Kai leaned against the fence, arms crossed as he watched Katsuki Bakugo step up to the throwing circle. The boy's intense expression was a mix of determination and arrogance, his familiar explosive quirk crackling in anticipation. Kai couldn't help but roll his eyes; some things never changed. The air grew electric as Katsuki gripped the ball, and with an explosive launch, he sent it rocketing into the sky, a fiery streak marking its path.
As the ball disappeared, Kai couldn't shake the feeling of irritation. Katsuki thrived on attention, relishing the awe he drew from his peers. To him, it felt more like a performance than a test. Kai leaned further back, watching the reactions of the other students—some looked impressed, while others shared uneasy glances, perhaps sensing the pressure that Katsuki brought with him.
With a smirk, Katsuki stepped back, soaking in the attention like it was his birthright. Kai shifted his focus to the rest of Class 1-A, eager to observe their quirks and personalities in person instead of on-screen.
"This is why I say the tests you do in high school are illogical," Aizawa drawled, his tone surprisingly light. He held up a tracker that displayed '705.2m.' "This is a hero school, where you learn to use your quirks to protect and serve. I am here to teach you the best way to do that. Now, let's head inside and do the first test."
Kai raised an eyebrow, taken aback by Aizawa's unexpected tone. There was a noticeable shift in the atmosphere; he seemed less harsh than usual, almost approachable. It was a refreshing change, and Kai couldn't help but wonder what had caused it. As the students filed into the building, Kai lingered on the field, absorbing the caustic energy Bakugou released.
The explosions radiated energy, and Kai felt the thrill in the air. It was almost palpable, like the charged atmosphere before a storm. He focused on the energy, allowing it to wash over him, feeding into his own growing reserves. The raw power was enticing, just waiting to be tapped.
With a satisfied nod, Kai finally headed inside, eager to see how this first test would unfold. He was determined to keep observing, absorbing as much energy as he could—not just from Bakugo, but from all of Class 1-A. Each interaction, each quirk displayed, was a chance to deepen his understanding of the world he'd entered.
As Kai stepped inside, he spotted Midoriya lingering near a wall, visibly fidgeting with his hands. The green-haired boy seemed deep in thought, his brow furrowed with concentration. Remembering their past encounters, Kai approached with a friendly smile.
"Hey, Midoriya. You ready for the tests?" Kai asked, genuinely curious.
Midoriya looked up sheepishly, rubbing his hand on the back of his head. "Kinda. I can't really use my quirk on them today; my body would just explode, so I guess I'll have to make do with my body."
"You'll be fine, Midoriya." Kai said, a genuine smile on his wooden features. "You have time to figure it out. That's what school is for. I probably won't be able to do anything for you today, but if you want, I can help you with controlling your quirk after classes?"
Midoriya's eyes widened with excitement, his nervousness momentarily forgotten. "Really? That would be incredible! I'd appreciate any tips you have. It's just so frustrating sometimes."
"Trust me, I get it," Kai replied, leaning slightly closer. "Every quirk has its quirks—no pun intended. The key is to learn how to harness it without hurting yourself. It might take some time, but with practice, you'll get there."
"Thanks, Kai! That means a lot," Midoriya said, his gratitude evident. He straightened up, a new determination sparking in his gaze. "I'll work hard, I promise!"
The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as the tests progressed. Kai observed as each student showcased their quirks, taking mental notes while actively absorbing the surrounding energy. He felt the ebb and flow of power around him, each display feeding into his own growing reserves.
"Next up, Shinsou Hitoshi and Tenya Iida!" Aizawa called out, snapping Kai's attention away from the ongoing tests.
As Hitoshi stepped forward for the 50m dash, Kai noticed the boy's calm demeanor, a stark contrast to the energy swirling around them. There was an air of confidence as Shinsou prepared for his turn, his violet hair framing his face in a way that suggested he was comfortable in his own skin.
"Hey, Toyota Calves," Shinsou said lazily toward Iida, who stood at the starting line.
