Ch: 8 [Special Heroes Program]

Three days had passed since my unsettling dream, and life had returned to its usual routine. I had pushed the nightmarish memories to the back of my mind, focusing on my studies and work at the gas station. But a surprise announcement at school was about to disrupt the semblance of normalcy.

As I entered the college campus, I noticed a palpable sense of excitement in the air. It was as if everyone was buzzing with anticipation, their voices carrying hints of curiosity and hope. I couldn't help but wonder what had caused this sudden change in atmosphere.

My friends were already gathered near the college entrance, their expressions a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. Rachel, in her usual studious fashion, was reviewing some notes, while Leo and Jackson were engaged in a lively debate about the latest hero rankings.

Irine and Lily, on the other hand, seemed to be sharing a secret conversation, their heads close together as they whispered to each other. They looked up as I approached, their expressions a mix of mischief and intrigue.

"Travis, you're just in time!" Irine exclaimed with a mischievous grin. "We were just discussing the big news."

"What's going on?" I asked, feeling a sense of curiosity building within me.

Lily leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper, "There's a special orientation happening today, and it's not for the regular students. It's for those who failed their hero exams."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. A special orientation for students who had failed their hero exams? It was a rare occurrence, and it piqued my interest. I couldn't help but wonder what the purpose of such an event was.

"Failed hero exams?" I echoed, "That's unexpected. Do you guys know why they're doing this?"

Rachel, ever the information gatherer, chimed in, "I heard a rumor that they're giving those who failed a second chance to prove themselves. It's like a last-minute opportunity to get into the hero program."

Leo raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in his voice, "Is that even possible? I mean, failing the hero exam usually means you're out, right?"

Jackson nodded in agreement, "Yeah, it's not something they take lightly. But if they're really giving second chances, it could be a game-changer for some of those students."

Irine's eyes sparkled with excitement, "Imagine the competition if they actually let them in. It's going to make things a lot more interesting."

Lily added, "I heard the orientation is happening at the training facility near the campus. They're supposed to meet there in an hour."

As we continued to discuss the unexpected turn of events, I couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity growing within me. The idea of students getting a second chance to pursue their dreams was undeniably appealing, especially for someone like me, who had faced their own share of setbacks.

But I don't think I will take part in it. I have enough things to worry about, like how to make enough money to live a luxurious when I am old. Being a hero won't earn me that and why the hell do I have to fight villains and put my life at risk?

Nope. No way in hell. I am gonna earn and live a long life.

"You gonna take part in it?" Leo asked with a light punch on my back.

I chuckled and shook my head in response to Leo's question. "Nah, man. I've got my own path to follow, and it doesn't involve heroics. Besides, I've got bills to pay and a future to think about."

Leo grinned, as if he had expected my answer. "Fair enough, Travis. You do you."

The announcement of the special orientation had stirred up a whirlwind of excitement and speculation among the students, but for me, it was a reminder of the different paths people could take in life. As we continued to chat and speculate about the event, I couldn't help but wonder about the students who would be attending, each with their own dreams and aspirations.

As the time for the orientation drew near, my friends and I decided to head to the training facility to catch a glimpse of what was happening. And since today's classes were canceled, it's even better. We joined the growing crowd of students who had gathered there, their expressions a mix of anticipation and nervousness.

"You know, you can still join in if you want," I said to Leo.

Irine, Jackson, and Rachel decided to join the program. They were lined up along with those who were taking part.

Leo flashed a grin at my comment but shook his head. "Nah, man, I'll pass on this one. I've got my own plans, and they don't involve hero training. But I'll cheer on Irine, Jackson, and Rachel. They've got what it takes."

"You know," I looked at him, "You already know my reason for refusing, but whenever we talk about the reason you dropped out of the program despite passing the test, you always avoid that... Why?"

His grin faded slightly, and he glanced away for a moment, as if collecting his thoughts. When he finally looked back at me, there was a hint of vulnerability in his eyes.

"Travis," he began, "I've never really talked about this with anyone, but you're my friend, and you deserve to know the truth. The reason I dropped out of the hero program is because of my Quirk – my pyrokinetic abilities."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised by his confession. "Your Quirk? What's wrong with it? I mean, you can control fire, right? That's pretty badass."

Leo nodded, a bitter smile on his face. "Yeah, on the surface, it might seem cool. But there's a downside to it that I've never told anyone. You see, my pyrokinetic abilities come with a side effect – they slowly burn away my own body."

My eyes widened in shock as I tried to process what he was saying. "Wait, you mean your own Quirk is harming you?"

He nodded again, his gaze fixed on the ground. "Exactly. The more I use my pyrokinesis, the more it takes a toll on my body. It's like a double-edged sword. The more I unleash my flames, the more I get burned from the inside."

I couldn't hide my concern as I asked, "Ain't that the point of the hero program? To teach you control your Quirk?"

He let out a bitter chuckle. "I tried, man. I really did. I even consulted with Quirk specialists, underwent numerous medical tests, and even sought advice from experienced heroes. But the consensus was the same – there's no known way to mitigate the damage caused by my Quirk. It's a genetic anomaly, a rare mutation that I was born with."

"That bad, huh?" I mumbled.

Leo's voice was tinged with resignation as he continued, "Yeah, it's bad. And it's not just about the physical toll. The pain that comes with it is... unbearable. I remember one training session where I pushed myself too hard, and the burns were so severe that I couldn't move for days. And my flames went out of control, hurting the nearby students. So, I dropped."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of sympathy for Leo as he opened up about his struggle. It was a stark reminder that not all Quirks were a blessing, and some came with burdens that were too heavy to bear.

"Well that's a long time ago," He smiled. I could tell that he still wanted to stand among those heroes, but sadly, couldn't.

We stood there in silence.

A weird thought crossed my mind.

What if I apply my Reversal Quirk on his body while he uses his Pyro Quirk? Won't my Quirk cancel out the side effects? I mean, if I can master my Quirk properly... But I could barely reverse small objects...