The Written Exam passed by without issue, but the Practical Exam held a huge surprise for all of us.
We all met up outside one of UA’s closer simulation areas, there was nothing test like nearby and all the Pro Hero teachers of UA were beginning to show up.
“Something’s up.” I noted as this was different than we were told.
I was getting some looks, but that was most likely due to how drastic he changes to my costume were.
The entire thing was basically thrown out, now consisting of boots, gloves, a short jacket, and a bodysuit.
The bodysuit was a standard style used by many Heroes, though I had gone for the legless and sleeveless version as mobility was the aim of the game, so no tight and restricting parts allowed. It was white like Mirko’s but with gold accents and details running across it as I wanted something close to the yellow like she suggested.
The short jacket was recommended when I sent the design in as a full length one would look worse supposedly. It was loose and baggy around the arms to allow for movement, and was the same white and gold as the bodysuit.
Both gloves were bulky things, the large cartoony style similar to Mirko’s. I hadn’t asked for that, but the company had quickly worked out what style I was going for along with the obvious influence from Mirko.
The boots followed a similar style. Instead of being bulky rough cut machine monstrosities, they were instead bulky but more organic looking boots. As my body wasn’t as reinforced as Mirko’s, everything had more reinforcement, with the boots covering up to my knees like leg gauntlets, the gloves did similar to my elbow.
The mask was scrapped as I couldn’t find a way to incorporate it without it looking ridiculous. one of the arm launchers was redesigned and sits as an extra in the case for the rare moment I might need it, allowing for some versatility.
I had gotten a thumbs up from Kirishima for the ‘Manly-ness’ of my costume, as his left most all of his muscles exposed, though that was also due to his Hardening Quirk allowing him to toughen his skin to absurd levels.
The last of both students and teachers arrived, prompting Aizawa to get things moving.
“Let’s begin your practical exam.” Aizawa announced, “It is, of course, possible to fail this exam. I you want to attend the training camp, then don’t mess this up.”
In front of the class, was eight of the school teachers. Each being a Pro Hero of course, this is U.A. we’re talking about.
“Knowing you guys, you probably asked around. An you might think you have a vague idea of how this’ll go…”
“It’s a robot rumble, like the Entrance Exam!!”
Suddenly, the Principal pops out from Aizawa’s costumes neck-bindings.
“Not Quite!! Various circumstances have demanded a revision to the exam format!”
“A revision!?” we all shouted.
“Well, you see… we’re worried about Villain revival. Of course, we hope to prevent such a movement before it takes hold… but as a school, we have to take all necessary precautions.”
“It’s not all that unreasonable to imagine that counter-villain battles in our current society will intensify considerably. That means battling against robots isn’t all that practical. To begin with, the robots were conseaved of as a means to avoid claims and suspicions that people were being harmed in our Entrance Exams.”
“From now on, we’ll focus on battles against flesh-and-blood opponents. It is critical that our teaching simulates practical experience as closely as possible!”
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“As such… you students will be paring up, and fighting one of the teachers you see here!”
“Against… a teacher?!”
Aizawa spoke up next, “Your parings and assigned teacher… have already been decided. Your battle moves, your grades, your friendships with one another… all these factors and more we’re considered, so without further ado.”
“First, Todoroki is with Yaoyorozu… against me.”
“Next, Midoriya… is with Bakugo.”
“And your opponent…”
“Will be… “, All Might says appearing from out of nowhere, “You’ll have to work together to win… So come at me, you two!!”
Midoriya seems to have the worst luck in these things. A team up with Bakugo against All Might.
“Ten stages have been prepared, and all teams will begin simultaneously. The test guidelines will be explained by your respective opponents. None of the areas are outside school grounds, but lets not waste any more time.”
“Get going.”
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My group reached the U.S.J building as we we’re up against Thirteen, who was probably picked as she perfectly counters our Quirks, and prevents us getting close.
Once everyone was in place, she explained the rest of the rules.
“The time limit is 30 minutes!”
“Your objective is to either get these handcuffs on me or have one of you escape from the stage.”
“Can we really just run away?” Uraraka asked.
