A week later, Aizawa finally gave the class some good news.
"We're doing Rescue Training," he said, rubbing his eye. "Three heroes will oversee it—me, All Might, and another pro."
The class perked up.
"Who's the other hero?" Kaminari asked.
"You'll see," Aizawa said. "Now, you can wear your hero costumes if you want, but keep in mind, some of them might not fit the task ahead."
A few students exchanged looks. Some of them had outfits made purely for combat, so they weren't the best for rescue work.
I, of course, put my uniform on. If I was getting an expensive custom outfit, I was going to wear it.
Outside, the bus was waiting. Before anyone could start fighting over seats, Hagakure grabbed my arm. "Can I do the seating arrangements?"
I shrugged. "Go for it."
She immediately started directing people. She placed herself next to me, clearly pleased with her own work. The bus had two rows of seats facing each other in the middle, with double seats at the back.
Once everyone was seated, conversation picked up.
Tsuyu looked at Izuku. "Your Quirk kind of reminds me of All Might's."
Izuku froze. "Uh—"
I cut in. "It's the way he moves. This fool is the biggest All Might fangirl in existence. Big jumps, heavy hits. Makes sense, right?"
Tsuyu blinked, then nodded. "That makes sense."
Izuku gave me a look that was half grateful, half panicked. I ignored it.
As the bus rolled on, talk shifted to what they thought the training would be like.
"Maybe simulated disasters," Yaoyorozu said. "Like earthquakes or fires."
"That would be cool," Kirishima said. "I mean, not cool, but, you know."
Sero leaned back. "I just hope we don't have to dig through rubble all day. My arms will fall off."
Mineta groaned. "As long as there are no water rescues. I can't swim."
Shoji gave him a look. "That's a problem for a hero."
Mineta waved him off. "I'll just avoid oceans."
Hagakure tapped my sleeve. "So, what's the deal with your costume? You could've gone for something flashy, but instead, you look like you're about to roll someone in an alley."
I glanced at her. "Because rolling someone in an alley is a perfectly valid strategy. You think villains play fair?"
She waved a hand. "I get that, but like… a leather jacket? That doesn't scream 'hero,' it screams 'bouncer at a nightclub that exclusively plays metal.'"
I flicked the reinforced shoulder. "Yeah, well, nightclub bouncers don't get stabbed as often as heroes do. It's lined with metal plating—lightweight, flexible, and stops me from getting shanked."
Kaminari leaned forward, pointing at my jeans. "Okay, and those? Are you just committed to the aesthetic, or do they actually do something?"
"Reinforced padding," I said. "Ever get kicked in the shin? Hurts, right? Now imagine that, but ten times worse. This makes sure I don't crumple like wet cardboard if someone goes for my legs."
"Dude, that's actually smart," Kirishima said. "I should get something like that."
Mina grinned. "Okay, but what about the gloves? I mean, they look cool, but are they just there for the whole 'mysterious tough guy' look?"
I held up my hand, flexing my fingers. "Better grip, more control when swinging the bat, and I can punch without breaking my knuckles. And, yeah, I guess they look cool. Intimidation is part of the job."
Sero whistled. "Alright, alright, but let's talk about the real MVP here—your bat. You really looked at all the crazy Quirks in the world and said, 'Nah, I'll stick with a metal club.'"
I smirked, tapping it against my palm. "Listen, quirks are great and all, but they run on energy. Stamina, focus, mental strain—you burn out. Meanwhile, my bat?" I spun it once before setting it down. "Doesn't need a recharge, doesn't run out of juice, and works against just about anything with a face. Simple, effective, and, let's be honest, way more satisfying."
Jiro chuckled. "Yeah, I bet smacking Bakugo upside the head with it would be pretty satisfying."
Bakugo glared. "You wanna say that again, Earphone Jack?"
Jiro grinned. "Nah, I think you heard me just fine."
