It was only their second day as hero students at U.A., yet Ibara still found it hard to believe that she and Ai had truly made it.
So far, U.A. had been an incredible experience. Compared to their previous school, everything felt so different—maybe it was the sheer size of the campus, or the fact that their teachers were pro heroes. Whatever it was, this place felt entirely new to her.
But if she was being honest, the real difference wasn't the school's grandeur or the presence of heroes. It was the way she felt in her own class.
For the first time, she felt at ease. Less on guard.
Ibara glanced to her side and smiled. Kinoko, her new friend, was struggling to fold an origami mushroom, following Ai's careful instructions with an endearing mix of determination and frustration.
And that was when she realized it—this was why U.A. felt so different.
Unlike their old school, she and Ai were actually making friends.
Back in middle school, school had felt like a chore. Go to class. Take notes. Wait for the next lesson. Lunch break. Go home.
The same routine, every single day.
Neither she nor Ai had ever truly felt like part of their class. Their classmates had always been hesitant to approach them—especially Ai.
His reputation hadn't been great, but not because of anything he had done. People feared him simply because of his Quirk, dismissing him as dangerous without ever trying to understand him.
That made everything complicated. Some students were wary of Ai, while others outright despised him. In the end, he had been completely isolated.
And Ibara? She had chosen to stay by his side.
She had no regrets. Ai was her best friend, and she had never once considered abandoning him. But because of that choice, she, too, had been unable to form any real connections with their classmates.
But now?
Now, things were different.
She had friends. And Ai had a new one. That alone was a huge blessing—for both of them. Especially for him.
For years, she had thought it impossible to find someone who would accept Ai despite the nature of his Quirk. And yet, not only had this person refused to push him away, but they had chosen to stand by his side.
Ibara had never felt more thankful. Her prayers had been answered.
Now, all that was left to do was to make sure Ai didn't get himself into any more trouble—especially not like yesterday.
"Man, class felt so…" Setsuna flopped onto Ibara's desk, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger as she searched for the right word. "Normal!"
Ibara glanced at her friend and nodded. "Mhmm. I think it's because once the novelty of having a pro hero as your academic teacher settles down, you start to realize—it's just a normal class."
Itsuka walked over, stretching her neck as she observed Kinoko and Ai. "Those two got real close real quick, huh?" she remarked, pointing at Kinoko, who was giggling as Ai tried to balance a mushroom-shaped origami on his nose. "You don't feel left out?"
Ibara shook her head, smiling. "No. Ai and I have been friends for a long time. I don't mind seeing him make new friends. In fact, I'm happy to see both of my friends getting along so well."
Itsuka smiled, shaking her head. "You're way too wholesome, you know that, Ibara?"
"Yep. Class Virgin Mary," Setsuna added with a grin.
Ibara lightly tapped Setsuna's arm in playful protest, causing the girl to smirk—until the part of her body that had been hit detached and flopped onto the desk, as if she had suffered a grievous injury. The three burst into laughter.
Their amusement was cut short when the classroom door swung open. Seeing their homeroom teacher step inside, the students quickly scrambled to their seats.
Vlad King nodded approvingly. "Good. You lot learn fast."
The class fell silent as he strode to the front. "If you haven't figured it out yet, this is the most important subject of this course—WELCOME to your FOUNDATIONAL HERO STUDIES!"
The room erupted into cheers. Vlad King let them have their moment. He understood how big this was for them—years of training and hard work had led to this, the first real step in their journey to becoming pro heroes.
After a brief pause, he clapped his hands, bringing the excitement back under control. "Alright, if you're done making a ruckus, go change into your hero costumes."
A smirk tugged at his lips as he saw the stars in his students' eyes. This was the moment they had been waiting for—their first time donning the hero identities they had envisioned for themselves.
"You all submitted your hero costume designs when you applied for U.A.'s Hero Course," he continued. "The support companies did an excellent job bringing them to life while ensuring they were functional. However, I want you to check for yourselves if there's anything that needs changing. As you gain more experience, you'll realize what works, what doesn't, and what upgrades you might need. Don't hesitate to request modifications at the Support Studio—Power Loader and his students will assist you."
He pressed a button on a remote, and several suitcases emerged from the walls of the classroom. "Find the one with your student number, get changed, and meet me at Gym Gamma when you're done. Don't take too long."
With that, Vlad King walked out of the classroom, leaving behind a storm of excitement as students scrambled to grab their hero costumes.
