Rise up

~33~

 Sixth. My final exam would be the sixth one right in the middle of all of my classmates. Right after Ochaco and Aoyama and right before Mina and Denki. I had been in the surveillance room observing the others and strategizing in my head.

Before I knew it I was headed to my designated battle area. So far in the majority of the exams the arenas that the battles were fought in made sense with the quirks of who would be fighting there. I rounded the corner and could see the outside of the arena I would be in.

In front of me was an incredibly tall, simple structure. It was like a boring cylinder-shaped skyscraper you could see in town minus windows. My face contorted in confusion staring at the building trying to imagine the inside layout.

"Ready for your exam Takami?" I glance back and see Aizawa approaching the entrance of the building where I am standing.

"And here I thought you were the type of teacher who didn't like stupid questions." I chuckle a bit as Aizawa rolls his eyes in annoyance at me. I hear the speaker announce for Hawks and me to get into our starting places. "I'll see you at the training camp once I ace this."

I hear Aizawa huff in annoyance as I open the large doors at the entrance of the building. I walk into the lifeless building with no furniture nor decorations insight. I walk further until I'm standing in the center and stare up.

From my placement on the first floor, you can see all the way to the ceiling on the top floor. Each floor has a wrap-around balcony and many doors which I assume hold offices. On the top floor, I can see the arc of the exit I need to get to if I decide to run from Keigo. The ceiling is glass with a strange symbol in the middle that I can't quite make out what it is.

"Team Takami Practical Exam! Ready! Go!" The automated voice fills the room signaling the beginning of my match.

I search around me and then every corner of the building with just my eyes hoping to see where Keigo is. There is no sign of him. I began walking around checking from different angles when I heard movement. My eyes hurriedly scan all around but still, I don't see any sign of him.

As I stared up at the exit I debated with myself, 'I could just fly up and out of the exit as quickly as possible,' I sigh, shaking my head, 'That's way too easy Keigo would stop me before I had the chance. So where is he?'

While I continue eyeing the exit the symbol on the ceiling of the building moves. My eyes widen as I finally see Keigo charging from the glass ceiling all the way down to me at the bottom floor. His flight speed is quick, way quicker than mine. The symbol I was looking a wasn't one at all and the sun shining in my face concealed the fact that it was actually Keigo.

"Hey, Kid. Looking for little old me!" I hear him call out as I dash to the side out of the open area and behind a pillar. Keigo chuckles as I hear his feet thud on the ground, "Come on out. You know you don't stand a chance if you run."

I grind my teeth together, annoyed that the Birdbrain is right. My back is still against the pillar I try to peek around one side. Before I can even see out fully with one eye something slices the side of my cheek. Immediately I pull my head back and glue it to the pillar behind me.

I bring my hand up to my cheek and can feel the warmth of the blood. Keigo must have sent a feather at me while also hardening it enough to cut flesh.

"Can't hide forever kid. You gotta come out here and face me at some point.' Keigo taunts from the center of the room.

I decide it's best to take my chances and dash around the corner of the pillar. Once the ceiling above me opens up in the center of the room I immediately jump off the ground using my wings to carry me higher. I check below me to see how close Keigo is to catching up to me but he hasn't moved a muscle.