2 Paradigm Shift

While en route to my middle school, Aldera Junior High, I finally figured out the way to use my Quirk.

"Medic," I chanted and with a green glow from the brand on my chest, I felt a strong light-like energy start coursing through my body.

"Oh?" Intuitively, I knew I could cast the Cure Spell. But that was just about it, until…

"Commando," I chanted again, before feeling a fire spread with its red glow across my body from my right thigh.

'So Paradigm Shifts are a thing,' I thought, before I froze up.

"Wait a second, this isn't..." I silenced myself as I learned of an ability that broke my previous theory of my Quirk being derived from the abilities of Final Fantasy 13.

I walked over to a secluded alleyway and let the energy that had been awakened from entering a Commando Paradigm flow in accordance to my instincts and before my eyes, the energy was expelled outside my body.

However, instead of dissipating or blasting off into a ruinous blast of energy concentrate, I watched in amazement as a gunblade formed. First, it appeared hazy, like a phantom image, but in five seconds, a solid weapon was sitting in my right hand.

'Holy… This is Lightning's Blazefire Saber! And… I think. No, I know the blueprints to make all the weapons in Final Fantasy 13 and… Final Fantasy 15?!'

It took a second, but eventually after calming down, I took a deep breath and chanted, "Ravager."

Surprisingly, even as the energy of the Commando Paradigm receded and the blue of the Ravager Paradigm took its place, originating from my left thigh, the gunblade in my hand remained; at least until I dropped it.

As the falling gunblade flaked into red mist, more intistual knowledge of my new Paradigm flowed into my consciousness and soon I was smiling like a maniac.

A moment later, I was flickering around the alleyway as if real life was a film being taken at one frame per second. Apparently, aside from now being able to use all the basic offensive spells in the Final Fantasy Series — Fire, Blizzard, Thunder, Water, and Aero — I could also teleport around like Noctis from Final Fantasy 15.

'That explains why it's possible for me to create a Ring of Lucii while going Commando,' I thought before halting my wanton teleportation spree.

I tried the final three Paradigms — Synergist, Saboteur, and Sentinel. Alas, I wasn't pleasantly surprised with more new features or abilities. Synergist gave me access to the buffing spells Bravery and Faith. Saboteur gave me access to the debuffing spells Deshell and Deprotect. While Sentinel came with the ability to use Elude.

Switching Paradigms probably also increased different aspects of my fighting prowess, but I couldn't confirm or deny it until I started testing things after school. Even if it didn't, I still carried on with a pep to my step, knowing for a fact that my Quirk was ridiculously overpowered.

…

Upon crossing the school gates, I immediately noticed the looks of disgust, pity, and contempt most people usually had for the past owner of my body. It honestly stunned me for a second, seeing those looks directed at me personally. However, in the next second, I continued with my head held up high and a shit-eating grin plastered on my face.

'I might not have a decent amount of Quirk experience, but I dare any one of these idiots to try and bully me,' I thought with malice spiking in my intent.

It seemed people noticed the change in my behaviour as many of Izuku's usual bullies stopped after seeing the smile on my face and looking… disturbed. No matter. Quirk use in public was illegal, so no conflict was good too.

"The fuck are you smiling at, Deku?"

Ah, there it was. Katsuki Bakugo; my chance.

"What's it to you?" I snorted.

Immediately, the hallway we were in stifled to absolute silence.

As everyone casted horrified glances at me for standing up to Katsuki, he said, "Oi, the fuck did you say to me?!" Firecracker-like sparks flickered to life from his hands.

"Are the constant explosions you use to bully people making you deaf? Or do you just not understand Japanese?" I laughed.

"Motherfu—" Katsuki's bleeding hatred died the moment he registered exactly where he and I were. Seeing him look around, it was hardly surprising to see him cancel his Explosion Quirk and shoot a nasty glare my way.

He shoved his hands in his pockets and walked past me, making sure his shoulder bashed mine as he whispered, "You better believe that once all these extras are out of sight, you're going to fucking get it, Deku."

"We'll see," I said as a red glow threatened to escape my eyes. For whatever reason, my body had entered a Commando Paradigm subconsciously; probably picking fight over flight as its response.

Ignoring the crowd, I continued over to my homeroom and set up for a day of lectures.

I can't remember much about my past life, but if one thing is certain, it's that I had studied much higher level material. I must have at least graduated from a high school, considering the ease I found in recalling all the maths and science material. However, I couldn't recall things I'd never known about like the Social Studies of this world or Japanese.

Lectures aside, the whole day, I saw Katsuki sneak glares at me from the front of the classroom whenever the teacher wasn't paying attention. After the third or fourth time, I started taunting him with smirks and head-shakes; his ever-expanding anger only brought me amusement.

Eventually, though, classes ended for the day and from the moment we were dismissed as a class, Katsuki kept a trained eye on me. I'd been thinking of what to do at this moment for most of the day, so without a trace of panic I picked up my bookbag and walked slowly to exit the classroom; Katsuki and his two followers no doubt followed just a couple paces away.

The moment I closed the door behind me, I made sure to send him the biggest shit-eating grin I could muster before chanting, "Ravager."

Less than a second later, I had teleported a total of three times to reach the stairs. Two more diagonally-upward instances of teleportation later, I stood before the door that would lead to the roof.

Judging by the muffled curses and explosions coming from below, Katsuki must have realized that he had lost me. But for now I ignored him as I opened the door to the roof and changed Paradigms once more.

"Commando," I chanted and immediately started materializing a construct of Noctis' starting weapon in Final Fantasy 15; the Engine Sword.

A couple seconds later, with the blade in hand, I returned to the Ravager Paradigm. After walking over to the rooftop fence, I grinned as I scanned the environment and found dozens of points where I could warp to.

Treating the Engine Sword like a throwing knife, with a toss, both the weapon and I vanished into blue particles before I reappeared perched on it on the side of one of the buildings adjacent to Aldera Junior High.

It was official, this was going to be my new way of getting around; teleporting from rooftop to rooftop, at least for as long as my stamina or magic lasted.

Was it illegal? Yeah, public use of Quirks was enough for the police to be involved. But with the influx of villain and criminal activity, one was only as guilty of the act they committed with their Quirks in public.

Whereas killing someone or using one's superpower to rob a bank would take the highest priority, merely using one's Quirk to show off or have a more convenient life — say… by commuting through rooftops — wouldn't so quickly call the attention of the authorities.

Even if it did, what's the worst they could do to me about it? I was a fourteen-year-old in my last year of middle school with nary a mark on my record. 'At worst I'll get a slap on the wrist and they'll tell me to knock it off.' I chuckled, 'What's more likely is that they'll be impressed by my Quirk and I'll get praised—' my expression soured, '—like Bakugo.'

I never liked the blond. Not before dying and being thrust into this frankly insane second life, and certainly not after taking in all of Izuku's memories.

Seeing him now, not as a two dimensional animated character but actual flesh and blood… Seeing how obnoxious and arrogant he was, like the whole world revolved around him and he was god's chosen… All of it was revolting.

To think the fucker actually wanted to bully me? Ha! Izuku Midoriya might be my new identity, but I am no insecure cinnamon roll. I have a literal god-given Quirk and the dignity to stand up for myself; consequences be damned.

However… I am severely lacking when it comes to knowing how to use my Quirk; it's limits; it's potential…

So, instead of going home, I did the most sensible thing and went to the would-be setting of the original Izuku's training montage; the junkyard beach, Dagobah Municipal Beach. On the way, I stopped by a sports store to buy a black and white tracksuit with my monthly allowance.