought ten students at her dojo?"
Izuku nodded hesitantly. "It was… a challenge. And, uh, I won."
The orange-haired girl's eyes lit up. "See? I knew it!" She paused, then quickly backpedaled, her face flushing again. "But I mean, um… I wasn't trying to pick a fight! I just wanted to say… if you ever want a proper challenge, you should come back to the dojo. You know, for a safe sparring match."
She bowed again before hastily sitting down, avoiding everyone's eyes. Her ears were bright red as the teacher gave her a disapproving look.
"Well," the teacher said, looking back at Izuku, "I suppose that's one way to welcome someone."
Izuku shrugged, offering a sheepish smile. "It's fine. I get it."
The teacher nodded before gesturing to an empty seat. "Alright, take your seat, Midoriya. Let's get started."
As Izuku made his way to his desk, he couldn't help but glance at the orange-haired girl. She caught his eye briefly before quickly looking away, clearly mortified. He chuckled softly, already thinking, This is going to be an interesting class.
The morning classes passed by in a blur for Izuku. His mind darted between trying to focus on the lectures and processing his new surroundings. As the bell rang for lunch, he let out a small sigh of relief. Finally, a break, he thought, standing up and grabbing his lunchbox.
Before he could take two steps toward the door, a group of students surrounded him, their faces curious and animated.
"Hey, you're that new guy, right? Midoriya?"
"What's with the rumors? Are you really a martial artist?"
"Did you seriously take down ten people at a dojo? That can't be true, right?"
Izuku opened his mouth to respond, but before a single word could escape, an all-too-familiar voice pierced the chatter like a siren.
"BROCCOLI BOY!"
The pink-haired hurricane known as Mei Hatsume came barreling into the classroom. Her manic grin stretched ear to ear as she practically tackled him from behind, wrapping him in an enthusiastic hug.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE HERE!" she shouted, rocking him back and forth. "This is gonna be SO MUCH FUN!"
The room fell silent for a moment, every student freezing in place as they registered her presence. And then came the screaming.
"It's the Pink-Haired Banshee!"
"RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!"
"The Mad Scientist is here!"
The crowd of students scattered in an instant, some bolting for the door, others ducking behind desks like they were under attack. Even the orange-haired girl who had challenged Izuku earlier took a cautious step back, muttering to her friends. "It's her. Stay away, trust me."
Izuku sighed, watching as every potential friend he could've made just bolted. "Well, there goes my social life," he muttered.
Mei, completely unbothered, tightened her grip on him. "Aw, don't be so dramatic," she said, still grinning. "Come on, we're eating on the roof. I made us some stuff to try."
"Stuff to try?" Izuku asked warily as she dragged him out of the classroom. "You're not about to make me a guinea pig for your latest invention again, are you?"
"No explosions this time, I promise!" Mei chirped, practically skipping as she led him toward the staircase.
As they climbed the stairs, Izuku couldn't help but let out a defeated groan. "Seriously, Mei, I think you've already made me an outcast on my first day. People actually wanted to talk to me, and now they're terrified."
"Yeah," Mei said casually, pulling open the rooftop door. "But now you're an outcast with me." She gave him a playful elbow. "And I'm worth, what, like a hundred friends? So it balances out."
Izuku blinked at her for a moment before chuckling despite himself. "Yeah, you are. Honestly… you're probably better than a hundred friends."
Mei paused, her grin softening slightly as a faint blush dusted her cheeks. "Aw, broccoli boy, you're gonna make Mama cry." She laughed, brushing it off, and led him to a shaded corner of the roof.
The rooftop was peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos of the classrooms below. Izuku sat down and opened his lunchbox. Thanks to the Cooking Skill he had unlocked, his lunches were now leagues ahead of what he used to pack. Today's menu: perfectly cooked rice, grilled chicken, and sautéed vegetables with just the right balance of spices.
Mei plopped down beside him, unpacking her own lunch—a chaotic mix of leftover parts of sandwiches and random snacks she had scavenged. Izuku gave her an incredulous look.
"That's what you're eating?" he asked.
"Food's food," Mei replied, already stuffing a handful of chips into her mouth. "Besides, I'm busy."
Izuku sighed and handed her one of his rice balls. "Here. Eat something decent."
