BNHA: Singularity

After showing Izuku to her room, an embarrassed smile developed across Melissa's face as she said, "Pardon the mess...". Her room wasn't actually disorganized, but as she had left some of her tools out and a half-finished invention on her desk, it wasn't as clean as it could have been.
Raising his brows, Izuku remarked, "It looks neat and tidy, though? You're a very organized woman..."
As Melissa used an insulated foam organization pad, keeping all her tools in tiny cutouts that perfectly conformed to their profile, there was nothing messy about her room. Her bed was made to a standard that would make a Drill Sergeant swell with pride, and all the projects she was working on or had finished were stored in neatly organized and labeled lock boxes...
"Thanks for the compliment," replied Melissa, smiling even though she believed Izuku was simply being nice. Then, after calling up her Status Window and giving it a quick once-over, she asked, "So, you're able to distribute a person's Free Attribute Points to help them get stronger and assign them Quirk-like 'Perks,' right? I'm starting to get excited..."
Adopting a somewhat sad smile, Melissa looked to Izuku as she revealed, "You probably already noticed it, but I'm part of the twenty percent of the population born without a Quirk. I've always dreamed of having one, even something as simple as my father's Squirmy Fingers, so thank you, Izuku. Thank you for allowing me to join your Party...even if it came with a pretty embarrassing Title..."
Shaking his head, Izuku adopted a faint smile as he replied, "I wouldn't have been able to invite you to my Party if you didn't trust me. Your Level and the amount of Free Attributes you possess are also the direct results of your training and effort. I'm just helping you to tap into your potential..."
"You really are humble," mused Melissa, exhaling a soft giggle before moving over to Izuku, standing closer than necessary as he helped her allocate her AP and select her Perks...
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Name: [Melissa Shield]
Title: Pleasantly Plump Pioneer(Vitality, Intelligence, Dexterity +20)
Quirk: N/A
Bond Level: 95
Current Level: 13
Effective Level: 53
[Attributes]
Strength: 13-&gt;20
Agility: 10-&gt;20
Vitality: 61-&gt;100
Intelligence: 258
Dexterity: 58-&gt;67
Luck: 199
Free Attributes: 0
[Perks]
[Healthy Body], [Breakthrough], [Prodigy]
&nbsp;
 [Healthy Body]: The user always feels mentally and physically refreshed. Drastically increases the functions of the immune system.
&nbsp;
 [Breakthrough]: Eureka! Focuses mental energies to make even the most difficult of problems a cinch.
&nbsp;
 [Prodigy]: Doubles Experience gains. Half as effective when in Experience Sharing range.
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"Oh, wow..." muttered Melissa, her face turning a little red as she hugged her body and embarrassedly remarked, "I didn't anticipate that having my attributes increased would feel so...pleasant..."
"That's normal when basically double your physical attributes," explained Izuku. "Healthy Body also ensures you feel refreshed, kind of like being on a Runner's High twenty-four/seven. It's not perfect, though, so don't overwork yourself. The effects diminish considerably when your Vitality dips below 50% of its base value."
"I'll keep that in mind..." replied Melissa, rubbing her cheeks to try and ease some of the tension and heat building within them. She really did feel amazing, so much so that she felt the urge to run around and scream at the top of her lungs, almost like someone who had just won the lottery.
After calming herself down, Melissa smiled from ear to ear as she said, "Well then, let's see just how effective the increase in my Strength and Agility are..."
Moving over to her workbench, Melissa picked up the heaviest wrench present, her eyes sparkling with excitement as it felt much, much lighter than normal. At the same time, Izuku explained, "Though it varies a little from person to person, largely depending on how much Vitality they have, each point of Strength approximates 5kgs of flat lifting power. You can lift around 20-30% more if you really push yourself, but the greater the strain, the faster your Vitality will decrease."
"So I can lift between 100 and 130kgs?" asked Melissa, her eyes widening at the notion she could lift more than twice her body weight.
Nodding in affirmation, Izuku answered, "Yeah, but try not to invest too many points into your physical attributes in the future. I know you wanted to test it out, but it's possible to acquire around 50 points in Strength and 40 points in Agility with physical conditioning. Most of the girls in my class went from 10-15 Strength to 30+ in just three months, so you should have no trouble doing the same."
Smiling awkwardly, Melissa wryly remarked, "I could stand to lose a bit of weight..."
