Authors note:
Speaking: "…."
Thinking: '…'
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No One's POV
Tokyo University for Quirk Science
"Hey, did you hear? The old lady is finally retiring," a female student in a lecture hall told her friends.
"Yeah, I heard it too, and apparently we'll get a new professor," another added.
"I just hope he isn't old like our previous professor."
Ding... the bell rang, indicating that the lecture was about to start. Shortly after, a young teen, about 16 years old with green hair and eyes, stepped onto the podium. He wore formal black pants, a green dress shirt, and a black long-sleeve coat reaching his knees. He also held an intricately designed cane in his left hand.
"Hello, students. My name is Izuku Midoriya. I'm 16 years old, and I have a doctorate in quirk science and a degree in mechanical engineering. From today on, for the next three years, I'll be your professor in quirk science. If anyone would like to ask any questions, I'll be happy to answer them now," the man, now identified as Izuku, announced to the room, prompting many students to ask questions.
"How do you have a doctorate when you're only 16?"
"I'm smart and interested in quirks. Next."
"Will you make the lectures the same as Mrs. Chen's?"
"I will not. My teaching style is quite different. Next."
"Are you single?"
"I don't see why that's important right now, but yes, I'm single. Next."
This continued for another ten minutes before all the students' questions had been answered. Afterward, the professor continued.
"Alright, since we're done with the personal stuff, I'll move on to the more formal topics. First things first, let's talk about grades. Unsurprisingly, most of that will stay the same, since I can't really change anything about it. However, in my class, there will be one extra assignment worth 40% of your grade. It'll be open for the next three years, and if you don't complete it, your grade won't be reduced. So, it's more like a big extra credit."
"Since this is a quirk research class, your assignment will be to find out what my quirk is. If you think you've figured it out, submit your findings to me. It needs to contain a detailed description of the power, as well as a section on its limitations and risks. You can only submit one form, so be careful when you submit it, as you only have one try," Dr. Midoriya explained.
"How are we supposed to figure that out? And what's the purpose of this assignment?" a male student questioned.
"A good question, but I'm a bit disappointed you couldn't find the answer for yourself. Since you're new, I'll explain. You want to be quirk doctors, right? And what's the primary job of a quirk doctor?" He paused, waiting for responses.
"No one? Then I'll tell you. It's to find out what a young child's quirk is. And when you eventually do it, you'll need to figure it out based on your research. In the case of this assignment, you'll observe me using my quirk to discover its true nature. I have permission from the principal to use my quirk during lectures, so you'll see it often enough. But I warn you, it's not as easy as it looks," Mr. Midoriya stated.
Looking around, he saw the students talking among themselves about the assignment, so the young professor tapped his cane on the ground and watched as the room quieted down.
"Well then, since all the topics are discussed, I think it's time to start the lesson."
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5 Hours Later
Azure Reefspire { Floor 40 }
Above Water
Izuku was currently walking along the sandy beach, greeting some of the residents before finally arriving at his destination: his home. It was a wooden house made from the nearby forest's timber, with coral and other marine materials incorporated into its structure. The house stood on the beach with a direct bridge to the city and a dock leading toward the seemingly endless ocean.
Izuku was wearing his village attire: a pair of green baggy pants, no shirt, and a seaweed strap around his left shoulder with a large blue mussel on it. Stepping inside, he began to prepare for the meeting he was about to attend. After gathering everything he needed, he went to the dock, jumped into the water, and began swimming down. Over the years he had lived with the Na'ari, he had become adept at diving and holding his breath longer than ever before.
Using one of the water currents, he quickly reached his destination, the Abyssal Throne, where Kaelen and Meris were already waiting for him.
"Sorry it took me so long; teaching takes longer than expected," the green-haired boy apologized.
"No need, we just arrived as well. If everyone is ready, then Izuku, if you would," Kaelen replied. Upon hearing this, the master of space took out his cane, opened it, and slashed the air twice, creating a portal. The three stepped through, revealing a city in the sky, built on floating rocks and clouds. Air streams coursed through it, and its residents, similar in appearance to the Na'ari but with light brown and yellow skin and large wings instead of webbed fingers, moved about. The buildings, beautifully carved into the rock walls, had a citadel-like quality and were made from elegant sand-colored materials. One building, in particular, stood out.
"The Tempest Spire. How long has it been since I last saw it," Meris commented, looking toward the tallest structure in the city. The spire reached high into the heavens, with storm clouds constantly circling it.
"Well, let's not keep the others waiting, shall we?" Kaelen instructed as they boarded a nearby airship prepared for them. Golden and white in color, it was kept aloft by wind magic and had small steering wings on its sides. As they stepped onto the ship, they were greeted by some of the staff before departing for the large structure.
Upon arrival, they were led to the conference room by a guard. Opening the door, they saw twelve people already seated at the table, some familiar and others new. The three took their seats, and the guard began speaking.
