Chapter 24

Let's face it, I'm an anomaly! I'm not talking about being reborn in this world or having my previous life memories, no! 

What I mean by that is, by Ajin standards, everything about me is abnormal, starting with my physical capabilities that are beyond what normal humans can do, even in this world. This could be seen in the entrance exam where I was able to kick off the head of one robot. No amount of physical training should have been able to give me that kind of strength.

Apart from that, the fact that my black ghost has been growing stronger and that I can change its shape is another indicator of this.

The typical Ajin can only summon their ghost once or twice for a maximum of 5 to 10 minutes per day before the IBM particles dissipate and require time to recharge. With the sole exception of Gojo Sat- wait, no, wrong anime- with the sole exception of Kei Nagai, because his IBM quantity has been stated to be at least three times denser than a normal Ajin's.

1 hour; that's how long I'm able to maintain my black ghost. This is twice the amount of time Nagai was stated to be able to maintain his, and this number is still growing.

All this has led me to the conclusion that since my ‘ Ajin factor' has fused with my quirk, I have gained the ability to grow my IBM concentration, and this, in turn, is responsible for all my anomalies.

Where am I going with this? 

For the next two weeks and possibly the rest of my apprentissage at UA, I have decided to focus on only one task from now on. 

‘ I want to obtain the ability to freely manipulate my IBM.’

What could I possibly gain by becoming able to manipulate my IBM? 

‘ Everything!!’ 

If I become able to manipulate my IBM, I could potentially become able to heal not only myself but others without needing to die; I could also summon multiple ghosts at the same time without needing a flood event; and let's not forget that I could even gain the ability to manipulate or erase matter.

For now, I will go over all my abilities and try to take the first step by becoming able to release IBM at will without summoning a black ghost. 

I can already feel that this is going to be a very tiring training session, but it will be an insanely rewarding one if I succeed in my endeavor.

On a side note, I need to think of a better way for me to fly around without limiting my hand to offer myself more mobility in the air.

….

 The next two weeks flew by in the blink of an eye, and the morning of the sports festival arrived.

I was even getting excited about the coming event. 

What about my training! 

Unfortunately for me, it was a total failure.

I already knew it wasn't going to be that easy; otherwise I would have done it years ago. But I'm still surprised by the fact that I couldn't even achieve the first step. I'm not discouraged, though; I'll keep trying until I succeed.

As for thinking about a new way to fly, the results were also disappointing.

I tried to turn the black ghost into an armor or exoskeleton to wear, but once its core shape started to hollow out or was too different from its humanoid figure, it dissipated.

I even tried to only materialize the wings and have them directly attached to my back, but that also didn't work out.

For now, all I can do to have my arms free and let me have a little more mobility is to have it hug me from behind and take off.

"Are you all set for today, sweetie?" My mother asked with a smile as she came up to me while I was getting ready to leave.

"Yeah. Don't worry, Mom, I've got this!”

“Of course, I'm sure you'll show everyone that you're the best. Don't forget to have fun, okay. “

" Thanks, see you later, Mom. I said as I stood up to leave.

" See you later, sweetie." My mom said cheerfully as she waved at me.

….

Sitting in the prep room, I could feel everyone's excitement. They were busy chatting about the coming event.

“I wonder what the first round is gonna be?” Sato asked.

“No matter what comes, we have no choice but to deal with it,” Tokoyami answered his question while he himself was focused on his shadow.

“Dude, are you ready?" Kirishima turned to me.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I replied as I reclined back on the chair.

"I can hear the commotion from here. The stadium must be packed." Kirishima said as he listened to the crowd.

"Everyone who could afford a ticket is probably watching," Kaminari said.

"Damn, I'm excited," Mina said with a smile while stretching; she continued in an annoyed tone, 

"I wish I could've worn my costume."

"They're not allowed, in the interest of fairness," Yaoyorozu explained in an even tone while checking the time.

“Everyone, are you ready? We will be entering soon!”

