As a symbol of strength, I-Expo, which was supposed to continue for two more days, was reopened to the public on the evening of the second day.
All Might had yet to be discharged by the hospital staff, though.
So, the rest of the students were encouraged to attend I-Expo till tomorrow.
In one day, the massive I-Island had regained its liveliness, people storming the place from all over, displaying an enthusiasm even greater than before.
A great reason behind all this was dozens of theater-sized screens, displaying All Might and Midoriya defeating Wolfram on top of the Tower.
It also showed almost all UA students actively battling against drones and other Villains.
Despite the rise in their popularity overnight, and that too on an international scale, UA students didn't share the joy that was being blasted at them by the people.
Because, unlike the public, they knew what really had happened on the Tower's roof.
Because, unlike the public, they knew that if it wasn't for the International Criminal, Dr. Blessed, they had all but died yesterday morning.
However, despite their vocal outburst at the twisted series of events, the Investigators refused to let out the truth.
It was only when they received words from All Might to not challenge it anymore that the students let it go, making them feel helpless.
And this helplessness was eating them from inside, especially Todoroki and Midoriya.
"You know…" Luke said, looking up at the orange sky, "… that bastard deserved it."
Luke, Midoriya, Todoroki, Momo, and others were seated next to a pool.
The moment Luke cursed Dr. Blessed, without naming him, everyone looked at him with shock. It was the first time they had heard him cursing someone out loud.
But, on second thought, they didn't blame Luke.
It was the second time that Dr. Blessed had gone out of his way to kidnap Luke and Nyx, throwing them at a random place, to be found later.
If it weren't for the people actively searching for him and Nyx, both could have frozen to death.
Of course, that's what Luke wanted them to believe, eying the raven perched on his shoulder.
This wasn't Nyx, but another raven bestowed with a Very Simple Intelligence Quirk.
Yesterday morning, after transferring All Might's wound, he hadn't instantly returned to the secret lab under the volcanic island.
First, he had needed to take care of Pop*Step, who must have frozen as well, along with everyone.
To Luke's great surprise, he found the girl standing at the roof's entrance.
Only later did he learn from her that she had defiantly returned, hoping to help him out.
Still, it saved Luke some time in searching for her in the frozen Tower, taking her to the secret lab as well.
Then, Luke had immersed Nyx in a solution to slowly heal her metabolism. Because of her closest proximity to the Absolute Zero Plus Ultra Quirk, she was still there and had yet to open her eyes.
Luke had to bring this temporary double with him in light of Nyx's absence.
"I don't understand…" Toru suddenly said. "Why International Criminal… a Terrorist… and everything… Why didn't they do the same for the Villain that escaped with the device?!"
Everyone was puzzled about these questions, including Luke.
Something is happening behind the curtains… Luke thought, narrowing his eyes. It's like someone's actively targeting Dr. Blessed.
And, the more he thought, the more one name kept appearing in his mind.
Conformity!
"Can you not talk to your father about this?" Uraraka asked Todoroki.
Todoroki shook his head, remembering that frozen block of ice. "If even All Might couldn't change their minds, then I don't think my father's opinion would matter… He hates Dr. Blessed anyway."
Midoriya suddenly got up with a frown on his face and walked away.
As Uraraka got up, Luke put a hand on her shoulder. "Let me go and talk to him…"
Seeing Luke disappear with Midoriya, his hand thrown around the latter's shoulder, Momo's gaze landed on the distant Tower.
"Hey, guys…" she asked after a while, her thumping for unknown reasons. "Do you remember the words Dr. Blessed said just after freezing us…"
"… Something about not letting someone get burned to death in front of his eyes…" Kyoka recalled, holding her ear jacks.
"… Again…"
"Huh?" Kyoka and others looked at Momo.
"… in front of his eyes again…" Momo repeated. "Who do you think he was talking about?"
"Don't think too much about it," Tsuyu said. "The best thing we can do now is to continue exploring the various events of the I-Expo."
Tenya nodded. "She's right. We are all UA students. This wasn't our first time facing such an event. We need to remain strong, even if…
"… even if we don't agree with the public views regarding Dr. Blessed anymore."
…
"I couldn't do anything…" Midoriya hissed out, his hands shaking. "Anything!"
Luke activated his Spirit Vision and found the boy's emotions all over the place.
He hadn't seen what had happened after Dabi's arrival, but he had painted a picture of himself after learning it from others.
Midoriya had seen All Might almost die in front of his eyes.
Meanwhile, he had broken both of his legs and one hand, becoming useless to even attempt saving his mentor.
If it wasn't for the Healer brought by the I-Island's authorities with them, they would have needed to get Recovery Girl from UA here to heal Midoriya and All Might.
Even now, Midoriya was having trouble walking and using his hand, a constant stabbing pain shaking his shoulder now and then.
"You are close to All Might, huh…" Luke observed.
For once, Midoriya hesitated, looking away. "No… I…"
"Deku…" Luke's tone suddenly gained a seriousness. "Are you hiding something related to you and All Might?"
Midoriya's eyes widened, snapping toward Luke.
But, before the boy could outright reject it, Luke added, "It's related to your Quirk, right? … What did she call it… One For All…"
Midoriya's heart jumped to his throat, a chill running down his spine.
"… Who… told you… that?" he asked, barely able to register the tremble in his voice.
Luke grinned at Midoriya, his blue gaze glowing bluer. "… You… Or, better to say, the woman inside you…"
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