A/N: Hey you guys! Sorry I wasn't able to update for a while. So much things has happened this week. But anyways, here's another chapter :)


Chapter 8

Mera-san, a representative from the Heroes Public Safety Commission, began to give us the instructions of the exams. The guy, obviously lacking of sleep, explained to us the flow of the exam. All 1,540 examinees will be competing in a one massive free-for-all exercise. He unhesitatingly declared that securing the title of a hero should be earned through self-sacrifice.

"Only the first hundred examinees to meet the requirements will pass!" Mera-san spoke out loudly from his mic. The very first energetic vibe we've gotten from him.

All participating student had a look of disbelief on their faces. Given how Mera-san explained how keeping up played an important role in being a hero, the percentage he just presented was relatively low. I caught a glimpse of Shoto. He looked calm and confident as always.

The provisional hero license exam is a rigorous examination which allows students to secure temporary licenses enabling them to legally engage villains in combat and save civilians in times of danger. It was an easy way to be able to help out people without the trouble of calling or hiding from the higher-ups. I was actually planning on taking the exam on my 2nd year but grandpa wouldn't stop forcing me to take it as soon as possible. He always reminded me that it will equip me in the future.

"The passing requirements involve this." The sleepy guy continued and showed us a circular target and some metallic balls. He added that each of us examinee will get three targets. We can place them wherever we like on our body as long as they are exposed. In addition, we will be carrying 6 balls that we will be using to hit targets on other students. A target will light up if gets struck. An examinee is disqualified once all three targets are hit.

"To pass you must defeat two other examinees. That's it for the rules." He cleared his throat. "We'll be handing out balls and targets once this place opens up. The exam will begin one minute after all of you are fully equipped."

"Opens up?" I heard Shoto say as he looks up. The roof and walls of the place we were contained in began to collapse. As the representative began his countdown, I mentally and physically prepared myself. I cracked my neck slightly.

"Yuriko, you know what to do." Mora-senpai said. I nodded.

"3... 2... 1... START!"

Once the countdown was over, I quickly distanced myself from the UA examinees. Mora-san strictly instructed us to steer clear of UA since they will likely be the ones under attack by different schools. Not getting in the way of their plans, us from Shiketsu decided to prioritise our goal. I peeked over my shoulder. True enough, Midoriya and his friends were the center of attention. Where is Shoto?

"Yuri, focus! You don't need to worry about that dual-haired boy. He can take care of himself." Inasa snapped at me as we run away.

"I'm not worried!" I glared at him as I reached out my hand and magically pushed other people away from us as they started aiming at our targets.

"If you say so. Hey Yu-chan, why don't we make a game out of this? Most number of people we get to eliminate wins." Inasa coaxed me in joining his silly idea.

"Nope. Not joining."

"Such a kill-joy." The land began to shake. Must have been somebody's quirk. I was about to lose my balance when I saw a tiny whirlwind form at the bottom of my feet. Inasa, using his wind quirk, lifted us both on top of a building.

"Doesn't this give us a better view of our opponents?" He smiled at me.

"There you are! You think we're only aiming at UA? Shiketsu won't have a place on this exam!" A humongous guy, who was covered with rocks from head to toe, suddenly appeared behind us. He quickly launched from where he was standing and started to attack.

I stood, unfazed with his presence. The guy abruptly stopped. His feet started to lift from the ground. He hung on the air and his arms struggled to move as he tries to break free from floating.

"What's happening? What is this quirk? Let me down!" He shouted at me.

"Something about controlling people's movements." He felt both his arms shift on its own moving its way to the back not letting them move an inch. I lowered him, a little above the ground. I took out one of my balls and poked it on the targets attached to his body. I made him drift on top of another building completely releasing him from his confinement.

"One down." I smirked at Inasa.

When I was young, it was a struggle for me to lift up heavy objects using my quirk. I often reach out my hand in order for me to get a better grip and control. To make my quirk stronger, grandpa has trained me to manipulate different types of heavy objects using my mind. It took me more than a year, a lot of fainting and endless nosebleeds but it was worth strengthening my quirk. Although, I still need to work on controlling several objects at the same time. I mean, I can do it on some occasion but it consumes too much of my energy when used for a long time.

"Boo. That's not a flashy way to do it. Watch and learn." Inasa said before he unleashed a forceful wind out of his palm. I clung on to a pole as debris started to float around us.

People from below started to feel a strong current of air surrounding them.

"Whoa.. This wind! The balls are…"

"Huh? WHAAAT?"

"Only the balls are getting swept up!"

A horde of balls started to float in the air only to be swallowed by Inasa's whirlwind.

"I believe heroes should be hot-blooded! So good job with this hot-blooded battle, guys! I freakin' love it!" Inasa declared on top of a building.

He seriously looks like a general with the way he talks. I still clung on the pole beside me. Inasa's quirk is no joke. I sense a surge of disbelief and panic from the other examinees.

"He's from Shiketsu High!"

"What's he even talking about? I mean, I heard him, but…"

"Hold on. With the balls gone, we're out of options!"

"If it's not too much trouble," Inasa continued, "I'd like to join this white-hot battle, please! And thank you!"

With just a quick wave of his hand, the balls he had collected and left floating in the air came crashing down on the people beneath us. Their targets rapidly lighting up from all the uninterrupted hits.

"And that's how you make it flashy!" Inasa winked at me and adjusted his cape.

"ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY EXAMINEES ARE OUT! ALL TAKEN DOWN BY A SINGLE FIGHTER! KEEP UP THE PACE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" The announcer spoke from his mic now beaming with enthusiasm.

