"Listen up, young Midoriya! The road ahead is not paved with petals, but with challenges that will test your resolve. But remember, a hero isn't measured by the power they wield, but by the heart that drives them forward! So stand tall, face your fears, and with every step, show the world what it truly means to be a symbol of peace! Go beyond, young hero, and PLUS ULTRA!"
—All Might.
Chapter 9
The next morning, Izuku woke up feeling a mix of excitement and determination. The entrance exam for UA High School loomed ahead, and this time, she was determined to nail it. She stretched and took a deep breath, reminding herself that even though none of her friends, save for Kacchan, knew her, she had to give it her all.
She made her way to the bathroom to freshen up, splashing water on her face and brushing her teeth. Looking into the mirror, she saw a determined version of herself staring back. "You got this, Izuku," she whispered, her reflection nodding in agreement.
In the dining room, the smell of breakfast greeted her. Inko had prepared a hearty meal to fuel her for the big day. Eri, her little sister, was already seated, swinging her legs happily as she munched on toast.
"Good morning, Izuku-nee-chan!" Eri chirped, her eyes bright with excitement. "Are you ready for your exam? I bet you are!"
Izuku smiled and sat down, ruffling Eri's hair. "Good morning, Eri. Yes, I'm ready. Thanks for the encouragement."
Inko brought over a plate of scrambled eggs and toast, setting it down in front of Izuku. "Eat up, sweetie. You'll need all your strength today. Remember, we're so proud of you no matter what happens."
Izuku nodded, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Thanks, Mom. I'll do my best."
As they ate, Eri peppered Izuku with questions about what UA High School was like, her curiosity unending. Izuku answered patiently, though her mind was already at the exam site, visualizing herself acing the challenges.
"Izuku-nee-chan, you're going to be the best hero ever!" Eri declared with conviction, her eyes shining with admiration. "I want to be just like you when I grow up!"
Izuku's heart melted at Eri's words. She leaned over and kissed Eri's forehead. "Thank you, Eri. That means a lot to me. I'll do my best to make you proud."
After breakfast, Izuku headed back to her room to get dressed. She put on her green t-shirt and matching pants, along with her signature red sneakers. She looked in the mirror one last time, adjusting her shirt and tying her sneakers tightly.
"Okay, Izuku," she said to herself, taking a deep breath. "This is it. Time to show everyone what you can do."
With a final hug from Inko and a cheerful wave from Eri, Izuku set out for UA High School. The butterflies in her stomach were in full force, but she walked with her head held high, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
As she approached the school, she accidentally bumped into a small, grape-headed boy who looked up at her with a sly grin.
"S-sorry!"
"Hey there!" he said, his eyes wandering up and down her figure. "You're looking pretty cute. What's your name?"
Izuku felt a shiver of discomfort run down her spine. "Uh, it's Izuku. Excuse me, I need to get to the exam area," she said, trying to step around him.
The boy, Minoru Mineta, stepped in her way again, his grin widening. "Oh, come on, don't be in such a hurry. We could, uh, get to know each other better. I love to spend time with beautiful little girls like you."
Izuku's skin crawled, and she quickly made a mental note to avoid this boy at all costs. "Sorry, I'm really busy. See you around," she said, pushing past him and practically sprinting towards the exam hall.
As she reached the entrance, she took a deep breath to steady herself. "Okay, Izuku, focus. You've got this," she murmured, shaking off the encounter with Mineta.
After her unsettling encounter with Mineta, Izuku quickly made her way to the entrance exam hall. As she entered, she scanned the room filled with aspiring heroes, her heart pounding with excitement and nerves. Spotting an empty seat, she hurried over and sat down, trying to calm herself.
Next to her sat a girl with short, dark purple hair and headphone jacks dangling from her earlobes. The girl glanced at Izuku, then gave her a friendly smile.
"Hey," the girl said casually. "Are you lost? Are you here with your older sibling?"
Izuku felt her face heat up with embarrassment. "Oh, no, I'm not lost. I'm a student attending the entrance exam," she stammered, trying to keep her voice steady. "It's just I look like a kid... I was born in 2XXX."
The girl raised an eyebrow, her expression curious but kind. "I see. Sorry, I didn't mean to sound rude. I'm Kyoka Jiro. Nice to meet you."
Izuku smiled, feeling a bit more at ease. "Nice to meet you, Kyoka. I'm Izuku Midoriya."
Jiro nodded, her interest piqued. "Well, Izuku, that's cool. Good luck with the exam."
"Thanks," Izuku replied, still a bit flustered but grateful for Jiro's kindness. "Good luck to you too."