"Wow, look at you being all domestic," Mei teased, but she accepted the rice ball with a grateful grin. "You spoil me, you know that?"
"It's not spoiling. It's called making sure you don't starve," Izuku retorted, taking a bite of his chicken.
As they ate, Izuku's mind wandered, replaying the events of the day. The students' reactions, Mei's antics, the orange-haired girl's challenge—it was all a lot to process. He looked over at Mei, who was humming happily while tinkering with a small gadget she'd pulled from her bag.
"You really don't care what people think of you, do you?" he asked suddenly.
Mei shrugged. "Not really. I mean, why waste time worrying about people who don't get you? I'd rather spend that energy making awesome stuff."
Izuku considered her words, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah… I guess you're right."
Unbeknownst to them, a pair of feline-like eyes were watching from the shadows. The blonde-haired girl perched silently on the ledge, her gaze locked on Izuku. She pulled out her phone, swiping through images of him in an old school uniform. One was a screengrab from the news report about a student being framed and expelled. She tilted her head thoughtfully, her curiosity piqued.
"Hmm… interesting," she murmured to herself.
Back on the rooftop, Izuku finished his lunch and leaned back, enjoying the cool breeze. Mei was still tinkering with her gadget, muttering about adjustments and potential upgrades.
"You're going to blow something up again, aren't you?" Izuku asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Not today," Mei replied with a mischievous grin. "Probably."
Izuku shook his head, smiling despite himself. Maybe being an outcast with her isn't so bad, he thought. At least I'm not alone.
Izuku watched in mild exasperation as Mei stood up suddenly, brushing the crumbs off her skirt and cracking a grin. "Daddy, I gotta go grab one of my babies from my lab real quick," she said, her voice brimming with energy.
Izuku sighed, already used to her antics. "You're not going to blow something up again, are you?"
"No promises!" Mei sang as she sprinted toward the door, her ponytail bouncing behind her. "Stay here, okay? You're gonna love this one!"
Izuku leaned back on his hands, the quiet rooftop now feeling strangely peaceful without her. He took in the cool breeze, savoring the moment of calm.
And then a shadow fell over him.
"Hey there," a soft, melodic voice said.
Izuku turned, slightly startled, to find a blonde girl walking toward him. Her eyes, sharp and feline-like, seemed to study him with an unsettling intensity, but her smile was sweet—almost too sweet. He recognized her from class, though she had remained quiet until now.
"Um… hey," Izuku replied cautiously, sitting up straighter.
The girl stepped closer, holding up her phone. "Is this you?"
Izuku blinked, focusing on the image on her screen. It was an old photo of him in his previous school uniform—a screengrab from the news. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Yeah, that's me… I was at that school."
"Wow," the girl said, tilting her head. "It's crazy. I heard about the whole thing…"
Izuku smiled faintly, forcing himself to stay composed. "Yeah. It was a… pretty crazy experience. But justice prevailed, and the people responsible will be punished."
Her sharp eyes narrowed ever so slightly, her smile not quite reaching them. "The bullies—were they really punished?"
Izuku hesitated, sensing something odd in her tone. "I mean… the principal got arrested, which was the big deal. The bullies, though? They just got suspended for a week." He chuckled bitterly, shaking his head. "Honestly, sounds like a vacation to me."
"Seriously?" the girl asked, raising an eyebrow. "That's all they got?"
"Trust me," Izuku said, his voice firm as a small grin tugged at his lips, "I already got my revenge."
Her brows lifted slightly, her interest piqued. "You did? Seriously? A quirkless boy like you?"
Izuku blinked but waved it off. "I did, yes I also heard your quirkless too. It's nice to meet someone like me."
Her expression faltered for the briefest of moments. "Like you?"
"Yeah. Quirkless," he said simply. "You are, too, right?"
The girl's smile returned, but her voice trembled slightly. "Oh, uh… yeah! That's right. I'm quirkless too. It's hard, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Izuku said, offering her a small, genuine smile. "But hey, it's nice to meet someone who understands."
She shrugged with an air of forced casualness. "I haven't been bullied, though. People don't usually mess with cute girls like me." She batted her eyelashes playfully, but there was something off about the way she said it.