Shaking his head, Izuku replied, "Training might help you slim down, but it will cause you to gain weight in the form of muscles. But that's beside the point. No one with a functioning brain would consider you fat, so try not to be too critical of yourself. There's a reason your father wants to keep guys away from you...quite a few, in fact..."
"Really...?" asked Melissa, combing back the hair on the right side of her face as she added, "Like what...?"
Holding up his hands like a child counting, Izuku used his fingers as he listed off, "You're beautiful, bespectacled, smart, fairly tall, incredibly busty, have a big butt, remarkably plump thighs, a good sense of style, limitless prospects, strong connections, and functionally endless wealth. You're essentially a holy grail in human form."
Not expecting such heavy praise, Melissa's mind momentarily drew a blank as she stared back at Izuku with a practiced smile. She expected him to simply say she was cute, maybe a little thick around the bottom, not list off all the things that made her a prize for whoever managed to 'obtain' her. It was gratifying, in a way, but incredibly awkward...
As Izuku had mentioned her glasses, Melissa pretended to ignore the rest of what he had said, asking, "Do you like girls who wear glasses, Izuku...?"
Nodding in affirmation, Izuku replied, "I do, but I'd rather not get into the reasons why. Instead, why don't you show me some of the support items you've been concocting here in your room? I'd also like to know how your pogo stick transforms into a watch. I've never seen anything like it."
"Oh, this?" asked Melissa, holding up the watch on her left wrist, smiling radiantly as she explained, "It's not just a pogo stick. It can transform into a variety of different support items, depending on the need of the user. As for how it works, how knowledgeable are you on Quantum State Memory, Photokinetic Conversion, and Atomic Shrinking technologies?"
"Never even heard of them," admitted Izuku, a wry smile marring his face as he imagined how different things might have been if he had become a student at I-Island Academy...
Adopting a far more earnest, unabashedly keen expression, Izuku added, "But I'd really like to. Can you teach me?"
Though she felt a little awkward when she heard Izuku's initial response, believing she might have embarrassed him inadvertently, Melissa beamed when he asked her to teach him. She didn't know much outside her fields of expertise, so she worried that things would become awkward once she and Izuku ran out of things to discuss. Fortunately, Izuku seemed to have a genuine interest in her work and the development of support items, two subjects she could prattle about endlessly...
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As Izuku and Melissa were nearly an hour late in returning, David had a conflicted, slightly disproving look as he asked, "Where have the two of you been? Toshi and I have been waiting for some time..."
Leaping to his young protege's aid, Toshinori exhaled a barrel-chested laugh, smacking David's back as he exclaimed, "Come now, Dave! You know better than anyone how easy it is to lose track of time! Let's not be too hard on the young ones!"
Though he furrowed his brows and cast a scrutinizing look Izuku's way, David decided not to press the issue. He and Toshinori had just spent the last hour discussing the possibility of Melissa relocating to Musutafu and becoming a Teacher's Assistant in the Support Department. Melissa had more than enough credits to graduate, and David knew she would have much more freedom conducting research within UA than if she stayed on I-Island. After all, even he, the so-called 'Greatest Inventor in the World,' was heavily restricted by the Board of Directors.
Exhaling a faint sigh through his nose, David forced a smile as he replied, "You're right, Toshi. As much as I wish it weren't the case, Melissa isn't a child anymore. I should trust her more..."
"Now there's the Dave I remember!" exclaimed Toshinori, giving his friend another firm pat on the back. The David he remembered was an incredibly free-spirited, borderline romantic optimist. The loss of his wife and joining I-Island's community of scientists had done a number on him, turning him from an idealist without fear of rebuke to a pragmatist bound by structure and bureaucracy. From Toshinori's viewpoint, it was heartbreaking to see the man his best friend had become...even more so since he hadn't been present to prevent it...
Not allowing himself to brood, Toshinori added, "Anyways, now that we're all together again, how about we grab a bite to eat? I'm feeling famished after our seven-and-a-half-hour flight, and I've been dying to try I-Island cuisine. I've heard it's among the best in the entire world!"
Nodding in affirmation, David replied, "You've heard correctly. Thanks to several advancements in the study of food-related Quirks and molecular gastronomy, there are restaurants on the island that can serve just about anything you can imagine. Quite literally, in some cases."
