Chapter 20: Chapter 19 Quirk Awakening 1
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By the time I stepped out of the school building, a small crowd had already formed. Students were streaming toward the back of the school with the kind of purposeful excitement usually reserved for sports festivals or surprise fire drills.
"Is this legal?" one first-year asked nervously.
"Technically, they're not on school property once they're behind the gym," an older student replied. "It's like a gray area."
"Someone should probably tell a teacher."
"Are you volunteering?"
"...No."
### Teachers' Perspective
Mr. Hayashi watched the unusual exodus from his classroom window, rubbing his temples as he recognized the signs. He'd been teaching long enough to know what this kind of student migration meant.
"How Tiring."
He muttered to himself.
Whatever was going to happen wasn't something the school was going to get involved with. As long as it was not on school ground or during school hours. It was better to let this play out away from school property than have it explode in his classroom again tomorrow.
Nevertheless, to avoid things getting too out of hand, he and Two more teachers would be around to prevent the worst case scenarios.
## Behind The Gym - 4:00 PM
The area behind the gym was a patch of worn grass bordered by a chain-link fence on one side and a small grove of trees on the other. It was far enough from the main building to avoid immediate teacher intervention, but close enough that the growing crowd of spectators could easily make it there.
Bakugo was already waiting when I arrived, having changed out of his school uniform into a black tank top and cargo pants. His usual cocky smirk was firmly in place, but there was something different about his postureβmore focused, I would say.
No surprise.
His sanity for the next few days was practically banking on him winning this. He's going to be in for one hell of a disappointment though.
"Took you long enough," he called out. "I thought you were gonna chicken out."
"Had to stop by the bathroom," I replied casually, dropping my school bag near the fence. "You know how it is."
A ripple of laughter went through the crowd, which had swelled to maybe forty or fifty students. Someone had even thought to bring folding chairs.
"You think this is a joke?" Bakugo's hands sparked.
"I think you're taking yourself very seriously," I said, rolling my shoulders to loosen them up. "Which is your choice, I suppose."
The temperature around Bakugo seemed to rise a few degrees. "Last chance to back down, Takumi."
I paused.
Was he ... Giving me a way out? Or was that just my imagination?
Didn't really sound like something he would say. Or maybe that was just my mental stereotype.
I looked around at the assembled crowd, then back at Bakugo. For a moment, his casual demeanor shifted slightly.
"You sure you want to do this in front of everyone? Because once this starts, there's no pretending it didn't happen."
"I'm counting on it," Bakugo snarled. "When I'm done with you, everyone's going to know exactly who the strongest person in this school is."
I nodded slowly. "Alright then."
He walked to the center of the impromptu arena, hands in his pockets, looking for all the world like he was taking a casual stroll.
I raised an eyebrow.
Was he ... Aura farming? In front of me?
"Rules?" I asked when we were about ten feet apart.
"No rules," Bakugo shot back. "Fight until one of us can't get up." He took his hands out, small explosions already popping off his palms in anticipation.
"That seems excessive."
"Scared?"
"More like concerned about the property damage your quirk might cause." I glanced meaningfully at the nearby trees. "But if that's how you want to play it..."
The crowd had formed a rough circle around them, everyone pressing as close as they dared while still maintaining what they hoped was a safe distance. Phones were out, recording, though I suspected most of the footage would be too shaky to be useful.
"Ready?" someone called outβprobably one of Bakugo's friends.
Bakugo nodded. I shrugged.
"Fight!"
### Bakugo's Opening Move
Katsuki didn't waste time with testing attacks or feeling out his opponent. The moment the word "fight" left someone's lips, he launched himself forward with a massive explosion from both palms, propelling himself toward me like a human rocket.
'End this fast. End this decisively.' He thought as he attacked.
'Should I stand still, or? ....' My thoughts were the exact opposite.
The battle continued as Bakugo reached me while I remained motionless.
'Not gonna Move huh? You think that barrier of yours is INVINCIBLE, HUH?'
If I could read minds. I would say yes. Yes yes, and definitely for you, yes.
Neutral Infinity was Active and my superhuman senses were active. His rocketing speed wasn't as fast in my eyes. I could honestly just give him a punch to the get before that fist charged with explosive power even extended an inch further.
But then Katsuki did something unexpected. He changed direction midair by changing momentum.
Releasing a blast with his other hand that carried him above me instead of towards me.
"Huh .. guess he Isn't as arrogant and reckless as I thought.'
I honestly thought he was going to charge at me and release the biggest explosion he could muster. 'Hold on. Isn't this the move he performed mid fight against Deku at the U.A episode?'
It was. The guy flew above me, then aimed at my back and fired. "Take This!" The explosion shot forward, slamming into My infinity shield and moving not a step further.
Bakugo landed standing, his feet leaving a small trail as he slid across the grass. Eyes focused on my position.
"It .. It didn't hit!"
"Holy Quirk. Would you look at that."
"Yeah. Katsuki's explosion stopped mid air."
Under everyone's gaze, the explosion literally stood in place before slowly fizzling out of existence.
"Neat Trick." I called out. "Here I thought you were all brawn and no brains. To control the force of the explosion like that, that was pretty good."
I could see his face darken.
"You think blocking one attack gives you the edge to insult me?"
"..."
I raised an eyebrow, my expression deadpan. What did I even expect?
"Honestly. I wish I could see what the hell is wrong with your brain."
The moment I said those words, something happened to me that I failed to comprehend.
My eyes glowed crimson. A change so sudden it caused several students to back away in slight alarm.
But that was for them. For me, it was something else. In my line of sight, numerous red lines appeared out of thin air, outlining everything in my vision. Following which, small words appeared around ... Everything. Appearing and disappearing as my focus shifted from one thing to another. Until finally, it centered on Bakugo.
