Mizuha leaned her cheek in the palm of her hand and gazed down at the center of the room, where no one stood, and she waited for everyone to take their seats. In between her right hand's fingers, there was a ticket. It was an exam ticket, to be precise. Information for the practical test was written on the ticket.
Hyōmei, Mizuha (氷明 水覇)
Examinee No. 1021
Test Location: Battle Center C
It turns out that, among the people checking and verifying their exam tickets, her uncle was one of them. She just so happened to have lined up for his line. She just didn't like the way he 'greeted' her.
...
...
...
"Next." A rough voice called out.
The person standing in front of her walked past the person in front of them, and went to find themselves a seat. She step forward while holding out her ticket and her school I.D. She didn't even bother to at the person in front of her.
"Next." They said after checking verifying her identity.
Mizuha perked her head up at the sound of this person's voice. She looked up and laid her eyes on the person standing before her. A man that was 6'4, with onyx eyes that matched her own and with the same hair colour as well. He was holding a clipboard in his left hand and a pen in his right.
"Uncle Eijin..." She muttered, a grin slowly appeared on her lips, "So you're here, too?"
Eijin narrowed his eyes at her, "Next." He hissed. Mizuha gaped at him before frowning and quickly scurrying off to find her seat.
...
...
...
She sighed and stared at her ticket with immense boredom. There was probably two or three more thousand examinees entering this dang place! Hell they might even reach a million... Mizuha groaned in annoyance, she just wanted to start learning the rules of the exam already! With nothing else to do, she folded her arms and dropped her head down on the desk. She quietly drummed her fingers against the wooden desk every once in a while to try and keep herself occupied. She would also rub her ticket against the surface in random directions with her free hand.
Suddenly, she felt someone swat the top of her head.
Mizuha's bored expression turned into one of who-the-hell-just-freaking-hit-me-I'll-kill-you look. She slowly looked up and glared, through her bang at whoever hit just laid a hand on her. She became even more annoyed once she realized who it was. It was her white haired friend and he was smiling innocently at her, apparently his seat was just in front of her. She didn't hesitate to reach out and smack him on the side of his head, which only made him laugh. He started grinned while he pulled up his ticket in front of her.
Kyōran, Byakuren (怳嵐 白蓮)
Examinee No. 2542
Test Location: Battle Center F
Mizuha merely gave him a look that said 'What did I tell you?'.
Byakuren shrugged, he turned around and sat down in his seat. She saw him pull out his phone, then he started to keep himself busy until the presentation.
The girl just leaned back and crossed her legs. She might as well go on her phone too and wait for the rest to be seated. While reaching for her phone in her right pocket, she noticed how the seats next to her were already taken. She raised an eyebrow, how the hell did she not notice them sit next to her?
She looked to her left.
Mizuha resisted the urge to gasp and gape for the second time that day. What a hell of a coincidence. The guy from earlier was sitting next to her and he looked really anxious since he kept fidgeting in his seat. His hands were opening and closing as he took in deep breaths.
Mizuha hummed quietly to herself, she reached for her phone and leaned a bit forward while keeping her head tilted down. However, her eyes were looking at his exam ticket. She was just a tad bit curious about who he was and where his battle location would be.
Kirishima, Eijirō (切島 鋭児郎)
Examinee No. 1022
Test Location: Battle Center C
Mizuha had a dumbfounded look on her face. The hell? She sighed and straightened up. When she did, she found him looking at her in surprise. She couldn't just look away now.
He relaxed a bit at the sight of her. "Hey. You're that girl from earlier." he remarked. Then he let out a nervous laugh as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Pretty weird coincidence, right?"
"... Yeah."
"My name's Kirishima. What's yours?"
Are you using me to calm your nerves?
"Hyoumei-"
The lights in the room suddenly closed and left a spotlight down below. Mizuha's eyebrows shot up for a moment and she noticed how a certain Pro Hero was walking towards the center of the room. A tall slender man with spiky yellow hair, dressed in black clothes. It was the one and only Voice Hero, Present Mic.
"Welcome to today's live performance! Everybody say 'Hey!'"
It was completely silent.
And with another failed attempt to try and get the middle schoolers pumped up, Present Mic began explaining the practical test (which he also mentioned that the written test comes after).
"This is how the test will go, my listeners! You'll be experiencing ten-minute-long 'mock urban maneuvers'! Bring along whatever you want! After this presentation, you'll each head to your assigned testing location!"
Mizuha looked at her ticket once more. It said she was in the 'C' location. She looked back at the screen which displayed where they were and where the battle locations were at. Did they really make seven fake cities? The amount of money that was put into those fake cities... she couldn't even imagine.
