U.A. High School - Common Room, One Week Before Finals
The common room had basically turned into a war zone of textbooks and notes.
Yaoyorozu had taken over the main table with her perfectly organized study materials, color-coded notes spread out in meticulous order. Iida was drilling Kaminari on hero law with flashcards, though Kaminari looked like he wanted to die. Ashido and Kirishima were doing math problems together, both struggling equally. Todoroki sat alone by the window reading quietly.
And I was trying to help Sero understand physics while Jiro worked on English next to us.
"Okay so like, explain the thing about momentum again," Sero said, staring at his textbook like it had personally offended him.
"Force equals mass times acceleration. Momentum is mass times velocity. If you know the object's weight and how fast it's moving, you can calculate the impact force."
"Right, but why does that matter for hero work?"
"Because if you're trying to stop something heavy moving fast, you need to know how much force you'll need to generate to counter it. Otherwise you get crushed."
"Oh." He blinked. "That actually makes sense when you put it that way."
"See? Physics is just applied common sense."
"Easy for you to say, you're like stupid smart at this stuff."
I wasn't really, I'd just spent years studying this world's science to understand how quirks interacted with natural laws. Made the learning easier when you had a framework to build on.
"UGHHHH," Kaminari groaned dramatically from across the room. "Iida, I can't take anymore. My brain is full."
"We've only covered three sections," Iida said, adjusting his glasses. "There are seventeen more to review."
"Seventeen?! Kill me now."
"Perhaps if you had paid attention during class instead of staring at Jiro, you wouldn't be struggling so much."
Kaminari's face went red. "I wasn't... I don't... shut up!"
Jiro didn't even look up from her English work. "I knew you were staring, idiot."
"See? She called me an idiot, that means she notices me!"
"That's not the win you think it is," I said.
Everyone laughed. Even Todoroki smiled slightly from his spot by the window.
This had become normal over the past few weeks, just hanging out with classmates, studying together, being part of something. It was still weird sometimes, the casual friendships without politics or positioning, but good weird.
My phone buzzed. I checked it while Sero worked through another problem.
Unknown Number: "Training Ground Gamma. Midnight. Come alone."
I stared at the message for a moment, then deleted it. Second message from an unknown number in a week, this one more direct. Someone wanted a meeting, probably whoever had been watching since Hosu.
"You good?" Sero asked, noticing my expression.
"Yeah, just spam again."
"Man, you get a lot of spam. Maybe change your number?"
"Maybe."
I put the phone away and went back to helping with physics, but part of my mind was already analyzing the message. Training Ground Gamma at midnight, alone. Classic setup for either a recruitment pitch or an ambush, possibly both.
The smart move was ignoring it, telling a teacher, staying safe.
But I'd never been great at the smart move when I was curious.
"Alright everyone!" Yaoyorozu called out, clapping her hands. "Let's take a fifteen minute break. Continuous studying without rest reduces retention efficiency."
Everyone immediately scattered, some heading to the kitchen, others just stretching and walking around. I stayed at the table, thinking about that message.
Kirishima dropped into the seat next to me. "You've been weird lately, man. More than usual I mean."
"Define usual."
"You know what I mean. Like, you're always kinda serious and formal, but lately you seem distracted. Something going on?"
I considered how to answer that. Kirishima was perceptive despite playing the simple tough guy role, he picked up on things others missed.
"Just thinking about finals," I said. "And what comes after."
"Summer camp, right? That's gonna be awesome."
"If we pass finals first."
"Dude, you're gonna ace them. You're like, top of the class academically."
"Second. Yaoyorozu's first."
"Okay yeah, but still. You don't need to stress."
He meant well but didn't understand. The written exams were easy, I'd pass those without issue. The practical exam though, that depended on what they made us do. And beyond that, the attention I was drawing, the organizations watching, the mysterious messages.
Finals were the least of my concerns.
"I'll be fine," I said. "Just want to do well."
Kirishima studied me for a moment, then shrugged. "Alright, but seriously, if something's wrong you can talk to us. We're friends, yeah?"
"Yeah."
He grinned and headed to the kitchen where Ashido was raiding the snack cabinet. I watched them go, then checked my phone again.
