Results or Sentence
Luz’s POV
Over the next week, I woke up the next day feeling powerless. Literally.
I had worked so hard only to score 2 measly points in the mock battle. I had destroyed that gigantic robot, but nothing came of it. Well, expect my broken bones and that embarrassing rescue.
Did that really happen?
I hugged myself with my bandaged arm and turned to face the mirror beside my bed. My arm didn’t hurt too much, the bandages were just for support. My legs on the other hand were incredibly sore and felt like stone.
I sighed to myself.
What’s Eda going to say? What does she think of me now?
For the past few days, those questions had circled in my mind hundreds of times. She had worked equally hard and put in so much effort into training me. In the end, I just earned 2 points in the mock battle and who knows if I even passed the academic part of the exam.
A knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts.
“La cena está lista. Estás bien?” - My mom asked lightly through the closed door.
“Estoy bien, saldré en un segundo.” - I responded.
I knew she was being cautious around me and my mood didn’t help my situation either. She had always been supportive of my goals, but always distanced herself when I’d talk about my dream of becoming a hero.
I never truly felt like she was on board with this goal of mine, but deep down I knew she was just scared for me. I knew she wanted to support me, but I couldn’t help but feel like she’d hate for me to become a pro hero. When the doctors diagnosed me with my quirk defect she began avoiding talking about my hero dream. She never shut me out, but she’d also never engage.
I let my feet dangle over the edge of my bed before standing.
Wonder what’s for dinner.
Dinner was quiet and Prince only begged for food twice which was unusually odd.
I think Prince is also catching on to my sad boy vibes…
“How was work today?” - I asked not looking up from my plate.
I knew I startled my mom by the sound of her choking on the bite she’d just taken.
“Fine! Fine-fine-fine. It wasn’t a busy shift, not too many accidents today. How are your legs feeling today?” - She paused and hesitated. “Do you... have any pain in your arm?”
“No, just a bit sore.” - I paused; I didn’t want to ask because I felt like I was just getting my hopes up but I mustered up a bit of courage. “Have you picked up the mail yet?
“No, I was waiting for you.” - She got up and walked over to my side, lifting my chin to make me face her. “Mija, no matter what you did great. I know UA is your dream school and you are feeling defeated right now, but… there are other options if this one doesn’t work out. I- I’m scared. No matter what happens or where you end up going, I’ll always be scared for you. I’ve seen heroes and their worst-case scenario injuries first hand, and I can’t help but feel so scared to think of my baby getting hurt,” - she embraced me into a hug. “… but this is your dream. I won’t stop you so the best I can do is just support you.”
“Ma...” - I started.
“Wait.” - She pulled away holding my shoulders. She had tears in her eyes but still beamed a warm smile. “I want to support you, but before that I want you to promise me you’ll be safe. You have no idea how scared I was when they called me telling me you had an incident during the mock battle. Promise me you’ll be safe and always come home. Prométeme lo.”
“I-” - My eyes began to sting and tears threatened to fall. “Te lo prométo mami. Por favor no llores.” - I said as I wiped a couple of tears off.
I didn’t know what else to say. My dumbass had forgotten about her feelings. How could I be so self-centered? Of course, she was scared; heroes would often die in the line of duty protecting others. That’s exactly why I wanted to become a hero. Protecting others is what I want to do most in life.
“A HERO DOES NOT HURT OTHERS. A hero protects others from harm. Big, small, weak, strong, animal, mutant, or human.” - I yelled.
I remembered the little bird. I remembered the pride and the fuzzy feeling in my chest.
If I wanted to ever feel like that again, I needed to assure mom I’ll be fine.
I need to work harder, be stronger. I can’t let anyone smite me down.
After dinner mom walked down to pick up the mail. Meanwhile, I was curl up with Prince on the couch.
Just then my mom bust through the door startling both Prince and me.
“Look it came!” - She shoved an envelope with the UA insignia in my face. “Remember what I told you, okay sweety!?”
I chuckled at her reaction and felt a sad smile rest on my face.
“I know Mami. Thank you.” - I took the envelope and kissed her forehead as I made my way to my room and shut the door behind me.
I set down the envelope on my desk and sat on my bed debating whether to open it or not.
What’s going to happen if I failed. Well, I failed, but what does that mean for me and Eda? Will she take back One-for-All?
Finally, curiosity got the best of me and I tore open the envelope and out popped a projector pod. I watched it buzz to life before I turned it over. Suddenly, the blinking red dot stopped blinking and a holographic screen appeared.
“HEY-HEY-HEY KIDDO! It's Me! In a Video!” - Eda shouted. She suddenly appeared on the screen in a dark maroon suit with a white tie.
Started I fell out of my chair and landed on my ass.