Izuku laughed lightly. "Well, I can't argue there. You are—" He paused, realizing what he was about to say and quickly backpedaled. "I mean… yeah, that makes sense."
She grinned, clearly catching his stumble, and then tilted her head curiously. "But if you really got revenge… how?"
Izuku smirked. "Do you want me to show you?" He pulled out his phone, swiping through his videos until he found the one of his fight in the alley. "Here. Watch."
He held out the screen for her, and as the video played, her eyes widened. Her heart began to race as she watched the brutal efficiency of his movements. Every punch, every kick—it was relentless, unyielding Izuku, a quirkless boy,beating the living daylights out of his bullies. The blood on his face and splattered on the ground made her pulse quicken.
Her hand trembled slightly, and before she realized it, her other hand was pressed against her chest. "Oh… gross blood…" she mumbled, her voice shaky as her face turned red. "I'm kind of scared of blood…" She stuck out a handkerchief, covering her mouth as if she were going to faint. Her other hand clenched tightly at her skirt as her thoughts raced uncontrollably.
Be normal. Be normal. Be normal, she repeated to herself internally.
"Hey, are you okay?" Izuku asked, placing a hand gently on her shoulder.
She jolted at his touch, stepping back as though he had shocked her. "I-I'm sorry!" she stammered, her voice trembling. "I just… really hate blood." She turned on her heel and walked quickly toward the exit, her hands shaking as she clenched the handkerchief tighter.
Izuku stared after her, frowning slightly. That was… weird.
Just as the girl reached the doorway, the unmistakable voice of Mei Hatsume rang out.
"BROCCOLI BOY! LOOK AT THIS!"
Mei burst through the door, holding a shiny metallic ball over her head like a trophy. "It's my Restricto Ball! I finally finished it!"
Before Izuku could respond, the blonde girl nimbly flipped over Mei like an Olympic gymnast, landing on her feet without so much as a sound. "Sorry about that!" she muttered before practically sprinting down the stairs.
Mei blinked, completely unfazed. "Huh. Gymnasts are weird."
Izuku sighed. "Mei… what is that?"
"This?!" Mei grinned, holding up the metallic ball. "It's a restricted-capture device! You just throw it at someone, and BAM! Metal cables shoot out and wrap them up tight!"
She tossed the ball experimentally at the wall behind Izuku. It hit with a clang, and metal cables burst out, wrapping themselves around the wall but quickly collapsing without a proper grip.
"Dang it!" Mei huffed. "Still needs work."
Izuku rubbed his temples. "Mei… what do you mean we'd use this?"
"Oh, you know." She shrugged innocently. "If we see a monster, villain, or just some annoying bully. Could be fun."
He stared at her, deadpan. "You can't just throw these at people, Mei."
"Sure I can," she said, grinning mischievously. "We're adventurers, Broccoli Boy. We've gotta have a little fun."
Izuku let out a long, weary sigh, already regretting ever letting Mei get her hands on a system. "You're impossible."
"And you love it," she replied, cheerfully nudging him toward their lunch spot.
As Izuku followed her, he couldn't help but glance back at the doorway, his mind lingering on the blonde girl. Something about her reaction… didn't sit right with him.
….
As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Izuku packed up his things, walking toward the exit with Mei by his side. She was animated as usual, rambling on about a new invention she was planning for their next dungeon crawl.
"…and I think if I just tweak the projectile mechanism, I can make it shoot grappling cables instead of those stupid coils!" Mei said, miming the design with her hands. "We could use it for scaling dungeon walls or maybe even to trip up enemies."
"Sounds useful," Izuku replied, nodding. "As long as it doesn't accidentally wrap around me again."
"Oh, come on," Mei teased, nudging him. "You survived, didn't you? Besides, I'm perfecting it now, Broccoli Boy."
Izuku was about to reply when a soft voice called out behind him.
"Um… Izuku?"
He turned around to see the blonde-haired girl from lunch standing there, her feline eyes a little hesitant. "Hey, can we talk for a moment?" she asked, her tone more earnest this time. "I just… really want to get to know someone else who's been in my shoes."
