Chapter 4: A New Beginning at U.A.
Jace's first week as a student in Class 1-A was a whirlwind of introductions, training sessions, and intense scrutiny. Each moment felt like walking a razor's edge. The camaraderie among his peers was infectious, yet it left an ache in his chest. Tokoyami, with his dark and enigmatic presence, felt like a kindred spirit, while Midoriya's earnest optimism and tireless determination stirred an unfamiliar sense of admiration within him.
Despite his reserved demeanor, Jace's combat prowess quickly earned him a reputation. The training exercises, meant to simulate hero scenarios, became opportunities for him to demonstrate his mastery over his shadow-based quirks. His Void Step and Dark Tendrils proved invaluable in stealth missions and direct combat alike, earning him praise from Aizawa, who noted his tactical mind and ability to adapt under pressure.
But Jace's nights were far from peaceful. All For One's directives came frequently, delivered through encrypted messages that appeared on his phone like ghosts in the dark. Each instruction felt like a dagger twisting in his gut. He reported details about U.A.'s defenses and the quirks of his classmates, but he deliberately held back critical information, feeding All For One half-truths to protect the people who had unknowingly become his anchors.
One evening, Jace sat in his dorm room, staring at the blinking cursor of a message draft. His fingers hovered over the keys as Kael's voice whispered urgently in his mind. "Don't give him everything, Jace. Protect them. Protect yourself." He deleted the draft and wrote a sanitized version instead, omitting details about U.A.'s advanced surveillance systems and Midoriya's connection to All Might. The act felt like rebellion, a small but significant step toward reclaiming his agency.
The tension within Jace escalated during All Might's first class with Class 1-A. The retired Number One Hero's presence was electrifying, his booming voice filling the training arena with an energy that was both inspiring and intimidating. Jace felt the weight of All Might's gaze as the hero introduced himself and explained the upcoming Battle Trial. The scenario was simple: pairs of students would face off as heroes and villains in a simulated urban environment.
When Jace was paired with Bakugo as villains, facing Midoriya and Uraraka as the hero team, his heart sank. The match was an ironic reflection of his reality—pretending to be something he wasn't while battling against the very ideals he secretly longed to protect.
The battle began with a deafening roar as Bakugo charged ahead, explosions lighting up the dimly lit corridors of the training building. Jace hung back, his shadowy tendrils coiling around him like restless serpents. "We don't need strategy," Bakugo snarled, his crimson eyes blazing. "Just blast them into submission."
Jace nodded but stayed silent, his eyes scanning the environment. He knew Midoriya's analytical mind would guide him, and Uraraka's quirk could provide unexpected surprises. The air was thick with tension as the shadows around Jace seemed to pulse with anticipation.
Midoriya and Uraraka moved cautiously through the building, their teamwork evident in the way they covered each other's weaknesses. Jace watched from the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. When Midoriya's footstep landed within his range, Jace's tendrils shot out, wrapping around Midoriya's leg and yanking him into the darkness.
Midoriya gasped, his instincts kicking in as he activated One For All. A burst of energy shattered the tendrils, and he darted back into the light, his breathing ragged but his resolve unshaken. "That's some quirk," Midoriya said, his voice tinged with both admiration and wariness. "But I'm not backing down."
Jace felt a pang of guilt at the determination in Midoriya's eyes. He pushed the feeling aside and advanced, his tendrils slicing through the air with precision. The clash was intense, shadows and energy colliding in bursts of light and darkness. Each strike carried an undercurrent of Jace's internal conflict—a desperate desire to win clashing with an equally desperate hope not to harm.
Meanwhile, Bakugo had cornered Uraraka, his relentless attacks forcing her to retreat. Her wide eyes betrayed her fear, but she gritted her teeth and launched a counterattack, using her quirk to send debris hurtling toward him. Bakugo deflected the projectiles with ease, his explosions tearing through the air.
Jace noticed the stalemate and made a calculated decision. With a swift Void Step, he teleported behind Uraraka, his tendrils wrapping around her gently but firmly. "It's over," he said, his voice low and steady. She froze, her breath hitching, and Bakugo smirked triumphantly.
Midoriya, however, refused to give up. With a roar of determination, he charged at Jace, his fists glowing with the power of One For All. The impact of their clash shook the building, the force of Midoriya's punch colliding with Jace's shadow barrier creating a shockwave that echoed through the halls.
The battle ended in a draw, with All Might praising all four students for their tenacity and strategic thinking. As the class filed out, Jace lingered, his mind racing. The fight had awakened something within him—a realization that he was capable of more than destruction. He could be a protector, even if it meant betraying the man who had molded him into a weapon.
That night, Jace sat on the rooftop of the dorms, staring at the city lights. Kael's voice was quiet but firm. "You can choose, Jace. You don't have to be his pawn." For the first time, Jace allowed himself to believe it might be true.