"Then what are we waiting for!?" shouted Toshinori before ushering the entire group out of the lab. A few minutes later, he wasn't the only one surprised when David showed them to a restaurant that had you attach brain-scanning electrodes to your head to determine precisely what you were most craving. Then, using a machine comparable to the 'Replicator' from Star Trek, it produced dishes that perfectly suited your preferences. For Toshinori, this was a family-sized bucket of fried chicken, while Izuku, somewhat amusingly, received a perfectly marbled pork butt. Fortunately, while it had 'butt' in the name, the cut came from a pig's shoulder, not its ass...
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With David and Toshinori having a lot of catching up to do, Melissa took it upon herself to give Izuku a tour of I-Island and its futuristic facilities. At least, that's what she planned until they entered the Academy's Exhibition Hall, encountering a group of girls in their Hero Costumes. Melissa initially didn't pay them any mind, but that quickly changed when one of the girls, &nbsp;wearing a pink and dark-blue costume with oversized boots and peculiar pink attachments on her wrists, perked up, waving her arm as she called out, "There you are, Izuku! Over here...!"
Blinking in surprise, Melissa asked, "Do you know these girls? Are they your classmates...?"
"They're more than that," replied Izuku, a wry smile developing across his face as he subsequently revealed, "They're my girlfriends..."
Opening her eyes wide, Melissa parroted, "They...?" before asking, "As in, all six of them...?"
Nodding his head, Izuku, while leading the way over to the girls, replied, "It's complicated, but yes, all six of them. And they aren't the only ones..."
Though Rumi had never acknowledged being his girlfriend, Izuku chose to believe they shared an unbreakable bond. Mei had also made it clear she intended to stay with him indefinitely, so while it was still a 'secret' from his male classmates, Izuku felt obligated to share the truth with Melissa. He got the impression she was beginning to crush on him pretty hard, so before things could get out of hand, he intended to make it very clear he wasn't the best boyfriend material for someone who wanted a traditional relationship. If she continued to crush on him after that, well...the girls did permit her as an 'exception'...
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While the girls chatted and got to know each other over tea and fraps, Izuku sat alone, silently observing the residents of I-Island and the many Heroes who had traveled from afar to attend the I-Expo.
Though David had stated that the 'Meta World Transveral' phenomenon wouldn't reach global proportions for another two years, Japan and the other countries within the Southeast Asian circle had long histories rich with mythos and tradition. If Izuku had to guess, 'breaches' had already started appearing in China, but the government had kept it under wraps. There was no CCP in the world of Boku no Hero Academia, but as one of the countries that had tried to conquer the world following the emergence of Quirks, citing that the 'Golden Child' was the Mandate of Heaven, it had effectively become an isolationist nation in the wake of the Quirk Wars.
Assuming his guess was correct, Izuku suspected that breaches would appear in Japan within the next three to six months. After that, the Hero's Association of Japan might as well rename itself the Department of Gate Management or the Hunters Association, as there would be no way to prevent opportunistic individuals from accessing the randomly manifested gates.&nbsp;
As could be seen with existences like the 'Meta Liberation Army,' many people were desperate for the opportunity to use their Quirks without a license. If they learned there was a method to increase their power and earn a fortune by eradicating 'monsters' with their Quirks, such individuals would jump at the opportunity. And why shouldn't they? If breaches were occurring across the globe, potentially threatening the whole of humanity, closing them or slaughtering the monsters that came out was 'patriotism.'
Since it was impossible to prevent people from using the breaches to cultivate wealth and power, the Hero Association would need to take the initiative to send people inside to close them as quickly as possible. Izuku needed to ensure he was a part of this response force, so he would either need to get his Provisional Hero License as soon as possible or convince Nezu to let the students of the Hero Department actively assist in closing breaches.
Fortunately, as if everything had been planned, Izuku's first chance at receiving his Provisional Hero License was just around the corner, set to take place just before the start of the second term. First Years usually weren't allowed to apply, but Izuku doubted Nezu would refuse to let him participate. Thus, so long as he could complete his CBEs before the start of Work Studies, Izuku would be a student in name only. He would have absolutely no obligation to attend class, including in the afternoon, so he could invest all his time and energy into rescuing Eri and preparing for the breaches...
Breaking Izuku from his serious contemplation, Ochaco asked, "Izuku? Is everything okay...?" in a concerned tone. The former had what could best be described as a grim expression on his face as he stared into space, so the girls had cut their conversation short to check on him.
