Chapter Text
I think filling out that random CYOA may have been more important than I believed initially. And I was bored in my college Psych class and I can't say I'm bored now at least.
The first section was about where to be reincarnated. There were a few good options and plenty more bad ones, mostly stuff I just don't know about. I know how popular One Piece is, no I don't know anything about, no I won't sit down and start it.
Really my best choices were Highschool DxD because I know a decent amount and because I want those girls, My Hero Academia because I know a bit about it and because I want those girls, or Worm because, hm, I seem to be repeating myself.
Despite how hot Glory Girl is supposed to be, I discarded Worm as an option because I don't hate myself quite that much.
Though from what I remember of DxD fics and discussion, that's also basically a death world it just so happens to be hidden behind a layer of tits and ass. Which, it's a good layer, but I'd rather not trip and end up in the 'obliterated by a literal god' area of the world.
MHA it is then, I've seen the first couple seasons and read a bit past that, plus read a good few fics for it, so it should be my best option.
Well, MHA means dealing with Bakugou, so we'll see about that.
I went through the family section and basically followed the protagonist framework - dead parents, living with sister (because of course), struggling in life, but conventionally attractive. Really they could have just had a tick box for 'have you read a fanfic before and just want that?', would have saved a couple minutes. Honestly it's about the same as my life beforehand, just I didn't get the ability to cast magic in exchange.
The third section talked about powers, and there was a big long interesting list of options, with point costs, optional drawbacks or adjustments, and all that fun stuff.
For all of the options, I couldn't get past one section.
Systems
Growing stronger, quests, rewards, stats, number go bigger brr.
And for all the options, warriors, thieves, monster tamers, there's only one that speaks to me. Over Dungeons and Dragons campaigns, modded RPGs, and fantasy books, the constant for me has been magic.
The Mage
The Mage system allows the user to become not just a magic user, but the magic user. With time and dedication there is nothing you cannot do.
Growth as the Mage will reward the user with Traits, Spell Tomes, Magical Artifacts, and more. At its peak, the user can traverse the very multiverse, searching for power, women, or adventure.
The user will gain additional spells, components, items, and traits, as well as overall boosts from completing quests that are generated by the system.
So, bad news, as soon as I confirmed the third and final section I was blinked into some weird purple void. Good news, there was indeed a proper section to roll powers and stuff.
Plus, now that I have the sneaking suspicion this is in some way real, I can't see an option to go back. Like for instance to give myself a loving super rich family maybe?
After a moment a loading bar appears in front of me, and as it completes the void 'glitches' and in a blink I'm sat in a plain office that looks like someone tried to recreate Severance while colourblind.
The desk has one of those 'all in one' computers that were all the rage for about 18 minutes back in two-thousand and something. Or in any office that can get them for cheap.
There's also no door. Fun.
Well this is either real or the most involved hallucination ever, either way I don't have much to lose by going along with it. Not like I have all that much of a life to go back to. I've got a lot of the protagonist flags without any of the benefits. I'll miss a couple of my friends from college but frankly if this is real and they found out I gave it up they'd probably truck-kun me themselves.
With a sigh I pull out the chair and take a seat, the screen coming to life as I do.
[Welcome User! Your choices have been set and you are soon to begin your new life!]
I could have lived an easy life.
[In accordance with your choices, your version of the Mage System is now enabled!]
The screen in front of my shows a big animated thumbs up, before it fades away, leaving the same explanation of my system that I saw on the CYOA.
However now there are two new sections:
[Curses - Gain additional starting benefits or even modifications to the system itself in exchange for making your new life more interesting!]
[Starter Equipment & Skills - Select your starting gear, skills, and specialisations.]
As well as a big green button to 'Start'.
Well, it would be rude of me not to explore at least a little, let's see what the curses are about first, if there's any that are reasonable I may as well take them, free shit is free shit, even when it's technically not.
Not my finest wordsmithing but you get the idea.
It seems I can pick the section or in some cases the specific thing I want, but I don't get to choose the curse to get it, only knowing the tier of curse.
Hmm, this one could be good. A potential faster way to gain power, and what self respecting mage wouldn't want spell books.
System Modification - Spell Tomes
Augments the system to reward Spell Tomes to the user. The user must study and master the spells within before they are added to the repertoire, however fully mastering a spell tome will provide the user with another reward, skewed towards tomes under the same Magic School.
