Chapter 13: Stats, Talk, Introductions
Quest accomplished.
Quest rewards.
+782 Exp.
+1 INT
+1 WIS
+1 StP
Izuku Midoriya
Level 10
Exp. 9526/12000
STR: 39
VIT: 37
DEX: 16
INT: 53
WIS: 55
HP: 222/222
MP: 0/0 Locked.
STA: 76/76
StP: 0
~
First day back to classes, Izuku walks into the classroom and is greeted by a shit eating grin from Shinso. "So, Novell, I heard you didn't go with Nighteye after all."
"No, I did. Things didn't work out, so I came back and Yamada sensei offered to take me instead. Why did you call in to the show?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Shinso tells him, still grinning. "Why didn't it work out?"
Izuku rolls his eyes. "I know what your voice sounds like, Hypnos. And Sir Nighteye offered the internship on false pretenses, Find-san objected and so did I, so we left."
"Damn." Shinso's smile fades. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I really am. It hurt, but it worked out. I was able to help someone on my way home and I learned a lot with Mic. Probably more than I'd have learned from Nighteye if he'd meant his offer."
"Well, I'm glad. You don't deserve that shit."
He has to fight to not tear up in gratitude. "Thanks. Why did you call in though?"
"Eh." Shinso shrugs. "You're predictable and I wanted people to know that people like me can be heroes too. It was more for me than for you, but I figured I owed you after you let me win."
"That is so confusing." He says, not following the logic very well.
Shinso shrugs again.
"Letting someone win isn't very sportsmanlike."
They both twitch and look at Iida, who wow, he looks sulky.
"You're one to talk. You wouldn't have won your fight with Hatsume if she hadn't let you win." Shinso points out with a bit of edge to his tone.
"She tricked me!"
"Um. Tricking your opponent is actually a valid strategy, Iida." Izuku points out, though he can see why Iida resents being made to look like a fool.
Iida looks angry for a second, then draws himself up. "You are right. I hadn't thought about that. But letting someone win is still unsportsmanlike."
Izuku shrugs. "Not really. I wouldn't have broken out if Find-san wasn't sentient, and Shinso's enough taller than me that he could've just picked me up and tossed me out of the ring."
Shinso snorts at that.
And yeah, he's probably enough stronger than Shinso that he could've won, but it's not like he's lying.
Iida adjusts his glasses. "I see. That does make sense. Though I'd argue that Find-san is your quirk and thus a valid part of your strategy."
"I mean, he's not wrong." Shinso acknowledges. "But I don't think I'd have gotten into this class if I hadn't won the tournament, so I'm grateful."
The blue haired boy looks back and forth between them. "I still don't think it's sportsmanlike, but I acknowledge that in this case, it may have been the better outcome. I should have said it before, but welcome to our class, Shinso. I'm sure you'll do well here."
"Thanks, Iida." Shinso says, looking faintly surprised.
Izuku remembers that Iida hasn't replied to his worried text and says, "I'm really glad that you'reokay, Iida. You were in Hosu for all that."
Iida looks surprised. "Oh. Yes, for the Nomu attack. I didn't participate in the fighting, though." He pauses with an odd expression. "Then I got sent home for disobeying orders, so I wasn't around for Stain's arrest. Which I regret, but I'm glad he was caught. He crippled my brother."
He stares at Iida in shock. Iida disobeyed orders!? That's even weirder than finding out Nighteye had offered him an internship under false pretences.
Ashido bounces into the room before he can think of a reply. "Heyyy, Mido! How did you score an internship with one of the teachers? You were so cool on Friday! Like 'there's no such thing as a villainous quirk' and 'a quirk doesn't make you a hero, you do'." She says in imitations of his voice. "Have you seen the buzz about it on Skeeter?"
"Um. No? And thanks?"
She gives him a double thumbs up. "You made me think. Of course I'm going to be against mutant discrimination, duh, but I never thought about how people with villainous quirks or no quirks are treated. So I'm going to be against discrimination for them too!"
"Th-That's awesome, Ashido." He says sincerely. Words really do make a difference, don't they?
~
Aizawa sensei looks exhausted when he starts class.
Izuku is briefly disappointed that Eri isn't with him, but it makes sense that he'd have someone else watch her during classes.
Then Sensei looks at him directly and sighs. "Problem Child. You want to tell me why my name ended up all over the internet?"
He shrinks in his seat. "Oops?"
Sensei sighs again. "I'm not mad, but don't do it again."
