The alarm clock buzzed softly at 5:30 AM.
Shin Karasuma opened his eyes the instant it rang, no groaning, no snooze button. His body moved on autopilot—muscles sore from last night's training, joints faintly humming with the residue of lightning still flowing beneath the surface.
He stretched, the faint crackling of electricity flickering along his arms as he rolled his shoulders.
Strength first. Lightning second. Together, always.
After a light warm-up in his room—push-ups with increasing resistance, squats with quirk-enhanced tension in his muscles, then a short burst of lightning-charged shadowboxing—he wiped off the sweat and hit the shower.
His body, even at ten years old, had started showing the early signs of his intensive training. Lean muscle. Fast reflexes. A natural power that never quite looked ordinary, no matter how much he tried to tone it down.
At breakfast, his mom smiled at him from the stove. "Morning, Shin. You're up early again."
"Morning," he replied, sitting at the table. "I like getting a head start."
His dad peeked over the newspaper. "Don't overdo it. You've still got growing bones."
"I know." He smiled politely. "I'm being careful."
Careful enough not to blow a hole in the yard, anyway.
After a quick meal of rice, grilled fish, and miso soup, Shin packed his school bag, grabbed his bento, and waved goodbye.
By 7:30, he was stepping through the school gates, surrounded by chatter and laughter.
"SHIN!" came the familiar yell.
Yuki nearly tackled him from behind, hanging off his shoulders like a koala. "Why do you always look like you've been awake since last night?!"
"I have a routine," Shin replied, unbothered by her antics. "You should try it."
Toma walked up behind them, sipping from a juice box. "No thanks. I prefer sleep. Beautiful, uninterrupted, glorious sleep."
Shiro joined them silently, his school bag slung neatly over one shoulder, expression unreadable as usual. "There's a weird energy in the air today."
"Like… villain-level weird?" Yuki asked, perking up.
Shiro glanced sideways at Shin—just for a second. "No. More like... something's coming."
Shin remained quiet, walking beside them as they made their way to class. Inside, their homeroom teacher was already writing the schedule on the board.
"Alright everyone!" the teacher called. "Settle down! Today, after morning classes, we've got a special joint homeroom assembly with Class 3-B. There's going to be a pro hero visiting to talk about quirk safety and development."
"Oooh," Yuki whispered with a grin. "Think we'll get someone cool?"
"If it's Kamui Woods, I'm gonna scream," Toma muttered.
"I hope it's someone fast," Shin said casually.
"Why?" Yuki elbowed him. "You trying to compare speeds already?"
"No," he replied with a small smirk. "Just curious."
Inside, though, his thoughts were far more intense.
A pro hero. If they're sharp enough, they might sense my potential. Or worse... they might recognize something from the news.
Shin sat at his desk, posture perfect, eyes locked on the board—but his mind already calculating.
Today might not be so normal after all.
******
The classroom buzzed with excitement as the morning rolled on. Even the usually bored students were wide awake by the time the second period ended.
Then the announcement came through the intercom.
"All students of Class 3-A and 3-B, please proceed to the multi-purpose hall for the guest hero lecture."
The room practically erupted.
"Let's goooo!" Yuki shouted, throwing her arms into the air. "If it's Ingenium, I'm getting his autograph!"
Toma rolled his eyes. "You're literally vibrating."
"I have to be ready. You never know when your future mentor is watching!"
Shiro stayed quiet, his hands in his pockets as he walked beside Shin. "You seem calm," he said without looking.
"I am," Shin replied. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Shiro shrugged. "Just seems like something you'd care about."
Shin's reply was a neutral smile. "I care. Just not enough to freak out."
Inside, though, he was anything but relaxed. His muscles were coiled, his senses sharper than usual. If the hero has sharp observation skills… they might see it—the way I move, the way I hold myself. Gotta stay casual.
They gathered in the hall. Two classes merged, seated on foldable chairs. The murmur of students filled the space, but it quickly died down when the side door opened.
The hero walked in, tall, lean, and dressed in a dark, tactical costume with subtle neon green lines flowing through the arms.
The murmurs grew louder.
"Wait—is that…?"
"No way."
"Holy crap, it is!"
The hero stepped onto the small stage, waving casually.
"I'm Volt Viper," he said with a smooth, confident voice, "Pro Hero, Quirk Type: Electric Surge. Nice to meet you all."
Shin's eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
Lightning…?
Yuki leaned close to Shin and whispered, "That guy's in the top 100, right? He specializes in high-speed raids and paralysis tactics!"
Shin gave a small nod but stayed quiet. His quirk is advanced lightning manipulation. I've seen videos of him using it to stun villains from a distance… and enhance his reaction time. Sounds familiar.
Volt Viper scanned the crowd, his eyes sharp.
"Alright, kids. I'm not here to show off. I'm here because, whether you want to be a pro hero or not, understanding your quirks—and how they interact with others—is critical. One mistake out there, and someone gets hurt. Or worse."
He moved across the stage as he spoke, confident but not arrogant.
"Lightning users, strength boosters, speed types… anyone in here have quirks like that?"
Shin didn't raise his hand. Several others did.
Volt Viper grinned. "Nice. You all have a lot of potential. But also a lot of risk. Power doesn't mean control. And without control, you're dangerous to everyone—including yourself."
Shin's eyes stayed on him the whole time, expression unreadable.
He knows what he's talking about. He's not just some flashy hero. He's the real deal.
After a few demonstrations and questions from the students, Volt Viper wrapped up.
"One more thing," he added, glancing across the room. "Some of you might not want the spotlight. Some of you might be hiding how strong you really are."
Shin's stomach tensed for half a second.
"That's okay—for now," the hero said with a small smile. "But remember… the moment you step into the field, the world will see you for who you are."
The bell rang shortly after, and the students began buzzing again, flooding the hallway with chatter.
"That was SO COOL!" Yuki practically skipped down the hall. "Did you see the part where he discharged lightning into his own legs for extra speed?! I didn't even think that was possible!"
Toma nodded. "Yeah, guy's nuts. Think we'll ever be like that?"
Shiro glanced at Shin. "Some of us already might be."
Shin just smiled, walking calmly beside them.
"Maybe," he said. "One day."
******