Ignoring the commotion, he pulled a small device from his pocket and spoke into it. "I'm done addressing the class. Get ready."
A voice on the other end responded, "Okay, Vlad. Thanks."
Pocketing the device, the Blood Hero continued his walk to Gym Gamma, preparing for the next step of their training.
Girls' Locker Room
"Ladies, we all look hot and sexy!" Setsuna Tokage declared, strutting through the locker room with a playful sway of her hips. Her skintight, lizard-like skin hero costume accentuated her toned figure, and she couldn't help but admire herself in the mirror, looking both confident and satisfied with her appearance.
"I think mine is a bit too short..." Kinoko Komori muttered anxiously, tugging at the hem of her skirt. She stood in front of a full-length mirror, shifting uncomfortably in her hero costume—a turtleneck dress adorned with a red and white fly agaric pattern that matched her mushroom cap-shaped hat. The dress featured long sleeves with furred cuffs, and while its snug fit allowed for ease of movement, the skirt barely reached mid-thigh, making her fidget with uncertainty
"It wasn't this short when I gave my measurements, was it?" she asked, her face turning as red as an Amanita mushroom cap.
Standing beside her, Itsuka Kendo adjusted her gloves with a reassuring grin. "I think it looks cute on you, Kinoko! It's stylish, and you need mobility for your Quirk, right?"
"But what if a strong wind blows?!" Kinoko whined, clutching her skirt with both hands as if that alone could protect her dignity.
Setsuna, lounging nearby with her arms crossed, let out a teasing chuckle. "Then I guess your opponents will get a bonus distraction along with your quirk. Maybe that's part of your battle strategy?"
Kinoko let out a high-pitched squeak, her entire face turning crimson. "S-Setsuna, don't joke about that!"
The other girls burst into laughter, some reassuring her while others piled on the teasing. Despite her embarrassment, Kinoko couldn't help but smile a little. Maybe she could get used to this… as long as the wind didn't betray her.
Then, as if on cue, all eyes shifted away from Kinoko to another figure in the room—Ibara Shiozaki.
"Girl, you look like a battle maiden," Setsuna whistled, eyes sparkling with admiration.
Ibara stood tall, clad in an elegantly designed battle dress that blended modesty with protection. The deep forest-green fabric hugged her upper body, reinforced with subtle yet effective armor plating. The sleeves, long and layered like flowing vines, concealed flexible impact-resistant padding beneath their graceful appearance.
A high, ornate white collar framed her neck, embroidered with golden accents that complemented the vine-like patterns running along her arms and torso. Unlike some of the more revealing costumes, hers prioritized both coverage and practicality, striking a perfect balance between elegance and combat-readiness.
Her skirt, though flowing and graceful, had discreet slits along the sides to allow unrestricted movement. Beneath it, reinforced leggings provided additional protection. Her boots, sturdy yet lightweight, were designed for agility and battlefield adaptability.
Clasping her hands together, Ibara remained composed despite the attention. "My attire must reflect both my duty and my faith," she said softly, glancing at the vine-wrapped gauntlets that covered her hands. "A warrior of justice should be prepared, but also present themselves with dignity."
Setsuna smirked. "Dignity, huh? You're pulling off the 'battle maiden' aesthetic perfectly."
Kinoko, still fidgeting with her skirt, nodded. "Yeah… I feel kinda underdressed next to you."
Ibara offered a gentle smile. "It is not the length of one's attire that defines them, but the strength they carry within."
Despite the poetic response, the girls couldn't help but admire how Ibara's hero costume truly embodied both protection and grace—like a knight wrapped in divine elegance.
Boys' Locker Room
Ai fastened his leather jacket, took a step back from the mirror, and smirked. "Not bad."
His hero costume was a perfect blend of intimidation and style, reflecting his chaotic yet calculated combat approach. The base layer was a form-fitting, lilac-colored spandex bodysuit adorned with gold accents. The intricate, circuit-like patterns running along his arms, torso, and legs gave him an almost regal presence, subtly hinting at his Quirk's connection to movement and control.
Over this, he wore a sleek black leather jacket—slightly tattered at the edges, adding to his battle-worn yet stylish aesthetic. Reinforced with light armor plating, it provided extra protection without restricting agility. The high collar and golden embroidery on the shoulders further enhanced his distinct presence, making him stand out as both a strategist and a fighter.
But the most striking part of his costume was the six marionette-like hands attached to his shoulders, arms, and waist. Crafted from a flexible metallic alloy, they represented both his Quirk and a haunting tribute to his deceased family—forever reminding him of the warmth they once held.
