"So..." Kalego said, eyeing the duo of Smoke and Izuku, who stood before him in the staff room, their barely concealed grins only adding to his irritation.
"What the hell were you two doing to those students in the hallway?" His sharp gaze landed on Izuku first before shifting to Smoke. "And what exactly is this 'Prefect' you mentioned earlier?"
Izuku shrugged nonchalantly. "Some upper-year students were causing trouble, targeting first-years. I just stepped in to handle it." Then, he glanced at Smoke as he added, "As for why I did that..."
Smoke took over seamlessly. "The Student Council has decided to appoint Izuku Midoriya as the new Prefect for the foreseeable future," she stated, pulling out a stack of neatly arranged papers and sliding them across the desk toward Kalego. "This is the official paperwork to establish the position within the Council. I was planning to submit it first thing in the morning, but Midoriya had to intervene in a situation before I got the chance."
Kalego's expression remained unreadable as he picked up the documents, scanning them briefly. "And what exactly does a Prefect do?"
"As Prefect, Midoriya will be responsible for maintaining order and enforcing the Student Council's regulations," Smoke explained. "Given Ameri's current condition—not to mention your warning about disbanding the Council if we fail to keep control over the student body—we decided that appointing the Honor Student was our best option. He'll act as a mediator, ensuring student concerns are heard and bringing attention to those who might need help but are slipping through the cracks."
Kalego gave a slight nod before setting the documents down. Fixing both of them with a scrutinizing stare, he asked, "That all sounds reasonable, but why go through the trouble of creating a new position instead of just having him join the Student Council?"
Izuku scratched the back of his neck. "Because I don't have the time to commit to a full Council role, and joining under these circumstances would feel disrespectful—especially since they were considering me for Vice President." He exhaled, then continued, "Besides, when Ameri is her usual self, the Student Council is efficient, but also kind of intimidating to approach, and a lot of students could be hesitant to approach them. I figured having someone in a more neutral position, someone they might find easier to talk to, could help bridge that gap. Besides, if I can't handle an issue myself, or don't have time to do so, I could just forward it to Ameri and others in the Student Council who could then help the student in question."
Kalego studied him in silence for a long moment. Then, in a rare instance of neutrality—devoid of sarcasm or condescension—he remarked, "It seems you've put quite a bit of thought into this."
Izuku's expression shifted, his usual brightness dimming just slightly. "Well... kids stop asking for help when they think no one's listening," he said quietly, his voice tinged with melancholy. "And it's easy to go unheard in all the noise around us."
Smoke and Kalego both gave him questioning looks, but before they could press him on it, Izuku shook off the somber moment with an easy smile. "Anyway, I'd like to give this a try. I know it'll be tough alongside everything else I have going on, but if I can build a solid reputation before I become a senior, it'll be worth it. I want to make things easier for the students who come after me."
Kalego held his gaze a moment longer before reaching for his stamp and pressing it onto the documents. "Very well. I approve the creation of this new position." Then, turning to Smoke, he added, "However, if Midoriya abuses his authority as Prefect, the Student Council will bear full responsibility for his actions and will be punished accordingly."
Smoke nodded without hesitation. "Understood, sir. We don't have a problem with that arrangement." In truth, the Council had already anticipated such a condition. Even if most of them weren't as familiar with Izuku as Ameri was, his general lack of arrogance and his close relationship with her gave them confidence that he wouldn't misuse his authority.
"As long as you understand," Kalego said, using a wave of his hand to make a copy of the stamped document with magic. He handed it to Smoke before filing the original away in his records.
"By the way, Midoriya," Kalego said, settling back into his seat. "What was that black rope-like ability you used to restrain those students earlier?"
Izuku blinked, then offered an easygoing smile. "Oh, that! Sorry, sir, but it's a family secret," he replied smoothly, telling a straight-faced lie without hesitation.
Of course, he had no intention of revealing the true nature of his abilities or more than a general explanation behind their workings to anyone except a select few people. That meant no one outside his family, and certainly not anyone he didn't trust with his life.
In fact, up until today, Izuku had planned to keep Blackwhip a secret for as long as possible, holding onto it as a hidden trump card. But after some careful thought, he had ultimately decided against that approach. Blackwhip was simply too useful to keep under wraps. Its utility in combat and day-to-day situations was undeniable, and leaving it unused out of sheer caution felt like a waste.
So, when the opportunity arose to step in and stop those bullies from harassing a first-year, he had chosen to reveal it—at least to those who hadn't already seen it. Up until now, only his family and Sabnock knew about Blackwhip, the latter having witnessed it firsthand when Izuku had saved him in Death Valley.