"Damn, Deku. You're a screw up like usual, aren't you?" Kacchan comments.
Izuku flinches and sinks further into his seat.
"Bakugou, don't make unnecessary comments and don't put people down for no reason." Aizawa sensei reprimands.
Kacchan looks surprised and grumpy, but says, "Yes, sensei."
He wonders who is more startled, him or Kacchan. It's been years since a teacher has reprimanded Kacchan on his behalf.
~
"Novell!"
Izuku turns at the tiny voice in time to catch Eri as she barrels into him. "Hi, Eri!"
(Somewhere in the distance, a third year is looking around frantically and calling, "Eri? Eri? Where are you?")
He lifts her up as she chatters about missing him and how 'Zawa-san made her bunny apples every dayand how Orange had let her pet him this morning and how Blue got up and laid in the middle of the table until 'Zawa-san told him to get down and then he acted like 'Zawa-san yelled at him, cuz he knew he was being naughty and how Green slept with her every night and kept the bad dreams away.
"Aww, who's this?" Ashido asks in a delighted tone.
Izuku turns and finds his entire class and All Might staring at them curiously.
Eri shrinks back against him, then squeaks in fear and her horn starts glowing.
Before Izuku can figure out what to do, All Might snatches Eri away from him and sets her down several meters away, before backing off.
She's obviously terrified and crying now.
And All Might is holding his side and looking very surprised, but that's a concern for later.
He wonders if she's just overwhelmed by the amount of people, but she didn't react like this in the train, so that's probably not it. "Find-san, do you know why she's upset?"
I think so.
A second later, two light blue panes pop up in front of Eri with pictures on them, startling her into stumbling back and landing on her bottom. At least her horn stops glowing, so Izuku takes it as his cue to approach and get a look at the panes.
One pane has a man in a plague mask and the words Bad bird under it, while the other has a picture of Tokoyami and Dark Shadow that says Good bird underneath. Oh. Oh no.
Izuku points at the first pane. "Is that the man who hurt you?"
Eri nods tearily.
He points at the second one. "This guy is a friend of mine, named Tokoyami. I promise he's a good guy and will never hurt you, okay? See how much different he looks from the guy in the mask? That's just how his head looks."
She looks back and forth between the panes, then over at the class, presumably at Tokoyami, who has Dark Shadow peering over his shoulder curiously. "He won't hurt me?"
"I promise he won't."
After a moment, she nods shakily and stands up. "Can I meet him?"
"Sure." He raises his voice. "Tokoyami? Can you and Dark Shadow come over here? Slowly? Eri wants to meet you."
The other boy nods and makes his way over unhurriedly, before crouching down to be at Eri's height. "Greetings, Eri. I apologize if the darkness within shone forth and frightened you."
She giggles. "You're funny."
"Hi, Eri! I'm Dark Shadow!"
Her eyes widen. "You talk?"
"Yeah! I like to talk! And I like apples!"
Eri gasps in delight. "I love apples! 'Zawa-san makes me apple bunnies every day!"
"Aww! I'm jealous. Fumi, how come you don't make me apple bunnies?"
"I lack the opportunity to carve light out of the darkness." Tokoyami says blankly. "You always hoard the apples before I can get to them."
She giggles at him again.
Izuku glances up and narrows his eyes in suspicion. Weren't his class like ten feet further away last he looked? "Hey, Eri. I think the rest of my class wants to meet you. Is that okay?"
Eri follows his gaze and points. "Those people?"
"Yeah. Aizawa sensei teaches all of us."
"Ohh!" She looks excited for a moment, then cautious. "They won't hurt me?"
"They won't. They're all training to be heroes like me."
She points at Kacchan. "He looks mean, though."
Kacchan must read her lips, because he shouts back, "Oi, brat! I'm not mean! I'm the nicest person!"
Half the class breaks into laughter at that.
Izuku grins and whispers, "That's Kacchan. He's kinda mean but he won't hurt you. Well, he might say bad words, though."
"Oh." She gnaws on her lip in obvious thought.
"Perhaps calling them over one or two at a time would be less overwhelming for her." Tokoyami suggests.
He nods and calls out, "Kacchan and Ashido, could you come over?"
Ashido squeals in joy before bouncing over and Kacchan stalks over looking smug.
"Hey, brat."
"Hi, Eri! I'm Mina! You're so cute!"
Eri blinks at them, still shooting Kacchan cautious looks. "You're pink."