Izuku glanced at Mei, silently asking if she was okay with it. Mei shrugged, smirking. "Sure, go ahead. But don't take too long—we've got some dungeon crawling to do later. I'll let you have some bonding time with Blondie for now."
The blonde girl tilted her head, curious. "Dungeon crawling? What's that?"
Izuku rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Oh, it's, um, a game we've been playing together. It's kind of an adventure thing."
The blonde smiled. "Oh, cool. Is it one of those computer games? My PC probably can't run it—it's pretty old—but maybe I can join you guys if I get it fixed."
Mei grinned mischievously. "Yeah, maybe. Your PC might need a few explosive upgrades first, though."
"Explosive?" the blonde asked, looking slightly alarmed.
"She's kidding," Izuku said quickly. "Anyway, Mei meant later in the week. We've got time to figure it out."
"Okay, I get it," the blonde said with a small laugh. "Let's talk for a bit, then."
As Mei walked off, leaving Izuku and the blonde alone, an orange-haired girl stood at a distance with her friends, her arms crossed and a frustrated expression on her face. She watched Izuku with narrowed eyes, muttering under her breath.
"I still need to challenge him," she said, her voice tight with determination. "I have to."
Her friends, a lively group of girls from her dojo, grinned at her. One of them nudged her playfully. "Wow, Itsuka. You're really worked up about this guy. What's the deal? Do you have a crush on him or something?"
Itsuka's face immediately flattened into the most deadpan expression possible. "No. Not even close."
The girls burst into laughter, teasing her relentlessly. "Come on, you've been talking about him nonstop! First, you challenge him, and now you're staring at him during lunch? Totally sounds like a crush."
Itsuka groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Listen, I don't care about him like that. He came into my dojo when I wasn't there, took out ten of our guys, and left like it was no big deal. I have to challenge him. How can I call myself a martial artist if I let this slide?"
One of her friends smirked. "You're a little obsessed. Maybe you should let it go before it gets to your head."
"Absolutely not," Itsuka shot back. "I'm going to fight him—fair and square. He owes me a proper match."
Her friends kept laughing, one of them leaning on her shoulder. "You're such a tomboy, Itsuka. You're always looking for a fight."
"Stop calling me that," Itsuka muttered, crossing her arms defensively. "I look feminine."
Her friend snickered. "You wear bike shorts under your skirt. That's not exactly girly."
Itsuka rolled her eyes. "So what? Lots of girls wear shorts under their skirts. Besides, it's practical for kicking. You don't want people seeing your underwear when you throw a roundhouse."
Another friend chuckled. "Yeah, most girls aren't thinkingabout kicking people when they wear skirts, Itsuka."
Itsuka sighed heavily, clearly done with the conversation. "Fine. I'll deal with the broccoli boy later. Let's just go home."
But before she could even finish the thought, one of her friends grabbed her arm. "Actually… let's go to the mall! We've got some free time, and you could use a break from all this brooding."
"I'm not brooding," Itsuka grumbled, but her friends weren't having it. They dragged her along, ignoring her protests as they chattered excitedly about window shopping and snacks.
"You're such a tomboy," one of them teased again.
"Stop calling me that!" Itsuka barked, but her friends just laughed harder as they pulled her toward the mall.
Itsuka huffed, but she couldn't entirely suppress a small smile. Fine, she thought. Broccoli boy can wait. For now, I'll let them drag me to the mall.
Izuku walked alongside Toga as the afternoon sun cast long shadows on the ground. The pink-haired mad scientist had headed off earlier, leaving him alone with the blonde girl. Toga smiled softly, but there was something about her expression that didn't quite reach her eyes. Her sharp, catlike gaze flitted to him and away again as they walked.
"So," Toga began, her voice light but tentative, "what's it like for you? Being… different."
Izuku turned his head, surprised by the sudden question. "What do you mean?"
"You know," she said, twirling a lock of her blonde hair around her finger, her tone casual but her words heavy. "You're quirkless, right? People look at you differently because of it."
Izuku sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Yeah… they do." He looked up at the sky, his green eyes clouded with thought. "It's hard. No matter how much I try to act normal or fit in, people always see me as something else—someone weak, a punching bag, a failure. They don't even give me a chance to prove myself."
