The afternoon brings our first combat training session with the pro-hero Ectoplasm. The massive training gym is equipped with various terrains and obstacles, designed to simulate real-world combat scenarios.
"Combat is rarely straightforward in hero work," Ectoplasm explains, his voice echoing slightly through his mask. "You'll be facing villains in urban environments, natural settings, and confined spaces. Today, we'll assess your current combat capabilities in a controlled environment."
He produces a box with numbered balls. "You'll draw lots to determine one-on-one matchups. Victory conditions are simple, immobilize your opponent, force them out of bounds, or get them to surrender."
One by one, we draw our numbers. I pull number 3, which pairs me against Yoshida, the finger-extension guy. Nejire draws number 8, matching her with the wind quirk girl, while Tamaki is paired with Kishimoto.
"First match, Tanaka versus Sato!" Ectoplasm announces. "Everyone else, observe from the viewing area."
As the air pressure manipulator and a girl with some kind of strength-enhancing quirk take their positions in the arena, the rest of us move to the elevated observation deck.
Their match is quick but impressive. Sato charges in with enhanced strength, but Tanaka creates pockets of high and low pressure around her, disrupting her balance and eventually forcing her out of bounds with a carefully timed air blast.
"Match two—Amajiki versus Kishimoto!"
Tamaki looks like he might pass out as he makes his way to the arena. Kishimoto, whose crystallization quirk allows him to create sharp protrusions from his skin, seems confident by comparison.
"Hey," I say, catching Tamaki's arm as he passes. "You've got this. Use what you ate at lunch."
He blinks at me in surprise, then gives a tiny nod before continuing to the arena.
The match begins with Kishimoto charging forward, crystal shards extending from his arms like blades. But Tamaki, who apparently had octopus for lunch, suddenly transforms his arms into tentacles, catching Kishimoto mid-charge and holding him at bay.
"Whoa!" Nejire gasps beside me. "That's amazing! His quirk is so versatile!"
It truly is. As the match continues, Tamaki demonstrates surprising tactical awareness, using his tentacles not just for grappling but for mobility as well. When Kishimoto tries to create a crystal shield, Tamaki simply flows around it, eventually immobilizing him completely.
"Match three—Torino versus Yoshida!"
My turn. As I make my way to the arena, I can feel Ectoplasm's eyes following me. Has Aizawa already talked to the other teachers about me? About my suspiciously well-controlled "recently manifested" quirk?
Yoshida and I face each other across the arena. His quirk allows him to extend his fingers like whips—useful for mid-range combat and grappling. Not bad, but nothing special against electricity.
"Begin!" Ectoplasm calls.
Yoshida doesn't waste time, extending his fingers toward me like striking vipers. I sidestep, channeling a mild current through my gauntlets. Just enough to enhance my speed and reflexes.
"Going to have to do better than that!" I call out, deliberately playing up the cocky angle. Better to seem like an overconfident newbie than suspiciously competent.
"Just getting started!" he replies, changing tactics. His fingers split into multiple tendrils, attempting to surround me from all sides.
Time to show a little more. I release a controlled burst of electricity, forming a brief field around me that repels his approaching fingers. He yelps as the mild shock travels back up his extended digits.
"Impressive control, Torino!" Ectoplasm comments from the sidelines. "Most electricity quirk users struggle with precision."
I grimace internally. So much for downplaying my abilities.
Yoshida, now more cautious, tries a different approach. He extends his fingers to the ceiling, using them as anchors to pull himself upward, then launches himself at me from above.
It's a good strategy, unexpected and utilizing the three-dimensional space. But I've been training with Grandpa too long to fall for aerial attacks.
As he descends, I time my move carefully. A quick sidestep, followed by a targeted electrical discharge to the metal fixtures on his uniform. Not enough to hurt him, just enough to create a magnetic effect that throws his trajectory off. He crashes to the mat beside me, off-balance and vulnerable.
Before he can recover, I place my palm near his chest, small arcs of electricity dancing between my fingers. "I'd surrender if I were you. Unless you want to find out what happens to your nervous system when I crank this up."
His eyes widen, and he quickly raises his hands. "I surrender!"
"Match to Torino!" Ectoplasm announces.
As I help Yoshida to his feet, I notice Ectoplasm making notes on his tablet. Several other matches still to go, and I'm curious to see how my other classmates will perform.
The remaining matches play out with varying degrees of spectacle. Nejire's battle against the wind quirk user is particularly impressive, a beautiful aerial display of countering currents and energy waves that ends with Nejire forcing her opponent out of bounds with a carefully calculated spiral blast.
By the end of the session, we're all sweaty, tired, and significantly more aware of each other's capabilities. It's been educational, to say the least.