“EDA?” - I rubbed my ass and got back in the chair. “What are you doing? This is a UA affiliated matter! What-”
“Now, your probably wondering, “What’s the number one hero doing in a UA envelope?” Well, you see I didn’t just come to this city as a transfer. Truth is I am now the newest UA Faculty Member!!”
“WHAAT?” - I was bamboozled. There were so many questions in my head. What does this mean for me? Will Eda give One-for-All to someone else more worthy? DID I FAIL?
“Now moving on from that jaw-dropping news.” - She winked flipping her mane behind her. Clearing her throat as she took on a more serious tone.
“Although you barely passed the written part of the exam... You only got 2 points in the mock battle. I’m sorry.” - She paused.
I know. Eda. Please don’t be sorry, it’s my fault I should have tried harder. I’ve been going over and over what I did wrong and what I could have done better.
I clutched my bandaged arm and waited to hear my sentence.
“Thankfully, There were other factors!” - My head shot up at that comment. “We know that being a hero isn’t just about punching bad guys so we incorporate Rescue Points!!” - She opened her arms out wide and flexed her biceps. “Before we get to that I wanna show you a clip! You’ll be excited to see who it is!!” - She finished with a beaming smile and clicked on a remote initiating the start of another clip.
“Hello?” - The buff girl with the plant quirk from the exam day appeared on the screen with her own school uniform.
“It’s that buff girl… What was her name again?” - I looked up to see her hug her jacket close. “Willow!”
“Yes?” - King popped out from the left side of the video clip.
“Hi!... Um, you know that girl from yesterday? With the short really dark brown hair…. She was kinda tall and hard brown eyes… I think she was wearing a purple tracksuit.” - She paused.
I felt my cheeks warm up.
She doesn’t remember my name, but somehow I know hers!
I scowled at y desperate need for friends.
“I was wondering if it was possible to give her some of my own points I earned in the mock battle. I just… she saved me from being a human pancake and even after defeating that giant robot I heard her say she only got two points.” - She looked sad. “If she hadn’t gone back to save me maybe she could have gotten more points. How could someone as powerful as her only have to points!”
She wants to give me points?
“Please Mister, she saved me!” - She clutched her jacket even tighter and her head hung low in shame. “Please give him my points!”
The video paused and panned to Eda. She was watching with a proud smile and I felt my chest buzz.
“Yes. You are strong now, but that alone doesn’t change the world. Your actions can inspire others to do better, BE Better.” - She played the video.
King stuck out a paw and messed up her curly hair. “It’s okay kid, she doing alright on her own.” - King chuckled sincerely and the video ended.
“Don’t you see! How could the Hero Course reject someone as committed to saving others as you are? Being a hero doesn’t mean beating up villains all day. There are other factors in play! That’s why we use Rescue Points.” - Another clip began to play. “A panel of judges watch and give Recuse points to students throughout the entire exam. Watching and making sure everyone is being safe as well.” - She pointed at the other video clip. “Willow Park. 62 Rescue Points!” - Then, the screen switched to a scoreboard. My face went pale and I felt my soul leave my body. My name was numbered at 6. “Luz Noceda. 60 Rescue Points!”
“Wha-” - I began hyperventilating.
Is this a joke? This has to be a joke! I- I- This isn’t real.
My chest was engulfed in a warm feeling and I inhaled letting reality hit me like a truck.
The screen panned to fully show Eda.
“You both passed the exam.” - She finally said. “Welcome Luz. You are now part of the Hero Academia.” - Eda flashed me a smile before the screen turned off reaching the end of the message.
I had turned into stone. Realizing it was no prank, I felt tears streaming down my face.
I walked out of my room and saw my mom fiddling with Prince on her lap.
She looked up and I gave her a big smile letting the tears stream down my face. She got up and gave me a big hug.
Before I went to bed that day I received a text from Eda. She hadn’t been in contact since the exam day. I figured it was because she knew I’d failed, but I was proven wrong earlier that day so I began to wonder why she had disappeared.
#1 Hero
Hey, kiddo. Meet me tomorrow morning at our spot.
Okay. Is there a reason?
Yeah, I’ll explain tomorrow. Don’t worry kid. :D
I awoke in a hurry. I’d only have an hour to meet with Eda before I had to head to school.
I arrived at the woods early morning but didn’t see Eda.
“Hey-hey-hey!” - Eda shouted from behind.
Startled I jumped around raising my fists.
“Woah Kid you ready to take me on so soon?” - She chuckled as I relaxed a bit.
“Hi Eda.” - I was beaming with joy. “I made it! …. Well you already know that, but still!”
She laughed and looked over her shoulder. King was walking towards us from behind her.
