The earth quaked with every step the 0-Pointer took, its arms flailing as to destroy any and everything nearby. Buildings, pavement, other robots, and the examinees were nothing but obstacles in its wake to be trampled upon. From its mechanical menace of a body revealed missile launchers, and it let everything have it. Explosions raged, buildings crumbled, and before Yuuma was a disaster zone of of epic proportions.

And this was supposed to just be a test? No wonder they had such a low acceptance rate. They all died!

For a moment, Yuuma was regretting all of his life's choices and thought very seriously about just being a teacher. This was ridiculous.

But just as soon as that thought came it vanished. His legs were moving on their own as he was unconsciously letting his psychic energy spread over the entire area. He could hear them, the screams. People were hurt! He didn't want anyone to get hurt! He had to help them! Even as multiple examinees raced in the opposite direction not even caring about their fellow testers, he continued on without missing a beat. He didn't care for their confused and shocked stares, he was going to save them.

Taking out the 0-Pointer might not be something he could do now that he was looking at it, all of his logic screamed 'DO NOT ENGAGE', but helping the others he could reach was something he could do. And he was going to do it, no matter what.

66%

Two were trapped under some rubble 35 meters to his left. One was unconscious 20 meters northeast of him. 43 meters in front of him were a small group of examinees who could still move, but were being flanked by 3-Pointers on all sides with the 0-Pointer blocking their exit. Dangerous fires were raging in the area due to the explosions, and many buildings were left unstable and on the verge of collapse. The roads were all trashed, littered with various amounts of debris. And it didn't help that every other helping hand Yuuma might of thought of asking for was either running to protect their life (which he could understand seeing the massive mechanical monster devastating the mock city) and the others who couldn't care less and just wanted to up their point count.

72%

Yuuma was alone on this. He was alone, facing something impossible, and he was very scared. But none of that was going to stop him from helping who he could! He brows furrowed as he concentrated his energy, spreading it under his feet as to propel him forward at his fastest speed to the nearest person he could sense. They weren't moving at all and their energy reading wasn't fluctuating at all, meaning they weren't showcasing any type of emotion or shows of being in pain. That meant they weren't conscious.

If their energy is null and void or starts to diminish, that meant they were dead or dying.

Yuuma was very glad that was not happening. He'd had the misfortune of learning that this was what happened when living things die when his beloved pet frog Pickles passed away when he was eight. He was a very good frog and Yuuma loved him, he even got a froggy plushie to remember him by.

Now was not the time to want to hug a plushie he'd promptly named Pickles II, but he would put it on his list of to do's when he got home from dealing with the stress that he was about to put himself through.

After weaving pass a few destroyed alleys he came across a boy with a nasty gnash on his forehead, most likely the blow that knocked him out. It was still bleeding, and Yuuma used his Psychic Sight to get a read on any surface injuries aside from the head wound that would make it dangerous to just move him. Thankfully finding none he gently wrapped him up in his psychic energy, making a conscious effort to slow the bleeding as much as he could, and proceeded to sprint to the people trapped under the rubble in the other direction.

He had to get to them! They were in danger!

78%

"UNDER 2 MINUTES REMAINING!"

'Don't care.' Yuuma mentally remarked. He was too focused on his goal of saving people to care about points or time limits at the moment. He made it to the rubble that the two people were trapped under, using his telekinesis to lift the pieces of building from the very top first, making sure to hold the crumpling structure as steady as he could.

Spreading out his energy once again, he reached and connected with the closest of the two stuck in the rubble.

"Can you hear me?"

"W-what the hell?!" The boy jumped at the sudden voice in his head, and the rubble atop them started to shake. "Dammit... Someone was just speaking to me. I'm pretty sure we haven't been in here long enough for me to start going insane and hearing voices though..." He spoke, most likely to the other person with him.

"I-I'm sorry I scared you! Please don't move too much!" Yuuma said, straining as a headache began to form. He'd never used these two skills at the same time and it was really hard, but not impossible.

