Bonds of Creation

Chapter Three: Bonds of Creation

The autumn breeze carried whispers of change through U.A. High School's sprawling campus. Izuku stood at the entrance, his heart thundering in his chest. The pendant felt heavier than usual today, perhaps sensing the magnitude of what lay ahead. After months of training with Aelios, he was finally ready to take his place among the aspiring heroes—but not as he'd originally imagined.

"Support Course, Class 1-H," he murmured, looking down at his acceptance letter. The decision hadn't been easy, but Aelios's wisdom had guided him toward this path. "Your gift," they had said, "isn't about raw power—it's about creation, innovation, and supporting others. Sometimes the greatest heroes are those who empower others to reach their full potential."

As he made his way through the corridors, the familiar excitement of being surrounded by future heroes bubbled up inside him. But this time, it felt different. He wasn't just an observer anymore; he had his own unique contribution to make.

The workshop of Class 1-H was a inventor's paradise. Workbenches lined the walls, each equipped with tools that made Izuku's fingers itch with possibility. The scent of metal and oil filled the air, mixing with the electric anticipation of new beginnings. His classmates filtered in—each carrying their own dreams and determination.

"Welcome to the Support Course!" A voice boomed across the workshop. Their teacher, Power Loader, stood at the front, his excavator-like helmet gleaming under the fluorescent lights. "You're here because you have the minds of creators and the hearts of heroes. Your job isn't just to make equipment—it's to save lives through innovation."

Izuku's hand instinctively touched the pendant beneath his uniform. If only they knew how literal that statement was for him.

The first few weeks passed in a blur of activity. During the day, Izuku absorbed everything he could about conventional support equipment creation. At night, he continued his training with Aelios, learning to blend traditional engineering with the mystical powers of the forge. The combination was powerful—each discipline enhancing the other in ways he hadn't expected.

One particular afternoon, while working on a project, he noticed a girl struggling with her design. Mei Hatsume, known for her eccentric but brilliant inventions, was frowning at a stabilization system that refused to cooperate.

"The balance is off," Izuku said before he could stop himself. Years of analyzing heroes had given him an eye for mechanics, even before the forge's influence.

Mei's eyes lit up—quite literally, thanks to her Zoom quirk. "Oh? And how would you fix it, Midoriya?"

Drawing on both his traditional training and the forge's wisdom, Izuku explained a solution that would distribute the weight more evenly. As he spoke, he felt the pendant warm against his skin, almost as if approving of this sharing of knowledge.

"That's... actually brilliant!" Mei exclaimed, immediately diving into the modifications. "You know, we should work together sometime. Your analytical skills combined with my babies—we could create something amazing!"

Izuku smiled, remembering Aelios's words about the importance of collaboration. "I'd like that."

Their partnership proved to be transformative. Mei's boundless creativity complemented Izuku's methodical approach perfectly. During their collaboration, he learned to blend his forge-enhanced abilities subtly into their joint projects, adding just enough mystical enhancement to make their creations exceptional without raising suspicion.

But as their reputation for innovative support items grew, so did the attention they attracted. One evening, while working late in the workshop, Izuku sensed a familiar darkness—the same kind he'd felt when he first acquired the pendant.

"Someone's watching," he whispered to himself, his hand instinctively reaching for the pendant.

A shadow moved across the window, too deliberate to be natural. Izuku quickly gathered his things, his mind racing. He needed to protect not just his secret now, but also his newfound friendships and the life he was building at U.A.

The following morning, he arrived early to find the workshop in disarray. Nothing was stolen, but someone had clearly been searching for something. Or someone.

"Quite a mess," Power Loader commented, surveying the scene. "Good thing we keep all the important projects locked up."

Izuku nodded absently, knowing the real target hadn't been any of the visible projects. The intruder was after the forge's power—they must have sensed it in the enhanced equipment he'd been creating.

That evening, he met with Aelios in their usual training spot. The keeper's expression was grave.

"The shadows are drawing closer," Aelios said, their voice carrying a weight Izuku hadn't heard before. "You've grown stronger, but so has the attention you've attracted. It's time for the next phase of your training."

"What do you mean?" Izuku asked, though part of him already knew the answer.

"You must learn to defend what you create. The forge's power isn't just about making things—it's about protecting them too. Those who seek to misuse its power will stop at nothing to obtain it."

Aelios drew a circle in the dirt, filling it with intricate symbols. "From now on, we focus on defensive crafting. You must learn to create barriers, both physical and spiritual. Your creations aren't just support items anymore—they're the first line of defense against those who would abuse the forge's power."

As Izuku absorbed these words, he realized how far he'd come from the quirkless boy who'd found a mysterious pendant. He wasn't just creating support items; he was forging a new path for himself and those around him. The responsibility was enormous, but so was the potential to make a difference.

"I understand," he said, standing straighter. "I won't let you down."

"It's not about letting me down," Aelios replied with a slight smile. "It's about standing up for what you believe in. The forge chose you for a reason, Izuku. Now it's time to show everyone why."

The training intensified. Izuku learned to infuse his creations with protective enchantments, to craft items that could shield their users from both physical and mystical threats. His notebook filled with new designs—support items that could defend against quirks while enhancing their users' abilities.

In class, he began incorporating these defensive elements into his projects, carefully disguising them as innovative safety features. His classmates marveled at how his support items seemed to provide protection beyond their apparent capabilities.

"It's like they know exactly what we need," one of the hero course students commented during a joint training session, examining a shield Izuku had created. "How do you do it?"

Izuku just smiled, thinking of the countless hours spent balancing conventional engineering with the forge's magic. "I just try to think about what would help people the most."

But as his skills grew, so did the shadows lurking at the edges of his world. More break-in attempts occurred, not just at U.A. but also near his home. Dark figures appeared and disappeared in his peripheral vision. The pendant grew warmer more frequently, warning him of approaching dangers.

One night, as he worked on a particularly complex project, the pendant suddenly burned hot against his chest. At the same moment, the workshop's lights flickered and died, plunging him into darkness.

"I wondered how long it would take to find you alone," a voice whispered from the shadows. It wasn't Aelios—this voice carried malice instead of wisdom.

Izuku reached for his latest creation—a staff infused with both technological and mystical defenses. The forge's power hummed through him, ready to protect what he had built.

"I won't let you take it," he said firmly, his voice stronger than he felt.

The shadow laughed, a sound like breaking glass. "Oh, young forgemaster, we don't want to take it. We want you to join us. Think of what we could create together..."

But Izuku stood his ground, remembering everything he had learned about the true purpose of creation. This wasn't about power—it was about protection, support, and making the world better for everyone.

The pendant glowed brightly, responding to his resolve. In that moment, Izuku realized that his journey had never been about becoming a traditional hero. It was about becoming something else entirely—a guardian of creation itself.

As he faced the darkness, his mind was already racing with ideas for what he needed to forge next. The real battle was just beginning, and he would need every skill he had learned to protect not just himself, but everything and everyone he had come to care about at U.A.

The shadow moved closer, and Izuku raised his staff, ready to defend what he had built. This was his forge now—his legacy—and he would protect it with everything he had.