(Narrator's POV)

Yunaiteddo, a city where all the best heroes graduate from and home to Union Academy, the "most prestigious" hero academy in the nation.

But, things weren't always easy from the start.

To put things briefly, there is a long and mind-numbing history that forced temporary alliances to become permanent. Devils with Humans and such has been an asset to society's future of peace.

With a meeting between the three powers (Semblances, Quirks, and Sacred Gears/Magic), Union was constructed to ensure future generations will be able to cooperate as much as the old times.

However, virtually nobody even thought of how cocky the newer (and "evolving") generation was, especially when it came to their own power.

And as expected (much like how typical society does), it forces pity and/or discrimination to those powerless or without potential.

~ One Day ~
(3rd Person POV)

A young man was seen sleeping...in his dorm on his own desk. Surrounding him was his own belongings, homework, self-made drawings, and energy drinks included. Suddenly, he did wake up after "forced" sleep and not at a good time either.

F/n: *checks the time* *Shit!*

???: Late again, buddy?

F/n turned to the side and saw a shadowy humanoid figure that quickly disappeared, as though to mess with him. Sighing heavily, he stood up and decided to just get in his uniform, leaving for class despite his exhaustion already taking a toll on him and that he didn't have his uniform on.

A moment later, F/n arrived to his class and was unfortunate to see the entire class was already inside.

Port: Finally decided to join us, Shade? Without your uniform too?

F/n: Sir, I...

Port: Silence! If you wish to be a hero, being late isn't going to help anybody at all! Just take a seat.

Sighing in defeat as the other students snickered at him, F/n just took the empty seat that was almost in a dark corner. Although he at first listened to Port's "lesson", he eventually gave up and took out his personal art book, using the time to sketch yet some more random yet illustrated images his mind was generating right now until it was time to continue on to his next class....

And it was an unfortunate one for someone like F/n.

As a part of attending the hero course of Union, it did mean sparring. In his unfortunate case, he was like a punching bag for the other "aspiring" students to take turns "testing" their might on. And it was just going to be the usual from this point forward.

Glynda: Does anybody have any requests for today?

Most of the students raised their hands, but only one was chosen: a certain blonde bombshell with an (infamous) attitude.

- Yang Xiao Long, member of Team RWBY -

Yang: Professor! Me and Weiss against that loser right there.

Of course, she was pointing at F/n, who was half-awake.

Glynda: Mr. Shade!

F/n snapped awake from the shrill voice of his "strict" teacher, causing most of the other students to snicker in amusement.

Glynda: You'll be sparring against Schnee & Xiao Long today.

F/n: But Ma'am, that's not....

A sharp glare from the woman made him shut up and he simply walked down to the arena in defeat, waiting for a brief moment for Yang and her partner to come out with their gear.

- Weiss Schnee, member of Team RWBY, heiress to the SDC, student of the Huntsmen course -

Yang clashed her fists together as she looked at F/n with a cocky face.

Yang: Ready to get pounded, loser?

F/n just silently sighed, earning a laugh from Yang and a disappointed glare from Weiss.

Then in his mind....

???: Any requests?

F/n: Just a shield.

Out of his own shadow, pitch black appendages formed a black triangular shield with a silver outline, which he armed onto his right hand.

However, that earned him a laugh from the other students as they threw taunting remarks like "Of course, he only creates a shield!" and "That weakling really can't fight yet he wants to be a hero!".

F/n forced himself to ignore those comments before Goodwitch started the match.

Without any hesitation, Yang charged right at him and began to throw punches at F/n, some which connected and some that he successfully blocked.

Yang: Come on, punk! Fight back!

F/n retaliated by shoving her backwards before going for a shield bash, which didn't really do much against her Aura. Also, he had to block some icicles from Weiss, almost getting cut in the process.

F/n: *God, I hate these team-up matches against me.*

F/n was then suddenly snapped back to reality quickly by Weiss using a glyph to hold him in place, which he fruitlessly tried to break out of.

Weiss: Yang, just get this over with already.

With that, the blonde charged at F/n, a sadistic look on her face. This motivated F/n to try and break out, but it was too late.

The first strike connected, causing a bloody nose. The next one left his stunned. The last one knocked him to the ground, leaving throbbing pain as a result.

Around him, F/n can hear the taunts from the other students, Yang especially, before he fainted.

~ Small Skip ~

F/n woke up in the infirmary, still dazed after the knockout Yang had given him.

Sighing heavily, he turned to the kind pair nearby.

- Chiyo Shuzenji AKA Recovery Girl, the academy's nurse -

- Asia Argento, Rias Gremory's Bishop, Gen Studies student -

F/n: Thanks again, Miss. Thanks, Asia.

Asia: I-It was nothing, F/n. I'm just happy you're awake.

R.G: No need to thank me, Shade; although I will say that the amount of times you as an individual gets sent here is ridiculous to me.

