The echoes of battle had barely faded when Reiji walked out of the training grounds, his uniform still scorched from the intense fight with Hawks.
His body ached, but it was the good kind—the kind that told him he was getting stronger.
[Not bad, Birdman.]
As he made his way back to the main hall, he could already hear the murmurs of his classmates.
They had all seen the fight.
And they were waiting.
The Aftermath of Reiji's Fight
The moment Reiji stepped into the observation room, all eyes snapped toward him.
Mina leaned over to Kaminari, whispering, "Holy crap… he actually fought Hawks head-on."
"Yeah, and he actually hit him!" Kaminari added, still in disbelief.
Sero let out a low whistle. "Man… that's not normal."
Even Todoroki was watching him carefully, arms crossed.
But it was Bakugo who stepped forward first.
"Tch. Took you long enough, weakling."
Reiji raised an eyebrow. "Weakling? Didn't see you in the top three of the Sports Festival, Blasty."
Bakugo gritted his teeth, but he didn't attack—Aizawa was watching.
Still, the tension between them had never been higher.
Deku, standing to the side, clenched his fists slightly.
[Reiji… he's growing stronger so fast. And his fighting style—]
He glanced at Todoroki, who was watching the exchange quietly.
[—it's starting to worry us.]
The Exam Results Announced
Aizawa, always straight to the point, entered the room.
"Alright, listen up," he said. "The final exam results are in."
The screen behind him lit up with names.
✅ Students Who Passed the Practical Exam:
Midoriya & BakugoTodoroki & MomoIida & OjiroJirou & KodaReiji Kurobane (Solo Fight with Hawks)
❌ Students Who Failed:
Kaminari & MinaSero & MinetaAoyama & Ashido
Some students cheered, others groaned in frustration.
Reiji, of course, was completely relaxed.
[A solo fight against Hawks, and I passed. Couldn't have gone any other way.]
But then—Aizawa spoke again.
"For those who failed, you'll have an additional chance during the summer training camp."
That caught everyone's attention.
Todoroki glanced at Aizawa. "Wait… we're still going to training camp?"
Aizawa sighed. "The staff debated whether students who failed should stay behind. But in the end, we decided that even they need additional training."
Then, his gaze shifted toward Reiji.
"Some students, however, are already progressing at an abnormal rate."
Reiji smirked. "That a compliment, Teach?"
Aizawa's eyes narrowed.
"Not necessarily."
Reiji's smirk widened.
[Heh. He's still trying to figure me out.]
But before the conversation could continue, a new announcement flashed across the screen.
🚨 NEXT EVENT: SUMMER TRAINING CAMP 🚨
📍 Location: Classified
📅 Departure Date: 3 Days
The room buzzed with excitement.
The real training was about to begin.
Night Before Departure – Aizawa's Final Warning
Later that night, while everyone packed for the trip, Reiji was called to Aizawa's office.
He entered casually, hands in his pockets. "What's up, Teach? You gonna tell me I'm too strong again?"
Aizawa's expression didn't change.
"You've made a name for yourself," he said.
Reiji shrugged. "Yeah, that tends to happen when you win."
Aizawa sighed. "That's not what I mean."
Then—he stepped forward.
"Reiji… the League of Villains knows about you now."
Reiji's golden eyes flickered.
[Oh?]
Aizawa continued. "Your fight with Stain. Your performance in the Sports Festival. And now, a one-on-one fight with Hawks. You're gaining attention—not just from heroes, but from dangerous people."
Reiji tilted his head. "And?"
Aizawa's eyes narrowed.
"They're going to test you."
The air in the room grew heavier.
"If they think you're someone who could be turned, they'll come for you," Aizawa warned.
Reiji chuckled. "And if they do?"
Aizawa's expression darkened.
"Then you'll have to prove where you really stand."
Reiji grinned. "I thought you were worried I'd fail the hero path."
Aizawa studied him carefully.
"Not fail. Leave."
Reiji's smirk twitched slightly—but he said nothing.
Then, Aizawa sighed and turned away. "Get some rest. Training camp starts tomorrow."
Reiji left the office, his mind swirling with new thoughts.
[The League of Villains… huh?]
He cracked his knuckles, golden flames flickering in the night air.
[Let them come.]
Departure Day – On the Road to Training Camp
The next morning, Class 1-A gathered outside U.A., ready to board the buses.
Everyone was excited, nervous, or somewhere in between.
Reiji, leaning against the bus, was as calm as ever.
Momo glanced at him before turning to Todoroki. "He doesn't look concerned at all."
Todoroki sighed. "He never does."
Deku, standing nearby, hesitated for a moment before walking up to Reiji.
Reiji noticed him and raised an eyebrow. "Something on your mind, Midoriya?"
Deku swallowed before speaking. "The way you fight… it's different."
Reiji smirked. "I'd be worried if it wasn't."
Deku frowned slightly. "But… do you ever think about what it means to be a hero?"
Reiji chuckled. "You really are All Might's biggest fanboy, huh?"
Deku didn't respond. He was waiting for an answer.
Reiji looked at him for a moment.
Then—his smirk faded slightly.
"I don't think about it," he said simply.
Deku blinked. "What?"
Reiji stepped forward, standing eye-to-eye with him.
"I just win."
Then—he walked onto the bus, leaving Deku standing there.
Todoroki, who had been listening, exhaled quietly.
[That's exactly what I was afraid of.]
Inside the Bus – The League is Watching
As the U.A. buses drove off toward the Summer Training Camp, far away, in an undisclosed location, the League of Villains was watching.
Shigaraki tilted his head, watching a screen showing Reiji's fights.
"He's dangerous," he muttered.
Dabi, standing nearby, smirked. "Yeah. And more importantly?"
He leaned forward.
"He's not like the others."
Toga giggled. "I wanna see if he bleeds differently~!"
Shigaraki scratched at his neck, his fingers twitching.
"We'll see," he said darkly. "If he's really a hero… or just a monster waiting to happen."
End of Chapter 31.
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