Chapter Text
Where... am I..? Midoriya wondered, he could have sworn he had just gone to sleep.
“The Ley lines are acting strange.” Istaroth said.
Naberuis nodded, “We’ll be going into the ley lines, abyssal levels have skyrocketed recently.”
“Did something happen to the barrier when Aizawa was brought in?” Ei asked.
“We don’t know.” Ronova admitted. “But we’ll be investigating the source until we can figure out the root of the problem. We all know how important the ley lines are to Teyvat.”
“Not just Teyvat, the whole world. We cannot let the abyss spread beyond Teyvat. The outside world is not prepared for a threat that great.” Asmoday said.
“I’m loosing control over the dreams of the exchange students. We know they’re allogenes, if they manage to see into the ley lines... It’s not something they’re ready for, neither mentally or physically.” Nahida sighed.
“Do you really believe that you can save everyone?” Venti said. Midoriya turned sharply, Venti standing behind them. “You have no control over your power.”
“You’re weak.” Another voice said, it was one of the previous uses of the one for all quirk.
“You can’t save anyone.” Another spat, surrounding him.
“You don’t know what really happened.”
“You can’t even save yourself.”
“I shouldn’t have named you my successor.”
“I regret calling you my friend.”
“Pathetic.”
“Weak.”
“Useless.”
Midoriya felt the ground below him collapse, falling endlessly.
He fell onto the ground, Midoriya standing before him. “Who are you!?”
“I am you.” Midoriya said. He punched him in the gut, sending him flying backwards. “I am what you will become.”
“No! I’m nothing like you!” Midoriya yelled.
“The fate of teyvat cannot easily be changed, even a god only has a slim chance.” The wind said, swirling around Midoriya.
Midoriya. Wake up.
The wind swirled faster around him. He opened his eyes, sitting up abruptly. It was the middle of the night, Ochoco dozing peacefully across from him. He stood up, walking out of the room and closing the door as silently as he could. He walked down the stairs, getting himself a glass of water.
“Can’t sleep?” Venti asked from behind him.
Midoriya jumped, “Sorry, you just scared me, I didn’t think anyone would be awake.”
“I don’t need sleep, the wind told me you were awake anyway. What stirred you from your sleep?” Venti asked him.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
Venti sighed, “I know I’m not your teacher. But that doesn’t make me any less worried, I can see it in your face, the fear.”
“I just had a weird dream.” He admitted. “Something about the ley lines, then the floor collapsed beneath me and all the ones who had my quirk before me were yelling at me. There was a version of myself that was trying to attack me- I don’t know.”
“So, Nahida was right. Do you know what the ley lines are?” Venti asked him, and Midoriya shook his head. “The ley lines are the roots of Irminsul, what holds the knowledge of the world. The ley lines record information and spread elemental energy across the world. Something happened to them recently, and there’s been a rise in abyssal activity inside. The four shades headed inside to deal with the crisis. I’m not sure how or why, but you and your friends are connected to the ley lines, just like others with visions.” Venti explained. “I know it’s a lot to process but just try to go to sleep for now. I can take you for a fly if that’ll help.”
“A fly...?”
“It’s a nice way to wind down.” Venti said, “Wanna try?”
Midoriya hesitated before nodding, Venti leading him to the balcony. A dragon swooped down, Venti floating onto his back, holding out a hand to Midoriya.
Midoriya took his hand cautiously, the wind floating him up. “Hold on.” Venti said, “Let’s go Dvalin.”
Dvalin soared into the sky, gliding over the campus. Midoriya looked up at the sky, the stars looked different here.
“Wake up firecracker! Mualani is waiting for you!” Hu Tao called, knocking on his door.
Bakugo groaned, pushing open the door. “I’m awake!” He spat, pushing past her.
“Geez.” Hu Tao said, rolling her eyes.
“C’mon! I’ll introduce you to the others!” Mualani said. She grabbed his hand, pulling him onto her surfboard and zooming off. She halted in the back courtyard, four other students waiting there.