That second part caused F/n to look down in guilt and to sigh heavily.

F/n: I know. I'm sorry.

In an attempt to comfort the boy, the woman placed a hand on his knee.

R.G: There's no need to apologize, young man. I just wish you wouldn't be so reckless if you want to be a hero. Besides, I do believe you are capable of using your failures as motivation to do better.

Although he *was* a little taken back by that last part, F/n could only look at them both, Asia giving him a smile and a nod of the head.

F/n: I guess so. Thanks again.

Witha departing smile from the two, F/n left the academy's infirmary and checked the time to see it was lunch time. Like such, he headed for the cafeteria to eat, seeing it packed already. He simply grabbed his food and looked for a free space. However, nobody seemed welcoming at all (at least not to him).

F/n: *sighs* *Fine.*

F/n looked around a little longer and saw a table where a full three quarters were empty minus the students the occupied the remaining space (just a dozen side characters). He took a seat at the table, but was a little bothered by the open space around him. He simply sighed and started to eat little-by-little...while trying to keep his mind clear.

When he started to enter a mind state where he paid no attention to his surroundings....

???: Hey, F/n.

Looking up, F/n saw *four* of his limited friends.

- Jaune Arc, leader of Team JNPR, student of the Huntsmen course -

- Lie Ren, member of Team JNPR, student of the Huntsmen course -

- Yuuto Kiba, Rias Gremory's "Knight", member of the ORC, Gen Studies "Prince" -

- Gasper Vladi, Rias Gremory's Bishop, member of the ORC, Gen Studies student -

F/n: Oh, hey.

Then without another word, the four sat down with him (although he didn't really need to say a word to invite them to).

Ren: So, how are you today?

F/n: *sighs* Could be better. You all know how Port and Goodwitch can be. Other than that, it's still unfair mistreatment for me.

Both Kiba and Ren shook their heads in disappointment.

Yuuto: That is a shame. The headmasters can't just allow this.

F/n: Well, let's not worry about that any further. Why don't you guys tell me about yourselves?

Jaune: Ar-Are you sure?

F/n: Yeah, just tell me if anything new came for you guys.

Although they *were* hesitant to just change the subject, they started telling F/n of improvements, changes in their studies, etc. All the while, F/n listened to them all and even exchanged some compliments back and forward with them. To put it briefly, it's safe to say F/n can have a good time if it involved his friends.

However, some people were highly judgemental of that.

~ Scene Shift ~

Meanwhile at another table....

???: Are they seriously casually talking with *him*!?

???: Please, that loser couldn't make friends if he "paid" them to pretend to.

???: I say we show him he's just Quirkless trash!

???: So, after lunch?

???:  Damn right!

~ Scene Shift ~

After a fairly enjoyable time of small talk with his friends, F/n decided to just depart early until it was time for his next class. So, he decided to just go to the courtyard and relax there until it was time for class.

However as he was peacefully reading, an explosion blew up the bench he was sitting, sending him onto the hard ground.

???: So, we got a problem fucker!?

F/n straightened himself up to see his attackers, which included Weiss, Yang, and three other. This lot was usually referred to as the "Top Five".

- Issei Hyoudou, Rias Gremory's Pawn, student of Gen Studies -

- Rias Gremory, King, student of Gen Studies, one of Union's most popular -

- Katsuki Bakugo, student of Class 1-A -

F/n: What do you all want!?

Issei: What do you think, punk? We came to show you your place!

Katsuki: Do you really believe someone as pathetic like you can be a hero!? This is real life, dumbass!

Before F/n can fully process the situation, he was attacked by both of them, facing the dangerous threats of the Boosted Gear and an explosion Quirk. Without wasting much time, F/n quickly asked for another shield and used it for self-defense. However, things gotten harder when Yang joined the tussle.

F/n: *Damn! Why do people always use numbers against me!?*

Then suddenly, a red sphere of destruction exploded near his feet, disarming him and sending him to the ground. Looking up, he saw Rias smirking.

Before he could do anything else, a glyph binded him from moving again.

F/n: Not again!

Bakugo then appeared, a not-so friendly look on his face.

Katsuki: This'll teach you, Quirkless!

Before Bakugo could pull the pin on his bracers....he was suddenly surrounded by a telekinetic aura. And a certain Aura was present as well.

Glynda: That's enough! All of you!

The sudden interference then sent all of them into defensive mode, although F/n was the first to speak up.

F/n: Ma'am, I swear I was just....

Glynda: Silence! *to the "Top Five"* You three, come with me! *to F/n* And you, headmaster's office!

F/n: But...

She glared at him again, telling him to be quiet. She then began to walk in the opposite direction with the five who initiated the fight. What she *didn't* notice was that all of them were looking back at F/n with stupid smirks on their face, mocking him for being in trouble.

After standing there alone and in silence, F/n groaned and began to walk to the headmaster's tower.

The screen faded to black.