Chapter 2: The General Studies Department
The morning air carried a crisp chill as Karsten stepped onto the campus of U.A. High School, it was officially his first day as a student in the General Studies Department, yet he felt little excitement. His black hair hung over his eyes as he walked past clusters of students buzzing with energy, some already showing off their quirks in casual displays of power. It was easy to tell who belonged to the Hero Course, their presence dominated the space, their confidence bordering on arrogance.
General Studies students, by contrast, blended into the background. No unnecessary displays, no dramatic entrances, just quiet steps toward a future that didn't involve the spotlight. Karsten found himself relieved. This was where he wanted to be. Still, he couldn't help but glance toward the Hero Course building in the distance. He already knew that Class 1-A was bound to attract trouble sooner rather than later. He had no plans to get involved.
Settling into his classroom, Karsten let out a quiet sigh. General Studies was perfect for him. Unlike the Hero Course, which demanded combat training and relentless self-improvement, General Studies allowed for a more academic and strategic focus. It was the ideal stepping stone toward his real goal, an old renowned yet demanding nursing college in Europe or a leg breaking nursing college in the Philippines where the only ones who passed are the finest? For now he doesn't know.
Anyways, he had no intention of becoming a hero.
During orientation, the General Studies students were given an overview of what to expect from their time at U.A. Unlike the Hero Course, which had a strict focus on combat and practical hero work, General Studies offered a broader, more academic experience. More importantly, General Studies didn't have the same expectations as the Hero Course. There were no fights against robots, no Quirk Apprehension Tests to prove oneself, no media coverage. Just a classroom where students focused on their futures in different fields.
Ectoplasm, their homeroom teacher, stood at the front, his eerie, masked face unreadable.
"General Studies students play an important role in society." he began. "Some of you may transfer into the Hero Course. Others may seek a path in support fields. Regardless of your choice, your education here will prepare you."
Karsten leaned back in his seat, listening as the subjects were listed:
国語 (Kokugo) – Japanese Language
現代文 (Gendaibun) – Modern Japanese
古典 (Koten) – Classical Japanese (including Kanbun 漢文, classical Chinese texts)
漢字 (Kanji) – Kanji studies
数学 (Sūgaku) – Mathematics
数学Ⅰ (Mathematics I)
数学Ⅱ (Mathematics II)
数学A (Mathematics A) – Basic algebra and geometry
数学B (Mathematics B) – Statistics and vectors
数学C (Mathematics C) – Advanced calculus (for science-oriented students)
理科 (Rika) – Science
物理 (Butsuri) – Physics
化学 (Kagaku) – Chemistry
生物 (Seibutsu) – Biology
地学 (Chigaku) – Earth Science
社会 (Shakai) – Social Studies
世界史 (Sekai-shi) – World History
日本史 (Nihon-shi) – Japanese History
地理 (Chiri) – Geography
現代社会 (Gendai Shakai) – Contemporary Society
倫理 (Rinri) – Ethics
政治・経済 (Seiji Keizai) – Politics & Economics
英語 (Eigo) – English
英語コミュニケーション (Eigo Communication)
英文法 (Eibunpō) – English Grammar
英語表現 (Eigo Hyōgen) – English Expression
保健体育 (Hoken Taiiku) – Health & Physical Education
体育 (Taiiku) – Physical Education (sports, exercise)
保健 (Hoken) – Health Education
Specialized & Elective Subjects
Quirk Theory & Analysis – Understanding the mechanics behind quirks, their strengths, weaknesses, and applications in various fields.
Support & Strategy – Disaster relief, logistics, and the role of non-heroes in crisis situations.
Hero Society & Law – Ethical considerations, regulations, and the history of heroism.
Basic First Aid & Patient Management – A subject designed for students interested in the medical field or emergency response. It provided hands-on experience in treating minor injuries and understanding basic medical procedures.
Karsten smirked to himself. This is perfect. He could gain valuable knowledge without attracting attention. First Aid training, in particular, would be a strong foundation for his aspirations.
This school may be hero-focused, but at least the General Studies program has its merits. Karsten thought to himself
" There is also one major advantage of being in General Studies: it is the freedom to join clubs. Unlike the Hero Course, which had intense training schedules, General Studies students were encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities to gain experience in their chosen fields." Ectoplasm continued.
"I encourage you to do so. Experience outside the classroom is invaluable. If you don't want to be tied to clubs there are other choices in which you can also apply to help on a certain facility. An example is the Library, where you can apply to be a Library assistant. Also, there are merits when you become an official of the club. The faculty and the administration can give a recommendation letter in which you can apply to a college if you wish to continue your education in the near future."
Karsten scanned the printouts that ectoplasm distributed in which contains all the clubs that are available and is approved by the school to which all would be a great foundation to those who would want to get a non-hero job in the future.
Karsten made a mental note: the school's clinic club might be worth checking out.
His first-aid certification, obtained through a seminar he had attended before enrolling, gave him a head start. Volunteering at the clinic would provide valuable real-world experience while allowing him to maintain his low profile.
Karsten had already made up his mind. Volunteering in the clinic would be the best use of his time. He had a first-aid certificate from a seminar he had attended, and this would give him real-world experience. The Hero Course students wouldn't have that luxury, they were too busy breaking bones in combat training.
A student beside him nudged his arm. "Hey, are you interested in joining anything?"
Karsten nodded his head. "The clinic." to which the student beside him raised her eyebrows, she opened her mouth trying to gauge what Karsten is thinking but Ectoplasm's eyes went into hers interrupting her.
