The world fractured with a blinding flash of purple. One moment I was dodging a villain's sludge attack, the sickeningly sweet reek of decay filling my nostrils, the next I was… somewhere else. My head throbbed, a dull, persistent ache, and as my vision cleared, I realized I wasn't in the crumbling alleyway anymore.
Instead of cracked pavement, I was laying on soft, plush cushions. Instead of the damp, cold air, the room was filled with the scent of sandalwood and lavender. I pushed myself up on my elbows, my mind still reeling, and stared at the ornate surroundings. Tapestries depicting fantastical creatures adorned the walls, golden candelabras cast dancing shadows across the room, and sunlight streamed through a massive arched window, illuminating dust motes swirling in the air.
"Where… what…?" I mumbled, scrambling backwards. The fabric of my clothes felt strange, silky and heavy, completely unlike the familiar, slightly worn material of my hero suit. I looked down and gaped. Gone was the familiar green and black, replaced by a doublet of vibrant blue, trimmed with gold embroidery, and a pair of form-fitting white hose. My hands, previously calloused, now bore long, tapered fingers adorned with rings. Rings! I never wore jewelry, not even on the rare occasions when I took a break from hero work.
I leaped to my feet, feeling a surge of panic. This couldn't be real. The sludge villain must have… something, some weird quirk that messed with my mind, made me hallucinate this. But it felt so… solid, so real.
A sharp rap on the door jolted me. Before I could react, it swung open and a tall man, dressed in equally extravagant finery, swept in, concern etched on his face.
"Your Highness, you are awake!" he exclaimed, rushing over to me. "We were worried sick. You were struck quite hard." He paused, his brow furrowed. "Are you feeling… alright? Perhaps a little groggy?"
"Groggy… yes, very groggy," I stammered, my mind desperately trying to catch up. "And... uh… Your Highness?" I echoed, my voice sounding strangely unfamiliar, a smooth baritone that wasn't quite my voice. He took my hand, his touch surprisingly warm and gentle.
"Indeed. Prince Charming, of the kingdom of Evergreena, if I may be so bold. You appear to have suffered a rather nasty head injury, Your Highness. I am your Royal Chamberlain, Lord Theodore. Do you recall anything?"
Prince Charming. Evergreena. Royal Chamberlain. These words swirled in my brain, jumbling with images of All Might, crumbling alleyways, and the sickeningly sweet smell of sludge. This wasn't a hallucination. It was… something far, far stranger. Reincarnation? Was that even possible?
"I… I think I remember some things," I lied, forcing a calm I didn't feel. "Just… a bit foggy, you know."
Lord Theodore nodded understandingly. "Of course, Your Highness. It is to be expected." He gestured towards a table laden with pastries and fruit. "Perhaps some refreshment will help clear your mind?"
I followed him to the table, mechanically reaching for a piece of sugared fruit. My mind was racing. I was Izuku Midoriya, a hero in training, and somehow, impossibly, I was now a prince in a world that felt straight out of a picture book. How had this happened? What was I supposed to do? I knew next to nothing about being a prince. I barely remembered to take my shoes off at home!
Over the next few days, I fumbled and floundered my way through my new life. I learned the meaning of terms like "Royal Decree" and "Court Etiquette" while trying to keep my head from completely exploding. I discovered, much to my horror, that I had to attend balls, wave at cheering crowds from a horse (which I was thankfully surprisingly good at), and engage in long, boring political discussions. I was a fish out of water, navigating a world of silk, jewels, and ancient traditions, desperately trying to blend in.
I even had a few near-disasters. Like the time I almost tripped down the palace stairs trying to put on my overly complicated boots, or the time I almost called the Minister of Finance "Mr. Sludgey" during an important meeting.
Despite the adjustments, there were moments when I found myself strangely enjoying this new existence. The weight of the crown felt oddly comforting, reminding me of the weight of responsibility I was used to carrying. The people were kind and trusting, looking to me for guidance and protection. They didn't know me, the awkward boy from Musutafu. They saw Prince Charming, a brave and noble hero in their eyes.
I still didn't know how I ended up here, or if I'd ever return to my own world, my own life. But for now, I had a kingdom to protect, a responsibility to uphold, even if it wasn't the one I expected. I might be Prince Charming, but deep down, I was still Izuku Midoriya. And a hero, no matter the world, always finds a way. My journey had taken an unexpected turn, and I was ready to face whatever came next, even if it meant learning to twirl a sword instead of throwing a punch. After all, even a prince could learn a few things, right?