As they waited for the exam to start, Izuku couldn't help but glance around the room, taking in the sea of determined faces. Despite her nerves, she felt a surge of determination. This was her chance to prove herself, and she wasn't going to let anything stand in her way.
The proctors entered the room, and the exam began. Izuku focused intently, determined to nail every challenge and question. She might be back in time and facing everything anew, but she was ready. This time, she would show everyone, including herself, just how much she had grown.
After the written portion of the exam, all the candidates were instructed to gather in the auditorium. The large room buzzed with nervous excitement as students filled the seats, chatting amongst themselves. Izuku found a spot and sat down, her heart racing with anticipation.
On stage, Present Mic stepped up to the podium, his energetic presence immediately capturing everyone's attention. "WELCOME, FUTURE HEROES!" he boomed, his voice echoing throughout the auditorium. "I hope you're all ready for the next phase of the entrance exam! This is where you'll get to show us what you're really made of!"
Izuku leaned forward in her seat, listening intently.
"For the practical exam," Present Mic continued, "you'll be performing in a mock city. Your task is to disable as many villain bots as possible within the time limit. Each bot has a different point value based on its difficulty, so aim high and aim smart!"
He went on to explain the rules and regulations, the scoring system, and the various types of villain bots they would encounter. Izuku's mind raced as she absorbed the information, strategizing her approach.
As Present Mic wrapped up his explanation about the Zero Pointers, the usual 'no point from 'em'' talk.
As Present Mic spoke, Izuku couldn't help but scan the room. To her surprise, she spotted several familiar faces—her friends from Class 1A. There was Ochaco Uraraka, with her brown bob haircut and a nervous look on her face; Tenya Iida, sitting up straight and looking as serious as ever, Tsui Asui, Mina Ashido and more. Seeing them filled her with a strange mix of nostalgia and determination.
As the candidates gathered in front of the imposing gates of the mock city, Present Mic stepped forward, his vibrant energy filling the air. He gave a charismatic grin, his voice echoing with enthusiasm.
"Alright, future heroes! This is it! The practical exam is about to begin, and I've got just a few words of encouragement for you!" he exclaimed, his words carrying over the hushed anticipation of the crowd.
Izuku listened intently, her heart pounding with excitement and nerves. She knew what was coming next, but she couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation.
With a dramatic flourish, Present Mic raised his hand, ready to begin the countdown. "Three... one—GO!"
The gates of the mock city swung open with a resounding clang, and Izuku sprang into action without hesitation. She dashed forward, her training kicking in as she navigated the chaotic streets of the mock city.
Behind her, the other candidates stood frozen in surprise, stunned by the abrupt start of the exam. But Izuku knew better. In the world of heroes, there was no time to waste. Every second counted, and she wasn't about to let a fake countdown slow her down.
"Remember," Present Mic said, his voice taking on a serious tone, "in the world of heroes, there's no countdown. There's no time to hesitate or second-guess yourself. You've got to act decisively and trust your instincts!"
With that, everyone followed the little girl's suit.
Floating above the mock city, Izuku scanned the area with keen eyes. The chaotic streets below were teeming with villain bots of various sizes, their metallic forms glinting in the sunlight. Suddenly, she spotted a cluster of One Pointers converging in an alleyway.
"There!" she exclaimed, her determination surging.
With a burst of speed that surpassed even Gran Torino's, Izuku rocketed forward. Her fist crackled with the raw energy of One For All, and she aimed directly for the lead bot. With a mighty punch, she shattered its armour, sending fragments flying.
"Ten points!" the automated system announced.
Using the momentum from her strike, Izuku spun mid-air and launched a flurry of kicks at the remaining bots. Each hit was precise, calculated to disable the machines without causing excessive collateral damage. Within moments, the area was clear.
Breathing heavily but exhilarated, Izuku floated back up to survey her next target. She couldn't afford to slow down; there were more bots to destroy and points to earn.
Izuku touched down on the ground, her eyes locking onto a group of Two Pointers rampaging through a simulated park. She dashed towards them, her movements a blur. As she approached, she leapt into the air, her leg drawn back.
"Smash!" she yelled, bringing her foot down with incredible force.
The ground beneath her cracked and trembled from the impact, and the shockwave radiated outward, toppling the bots. Sparks flew as their circuits overloaded, and one by one, they crumpled to the ground.
"Twenty points!" came the announcement.
Izuku straightened up, her eyes gleaming with resolve. She had to keep moving, had to keep fighting. Every second counted.
Floating back into the air, Izuku noticed a particularly large group of Two Pointers converging on a narrow street. She clenched her fists, the power of One For All coursing through her veins.
