Chapter 7 Moving on
Current stats After a week of rigorous dungeon crawling, both Izuku and Mei have reached level five, unlocking their current set of skills. At this point, they will not gain any new skills naturally until they advance to level ten. However, additional skills can still be acquired through purchase using accumulated XP or through rare items and quests. This creates a balance, encouraging them to refine their current abilities and strategize how they progress in their respective paths. Their journey forward will require not just strength, but clever use of resources and teamwork to maximize their potential.
Izuku's Level (8) Stats and SkillsStatsPhysical: 70
Body: 70
Mind: 85
HP: 7000 (Body 100)
SP: 700 (Body 10)
MP: 800 (Mind 10)
SkillsHand-to-hand (Passive, Level 3)
Adds 300 to all hand-to-hand attacks.
Increases proficiency with combat techniques like strikes, blocks, and grapples.
Nimble (Passive, Level 3)
Enhances agility and reflexes, allowing for inhuman feats like parkour and acrobatics.
Can leap higher and land without injury.
Psychic Enhancement (Active, Level 2)
Increases melee attack damage by 200 for 10 minutes.
Cost: 100 MP.
Telekinesis (Active, Level 2)
Allows the movement of objects with a weight limit equal to 10 times MP spent.
Can launch objects as projectiles.
Cost: 1 MP per use .
Power Strike (Active, Level 2)
Delivers a devastating blow that deals 200 bonus damage.
Cost: 25 SP.
Stunning Strike (Active, Level 1)
Stuns an opponent for 5 seconds (3 uses per 10 minutes)..
Healing Magic (Active, Level 1)
Heals 100 HP.
Cost: 25 MP.
Recovery Skills (Passive)
Stamina Recovery (Level 1): Accelerates stamina regeneration.
Mana Recovery (Level 1): Regenerates 25 MP per minute.
HP Recovery (Level 1): Regenerates 50 HP per minute.
Telepathy Max (level passive)
The ability to communicate mentally within a range of one mile per point in his mind stat.
The ability to read minds within line of sight.
Utility Spells (Cantrips)
Cleaning Spell: Removes stains and dirt from surroundings.
Minor Illusions: Creates small, harmless visual illusions.
Light: Summons a small ball of light.
Counter (Level 1)
When the user successfully evades or deflects an attack, the next strike deals 1.5x damage.
The second successive attack deals 2.0x damage, and the third deals 2.5x damage.
Maximum chain: 3 hits.
Higher levels will increase the damage multiplier or allow additional chained attacks.
Mei's Level (5 ) Stats and SkillsStatsPhysical: 30
Body: 35
Mind: 85
HP: 3500 (Body 100)
SP: 350 (Body 10)
MP: 850 (Mind 10)
SkillsWeapon Infusion ( Passive, Level 2)
Adds Mind stat to weapon damage (85).
Increases damage by 200 for infused weapons.
Crafting Mastery (Passive)
Boosts success rate and efficiency in crafting weapons, armor, and gadgets.
Gunsmithing (Passive, Level 2)
Reduces crafting time for firearms and increases their base damage by 15%.
Tinkerer's Insight (Passive)
Allows the quick identification of weaknesses in mechanical and magical devices.
Weapon Wheel (Utility, Level 1)
Enables the storage and instant access of up to 10 weapons.
Armor Smithing (Passive)
Improves the crafting of durable and magical armor pieces.
Potion Brewer (Passive)
Enhances the potency of potions.
Grants the ability to craft unique elixirs (e.g., blood substitutes, stamina potions).
Spell-Casting Gun Infusion
Allows the user to channel spells through weapons, using them as conduits for magic.
Infused spells enhance weapon effects or add elemental damage.
Pocket Storage (Passive)
Creates a personal storage space. The size begins as a 5x5 room and increases by 5 units per 5 points of the Mind stat.
Can store non-living items.
Living Servant (Passive)
Enables the creation of an artificial robot that acts as a controlled servant.
The servant can perform simple tasks or assist in combat, obeying the user's mental commands.
Spell Crafting (Passive)
Enables the user to create custom spells for utility, combat, or defense.
Spells are linked to the user's Mind stat and require MP to cast.
Magical Trinkets (Passive)
Allows the user to craft magical items such as boots, necklaces, rings, amulets, and hats imbued with magical properties.
Crafting depends on the user's Mind stat and resources.
Transmogrify (Utility)
Allows her to transmogrify equipment at Will.
Izuku yawned, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he got ready for school. He glanced around the shack, spotting Toga sprawled out on the beanbag chair, and Mei tinkering with another invention at her cluttered workstation. Toga stretched lazily, yawning as she sat up. "I don't feel like going to school today. I don't even have any clothes to wear," she mumbled, tugging at her wrinkled outfit.
Izuku frowned. "Why don't you just borrow some of Mei's clothes?"
