Chapter 4 - U.A. Entrance Exam
I was donning my mask and fixing my clothes as I stood in front of my mirror, making sure I didn't look like a bum for the exam. Thanks to my extensive training and dedication, I was now a little over 5' 8' in height, with lean muscle covering my body. (Pic here of what he looks like AI generated lol)
Not to be egotistical, but I had to say my body looked pretty good. I'm assuming it was also a byproduct of my body naturally being able to imbue extra life essence into my physique. But that wouldn't mean anything if I was lazy and didn't workout, so I'll stay proud of this achievement.
I was wearing a logo-less tan hoodie paired with some black cargo pants that had buckled straps on each leg. I also thought of putting on black gloves to hide my scars that were the same, if not worse, to my previous life.
No amount of healing that I or my parents tried made them go away.
But I was fine with the scars, maybe even proud of them. It served as a reminder that you can't change anything if you're weak.
But I made sure that the rest of my scars were hidden. I didn't want to look like an abused child.
'Wait…'
I mean I was an abused child, but I didn't want the world to know that. I didn't need pity.
I double checked that my kanabo was in its case (U.A. let's the examiness bring a reasonable item for the combat portion).
The weapon was in a case because I didn't want to scare any people on my way to the school. I would probably look like a gangster if someone were to see an oddly masked man, while also carrying a giant bat on his side. I did NOT need any weird rumors about me floating around before classes even started.
After everything was set, I threw on my shoes, locked the door on my way out, and started heading towards the exam site.
As I was walking, I felt some butterflies in my stomach. Not because I was nervous (I already knew how to ace the exam), but I was about to meet characters from an anime I always thought of as fiction.
From Bakugos short temper, Asui's bluntness, Mina's enthusiasm, to Lida's scolding, I would soon be experiencing it all. It was pretty thrilling.
I walked for around 10 minutes, and spent 10 more on the train. I passed the time by using my quirk to probe the core essence of random people, studying the different colors I saw.
It was pretty fun, it felt like I was in my own personal art museum. But oddly enough, it reminded me that I never saw a color close to my own, pure white. Everyone else had different shades from the vast color spectrum.
Eventually, I reached my destination as I noticed a large concrete sign.
'U.A. HIGH SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION SITE'
As I stood admiring the sign and view that I had only seen from the anime, I began to notice the main cast arriving. Kirishima walking with Mina, some people from class 1B that I've seen but don't know the name of, Asui talking to me, Jiro playing with her ear —
'Huh?' I spun in realization that the frog-like human was trying to ask me a question.
"I'm sorry, could you repeat that? I was lost in thought" I hastily said.
"It's okay. I was asking if you've been here before? It seemed like you were watching an old memory."
Wow, I knew she was observant in the anime but this is crazy.
"But I have a mask on, what gave you that impression?"
Tapping her finger on her face, "You seemed to be lost in nostalgia"
"Nostalgia? Why would you think that?"
She shrugged and simply stated "Your body language and overall demeanor just gave me that feeling."
"Oh… well no, it's nothing like that. It's just that it doesn't feel real yet you know? I'm about to take an exam that will determine if I get to attend the best Hero school in Japan, and arguably in the world."
Asui nodded "Understandable, and sorry if I bothered you, I tend to openly say what's on my mind."
"That's fine, it's only a question. We're potentially fellow students, we should get along. Right?"
She nodded in agreement, "By the way, my name is Tsuyu Asui. What's yours?"
"Nice to meet you Asui. My name is… Haku."
And before she could ask anymore questions I said "Well it was nice meeting you Asui, but we should go inside and prepare for the exam, it should be starting soon."
And my mask shifted to a smile, "So Good luck, and I'm sure we'll meet each other again, but as U.A students."
She nodded, "Thank you. And good luck to you too Haku". Then we both started to head inside.
***
As I sat down in the Auditorium with a little under 1000 other students, I began to observe everyone. I eventually spotted a nearby timid boy with green hair wearing a black school uniform and gold buttons, frantically looking around and muttering to himself.
'I don't even need an introduction to know who he is'.
Izuku Midoriya, the main protagonist of this anime, the successor of One for All, and the aspiring Symbol of Peace. The manga wasn't finished when I left my previous world, so I don't know what happens in the end, but I'm sure he succeeded. I think he even said it at the beginning of the anime.