Regaining his usual smile, Izuku answered, "Of course. I was just thinking about the future a bit. Remember how I plan to take the Credit-by-Exams for the Second and Third Years once the second term starts? I'm thinking about how best to prepare for them."
"If that's the case, we could study together," proposed Momo. She had also been preparing for the CBEs after learning Izuku was taking them, but, unlike him, she planned to keep attending classes when she wasn't partaking in a Work Study. After all, she 'was' the Class Representative.
"I'd like that," replied Izuku. "But I'm planning to spend the second half of Summer Break at Ōkunoshima, remember?"
Nodding in affirmation, Momo replied, "I remember well." before adopting a playful smile and adding, "That's why all of us will also be spending the second half of Summer Break at Ōkunoshima. Usagiyama-san contacted me to make the arrangements herself. She mentioned she got my number from your phone."
"She messaged me as well," said Toru. "Something about wanting us to get to know each other since we're in the same boat."
With everyone but Melissa responding similarly, the smile on Izuku's face cramped before he promptly gave up and laughed it off. He was the one to suggest that Rumi meet the other girls, but instead of going to Momo's house, it seemed his favorite rabbit had taken matters into her own hands, ensuring she would be at an absolute advantage by inviting everyone to her home...
Surprising only Izuku, Melissa asked, "If everyone's going together, mind if I come along? Summer Break for the Academy extends into the second week of September, so I have plenty of free time."
Responding on everyone else's behalf, Momo narrowed her eyes into a radiant smile as she answered, "We would need to get permission from Usagiyama-san, but I don't think she would mind. She seemed intent on gathering all the girls who 'closely associate' with Izuku-kun."
Adopting a somewhat awkward smile, Melissa actively avoided Izuku's gaze as she appended, "I'll also need to get permission from my Papa, but I'm confident he'll agree. Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, and with Uncle Might nearby, even a meteor wouldn't be able to harm me."
Emulating one of Toshinori's bicep flexing poses, Melissa continued to avoid Izuku's gaze as she and the other girls began to make idle chatter, this time while seated around him. Izuku interpreted this as their way of demonstrating that Melissa was now a part of them, but until he heard the words from the pleasantly plump pioneer herself, he was going to pretend he hadn't noticed...it seemed to work for other harem protagonists...
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While Izuku was busy living a very enviable existence, as least to some, Toshinori and David were drinking whisky from the latter's private stock. Toshinori usually abstained from alcohol, especially after his injury, but now that he had recovered and couldn't get drunk, he enjoyed the social aspect of sharing a drink with friends.
Lacking the same tolerance/immunity as Toshinori, David's face was a little red as he asked, "Do you and Nezu really trust that kid, Toshi? He seems...different from other people. I don't know how to describe it, but it's like he's not really 'here' with the rest of us. He seems like a good kid, but I get the impression he has no real attachment to life. It's almost like he's just going through the motions...or maybe he's looking for a place to die?"
Though he adopted a serious, almost offended look, Toshinori didn't try to refute David's words immediately. He got a similar impression from Izuku but viewed it as the young man's spirit of self-sacrifice, one of the most important traits of a Hero, especially one who shoulders the responsibility of One-for-All...
Downing his remaining whiskey, Toshinori set his glass on its coaster as he firmly asserted, "I would entrust that boy with my life and the lives of everyone around me. You might view him as looking for a place to die, but I see him as a brave young man willing to give his all to protect everyone and everything within his grasp..."
While Izuku had yet to prove himself in the truest sense of the word, Toshinori had no doubt his protege would 'answer the call' the moment it came. If not for his other obligations, like being a student and maintaining his relationships, Toshinori believed Izuku would be out fighting crime and thwarting villains ten, fifteen, maybe even twenty hours a day. Instead, he was 'forced' to bide his time and make preparations.
Regaining a broad smile, Toshinori added, "If I had to guess, that boy is probably thinking about how to address the issue of these 'breaches' you mentioned even as he tours the island with your daughter. That's the type of young man Izuku Midoriya is. When he's unable to act directly, he does his best to prepare for when he can. And not just himself, either. He offers advice to just about everyone in his Class, constantly encouraging them so that they might improve just a little faster."
Narrowing his eyes, David gave Toshinori a sidelong look as he asked, "And you believe he can help Melissa 'improve' as well? From what you've told me, he's even more of a playboy than Captain Celebrity..."