Mei spun around in her chair, a screwdriver in one hand and a wild grin on her face. "Borrow my clothes? Have you seen this girl? She's all spooky vampire vibes, and I'm… well, obviously, I'm a fashion goddess of grease and metal. It wouldn't work."
Toga chuckled, shrugging dramatically. "Guess we're both skipping school then. Somebody has to stay and watch me."
Izuku groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Fine. But if you get in trouble for skipping school again, don't come crawling to me when your mom takes away your shack privileges, Mei."
Mei shrugged, completely unfazed. "Eh, we're moving out soon anyway, so who cares? I'll make a new shack. Shack 2.0!"
Izuku sighed, leaning down to kiss them both on the lips. Toga giggled when he added a bit of tongue, while Mei smirked and muttered, "Such a good morning already."
"Behave yourselves," he said, rolling his eyes as he grabbed his bag and headed out the door.
"Bye, Daddy!" Mei called after him, waving a wrench in the air.
"Don't get eaten by anyone else today!" Toga teased, flashing a playful grin.
….
As Izuku walked to school, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. His footsteps slowed as he glanced behind him, but the street was empty. His brows furrowed, and he muttered to himself, "Weird… just my imagination, I guess."
As he approached the school gate, the sensation returned—stronger this time. He stopped and turned around abruptly, scanning the area. This time, he caught sight of a familiar orange-haired girl standing just a few feet away, arms crossed and glaring at him.
"Oh no. No, no, no," Izuku muttered under his breath, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "I'm sorry, but if this is about feelings or something… look, I already have two girls I'm seeing, and—"
The girl's expression shifted from confusion to full-blown rage. She marched up to him and jabbed her finger into his chest. "Feelings?! Are you kidding me?! First off, Broccoli Boy, I'm not interested in you like that. I want a fight, not a date."
Izuku blinked, startled. "Wait, what? You don't want—"
"And second of all," she continued, her voice rising, "two girls? Are you seriously bragging about cheating on two girls? What the hell is wrong with you, you two-timing scumbag?!"
"No, no, no, it's not like that!" Izuku stammered, waving his hands frantically. "It's—oh god, it does sound bad when you say it like that…"
The girl smirked, leaning closer. "Glad you're catching on. Now, here's what's going to happen." She jabbed him in the chest again for emphasis. "Rooftop. After school. We're settling this. You and me."
Izuku opened his mouth to protest, but she turned on her heel and walked off, her long braid swaying with each determined step. He stood there, staring after her with a mix of confusion and dread.
"Great. Just great," he muttered, slumping his shoulders.
….
School passed in a blur. Izuku went through his classes, but his mind kept drifting back to the fiery orange-haired girl and her declaration of battle. By the time the final bell rang, he was already packed and ready to leave.
As the other students started heading toward the rooftop, eager to see the showdown, Izuku slipped out the front door. "Sorry, but I've got bigger things to deal with today," he said to himself.
He made his way home quickly, grabbing his things for his therapy appointment. As much as the thought of facing the girl lingered in the back of his mind, he knew skipping his session wasn't an option.
"Let her cool off," he muttered under his breath. "She'll probably forget all about it by tomorrow."
He wasn't sure if he believed that himself, but for now, he had other priorities.
On the rooftop
Itsuka Kendo, stood on the rooftop, her arms crossed tightly as the wind brushed against her uniform. Her eyes were laser-focused on the door to the rooftop, her foot tapping impatiently against the concrete. A small crowd had gathered around her, whispering and murmuring as they waited to see the rumored martial artist showdown.
"He's not here yet," one student muttered.
"Think he's scared?" another asked.
Itsuka huffed, shifting her weight to one side. "He's not scared," she said loudly, more to herself than to anyone else. "He probably got lost or something. Broccoli Boy's too scrawny to be scared of me."
Ten minutes passed.
She glanced at the clock on her phone, her jaw tightening. "Alright, fine. Maybe he's running late. No big deal. He'll show up."
The murmurs of the crowd grew louder, the students starting to fidget.
"Didn't she challenge him?"
"Yeah, but if he's not even showing up, what's the point?"
Itsuka turned to the group, her voice sharp. "He's coming! Shut up already!"
Another ten minutes passed.
She checked her phone again, her fingers gripping it so hard her knuckles turned white. "What the hell is taking him so long? Is he too chicken to show up?" Her voice rose, her frustration bubbling to the surface.
One of the students snickered. "Guess he's too scared to fight the Karate Queen."
Her head snapped toward the speaker, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "What did you say?"
The boy flinched, raising his hands defensively. "N-Nothing! Just saying, uh, maybe he's busy or something…"
Twenty minutes turned to thirty.
Itsuka paced back and forth, her teeth grinding together. "This is ridiculous," she muttered. "First, he's a two-timing cheater, and now he's a coward? What kind of guy doesn't even show up when he's challenged?!"
She stopped pacing, turning toward the group with a fiery glare. "Broccoli Boy! You hear me? You're a disgrace! You're less than a man! You're just a two-timing loser with no spine! How do your girlfriends even look at you without laughing?!"