Kalego narrowed his eyes, clearly seeing through the flimsy excuse. "Is that so?" he said, his voice carrying a hint of skepticism.
For a moment, Izuku wondered if he'd press the issue, but after a long stare, Kalego simply exhaled through his nose and leaned back in his chair. "Very well. You're dismissed," he said, waving a hand.
Izuku didn't let his relief show, merely nodding in acknowledgment before turning toward the door..
Kalego made no further attempt to pry. He had neither the authority nor the interest in forcing Izuku to reveal anything he wasn't willing to share. And though the boy's growing arsenal of abilities—many of which suspiciously resembled Bloodline magic—was undeniably intriguing, so long as Midoriya posed no threat to the school or its students, Kalego would keep his curiosity to himself.
With that, Izuku and Smoke exited the staff room, already deep in discussion about his new responsibilities moving forward.
******
The news of Izuku joining the Student Council spread through Babyls like wildfire. By lunchtime, nearly everyone had heard about the surprising development—including Izuku's friends.
"Well, well, well, how lucky we are to be sitting with the school's very first Prefect," Kerori teased, sliding into the seat across from Izuku in the cafeteria. A playful glint danced in her eyes as she dramatically smoothed out her uniform, feigning distress. "Oh no! Is my uniform up to code? My shoulders aren't showing, are they? What ever shall I do if the mighty Prefect decides to punish me?" She clutched her chest with exaggerated sweetness, her voice trembling in mock worry.
"I must say, you really are moving up in the school," Elizabetta chimed in, resting her chin on her hand with a smirk. "First, the Honor Student. Now, a member of the Student Council. At this rate, by the end of the year, you might as well be crowned Young King."
Izuku let out a sigh. "Come on, it's not that big of a deal."
"I mean, bro's already Sullivan-sama's grandson, which gives him a ridiculous edge over most people here," Yelan remarked absentmindedly, her fingers tapping away at her phone. "Anything beyond that is just extra credit. But honestly? Considering Izuku's personality, it's actually a good thing he's the one achieving things rather than someone else."
"Yeah, at least we don't have to deal with some loudmouth constantly bragging in our ears during battler meetings," Dehya added, tearing off a massive chunk of beast chicken with her teeth.
"Let's be real, we wouldn't have gone along with his bizarre battler idea in the first place if he were that kind of moron," Daki added with a knowing smirk.
Izuku chuckled, shaking his head. "Nice to know you all have such faith in me."
"Don't listen to them, Izuku. You're doing great," Leila interjected, cutting off any further teasing with a pointed look at the others before turning back to him. Her voice was softer now, more serious. "Personal achievements matter, no matter who your family is. Trust me, this won't be a waste of time. It'll be useful to you in the future, especially considering your place in the Netherworld."
Something about her tone gave Izuku pause. There was an underlying weight to her words—something deeper than mere encouragement. He caught the meaning behind her gaze, but before he could ask her to elaborate, the warning bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.
"Well, see you all in the battler room later. I need to check the Student Council's patrol routes so I can plan mine without too much overlap," Izuku said as he stood, adjusting his uniform. Then, glancing at a few of his classmates, he added, "And Kerori, Elizabetta, Eiko—see you in class tomorrow."
As he turned to leave, the familiar sound of footsteps fell in sync with his own. Sunny from the Student Council had joined his side, before greeting and walking beside him as they exited the cafeteria together.
Meanwhile, after Izuku left, Alice also took his leave, leaving only the girls behind as they continued chatting.
One of the more unexpected yet welcome changes brought about by Izuku's involvement in various groups was how it had brought so many different people together. Right now, for example, Kerori, Daki, and Leila—three girls from completely different years and social circles—were sitting together, casually sharing lunch. It was an unusual sight, one that hadn't gone unnoticed by other students or even some teachers.
Across the table, Eiko let out a sigh, her chin resting in her hands as she absently poked at her food.
"Eiko, what's wrong? Why are you making that face?" Elizabetta asked, tilting her head.
"Nothing..." Eiko sighed again, her shoulders slumping. "It's just that ever since the Battler Party, Izuku and I have both been so busy. It feels like we barely have time to hang out anymore." She let out another sigh, deeper this time. "Sometimes, I worry that if this keeps up, we'll start drifting apart."
"Yeah! Izu-kun doesn't play with us much anymore!" Clara pouted, stuffing her cheeks with cake before pointing an accusatory fork in the air. "Lady Redhead is hogging him too much!"