"My name is T—" Iida began, trying to correct him, but the words faltered as Shinsou's quirk took effect.
"Alright, Mitsubishi Legs, when Aizawa says go, I want you to sprint to the end of the track," Shinsou instructed while climbing onto Iida's back, piggyback style.
Aizawa, unimpressed, rubbed his temples. "Go."
With a jolt, Iida bolted forward, his limbs moving with astonishing speed. Shinsou clung on, a smug grin on his face as they flew down the track. Kai couldn't help but chuckle at the sight, appreciating Shinsou's creativity.
As Iida reached the finish line, the sheer shock on his face was evident, though it quickly morphed into annoyance as he realized what had just happened.
"Shinsou, what was that?" Iida huffed, turning around to glare at his classmate, clearly flustered.
"It was just a little teamwork, Iida. You're welcome," Shinsou replied with a smirk, hopping off his back as they approached the rest of the class.
"Nice one, Hitoshi," Kai called out, impressed. "That was clever."
"Thanks for the compliment, Groot. Just gotta make do with what you've got," Hitoshi dismissed with a casual wave.
As Denki Kaminari and Kyouka Jiro lined up at the starting line, Kai started absorbing the energy that Shinsou had released with his quirk. It felt similar to the mental energy he gathered from libraries and schools, but somehow more distinct—clearer, more focused.
Kai concentrated, channeling roughly half of that energy into a fruit that sprouted from his scalp. A stark-white blueberry popped into existence, shimmering with newfound potential.
Fruit Level: 2
Name: No Thoughts
Ability: Clears the mind of all thoughts for the entire duration.
Duration: 30 seconds.
Cooldown: 5 Minutes.
"So that's what the energy is," Kai realized, his mind racing as he processed the sensations he had experienced while creating the fruit. "It's a unique kind of mental clarity, almost like a reset button."
Kai dropped the fruit into the bag he kept in his pocket, a special one made with the Tinker Fruit. It not only protected all the fruits he stored inside but also hid their energy signatures from prying eyes. Satisfied, he turned his attention back to the testing area just in time to see Denki take off with a burst of energy, only to trip over his own feet.
"Come on, Denki!" Kai called out, chuckling as the class erupted in laughter. "You got this!"
Hitoshi stood nearby, arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips as he watched the chaos unfold. "Guess he's not exactly the fastest runner, huh?"
"Hey, don't be too harsh," Kai replied, glancing at Shinsou. "Everyone has their strengths. Denki's just… working on his coordination."
"Coordination's one way to put it," Shinsou said, raising an eyebrow. "But I admire his spirit."
Midoriya approached, a bright smile on his face as he joined the conversation. "Yeah! Denki's really dedicated, even if he messes up sometimes. Just like everyone else here."
Kai nodded, appreciating Midoriya's positivity. "Exactly. It's all about learning and growing. No one starts off perfect."
"Speaking of which," Hitoshi said, "what's your quirk, Kai? You seem to have a handle on energy better than most."
Kai shrugged slightly, feeling the weight of their curiosity but also a sense of camaraderie. "Like Aizawa explained, I absorb energy from the environment and use it to create fruits with unique abilities. Like the one I just made."
"I'd be happy to share," Kai replied, feeling a genuine warmth from their budding friendship. "Maybe I can even use fruits to help you both with your quirks."
"Really?" Midoriya said, his enthusiasm infectious. "That would be incredible!"
Shinsou nodded in agreement, his usual aloofness fading slightly. "I'd be interested in any tips you have. My quirk can be really tricky to master."
"Count me in!" Kai grinned. "Let's add it to the study session after school. We can all learn from each other."
"Sounds like a plan," Hitoshi replied, a rare smile breaking through his cool demeanor.
As the tests continued, Kai felt a sense of belonging swell within him. For the first time since arriving in this world, he realized he was forming bonds that could last well beyond their time at UA.
[Ding!]
[New Quest Available]