"You've all demonstrated basic combat competence," Ectoplasm tells us as we gather for his closing remarks. "But there's substantial room for improvement. We'll be focusing on developing both offensive and defensive applications of your quirks, as well as general combat strategy."
He dismisses us to the locker rooms, but as I turn to leave, he calls out, "Torino. A word."
I tell Nejire and Tamaki to go ahead, then approach Ectoplasm.
"Your control is impressive for someone who's only had their quirk for a few months," he says. "Your grandfather has trained you well."
"Thank you, sir," I reply, surprised by the compliment.
"However," he continues, "I noticed you were being cautious with your output. Many students with powerful quirks like yours hold back out of fear of hurting others."
I nod, relieved that's all he's noticed.
"At UA, we have facilities designed to withstand even the most destructive quirks," Ectoplasm explains. "Don't be afraid to push your limits here. That's what this school is for, to help you understand and master your full potential in a safe environment."
"I'll keep that in mind, sir," I tell him.
"Good. I look forward to seeing what you're truly capable of in future sessions." He gestures toward the door. "You're dismissed."
—
"So what did Ectoplasm want?" Nejire asks as we walk home together. The setting sun casts long shadows across the sidewalk, turning the world orange and gold.
"Just some advice about not holding back during training," I say. "Apparently UA's facilities can handle even the most destructive quirks."
She nods enthusiastically. "I was thinking the same thing! I was being super careful with my waves today, but Ectoplasm told us to really push our limits next time. I can't wait to see what everyone can really do!"
"Yeah." I kick a pebble along the sidewalk. "Should be interesting."
"What did you think of the combat training?"
She spins in a circle as she walks, somehow making even ordinary movement look graceful. "It was good. Tamaki really impressed me."
"Right?" Nejire's face lights up. "Those octopus arms were amazing! And Mirio seems really nice too. I'm glad we're making friends, even with everything being so crazy."
Friends. It's such a simple word, but it carries so much weight. These aren't just characters on a page anymore, they're real people with real dreams and fears. People who will face dangers I know are coming but can't fully warn them about.
"Shinra?" Nejire waves a hand in front of my face. "Earth to Shinra? You went all spacey on me."
"Sorry," I shake my head. "Just tired, I guess. It's been a long day."
"No kidding! But we survived Day One of UA!" She pumps her fist in the air. "That's something to celebrate, right?"
Despite everything, I can't help but smile at her enthusiasm.
"Yeah," I agree. "It is."
My phone buzzes in my pocket. A text from Grandpa:
Dinner's ready. Don't be late.
"I gotta run," I tell Nejire.
"Tell him I said hi!" she calls as I jog toward my train. "See you tomorrow!"
"See you tomorrow," I echo, waving back at her.
On the train ride home, I stare out the window at the city lights beginning to twinkle in the twilight. My first day at UA complete.
But somehow, I'm still standing. Still moving forward.
One day down. Many more to go.
—
"So," Grandpa says as we eat dinner, "how was it?"
I consider the question between bites of surprisingly good katsudon. "Intense. Aizawa expelled half our class after a quirk assessment test."
To my surprise, Grandpa just nods, unsurprised. "Sounds like him. Always had high standards."
"You know him?" I ask, pausing with my chopsticks halfway to my mouth.
"Met him a few times over the years." Grandpa shrugs. "Good hero. Takes teaching seriously."
"Well, he's certainly living up to that reputation."
Grandpa fixes me with a keen look. "And you? How'd you fare in his test?"
"First place overall,"
"Not bad," he says with a nod. "How much of your power did you use?"
"Enough" I reply. "Ectoplasm said I should push my limits more during training since UA's facilities can handle it."
"Good advice," Grandpa agrees. "You won't improve if you're constantly holding back. Just make sure you're in control when it matters."
"In my day," Grandpa continues, "UA wasn't quite so quick to cut students. But the world's different now. More villains. More complex situations. They can't afford to graduate heroes who aren't exceptional in every way."
I push my rice around, thoughtful. "Were you ever afraid? When you were starting out as a hero, I mean."
Grandpa sets down his chopsticks, his expression softening slightly. "Every day. Anyone who says they weren't afraid is either lying or stupid. Fear keeps you sharp."
"What about now?" I ask. "Are you still afraid?"
He's quiet for a long moment. "Not for myself. Not anymore."
I see.
After dinner, I retreat to my room, pulling out my journal. I flip through pages of notes on villains, heroes, and incidents that haven't happened yet. It was something that became a routine of mine.
After a while, I close the journal and turn off the light, but sleep is a long time coming.
Tomorrow is another day at UA.