"I am! That's my hero name: Pinky. How do you know Mido?"
"Mido?" Eri looks confused.
"She means me." Izuku clarifies.
Eri brightens. "He saved me! And now I live with 'Zawa-san and the kitties!"
He lets them chat a bit before calling Momo and Kaminari over.
Kaminari immediately introduces himself, because like Ashido he doesn't have very much impulse control, while Momo asks Izuku quietly, "What does Eri like?"
Izuku shrugs helplessly. "Apple bunnies?"
She nods and concentrates for a moment before producing a green and white apple bunny plushy and kneeling to offer it to Eri. "Here, Eri, this is for you."
Eri stares at the toy with stars in her eyes for a moment before hesitantly taking the toy and hugging it close and looking up at Momo. "Thank you."
Momo smiles at her. "You're welcome. My name is Momo. It's nice to meet you, Eri."
All Might surprisingly doesn't intervene until all the class has been introduced, even though it takes half the class period. After that, though, he scolds them lightly and sets them to do the lesson, letting Izuku stand on the sidelines holding Eri instead of participating.
Aizawa sensei wanders out looking like he'd rather be dead near the end of class, but his expression softens when Eri starts talking to him and once class ends, he takes her from Izuku so he can go to his next class.
She pouts at that, but lets him go and when Izuku glances back, she's busy chattering at Aizawa sensei as he carries her off towards his apartment.
Chapter 14: All the Quests and Eri
"Midoriya." Aizawa sensei says and motions him to come up.
"Yes, sensei?"
Aizawa sensei hands him a sheet of paper. "This has what you need to know from this class period." He hands him a hall pass. "I'll have one of these ready for you on Tuesdays, along with a paper like this one if the period isn't study hall."
"Got it. Thanks, sensei!"
"Good. You'd best go. Nedzu doesn't like to be kept waiting."
"Yes, sensei!"
~
The door to Nedzu's office opens again before he can knock. Cautiously, he goes in and takes a seat in the chair from last time.
"Hello, Midoriya, how are you doing?"
"Um. Pretty good? Internship was really good and I'm glad to see Eri's doing well."
"Ah, speaking of Eri, we finally learned what her quirk is. Apparently she rewinds biological matter."
"Wait, so when All Might-?"
"Yes, indeed! He has lost a few years. In fact, Eri seems to have rewound him to specifically part-way through his fight with All for One, so he no longer has his worst injuries! And since you were holding her when her quirk began to activate, it's quite likely that you've lost some days or weeks or even months as well. I would like you to see Recovery Girl to see if that will be a problem for your activation of One for All in any manner."
"Really? He doesn't? That's-" He tears up. "I'm so glad! And- And I'll see Recovery Girl today. I'm just- just so happy. Does Eri know?"
"Not as of yet! I'm sure it will come up in the course of her quirk control lessons, if she is reluctant to use her quirk, which I believe she may be."
"O-Oh." He wipes his eyes and wipes his hands on his pants. "I think so, too. Um, if All Might doesn't have his worst injuries, does that mean he has others?"
"He did, but nothing Recovery Girl couldn't handle." Nedzu says reassuringly.
"Goo-Good. That's good. I kinda feel like I should give One for All back now." He admits.
"Oh, no. Please do not harbor thoughts of doing so. You are an excellent successor and it is your quirk now."
Izuku smiles, because that makes him feel better. "Well, uh, I can't actually give it back anyways, because Find-san absorbed it when I got it. It can't be passed on anymore."
Nedzu looks surprised. "How interesting! Perhaps that is for the best, though, given how strong it has gotten. It would've been bad if the next successor had simply exploded upon getting the quirk."
He giggles at that, because that's a funny image, even if it would have been a quite serious concern.
"Aizawa informs me that your quirk is willing to give teacher given quests to improve your stats."
"Oh. Um. Yes."
The chimera claps his hands together. "In that case, we should work with that. And work to improve your stats in general. I admit, I am quite curious to see what Dungeons entail! Do you think you could handle more studying than you are currently obligated to do?"
Izuku blinks. "Maybe? If there isn't a lot of homework to go with it. I don't think I can handle much more homework."
"Excellent. That is a clever work around. I shall assign you studying, then, at the end of our meetings and have a test for you to prove your progress during the next meeting. For now, let us play chess. I have a couple new moves I would like you to learn."
Teacher issued quest: Learn two new moves in chess and how to apply them.
"That got a teacher issued quest." He informs Nedzu dutifully.