"All right! I win!" Inasa balled his fists.

"Such a show-off!" I adjusted my cap.

"Aw! That means I have to go at the reception now. Or do you like me to take on more examinees until you pass too?" Inasa said about to use his quirk again.

"NO!" I closed his palm with both of my hands. "Just wait for me there. I'll be done soon." I held his shoulder and pushed him away from me.

"Okay. But don't be silly helping other people out." He warned.

"I won't. I promise!" I waved him goodbye.

I wonder where Shoto is. Did he already pass?

When I'm sure that Inasa wasn't anywhere near me, I decided to go back to where the UA students were.

This is probably… No Yuri, this is the stupidest idea ever.

I reached the area where I saw them last and saw Midoriya, the brown haired girl and the guy with the creepy elbows from afar. It looked liked they were still in good condition seeing how most of them from UA stood side by side together.

Except for Shoto and Bakugo. Maybe the two of them got out already? No need to waste my time here anymore.

"Hey hot stuff!" I heard somebody call from behind me. I checked it out and saw two odd looking guys and a tall girl with them. One guy had his gooey arms stretched out on his sides while the other is a freakishly tall guy holding a long double-edged sword. The girl looked a bit like a cat with one of her fangs visible from her mouth.

"You're with that loud-mouthed buzzcut guy aren't you?" the girl said.

"Hmmm?" I looked at her questioningly. Did they mean Inasa?

"Three against one? Let's see how you handle it!" One of the guys started to hurl his flexi arms to grapple me. It was too swift I almost missed on putting it to a stop.

"Whoa. That was close!" I used my quirk to make his arms twist around his body instead. The girl started to attack me but I reached out my hand just in time to repel her attack. She flew far away from us. I looked at the remaining guy clutching his double-edged sword. He recklessly threw himself at me and I drew out my nunchucks to protect myself. Our weapons struck against each other. However, my nunchucks clung on to his blade and I was able to dodge his attacks. I elbowed his face and kicked him hard on the gut. He drifted backwards. I saw him hunch over his knee. As I make my way to him, he ran away only to find a dead end. I caught up to him, controlling his movements. I didn't let him move an inch. I eyed the metallic balls in his pocket and used my quirk to make them float. "Sorry. My grandfather will be so pissed off if I don't pass today." I steered each ball hitting his targets. The guy frantically ran away as I let him go.

"And we're up to 76 who've passed. Almost at our quota!" Mera-san announced.

Whew. Almost.

I walked my way to the reception area and saw some of the examinees who have already passed. My eyes looked for a certain buzzcut. However, my gaze caught Shoto's evenly split hair. I hid behind a wall post.

He said we'll talk after this. Should I just go and talk to him? What will I do? What will I do?

Mustering up all my courage, I have decided to walk towards him. I took a deep breath before turning around to face his direction. Just as I was about make the most nerve-racking decision of my life, I saw Shoto marched his way to Inasa. Out of curiosity, I backed out and decided to spy on them.

"Seriously! I also freakin' love Stampman! He's one hot-blooded hero!" I heard Inasa talking to someone he just met. As Shoto drew closer to him, all he could do is glare.

"Hey crew cut!" Shoto said as he approached him. "Did I do something to offend you? Inasa smirked. Shoto sure knows how to read minds now.

"Nah… You'll have to forgive me, but… it's because you're Endeavor's son. Inasa smiled smugly at him. "I hate all of you."

Oh no, this is bad.

"You've changed a lot since then." He continued. "But those eyes look just like Endeavor's."

"My father's eyes?" Shoto muttered under his breath.

Inasa shook his head and grinned. "I'm sure I shouldn't be the one you're supposed to be talking to right now." He said breaking Shoto from his thoughts.

"Isn't Yuri with you?" Shoto asked looking around. I hid under the table.

Inasa's eyes widened examining the area. "She's not here yet?! Damn that girl can get so hard-headed sometimes." He looked back at Shoto again. "Well, I guess there's no need for you to be talking with me anymore." Inasa was about to turn his back.

"Yoarashi-san." Inasa froze in place. "What is your relationship with Yuri?"

Inasa grinned. "Yu-chan? She's my best friend."

Shoto's expression changed. His calm vibe replaced by a disapproving one. I saw him tightened his fist curling up into a ball.

"And as her best friend, I'll remind you again. I don't like you very much." Inasa's tone was unfriendly.

"It's not up to you to decide anyway." Shoto snapped back at him. I could feel the tension heat up between them. Both of them not breaking off from each other's glare. I crawled out under the table.

"Hey! Inasa-kun!" I shouted before one of them destroys this arena. Both of them looked at my direction. "Shoto." I waved at him and smile. I let out a deep breath before moving closer to them.

"And it took you this long?" Inasa looked down at me. I chuckled a bit and scratched the back of my head. I took out my cap and wiped the sweat out of my forehead.

"Do you want something to drink?" Inasa and Shoto said in unison. They both glared at each other. Again.

I waved my hands in front of them. "No need! I can get it myself." I glanced at one of the water bottles on the table and let it glide towards me. I caught it with both hands. "See?" I told them both. I closed my eyes and guzzled down all the water in seconds.

I opened my eyes and saw Shoto offering me his handkerchief. "Thank you!" I took it out of his hand.

"I believe the two of you need to talk about something." Inasa suddenly said. "I'm keeping an eye on you." Inasa's gaze were at me but I'm sure those words were directed at Shoto.

I looked at Inasa's back as his frame drifted away from my sight.