The walk from the school gates to the Heights Alliance dorms had never felt this long.
Reiji stopped for a moment, leaning his shoulder against a tree to catch his breath. His legs felt like lead. His chest ached with a dull, throbbing rhythm.
He pulled up his status window.
[System Status: RESTRICTED][Condition: Overclock Penalty (Active)][Time Remaining: 46 Hours, 12 Minutes]
Strength: 15% (Temporary)Agility: 10% (Temporary)Spirit: 5% (Temporary)
Reiji scoffed, wiping sweat from his forehead.
"Five percent Spirit," he muttered. "I probably couldn't even summon a spark of Hellfire right now without passing out."
He was walking into the lion's den. Class 1-A wasn't just a group of friends; they were rivals. And worse, they were observant. If Bakugo or Todoroki sensed he was powerless, the hierarchy he had carefully built would crumble.
He straightened his uniform, fixed his posture, and put on his mask of indifference.
'Fake it 'til you make it.'
Reiji pushed open the dorm doors.
CLICK.
The noise in the common room died down instantly.
"Reiji!"
Uraraka was the first to notice, jumping up from the couch. Immediately, a crowd formed. Iida chopped the air aggressively as he marched over.
"Kurobane-kun! It is a relief to see you discharged!" Iida announced loudly. "However, you should have called! We could have assisted you with your bags!"
"I'm fine, Class Rep," Reiji said, keeping his voice steady. "Just a few bruises."
"Bruises?" Kaminari popped up from behind the sofa, holding a game controller. "Dude, we saw the news footage before the cameras cut out. You turned that warehouse into a parking lot! And that white fire? Was that a Super Move?"
"Something like that," Reiji deflected, walking toward the elevator. "It takes a toll, though. I need rest."
He tried to step through the crowd, but a cold sensation washed over him.
The temperature dropped.
Reiji stopped. Standing in his path, blocking the way to the elevator, was Todoroki Shoto.
And leaning against the elevator doors, arms crossed, was Bakugo Katsuki.
"Move, Bakugo," Reiji said, injecting as much cold authority into his voice as he could muster.
Bakugo didn't move. His red eyes narrowed, scanning Reiji from head to toe.
"You're walking funny," Bakugo growled.
Reiji's heart skipped a beat. "I'm recovering from a villain attack. What's your excuse?"
"Don't give me that crap," Bakugo pushed off the wall, stepping into Reiji's personal space. "You usually walk like you own the place. Today? You're dragging your feet. And you're sweating."
Bakugo leaned in closer, a small explosion popping in his palm. Pop.
"You're running on fumes, aren't you?"
The room went silent. Even Kaminari paused his game.
Reiji knew he was in trouble. If Bakugo challenged him to a spar right now, Reiji would lose. Badly. And if he lost to Bakugo, the rumor that "Kurobane is weak" would spread.
He couldn't use force. He had to use the one thing the System hadn't nerfed.
[Skill Activated: Intimidation (Passive)][Skill Activated: Deception]
Reiji didn't back down. instead, he let out a short, dark chuckle.
He looked Bakugo dead in the eye, his expression shifting from exhaustion to pure, condescending amusement.
"Fumes?" Reiji whispered, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Bakugo, I just incinerated a creature that survived Endeavor's Prominence Burn. My body is adjusting to a level of power you haven't even dreamed of reaching yet."
He took a step forward, forcing Bakugo to either move or chest-bump him.
"I'm not dragging my feet because I'm weak," Reiji lied through his teeth, his eyes boring into Bakugo's. "I'm walking carefully because if I slip up... I might accidentally blow this entire dorm building to ash."
He tapped Bakugo's chest with one finger.
"So unless you want to be the test dummy for my new output... get out of my way."
[Charisma Check: Rolling...][Result: CRITICAL SUCCESS.]
For a second, Bakugo looked hesitant. He remembered the white fire. He remembered the destruction.
Bakugo clicked his tongue and shoved his hands into his pockets, stepping aside.
"Tch. Don't get cocky, extra. I'll surpass that power by next week."
"I'm sure you will," Reiji said dryly.
He walked past Bakugo, past Todoroki, and stepped into the elevator. He pressed the button for the 4th floor.
As the doors closed, hiding his classmates from view, Reiji's knees finally gave out.
He slid down the wall of the elevator, gasping for air, clutching his trembling chest.
[Mental Stress: High.][Charisma Check: Cooldown Active.]
"That..." Reiji exhaled shakily. "That was too close."
He was safe for now. But he had 46 hours left on the clock. And outside the walls of U.A., the real threats were already making their move.
End of Chapter 103.
_________________________________________________________________________
🔥 Hey legends! Quick updates! 🔥
💥 Can't wait for the next chapter? Good news—ALL advance chapters are available on Patreon for just $5! No more waiting, just pure binge-reading goodness! 🚀
👉 patreon.com/cyci07
✨ Power Stone Challenge! ✨
If we hit 100 power stones, I'll drop 2 bonus chapters! Let's see if you guys can make me suffer! 😂
💬 Enjoying the story? Leave a review and let me know your favorite moment so far! It helps the novel grow and reach more readers!
Thanks for all your support—you guys are awesome! ❤️