"I-it's okay—There's someone with a telepathic quirk talking to me," He said, answering who Yuuma assumed was to the other person, "Um, sorry 'bout that. The name's Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu! You?"

"My name is Yuuma Kageyama! I'm going to get you out of there okay? Just hold on a few more seconds." Soon enough he was able to get the last big piece of debris off and not even a second later a boy made of metal came bursting through it along with another boy with a wide zig-zag headband on.

"Freedom!" The metal one exclaimed, now confirmed as Tetsutetsu. "Thanks man, that was amazing! And you too dude!" He looked to the boy beside him. "If it wasn't for you merging the pipes and walls together it would've crushed us! You're awesome dude!"

"Thanks!" He said, smiling at the metal boy who had since reverted back to his normal self. He had silver gray hair and bushy eyelashes that seemed to frame his eyes completely. The other boy had black hair that was spiked upwards, the large zig-zag patterned headband keeping it from falling in his face. "I'm Awase Yosetsu, thanks for that."

"You're welcome." The younger boy answered with a bit of happiness. It made him feel giddy inside that he was able to rescue someone, all of his training was paying off! But now wasn't the time to celebrate.

Yuuma noticed that Awase had a few injuries on him, likely from when they got trapped. Tetsutetsu was mostly protected due to his quirk but still managed to get a few scratches here and there. Otherwise they were able to walk just fine on their own, which was relieving.

"I'm glad both of you are okay." He said, both of the boys noticing the strain in his voice as he was seemingly in pain. They wanted to ask him what was wrong but he cut them off unknowingly when he brought the unconscious examinee towards them. "Since the both of you can walk, can you take this person with you, I found them unconscious in the alley over there and I know there are more examinees that need help."

"Yeah, no problem!" Tetsutetsu said, grabbing the boy. They noticed the gnash on his head which they noticed had been treated with first aid, most likely by Yuuma. The kid had come a bit prepared, having a medical first aid kit. Yuuma had made sure to have his first aide kit approved before he took the test, but he didn't know he'd have to be using it so soon.

"1 MINUTE LEFT LITTLE LISTENERS! WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO?"

'Help who I can.' He answered mentally. Quickly running off in the direction of the examinees being flanked by robots and the 0-Pointer. It was making its way towards them and they had no way to escape. Taking care of the robots was difficult, but they managed to work together to get through the mock villains only to be faced with despair in the form of a towering weapon of mass destruction.

This was truly meant to test children? They made this into a test? No, this was made to break someone's will, not to test them. Yuuei must either be insane or sadistic... or both. Yuuma was starting to believe it was the latter of the possibilities.

82%

-In A Viewing Booth On Yuuei Grounds-

To say that Nezu was enjoying this was an understatement. He was relishing in his entertainment as he watched the human children quake and run in despair and terror as he let his toys loose upon them in each of the designated testing areas. Yes, run! Flee! There is no hope! He began to sip his tea as his manic smile grew, a cackle almost escaping his furry lips.

"Seems we'll be getting some good ones this year." Remarked Nemuri Kayama, also known as the R-18 Pro Hero, Midnight. Everyone hummed in response except for one, who groaned.

"More headaches." He answered instead, rubbing his temples as his sleep deprived eyes studied the screens intently.

"Found something you like?" Nemuri remarked suggestively, earning herself an annoyed scoff.

"No." He said curtly, ignoring her and returning to studying the screens showcasing each of the testing areas.

'Great reflexes yet loud, explosive in every sense of the word, and unwilling to work with or help others. Problem Child that Nezu definitely going to put in my class just to mess with me.' He felt the headaches coming already, but disregarded them to look at the next few screens. 'Hm...? His willingness to help others was proven by that ridiculously selfless act he just pulled, but the result was him breaking his body. Another Problem Child I'm probably gonna get stuck with—'

All of his thoughts were put on pause, as were all the rest of the staff present, as they looked upon Area C's monitor. All eyes were focusing on a single small statured boy flitting through the city at a steady pace, wrecking any robots he found with piece of flying scrap metal more than likely from the robots he'd already slain.