The crowd began to thin, students whispering to each other as they slowly lost interest.
"Is he even going to show?"
"Guess not. Waste of time."
Itsuka clenched her fists, her body shaking with anger. "Fine! Leave! All of you! But mark my words, the next time I see that cheating, two-faced jerk, it's on sight! I don't care if it's in the middle of class, the cafeteria, or the damn street—I'm going to put him in his place!"
She kicked a nearby trash can, sending it clattering across the rooftop. The remaining students scattered, muttering about her temper as they hurried down the stairs.
Alone now, Itsuka let out a frustrated yell, stomping her foot hard against the ground. "How dare he humiliate me like this! Who the hell does he think he is?!"
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, but the anger refused to fade. "Next time," she muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing. "Next time, Broccoli Boy… you're mine."
With one last glance at the empty rooftop, she stormed down the stairs, her mind already spinning with ways to make him pay.
Midoriya residence
Izuku sat at the kitchen table, his mother pacing in front of him. Her arms were crossed, and her brow was furrowed. "You didn't text me, Izuku. I was worried sick! You could've at least told me you were staying at a friend's place."
Izuku rubbed the back of his neck, looking sheepish. "I'm sorry, Mom. It just slipped my mind. Things were… kind of hectic, and I didn't mean to worry you."
Before she could respond, the sound of the front door slamming open startled both of them. The explosive voice of Katsuki Bakugo roared through the house. "Oi, Deku! Where the hell are you?!"
Inko turned toward the door, her hands on her hips. "Excuse me? What's wrong with you, Katsuki? Don't you know how to knock?"
Bakugo stormed into the room, his hands stuffed into his pockets, his expression dark. "I don't knock for losers like—"
"Katsuki!" came a sharp voice from behind him.
Both Izuku and Inko turned to see Mitsuki Bakugo, Katsuki's mother, storming in right behind her son. Her blonde hair bounced as she moved, and the glare she shot her son could've melted steel. She grabbed Katsuki by the ear and yanked him down.
"Ow, ow, ow, Mom! What the hell?!" Katsuki growled, trying to pry her hand off.
"Apologize," Mitsuki snapped, dragging him further into the room and making him bow his head.
Izuku blinked in surprise. "Apologize? For what?"
Mitsuki bowed her head deeply toward Inko, her grip still firm on her son's ear. "I'm so sorry, Inko. Katsuki's been hanging out with some bad influences lately, and I just found out about it. I'm setting him straight, but if he's caused you or Izuku any trouble, please let me know, and I'll make sure it's handled."
Katsuki grumbled under his breath, his glare fixed on the floor. "We didn't do anything wrong—"
Smack! Mitsuki's hand connected with the back of his head.
"Discipline!" she barked, cutting him off. "Learn some!"
Inko tried to hold back a laugh but cleared her throat instead. "Oh, Mitsuki, you didn't have to come all the way over here for that. It's fine—"
"It's not fine!" Mitsuki interrupted, her fiery eyes narrowing as she jabbed a finger at her son. "If this idiot so much as breathes wrong around Izuku, you tell me, and I'll handle it. Got it?"
Izuku blinked, unsure how to respond. "Uh… sure?"
Mitsuki nodded, satisfied, before pulling some cash out of her purse and slapping it into Katsuki's hand. "Go. Take your friend and buy some ice cream. And if you don't behave yourself, you're grounded. No explosions, no fighting, and no stupid remarks. Do you understand me?"
Katsuki scowled, shoving the money into his pocket. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever."
Mitsuki glared at him. "Say it like you mean it."
He gritted his teeth, clearly fighting every urge to explode. "Fine. I understand."
"And if I hear you call him Deku one more time—" Mitsuki added, pointing her finger dangerously close to his face.
"It's not even a big deal!" Katsuki barked, but the moment the word Deku left his mouth, she smacked the back of his head again.
"That's not his name!" Mitsuki shouted, her voice shaking the walls. "Say his name, Katsuki!"
Katsuki muttered something under his breath, his voice low and begrudging. "Izuku…"
"Louder!"
"Izuku Midoriya," he bit out, as if the words physically hurt him.
Mitsuki finally let go of his ear, standing tall with her hands on her hips. "Good. Now take him out and be nice for once. If I get any calls about this, you'll regret it."
Katsuki shot a glare at Izuku, his expression promising retribution at a later date. "Let's go, Midoriya."
Izuku looked at his mom, who gave him an encouraging nod. "Uh… okay."
As they walked out, Mitsuki turned back to Inko. "Seriously, Inko, don't hold back if this idiot acts up. I've got no problem whipping him into shape."
Inko smiled politely. "Thank you, Mitsuki. I'll let you know."
Outside, Katsuki kept his hands stuffed in his pockets, muttering angrily under his breath. Izuku tried not to smirk at the situation but couldn't help feeling just a little bit victorious.
