2 A New Dawn
As I drifted off to sleep, my mind was a whirlpool of questions and uncertainties. The events of the day played on repeat, blurring the lines between reality and the fantastical world I now found myself in. Exhaustion finally claimed me, dragging me into a fitful slumber filled with haunting visions of the past.
In my dream, I found myself watching a strange movie unfold before my eyes. It was the story of Izuku Midoriya, a young boy born without a quirk in a world where having a superpower was the norm. I watched as he navigated the challenges of his daily life, enduring the taunts and bullying of his classmates, particularly his childhood friend, Katsuki Bakugo.
The scene shifted to a classroom, where Bakugo and his friends were discussing their future aspirations. Bakugo's arrogance was on full display as he boasted about his powerful quirk and his plans to become a top hero. "I'll be the only one from this shitty school to make it into U.A.," he declared. "I'll surpass All Might and become the greatest hero in the world!"
I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Izuku as he sat there, quietly enduring the mockery and laughter directed at his quirkless status. "Midoriya? No way he's getting into U.A.," one of Bakugo's lackeys sneered. "He's just a quirkless loser. He'll never be a hero!"
As the day progressed, I witnessed Izuku's determination to become a hero, despite the odds stacked against him. He pored over his hero analysis notebooks, meticulously studying the quirks and strategies of various pro heroes. I found myself admiring his tenacity and his refusal to give up on his dreams, even in the face of constant discouragement.
The turning point came when Izuku encountered a villain attack on his way home from school. A sludge monster had taken Bakugo hostage, using the boy's explosive quirk to wreak havoc on the city. I watched as Bakugo struggled against the villain's grip, his face contorted in pain and fear.
Amidst the chaos, Izuku rushed forward, desperate to help his former friend. However, his actions only served to hinder the pro heroes on the scene, putting both himself and Bakugo in greater danger. I cringed as Izuku was swatted aside like a fly, his frail body slamming into the ground with a sickening thud.
As the battle raged on, I heard Bakugo's cruel words echoing in Izuku's mind: "If you really want a quirk that badly, there's a quick way to get one. Believe that you'll be born with one in your next life and take a swan dive off the roof!"
The legendary hero All Might appeared on the scene, his mere presence enough to turn the tide of battle. With a single mighty blow, he defeated the sludge villain, freeing Bakugo and saving the day. But it was the moment that followed that truly struck a chord with me.
All Might deflated slightly, his once-towering form seeming a bit smaller. He turned to Izuku, and the boy flinched—not from fear, but the sheer force of the hero's attention. All Might's voice boomed out, yet a tremor Izuku hadn't noticed before ran through it. "What were you thinking, young man?" His eyes, usually bright with boundless energy, were narrowed, the smile gone.
A hot wave of shame washed over Izuku, his tear-blurred vision making All Might seem even more imposing. "I…I…" he swallowed, the words catching in his throat. "I just… couldn't let him…" He didn't want to say Bakugo's name, didn't want to taint this moment.
"I admire your bravery," All Might said, and it stung more than a slap. "But what you did was foolish. A hero's first duty is to have the power to protect others." He crouched, making himself slightly less intimidating. "Rushing in blindly helps no one - least of all yourself."
Izuku's vision blurred with fresh tears. A sob threatened to break free as he stared at the charred pavement. All Might was right, a brutal echo of everything he'd ever been told.
The scene shifted once more, and I found myself watching Izuku sit at his desk, Tears streamed down his face as he looked over his burned notebook, his expression one of utter despair and hopelessness.
"Why.." he murmured, his voice trembling with emotion. "Why am I so weak? I just wanted to be…"
My own breath caught in my throat. His words weren't just a memory, they were an accusation cutting through the space between us. And in that moment, I felt it - a flicker of kinship with this desperate boy, a shared echo of that crushing question.
When he finally collapsed, burying his face in his arms, the force of his despair sent a ripple through the very air. I felt each shuddering sob. I longed to reach out, offer some word of comfort, but I was a phantom, bound to watch. Time seemed to stretch, the silence punctuated only by Izuku's muffled cries. His exhaustion became a palpable weight, until he finally fell asleep. I thought the dream was over until I saw Izuku stir, sitting up and gripping his neck. Wait… thats…
The dream world shattered. My heart hammered a frantic rhythm against my ribs. The dream - no, the memory clung to me like a cold sweat. That wasn't just observation... it was a connection, a crossing-over. So that's how I'd ended up here, in Izuku's body.