A taller girl nodded her cowboy hat to him. She was dressed in the anemo uniform, except her jacket was tied around her waist, and her top was more fitted and cropped. She had pants instead of the classic skirt, and one of the pants' legs was the length of shorts, the other long. She had long red hair with a dark blue accent in the front. She had sharp, piercing blue eyes, with bold red eyeshadow. She had matching black gloves and tall black boots. “Chasca.” She said.
A shorter girl with pika ears and crystal blue eyes waved to him, “I’m Kachina!” She had a classic geo uniform, although she looked about 10 at the most.
A boy with dark green hair and yellow-green eyes nodded to him, “Kinich.”
A girl with light pink hair and lilac eyes sat on a floating pillow. “I was starting to think you’d never show up!” She scoffed, “It’s Citlali by the way.”
A taller boy in the electro uniform stood beside Citlali, his hood over his head with an animal ear peaking out. He had mismatched eyes, one purple, and the other blue. “Ororon.”
“This is everyone!” Mualani said.
Kinich sighed, “Are you sure about him Lani?”
“Everyone deserves a chance.” Mualani said to him.
“If you aren’t going to explain the trials to him, I will.” Citlali snapped. “The first trial is where each member will compete against another team with the corresponding element. The second trial is similar to a capture the flag game. If anyone manages to capture your flag, you’re automatically eliminated. The third trial is teamwork, it’s kind of like a relay, but with parkour and other trials. The first section is over water, that’s Mualani’s section. The second is dodging and going through quickly, that’s Kinich’s section. Next are puzzles, which is mine. After that is archery, which Ororon is doing. After is scaling a wall, which Kachina is doing. The next is a stretch where you have to break through objects and get over rough terrain, that’s yours. The last stretch is an open-air race, Chasca’s specialty. Technically it used to be where there would only be one victor, and if the pyro archon had died, they would become the new one, but we don’t do that anymore.” Citlali explained.
“What you need to work on is breaking phlogiston infused rocks.” Mualani said. “Mavuika made some over there.” She added, pointing to large boulders with red light coming out of them.
“Easy peasy.” Bakugo scoffed, throwing an explosion at it, which only made a small dent.
“Yeah, phlogiston is pretty tough to break.” Mualani laughed.
“Welcome everyone to the Pilgrimage!” Mavuika announced. “We have multiple teams competing, representing Monstadt: Jean, Noelle, Fischl, Amber, Diluc, Barbara and Kaeya. Liyue: Xiao, Yun Jin, Keqing, Yao Yao, Xingqu, Hu Tao and Ganyu. Inazuma: Kazuha, Gorou, Shogun, Kirara, Kokomi, Thoma and Ayaka. Sumeru: Wanderer, Tighnari, Cyno, Alhaitham, Candace, Dehya, and Kaveh. Fontaine: Lynette, Navia, Clorinde, Emilie, Cheveruse, Lyney and Freminet. Natlan: Chasca, Kachina, Ororon, Kinich, Mualani, Citlali, and one of the exchange students, Bakugo! Finally, from Nod-Krai: Jahoda, Illuga, Flins, Nefer, Aino, Lauma, and Ineffa!"
Bakugo stood across from Nefer, throwing an explosion at her. She ducked underneath, “Seek within.” She said, two clones appeared beside her, slashing down alongside her. Nefer was about to attack him again, before she suddenly froze. She shoved Bakugo out of the way as an abyssal rift opened.
Mavuika plunged down, “Get to safety.” She ordered, summoning a claymore. Nefer sprinted away, Bakugo didn’t move.
He couldn’t move.
“Skirk, need you here, now.” Mavuika said through the Akasha. She attacked a large creature that came out of the rift, slicing it in half. It fell apart, the two pieces regrowing and duplicating the enemy. Aizawa ran up to Bakugo. “Get your student out of here, now.” Mavuika ordered.
Aizawa dragged Bakugo away, coming back to help. Skirk ran up beside him, holding her hands out and trying to close the void. It was slow, but it was working. “Cover me.” Skirk said, moving her shaking hands closer together.
Aizawa punched one of the creatures, but its body warped, his hand going through it. Mavuika kicked it into the rift, slamming the blunt side of her claymore into the head of the other.
