The next morning, Izuku woke up early again. He showered, packed his bag, and made his way to school. The moment he stepped through the classroom door, the familiar wave of silence washed over him.
Conversations died. Heads turned. The exact same expression he saw the day Katsuki dumped milk over him appeared on their faces again—mockery mixed with pity.
He was the only student in the entire school without a quirk. That fact alone gave everyone confidence. Even kids with mediocre or downright useless quirks felt better about themselves knowing they weren't the bottom of the barrel. They needed him. They needed someone to laugh at so they could pretend they were special.
Izuku recognized that mentality all too well. In his past life it existed, just under a different name: insecurity.
Even in a different world, people never change, he thought bitterly.
He ignored the stares and walked to his seat. His eyes narrowed slightly when he saw it—covered in scribbles, torn papers, and bits of dirt. The insults scrawled across the surface were the same as always: "Useless," "Quirkless," "Deku."
He let out a small sigh and began clearing the mess. His movements were calm, mechanical. This wasn't new.
' Now I really am like Shouko, ' he thought, remembering the movie. ' But nah, that girl went through hell. First anime movie to actually make me cry. And then there was "I Want to Eat Your Pancreas." Japanese writers really have a talent for emotional trauma.'
He dusted off the final smudge and sat down, dropping his bag beside his desk. He let his head fall forward onto his arms, wanting just one moment of peace—
A crumpled ball of paper smacked him on the back of the head.
He froze. Slowly, he lifted his head. Nobody was looking at him. Everyone faced forward, desperately trying not to laugh. A few shoulders trembled. Snickers leaked out.
Of course.
' If I had powers in this world, ' he thought, ' I would've nuked the entire school by now. Damn… I guess this is how they feel.'
He lowered his head again, swallowing the irritation. Outside, the morning sun shone brightly. Inside, Izuku felt the weight of the day pressing down.
Today was going to be an awful day.
....
Hours later, the helish day ended. Izuku walked back home ready for his workout. Even after all that shit he went through he still wanted to build on himself.
Honestly what happened today simply solidified his resolve. Now no matter what happens he'd reach his goal.
He arrived at home and changed into some new nice work out clothes. When done Izuku didn't waste a second as he began mapping out how long 10KM was around his neighborhood. Soon he began.
This was the start of something special.
....
Months passed, and Izuku never stopped pushing himself. Every day was a grind. He didn't just work out anymore—he studied nutrition, counted calories, cut out junk food, and made sure he was eating properly.
His body slowly changed. His shoulders broadened. His posture straightened. He grew a few millimeters taller, and even that was noticeable.
Inko had to tilt her chin up slightly to meet his eyes now. The first time she noticed, she stopped in the kitchen doorway, blinking twice.
"Izuku… did you grow again?"
He just smiled. "Maybe."
His muscles weren't bulky, but they were toned and defined. His legs were the strongest part of his body—they carried the weight of all the squats, lunges, hill jogs and endless stair climbing he forced into his routine.
He stared at himself in the mirror one morning, running a hand along his thigh and then his arm. Then he compared his reflection to what he remembered from the original timeline.
' Now this is progress.'
There were other changes too. His life at school didn't magically become good, but the bullying had decreased. Not because they felt bad—far from it.
But Izuku looked different now. More confident. Stronger. His jawline sharpened, his skin got clearer, and before long, people started whispering that he was getting… handsome.
A few girls even tried talking to him. Izuku only gave them short replies.
'The switch up is trash. Bloody quirkers'
Katsuki and the boys also eased off him slightly. They didn't shove him as often or pour drinks over his head anymore. But the quirk comments never stopped. That was one thing they would always cling to.
Izuku didn't let it get to him anymore.
He pulled on a clean shirt and grabbed his bag.
'Time for my lessons.'
After weeks of pestering, negotiating, and proving himself, he finally convinced someone to let him join martial arts training. The deal was simple: he could train for free—but only after he cleaned the dojo every single day.
'Annoying? Yes. But a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.' He thought.
He headed downstairs, laced up his shoes, and started running toward the dojo. It was far, but that was just extra cardio.