“Yes. This test is meant to simulate true battle as closely as possible. So please, think of us as actual Villains. If we we’re to meet in battle… if you win the fight, that’s good too. However… if you find yourself overwhelmed by my power, fleeing and calling for help might be your wisest option.
“Given the circumstances, you’re probably thinking running is the only option, right? That’s why we had the Support Course Department make us these!” Thirteen said, pulling out some solid metal rings.
“Ultra compressed weights!!”
I’ve got to get some of those for training, or even daily use.
“This handicap weighs me down fifty percent of my body weight.”
“Head to your positions.”
Aoyama, Ururaka, and I went to the centre of the designated Exam Arena.
“To escape, we have to pass through the one gate, where Sensei is probably waiting to ambush us.” I commented.
“Right” Ururaka replied
“Everyone in position?” Recovery Girl said over the speakers.
“Let’s begin the final exam for U.A High’s First-years!”
“Ready…”
“GO!!”
We decided to split up, there wasn’t much risk in running into Thirteen as they were most likely defending the gate. Her specifications were in the field of rescue, so if it wasn’t for her Quirk completely negating all of ours this would be easy.
But that’s the point, I guess.
Each teacher perfectly countered their students, or at least as much as possible while still having some way of winning. For us, that was Thirteen. Her Quirk, Blackhole sucked in everything and crushed it into non-existence, much like a real black hole. Though this ones effects only extends a few hundred meters.
Point is, if we fight, it has to be up close with her Quirk inactive. So our best bet would be the exit gate. Distract her and move past, or pull her away to chase one of us.
Very quickly, a problem arose. The U.S.J was huge, so just getting close to the exit took quite a while. And when the three of us converged to the largely open area in front of the exit steps, Thirteen was indeed waiting in ambush.
Seems she didn’t want us strategising with already being at a numbers disadvantage.
“Aoyama! Run!!”
“You’re the best offence we’ve got. We can’t afford to lose you here.” I shouted at Thirteen’s rapid approach.
Just because she specialises in rescue, it doesn’t change that she’s a Pro Hero. So even with the added weights, it wasn’t exactly easy to try and kite her. Every time someone would start gaining on the exit, a quick release of her Quirk would have them back off.
Slowly but surely, we were losing time.
“Retreat to me!” Ururaka called from the back.
I could tell she had a plan, makes a similar face to Midoriya before one of his stunts.
The three of us ran back, into the landslide zone.
We had just 10 minutes left now.
“What’s the plan? There is a plan, right?” I ask.
“Sort of, but we couldn’t exactly use our Quirks in front of Thirteen without resistance. We can set something up back here before we go back in.” Ururaka explained.
“My Quirk does work on people after all.”
Aoyama spoke up “Monsieur, can you get us to the top of a building.”
“What’re you thinking?”
“People never look up. With Uraraka’s help we could simply go over Thirteen.”
“Right, and I can stay down as a distraction!” Ururaka added.
“Sounds good… let’s do it.”
Aoyama and I floated off the top of one of the buildings, propelled along by his Navel Laser first, then by my Quirk as he was a bit too flashy for hidden movement. On the ground, Ururaka confronted Thirteen until we had enough distance. Not wanting to leave Ururaka behind if it could be avoided, I distracted Thirteen.
“Up here!!”
Ururaka took this chance to slip past and reached near the exit just as we landed there. But before anyone could get out, all three of us were stuck holding onto a nearby railing, as Thirteen’s Quirk threatened to pull us in.
“WHOAAA!”
“And we were so close!” Ururaka complains.
“She keeps trying to vacuum us up as she gets closer!”
Well… this isn’t good.
Aoyama’s the only one of us that had any offensive capabilities form range, but only if she was caught of guard as Thirteen’s Quirk works on light. Uraraka’s Quirk is useless in this situation, as it would just make us easier to vacuum.
And mine… there’s no way for me to out pace a black-hole.
“Agh!”
I look back in confusion from my sudden position switch to eating the ground.
Ururaka had somehow taken Thirteen down and put hand cuffs on while I was lost in thought. Aoyama was next to her, not too surprised at this as our victory was announced.
“It appears that Ururaka, Aoyama, and Miwaku’s team has passed the Exam!”
Uraraka’s Gunhead enabled Violence came in clutch I guess.
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