Adopting an even broader smile, Toshinori teased, "That's pretty amusing coming from you, Dave. Before you met Catherine and settled down, you were quite the playboy. Would you really condemn others for enjoying the springtime of their youth?"
Furrowing his brows, David asserted, "It's because of my past that I know how harmful such behavior can be. Even now, I sometimes wish I could go back and apologize to all the mothers and fathers whose daughters I treated like playthings..."
"Well, you can rest assured," said Toshinori. "Contrary to what you might think, Izuku is a very responsible boy. Each of the girls he's involved with are remarkably close to one another. Instead of 'playing around,' it's more accurate to say our young friend is at their mercy! Hahahahaha~!"
Imagining the scenario of Izuku being 'bullied' by his female classmates, a faintly amused smile developed across David's face. He still didn't feel like entrusting his daughter to a brat he had just met, but if it was true the girls around Izuku had formed a 'sisterhood,' it wouldn't be the end of the world if Melissa became a part of it. Rather, with the world on the verge of a literal end or, at the very least, catastrophic change, it was probably best if his daughter was working alongside the people with the power to save or maintain it...
Turning to meet Toshinori's gaze, David's expression became serious as he expressed, "Things are about to get really bad, Toshi. I don't want my daughter to be here when the global community begins pressuring us for an immediate solution that will likely take years, potentially even decades, to arrive..."
Shaking his head, David's expression hardened even further as he added, "Melissa's dream is to be a Hero, not someone who is confined to a lab all day, a slave to the whims and unrealistic expectations of bureaucrats. As my daughter, the pressure on her will be even more immense. That's why, even though I have many concerns, I want you to take my daughter away from here. Japan is one of the most secure countries in the world and should have a much easier time dealing with the breach crisis due to its small size and centralized population. They also have you to protect them, so please, Toshi...protect my Melissa..."
Placing his fist over his chest, Toshinori swore, "You have my word, Dave. So long as I draw breath, I will not allow any harm to befall your daughter. Even if the very gods of Japanese mythology start to appear, I will strike them down with one mighty blow...!"
Though his words might sound a little braggadocious, Toshinori knew he and Izuku were two of the only people that could realistically stand up to such entities. The latter had yet to grasp the full power of One-for-All, but that would change once he boosted his Level. To that end, Toshinori was seriously contemplating inviting his young protege for a brief trip to Egypt. He was curious about the 'worlds' on the other side of the breaches, but more than that, he wanted to prepare a bit before they started appearing in Japan. The Hero's Association would doubtlessly call upon him to help calm the public once the breaches began to appear. Hence, the more he knew about the phenomenon in advance, the easier it would be for him to assure the public that everything was under control...
("Let's just hope no actual gods appear...") thought Toshinori, unaware of the existence of flags...
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While her father helped Toshinori get situated in a futuristic-looking diagnostic capsule, Melissa decided to make idle conversation with Izuku, asking, "So, Izuku, Uncle Might told me you graduated at the top of your class in middle school and even received a scholarship invitation to attend I-Island's Academy? You must really want to become a Hero if you chose to attend UA instead."
Nodding in affirmation, the corners of Izuku's smile curled upward as he mused, "You could argue it's the reason I was brought into this world. My only criticism is that half my day is spent taking classes that don't interest me, but that should change fairly soon."
Deciding to steer the conversation away from himself, Izuku met Melissa's gaze, startling her a bit as he said, "Let's not talk about me. Tell me about your research, Melissa. I've analyzed some of the patents you've filed. It's like glimpsing into the future."
Adopting a closed-eye smile, Melissa replied, "That's sweet of you to say, Izuku, but my inventions are nowhere near as advanced as my father's. In fact, a lot of what I've accomplished is thanks to his guidance."
Exhaling a faintly exasperated sigh, David elected to join in the discussion from across the room, stating, "My daughter is very humble. If I had even a fraction of her talent as a child, I'd be doing most of my research from a laboratory on Mars right about now. Instead...no, forget about it..."
Noticing the frustration in his old friend's eyes, Toshinori remarked, "This isn't like you, Dave. Don't tell me middle age has mellowed out that flame of passion that used to burn so brightly in our youths?"