"Three different types of faux villains are stationed in each battle center. Points are awarded for defeating each according to their level of difficulty! Use your Quirks to immobilize these faux villains to earn those points! And of course, playing the anti-hero and attacking other examinees is prohibited!"
Mizuha's attention then went straight to the images of the faux villains and the points awarded for defeating them. She didn't bother listening to this other middle school student who started talking for... well she didn't what reason, but it didn't interest her in the slightest. The only thing she got out of that little talk was 'Examinee 7111'. What if there really a million students in here?
"... But the fourth faux villain is zero points! He's more of an obstacle! Have you played Super Mario Brothers?!"
Mizuha almost let out a chuckle at his choice of comparison.
"It's kind of like a Thwomp! Only one at each site! A 'gimmick' that'll rampage around in close quarters! It's not impossible to defeat it, but there's no reason to defeat it, either!"
Mizuha understood everything he had explained. She looked at her right hand and slowly clenched it into a fist. She was sure that her Quirk could do the job, she worked on it for the past ten months. That she definitely count for something. She heard Present Mic end the presentation with the school motto: Plus Ultra. They were given exactly ten minutes to prepare for the practical exam. While Present Mic left the center of the room, the lights began to brightened up the room. Students were now getting up from their seats so they can head to the changing rooms to change into a more suitable attire for the test.
Kirishima jumped in his seat when he saw Mizuha reach down for the student sitting in front of them. Byakuren jolted in surprise and looked back at her with a startled look.
"What?!"
"You got a sweater in there?" Mizuha asked while pointing at his black backpack that was sitting in between his legs.
Byakuren nodded.
"Gimme." She said flatly.
Byakuren scowled, "Are you high? Where's your sweater? You always wear one!" He asked, Mizuha narrowed her eyes at him.
"I forgot to bring one! Now pass me your sweater! I don't want to get cold during the test! Hurry! Come on!" She said urgently while shaking his shoulder violently with a firm grip.
In the end, Byakuren gave up his light purple sweater. She thanked him and quickly ran for the changing rooms. She had to maneuver her way through the crowd in order to make it. She followed the signs with the female symbol while doing her combination padlock. While doing the combination, she walked straight into the girls' changing room.
24-54-34
It didn't take her too long to find an empty locker. She zipped open her bag and fished out her clothes. She removed her uniform quickly and got dressed into her 'test clothes'. She grabbed Byakuren's sweater and tied around her waist for the time being. She folded her uniform nicely and placed in her locker before locking it with her padlock.
Mizuha left the changing room and went to find a sign that would help her find Battle Center C. She kept bumping into a few girls, who were on their way to the changing room, while keeping an eye out for a sign. She eventually found a green sign with the letter C written on the surface. It was pointing in the direction of a long corridor that seemed to be connected outside, judging from the bright light. She jogged lightly across the long corridor and saw a bus waiting just on the other side.
Once she reached the other side, she cocked her head. Mizuha scowled once she saw who was standing next to the bus.
She walked over to person, "Well if it isn't my least favorite uncle." She spat with a slight pout.
Eijin quirked an eyebrow, "Whaddya mean 'least favorite'? As far as I know, I'm the best uncle you ever had, you even said so yourself." He countered while removing his hands out of his pockets.
Mizuha frowned, "Not today, you didn't even say 'hi'. You just told me to move aside like some street rat."
Eijin smirked, "In my defense, you were holding up the line. There was at least a hundred or more students waiting behind you. Now, get on the bus. We'll be leaving soon." He said while poking her on her forehead.
Mizuha smacked away his hand with a grimace, "Nah, I bet you didn't even recognize me. You must be getting old." She said with a little smirk. She dodged just in time to avoid a headlock from her uncle.
He waved a finger at her, "Don't ever call me old." He chided.
The niece let out a small laugh before getting on the bus.
Fifteen minutes later, the bus arrived at Battle Center C with all its candidate. Mizuha had taken a seat behind her uncle as he drove, no words were exchanged between the two of them. The chattering among the students in the bus were the only sounds that were heard along the way.
Eijin turned around and looked at all the students, "Alright, everybody out." He said while opening the bus doors.
Mizuha stood up from her seat and rolled back her shoulders before heading to the doors. Just before she could put her foot on one of the steps, her uncle clasped a hand on her shoulder. She glanced back, and she noticed how his face was next to her ear.
"A word of advice. Keep your eyes on the door." He whispered with a grin before gently patting her shoulder and letting her go. She didn't even turn around to respond since she went to do exactly what he had told her. The Battle Center was just beyond giant white walls and an immense brown door.
