"It just so happens that I also have something to ask you, Aunt Ryukyu," Lock said after clearing his throat. "But let's talk about my Quirk first."
He had already thought up the perfect explanation on his way here.
"Oh? Your Quirk?"
At that, both Ryukyu and Nejire tilted their heads in confusion.
Lock had been tested twice—once in elementary school and once in middle school—and both times the diagnosis had been the same: Quirkless.
So hearing him suddenly claim to have one was understandably hard to believe.
Lock shook his head lightly. "It was only recently that I found out I actually do have a Quirk."
Ryukyu brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, watching him closely. She knew the boy's history—the way he used to avoid eye contact, the way he'd shut himself off from the world. His lack of a Quirk had always weighed heavily on him, breeding a quiet, self-loathing gloom.
But now, the boy standing before her was different. His posture, his tone, even the spark in his eyes—everything about him radiated newfound confidence.
And that confidence… it had to be because of this.
Lock continued, "By chance, I discovered I could communicate with all things in the world—and even make them move according to my will. So I decided to call it Communication."
"Communication…?"
Ryukyu's eyes widened slightly. From the way he described it, the applications of his Quirk sounded vast—and in combat, potentially devastating.
Lock decided to demonstrate.
He extended a hand, and with a calm motion of his fingers, droplets of moisture began to gather in the air, forming a ribbon of clear water that coiled gently around his hand.
"The air contains water vapor," he explained evenly. "When enough of it gathers, it condenses into liquid. That's the principle behind the water flow I used to defeat that villain, Flamingo."
Of course, what Lock was really using was his magic—but his cover story worked perfectly. His ability to manipulate water and even lightning could be neatly explained through this fabricated "communication" concept.
If he ever exchanged for Dragon Slayer Magic in the future, that too would align with the narrative—after all, his parents had possessed Dragon-type Quirks.
In this world, Quirks were genetic, passed down, and mutated through generations.
Like how Bakugo Katsuki's father produced acidic sweat and his mother secreted glycerin, and together, those traits had combined into Bakugo's explosive sweat, "Explosion."
So, for the son of two "Dragon-type" heroes to develop an elemental, communicative Quirk wasn't strange at all.
"I see," Ryukyu said at last, her expression softening into one of pride. "Then we'll go to the Quirk Registration Bureau soon and have your Quirk officially certified." She smiled, clapping her hands gently. "But for now, let's eat before the food gets cold."
Lock exhaled softly in relief. The fewer questions about his "Quirk," the better. Too many lies might give him away.
They began to eat in near silence. Only the faint clinking of chopsticks and the aroma of grilled fish, fried chicken, and simmering stew filled the air.
Before long, the plates were empty.
"Nejire, could you help me with the dishes?" Ryukyu asked with a playful wink.
"Okay~!"
Nejire gathered the dishes with her usual buoyant energy and disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Lock and Ryukyu alone at the table.
Lock was the first to speak. "Aunt Ryukyu, I plan to take part in the upcoming Provisional Hero License Exam—through the inheritance method."
Ryukyu raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Isn't that a little too soon?" she sighed. "With your potential, if you trained through a full Hero Course at U.A., you'd have a stable foundation and a bright future ahead. There's no need to rush."
Lock lowered his gaze, the light in his eyes dimming. "You already know… my parents' agency has been pending dissolution for almost two years now. The registration expires after three."
When a Pro Hero dies, their agency is automatically suspended. If no one reclaims it within three years, it's permanently shut down.
The body's original owner hadn't wanted to let go of that legacy—but had been too broken to act.
Lock clenched his fists beneath the table. He couldn't let their life's work vanish. Not now.
Besides, after defeating the villain Flamingo, his system had issued its first main quest:
[Main Mission Triggered: Establish your own Hero Agency within one month.]
Reward: One S-Rank Lottery Ticket.
To claim that reward, Lock had no choice but to participate in the upcoming license exam.
He stood abruptly and bowed deeply, voice trembling with conviction. "Please, Aunt Ryukyu—vouch for me! Even if it's just for the exam, please let me try!"
Ryukyu blinked in surprise, her lips parting slightly. For a long moment, she said nothing. Then, slowly, she exhaled and gave a small nod.
"Alright," she said gently. "I'll reach out to a few colleagues I trust and vouch for you. But—"
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