Time: Evening after schoolLocation: Yaoyorozu Momo's private training grounds
A vigorous figure sprinted across the open field.
His eyebrows were refined and sharp, his complexion clear and pale, his facial features cleanly defined. His eyes were dark and steady, carrying a quiet depth that gave him the air of a calm scholar at first glance. But a closer look revealed something entirely different.
Beneath that composed appearance was a body tightly wrapped in powerful, well-defined muscle. Every movement was smooth and explosive, like a ferocious cheetah in mid-hunt, radiating speed, strength, and restrained violence.
This was the protagonist of the story—
Igarashi Masata.
By now, Masata had entered his third year.
It was somewhat strange to think about. From elementary school all the way into middle school, Masata and Yaoyorozu Momo had somehow ended up in the same class every single year. Even more surprisingly, during the middle school entrance exams, Masata's academic performance had only been average—solidly mid-tier—while Momo's grades were outstanding.
And yet, in the end, Masata was still assigned to the same advanced class as her.
Later, when Masata's mother casually asked Momo about it, Momo had firmly changed the subject. Masata wasn't stupid—after thinking it through, he could easily guess what had happened. It was obvious that Yaoyorozu Momo had quietly helped him enter the advanced class through her family's influence.
After that incident, the bond between Masata and Momo only grew closer.
Close enough that Masata practically treated the Yaoyorozu estate as his second home. Even Momo's parents were always smiling whenever they saw him, looking at him with expressions more befitting a future son-in-law than a mere friend. Of course, Masata was no longer so shy that he didn't know how to respond—he had long since grown used to it.
At this moment, Yaoyorozu Momo, standing at the edge of the training field, watched the teenage boy drenched in sweat with quietly amused eyes.
Masata showed no sign of stopping.
His breathing was heavy, his muscles visibly trembling, and slight spasms ran through his legs—but despite all that, he kept going. Fueled by sheer willpower and hot-blooded determination, the boy refused to slow down.
Speaking of which…After third year, he'll be taking the entrance exam for U.A. High School, Momo thought to herself.That exam has absolutely no room for luck. No wonder Masata trains so desperately.
As society adapted to the Hero era, schools had naturally followed suit. In addition to standard academics, modern schools now offered Hero Studies—specialized courses designed to cultivate future Heroes.
And U.A. High School stood at the very top.
It was an elite institution founded specifically to train Heroes to combat crime. One of the finest Hero academies in Japan, its Hero Studies program was widely regarded as the best of the best.
Half a year ago, Momo and Masata had already promised each other that they would enter U.A. together.
Momo had little to worry about. Thanks to the versatility and strategic value of her Quirk, she had already received a provisional recommendation from U.A. Still, she knew that no matter how strong Masata was, more preparation could only make things safer.
At last, Masata brought his training to a stop.
He walked over to Momo, accepted the towel she handed him, and wiped the sweat from his face and neck.
"That's enough physical training for today," Masata said, his cheeks slightly flushed. The heat wasn't just from exertion—his blood was still surging from intense conditioning. "It's about time. I'll grab something to eat after a shower."
There was a reason he trained himself so brutally.
Getting into U.A. was only part of it.
The more important reason was this—
Back in elementary school, Masata had discovered a second Quirk hidden deep within his body.
Since no precedent for such a phenomenon existed, Masata had named it himself:
Cell Reinforcement.
This Quirk revealed itself only after Masata recovered from his first extreme training session. Unlike his magma ability, it could not be activated at will. So far, Masata was certain of one thing—it triggered passively, only after his body underwent high-intensity training or pushed past its limits.
True to its name, it strengthened his cells continuously through training.
The effects were comprehensive.
Enhanced physical growth was only the most basic benefit. His muscle cells became denser and tougher, causing explosive increases in strength and speed. Reinforced nerve cells heightened his reflexes and perception. Strengthened bone cells gave him a body as resilient as forged steel.
Now nearly 1.8 meters tall, Masata possessed a well-balanced, powerful physique. With pure physical strength alone, he could shatter ordinary walls with his bare hands. Although people in this world generally had superior physical qualities compared to Masata's previous life, he could proudly call himself—
A "little superman."
So far, this was the full extent of what Masata had discovered about his second Quirk.
As for the Magma Quirk he had officially registered—
Even without deliberate training, it continued to grow stronger alongside his rapidly improving physical condition.
The most obvious change was temperature.
After recent testing, the magma he produced had reached 600°C, shifting into a dark red hue. Not only that, but the quantity of magma he could generate had increased dramatically. Where he once could only coat his hands, he could now transform an entire arm into molten magma—producing terrifying kinetic force and destructive power.
Naturally, because of how dangerous this ability was, Masata rarely used his Magma Quirk freely. Still, he had already developed several specialized techniques around it—though those would be stories for another time.
As Masata and Yaoyorozu Momo walked side by side out of the training grounds, both smiling lightly—
Elsewhere, unseen and unnoticed—
Another thread of fate quietly began to move.