Chapter 2: Hero Is Born (2)
"Isn't that too big!?"
"Damn, I didn't expect the unknown fourth type robot to be like this!"
Unlike the panicking examinees, Hero X was merely surprised at the unexpected sight before him.
BANG!
BOOM!
WHOOOSH!
The zero-point robot caused horrific destruction everywhere as its gigantic body and huge metallic arms obliterated everything on its path.
"Run away!"
"There is no way we can defeat that!"
As the terrified examinees escaped in a panic, Hero X remained fearless before the huge obstacle despite his limited time.
A hero always face any challenges they encounter bravely.
To give hope and strength.
Moreover…
"If I back down now, this giant robot will hinder the other examinees from getting enough points. There are still a few minutes left to get more points, but this giant will get in their way."
With only several seconds left…
"I'll take care of it myself."
The hero's crimson eyes flared resolutely as he began walking towards the direction of the giant robot.
"It's fine now…"
As everyone was evacuating from the area in a panic, a clear voice resounded like a thunderclap in their ears.
"...Because I'm here now!"
A man's firm, deep voice that unconsciously caused them to trust his words.
BOOOM!
The giant robot continued its wild rampage while moving forward without a stop, and as it laid ruins to the city, it noticed an armored human approaching with a starry light shining around his right leg.
Emiscule Maximum Concentration!
X-Leg!
The giant robot's eyes glowed bright red before pounding its huge fist at the human.
BOOM!
A bunch of dust rose up.
The robot analyzed that its punch had failed to hit the target!
Zooom!
It was then, a black-red silhouette suddenly emerged amidst the thick dusts, soaring high above the sky using its jet.
As his figure merged with the burning hot sun, starry sparkling rings converged around his right leg.
F-F-FINISHING ATTACK!
"X-Drive."
As he uttered those words, Hero X suddenly transformed into a streak of black-red lightning that fell from the sky that pierced through the chest of the giant robot.
Before anyone could react, he was already behind the giant robot, leaving behind a wrecked hole on its gigantic body.
BOOOM!
The giant robot exploded loudly as its destroyed remains fell towards the ground like a rain.
"Hero Time is over."
The masked hero saw a faint white light spreading from the large crystal on his chest. After the light covered him, the X-Suit suddenly vanished to reveal the exhausted Shirogane.
"Haa… Haa… That was definitely a strange experience…"
Shirogane felt weak and exhausted after the transformation. However, he soon realized the strange reactions of other examinees around him.
Why are they so shocked?
Are they amazed…?
And showing gratitude…?
He acutely sensed those feelings converging at him. It felt completely foreign and unfamiliar, but it sure pleased him for some reason.
"One minute remaining."
The clock was still ticking. Now focusing themselves on the current situation, the examinees went to obtain their points.
Shirogane lacked the strength to continue, so he just sat on one of the destroyed remnants of the giant robot to rest.
How many points has he accumulated?
Those kinds of thoughts…
He no longer thought of it.
For now,
"...I'm glad. They still have plenty of time to gather enough points."
Shirogane felt something vaguely changing within him after becoming Masked Hero X.
For what influenced him, he didn't know, but it was affecting him positively.
"Time's out!"
One minute later, the practice exam finally ended.
"Finally!"
Most of the examinees were feeling happy and excited.
And the one responsible for this current situation...
The examinees hurriedly went towards the ruins of the giant robot.
They immediately saw Shirogane sitting on the destroyed palm of the giant robot. His eyes were calmly closed, making them feel a serene atmosphere.
Awe.
Respect.
Such feelings began to blossom from within their hearts.
The astonishing strength he dispayed to destroy the giant robot with just a single attack replayed like a loop in their mind.
This boy is sure to enter the U.A. High School.
All of them thought of the same thing as they gazed at him in wonder.
Shirogane opened his eyes and quietly stared at them.
"We're really sorry for mistreating you earlier! Although you've done it subtly but looking back, we realized you helped us in a lot of ways during the exam despite speaking bad about you. Sorry!"
The examinees, who inwardly or openly mocked him before, suddenly apologized at him with a deep bow.
After hearing their sincere words, Shirogane widened his eyes, feeling slightly awkward inside.
He had no social skills, but he knew the best answer for them.
"It's fine."
He who was always bullied and rejected his whole life.
Shirogane warmly smiled at them.
"I find it cool that you guys have the courage to apologize for your wrongs. Not everyone has that strength because apologising makes them feel weak."
Admitting your mistake and then sincerely apologizing for it was hard.
That's why...
"You guys are really strong."
"...T-Thanks!"
The examinees were embarrassed to be suddenly complimented.
At the same time, they were inspired by those sincere words that acknowledged the weak them as strong.
"Next time! We'll try to be kind like you!"
All of them swore as they felt the warmness surging within their hearts.
"You're really amazing…"
Shirogane felt he didn't deserved to receive their praises.
…
Now that the practical exam was over, it was time for the written exam.