"Normally, I'd tell you both that you're overthinking it," Yelan chimed in, still scrolling through her phone. "But honestly? Your concern isn't entirely unfounded." She finally glanced up, tapping idly at her screen. "Speaking from experience, people do drift apart when their schedules and interests stop aligning. It's not really anyone's fault, but it still sucks when it happens."
"Can't you say something positive for once?" Dehya scoffed, grabbing a small piece of food and flicking it at her blue-haired friend.
Yelan let out a disgusted noise as it hit her sleeve, shooting Dehya a glare. "Really? We're throwing food now? What are we, five?"
Dehya ignored her, turning back to Eiko. "And you—quit overthinking. Izuku isn't the type to leave anyone behind. If I figured that out after just a few days of hanging around him, then you, who's known him for almost half a year, should know that better than anyone."
"I know..." Eiko admitted, slumping against the table. "I just can't help but worry, you know?"
A beat of silence passed before Elizabetta suddenly leaned in, resting her elbows on the table, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"By the way, Eiko, can I ask you something?"
Eiko lifted her head warily. "...What?"
Elizabetta's smirk widened. "Do you like Izuku as... what did he call it? Ah, yes—a friend! Do you like Midoriya as a friend, or do you fancy him as something more?"
The moment the words left her lips, Eiko's entire face turned bright red.
Her first instinct was to blurt out a denial, maybe even find an excuse to flee, but then—she hesitated. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, sitting up straighter as she actually considered the question.
Unbeknownst to her, the entire table had gone quiet.
The other girls, who had previously been caught up in their own conversations, were now listening intently.
Kerori, in particular, found herself unusually focused on Eiko's answer. She wasn't sure why—only that, for some reason, she felt oddly tense, anticipation curling in her stomach in a way she didn't quite understand.
Eiko took a moment to gather her thoughts before speaking.
"I won't deny that I had a massive crush on him at the start of the year," she admitted with a chuckle, a hint of pink dusting her cheeks. "And honestly, how could I not? He looked so cool when he swooped in and saved me on the first day of school." Her smile turned wistful for a moment before she exhaled, her fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on the table.
"But the more time I spent with him, that initial fascination turned into admiration. And that admiration became determination—to be someone who can stand beside him and his friends with pride, without feeling like a dead weight, just leeching off his reputation." Her voice softened, and her smile took on a more self-deprecating edge.
"Who said that?! That's so mean!" Clara suddenly shouted, eyes blazing with fury as she pulled a spiked baseball bat out of her purse and started swinging it around wildly.
The table erupted into chaos as several students nearby ducked in alarm.
"No, no one said it to my face," Eiko quickly reassured her with a gentle smile, wrapping an arm around Clara's shoulders in a calming side hug. Carefully, she pried the bat from Clara's grip and set it aside before anyone lost an eye. "But sometimes, I can feel it in their gazes when I'm with you guys. Even the girls I used to be close with before Babyls think I don't belong in this group. Hell, even I sometimes wonder how a commoner like me ended up so close to Izuku and Azz."
There was a brief silence before Leila spoke, her tone as blunt as ever.
"Well, from an outsider's perspective, you do seem quite... unremarkable," she said matter-of-factly. "Unlike Izuku and Asmodeus, you don't have a strong family background, nor do you possess a unique or powerful bloodline magic like Clara. So it's easy to assume that you just got lucky—stumbled upwards somehow—and ended up close to the heirs of two of the most influential families in the Netherworld."
"Leila!" Dehya and Yelan snapped in unison, both glaring at her.
"What? Did I say something wrong?" Leila blinked, tilting her head. She paused before adding, "If I did, then I apologize." She turned to Eiko, her expression as neutral as ever.
Eiko let out a short laugh, waving a hand dismissively. "Izuku already told us about your habit of being brutally honest, so I was kind of expecting it. And honestly, I get what you're saying—you're not entirely wrong." Her fingers toyed with the edge of her tray before she continued. "If Izuku wasn't such a warm and inviting person, I don't think I would've ended up hanging out with him, Alice, and Clara either."
"Hey, stop being such a gloomy bird and quit worrying about what other people think," Dehya interjected, pointing a finger at her. "If you believe you belong with Izuku and his friends, then you do. Don't let some jealous losers tell you how to live your life."
Yelan smirked, finally looking up from her phone. "Yeah. And if anyone does try to tell you otherwise, just sic Clara on them. They won't survive."
"Hah! That's true!" Clara grinned, suddenly perking up. "I'll whack 'em real good for you, Eio chan! Just say the word!"
Eiko burst out laughing, shaking her head. "Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it."
"Okay, this is sweet and all, but you still haven't answered the question Eliza asked you earlier," Kerori cut in, steering the conversation back to its original topic. She leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing in expectation. "Do you fancy him or not?"
