Hiccup was waiting for the exam to start and then suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and saw Ragnar was looking at him with a huge smile on his face.

"Looks like we're rivals," he said.

Hiccup nodded and then looked at him suspiciously. "Any reason why you're being friendly to me?"

Ragnar frowned. "We may be rivals but that doesn't mean we can't be friends."

"I admire your friendly competition spirit, but there are no friends here," said a new voice.

Hiccup turned and saw was the boy from earlier in the orientation room. He could also hear voices coming from the other examinees.

"He doesn't look like much of a threat," said one of them.

"Yeah, how does he hope to beat a villain?"

"I heard someone the other applicants that he has no powers."

"Then what's here doing here?"

"Doesn't matter just means there's one less rivals worry about."

Ragnar heard those voices as well. "No they got much confidence you do they?"

"Story of my life," Hiccup sighed.

"Okay, it's time to get things started," said a loud voice. They all turned towards a tower and saw Loudspeaker looking down at them.

Without the gate opened and immediately everyone rushed into the battle centre.

Immediately everyone went their separate ways, no doubt wanting to grab as many billions for themselves. Hiccup was still very concerned, despite what Snotlout believed he did have a superpower the only problem was it wasn't as flashy as his nor was it suited for combat.

He also noticed that several of the examinees have held back and allowed him to take the lead. No doubt they were hoping that he would draw out the villains and they would take them out. Then suddenly shooting out of an alleyway was a robot.

The robot had green armour and instead of elected had wheels, it also had a pair of powerful armed with shields around them and believe them he saw a Gatling gun attached. It immediately turned its sights upon Hiccup raising its fist.

The examinees gleed.

"The moment it swings we take it out."

"Yeah, and it is good for distraction."

However the result was not what they anticipated, because it this stop just before it struck Hiccup. Then seconds later it immediately was pushed back and scattered into pieces. The applicant just stared dumbfounded wondering what had just happened.

"W-what just happened?"

"Did… did he do that?"

"But I thought he had no superpowers?"

Hiccup then immediately carried on running.

As he ran he saw that the other examinees were already on the offensive. He swore that he saw one applicant firing a laser from his chest destroying a one pointer a villain. It soon occurred to him that all the foes were going to be robots and now he knew why Gobber was so confident he was going to pass.

"I didn't you tell me they'll be using robots," Hiccup grumbled.

The other applicants were certainly putting everything into destroying the robots. He saw Fishlegs lifting several machines into the air and then releasing them causing the crash to the ground smashing them to pieces. The young man from earlier was moving around at superspeed dealing powerful kick to robots smashing into pieces.

"Looks like everyone's going all-out," said Hiccup.

Hiccup then saw a three pointer foe on the battlefield. It was like a walking tank with missiles launches attached to its back. He then immediately launched them indirectly at the applicants, most of them were running in all different directions to avoid them.

Hiccup looked at them and his eyes began to glow a shade of emerald green. Suddenly the missiles change course and began destroying several of the robots that entered the battlefield.

Fishlegs saw this and saw Hiccup. "Is he doing that?"

The young man from earlier had noticed this as well. "But how?"

Observing the entire exam worthy faculty members, all them sitting on their chairs watching each and every single battle centre.

"The applicants don't know how many villains are present or where their location are," said a blonde haired man wearing a suit. "They have limited time and must cover a vast area and hunt down every last target."

His eyes then turned to a student who attended like arms and appear to be listening. "So using information abilities to make out strategies." He then turned to the screen showing the young man from earlier. "While some on speedup pull ahead of their peers." He then looked at Ragnar, who now was covered in bark and slammed a powerful fist onto a three pointer. "Remaining calm under pressure can be a huge advantage." He then looked at Snotlout, who had just destroyed an entire squadron of villains. "As can pure power and combat ability. The most exceptional students relies on a combination of all these tactics, they're the ones that lack at the highest scores."

A young woman with short blond haired and wearing leather armour was watching intently. "Hmm, I have to say that this first year group is looking promising."

A man in his 30s, who was dressed up like a cowboy smiled. "Well, it's still early before it's over. The real test is yet to come." He then pressed down on a big red button. "Let's see how they react."

The entire battle centre then began to shake uncontrollably and several buildings were destroyed instantly. All the examinees began to panic and they had good reason to, because approaching there was a giant robot that overshadowed the buildings.

Hiccup looked at this behemoth and realise what it was. It was the trap that Loudspeaker had mentioned before the exam started, the one they were supposed to avoid.

