The morning before the Entrance Examination. Streetwise's Rental Base.

Two weeks have passed since the interviews. Over a thousand applicants have been approved to attempt the entrance exam. Out of all of those applicants, only twenty-five will join Paladin's Academy's roster as the new first years. Tensions run high as each and every applicant makes their preparations.

However, preparing for the entrance exam can be pretty tricky. See, every year, the entrance exam changes. A few years back, the entrance exam was as simple as a written and physical test. Nowadays, Paladin's Academy has upped its game, raising the bar even further beyond. The contents of the exam are always kept secret, with the rules only being explained on the day itself. This is to test how well the potential students can adapt to a very unfamiliar situation.

The most common strategy is to attend seminars with Paladin's Alumni who have taken the exam years prior. Said Alumni often offer their wisdom for a small cost. Some even train applicants for some specific scenarios that Paladins might employ. However, the chances of their training actually paying off are criminally low. In the morning before the exam, we see two Sidekicks pushing themselves to their absolute limits.

"Simulation Activated"

"What the hell is that?!" Dreadnought shouts, his mind racing a mile a minute.

"Good question. Matter, what the hell is that?" Streetwise replies in a mocking tone. His mask is currently off as he chews on a sandwich.

"It's a Void-Born. It's what happens when an animal consumes raw Zenithium." Matter answers, breathing in slowly.

During the period of adjustment, when humanity was adapting to their new superpowers, Scientists would ponder what would happen if you gave animals superpowers. The result is a creature from the abyss that glows dark blue, has multiple eyes, and has its own brain exposed. The Void-Born often gains a random ability too, like breathing fire, sprouting wings, or just telekinesis.

Streetwise has spawned in a Gorilla Void-Born. The Zenithium within its body has given the beast energy manipulation, or simply put, lasers. The monster shoots a giant beam of light from its mouth, eradicating several simulated blocks of land. The two sidekicks stand aside, dumbfounded.

"Look guys, this a good chance to learn teamwork!" Streetwise laughs as he throws away the wrapper.

"If we make it through this, I'm beating him black and blue." Matter remarks, pointing to Streetwise.

"If we do, I will help you," Dreadnought replies.

The two start running in opposite directions, trying to disorient the beast. The Void-Born follows the slower one of the two, which happens to be Dreadnought. He makes his way towards an abandoned building and hides within the debris. The Gorilla drums his chest as he scours for the young hero. Dreadnought steadies his breathing, as he focuses on what he practiced with Streetwise.

A few days after the interview, Dreadnought decided to ask Streetwise for help. He figured that now was the perfect time to unlock his unique ability. The duo stand on the deactivated simulation platform,

"I don't know if I can help. Usually, people awaken their abilities during puberty, then get classes where they teach them basic quirk control."

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"How did you awaken yours?"

"During P.E., we were playing dodgeball when a ball almost hit my face. Something sprouted from my back and caught it."

"I see. Maybe we can replicate that."

"Alright."

Streetwise sucker punches Quinn right in the face sending him flying to the wall. Blood drips from his forehead as Dreadnought stares at Streetwise as he charges right at him. He barely ducks as he rolls over and tries to run away.

"You told me you wanted to be the strongest, yet can barely handle that!" Streetwise shouts as he throws several punches at him. Dreadnought blocks a few, but he can feel that Streetwise has gotten serious. He tries to back off, but Streetwise is too fast for him.

"You're in over your head!" Streetwise remarks, sending a kick straight to Dreadnought's head, slamming him to the ground. He picks him up by the neck and stares at him.

"Goodbye, Dreadnought. Maybe you'll have better luck in the next life. " Streetwise threatens, as his grip tightens around Quinn's neck. He tries to escape his grasp, but the gap in their power is too far.

Is this it? Is this how I die, by the hands of the man who saved me?

Dreadnought focuses back to the present, as he pulls out a small gun. He stares at it as he tries to slow his breathing, but his lungs won't listen. He firmly grasps the weapon as he prepares himself.

"Fuck it!" Dreadnought shouts as he stands up and makes eye contact with the Gorilla. "I am done running!" He says, as in a sudden turn of events, he points the gun right at himself. The Gorilla isn't even phased as it charges up a beam blast in its mouth.

*click*

In a flash of white light, the Void Born has eradicated an entire floor. However, a dark figure flies overhead. His wings, long and black. His eyes glowed a fierce blue. His hair spiked upward, and on his head, two horns have emerged. At long last, Dreadnought has awakened, in the form of the Devil.

The beast shouts at him, but Dreadnought remains calm. His breathing has steadied, as he charges forward and punches the animal right in the face, throwing him across the floor. He doesn't let up; with his newfound strength, he slams the animal across the arena. He doesn't give the beast any room to breathe as with his wings, he hurls a strong gust of wind right towards its eyes, causing them to close.

The Void-Born tries to recover, but from the floor, Matter appears and uppercuts the animal right in the jaw. The beast staggers back as Matter continues the assault, punching and kicking several of its vital organs. The animal winces in pain as it gets cornered. Matter submerges into the floor as Dreadnought opens his eyes, and from it erupts a thin blue light, slicing the creature in half. The Void-Born turns into pixels as the simulation ends.

Dreadnought slowly floats back down, as his wings and horns dissipate into shadow. His hair droops down, and his eyes return to their pitch-black look. Matter extends her fist as she gives him a small smile, to which he responds by shaking her hand. Matter laughs as the two walk towards Streetwise, his face beaming with pride. He jumps forward and hugs the pair,

"Well, look at that, you guys actually did it! To be fair, it took two of you just to beat a Legion-level threat, but it was impressive nonetheless."

"Should we still beat him black and blue?" Dreadnought ponders.

"Eh, maybe next time," Matter sighs.

After a few minutes of rest, the three freshen up and compose themselves. Dreadnought looks in the mirror as he reflects on his current situation. Things are starting to look better; he was finally able to awaken his abilities, he has made some new friends, and he is one step closer to becoming the greatest hero in history. He smiles at his reflection as he washes his face, the cold splash sending him back to his time in the facility. He may have awakened his powers, but every time he does, he gains more insight into his repressed memories. He dismisses the thought as he changes into his hero costume, courtesy of Streetwise.

His outfit consists of a long blue coat, which is closed, black gloves, and a black undershirt. He doesn't have an insignia, but he plans to add one later down the line. Interestingly, he doesn't sport a mask. He justifies this by pointing out that his horns and spiked hair make his appearance different.

He steps out of his room in full hero gear as both Matter and Streetwise nod in approval. And with that, the three heroes head their way back to the Academy, all fully prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.