Toga nodded, her eyes fixed ahead. "It's the same for me. I try to be normal, too. Smile like everyone else, laugh like everyone else. But no matter how hard I try… it doesn't work."
Izuku looked at her, his expression softening. "People see you differently, too?"
Toga's smile wavered. "Yeah," she said quietly. "They don't get it. They don't understand. So I just… stopped trying. Sometimes I wish they'd see me as normal, you know? Just another person." She glanced at him. "Do you ever wish for that?"
"All the time," Izuku admitted. "More than anything. I wish people would just see me for who I am, not what I don't have." He gave her a small smile. "But I'm starting to think that maybe being different isn't so bad. I mean, you get to find people who accept you, right?"
Toga turned her head sharply, avoiding his gaze as her face turned pink. Her thoughts betrayed her calm demeanor. He's so kind. How can he be so kind after what he's been through? After fighting like that? Her mind flashed to the video of his fight—the bruises, the blood, the way he moved with brutal efficiency—and her pulse quickened.
They came to an empty playground, where the creaking of rusted swings echoed faintly in the silence. Toga walked ahead, her footsteps light but hesitant. She sat down on one of the swings, gently pushing herself back and forth with her feet.
Izuku leaned against a nearby slide, watching her. "Are you okay? You look a little pale."
Toga stiffened, gripping the chains of the swing so tightly her knuckles turned white. "I'm fine," she said quickly, turning her face away. Her mind was racing, her pulse hammering in her ears. The images of Izuku's bloody fight replayed over and over, swirling in her mind like a storm. No, no, no. Be normal. Don't think about it. Don't mess this up.
Izuku frowned, stepping closer. "Are you sure? You're shaking."
"I just… I'm not feeling so good," she mumbled, standing up abruptly. Her eyes darted around as she wiped her hands on her skirt. "Let's walk. It'll help."
They left the playground and continued down a quiet street, the sun dipping lower on the horizon. Toga was unusually silent, and Izuku glanced at her with concern.
"Hey," he said gently, "if you're not feeling well, you don't have to—"
"Come with me," she interrupted, her voice soft but trembling. She grabbed his wrist, pulling him down a narrow alley between two buildings. The air was cooler in the shade, and Izuku's confusion grew as Toga led him deeper, finally stopping when they were completely alone.
"Toga? What's wrong?" Izuku asked, his brows furrowed. He turned to face her, but his words caught in his throat when she suddenly moved closer.
Her arms slid around his waist, holding him in a tight embrace. Izuku froze, his face turning beet red. "W-What are you doing?"
Toga's head rested against his chest, and Izuku could feel her trembling. Then, faintly, he heard her whisper, "I'm sorry."
Izuku blinked, confused. "Sorry? For what?"
"I'm so sorry…" Toga's voice cracked, and he felt something wet hit his shirt. Tears.
"Toga, what's going on? Why are you—"
Before he could finish, the pain struck.
A sharp, metallic sensation cut across his throat, slicing through flesh. Izuku staggered back, his eyes wide with shock as blood erupted from the wound. The metallic tang filled his mouth as his HP plummeted. The system screen blinked violently in front of him.
"SEVERE BLEEDING EFFECT ACTIVE. HP DEPLETION IMMINENT."
His hand instinctively shot up to his neck, but the blood was pouring too fast. He sank to his knees, his vision swimming as he looked up at Toga. She was still crying, tears streaming down her cheeks, her hand clutching a bloodstained knife.
"T-Toga…" he choked out, his voice weak.
"I'm sorry!" she sobbed, her voice trembling. "I didn't mean to… I didn't want to relapse. I tried to be normal, I really did!"
Izuku's body wavered, his hands shaking as they gripped the ground. He was losing too much blood, his vision darkening at the edges. Before he could react, Toga knelt beside him, pulling something from her pocket—a thin, metallic straw. She pressed it against the wound in his neck, and Izuku felt a fresh jolt of pain.
"I'm sorry," she whispered again, but her voice… changed. It was softer now. Almost content.
Izuku could only watch in horror as she placed the other end of the straw to her lips. The blood began to flow—hisblood—and Toga's trembling stopped. Her face softened, her golden eyes half-lidded with bliss as the crimson liquid filled her veins.