His gloves were sleek and fingerless, allowing precise control over his needle ring and knives. His boots, reinforced with shock-absorbing soles, were built for swift, calculated movements and devastating impact attacks.
With a costume that exuded both heroism and menace, Ai's design reflected his very nature—a warrior teetering between chaos and justice.
Without another glance, Ai turned on his heel and strode out of the locker room.
Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu scowled as he watched Ai leave. "Bro, what the heck is his problem? He just ignored me—that's so unmanly."
"I know, right? He ignored everyone yesterday during the Quirk Apprehension Test, too. Guy's an ass," Kamakiri the mantis looking boy grumbled, his mandibles twitch in irritation as he shot a glare at Ai's retreating figure.
Nirengeki, ever the mediator, patted Tetsutetsu's back. "Maybe he just didn't hear you. He's pretty friendly with Shiozaki-san and Komori-san, though."
At that, Tsuburaba let out an exaggerated groan. "Of course he's friendly with them! Have you seen how freaking sexy those two are? Komori's a shortstack with jiggle physics, and Shiozaki? Hot, curvy, elegant—just imagine what's hiding under that neat, ironed uniform of hers. If I had the chance, I'd be all over them too, but nope, the guy's hoarding them. Especially Komori."
Jurota frowned at Tsuburaba's words, his beastly features tightening in disapproval. "Please do not speak about our classmates that way. They are our friends and future colleagues. That mindset is unbefitting of a hero in training."
Kiabara, lounging nearby, hooked an arm around Jurota's shoulder and laughed. "Bro, chill! This is the boys' locker room. This is a sacred place for men to discuss hot babes and sexy cuties. Everything we say stays in this room, so don't be afraid to share your preferences." He grinned. "Mine's Tokage. Man, she's so freaking hot. I think I've got a chance—felt like we really clicked when we talked yesterday."
Jurota let out a deep sigh, resisting the urge to facepalm. He could already tell this conversation was going to get out of hand.
Juzo Honenuki stepped between Kaibara and Jurota after the latter pried himself free from Kaibara's grip. "Just be careful not to say things like that when Itami-san is around. I have a feeling he won't appreciate those words, and before you know it, you'll find yourself crushed by those giant hands. He looks like the kind of guy who doesn't give a damn about anything. Remember what happened during the orientation?"
Both Kaibara and Tsuburaba shivered at the idea, mentally reminding themselves to tread carefully around him.
"You guys are overthinking this," a voice interrupted.
Everyone's attention shifted to the blond copy-Quirk user, who had just finished changing into his hero costume.
"He's just another guy with a flashy Quirk, obviously acting superior to those he deems beneath him," Monoma said with a smug grin. "Everything he said during the orientation was just an act—an excuse to avoid serious consequences. In reality, he's just one of those guys."
"One of those?" Yosetsu Awase, the bandana-wearing student, asked.
Monoma smirked, striking a pose as if about to flick his hair. "One of those guys who thinks he's the next All Might just because he has a strong Quirk. He'll do whatever he wants, convinced that people—and even this school—won't dare punish someone as powerful as him."
He walked past the group, chuckling. "If I were you, I wouldn't even bother trying to befriend him. To him, we're just side characters in his story of glory. And those girls in our class? They're just options for him to pick from—whoever seems the most fun to play with later."
With that, Monoma disappeared through the door, leaving the boys exchanging uncertain looks.
Gym Gamma
Perched atop a building several meters away, a thin, emaciated figure watched the students below.
All Might stood silently, waiting for Vladking to finish his explanation and give the signal to surprise the young heroes-in-training.
His gaze landed on the lilac-haired boy.
After hearing Vlad King describe the student's Quirk and history, the former No. 1 Hero found himself wondering—when had discrimination against certain Quirks gotten this bad? When had things spiraled so far out of control?
Since yesterday, he had been debating whether to ask his successor how he was coping with being Quirkless all those year. But with how much young Midoriya had to juggle school and mastering One For All, All Might hesitated, afraid that bringing it up would only add to the boy's burdens. He decided it would be best to wait—he would ask when his successor had gained better control over his power.
"And with that, someone will be here to watch your performance," Vladking announced.
That was the signal.
All Might's body swelled to its former bulk, and with a deep breath, he let out his signature laugh.
"HA HA HA HA HA!"
With a mighty leap, he descended to meet the students.
End of Chapter 18