MHA: Mortal Kombat System

Morning announcements echoed through the U.A. intercom as Class 1-A settled into their seats. The atmosphere buzzed with a sense of anticipation. Whispers filled the air as students speculated about the upcoming news.

Aizawa entered, followed by Midnight and Present Mic, who stood at the front of the room with a stack of digital tablets.

"You've all been notified by now," Aizawa said, pulling down his scarf, "but the Pro Hero Work-Study Program is officially resuming."

Gasps and excited murmurs spread throughout the class. Jirou nudged Yaoyorozu, while Kaminari practically vibrated in his seat.

"These agencies are looking for potential recruits. This isn't a class assignment—it's real-world hero work," Midnight added with a knowing smile. "The agencies have already started sending their invitations."

Present Mic stepped forward and began calling names with his usual flair. "Todoroki Shoto—Endeavor Agency. Bakugo Katsuki—also Endeavor Agency. Midoriya Izuku—Provisional invite, confirmed!"

Midoriya glanced at his phone, nodding solemnly. A flicker of pride passed through his expression, but his thoughts were already racing ahead. This is my chance to grow… to catch up to All Might's legacy. Bakugo crossed his arms and smirked. Todoroki remained as composed as ever.

Reiji, meanwhile, kept his composure as a quiet ping appeared on his system HUD.

[Work-Study Invitation: 1 Agency – Details Restricted]

His brow furrowed. "Restricted?" he muttered under his breath.

The invitation had no name, only a location and a scheduled meeting time: "U.A. Room B-7, three days from now." No contact name. No public pro hero.

He kept the tablet close, tucking the notification out of view. The others were too focused on their own alerts to notice. But Reiji's mind whirred. Why would an agency hide their identity? Unless they already know about the Raiden template…

His heart beat a little faster. The static in his arms hummed faintly, a reminder that nothing about his power felt normal anymore.

At lunch, excitement filled the cafeteria. Plates clattered and laughter echoed as everyone compared agency names and discussed potential future mentors. Trays scraped against tables as students leaned over to see one another's notifications.

"I can't believe Hawks picked Tokoyami again," Kaminari said, nearly bouncing in his seat. "Dude, I want to be scouted by someone flashy too."

"I hope Best Jeanist sends one for me," Sato muttered, flexing his arms absently. "He's all about precision and strength."

"Endeavor's really taking three of us now," Yaoyorozu said with quiet amazement, glancing toward Todoroki, Midoriya, and Bakugo, who sat together further down the table. "That speaks volumes about how much they've grown."

"What about you, Reiji?" Kaminari asked, turning toward him with eager curiosity. "Who'd you get?"

Reiji took a beat before answering. "Still pending," he lied smoothly. "They haven't revealed the name yet."

Midoriya narrowed his eyes slightly. "That's… odd. They're usually clear about those things."

"It could be a private agency," Reiji replied casually, taking a bite of rice to shield the hesitation in his voice. Just play it off. Don't overthink it. "Or maybe someone from outside the usual circle."

"I guess," Midoriya murmured, his gaze lingering on Reiji's gloved hands.

Jirou raised an eyebrow from across the table. "You've been wearing those gloves a lot lately. Even inside."

Reiji gave a nonchalant shrug. "Just got used to them after the festival. They help with control."

Kirishima leaned in. "Did something happen during the fight with Sero? I mean, it looked intense."

"Just a slip-up," Reiji said quickly. "I've been pushing my reflex training a bit too hard."

"Let's focus on our drills tomorrow," Iida interjected firmly, straightening his glasses. "We need to be at our best before we leave. Pro heroes expect top-tier performance."

"Agreed," Reiji said, nodding. Especially if this 'invitation' is what I think it is. Whoever they are, they've been watching me.

Classes continued as usual, but just before dismissal, Reiji's tablet buzzed again with a message that immediately stole his attention.

[Summons: Aizawa – Room 3C, Immediately]

He glanced toward Aizawa, who gave the smallest nod before continuing his lecture. The message wasn't a request—it was a command.

Reiji packed up quietly and made his way through the nearly empty hallway. The fluorescent lights flickered overhead as a nervous buzz hummed at the back of his neck. The hall felt longer than usual, like a tunnel stretching endlessly forward. He could already feel the weight of Aizawa's stare in advance, as if it was waiting for him at the door.

He passed a couple of 1-B students chatting in hushed voices, but they paid him no mind. His hand instinctively brushed the seam of his gloves, pausing for a second longer than necessary.

Room 3C was dark when he entered, save for a single lamp casting light across the far side. Aizawa stood in the center, arms crossed, eyes unreadable, his scarf coiled loosely around his neck like a coiled warning.

Reiji hesitated at the threshold, fingers hovering above the handle. Then he closed the door softly behind him. The quiet click echoed.

"Sit."

Reiji moved to the folding chair positioned opposite Aizawa and sat down, posture straight but guarded.

"I'll keep this simple," Aizawa began. "Your match with Sero. That wasn't 'static.'"

Reiji's throat tightened, but he said nothing.

"You've been behaving oddly since the festival," Aizawa continued, voice calm but piercing. "Gloves, tension, avoidance. I know the signs. You're hiding something."

A system ping flickered in the corner of Reiji's vision:

[High-Risk Conversation Detected – Composure Mode Active]

He exhaled slowly. "I didn't mean to hurt Sero. It was a misfire."

"Misfire of what?" Aizawa asked, leaning forward slightly. "Your quirk? Or something else?"

The flicker of electricity was already beginning to crawl across the edges of Reiji's gloves. He clenched his fists under the table, trying to will it away. But the pressure wasn't going to vanish. Not now.

"I won't ask twice," Aizawa said, voice low and unwavering. "What's going on with your quirk?"

The room held its breath. The tension in the air was sharp, waiting to snap. Reiji's jaw tightened as he thought: I can't afford to break now.

To be continued.

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