The atmosphere in Class 1-A was heavy with anticipation as Aizawa stood at the front of the room, his deadpan expression making it clear that there would be no warm introductions.
Reiji leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, his sharp golden eyes scanning their homeroom teacher. Unlike the other students, who were nervous about their first day, Reiji was calm, calculating, and ready for whatever was coming next.
Aizawa's tired voice cut through the silence. "We're skipping the introductions. Put on your gym uniforms and meet me outside."
No one dared to question him.
The training field behind U.A. was massive, open, and perfect for physical assessments.
Reiji adjusted the sleeve of his black-and-red gym uniform, rolling his shoulders as he observed his classmates. Some were stretching, others looked excited, but most were uneasy—especially after hearing the words "Quirk Apprehension Test."
Aizawa pulled out a small device. "You all took standard physical fitness tests in middle school, correct? The difference here is that you're allowed to use your Quirks."
The students murmured amongst themselves, but Reiji already knew where this was going.
Aizawa continued. "Bakugo. How far could you throw a softball in middle school?"
Bakugo cracked his knuckles, grinning. "67 meters."
Aizawa handed him the ball. "Use your Quirk this time. Just don't leave the circle."
Bakugo stepped forward, winding up his arm. "Heh. This is gonna be fun."
With a powerful swing, he launched the ball into the sky, propelling it forward with a loud explosion. The device beeped.
[705.2 meters.]
The class gasped.
"This is amazing!" Uraraka said, her eyes sparkling.
Iida adjusted his glasses. "So, this is the difference when we can use our Quirks…"
Aizawa stuffed his hands in his pockets. "This is what it means to be a hero. Those who can't perform… will be expelled."
Silence.
The weight of his words crushed the excitement.
"Wait, expelled?!" Kaminari exclaimed.
Aizawa's gaze remained cold. "That's right. Life isn't fair. The lowest-scoring student will be immediately expelled from U.A."
The tension skyrocketed.
But as everyone panicked, Reiji smirked.
Expulsion? Good. It meant this was a real test.
One by one, the students went through the tests. 50-meter dash, grip strength, long jump, side-to-side steps, endurance run.
Reiji observed them carefully. Their strengths. Their weaknesses. Their mindset.
Then it was his turn.
Aizawa checked his tablet. "Kurobane, step up."
Reiji walked forward, feeling all eyes on him.
First Test: 50-Meter Dash.
His opponent was Iida, whose Engine Quirk made him the fastest student in the class.
Iida gave a respectful nod. "I will not hold back."
Reiji smirked. "Good."
The moment the starting buzzer sounded, Reiji vanished in a burst of Hellfire.
By the time Iida took his second step, Reiji was already across the finish line.
[2.89 seconds.]
Iida's jaw dropped. "I—Impossible! That wasn't just speed—it was teleportation!"
Reiji flexed his fingers. His newly unlocked ability, Flame Teleportation, had allowed him to cover distance instantly.
Aizawa narrowed his eyes. "Hmph. Efficient."
Next Test: Grip Strength.
Reiji gripped the metal device, his muscles tensing. With a single motion, he crushed the device into scrap metal.
Aizawa blinked. "You destroyed school property."
Reiji smirked. "Charge it to my company."
As the tests continued, the reactions from the class shifted from shock to genuine fear.
Long Jump: Instead of just jumping, Reiji used Hellfire propulsion, soaring over the entire sandpit.Endurance Run:Never slowed down. Never showed fatigue. Moved like a hunter tracking prey.Side Steps: His reaction speed was inhuman, almost like he predicted movements before they happened.
Then came the final event.
Softball Throw.
Reiji stepped into the circle, gripping the ball lightly.
The students watched in silence, fully aware that whatever he was about to do would be insane.
Bakugo crossed his arms. "Tch. Let's see what you got."
Reiji flicked his wrist. A small flame flickered to life, wrapping around the ball.
Aizawa watched closely, already preparing to use his Erasure Quirk if needed.
Reiji exhaled, then hurled the ball into the sky.
The moment it left his fingers—it vanished in a massive burst of Hellfire.
A few seconds later…
[∞]
The entire class froze.
"Did… did he just disintegrate the ball?" Kaminari whispered.
"Y-Yeah… I think he did…" Kirishima muttered.
Aizawa sighed and rubbed his temples. "I hate my job."
After all the scores were tallied, Aizawa announced the results.
Reiji came in first place. No surprises there.
Deku, however, came in last.
Aizawa's crimson eyes glowed. "Midoriya, pack your things."
Deku's heart dropped.
"I… I failed?"
Silence hung in the air.
But before Aizawa could say anything more, Reiji spoke up.
"No, he didn't."
Everyone turned to look at him.
Aizawa frowned. "Excuse me?"
Reiji's golden eyes locked onto Aizawa's. "You said this test is about survival, right? Not everyone in a real battle is going to be the strongest."
He gestured toward Deku. "That guy might be weak now. But he's got guts. You of all people should recognize potential."
Aizawa narrowed his eyes, but he didn't respond immediately.
Deku looked at Reiji in shock. This guy… was standing up for him?
A moment later, Aizawa sighed. "Tch. It was a logical deception anyway. The expulsion was a lie to push you all to perform your best."
The class exhaled in relief.
Reiji chuckled. "Figures."
Aizawa turned back to the students. "Classes officially start tomorrow. Be ready."
As the students began to leave for the day, Bakugo walked up to Reiji.
"You really are something, huh?"
Reiji smirked. "Scared?"
Bakugo grinned. "Hell no. But I'm not letting you take the top spot that easy."
Reiji chuckled. "Good. It'd be boring if I didn't have competition."
Deku, standing a few feet away, stared at Reiji's back, clenching his fists.
This guy was terrifying… but he wasn't just a brute. He was something else entirely.
And for the first time, Deku realized—
He had to get stronger.
End of Chapter 4.
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