Chapter 5: Uneasy

At one point in his life Bakugo Katsuki could be called Izuku's friend.

Their relationship was anything but that now.

That Deku! He's been tricking me this entire time, hiding a quirk like that! Memories of Izuku holding his hand out to Bakugo surfaced. He's been looking down on me ever since we've been kids! Bakugo's hands clenched into a fist, his teeth grating. That damn nerd!

"I'm your homeroom teacher, Aizawa Shouto. Put on these gym outfits, we're going to do a quirk assessment test."

That's my teacher? Bakugo looked over Aizawa. I don't know him, must be some weak hero.

Nevertheless, Bakugo followed his teacher's instructions. Outside, Aizawa began talking. Just some useless drivel, I'll wait until he gets to something interesting before really listening.

"... Softball pitch, standing long jump, fifty meter dash, endurance running, grip strength test, sustained sideways jumps, upper body exercises, and seated toe touch. These are all activities you know from junior high, exercises where you were barred from using your quirks..." Aizawa continued on, going onto complaints.

Bakugo just tuned it out. A quirk assessment test using those exercises? He glanced over at Izuku.

"Bakugo, you finished at the top of the practical exam. What was your furthest pitch?" Aizawa droned.

"Sixty-seven meters."
"Try it with your quirk, you can do whatever you want as long as you stay in the circle."

Aizawa tossed him a baseball. Bakugo turned his head, his eyes meeting Izuku's. I'll crush you Deku. Bakugo stretched his arms before getting into position for a massive pitch. Bakugo's arm blurred and just before the ball was released a large explosion propelled the ball further ahead.

"Know your own maximum first. That's the most rational way to form the foundation of a hero." Aizawa showed Bakugo's result to the rest of the class, 705.2 meters.

"705 meters, seriously?!"

"This looks fun!"

"It 'looks fun' huh. You have three years to become a hero. Will you have that attitude the whole time?" Aizawa asked his class, the students deflating a bit. "Alright, whoever comes in last will be expelled!"

Hmph, this will be easy. Bakugo grinned.

Last place will be expelled!? Isn't that too unfair? Izuku stared at Aizawa, eyes wide.

Life is often unfair Izuku.

But, even so this is too much!

"Last place will be expelled? That's too unfair!" Uraraka burst out. She shook her head. "No, even if it wasn't the first day it'd still be too unfair!"

"Natural disasters, accidents, and villains. Calamities that can't be predicted. Japan is covered in unfairness. It's up to heroes to reverse those situations. If you wanted to have fun and relax with friends, too bad. For these next three years U.A. will throw hardship after hardship at you. Go beyond, plus ultra." Aizawa beckoned the class with his index finger. "Overcome it with all you got."

I see I misjudged him, he's a much greater teacher than I thought.

Omega, do you have anything that could help me?

No. This is a challenge to test your creativity, not mine. Show me what you can accomplish Izuku.

Izuku gulped, but smiled nevertheless. He was a bit nervous even though he knew he probably wouldn't get expelled.

"First we'll do the fifty meter dash. Also Midoriya, it's a pain but you'll have to go last since there won't be enough room with your quirk."

"Ah, okay Aizawa-sensei." Izuku nodded. I guess I'll get to see everyone else first for this test. Iida-kun is going first.

"Ready, set, go!" The recording machine at the end of the track chirped. Iida took off like a rocket, small jet streams came out of his legs as he flashed across the fifty meters.

"3.04 seconds!" The machine stated.

This is the best exercise for him huh. I doubt anyone else will get a lower time than him. More students tested themselves on the track, not too many doing anything that notable. Shouldn't that laser guy have just ran backwards while shooting his laser? Falling over like that must have taken up a lot of time. The final person before Izuku was Bakugo. Using explosions to push him forward and let him fly. He got 4.15 seconds, as usual Kacchan is doing well. Izuku stood up and started moving to the track.

"Sensei, why's he taking the trial by himself? Does he have a transformation quirk?" A red head with spiky hair asked Aizawa.

Aizawa sighed. "You'll see in a little bit."

Izuku changed into Model O's form, immediately breaking the equipment behind him. "Crap, I'm sorry sensei!"

Aizawa sighed again. "It's my fault for forgetting to remove it, whatever just go."

Izuku nodded.

"That armor looks a bit scary, huh." Someone from the class commented.

"Ready, set, go!"

Izuku immediately detached his gauntlets and used his dash move. The ground shook a bit and the markings on the ground were completely ruined.

"4.28 seconds!"

I'm slower than I was near the end of the exam, even after detaching my gauntlets. I'm still faster than I was when I tested this on the beach. Omega you did something during the exam didn't you?

I'll explain it later on, for now you should put all your focus towards this assessment. Also your friend has been staring at you.

My friend? Izuku turned towards the main body of the class and saw Bakugo giving him a cocky grin before turning away. He gave me a similar look before we started, he's competing with me isn't he. Fine then, I'll beat you with everything I have Kacchan!