A glance at the clock beside the bed jarred me further – 4:27am. Sleep was out of the question now. I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, the movement smooth yet unfamiliar. These weren't my muscles, my body... A flicker of panic ignited, but I forced it down. Freaking out wouldn't change the situation.
Something blinked in the corner of my vision. I squinted, trying to make it out. An icon, tiny and pulsing. With a jolt, I realized I could focus on it. As soon as I did, shimmering text unfolded before my eyes:
Daily Quest: Path to Becoming the #1 Hero:
Push-ups [0/100]
Sit-ups [0/100]
Squats [0/100]
Run [0/10km]
Rewards:
100 XP
5 attribute points
Status Recovery: Upon completion, your body rapidly heals and eliminates any workout-related aches and pains.
I stared at the floating words, my mind reeling. "What the hell?" I muttered, rubbing my eyes as if that would erase the impossible sight. "Is this some kind of joke?"
But the absurdity of it all was starting to click. If this world was truly governed by the same logic as anime and manga... of course there'd be quests. This was cliché, straight out of a cheesy fanfiction or a low-budget manga. But, completing this quest might open that "New Beginnings" gift box...
Examining the quest made me scoff. A hundred push-ups? Ten kilometers? In this scrawny body? It was laughable. Yet... the old stubbornness flared. Ignoring this felt like ignoring a lifeline.
Just as I started to map out a plan – where I could even run in this city – a gentle knock sounded at the door. "Izuku? Are you okay?" a soft, concerned voice drifted through the wood.
Oh no. Should I answer? Pretend all was normal? Before I could decide, the door creaked open.
My heart twisted. "Mom," I breathed, the word both foreign and achingly familiar on my tongue.
Inko Midoriya, Izuku's mother, stood at the doorway. Even with worry lines creasing her brow, there was a warmth to her that was impossible to resist... an echo of how I'd imagined my own mom would be. She was short, a bit plump in a comforting way that spoke of home-cooked meals and endless fretting. Her green hair, so much like my – Izuku's – own, was pulled back into a loose ponytail, and she wore a faded light blue nightgown.
"Is everything alright, Izuku?" Her eyes searched mine, concern etched into every gentle curve of her face. "I heard you crying out in your sleep. It sounded like you were having a terrible nightmare."
I forced a smile, but it felt brittle on my lips. "I'm fine, Mom. Just a bad dream, that's all."
She wasn't buying it. Inko stepped into the room, closing the distance between us. Her hand reached out, a featherlight touch against my cheek. "Izuku, I know when something's bothering you. Please, talk to me."
A sigh escaped me, heavy with the weight of everything that had happened. It was more than just the dream now. "Have you ever heard the saying, 'never meet your heroes,' Mom?"
Inko's face softened with understanding. "Oh, Izuku. Did something happen with All Might?"
I shook my head, a wry smile twisting at my lips. "No, nothing like that. It's just... sometimes the people we look up to, they're not who we thought they were. It's a hard lesson to learn."
She didn't question me further. Instead, she pulled me into a hug, her warmth enveloping me like a comforting blanket. Despite not being my real mother, the gesture stirred up a well of emotion I hadn't known I possessed. Tears pricked the corner of my eyes. "Thanks, Mom. I needed that."
Guilt gnawed at me. This kind woman deserved happiness, but was I the one to give it? Could I fill the role of a son she'd unknowingly lost? Shoving those doubts aside, I forced a change of subject. "So, how was work? Anything exciting happen?"
Inko's face brightened, and she launched into anecdotes about her day. Her descriptions of unruly interns and the broken office coffee machine were far from thrilling, yet I listened intently. This was normal. This was what family sounded like, and I found myself treasuring the normalcy I'd never known.
"I think I'm going to get some training done before school." This body was a far cry from heroic.
Inko's smile faltered slightly. "Izuku, please... remember to stay safe, okay?" Her voice held a plea I couldn't ignore.
I nodded, giving her a reassuring grin. Back in my room, I pulled up the quest and studied it.
Daily Quest: Path to Becoming the #1 Hero
Push-ups [0/100]
Sit-ups [0/100]
Squats [0/100]
Run [0/10km]
I started with push-ups. My arms trembled, every rep a battle. A bead of sweat rolled down my brow. Frustration spiked. "Inefficient," I muttered. Pausing, I tried to analyze my movements, find ways to improve... but minutes ticked by, uselessly. "Screw it, let's just brute force this."