Skirk shut the rift as soon as Mavuika kicked the last creature in. “Keep everyone in their dorms until we’ve searched for any other abyssal traces.” Skirk said through the Akasha. She contacted someone over the Akasha, “Low level abyss threat breached the premises, was delt with swiftly. Students are staying in dormitories until the campus has been searched thoroughly.” Skirk said, closing the call. “Aizawa, you can stay in the staff dorms for the time being."
“What do you mean by low level threat? That creature was unkillable! What’s going on?” Aizawa asked.
“We aren’t sure. We’ll scan the campus for any abyssal traces, until we are sure that there is no threat, the students will stay inside the dorms. Dinner will be delivered.” Skirk told him. “The abyss is like the world’s shadow. It is always there, and it will never perish.”
“Do you expect me to stand by and do nothing?” Aizawa asked.
Skirk sighed, “I understand you want to protect your students, but there’s nothing you can do here.” She explained, walking away with Mavuika.
Life abides no ████, for none are born by their own consent.
Death abides no ████, for it cannot be defied, even by those who see it coming.
Time abides no ████, for it deprives us all equally, yet brooks not a second to be reclaimed.
Space abides no ████, for it holds all things, yet separates them all the same.
If mortals can turn to the gods when they are powerless, then who do the gods turn to when they have nothing left to give?
I am the sustainer of ████ ████ the arrogation of ████ ends now.
Goodbye people of ████, may you be blessed tonight with the sweetest of dreams.
Listen to me ████, I have already traveled through this world, once you reach the end of your journey just as I did, you will see for yourself the true nature of this world.
Maybe she just switched sides.
I am your past, the everlasting law, the guardian of ████, and I am she who promised a dream to her subjects, ████ ██!
Freedom, if demanded of you by an archon, is really no freedom at all.
Do you even know how many times you’ve tried to take my ████ from me?
A curse placed by those wretched ███.
You... are the enemy of eternity.
Please, anyone just anyone listen to me, I swear, I really am your archon!
The ████ archon, guilty, to be punished via the death sentence.
I need you to play a role, that of a new archon.
Play as... a ███?
Makoto...?
You twisted ████ name into a shackling prison.
We are the inheritors of memory and legend! Those who grew alongside sun and wind.
From the very beginning, you the god Focalors, you have utterly failed to take action.
I cannot say.
Maybe in the eyes of a deity such as the almighty ████, the lives of those who habit the world are inconsequential.
If they get their vision...
It’s their choice to decide what they pick.
They’re scared.
And they have every right to be! After everything they’ve been through, they shouldn’t trust them!
████, please.
That quirk is going to kill him.
It’s not our choice to take it.
That ████ kid.
What do you mean she’s dead?
What a twisted society.
A land of eternity, unchanging forever more.
You’re no match for her at all.
You don’t get to die a hero today.
And I will always remember how much she too, loved those flowers.
In your eyes, the value of a human life is nothing compared to those cold laws you hold so dear. If you truly regret my father’s death, then why didn’t you call a stop to the duel!? Why didn’t you... give me the power to stop him from throwing his life away, despised and hated by all... Everything was hanging on a thread at that moment... Just the tiniest effort could have changed everything.
The secret of the ley lines is no secret to me.
The day you learn how to use your strength for the good of others is the day you can truly become a part of human society.
As long as blood still runs through your veins, even the tiniest spark of steel against stone can ignite a flame. Its blaze will become one with our vision for Natlan. Even amid everlasting darkness, our bonds remain eternal.
Whenever we sat down together, exhausted from training, she would always hum to Ode of Resurrection... She was supposed to come back to us. We were supposed to hug her and celebrate with her and share her joy... We supported her every step of the way, but what are we supposed to do now? Sit peacefully and wait for her to return? Lose ourselves in grief over her death? Tell me - are we her friends? Or her murderers?
Countless people exist in my memories, and I know one day, that will be my fate, too - a memory living on in someone else's head.
We are shades, shadows of the ████ principles.
████, ignite your fire, the hope that burns within.
I’ve been through this moment so many times in my head... imagining you sharing the same pain I feel. I thought it would bring me joy, but I guess not. You’re better off with the life you have ████, the less you know, the better.
Stare straight ahead, and you will see things as they appear... but change your perspective, and you will see them as they are.