"They're pulling all the stops," he said.

It then immediately raised its best and slammed it into the ground just in front of them a massive shock wave and throwing dust into the air. Hiccup just stood there folding his arms looking completely calm as the robot advanced towards them. The other examinees were not acting as calm as he was in were running away as quickly as they could.

"Now things get interesting," said Forge as he watched everything transpiring. "A true character is revealed when they're based with danger."

The young man from earlier was running as quickly as he could and he saw that Hiccup was just standing there completely calm.

"There are less than two minutes remaining," said Loudspeaker.

"More than enough," said Hiccup.

That's when he noticed a mix the dust that Fishlegs was pinned to the ground by some rubble from one of the destroyed buildings. Nobody had stopped to help accept Ragnar, whose body was made completely of bark and tried to lift the off of him.

"I'll get out of there," Ragnar assured.

"Save yourself!" Fishlegs pleaded.

Ragnar looked at him. "Can't you use your power to lift the rubble?"

"The more times I use my powers, the more it makes me sick," he said.

The robot was now practically on top of them raising its fist, but then appearing out of nowhere, pushing himself between them and the robot was Hiccup.

"There are no combat points rewarded for taking on that humongous villain," said Forge with a small smile on his face. "But there is opportunity… a chance to shine."

Hiccup's eyes and immediately glowed bright green.

"To show what you're really made of," said Forge. "So stand strong and stand your ground and face your enemies head on!"

The gigantic robot then slammed its fist towards Hiccup, but when it was inches away from striking him is immediately was struck by an invisible force. Everyone then watched as the robot lifted into the air and was starting to hold in on itself and then it exploded.

Everyone just stared at Hiccup, because they all realise that he was the one who destroyed that thing.

Forge smiled as he watched the screen. "That's right, Hiccup. Show them who you are, embody means to be a hero. Nothing is nobler than saving others at the risk of your own life."

Hiccup then immediately fell to his hands and knees completely exhausted. Like any super power, using it for too long he can drain your body and that's exactly what Hiccup had done during the exam.

"How did he do that?" someone asked openmouthed.

"He's a technopath," said Ragnar.

Young man from earlier's eyes widened. "Of course, is able to manipulate the robots and control their joints it will. That's how he was able to divert the missiles and able to destroy any robot that comes into contact to him."

Unfortunately, the robot was not quite done with them just yet, because it's pieces was now falling towards Hiccup and he was unable to move.

'I can't move,' Hiccup cursed not even able to look at up. 'I overtaxed myself.'

Then suddenly a vine wrapped itself around him and pulled him back. He then landed in the arms of Ragnar and noticed the vine was attached to his arm.

"You all right?" he asked.

"Fine," Hiccup breathed.

"Time up!" Loudspeaker announced.

Then they heard the sound of an air raid siren, indicating that the practical part of the exam was over.

Everyone then looked at Hiccup as Ragnar placed him down and Fishlegs gave him a bottle of water.

"Did you see that guy, I had no idea you had that kind of ability," said one of the examinees.

"Explains why he wasn't confident outside. I mean he had no idea we be facing robots, he just looked out."

"Still it's a cool power, he might have taken down more villains than the rest of us if he didn't say those guys."

Young man from earlier was standing in complete silence. It appeared that he was the only person who realised what Hiccup had just done.

'They're are all missing the point,' he said to himself. 'Don't they see what he did? He sacrificed everything to save those two. He must have known what little time was left, how many points he needed to pass. But despite that he didn't hesitate to put himself in front of them.'

He then clenched his fist annoyed with himself. 'If this hadn't been an exam… then of course I would have done the same thing.' His eyes then widened when he realised something. 'Hang on, the exam… the judges… they saw that.'

At that point an old lady with a cane appeared out of nowhere. "Well done, you all did very well," she said. "Your heroes in my eyes, every one of you."

Ragnar looked up as the old woman approached them. "Ah, I was wondering when she would show up."

"You know her?" Fishlegs asked.

"She's the reason why the Academy can hold these extreme exams," said Ragnar looking at him.

The woman then looked at Hiccup, who was completely exhausted. "Looks like someone exerted himself."

She then placed a hand on Hiccup and immediately glowed green.

"What is she doing?" someone asked.

"She's the school nurse," Ragnar explained. "She goes by the name of Recovery Girl. She is able to heal anyone she touches and increase their stamina."

