WEEK LATER
MICHAEL
It had been a week of training, lectures, and trying not to embarrass myself in front of Class 1-A. I was finally starting to get a rhythm, quiet, low-profile, observing, surviving. Then the morning bell rang, and Nezu's voice came over the intercom.
"Class 1-A, assemble in the auditorium immediately. I have an important announcement."Nezu said.
The class shuffled in, muttering, curiosity buzzing through the air. I slid into a seat near the back, trying to stay calm. Midoriya shot me a nervous grin.
"Michael… you ready for whatever this is?"He asked.
I shrugged, quiet.
"As ready as I'll ever be."I said.
Nezu walked in, small frame perched confidently on the podium, glasses gleaming.
"Good morning, students. Today, I am excited to announce an event that will test your skills, teamwork, and strategy." His eyes scanned the room, sharp and calculating.
I leaned forward, curiosity piqued.
"The U.A. vs. Shiketsu War Games!" He announced, voice rising with enthusiasm. "A full-scale training battle against our neighbors from Shiketsu High. You will face off in a simulated city environment. Points will be awarded for capturing flags, defeating opponents, and completing strategic objectives. The goal is simple: demonstrate skill, adaptability, and teamwork under pressure."
A collective gasp ran through the room. Bakugo slammed a fist on the desk.
"Finally! A real fight! Hmph… I'll crush them all!"Bakugo said.
Uraraka squeaked, bouncing in her seat.
"A… a battle against Shiketsu?! This is so exciting!"She said.
I stayed quiet, my mind already ticking. Observation, timing, prediction… if I wanted to survive, I'd need to analyze everything and act strategically. No flashy stunts, no fanfare. Just precise, efficient moves. Midoriya leaned toward me, notebook in hand, eyes wide.
"Michael… we'll need every advantage we can get. I… I think your insight could be really useful."He said.
I nodded subtly, thinking ahead.
"I'll watch patterns. Predict movements. Help where I can without standing out."I said.
Kirishima grinned.
"We'll need you too, Michael. That's… kind of reassuring."He smirked.
Bakugo, naturally, shot me a glare that could probably start fires.
"Hmph… Quirkless. You better not get in my way, rookie."He said, annoyed.
I smirked faintly, quietly plotting my approach. Low profile, efficient, but ready to tip the scales where it mattered. Nezu clapped his hands, excitement radiating.
"Class 1-A, prepare yourselves! The War Games will begin shortly. Strategize, coordinate, and remember, only the clever and adaptable will succeed. Let the training begin!"Nezu said. "Plus ultra!"
"Plus ultra!"Everyone around me screamed while pushing fists into air..
"I leaned back, letting the words sink in. War Games. Shiketsu. Full-scale simulation. My mind raced, observation, anticipation, timing. I wasn't flashy. I didn't have a Quirk. But strategy… strategy could win the day and for the first time, I felt that familiar rush: game on.
The War Games had just been announced, and while the rest of Class 1‑A was buzzing with excitement and chaos, I slipped away. If I was going to survive this, I needed an edge, and Mei Hatsume had exactly what I needed. Tools and gadgets were scattered everywhere, wires coiled in neat, almost obsessive patterns. Mei looked up from tinkering with a compact device, eyebrows raised.
"You're early." She said, tone skeptical. "What's up, transfer student? You actually planning to… plan?"
I smirked faintly, keeping it casual.
"I need equipment. Paint guns, deployables… the works. Something subtle, effective, and quiet."I said.
Her eyes flicked to my jacket, the small notebook sticking out.
"Hm. That's… ambitious. Most students just run around and hope to hit something."She said curriously.
I shrugged.
"Not exactly my style. I like strategy."I said.
Her gaze sharpened, intrigued.
"Strategy? And you've got… experience?" She asked.
I opened my backpack slowly, letting her see the neatly organized interior. Small nets, clamps, a compact paint gun gleamed in the dim light.
"Let's just say I've had a lot of practice in simulations. Timing, tactics, anticipation… all very hands-on."I explained.
Her lips quirked into a half smile.
"Simulation practice, huh? And you expect these little toys to be enough?"She asked.
I grinned faintly.
"Not just toys. Tools. And I know how to use them. Precision over chaos. Efficiency over raw power."I said.
