-Narrator's POV-
Aizawa-sensei just finished his pep talk, how the Hero Course students don't have the luxury of summer vacations, I guess we all knew that, but it doesn't feel like it's a bad thing, though. The training will help us develop our abilities, right?
The two buses idled just outside U.A., their doors wide open, waiting to whisk both Class 1-A and Class 1-B away to the training camp. The students of both classes gathered near the entrance, buzzing with excitement and anticipation. It was a rare moment where the two classes stood together, shoulder to shoulder, I can see and easily distinguish only Shiozaki, Kendo and... Urgh, Monoma amongst them, for I know very few of them.
Hopefully, we can get to know more about them during the camp.
As I'm adjusting my backpack and glancing at the gathering crowd, I caught sight of Class 1-B's most despicable verm, Monoma, loudly proclaiming something about how Class 1-A has students in need of extra classes, but his words were drowned out by the excited chatter of Uraraka and Mina piling in. Pretensious idiot.
Kirishima and Mina bounded over to me, full of energy.
"Dude, this camp is gonna be awesome!" Kirishima exclaimed, giving me a hearty pat on the back.
Mina grinned. "I can't wait to see what kind of training they've got in store for us. Plus, I heard the place is sick!"
"Let's just hope it's not too crazy," I say letting out a chuckle. Once more, I glanced over at Class 1-B, where Kendo was trying to rein an uncounsious Monoma in before he started another rant. I couldn't help but smile as Kendo gave me (oddly) an apologetic look from across the way. I shot her a small thumbs-up, and she nodded in return.
"Hey, come on, let's get good seats on the bus!" I hear Sero calling from a short distance, his usual laid-back smile on his face.
As we began to move towards their designated bus, Ilda, ever the diligent class representative, waved his arms, gathering his classmates into some semblance of order.
"Everyone, gather up! We need to proceed onto the bus in an orderly fashion!" His voice was commanding but full of a nervous excitement that mirrored everyone else's.
Midoriya, always taking things to heart, nodded seriously. "Right, let's make sure we're not late!"
I lagged behind a little, watching my friends start to file into the bus. There was a certain air of expectation hanging over them all—the training camp was going to be intense, everyone knew that much. I took a deep breath, steadying myself for what was to come.
Before long, Ilda called out again, standing proudly at the front of the line. "Class 1-A, to the bus! Let's move!"
I grabbed my bag and flashed a grin at Kirishima and Mina before heading towards the bus with the rest of the class. They were on their way, and I couldn't help but feel a small thrill of excitement mixed with apprehension. Whatever this training camp had in store for us, it would push us all to the limit.
With everyone now aboard, the bus doors slid shut, the engine rumbled to life, and the road to the training camp stretched out ahead.
...
The trip is exactly like I imagined: Loud. I sit with Kirishima as random chatter engulfs the whole bus. Ilda giving orders, Hagakure excitedly shouts to the girls, it's nice to be able to be a student for once.
As the bus rumbled to a stop at the edge of a vast forest, we all clambered out, stretching our legs after the long ride. The atmosphere is beautiful as I surveyed the thick trees and mountains looming ahead.
Stepping out into the sunlight, I see a black car already parked there, I sense at least two powerful auras inside.
It doesn't take long before they present themselves to us: the Wild, Wild Pussycats came into view. Standing proudly before us are Mandalay and Pixie Bob, both clad in their brightly colored hero costumes, exuding a confident energy. The two pro heroes had smiles on their faces that were both welcoming and, in a way, mischievous.
"Welcome, everyone!" Mandalay called out, her voice ringing with enthusiasm. "We are the Wild, Wild Pussycats! And we're going to be your hosts for this training camp!"
Pixie Bob jumped in with equal excitement, her eyes glinting with mischief. "And we're going to whip you all into shape!"
I think many were still in the midst of processing the welcome when Mandalay added.
"By the way, the training camp lodge is right down that mountain." She pointed off into the distance, where the lodge was barely visible, nestled at the base of the mountain far, far below.
"It's 9:30..."
Oh no...
"If you're quick enough... You may get there before 12:30."
You can't be serious.
The class takes the hint as they rush to the bus, hoping this is a joke. Pixie Bob makes sure to keep us at reality by jumping ahead of us, right in front of me, a smile so mischievous she could be considered a villain.
