Chapter 84

While her father helped Toshinori get situated in a futuristic-looking diagnostic capsule, Melissa decided to make idle conversation with Izuku, asking, "So, Izuku, Uncle Might told me you graduated at the top of your class in middle school and even received a scholarship invitation to attend I-Island's Academy? You must really want to become a Hero if you chose to attend UA instead."

Nodding in affirmation, the corners of Izuku's smile curled upward as he mused, "You could argue it's the reason I was brought into this world. My only criticism is that half my day is spent taking classes that don't interest me, but that should change fairly soon."

Deciding to steer the conversation away from himself, Izuku met Melissa's gaze, startling her a bit as he said, "Let's not talk about me. Tell me about your research, Melissa. I've analyzed some of the patents you've filed. It's like glimpsing into the future."

Adopting a closed-eye smile, Melissa replied, "That's sweet of you to say, Izuku, but my inventions are nowhere near as advanced as my father's. In fact, a lot of what I've accomplished is thanks to his guidance."

Exhaling a faintly exasperated sigh, David elected to join in the discussion from across the room, stating, "My daughter is very humble. If I had even a fraction of her talent as a child, I'd be doing most of my research from a laboratory on Mars right about now. Instead...no, forget about it..."

Noticing the frustration in his old friend's eyes, Toshinori remarked, "This isn't like you, Dave. Don't tell me middle age has mellowed out that flame of passion that used to burn so brightly in our youths?"

Adopting a somewhat wistful smile, David replied, "It's as you said, Toshi. No man can live eternally. I haven't given up on my dreams, but the older I get, the more I realize it will be my daughter's generation, perhaps even the one after that, that realizes them."

Since he was presumably the only person that didn't know, Izuku asked, "What's your dream, Professor?"

Turning to meet Izuku's gaze, David's expression softened as he replied, "My goal–no, my duty as a father and a scientist is to ensure the survival and propagation of humanity into perpetuity. Most of my peers have given up on space colonization due to Quirk Factors breaking down after exiting Earth's magnetic field for long periods, but I'm convinced there's a way to strengthen and preserve them. It's just that..."

Deflating visibly, David revealed, "The Board of Directors has recently pulled funding and support for my research due to the 'danger' it poses to an already unstable society. With the recent events in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, I honestly can't blame them..."

Raising his brows, Toshinori asked, "What's happening in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East? I haven't heard anything of note. Well, beyond the usual turf wars and civil uprisings."

"That doesn't surprise me," replied David. "Those at the highest level of stateship are working hard to keep things under wraps to avoid causing a panic. But it's only a matter of time before they start calling Heroes to the frontlines to try and keep things under control."

Shaking his head in exasperation, David's expression became serious as he revealed, "A phenomenon we've dubbed 'Meta World Transversal' has been occurring near locations of great historical value. Beings that once only appeared in myths and legends from antiquity have begun to emerge from breaches in space-time that seemingly link to other worlds. The first breach occurred in the lands that were once Mesopotamia, but more and more have been appearing over time, presumably following the spread of human civilization."

Hearing David's revelation, Izuku's body tensed, his expression freezing into an unblinking smile. The notion of beings crossing over from other worlds wasn't anything new to him. After all, he had transmigrated into the world of Boku no Hero Academia after dying in his original. However, even if he lowered his Intelligence to the single digits, Izuku would be able to understand that this 'Meta World Transversal' phenomenon must be related to the 'Convergence' mentioned by Kruagnosis...

All but confirming Izuku's suspicion that he was dealing with a 'Gate Break' scenario, David added, "Fortunately, we quickly discovered that eliminating all the creatures within a breach would cause it to collapse a few hours later, expelling anyone who remained inside. This curious thing is what happened to the people who entered the breaches and fought the creatures directly. Once they emerged, each of them could see something called a 'Status Window,' indicating their Level and personal attributes like the Heads-Up Display of a Virtual Reality game."

Similar to Izuku, Toshinori's expression and smile promptly froze when he heard David's casual addendum. Then, as if the two were in sync with one another, Izuku's and Toshinori's gazes met, an awkward silence pervading the lab, prompting David to confusedly ask, "What's wrong? As outlandish as it might sound, I'm speaking the truth. If you don't believe me, you will once breaches begin appearing in China, Korea, and Japan. We still don't know who or what is causing them, so it's forecasted to become a global phenomenon within the next two years."

Since he doubted David was lying to them, Izuku bit the bullet to reveal, "It's because of my Quirk, Digitalization. It grants me access to a Status Window that is remarkably similar to what you've just disclosed. That, and other things..."

Opening his eyes in surprise, it was David's turn to express disbelief as he asked, "Is that the truth? You possess a Quirk that allows you to see your Status? And you've had it since you were a child...?"

"..."

"..."

Removing the burden from Izuku, Toshinori exhaled an awkward laugh and said, "Allow me to explain, my friend..." before recounting everything that had transpired over the past three months, sans the parts related to One-for-All...

