Aldera Middle School –
In the classroom, students chatted with each other, filling the air with noise. However, at the back row, one student sat quietly, absorbed in his book.
Izuku Midoriya was reading about quirk evolution theory, flipping through the pages while casually working a hand gripper, strengthening his grip.
Suddenly, the door slid open, and the homeroom teacher entered.
"Silence!" he commanded, and the classroom fell quiet.
He placed some papers on his desk and looked at the students. "Today, we'll discuss your future careers."
Then, with a grin, he added, "But I already know most of you want to enter the hero course!"
The class erupted in excitement—cheers, chatter, and a few nervous laughs.
Then, a loud, arrogant voice cut through the noise.
"Tch! Sensei, don't lump me in with these extras!" Bakugo Katsuki smirked, resting his legs on his desk. "I'm the only one here who'll be the Number One Hero! I'll surpass All Might!"
A few students muttered complaints, annoyed at Bakugo's arrogance but too afraid to argue openly.
The teacher smiled, flipping through his list. "Ah, right. Bakugo, I see you've applied for U.A. High."
The students reacted immediately.
"Well, obviously! His quirk is crazy strong!"
"With that power, he'll definitely get in!"
Jealous whispers spread across the room.
Then, the teacher glanced back at his papers and paused for a moment.
"Oh, and Midoriya has also applied for U.A."
The room fell into silence.
Unlike the original story, where they would have laughed and mocked him, this time… no one spoke.
Some students stole glances at Izuku, recalling his impressive strength and intelligence. Others just stayed quiet, unsure how to react.
Even Bakugo didn't mock him. Instead, he just snorted, clicking his tongue in irritation.
Izuku didn't react much. He simply turned a page in his book, gripping the hand gripper once more.
His path to U.A. was already set.
After school ended, all the students left the classroom, leaving only Bakugo and his friends behind.
Just as Izuku was about to leave, Bakugo called out loudly, "Deku!"
Izuku stopped and asked calmly, "Do you want to challenge me again?"
He recalled how, in the original story, Bakugo had burned the original Izuku's Hero Analysis notebook and told him to jump off a building. That event had led to Izuku encountering the sludge villain and meeting All Might, which changed everything.
Bakugo clenched his fists, his voice filled with frustration. "Don't think we're kids anymore. You won't beat me so easily. My quirk has grown stronger!"
Izuku analyzed the situation. Yes, Bakugo had improved. His explosions were more refined, and his combat instincts were sharper. However, Izuku had grown too. With his Level 4 Martial Arts and enhanced reflexes, he could defeat Bakugo without even activating Soul State.
Izuku looked at Bakugo and asked calmly, "What business do you have with me?"
Bakugo opened his mouth as if to say something but stopped himself. Instead, he narrowed his eyes and said, "Deku, someday... I will completely crush you." With that, he turned his back and walked out of the classroom.
Izuku fell into deep thought. Will I meet All Might today?
He knew what Bakugo truly wanted to say—that someone without a quirk could never become a hero.
Ever since Soul State reached Level 8, he had gained passive new abilities related to the soul. Now, he could faintly sense major events that would shape his life. He could also vaguely perceive people's thoughts—not with full clarity, but enough to grasp their intent.
More than that, he had discovered a frightening ability: he could influence minds to a certain degree. However, if someone's will was stronger than his spirit, they could resist him. If he pushed too far, he could even shatter a person's consciousness completely