I know a lot of people constantly hate on Midoriya for being a wimp, but I wasn't one of those people. I mean yeah, it was frustrating to see him cry over every little thing, but I felt bad for the guy. He grew up dreaming to be a hero, only to find out it would be impossible.
In a society that practically worships quirks, he was born quirkless, and he was reminded he was inferior every second of his life. Not to mention that Bakugo, the douche he was, basically betrayed Midoriya's friendship and bullied him almost his entire childhood.
But despite that, Midoriya pushed onwards, and saved everyone he could.
So yeah, in my eyes it's understandable why he's so easily frightened or on edge.
But now that I was here, I decided I would help him. I was most likely the only one in this world who knew what he had gone through, and knew why he acted the way he acted.
I also knew what he would have to face in the future. So I decided I would help him gain confidence in a healthy way, and stop him before he ruined his body from recklessly trying to use his quirk.
And not just him, I decided to help everyone I could, including the other students in U.A. High school. I guess the heroic spirit kind of grew on me from 2 years of aiming to be a hero.
But by helping everyone in U.A., I was sure that it would help me accomplish the deal that brought me into this world. The deal where I needed to leave an impact on this world.
Because If even 10 students got stronger due to my guidance, especially people like Midoriya, Todoroki, and Bakugo, then that would be 10 more pro heroes changing the world.
Ensuring that I complete my part of the deal.
Eventually, U.A.'s exam coordinator, 'Present Mic' took the stage. He gave the familiar prep speech and details about how the combat exam would go. Everything was exactly how I remembered it from the anime. Even Iida's outburst during the speech.
For the exam, there would be robots wandering in a combat field the school created, each varying in different power levels. The stronger the robot, the more points we get for defeating it.
There would also be an extremely strong robot that would be worth 0 points. The only objective of that robot was to obstruct the students' way, and interfere with the exam.
We were then split into multiple divisions, and I was in group F.
Thankfully I couldn't see anyone I knew from class 1A or 1B in my group which was perfect. I would prefer not to affect their exam results and risk them failing because of me.
My knowledge of this world was one of my greatest assets after all.
*********
After the speech was complete, we split off into our groups and assembled at the entrance of a replicated downtown area. It was filled with huge business buildings that housed at least 30 floors each, and the field spanned at least a mile in each direction.
Eventually our group heard a speaker go off-
[Attention Students In Group F. Please Get Ready As Your Exam Is About To Begin]
The crowds of students hurriedly readied themselves for a life changing fight that they were about to partake in. Some got into a pre-sprinting pose, others checked their shoes were properly tied, but all had their ears open, and muscles tensed for the starting signal.
I slightly crouched, my kanabo resting in my right hand, and used my quirk.
I internally whispered 'Gaies's Blessing', and felt my body brimming with life.
[3… 2… 1… BEGIN!]
And I shot forward before anyone in my group could get ahead.
As I sprinted to the nearest green robot I had spotted in my field of vision, I ignored the possible score it would give me, and focused more on crushing it.
I swung my kanabo like a baseball bat with such power that I was confident any pro baseball player would be impressed.
*BAM*
The poor robot's head went flying through the air, smashing into another nearby robot.
'Two for one special'
This exam was like a game of whack a mole for me. Every glint of green metal I saw, every mechanical noise I heard, every machine, had its head smashed in on sight.
But I wasn't only focusing on destruction as I remembered an explosive boy I was soon to meet.
There was a secret grading system in this exam that U.A. didn't tell the students… 'Rescue points'.
They were given based on how 'heroic' we acted by helping others and proving we had the proper mindset to be a hero. Because why would they accept people who didn't have the mindset of a hero?
Of course, if you were absurdly strong like Bakugo, then they would take you in and teach you that heroic spirit if you didn't have it.
So I made sure that every time I saw a student about to be injured, I jumped in to save them.
- After a couple of minutes -
'That should be enough points to secure first place', I thought as I stood atop a pile of wrecked robots to catch my breath. That was, until I heard a cry of fear somewhere and dashed towards it to see what was happening.
I peered over a rooftop of a short house and witnessed (what I was assuming to be) a case of harassment.
