MHA:MPR CH31 - Mount Lady Training (2)

A/N: Double Release (1/2)

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Mount Lady stood at the far end of the gym, her arms crossed confidently, and called out, “Hurry up then.” Her voice echoed through the spacious simulation room, carrying both impatience and a playful taunt.

Shiro stood still for a moment, unfazed by her demeanor. ‘She’s really impatient…’ he thought, before raising his thumb to his mouth and biting down hard. His teeth pierced the skin, and a thin line of crimson blood trickled down, pooling slightly on his hand.

From the other side, Mount Lady raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued by his unusual action. She furrowed her brows, tilting her head slightly as she observed him. ‘Biting his thumb? Is that some kind of nervous habit?’ she wondered. ‘He seemed calm earlier, but maybe he’s shyer than I thought…’ Her expression softened, thinking she might need to encourage him.

Just as she started taking a step forward, intending to offer some reassurance, a sudden change gripped the air around them.

Thick muscle fibers began forming rapidly over Shiro’s body, twisting and expanding with an audible crackle. The sound of sinews tightening and bones forming filled the gym. A bright yellow light burst from his form, illuminating the space and forcing Mount Lady to shield her eyes with her arm.

“Hm?” she muttered, squinting to discern his silhouette through the golden glow. Her intrigue grew with every passing second.

After a few tense moments, the light faded, revealing Shiro’s towering titan form.

Mount Lady blinked, her confident grin faltering as she took in the sight before her. ‘Is that still the kid? His quirk isn’t just size enhancement—it’s a full anatomical transformation… Those muscles look like they could withstand anything. The sheer power behind them must be overwhelming,’ she thought, a chill running down her spine despite her experience.

Shiro’s glowing blue eyes locked onto her, his immense presence exuding both raw strength and controlled focus.

“I’m ready when you are,” he said, his voice a distorted, growl that reverberated through the gym.

Mount Lady flinched, her initial bravado wavering slightly. “Creepy…” she muttered under her breath, taking a cautious step back to create more distance. ‘And I thought he was just a shy boy…’

Gathering herself quickly, she forced a nervous grin onto her face and raised her voice, masking her unease. “Alright then, Shiro. Show me what you’ve got!” she declared, her playful tone laced with cautious observation.

Shiro tilted his head slightly, his glowing eyes narrowing as he assessed her stance. ‘She’s putting on an act,’ he thought. Years of reading people had honed his ability to see through facades, and her nervous energy was plain to him.

Meanwhile, Mount Lady shifted her stance into a defensive position, her mind racing as she analyzed his movements. ‘I can’t take him head-on; that much is obvious. His strength is clearly on another level. I’ll have to rely on agility and my superior combat experience to outmaneuver him,’ she strategized, mentally rehearsing her plan.

Shiro, on the other hand, had a different thought process. ‘I need to hold back and make sure I don’t destroy this gym—or her,’ he mused, taking his first careful step forward. His massive frame moved with surprising precision, navigating the painted roads and simulated obstacles without disturbing a single one.

Each step sent a faint tremor through the ground, the sound of his weighty footsteps resonating through the gym. ‘This setup isn’t ideal for a brawl,’ Shiro thought, his eyes scanning the room. ‘But if I can just get to her without toppling anything, I can end this quickly. One grab, and it’s over.’

Mount Lady’s sharp eyes followed his every move, her muscles tense and ready to react. ‘He’s more precise than I expected for a newbie,’ she thought, her respect for his control growing. ‘Still, I’ll need to bait him into making a mistake.’

The gap between them closed steadily as Shiro advanced. His colossal form, slowly wove past stationary cars and small roaming robots, his every movement deliberate and calculated.

As he reached her position, Shiro lunged forward, his massive hand closing in to grab her. But Mount Lady, anticipating his move, spun and leaped gracefully out of the way, landing lightly in the center of the gym without disturbing a single obstacle.

“Damn it,” Shiro muttered, retracting his arm. His eyes locked onto her, his frustration simmering. ‘She’s nimble for her size. More so than I anticipated,’ he thought, mentally recalibrating his approach.

Mount Lady chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “What’s the matter, dear? Struggling to move comfortably in tight spaces?” she teased, her voice light but instructive.

Straightening, Shiro prepared himself for another attempt, his massive shoulders shifting as he readied his next move.

“This isn’t just about strength,” Mount Lady continued, her voice carrying across the gym. “This exercise is easy compared to real-life scenarios. Out there, you’ll deal with panicked civilians moving unpredictably, creating chaos. These are the challenges of being a Pro-Hero,” she explained, her tone firm but encouraging.

Shiro’s eyes narrowed, her words sinking in. ‘She’s not wrong, but I need to at least grab her once. Then it’ll all be over,’ he resolved, his focus sharpening.

The chase resumed, with Shiro steadily maneuvering through the obstacles. Every time he closed in, Mount Lady evaded him with practiced ease, her athleticism keeping her just out of reach.

Frustration simmered within Shiro, but he channeled it into determination. ‘I’m not going to let her make a fool out of me,’ he thought, gritting his teeth as he pushed forward.

Mount Lady smiled as she dodged another attempt, her confidence growing. “Keep up, Shiro! You’ve got potential, but you’ve got a long way to go!” she called out, her voice a mix of encouragement and challenge.

Despite her words, Shiro’s movements became increasingly fluid and precise. ‘It’s become a lot easier,’ he thought, a faint grin forming behind his titan mask as he avoided the obstacles effortlessly.

“What’s the matter, Shiro? It’s been a whole hour. Don’t tell me you’re still unable to catch up,” Mount Lady taunted, standing confidently near the edge of the gym.

Shiro, however, had already adapted to her speed several minutes ago. ‘She’s cocky,’ he observed, noting her relaxed posture. ‘If I make her think I’m struggling, she’ll drop her guard. That’s when I’ll catch her.’

As expected, Mount Lady stopped near the entrance, her hands on her hips, exuding triumph. “Come on, slowpoke! At this rate, we’ll be here all day,” she teased, clearly underestimating him.

Shiro stumbled intentionally, feigning clumsy steps as he closed the distance. Just as he got within range, he lunged forward with all his might.

Mount Lady’s eyes widened, her confidence shattering as she realized too late what was happening. “H-how?!” she gasped, attempting to leap away.

But Shiro’s massive hand wrapped around her waist, lifting her effortlessly into the air. Her limbs flailed in surprise, but Shiro’s grip was firm.

In one fluid motion, he prepared to slam her down but halted mid-swing, holding her just inches above the ground.

“My win?” Shiro asked, his deep, distorted titan voice tinged with a playful, victorious tone.

Dangling in his grip, Mount Lady blinked in disbelief before chuckling nervously. “Alright, alright. You got me,” she admitted, her grin slowly returning.

At that moment, a familiar notification appeared before Shiro’s eyes: [Mission Complete! Reward: 30,000XP].