My Medieval Hero Academia (AU)

Izuku Midoriya: Ye Orgins

It was here. At long last the day had come. I sprang out of bed and saw the sun just peaking through the trees a little ways down outside. I grabbed my knapsack and began packing. Bread, cheese, apple, herbs, water, coins, snare wire, my book of legends, and a map. I tied the cloth neatly, slipped on my cherry red boots, and headed for the front door. "Izuku, wait!"

I felt a tug on my coat vest. I turned around to see Mom holding a short sword. It was sheathed in brown laced leather. I knew this design all too well. I looked at her with surprise. "Dad's hunting blade?"

She nodded. "He would've wanted you to have it." I was hesitant. It was Dad's, one of the only things of value he left behind on that day...

Mom shook her head with a smile. "It's okay, sweetie. I just want you to be safe wherever it is you're going." She said, holding the weapon closer to me. I took the sword and wrapped the belt around my waist. It fit perfectly.

"Thanks, Mom." I said as I stood tall. It felt invigorating, like I was internally being let out of a cage. "And don't you worry," I said with a wide grin on my face. "I'll come back and visit y—"

My promise was cut short by a big hug. "...you've grown up so much, Izuku." Mom said proudly, trying not to cry. "Stay safe out there, my baby boy." I hugged her back tightly. Who was I kidding, this was it. I wouldn't see her for a very long time after this. I didn't know when I would come back, but I had to hold on to that promise while I was out there in the world. Without another moment left to spare, I took my knapsack and headed out on my unknown journey.

"Be careful!" Mom yelled as I sprinted away.

"I will!" I yelled back, the excitement and nervousness began kicking in. The ground felt firmer. My feet, taking me into a world I would fear no more. "I love you!" She yelled as I reached the corner. "I loved you too, Mom." I smiled as widely as I could before I began to make my way to the wooded path out of town.

I went through the dirt grounded bazaar that housed only food stands, a weekly library sale, and a seamstress hut. No one had woke up as early as I did this day. No one probably knew of this trek I was taking but me. I didn't want to be sent off by anymore than my mother in a village of population 500.

I passed by the hidden trail to Evergreen Peak, the highest of plateaus in the Great Forest. I held my breath. I wasn't turning back this time.

Within a matter of minutes, I'd reached the path that led out of our small forest village. Villa Evergreen may have been one to satisfy curiosity, but only if you wanted to live a quiet life. But not me. It was a day I'd gushed and feared for my whole life. I started to walk down the narrow path in the brush. The pathway to the kingdom of Altera.

It would take a week or two on foot, but I was ready! I had to be. Sure, I was scared for more reasons than one, but had I not been, I would have continued to stay here and hone the skill of a forest farmer and let the little things I learned fade to to dust.

When I was little, both my parents taught me a lot. Mom taught me how to cook my own meals, farm vegetables, pick the right herbs for healing, and sew patches on clothes. Dad taught me how to hunt, cut wood, and ride a horse once. He promised to teach me how to fight, but after what happened on Evergreen Peak, it didn't happen...

I clenched my fist as I walked on. My only worry of safety on this journey. As long as I avoided high places and empty clearings, I wouldn't have to worry about being snatched...I couldn't worry about it. If I didn't then I would go right back to where I started. Back to that day. Back to that time...had I done something, would he still be—

I clapped my face of the memory. What was I going to do once I reached Altera? Oh, right. I sat down under a nearby tree and pulled my book of legends out of my knapsack. I flipped to my favorite story: The Legend of the Adventurer: All Might, The Great Hero of Westlake.

In Continent Academia, "legend" was just a secret word for "adventure quests," or a challenge to adventurers. This one took place a little over 10 years ago. The legend says that in this age of wanderers, a man that went by the name of All Might saved the Kingdom of Westlake from the Mother Ice Dragon in only five punches. After that, he disappeared from the public eye as if it never happened. I read the tale when I was young, when the legend was fresh and it made me want to be an adventurer too. They say if you find this legend of a man, you will be rewarded a handsome prize for your efforts. Even though only one man was rumored to have found him, he too had disappeared from the public eye. But that wouldn't stop me.

I smiled at the memory of it being read 100 times over for as long as I could remember. I was going to find All Might. I wanted to hear of the quests he'd been on. I wanted to know what happened to make the Ice Dragon go rogue and attack the kingdom to the west. I wanted to know his advice on venturing to certain regions and where the best of quests was had. I shut the book, injected with the thrill of adventure once again. I ran my way farther down the path.

It seemed no one travelled the path for a while because the cobble was riddled with moss, broken tree trunks, and crumbled bits of bolder. Were falling rocks common in this area? I'd best to move quickly.

As I jumped over a fallen tree, I saw a small stream. Remembering back to the day I helped Kacchan out of the river in town, I couldn't help but wonder how he would have reacted to leaving Villa Evergreen just once. He was much more of a risk taker than I ever was. Maybe if he didn't...

I slowed down for a second and looked around. Only the chirp of crickets and the croak of frogs by the stream could register.

Kacchan...

"Come on, guys. Don't tell me you're a bunch'a scaredy-cats like Deku. I'm not afraid of dragons and you shouldn't be either." Kacchan said as he marched higher and higher up the hill to the peak of Villa Evergreen. "Not so fast."  One of his friends exclaimed as I trailed behind.

When we reached the top, we headed toward the open clearing. Toward the ledge. There, the tops of the trees were yards below us. Beyond the sea of green leaves and branches, we could barely see the tallest spire of the Endeavor Estate, said to be one of the finest built homes outside of Altera. I couldn't help but stare. I'd never been up that high before. With a clear indigo sky and the sun's light beginning to leave us behind. If Mom and Dad knew I was there, I'd get one heck of an earful.

Kacchan laughed confidently, pointing up. "See, look up there. I'm not afraid of those stupid—"

I was ripped from my memory as I heard the sound of metal hitting metal. A duel? This far into the woods? Or this far out? "I will not allow you to harm this bewildered young mage." An insistent voice yelled from my left. A knight? All the way out here? The closest kingdom to home was Altera, just beyond the Endeavor estate, and that's almost five days of travel. "I don't know you too well, but you are very chivalrous, sir knight." A bubbly girl said.

"Although I am not a true knight, I shall take thine word a compliment."

"Right..."

*****

Thanks for reading and I hope to see you in the next chapter. 😽