Her tears mingled with the blood smeared across her cheeks, and she shivered, whispering, "It's so warm…"
Izuku's body felt heavier, his strength failing him. He stared at Toga, still unable to comprehend what was happening. "Why…?" he rasped.
Toga looked down at him, her expression torn between guilt and ecstasy. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice trembling but her eyes gleaming with a dark happiness. "I just wanted to be normal… but I can't."
She lowered the straw, her breathing ragged as she sat back on her heels, her hands still shaking. Izuku slumped against the ground, his HP bar flickering dangerously low as he drifted in and out of consciousness.
The last thing he saw was Toga's blood-smeared face staring down at him, a broken smile on her lips.
"I really didn't want it to be like this…" she whispered.
Blood pooled beneath Izuku as the pain in his neck subsided, the Heal skill finally sealing the life-threatening wound. His mind swirled with shock, confusion, and anger. Before Toga could react, he moved.
With a burst of speed, he grabbed her wrist, wrenching the knife from her grip. His free hand shot to her throat, and with a quick motion, he slammed her into the alley's cold, unforgiving concrete. A sickening crack echoed through the narrow space as her face hit the ground, her nose breaking on impact.
Toga let out a strangled groan, blood pouring from her nose, but then something strange happened. Her lips twitched into a wild grin. Her golden eyes, unfocused and glassy, looked up at him with something unsettling. A giggle bubbled out from her throat, turning into an uncontrollable laugh.
"Harder!" she choked out, her voice a mix of pain and pleasure. Her tongue darted out, licking at the blood smeared across her lips. "More, more! You're amazing!"
Izuku froze, his expression twisting into one of confusion and disgust. "What… the hell is wrong with you?"
Toga ignored him, her eyes wide and manic, giggling like a child playing in a pool of water. "It's so warm…" she whispered, her voice trembling. "The blood… it's so warm…"
Her words sent chills down Izuku's spine. He pushed her head harder into the ground, his grip firm but careful. "Stop. Stop!"
Suddenly, her manic laughter broke, turning into sobs. Tears mixed with the blood streaking down her face. Her body trembled beneath him as the reality of the situation seemed to sink in.
"It's over," she whispered, her voice hoarse. "It's all over for me. A monster like me… I'm going to jail, aren't I?"
Izuku looked down at her, his face still grim and tense, but his anger was starting to subside as confusion took its place. "What are you talking about?"
She turned her head as much as she could, avoiding his gaze, her tears soaking into the concrete. "You're quirkless, right?" she rasped. "Why? Why are you pretending to be quirkless? Why are you hiding your power?"
Izuku blinked. "What are you—"
"You could be normal!" she screamed suddenly, her voice ragged with anger and desperation. "You have a chance to be normal! To be like everyone else! Why would you throw that away? Why would you let yourself be something like me?"
Her words struck him hard, and for a moment, he froze. Her trembling body beneath his hands, the way she spoke, the desperation in her voice—it wasn't anger. It was pain.
"A bane on society," she continued, her voice rising. "An outcast. A freak. Do you think being an outcast is fun? Do you think suffering under the gazes of others is a joy?" Her body began to buck against him as she tried to fight back, her strength fueled by raw emotion. "Answer me, Izuku! Do you think what I've gone through is so much fun that you pretend to be different?!"
He tightened his grip, holding her down as she writhed, screaming and sobbing. "Stop! Just stop! I'm not pretending to be anything!"
Toga let out a guttural cry, kicking against the ground as her face twisted in anguish. "I don't believe you!" She dragged her face across the bloody concrete, licking at the crimson pool still staining the ground, savoring the taste.
And then it happened—her body began to shift. Izuku's eyes widened in horror as he watched her features melt and reshape. Her hair darkened to green, her body shifted, and when she finally turned to look at him, it was like staring into a mirror.
His own face stared back at him, blood dripping from a broken nose.
"So this is my quirk," she said, her voice now an eerie copy of his own. "That's why I need blood…"
The transformation melted away, her body returning to its original form. Her face flushed with exertion and pain, spitting out a gray, greasy liquid onto the concrete. The strange substance slicked across her body, allowing her to slip from his grip like oil.