The class moved onto the next test, grip strength. Aizawa handed the students grip strength meters while they stood outside.

Izuku observed the other students. In his transformed state it was easy to see what everyone was doing while he towered over them. One student with white and red hair was creating ice around his hand and using that to squeeze the meter, another girl with a large black ponytail created a crank and was using it to squeeze her meter. My whole hand won't fit in the grip. I'll just have to use my fingertips. Izuku turned the device around and looked at his result. 1032 kg, that's incredibly high!

They moved onto standing long jumps after that, where Izuku tied with Bakugo since they both could stay airborne for long periods. The fourth trial was much harder for Izuku. Using Omega's powers will just slow me down here. I'll have to rely on myself.

That's a good choice Izuku. Until you have better control over the levitation drive you'll have a harder time slowing yourself down.

I see, that's something I'll have to practice later on. Izuku took off his transformation and stepped onto the lines for the test.

"Are you sure you don't want to use your quirk?" Aizawa asked.

"Yes, if I use it here it'll just slow me down."

"Do whatever you want, at least there's less chance you'll break equipment this way."

His results were slightly better than what he got in middle school. Oh well, it was to be expected.

For the baseball pitch Izuku used his power again. I have to stay in the circle, so I can't just launch my gauntlet out while I hold the ball, although that would have gotten me the best result. I could use my sword like a baseball bat… but I'm not confident about getting a good hit in with it. I'll try something with my gauntlets.

Izuku moved onto the plate when it was his turn. I hope I can pull this off as well as I imagine! Izuku grabbed the ball with his right gauntlet and detached both of his gauntlets from his body and lowered them near the ground. He positioned his left gauntlet over the other and began forcing his right gauntlet forward while pushing his left gauntlet in the opposite direction. If I do it like this I can build up force in my right gauntlet. He pulled away his left gauntlet away, letting the other explode forward in a massive burst of wind. Now I lock it back to my body before it leaves! His right gauntlet quickly snapped back to his body before it could go any further while his left gauntlet crashed into the ground, leaving a small crater. I did it! The ball had already vanished from sight.

Aizawa showed the result to Izuku, 1.2 km.

That was good, nice use of creativity.

Thanks Omega. Izuku grinned.

The rest of the tests had passed by easily, without needing much creativity as the ball throw did. In the end Izuku scored in second place, with Bakugo in fourth place. Who got last? Izuku's eyes roamed over the scores until he reached twentieth place. Mineta Minoru.

"I-I got last place." A voice filled with despair came from a boy with strange purple hair.

"By the way, I was lying about the expulsion." Aizawa's bored voice cut through the air like a knife. "It was a logical ruse to bring out your best."

"WHAAAAAAT!" The whole class shouted.

"It was obvious he wasn't serious, you guys should have known!" The girl with a large black ponytail spoke up.

"Your curriculum sheets are in the back of the classroom, that's all."

Off to the side Bakugo grit his teeth.

Just after school Izuku met up with Iida at the school gates.

"I was really surprised by Aizawa-sensei! I never thought a teacher would encourage us with a lie!"

He's really honest. Izuku observed.

"Hey you two! Wait for me!" Uraraka called out.

"You're the infinity girl." Iida stated.

"I'm Uraraka Ochaco! You're Iida Tenya-kun and Midoriya Izuku-kun right?"

"Let's all go to the station together!" Izuku cheered.

"Yeah!" Uraraka cheered.

Iida nodded.

On the way to the station Uraraka suddenly asked Izuku a question. "Why did that Bakugo guy call you 'Deku' at the entrance exams?"

"Ah, that's just his way of insulting me. We've known each other for a long time."

"Eh, I'm so sorry! I kinda like it though! It reminds me of the word for 'you can do it!' you know?" She smiled at Izuku.

Izuku smiled back. "Thank you," His face fell a bit flat. "But I don't really like to be called that."

She frowned. "Ah, sorry."

"Don't worry about it! We're friends now aren't we?" Izuku smiled.

That cheered up the group and the three new friends soon went their separate ways after getting to the station.

AN: I know some of you may not like how I made Izuku still dislike the name Deku, but other than having Izuku use Model O instead of One For All the biggest change to canon I've made so far is how bad the relationship between Bakugo and Izuku has gotten. I'll try to show just how badly it's gotten through the fight next chapter. Also don't take any of my numbers during the tests too seriously. I know basically nothing about grip strength or how far a man with giant gauntlets for hands could pitch a ball. The fifty meter dash result is the only exception.

I tried using Bakugo's POV at the start of this chapter since I've been neglecting his thought process so far. How did you guys think I did here?

Also once again I want to thank everyone who has supported this story so far! It's already gotten so many favorites and follows! Also a shoutout to Staid786 and his fic, Mega Man Deku! You guys should check him out if you haven't already!

Next time: An explosive fight between Bakugo and Izuku!