Chapter 30 - Defining the Hero Within

Two days after the whirlwind of the U.A. Sports Festival, the halls of U.A. were alive with their usual energy as students returned to their routine. You walked alongside Izuku Midoriya, the two of you chatting softly about the day's schedule. The warmth of the morning sun spilled through the windows, casting long streaks of light across the polished floors.

Ahead of you, Tenya Iida's familiar silhouette appeared, his hand raised in a commanding gesture. "Midoriya! L/N! Let's pick up the pace, shall we? We cannot afford to be tardy!"

You couldn't help the soft giggle that bubbled from your lips, the sound light and melodic. Izuku stopped mid-step, his cheeks glowing crimson at the unexpected sound. Even Tenya, usually so composed, faltered for a moment before clearing his throat and adjusting his glasses in a practiced motion.

As you all continued down the hall, your sensitive ears twitched at the sound of hurried footsteps behind you. A group of students, both boys and girls, caught up to your trio, their excited chatter filling the space.

The boys broke off, drifting toward Tenya and Izuku with enthusiastic greetings, while the girls lingered for a moment before turning their attention to you. One of the boys, bolder than the rest, stepped forward, clutching a glossy book in his hands. The cover caught your eye: it was a dynamic illustration of you in your dragon form, your wings spread wide against a fiery backdrop.

"Ms. L/N, can we get your autograph, please?" he asked, his tone filled with admiration.

A soft smile graced your lips as you accepted the book and a pen. You scrawled your signature with a flourish, adding a small dragon doodle next to it for good measure. The group erupted in delighted whispers, their awe almost tangible.

"You're so amazing!" one of the girls gushed as they moved to rejoin their own classmates.

You waved them off with a polite smile, then shook your head softly, a wry expression crossing your face. "Humans are always so easily led to admire someone," you murmured under your breath, the comment barely audible.

Izuku heard it, though, and his face flushed even deeper. "I think it's because you're...um...really inspiring," he said haltingly, scratching the back of his neck. His voice was laced with genuine admiration and a touch of nervousness.

Before you could respond, his hand brushed yours, and he hesitated for a moment before taking it in his own. The warmth of his palm was unmistakable, and you glanced at him in surprise. His eyes darted away, his expression a mixture of bashfulness and determination.

Beside you, Tenya straightened his posture, clearly uncomfortable but trying not to draw attention to the sudden shift. "Come now," he said stiffly, "we mustn't dawdle any longer! The bell is about to ring!"

With Izuku's hand in yours, you nodded and followed Tenya, a faint smile tugging at the corners of your lips. For all their quirks—both literal and figurative—you couldn't help but appreciate the earnestness of your companions.

🍒

The class was abuzz with chatter as everyone discussed the aftermath of the U.A. Sports Festival. For many, it had been their first taste of recognition, and the excitement was palpable. Conversations overlapped as students speculated about Pro-Hero interest, their potential futures, and the looming decisions they'd have to make. Some were nervous, others thrilled, but all were undeniably affected by the experience.

The noise gradually died down when the classroom door slid open, revealing Shota Aizawa in his usual sleep-deprived state. His sharp eyes scanned the room as he stepped to the podium, scarf loosely draped around him. "Alright, problem children, settle down," he began in his deadpan tone. The students quieted, knowing better than to test his patience.

"We have your Pro-Hero draft results," he continued, clicking a remote to display a chart on the board. The image showed staggering numbers of offers, especially concentrated around you, Shoto, and Katsuki. "As you can see, some of you made quite the impression."

Your eyes widened at the sheer volume of offers directed your way. "Oh wow," you murmured, scratching your chin thoughtfully. "I didn't expect anyone to want me."

Mina, sitting nearby, gasped in mock disbelief. "Why not? You're strong, fierce, and, let's be honest, drop-dead gorgeous." Her grin widened as she added, "Any hero would be lucky to have you on their team." The compliment caught you off guard, and you smiled warmly at her. The gesture made her blush furiously, while a few of your classmates glared enviously, muttering among themselves.

Aizawa cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention back. "She's right. You've proven yourself a valuable asset, L/N. It would be a waste to let that kind of potential go untapped." His gaze lingered on you for a moment, and though his expression remained stoic, the faintest hint of color touched his cheeks. "Considering your dragon heritage, you're a rarity in this world. There are heroes who would understand how to nurture that kind of power—Ryukyu, the Dragon Hero, for instance. She's not a full dragon, but her quirk mirrors many of your abilities."

He handed you a list of top offers, and you skimmed through the names, noting Ryukyu's at the top. The idea of working alongside another dragon-like hero intrigued you, and you felt a flicker of excitement.

As Aizawa stepped aside, the classroom door burst open dramatically. Midnight strode in with her signature flair, her presence instantly commanding attention. "Good morning, my lovely students!" she greeted, her bright smile lighting up the room. "I'm here to make sure none of you pick terrible hero names or make regretful decisions."

