The New Hero Generation

Prologue: Kaitsu Monoma, Origins

Hi, I aim to make this as interactive as possible. Part of my main goal is to make a more hard-magic quirk system, and I'd appreciate questions to probe what I mean with certain things or any theories you might have about the system itself. I want to develop the rigidity this system and refine my methods of communicating it to be as streamlined as possible.

The altered quirk system will factor into the plot, and will also mean some character's quirks will change, although only slightly. The same goes for the in-universe world building.

I have a whole set of plans, but any comments pointing out potential I haven't tapped into yet or any productive critiques are welcome. In general, if you feel something is unclear, please ask questions. I want to develop my ability to write clearly and concisely.

I hope you enjoy!

A stiff silence hung overhead, interrupted but not entirely disturbed by the ruffling of papers, tired coughs, and the occasional creak of a chair, followed by footsteps dragging to the mounds of paper weighing down the boardroom table, and retreating once the nearest stack lost an insignificant amount of weight.

The most recent set of footsteps to make the journey are unique, the stiletto heels betrayed by their energetic and rhythmic taps on the hardwood floor. The steps barely pause, lifting a handful of pages from the nearest pile before they march back, their return announced by the thud of paper on laminated glass.

A few people in the room cast lethargic glances in her direction as she claims her seat, only to quickly lower their heads again. They return to sifting through their collection of miscellaneous news stories, most of which had been dismissed in favor of more substantial headlines when they first appeared. Now, these neglected stories are found to be tragically lacking in quality.

A dry chuckle breaks the silence, halting the rustling of pages. The awkward quiet that follows is tinged with hope as several heads turn toward the source. The most important of those heads sits at the end of the table, a wrinkled face barely visible above the stacks of paper. His forehead is crowned with two horns—one filed down to less than half an inch, while the other rises a full foot above his rapidly greying blonde hair.

"What have you got, Inoue?" Mr. Miyagi asks.

Inoue, caught off guard by the tired, expectant gazes of his colleagues, looks up, realizing only then that he had chuckled aloud.

"Oh, sorry, sir. It's nothing important," he says, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment.

Mr. Miyagi ignores the apology, flicking his hand impatiently at the story in Inoue's hand. "If it made you laugh in a moment like this, it must have some ability to stir emotions. What is it? Show it to me."

Inoue hesitates for a moment, silently wondering how to explain, before passing the story to his neighbor. As the paper begins making its way up the chain to Mr. Miyagi, he starts to talk.

"It's a story from a small town out in the countryside. It's really not that interesting. I just chuckled imagining how badly it would go if we actually ran it."

Takako, the woman in stilettos from earlier, perks up, her eyes filled with morbid curiosity. "Oh? What was the title?" she asks.

"If you must know, Takako," Inoue sighs, "The title is 'Local Girl Saved from Drowning by—"

"—Mutated Freak," Mr. Miyagi interrupts, spitting in disgust. He crumples the paper and tosses it behind him, where it lands in a growing pile of discarded stories. "Damn it."

A rumble of mutters erupt from the rest of the boardroom, discussing the shocking use of the archaic term.

One voice shot up above the rest. "It would certainly cause quite a stir, why don't we use it?"