She flew towards the street, landing on a rooftop with a soft thud. From this vantage point, she could see the bots below. With a deep breath, she focused her energy into her legs and jumped off the building, plummeting towards the bots like a comet.
"Delaware Smash!" she shouted, her fist colliding with the ground.
The resulting shockwave obliterated the nearest bots, and the rest were thrown into disarray. Izuku moved with lightning speed, dispatching the remaining bots with a series of precise, powerful punches.
"Thirty points!" the system declared.
Izuku smiled grimly. She was just getting started.
As she continued through the city, Izuku's sharp eyes caught sight of a particularly tough Two Pointer. Its hulking form was smashing through a line of parked cars, creating obstacles for the other candidates.
Izuku sped towards the bot, her heart pounding with determination. She closed the distance in seconds, launching herself into a powerful jump. Her fist, crackling with energy, connected with the Two Pointer's head.
"Texas Smash!" she roared.
The bot's head caved in from the force, its circuits sparking wildly. Izuku followed up with a series of rapid punches, each one dismantling the bot further until it lay in a heap of metal.
"Forty points!" the system rang out.
Izuku nodded to herself, already searching for her next target.
Izuku took to the skies again, her eyes constantly scanning for threats. She spotted a squadron of flying One Pointers heading towards a cluster of buildings. With a determined shout, she accelerated towards them, her speed leaving a trail of wind in her wake.
She met the first bot mid-air, her punch smashing it into scrap metal. Using the recoil, she flipped and kicked another bot, sending it spiraling into a building. Her movements were fluid, each attack leading seamlessly into the next.
"Ten points! Twenty points! Thirty points!" the system announced in rapid succession.
Izuku didn't let up. She moved through the squadron like a hurricane, each punch and kick a testament to her training and determination.
Nearing the end of the exam, Izuku encountered a group of Two Pointers surrounding a mock building. She knew she had to clear them out quickly to maintain her lead.
"St. Louis Smash!" she shouted, diving towards the bots with a powerful downward punch.
The impact created a shockwave that knocked the bots off their feet. Using her agility, Izuku darted between them, delivering precise blows to their weak points. Each hit was calculated, disabling the bots without causing unnecessary destruction.
"Forty points!" the system declared again.
Izuku took a moment to catch her breath, floating above the city and surveying the remaining bots. She knew she had done more than enough to prove her worth. This time, she was ready for whatever came next.
It was time she waited for me Zero Pointer.
The other examinees watched in awe as Izuku zipped through the mock city, dismantling bots with a blend of speed, agility, and precision. Her movements were almost a blur, leaving many of her fellow candidates struggling to keep up.
In one corner of the mock city, Tenya Iida, with his powerful engines, was efficiently kicking down One Pointers, his movements methodical and precise. Yet, even he couldn't help but notice Izuku's green blur darting from one bot to another.
"Who is that girl?" Iida wondered aloud, his curiosity piqued by her speed and technique.
Not far away, Ochaco Uraraka was utilizing her Zero Gravity Quirk to lift debris and smash it into the bots. She had managed to take down several One Pointers, earning herself a respectable number of points. However, her focus wavered when she saw Izuku dispatching bots with incredible efficiency.
"She's so fast," Ochaco muttered, almost dropping a chunk of debris in surprise. "I need to step up my game!"
Mina Ashido was using her Acid Quirk to corrode the bots' joints and disable them. Her energetic movements and cheerful attitude made her stand out, but even she was taken aback by Izuku's speed.
"Whoa, she's incredible!" Mina exclaimed, dissolving another bot with a well-aimed shot of acid. "I've got to keep up!"
Tsuyu Asui, with her frog-like abilities, was leaping from building to building, using her tongue to pull apart the bots. She watched Izuku zip by and admired her agility.
"Kero, she's amazing," Tsuyu said to herself, taking down another Two Pointer. "I need to step it up."
Kyoka Jiro was using her Earphone Jack Quirk to locate and disable bots from a distance. Her precise strikes were earning her steady points, but she couldn't help but notice the green blur that was Izuku.
"Wow, she's like a hurricane," Jiro remarked, plugging her jacks into the ground to send a vibration through a bot, short-circuiting it.
With only one minute left in the exam, the ground shook violently. All eyes turned towards the colossal form of the Zero Pointer, towering over the mock city like a mountain of metal. The students, knowing it would earn them no points and seemed impossible to defeat, immediately started running in the opposite direction.
"There's no point in fighting that thing!" someone yelled.
The chaos was interrupted by a desperate cry for help. Iida spotted a girl with a round face trapped under some concrete rubble. His mind raced, but he decided against stopping.