Mizuna walked forward and stood in front of the giant gates. The other candidates were talking among themselves as they waited for the signal to begin. Her eyes widened once the doors opened wide... Yet, Present Mic didn't tell them to start.
Is no one seeing this?
Is this what her uncle was talking about?
Kirishima, who was in the back, shuffled his way to the front to get a better view of the gate. He had seen it open from the back and he wanted to get ready. His face brightened when he saw the girl from earlier. He was about to call her name but he stopped.
Mizuha shrugged, she crouched down and slammed her hands on the ground. She activated her Quirk beneath her feet, a cold air swirled around them before she launched herself forward and into the air. A giant pillar of ice was all that was left when she left the concrete.
The other candidates began protesting.
"That's cheating!"
"We didn't even start yet!"
"Shouldn't she should be disqualified?!"
Present Mic's voice rang throughout the whole Battle Center, he was laughing. "Ehhh? The real question is: Why are you still standing there? There's no such thing as a starting line in battle! Get going! Time is ticking away, my listeners!" He cackled.
Cue everyone dashing into the Battle Center.
Mizuha smirked and mentally thanked her uncle for his helpful advice. Then she noticed how she was starting to fall and she was loosing speed.
She cursed, "Come on...!"
There was a building just a few feet away from her. She just needed to land on it and she would be fine! She narrowed her eyes and bit her lip. She was able to land on top of a building but she stumbled a little upon landing. Immediately after she landed, she straightened up and sped across the roof to try and find some faux villains.
She skidded to a stop a few feet away from the edge once she noticed a three-point villain down below. It was crawling towards a candidate who was getting ready to use their Quirk. Mizuha suddenly smirked darkly, that's mine, thanks.
She created an ice lance and positioned herself to throw it down. She pulled her right arm back for a second and then threw the ice lance at the faux villain. It flew down with great speed. She watched as the lance pierced the villain in half. It fell apart in front of the candidate who was surprised and immensely confused.
Mizuha laughed in amusement before quickly running away before they could spot her. She frowned when she realized some other students were already at their sixth faux villain. They were all swarming the students like a moth to flame!
"Tche, this is not a good strategy..." Mizuha muttered to herself while feeling a slight worry. "If I want to get points quickly..." She mumbled before heading close to an edge. She glanced down, she gulped when she noticed that she was REALLY high up. She couldn't believe what she was about to do.
"I'll need to find them... and not the other way around!" She decided before jumping off the edge. While in aerial, she swung her arm downwards and created and ice slide. She bit her lip in fear when she landed on her feet. She cursed repeatedly while sliding down (almost slipped and fell four times).
Once she was close enough to the ground, Mizuha leaped off of the ice and bolted towards an empty street. From what she just witnessed, the faux villains would just emerge from inside the buildings and straight at the person that was near them.
That means... I'll have to attract their attention!
Mizuha ran quickly into the streets and, as she predicted, many faux villains came busting out of the buildings. She grinned at the large number she was attracting.
One of the faux villains almost got her while she ran. Mizuha stopped running and spun around to face them. She stepped back with her right foot and slightly twisted her body to the right. She clenched her right fist tightly then opened it right before swinging her right arm towards her left side. Ice, at the height of her arm, flew straight towards the faux villains and successfully cut all of them in half like a spinning saucer.
Mizuha let out a breath which was visible thanks to the cool air surrounding her.
"Ten three-point villains... and five two-point villains..." Mizuha counted while panting. She put her hands on her knees, she just needed to catch—
She was suddenly shoved to the side as someone ran into her. They came from an alley route.
Mizuha lost her footing and fell on the floor.
The person who ran into her looked surprised, but then his expression turned into a scowl, "Move out of my way, fodder." He spat.
Mizuha's right eyebrow twitched, "Hah? The hell—" She started but was cut off when a two point villain emerged behind the guy and had a claw raised in the air.
The girl quickly stood up and grabbed the person by the shirt. She pulled him away from the attack in just the nick of time. Just where he once stood, there was now a hole in the floor. She looked at the guy who seemed too shocked to move. Mizuha rolled her eyes, great now he's going to piss himself.
Mizuha released him and effortlessly destroyed the two-point villain by freezing it and kicking it to the side.
"Hope you brought a change of underwear, fodder." She spat before running off to find another empty place that might have more faux villains.
She decided to go with the same strategy for the rest of the practical exam. While searching for an empty area, she sniffled while running.
Mizuha cursed, "Aw, damn it..." She said in a whiny voice. Did I really release too much? I thought the amount was just fine...
She ended up in the complete opposite of what she wanted. Mizuha found herself with a huge crowd of middle school students who were beating their own faux villains. She grumbled in annoyance and scratched the back of her head.