Hagakure held up my bat, or tried to. Her arms wobbled immediately. "Holy crap, why is this so heavy? This is, like, a full-on blunt weapon. You carrying this around all the time?"
I took it back easily. "Yeah. If I ever have to chase someone down, I would rather have something that makes them reconsider their life choices."
Todoroki, who had been silently observing, finally spoke. "You designed your entire outfit around functionality instead of appearance."
I gave him a look. "Did you think I just walked into a tailor and said, 'Give me something that screams unhinged vigilante'?"
He nodded slightly. "That sounds like something you would do."
Before I could respond, the bus slowed down. The front doors opened, and Aizawa stood up. "We're here. Move."
As we stepped into the Unforeseen Simulation Joint (U.S.J.), I took a look around. Massive, carefully constructed disaster zones stretched out in every direction—flood wreckage, landslides, fire hazards, collapsed buildings. This place was a practical nightmare, and considering our luck as a class, we would probably be dealing with something much worse than just simulated disasters.
"Damn, this place is massive," Kaminari whistled, spinning around.
"It makes sense," Yaoyorozu explained. "Real-world disasters vary in scale, so naturally, the training grounds need to reflect that."
Iida nodded. "A highly advanced facility! It's no surprise that U.A. would spare no expense to properly train the next generation of heroes."
Hagakure waved her arms. "It really does look like U.S.J.! The theme park, I mean!"
Aizawa, standing off to the side, ignored the chatter. "Alright, listen up. The purpose of this exercise is to simulate rescue situations under different extreme conditions. No combat. Focus on the evacuation of civilians and crisis management."
Just as he finished, No. 13, our instructor for the day, stepped forward. "That's correct! This facility was designed to train heroes in dealing with natural and unnatural disasters. You'll learn how to utilize your quirks to save lives, not just defeat villains."
Izuku was practically vibrating next to me, muttering something about how amazing No. 13 was and how her Quirk, Black Hole, was the perfect tool for search-and-rescue. I resisted the urge to flick his forehead.
No. 13 raised a gloved hand. "Before we begin, just a reminder—my Quirk, Black Hole, can suck in and disintegrate anything. It is an incredible tool for removing debris and aiding in crisis situations, but it could also just as easily take a life. The same applies to all of your Quirks." Their visor turned toward the class. "Your powers are dangerous. Remember that."
The class fell quiet. That was something we were all aware of, but hearing it from a pro hero, in a setting like this, made it feel heavier.
Before we could dwell on it, the air shifted. The lights dimmed slightly, like a cloud had passed over the sun. I felt something was off, but I couldn't place it until I saw it—
A black mist materialized at the center of the facility, warping and expanding into a circular void.
A deep voice echoed from within. "Ah, how wonderful. The Symbol of Peace isn't here."
Then they stepped out. Dozens of figures—villains.
[NEW QUEST: SURVIVE. GOOD FUCKING LUCK. THIS IS YOUR BIGGEST TASK TO DATE.
OBJECTIVE: Get through the USJ attack alive, minimize casualties, and prevent the villains from accomplishing their goals.
REWARD:
+500 XP
+? Stat Points (Distributed based on performance)
New Skill Unlock (??? - Conditional on actions taken)
Reputation Increase (Among Pro Heroes & U.A. Staff)
Inventory Slot Expansion
One Mystery Reward
FAILURE:
Severe Injury or Death (Self or Classmates)
Loss of Reputation
Potential Expulsion from U.A.
Massive XP Deduction (Since there was a comment about this, I would like to clarify: XP comes from the System, and just like it gives rewards, it also takes them back. This isn't some real-world punishment—it's not the System Slave trope. Promise. Peace out ✌️)
[SUB-QUESTS]
1. IMMEDIATE RESPONSE
TASK: Assess the situation, react quickly, and avoid getting immediately wiped out like a dumbass.