As I struggled on, an icon blinked to life in the corner of my vision. Curious, I focused on it, and a new screen shimmered into existence:
Skills
Analytical Mind [Lvl 2]
Physical Endurance [Lvl 1]
Blinking in surprise, I realized this must be how the "game" aspect of this world worked. Actions earned skills! Mentally tapping on the new skill made more text appear:
Physical Endurance [Lvl 1]: Increases the user's stamina and ability to withstand physical strain. Higher levels allow the user to train for longer periods and recover faster from intense workouts.
By the time I staggered back to my room, my body was a symphony of pain. Sweat soaked through my clothes, my legs wobbled like overcooked noodles. But buried beneath the exhaustion, a flicker of pride ignited. I'd done it. I'd completed that damn quest.
Collapsing onto the bed, I gasped for air, only to be startled by a bright blue screen that materialized in front of me:
Daily Quest Completed: Path to Becoming the #1 Hero
Rewards:
100 XP
5 attribute points
Status Recovery
XP and points were promising, but the Status Recovery had my heart thumping. And sure enough, a soothing warmth spread through me, banishing the aches like they'd never existed. It was as if I'd gotten a full night's sleep despite pushing myself to the brink.
Sitting up, I pulled up my status screen.
Name: Izuku Midoriya
Age: 16
Title: The Gamer
Quirk: None
Quirk Mastery: Null
Level: 1 (100/500)
Skills:
Analytical Mind: Lvl 2
Physical Endurance: Lvl 2
Attributes:
Strength: F+
Agility: F+
Intelligence: C-
Sense: D
Vitality: F+
Charisma: D-
Attribute points: 5
Inventory: (Closed)
My title had changed. Gone was "Quirkless Loser," that cruel reminder of all I lacked. "The Gamer"... it wasn't heroic, but it reflected this new reality. I also noticed my strength went from E to E+. I had time to kill before school, so I dug into the inventory, wondering what other surprises I'd earned...
Inventory:
Basic First Aid Kit:
A simple kit containing bandages, antiseptic, and pain relief medication.
Smartphone (Low Battery):
An outdated model, its screen is cracked but still functions.
Hero Analysis For The Future Vol 13:
Filled with descriptive notes on various heroes.
100 Yen Coin:
A small amount of currency, unlikely to be of significant value in this new world.
New Beginnings gift box:
A gift box able to be opened after completing the first quest
New Beginnings Gift Box:
- Beginner's workout fit: A simple, form-fitting black shirt and black sweatpants.
- Maximum Skill Scroll: A mysterious scroll that, when used, will grant the user a random maxed out skill.
- 25000 Yen: A small amount of currency to help you get started on your journey.
- Encouragement Note: "Every journey begins with a single step. Keep moving forward, and never give up on your dreams.- R.O.B"
I focused on the skill scroll, intrigued by the promise of a new ability. As I unrolled the parchment, the words "Accelerated Development" seemed to dance before my eyes. The scroll dissolved into a shimmering mist, and I could feel the knowledge of the skill seeping into my mind.
Accelerated Development (Max): A powerful skill that allows the user to learn and master new abilities at an extraordinary rate. The user's growth rate in all areas is dramatically increased, allowing them to reach their full potential much faster.
The words "Accelerated Development" echoed in my mind. This was it – my ticket to bridging that impossible gap between me and the quirk-wielding world. It wasn't a quirk, but it was power, of a sort. And I intended to use it to the absolute max.
A glance at the clock startled me – I had to get ready for school! I grabbed a towel, heading to the bathroom for a well-deserved shower. The hot water felt amazing, washing away more than just sweat. It was like a baptism, a new start.
Drying off, I slipped on my uniform. The crispness felt strange against my skin, a far cry from the baggy clothes I'd favored as Haru. I returned to my room, my eyes skimming over the space.
It was pure Izuku. All Might merch plastered the walls, a shrine to his obsession. "I know he's the number one here, but isn't this a bit much?" I muttered.
Deciding to sell most of it this weekend, I grabbed my backpack and headed out. Catching Mom's voice, that familiar scent of breakfast, guilt lanced through me. But I pushed it down. "Morning, Mom! Running late, gotta grab something on the way!"
Inko's smile wavered, like she knew I was fibbing, but she rallied. "Of course, sweetie. Just eat something, okay? Have a great day!"
"Will do, Mom. Love you!" I forced a smile as I shut the door behind me.
With a pep in my step, I headed off toward Aldera High, ready to start my climb to the impossible heights of heroism.