Maybe there’s a chance that one day, a glimmer of truth will emerge in the false sky - a truth belonging to this world alone.
In the name of the pyro archon ████, I declare the Night Warden wars underway. The ode of resurrection will guard all life until the war is over!
The ley lines are unstable.
You’re... not from this world are you?
If one day, you realize there’s somewhere else you’d rather be, should I let you go, and be happy for you?
I am your fear, your dark side. I am the nightmare in which you have not escaped in all these years. Standing before me, you are nothing.
Seeds of stories brought by the wind and cultivated by time.
Life, death, time, space and reason, they all believed I would fail.
Farewell Neuvillette, I hope you’ve enjoyed the part you’ve played these 500 years.
I Iudex Neuvillete, declare that people of Fontaine, your sins are forgiven.
To be stripped of one’s vision is to be stripped of one’s ambition.
You cling to outdated ideals and stand in the way of progress.
She exhausted her strength, and her form became that of a small child.
And as you surmise, you are a formidable opponent. Now, I will demonstrate true wisdom in action. I invoke my supreme authority as the keeper of Irminsul. Condemn me or convene me, but give your verdict now!
Todoroki sat up abruptly, those words felt all too real.
A message popped up on the Akasha, which he didn’t even know he could receive messages on. It was a group chat between him and his friends.
Mina has added Mineta, Yaoyorozu, Bakugo, Todoroki, Kaminari, Kirishima and Midoriya to the group chat
Mina: Nahida just showed me how this worked
Mina: this is so cool!!!!!
Mina: Anyways I just had the weirdest dream
Yaoyorozu: Were there a bunch of people speaking to you and saying things with parts that were censored?
Mina: There were a bunch of people saying things with parts that were censored
Mina: Oh
Mina: Wait im rlly confused now
Todoroki: I also had a dream like that
Ochoco: I did as well...
Bakugo: I also did
Midoriya: Same here
Mineta: I didn’t have a dream like that
Kaminari: I did
Kirishima: Also
Mineta: WHY AM I THE ONLY ONE
Bakugo: Okay what the genuine ████
Bakugo: IT BLURS OUT SWEARING!?
Mina: lol
Todoroki: I feel like the bigger issue is the fact that six of us shared a dream
Yaoyorozu: Something about the ley lines?
Mina: Nahida says this thing has a similar function to what we call google
Mina: Okay SO
Mina: Ley lines: Ley lines are pretty much the roots of Irminsul, which holds the knowledge of the entire world. It spreads elemental energy throughout Teyvat using the ley lines.
Mina: It also says here that Irminsul was corrupted during the Cataclysm and was barely fixed and could have destroyed the world. Later destroyed by Nahida to stop Dottore, everything it held was transferred into Aaru. Nahida’s life is connected to Irminsul, when Dottore went inside of it, she nearly died.
Kaminari: Because that’s not terrifying or anything
Mina: Oh also Nahida can read minds
Yaoyorozu: What.
Bakugo: She can use that against us
Bakugo: Thats how they brainwash everyone
Yaoyorozu: We have bigger concerns right now
Yaoyorozu: Based on everything so far, there’s no actual concrete evidence of them doing anything harmful to their students
Nahida has added Aizawa to the group chat
Bakugo: SHE CAN DO THAT!?
Nahida: Yes I can don’t worry I don’t read your messages I respect the privacy of our students :D
Mina: You are my favorite archon
Nahida: ^^
Yaoyorozu: Sensei, we all shared a dream, (excluding Mineta) relating to the ley lines
Aizawa: Do you know anything else about it?
Mina: Hang on WHEN DID YOU GET HERE!?
Aizawa: This afternoon.
Yaoyorozu: Not much, but I plan to look into it at the library once we aren’t held in the dorms
Bakugo: They aren’t even telling us why we’re stuck here
Aizawa: There’s a potential threat of the abyss, until the make sure it’s gone, you’re all stuck in your dorms.
Mina: Aw man :(
Ochoco: As in the literal abyss
Aizawa: I believe so.
Mina: I retract my statement I’m good in here actually
Todoroki closed the floating green screen as Skirk opened the door. “Dinners in five, we’re just having it in the cryo common room.” She said to him.