Aizawa sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Midnight's better at this part anyway," he muttered, retreating to his sleeping bag in the corner as she took the stage.

"Now then," Midnight began, clapping her hands. "I want all of you to put on your thinking caps and get creative. This is your hero name—it's the identity you'll carry with you for the rest of your career!" She started distributing worksheets to the class, her energy infectious.

You twirled your pen between your fingers, tapping it thoughtfully against your lips as ideas swirled in your mind. The weight of this decision wasn't lost on you. A name was more than just a title; it was a reflection of everything you stood for. Finally, inspiration struck.

When your turn came, Midnight called out, her voice laced with playful mischief. "What about you, sweetheart?" She winked at you, which earned her a few jealous glares from your classmates. Unbothered, you rose from your seat and strode confidently to the podium, the card with your chosen name in hand.

Holding it up for the class to see, you declared, "I want to be known as the Dragon Hero: Nocturne Blaze. It reflects my Night Fury heritage and the fact that I once carried the title of queen."

The room was silent for a beat, then Midnight clapped enthusiastically. "Powerful and elegant—just like you! I love it," she said with a bright smile.

You returned to your seat, a small but satisfied smile on your face. As you sat down, your classmates buzzed with excitement, some clearly impressed, while others quietly reconsidered their own choices.

Midnight scanned the room. "Alright, who's next?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with anticipation. The energy in the room was electric as the students lined up to present their names, each trying to live up to the high bar you'd set.

🍒

Lunchtime buzzed with lively chatter as Mina leaned across the table, her usual bubbly energy on full display. "So, has everyone decided which agency they're going to intern with?" she asked, practically bouncing in her seat.

Minoru smirked, puffing out his chest. "I picked Mt. Lady's agency," he declared smugly.

Tsuyu's blunt voice cut through the moment. "Probably because you're a pervert," she said, her tone deadpan as she sipped her soup.

The table erupted into laughter, and Mashirao scratched his chin thoughtfully. "It's kind of strange that you didn't get any offers, Mina, considering you made it to the second round of the finals. What's up with that?"

Mina shrugged, forcing a smile, though her eyes flickered with a hint of disappointment. "Guess I just wasn't what they were looking for."

Meanwhile, Ochaco leaned toward Izuku, attempting to catch his attention. "Hey, Deku, have you picked yet?"

Izuku, lost in thought, didn't respond right away. His fingers twitched as he mumbled a rapid stream of potential agencies and hero strategies under his breath. The sight drew amused glances from everyone at the table, but you couldn't help but giggle softly. Scooping up a spoonful of rice, you chewed thoughtfully, your wings shifting lightly as you relaxed into your seat.

Ochaco, still focused on her own decision, straightened up. "I think I'm going to Gunhead's agency," she announced confidently.

Everyone turned to her in mild surprise, and Mina tilted her head. "Gunhead? Isn't he, like, really intense?"

Ochaco nodded, her determination shining through. "Yeah, but I want to get stronger and gain a new perspective. Focusing only on being a rescue hero isn't enough. I need to push myself."

At that moment, they all noticed Izuku hovering slightly above his seat, his legs pumping in tiny movements as if he were doing invisible squats.

"Oi, Deku!" Katsuki barked, his annoyance palpable as he slammed his palm on the table, pulling everyone's attention away from the green-haired hero's antics. His sharp gaze shifted to you, and for a moment, his expression softened. "And what about you, lizard bastard?"

Unfazed, you shrugged, your wings fluttering slightly as you finished your bite of food. "I think I'm going with Best Jeanist," you said evenly, earning surprised glances from around the table.

Kirishima blinked, scratching the back of his head. "Best Jeanist? That's not exactly what I expected for someone with, you know..." He gestured vaguely to your wings and tail.

You nodded, a small smile curving your lips. "It's not the traditional choice for a dragon-themed hero, I know. But Best Jeanist is known for refining public image, discipline, and professionalism—things I could really use. Balancing my dragon instincts with a hero's grace isn't easy, but I think he could help me find that middle ground."

Izuku's eyes lit up as he leaned forward eagerly. "That's brilliant!" he said, his voice climbing in pitch as he gestured animatedly. "Best Jeanist's agency has a track record of shaping heroes into well-rounded public figures while enhancing their unique skills. For you, Y/N, it could be a perfect opportunity to refine both sides of your persona—your dragon abilities and your human approach!"

You chuckled softly at his enthusiasm, resting your chin in your hand as you watched him rattle off ideas. His unfiltered excitement earned him a mix of fond smiles and exasperated eye-rolls from the group.

"You're getting a little too into this, nerd," Katsuki growled, but his glare held less venom than usual. His gaze flicked back to you, studying your calm expression. "Don't mess it up, or I'll kick your ass."

With a smirk, you stretched your wings slightly, the action making several students instinctively lean back. "I'll keep that in mind, Boom-Boom," you teased, earning a low growl of irritation from him as the rest of the table burst into laughter.