"Please, have mercy." I asked half-jokingly, only for my hopes to be instantly dashed.
Pixie Bob grinned, raising her hands in the air. "Nope!"
In the blink of an eye, the ground beneath trembled, and the hillside seemed to erupt with a massive wave of earth. I don't even have time to think, in moments my entire body is covered in living earth. I can hear the cries out in surprise as the ground shifted, sending us sliding and tumbling toward the forest below. That's so messed up.
...
We're at the edge of the forest at the foot of the cliff our caretakers just threw us off. There's dirt in places it shouldn't be there in the first place. I try to stealthily remove the dirt from my netherlands when I hear Mrs. Mandalay, who says we're allowed to use our quirks here since it's private land. We have to venture ourselves inside the forest whose name is straight out of an RPG. The beast's forest.
The Wild, Wild Pussycats waved cheerfully. "See you at the lodge!" Mandalay called as they disappeared from sight.
Beside me, some classmates struggled to regain their footing. "Guess this is how the pros say 'good morning,' huh?" I muttered to Kirishima, who grinned despite the chaos.
"They sure know how to get things started! We have no choice, let's do this!"
Mineta, our purple perverted plushie, rushed ahead, though for his own personal, private reasons. I only wished he saw the eldritch horror standing there.
The massive beast roared at him, swinging it's fists in a agressive manner.
Mineta, however, was frozen in place, trembling as the beast lumbered toward him. His eyes went wide with fear, his pants became soggy as the ground shook under the approaching monster.
"Move, Mineta!" Ilda shouted, but the smaller boy was paralyzed with fear.
Without thinking, Midoriya dashed forward, energy sparking off his body as he ran. He reached Mineta just as the beast raised a massive arm to strike, pulling him out of the way in the nick of time.
The creature didn't listened to Koda, it's appearance doesn't resemble any creature known to man. And since I couldn't sense it's aura, it became clear it ain't alive. Good, I would hate to kill an animal.
Todoroki encased half of it in ice before half the class realized what was going on, Bakugou and Ilda were already at the creature's feet. Me? I'm in mid-air, quirk activated out of pure instinct.
"Recipro Burst!" Ilda's attack is devastating, destroyed the creature's left side completely.
"DIE!" Bakugou, our favorite psycopath, blasted the head of it with no room for mercy, his grin was huge, he takes pleasure at it more than any one else.
The earthly beast is still standing, I guess the finishing blow is mine.
I could feel the electricity coursing through my veins, building up like a storm ready to break. Without hesitation, I dashed at the beast and let it all go. The air around me crackled as the punch connected, the surge so intense it lit up the entire place in a brilliant flash. The creature didn't stand a chance. My energy struck it dead center, the earth around its body shattering and exploding the remains into chunks.
"You guys defeated that monster in moments!" Satou claimed as others gathered around. I can hear Kirishima as he compliments Bakugou on his power, but the latter shoves the compliments away.
"It's not over!" He's right, the entire forest came to life as other beasts sprouted from the earth, too many to keep count of.
However, the sudden feeling of dread is quickly set aside as the class' revolve screams louder. "We shall cross through here and take the shortest route." Yaoyorozu exclaims as she takes the lead.
Soon the entire class worked together in unison to beat this challenge head on. Jirou and Shoji acting as scouts and recon helped us discern how many there were. Small parties divided to tackle each creature with might and teamwork.
"Kaminari! Mineta! 4 o'clock" Jirou warns as a big one is charging towards the trees right at us. Mineta takes the lead, flustered at his 'accident' earlier as he pops of tens of adhesive balls at the monster, who becomes trapped between the trees.
"Stand back, Mineta!" I manage to clear him of the back blast as I charge from the rear.
"Thor's...
A mass of electricity coalesced in my hand before I hurled myself at the creature's nape.
...Hammer!!"
The thunderous fist shot downward, a blindind spear of golden-white light slicing through the air with a roar. When it struck, the impact was like an explosion, pinning the monster against the surface and carving a smoldering crater at the impact point. The monster's rock hard surface glowed red from the impact, the searing electricity shattering stone and melting earth.
