Immortālitās

Chapter 3

After a trip to the changing room, I emerged in my usual workout wear. Athletic shorts and a spandex top that hugged me in all the right places, trusty battleaxe over my shoulder.

I wonder if I can catch Ochaco before she goes?

No, that would probably be too cruel.

Too distracting.

I laughed to myself.

We were then herded like to cattle to large buses that drove us to our designated battle center.

It took mere moments before we arrived at our destination and were once more herded off the bus.

As we stood in front of the large gate, I took a moment and surveyed the other examinees in my group who began to whisper among themselves while shooting small glances in my direction.

"What are you all waiting for!" We heard Present Mic's voice ring out in the distance. "A real battle has no countdown! So, run! The time has already started, you know!"

With that, the gates sprang open and I dashed to the front of my group.

Perhaps my heart is beating twice a minute? My blood feels like it's quickly flowing through my veins in excitement. I've never felt so exhilarated!

A decently sized robot appeared in my vision and I quickly jumped after it, leaping into the air and readying my trusty axe. "I hope you dirty robots are ready for a fight!" I smiled, bringing my axe down and smashing the robot into the ground. "Because things are about to get a little messy!"

Time quickly went by as I continued smashing one robot to the next. It wasn't until time was almost up, that the one I was waiting for finally appeared.

The ground began to shake, as the buildings around us began to tumble and giant green robot appeared before us. It threw its arm towards the ground and caused a shock-wave that sent debris tumbling straight at us.

I stood there, as chunks of cement the size of my head went flying past me.

I stood my ground even as a piece of metal flew through the air and struck me in the head.

Well, that's going to be annoying. Should I remove it now while everyone is distracted? Or should I just leave it?

Ah, I'll just leave it.

I stared down the monster of a robot, which turned into a glare when I noticed that some of the other examinees were also injured from its punch.

The villain robots aren't just the only part of this exam then, huh?

The other students started running away from the giant robot, whereas I did the opposite.

I smiled the entire time as I leapt onto its arm when it swung for me.

The examinees could only watch as I used the movements of the robot to continue my ascent to its head.

"Alright you dirty robot!" I yelled, swinging my axe through the air. "Let's find your power source!"

I swung my axe over and over as I shoveled my way through metal, looking for what controlled the beast.

I smiled when I found my target, and swung my axe at it.

I laughed when it exploded in my face and caused other small explosions to begin taking place all over the robot.

My vision came back to me as my eye regenerated, and I felt my sense of gravity tumble as I assumed the robot began falling to the ground.

Does this mean I get to have an awesome hero exit?

This is totally going to make an awesome hero exit.

I climbed out of the robot and began making my way towards the gathered group of students. They appeared horrified as I stopped before them, just as another explosion went off behind me.

Oh yeah, definitely an awesome hero exit.

I smiled at them and brought my axe up onto my shoulder.

Some of the girls feinted, and I looked down at myself.

"Is it because my shirt got burned off?" I asked the crowd

Some of them shook their heads as one person began throwing up.

I tilted my head and a lightbulb went off.

"Oh!" I reached up to my cranium where the piece of metal was still protruding and pulled it out.

There were screams. Another person threw up.

But why did they still look horrified.

"Excuse me," a student said. He closed his eyes while he walked my way, stopping in front of me to lift his arm. It became reflective and I got to see what my face looked like.

Oh.

Oh.

I got to watch as the rest of my face regenerated.

They got to see me before my face was fully recovered.

Oops?

I laughed.

The ride back to U.A. was just as quick as the ride to the battle centers, and as I exited the changing rooms my eyes found Ochaco dashing through the tired crowds to follow after Present Mic. I wanted to ask her how she did, so I ran after her. I gave pause though, when I heard her start talking.

"Excuse me," she started to say. "The, um, person with the curly hair and freckles? You do know who I'm talking about, right? He's kind of, um, plain-looking? Is it possible for me to give him some of my points?"

My jaw dropped.

"I heard him say, If I can just get one point," she continued on. "So, I thought that he may have still had zero points. At least transfer the points he lost because of me! He saved me!"

My eyes widened at the end, as she continued to plead with Present Mic.

"Even as you ask me, you cannot give him your points." Present Mic patted her head, "Anyway. There's no reason to give him any, female listener!"

He laughed before turning away, smirking at my gob smacked expression.

"Ivan?" Ochaco noticed me.

"Ah," I rubbed the back of my neck. "Hi Ochaco. I'm sorry for listening in on your conversation with Present Mic. I wanted to ask how you did and followed after you, I'm sorry for intruding."

"Oh, um," she blushed. "It's fine!"

"So," I started. Wanting to drop that part of the conversation as we walked back towards the large hall. "How'd you do?"

"I got twenty-eight points!" She smiled. I liked it. "How many did you get?"

"Well I got!—wait," I stopped and then laughed. "You know what, I didn't even keep track."

"You didn't keep track?!"

I scratched my nose with an impish smile. "No, I think I got too excited in the battle."

She stopped walking and stared at me. Then started to laugh.

"Hey!" I laughed with her. "You better not be making fun of me!"

"I'm not, I'm not!" She chuckled a bit more. "I promise."

"Ne, Ochaco. Can I ask you a question?" She smiled a bit before nodding. "What did you mean when you told Present Mic that that one kid saved you?"