"Oh? Excellent. I shall remember that. Now, shall we play?"
"Yes, sensei."
Nedzu gives him a sharp, pleased look at that, which he doesn't quite understand.
~
In math class, they have a test.
Ectoplasm sensei waits until the tests are handed out, then says, "Midoriya, I expect you to get an A on this test. You may all start now. You have thirty minutes."
Izuku's eyes widen in trepidation. Why does Ectoplasm sensei suddenly have expectations of him?
Teacher issued quest: Get an A or higher on the test.
Oh. Nedzu sensei must've told the teachers about the quests, so they're helping him out.
~
Sure enough, in Art History, Midnight sensei assigns essays but lets the class pick their topics. Then she turns to him. "Midoriya, I expect exactly eight pages from you on the topic of Rave Art in the Early Quirk Era and how it impacted society, with at least six trustworthy references."
"Um." Okay, then. "Yes, Midnight sensei. Do the title page and reference page count towards the page number or?"
Teacher issued quest: An exactly 8 page essay with a minimum of six trustworthy references on the topic of Rave Art and how it impacted society in the Early Quirk era.
"They don't count." She clarifies easily and shoots him a smug grin.
He refrains from groaning and just drops his head into his hands to mutter under his breath.
~
In Heroics, All Might tosses a pair of bean bags at him with a grin. "Juggle these when you're not participating in the exercise."
Teacher issued quest: Juggle two items when not otherwise occupied in class.
Oh, right. That.
He ignores the curious and puzzled looks from his classmates. They'll ask eventually. That doesn't mean he needs to volunteer the information ahead of time. Most likely, Kacchan will snap and be the first to demand answers.
~
In Japanese class, Snipe sensei tosses a packet that lands squarely on Izuku's desk. Taking the papers out of the envelope, he sees that they are labeled 'Quests' with dates and subjects after each one. His eyes widen as he realizes that he's basically been given a cheat sheet to what subject they'll have in each class in Japanese for the rest of the semester. Or are these extras just for him?
He looks up at Snipe sensei questioningly and gets a wink in return, which isn't really an answer.
Teacher issued quest: Learn about the origins of the four writing systems and what each is typically used for.
"Today we're going to be talking about the four writing systems, their origins and uses. Pay attention now, there'll be a test on this. Turn to page 14 of your textbook. Hagakure, if you would read the first paragraph?"
Ah, a cheat sheet, then. Nice!
~
"Mommy, can I have more apple bunnies?"
Shouta blinks at his new ward as she leans up on tippy toe in an effort to see the top of the counter. He's glad she feels comfortable enough to refer to him as a parent, but what the hell? "Yes. But why 'mommy'?"
"Cuz mommies tuck kids into bed!"
"Why not 'dad'?"
"Cuz daddies read kids stories before bed, an' you don't do that."
"So if I get you stories and read them to you before bed, you'll call me 'dad' instead?"
She drops down to a normal standing position, one index finger resting on her lip as she thinks. "Um. Yeah! You can be both mommy and daddy!"
He resists the urge to facepalm hard, because the last time he facepalmed, Eri freaked out that he was hurting himself. "How about just 'dad'?"
"Hmmmn. I guess. But I'm going to call you mommy until you start reading stories to me."
"Great." He deadpans. Not that he can really get annoyed by it. Eri's just too cute.
~
Recovery Girl finishes looking him over. "Well, I think you may have lost a week or two at most. That idiot at least has good reflexes.
He sweat drops at how she refers to All Might, but feels relief. It would be a pain if he had to rebuild muscle after putting so much work into it and he really doesn't need one more thing for Kacchan to mock him over. "Thanks, Recovery Girl."
"You're welcome." She taps her cane on the floor warningly. "Now shoo."
Izuku obediently shoos.
~
"Midoriya, a word." Aizawa says before class begins.
Izuku changes direction and approaches. "Yes, sensei?"
"I'm taking Eri shopping for story books after classes today. Do you want to come?"
A little shocked by the offer, he is nonetheless thrilled. His face lights up. "Sure! I'll just text my mom and let her know I won't be home on time."
Aizawa sensei grunts in affirmation and he takes that as his cue to get to his seat before the bell rings.
~
"I expect each of you to choose one of the laws we're studying and be prepared to explain why it was put in place and what good it accomplishes, or if you don't think it does any good, explain why you think it should be removed." Aizawa sensei says in Hero Law and Regulations, year 1. "Midoriya, choose five laws, same assignment."