Cost: One random Moderate Curse
I mean, I'd still get normal rewards of instant spells or items or whatever. Getting a Tome would give me more spells out of one reward, just with a time requirement to gain them. Especially if there'll be time between quests, getting a Tome would actually be better.
[Selection confirmed, rolling Curse!]
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[Curse of Remix]
You will not be arriving in the world you know. There will be notable changes to the setting. While most of the primary plot points will remain consistent, there may be changes in how they play out. Characters may also be different from what you know. All of this is for you to find out.
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Well, that's not exactly great is it? Meta knowledge is kinda a big deal, and now who knows what will be right. Was this worth the Tomes? Eh, we'll see what I get out of it before I complain to celebrate.
Well, no sense crying over spilled meta knowledge. Is there anything else here worth getting for a curse?
Hm, minor to moderate curse for a starter astral library? A couple of tomes of one school or area of magic.
I don't know what my starter equipment and options will be, should I take something guaranteed?
Well, I did just say I like gambling.
[Selection confirmed, rolling Curse!]
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[Started from the bottom]
Whatever choices you made for your new life are thrown out. You will be starting as a penniless orphan. Living on the streets or in an orphanage with nothing to your name, all you'll have are your powers and your wits to get you started in this world.
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[Curse confirmed, rolling reward!]
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Astral Tome of Warding (Novice) acquired!
Nature Tome of Roots (Novice) acquired!
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In my mind I see my astral library flourish, two bookcases appearing. The first appears under a curtain of falling starlight, the night sky solidifying from above, meeting blue mystical energies that appear from the ether. As it finishes forming a single book appears in front of 'me', a dark blue tome with an Egyptian Ankh I think glowing on the front, before it flies onto the shelf.
A little ways to the right a bookcase grows from the ground, roots and vines pushing through the immaterial floor, curling and entwining into a living shelf. As the structure finishes greenery flourishes across it, a mix of leaves and flowers blooming around the edges. A wooden covered book grows out the ground next, vines lifting it up before a few wrap around the book itself, and it gets deposited onto the shelf.
All of that happened in the blink of an eye, but as I refocus on the screen in front of me I can still feel the books 'inside' me, waiting for me to call on them and learn their secrets and spells.
The only other thing of interest, especially given my latest curse, would be an Astral Plane. However to get something liveable, like a stocked home, I'd have to take a Major curse, and given what I've gotten so far I'm more than hesitant. I might like gambling but I'm not sure I like it that much.
What more have I got to lose? And I don't mean that in the 'may as well!' way.
I should-
Hm.
Well, it'd be rude not to right?
[Selection confirmed, rolling Curse!]
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[Curse of Lust - Minor]
You have less control over your lustful nature, growing aroused far easier and having a need to achieve release at least once a day. If ignored, your arousal will build up more and more until settled, making you unable to focus on anything but sex. Your own touch will take longer to bring you to completion and feel unsatisfying.
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[Curse confirmed, reward granted!]
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[World Modification - Harem Route Unlocked]
The world you are going to is modified, harems and polyamory are much more accepted by society. While they may not necessarily be more common than monogamy, they are far from strange. This also augments the reward pool to include some that are more appropriate to this.
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Yeah, that curse checks out.
Alright. Let's leave the curses there for now.
I return to the main screen, and the curses section is now blank. Glad I didn't try and hop in and out, would have been nice to know that I only got one time in there but whatever.
Onto my starting setup then, let's hope I get something to actually survive, at the moment the best I've got is trying to study in an orphanage and hopefully get some spells learned, and hope they're useful for doing stuff to get more rewards.
[Attention User! Due to modification to the System - 'Spell Tomes' starter equipment selection has been modified!]
Ah, okay.
Select your Base Class. Selection does not limit future options and growth, merely sets your start.
The Artificer - One magical item, one random spell or enchantment, and a Novice Enchantment Tome.
The Battlemage - One magical spell and two random rewards.
The Learner - Two magical Tomes, Novice and Apprentice, from one random school, and a random reward.
Artificer might be the best to improve my start, but on the other hand I don't have any guarantee of a way to, for instance, pass the entrance exam, fight villains, small shit like that. Having a certainty of that might be worth more than a slightly more secure start. And while Learner is probably better long term, I don't know that I'll have the luxury to make use of it. I have no idea or control apparently of where or when I'll get dropped in.
Battlemage it is.
[Class confirmed, rolling rewards!]
Three golden die appear on the screen, the first one growing to take up the centre as it starts to spin.
