'Where… am I?'
The thought surfaced slowly, as if rising from the depths of an endless void.
Akira's eyelids trembled before finally opening, revealing a dim, hospital-like room cloaked in darkness. The faint silhouettes of medical equipment surrounded him.
He slowly pushed himself up, his body resisting the movement as a dull soreness spread through his limbs.
His muscles protested, his bones aching as if they had been broken and put back together countless times.
He raised his hands in front of his face.
"…Why are my hands so small?"
His voice came out hoarse, dry, as if he hadn't spoken in ages.
A sudden sharp pain shot through his head.
He clutched it immediately, fingers digging into his scalp as fragmented memories began flooding his mind—images, sensations, emotions that did not belong to this body.
Another life.
Another world.
Another self.
'I was transmigrated?'
The realization came slowly, settling into his mind, though his expression didn't change.
In his previous life, there had been nothing worth remembering. No warmth. No happiness. No meaning.
The only good thing he ever had, was manga and anime.
He looked around again, more carefully this time.
A hospital room.
He glanced down at himself.
A thin hospital gown covered his body, and strands of white hair fell into his vision.
"…White hair…"
His eyes shifted back to his hands.
There, embedded in his palms, were diamond-shaped holes.
"What the hell…?"
He muttered, turning his hands slowly, examining them from different angles as confusion flickered faintly in his otherwise calm eyes.
Before he could think further—Click.
The lights turned on.
Akira's gaze snapped toward the door as Recovery Girl entered the room, her small figure illuminated under the sudden brightness.
'…Recovery Girl.'
Recognition came instantly.
'So I've been reborn into My Hero Academia.'
His mind remained calm, rapidly piecing things together.
She approached him with a gentle smile.
"How are you feeling, sweetie?" she asked, placing a hand on his forehead before lightly ruffling his hair.
Akira didn't react much to the gesture.
"Body is sore," he said, his voice still rough, likely from not speaking—or drinking water—for a long time.
"Oh dear, of course it is," she said softly, immediately handing him a glass of water. "Drink this first."
Akira took the glass and drank it slowly, the cool liquid soothing his dry throat. Once finished, he handed it back silently.
Recovery Girl began checking his vitals, her experienced hands moving efficiently as she observed his condition.
The door opened again, and Principal Nezu walked in.
"He seems to be fine now," Recovery Girl said, glancing at Nezu.
Nezu nodded before turning his attention toward Akira.
Akira looked at him calmly.
"Where am I?" he asked. "And… who am I?"
Nezu walked forward and sat on a nearby stool, his expression thoughtful.
"I am Principal Nezu," he said. "And your name is Akira Tenma."
"Akira… Tenma…" Akira muttered, testing the name of his new life.
"Yes," Nezu continued. "And right now, you are in U.A. High School… the institution I oversee."
"What is U.A.? And… what is a principal?" Akira asked.
Outwardly, his tone remained neutral.But internally—'I've already pieced together around seventy percent of the situation.'
'First… my body has multiple surgical marks. There is lingering pain from them.'
'Second… I am in U.A., and both Nezu and Recovery Girl are showing me a gentle, approachable attitude.'
'That likely means, I am a child who was experimented on, and then rescued by a pro hero connected to U.A.'
'Nezu himself was an experimental subject in the past… so his attitude makes sense.'
'And Recovery Girl… she must know the extent of damage such experiments cause.'
Despite all this, his face showed nothing.
Nezu began explaining patiently.
"A principal," he said, "is the head of a school. And U.A. High School is an institution that trains future heroes. It also functions as a general academic and engineering school."
Akira listened quietly.
"What is a hero?" he asked.
Nezu answered without hesitation. "Heroes are individuals who protect people and save them from villains."
Akira nodded slightly, continuing to ask questions in between their conversation, carefully filling in the missing gaps in his understanding.
Time passed.
Gradually, a heavy drowsiness began to take over his body.
Recovery Girl had given him some medicine earlier—and now its effects were kicking in.
"Go to sleep, sweetie," she said gently. "You want to get better soon, right?"
"…Mm."
Akira gave a small murmur as his body relaxed, his eyes slowly closing as sleep claimed him once more.
The room fell silent as Nezu turned toward Recovery Girl.
"What is his condition now?" he asked.
"He has recovered most of his physical strength," she replied. "He can be discharged by tomorrow."
Nezu nodded.
"I will inform All Might and Sir Nighteye."
Recovery Girl's expression shifted slightly with concern.
"Is All Might following my instructions properly?" she asked. "Or is he still pushing himself?"
Nezu sighed.
"He is a hero at heart," he said. "Of course he won't rest if there is someone he can save."
Recovery Girl sighed as well. "He should start looking for a successor soon…"
With that, both of them walked out of the room, Recovery Girl switching off the lights before leaving.
Even though Akira's eyes remained closed, he was not asleep.
'The timeline…'
'This must be before Sir Nighteye and All Might separate.'
'And judging by Recovery Girl's words… All Might has likely recently fought All For One.'
'From Nezu's explanation… I was likely rescued by All Might and Sir Nighteye.'
His thoughts shifted to o his hands. To the diamond-shaped holes.
'Now that I know this world has quirks… I can guess mine.'
'There is only one man dangerous enough for All Might to personally raid his base… and find a child like me inside it.'
The pieces connected seamlessly.
'Now i understand the history of this body.'
His certainty deepened.
'The timeline matches.'
'Everything aligns.'
A faint glow began to form as his eyes slowly opened.
Red eyes glowing in the dark.
He raised his hand slightly, staring at his palm as the diamond-shaped holes began to glow with a deep red energy.
'My quirk…is All For One.'