"All men are not created equal."
It was a truth I learned at a very young age—a truth that shaped the world I lived in.
"And my dream of becoming a hero… seemed out of reach."
The classroom was silent, every student hanging on to each word.
"But that didn't stop me from trying."
A pause.
"However… today, I will not be telling you the story of how I became one of the greatest heroes alive."
"Awwww!" the entire class groaned in unison.
A student raised his hand, leaning forward eagerly. "But Mr. Izuku, I thought you were going to tell us a story!"
Izuku Midoriya—once known across the world as the hero Deku, the one who brought down the infamous All For One—now stood at the front of the classroom as a history teacher at his alma mater, U.A. High School.
He adjusted his tie slightly, offering a small, awkward smile.
"Alright, class," he said, tapping lightly on the electronic board behind him. "This is a history lesson, not a storytime session."
With a swipe, glowing text appeared on the board.
"Today's topic: The History of Quirks."
He turned back to the class, eyes bright with passion.
"I'll be teaching you how the first quirk was discovered… and how quirks became a part of human biology."
A soft murmur spread across the room.
"But first," he continued, clasping his hands together, "can anyone tell me how they think quirks came to be?"
Several hands shot into the air instantly.
"Mr. Izuku! I have an idea!" a girl called out.
Izuku nodded toward her. "Go ahead, Mina."
Mina Devoo stood up, her eyes gleaming with excitement. As a user of imagination and illusion-based abilities, enthusiasm practically radiated from her.
"History tells us that the first quirk ever discovered was the Luminescent Baby," she began confidently. "A glowing child born over a hundred years ago. But the cause of his quirk factor… was never clearly explained."
Izuku smiled. "That's quite true."
He began pacing slowly, hands behind his back.
"But what if I told you," he continued, "that the reason behind quirks has now been discovered?"
The class leaned in.
"Back then, technology wasn't advanced enough to determine the cause of these mutations. But due to recent developments and extensive research, scientists have uncovered a working theory."
He turned, pointing at a diagram now displayed on the board.
"The quirk factor is believed to be a genetic mutation linked to increased brain activity. Early humans only accessed a small fraction of their brain's potential. But over time, biological evolution—and possibly external factors—allowed that percentage to increase dramatically."
He paused for emphasis.
"This increase led to the emergence of abilities… what we now call quirks."
A few students exchanged amazed glances.
"But," Izuku added with a sheepish grin, scratching the back of his head, "I'll leave the more complicated biological details to your biology teacher, Mrs. Kacchan."
A ripple of laughter passed through the class.
"Our main focus today," he continued, "will be the Luminescent Baby—also known in later years as the hero 'Golden Boy.' Now, take out your tablets and write a brief no—"
BOOM!
The sudden explosion-like sound shook the entire classroom.
Students screamed, ducking under their desks as panic erupted.
The classroom doors slammed open.
A figure stood in the doorway, smoke curling faintly around him.
Spiky ash-blond hair. A fierce grin. Explosive presence.
"Hey, Deku."
Izuku sighed, already knowing that voice.
"What's your ass still doing here?" the man continued. "Shouldn't you be getting ready? Tch… so much for being the 'great Deku.'"
The students froze—then instantly burst into excited whispers.
"It's him—!"
"No way—!"
"Kacchan!"
Izuku scratched his head awkwardly. "I'm almost done, Bakugo. Chill out."
Meanwhile, the class was losing all composure.
"Mr. Kacchan, I'm your biggest fan!" one student shouted.
"No, I am!" another argued.
Within seconds, the entire classroom dissolved into chaos.
Bakugo's eye twitched.
"I'm not 'Mr. Kacchan' to you brats!" he barked, his voice booming across the room. "I'm the Great Explosion Murder God Dynamite!"
He flashed the same wild grin he had worn the first time he ever declared that name.
The class fell silent for a moment—
—and then burst into laughter.
Bakugo scowled.
"Aren't you done, Izuku?" he snapped, his tone suddenly sharp.
Izuku grabbed his things quickly. "Yeah, yeah—I'm done. Let's go."
As he stepped toward the door, his expression softened. He turned back to the class, offering a warm smile.
"Well, guys," he said, "I guess we'll pick up where we left off in our next lesson."
He adjusted his glove as parts of his nanotech suit began forming around him.
"Duty calls."
With that, he stepped out into the hallway beside Bakugo.
The two heroes didn't wait.
In a flash, they were gone—rushing toward whatever danger awaited.
And inside the classroom, the students sat in stunned silence…
knowing they had just witnessed history in motion.