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***
"He's really a monster," Kaminari commented, watching Bakugo's time in the 50-meter dash.
"I agree, man," Sato nodded, crossing his arms. "I mean, I knew he was strong from the news, but this? It's like we're on completely different levels."
"If you feel that way, how do you think I feel?" Hagakure muttered gloomily.
"Hey, don't be like that," Mina said in an encouraging tone, placing a hand on Hagakure's shoulder. "It's only the first day! We still have plenty of time to improve, right?"
"She's right," Sero added, joining the conversation. "We should use him as a goal to reach, not something that makes us feel down."
'Easier said than done,' thought the small boy with balls on his head, unable to share his classmates' optimism.
***
2nd Test: Grip Strength
"Come on!" Kirishima shouted, tensing his arm with all his strength on the device.
"Too weak!" Bakugo exclaimed beside him, also squeezing his own device, the two competing to see who was stronger.
"Those two... seem excited, huh?" Uraraka murmured to Momo.
"Yeah..."
***
3rd Test: Standing Long Jump
Momo ran towards the sandbox, and when her feet touched the edge, she leapt. The springs embedded in her shoes, which she'd created before the test, activated, launching her high enough to clear the entire sandbox and land on the other side.
***
4th Test: Repeated Side Steps
"This is the worst," Bakugo said, arms crossed, watching Kaminari's clumsy movements as he performed the test.
"Uh, I agree. I almost broke my foot," Kirishima nodded.
***
5th Test: Ball Throw
"1756 meters," Aizawa announced Momo's result, who had created a cannon in the middle of the circle.
"Haah..." Momo exhaled, feeling exhaustion take over her body after using her quirk so many times.
"I'm exhausted..." She walked back to the group with slow steps, greeted by an excited Uraraka.
"Wow, Yaoyorozu-san, your quirk is really amazing!"
"Thank you, Uraraka-san," Momo gave a tired smile. 'These tests are more exhausting than I expected... I need to train my stamina.'
At that moment, Aizawa called the next name. "Uraraka."
"Oh, it's my turn!" the girl said, lightly patting her cheeks to motivate herself.
Uraraka walked over to the throwing circle. With a swift motion, she picked up the ball and activated her quirk, making it completely weightless.
"And... here it goes." Uraraka threw the ball into the air, and it floated far away.
Everyone watched the object that seemed to have no intention of stopping until it disappeared into the sky.
Aizawa calmly observed the device in the ball recording the distance. "Infinity," he announced, his tone unchanged.
There was a brief moment of silence before everyone shouted, "Infinity?!"
"That's incredible! An infinite throw!" Kaminari exclaimed, impressed.
"Right? I didn't even think it was possible!" Kirishima said beside him.
***
'It's my turn,' Izuku stood still, gripping the ball tightly. 'This is my chance to stand out.'
He knew that if he didn't get a good score now, he would end up among the last, and as Kacchan had made sure to point out, he'd be competing with the invisible girl for last place.
Taking a deep breath, he remembered why he was there. More importantly, Midoriya remembered thanks to whom he was there. All Might had trusted him. His mother believed in him. He couldn't fail now.
'I can do it, even if—' Raising the ball behind his body, Izuku focused One For All into his right arm. The energy coursed through him like an electric current. His eyes burned with determination as he visualized the perfect throw. '—my bones break again!'
He swung his arm forward and launched the ball, but instead of flying as he expected, it dropped quickly to the ground. 'What?! I tried to use everything...' he thought, the color draining from his face.
"I nullified your quirk."
Midoriya turned towards the voice, meeting two red eyes staring directly at him.
"The exam wasn't rational enough," Aizawa said irritably. "Since even a kid like you was accepted."
"Nullified my quirk?" Midoriya repeated before his eyes widened. "You're Eraser Head!"
***
"Eraser Head? Never heard of him," Mina commented.
"I have. He's an underground hero," Sero replied.
"That worn-out guy is Eraser Head?" Kyouka muttered quietly, incredulous at the hero's appearance.
"That explains why he looks like he's about to fall asleep," Tsuyu said, imagining how bad her sensei's work schedule must be.
***
"As far as I know, you can't control your quirk," Aizawa said, his hair floating slightly, eyes still glowing red as he stared at Midoriya. "Do you plan to be incapacitated again and have someone help you?"
"That's not what I want!" Midoriya said with as much conviction as he could gather.
One of Aizawa's capture bands shot forward, wrapping around Midoriya and pulling him until they were just centimeters apart.
"It doesn't matter what you want. I'm telling you what everyone around you will have to do," Aizawa said, his eyes never leaving Midoriya's. "There used to be a passionate hero who saved over a thousand people alone and created a legend. But even with that courage, it would be useless to save just one person."
Midoriya's eyes widened at Aizawa's words.
"Midoriya Izuku, with your power, you cannot become a hero." Aizawa unwrapped the band from him. "I've returned your quirk. You have another chance to throw. Finish it quickly."
Midoriya remained still for a moment, his head lowered. After a few seconds, he slowly walked back to the circle, picking up the ball with trembling but steady hands.
***
"That was... horrible," Momo whispered, unable to hide the indignation in her voice.
"Yeah... sensei shouldn't have said things like that," Uraraka said, feeling bad for the boy.
"Midoriya-chan..." Tsuyu murmured quietly, worried about her friend.
Bakugo narrowed his eyes, watching the scene unfold. He didn't remember Aizawa's words being so harsh and precise, hitting Izuku's greatest pain. 'You'll manage, right? Just like in the original timeline...'