Before Izuku could react, she rolled out of his grasp and scrambled to her feet. Her school uniform was gone, replaced by the bare simplicity of her undergarments. Her golden hair stuck to her face in damp strands as she grabbed the knife he had disarmed her of.
Her wild eyes turned on him as she stood there, breathing heavily. "Come on!" she screamed, her voice shaking. "One of us has to die here!"
"Toga—!" Izuku began, but she wasn't listening.
Tears streamed down her face as she held the blade up to her throat, her body trembling violently. "Why couldn't I be normal?! Why couldn't everything just be normal like you?!"
The knife moved toward her throat in one swift motion, but before she could cut, Izuku's body shot forward with blinding speed. He grabbed her wrist, the blade biting into his palm as he wrenched it away. Blood poured from the fresh wound, but he ignored it, his face twisted in anger and desperation.
"No!" he shouted. "You don't get to decide that! You don't get to give up!"
"Let me go!" she screamed back, thrashing against him. "I don't need your help! I don't need anyone's help! I'm broken! I'm a freak! I'll never be normal!"
"I don't care!" Izuku yelled, his voice cracking. "You don't need to be normal! You just need help!"
Toga stopped struggling for a split second, her teary eyes locking onto his. "Help?" she whispered, her voice almost childlike. "I don't need help. I just need to go away."
Izuku yanked the knife from her grip, tossing it aside. He held up his bleeding hand and activated Heal, watching as the gash closed over. "You're not going anywhere. You're not dying. Not today."
Toga stared at him, her entire body trembling as she sank to her knees. Tears streamed down her face as she covered her eyes, sobbing uncontrollably.
Izuku stood over her, his chest heaving as he tried to process everything. His anger slowly melted away as he watched her cry, her broken sobs echoing through the alley.
What do I do? he thought, his hands shaking. He had never met someone so completely lost, someone so desperate to escape themselves.
Toga's cries continued, her voice cracking as she whispered over and over, "I just wanted to be normal… I just wanted to be normal…"
Izuku knelt down beside her, careful not to startle her. "You're not alone," he said softly. "You're not broken. You just need someone to help you."
Izuku let out a deep, shaky breath as Toga's sobs quieted into exhausted sniffles. He rummaged through his inventory and pulled out the Shadow Cloak—the first piece of equipment he'd ever obtained in this crazy system. It was soft, lightweight, and had served him well against the dungeon monsters. He kept it partly for sentimental reasons. Without a word, he draped it gently around her shoulders.
Toga flinched at first, looking up at him with tear-streaked cheeks, her golden eyes wide with confusion. "Why… why are you helping me?" she croaked, her voice raw.
Izuku's expression softened as he knelt beside her. "Because you're not a monster," he said quietly. "You're just… lost."
Before Toga could respond, a metallic click echoed through the alley, and a small robotic spider the size of a coffee mug skittered out from a nearby shadow. Its single red eye lit up as a familiar, exasperated voice crackled through a speaker embedded in it.
"Are we seriously bringing her home?" Mei's voice rang out, laced with frustration.
Izuku's head snapped toward the spider. "Wait—you've been listening this whole time?!"
"Yes! You think I wouldn't keep an ear on you after you wandered off alone? You're lucky I didn't set off one of my tracking rockets to come find you faster!" Mei's voice hissed through the spider. "Anyway, I'm currently on my way—with a gun—to shoot that girl!"
Izuku sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Mei, no! Don't do that. She's not in her right state of mind. She needs help."
"She tried to kill you!" Mei shot back.
"I know," Izuku replied, glancing at Toga, who was still hugging the Shadow Cloak tightly around her. "But she's broken. I don't think she even knows what she's doing anymore. She just… snapped. I need to hear her out."
"Fine," Mei grumbled through the spider. "But I'm telling you right now—if she tries anything funny again, I'm putting her down. No hesitation. And you promise me, Izuku. If she tries to hurt you again, you put her down."
Izuku glanced at the spider and nodded reluctantly. "Yeah… fine. I promise."
The spider's red light flickered off. Izuku turned back to Toga, who was staring at him with wide, disbelieving eyes.
"You're crazy," she muttered softly. "Why would you help someone like me?"
"Because," Izuku said, standing up and offering her his hand, "everyone deserves a second chance."