Teacher issued quest: Choose five laws from the study material and be prepared to explain why they were put in place, and what good they do or why they should be removed.
A murmur goes through the class and Kacchan pops off little explosions until Aizawa sensei gets fed up and glares at everyone with his quirk active.
~
"Midoriya! Come here a minute." Mic calls before even starting class. He hands Izuku a worksheet. "Here's your quest. Be sure to have it ready by next class period, yeah?"
"Okay." He says, taking it and scanning it. After a moment, he realizes that it's a list of reflexive pronouns and he's supposed to give examples of proper and improper usage.
Teacher issued quest: Learn how reflexive pronouns are used and give proper and improper examples of usage.
He pauses at that, because he does, more or less know what they're used for. Maybe Find-san means what each is specifically used for? That would make more sense.
The bell rings and he hurries to his desk. He'll think about this later.
~
Modern Lit. passes peacefully, to the point where Izuku thinks that maybe Ishiyama sensei doesn't approve of the quest giving and has abstained. But when class is over, he calls out, "Midoriya."
When he comes up, Ishiyama sensei gives him a small smile. "Just consider your daily assignments to be quests. I understand that the quests help you with your quirk?"
"Uh. Yeah, they do. Thank you, sensei."
"Well, then. I'm glad I can help. See you later, Midoriya."
Teacher issued quest: Read chapter 6 and be prepared for a quiz on Friday.
As soon as Cementoss leaves the room, Kacchan bursts out, "What the fuck!? Why are you suddenly all the teachers' favorite!?"
Izuku waves his hands in a warding off movement. "Ahh, it's not like that, Kacchan!"
"It's not? I don't know about that." Midnight sensei says suggestively, throwing him off because when did she come in?
Kacchan's eyes narrow on him. "You're lying."
"I'm not! I swear!"
"Then what is it like? Because you're the only one getting extra assignments."
"Uh- Uh- I'll tell you later?"
"You'd better." He says, before turning to face the front, still looking miffed.
Midnight tsks. "Bakugou, if you want extra assignments, all you have to do is ask. I won't even make you beg."
He scowls at her. "Fine. Give me the same assignments as Deku."
She gives him a serious look. "We don't use slurs in this school."
Kacchan looks taken aback. "Fine. Same as Midoriya, then."
And wow, that sounds so wrong from Kacchan's mouth. From the look on Kacchan's face, he feels the same.
"Hm. Close enough! You'll have to ask the other teachers individually if you want the extra work for their classes, though."
"Yes, sensei." Kacchan acknowledges, looking smug now. Only Kacchan would have the guts to look smug at being given more work.
The bell rings, starting class.
"Oh, oh! Midnight sensei!"
"Hagakure?"
"Can we do Midoriya's assignments for extra credit?"
"You know what? Sure. I do like passionate students. Oh, but Midoriya and Bakugou, they won't count as extra credit for you. I'm just expecting more from you."
"Damn right!" Kacchan looks even smugger.
Izuku just nods in acknowledgement. Getting help raising his stats is worth the tradeoff.
"Today's assignment is reading chapter ten in class and there will be a pop quiz at the end of class. Midoriya and Bakugou, your test will be twice as hard. If anyone else wants the harder test for extra credit, raise your hand."
Teacher issued quest: Read chapter ten and get a B or higher on the pop quiz at the end of class.
Well, then. Apparently Find-san has opinions on what counts as a passing grade.
Surprisingly, almost half of the class raises their hands, among them Hagakure, Momo, Iida, Kaminari and Todoroki.
Okay, maybe not so surprising. Everyone who raises their hand is either already at the top of the class or seriously struggling to keep their grades up.
~
In PE, Aizawa sensei just tells him, "Midoriya, an extra ten laps. Pace yourself."
Teacher issued quest: Run twenty laps at a steady pace.
"The rest of you, ten laps to warm up."
Oh, so that's what the twenty was all about. Find-san obviously found the information ahead of time, which makes sense, because Aizawa sensei is very organized. Not that you'd know it to look at him, but still.
"Problem Child, why are you not running?"
Izuku jolts, startled. And yes, it looks like everyone else has taken off while he was busy thinking. "S-Sorry, sensei!"
It's probably just his imagination that one corner of Aizawa sensei's mouth quirks up at his response.
Chapter 15: Shopping, Kacchan, Quest Rewards, Conversations
Shopping with Eri is an experience.