Nearly an hour later, he arrived in front of the old building.
『Darkness Rises Dojo.』
'Like that mobile game, 'he noted, stepping inside.
The other students were already here, their uniforms crisp, their movements disciplined and sharp. Meanwhile, Izuku picked up a broom and started cleaning.
Dust off the floors. Mop the entrance. Wipe the mats. It took almost thirty minutes just to get everything spotless.
Only then did training begin.
Four hours later, Izuku collapsed onto the mat, gasping for air. His chest burned, his fingers trembled, and sweat dripped from his chin. He looked around—everyone else was barely affected. They stretched casually, chatted, drank water.
'They have quirks and I don't. Not surprising. Just focus on yourself.'
He forced himself to stand, heading toward the locker room, but his sensei stepped into his path.
"How are you holding up?" the man asked. His voice was calm, steady. Wise. His appearance reminded Izuku of a younger Mr. Miyagi—stern but patient.
Izuku wiped his forehead. "I'm doing well. I guess."
"You shouldn't push too hard," the sensei warned. "A lot of my drills are built for people with strength quirks. Mutant forms. Transformation types."
Izuku bowed respectfully. "I can't afford to take it easy. But… thanks, Sensei."
The sensei watched him walk away, thoughtful.
Izuku headed into the showers, letting the hot water wash away the ache in his muscles and the long day. When he was done, he got dressed again and stepped outside.
The sun had already vanished. The streetlights hummed to life, bathing the empty neighborhood in pale yellow light.
Izuku adjusted his bag over his shoulder and began jogging back home, the cool night air brushing against his face as the city settled into silence.
As Izuku ran through the quiet streets, his footsteps echoed across the pavement. His breathing was heavy and uneven, fatigue clinging to every muscle after hours of training.
He passed a house with an open gate. A huge dog lay there, resting lazily in the shadows. Izuku didn't pay it any attention. He kept jogging.
The dog lifted its head.
Its ears perked.
Then—
BARK! BARK!
The sudden sound cut through the night.
Izuku glanced over his shoulder—and felt his heart drop into his stomach. The dog leapt to its feet and charged, huge paws slamming against the asphalt.
' Fuck—why does this ALWAYS happen to me!? ' Izuku panicked internally.
He pushed himself forward, legs burning as he sprinted. But his stamina was gone. His body was still worn down from training, and the dog was catching up—fast. He could practically feel its breath on his ankles. Its growling grew louder and louder.
"Are you kidding me?!" he gasped, arms pumping as hard as he could.
The dog snapped at him, teeth flashing.
Izuku tried to run faster, but his lungs were on fire. His knees buckled. His vision blurred from exhaustion. He was out of strength.
Then—
Something snapped.
It felt like a lock inside his chest shattered—a seal breaking open. Heat flooded his veins. His muscles suddenly felt powerful and responsive. The fatigue vanished like smoke.
His body moved on instinct.
He surged forward with a burst of speed he never had before. The world around him seemed to slow. His footsteps became light, almost weightless. He shot forward like a runner starting a race.
He turned the corner at full speed. When the dog turned as well, Izuku was already several meters away. The beast skidded to a halt, huffing and barking as it gave up the chase.
A few blocks later, Izuku slowed down, finally coming to a stop under a streetlight. His chest rose and fell as he stared down at his hands.
' What… was that?'
His body felt different. Lighter. Stronger. Like he had tapped into something dormant.
'Whatever it was… it felt amazing.'
He took off running again, heading home with renewed energy.
When he finally reached his house, he swung open the door.
"I'm hom—"
His sentence cut off as his legs gave out.
He collapsed instantly, hitting the floor with a dull thud.
"Ahhh!" Inko shrieked from the kitchen. She rushed over and dropped to her knees.
"Izuku! Izuku!"
She turned him over carefully. He was smiling in his sleep—completely unconscious, sweat still drying on his forehead.
Inko placed her hand over her chest, panic and stress flooding her face.
'What is happening to my sweet baby!?' she thought dramatically, nearly on the verge of tears.
Izuku didn't even hear her.
He was already gone into the deepest sleep of his life.
TO BE CONTINUED