Green arcs of electricity crashed repeatedly against a defensive barrier made of ice and fire.
"What's wrong?" Izuku said, a hint of provocation in his voice. "Not coming at me?"
Shoto Todoroki clicked his tongue, frustration showing. Even using his fire side, he was still being pushed back.
"This guy's defense is ridiculous…"
"I see. So it's the armor, huh?" Izuku nodded slightly.
"Then I'll drop it."
The electric armor surrounding him faded away.
"Now!" Todoroki reacted instantly. Twin streams of ice and fire surged forward like dragons, rushing toward Izuku.
"Turn defense into offense," Izuku murmured, steadying himself. "Answer me—brave heart."
The green energy in his hands reshaped into a massive sword, larger than before.
"Heavy Blade—Strike!"
The sword slammed into the ground.
The arena cracked under the impact. A powerful shockwave spread outward, extinguishing the incoming flames and shattering the ice.
"That pressure—" Todoroki couldn't hold his ground. The force blasted him backward.
Izuku remained standing, though both of his arms had turned a deep shade of purple from the strain.
"Winner—Izuku Midoriya!"
At that moment, Izuku was barely conscious. He stood only by sheer will. When Midnight announced the result, a faint smile tugged at his lips before his body finally gave out.
If I pass out now, I won't have to fight Kacchan… third place isn't bad…
When Izuku woke up, things had gone exactly as he expected.
He had secured third place.
His next opponent, Fumikage Tokoyami, had withdrawn upon hearing he would face Izuku.
"I'd rather not fight someone like that," Tokoyami had said. "Too reckless."
"Well… third place is still a win," Izuku thought as he stood on the podium.
"And All Might is handing out the medals. That's even better."
He looked up, excitement flickering across his face as All Might approached.
"You fought brilliantly," All Might said. "That silver medal could have been yours."
"I'm fine with this," Izuku replied. "A hero should stay humble. Bronze is enough."
His eyes drifted toward first place.
Katsuki Bakugo stood there, restrained and clearly furious even in victory.
"Honestly… I think this suits me better."
"I see," All Might said with a smile. "Then accept this as your reward. Keep moving forward."
"Um… All Might," Izuku said, cheeks slightly red, "could I have a hug?"
"Of course."
All Might didn't hesitate.
For a brief moment, Izuku closed his eyes.
…Dad.
The Sports Festival ended, and the school announced a two-day break.
For Izuku, it wasn't exactly relaxing.
His arms hadn't fully recovered.
"Using a fork is harder than it should be… and I can't even write properly," he muttered, struggling to record the past two days in his notebook.
"Tomorrow they should be fine… but classes start again too."
He stared out the window, stuck indoors due to his injuries.
His phone buzzed.
A message from his "older sister."
{You were amazing out there! I seriously wanted to fly over and kiss you!}
{Please don't. I'll need your help when I visit Hainan.}
{You're getting smooth. Oh, and the package I sent should arrive tomorrow. Make sure you pick it up.}
{…Got it.}
Izuku sighed.
I still don't know what she sent… please don't let it arrive in class…
The next morning, it was raining.
Izuku had no choice but to take the train.
"It's packed…"
He squeezed through the crowd, checking his phone as he moved.
"Excuse me… are you Midoriya Izuku?"
"I am. Do you need something?"
"I knew it! It's really him!"
The attention slowed him down.
By the time he reached school, he had to rush.
"Great… I almost got held up too long."
At 7:30 a.m., he entered the classroom. Several students were already there.
"I got stopped by a bunch of people this morning," someone said. "They kept asking if I was in the Hero Course."
"Same here."
"Me too."
"Adults are so annoying."
"Well, at least we're getting recognition," another student added. "Reputation and combat experience—we're gaining a lot."
"Why didn't anyone stop me?!" Minoru Mineta complained.
"Maybe because you're a creep," Kyoka Jiro shot back, flicking her earphone jacks at him.
Izuku smiled faintly and returned to his seat, taking out his books.
"Hero Information class today… I wonder what it'll be."
"All right, settle down!" a voice called.
The class quickly returned to their seats.
"Class is starting. Sit properly—this lesson matters."
Shota Aizawa stood at the front. The bandages were gone, revealing a noticeable scar on his face.
"Sensei, your face—is it okay?"
"Yeah. The bandages were overkill," Aizawa replied, brushing it off.
"Today's lesson is a little different."
A quiz? Izuku wondered.
Also… when will that package arrive…
"Today, you'll be choosing your hero names. Your hero aliases."
The class erupted with excitement.
Finally, something they had been waiting for.
"Your hero name will represent you to the world," Aizawa continued. "Think carefully."
The classroom door slid open.
Midnight stepped in, dressed as boldly as ever.
"We'll hand out boards. Write your name, then come up and present it. And keep it appropriate."
"Tch. Adults are so picky," Mineta muttered.
Izuku stared at his board, marker in hand.
Hero names…
He wrote a few options, then frowned.
No… none of these feel right.
He erased them all.
"Maybe… a codename."
He wrote again.
"Jonah… Deku… Puppet…"
He paused, tapping the board.
"…This one."
He erased "Jonah," then arranged the remaining names.
At the bottom, he added one more word.
He nodded to himself.
"That should work."
With that, Izuku stepped forward, holding up his board.