REWARD: +50 XP, +1 to Awareness (Hidden Stat)
2. GROUP SURVIVAL
TASK: Keep at least 80% of Class 1-A unharmed and functional. Bonus if nobody gets seriously injured.
REWARD: +100 XP, Small Reputation Boost
3. OUTNUMBERED, OUTGUNNED
TASK: Engage and stall enemy forces without getting caught or overwhelmed.
REWARD: +75 XP, +1 to Endurance(Hidden Stat)
4. NO EASY WAY OUT
TASK: Escape the initial warp-gate scatter and regroup with allies.
REWARD: +50 XP, New System Feature Unlock (Party Function - Track Allies' Locations)
5. LEADERSHIP UNDER FIRE
TASK: Coordinate efforts with your classmates to maintain order in chaos. (Minimum: Direct two or more students effectively.)
REWARD: +100 XP, +1 to Charisma x Number of Directed Students
6. BRAWL AT THE SHIPWRECK ZONE
TASK: Help defeat or outmaneuver the villains in the flood zone while avoiding drowning.
REWARD: +150 XP, +? to Agility
7. GROUND BATTLE
TASK: Fight at least three different low-level villains without taking critical damage.
REWARD: +125 XP, +1 to Combat Proficiency for each skill used
8. SMARTER THAN YOU LOOK
TASK: Use surroundings or unexpected tactics to gain an advantage in battle. (Minimum: One successful environmental tactic.)
REWARD: +150 XP, New Passive Skill (Tactical Awareness - Small boost to strategy recognition during fights.)
9. SHOWDOWN WITH NOMU (ASSISTANCE MODE)
TASK: Contribute to slowing down or distracting the Nomu without dying immediately. (Survival bonus included.)
REWARD: +250 XP, ??? (Hidden Reward Based on Performance)
10. FINAL STAND
TASK: Survive long enough for All Might to arrive, OR help in any way that speeds up the rescue.
REWARD: +200 XP, +1 to Stamina x Minutes survived
[BONUS OBJECTIVES]
GIVE A SICK ONE-LINER BEFORE KNOCKING SOMEONE OUT
REWARD: +50 XP, +1 Charisma x Number of One-Liners
STEAL A VILLAIN'S WEAPON AND USE IT AGAINST THEM
REWARD: +50 XP, +1 Strength x Number of Weapons used
GET BAKUGO TO WORK WITH YOU WITHOUT HIM THROWING A FIT
REWARD: +75 XP, New Dialogue Option Unlock - "Strategic Negotiation"
MAKE SHIGARAKI REGRET TARGETING YOU
REWARD: +??? (Based on actions taken)
INSULT KUROGIRI IN A WAY THAT MAKES HIM PAUSE
REWARD: +30 XP, +1 Intelligence x Pause
[HIDDEN QUESTS]
(??? - Unlocked based on choices during the event)]
I froze.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Think.
The world slowed down around me. First, I checked the quests. Then, the villains. Then, my friends. Quest number four—Escape the initial warp-gate scatter and regroup with allies. The warp bastard can send us somewhere else. Probably still within the USJ, since another quest mentions the Flood Zone. There are a shit ton of villains. Their plan is obvious—separate us and pick us off.
[ NICE ONE SHORTY! YOU UNLOCKED SKILL: BULLET TIME! ]
"Shut it."
I flicked through the quests again. Nomu? No info. The two leaders had to be Warp Dude and Pale Bitch. Insult quests could wait. Could I stop the warp from happening? Unlikely. Maybe I could pull one or two people out before I got sucked in.
Priority: Myself. If I save myself, I unlock a system function to track everyone else. After that—Iida. He could run back to school for help. Kaminari. He could blast a signal.
I could only grab two.
Fuck.
Then, I need to head to the Flood Zone.
Fuck.
The mist expanded, dark tendrils stretching out like they were searching for prey. I could see students getting swallowed up already—like hands reaching into a jar of candy. Iida, closest to me, was mid-shout, about to yell something useless like "Everyone, stay together!" Too late for that.