Hiccup felt re-energised and was able to get back onto his feet, though he nearly collapsed. Thankfully both Ragnar and Fishlegs caught him and helped him to support him.

"Easy there," said Ragnar.

"I'm all right," Hiccup assured. "Been using my powers non-stop during the entire exam, just a little worn out."

The other examinees gasped.

"He's been using them during the entire exam?" said someone.

"Makes sense. It explains how he was able to find all these villains in the entire centre."

The young man from earlier eyes then turned to a camera. 'I wonder… what is the exam has other parameters? I didn't take to account." His eyes then turned to Hiccup.

Later that night, Hiccup was back home along with Gobber. They both knew that Stoick realise that Hiccup attended the exams and decided to face the music together.

To say that his father was furious would have been the understatement of the year.

"You dare take the exams without my permission!" he roared.

"He's taken it very well," said Hiccup.

Gobber sighed and that his old friend. "We both know that you would never allow Hiccup to take the exam to be told you."

"Because I don't want to get hurt," said Stoick slamming his fist up on the table.

"But I want to be a hero like you, Dad," said Hiccup.

Stoick narrowed his eyes. "We'll talk about this later, right now you head to your bedroom now mister!"

Hiccup looked at Gobber and he nodded. Hiccup then started to make his way to his bedroom leaving Stoick and Gobber completely alone.

"I thought you were my friend," said Stoick furiously.

"Sometimes friends have to push," said Gobber. "Did you know that he was the reason why we were able to stop Symbiot, he's the one who provided the sonic cannon?"

"You're saying that he put himself in danger before the exam?" Stoick roared. "I have a few words that boy."

"Stoick, let him join the academy," said Gobber softly.

"He'll be killed on the first day," said Stoick.

"Oh, you don't know that," said Gobber dismissively.

"I do know that."

"No you don't.

"No, I actually do."

"No you don't!"

"Gobber, you know that he puts himself in danger on a daily basis," said Stoick getting to his feet and began pacing up and down. "You remember how he lost his leg?"

"And gained his powers in the process," Gobber reminded. "You know as well as I do that Valka would allow him to join the Academy." Stoick was about to open his mouth. "And before you say a word, you would as well before the incident."

Stoick remain quiet and sat down back in his chair.

"You can't stop him, Stoick," said Gobber gently. "You can only prepare him. The truth of the matter is you won't always be here to protect him, he's going to get out there again and he's going to need the training. Besides the boy is a stubborn as you are and he is a lot stronger than you believe."

Stoick just sat in complete silence before he turned to Gobber. "I want to see his exam results before I decide anything."

Gobber nodded. "You'll know in a week."

A week later, the mood in the house was very quiet as Stoick and talk to him since his discussion with Gobber.

Jeeves then appeared giving him his lunch. "I'm certain you did very well, sir."

Hiccup sighed. "I wish I was a certain." He then looked at him. "My father said anything to you?"

"No, sir," said Jeeves. "Though I am certain that he will come around, he just worried about you. You know after that little incident."

Hiccup looked at his leg. "Yeah, I know."

Stoick then opened the door holding a letter. "They're here."

Hiccup took a deep breath and took the letter. "Moment of truth."

He opened the letter and found a small disk and then a holographic image of Forge appear directly in front of them.

"Greetings, Hiccup Haddock," said Forge. "I am here to give you your final results."

"Here it comes," said Hiccup taking a deep breath.

"In the theory test you scored 60%, meaning that you have passed the written test," said Forge. "Now during your practical test you scored 20 combat points, which is sadly not enough for you to pass."

Hiccup sighed. "Guess I shouldn't have been playing the hero, might have gotten a few more points."

"I think there's more," said Stoick placing a hand on his son's shoulders.

"Fortunately there were other factors," Forge continued. "For you see the practical exam was not graded on combat alone. By Hero Course cannot reject someone who would risk their own lives to save someone, no matter the consequences to themselves. That is after all what makes you and that is why we have something called Rescue Points. A panel of judges watches and they are what points will, beyond just fighting villains. Hiccup Haddock, for your home or captured you are yourself 60 points giving you a grand total of 80 which is more than enough for you to pass and put you in fourth place in the exam."

Hiccup's eyes widened as he suddenly saw a tally chart of the examinee names next to their combat and rescue points and saw that he was indeed in fourth place.

Stoick looked at his son and smiled. "I'm proud of you, son."

This was possibly the happiest day of Hiccup's life, because now is journey of becoming a hero had officially started.