The message was gone since I'd deleted it, but I'd memorized the details. Training Ground Gamma, midnight, alone.
Five hours from now.
I was definitely going.
Training Ground Gamma - 11:55 PM
The training ground was dark, only emergency lights providing minimal illumination. The facility was designed for urban rescue scenarios, full of building facades and rubble piles for practicing disaster response.
Perfect place for a secret meeting. Or an ambush.
I arrived early, positioning myself on a rooftop with good sightlines to the entrance. My quirk was active at low output, golden energy ready to surge if needed. Excalibur was ready to manifest instantly if things went bad.
11:58. Movement at the entrance.
A figure in a dark suit entered, walking with professional confidence. Male, mid-thirties maybe, average height and build. Nothing distinctive except the way he moved, measured and controlled like someone with military training.
He stopped in the center of the training ground and looked directly at my hiding spot.
"Himura Arthur, also known as Pendragon," he called out. "I know you're here. I'm not armed and I'm not here to fight. I just want to talk."
I considered my options. Stay hidden and observe, or engage directly. The man knew my location despite me being concealed and silent, which meant either a detection quirk or very good training.
I dropped down from the rooftop, landing twenty feet away from him. Golden energy crackled around my fists, ready.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Nakamura Kenji. I represent an organization that's been monitoring you since the Hosu incident." He kept his hands visible, open and non-threatening. "We're impressed by what you can do."
"Which organization?"
"One that operates internationally, recruiting talented individuals with exceptional abilities. We have members across multiple countries, significant resources, and connections throughout the hero community."
So not the cult, probably not villains. International hero association maybe, or something similar.
"And you want what from me exactly?"
"Information, primarily. Your quirk is listed as energy manipulation and physical enhancement, but what you displayed in Hosu goes far beyond that." He gestured around us. "The sword you manifested, the pressure it radiated, the way you defeated Stain in seconds. That's not normal quirk evolution."
"Stain was captured by pro heroes. I wasn't involved."
"The official story, yes. We know better." He pulled out a tablet and showed me footage. The alley in Hosu, me standing over Stain with Excalibur at his throat. Multiple angles.
So they had comprehensive surveillance. Not just that one man on the rooftop, multiple operatives with recording equipment.
"Where did you get that?"
"We have resources. The Hero Public Safety Commission can suppress most information, but not all of it." He put the tablet away. "Arthur, we're not here to threaten you or expose you. We're here to offer an opportunity."
"What kind of opportunity?"
"Training beyond what U.A. provides. Access to international hero networks. Protection from less friendly organizations that are also watching you." He paused. "And answers about your power, if you want them."
That last part caught my attention. "What do you mean, answers?"
"That sword of yours, the script on the blade, the holy pressure it radiates. We've seen something similar before, decades ago in Europe. An old hero with a weapon manifestation quirk that seemed to draw on historical legends." Nakamura watched my reaction carefully. "Is that what your power does? Does it somehow connect to ancient myths and legends?"
"My quirk evolved under stress," I said, keeping my voice level. "The sword is just energy taking solid form. Nothing more complicated than that."
"Perhaps. Or perhaps you're hiding something." He smiled slightly. "We're not going to force the issue. But the offer stands. If you want resources, training, protection, or information, we can provide it. All we ask in return is cooperation."
"Cooperation meaning what?"
"Information sharing. If we ask about your capabilities, you answer honestly. If we need assistance with a particular situation, you help if you're able. Nothing that would compromise your hero training or put you in unnecessary danger."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then we part ways amicably and continue monitoring from a distance." He pulled out a business card. "No pressure, no threats. Just an open offer."
I took the card. Plain white, just a phone number printed on it. No name, no organization, nothing else.
"Think about it," Nakamura said. "You're drawing attention whether you want it or not. Multiple groups are watching you now. Some friendly, some not. Having allies could be useful."
"Who else is watching?"
"A European organization based in Geneva. A religious group that believes in prophecies about returning kings." He paused. "And All For One's network has taken interest in you, though they're being cautious about approach."
All For One. The name meant nothing to me, I'd never heard it before. But the way Nakamura said it implied major significance.