Todoroki followed her to the common room, where several other students were hanging out, he sat farther away on an unoccupied couch. “You’re Todoroki right?” A girl with short pink hair that reached just above her shoulders and teal eyes asked.
“Yes...?”
“Can I interview you? I’m Charlotte by the way, I have so many questions! What’s it like in Japan? What are the heroes like? Is discrimination against those without quirks really a thing? What is All Might like-” She began, rapid firing questions.
“Charlotte, let him breathe.” A taller tan man with dark blue hair said. He had icy blue eyes, one covered by an eyepatch.
“Sorry, sorry! I’ve just never had a chance to talk to someone from outside of teyvat before!” Charlotte apologized.
“Food is here.” Skirk said, rolling over a cart with several trays of food.
“Todays dish is Xiangling’s signature dish, Boiled fish, it’s her version of black perch stew.” Escoffier said, taking a tray for herself and sitting down on a chair. “Chongyun, yours is on the bottom.” She added.
“Today we will be going over the next act of Fontaine, ‘As Light Rain Falls Without Reason.’ Aether, Navia and Paimon head to Hotel Debord, where they have a chat with Navia. After, the head to the fountain plaza, where Aether hears voices. He is drawn towards the water, where he falls unconscious. He speaks to an oceanid talking of their love, Vacher. While he was unconscious, a number of Gardemeks of unknown origin surround them. Navia and her people attempt to protect you, but there are too many foes. Clorinde appears, eliminating the Gardemeks. They later head to the Palais Mermonia, where they talk to Chief Justice. He apoligieses for the death of Navia’s father, Callas, in which Navia responds; ‘In your eyes, the value of a human life is nothing compared to those cold laws you hold so dear. If you truly regret my father’s death, then why didn’t you call a stop to the duel!? Why didn’t you... give me the power the power to stop him from throwing his life away, why did you just let him die, despised and hated by all... Everything was handing on a thread at that moment. Just the tiniest effort could have changed everything.’ They leave the Palais Mermonia, when it suddenly begins to rain. They make a connection of the crime scene being affected by rain. They discover later that he died in a duel to protect Navia. They question three suspects, the most likely being Marcel. At the opera house, Childe is excused of being the true culprit behind the serial disappearances case. Navia runs in, saying how he is innocent. Neuvillette says to stop, otherwise she will be charged. Navia says she has no respect for pointless theatrics, and says the person responsible in Marcel. Navia explains. When the guests arrived at the scene, they found the suspect, Callas, holding a gun, while his acquaintance, Jacques, lay dead from a gunshot wound. There were no other firearms from the scene. The suspect did not dispute, and declined defending himself through court, and chose to prove his innocence in a duel. Navia states that an assassin first shot Jacques, then turned to shoot Callas, who wrestled the fun from him. The true culprit caused the assassin to dissolve into water, leading everyone to believe that Callas was responsible for the murderer. They later do more investigating after being told they do not have enough evidence. They learn that Vacher is responsible for the case. After coming back, he is declared guilty and runs out of the courthouse. He falls unconscious at the Fountaine, later being declared dead by a massive fright.” Nicole said. “That concludes class.” Nicole said.
“Ms. Nicole, I had some questions about visions!” Midoriya asked her.
“Yes?”
“How exactly do they differ from quirks?”
“Well, Visions only control one of the seven elements, quirks do many things,” Nicole began. “I’ve just never really understood that aspect of quirks though,” Nicole wondered aloud.
“What do you mean?”
“The aspect of it defining your worth.”
“Don’t visions do that?”
“Well... sort of? But we don’t have some sort of social hierarchy that determines your societal value. Yes, people with visions are more often than not considered stronger, and that makes it easer for them to find some jobs. But that doesn’t mean people without visions aren’t trained to be strong. It’s precisely the fact that visions are rare that we’re still able to have a functioning society with or without them. That’s the flaw of quirks, the societal belief that without them, you’re rendered powerless.”
“You make it sound as if visions are perfect.”
“No, not in the slightest. Visions are a fraction of a god’s power. It doesn’t make you divine. Divinity is flawless humanity, and humanity is flawed divinity. Visions aren’t something you can just take. They're your ambition, your fate. If forcefully taken, you loose part of yourself. That’s something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. Visions themselves have existed long before quirks.”