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Spell Learned
Barrier of Light - Order
Allows the user to create a barrier of light magic, while not as sturdy it is easy to deploy and is especially good for defending against curses, spirits and negative status effects.
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Staying alive is never going to be a bad thing, but I still wish it was something a little more, well powerful? Gave me a battle strategy that wasn't 'hope they get tired'?
Well, let's see what the two random die give me, the second taking the place of the first as the ability description shrinks and moves to the bottom of the screen.
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Spell Learned
Igni Rune - Elemental
Used on its own, the Igni rune allows the user to emit a burst of flame in a small cone in front of them. As a component, Igni holds the meanings of Fire, Combustion, and Power. Further uses are for the user to discover.
Elemental spell, Igni Rune, will be registered as the user's 'original' quirk. Due to this initial Mastery is granted.
[Elemental Magic Mastery (Novice)]
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Setting fire to villains might not be the most heroic of actions, but at least I have an attack now. Besides, if Endeavour can do it so can I.
Last but not least.
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Rolling
[Trait - Mana Substitution]
Whoever said you needed paltry things such as blood, food, water, or air to breathe were liars. You can substitute any of those things with your own mana but don't depend on it for too long, or else you may instantly die when you run out of mana.
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Well, that's not too bad given my shitty start, it'll also help me keep fighting if it comes to it, though I need to make sure I remember to eat and stuff, don't want to grow too dependant on it.
Alright, I think that's everything then, as I'm kicked back to the main screen there's only one option left, 'Start'.
With a tap, nothing happens? As I'm about to complain to whatever customer service this thing has I blink, and my surrounding are replaced.
It feels like falling in to a familiar seat as my mind slots into this body. I'm not gonna think too hard about whoever was piloting this before, hopefully it's some sort of merge-based isekai and I haven't shunted a soul into the void.
Where there was a clean but plain office, there's a dingy dorm room. Wonderful. At least it's mostly clean.
Alright, let's get to grips with my life now, and see if we can't figure out any of the changes to this world thanks to remix.
Despite the three other beds in here I'm alone at the moment thankfully, so I've got some time to work through my thoughts
Clenching and unclenching my hand, I can feel my magic, my mana running through me, the innate shapes it takes to cast the spells I know. I don't seem to have the full gamer package of mind and body, or the HUD, though I'm sure I could have gotten them either in the CYOA or from a curse.
The thing I need to be most careful about is my mana, obviously being unable to use my abilities would be bad, but if I end up overdoing it or just being out for ages I'll be making use of Mana Substitution, so if I run out at the wrong time I could just keel over and die.
Happy thoughts.
So, what do I need to work out?
First, how to improve my powers. I'll only ever get so far in whatever I choose to do if I don't grow any stronger.
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Main Quest: A Path in Life
You'll need to decide on the path your new life will take.
Objectives: Choose and complete one of the following:
Gain admittance to a Hero School
Become a known vigilante
Become a known criminal
Avoid making any waves for a full year
Rewards: A Trait and Spell that are suited to your chosen path.
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Well, I guess that answers that. I wonder what actually triggered the quest? Was it set to pop up once I thought about it, or did I 'create' it I wonder?
Well, unless I find out some crazy changes to this world, I'll be going the first route. It'll give me access to resources and trainers, I'll be able to find actual companions, and it seems likely there'll be good chances for me to complete quests, and ones that ramp up at that.
So, getting in to a Hero School. Obviously I'm going for UA, may as well use what meta knowledge I can. And it's the best, so surely worth the best the reward right?
Well then, quests, as well as actual practice and studying my tomes is the broad answer for my first question.
Next, I need to go over my life, and how and when I can apply to UA. I have to assume I've been inserted at an appropriate time and age to get involved with the main cast and story, because, well that's how this shit works.
Alright, so who am I? Wow, that's a weird thought when you're actually asking the question and not just being existential.
Raiki Senda, sixteen years of age- wait doesn't that mean I'm two years later? Ah, no, Remix making its first appearance. Hero Schools here start at 16. It seems as quirks and heroes became commonplace Japan adapted its school system to be more Western in this world. Also, ya know, nice to not throw fourteen year olds into battle.
Okay, sixteen, registered quirk is Flame Burst, so that's just Igni like the system mentioned. Gonna have to think about how to explain all the new shit, when I get in to UA at the latest, but that can wait for now.
A, I'll go with decent build I think. There's some abs there if you squint right?
Short hair that's just barely into the blue shade from black, maybe I'll be appropriately dramatic as an isekai protagonist, like 'midnight ocean' or some shit.