First, he follows Aizawa sensei to a non-descript car that he recognizes as a high quality brand, if a little spendy and boring. Aizawa sensei motions him to sit in the back, where he finds Eri already strapped into a seatbelt, and gets into the passenger's side. Yamada sensei is driving, and from their matching smiles, he's been entertaining Eri while they wait.
Next, they get to a bookstore and Yamada sensei starts pulling one of each book off the shelf and reading the title to Eri and letting her look at the cover. Then Eri nods 'yes' or 'no' and the book either gets handed to Aizawa sensei who looks vastly resigned or put back on the shelf. The Tale of the Lucky Cat, The Little Girl Who Could Visit Stars, andLittle One-Inch get approval. Peach Boy and Kintaro's Adventures get rejected. Yuko-chan and the Daruma Doll is accepted. The Last Unicorn, The Hornless Unicorn and The Pink Unicorn and Michi-chan are all grabbed excitedly.
Izuku plucks Waka Okami wa Shougakusei!, a book about a little girl who goes to live with her grandmother after her parents die and then makes a ghost friend when she gets there, from Yamada sensei's hand and puts it back. "U-Um. It's for ages 8-12. So, um."
"Ah, gotcha, listener!"
Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window is rejected. Hi, Butterfly! And It Might be an Apple are accepted with enthusiasm. Gracie Meets a Ghost is reshelved. Blackie, the Crayon; Little Daruma and Little Tengu; and The Giant Egg are accepted with giggles. You Look Yummy! is put back when Eri squeaks in fear at the title. The 14 Forest Mice and the Harvest Moon Watch is accepted because, "They look like Nedzu." A Friend and Night on the Milky Way Train are the last two Eri says 'yes' to before Aizawa cuts off the shopping spree with a tired, "That's enough."
He takes half of his teacher's stack of books to be polite, while Yamada sensei says, "Spoilsport!" and gets Eri to say, "Boo! Boo!" while giggling.
Then, while Aizawa sensei is putting the books in the trunk, Yamada sensei is trotting off with Eri to a clothing store a few doors down. When they catch up to the pair, Aizawa sensei sighs and says, "Hizashi, Nemuri already bought her clothes. This is unnecessary.
Yamada sensei gives Aizawa sensei a pitying look. "And she bought things with lots of ruffles in dry clean only fabrics, didn't she?"
Eri's clothes are pretty ruffly, now that he considers it. And made of soft, shiny fabric that probably wouldn't launder well. It definitely makes more sense that Aizawa sensei wasn't the one to buy them.
"…Yes." Aizawa sensei admits reluctantly.
"She's a kid, Sho. She deserves to enjoy her clothes!"
"…Fine."
Izuku smiles at Eri reassuringly, because she's looking back and forth between the senseis, looking worried. "It's alright. They're not fighting, I promise. Aizawa sensei just doesn't like shopping."
"Hey."
Yamada sensei laughs. "He's got you there, Sho. Come on. You know Eri's sizes, right?"
"Yes."
"Then we'll find her size and just hold things up so she can say 'yes' or 'no' and we'll be done with this store in a jiffy. And then we'll go to the toy store!"
"Hizashi, no."
"Hizashi, yes. Don't you want more toys, Eri?"
"That's che-"
"Can I?" She asks shyly.
Aizawa sensei looks up at the sky, sighs, then looks down at her. "Yes, that's fine. Midoriya, you may have to carry her if she gets tired, since I seem to be the designated baggage holder."
"That's fine, sensei. I can do that, no problem."
"Yeah!" Yamada sensei cheers quietly, fist pumping in victory. Eri copies him.
~
By the time they're done clothes shopping, Eri is fading fast and Izuku is carrying her, letting her rest her head against his chest. It's a little awkward, but he's strong enough, so it's okay.
Eri is just…supremely uninterested in their selection of stuffies and complains, "They don't have 'Zawa-san and Novell and Uncle 'Zashi and Auntie Nem."
Yamada sensei lights up. "Oh! I know! Let's look at the doll section. They should have a good selection for her age group and we can get clothes for them to change into so they look more like the 'real thing'."
They successfully find Midnight and Present Mic dolls along with a doll with shoulder length black hair and a doll with messy green hair. They even, at the last second, find a Nedzu doll. The clothing selection for spare clothes is kinda thin, though. Yamada sensei looks pretty frustrated at that.
Aizawa sensei shrugs. "Doll clothes will be a good challenge for Power Loader. Eri's done, let's go."