There was a hint of impatience in her voice—something she didn't seem aware of. Elizabetta, on the other hand, definitely noticed, shooting her a knowing, almost teasing glance but choosing to stay quiet for now.
Eiko hesitated, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. She glanced down at her hands, as if searching for the right words, before finally sighing.
"I guess... I still have a crush on Izuku," she admitted, her voice softer now. "But I'm not in a hurry to act on it." She paused, then added with a small, sheepish chuckle, "My older cousin once told me that these kinds of crushes—ones that happen in the heat of the moment—tend to fade with time. And honestly? I think she might be right. That's why I want to wait and see."
She lifted her gaze, her expression more thoughtful than embarrassed now. "Do I truly like him for who he is? Or is it just because he saved me so heroically that day?" Then, with a faint blush dusting her cheeks, she exhaled and added with a small, almost playful smile, "That said... he still hasn't given me a reason to change my mind."
"Honestly, that's not surprising," Elizabetta chimed in, twirling a strand of hair between her fingers. "Neither Izuku nor Asmodeus have any qualities that would make them unpleasant as future partners. If anything, their status, power, and rank only add to their charm." She smirked slightly before continuing. "That said, outside of your little group, Asmodeus comes across as pretty unapproachable. That ever-present stern look of his definitely makes him look cool, but let's be real—it's also kind of intimidating."
"Yeah, I can see that," Eiko chuckled. "He's always so serious."
Elizabetta nodded in agreement. "Exactly! Now, Izuku, on the other hand—he's kind and approachable, which is pretty surprising for a demon of his status. He doesn't put on airs or act superior just because of who his grandfather is. But, you know, the most attractive thing about him isn't even his power or his background—it's his personality."
She leaned back, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "He has this way of changing people the more they interact with him, even if it's just a little. Like, you don't even realize it's happening until one day, you just... look at things differently." Then, as if struck by a sudden idea, she flashed a mischievous smile. "Isn't that right, Kero?"
Kerori, who had been casually sipping her juice, nearly choked. "W-why are you asking me?!" she sputtered, barely managing to set her cup down without spilling it. A noticeable pink hue crept up her cheeks.
"Oh, no reason," Elizabetta drawled, her grin widening.
Kerori scrambled for an escape, but before Elizabetta could press further, the final bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Seizing the opportunity like a lifeline, Kerori hastily gathered her things and bolted from the cafeteria, moving so fast she might as well have teleported.
Eiko blinked. "Uh... what was that about?"
"Nothing, nothing. Just a little inside joke," Elizabetta replied, laughing behind her hand.
"Oh man, I want to feel bad for Izuku, but this is going to be way too funny," Yelan snickered, exchanging a knowing look with Dehya and Daki.
Their amusement, however, was cut short when an exasperated shout echoed across the cafeteria.
"VALAC! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
The group turned just in time to see a horrified kitchen staff member standing frozen, staring at what could only be described as an architectural marvel—Clara had somehow built a massive tower out of freshly washed plates, balancing precariously in the middle of the cafeteria floor.
"TA-DA!" Clara declared proudly, hands on her hips.
"No, no, no! Don't 'ta-da' me! How did you even get into the pantry?!"
"That's a secret," Clara said with a wink.
Unfortunately, before anyone could admire—or panic over—her creation any further, the tower wobbled... then swayed... before coming crashing down in a spectacular avalanche of clattering dishware.
"...Time to go," Yelan announced, standing up.
"Yup," Dehya agreed, already making her way to the exit.
"HAAHAH!" Clara cackled as the entire group made a break for it, chased out of the cafeteria by an enraged kitchen crew.
******
Meanwhile, Izuku and Kimaris had just finished their task, with Izuku carefully noting down all the patrol times and routes of the Student Council members. Since neither of them had classes immediately after lunch, Kimaris took the opportunity to guide Izuku through some of the school's lesser-known shortcuts, winding through the vast courtyard as he shared amusing and interesting anecdotes he had either witnessed or overheard during his time on the Student Council.
Their leisurely stroll came to an abrupt halt when they stumbled upon a massive, imposing structure. A towering gate loomed before them, locked shut with an almost comical number of locks—each one seemingly larger than Izuku himself.
"What is this place?" Izuku asked, craning his neck to take in the sheer size of the building.
'Yeah, it seems strange to see such a fancy building so far away from the school building,' Nana remarked.
