Morning light streamed through the tall windows of my room, cutting across the dark, polished wood and casting intricate patterns on the walls. The estate was as quiet as ever, the silence broken only by the occasional chirping of birds outside or the hum of distant city traffic. It was too peaceful—a sharp contrast to what awaited me at UA.

I ran a comb through my messy green curls, straightened my uniform, and picked up my school bag. On my way out, I passed by a large mirror, catching a glimpse of myself. Quirkless but sharp-eyed and confident, I carried an air that seemed to confuse people. Hero or villain? They didn't know, and I preferred it that way.

As I walked down the wide marble staircase, our head butler, Elias, appeared at the bottom, already holding a cup of coffee out for me.

"Master Izuku, your coffee."

"Thanks, Elias. You're the best," I said, taking it with a wink.

He gave a small smile, a rare break in his stoic demeanor. "Your car is ready outside, and the driver has been briefed."

I nodded, taking a sip and letting the rich taste cut through the early morning haze. The estate felt colder this morning, or maybe that was just the anticipation gnawing at me. Today felt different, though I couldn't put my finger on why.

"Right. Let's go," I said, striding out through the tall double doors. The morning air was crisp, the kind that woke you up better than any coffee ever could. I stepped into the sleek black car waiting at the bottom of the steps, its engine already purring.

The driver, one of our trusted employees, tipped his hat as I slid into the back seat. "UA, sir?"

"Yes, and make it quick," I replied, settling into the plush leather seat as the car pulled out of the driveway. The cityscape blurred past the tinted windows, a swirl of early commuters and towering buildings. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out to see a stream of messages in our class group chat. Most of it was morning chatter, but a few caught my attention.

"Did you see the news about that new rehab program? What a joke."

"I heard the League of Villains is actually in there. Can you believe that?"

My jaw clenched, fingers tightening around the phone. It wasn't their fault they didn't know, but it didn't make the ignorance any easier to stomach. I flicked off my phone, leaned back, and closed my eyes for the rest of the ride.

When we arrived at UA, the familiar hum of students rushing around greeted me. I stepped out of the car, handed the driver a generous tip, and made my way through the gates. Whispers followed me as usual, but today, they seemed louder, full of speculation and poorly masked curiosity.

"Did you hear? He's got connections. Probably funding half the stuff here."

"Yeah, but why would someone like him need to be a hero?"

Ignoring them, I entered the building and walked toward Class 1-A. The hallways buzzed with life, students chatting and laughing as they prepared for another day of training and classes. A few faces turned as I passed, some with awe, others with skepticism.

The classroom was already half full when I walked in. Bakugo glanced up from his desk and scowled, the ever-present chip on his shoulder. Todoroki acknowledged me with a nod, eyes unreadable as always.

I slid into my seat, stretching out and letting out a dramatic sigh. "Morning, everyone. I trust we're ready for another thrilling day of lectures and tests?"

Sero chuckled. "Always with the sarcasm, Midoriya."

"Oh, you know me, Sero. Can't help myself," I replied with a smirk.

Just then, Aizawa walked into the room, eyeing me as if he already knew I'd be the source of his first headache. I returned his gaze with a casual salute, watching as he rolled his eyes and took his place at the front.

Before class could start, Kaminari leaned over, whispering with far too much excitement. "Hey, did you hear? Apparently, someone donated a ton of money to that new villain rehab program. It's practically a spa."

I stifled a laugh. If only they knew.