"I expect discipline and effort from all of you." Ectoplasm stated, his voice even but firm. "While you are not in the Hero Course, this does not mean you lack potential. Many of you will go on to play essential roles in society. I expect you to take your education seriously."
Ectoplasm folded his arms. "We'll begin with introductions. State your name, quirk, and aspirations."
One by one, the students introduced themselves. Some had quirks suited for hero support, Others had quirks that wouldn't fit in the hero world but could thrive in other industries. But there are those who can surely have the ability to get into the Hero course.
I guess they were short in points for them to be here in the general studies Karsten thought
Then, Hitoshi Shinso spoke.
"Hitoshi Shinso. My quirk is Brainwashing. I want to be a hero." It was a short introduction and lacked enthusiasm but it had an effect.
A murmur spread across the room. Irony. Some students exchanged uneasy glances hearing his quirk, but the person himself closed his eyes already aware of the stigma surrounding his quirk. Karsten, however, remained neutral, understanding the struggle Shinso must have faced to even get here.
Then, it was Karsten's turn.
"Karsten Hikag." he said, keeping his voice even. "My quirk is Quirk Mimicry. I plan to enter the medical field."
Silence. Then, someone asked, "You can copy quirks?"
"Temporarily," he answered, offering no further explanation. He had no desire to elaborate especially not when his quirk, if used recklessly, could draw too much attention.
Shinso eyed him, but Karsten merely gave a small nod and returned to his seat.
…
The cafeteria was a lively, chaotic place. Even though U.A. prided itself on discipline, the students treated lunchtime like an unofficial break from the rigor of academics. The tables were packed, conversations blended into a sea of murmurs, and the clatter of trays filled the space with ambient noise.
Karsten sat at a relatively quiet corner of the cafeteria, a half-finished meal in front of him. He wasn't particularly hungry, his appetite had dulled while his mind wandered. Instead, he idly stirred his food with his chopsticks, eavesdropping on the conversations around him.
"Did you hear about Class 1-A?" A student two tables away spoke in hushed excitement. "They already had their Quirk Apprehension Test. Aizawa-sensei is brutal. I heard he expelled an entire class before!"
"No way, really? What kind of quirks do they even have?"
"Some pretty insane ones. That Bakugou guy? His quirk is all explosions, super strong firepower. Then there's Yaoyorozu, who can create things out of her body, and Todoroki is like a main character out of a fantasy novel! Having the ability to manipulate both ice and fire! But the real crazy one is Midoriya. Apparently, his quirk is so destructive, he nearly broke himself using it. Nevertheless, he ranked at the top of the class!"
Karsten hid a small frown. Midoriya? ranking at the top? Something is not right...
and it hit him...He didn't pay attention when U.A announced the top scorers in the entrance exam. He didn't pay attention when Midoriya smashed that Zero pointer without breaking his limbs...
Midoriya Izuku is the Top scorer of that exam... how could he forgot? How could he had missed that important detail? He also manage to almost remain unscathed when he was fighting the makeshift villains.
The story is beginning to change, and he wasn't even aware of it.
He sighed and shook his head, putting the matters aside, he will investigate when all calmed down. Many would have their eyes on Midoriya.
Class 1-A would already be making waves. Even though it was just their first real test, their reputations were already starting to take shape. Bakugou's raw firepower, Todoroki's unmatched versatility, Yaoyorozu's versatile quirk, but Midoriya's unpredictable result is a big shock to him. He needs to investigate this in the near future, not now. He would surely be caught if he tried to observe Midoriya even from afar.
He recognized the names of future key players. He had watched them from afar, knowing their potential long before they themselves did.
It was fascinating, in a way. Even though he had resolved to stay out of things, he couldn't help but be drawn to the unfolding unpredictable narrative.
But the hero course wasn't the only thing on his mind.
Class 1-A's rise to prominence. The ridiculous amount of trouble they'd attract especially now with Midoriya being at the top would surely change some things. The absurd situations that would escalate beyond anyone's expectations.
The canon timeline was beginning to get out of the track. How do i fix this? He questioned. His gaze flickered across the room, landing briefly on the familiar mop of indigo hair sitting a few tables down. Hitoshi Shinso was eating alone, as usual. He was quiet, keeping his head down, but Karsten noticed the occasional sideways glances from other students. The murmurs weren't loud, but he could tell, they still whispered about his quirk.
"Brainwashing… Creepy, isn't it?"
"He could make anyone do whatever he wants."
"Bet he tried using it in the exam. He's in General Studies for a reason."
Karsten frowned as he gazed into Shinso.
Jealousy? Frustration? Maybe a mix of both.
Shinso didn't react to the whispers, keeping his expression neutral as he idly poked at his food. But Karsten knew better. He knew Shinso's struggle. The frustration. The quiet resentment. The burning desire to prove himself—only to be shoved into a corner because people feared what they didn't understand.
Karsten had the power to help. To push things in a direction that might give Shinso a chance sooner rather than later. But was it his place to interfere?
He exhaled softly, glancing toward the sky visible from the large cafeteria windows.
For now, I'll just watch from the sidelines. If I don't get involved, things will progress as they should…
The thought lingered, but a deeper instinct gnawed at him.
U.A. never stayed quiet for long.
And somehow, he had a feeling, God forbid that his time in the background wouldn't last forever.
Or would he?
The question lingered in his mind, but he brushed it aside. I should stay out of it. This world has a path it follows, my presence already changed some things here. If i interfere directly...
His eyes wandered toward the large windows of the cafeteria. In which, he had a clear view of the campus.
I can only pity myself for the disaster that would befall on me.
…
A/N: I updated the fanfiction and changed some things on the plot.