Chapter 18 — A Special Case: Akio Tatsuma
"I am here!"
A booming, energetic voice echoed through the classroom.
The door burst open as a tall figure dramatically stepped inside.
All Might had arrived.
"…Entering through the door like a normal person would've worked too," he added with a grin.
"It's All Might!" Denki Kaminari trembled in excitement.
"So cool! He's really our teacher!" Eijiro Kirishima said with admiration.
Tsuyu Asui poked her cheek thoughtfully. "That costume… it's from All Might's Silver Age style."
"The atmosphere suddenly changed… I've got goosebumps," Mashirao Ojiro muttered.
All Might ignored the chatter and strode confidently to the front of the classroom.
"The subject I'm responsible for is Hero Fundamentals!"
"This class focuses on the basic training needed to become heroes—and it carries the most credits."
He raised a hand dramatically.
"So today… we begin with combat training!"
"Combat?!" Bakugo's eyes lit up immediately.
"And before that…" All Might pointed toward the wall.
The wall opened with a mechanical rumble.
Rows of shelves slid out, each holding sealed containers labeled with student numbers.
"These are your hero costumes!"
"They were designed using the Quirk reports and personal requests you submitted before enrollment."
The entire class erupted in excitement.
After changing, the students gathered at Training Ground Beta.
One by one they stepped out from the hallway into the sunlight.
Each student now wore their customized hero costume.
Akio Tatsuma's outfit stood out immediately.
His suit was deep navy blue, resembling the dark ocean at night. Thin metallic channels ran across the suit like lightning veins, designed to help regulate and amplify electrical discharge.
A compact metal backpack unit rested between his shoulders.
It served as an energy regulator—allowing him to store and release electricity more efficiently during combat.
The suit had been engineered specifically to enhance his lightning output.
Akio flexed his fingers slightly.
Good design, he thought.
Much better conductivity.
When the other students saw each other's costumes, the atmosphere became even more energetic.
"Looking sharp!" All Might shouted proudly. "Remember—presentation matters! Starting today, you must think like heroes!"
The class stood under the bright sunlight, filled with excitement.
Akio glanced around.
Midoriya's costume looked… surprisingly cute.
The green suit with the bunny-eared mask gave him a slightly awkward but earnest appearance.
Nearby, Minoru Mineta stared at Uraraka with sparkling eyes.
"Being a hero is amazing…"
Akio chuckled.
"Grape boy, please remove yourself from the group."
Mineta blinked.
"…What group?"
Akio ignored him.
He already knew Mineta would probably end up annoyed with him eventually.
After all, Akio had no intention of pretending to be a saint around the many attractive classmates here.
Still, things were different from his previous life.
This world felt real—not like a story.
People here weren't just characters.
All Might clapped his hands.
"Now! Let's begin the combat training!"
The students gathered around as All Might explained the rules.
Akio already knew what was coming.
A hero vs villain simulation battle.
In the original exercise, teams of two would face each other in indoor combat.
But there was a problem.
Class 1-A now had 21 students.
Because of Akio.
The teachers had debated this beforehand.
Akio's Quirk had been evaluated as extremely dangerous—high-output lightning, a rare and powerful elemental ability.
Even among elemental Quirks, lightning ranked near the top in terms of destructive capability.
Putting him into a standard team could easily unbalance the exercise.
All Might cleared his throat.
"One more thing."
He glanced toward Akio.
"Akio Tatsuma will be assigned as a special case."
Murmurs spread through the class.
"He will temporarily join one team as a third member."
"Of course, the opposing team will consist of some of the strongest students."
Bakugo immediately clicked his tongue.
"Tch. Why does he get special treatment?"
"Why not me?"
Several students glanced toward Akio with curiosity.
Even Iida looked surprised.
"It seems the teachers hold you in high regard," he said.
Akio shrugged.
"I didn't ask for it."
Kaminari suddenly ran over.
"Akio! Join my team!"
"Lightning plus electricity—we'd be unstoppable!"
Akio gave him a polite smile.
"…No thanks."
Kaminari deflated instantly.
But then Akio added casually:
"Unless Yaoyorozu Momo joins the team."
Kaminari froze.
Then his expression lit up with realization.
"Ohhhh."
He leaned closer.
"I see."
"You like her."
Akio said nothing.
Kaminari slapped his chest confidently.
"Leave it to me."
And just like that, Kaminari ran off toward Yaoyorozu to negotiate.
Akio watched him go, slightly amused.
Meanwhile, across the training field—
Bakugo stared at him with clear hostility.
"Tch."
"So the teachers think you're special…"
Akio simply smiled back calmly.
The real battles at U.A. High School were only just beginning.