Luckily for being a main character, my eyes make up for it. A much lighter blue and the pupils are a small white plus sign, the top and bottom slightly longer like a stylised star.
As my curse said, I'm an orphan, living in a poor orphanage in Saitama, so not a million miles away from UA. That's also not fair to this place, they do their best for all of us kids, but they're spread so thin, both on staff and finances.
Thankfully either my past self or the setup of my life here has already applied to UA, so I know I have exactly... one week before the entrance exam.
Fuck me.
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Quest: Complete UA Entrance Exam
You're heading for the highest peak you can, and the first step on that path is attending the best Hero School.
Primary Objectives: Complete the UA Entrance Exam and gain admittance.
Optional Objective: Score well on the Written Test
Optional Objective: Score well on the Practical Test
Hidden Objective
Rewards: Magical Tome, additional rewards dependant on completion level of Optional Objectives.
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Alright, one week to train myself up, make enough money or find a way to actually get to UA for the exam, and grow strong enough to get in. Quests and or my Tomes.
Oh, actually getting to UA is fine, past me has grabbed as many small jobs as he can, and used that to get a return ticket. Not enough for an overnight stay so I'll be getting up real early to head there, but I'm not gonna complain. Thank you past me, wherever you are.
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Repeating Quest: Magical Tome Mastery
Spell books are the bread and butter of many mages, you may even find the spell to create bread and butter..
Objectives: Fully master a magical tome, this involves being able to cast all spells within its pages.
Rewards: Random reward, skewed to a new magical tome of the same school as the mastered tome.
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Alright then, another question is, can I master a tome in one week?
What else could I do to gain rewards? Probably going vigilante, but that comes with a risk of excluding me from hero school, both in terms of the law and my main quest.
The system text just said 'quests', no real guidance on how they're actually set, different tiers, anything like that. Basically, I'll need to keep an eye for things that are important I guess?
So many fucking unknowns here.
Well, I'm unlikely to go out and about this evening, so I may as well get to reading. I think I'll go with Roots first. While I'm sure Warding is useful, it seems to be more defensive and I have my Barrier of Light for that. Assuming it works on normal attacks. Maybe I'll throw a rock in the air and then make it, I should really know what I can do as soon as possible so I can strategize.
Let's see what nature magic has in store for me.
~~
I eventually set my Tome down just before 1AM, the other kids in the room long asleep as my little reading light provides just enough for me to see, even if I'm sure I'll have a headache and some eye strain in the morning.
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Spell Learned
Root Bind - Nature
Call upon the roots beneath you to grow and constrict your foes, binding or even crushing them if you feel like introducing the fools to the wrath of nature.
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Not that I care about any of that as my first learned spell takes hold, once again, I can feel how to shape my magic to cast it, and it's only the last little bit of my sanity that stops me from doing so right here and now.
Goodnight magic, I love you.
~~
This week at school is basically nothing, everyone is preparing for their school entrance exams, hero or otherwise, so the teachers are mostly letting people do their own thing as long as it seems like they're actually doing something sensible.
For me and the few others looking to join a hero course, that includes practicing with our quirks. Our school doesn't have the best facilities, and that's being generous, but we have basically personal little tennis court sized spaces where a few of us at a time can practice in peace. Really there should probably be people here to make sure we don't get hurt, but that's the risk of low funding. Glad that even in a superhuman society the biggest villain is still capitalism. Eh what do I care? I'm gonna take advantage of it before too long.
One piece of good news is that I dropped in after the main set of exams, so I don't have to take them. Even better is getting the results showing I'm all set on that front to get into UA.
Between doing well at this point and a bit of help from my other life memories where I was a year or so older and wiser, I should be set for the written test.
As I'm leaving my little slice of training arc paradise on Tuesday there's a loud smashing noise and a groan from the lot beside mine, and with a brief moment of consideration I poke my head in, spotting my yearmate Akasira sat on the ground taking deep breaths.
"Heya Akasira, everything okay?"
"Hm? Oh, hey Senda. Yeah, just can't get where I want to, it's like I've hit a block." He replies.
It takes me a moment to remember his quirk, it's actually pretty interesting, he can fire off coloured bullets by forming a finger gun shape, and the colour rotates like a revolver, each colour doing a different thing.
"What's up? I'm no specialist but maybe talking it out would help?"
"I guess, so remember that quirk councillor they had in for everyone like a month back? He said my 'worth and appeal' as a hero would go up a lot if I could control the colour. But I've barely got any ideas, and what I have tried hasn't done anything." He sighs, flopping back to lay on ground as I walk in closer.
