Honestly, it was hard to see why no one would have even a basic understanding on how to throw a punch and still say that they want to become a hero by the time middle school ends.
Fighting guru's gain a lot of recognition on their youtube channels around this time for people to try and copy fighting styles to take with them if the hero profession is what they choose in the end.
Judo and some basic karate were easy enough to follow through with through the videos found online. Especially the latter.
That's just the world we live in now. Everyone has access to anything and if you truly wanted to be successful in the hero profession then starting off this way isn't bad.
So why were some of these wannabe hero kids doing so bad.
Some of the recommendation students that started off fighting the just graduated students were just not good. And by those some it was mainly those that made it obvious that they got recommendation from being related to major business association.
And of course the ones form hero families were obviously doing much better. A good few of them doing much better than me even.
There was one boy with a wind quirk Inasa Yoarashi, he was strong and knew how to fight not completely relying on his quirk. Like I used to when I was with the commission until they told me how predictable I am.
Another one who had done well was the boy with half red and white hair who had done even better.
His quirk played a huge factor in that, he just shot out huge glaciers of ice. Whispers around him told me that he was the son of the number 2 hero Endeavour.
The man in pictures or any other appearances always held a firm and serious look on his face, always seemed calm but menacing. He was a lot less approachable than his number 1 counterpart.
But from what I seen, he takes his job seriously and doesn't loiter around. He just solves his case and moves on to the next one.
And that is enough to make him a much better hero than the rest.
"Kairo Yoshimura." My name was called and I made my way up to the squared off area where I would be sparing with my opponent.
While walking up I was getting stared at by the people that were in my group. None of them even tried to hide their irritation from seeing me. This created a gnawing sensation as well as ease and worry for how I might do in the one on one situation.
'What if I make a mistake?' 'What if I fail?'
That would all be so disappointing. It would be embarrassing, and even Haruka would think it weird I didn't pass. I'm supposed to be strong, blessed.
"Hello there." the cheery voice of the graduated student spoke. he had a bright blue cape and a skin tight red outfit with white gloves. A huge smile on his face.
'Moron trying to be another All Might.'
I don't know why I speak like that about people sometimes. This guy truly hasn't done anything. We haven't even started fighting yet. I didn't even know I was really standing in front of him.
"You can call me Steele. And you don't have to worry about the fight. I'll take it easy, you can even quit. All we're doing now anyway is testing how you move and how you use your quirk in conjunction."
'Why's he telling me all of this.' this guy was definitely spouting off more than he should be. 'Can we just start already.'
A blow of a whistle stopped the senior from speaking and he seemed to change his demeanor all together. He burst forward speeding straight towards me.
I guessed from his stupid hero name what his quirk would be and I was spot on. His body took on a black metalic colour and the metal bracers he had on were of the same colour. His quirk was just that, Steel. He can make his body similar to that substance.
My instincts kicked in as he got closer and threw a punch towards my face, I swiftly dodged to the side to evade the attack. I then threw a rapid flurry of punches to targeted areas like his joints.
With my hits powered by my quirk it didn't hurt as much as it would hurt other people but it was still hard and they done no damage at all it seems.
'Just getting a feel.'
My right hand moved up and a dragon made of a greater amount of energy formed and swiftly and gracefully moved with me towards the opponent adding a different unpredictable aspect to the way I fought him.
While fighting I was wondering why he was still able to move so fast. I was of the belief that he would be weighed down by the substance he's adopting to his body.
But he seemed to move completely normal, or whatever normal was for him. He backed away and more of his body took on the same form until it covered his head and hair.
Gone the doubt and worry I previously had and now were replaced by focused controlled, fluid and light movements.
I could hear low whispers of people in the crowd.
But steel wasn't a graduating hero student for nothing.
He sent lightning fast strikes towards me instead of the dragon that was charging him. He spun and twisted to a position where he could avoid the dragon and keep landing strikes on me.
The hits hurt. But I was quick enough to dodge one and spin to kick my right foot in the air to try and strike him, but all I hit was air.
When I turned and was balanced a fist was sailing through the air ready to hit my face.
Another blow of the whistle.
"Fight's over." the voice of present mic said.
I didn't even notice the time that went by. It felt like it was just short of a minute, but five whole minutes were spent with us throwing punches and kicks at each other while showing off our quirks.