Adopting a somewhat wistful smile, David replied, "It's as you said, Toshi. No man can live eternally. I haven't given up on my dreams, but the older I get, the more I realize it will be my daughter's generation, perhaps even the one after that, that realizes them."
Since he was presumably the only person that didn't know, Izuku asked, "What's your dream, Professor?"
Turning to meet Izuku's gaze, David's expression softened as he replied, "My goal&ndash;no, my duty as a father and a scientist is to ensure the survival and propagation of humanity into perpetuity. Most of my peers have given up on space colonization due to Quirk Factors breaking down after exiting Earth's magnetic field for long periods, but I'm convinced there's a way to strengthen and preserve them. It's just that..."
Deflating visibly, David revealed, "The Board of Directors has recently pulled funding and support for my research due to the 'danger' it poses to an already unstable society. With the recent events in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, I honestly can't blame them..."
Raising his brows, Toshinori asked, "What's happening in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East? I haven't heard anything of note. Well, beyond the usual turf wars and civil uprisings."
"That doesn't surprise me," replied David. "Those at the highest level of stateship are working hard to keep things under wraps to avoid causing a panic. But it's only a matter of time before they start calling Heroes to the frontlines to try and keep things under control."
Shaking his head in exasperation, David's expression became serious as he revealed, "A phenomenon we've dubbed 'Meta World Transversal' has been occurring near locations of great historical value. Beings that once only appeared in myths and legends from antiquity have begun to emerge from breaches in space-time that seemingly link to other worlds. The first breach occurred in the lands that were once Mesopotamia, but more and more have been appearing over time, presumably following the spread of human civilization."
Hearing David's revelation, Izuku's body tensed, his expression freezing into an unblinking smile. The notion of beings crossing over from other worlds wasn't anything new to him. After all, he had transmigrated into the world of Boku no Hero Academia after dying in his original. However, even if he lowered his Intelligence to the single digits, Izuku would be able to understand that this 'Meta World Transversal' phenomenon must be related to the 'Convergence' mentioned by Kruagnosis...
All but confirming Izuku's suspicion that he was dealing with a 'Gate Break' scenario, David added, "Fortunately, we quickly discovered that eliminating all the creatures within a breach would cause it to collapse a few hours later, expelling anyone who remained inside. This curious thing is what happened to the people who entered the breaches and fought the creatures directly. Once they emerged, each of them could see something called a 'Status Window,' indicating their Level and personal attributes like the Heads-Up Display of a Virtual Reality game."
Similar to Izuku, Toshinori's expression and smile promptly froze when he heard David's casual addendum. Then, as if the two were in sync with one another, Izuku's and Toshinori's gazes met, an awkward silence pervading the lab, prompting David to confusedly ask, "What's wrong? As outlandish as it might sound, I'm speaking the truth. If you don't believe me, you will once breaches begin appearing in China, Korea, and Japan. We still don't know who or what is causing them, so it's forecasted to become a global phenomenon within the next two years."
Since he doubted David was lying to them, Izuku bit the bullet to reveal, "It's because of my Quirk, Digitalization. It grants me access to a Status Window that is remarkably similar to what you've just disclosed. That, and other things..."
Opening his eyes in surprise, it was David's turn to express disbelief as he asked, "Is that the truth? You possess a Quirk that allows you to see your Status? And you've had it since you were a child...?"
"..."
"..."
Removing the burden from Izuku, Toshinori exhaled an awkward laugh and said, "Allow me to explain, my friend..." before recounting everything that had transpired over the past three months, sans the parts related to One-for-All...
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After listening to Toshinori's explanation, David couldn't help muttering, "Fascinating..." with an intrigued look on his face. "However, I don't think there is a direct correlation between the awakening of our friend's Quirk and the breaches that have begun to appear. At the very least, no more than any other Quirk."
Before anyone could ask, David went on to explain, "The leading theory we have, at least for the time being, is that 'all' Quirks originate from the worlds these breaches connect to. Many Quirks defy our understanding of the Laws of Physics. This is especially true among Emitters, who, more often than not, produce far more energy than their bodies should be able to contain. Matter and energy cannot simply be created from nothing, so it stands to reason that it must come from 'somewhere.'"
Cupping his chin with his index and thumb, David added, "There is also the theory that we are living within a simulated reality. However, as a man of science and someone who strives to ensure the survival of humanity, I cannot in good conscience accept such a possibility. Such a reality would be a dead end, as it would imply we are little more than programs or, even worse, individuals that have placed ourselves within this setting to escape reality. I cannot accept such a premise as it would undermine everything I have ever done or experienced..."