“That’s impossible, quirks have existed for hundreds of years!”
“Visions have existed for thousands. The seven elements themselves have existed since the beginning of time, long before the dawn of humanity. Although, how humanity managed to form outside of Teyvat after the war of Funerary flam is still a mystery to me. Maybe in a sense, quirks began the dawn of your humanity. As an angel, I’ve witnessed countless deaths, whether that be of people, or civilizations. Yet, at the end, Teyvat remains my home. Though I am no longer tethered here, I do not wish to leave. If it comes to it, I shall protect Teyvat till my dying breath. Sorry, I let myself ramble there, didn’t I?”
“No, it’s fine.” Yaoyozorou said.
“We were always told visions were fake quirks.” Mina said.
“You idiot! We weren't supposed to tell them that!” Bakugo snapped.
“Perhaps that’s what those in charge forced you to believe.”
“The heroes?” Mina asked.
“No. In this world, there is always a higher power. One we cannot always see.”
“Higher power?” Midoriya questioned.
“I believe you call them the league of villains.” Nicole began.
“How would they be a higher power!?" Bakugo spat.
“Well... think about it. What is the goal of the league of villains?” Nicole asked.
“To destroy the pro heroes.” Bakugo said.
“What better way to do that than initiating a war? Now that I think about it... it lines up with the disappearance of Dottore, and the start of... never mind.” Nicole said.
“No, wait what do you mean-?”
“Don’t worry about it.” Nicole said.
“Can I do something else today?” Bakugo complained.
“No.” Mavuika said, not turning to face him.
“You aren’t teaching me anything! No wonder you quirkless people are so pathetic! You can’t even use the power you have!” Bakugo spat.
Mavuika stiffened, turning towards him. “I’ll teach you something when you learn what you’re fighting for.”
“I want to be the strongest.”
“You have no reason to be a hero if it’s only for the arrogance and pride you have.” Mavuika spat.
“I-”
“You have no goal. You have no purpose. You only have your pride and arrogance you choose to stand on because of those twisted ideals you call morals.” Mavuika said. “Find something to fight for, or you can wallow in your self pity inside of the void you created."
Bakugo stood there as Mavuika walked away. He hadn’t actually ever been talked down to for how he acted. It wasn’t like Mavuika was right though-! Yeah, maybe he doesn’t have a real goal or purpose, maybe his morals aren’t the greatest, maybe he was arrogant. So what if everyone else had something to fight for? It didn’t make them better in any way, just more noble!
No, he couldn’t be wrong, that would mean he’s weak! So what if someone quirkless beat him? It only proved that one part of his ideals was wrong. It’s not like that ideal was the foundation of every ideal he had!
The foundation of his ideals was that quirks made you stronger!
Oh.
She was right. He is strong, but he doesn’t have a real goal. That didn’t make him a bad person though!
...Did it...?
No one else flaunted their powers.
He did.
So, what does he fight for?
He made people suffer, didn’t he?
That isn’t a hero.
Heroes don’t hurt good people.
Villains do.
He didn’t want to be a villain. So why did he want to be a hero?
He refuses to be the cause of suffering.
He wants to win.
But being the strongest isn’t winning.
Winning is saving people so that no one has to suffer.
“Good morning Ms. Nahida!” Mina said cheerfully, running into Dendro training.
Nahida smiled at her, “Good morning Mina, just Nahida is fine.”
“Why doesn’t anyone use honorifics here?” Mina asked.
“Well, age is something that varies here. For example, I’m 500, well, that’s how far my memories go, but some students are several thousands of years old.” Nahida explained. “But did you bring your bow today like I asked?”
Mina nodded, pulling out a bow and arrow from her bag, “Where is Mineta by the way?”
“Oh, I’m not allowing him to train in this class anymore, since I don’t want him near Collei.”
“Isn’t that a bit harsh? I know he isn’t the nicest person, but that still seems a bit extreme.”
“It’s more for his safety, if Tighnari sees him he’s good as dead.” Nahida added. “But for now, why don’t we focus on your training? I want you to try firing an arrow infused with acid, or better yet, make the arrow with acid.”
