ROLL CALL!!!
YOU KNOW THE DRILL, EVERY 250 PS = 1 EXTRA CHAPTER!
I DONT HAVE A PATREON SO IF YOU WANT TO SUPPORT READ MY OTHER STORY: MY SCUMBAG SYSTEM
***
Isaiah navigated the hallways with easy confidence, ignoring the stares that followed him. News traveled fast in Aldera. By the time he reached his classroom, most students had already heard some version of what happened in the courtyard.
He chose his usual seat—same desk, completely different presence. Instead of hunching forward with his notebooks, he leaned back, stretching his legs out, an arm draped casually over the back of his chair.
The teacher, Mr. Kando, entered the room with his usual harried expression, arms full of papers and a coffee mug balanced precariously on top. He was a small man with thinning hair and perpetually tired eyes, his Quirk something insignificant related to knowing the exact temperature of liquids.
"Settle down, everyone," he called, voice barely carrying over the chatter. "We have a lot to cover today."
The students gradually took their seats. Isaiah noticed several empty chairs—including Bakugo's. The explosive boy was likely taking his time, refusing to appear as if he were rushing to class after the courtyard incident.
Mr. Kando began taking attendance, calling out names in alphabetical order. When he reached "Midoriya," he glanced up with his usual mixture of pity and dismissal.
"Midori—" His words cut short as he noticed Isaiah. "Oh. You're... here. And you look... better."
Isaiah smiled. "Thank you, sir. Near-death experiences can be quite motivational."
The teacher blinked rapidly, clearly unsure how to respond to this new version of his usually silent, stammering student.
"Well... good. That's... good." He quickly moved on to the next name.
The lesson began, something about modern literature that Isaiah found painfully basic. He listened with half an ear, mentally reviewing his next moves instead.
Two objectives down. One to go.
[Remaining Objective: Leash the Pomeranian]
The classroom door slammed open twenty minutes into the lesson. Bakugo stood in the doorway, his uniform slightly disheveled, faint scorch marks on his hands indicating he'd been releasing explosions.
"Bakugo, you're late," Mr. Kando said, his voice lacking any real authority.
"Whatever." Bakugo's eyes immediately found Isaiah, burning with focused intensity.
He stalked to his seat, which happened to be directly behind Isaiah's. The entire classroom held its breath, waiting for the inevitable confrontation.
Isaiah continued taking notes, not acknowledging Bakugo's entrance at all.
The tension built as Bakugo dropped into his chair, the wood creaking under the force. Isaiah could feel the heat radiating from him, could hear the faint pop of sweat on the verge of ignition.
Mr. Kando continued his lecture, pretending not to notice the impending explosion. The other students watched from the corners of their eyes, waiting for the familiar script of Bakugo's rage and Deku's submission.
Isaiah felt something press against the back of his chair—Bakugo's foot. A clear provocation.
"Oi, Deku," Bakugo growled, his voice low enough that only Isaiah could hear. "What was that shit in the courtyard? You think a hospital stay makes you tough now?"
Isaiah continued writing, pen moving smoothly across paper. He didn't turn around.
The pressure against his chair increased. "I'm talking to you, nerd. Turn around before I turn your chair into splinters."
Isaiah completed his sentence, placed his pen down, and slowly swiveled in his seat. He met Bakugo's furious gaze with calm, unblinking eyes.
"Yes, Kacchan? You needed something?"
Bakugo leaned forward, palms smoking slightly. "What happened to you? You think you can talk to me like we're equals now? You're still the same Quirkless loser."
Isaiah studied him for a moment, as if examining an interesting but ultimately trivial specimen.
"You know, Kacchan," he said, his tone conversational, "I had this revelation while that slime villain was crushing my windpipe. Want to hear it?"
He didn't wait for an answer.
"I realized that you and I aren't so different after all. We're both obsessed with strength. The difference is, I was born without power and spent my life looking up to those who had it."
He leaned closer, voice dropping to a whisper. "But you were born with everything, and you're terrified of anyone looking too closely at what's underneath all those explosions."
Bakugo's eyes widened, genuine shock registering before rage crashed back in.
"You don't know shit about me," he hissed.
"Don't I? Fifteen years of watching your every move, analyzing your every fight. I probably know you better than you know yourself." Isaiah smiled, the expression never reaching his eyes. "That's why you hate me, isn't it? Because somewhere deep down, you're afraid I see the truth."
Bakugo's hands curled into fists, tiny explosions crackling between his fingers. "And what truth is that, Deku?"
"That without your Quirk, you're nothing special. Just an angry, insecure boy who picks on the weak because he's terrified of what happens when the truly strong arrive."
The nearby students gasped. No one had ever spoken to Bakugo like this.
For a moment, it seemed Bakugo would lunge across the desk, consequences be damned. His body trembled with barely contained fury, small explosions popping in his palms.
Isaiah didn't flinch. "Go ahead, Kacchan. Show everyone exactly what I mean. Use your Quirk to silence me because you can't handle the truth. Prove me right."
Bakugo's jaw clenched so hard a vein pulsed in his temple. With visible effort, he leaned back, explosions fading.
"This isn't over, Deku," he growled, each word carved from ice. "Not by a long shot."
Isaiah smiled, genuinely this time. "I'm counting on it."
He turned back around, picking up his pen and resuming his notes as if nothing had happened. Behind him, Bakugo seethed in silent fury.
The final notification appeared in Isaiah's peripheral vision:
[Objective Complete: Leash the Pomeranian]
[ALL RANK-UP QUEST OBJECTIVES COMPLETED]
[OBTAINED 5x GACHA TOKENS]
[AP REQUIRED FOR RANK-UP: 500]
[CONFIRM RANK-UP?]