Reinhard was surprised that his connection to Od Laguna had remained. In theory, he should not have had access to his divine protections.
That realization unsettled him more than the unfamiliar world ever could.
It took time and quiet focus for him to understand what had happened. When he turned his awareness inward, following the flow of mana through his body, he felt it. A presence that should not have existed.
A fragment.
Part of Od Laguna had latched onto him during the transition, clinging to his gate like a child afraid of being left behind.
It was not vast or overwhelming. If anything, it felt small and gentle.
It seemed to love him dearly.
That idea tightened something in Reinhard's chest.
Reinhard lowered his head.
"Everyone else hates me," he said softly. "So why do you not?"
The warmth pulsed once, firm and undeniable.
Reinhard let out a slow breath.
...
A day later, Reinhard found himself on the grounds of U.A. once more. He stood at Ground Gamma, the open training field stretching far ahead of him. His white robes stirred slightly in the breeze, and the Dragon Sword Reid rested at his side, heavy and silent.
He glanced to his left. All Might stood beyond the marked area, giving him an exaggerated thumbs up and a wide, reassuring smile.
Reinhard returned it with a small, polite smile.
Nearby, Nezu tapped at a tablet, eyes scanning lines of data as he muttered to himself and adjusted several settings.
"Today will be a basic evaluation," Nezu said at last. "Strength, speed, endurance, and durability. We simply want a baseline."
Reinhard nodded. "I understand."
Nezu gestured toward a reinforced machine positioned at the edge of the field.
"Step up and strike the device with as much force as you can," he said. "No quirks. Just your body."
Reinhard hesitated briefly.
"...May I use mana?" he asked.
All Might blinked.
Nezu tilted his head. "For now, let us observe your natural output. If that proves insufficient, we will adjust."
Reinhard nodded again. "Very well."
He stepped forward, standing before the machine. The surface was smooth and cold, unfamiliar compared to the stone and steel targets he was used to.
He raised his fist.
There was no dramatic buildup. No visible tension. He inhaled once, exhaled, and struck.
The punch landed with a deep, concussive sound. The shockwave blasted outward, ripping through the air in all directions. The force resembled one of All Might's own attacks, distorted and uncontrolled.
Metal screamed as the entire structure was launched skyward, multiple sonic booms following in its wake. Alarms flared as the display spiked wildly before freezing, the screen flashing a single word.
ERROR.
Silence settled over the field.
Reinhard slowly lowered his hand. "...Was that too much?"
All Might stared, mouth hanging open.
Nezu adjusted his glasses, peering at the broken readout. After a moment, he let out a small chuckle.
"Ah," he said calmly. "It appears we will need to redefine what 'baseline' means."
Reinhard shifted awkwardly. "I can try again. With less force."
All Might finally found his voice. "Kid, let us take a short break first."
Reinhard nodded obediently, though a faint crease formed between his brows.
He had held back.
That worried him more than if he had not.
Nezu tapped his tablet again.
"Next, speed," he said. "A straight sprint across the field. Run as fast as you are comfortable."
Reinhard stepped back to the line and crouched slightly.
"Whenever you are ready," Nezu said.
Reinhard pushed off.
For a moment, it looked as if he vanished.
Grass flattened in a straight line as he crossed the field instantly, stopping several meters beyond the marker.
"...Was that too fast?" he asked.
All Might stared at the empty stretch of ground, then laughed weakly. "Kid, I did not even see you move."
Nezu checked the tablet.
"...Error again."
Reinhard frowned. "I was holding back this time."
All Might coughed into his fist. "Please keep doing that."
They moved on quickly.
"Endurance," Nezu said. "Sustained activity. We will monitor your vitals."
Reinhard stepped onto a treadmill as its speed increased every thirty seconds. He ran at a steady pace, far slower than before. His breathing remained calm, his posture relaxed.
Five minutes passed.
Then ten.
Then thirty.
Reinhard did not slow.
"All Might," Nezu said quietly. "His heart rate has barely changed."
An hour later, Nezu raised a hand.
Reinhard stopped and turned, confused. "Is something wrong?"
"No," Nezu replied. "Quite the opposite."
Reinhard nodded and waited.
"Durability," Nezu said. "This will be controlled."
Weighted impact devices were prepared nearby. Nezu gestured for Reinhard to stand still.
"Please do not reinforce yourself intentionally," he added. "We want your baseline."
Reinhard hesitated, then nodded. "Understood."
The first impact struck his shoulder.
He did not move.
The second hit his torso, cracking the device's casing.
Reinhard looked down at the broken fragments. "Am I supposed to feel that?"
All Might grimaced. "Ideally, yes."
The final strike hit his chest with force comparable to one of All Might's own attacks at reduced output.
Reinhard slid back half a step.
That was all.
Nezu slowly lowered the device. "Remarkable."
Reinhard touched his chest, thoughtful.
Nezu saved the data and looked up at him.
"These results exceed anything we anticipated."
Reinhard looked down at the ground.
"I was hoping," he said quietly, "that I would not be an anomaly here."
All Might placed a hand on his shoulder. "Strength is not a curse, kid. What matters is how you use it."
Reinhard nodded.
All Might's words always seemed to help.