“As of next semester, King and I will be a part of UA Faulty. I wanted to let you know that although I watched you throughout the exam, You earned your spot on your own. I didn’t pull any strings for ya.” - She smiled and rested a hand on King’s shoulder. He grumbled and turned to me.
“You’ve really got guts kid. This doesn’t mean I’ll be any easier on you though.” - He squinted through his mask and I raised a brow.
“I hope you don’t! I have to grow stronger and faster.” - I raised a fist to the air. “I shall be a fearless hero.”
Eda chuckled at the pose I stuck and rubbed my head.
“No hero is fearless. Fear should be embraced in a healthy and constructive manner. I’m not fearless. I’d be insane if I were.” - Eda replied.
“You’re already insane. Wouldn’t that make you a psychopath?” - King began to chuckle, but Eda pulled his mask down making him squeal and claw at the mask.
I laughed as I saw the two interact.
“Oh, before you go. How did you release so much energy with that one punch?” - Eda questioned me. She slightly tilted her head and waited for me to answer. King finally fixed his mask and fixed his gaze on me.
“Uuuh, I... I don't know. All I really felt was a rush of energy and an instinct to protect Will- THE student. I could feel all the energy running throughout my body, but I’ve never released so much energy before. I was a bit blinding even to me.” - I could be sweating bullets under their gazes, but I was equally as confused.
“Yeah, that light was beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it before. It looked like a supernova.” - She nervously chuckled. “Refresh me on your power again?”
“Yeah, sure! My quirk is Starlight. I can take energy from almost anything and create energy orbs. Their size determines their “lifetime” “ - I air quoted. I walked towards a flower and pulled on the energy that was enveloping it. The flower withered as my palm began to glow and soon the light faded. “See.” - I faced the palm of my hand to the sky and flexed. A small orb of light developed and I smiled as I saw King and Eda gawk at it.
“Wow, kid. That beautiful.” - She saw staring at the orb.
I let the energy left in the orb run out and watched Eda stare in confusion.
“What’s wrong?” - I asked concerned.
“What’s that?” - She pointed at the palm of my hand.
In one of the lines on my palm was an almost microscopic dark greyish-black orb. I squinted and looked up at her.
“I, don't know. I’ve never noticed that before.”
“You know at the mock battle arena where you took down the bot there was an orb similar to this one… mmm about 7 times bigger.” - She paused and was sucked into her thoughts.
I pondered on it.
I’ve never noticed this before. Why was I only able to see it till now?
“AH HA” - Eda suddenly shouted. King and I flinched from her outburst making me drop the orb.
“You know, your quirk might be more powerful than you originally thought. I think because of One-for-All it was able to fully develop into all of its glory.” - She raised her hands to the sky and smiled ecstatically at us. “You’re creating microscopic stars, Luz!”
“Actual Stars?” - King questioned.
“Yeah, it must have been classified as Starlight because it emitted light equally as bright to a star. They must have not been able to classify it as an actual star because it was so small. I don’t know why your quirk didn’t fully develop, but I guess One-for-All increased its power!” - Eda stated. “I’m so smart.” - She snorted and King let out a snicker.
Star-light.
“SO YOU MEAN I ACTUALLY MADE A MINIATURE SUPERNOVA HAPPEN?!” - I shouted. Eda paused thoughtfully and rubbed her chin.
“Hmm. I guess so.” - She shrugged. “No wonder the cleanup crew wasn’t able to figure out what part of the robot it was…”
I was perplexed at her reaction and overwhelmed by her realization.
"The power of a star?” - I asked again.
“Yup! Looks like your quirk will be a great addition to One-for-All After-All.” - She smirked at the pun.
King and I groaned at her joke, while Eda was hunched over laughing.
“Okay-okay!I have one more question before I have to go.” - I desperately got out.
“Shoot me kid.” - Eda said, as she wiped a tear from her eye.
“What the hell do you mean addition?!” - I looked at her bewildered by her earlier comment.
“Ugh.” - She rolled her eyes and rubbed her temples. “Luz I already told you. One-for-All accumulates quirks. One user possesses the power and improves it, then he or she passes it on to their chosen successor.” - She smirked. “Your successor is going to be a lucky bastard. They better be strong.”
“Wait! I’m not even a hero yet SLOW down!” - My mind began to boggle.
Accumulated quirks!?Successor?! Wait Accumulated quirks… Does that mean….
“Wait, so what’s your original quirk?” - For some reason, I was immediately overwhelmed by my nervousness.
I nervously rubbed my neck and just gave her my best smile. She smirked and let out a snicker.
“I was wondering when you’d ask.” - She paused and faced me with a devilish grin on her face making me yelp. “Well kid, before One-for-All, My only quirk was Witchery."