"No precision again? Man, I'm helpless." I replied with a grin, wiping some dirt off my face. My body still tingled from the power it had just unleashed, but it felt good. Despite everything, I'm feeling confident.
The rest of the class quickly rallied, using their quirks to fend off the remaining earth beasts as we fought our way through the forest. Each step toward the lodge was hard-earned, but together we pushed forward, teamwork keeping us safe.
Midoriya is glancing at me as we lead the vanguard. "That was some serious firepower, Kaminari."
I smirked, shrugging as modestly as I can. "Still raw, but I gotta keep up with the heavy hitters like you guys, right?"
We shared a brief moment of camaraderie before another earth beast roared in the distance, reminding us that the battle wasn't over just yet.
...
-Narrator POV-
As Class 1-A fought their way deeper into the forest, they worked together like a well-oiled machine. Kaminari, Midoriya, Bakugou, Todoroki, and Ilda led the charge, coordinating their efforts to take down the massive earth beasts. Bakugou's explosions tore through the creatures' rocky exteriors while Ilda shattered their legs at high speeds, meanwhile, Todoroki froze others in place, allowing Kaminari to zip through their frozen forms with lightning speed, shattering them into pieces. Midoriya used his strength to leap from beast to beast, delivering crushing blows to their weak spots.
But it wasn't just the usual top students making a difference.
Every member of Class 1-A contributed in their own way. Uraraka used her quirk to make the beasts weightless, sending them crashing down onto the ground. Kirishima hardened his body, tanking hits and dealing out punishing blows in return. Yaoyorozu created shields to protect her classmates and weapons to help them fight. Jirou used her earphone jacks to blast the beasts with sonic waves, disorienting them long enough for others to land the final blows.
While Todoroki froze one beast in place, Kaminari dashed toward another. He ducked under a swinging arm of stone and slammed his fist into the creature's chest, sending a bolt of lightning straight into its core. The beast roared in pain, its form breaking apart as the electricity overloaded it from the inside.
Kaminari didn't stop there. As he caught sight of another creature charging at the group, he reacted immediately. His body surged with energy, and with a swift leap, he launched himself into the air, hurling a concentrated electric kick down at the beast's head. The strike was precise, shattering the creature's skull before it even reached his classmates.
While the others continued to fight, Kaminari never hesitated. He took initiative at every turn, blasting away threats before they could become problems. Even without drawing attention to himself, his presence on the battlefield was undeniable.
...
-Kaminari's POV-
It's 17:20, we have arrived.
By the time we finally reached the lodge, we were utterly exhausted.
Our uniforms were dirty, torned apart, sweat dripping down our faces, our steps dragged as we crossed the threshold of the forest into the clearing where the lodge awaited. The setting sun cast a warm glow over the building, but for us, it might as well have been the gates of paradise.
I'm feeling the weight of the day in every muscle, my clothes are singed in many places. My quirk had taken a toll, the electricity that coursed through is burning out my stamina quicker than I expected. The long hours of battling earth beasts had pushed us harder than he anticipated, and I could feel my legs trembling slightly as I make my way toward the entrance.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THREE HOURS?" Kirishima groaned, wiping his brow and stretching out his aching arms.
I'm not even listening anymore, I'm this close to short circuiting my brain. I can't understand why Pixie-Bob is circling us like we are pieces of suculent meat. Ah... meat... steak... I'm starving...
Seeing Midoriya pointing at a kid with curiosity made me snap out of my desire for a juicy tomahawk.
The boy aside from Mandalay, the introduction of the WWPC was so rushed I barely managed to acknowledge his presence.
*CRACK!*
Kota is the boy's name, Mandalay exclaims as he decks Midoriya's netherlands.
Mr Aizawa orders us to grab our bags and head towards the dormrooms. Afterwards, dinner, shower and bed. A dream sequence of mine at this point. I help Midoriya with his bag, he might as well be deceased.
Inside the lodge, the welcoming aroma of dinner hit me all at once. Pixie-Bob and Mandalay stood near the entrance, looking far too cheerful for how worn out the students were.
"Welcome to the lodge, kiddos!" Pixie-Bob chirped. "Hope you're all hungry!".
"Hungry doesn't even cover it…" Mina muttered, collapsing onto a bench near the door as the rest of the class filtered in, eager to finally sit down and take a breather.