A huge boy with two sets of arms was poking (to the point of shoving) another kid.
"YOU SNEAKY, DISGUSTING LITTLE BUG! YOU KNEW I WAS AIMING FOR THAT ROBOT,"
Shaking his hands in fear, "W-what? Nonononono, I-I was just trying to beat it. I-I didn't know you were after it. I swear!", the kid with insect antennas cried out.
"OH YEAH, WELL IT'S TOO LATE, YOU ALREADY TOOK THE POINTS!"the four armed boy yelled as he raised both his right arms to punch the kid.
Before he could land the hit, I leaped from the rooftop landing in between them.
Four arms was obviously confused and screamed "Who the!?" And he made eye contact with me-
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YO—"
But before he could finish, I placed my hand on his shoulder and smiled which caused my mask to shift as well, "Calm down bud, you're getting too rough with your fellow students. Especially when you're obviously so tired."
"HUH? I'M NOT TIRE— ugh".
And he crumpled to the floor as I forcibly drained most of his life essence to take away his stamina. 'Great, now I can go for round two' I smiled energetically.
'But that dude is a lot weaker than he looks. He definitely would not have survived U.A.. If he struggled to last 10 seconds of me draining his stamina, then he obviously never tried working out.
I started to kick at the dead plants that connected me and the collapsed boy, when suddenly-
*BOOM!*
Before the rescued kid and I could realize what was happening, we all spun around to be greeted with the image of an enormous robot that towered over all the other buildings. Its height spanned at least 100 feet.
'THIS is what Midoriya one-shot??!! I mean, I know he used One For All at 100%, but still, doing that is impressive. Makes sense his limbs explode whenever he uses OFA.'
"I'M GONNA FREAKING DIE!" screamed four arms as he tried to crawl away with his empty stamina.
Other students similarly followed suit and ran for their lives.
But I wasn't one of them.
I would be lying if I said I didn't feel a little scared, I mean the robot was straight out of Pacific Rim and destroyed everything it stomped on.
But I also knew that Todoroki was able to subdue these '0-pointers' during the Sports festival with his ice. And since I was aiming for the top spot, I needed to be able to at least do that.
I converted the life force that Four Arms had so generously donated to me, and powered up my body.
My strength wasn't strong enough to defeat the robot directly, so I had to be smart. I aimed for the glaringly obvious weaknesses, its joints.
I parkoured my way up between two buildings, then began leaping from rooftop to rooftop until I was close enough to the robot. I hid as I examined the robotic leg nearest to me, looking for any exposed parts that I could benefit from.
Eventually I found it.
A shield-like piece of metal was the only thing covering the inner workings of the robot's ankles.
Locked onto my new target, I sprinted without needlessly hoarding my life essence and spent around 15% of it to power myself up.
By now, I was getting a pretty bad headache from using my quirk for so long, but I couldn't stop now. I needed to make sure to undeniably get 1st, as well as leave a good first impression on all the staff and students who were watching.
But back to the fight, I think U.A. put the robot on easy mode because I was sure that the robot should have focused on me by now. But instead of attacking me, he was still mostly staying in the same spot, targeting only buildings.
I guess that makes sense, because students would definitely die if the robot chased after them. Knowing this, I became even more confident in my chances and ran faster.
Springing myself off the roof of the only building left next to the robot, I began to freefall.
As I fell, I spent 25% more of my life essence to strengthen my arms and kanabo. Right before I face-planted against the robot's foot, I swung both arms over my head with my kanabo and smashed its ankle.
BOOM!*
Before landing on the ground again, I spread out my life force back to my body (and mainly my legs) so that they didn't break from the impact.
After landing, I almost fell over because my head was going crazy, and I started to taste metal from the nosebleed I had from both nostrils.
I hated being limited like this.
Even though I could use my quirk for long periods of time, huge boosts to my physique weren't something my body was still unable to handle yet. It was something I needed to work on as soon as possible.
Steadying myself, I looked up to see the damage I caused to the 0 pointer.
"You've gotta be kidding me…"
Seeing the skyscraper of a robot falling to one knee as it toppled over in my direction made me realize this was a lot more dangerous than it was in my head.
With no hesitation, I ran with all my might like I was from Maze runner.
