The morning after the Sports Festival, I awoke to a mixture of feelings. On one hand, there was an immense relief, the quiet that comes after a storm has passed. On the other, every inch of my body felt like it was screaming in protest. The pain from the fight against Bakugo, especially after forcing the full manifestation of Incursio, was much deeper than what I had felt before. This was no longer just muscle fatigue; it was an exhaustion that seeped into my bones, as if my very soul had been drained.
As I tried to get out of bed, I noticed something strange. Although the pain was deep, the bruises that should have adorned my body seemed much fainter than they should have been. The small scratches from the fight were almost completely gone. My body was recovering at an unnatural rate. This was more than just the metabolism of a healthy teenager. It was as if the same energy that hurt me on its way out was now working in silence to heal me while it rested. I didn't understand it yet, but I noted this anomaly. My power, it seemed, held more secrets than I had imagined.
The atmosphere at the breakfast table that morning was celebratory. My father and mother couldn't stop smiling. They had cooked my favorite breakfast, and the morning paper lay on the table with my photo on the front page. "The Unexpected Champion of U.A.!" the headline read. Seeing the genuine pride in their eyes made all the pain feel a little lighter.
"We never doubted you, Tacchan," my mother said, her eyes glistening with happy tears. "But seeing you collapse at the end... we were so scared."
"You proved to everyone that you deserved to be there," my father added, patting my shoulder proudly. "But remember your promise. Continue to be careful."
"I promise," I said, and I meant it.
The two days off from school passed quickly. My newfound fame felt strange. When I went to the store to buy a few things, some small children pointed at me excitedly, and a middle-aged man even awkwardly asked for my autograph. It was an uncomfortable experience. I wasn't a hero or a celebrity. I was just a man from another world trying to navigate this complicated destiny.
When school started again, the atmosphere in Class 1-A was filled with a new energy. We had all been tested, and we had all grown. There was a new respect among us, a bond forged in the fire of competition.
Our first class of the day was Hero Basic Training, but this time with Midnight. "After seeing your performances at the festival, it's time to take the next step in your hero careers!" she exclaimed enthusiastically. "It's time to choose... your HERO NAMES!"
She explained that these names, while temporary, would often stick and become our public identities. It was an important decision. Whiteboards were passed out, and we were all asked to think of the name we would carry.
I looked around. Uraraka, with determination shining in her eyes, wrote "Uravity." Iida, in honor of his family and his brother, wrote "Tenya," though Midnight suggested he stick with "Ingenium" in the future. Tsuyu Asui confidently chose "Froppy." Each name was a reflection of their personality and their Quirk.
Then, it was my turn. I stared at the blank white slate. What name could I take? "Tatsumi" was my human name. "Incursio" was the name of the armor, a secret I couldn't reveal. I needed something that represented the duality of my existence. Something that implied power and defense, but also the danger hidden within. I remembered the origin of Incursio, the armor created from the remains of the legendary Danger Beast, Tyrant. The name itself carried the weight of absolute power and the potential for destruction. It was the perfect reminder of what I had to control. With a steady hand, I wrote my name.
When it was my turn, I walked to the front and showed my board to the class. Written on it was:
The Armored Hero: Tyrant
The room went quiet for a moment. The name was heavy, dark, and filled with an intimidating power. "Ooh, an intense name!" Midnight exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. "It sounds strong and a little scary! I love it! It'll make the villains think twice! Approved!"
I returned to my seat, ignoring the curious stares from my classmates. The name was both a promise and a warning to myself.
The next session was with a still-bandaged Aizawa-sensei. "Now that you all have ridiculous-sounding hero names," he said in his typical flat tone, "it's time for serious business. Internships."
He displayed a graph on the screen. It was the number of internship offers from professional hero agencies across the country. "Due to your performance at the Sports Festival, the interest in you this year is exceptionally high."
The screen showed the results. Todoroki: 4,123 offers. Bakugo: 3,556 offers. Then, my name appeared at the top.
Tatsumi: 6,234 offers.
The entire class gasped. The number was absurd. I myself was surprised. My hard-won victory had apparently made me the hottest property among the pro heroes. Tablets were passed out to us, containing the full list of offers directed at each of us.
I scrolled through the long list on my tablet. The names of top hero agencies appeared one by one. There were offers from Endeavor's agency (which I immediately skipped), Hawks' agency, Best Jeanist, and hundreds of others. They all promised training, experience, and exposure.
Momo, from her seat, glanced in my direction. She herself had received 623 offers, a very impressive number that proved the value of her versatile Quirk. But she was more curious about my choice. She watched me scroll through the list with a calm expression, until suddenly, I stopped. My finger hovered over one name. My expression changed slightly, a flash of interest I couldn't hide. She wondered, which hero could have captured the attention of such a calm and calculating strategist?
On my tablet screen, the name seemed to glow.
Ryukyu Hero Agency. Pro Hero No. 10: The Dragoon Hero, Ryukyu.
As I read the name, I felt the dragon's heartbeat in my chest give a faint but clear throb of approval. A resonance. The connection I had felt when she was in the heroes' lounge, the connection she had felt from me. This was no longer just about choosing the best agency. This felt like fate. I knew where I had to go. Without hesitation, I selected the offer and submitted my decision.
The class began to buzz with chatter as everyone made their choices. I heard Iida grimly choose an agency in Hosu, and I knew why. I heard Midoriya looking confused about an offer from an old hero named Gran Torino.
"I'm interning with Ryukyu," I told Toru when she asked.
"Wow! The Dragoon Hero! That's so perfect for you!" she exclaimed happily.
The final bell of the day rang, signaling the end of one of the most important days of my life. I packed my bag, my gold medal feeling heavy inside it, and my new hero name feeling like a cloak I wasn't yet used to wearing. I walked out of the classroom, the evening sun casting a long shadow before me.
The world of festivals and school competitions was over. The world of professional heroes, real villains, and the ancient dragon residing within me now awaited. The road ahead was fraught with uncertainty and danger. But as I stepped out of the U.A. gates, for the first time, I felt that I was the one in control of the direction of my own steps. The journey to understand 'Tyrant' had just begun.