"Well, what have you tried?"
There's a beat of silence, and I think he's just barely not literally looking away and whistling.
"Uh, thinking about choosing the colour?"
I just about withhold a sigh. Scratch that, it comes out.
"Okay, how do you visualise your quirk? Or like, how did you when you were first learning it?"
"Like one of those foam dart guns with the ammo belt. It's all good man, it's not exactly impossible that I just can't pick the colour after all." He shrugs, pushing himself back upright.
"I'm no expert, but when I think of your quirk I imagine a revolver, though I guess one with infinite ammo. You could try picturing it like that, and then you can spin the cylinder to whatever you want with practice."
"Huh, it's a better idea that what I was trying at least. Thanks man, I'll give it a go!"
"No worries, good luck dude, I'll leave you to it!"
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Hidden Achievement
Help your yearmate with their quirk, aiding them on their path to being a hero.
One Roll Granted
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Hidden achievements?! I didn't know- oh, well, yeah.
I promise I'm not complaining System, please don't punish me.
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[Fertility Calibration]
You can freely adjust your own fertility, being able to freely go from absolutely inert to being so fertile you can impregnate even someone completely infertile at will. Or depending on your parts, make yourself sterile or rival the Goat of a Thousand Young.
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Guess that'll be the changes to my reward pool from the Harem route world modification. I'm sure I'll be thankful for it one day, but right now I could have really done with a spell or a gun or something. Not to mention I don't get a lot of private time or space in the orphanage, which doesn't help with 'taking care of myself' taking longer and really not hitting the spot.
Whatever, I'm gonna head home and keep reading, I can feel something building and I'm most of the way through the next, and longer, spell chapter.
~~
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Spell Learned
Healing Roots - Nature
Gift someone the blessing of nature as you envelop them in gentle roots, healing their wounds as long as they are in contact with the roots.
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[Nature Magic Mastery (Novice)]
It's only the fact that it's 3AM that stops me from jumping for joy, and how fucking tired I am.
My second nature spell is learned, and while it might not be something to help me in the entrance exams, healing abilities should be really well regarded no matter what.
Plus, I got my first magical school mastery, sure it's only novice but it's the first step! Again, I'm at a bit of a disadvantage thanks to not having a full system so I don't have exact numbers, but it seems to make Nature spells a small bit cheaper and stronger, plus a tiny increase to my overall magic or mana.
Alrighty then, let's get a solid three-ish hours of sleep, yippee!
~~
Ughhhhh
Turns out a day of training on just under three hours of sleep is not in fact 'yippee'. Even if I was being sarcastic I don't think it was enough.
On the kinda plus side, I managed to trip and scraped up my knee, which was healed in a few seconds of a Healing Root wrapped around my ankle, so I'll just say it was all to plan.
I'm also getting faster with Igni with a couple days of training. I don't think the rune spell itself or my magic power has gotten stronger, just that I'm getting more comfortable with it.
As I leave training, a bit earlier than yesterday, I hear Akasira still working hard.
There's one other thing I want to do before I forget. My shoes are shit. I'm not even sure they'll survive until the entrance exam, let alone actually getting through it, so I need to go and get some more with my meagre savings. Even meagre might be being generous to be honest, but I know some places that should have offers on.
It's a short walk to nearest station, and then a quick jump over to the nearest shopping centre. Thankfully it's not in the more central areas of Saitama, both for my wallet and my tiredness.
"I'm telling ya, some of the deals here are insane! I saw this one shop that had an honest to gods Issey Miyake bag for like twenty thousand!" A voice calls out, catching my attention.
Turning my head, along with a few others around us, I see a group of girls around my age walking through, the one in lead pointing forward with a big grin.
Is that?
Short green hair, a body absolutely rocking her uniform, and sharp teeth shown off with a laugh. I'm fairly certain that's Tokage, from 1-B, I remember her from the joint training arc of the manga and some fanfic, and then from uh, other places too.
With a final look I move on to my budget friendly shoe store, hopefully I can find some decent workout shoes or something.
Thankfully this place is reliable as my memories tell me, and I'm able to get some plain black sneakers, decent padding and good for running about. Plus I have a whole 900 yen left! Yay.
On my way out I spot Tokage and her friends flitting about one of the shops with piles in their arms and big smiles, the shopkeeper happy if a little overwhelmed.
As I'm halfway or so to the exit there's a crash to my side, before something impacts me, pulling me off my feet.
