Chapter 14: U.A. Entrance Exam (1)
~Ren Y. POV~
[Weeks Later, Musutafu, Takoba Municipal Beach Park, Japan]
After I returned home living with Toga I decided to come to the Takoba Municipal Beach Park to avoid the people snooping into my business. Sigh… who knew that Lady Nagant would throw the media after me making training difficult?
Thus, I resorted to coming here to physically train my stats. The Takoba Municipal Beach Park is located on the coastline.
Rampant pollution had turned what once was a beautiful public spot into a junkyard. With the trash moved out of the way, the beach became accessible to the public once again. The beach park appears to have a pier with a small gazebo where people can hang out.
Coming here, I came to practice and grind my skills. Since my actions with Lady Nagant left me to contemplate my self-worth.
It made me realize how weak I truly was and restricted from moving because of the laws of this world making it difficult to grind properly thus, I decided to do something meaningful and productive like taking care of the trash of this place. One might know what kind of things are littered here that could be made useful but till then I'll use it to grind my body for UA Entrance Exam.
And a present that Makoto managed to get me after I saved Kazuho's life in return, she used her connections to get me the Quirk from one Captain Celebrity. His Quirk [Flight], but I haven't had time to copy it down because of the attention I've been receiving it was nearly impossible for me to grind properly.
Thus, I came here to level up while gaining experience. Activating [Attract and Repel], and [One for All], I try to see how to best effectively use these Quirks… hopefully, I'll be able to see which Quirks I should add when I reach level 10 soon enough.
It was tempting. Oh, it was so tempting, but I remained neutral, ensuring I saved a few slots till then, I'm stuck with [Attract and Repel] till I either use a Quirk I have collected or find a better one.
/////
[Months Later, U.A. High School, Japan]
It has been a few months since the Naruhata and Lady Nagant incident I made sure to keep myself away from trouble for the remainder of my time before today finally happens today. The day we finally took the UA entrance Exam.
Status.
----
Name: Ren Yuki
Class: THE GAMER
Race: Human
Title: Villain Slayer
Level: 10 Exp: 0/20%
HP: 550/550
PP: 450/450
STR: 20 (+10)
AGI: 25 (+10)
VIT: 20 (+10)
INT: 20 (+10)
SEN: 30 (+10)
LUCK: 41 (+25)
Stat Points: 10
Money: 33,000
----
I smiled, seeing my stats progress increasing. I decided to place my 40 Stats into LUCK boosting my good luck if possible. Sadly, with my time and the police of my latest events, I made sure not to actively use my Quirks limiting me greatly.
But at least I have a copy slot available for me to use. Shame I couldn't test it with my [Gene Refinement] but I don't know what would happen if I did.
With [Slide and Glide] changing to [Attract and Repel], I can afford to waste it for a good upgrade. But my [All for One] definite no. If that changes, so does my [OFA] being gone, and without that, no [Gene Refinement].
Despite the challenges, Soga and the gang helped me out and trained me when they could. I still work at Hopper's Café since they helped me level up a few skills.
For the last few months, I had Soga, and his group attack me. It helps me subconsciously develop dodges in the moment where they count like how Koichi battled No.6 in the manga matching a man that can outpace him.
But it seems to me that cleaning up Takoba Municipal Beach Park got me some attention again as I checked my phone. Looking at the news, I stumbled upon the news about me cleaning the beach park.
I smiled knowing this however today was the day it was time for the U.A. Entrance Exam Toga, and I got on the train ride to the school. For a long while we have trained in our quirks as we both got used to each other presence but now we have been silent for the whole ride.
I know I will succeed in my exam entrance even if it was recommended but Toga on the other hand looks nervous. Calming her nervousness, I spoke to her in a calm tone, "Relax Toga-chan you train a lot for this and study for it as well. The only thing you can do is try your best."
Toga seemed to calm down after I said those words as she said thanks to me as we saw our ride had finally arrived at our destination. Once we dropped off, I gave Toga some words of encouragement hopefully she passed, "Alright Toga hope you do well and enter U.A. together you got it!!"
Toga turned around and smirked as she gave me a thumb-up. I nodded my head in agreement as we separated our ways to the testing sites. Soon enough I was standing outside a fortress-like gate, various things crossed my mind.
Those partaking in the Entrance Exam had been asked to gather in one of the assembly halls for an explanation, but I wasn't in a hurry to enter. Instead, I used my [Observe] skill to inspect the status of others.
To be specific those I recognized. That was when I spotted a familiar girl with bobbed brown hair, large brown eyes, and tiny blush marks on her face.
[Ochaco Uraraka Lv.7 Student]
Not bad. Her level isn't very high but then again when do kids train their superpowers in this era of suppression? I think there are probably some exceptions but still impressive, nonetheless.
Noticing my gaze Uraraka was wearing a thick coat and scarf due to the wintry temperature she gave me an awkward but friendly smile in a kind tone and said, "Hello there. Are you also here to take the Entrance Exam? We can go together if you'd like."
Catching Uraraka off guard I shook my head as I calmly replied with a slight grin on my face to her, "I'm not nervous. I was gathering information on the competition. I'm Ren Yuki miss, and might I ask your name?"
Extending my hand she was recovering from her brief stupor she accepted my hand smiling awkwardly giving her name in an awkward tone, "It's nice to meet you, Yuki-kun. My name is Ochaco Uraraka. I wish us both the best of luck in the exam."
Nodding in affirmation I offered a curt reply, "Likewise."