Mina nodded, aiming her bow, she dropped the arrow as a sharp pain hit her head, “Nahida, I just got a really bad headache.”
“You can go to the nurse if you need to, otherwise just sit out if you aren’t feeling well.” Nahida told her.
“Good morning Todoroki, I have the weapon Xilonen crafted for you here.” Skirk said as Todoroki walked in. “It's a Nod-Krai design, Sacrificial staff if I remember correctly.” She handed him a metal spear. “It’s tailored to your height, so it should work better for you.” She explained.
Todoroki took the spear from her, “Thank you.”
“Xilonen also added better elemental infusion capabilities to it, which I’m not sure if you’ll be able to use, but it might help.” Skirk explained. “Channel your ice into the blade, try to create a consistency like water.
Todoroki channeled ice into the blade, extending it several inches.
“Not... exactly what I wanted but it still works.” Skirk offered. “Spar with me, just do your best to keep the ice in tact.” She instructed, creating a dual edged spear.
Todoroki swung his spear at her, which she parried easily. He struck sideways, but she stepped out of the way. She either dodged of parried each of his attacks like it was nothing,
“You can’t use it like a sword unless you have it at this angle.” Skirk said, she turned her spear to where the flat end faced the ground. “Unless you want to do a blunt attack, which is good for practice, or certain enemies that only get stronger when harmed. Another thing you can do is use it as momentum.” Skirk added.
“How would I...?”
Skirk lodged her spear into the ground, she grabbed the hilt, swinging herself over it with a flip and kicking downwards. “I can teach you how once you’re more comfortable with your weapon. It takes some getting used to.”
Todoroki nodded, wincing as a sharp pang hit his head.
“You okay?” Skirk asked him.
“Just a headache.” He told her.
Skirk raised an eyebrow, “Go to the nurse if it’s bad, otherwise, you can sit out. I don’t want you to train in pain.
Todoroki sat down, closing his eyes for a moment. His body felt strangely cold, and heating himself up did nothing. He put on his jacket, which helped a bit, but not much. He was used to the cold, but he was freezing right now.
Skirk touched the back of her hand to Todoroki’s forehead, “You don’t feel cold.” She murmured, “Yet you’re shivering. It’s strange, as someone who can manipulate ice, you should have a higher tolerance to the cold, especially with your control over fire. I’ll have Escoffier make you a hot chocolate.” She decided, walking over to Escoffier. She came back a few minutes later with a mug of hot chocolate, handing it to him. “I’ll look into it, but just do your best to keep warm for now.”
“My body feels... thick...? Like I'm constantly wading through water. I can’t quite describe it.” Ochoco said.
“Same, it feels so weird.” Mina said.
“I just feel really, really hot.” Bakugo complained.
“I’m freezing.” Todoroki murmured.
“I feel really light, not lightheaded, but my entire body feels almost weightless.” Midoriya said.
“It’s like I have really bad allergies all the sudden.” Yaoyorozu said.
“I keep getting shocked whenever I touch anything.” Kaminari said.
“My joints feel stiff.” Kirishima complained.
“Hm... it seems to be high elemental sensitivity.” Sigewinne said. “I’d say it’s the increase in abyssal energy; you all seem to be sensitive to elemental energy in general though. I would say it’s because you aren’t from Teyvat, but not all of you are reacting this way.”
“Is there anything we can do?” Yaoyorozu asked.
“I can give you some medicine, but until we’ve lowered abyssal levels to normal, that’s all I can do.” Sigewinne sighed. She walked over to a cabinet, pulling out a few bottles. She handed them each different pills, only Ochoco and Mina had the same blue ones. “You can go back to class now.”
“The abyssal rates are getting higher, and the barrier is weakening.” Istaroth said.
“How much longer do we have?” Skirk asked Nahida.
“Anywhere from a few hours to a week.” Nahida answered.
“Barbeloth, can you see when it’ll happen?” Venti asked.
“He’s the closest. Aizawa seems to keep an extra eye on him.”
“We’ve located the League of Villains.” Yelan said. “He may be allied with them.”
“So, it’s as I feared.” Ei murmured.
“How will he get it?” Skirk asked.
“That I cannot see.” Barbeloth admitted.