---
REAL-TIME SYSTEM ANALYSIS β SUBJECT: [BAKUGO, KATSUKI]
// ALERT: NEURAL STRESS LEVELS APPROACHING CRITICAL THRESHOLD (87%)
// MENTAL OVERLAY LOCKED TO FULL SPREAD
// SYNAPTIC COMPRESSION RATE: 0.0032s
// VISUAL AND TACTILE DATA STREAM β LIVE
// TARGET LOCK CONFIRMED
// BEGIN DEEP SCAN...
---
> [SUBJECT CLASSIFICATION]
Name: Katsuki Bakugo
Biotype: Homo Sapiens Quirkus (Type 3 - Volatile Combustion Emitter)
Sex: Male
Apparent Age: 14.92 years
Ancestry Breakdown:
- 98.9% East Asian Genomic Lineage
- 1.1% unexpressed foreign allele markers (dormant)
Genetic Modifications Detected: None (baseline genome)
Quirk Mutation Locus: Chromosome 7p21.3
- Gene Cluster: GLOX-A7 / HSE17 / PKIG-L
- Expression Pattern: Hyperactive sweat gland formation, keratin ignition resistance, mitochondrial overregulation
---
> [DNA/GENOMIC PROFILE]
Mitochondrial Density: 2.6x baseline adolescent average (explosive ATP demand support)
Keratin Subtype: Modified Type I alpha keratin β anti-friction, flame retardant
Endocrine Bias:
- β Epinephrine release (178% over norm baseline)
- Cortisol resistance: HIGH
Telomere Length: Slightly reduced (may imply early cellular stress/degradation risk)
Pain Response Receptors: Desensitized in digits and wrists
Olfactory Receptor Count: Hypernormal (~30% enhanced scent tracking)
Dominant Mutation Markers: GLOX-A7 overexpression (sweat combustibility trigger)
Auto-immunological Notes:
- Skin regeneration in palms accelerated
- White blood cell count: 14,300 ΞΌL (slightly elevated)
---
> [QUIRK IDENTIFICATION LOG]
REGISTERED QUIRK NAME: Explosion
CATEGORY: Emission-Type
PRIMARY OUTPUT:
- Excretes nitroglycerin-based fluid through eccrine sweat glands
- Detonates via conscious micro-electrical spark induction
COMBUSTION CONTROL RATING: 6.2/10 (requires both concentration and physical sync)
RAW OUTPUT FORCE (MEASURED):
- 714 N (direct palm burst)
- 41.3 kPa overpressure shockwave within 1.2m radius
SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:
- Self-propulsion
- Limited flight maneuvering
- Flash-blind effect at detonation > 12,000 lumens
LIMITATIONS:
- Sweat-dependent β Quirk weakens with dehydration
- Micro-inflammation of palms over extended use
- Blood sugar depletion occurs after continuous detonation > 90 seconds
---
> [LIVE PHYSICAL STATUS MONITORING]
Heart Rate: 128 bpm (rising)
Breathing Rate: 23/min
Core Body Temp: 38.1Β°C
Adrenal Spike Detected β preparing to engage
Palm Glands Activity: 92% activation
Spark Pre-Loop Current Flow: +0.7V across radial nerve
Lactic Acid Level: 4.7 mmol/L (within anaerobic threshold)
---
> [SKELETAL + MUSCULAR ANALYSIS]
Bone Density: 1.4x average adolescent
Impact Distribution Capability: HIGH
Knee Joint Tension: +34% over normative safe zone (explosive landing strain)
Triceps/Forearm Tension: MAX contraction level β ready to detonate
Wrist Flexion Angle: -6Β° deviation from center β recoil positioning
---
> [MOTION PREDICTION β INITIATING TRAJECTORY MAPPING]
REAL-TIME ACTION PROJECTION β .03s WINDOW INITIATED
β§« Frame 01 β Shoulder roll shifting backward (tension stored)
β§« Frame 02 β Heels pressurizing pavement; signal for rapid launch
β§« Frame 03 β Palms flare, minor explosion for acceleration boost
β§« Frame 04 β Right knee chambers upward β mid-air arc incoming
β§« Frame 05 β Left palm ignition signature: 91% power β targeting upper torso
β§« Frame 06 β Forward rotational torque detected: will twist to use second detonation mid-air
β§« Frame 07 β Targeting vector: Direct frontal burst at 2.1m range
β§« Frame 08 β Midair correction potential: ~63%, blast-assisted
β§« Counter Opportunity Detected:
β 0.19s opening post-first blast, right flank exposed, core unguarded
β Recommend minimal motion evasion, intercept post-blast drag point
β COMBAT OUTCOME FORECAST (BASED ON CURRENT INPUT)
Bakugo Offensive Window: 0.74s
Ken Defensive Advantage: 0.92s
Recommended Action:
- Remain stationary
- Let kinetic energy fail upon proximity barrier
- Apply low-effort counter to disorient
---
> [AUDIO PROFILE β VOICE BREAKDOWN]
Vocal Stress Level: 89%
Shout Pressure: 94 dB
Phrase Detected: "DIE!"
Speech Frequency Match: Aggression/anger dominant
Throat Constriction Level: HIGH β adrenaline peak confirmed
---
> [ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRATION]
Concrete Texture: Medium fracture risk under high blast
Ambient Wind: 4.3 m/s β northeast cross vector
Sunlight Angle: 31Β° from left β minor glare behind subject
Ground Slope: -2.2Β° tilt southeast
Objects in Periphery:
- 3 trash bins
- 48 students (spectators)
- 2 smartphones recording (high-quality audio-visual)
---
"..."
'What The Hell?'
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