Trying to avoid the pieces of rubble that fell past me was close to impossible when I was right next to the robot. Even when I was swiping most things away with my kanabo, various cuts were slowly starting to appear on me as I ran for my life.
Dodging left and right, blocking falling debris, I managed to escape with no life threatening injuries, but I had some deep gashes on my back.
I looked back at the robot and it was struggling to stand due to its right foot being unable to support its weight.
Finally, I heard the speakers one more time.
*BEEEEEP*
[That Was The Signal For The End Of The Exam Folks! Please Leave The Site In An Orderly Matter And We'll Send You Our Decision Soon. If You Have Any Injuries, Please Stay At The Entrance Of The Site And We'll Help You Shortly. Thank You For Coming And Have A Lovely Evening!]
After narrowly escaping the robot's attempt to crush me, I walked away from the site. I was starting to feel a lot better since I didn't need to maintain large amounts of my life force to fight. And by now, most of the small cuts on my body had healed because of my passive regen.
"My goodness young man, you seem to have some pretty nasty cuts. Come over here and let this old woman heal you".
I looked over and saw a very small, and extremely old lady that any MHA watcher would recognize as Recovery Girl, U.A.'s nurse who could heal with only a kiss, walking towards me. She was glancing at my (now) closed wounds covered in dried blood, and the occasional cut that was still open.
Shaking my head I replied "No thank you, I'm fine for now. You should help the students who need it".
"No I insist, it doesn't take much effort on my part".
Seeing that she wasn't going to give up, I raised my arm that had the deepest wound, and focused my life force on it. Recovery girl's eyes slowly opened wide when she saw it glow, then close up and heal as if it never happened..
"I see, so you don't need this old woman's help. Then I'll be on my way to the other injured. Stay safe young man". She smiled at me before walking off to another student in need of medical aid. I chuckled a bit when I realized it was a certain four armed kid who had froth foaming out of his mouth, as he laid on the floor passed out.
But back to recovery girl. Normally I would have accepted any free healing, but I knew the consequences from overly relying on her quirk.
Recovery girls' quirk lets her forcibly activate a cell's latent healing ability to boost their regeneration. But the drawback is that once the cells are overworked too much, they aged a lot faster. Thus, in extreme conditions, it could end up shortening the person's lifespan, and I did not want any part of that.
Thankfully my quirk didn't force out the healing capability of cells. It used the life essence that naturally regenerated from its own, or other cells.
Anyways, knowing that I had aced this exam, I happily strode home while thinking,
'Once I get back, I'll be sure to call my family and tell them how the exam went. I can't wait for their reactions.'
**********
5 Minutes After the exam had ended
Sitting behind monitors that observed the entire exam, the staff of U.A. were simply put… in shock. There were plenty of amazing applicants this year that would be extremely beneficial to the future of hero society.
There was a boy whose superb sense of combat, paired with his explosive quirk, made for a highly effective combo.
Another boy, who despite not getting any points, managed to destroy a 0 pointer in one hit only!
But outshining them both was a student who they had just witnessed overwhelm the villain robots left, right and center!
Staff 1: "That masked kids' got a bright future ahead of him!"
Staff 2: "Most definitely. Even though there was another student who destroyed the same 0 point robot with his quirk, he was left in critical conditions after it. In comparison, the masked boy stopped the robot from being able to move, but he could still move fine after it."
Staff 3: "Not only that, but he did it while assisting any student that needed help. And near the end of the exam, he also stopped a surprising case of violence from a (soon to be disqualified) student."
The staff went quiet again in admiration as they watched the recording again.
Such a combination of power and integrity was rarely seen in the real world. If they didn't know any better, they would have thought he knew about the exams hidden grading system, but that was simply impossible. They took immense measures to ensure no information leaked.
Later they would learn from Recovery Girl of his advanced healing ability, making his potential seem even more absurd.
Observing from the back of the room, 'So super strength and super regeneration. He is already proving to be very resourceful with his powers' Nezu thought.
He had witnessed Zuhayr steal the stamina from the violent four armed boy to de-escalate the situation, and Nezu wholeheartedly agreed with the method. If this was the son that Vander Ryder wanted him to help, Nezu would surely do it because that boy would surely become a pillar in their superpowered society.
Questions? Leave 'em here!