Chapter 20: Eyes on the Prize
The control room of U.A. High hummed with quiet intensity, a wall of screens flickering with live feeds from the seven mock cities of the practical exam. Principal Nezu perched atop a cushioned chair, his small paws steepled, sharp eyes darting across the displays. Beside him stood All Might, skeletal frame draped in a loose suit, his signature grin softened by curiosity. Eraser Head, Aizawa slouched nearby, scarf loose, dark eyes half-lidded but piercing. Vlad King leaned against a console, arms crossed, his bulk steady as he watched. Midnight lounged in a chair, legs crossed, whip coiled at her side, a sly smile playing on her lips. The room buzzed with the weight of judgment these were the gatekeepers of U.A.'s future heroes, and every move on-screen mattered.
Practice Center B's feed drew their focus first, the camera panning over a mock city strewn with robotic wreckage. Izuku Midoriya sat perched on a building ledge, cap tilted back, a faint smirk on his face as flames flickered idly in his hand. The scoreboard beside his name glowed: 100 points. Nezu tilted his head, whiskers twitching. "Well, well," he chirped, voice bright but analytical. "Examinee Midoriya quite the showstopper in B. One hundred points in under six minutes, and now he's… resting? Fascinating strategy."
All Might leaned closer, blue eyes narrowing behind his sunken sockets. "That's Hisashi's kid, isn't it?" he said, voice warm with recognition. "Young Midoriya Telekinetic Flame, dual Quirks. Look at that control flying with fire, lifting bots with telekinesis, tearing through them like paper. Impressive!" Reminds me of my early days, he thought, a pang of nostalgia hitting. Raw power, but he's got finesse too rare combo.
Aizawa grunted, arms folding tighter. "Flashy, sure but efficient," he said, tone dry. "He's not just smashing multi-tasking, precise strikes. Took out three three-pointers at once with that fire ring trick calculated, not reckless. Kid knows his limits, paced himself to 100, then stopped. Smart." Too many showboats waste energy, he thought. This one's got brains, could be a problem if he gets cocky, though.
Vlad King nodded, a faint smirk tugging his stern face. "Dominant, cleaned half the field solo," he said. "Fire's hot enough to melt steel, telekinesis strong enough to juggle tons. Offensive power's top-tier." Kid's a bulldozer, he thought. My Class B could use that edge hope he doesn't go to Aizawa's lot.
Midnight purred, leaning forward, eyes glinting. "Oh, he's a treat look at that confidence!" she said, twirling her whip. "Perched up there like a king, smirking while the rest scramble. Power and poise delicious combo. Bet he's got charisma under that too." He's a little rough around the edges, but I can polish him up? Into a Star material, she thought, smirking. I'd love to train that fire.
The screen shifted, zooming in on Izuku's earlier rampage fire propelling him skyward, telekinesis snatching a two-pointer mid-lunge, a flame spear piercing its core. Another clip: three one-pointers lifted, a blazing ring slicing them apart, crashing in a heap. Nezu tapped the console, pulling up stats. "One hundred points 30 one-pointers, 20 two-pointers, 10 three-pointers," he said. "No wasted moves maximized efficiency. Curious why stop at 100?"
"He just wants to secured his spot," Aizawa said, shrugging. "He knows the cutoff's around 70—100's overkill, but safe. Probably scoping the competition now it's strategic." Not here to play hero but to win, he thought. Good instincts. let's see if he keeps it up.
All Might chuckled, rubbing his chin. "He's having fun up there look at that smile ! Reminds me of young Bakugo's fire, but less… explosive temper." He glanced at another screen Practice Center A, where Katsuki Bakugo tore through robots with feral precision, explosions lighting the streets. "Speaking of Bakugo's at 55 already. Relentless blasting everything in sight."
Vlad King snorted, watching Bakugo's feed a three-pointer vaporized in a single blast, debris flying. "Kid's a wrecking ball 55 points, all offense, no finesse," he said. "Powerful, sure, but he's leaving nothing for the others. Selfish style, Class B would whip that into shape." Too much ego, he thought. He's Strong, but also a loose cannon.
