Chapter 20: UA Exams, Final Part
The aftermath of Monoma, Tokage, and Kendo's departure left Izuku alone once again, perched atop the building with the Anti-Material Rifle (AMR) in hand. The distant rumbles of the exam persisted, creating an eerie ambiance as Izuku scanned the landscape through the scope.
A colossal robot, resembling a zeropointer but towering over the buildings, caught Izuku's attention. He focused on the target through the scope, evaluating its movements and potential weaknesses. Determining that the conventional bullets weren't effective, he pondered his next move.
With a hum of contemplation, Izuku summoned a crow and a Chinese Leaf Warbler. As they landed on the massive robot, he carefully maneuvered himself for a strategic shot. Examining the back of the colossal machine, he identified a hatch, likely housing a crucial component. The realization sparked a plan in his mind.
The Anti-Material Rifle roared to life as Izuku pulled the trigger. The .50 BMG round sped towards the hatch, piercing the metal but seemingly having little impact. Undeterred, Izuku thought on his feet, calling upon his avian allies. A crow and a Chinese Leaf Warbler descended, attempting to enter the newly created hole.
The crow, too large to fit through, gave way to the smaller and more agile Chinese Leaf Warbler. As it entered the machine, chaos ensued. The warbler tore through wires, disrupting the robot's internal systems and causing a cascade of malfunctions.
Meanwhile, on the ground, Monoma, Tokage, and Kendo hesitated a few steps away from the colossal robot. Monoma, ever the strategist, voiced his opinion. "I think we should book it. It has no real points, so it won't be of much use. Plus, it might just hinder us. There's only like three more minutes left, so—"
A sudden scream interrupted Monoma's thoughts, emanating from the rubble in front of the zeropointer. The trio rushed towards the source, discovering a brown-haired girl trapped beneath the debris. Concern etched Kendo's face as she inquired about the girl's well-being.
"I'm fine, but I can't get the rubble off me. I used my quirk too much," the girl explained. Monoma, ever curious, asked about her quirk.
"Zero gravity. If I touch something, then activate my quirk by linking my fingers, I erase the gravity of the object," she revealed. Monoma seized the opportunity to help, poking a bit of her arm before using his quirk to lift the rubble.
As the debris floated in the air, Kendo, with determination in her eyes, decided to unveil her second quirk—given to her by All Might. Yellow and orange lightning enveloped her as she crouched and leaped into the air. Just before landing a powerful punch on the colossal robot's face, she noticed a peculiar detail—the lights on the machine dimmed and went out.
The robot shut down.
Before anyone could process the sudden turn of events, Kendo shouted "Smash!" Her fist connected with the robot's face, leaving a massive dent as it toppled backward.
As Kendo descended from her powerful leap, a realization struck her—how would she land? A few meters above the pavement, she felt a gentle tug on her clothes. Birds, a mix of crows, pigeons, and an unfamiliar small species, had come to her aid. They stopped her fall before releasing her just centimeters above the ground.
With her feet safely on the ground, the avian saviors scattered into the surrounding mock city, disappearing from view. The unexpected alliance between the examinees and the avian helpers marked the end of the UA entrance exam's final part, leaving questions and anticipations lingering in the air.
In the observer's booth, a collective sigh of relief echoed through the air. The zero-pointer, having lost control for an unknown reason, did not shut down after it was freed. All Might, now in his buffed form, stood on the brink of leaping into action, his pride swelling in his chest as his chosen successor, Kendo Itsuka, emerged victorious and averted a potential disaster.
As the tension subsided, the focus shifted to the upcoming class assignments for the students who had successfully navigated the challenging entrance exam. Twenty coveted seats awaited the chosen ones, and discussions buzzed among the teachers from both Class 1-A and Class 1-B.
Eraserhead, contemplating the placement of Midoriya Izuku, voiced his opinion to Vlad King. "I think he should be in my class." Present Mic, chiming in with support, added, "The kid wrote 'Underground Hero' on the questions about merch and corporations. I believe it's best if he joins 1-A, especially since Eraserhead is an underground hero himself."
Vlad King considered the proposal. "I can vouch for that. But I'll need a student from your class in exchange."
"Hmmm... Kendo Itsuka. She seems to be friends with two of the students in your class," Eraserhead suggested.
"I can accept that," Vlad King agreed.
With a nod between the teachers, the decision was made. "Well then, it's official. These examinees are hereby students," Principal Nezu declared as he clicked a button, sealing the fate of the successful candidates.
All Might, though still harboring some skepticism about Midoriya's ability to navigate hero work without a quirk, held his reservations. He knew the principal's decisions were well thought out, and Nezu's intricate understanding of the students' potential far surpassed his own. As the gears of UA's academic machinery began to turn, the chosen students prepared to embark on their heroic journeys, each with a unique set of skills and a destiny intertwined with the prestigious institution.