Having experienced more than his fair share of tragedies, including the loss of his parents and wife, David refused to believe in the possibility a version of himself had 'chosen' his current life. If he woke up one day and learned that his parents, wife, and daughter were strangers who had been playing roles assigned to them, even unwittingly, he would break...
Shaking such thoughts from his mind, David regained a somewhat forced smile and said, "We've digressed quite a bit from the reason we've come here. For the time being, please get inside the diagnostic capsule, Toshi. We can discuss the topic of the breaches and our young friend's possible association with them later."
Nodding his head, Toshinori replied, "Sounds good." before lying in the capsule and securing his breathing mask while David made his way over to his computer, initializing the deep-body diagnostic process. As he did so, the capsule began filling with a viscous liquid before Toshinori's vital information and various data streams appeared on its surface...
While her father was busy analyzing Toshinori's data with a growing smile on his face, Melissa shuffled closer to Izuku, leaning toward him with her hands behind her back as she asked, "Hey, Izuku, are you perhaps able to invite me to your Party...?" in a hushed tone.
Nodding in affirmation, Izuku, standing with his arms crossed and observing the date on David's monitor, replied, "It's possible..." in an equally faint tone.
Adopting a bright smile, Melissa caught Izuku a little off guard as she said, "Hey, Papa, I'm going to show Izuku around for a bit. Want me to bring you back some coffee?"
Without tearing his eyes from his monitor, David gave a curt nod as he replied, "Sure thing, honey. Just make sure to return within the next half hour, okay?"
"Okay~" replied Melissa. Then, pulling Izuku's hand, she dragged him out of the lab and into the connecting hallway before adopting an apologetic smile and explaining, "Sorry about that. My Papa doesn't like me hanging around boys, so he might get a little upset if he saw us acting too friendly. I'm already seventeen, and I've never even been on a date before."
Extending her hand as if she were asking for a handshake, Melissa added, "Anyways, can you invite me to your Party? You don't have to if you don't want, but I promised Uncle Might I would help and support you. I assume being in the same Party will help with that."
"You're not wrong," replied Izuku, accepting Melissa's hand before asking, "Melissa Shield, would you like to join my Party?"
Narrowing her eyes into a breathtaking smile, Melissa replied, "Of course!" in a bubbly tone. As she did, her Status promptly appeared in front of her face, causing her blue eyes to sparkle as she softly exclaimed, "Wow, this really is like wearing a VR headset! The only things that're missing are the Health, Stamina, and MP bars!"
While inspecting her Status, Melissa's curiosity and excitement continued to increase until she noticed her Title and its effects. Izuku saw it as well, but as he wasn't the one to assign Titles, he could only smile wryly as the excitement on Melissa's face became somewhat awkward...
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Name: [Melissa Shield]
Title: Pleasantly Plump Pioneer(Vitality, Intelligence, Dexterity +20)
Quirk: N/A
Bond Level: 88
Current Level: 13
Effective Level: 53
[Attributes]
Strength: 13
Agility: 10
Vitality: 61
Intelligence: 258
Dexterity: 58
Luck: 199
Free Attributes: 65
[Perks]
Party Invitation Required
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"Is this what you think of me, Izuku?" asked Melissa, combing back her fringe bangs with a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
Closing his eyes and exhaling a faint sigh through his nose, Izuku replied, "I would be lying if I said it wasn't. However, based on what I've been able to gather, the Titles assigned to people are a combination of how I view them and how they see themselves. I don't get to decide what they are, nor the effects they provide..."
"I...I see..." replied Melissa, feeling even more awkward at the insinuation she believed herself to be 'pleasantly plump.' If anything, she was a little self-conscious about her weight, often going on a diet after measuring her bust, waist, and hips, finding them much larger than she would have liked...
("Well, at least the bonuses are pretty good...") thought Melissa, consoling herself with the notion her Vitality and Dexterity had effectively increased by 50%. The boost to her Intelligence was also quite remarkable, but until she sat down and tried to build or design something, she wouldn't know how effective the increases were. As such, she inadvertently left Izuku at a complete and utter loss for words by asking, "Hey, you want to go to my room?"
...
..
.

Chapter 85: Chapter 85