"Who's All For One?"
His expression shifted, surprise breaking through professional composure. "You don't know? Truly?"
"Should I?"
"He's... the Symbol of Evil, in a sense. All Might's greatest enemy, thought to be dead but very much alive. He collects powerful quirks, either through recruitment or by force." Nakamura's voice was serious now. "If he's interested in you, that's extremely dangerous."
Great. Another complication.
"And your organization can protect me from him?"
"We can provide warning and support, yes. All For One moves carefully, he won't approach directly without extensive planning. But being aware of the threat is the first step."
I studied the card in my hand, thinking about the offer. Resources and training were tempting, protection from threats I didn't fully understand was valuable. But joining an unknown organization meant obligations, meant answering to people I didn't know or trust.
"I'll think about it," I said finally.
"That's all we ask." Nakamura turned to leave, then paused. "One more thing. The cult I mentioned, the one that believes in returning kings. They've identified you as someone significant to their prophecies. If they make contact, be very careful. Religious zealots are unpredictable."
"Noted."
He left without further conversation, disappearing into the darkness beyond the training ground.
I stood there for a while after he was gone, looking at the card. An international organization, probably legitimate hero-affiliated based on the professional approach. Resources, training, information, protection.
But also obligations and questions I couldn't afford to answer honestly.
I pocketed the card and headed back to the dorms. Tomorrow I'd need to decide whether to engage with them or ignore the offer entirely.
For now, I had finals to worry about.
Class 1-A Dorms - Arthur's Room, 1:30 AM
I couldn't sleep.
Not unusual lately, I'd been having trouble shutting my brain off since Hosu. Too many variables to track, too many threats to monitor, too many decisions to make.
I sat at my desk with Excalibur manifested, practicing maintaining it while doing other tasks. Currently at twenty minutes stable manifestation, up from fifteen a few days ago. Slow improvement but improvement nonetheless.
My phone buzzed. Not the unknown number this time, just the class group chat.
Ashido: "anyone else still awake or just me"
Kaminari: "cant sleep, too stressed about exams"
Kirishima: "same dude, why are finals so scary"
Jiro: "because if we fail we dont go to summer camp"
Ashido: "DONT SAY THAT youre gonna jinx us!!"
I smiled slightly and typed a response.
Himura: "You'll all be fine. We've been studying for weeks."
Kaminari: "easy for you to say, youre smart"
Ashido: "arthurs up too! midnight study party in the common room?"
Sero: "im in if we're getting snacks"
Kirishima: "snacks make everything better lets do it"
I looked at Excalibur still glowing in my hand, then at the door. Should probably keep training, should probably spend this time preparing for actual threats instead of hanging out.
But when was the last time I'd just done something normal? Just hung out with friends without worrying about power levels or hidden enemies?
I dismissed Excalibur and grabbed my notebook.
Himura: "I'll be down in five minutes."
Ashido: "YES! arthur has joined the dark side"
Kaminari: "the dark side has cookies"
Jiro: "please tell me youre not actually quoting star wars at 1am"
Kaminari: "IM ALWAYS QUOTING STAR WARS"
I headed downstairs and found half the class already gathered in the common room. Ashido was raiding the kitchen for snacks, Kirishima was setting up extra chairs, Kaminari was dramatically reenacting some movie scene for Sero's amusement.
Yaoyorozu appeared from her room looking concerned. "Should we really be up this late before exams?"
"Probably not," I said. "But we're doing it anyway."
She considered, then smiled. "I suppose one late night won't hurt. I'll make tea."
We spent the next two hours studying together, eating snacks, occasionally getting distracted into completely unrelated conversations. It was inefficient, chaotic, and probably wouldn't help much with exam prep.
It was also exactly what I needed.
By 3 AM everyone was yawning, the energy finally running out. We cleaned up the common room and headed back to our rooms, tired but in better spirits.
As I was about to enter my room, Kirishima caught up to me.
"Hey man, thanks for coming down. You didn't have to."
"It was fun."
"Yeah." He grinned. "You're a good friend, Arthur. Just wanted you to know that."
Friend. The word still felt strange sometimes, but good strange.
"You too, Kirishima."