***
Meanwhile, Midoriya looked at the ball in his hands, his fingers gripping it tightly. His mind was a whirlwind of memories, each heavier than the last. He could clearly hear the voices that marked his childhood: "You can't." "You'll never be."
He closed his eyes for a brief moment, finding himself back in his childhood, when he was just a fragile, powerless boy, crying because he wanted to be like the others, and the world insisted on reminding him that he couldn't.
But then, he thought of All Might. Not the perfect hero the world saw, but the mentor who had seen something in him that no one else had. He remembered All Might's confident smile, the hand extended to him, and the words that changed his life: "You can become a hero."
He raised the ball above his shoulder and looked ahead. This was his chance—no, his only chance—to prove he deserved to be there. Izuku moved his arm forward and threw the ball, focusing One For All into just one finger.
The air exploded around the ball, which shot up like a rocket, disappearing into the horizon. The sound of the explosion echoed across the field, leaving most in stunned silence.
Aizawa checked the device without showing emotion, though a barely noticeable glimmer passed through his eyes as he saw the result.
"Sensei."
Aizawa looked up, seeing Midoriya raising his fist with the broken finger.
"I can still move," he declared, his voice firm despite the evident pain.
For a brief moment, a nearly imperceptible smile curved Aizawa's lips. 'This kid...'
***
'Of course, I had no reason to worry,' Bakugo thought with his arms crossed, watching the ball fly far away. 'And to think using OFA in just one finger launched the ball that far... what incredible power.'
He turned his eyes to Izuku, who was being welcomed back to the group by a worried Tsuyu.
"How's your finger, Midoriya-chan? Kero," she asked, leaning closer to see the damage.
"I-it's fine," Izuku replied, blushing slightly at her closeness.
***
After the ball-throwing test, there were three more: distance run, seated toe-touch, and sit-ups.
Once the class completed all three, Aizawa gathered them again. "I'll announce the results quickly. The total is the sum of the scores you got in each test." He projected the results.
1- Katsuki Bakugo
2- Momo Yaoyorozu
3- Shoto Todoroki
4- Tenya Iida
5- Fumikage Tokoyami
6- Mezo Shoji
7- Mashirao Ojiro
8- Eijiro Kirishima
9- Ochaco Uraraka
10- Mina Ashido
11- Koji Koda
12- Rikido Sato
13- Tsuyu Asui
14- Yuga Aoyama
15- Hanta Sero
16- Denki Kaminari
17- Kyoka Jiro
18- Toru Hagakure
19- Izuku Midoriya
20- Minoru Mineta
"I did it..." Izuku let out a relieved breath.
Unlike Mineta, who fell to his knees, clutching his head. "What a cruel world..."
"By the way," Aizawa spoke again, "I lied about the expulsion," he declared bluntly, leaving everyone speechless. "It was a rational deception to ensure you'd all use your quirks to the fullest."
"WHAT?!" several students shouted in unison.
Momo crossed her arms, satisfied with herself. "See? I said it was a lie."
"Thank goodness," Uraraka said, hand on her chest, relieved that no one would be expelled.
Aizawa began to leave. "We're done here for today. There are some pamphlets with the subjects you'll have in the classroom. When you return, take a look at them," he said before heading over to Izuku.
***
After changing, Bakugo was walking back to the classroom, flanked by Sero, Kirishima, and Kaminari. The four of them were chatting about their quirks.
Sero smiled, pointing to himself. "I have tapes that come out of my elbows. It's not as flashy as explosions, but it's super useful!"
"Tapes?" Bakugo said in a reflective tone. "I bet you can do some pretty creative stuff with that."
"For sure!" Sero confirmed proudly. "And you, Kaminari?"
"Ah, I'm the master of electricity," Kaminari said, winking as if he was selling a product. "But if I overdo it, I kind of... you know, zone out."
Sero tried to hold back a laugh but failed. "So you literally short-circuit?"
"Hey!" Kaminari protested. "I'm useful, okay? I just need... practice. And you?!" He pointed at Kirishima. "Is your hair already your quirk, or is it just gel?"
"Gel?!" Kirishima looked at him indignantly. "My hair is pure effort and dedication. And my quirk is hardening." He raised his arm and activated his quirk.
"Hardening, huh? That's pretty cool!" Sero commented, observing Kirishima's hardened arm with interest. "So you basically turn into a human shield?"
"Yeah!"
"Speaking of human shields," Bakugo said, looking at Kirishima. "I'm in need of a training partner who can handle a few explosions. How about it?"
"I'm in!" Kirishima responded without hesitation, full of enthusiasm. "Bring it on, Bakugo. I won't disappoint!"
Sero looked at the two of them. "Mind if I join the 'training partners' club? These tests showed me how much I need to improve."
Kaminari raised his hand. "Uh, me too. I was one of the last ones."
Kirishima glanced at Bakugo, checking if he agreed. "The more people training together, the better! Right, Bakugo?!"
"As long as you don't slack off," Bakugo replied, shooting a challenging look at the two.
"Ah, relax, Bakugo, you'll see! We'll keep up!" Kaminari said with a nervous smile.
Kirishima let out an excited, "That's the spirit!"
Sero laughed, raising his hands as if trying to calm things down. "Alright, but just to be clear: I don't feel like coming out of this training session all burned up, so go easy on me, Bakugo."
"If you want it easy, you're in the wrong place!"
"Bakugo's right! If we only train lightly, we'll never be ready to face real villains!" Kirishima declared, his eyes shining with determination.
Bakugo glanced out the hallway window, satisfied that everything had worked out. 'Now, the most important pieces are in place...'
***
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or songs featured in this fic. Additionally, I do not claim ownership of any products or properties mentioned in this novel. This work is entirely fanfic.