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After listening to Toshinori's explanation, David couldn't help muttering, "Fascinating..." with an intrigued look on his face. "However, I don't think there is a direct correlation between the awakening of our friend's Quirk and the breaches that have begun to appear. At the very least, no more than any other Quirk."

Before anyone could ask, David went on to explain, "The leading theory we have, at least for the time being, is that 'all' Quirks originate from the worlds these breaches connect to. Many Quirks defy our understanding of the Laws of Physics. This is especially true among Emitters, who, more often than not, produce far more energy than their bodies should be able to contain. Matter and energy cannot simply be created from nothing, so it stands to reason that it must come from 'somewhere.'"

Cupping his chin with his index and thumb, David added, "There is also the theory that we are living within a simulated reality. However, as a man of science and someone who strives to ensure the survival of humanity, I cannot in good conscience accept such a possibility. Such a reality would be a dead end, as it would imply we are little more than programs or, even worse, individuals that have placed ourselves within this setting to escape reality. I cannot accept such a premise as it would undermine everything I have ever done or experienced..."

Having experienced more than his fair share of tragedies, including the loss of his parents and wife, David refused to believe in the possibility a version of himself had 'chosen' his current life. If he woke up one day and learned that his parents, wife, and daughter were strangers who had been playing roles assigned to them, even unwittingly, he would break...

Shaking such thoughts from his mind, David regained a somewhat forced smile and said, "We've digressed quite a bit from the reason we've come here. For the time being, please get inside the diagnostic capsule, Toshi. We can discuss the topic of the breaches and our young friend's possible association with them later."

Nodding his head, Toshinori replied, "Sounds good." before lying in the capsule and securing his breathing mask while David made his way over to his computer, initializing the deep-body diagnostic process. As he did so, the capsule began filling with a viscous liquid before Toshinori's vital information and various data streams appeared on its surface...

While her father was busy analyzing Toshinori's data with a growing smile on his face, Melissa shuffled closer to Izuku, leaning toward him with her hands behind her back as she asked, "Hey, Izuku, are you perhaps able to invite me to your Party...?" in a hushed tone.

Nodding in affirmation, Izuku, standing with his arms crossed and observing the date on David's monitor, replied, "It's possible..." in an equally faint tone.

Adopting a bright smile, Melissa caught Izuku a little off guard as she said, "Hey, Papa, I'm going to show Izuku around for a bit. Want me to bring you back some coffee?"

Without tearing his eyes from his monitor, David gave a curt nod as he replied, "Sure thing, honey. Just make sure to return within the next half hour, okay?"

"Okay~" replied Melissa. Then, pulling Izuku's hand, she dragged him out of the lab and into the connecting hallway before adopting an apologetic smile and explaining, "Sorry about that. My Papa doesn't like me hanging around boys, so he might get a little upset if he saw us acting too friendly. I'm already seventeen, and I've never even been on a date before."

Extending her hand as if she were asking for a handshake, Melissa added, "Anyways, can you invite me to your Party? You don't have to if you don't want, but I promised Uncle Might I would help and support you. I assume being in the same Party will help with that."

"You're not wrong," replied Izuku, accepting Melissa's hand before asking, "Melissa Shield, would you like to join my Party?"

Narrowing her eyes into a breathtaking smile, Melissa replied, "Of course!" in a bubbly tone. As she did, her Status promptly appeared in front of her face, causing her blue eyes to sparkle as she softly exclaimed, "Wow, this really is like wearing a VR headset! The only things that're missing are the Health, Stamina, and MP bars!"

While inspecting her Status, Melissa's curiosity and excitement continued to increase until she noticed her Title and its effects. Izuku saw it as well, but as he wasn't the one to assign Titles, he could only smile wryly as the excitement on Melissa's face became somewhat awkward...

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Name: [Melissa Shield]

Title: Pleasantly Plump Pioneer(Vitality, Intelligence, Dexterity +20)

Quirk: N/A

Bond Level: 91

Current Level: 13

Effective Level: 53

[Attributes]

Strength: 13

Agility: 10

Vitality: 61

Intelligence: 258

Dexterity: 58

Luck: 199

Free Attributes: 65

[Perks]

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"Is this what you think of me, Izuku?" asked Melissa, combing back her fringe bangs with a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

Closing his eyes and exhaling a faint sigh through his nose, Izuku replied, "I would be lying if I said it wasn't. However, based on what I've been able to gather, the Titles assigned to people are a combination of how I view them and how they see themselves. I don't get to decide what they are, nor the effects they provide..."

"I...I see..." replied Melissa, feeling even more awkward at the insinuation she believed herself to be 'pleasantly plump.' If anything, she was a little self-conscious about her weight, often going on a diet after measuring her bust, waist, and hips, finding them much larger than she would have liked...

("Well, at least the bonuses are pretty good...") thought Melissa, consoling herself with the notion her Vitality and Dexterity had effectively increased by 50%. The boost to her Intelligence was also quite remarkable, but until she sat down and tried to build or design something, she wouldn't know how effective the increases were. As such, she inadvertently left Izuku at a complete and utter loss for words by asking, "Hey, you want to go to my room?"

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(A/N: She do be thiccc, though...)