If the practical exam was extremely hard for Shirogane, then he had maximum confidence for the written exam.
Memorization.
Learning.
He was confident when it comes to these capabilities. Not only support tools, he was also taught proficiently about various subjects by his parents. He even learned deeply about Hero Laws and Quirks, so he was confident in obtaining perfect scores for the written exam.
[Ugh, are these some kind of alien language…?]
A faint voice say otherwise...
…
A whole week had passed since Katsuki Bakugo's U.A. High School Entrance Exam.
Bakugo was undeniably sure of being the best when it comes to the most important practical exam. After all, he managed to obtain a high score of seventy-plus points after taking down so many robots. He saw nobody managing to get rid of more than villains robots than him.
Top 1.
The egoistic boy was sure of it. He also did pretty well on the written exam because he was born being good at everything. He was blessed with great talent, superior than anyone else, unlike a certain nerd that lacked everything.
Heck, he was certain that nerd he bullied didn't even have a chance to pass the practical exam unlike him. That nerd was a idiot for even considering applying to U.A. High School. He bet once that nerd failed to pass, that shitty nerd might even consider of ending his pathetic life.
"Katsuki!"
Suddenly, Bakugo heard the loud voice of his mother screaming out for him.
"What!?"
He went to his mother and saw a white envelope in her hand.
The mother of Bakugo, Mitsuki Bakugo, knew her son was eagerly waiting to receive the U.A. Letter.
Bakugo quickly snatched it from her hand.
"Aren't you gonna share the good news with your family?"
"No way! I'll be in my room now!"
Bakugo sprinted up to his room, leaving behind his very irritated mother in the living room.
"I swear, we raised that boy rotten."
Katsuki slammed the door behind him and eagerly smiled, staring at the envelope in his hands.
"They should've just saved the wait and let everybody know I'm the best."
Top 1.
That spot was his to take!
He quickly tore open the envelope, slightly surprised to see a small circular disk.
The disk shone dimly before forming a holographic screen. On that holographic screen, there was the Number One Hero, the Symbol Of Peace, the Idol Of All—All Might!
Bakugo gasped in astonishment to abruptly witness his idol.
"All Might? What is he doing in the video?"
"Hello there, young man! You're probably wondering what I am doing here on this screen. Well..."
All Might puffed his chest and energetically pointed his thumb at his chest.
"...I have been hired as a teacher at U.A. High School!"
"No way!"
Bakugo's mouth gaped open. Of course, no one would ever imagine to see the Number One Hero working as a teacher at U.A. High School.
"I'm pleased to announce that not only did you pass the written test, but you also did outstanding in your practical exam!"
Bakugo abruptly shot up from his seat, his excitement to see All Might and his first-place position caused him release some small explosions.
"Now show me the scoreboard!"
"Calm down, young boy! Let me tell you about something first."
Bakugo raised his brows. He wondered if this was really pre-recorded or not.
"Unbeknownst to you examinees, you guys were scored on more than just regular points! Judges were also observing your behavior and actions. If you perform heroic actions, they would give you points called rescue points. However, for you, the judges rewarded no rescue points! Regardless, the number of villain robots you've defeated more than made up for that!"
Finally, the scoreboard for the practical exam was displayed on the screen, but as soon as Bakugo saw the results, all of his excitement and expectation of seeing his name on the number one spot disappeared on the spot.
"I got... second place?"
As his expression shook, he saw his name just below this other examinee—Kamado Shirogane.
________________________________________
Rank 1: Kamado Shirogane.
Rank 2: Katsuki Bakugo.
________________________________________
"This shit got eighthy-plus points!? On top of that...!"
When Bakugo saw how many villain points Shirogane had gotten, he let out furious growl as veins popped out from his face.
"...He also gotten eighty rescue points!?"
Bakugo realized once those villain points and rescue points were combined, Shirogane had surpassed him by a wide margin!
"Fuck! This can't be right!"
Not only that, when he scanned the scoreboard, he saw something that made his head explode.
"That damn NERD passed!?"
That nerd in question didn't even obtain a single villain point, but he got sixty rescue points.
The recording continued, and All Might congratulated him with his signature big flashy grin.
"Congratulations, young boy! You've officially become a student at U.A. High School!"
The holographic display soon faded out.
While any normal person would've been ecstatic to know they made it into the most famed hero academy in the country, Katsuki Bakugo was not pleased in the slightest.
"This isn't right. There is no meaning if I'm not number one!"
His entire body was beginning to tremble with rage. He was literally seething with fury that wanted to explode out.
"I should've been number one on the practical exam! My quirk gives me power nobody else can hope to rival!"
He could not allow this to stand. It was a direct defiance of everything he had ever understood about himself and his superiority.
"I don't know who the hell you are, Kamado Shirogane...!"
Bakugo clenched his teeth in a frightening manner as explosions occured frequently on his palms.
"...but I'll show you! I'm gonna show you that you are just a crap to me and my quirk!"
...
Next chapter: Meeting!
As you may now notice, this has some resemblance with W.