They eventually made their way to Mei's lab—or rather, the rickety shack she proudly called a "lab." As Izuku opened the door, Mei was already there, standing in the center of the room with a large shotgun slung across her shoulder. Her expression was pure fury, her eyes darting between Izuku and Toga, who shuffled in behind him.
Mei didn't hesitate. She pointed the shotgun directly at Toga. "One wrong move, Blondie, and I'll blast you out of this shack so fast you won't even see it coming."
"Mei!" Izuku groaned. "Put that away. She's not going to hurt anyone."
Mei scoffed but didn't lower the weapon. "Fine. Explain.What's her deal? Why'd she try to turn you into a blood smoothie?"
Izuku turned to Toga, who hugged the Shadow Cloak around herself as if it were a shield. "Toga… you need to tell us what's going on. Why were you attacking me?"
Toga hesitated, her lips trembling. Finally, she sank to the floor and began to speak. "It started when I was little," she said quietly, her voice almost a whisper. "I would see animals… small ones, you know? Birds, rabbits. I would watch them, and I'd… want to drink their blood. I didn't understand why, but I just craved it."
Mei snorted from the corner. "Great. Just great."
Toga flinched, but Izuku shot Mei a sharp look, silencing her. "Keep going," he said gently.
Toga wiped her face on the cloak, avoiding their eyes. "When my quirk manifested, it got worse. My body neededblood. The taste, the warmth… it calmed me down. But everyone thought I was a freak. My parents… my classmates… they called me a monster. And they weren't wrong, were they?" Her voice cracked. "Who else drinks blood to survive?"
Izuku stepped forward, kneeling in front of her. "You're not a monster, Toga. You just have a quirk that's hard to manage."
Toga looked up at him, her golden eyes searching his face. "You don't think it's disgusting?"
He shook his head firmly. "No. It's not disgusting. It's just something you need to control, like any other quirk. There are quirks out there that make people shed their skin or eat metal. Heck, there's a pro hero who has to sleep on piles of money because of her quirk."
Toga blinked, her expression softening in surprise. "Really?"
"Yeah," Izuku said, smiling faintly. "And there's a hero called Barf Bag who eats garbage to fuel his powers."
"Gross," Mei chimed in, though her shotgun was finally lowered. "He wins the 'weird quirk' award for sure."
Toga gave a quiet, shaky chuckle, and Izuku's smile widened. "See? Drinking blood isn't the weirdest thing. It's just… unique. And if it helps you feel better, maybe you could find a blood substitute. There are specialists for quirks like yours. Therapists, researchers—people who can help."
"Already on it!" Mei said brightly, pulling a small vial of glowing red liquid from a shelf. "Ta-da! Blood substitute! I whipped this up earlier because, let's face it, real blood's kinda gross and messy. You can thank me later."
Toga stared at the vial, her lips parting slightly. "You made this… for me?"
"Well, yeah," Mei shrugged. "If you're gonna stick around, I'm not gonna let you bleed Broccoli Boy dry. Plus, I'm awesome like that."
Izuku sighed with relief, turning to Toga. "See? You don't have to suffer alone. You can manage this."
Toga clutched the Shadow Cloak tightly around herself, tears forming in her eyes again. "You're… you're really serious?"
"Yeah," Izuku said. "And if you ever need blood to take the edge off, I'll help. Just… don't kill anyone, okay?"
Before he could react, Toga lunged forward and buried her face into his neck. At first, he thought she was going to cry again—until he felt two sharp points press into his skin.
"Hey—wait—" he stammered, but it was too late. The sensation of her teeth gently piercing his skin sent a strange shiver down his spine. It didn't hurt. Instead, there was a faint numbness, almost… soothing.
Toga's face was flushed red, her eyes half-lidded with satisfaction as she pulled away, wiping her lips. "You taste really good, you know that?" she said with a chuckle.
Izuku's face turned scarlet as he grabbed his notebook, scrambling to distract himself. "Okay, okay, let's… analyze your quirk now! Focus! Science!"
Mei, meanwhile, cackled in the background, raising her vial of blood substitute. "You two are weird, and I love it!"
Toga just smiled, a genuine smile this time, as she clutched the cloak around her. For the first time in a long while, she didn't feel alone.