The morning sun cast golden hues across U.A. High's training field, the air thick with anticipation. Rows of students stood in line, their freshly donned gym uniforms feeling both unfamiliar and symbolic. Today marked the first real test—one that would separate the exceptional from the ordinary.
Kairo felt the weight of it.
Not just the test, but the expectations pressing against his shoulders. His mother's parting words from earlier that morning still lingered in his mind.
"Do your best, but remember—victory is just another step forward."
Kairo exhaled, shaking off the tension. His eyes scanned the faces of his classmates, stopping briefly on Mei and Kenta, both stretching and warming up. Then, there was Izuku Midoriya, the same boy he had encountered at the beach. Their brief interaction had left a strong impression—Midoriya had the spirit of a fighter. But now, they stood among dozens of students, each with their own ambitions.
At the front, Shouta Aizawa—their homeroom teacher—stood lazily, his gaze sharp despite his exhausted demeanor.
"This test will determine your capabilities as aspiring heroes," Aizawa said, his voice flat yet commanding. "You'll be judged on performance, so there's no room for slacking."
A moment of silence passed.
"Now then," Aizawa continued, pulling out a small measuring device. "Bakugo, you got the highest score in the practical exam. You're up first."
Kairo watched as Katsuki Bakugo, the explosive blonde, stepped forward. With a smug grin, Bakugo spun the baseball in his hand.
"This is simple," Aizawa explained. "Use your Quirk to throw the ball as far as you can. Do whatever it takes to maximize distance."
Bakugo barely waited for permission. His arm whipped forward—an explosion detonating from his palm. A loud BOOM echoed across the field as the ball vanished into the sky.
A moment later, Aizawa lifted the scanner.
705.2 meters.
A few gasps rippled through the class. Even Kairo felt a slight twinge of admiration.
"That's a solid throw."
One by one, students stepped forward. Todoroki used his ice to launch the ball. Iida relied on his speed. Mei, using her mechanical enhancements, managed an impressive throw. Kenta followed with his brute strength, channeling his Quirk's energy bursts to propel the ball further than most.
Then—
"Kairo. You're up."
He inhaled deeply, stepping forward. He could feel the stares pressing against him—some curious, others doubtful.
Kairo rolled the baseball between his fingers, his heart beating at a steady rhythm. His Hidden Pulse Quirk wasn't flashy like Bakugo's, nor as direct as Todoroki's. But it held precision, control, and sheer explosive force—when used correctly.
"Breathe in. Focus."
He wound up his throw, allowing kinetic energy to coil within his body. His muscles tensed, his veins pulsing with stored power.
Then
He moved.
His entire form blurred, his feet barely grazing the ground. The instant his arm swung forward, a pulse of stored energy rippled through his body, igniting his throw with incredible velocity.
The baseball vanished.
Silence.
Aizawa's scanner beeped.
947.6 meters.
The class erupted in whispers.
"He beat Bakugo's score?"
"What kind of Quirk is that?"
Kairo exhaled, his fingers twitching slightly from the aftershock. He glanced to the side, catching Bakugo's glare—his hands clenched, eyes burning with irritation.
"Tch," Bakugo scoffed, clicking his tongue. "Lucky bastard."
Aizawa simply nodded before calling the next student.
The Quirk Apprehension Test didn't ease up. If anything, it grew more intense with each event.
The 50-Meter Dash:
The moment the buzzer sounded, Iida shot forward with an ear-splitting roar of his Engine Quirk. His sheer speed left most competitors in the dust.
But Kairo wasn't far behind.
His Quirk wasn't just about bursts of strength—it was about control over kinetic motion. The energy he stored in his legs propelled him forward with calculated precision. The moment he pushed off the ground, he redirected the force mid-stride, keeping momentum at maximum efficiency.
Iida finished first—but Kairo was only a fraction of a second behind.
The Grip Strength Test:
Kenta stepped up first, his reinforced muscles bulging as he gripped the device. The digital numbers surged higher, hitting a near-record-breaking score.
Kairo followed.
He wasn't naturally strong, but his ability to store and release force meant he could momentarily enhance his grip beyond normal human limits. With a deep breath, he tightened his hold—kinetic energy surging into his fingertips.
Crack.
The device sputtered, the screen flashing red before finally displaying a score just behind Kenta's.
The Standing Long Jump:
Todoroki used his ice to slide across the ground. Others relied on Quirk-enhanced agility.
Kairo focused on timing.
He crouched low, storing kinetic energy throughout his entire body. Then—
BOOM.
His legs exploded with stored force, launching him high into the air. He cleared the entire landing zone.
The students stared in awe as he landed effortlessly on the other side.
The Sidestep Test:
Kairo dominated.
While others had to rely on muscle endurance, his Quirk let him redirect movement instantly. He blurred between points, never wasting motion.
Aizawa's watchful gaze lingered on him longer than before.
By the end, sweat clung to every student. The results were displayed on Aizawa's tablet, revealing the overall rankings.
1st Place: Kairo
2nd Place: Shoto Todoroki
3rd Place: Katsuki Bakugo
A heavy silence followed.
Even Todoroki, who had remained impassive throughout, spared Kairo a glance.
Bakugo's hands twitched.
"How?"
"How the hell did this guy beat me?"
Kairo met his gaze briefly before turning away.
"I need to keep pushing forward."
Aizawa studied the rankings, then turned his gaze toward the class.
"That concludes today's test."
A pause.
"Except for one thing…"
The students tensed.
Aizawa's eyes glowed red, his scarf shifting slightly.
"Whoever ranked last… will be expelled."
Tension spiked instantly.
Izuku Midoriya paled.
Kairo's gaze hardened.
This wasn't over yet.