"Who is that?" Sekijiro Kan, also known as the Blood Hero, Vlad King, asked to no one in particular. Taking it as the perfect opportunity to explain his latest venture, Nezu promptly answered.

"Kageyama Yuuma, Quirk: Esper, Age... 11!" He said happily, and all of the other teachers in the viewing booth did a spit-take if they had anything to drink on hand and turned towards the Principal.

"He's WHAT?!" They all said, Aizawa Shota, otherwise known as Eraserhead, and a blond haired man who was basically skin and bones known as Toshinori Yagi or as we all know, All Might, stared at the animal in shock. They both knew that name, and all of the memories they had of the last time they'd seen the young child came rushing to them.

"How is he even taking this test, Nezu, he isn't old enough." Aizawa said bluntly, to which Nezu smiled.

"Yes, Young Kageyama is much too young to be trying out for this school." Toshinori added, causing Nezu's smile wo widen further if that were at all possible.

He took a calm sip of his tea, which was perfectly brewed he might add, before he answered all of their silent questions. "I allowed it." He said simply, causing almost everyone in the room to drop. Their reactions amused him, but he knew he'd have to explain further. "Kageyama-chan is an advanced studies student already at, if not above, the level of high school education. As he was legally able to apply to the high school via these means, a debate happened a few months ago on whether the young boy should be allowed to enter or forced to wait until he was of age. Majority ruled that he should be given a chance, be it with some health precautions and a little extra monitoring, nothing major."

"Damn politicians wanting to make a weapon of my nephew. Should I call in some connections to 'remove' them? I should, I'll call him after my patrol today. Make sure no one finds the bodies." Aizawa grumbled to himself, going into a detailed plan of how he was going to 'take out the trash' only to be shot down by his own logic about how he would lose his job and that meant his money and he needed money to live so he begrudgingly had to toss the idea aside. "Damn it. You better know what you're doing, Nezu."

"I do!" He said with glee. "I've thought over this many, many times in my spare time, Shota, I'm sure everything will be just fine."

"What can go wrong does go wrong. Expecting everything to go just as planned is irrational." He recited. He looked back to the screen, watching the boy intently before returning to scanning the rest of the monitors. One teacher noticed his reluctance to stop watching and found it as another opportunity to tease.

"Aw, Shota-kun has a favorite already~?"

"Yes." He replied immediately, throwing everyone for a loop as they were expecting him to either scoff and ignore her completely or just say no outright. "Kid has potential. Stop annoying me. I want to go to sleep..." He ended the conversation curtly, grumbling once again about how annoying this year was going to be for him and that he had multiple bad feelings. 'Another Problem Child, but this one I actually want to be in my class. I'm sure Airi drilled all of her rational sense into him in her training.'

His unnerving grin slipped pass him. If his students for the year were able to go up against the brat, they'd be in for a rude awakening... The thought pleased him greatly.

Toshinori was having his own thoughts as he watched the boy take down robots with trained movements, making sure to help his fellow examinees when he saw that they were in a pinch not caring if that would take away from his possible points or not. He hadn't seen the child since he was a toddler, and a few occasions after that before he had to focus on his hero work and overall personal health. Did the boy even remember him after all this time?

He smiled as he watched the young boy check over who would normally be his competitors before leaving again after confirming they were okay. Boy was still so kind-hearted, and it was clear that Airi had been training him well. He wondered if he should give her a call to check in, it had been a while since they talked.

The two watched the screen for Battle Center C, with Toshinori checking in on another screen alongside it as he watched his successor. As the exams had begun at slightly different times to make for a smooth transition for the staff that dealt with the students after it was over, that meant the 0-Pointer for each center came out at different times, all of them still being closer to the end.

Nezu, feeling the need to let out a sadistic cackle for some reason, pressed the button for Battle Center C's 0-Pointer to be released as he saw that they had hit their 2-minute mark. Letting his mind drift from the thought that his honorary nephew was in that same battle center, Aizawa let his own smile slip as the kids had realized just how screwed they were and began running.

Both slightly sadistic staff members were quite amused by their suffering.