Kimaris blinked at him in surprise. "You don't know?" He gave Izuku a strange look before turning his gaze back to the structure, admiration flickering in his golden eyes. "This is Royal One—the Demon King's Classroom," he explained, his voice carrying a weight of reverence. "This prestigious classroom was built solely for the previous Demon King. Ever since he graduated, the room has been sealed off, forbidden to all. It's one of Babyls' most treasured relics."
Izuku hummed in thought, studying the locked gates. "Seems like a waste to seal such a cool place to just let it sit here, gathering dust…" he muttered under his breath.
Kimaris glanced at him. "Did you say something?"
"Ah, nothing. Just thinking out loud," Izuku replied, waving it off. He was about to suggest they move on when something caught his attention. He suddenly heard faint whispers coming from the direction of the nearby woods
"Hey, Kimaris… do you hear that?" Izuku asked, his eyes narrowing as he instinctively shifted into a more alert stance.
Kimaris halted mid-step, focusing his senses. A moment later, he, too, picked up on the faint murmurs drifting through the trees. His pointed ears twitched slightly as he honed in on the direction. "Yes… its coming from over there," he said, nodding toward a dense cluster of trees to the east.
Without another word, both of them moved quietly toward the source of the sound. Their footsteps were careful but quick, navigating through the undergrowth with ease. The whispers grew louder as they approached, mingling with occasional bursts of laughter and the clinking of glass.
After a few minutes, they reached the edge of a clearing. A group of third-year students was gathered there, lounging around in a loose circle. At first glance, it looked like a harmless get-together—just some upperclassmen unwinding, which could be overlooked after issuing a warning, but what they were partying with was the real problem.
"Wait… is that alcohol?" Izuku asked, frowning. He wasn't too familiar with the beverages or intoxicating substances of the Netherworld.
"Yeah, seems like it," Kimaris said, narrowing his eyes. "Bringing or consuming any kind of intoxicating substances on campus is strictly against school rules."
Izuku shot him a baffled look. "What do you mean just on campus? There has to be some kind of age limit for drinking, right?"
"Well, officially, there isn't one," Kimaris admitted. "But it's strongly discouraged, especially for demons who haven't reached the age of maturity. They have a harder time keeping their senses in check in an intoxicated state, and that can lead to serious trouble—for themselves and everyone around them." He shrugged. "Still, what do they do outside school grounds? Not our problem."
'Right… demon world,' Izuku reminded himself, setting aside his concerns about underage drinking. He exhaled sharply, refocusing on the situation at hand. "Anyway, we need to stop them before they drink that and do something reckless."
Kimaris nodded and was about to step out from behind the tree when Izuku suddenly grabbed his shoulder, halting him.
"Wait. If you don't mind, let me handle this," Izuku whispered. "I've been working on a new spell, and I want to see how well it works on multiple targets."
Kimaris arched a brow, giving him a skeptical look. "Is it lethal?"
"No, not at all," Izuku assured him. "It's just a modified variation of Fractal."
******
Fractal: A spell that allows the user to manipulate the weight of an object or person.
******
Kimaris studied him for a moment before crossing his arms. "Well, technically, I shouldn't let you test an unproven spell on students…" He trailed off, then suddenly smirked, his yellow eyes gleaming with amusement. "But on the other hand, it does sound very entertaining. So go ahead—knock yourself out."
'Man, I love the demon world,' Nana's laughter rang in Izuku's head as he rolled his eyes before springing into action.
Without hesitation, Izuku channeled One for All into his legs and launched himself high into the sky, wind rushing past him as he ascended.
'In Magic Theory, Momonoki-sensei taught us that in the Netherworld, everything—living or nonliving—contains at least some essence of magic. By that logic, anything should be usable as a medium for casting spells, right?' he mused, eyes gleaming with excitement as he soared above the unsuspecting students. 'If my theory is correct, I should be able to apply my idea and create another modified spell.'
A moment later, Izuku twisted midair and came crashing down into the center of the group, his hand slamming into the ground. The moment his palm made contact, a surge of magic flowed from his ring, racing through the earth like a shockwave.
A pink magic circle flared to life, expanding outward in intricate patterns, encircling both Izuku and the third-years.
The students barely had time to register his sudden appearance before an unfamiliar sensation washed over them. A strange, weightless feeling spread through their bodies, and before they could even cry out, they began floating into the air, their panicked shouts filling the clearing.
Just as they started drifting away like startled balloons, black ropes of magic lashed out from below, coiling around their legs and anchoring them in place.
Meanwhile, Izuku grinned, exhilaration buzzing through him. It worked. His theory had been correct. Without wasting a moment, he pulled out his notebook—seemingly from nowhere, as usual—and quickly jotted down the name of his newly modified spell.
Uravity Field!
To be continued...