The people watching showed different reactions, some being annoyed and some being shocked at the display of power.
'I think getting into the school is actually a lot easier.' the previous worry and doubt were completely gone now and I fell back into the slowed down sense of relief when walking back to the spot I was standing in.
'The last part will be the interview.' I just let that thought play out while not wanting to make contact with anyone.
The next person to go up was a pale skinned boy with teeth that sit outside his skin, the lack of discernible lips made him out to look like a skeleton. Honenuki Jūzō that was his name.
I tuned out everything else.
I was already getting slightly tired, I just wanted to hurry this up and go home. But what would I do when I go home. Nothing. There was nothing for me to do there and no one who was going to worry if I came home slightly late. So what reason do I have to want to be out of here already.
A soft sigh released from my mouth. 'I don't know.'
My right hand made its way to the back of my head and awkwardly scratched. I hated thinking too much about crap like this.
Just watch. That's what I did, watching the rest of the fights with the recommended students and the graduates from UA until we were moved back indoors of the schools buildings.
I was one of the first one's picked out of the room of students to go for their interview.
I felt more tired when walking which was probably the adrenaline rushing from my body as I was not in a moment where I needed to be fully alert anymore.
What was more surprising though was the little creature that sat behind his desk in the spacious office like room with what you would expect any other headmaster of the school to have.
Like a bookshelf with a lot of books on it that seemed to be properly organized, his certificates and other diplomas that were littered around the office in high places that the little bear like mammal couldn't reach.
On his huge desk laid some files and of course a computer that if was placed in front of him you wouldn't even be able to notice his small frame was in the room.
"Good afternoon to you Kairo Yoshimura." the small animal greeted to break me out of my stupor with wider eyes to show my full focus on this meeting.
"Good afternoon to you too." I said still trying to sound polite.
"My name's Nezu." he briefed. "And I may be your new principal depending on the results you receive in the coming week. And this interview will not be processed as part of the exam so feel free to speak your mind when answering my questions."
I took a moment to think about that. If it's not part of the exam, then there was most likely no real reason to be here as well as the fact that this may only be for his own personality.
He could still just be lying, or the questions he asks could be a way for him to see what type of student's we'll be. Making sure to root out any mischief right from the beginning.
"Yes sir."
"Alright then. First question." he prepared with a small cough before speaking out again. "If you had to choose between saving one innocent civilian or stopping a supervillain who posed a serious threat to society, what would you do and why?"
A tough question right from the start. "Well as a hero, my first thought would be to secure the civilian's life and make sure they are safe." but there is more to be said.
The small bear smiled and moved on to the second question, "If you were asked to keep a secret or withhold information from the public or other heroes but it conflicted with your sense of transparency and honesty, how would you handle it?"
My response wasn't thought on for long before it came out of my mouth. "I don't really know. If it was someone close to me I'd probably keep quiet. But if it was someone else then as long as no one asks me directly I have no reason to speak about it." that's probably a good enough answer.
"And now final question. Why do you want to be a hero?"
The obvious question. Probably one that every hero school asks its students. Most student's give the same answer that it sounds like it was read from a textbook. 'I wanna change or make a positive impact on the world.' Most kids said something along those lines. If I had to guess I would say the girl I had bumped into earlier with the spiky ponytail said something like that.
The more naive ones would say something like 'I want to be the strongest, or number 1, or like All Might.'
And then there were the people that simply put it as 'I want money.'
They're hard to watch out for, because from what he's been learning through life is that some of them will actually put in the work for that and become useful to society without hiding behind any mask while the other half hide behind their overpriced merchandise or other primitive deals.
"Honestly, I just want to see what my Ma thought was so great about them." But was my reason any better.
Giving an answer like that was not what I should have said. That just tells the school that I will most likely be lackluster and put in no real work for this dream that people are wishing for right now.
"I see." he said before taking a sip from his tea cup. "Thank you for coming. You can now leave Mr. Yoshimura."
I stood and bowed in thanks before turning and walking out of the room. A short sigh left my mouth as I dug my hands into my pockets and walked out of the school building.
"Finally, you're done." the compelling and recognizable voice made rung out in my direction causing me to look up to see bright orange hair and glowing purple eyes staring back at my lightly coloured brown orbs. "I've been waiting for so long now."
"Haruka."