"I Reincarnated in Boku no Hero but They Forgot to Give Me a System"

Chapter 11 — Fame, Fire, and Future

A full week had passed since that day.

Aoi was already starting to get used to the heavy weights strapped tightly to his arms and legs. Every step he took sent sharp cracks of pain shooting through his joints, like a chorus of screams from his muscles and bones. But instead of flinching or giving up, he smiled through the discomfort. Because he knew exactly what it meant. Strength. Speed. Endurance. Every single attribute increasing, little by little. Centimeter by centimeter. Drop by drop of sweat pooling and drying on his skin.

Yet today wasn't a training day.

Today was different. Today was special.

Sitting upright in front of his computer, Aoi carefully finished the last panel of what would be his very first complete manga. His fingers trembled slightly from the effort, but his eyes were sharp and focused, burning with determination.

In the corner of the screen, the title blinked in large, simple letters:

"Fire Force — Chapter 1"

With the aid of his perfect memory and an almost supernatural understanding of the art and story, he had redrawn every panel with painstaking fidelity — as if the original manga was etched into his mind with ink that could never fade. Every angle, every facial expression, every line of action was carefully reproduced. The dialogue flowed naturally and effortlessly, while the visual effects seemed to leap off the screen, crackling with energy and life. It was as if the original author had been reincarnated inside him, channeling their spirit through his hands.

Without a moment's hesitation, Aoi uploaded the entire manga onto an amateur publishing website, his heart pounding with a mix of hope and fear.

Less than forty-eight hours later, his phone buzzed violently with a notification.

> "We are interested in discussing a contract."

Aoi didn't smile. He didn't celebrate with a shout or a fist pump. Instead, he closed his eyes slowly and took a deep breath. Like a seasoned warrior who had just won the first of many battles ahead.

He descended the stairs calmly and found his mother sitting quietly in the living room, folding clothes with a distant, tired look in her eyes. She seemed miles away from the reality around her.

He approached softly, not wanting to startle her.

— Mom… can you come with me to the city?

I need you to sign a contract.

She looked up, her brow furrowing in confusion.

— Contract? What are you talking about, Aoi?

He held up the phone, the screen displaying the email clearly.

— I drew a manga. Posted it online.

And the publisher liked it. They want to publish it.

Rei read the message carefully, blinking several times as if trying to convince herself it was real. Then she looked at her son with a new expression, as if she was seeing him for the first time.

— You drew… a manga?

— Yeah. Fire Force. It's a story about special firefighters with supernatural flames.

I think it's going to sell well.

Rei took a moment to react, her mind trying to catch up with the sudden turn of events. Then she smiled softly — a shy, almost childlike smile that seemed to bring light back into her tired eyes.

— Okay. Let's go.

The city outside was alive and bustling, full of honking cars, rushing people, and the distant hum of urban life. But Aoi barely noticed. His mind was focused beyond the noise, the flashing advertisements, and the crowded sidewalks.

When they entered the modern glass building of the publishing company, a friendly receptionist greeted them warmly and led them through a long, silent corridor. The walls were adorned with framed posters of famous mangas, their colorful artwork telling stories of adventure, courage, and dreams. The air smelled faintly of fresh paper, new ink, and the intangible scent of hopes realized.

The editor, a gray-haired man with sharp, discerning eyes, stood to greet them. He shook Rei's hand gently, his voice calm but sincere.

— Mrs. Todoroki. Thank you for coming.

Your son… he has talent. Real talent.

Rei still seemed unsure how to react. She glanced around the room as if waking from a nightmare only to find herself in a dream she never expected.

As the editor explained the terms of the contract, Aoi's attention drifted away. It wasn't that he wasn't interested — quite the opposite. His mind was consumed by a different fire, one that burned brighter than any contract or money.

He thought of Shinra Kusakabe — the protagonist of Fire Force. The way Shinra soared through the air, using his flames as propulsion beneath his feet. His jumps, sharp and fast, like missiles fired from a cannon. The speed that cut through the air like a blade, breaking the bonds of gravity with a confident smile.

Aoi glanced down at his own body. He felt a faint warmth rising from deep within — the blue flame he carried, quiet but powerful.

"My flames don't burn," he reflected silently, "but they have structure. They have strength. They react like real fire. And if I train my control… if I focus those flames into my feet… I can fly. I can move like a rocket, faster than anything. I can stop relying on the ground beneath me."

He turned his gaze toward the tall glass window. Outside, the sky was clear and vast — a deep, endless blue stretching beyond the horizon.

"That's it. When I get back… I'm going to add 'Flame Control' to my list."

The meeting ended without complications. Rei signed the papers as his legal guardian, still a little stunned by the whirlwind of events. The publisher requested confidentiality about the authorship until the legal details were settled. In return, they offered a generous advance — enough to make a real difference in their lives.

As they walked out of the building, Aoi's steps were heavy, weighed down by the training weights. Yet something inside him felt lighter than before.

Rei held his hand tightly, her fingers trembling slightly.

— Aoi… you really drew all of this by yourself?

He answered with a subtle smile.

— This is just the beginning, Mom. Trust me… with this, we'll have enough to live far away from here.

You deserve a better life.

She paused, her eyes shining with unshed tears. She squeezed his hand firmly.

— I trust you. I always have.

That day, Aoi won two battles.

He paved a path toward financial freedom.

And set a new goal for his blue flame: freedom in the skies.

If the ground is no longer enough for his strength…

He will conquer the sky.

---