At that moment, Higari Maijima, Power Loader, stepped into the lab, adjusting his glasses and glancing over his own gadgets.
"Hmm… so this is the transfer student Mei keeps talking about. You're serious, huh?"He asked.
"Very." Mei said, voice low but excited. "And clever. Definitely clever. This isn't just a student showing off. He knows what he's doing."
I lifted a compact device and twisted it in my hand.
"I have spent years in tactical simulations. Planning, predicting, reacting. Not just reaction, but control. That's what this is about, not flashy moves, but making the battlefield bend to your decisions."I explained.
Power Loader raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed.
"So he's… a hardcore gamer?"He asked.
I laughed softly.
"That's one way to put it. But this isn't about fun. This is about efficiency. Observation. Timing. Every tool here has a purpose, every move is calculated."I said.
Mei's eyes gleamed, clearly intrigued.
"I like him. He's not just clever… he's obsessed. That kind of focus could be dangerous if he gets out there."She said.
Power Loader muttered something approving under his breath, nodding once.
"Impressive. He understands principles and thinks ahead. That will serve him well in the War Games."He said.
I stuffed the gadgets carefully into my jacket, low-profile but ready.
"Don't worry. You'll see."I said.
As I left the lab, Mei's eyes followed me, a mix of curiosity and admiration, while Power Loader gave a quiet nod of approval. For a moment, I felt the rare, quiet thrill of someone understanding exactly what I was capable of, not just a transfer student, not just a Quirkless kid… a gamer, a strategist, a force to be reckoned with and the War Games hadn't even started yet. Back in my room, I unpacked the gadgets Mei had given me. Small nets, clamps, a compact paint gun, and a few other deployables were carefully laid out on the desk. Each one had a purpose, each one had a place. I moved quietly, almost ritualistically, checking every strap, clip, and trigger.
My outfit was simple but tactical, dark, flexible material for easy movement, reinforced knees and elbows, and plenty of hidden pockets for gadgets. I adjusted the gloves and boots, making sure everything fit perfectly. Low-profile, but designed for efficiency. Subtle enough to blend in if needed, but enough to look like I belonged in a battlefield. I paused, looking in the mirror. The mask would hide my face just enough to keep me anonymous, but still allow full visibility. I liked it. Not flashy, not heroic in the traditional sense, but functional, and it gave me a sense of focus. A sense of control. A knock on the door made me jump slightly.
"Michael?" Midoriya's voice, hesitant but excited, came from the doorway.
He stepped in, eyes wide.
I turned to face him, giving a slight smirk.
"Hey. You ready?"I asked.
Midoriya froze for a second, then his jaw dropped.
"Whoa… that… that's… amazing!"Midoriya said.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Amazing?"I asked.
"You… you actually look like a hero! Like, a real one! Functional, tactical… precise!" His hands were practically shaking as he gestured at my outfit. "The mask, the pockets, the reinforced areas… it's perfect for the War Games! I love it!"
I felt a faint blush at the praise but kept my composure.
"Thanks. It's built for efficiency, not style. But if it looks good while keeping me alive, I'll take it."I said.
Midoriya's eyes flicked to the gadgets strapped to my belt.
"And all your tools! Wow… nets, clamps, deployables… you're ready for anything. This is incredible, Michael. You really thought of everything."He said.
I shrugged, zipping the last pocket closed.
"Planning ahead isn't just for games. It's survival. And I want to make sure we can handle anything Shiketsu throws at us. Low-profile, efficient, and coordinated."I said calmly.
His grin stretched impossibly wide.
"I can't wait to see it in action! You're… you're like a real-life hero simulator! I'm so glad I get to watch and learn from you!"He said.
I smirked faintly, feeling a rare thrill of pride.
"Just stick close, follow my lead, and keep the device handy. Quiet communication is our advantage."I said.
Midoriya's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Absolutely! Let's do this!"He said.
I checked my watch, adjusted the straps on my gloves, and gave a final look in the mirror. Everything was in place. Functional. Tactical. Deadly if needed. Midoriya followed, notebook open, ready to relay timing and movement. Together, we slipped out of the room, two quiet operators entering the chaos of the War Games, unseen, unheard, but fully prepared to rewrite the rules.