Indeed, Eri has fallen asleep in his arms, so they take their finds to the register and pay. Izuku's pretty sure that Momo will enjoy making clothes for the dolls too, but he decides not to mention it. Aizawa sensei looks like he's daydreaming about his sleeping bag and even Izuku is tired enough that he doesn't want to deal with Yamada sensei getting hyped up again. The man has entirely too much energy.
~
"Oi! Midoriya. Where the fuck were you yesterday?" Kacchan sounds pissed.
He blinks. "I went shopping with Eri and Aizawa sensei. Why?"
"You said you were going to explain!"
Looking around, he sees that no one is anywhere close to them in the hall, but still he leans closer and lowers his voice. "Find-san is actually a gamer type quirk. So the teachers are giving me 'quests' to help raise my stats."
Kacchan stares at him like he's lost his mind. Finally he shakes his head. "What the fuck. Also, don't think getting stronger means you're anywhere near my level."
"Of course not, Kacchan. But I might be some day."
The blond's eyes narrow in flat irritation. "Bring it, loser."
What's this? Is Kacchan acknowledging him for once?He beams. "Thanks, Kacchan!"
"Whatever." Kacchan stomps off, muttering about cocky fuckers.
~
Tuesday…
The first thing Nedzu asks is,
"How are the teacher issued quests working out for you?"
He…doesn't know. Find-san usually informs him when they're done, but he has been rather busy lately.
"Show quests and stats."
Quests accomplished.
Quest rewards.
Nedzu, chess quest:
+223 Exp.
+1 INT
+1 WIS
+1 StP
Nedzu, car quest:
+357 Exp.
+2 INT
+1 StP
Ectoplasm, math test quest:
+110 Exp.
+1 WIS
+1 StP
Midnight, art history quest:
+567 Exp.
+2 INT
+1 WIS
+1 StP
All Might, juggle quest:
+132 Exp.
+1 DEX
+1 StP
Snipe, writing systems quest:
+481 Exp.
+2 INT
+1 WIS
+1 StP
Aizawa, five laws quest:
+640 Exp.
+1 INT
+1 WIS
+1 StP
Mic, reflexive pronouns quest:
+345 Exp.
+1 INT
+1 WIS
+1 StP
Cementoss, chapter and quiz quest:
+348 Exp.
+1 INT
+1 WIS
+1 StP
Midnight, chapter and quiz quest:
+467 Exp.
+1 INT
+1 WIS
+1 StP
Aizawa, twenty laps quest:
+112 Exp.
+1 DEX
+1 StP
---------
+3782 Exp.
+11 INT
+8 WIS
+2 DEX
+11 StP
Izuku Midoriya
Level 11
Exp. 1304/24000
STR: 39
VIT: 48
DEX: 18
INT: 64
WIS: 63
HP: 288/288
MP: 0/0 Locked.
STA: 87/87
StP: 0
Izuku looks at his updated stats in surprise. Had the teacher given quests given him that much of a boost? Really? This is the biggest boost he's seen at one time so far. Though he supposes not really at one time, just being displayed at one time. Wait…
"Show Nedzu stats."
A pale blue pane pops up in front of Nedzu, who looks very briefly surprised before perusing it. Unsurprisingly, he doesn't need long to come to conclusions. "Interesting indeed! I see you've leveled up enough to unlock more display functions. Did all of the quests give you intelligence points or did some of them give multiple points?"
"Um." He looks back at the quest log list. "Three of them gave two points each. The Art History essay, the research you gave me on cars and the Japanese essay on writing systems."
"Hm. Would you say you had to do more research on those?"
"Yeah. It's been taking up most of my free time, outside of what I normally spend on homework." He admits. Researching Snipe's essay had taken up hours on both Tuesday and Wednesday with research and writing, while he'd spent extra hours on research for Midnight's essay on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, only getting to the writing of it on Saturday and Sunday, and spent Monday evening frantically researching and summarizing for Nedzu's assignment.
"Well, this is excellent and tells me that continuing teacher issued quests should work very well for you. I have a couple more moves for you to learn today. Tell me, which car of the ones you researched would you buy if you were in the market for a car?"
Teacher issued quest: Learn two new chess moves and how to apply them.
"Um. That depends on if I'm buying to share with my mom or-"
~
'Hey, Izuku, kid. Can you tell Toshi for me that I'm proud of him? I'm glad he's in better health now, too.' Nana asks.
'Sure.'