I grabbed his collar and yanked him backward. His arms flailed, but before he could question it, I reached out for Kaminari. His body was half-submerged in the mist. I caught his wrist and pulled.
The mist swallowed everyone else.
The three of us crashed onto solid ground. The swirling void around us disappeared.
[ QUEST 4 COMPLETE: NEW SYSTEM FEATURE UNLOCKED – PARTY FUNCTION. TRACKING ENABLED. ]
I didn't have time to check what that meant.
Iida scrambled up first, looking around. "Midoriya! What just—?"
"Shut up. They are in USJ still." I checked the System, pulling up the new feature. A faint, glowing map flickered in my vision, little dots blinking in different areas. I spotted the Flood Zone immediately. That meant Tsuyu, Mineta, and Izuku. The other locations were spread out—Ruins, Fires, Landslides.
I turned to Iida. "Go. Get help."
He hesitated. "But—"
"That is your whole fucking thing. Run."
He clenched his jaw but nodded. His engines roared, and he bolted.
Kaminari rubbed his wrist. "Okay, what the hell just happened?"
"I pulled you out. No time for stupid questions. Go with Iida. Send a signal from outside. They jammed this place."
Kaminari looked like he wanted to argue, but before he could open his mouth, the warp bastard turned to us.
"I am afraid I cannot let you do that."
Aizawa stepped in, eyes glowing red. Kurogiri's mist flickered, his Quirk shutting down immediately.
I shoved Iida and Kaminari toward the door. "Go!" I swung my bat at the metal exit. The hinges bent, then snapped off. I kicked it open.
Kurogiri recovered fast, his mist spreading again. Aizawa's scarf shot out, wrapping around him before he could warp. Iida hesitated for half a second before blasting off. Kaminari followed.
--
🎵 "A wild chapter appeared!" 🎵
Ryuu used Update! It's super effective.
Reader used Scroll and Ghost.
It's not very effective...
Trainer Ryuu is sad.
Use Power Stone to restore morale?
✔️ YES❌ NO (You monster)
SYSTEM NOTICE!
Alright, let me explain this as clearly as possible—because apparently, some folks out here are reading "System" and immediately losing all reason.
1. The System does not force Ryuu to do anything.
Let me repeat that for the people in the back:THE. SYSTEM. DOES. NOT. FORCE. RYUU. TO. DO. ANYTHING.
Every quest it gives? Rejectable. You don't want to do it? Cool. Move on. You won't explode, your limbs won't fall off, and nobody's going to drag you to a villain den in handcuffs.
2. The punishments are not from the System.
You know what gets Ryuu "punished"? Ryuu himself.
For example: if he ditches a battle where people rely on him and does something reckless? That's on him. If that gets him in trouble with his teachers, expelled, or loses trust? That's called consequences, not "System abuse."
The System doesn't say:
"Disobey me and I'll nuke your liver."It says:"Yo, you gonna do this mission? No? Cool, but no XP for you."Like a gym membership. You don't go, you don't gain muscle. Shocking.
3. "Cutting off XP" isn't a threat—it's a mechanic.
Ryuu benefits massively from the System. He levels up, he gets power-ups, information, and insight nobody else has. But if he acts like a dumbass? The System's like, "Okay then, no cookies for you."That's not a punishment. That's accountability.
4. A real 'System Slave' trope would look like this:
"Do this or you die."
"You refused? Cool. Say goodbye to your right eye."
"Mission failed. Time to torture your loved ones."
That's not what's happening here. Not even close. So if you're reading that into the story, I'm sorry, but you're either reading a different book in your head or you just really wanted to be upset about something.
TL;DR:Ryuu chooses what he does. The System gives him options, not orders. The only chains on him are the ones he wraps around himself.If you still think this is a System Slave trope? I got nothing else to say but:You do you, champ.
Peace out.
-----
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