"Did you see the giant robot at your battle center?" I nodded my head for her to continue. "Well when it appeared, everyone began running when some of the debris landed on top of my leg. I couldn't move, and he leapt in and destroyed it with a single punch! He...He saved me."

I stared at Ochaco. Eyes wide.

Wait.

I swooped in and lifted her into my arms bridal style.

She squeaked.

"Debris landed on top of your leg?!" I was concerned that she was moving around. "Should you be walking around so freely?"

"It's fine! I-it's fine!" She was waving her hands in front of her face, turning beet red. "U.A.'s nurse, Recovery Girl, took care of the injury. It's like nothing even happened to it, I promise! So, could you put me down?"

"Mmm," I thought about it. "I don't think so. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if your leg somehow were to be strained after such quick healing."

"A-ah," she responded. "But only until we get outside! My parents should be waiting!"

"I'll think about it," I laughed. "I am thankful though."

"Thankful?"

"Yeah," I smiled down at her. "That he saved you."

"O-oh," she averted her eyes quickly, looking at her twiddling thumbs. "Me too."

Though I wished that I was the one that was able to save you, I thought back to what All Might said to me.

"You're saving their life, but also their heart."

Has this other person's heroism saved your heart, I wonder?

We continued in a comfortable silence as I made my way towards the doorway, and laughed at Ochaco'a squeak when I kicked the doors open.

"Ochaco, dear!" I heard a woman holler as I watched an older couple advance towards us. "We've been looking for you!"

"Mama, Papa!" I could tell she was feeling embarrassed so I gently set her down.

They quickly embraced before turning their attention onto me.

"Who is this?" Her mother asked.

"And why was he carrying you in such a manner?" Her father glared at me.

"P-Papa!" She went beet red. Cute.

"I'm sorry for not introducing myself, and that you saw me carrying your daughter in such a way," I wanted to get on good grounds with her parents. "My name is Ivan Tantarimoto. I sat next to Ochaco during the orientation, so we had a chance for some small talk before everything started. After the practical exam she told me that her leg was injured, and even though it was taken care of by the school nurse, I just had to assist her in the off-chance that her leg may still have been strained by her injury."

"What a gentleman!" Her mother seemed delighted; she shook my hand. "As I'm sure you're aware, we're Ochaco's parents! Please call me, Mrs. Uraraka."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Uraraka," I smiled at her and then turned to shake hands with her father.

He took my hand in a firm grasp, and I grasped his just as firm if not firmer.

We stayed like that for a few moments, staring each other down, before he nodded his head.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Tantarimoto," he said, letting go of my hand. "You can call me Sir."

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Sir." He seemed pleased.

"Oh, quit it, you," Mrs. Uraraka swatted at her husband. "Don't scare the poor boy."

"I'm just making sure that this young man knows how to be respectful," he responded to his wife. "Especially for our dearest Ochaco."

"P-Papa!"

I laughed internally.

"I don't wish to intrude upon your family time any longer," I bowed quickly to her parent's. "I'm sure you would all like to go home."

"So polite!" Mrs. Uraraka smiled. "But we're just going to be dropping Ochaco off at her apartment before going back home. We live a few cities over."

"Did you need a ride home, young man?" Her father asked.

"That's quite alright," I responded. I didn't want them knowing that I lived at the orphanage. "I'm sure my taxi will be arriving soon."

"If you're sure," Mrs. Uraraka seemed to ask. I nodded my head. "Well, it was nice meeting you."

"I'll be seeing you when classes start, Ochaco!" I stated confidently, waving them off.

She blushed slightly, before giving me a light wave back.

"I'll be seeing you, Ivan."

"First name basis already, my dear daughter?" He father was elbowing her as they walked into the distance.

"He's certainly a keeper," I could just barely hear her mother say.

"M-MAMA!"

I smiled.

A week passed by and I now sat in the middle of the orphanage surrounded by kids younger and older than myself. We were all focused on one thing.

The letter in my hands.

The letter addressed to me that could change or destroy everything.

Who am I kidding?

This is totally my acceptance letter.

"Go on, Ivan!"

"Open it already!"

"Alright, alright!" I waved them off.

I grinned before ripping the envelope open, and watched as a small circular disk fell onto the floor in front of me.

"Do not worry!" Everyone's eyes widened at the projection. "For I am here as a projection! Ahaha!"

"It's All Might!"

"You got a letter from All Might!"

"Calm down everyone," the matronage attempted at soothing the kids. "Young Ivan won't be able to hear the message otherwise."

"You passed the written exams, and managed to rack up seventy villain points in the practical exams," All Might paused as he smiled at the camera. "But that is not all! You recognized the true test at the end of the exam and a panel of judges has rewarded you fifty rescue points, giving you a total score of one hundred twenty points! You are now among the top five in school history to score over one hundred points on the practical exam!"

"Wow, Ivan!"

"Big brother is so cool!"

"With a drive to stop as many enemies as possible, and with a heart to help those in need, I find it with no surprise that you pass!"

The kids broke into cheers as some of them dove on top of me for a dog pile, but I smiled as the projection of All Might continued.

"So come, young Ivan!" He held his hand out towards the front of the screen, and shifted into his classic smile. "Smile for the whole world to see! This is your hero academia!"

Hello, friends! Thank you so much for reading chapter three. Our cinnamon roll is still being a cinnamon roll! I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

TTFN.