"Nobody move! We're just gonna walk out of here alright!"
Are you fucking kidding me?
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Emergency Quest: Robbery is the height of villainy
Some thieves have hit a jewellery store right as you're passing by, and taken you hostage!
Objectives: Escape, take down the criminals, or hold tight until rescue.
Rewards: Varies based on results and path.
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The massive light red hand wrapped around my torso constricts slightly, forcing me to grunt as I hear a scream from beside me.
In the villain's other grip is a middle aged woman with pure black eyes, a couple of tears running down her cheeks as she begs to be released.
Running out behind my captor is a guy without any obvious mutations, carrying a bag that they've hastily stuffed with items from the store. he looks scared to be honest.
"You shouldn't have hit the alarm bitch! Sorry kid, you don't mind being our hero for a bit do you?" The guy growls out, starting to shuffle towards the exit as people scatter, or actually a fair few people are recording, great.
I really should just let this go...
Just stay quiet, wait for a hero or whatever...
The store worker in his grips lets out another pained scream as he jostles her.
"Stop, criminal!"
Please be competent.
Jumping up to the concourse in front of us is a guy in yellow armour, like bright yellow. Are the Power Ranger here?
Anyway, he raises his fists as a yellow glow appears in his eyes.
The guy holding us grunts as he stumbles to a stop, swaying in place.
"Surrender now and release those civilians villain!"
"Ugh, fuck you! Stop that shit before I crush these two!"
Despite whatever the hero is doing, the guy's grip tightens painfully.
Fuck, I wish I had got something more useful than Fertility Calibration.
The other criminal shuffles up, seemingly unaffected by the hero's quirk, "Uh, Crush, maybe we should-"
"Shut the fuck up! Both of you!" The apparently named Crush shouts, having to catch himself as he sways to the side.
He takes another step forward as the hero once again orders him, to surrender.
With a growl he throws me down before taking a swing at the hero with his now free hand, who's able to dodge under it.
"Just get hit! Fucking help me you shitstain!" Crush yells.
The guy seems more scared of Crush than the hero, but unfortunately his attention is the wrong way.
With a thought I cast Root Bind, thick wooden roots push up through the floor, despite us not being on the ground. The first wraps around his leg, arresting his movement as he yelps. He hits the ground, hard, and a dozen other roots quickly wind around him.
"What the?! Crush, help me!"
As Crush starts to turn, another missed punch sending him stumbling, the hero dives in, landing a hit to the wrist of the hand still holding the woman.
He grunts, but whether out of stubbornness or some natural reaction, he squeezes down, the woman once again screaming as he does, and I swear I hear something snap.
Without even thinking I slam both hands to the ground, thick twin roots erupting from the ground, winding around each arm.
Let's see how you fucking like it!
At my command, they wind around his arms and squeeze.
it's Crush's turn to yell, his hands opening by reflex and the woman falling to the floor.
I can see him straining against the roots despite the hold they have on him, but the hero dives in, landing a solid cross against his chin and whipping his head to the side.
His resistance weakens, and I instruct the roots to pull his arms down the ground, dropping Crush to his knees with a roar.
He struggles, but between the hero's hit and quirk, he's growing more and more sluggish, and as the hero stands over him with a glare Crush apparently submits with a growl.
The hero takes a breath, 'Dizz' apparently as people are yelling which rings a vague bell, takes a breath before looking to me quickly.
"Citizen, we'll discuss your action later, but for now is your quirk able to keep them contained?"
"Uh, yes sir, once they're formed they'll stay until I dismiss them."
"Okay, I need to attend to this young lady."
Dizz moves over to the woman, and I wait anxiously. If it seems like she needs it I'll tell him about my Healing Roots, but I'm already attracting enough attention as I clearly watch over the criminals and I'd rather not end up snatched up by the HSPC or something.
Dizz sits back on his haunches after a minute or so with a breath.
"She'll be alright, it seems like just some cracked ribs, and she passed out. Now then, young man." He says, standing with a small sigh.
"I should admonish you for your quirk use, given that when you did so it technically wasn't in self defence. However, you would be somewhat protected by the Good Samaritan law, and furthermore if I were to, for example, be aware or have an idea of what someone could do, as a Hero I do have the authority to temporarily allow civilians to use their quirk in the interest of public safety."
He clearly sees me brighten up at his words as he stifles a chuckle.
"Don't worry kid, while you arguably shouldn't have done so, you did good. I assume you're planning on going hero?"