Releasing Uraraka's hand and let her walk away as I waited a few more minutes observing the other students. It didn't take long for a certain angry blond teen to come next looking pissed off, "Step aside!"
[Katsuki Bakugo Lv.10 Student]
Knowing exactly who it was, I simply sidestepped as he paused staring at me. He merely scoffed and left as I waited to see some familiar faces. Seeing it was getting boring seeing many students are less than level 10 being the highest. I soon left to join the others in the auditorium.
/////
[Exam Auditorium, U.A. High School, Japan]
With more than 1000 students filling the auditorium, I didn't attempt to search for future classmates. Instead, I waited for the person who would be explaining the exam to appear, a famous Pro Hero with blonde hair reminiscent of a cockatiel's crown, triangular sunglasses, a leather outfit, and a series of speakers around his neck.
[Hizashi Yamada Lv.? Pro Hero]
After the lights were turned on our instructor began talking shouting in an excited tone, "What's up U.A. candidates? Thanks for tuning in to me, your school DJ! C'mon and let me hear ya! YEAHH!!!"
*Silence*
Only dead silence as no one replied. Well… tough luck buddy.
Present Mic's sweat drops a bit as he continues talking explaining the rules for everyone to follow in an upbeat tone, "This is how the test will go, my listeners! You'll be experiencing 10-minute-long mock cityscape maneuvers!! Bring along whatever you want! After this presentation, you'll each head to your assigned testing location!! Each side is filled with 3 kinds of faux villains. Points are awarded for defeating each according to their respective difficulty levels!! Use your Quirks to disable these faux villains and earn points! That's your goal, listeners!! Of course, playing the anti-hero and attacking other examinees is prohibited!!"
Listening to his words the annoying one had to speak as a teenager with glasses spoke up in a civilized tone holding a phablet, "May I ask a question?! There appear to be no fewer than 4 varieties of Faux villains, on this handout! Such a blatant error, if it is one, is highly unbecoming for U.A., Japan's top academy!!"
I frankly almost zoned out listening but to my surprise, he turned in my direction as he called me out startling me, "And you with the lazy face! You've been zoning off this whole time...!! If this is some sort of game to you, then please leave immediately!"
Seeing him glare at me I couldn't help but smile slyly. Guess he only berated Izuku in the original story so he could reassure himself as the one taking this seriously than anyone else. [Observe].
[Tenya Ida Lv.12 Ingenium Heir]
Tch. This might be a dick move but frankly, if he's gonna call me out I'm bringing the pressure on his sorry ass. I replied dismissively looking bored startling Ida, "Sorry Tenya-san! I didn't mean to zone off I was paying attention, but I hope you perform well. It would be sad if you disappointed Mister Ingenium."
I could hear Toga shout out loud, "Shots fired!"
Hahaha! I held my laugh as the glassed wannabe hero froze right there. Yeah, I've just reminded him that he must live up to feeling that pressure. Whilst he made a great effort to come up with a response, the other applicants began muttering among themselves.
Present Mic soon began explaining to Ida as he calmed down everyone listening intently to his words in an upbeat tone, "Alright, alright. Examinee 7111, nice catch. Thanks! But the 4th faux villain variety gets you 0 points! He's more of an obstacle! Have you all played Super Mario Brothers?! The old, retro game. It's kind of like a thwomp! Only one at each site! A gimmick that'll rampage around in close quarters. If that's all I'll take my leave my listeners with our school motto. The great hero Napoleon Bonaparte once said… 'True heroism consists in being superior to the ills of life.' Plus, Ultra! Break a leg out there!"
//////
[Battle Center B, Japan]
The writing test was easy. Studying for it was simple enough but after a short travel by bus to our training area. Battle Center B.
Facing a huge gate, there I was already getting excited. It's time to continue my path forward becoming number 1.
"This is nice."
"Like a whole city!!"
"And they've got a bunch of these on the grounds?"
"U.A.'s something else!!"
Everyone's so confident in themselves. Muttering around as I gazed at the applicants using my [Observe] skill to see some iconic people.
[Mezo Shoji Lv.15 Mutant]
[Yuga Ayoyama Lv.8 Villain]
Using my [Observe] skill I noticed Ochako was staring back at me. I should not use [Observe] that often gazing at people. Deciding to avoid further disturbing her concentration I simply smiled and moved elsewhere.
*Thud*
And suddenly someone grabbed me by my shoulder. Instantly I used [Full Cowl] on instinct. I frowned as I grabbed his wrist and lightly caused my guy to flinch, "Please sir, do not touch me."
Letting go I saw it was Ida I humbly apologized a bit concerned said, "Sorry, it's just a force of habit."
Ida shook his wrist as he tried stretching his wrist as he quickly spoke his question in a calm tone, "Argh… it's alright. My fault. I just wanted to ask how you know about my identity?"
I smiled as I shrugged my shoulders explaining to him how I knew logically possible in a casual tone, "Simple. It's a matter of information and I'm in tune with the Pro Hero World. I made sure to keep an eye on any potential competitors staying in front of the gate. It's quite fascinating what one would find on the internet these days looking up a Pro Hero and their wiki. I make sure to know who the hell I'm up against. Information is a key factor when used correctly."
Ida could only nod his head seemingly satisfied with my reasoning. But that was when I heard Present Mic speak out loud in an excited tone, "And begin…!"
*FWOOOOSH*
Hearing that I was gone already using [Attract and Repel] and [Full Cowl]. Time for me to show off a bit.