…
The tension between Izuku and Katsuki was palpable as they walked to the ice cream shop. Katsuki stomped ahead, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, muttering curses under his breath. Izuku trailed slightly behind, already regretting this forced outing.
"Seriously, I don't even know why we're doing this," Katsuki snapped, glancing back at Izuku with a glare. "Like I'd ever wanna hang out with a loser like you."
Izuku sighed, trying to keep his cool. "It wasn't my idea, Bakugo. Your mom practically dragged you here."
"Yeah, well, maybe she wouldn't have to if you weren't such a damn tattletale, Deku."
Izuku stiffened at the word, his fists clenching. "That's not my name. And for the record, you brought all this on yourself. Maybe if you didn't let your 'bad influences' do your dirty work, you wouldn't be in this mess."
Bakugo stopped in his tracks, spinning around to face Izuku, his crimson eyes blazing with anger. "Oh, don't act all high and mighty with me, you quirkless reject. You think you're so tough just 'cause you got lucky against those idiots?"
Izuku narrowed his eyes, stepping closer. "Lucky? Is that what you're calling it? I fought them and won. That wasn't luck, Bakugo. That was skill."
Bakugo let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Skill? You've gotta be kidding me. Those two couldn't fight their way out of a paper bag. And you're over here acting like it was some kind of epic battle. Pathetic."
"Maybe," Izuku said, his voice steady but firm. "But at least I stood up to them. At least I don't let people do my dirty work while I hide behind my so-called 'greatness.'"
That hit a nerve. Bakugo's jaw tightened, and his hands twitched, small sparks flickering at his fingertips. "You little—"
The two boys had drawn the attention of some passersby, who started whispering and glancing nervously at the escalating argument.
"Can we not do this here?" Izuku hissed, noticing the stares.
Bakugo growled, grabbing Izuku by the collar and dragging him into a nearby alleyway. "Fine. Let's do this where no one can interrupt."
As soon as they were out of sight, Bakugo shoved Izuku against the wall, glaring at him with unrestrained fury. "You've been getting real cocky lately, haven't you, Deku? Think you're a big shot now, huh? Let's see how tough you really are without your little sob story and mommy to protect you."
Izuku pushed Bakugo's hand off his collar, his green eyes meeting Bakugo's fiery gaze with equal determination. "I'm not scared of you, Bakugo. And I don't need anyone to protect me."
"Oh, you're gonna regret saying that," Bakugo snarled, his palms crackling with energy.
Izuku stepped forward, his stance shifting into a defensive position. "Try me."
"Major Quest: Defeat Bully. Become a New Person. Break Away from Your Past."
Reward: Level Up and Secret Skill.
Katsuki Bakugo sneered, sparks flickering dangerously in his palms. "You seriously think you can take me on, Deku? You're quirkless. You're nothing."
Izuku ignored the taunts, slipping the shock gloves onto his hands. He didn't activate them yet; the element of surprise was his ace in the hole. "You've pushed me around long enough, Bakugo. This ends now."
Bakugo charged forward, throwing his infamous right hook. "Shut up, you damn nerd!"
Izuku caught the punch mid-air, the force of the impact jarring his arm slightly. But he held firm, twisting Bakugo's arm with precision and flipping him over onto his back. The sound of Bakugo's head cracking against the concrete echoed in the narrow alley, followed by a sharp gasp of pain.
"Ah! Damn it!" Bakugo shouted, clutching his head as blood began to seep from the wound.
Izuku didn't stop. He grabbed Bakugo's wrist and twisted it with brutal force. A sickening snap filled the air, like a branch breaking underfoot. Bakugo screamed, his voice raw with agony.
"You think this is fun, Bakugo?" Izuku growled, his voice trembling with years of pent-up anger. "You think I didn't feel this? Every time you beat me down, every time you made me feel like less than nothing, you laughed!"
Bakugo tried to raise his other hand, sparks flickering weakly, but Izuku delivered a sharp kick to his elbow. Another crack resounded, the joint bending at an unnatural angle.
"Stop! Damn it, stop!" Bakugo gasped, his voice barely audible through the pain.
"Why should I?" Izuku shouted, his voice breaking. "Why should I stop when you never did? When you made my life hell for years!"
Bakugo's legs twitched as he tried to push himself up, but Izuku stomped down hard on his knee, dislocating it with a nauseating pop. Bakugo's screams grew louder, echoing down the alley.
"You don't get to walk away from this," Izuku said, his tone cold and unrelenting. He activated the shock gloves, sending a jolt of electricity through Bakugo's body. The smell of ozone filled the air as Bakugo convulsed, his muscles spasming uncontrollably.
"Feel that?" Izuku spat, leaning down to glare into Bakugo's tear-streaked eyes. "That's what power feels like. And it's not because of a quirk. It's because I worked for it. I trained. I suffered. And now…" He slammed his fist into Bakugo's face, the sound of bones crunching reverberating like disturbing fireworks. Blood sprayed from Bakugo's nose, splattering the wall. "Now I'm stronger than you'll ever be."
