I moved on pure instinct. A quick step to the left -
"Move aside, Deku!"
- and watched as Kacchan walked passed where I just was.

Without even brushing against my clothes.

I watched him go for a moment, then continued walking up to U.A.'s front doors. Today was the practical portion of the entrance exam. And… I actually felt ready for it.
'I guess all that combat training really did pay off. I feel really calm today…'

I noticed a girl pass me. She had pink hair, and…

Wow, she was really cute!

… And yet…
I felt… numb.

'It's… not like I haven't experienced this before. It's just that weird plant Master had me keep in my room last night! … I really hope that's not cheating…'
"... It shouldn't be, right? I mean, it's just like drinking a bit of tea or coffee or something…"
Normally, I knew, I would've been muttering and fidgeting a lot more with all the stress. The fact that I wasn't… bothered me a little. Master had had me sleep with that plant in my room while training, and it didn't make me feel all that different in the morning. Just slightly calmer for an hour or two.

'But I wouldn't have been as stressed by training in the first place… So, maybe my sense of its effect was off? … Yeah. What else could it be?'

Dismissing my concerns, I continued walking, silent and observant, all the way into the auditorium - until I found my seat next to Kacchan.
'Oh man, Present Mic?!'
I started fanboying a little over the pro hero. Until Kacchan told me shut up, anyway.

I listened - with stars in my eyes - as Present Mic explained the rules of the exam:
Ten minutes. Bring along whatever you want. Take out as many faux villains as possible. No attacking other examinees.
Oh, and watch out for the Zero-Point Gimmick villain.

Then we were released to our exam sites. All intense-focus, I made my way to the front of the pack so I could, hopefully, get a head start. As Kurogiri-sensei would say, "always take any advantage you can."
While waiting, I double-checked my gear. We were allowed to bring anything we wanted, but Master had been very insistent about simplicity…

I was in the warehouse Master had set aside for me to train in.

Kurogiri-sensei stood behind me, rigid with tension. I'd only just finished the day's training with him when Master had arrived, saying he needed to speak with me about the upcoming exam.

Master stood in front of me, a table set up behind him.
"I trust you've studied for the written portion thoroughly. And Kurogiri assures me you're prepared for the practical portion. As such… you are to pass the practical portion using a bo staff and nothing more,"
My face fell. He couldn't be serious! "B-but-!"

Master held up his hand, and I went silent.
"I'm aware that's not how you've become used to fighting. And that, in fact, is the point, Because," Master picked up a small box from the table, then turned back to me, "If you manage to pass the entrance exam, despite this disadvantage… you will be given equipment that is more… advanced."

Master stepped forward and, despite his lack of eyes, met my gaze.
"I am confident that you could not only pass the exam, but come in first, if given all of your usual tools…" Master smirked, "But it wouldn't do to put an unnecessary target on your back so early on. So consider this-" He gestured to the box, "-additional motivation."

I glanced around at the other examinees. I couldn't tell all of their quirks, but… many of them only had a minor mutation-type. Hardly any more useful than my staff - and they definitely had less training. I could tell just from how they were standing.
'Just like Master said. I'm-'
The doors, remarkably silently, swung open.
'-not at a disadvantage at all!'

Present Mic's voice rang out from above us, "AND… BEGIN!"
I - and a few others, who'd been paying attention - sprinted inside.

I could hear Present Mic shouting at the stragglers to get going, but I was focused on taking out the robots in front of me. They were pretty brittle - a jab to the right spot was all it took to take them down.

Every now-and-again, someone else would trip or get hit by a robot, and I would step in. I'd help them up, or stop the robot from attacking. I lost a few points for it, sure, but… what kind of hero doesn't stop to help someone in trouble?
Still, though… Even with my head start, those with powerful quirks easily made up for that initial gap. I'd only gotten 18 points when IT happened.

.~*~.

I felt the ground shaking underneath me.

Then - I started rising. Something was lifting me into the air!
"The- the zero-pointer?!"

It had come out of the ground-
-right underneath me!

Quickly, before I got too high, I did my best to make my way down the robot. I wasn't exactly a master at parkour after less than a year, but I made it maybe halfway down - before tripping.
The ground rushed at me-
- I started panicking.

'No. Nonono, I can't die here! I don't want to-!'
Just as I was about to splat, only a couple meters from the ground, a hand reached out and slapped my arm-
-and I stopped falling.

It was the cute girl from the walk inside. She was floating on a broken piece from one of the robots, trembling, a strained look on her face. 'Is she hurt?'
"Re... lease," she said, tapping her fingers together.

It wasn't a gentle landing, but it was WAY better than what would have happened!
Then the girl threw up, and some of the tension left her body. 'It must have been her quirk,' I assumed. But when I ran over to thank her - I spotted her leg. It was all bruised, and possibly even broken.

She looked up, and I snapped out of my daze to thank her, "Thank you- thank you SO MUCH!"
She grimaced, but also smiled, "No… problem!"
"Hey," I said, a spark in my eyes, "We still have time left. Let's work together to get a few more points. It's the least I can do!"
"..." She stared at me for a moment - then returned my smile. "Yeah. Let's do it! Here, I can reduce your weight!"

I had her climb onto my back, being careful of her leg. And for that last minute, with the reduced weight and extra pair of eyes, we each managed to get five more points!

But, even after all that effort… we still had to wait an entire week before we could find out who passed… And who didn't.

If you like my writing, you should check out my original work "Crossroad of Infinity." I post one chapter of it each week, rather than bi-weekly like this one! You can find it on AO3, my website, and Tumblr.

It's about a dimension-travelling alien - personally, I think it's really cool, if I do say so myself. ;P

Also, if you're a writer or other indie creator, go give my editors a look. They're making this community of indie creators to help each other grow and stuff. You can find them with a quick Google search: They're calling themselves "ShadowQuillsInk"