The first day of classes was over, and Kai found himself restless with anticipation. He had received a new quest: Training the Symbol of Hope. It felt almost surreal to be tasked with helping Izuku Midoriya, the Ninth wielder of One for All, learn to control his immense power. As Kai prepared for their training session, he couldn't shake off the nervous energy bubbling within him.
Arriving at one of U.A.'s prestigious gyms, Kai spotted Midoriya already practicing a few basic moves, sweat glistening on his brow. He wore a determined expression, but Kai could see the flickers of anxiety beneath the surface. Nearby, Hitoshi Shinsou was observing, leaning against a wall with his arms crossed, his usual nonchalant demeanor masking his curiosity.
"Hey, Midoriya! You ready for this?" Kai called out, approaching them with a grin.
Midoriya straightened up, a hint of relief washing over his face. "Yeah! I'm really glad you're here to help. I've been trying to control my quirk, but it's… complicated."
"Complicated is an understatement," Shinsou added, pushing himself off the wall. "I've seen you go all out before. It's like watching a natural disaster. Quickly followed by the most gruesome injuries I've ever seen."
Midoriya's face flushed at the comment, but he nodded earnestly. "That's why I need your help. I don't want to hurt anyone—or myself—again."
"Well, hopefully we can fix that issue. Quick question though, why have you not been able to control your quirk?" Kai asked.
Midoriya's expression shifted from determination to concern. "I guess it's because my quirk is just so powerful. I've been training hard, but every time I use it, I feel like I'm pushing against a tidal wave. It's overwhelming."
Shinsou leaned in, crossing his arms thoughtfully. "It's not just raw power, though. You need to understand how to tap into it without losing control. Have you considered focusing on smaller increments?"
"Smaller increments?" Midoriya echoed, furrowing his brow. "I've never thought about that. I usually just try to go all out and hope for the best."
Kai nodded in agreement. "That's the problem. Instead of unleashing everything at once, let's break it down. You have to learn to channel your quirk gradually. Start small and build up."
"Okay," Midoriya said, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "But how do I do that?"
"Let's start with some basic movements," Kai suggested. "Just a simple punch. Focus on channeling a fraction of your power into it, like a controlled burst. Don't try to go full strength right away."
Midoriya took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "Got it. I'll try."
"Just remember," Shinsou added, "the key is to stay calm and visualize what you want to do. If you get too excited or anxious, you'll lose control again."
With a determined nod, Midoriya stepped back, getting into position. Kai watched closely, ready to step in if needed. "Whenever you're ready."
As Midoriya focused, his brow furrowed in concentration. Slowly, he drew on his quirk, allowing a small amount of energy to flow into his fist. He swung, the punch connecting solidly with a training dummy. The impact made a solid and strong 'thud', but there was no explosive backlash this time.
"See? That's it!" Kai exclaimed; his excitement palpable.
Midoriya's face lit up, a grin breaking through his initial anxiety. "I did it! I actually controlled it!"
"Good for you," Shinsou drawled, rolling his eyes. "Eighteen years with one of the most overpowered quirks I've ever seen, and three sentences put you past any amount of training you've ever done."
"Well," Midoriya said sheepishly, "I haven't actually had this quirk for very long. My quirk stockpiles energy, kind of like Kai's, actually, and I couldn't access the energy until I gained a level of muscle mass. Didn't even know I had it until the exam."
"So you intended to get into U.A. without using your quirk? No, without a quirk? That's insane." Shinsou said, eyebrows raised into his hairline.
Midoriya rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I just thought I'd work hard and prove myself as a hero, even if it meant starting from scratch. It was all I ever wanted."
"Right, because that sounds like a reasonable plan," Shinsou replied, half-smirking. "You must really have guts to go in there quirkless. I respect that."
Kai nodded in agreement, seeing the fire in Midoriya's eyes. "It takes a lot of courage to aim for U.A. without a quirk. You've definitely got the spirit of a hero, Midoriya."
"Thanks, guys," Midoriya said, his confidence bolstered. "Now I just have to learn how to control this thing before it controls me."
"Alright. Let's move onto Shinsou's quirk training." Kai said, excitement painting his features. "Go ahead Shinsou. Use your quirk on me."
Shinsou looked a little hesitant and asked, "Are you sure you're ok with that?"
Kai smiled brightly and said "Absol-"
And then everything went black. He faded into his subconscious, Floating in the void in his mind. Kai looked around the void and saw something far off in the corner. He willed himself closer to it and saw what seemed to be a small studio apartment.
The space is dimly lit, with a few bare bulbs hanging from the ceiling and casting stark shadows on the walls. The kitchenette is cramped, featuring a small stove and an old fridge plastered with faded stickers from various biker rallies.
In one corner, a battered leather couch, worn and slightly ripped, faces a low coffee table cluttered with empty beer cans, crumpled takeout wrappers, and tools for his various projects. A makeshift bed, a tattered mattress thrown on the floor, has an assortment of heavy blankets and a couple of mismatched pillows.
The walls are decorated with a mix of metal posters, vintage motorcycle memorabilia, and some graffiti-like artwork that adds to the gritty vibe.
Sleeping on the bed is Fenn, sleeping soundly despite the chaotic surroundings. He sprawled across the tattered mattress, a heavy blanket tossed haphazardly over him, revealing a tattooed arm that rests lazily on the edge. His rugged features are softened in sleep, but a faint scowl lingers on his face, as if he's still caught in some distant dream.
Suddenly, Kai was yanked back into the quirk gym, the bright lights and sounds crashing into him like a wave. He blinked, disoriented, as Midoriya and Shinsou loomed over him, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity.
"Jeez Shinsou, your quirk is intense. I couldn't see or feel anything while I was under." Kai said, impressed.
"Really? That's unusual. Most of the time people are still cognizant, even if barely. I've never had anyone completely black out like that."
"Huh, must be an effect of my quirk." Kai said, rubbing his chin. He felt inside himself and discovered that he was loaded up with Clarity Energy. "Yup. I absorbed a LOT of energy from that. Pretty cool."
We'll do more in depth training of your quirk later Shinsou, now it's time for you two to eat these. "Kai said as he reached into his fruit bag. He pulled out two small fruits that resembled a translucent apricot.
"These, my friends, are comprehension fruits. I made them by spending time in a library, and they allow increased learning speed for whatever you try at. Think of them as temporary talent boosts."
Midoriya's eyes widened with intrigue as he took one of the fruits. "That sounds amazing! How long do the effects last?"
"About half an hour," Kai replied, grinning. "Just enough time to practice your quirks or tackle something new. They're great for getting a jump on training!"
Shinsou took the other fruit, inspecting it with mild skepticism. "And you're sure they're safe?"
"Absolutely!" Kai assured him. "Trust me, I've tested them out myself. You'll feel like a genius!"
With a shared look of determination, both Midoriya and Shinsou bit into their fruits. As they savored the sweet flavor, Kai watched with anticipation, eager to see how the temporary boost would enhance their training.