Chapter 5: Shifting
A/N: We've successfully reached 100 powerstones, so there will be a Double Release on Monday. Let's push for 150 before the reset on Sunday. Thanks for the support.
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The school day had ended, and the air outside carried the gentle warmth of a lazy afternoon. Shiro walked toward the school gates, his steps measured and purposeful. Beside him, Uraraka kept pace, her usual bubbly demeanor on full display. Shiro hadn't missed the way she'd been hovering around him more and more.
'She's practically glued to me,' Shiro thought, though he couldn't deny the companionship was mildly amusing.
"Shiro," Uraraka began, her tone tentative yet curious. She stopped abruptly, her shoes scraping lightly against the pavement. "I wanted to ask you this earlier, but I didn't get the chance…"
Shiro stopped as well, turning slightly to face her. "What is it?" he asked, eyebrows raised.
"Earlier, when Kenichi asked you if you'd go pro in basketball, you didn't answer him. So… what do you want to do?" Her brown eyes sparkled with genuine curiosity as she leaned forward, waiting for his response.
Shiro blinked, surprised at her attention to detail. 'The students bound for UA are sharp..'
After a moment of thought, he decided the truth would suffice. "I plan to become a Pro Hero. My first step to achieving that goal is getting into UA."
Uraraka's face lit up as if she'd just heard the most exciting news of her life. "Y-you plan to become a Pro-Hero?!" she repeated, her voice rising with excitement. Her hands clenched into fists, and she practically vibrated in place.
"Yeah," Shiro replied, trying not to sound too bothered by her enthusiasm. "I do."
"Me too!" Uraraka exclaimed, punching the air triumphantly. "I want to be a Pro Hero too!"
"That's nice," Shiro said with a small nod. He resumed walking toward the gate, hoping the conversation would end there.
It didn't.
Uraraka jogged after him, her voice trailing behind. "Wait! Why do you want to be a hero?"
Shiro sighed, slowing his steps just slightly. 'Persistent as ever,' he thought, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye.
He mulled over his answer before replying bluntly, "I want to be a hero because there are things I've done to others that I regret. To atone for my sins, I want to help others."
Uraraka tilted her head, her expression one of innocent confusion. "Atone? What does that mean?" she asked, her tone as light as if she were asking about the weather.
Shiro pinched the bridge of his nose, silently berating himself. 'Of course. She's still just a kid. I should've remembered that before talking to her like she's my age.'
He lowered his hand and tried again. "Atone? You mean like trying to be forgiven?" Uraraka added, putting a finger to her chin as she stared up at the bright blue sky.
For a brief moment, Shiro's composure slipped, his eyes widening slightly at her innocent insight. He quickly regained his composure. "Yeah. Something like that," he said, his voice softer this time.
As they reached the school gates, Uraraka asked one last question. "Do you live nearby?"
"I'm not going home right now," Shiro replied, adjusting his hoodie. "I've got other things to do."
"Aww… that sucks! Maybe tomorrow we can walk together then?" Uraraka said, her voice tinged with disappointment.
"Maybe," Shiro said with a noncommittal shrug. He turned to leave, but Uraraka called after him.
"Bye, Shiro!"
He glanced over his shoulder and waved her off, then continued down the street, his thoughts drifting. 'Today wasn't too bad, aside from the start. Still… six more years of this school. I shouldn't get too comfortable.'
After a few turns and a walk through a quiet alleyway, Shiro found himself on familiar streets. He'd explored this area extensively during his long strolls whenever his parents were busy with work. 'The system rewarded me well for learning my surroundings. I wouldn't have bothered otherwise,' he thought.
Half an hour later, Shiro arrived at a large park, its trees swaying gently in the breeze. The sound of children playing and dogs barking filled the air.
'It's a weekday, and it's still work hours. Why are there so many people here?' he thought, his irritation rising.
He scanned the area, his gaze eventually settling on the forest beyond the park's boundaries. 'That'll do,' he decided, making his way to the edge of the park. He scaled the fence with ease, landing softly on the other side.
As he ventured deeper into the forest, he stopped by a river. Its clear water reflected his image, and he frowned slightly as he noticed his hair's length.
'I need a haircut,' he thought, running a hand through the blue strands.
Glancing around to ensure he was alone, Shiro took a deep breath. "System," he said aloud, his voice steady. "I just have to inflict some damage on myself to transform, right?"
[Yes.]
The system's reply was simple but sufficient.
Shiro raised his thumb to his mouth, biting into it with deliberate force. His sharp canine pierced the skin, and the faint metallic taste of blood spread across his tongue. A sharp sting shot through his hand, but he ignored it, focusing instead on the transformation.
A blinding golden light erupted around him, shaking the earth and filling the air with steam. His body was consumed by fiery energy, his bones and muscles reshaping into a massive form. Sinewy limbs and armor-like plating emerged, his face transforming into a fearsome visage with glowing eyes.
When the light finally faded, Shiro stood towering above the forest floor in his Titan form, the remnants of trees toppled around him.
He approached the river, crouching down to examine his reflection. His Titan form was almost identical to Reiner's, save for his blue hair and features resembling his own.
"Whoa…" Shiro muttered, his voice deep and distorted. The sound startled him, and he immediately thought, 'I probably shouldn't talk.'
He raised his hands, inspecting the sinewy armor that encased them. Clenching his fists, he felt an overwhelming sense of power surging through him.
'This… this is incredible,' he thought, but the elation was short-lived. 'I can't stay in this form for long. Someone will notice. If the transformation didn't attract attention, staying here definitely will.'
As he prepared to shift back, a notification appeared in his peripheral vision, halting him.
[New Quest! There is a villain causing chaos in the park! Defeat it and receive 2000XP!]
'A villain? 2000XP is a lot, but… if I get caught…'
Shiro slapped his cheeks with his massive hands, steam hissing against his skin. 'I swore to atone. I can't let fear stop me from taking the first step. This is a chance to prove myself and test my abilities.'
His eyes burned with determination as he turned toward the park. The ground trembled beneath his massive feet as he moved, his armored form gleaming in the fading sunlight.
'I'll take down the villain and leave immediately. No one will catch me. This is my chance to start making a difference,' he thought, a grin spreading across his face as he approached the chaos.
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Reminder: Let's push for 150 powerstones before the reset on Sunday!