He looks up at Yagi, who he's having lunch with. "Nana says she's glad you're in better health and she's proud of you."
Yagi beams at him. "Thanks, my boy. I wish I could speak to her myself, but please tell her for me that I miss her and hearing that means a lot to me."
A pale blue pane pops up in front of Yagi, startling them both.
Do you prefer texting or speech to text?
"Er… Texting?"
Very well.
A holographic keyboard pops into existence below the text pane.
"What's this?"
'Holy shit! Where'd that come from?' Banjo demands in his head.
'What is it?' Hikage asks curiously.
'A keyboard and screen. Duh.' Either the second or third says gruffly.
'I can't see through your head!' Hikage retorts.
'Is this for me, kid?' Nana asks hesitantly.
'Probably.' He says, then aloud says, "Well, you did say you wanted to talk to Nana directly."
"Oh." Yagi gets a look of realization, then beams, lifting his hands to the keyboard. "Thank you, Find-san."
You are welcome.
*Toshi: Nana! Thank you! You don't know how much hearing you're proud of me means. I've missed you.
*Nana: I've missed you too, you big goof. And I really am proud of you. You've accomplished so much more than I ever dreamed you could.
Yagi starts crying happy tears and Izuku decides that his time is better used to concentrate on eating rather than decoding a backwards private conversation. Particularly since All Might seems to be getting into the groove of typing fast.
And, he thinks to himself, if I'm really curious, I'm sure Find-san can provide me with a transcript of their conversation. Not that he intends to ask, of course. That's just rude when he can ask the persons involved directly if there's anything he should know from the conversation.
'Bunch of crybabies.' Second or third – he really should get around to asking their names so he can identify which is which – complains.
'Oh, lay off. Being emotional has no reflection on their ability to fight.' Banjo retorts.
'I get it from my mom.' Izuku offers mildly, more amused than offended. 'You wouldn't be insulting my mom, would you?'
The surprised sputtering he gets in reply makes adding to the conversation so worth it. That one always shut Kacchan up too.
'He's got you there!' En crows. 'Insulting a man's mother is low, even for you.'
'I wasn't- Oh, shut up.'
Izuku giggles. 'You remind me of an older Kacchan. I'm just going to imagine you like that from now on.'
There's a startled silence, then Uncle Yoichi laughs. 'You're not wrong. That's exactly what he looks like.'
'Wait. Really?'
'Really, kid.' En says. 'They definitely look related.'
'Wow.' Izuku doesn't know what to say to that. It's kind of mind blowing, really. 'Are they related?'
'Hell if I know. I died, you know. I did have a couple distant cousins still alive when I died, I think. But it could just be a coincidence. Don't you dare call me 'older Kacchan'. That's a stupid name anyways and I'm surprised he doesn't beat the shit out of you for using it. You can call me Second.' Older KacchanSecond replies.
He shrugs. 'He calls me 'Deku', so it's not like he has a leg to stand on when it comes to name calling. Besides, he wouldn't know who I was talking to if I used his actual name.'
'Huh. Maybe you do have a little grit to you.' Second says in surprise.
'That's not grit. That's being a little shit.' Someone, who has to be Third, says sarcastically. 'Didn't think he had it in him, though.'
This is followed by several different ghosts making sounds of surprise.
'Is everything okay?' Izuku asks in concern.
Uncle Yoichi giggles. 'Oh, everything's fine. Your Find-san just threatened to make them miserable if they don't get their heads out of their asses and give you an honest chance.'
'Huh.' He thinks about that, then nods. 'He would, too.'
'Oh, they're aware. They're just sulking now. Don't worry, they'll come around.' Yoichi reassures him.
Izuku decides to take that at face value. 'Alright. I mean, it doesn't really matter if they like me or not. They're adults and can make their own decisions, even if those decisions make me sad.'
This gets groans from – he thinks – Second and Third. Third demands, 'Nana, why are your successors like this?'
'Like what?' Nana sounds puzzled, apparently having not been paying attention to the conversation, only getting more groans in answer. 'What are you talking about?'
'Don't worry about them. They're just being their selves.' Uncle Yoichi tells her.
'Oh. Okay.' She says in disinterest and – he presumes – goes back to her conversation with Yagi.
Honestly, he doesn't blame her. But it is amusing to hear Second and Third being put on the defensive. Since he knows Kacchan well, he can imagine the looks on their faces, too, which makes it even better. If thinking that way makes him a little shit, then so be it. He likes what he likes.