"Uh, yes sir, UA exams next week."
"Hm, good for you, I'll be on the lookout. Just hang around until the police get here and then you'll be good to go, I'll handle everything!" He says, giving me a big thumbs up.
"Thank you, really, I appreciate it."
"Bah, you wouldn't be the first hero to jump the gun as it were, haha!"
Dizz keeps the public back just to be safe while we wait for the police, and I notice a few people giving me appraising looks as he explains that he used his authority to allow me to use my quirk to assist, given my skills and proximity. I do my best to keep my head down, really aside from my eyes I don't stand out.
As the police arrive I release the criminals one by one, and at a few words from Dizz they only take my statement before leaving. One of the cops even gives me a nod of respect.
An ambulance also takes the woman away, and while she's still out they don't seem all that worried so everything should be okay there thankfully.
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Emergency Quest: Robbery is the height of villainy COMPLETE
Result: Both criminals taken into custody, major contribution.
Rewards: One random spell, one random item.
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Spell Learned
Frost Cloak - Elemental
Surrounds the caster in a veil of frost. Enemies that get too close suffer from the cold, sapping their strength and causing damage. The cost per minute to maintain this spell increases the longer it is kept active.
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[Magic Lake Key]
An ornate key that, when turned in a sufficiently large space, creates a portal leading into a pocket dimension that is 5 km x 5 km x 5 km in size which contains a large spacious cave with a giant crystal blue lake in the middle. The water of the lake contains unusually high amounts of magical energy, and resting inside of it can help one recover their energy quicker or use the water as an excellent alchemical ingredient. The gate that leads outside the dimension is always open and leads to where the entrance was last opened.
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Holy fucking shit!
I mean, Frost Cloak is cool and all, but I just got a pocket dimension! And one perfectly suited to me at that! If I can get the magic, another item, or even just the materials, I could live there one day!
And even if I don't it's still the perfect place for me to relax. Oh! I could go there to train! More space than I could need and a place to regenerate my magic faster!
Wow, I'm gonna be insufferable, thank you System, you're truly the greatest!
One of the police officers helps me get out without being stopped by people, and in short order I'm back on the train headed home, new shoes, new magic, and a new dimension in hand.
I've got five more days until the entrance exam, let's see what more I can get before then hm?
~~
Deciding not to push my luck, I waited until the next day to go into my pocket dimension for the first time.
After school on Wednesday I skipped training at school and went further afield. My system said the exit gate was always there, but I'm not sure if that means the entrance stays open for anyone to rock up and pop their head in.
As such, I settled on this out of the way area in the back of multi-storey car park, where I'll be hidden from view and hopefully no one will show up to do any of their own shady business since it's really not nice here at all.
As with much of my system, my inventory doesn't have a screen or anything, I just 'know' what's in it, and with a thought a bronze key with a blue jewel set in it appears in my hand, practically radiating magic to my senses.
Holding it up in the very corner I turn the key, and with a faint click a gently glowing blue doorway appears in the air.
I mean, I knew it would work, but damn.
With a breath and a smile on my face I step forwards, the feeling of magic washing over me as I emerge on the other side.
It's exactly as the description stated. I'm inside a huge cavernous space with a glowing, still blue lake in the centre.
There's enough ground for me to practice pretty much anything, and I can feel the magic wafting off of the water.
With a push, Frost Cloak forms around me, a swirling vortex of ice. Some of it shatters against the ground below me, but not without leaving grooves and dents in the solid stone.
Once I've felt a noticeable drop in my magic, and got a bit of an indication of the accelerating cost of the cloak, I let it drop and remove my shoes and socks, rolling up my trousers.
Stepping in to the water I feel the magic rushing into me. It's no instant restore, but I can feel the difference as is.
Thank you magical system, time to get to grinding.
~~
I made it back to the orphanage just before they would started worrying, a lot of practice with my spells under my belt, as well as a small increase in my overall mana, presumably from using it so much, like any muscle.
Though speaking of, I need to focus on my actual muscles at least somewhat. I'm in decent shape, but decent doesn't make a top pro hero, and I have no idea if I'll ever get something in that vein from my system.
I also finally remembered to fully test my Barrier of Light spell, and it does block theoretically anything, though I'm able to break it after a few hits at the base level cast, so unless I overcharge it it's pretty specialised. Not that that's really an issue, I'm sure I'll get more defensive things down the line, hell probably in my Tome of Warding.
