Before I knew it, the day had arrived—my first day at UA High School. A thrill coursed through me, a mix of excitement and nervous energy that made my fingertips tingle. Ever since I'd woken up in this world, ever since I'd torn open that acceptance letter, this was the day I had been waiting for. The day I'd finally set foot in UA High School—the school where legends were made. Where the strongest heroes of the future would rise. And now, I was one of them. A new piece on the board. I couldn't wait to see who would be in my class. Sure, I had some idea from the manga, but I was a variable in this world. I wasn't sure if everything would play out the same way. That uncertainty only added to the thrill.
To be honest, I've always preferred to stay away from the spotlight. But when I was placed in Section A, I knew I couldn't avoid it. Class 1-A was where the action was. It was also where the trouble would inevitably find me. But I'd made my decision: I'd use it to my advantage. Being in Class 1-A meant more opportunities for missions from the System, faster leveling, and greater rewards. It was a risk, but one worth taking. If I wanted to grow stronger, I couldn't shy away from the challenges ahead.
I got ready early, taking extra care to look presentable. The UA uniform was sharp and professional—green pants, a white shirt, a grey jacket, and a red tie. I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my tie until it was perfectly symmetrical. I liked to look neat; it gave me a sense of discipline and focus. My black hair, short and slightly wavy, framed my face nicely. My blue eyes stood out against my fair skin, which had a subtle sheen from the Iron Body Technique I'd been practicing. At 5 feet 9 inches, I had a good build—neither too bulky nor too thin—thanks to my martial arts training. I figured I'd grow to around 6 feet in the future, but even now, I wasn't too shabby. Overall, I'd say I looked pretty good.
Before heading out, I opened my System interface one last time to check my progress. The screen flickered in my mind, displaying my updated stats and skills:
System Interface
Name: Jin Kuroda
Level: 16
Occupation: Hero Trainee (UA)
Stats:
Strength: 35
Stamina: 24
Agility: 27
Endurance: 23
Vitality: 24
Dexterity: 22
Constitution: 29
Intelligence: 23
Wisdom: 6
Luck: 9
Perception: 14
Energy: 1800/1800
Free Attribute Points: 16
Skills:
Passive: Insight (Level 1)
Active: Energy Conduit (Level 2), Flowing River Technique (Level 4), Iron Body Technique (Level 3), Flowing Wave Palm (Level 4), Mountain Shattering Fist (Level 4)
I noticed a new addition to my occupation: Hero Trainee (UA). It came with a perk—missions related to being a hero would now give me 10% extra rewards. That was a nice bonus, and it motivated me to perform better at my mission.
I spent a moment considering where to allocate my free attribute points. Wisdom and Luck were the stats that didn't increase naturally as I leveled up, so I decided to invest in them. I added 3 points to Wisdom and 3 points to Luck, bringing them to 9 and 12, respectively. As soon as I allocated the points to Wisdom, I felt a sudden clarity, as if my mind had become sharper and more aware of itself. It was a strange but welcome sensation. I figured Wisdom might help me recover my Ki energy faster, especially since my energy levels seemed to depend on a combination of Constitution and Intelligence stats.
With my stats updated and my bag packed, I headed downstairs for breakfast. My mother had prepared a hearty meal—grilled fish, rice, miso soup, and tamagoyaki. She smiled as I sat down, her eyes filled with pride. "Big day today," she said, placing a steaming cup of green tea in front of me.
"Yeah," I replied, returning her smile. "I'm ready."
My father joined us shortly after, already dressed for work. He gave me an approving nod as he sat down. "You look sharp, son. UA's lucky to have you."
I chuckled, feeling a bit embarrassed but grateful for their support. After breakfast, I grabbed my bag and followed my father to the car. He was going to drop me off at UA on his way to work.
The ride to UA was quiet but filled with anticipation. My father occasionally glanced at me, his expression a mix of pride and nostalgia. "You've come a long way, Jin," he said finally, breaking the silence. "I know you'll do great things at UA."
"Thanks, Dad," I said, feeling a lump in my throat. "I'll make you proud."
As we approached the UA campus, the towering gates came into view, and my heart began to race. This was it—the start of a new chapter in my life. I took a deep breath, steadying myself as my father pulled up to the entrance.
"Good luck, son," he said, giving me a firm pat on the shoulder. "Knock 'em dead."
I nodded, stepping out of the car and slinging my bag over my shoulder. "Thanks, Dad. See you later."
As I walked through the gates, I couldn't help but feel a surge of determination. This was my chance to prove myself, to become the hero I'd always dreamed of being. And I wasn't going to waste it.