I dropped into a seat near the table, running a hand through my hair as he I out a tired sigh. My body is screaming for a rest, but I could still feel the energy buzzing just beneath the surface of my skin, refusing to let me fully relax. Ever since I took the collar off, it's like my quirk has a mind of it's own, whenever it's stimulated, it takes time to settle down, my emotions being the prime drive.
The rest of Class 1-A mirrored my exhaustion, everyone scattered around the lodge in various states of weariness. Some, like Sero and Mineta, flopped down onto the floor dramatically, while others, like Jirou and Yaoyorozu, quietly stretched out their limbs, trying to ease the tension from their muscles.
Despite the fatigue, there was a sense of accomplishment in the air. We had made it through the first trial of the training camp. And, judging by how intense the day had been, I can only guess what the rest of the camp had in store for us.
For now, though, dinner and a hot bath were all that mattered.
...
Dinner that night felt like a celebration. The long wooden tables inside the lodge were filled with a feast that made stomachs growl in anticipation. Heaping plates of rice, grilled meat, vegetables, and steaming bowls of soup covered the tables, and despite the exhaustion, we wasted no time diving in.
I am sat with the usual group—Kirishima, Mina, Ojirou, and Jirou—feeling a sense of relief wash over as each bite is taken. My muscles still ached, but the smell of food and the camaraderie of my friends lightened the mood.
"Man, this is just what I needed," Kirishima said with a mouth full of food. "After today, I could eat a whole mountain of meat."
"You basically are," Jirou teased, poking at the towering pile of food on his plate. "Save some for the rest of us!"
I chuckled as I took a bite of rice, savoring the warm, filling taste. I'm leaned back in the chair, glancing around the room. The energy was still buzzing, despite how physically drained everyone was. For the first time in a while, we could relax and enjoy themselves.
"Gotta say, though," Shoji added, leaning back with a satisfied sigh, "I didn't expect the training camp to be this tough from day one."
I nodded in agreement, taking another bite before speaking. "Yeah, no kidding. And we're only just getting started."
Tokoyami looked thoughtful as he twirled his fork in his rice. "I wonder what else they have planned. Today was insane."
My smile faltered slightly at the thought. I've handled himself well so far, but I know that the upcoming days would only push further and harder. The aches inside my body shows the toll my quirk could take, and I don't want to risk overusing it too soon.
But for now, the moment was lighthearted. The group laughed, joked, and enjoyed each other's company as they ate. The lodge was filled with the sounds of clinking plates, laughter, and the occasional groan of fatigue as students tried to muster the energy to keep eating.
Once dinner was over, Mandalay announced that the baths were ready for anyone who wanted to relax. That was all the motivation the students needed.
The hot springs were exactly what the we needed to unwind after the brutal day. The warm steam rose from the water, enveloping the boys in a soothing haze as we sank into the baths. I stretched out in the water, letting the heat soothe his aching muscles.
"Ah, this is perfect," I muttered as I'm leaning my head back against the stone edge of the bath. Around me, all of them were similarly relaxing, some chatting quietly, others simply enjoying the peaceful moment.
Kirishima, sitting nearby, sighed contentedly. "This might be the best part of the training camp so far. Just what my body needed."
Bakugou, ever the lone wolf, was sitting off to the side, not engaging much but clearly appreciating the quiet. Midoriya and Ilda were in a nearby corner, quietly discussing the day's training and what they might face next.
I, too, found myself reflecting. The day had been long and grueling, but there was something oddly fulfilling about it. Pushing my limits, working alongside my classmates—it makes me feel more connected to them. I glanced down at my arms, the faint lines of lightning scars visible even beneath the water. It seems as I go over the limit, they get bigger.
But for now, he pushed those thoughts aside and let himself enjoy the calm.
That is... Until Mineta climbed the wall to peep the girls. Perverted midget...
...
That's the second time Midoriya saved someone from their impeding death today. He grabbed the Kota boy before he hitted the ground, I guess he took a look at what Mineta sought. As for Mineta, I'm sure he appreciates Ilda a little bit more for the save, just not sure Ilda is appreciating the glutes in the face.
As Midoriya takes the boy to the infirmary, we leave for our dorms. Sero taped Mineta shut as we drag the worm back.
Tomorrow, we start early.