Suddenly, the ground beneath their feet shook. Everyone stopped attacking to see what was happening. Then another shake happened... it was as if...
Mizuha's eyes widened.
"... But the fourth faux villain is zero points! He's more of an obstacle! Have you played Super Mario Brothers?!"
Mizuha saw a large shadow that was starting to grow.
"It's kind of like a Thwomp! Only one at each site! A 'gimmick' that'll rampage around in close quarters! It's not impossible to defeat it, but there's no reason to defeat it, either!"
She quickly turned around, and she was just in time to witness the huge fourth faux villain destroy a bunch of buildings as it approached them. It seemed to have come from underground.
Mizuha took a step backwards as she stared at the approaching threat. Many students were already running past her to get as far away as possible. She knew she had to get the hell out of there without wasting a second. As she turned around, she saw two girls on the floor...
... she immediately stopped moving. They both got up together but then they started limping. At the speed they were going, there was no way they could get away. If that thing started rampaging, then those two girls would definitely get hurt.
"LESS THAN TWO MINUTES LEFT!" Present Mic said to all the Battle Centers.
Mizuha stayed rooted in her spot as she watched them move at a snail's pace. As much as she wanted to run, she somehow couldn't.
The fourth faux villain made a movement that echoed across the entire Battle Center. Mizuha looked up, she let out a shaky breathe once she noticed that it had one of its hands in the air.
It's going to attack! Damn it, why am I still standing here?! People are running away, I should be too! I need more points for this test... There are only two minutes left! I can't waste time—
I want to be the kind of person who will do anything to help people, even if it means not being able to save them myself.
Those familiar words, the words of that one person I looked up to and cherished so dearly. The words that served as one of the factors to help me get here. They came to me and calmed my mind.
I gasped for breath before running towards the fourth faux villain. I couldn't believe what I was doing. I needed those points... but yet...
I stood behind the two girls and got into the same position as before. This time I swung my arm upwards, an immense rampart rose up all the way to the villain's height. It slammed its hand onto the ice, but it wasn't able to break it.
I cursed when I noticed that cracks had formed on the ice.
I mean... if I could be that small glimmer of hope... that's got to be worth something, wouldn't you agree?
I turned around and grabbed the closest person that was running past me. It was a girl that was way taller than me and she looked at me like if I was crazy.
"Help them! They can't get up! You have to help them while I—"
She ripped her arm away from her, "No way! You're crazy! If they can't run... then leave them there!" She said fearfully before running along with the rest of the crowd. I watched in shock as she continued on. Is this the true nature of someone who claims that they want to be a hero?
"Is lending a hand too much to ask?!" I spat angrily. I knew I couldn't keep this thing away long enough for them to escape, it just wasn't possible. If I tried making another rampart, I would be going over my limit and then I wouldn't be able to escape either. I gritted my teeth, should I risk going over my limit...? I think I'd be able to carry the smaller girl, but that would mean I'd have to leave one behind-
"HEY!"
A familiar voice called out to me. I looked around for the owner of the voice and finally spotted them carrying one of the girls on his back. It was that guy I bumped into this morning. K... Kirishima Eiji...ro? Was that his name...?
"Come on! We gotta get out of here!" He said urgently.
Needless to say, I immediately bolted to his side and carried the smaller girl on my back. The moment we both started running, my ice shattered and the fourth faux villain went on a rampage. I swear, I was so scared that I thought I'd trip while running... which would be BAD considering how I was running with someone on my back!
Everyone gathered outside of gates of the Battle Center. The practical exam was over. They were all told to hop on the bus so that they could be brought back to the school where they would soon do the written exam.
After Hyoumei and Kirishima brought the two girls far away enough from the villain, the two girls insisted that they let them go. They were really grateful towards Mizuha, who protected them by staying behind. Mizuha merely nodded while saying it was only natural for her to do so. When they started thanking Kirishima, Mizuha took that as her cue to leave. She wasn't going to stick around when it wasn't necessary, it would only be a waste of her time.
Mizuha was one of the few students who went straight for the bus. As she climbed up the bus with the first students, she immediately noticed that the driver wasn't her uncle anymore. He probably left while they were doing their first part of the entrance exam.
The silver haired girl dropped in the seat behind the driver and stuck next to the window on her left. It was quiet and calm. Hopefully, she'll be relaxed during this cooldown before the theoretical exam.
She started sniffling.
Mizuha groaned and and leaned her head back against the backrest. This is not the state I wanna be in when I do the written test!
I don't want to be sniffling over my paper!
Mizuha zipped up Byakuren's sweater, threw on the hood on her head and just snuggled into it in her corner. She needed to get warm as soon as possible.