Bakugo whimpered, his voice hoarse and broken. "You… you'll pay for this…"
Izuku crouched down, grabbing a handful of Bakugo's hair to force him to look up. His green eyes burned with intensity. "You've already lost. To a quirkless boy. Your power? Your pride? It means nothing."
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "And if you're not happy with the power you were given… maybe you should take a swan dive off a roof."
Bakugo's eyes widened in shock and fear, but he couldn't muster a response.
Izuku stood, delivering a final, brutal kick to Bakugo's mouth, sending teeth flying. He reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone, and snapped a few pictures of his work. Bakugo lay in a crumpled, bloodied heap, barely breathing.
"Next time," Izuku muttered, wiping his gloves clean, "think twice before you mess with someone who's done playing the victim."
Before leaving the alley, Izuku activated a simple spell, cleansing the blood from the scene. As the glow faded, he glanced back at Bakugo one last time. The explosive boy was conscious, but just barely, his body trembling with pain.
Izuku turned and walked away, his steps steady and his breathing calm. For the first time in years, he felt… free.
As he made his way home, he couldn't help but reflect. The fight had been brutal, but Bakugo's arrogance and reliance on close-quarters combat had sealed his fate. If Bakugo had kept his distance or used his explosions more strategically, things might've gone differently.
"Next time won't be so easy," Izuku muttered under his breath, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "But I'll be ready."
….
Izuku calmly walked away from the alley, phone in hand, directing the ambulance to the location of the battered explosive blonde. "Yeah, he's in the alley, looks pretty rough," he said, his tone nonchalant. "Oh, and I think he was harassing some little girl before this. Total creep behavior. Just doing my part, you know."
He ended the call with a click and stuffed his phone into his pocket, heading home. A smirk tugged at his lips; Bakugo's humiliation was complete.
As Izuku stepped into the apartment, the sharp voice of Bakugo's mother, Mitsuki, greeted him. "Oi, where's my brat? Is he acting up again?" she asked, arms crossed and tone laced with annoyance.
Izuku didn't break stride as he entered. "Oh, he's on the way to the hospital. I called an ambulance for him," he replied casually.
Her expression shifted instantly, a mixture of concern and exasperation. "What? What happened to him?"
"I beat him up," Izuku said bluntly, his voice completely devoid of emotion.
Mitsuki froze, her jaw dropping slightly before a frustrated sigh escaped her. "Damn it, Katsuki. How many times do I have to tell that boy to stop starting fights?"
Inko, who had been cleaning up in the kitchen, poked her head out to join the conversation. "That boy will never learn, Mitsuki. Always causing trouble."
Izuku smirked faintly. "Oh, he's learned something, all right." He turned to the fruit bowl on the counter, casually using telekinesis to lift an apple into his hand without a second thought.
Both women's eyes widened in shock. Mitsuki's jaw nearly hit the floor, and Inko gasped audibly.
"Izuku… you… you got your quirk!" Inko exclaimed, her eyes welling with tears.
Mitsuki stared at him, confused but elated. "Wait, hold on. When did this happen? Why didn't anyone tell me? And—"
"Oh yeah, it's pretty recent," Izuku said, biting into the apple nonchalantly. "Anyway, I've got therapy to get to, so I'll catch you later."
Before they could respond, he took out his phone and showed Mitsuki a picture of Bakugo lying in the alley, battered and bruised. Her face paled instantly.
"That's… that's Katsuki?" she stammered, horrified.
Izuku deadpanned, "Yup."
"Who… who did this to him?"
"I did," Izuku replied flatly, slipping his phone back into his pocket and heading toward the balcony.
Mitsuki's jaw dropped. "Wait, what? You're not serious, are you? Izuku, get back here and—"
Before she could finish, he opened the balcony door, stepped over the railing, and jumped down.
Inko ran after him. "Izuku! We're on the fourth floor! What are you doing?"
Both mothers watched in stunned silence as Izuku descended with effortless agility, landing gracefully on the ground below. He gave a casual wave before walking off toward his therapist's office.
….
In the waiting room, Izuku sat with his phone in hand, his leg bouncing impatiently. His mother had been texting him nonstop, alternating between worried messages and accusatory questions.
Inko: Izuku, did you really hurt him?
Inko: How could you do this?
Inko: Please respond. I'm so worried about you.
He sighed and muted his phone, refusing to let it distract him further. As soon as he did, his name was called.
"Izuku Midoriya?"
He stood and walked into the office, leaving the weight of the day behind him for now.
Izuku sat down in the office, his posture straighter than it had been during his first sessions. He exuded a quiet confidence, though there was still a trace of nervous energy in his bouncing leg. Dr. Kinoshita smiled warmly at him as she entered, setting her notepad on the desk.
"Good afternoon, Izuku. How are you feeling today?" she asked, settling into her chair.
