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
Also, Here is an image of Aries his familiar if you want to see it.
***
Isaiah dragged a rusted refrigerator across Takoba Beach, his muscles burning with each step. The morning sun beat down mercilessly, turning the junkyard into a makeshift furnace. Sweat poured down his face, soaking through his shirt and leaving dark patches across his chest and back.
"Just a little further, Master!" Aries called out, bouncing on her toes at the edge of the cleared zone. "You're doing amazing!"
Isaiah grunted, shifting his grip on the jagged metal edge. The refrigerator weighed at least 200 kg, testing the limits of his E-Rank strength. Each step felt like wading through concrete as his sneakers sank into the soft sand.
"Your form is perfect!" Aries continued, clapping her hands together. "So strong and determined!"
Isaiah nodded, unable to spare breath for words as he hauled the final stretch. With a triumphant heave, he tossed the refrigerator onto the growing pile of metal scrap. It landed with a satisfying clang, sending seagulls scattering into the sky.
Aries rushed forward, pink wool forming in her hands and shaping itself into a small towel. She offered it to him with an eager smile. "Here! To wipe away your sweat!"
The wool felt impossibly soft against his skin, absorbing moisture instantly without becoming damp itself. Isaiah dragged it across his forehead, surprised by how refreshing it felt.
"Thanks," he muttered, watching as Aries beamed at the simple acknowledgment.
"Would you like some water, Master?" Without waiting for his answer, she held out one of his water bottles to him.
Isaiah took a long drink, the cool water soothing his parched throat. A notification pinged in his vision.
["A Hero's Heart is a Janitor's Soul" - Progress: 8.2%/25%]
"Eight percent," he said aloud, surveying their work. The beach looked noticeably clearer than when they'd arrived three hours ago. What had taken him days of solo effort, they'd accomplished in a single morning.
"That's wonderful progress!" Aries clasped her hands together. "At this rate, we'll finish in no time!"
Isaiah handed the empty bottle back to Aries, who wrapped it carefully in more wool before placing it in the makeshift bag she'd created from his old hoodie.
"You're making this go faster," Isaiah admitted, stretching his arms overhead. "Your wool tricks are useful."
"Really?" Her face lit up at the praise, eyes sparkling. "I'm so happy I can help! I can make all sorts of things with my wool—cushions, barriers, ropes, nets—whatever you need!"
On impulse, Isaiah reached out and ruffled her hair. The pink strands felt nothing like human hair—more like touching spun sugar and static electricity combined. Impossibly soft and warm, the sensation almost pleasant against his calloused palm.
Aries froze at his touch, her eyes widening in shock. Then, gradually, her eyelids fluttered closed as she leaned into his hand.
"Baaa..."
She opened her eyes, looking suddenly embarrassed. "I'm sorry! That happens sometimes when I'm... happy."
Isaiah stared at her for a long moment before turning away. "Let's take five minutes, then get back to it."
They sat side by side on an overturned washing machine, watching the waves crash against the shore. In the distance, seagulls circled and dove, occasionally snatching small fish from the water.
"Master?" Aries broke the comfortable silence, her voice tentative.
"Hmm?"
"What will happen after we finish cleaning the beach?"
Isaiah took another swig of water. "The U.A. entrance exam is in eight months. I need to be ready."
"Will I... help you prepare for that too?"
"Of course," Isaiah replied without hesitation. "You're an asset. I'm going to use you for everything you're worth."
Rather than being offended, Aries smiled brightly. "I'll do my very best! I promise I won't let you down."
Isaiah nodded, his gaze shifting to the half-cleared shoreline. With Aries's help, the impossible suddenly seemed achievable.
"Break's over," he announced, standing up. "Time to burn some trash."
===
Three hours later, they walked through the apartment door, exhaustion evident in every line of Isaiah's body. His clothes clung to him, damp with sweat and sea spray, while smudges of dirt and rust stained his arms and face.
"I'm home," he called out, kicking off his shoes at the entrance.
"Welcome back!" Inko's voice came from the living room. "You were gone a while. Did your training go well?"
Isaiah glanced at Aries, who stood nervously behind him, still wearing his oversized clothes. Her pink hair was windblown, her small horns peeking through the messy strands.
"Mom," he called back, "I need to talk to you about something."
He led Aries into the living room, where Inko sat with a book in her lap. She looked up, her expression changing from welcoming to surprise as she noticed the pink-haired girl behind her son.
"Oh! Hello there." Inko set her book aside, her gaze lingering on Aries's horns.
"Mom, this is Aries," Isaiah said, his voice carefully modulated to convey a mix of uncertainty and earnestness. "She's a... friend."
Inko's eyes widened slightly, darting between the two teenagers. "A friend? That's wonderful, Izuku! It's nice to meet you, Aries."
Aries gave a deep bow, nearly folding herself in half. "It's an honor to meet you, Midoriya-san! Thank you for welcoming me into your home!"
"Such lovely manners," Inko smiled. She turned to Isaiah with a questioning look. "Izuku, dear, where did you meet your friend?"
Isaiah took a deep breath, launching into the story he'd rehearsed with Aries on their walk home. "She's a foreign exchange student. Her mutation Quirk is why she has the horns."
"They're cute, aren't they?" Inko commented, making Aries blush.
"She graduated high school early and saved every penny to come to Japan," Isaiah continued smoothly. "Her dream is to get into U.A., just like me."
"That's wonderful!" Inko clasped her hands together. "What a coincidence that you both share the same dream!"
"She doesn't have any family," Isaiah added, carefully watching his mother's expression. "She's completely on her own here."
Inko's face softened with sympathy. "Oh, you poor dear. That must be so difficult, being alone in a strange country."
Aries nodded timidly, her hands clasped before her. "Yes, ma'am. It's been... challenging."
Inko tilted her head, a thoughtful expression crossing her features. "That's wonderful that you're so dedicated, dear, but... the entrance exam isn't for another eight months. Why come all this way so early?"
Aries's eyes widened in panic. She looked at Isaiah, silently pleading for help, her mouth opening and closing wordlessly.
Before Isaiah could step in, something shifted in Inko's gaze. The suspicion melted away, replaced by a look of profound, heart-wrenching sympathy. He didn't know what conclusion she'd jumped to, but he recognized a victory when he saw one.
"Oh," Inko said softly, her hand rising to her heart. "Oh, I understand."
Aries blinked in confusion, but Isaiah recognized his opportunity.
"She needs some clothes," he said, changing the subject. "She didn't bring much with her."
"Of course!" Inko stood immediately, her maternal instincts fully engaged. "We can't have you walking around in Izuku's old things. Those shorts are practically falling off you!"
Aries tugged self-consciously at the basketball shorts, which indeed were barely clinging to her hips despite being tied as tightly as possible.
"I'll go change," Isaiah said, sensing the perfect moment for a strategic exit. "Then we can head out shopping."