"It's just an exam. The heroes will come if anything goes wrong," he thought, continuing to run.
As the students fled, their eyes dotted towards a green blur shooting down from the sky. Izuku, the enigmatic little girl they had noticed earlier, dove towards the Zero Pointer and the trapped girl with incredible speed.
"Help! Please, someone!" the trapped girl cried.
The Zero Pointer's massive foot descended, ready to crush her. Just as it seemed all hope was lost, the green blur, Izuku, appeared in front of the girl. With a swift, powerful kick, she sent the concrete flying away, freeing her.
Izuku grabbed the older girl by her waist and flew her to safety, landing on a nearby building. The girl was wide-eyed and breathless.
"Are you okay?" Izuku asked, concern in her voice.
The girl nodded, still in shock. "Y-Yes… thank you!"
Izuku smiled briefly before taking off again, leaving the girl to marvel at her saviour.
With incredible speed, Izuku soared towards the Zero Pointer. Her determination blazed in her eyes as she drew back her fist, channeling the power of One For All.
"Californian Smash!" she yelled, her voice echoing through the city.
Her punch connected with the Zero Pointer's massive body, and the impact was so powerful that the colossal robot was lifted off its feet, flying through the air. The sheer force of the strike caused the robot to crumble, breaking into thousands of pieces before it hit the ground.
The shockwave from Izuku's punch was immense. Every student present felt it, some even being knocked off their feet. The ground trembled as the pieces of the Zero Pointer scattered across the city.
"What was that?" a student exclaimed, trying to regain their balance.
"That girl… she destroyed the Zero Pointer!" another one yelled, eyes wide with disbelief.
As the dust settled, the students gathered, staring at Izuku in awe. Present Mic's voice boomed over the loudspeakers, bringing the exam to an official close.
"That's it, folks! The practical exam is over!" he announced, unable to hide his amazement.
Izuku landed softly, breathing heavily but smiling. She had done it. Not only had she saved someone, but she had also demonstrated the true spirit of a hero.
Iida approached her, his face a mix of admiration and confusion. "You... you saved her even though it wouldn't earn you any points. That was incredibly brave."
Ochaco, the girl she had rescued, ran up and hugged her. "Thank you so much! I thought I was done for!"
Mina, Tsuyu, Jiro, Kaminari and Mineta joined the crowd gathering around Izuku, all of them expressing their amazement and gratitude.
"You were amazing!" Mina said, her eyes sparkling.
"Kero, you really are something else," Tsuyu added, giving her a thumbs-up.
Jiro nodded, impressed. "That was some serious power."
Even Mineta, despite his usual antics, couldn't help but be in awe. "You're really something."
Izuku blushed under their praise, feeling a mix of pride and embarrassment. Seeing her future friends praising her like this made her happy.
"Thanks…"
Inside the observation room, the teachers watched the entrance exam unfold on the monitors, their expressions a mix of anticipation and pride as they observed the candidates' performances.
"All Might, did you see that? Young Midoriya's agility and quick thinking are truly remarkable," Recovery Girl commented, her eyes fixed on the screen displaying Izuku's heroic actions.
"Yes, indeed. She's grown so much since you guys last saw her," All Might replied, a proud smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "And look at the others—each of them showing great potential."
Present Mic, joining the conversation, nodded in agreement. "Absolutely! They're all showcasing their talents admirably."
Midnight chimed in next. "It's clear that these candidates have been training hard, especially Izuku-chan."
As the exam continued, Aizawa couldn't help but comment on the overall performance. "It's impressive to see how far she has come under your guidance, All Might."
As the exam neared its end, the teachers shifted their focus to the candidates who had already been accepted into UA High School.
"Ah, Izuku, and the others. They've certainly made an impression during their training," All Might remarked, a nostalgic twinge in his voice.
Recovery Girl nodded in agreement. "Yes, they've shown tremendous growth and dedication. I have no doubt they'll continue to shine as heroes."
Midnight added her perspective. "And let's not forget about the potential newcomers. With performances like these, we may have some rising stars among them."
But it was Izuku's performance that truly caught their attention.
"Would you look at that, Midnight? Our little bean of love, Izuku, has really stolen the show," Present Mic exclaimed, his voice filled with admiration.
Midnight smiled knowingly. "Indeed, she has. From her quick thinking to her selfless acts of heroism, Izuku has proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with."
Aizawa nodded in agreement. "Her determination and resilience are truly inspiring. She and the other candidates have certainly made this entrance exam one to remember."
"Indeed," Nezu softly said before smirking. 'This is going to be a legendary batch indeed.'
TBC