"I'm feeling… pretty good, actually," Izuku admitted, his tone brighter than usual. "A lot happened today."
"Oh?" she encouraged, pen poised. "Tell me about it."
Izuku took a deep breath, leaning forward slightly. "I got into a fight. With Bakugo. And… I won."
Dr. Kinoshita arched a brow. "Bakugo, the boy you've mentioned bullying you in the past?"
"Yeah," Izuku said, nodding. "It was self-defense. He swung first, like he always does. But this time, I was ready. I didn't just take it. I fought back, and honestly? It felt… amazing. I finally felt like I was in control. Like I wasn't weak anymore."
Dr. Kinoshita scribbled something in her notes, her expression calm and measured. "It's good to hear you're feeling empowered, Izuku. Defending yourself is important, and it sounds like this was a big moment for you. But what else is on your mind? You said a lot happened."
Izuku hesitated for a moment, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, there's this girl—actually, two girls, kind of. One of them… I helped her out of a bad situation. And now, I think she likes me? But I'm not sure if her feelings are real or if they're just because I helped her. And then there's my other friend—she's been with me through a lot, and we've gotten close. It's… complicated."
Dr. Kinoshita leaned back, her gaze thoughtful. "It sounds like you're feeling a bit overwhelmed. Relationships, especially new ones, can be confusing. Let me ask: do you think this girl sees you as a comfort? Someone who represents safety in her life?"
"Maybe," Izuku admitted, looking down. "She's been through so much. I don't want to push her, but at the same time… I don't know if I should step back."
"It's a delicate balance," Dr. Kinoshita agreed. "If she sees you as a source of comfort, it's important to ensure she doesn't become overly dependent on you. It's okay to be there for her, but encourage her to stand on her own as well. Give her the space to grow and figure out what she wants. If her feelings are genuine, they'll still be there when she's ready."
Izuku nodded slowly, digesting her words. "That makes sense. It's just… I don't want to hurt anyone."
"That's a good mindset to have, Izuku," she said reassuringly. "You care deeply about others, which is a wonderful trait. But don't forget to take care of yourself too."
Izuku shifted in his seat, the confidence dimming slightly. "There's something else. I've been feeling… cold. Toward my mom. Even after today, when things were better, I couldn't shake it. It's like I don't see her as family anymore. She hurt me so much when she didn't believe in me. I feel like… I can't trust her."
Dr. Kinoshita softened her voice. "That's a natural response, Izuku. What you're describing is a defense mechanism. By distancing yourself emotionally, you protect yourself from being hurt again. It's not uncommon for people who've experienced trauma or betrayal."
"I don't want to feel like this," he said, his voice quieter now. "I don't want to shut her out completely."
"It will take time," she said gently. "The first step is understanding why you feel this way, and you're already on that path. Trust is something that's rebuilt slowly. Try having one meaningful conversation with her. It doesn't have to be about everything—just a small step. This isn't a race; it's a marathon."
Izuku nodded again, his expression pensive. "I'll try. It's hard, but… I'll try."
Dr. Kinoshita smiled warmly. "That's all anyone can ask of you, Izuku. You've made great progress already. Keep taking those steps forward."
As their session ended, Izuku left the office feeling lighter, even if only slightly. The therapist's words echoed in his mind as he prepared himself for the next challenge in his life.
…
Izuku walked out of the office, his hand gripping his phone tightly. He scrolled through the dozens of missed calls from his mom, her persistence hammering away at his resolve. Finally, he sighed and hit the call button. The phone barely rang before her voice erupted on the other end.
"What were you thinking?" she screamed, her voice shaking with anger and fear. "How could you send him to the hospital? Do you even realize what you've done? The picture… oh my god, Izuku. You broke him!"
Izuku remained silent, letting her words wash over him like a storm. He wanted to snap back, but he also didn't want to escalate things further. Finally, after a pause, he replied, his voice measured but firm.
"Mom, he attacked me first. After everything, after all these years, I finally got to pay him back for every bruise, every insult, every time he made me feel worthless. I won't apologize for defending myself."
"That wasn't defense, Izuku!" she shot back, her voice trembling. "That was… that was brutality. It was unnecessary. You—" she choked on her words. "You're not the boy I raised."
His teeth clenched, and he exhaled sharply. "Mom, I want to move out."
There was a heavy silence on the other end of the line, followed by a sharp intake of breath. "What? You think I'll let you move out after this? After everything that just happened?"
Izuku pulled up his system in frustration, channeling his XP into his persuasion skill. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Mom, listen. I'll pay for my own apartment. It's not a big deal. I've been working and saving, and I need space. I can't live like this anymore—not after you kept defending someone who made my life a living hell. I need to move forward, and I can't do that here."
