Chapter 3: To the Academy

Chapter 3: To the Academy

The morning was crisp, with the sun just beginning to crest over the horizon, its rays casting a golden glow on the quiet beach. The air was cool, tinged with the salty scent of the ocean, and a gentle breeze carried the faint sound of waves crashing against the shore. Natsu sprinted along the sand, his black tracksuit damp with sweat, each footfall kicking up grains of golden dust. His white scarf trailed behind him like a banner, catching the soft light of dawn as if heralding his relentless determination.

His breathing was ragged, visible in soft clouds of mist with every exhale. "I know I told you to push me hard, but don't you think you're overdoing it, Happy?" Natsu gasped, his voice strained as exhaustion weighed down his steps.

Perched comfortably on his shoulder, Happy, a small blue cat with an air of smug composure, gave a lazy shrug. "Three more laps. Then you can rest." His tone was indifferent, almost playful, as if he enjoyed seeing Natsu struggle.

"Three more laps?!" Natsu groaned, his legs feeling like lead as he trudged forward. "I've been running since dawn! Are you trying to kill me?"

"Maybe," Happy replied with a sly grin, his small wings fluttering slightly to maintain balance.

The training had been grueling, but it wasn't without purpose. Three weeks had passed since Natsu's unexpected acceptance into UA Academy, an achievement he wore with a mix of pride and disbelief. Though he'd managed to secure the top spot in the practical exam, his near-failure in the written test had been a humbling blow. Meanwhile, Izuku Midoriya, his polar opposite in both demeanor and performance, had excelled in the written portion but barely scraped through the practical.

Back at UA Academy, Aizawa, the homeroom teacher, reviewed the incoming students' files, his expression as unreadable as ever. He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his tired eyes as he scanned the profiles. 'One boy who destroyed the zero-point robot but failed to handle the smaller ones… Another who excelled in combat but struggled with basic academics. Then there's Bakugo Katsuki—strong in both areas. This year's class is shaping up to be... unpredictable.'

---

The next morning, in a small, cluttered apartment, Natsu wrestled with his most persistent rival—not a villain, but Happy. The blue cat fluttered about, stubbornly resisting Natsu's attempts to stuff him into a backpack.

"Get in, Happy!" Natsu grumbled, his frustration evident. "I don't want anyone noticing you on the first day!"

Happy flapped his wings and shot out of Natsu's grasp, hovering just out of reach. "I'm not some toy or book you can just shove in a bag!"

"Just cooperate, would you?" Natsu snapped, lunging for the mischievous cat. "You'll blow my cover!"

After a chaotic few minutes, they reached a compromise. Happy perched on Natsu's shoulder, folding his wings neatly. "Fine, but only because I feel bad for you," Happy teased, grinning.

"Yeah, sure," Natsu muttered, adjusting his UA uniform. The stiff fabric made him fidget, and he tugged at the collar. "This thing feels so weird. I miss my Salamander outfit."

"You'll get to wear it for combat," Happy reassured him. "Just try not to burn it."

Sighing, Natsu slung his bag over one shoulder and stepped outside. The crisp autumn air greeted him, and the city was alive with quiet energy. Golden and crimson leaves drifted lazily from the trees lining the streets, their descent painting the ground in warm hues. Heroes patrolled in the distance, their colorful costumes adding vibrancy to the serene morning.

Despite the tranquil setting, Natsu's journey to UA was anything but peaceful. He sat slumped in the back of the bus, his face pale, his body swaying with every turn.

"You still look pathetic in vehicles," Happy remarked, shaking his head.

"Not… helping…" Natsu groaned, clutching his stomach.

When they finally arrived, Natsu stumbled off the bus, his nausea fading as excitement took its place. UA Academy loomed ahead, its towering gates framed by sleek, modern architecture. The sprawling campus buzzed with energy, students milling about in anticipation.

Natsu took a deep breath, his eyes gleaming. "So, this is UA Academy," he murmured, his voice filled with awe.

"Don't forget to act natural," Happy reminded him, tucking his wings away.

They entered the academy, navigating the endless hallways in search of Class 1-A. The interior was immaculate, with polished floors reflecting the soft glow of overhead lights. The walls were adorned with motivational banners and plaques commemorating past heroes. Yet, for all its grandeur, the labyrinthine layout left Natsu hopelessly lost.

"We've been walking forever," Natsu grumbled, scanning the hallway signs. "Where is this stupid classroom?"

Happy snickered. "Lost on the first day. Classic Natsu."

"Shut up!" Natsu snapped, but before he could vent further, a calm voice cut through the air behind him.

"Hey, cat boy. Move."

Natsu turned to find a boy with striking dual-colored hair—white on one side, crimson on the other. His mismatched eyes, one a deep turquoise and the other a piercing gray, locked onto Natsu with an icy indifference. A burn scar marred the left side of his face, adding a quiet intensity to his stoic demeanor.

Natsu smirked, undeterred by the cold reception. "Pretty rude way to ask for help."

The boy, Todoroki, regarded him briefly before brushing past. "Help? That's a funny way to look at it. I almost forgot—you're the guy who scored the lowest on the written exam."

"How do you even know that?!" Natsu exclaimed, his voice tinged with both shock and embarrassment.

Todoroki glanced back, his tone flat. "You've been wandering this hallway for ten minutes." With that, he disappeared into a nearby classroom, leaving Natsu flustered.

"Hm..." Natsu muttered, straightening his scarf. "He's a student in this class too."