"All participants of today's meeting have arrived. I will now proceed with the introductions of all parties. First, the representatives of the Lyn'ari. From the ocean tribe: Kaelen Tidecaller, Warlord of the Lyn'ari fleet and chief of the Na'ari; Meris Seastorm, the great oracle of the sea; and Izuku Midoriya, master of space and Hero of Elegance."
Each of them stood up and greeted the others before the guard continued. "From the forest tribe: Fenric Thistethorn, the forest guardian and chief of the Syl'ari; Elowen Greenbark, High Priestess of Elara; and Lira Mossveil, master of druidic magic."
The three representatives of the forest tribe stood up. Fenric, a man with bark-like skin of a dark, earthen tone, had short chestnut-brown hair resembling ancient oak bark, piercing emerald-green eyes, and a lean, muscular build. His arms and legs bore thorn-like markings, and he wore armor made from hardened wood and leather covered in green moss.
Elowen, the first woman, had deep olive-green skin with faintly glowing leaf-shaped markings. Her moss-green hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of vines, intertwined with flowers and twigs. Her eyes were a brilliant amber, and she wore a flowing gown made of woven leaves and bark, adorned with vines and blossoms that shifted and grew with her movements.
Lira, the last to stand, had soft pale-green skin with delicate vine-like patterns curling up her arms and neck. Her hair, a mix of deep forest green and golden hues, resembled autumn leaves. Her bright gold eyes had flecks of green, and she wore a cloak made of soft moss and leaves, with flowers constantly blooming and withering on her shoulders.
After they sat back down, the guard continued, "From the sky tribe and today's hosts: Ariella Starwind, the queen of the sky and chief of the Aetheri; Zephyr Cloudstrider, commander of the Sky Knights; and Selene Dawnwing, High Priestess of Zephira."
The three representatives of the sky tribe stood up. Ariella had pale, silver-blue skin with faint, storm-like markings. Her pure white hair seemed to float around her head as if caught in a gentle breeze, and her storm-gray eyes were striking. Tall and slender, she had large, ethereal wings of pure white tipped with silver. Ariella wore a cloudsweave gown that shifted from white to pale blue and a crown resembling a circlet of silver clouds and stars.
Zephyr had sun-kissed golden skin with wing markings on his back. His short, spiked hair had streaks of white and silver, like lightning in a storm. His intense, sky-blue eyes complemented his athletic build and sleek, feathered wings that were storm-gray edged with silver. He wore light armor made of sky metal, a strong yet weightless material.
Selene, the last to stand, had glowing white skin adorned with star constellation marks, resembling a full moon or a five-pointed star. Her shimmering silver hair flowed like wisps of clouds, and her pale lavender eyes had an ethereal quality. She had elegant gray wings fading to white at the tips, and she wore robes of starlight and clouds embroidered with sky symbols and constellations, carrying a staff topped with a crystal.
Once they were seated, the guard continued with the other introductions. "Representing the Rukari tribe: Thorin Ironfist, high warlord and chief of the Rukari; Sienna Flameheart, commander of the first division warriors; and Lydsandra Ironfist, Thorin's wife and high priestess of the Rukari."
The three stood, greeted everyone, and then sat back down.
"And lastly, representing the Lycanthropes: Katsuki Bakugo, master of time, king of beasts, and Hero of Courage; Kurenai Bakugo, queen of the Lycanthropes; and Akira Benjiro, elder of the Lycanthropes."
The three Lycanthrope representatives stood, greeted everyone, and took their seats. The guard then concluded, "And now, the opening words from our esteemed Queen."
Ariella stood and spoke. "Today, we have gathered to discuss the alliance between our three tribes, the Rukari, the Lycanthropes, and the Lyn'ari. First and foremost, I must thank Lord Thorin for breaking the ice and taking the first step, and Lord Katsuki for agreeing to this meeting. And now, we shall begin."
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Kaeleen's POV
3 hours later
"God, that took longer than expected," Izuku complained, sighing and putting his hands in his pockets.
"Well, you know how these sorts of meetings tend to go. This time wasn't that bad, considering we managed to establish an alliance, even though King Bakugo had to use a little intimidation," Kaeleen remarked, walking onto the airship prepared for him and Meris.
"Well, then I'll leave you to it. See you soon, Izuku," the chief said, sitting down and watching as the green-haired man headed towards Katsuki before leaving through a portal. But something caught Kaeleen's eye: on the backside of Izuku's right shoulder, a small black whirlpool marking had started to appear, slowly expanding.
"Meris, did you see that?" Kaeleen asked, a bit concerned.
"Indeed, though I can't say I know why. Those markings shouldn't appear on humans," the priestess clarified.
"I guess we'll just have to see what happens," the warlord said, looking at the spot where Izuku had stood.