Her voice softened, but it was laced with sorrow. "Fine. Fine, do what you want," she whispered. He could hear the tears in her voice, each one cutting into him like a blade. "I don't even know you anymore, Izuku. My baby would never take things this far…"
The call ended with a harsh click, leaving him staring at the phone in his hand. He slipped it into his pocket and leaned against the alley wall, letting out a long, shaky breath. He closed his eyes, trying to push away the lingering ache from the conversation. Finally, he stood up straight, his resolve hardening. He needed to clear his mind. A dungeon would do the trick.
….
Meanwhile, back at the shack, Mei was perched on her stool, tinkering with a metallic contraption. She glanced up at Toga, who was lazily lying across the beanbag chair, twirling a strand of her blonde hair around her finger.
"So," Mei began, tightening a bolt. "What class are you going to choose? You've got that trial period, right?"
Toga shrugged, her crimson eyes flicking toward her system screen. "There are two that catch my eye: dragon and kitsune. Both seem… interesting, but I'm not sure which one to pick."
Mei set her tools down, her face lighting up. "Well, why don't we head to the junkyard? We can practice your class and see what fits you best. Besides, I've got some prototypes I want to test out, and I need space for the explosions."
Toga grinned. "Explosions? Count me in."
The two headed off to the junkyard, the evening air cool against their skin. Mei was deep in thought, her imagination running wild. "You know," she said, breaking the silence, "if you go dragon, you could totally transform into this giant fire-breathing beast. And then, hear me out, you let me mount a machine gun turret on your back."
Toga raised an eyebrow. "A machine gun turret?"
"Yeah! Picture it: you're flying into battle, spewing fire and bullets everywhere. Oh! And we add a speaker system—big, loud speakers—and I learn how to shred on an electric guitar. It'd be perfect. Like, 'Metal Dragon' perfect."
Toga laughed. "That sounds ridiculous. And you think I'd let you use me as your flying war machine?"
Mei smirked. "You're telling me it doesn't sound fun?"
The vampire-turned-possible-dragon chuckled. "Okay, maybe a little. But I'm still deciding."
As they reached the junkyard, Mei clapped her hands together. "Alright! Let's get started. Time to see what kind of badass monster class suits you."
Toga stepped forward, a spark of curiosity in her eyes, ready to explore her next transformation.
Toga stood still for a moment after selecting the dragon class trial. She felt a slight shift in her posture, her body growing taller, her balance subtly changing. It wasn't much, but she could sense something deeper had awakened. She glanced down at her hands and smirked. "Guess I'm not just a vampire anymore."
She opened her skill screen, reading through her options. One skill caught her eye: Dragon Hybrid. She tapped it curiously, and her body responded instantly. Her skin took on a hardened, almost scaled texture, though its color remained unchanged. Her hands transformed into sharp claws, her teeth elongated into jagged points, and a thick, muscular tail sprouted behind her. She looked at the tail and flicked it experimentally, almost smacking a nearby pile of scrap metal.
"Whoa!" she exclaimed, spinning in place to get a better look at her new appendage. "This is wild!" Her voice held a mix of awe and excitement. "But where are the wings?"
A notification popped up in her system: You are too low level to access full dragon transformations. Hybrid state achieved. Trial classes cannot level up.
Toga pouted, baring her sharp teeth in frustration. "No wings? Come on, at least let me do the whole dragon thing."
Mei clapped her hands, practically vibrating with excitement. "This is so cool! Look at you! Scaly tail, claws, fangs—you're like a walking wrecking ball! Let's see what you can do!"
Toga grinned, already feeling the power coursing through her body. She flexed her claws, took a few experimental swings at the air, and then darted forward with surprising speed. The added physical and body stat boosts made her faster and more fluid than she'd anticipated. Her tail swished behind her for balance, smashing into a rusted pipe and bending it like it was paper.
She turned to Mei, eyes gleaming. "Alright, science girl, throw something at me."
Mei didn't hesitate. She grabbed a chunk of jagged metal from the ground and hurled it toward Toga with surprising force. Toga reacted instinctively, spinning on her heel and swinging her tail like a baseball bat. The scrap metal soared through the air and slammed into a pile of junk with a resounding clang.
"Boom!" Toga shouted, raising her claws in triumph. "Did you see that? This tail's got some serious muscle!"
Mei's mouth hung open in exaggerated awe. "Forget the wings! You're a one-dragon wrecking crew! Let's try more!" She scrambled to grab another piece of junk, this time a discarded car door.
"Bring it!" Toga taunted, crouching slightly with her tail coiled behind her like a spring. Mei lobbed the car door high into the air, and Toga launched herself forward. She leaped, claws slashing through the air, and tore the door into pieces mid-flight before landing with a dramatic thud.
"Oh my god," Mei said, her goggles practically fogging up. "This is amazing! You're amazing! Do it again!"
Toga laughed, the thrill of the power intoxicating. She turned and punched a steel barrel, her claws tearing through it like butter. She spun in place, using her tail to knock down a tower of junk, the crash echoing across the junkyard. "This is insane," she muttered, watching the destruction she'd caused with glee. "If this is just the hybrid form, imagine when I can go full dragon."
