All Might was the Hero most children born in the last decade dreamed of becoming.
Back then, during a massive disaster, he saved hundreds within minutes—over a thousand in total during that rescue alone. The event had been documented in an animated feature, deeply inspiring an entire generation.
Especially his iconic line:
"It's all right! You ask why? Because—
I am here!"
Both Kyōka Jirō and the original owner of Lock's body had been captivated by that overwhelming strength and charisma.
"R-Really!? Really, really, really!?"
Kyōka's eyes sparkled like stars. Just imagining being taught by All Might was enough to make her tremble with excitement.
"Of course," Lock said with a small smile.
The two continued chatting about All Might, and slowly Kyōka relaxed; the tension she carried when she first arrived washed away.
"…But I'm worried I won't pass the U.A. entrance exam."
Kyōka frowned as she idly played with her earlobe jacks—her Earphone Jack Quirk, able to amplify internal sound into a sonic attack when plugged into surfaces.
But in terms of direct combat… she wasn't confident.
Lock lowered his head slightly, thinking.
He couldn't guarantee she'd pass either. Too many changes had rippled through the original plot—nothing could be predicted with certainty anymore.
Which led him to a new idea.
Magic… should I try giving her magic?
He turned to look at Kyōka.
He had always intended to eventually teach magic publicly, but he had yet to test the training method on anyone else.
Innocently unaware of his intent, Kyōka blinked and asked, "Why are you staring at me like that?"
"Ahem. I… actually have a way to increase your strength," Lock said, clearing his throat. "It's unconventional, but Kyōka—if you manage to learn it, the U.A. exam will be easy."
"Eh? What method?" Kyōka leaned forward, clearly intrigued.
"I'll explain after lunch."
Lock nodded toward Baruch, who had just stepped out of the kitchen. Magic training wasn't simple—not for a beginner.
Even with guidance, talent played a big role.
Still, theoretically, anyone could learn magic with enough effort. It wasn't like a Quirk, which had to be innate.
This was why Lock believed so firmly that someday he could usher in an era of magic—an age where everyone could cultivate power.
"…Master, we are out of ingredients."
Baruch approached with solemn blinking eyes.
Lock froze, scratching his cheek awkwardly. What a time to run out of groceries—while hosting a guest.
"We'll eat out," Lock decided. "My treat."
"Sure," Kyōka nodded.
But then she lifted something triumphantly—a shiny shopping mall gift card.
"Actually, let me treat you today!"
She puffed her chest with pride. After that incident at the open-air mall, the mall management had compensated her with a card usable at any store within the complex.
Lock thought for a moment.
"…All right."
Refusing now would probably make her feel bad. He could treat her next time—or buy her something later.
So, the three of them—Lock, Kyōka, and Baruch—headed toward the dining floor on the fourth level of the open-air mall, choosing a newly opened restaurant.
Meanwhile…
Midoriya Izuku, as always, woke early to train—weekends included.
If he wanted to enter U.A., combat ability mattered. He needed to strengthen his body.
Under a bridge, he stopped to rest. Behind him, the manhole cover of a sewer suddenly clattered open, and a mass of mud surged toward him.
"A villain—!?"
Before the thought even finished in his mind, the sludge engulfed him, forcing itself into his mouth and nose.
"My name is Sludge Villain, kid. Don't struggle. Hand over your body and die quietly."
"N-No… someone… anyone, help—!"
Just as Izuku's consciousness began to black out, a thunderous, familiar voice rang in his ears.
"Heroes always appear when they're needed!"
Powerful hands tore the sludge apart, flinging Izuku back with the sheer force of the shockwave.
"Damn you, All Might! You blasted me out of my host—and you're still chasing me!?" the Sludge Villain howled in anger.
"That's because you're a villain… and I am a Hero!"
With swift movements, All Might captured the sludge in a plastic soda bottle.
Izuku opened his eyes just as the towering Hero checked him for injuries.
"A… A-All Might!?"
His voice shook violently. He felt like he was dreaming. Trembling, he quickly pulled out his scorched notebook for an autograph.
"It's all right! You ask why? Because—"
All Might flashed a grin, "I am here!"
After signing, he prepared to leap away—
"W-Wait!"
Izuku bolted forward, desperate to ask the question burning in his chest—
—and grabbed onto All Might's leg.
Thus, the two launched skyward together.
Neither of them noticed the soda bottle slip from All Might's grasp during the jump.
And quietly… it rolled into an alley.
Bakugō Katsuki was having the worst week of his life.
Ever since Lock humiliated him—and worse, said Deku was better—he had been fuming uncontrollably.
That damn Deku… better than me? Me!? Impossible!
As he stomped down the street, irritated at everything he saw, he kicked a random soda bottle lying on the ground.
But the moment his foot struck it—
The bottle burst open.
A mass of sludge erupted outward, surging straight toward him.
Within seconds, Katsuki's limbs were bound.
The sludge forced its way toward his nose and mouth.
Terrified, Bakugō struggled violently, unleashing explosive blasts that scorched the area and lit the street ablaze—
The drama begins.
---
A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
Support: patreon.com/Narrator_San