And speaking of my Tomes, lets try and get another couple of hours on my Roots, as I go through the tome the spells are taking longer and longer to learn, though my Nature magic mastery levelling up has helped. Hopefully I can get this spell down before the Entrance Exam on Monday, along with, ya know, everything else I want to do before then.
Could have really used a Hyperbolic Time Chamber spell.
~~
It's half past one in the morning on Saturday when I my Tome of Roots fade into gentle green lights, returning to my Astral Library, my third nature spell learned.
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Spell Learned
Natural Defences - Nature
Grow thick trunks and branches quickly to block off an area, the size and thickness depends on the amount of energy spent on the spell.
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Again, I could do with something more damage dealing, but this isn't bad. In a more pro hero sense, this could be perfect for rescue. I could use it to strengthen and secure falling buildings or the like, or to block avalanches or something.
It might be good for rescue points in the exam at least, or maybe if I grow under a robot it might fuck it up or at least unbalance it enough for me to destroy it with Root Bind or Igni.
I've got Saturday and Sunday to go, and I suppose the train ride Monday morning. Given how long it took me to get Natural Defences down, I doubt I'd get the other two spells in the Tome of Roots learned before the exams, and even if I did I'd be more likely to get a Tome as a reward rather than something I can use in the exam.
So I've gotta find quests or stumble on to those hidden achievements. Fuuck.
Well, I should get some sleep, I'll go hunting tomorrow.
~~
Five hours of sleep and another five hours of wandering around and all I have to show for it is a headache and tired feet.
Let's think this through, wandering around was stupid at best. All I have to go on for the hidden achievements is the one I got for helping Akasira with his quirk training, and the achievement itself seemed to suggest I'd affected his life path or something, so does it need to be things that are both optional and affect the wider world maybe?
That technically fits, but it seems way too restrictive, how many of those could there be?
What about if I think of it as game style achievements? If that's the case it's much more likely to be varied, which doesn't really help 'cause that could be anything. If I have to go find metric shit ton of collectables hidden around Japan I'm going set fire to something.
Okay so that avenue didn't help, just gives me hundreds of 'maybe' things to try. This is so annoying. I could have really used an Elemental Tome or something to start with instead of my Warding one.
Uh, not to be ungrateful System!
Hm, that park is looking pretty run down, Midoriya got one of the most powerful quirks in the world after cleaning up a beach, and I guess being super heroic or whatever, surely I'll get a single teensy little spell if I make this park good for the kids again?
~~
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Hidden Achievement
Community Service, Midoriya Inspired, All Might approved!
One Roll Granted
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That actually worked?!
I mean, I spent like eight hours gathering trash and ripping up weeds, but I didn't honestly expect it to work, I thought my reward would be a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Well, gimme gimme please!
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Spell Learned
Shadow Spikes - Shadow
Create spikes of pure darkness from any shadow within range that you can see. The more mana you use the larger, sturdier, and sharper the spikes are.
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Yes! Thank you System! Thank you previously shitty park!
Time to head back to my favourite dank corner of a car park and go practice with this in my astral plane!
~~
I get home Sunday evening to a suspiciously quiet orphanage, setting me on guard instantly.
""Surprise!""
"Gah what the?!"
The caretakers and the other kids jump out as I round the corner to the main room.
Across the far wall is a large, hand painted banner, reading 'You got this Raiki!', and on the table is a spread of food we basically never see outside of Christmas.
Some of the kids run over, hugging me and jumping, all wishing me well in overlapping voices as the caretakers look on fondly.
I do my best to ignore the lump in my throat as I hug them back, and see the cake decorated with 'Good luck future hero!'. It's all very mismatched, but to me, it's perfect.
As everyone digs in conversation picks up, the younger kids asking me to make sure I remember everything that happens tomorrow, and to kick lots and lots of butt!
The caretakers make sure to wish me well, and even sneak me some yen to make sure I eat right tomorrow.
My last night before the exams isn't spent with rushed training or panicked revising, it's spent with people that care about me, people that are putting their faith in me, that want me to succeed. I'll make sure they have someone to look up to, and when I've made it, someone to support them in return.
A/N: To explain the system a bit from the back end: For any roll/reward, unless I have something specific picked out, I'll first roll for the type of item, again unless it's specified by the quest or the like. Then roll for the rarity, with an upper limit (to avoid something crazy powerful that ruins any tiny sense of pacing I've put together). I might adjust this down the line but we'll see! In short, even when I'm not writing a gacha focused fic, I still want a bit of randomness.