Their eyes steadily made their way back to Yuuma's testing center, each of them instantly noticing the difference. His arguably had more destruction, the 0-Pointer was placed in the perfect place for mass devastation. Everyone was running for their lives.

Everyone but those caught in the mayhem, and Yuuma, who had ran towards it.

'What are you doing Yuuma/Young Kageyama?!' Toshinori and Aizawa mentally screeched.

But what they saw next amazed them.

Yuuma was quick to locate the injured student first, how he'd done that they weren't sure, but they had a hunch it was due to one of the skills pertaining to his quirk. He performed quick first aid, most likely adding to its effects with another one of his quirks abilities as they could see the faint greenish blue glow. He then motioned over to a few other students who were trapped, expertly getting the rubble off of them enough for them to get out themselves. After he gave them instructions to take the unconscious boy to a safer place since they could walk but were also slightly injured, he made his way to yet another set of kids that were trapped by mock villains on one side and the 0-Pointer on the other.

The kid was rescuing everything he could reach, with precision, swiftness, and efficiency. But they all could see that this was putting a strain on him. He'd been using his quirk left and right, sprinting with all of his strength to get to one examinee after another. If he wasn't exhausted by then he'd truly be a monster.

They'd hit the 30 second mark now, and every other student was scrambling to get whatever points they could manage. But none of the teachers were paying them any mind, they were all focused on Yuuma, and the crazy thing he did next. The crazy amazing thing the 11 year old taking a test meant for 15 year olds entering the hero-course was doing.

-At Battle Center C-

There was no way out, 30 seconds were left on the clock. Yuuma didn't care about whatever points he'd gotten and hadn't counted. He just wanted to save the people around him. He didn't want anyone to get hurt trying to chase their dreams, he didn't want anyone to get hurt period. He was going to do everything he can to save them.

90%

'Please don't go!'

He remembered reaching out with his small hand, unable to stop them form leaving. He remembered the pain in his chest as he couldn't fight off the need to shut his eyes. He remembered the screams. He remembered feeling so helpless, so useless, so scared.

93%

He remembered his frustration and anger, and he remembered why he wanted to become stronger.

He never wanted it to happen again.

96%

Behind him were the rest of the examinees who hadn't been able to escape. After taking care of the 3-Pointers that had caged them in, Yuuma had helped them to get out and away from the 0-Pointer that was making its way to their location. He knew they wouldn't be fast enough to escape, and he didn't have enough energy to just carry them high into the sky and out of the way. He could already feel his body straining as it is, and the headache that was gradually getting worse.

98%

The objectives he had before the test began had long since been forgotten. The saying that his aunt repeating religiously everyday of their training began to ring in his head as his psychic energy spiked and overflowed through his tired body. Just a little more, all he needed was a little more. He couldn't let that thing pass him! People would get hurt!

99%

'If they stand beside you'

"I'll become a pillar they can lean on."

'If they stand against you'

"I'll become a wall they can't overcome."

'If they stand behind you'

"I'll protect them no matter what!"

100% Determination.

"ARRRGGGGHHHHHH!" Yuuma let his battle cry ring out through the mock city as all of the people watching stared in awed wonder and shock at what was happening. The ground quaked beneath the boy as his calming sky blue energy became a swelling deep sea blue matching the depth of his determination to protect them. Yuuma ignored the pain shooting through his head, he ignored the blood running from his nose, and he ignored his body's protests against what he was going to do.

He was going to hold the 0-Pointer where it was and it was not going to move further.

He reached out his hands and the same deep blue light could be found surrounding the large mechanical nightmare, and it ceased all movement and lifted off the ground. The creaks of its metal joints could be heard from every corner of the battle center as it strained to break free of the 11-year old's hold to no avail. Yuuma could feel it fighting against him and his body screamed for him to let go. He had never tried to hold something so heavy before and it was taking everything in him not to outright cry because of how much his head was hurting. But his power was quickly depleting, he could feel it.

"TIME'S UP!"