Midnight giggled, fanning herself. "Oh, Bakugo's a riot pure chaos! Look at that snarl 55 points and still going. Passion's there, just needs direction." Hot-headed and hot-handed, she thought. Fun to watch,but harder to teach.
Aizawa's eyes narrowed at Bakugo's screen. "Too aggressive and burns energy fast," he said. "Effective, but inefficient he could've hit 100 by now if he paced it. Midoriya's smarter he knows when to stop." Bakugo's got raw talent, he thought. But discipline's lacking. typical.
The B feed panned to other examinees, still scrambling. Ochaco Uraraka floated a two-pointer with a tap zero gravity kicking in and then released it, crashing it into rubble for three points. "Uraraka she's a solid Quirk user," Nezu said, nodding. "Twelve points so far simple, effective. She's conserving energy it's wise."
All Might smiled, watching her dust off her hands. "Young Uraraka's got spirit and practical approach, using the environment," he said. "Reminds me of heroes who think on their feet it's good potential!" Bright and resourceful, he thought. She'll grow strong.
Tenya Iida streaked across the screen, engines roaring, a precise kick smashing a three-pointer nine points added. "Iida 15 points," Vlad King said, arms still crossed. "Speed's his game direct, no nonsense. Could rack up more if he broadened his targets." Efficient, disciplined, he thought. Class B material and steady hand.
Aizawa nodded faintly. "Controlled aggression and uses his Quirk well, doesn't overreach," he said. "Solid foundation he needs variety, though." Reliable, he thought. Predictable, but that's fixable.
Mezo Shoji grappled a one-pointer, extra arms tearing it apart—seven points total. "Shoji he is versatile," Midnight said, smirking. "Quiet, but those arms pack a punch and a multi-tasker like Midoriya, just subtler." Strong, understated, she thought. A Dark horse potential.
Hanta Sero swung into view, tape lassoing a two-pointer, yanking it into a wall six points. "Sero he's creative," Nezu chirped. "Mobility and utility a low score, but clever Quirk use. he has room to grow." Ingenious, he thought. Support role maybe, he needs aggression.
Yuga Aoyama strutted up, laser flashing from his navel, slicing a three-pointer in half nine points. "Aoyama he's flashy," All Might said, chuckling. "Precise strikes He has good aim, but he's posing too much. Focus, young man!" Confident, he thought. Maybe too much, he needs grounding.
Midnight laughed, twirling her hair. "Oh, he's a peacock nine points, all sparkle! Loves the spotlight but he could learn from Midoriya's balance." Pretty, but fragile, she thought. Quirk's got limits. I hope he lasts.
Nezu tapped the console, pulling up the leaderboard. "Midoriya leads B at 100, Uraraka 25, Iida 35, Shoji 28, Sero 24, Aoyama 20," he said. "Bakugo's topping A at 70 others trailing. Midoriya's dominance stands out strategic, powerful, composed."
Aizawa grunted, eyes on Izuku's still figure. "Kid's a natural Quirk synergy's rare at this age," he said. "Top candidate so far. He could handle Class A's chaos." If he stays sharp, he thought. Potential's there, I hope he won't waste it.
All Might grinned, fists clenching. "Young Midoriya's got it. He has spirit, skill and the smarts!" he said. "He's ready for hero training!"
Vlad King smirked, glancing at Bakugo's rampage. "Midoriya's the pick and Bakugo's close, but sloppy," he said. "Give me either Class B will sharpen them." Both beasts, he thought. Rivalry'll push them higher.
Midnight leaned back, smiling slyly. "Midoriya's my vote he has power with pizzazz," she said. "This batch is spicy I can't wait to see them in action!" Future stars, she thought. Let's mold them while hot.
Nezu nodded, eyes gleaming. "Agreed , a strong crop," he said. "Midoriya's set the bar. let's watch the rest unfold." The screens flickered on, teachers' gazes locked U.A.'s future taking shape, one point at a time.