‘ If you ask me, the inequality created by quirks can already be considered an unfair advantage. However, I won't be arguing with them on that.’

Before we could go, Todoroki called my name as he walked up to me. 

“Arata!”

“Todoroki? Can I help you with something?” I asked, clearly confused by the sudden interaction.

“Looking at things objectively, I think I’m stronger than you. However, you've shown that you were not to be underestimated. Despite that, I will defeat you," he said before walking away.

“Seriously, what is it with everyone and declaring war?” I asked, still confused.

"Hey, man, why are you picking a fight all of a sudden?! We're about to start the competition." Ask Kaminari.

"I don't care. We’re not here to play at being friends. So what does it matter?" Todoroki replied without turning back.

"I'm not sure why you felt the need to tell me this. But good luck, you'll be needing it.” I said while standing up and walking towards the stadium. As I passed Bakugo, we briefly locked eyes, and I could see his desire to challenge me.

The rest of the class followed as we stepped through the tunnel, leading toward the stadium.

….

"Hello, everyone," Mic yelled to the crowd.

“This year’s high school rodeo of adolescence that you all love is about to begin! Everybody, are you ready?!”

“The U.A. sports festival! The huge battle where fledgling heroes sharpen their swords once a year! It’s time for the students to enter the first-year stage! 

First up, you know who I'm talking about! The class that survived the USJ incident!! The first years of the Hero Course! It's Class 1A!" Present Mic yelled as we walked out of the tunnel, as the audience erupted in unison.

The applause, cheers, chants, and screams were overwhelming, to say the least.

“Next, they haven’t been getting as much airtime, but this class is also full of talent!

Hero Course, Class 1-B!!” Present Mic announced with the same enthusiasm as students of Class 1-B also walked out onto the field. But the crowd's energy noticeably dipped.

Then Present Mic moved on, introducing the other classes.

"Following them are Classes C, D, and E of General Studies, and here come the Support Course Classes, F, G, and H! And of course the Business Courses. All of U.A.’s first-years are here now!" said Present Mic.

The other classes walked onto the field as the crowd's cheers continued to fade. 

"We're just here to make others look good. Huh?"

"It's hard to get motivated..."

Some students grumbled as they all lined up on the field.

"Now that everyone is here, let me present to you the person in charge of today's games, the one and only R-rated Hero Midnight," Mic yelled as Midnight walked onto the stage wearing her hero costume.

"Ohh! This year’s chief umpire for the first-years is the R-Rated Hero, Midnight!"

"What about the principal?"

"He's always assigned to the third-year stage."

"Is it okay for her to be at a high school even though she’s R-Rated?”

*CRACK*

Everyone's attention was drawn to the crackle of a whip, 

"Quiet, everyone! Before festivities can begin, we'll first have the athlete's oath given by the first-year representative from Class 1A, Arata Seiji!”

Murmurs spread among the other classes, their displeasure clearly evident.

 “What? It’s Arata?!” Midoriya asked in surprise.

“That guy did finish first in the entrance exam after all,” Sero answered.

Unbothered, I climbed up the stairs and reached Midnight before facing the students.

"I won't bore you with some long-winded speech or anything like that since we have better things to do; to all participants, do your best and have fun! After all, there's no shame in finishing second place after me.”

The first years were stunned by my words before they started yelling as I walked down.

“Seriously, why would he say that!!”

“What the heck!”

“Stop messing around! Do you really think we are all beneath you?”

“Don’t be so full of yourselves, Class A!”

"Overconfident jerk! I'll be the one to crush him!!”

I heard Midoriya murmuring but decided to ignore him,

“How can he be so confident? No… I have to focus, I have to go beyond. I won't lose!”

“Why are you provoking everyone, Arata? You started so well.” Ida asked, confused.

“Don't worry about the small stuff.”

“Aren't you a little too overconfident? What if you lose?!” Yaoyorozu asked me in return.

“Nah, I'd win!”