The 0-Pointer promptly shut down, and Yuuma released his hold on it letting it crash and shut down. His legs gave out as he was way too tired to move anymore, and he let a sigh of relief escape him. "Is everyone okay?" He called out, but his voice was strained and small.

"S-so... gutsy. " Came the voice of Tetsutetsu, with his level of respect skyrocketing for the kid. He ran towards him to help him off the ground, "Dude, that was awesome."

Yuuma's embarrassment was now in full swing, but he felt the pride swelling at the complement as the pink began to dust at his cheeks. "R-really? T-thank you...!" He said in a small whisper, causing the older boy to go into his own thoughts.

'He gutsy and he's adorable? How does that math even work? I must become friends with him. He is too awesome not to be friends with.'

"Are there any injured over here?" Came the voice of an elderly woman. She was a considerably short with gray hair styled into a netted bun with a syringe sticking out of it. Walking around with a syringe shaped cane and a doctor's lab coat, it was clear that this 'youthful' old lady was none other than Chiyo Shuzenji, otherwise known as Recovery Girl. "Oh dear, Yuuma-chan is that you? What have you done to yourself child? You look just awful!" She exclaimed, instantly gravitating towards the exhausted child.

"Hi Granny Chiyo... or I guess I should call you Recovery Girl since you're working?"

"Nonsense child. I proclaimed myself your honorary grandma the moment you started calling me that wonderful name and you shall refer to me as such." She said firmly, leaving no room for debate. "Me and your grandma are close co-workers dear, I might as well be family. But enough of that, young man," She motioned to Tetsutetsu, "Place him gently on the stretcher for me."

"Granny, I'm fin—"

"Nonsense. You are going to rest and that is final, do you understand me? I can't use my quirk on you because you are already so tired, so all I can do is let you rest and check you up." She said with finality.

"Yes, ma'am..." Yuuma did not even try to argue. Tetsutetsu picked him up with ease, placing him on the stretcher and the boys said goodbye. On the way out he passed Awase who had just been treated by the other nurses for his cuts and scrapes as he was coming to see him. But by then Yuuma had already succumbed to sleep so the boy was unable to tell him he saw the whole thing and give his complements.

Awase could see the small smile on his face. Yuuma seemed to have been very pleased with himself, as he should be. No one in this battle center could do what he just did. He wasn't even sure if they'd even consider it because most of the people he was seeing only cared for themselves.

Yuuma was different. And Awase admired him for that.

"Sigh..." Recovery Girl gazed at the boy now fast asleep, patches in his nose to stop his nosebleed and an IV drip to give him medicines for his head. "Such a reckless boy. At least he's better than the greenette over there. Breaking both legs and his arm using his quirk, I'll be having a word with Toshinori the next time I see him." She went over to the sleeping Yuuma and placed a kiss on his forehead, just a regular one without using her quirk. "I have other patients I have to see, I'll check in on you a little later Yuu-chan."

The doting grandmother figure left the room, but not before giving one last glance to the sleeping child.

-A few hours later-

Yuuma woke up with a slight headache, but otherwise felt okay. Granny Chiyo had always been stern about his health along with his actual grandma. It was because of how similar they were that Yuuma eventual just started calling her "Granny Chiyo" of which the renowned doctor took in stride. She never let him call her anything but ever since.

When he sat up, he was met by a sight he wasn't expecting. "Izuku-nii?"

"Yuuma-chan?" The greenette answered, the exhaustion clear in his voice. "Did you get hurt? Are you okay?" Of course the boy's first action was to check if Yuuma was okay before himself.

"I'm fine, but you got hurt really bad, didn't you. You lied to me. You said you'd be fine." Yuuma was upset, and Izuku was taken off guard. "Were you going to keep this harmful new quirk a secret from everyone?" He asked, hurt clear in his voice. Had Izuku not planned on telling him this? At all?

Did he not trust him?

"It-It's complicated." Izuku tried, but Yuuma's frown only deepened.

"I don't want you to get hurt, Izuku-nii." He said honestly. "It hurts to see friends get hurt. I'm worried." Yuuma's voice was nothing but a whisper now, but that didn't mean that the concern that laced it wasn't clear.