Moments later, he stepped into Class 1-A. The spacious room buzzed with energy, desks neatly arranged and sunlight streaming through tall windows. A mix of excitement and tension hung in the air as students sized each other up.

[....]

Natsu stepped into the classroom just moments after Todoroki, the door creaking faintly behind him. The air inside was charged with an unspoken tension, a stark contrast to the chatter-filled halls. The students' gazes were fixed on Todoroki, their expressions a mix of curiosity and unease. The boy moved with an effortless calm, his dual-colored hair catching the light as he walked to his seat. The scar over his left eye only added to the aura of mystery surrounding him, but Todoroki didn't seem to care about the silent attention he commanded.

Natsu lingered by the doorway, his eyes darting across the room. His instincts told him something about Todoroki was off—not dangerous, but significant. He had no clue why the boy's presence shifted the room's atmosphere so drastically. Shrugging it off, Natsu took a step forward, his boots thudding softly against the polished floor as he searched for an empty seat.

Before he could sit, a trio of students approached him, their energy breaking the strange tension. A frog-like girl hopped closer, her wide, curious eyes locking onto the blue-furred creature perched on Natsu's shoulder. She was quickly joined by a pink-skinned girl with a mischievous grin and a red-haired boy radiating enthusiasm.

"Whoa! Are we allowed to bring pets here?!" the red-haired boy exclaimed, leaning closer to inspect Hapi.

Asui, the frog girl, tilted her head, her voice calm but intrigued. "You don't see a cat like that every day, ribbit."

Before Natsu could respond, Mina Ashido squealed, her hands clapping together. "He's so cute! What's his name?!"

The sudden burst of excitement spread through the classroom, drawing the attention of nearly every student. Iida, however, stood abruptly from his seat, his authoritative tone cutting through the chatter as he strode toward Natsu. "This is highly improper! Pets are strictly prohibited on school grounds!"

Hapi's ears twitched at the word "pet," and his tail flicked with annoyance. Puffing out his tiny chest, he declared indignantly, "Hapi isn't a pet! Hapi is Natsu's friend!"

A stunned silence fell over the room, every pair of eyes widening in disbelief. A talking cat? Whispers broke out among the students, some marveling, others questioning their sanity.

Tokoyami, standing near the window, cast a sidelong glance at the commotion and muttered under his breath, "If my bird head started talking, would they react the same way?"

Denki Kaminari overheard and snickered, nudging Tokoyami. "You've got the voice for it, man. Give us a hoot sometime."

Jiro smirked, covering her mouth to hide her laugh, while Mineta failed to suppress his snickering entirely. Tokoyami sighed, his deadpan expression betraying a hint of exasperation. "That joke was as terrible as your grades."

Amid the lighthearted banter, the classroom's mood shifted again as Bakugo stood from his seat, his sharp eyes narrowing at Natsu. His presence demanded attention, the fiery intensity in his demeanor a stark contrast to Todoroki's cold detachment. "So, you're the dumbass who got the top score in the practical exam," Bakugo said, his voice low and menacing.

Natsu turned to face him, his expression calm but tinged with curiosity. "Yeah, and you're the guy who missed the top spot by one point. What's it to you?"

A wicked grin spread across Bakugo's face. "You've got some nerve talking to me like that, idiot. A guy who barely passed the written exam has no right to beat me."

Natsu's smirk deepened, the heat of the challenge igniting something within him. "Guess that makes me the strong idiot, huh?"

Bakugo's fists clenched, his explosive temper threatening to boil over. "You're dead meat, pink-haired moron!"

Before Bakugo could close the distance between them, a low, commanding voice cut through the escalating tension. "Fighting on your first day? Bold move."

All heads turned to see Aizawa leaning against the doorway, his tired eyes scanning the room with quiet authority. The teacher held a bundle of UA gym uniforms, his voice cold and devoid of patience. "These are your training uniforms. You'll find one in your locker. Put them on and meet me at the training field. Don't waste my time."

The room fell silent as the weight of Aizawa's words sank in. Even Bakugo, his rage still simmering, backed down, muttering curses under his breath as he turned away.

As the students began to file out of the room, Natsu felt the intensity of Bakugo's glare boring into him. "You're lucky today, but this isn't over," Bakugo spat before storming out.

Hapi, perched on Natsu's shoulder, watched him go with a mix of amusement and unease. "That guy's a walking firework. Pretty sure he's gonna blow."

Midoriya, walking alongside Natsu, chuckled nervously. "Kacchan's always been like that. Ever since we were kids, he's been competitive—especially after his Quirk appeared."

YaoMomo, who had overheard their conversation, chimed in with a sharp tone, her strides graceful but purposeful as she walked ahead of them. "You're Natsu Dragneel, aren't you? The student who scored the lowest in UA's written exam history? I'm surprised you can even write your name."

Before Natsu could respond, Hapi interjected, his tone sarcastic but playful. "That's not true! Natsu's a pro at cheating—middle school champion, right here!"

Natsu groaned, running a hand through his hair. "You're really not helping, Hapi."

YaoMomo shot him a pointed look, her voice cool and dismissive. "Cheating won't save you here. At UA, academic failures don't last long."

As she walked ahead, Midoriya offered Natsu a kind smile. "If you ever need help with studying, I'd be happy to assist."

Natsu gave him a grateful nod, his usual confidence tempered by the challenges ahead. Together, they made their way to the lockers, the anticipation of their first training session hanging heavy in the air. Whatever awaited them on the field, Natsu was ready to face it head-on. The flames of his determination burned brighter than ever.

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