Mei tilted her head thoughtfully, tapping a wrench against her palm. "I bet if you level this up, you could grow massive. Like, city-stomping, fire-breathing massive. And then—wait for it—I mount a giant turret on your back."
Toga snorted, wiping her claws on her scaled arms. "You and your turret dreams. But you know what? I'd totally let you if I could fly while doing it."
Mei grinned. "Now you're speaking my language."
Toga threw a few more punches and kicks, marveling at the raw power behind each strike. Every movement felt smooth and natural, like she'd been a dragon hybrid her whole life. "This is definitely a game-changer," she said, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "I think I could get used to this."
Mei tossed a handful of screws into the air. "Good, because I've got some ideas for how we can put this to use. You're my favorite test subject now."
"Better me than broccoli boy," Toga teased, swiping the screws out of the air with one precise claw. She flicked her tail, sending a stray metal plate sailing into the distance.
They both burst into laughter, the junkyard ringing with their chaotic energy.
After they're done being chaotic
Toga stood in the middle of the junkyard, staring at the class menu as Mei peered over her shoulder. "Alright," Toga muttered, "let's see what the Kitsune class can do."
She tapped the trial option, and immediately her body shimmered with a soft golden glow. Her height shrank slightly, bringing her back to her usual petite frame, but now she sported a fluffy tail and a pair of twitching fox ears atop her head. Her eyes glowed an otherworldly amber, and her mischievous grin widened.
"Oh my god, you look adorable!" Mei squealed, reaching out to tug on the fluffy tail.
"Don't touch the tail!" Toga snapped, slapping Mei's hand away. "It's… sensitive, okay?"
Mei raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Sensitive, huh? Noted."
Toga huffed and turned her attention back to the screen displaying her skills. "Okay, so I've got Minor Illusions, Foxfire, Invisibility, and… wait, what's this? Transform? Oh, this is going to be fun."
She activated Transform, and her body shifted rapidly. Within seconds, she was standing there as an exact copy of Mei. The pink-haired girl froze, staring at her doppelgänger.
"Hey! No fair!" Mei exclaimed. "I didn't agree to this!"
Toga-Mei stuck her tongue out and mimicked her voice perfectly. "Oh, look at me! I'm Mei, and I'm gonna put a turret on every living thing I see!"
The real Mei gasped, clutching her chest in mock offense. "That's not what I sound like! …Okay, maybe it is, but still!"
Toga dissolved into giggles as she transformed back into herself. "Relax, Pinkie. It's just a test run."
Mei crossed her arms, pouting. "Next time you impersonate me, at least get the goggles right."
Toga ignored her and activated Foxfire next. Tiny orbs of flickering blue flame hovered around her, crackling softly. She raised her hand, and the orbs shot forward, colliding with an old washing machine and reducing it to a pile of charred metal.
"Oh, this is amazing," Toga said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She summoned more Foxfire, twirling them around her body like a fiery ribbon.
Mei clapped enthusiastically. "Okay, that's awesome. But can you do something practical? Like, I don't know, make us invisible or something?"
Toga grinned mischievously. "Let's find out." She activated Invisibility, and her entire body shimmered out of sight.
"Whoa," Mei said, spinning around. "Where'd you go?"
Toga's voice echoed playfully. "Right behind you."
Mei turned sharply, only for a small fox-shaped illusion to appear in front of her, laughing mockingly. Mei jumped back, tripping over a discarded pipe and landing on her rear.
"Stop it!" Mei shouted, glaring at the illusion, which dissolved into smoke.
Toga reappeared a few feet away, her tail wagging. "This is too much fun."
Mei dusted herself off, muttering under her breath. "Great, now I'm gonna have trust issues."
Toga laughed as she powered down the invisibility. "Alright, Kitsune's definitely got some tricks. But…" She paused, her ears drooping slightly. "Do you think it's too much like running away from who I am?"
Mei tilted her head, her expression uncharacteristically serious. "What do you mean?"
"Well…" Toga said, her voice softer now. "I like blood. I really do. But if I'm trying to start over, maybe I don't need to be tied to that part of me anymore. Maybe…I can be something new."
Mei placed a hand on her hip, nodding thoughtfully. "I get it. You're looking for a clean slate. Makes sense."
Toga smiled, flicking her tail lightly. "Exactly. If I'm gonna move forward, I want it to be on my terms. No more letting my quirk define me."
Mei grinned. "Fair enough. But let's be real,if you pick Kitsune, we're gonna have to get you, like, a shrine maiden outfit or something. You're giving major mystical fox vibes right now."
Toga laughed, the sound light and genuine. "Deal. But only if I get to make you wear one too."
Mei rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. "Fine, fine. But only if you figure out how to make those Foxfire flames pink. Then we'll match."
The two burst into laughter, their playful banter echoing through the junkyard as they continued testing Toga's newfound powers.