Izuku's eyes widened for a moment, and then softened as he got up from his bed to meet the boy on the other side. "Look at me, Yuuma." He said, the younger boy complying and looking him in his emerald eyes. They were filled with determination and confidence, a rare and welcome sight for Yuuma. "Yes, it's going to take some time, but I'm going to be just fine."

"You promise?" Yuuma said. Izuku didn't like that he caused the younger boy to worry so much about him. Over the course of his time with the younger boy, he noticed how protective and careful he was. He was quick to heal any injuries he'd see on either him or Katsuki, he never liked to see them in pain.

He would always try to make them happy. Always giving them his comfort and support. He was always in their corner, no matter what anyone said about them. But when something was bothering him about their behavior, he let it be known clearly, just like now.

Izuku couldn't tell him about One-For-All or the drawbacks from using it. He couldn't tell him that it would likely break his body every single time until he managed to control it. Yuuma didn't need to know that, as a kid he shouldn't have to worry him. So, Izuku decided to tell him what he thought was best.

"I promise." He lied.

Yuuma nodding as they locked their pinky fingers together to solidify it. After getting checked up one last time, Izuku almost falling to the floor when Yuuma called Recovery Girl "Granny" and him having to explain that his grandmother and her were co-workers and friends, they were free to go home.

The sun was starting to set by the time they they left, and an angry explosion user was waiting for them, specifically Yuuma, at the gate.

"What the hell took you, you brat!? Why is that shitty Deku with you?!" He was yelling angrily, but Yuuma could tell that he was worried and confused.

"I was getting checked up after my exam by Recovery Girl, and I met Izuku in the infirmary. She wouldn't let us go until she was sure were fine."

"You got hurt during your exam?" Katsuki said it like it was funny, but Yuuma could read his energy, which screamed "worried." He honestly didn't even have to read his energy to see the subtle look in his eyes.

"Not really, just a headache from overuse of my quirk. What about you? How was your test?"

"Of course I did fantastic. Those robots were nothing but small fry!" He boasted. "I lost track of my points because I was having way too much fun murdering them." He said with dark glee, Yuuma not catching it and instead was happy that he was happy.

"How was your test, Yuuma-chan?" Izuku was the one to ask. There was a bit of a depressed tone in his voice which caused Yuuma to glance at him. Why did he sound a bit dejected?

"It was okay, although the 0-Pointer did destroy half the mock city with missiles and began mindlessly laying waste to everything around it. A few examinees got caught in the destruction and I tried to rescue them. I had to stop it by holding it in place until the exam was over, but that was really hard because it was so heavy. I wonder how much they paid for all of that stuff."

Silence.

"What?" Izuku said, his eyes almost bulging.

Even though their exams were hard and the 0-Pointer had caused a bit of damage, it didn't actively start destroying the entire city, just the small area it was in. And it was easy to avoid. Of course, some examinees in their area did get caught, like in Izuku's, and he used his newly acquired quirk to deal with it.

Katsuki just used a giant explosion to blow its face off and went off to get more points.

Despite that however, theirs hadn't started full on rampaging. None of the chaos that happened in Yuuma's Battle Center happened in theirs. At all.

"...Back the fuck up. The 0-Pointer did what? And then you did what? And until the exam was over you did what?"

"Shot missiles and destroyed everything around it. Helped examinees. Picked up the 0-Pointer to stop it for the last 30 seconds." He answered Katsuki's questions matter-of-factly, not registering the shock on their faces. Why were they so surprised? Didn't this happen in their battle center too?

"...What? Is something wrong?"

Yuuma had no idea why they were shocked into silence. He just did his best, that was all.

...Did they not think he could handle it?

3%

He brushed the thought aside. Of course they believed in him. They were friends. They were equals. Today was no doubt stressful, so after splitting from them to head home and tell his Aunt and Ritsu how his test went, he was going to shower and sleep, and give his froggy plushie, Pickles II, a hug.

[A/N] See you in the next chapter!