The Analytical Hero: Ace

Chapter 6

After my fight with Muscular I took a small break to allow my body to heal properly. Even though my first loss made me want nothing more than to train harder, I knew I would only hurt myself further. During this time I continued doing light yoga and honing my hacking/ programming skills. I may or may not now be able to hack into Aldera Elementary school's system... But of course I would never alter anything! Or snoop... too much. Kacchan really does have a squeaky clean record, mine however, is much more concerning.

Luckily for me I was nearly fully recovered in only a few weeks! I still wasn't going to jump right into fighting again though, I wanted to test my strength and stamina first. Again I was quite lucky that the only major set-back was my torso. I still felt pain when bending or twisting too far due to my still not completely healed ribs.

It didn't take long before I was back on track though and improving. Before I knew it I was in front of UA, ready to take the entrance exam. First we have the written portion, then the practical. All UA students take the written exam, but there are separate practical exams depending on which department you want to attend. I applied for both general education as well as the hero course. If I am unable to pass the hero course practical exam then I will need to have a plan b.

"Oi nerd! Quit muttering. You aren't going to fail." He swatted the back of my head to punctuate his point.

"Hey! That was mean! But, um... thanks I guess?"

"Whatever. But you were right, even if things go to shit you can get transferred to the hero course." I nodded, even with my bubbling nerves I still felt the familiar determination to reach my goals. No matter how unrealistic a certain hero may find them. I went to take a step towards the building when I tripped over my own feet.

This is how I die. I won't even make it to take the exams.

But the impact never came, I opened my eyes to find I was hovering! I started flailing my limbs to get myself back on the ground, but it was no use. I felt someone grab my backpack and settle me back onto the floor.

"Release!-" It was a girl with short brown hair and pink cheeks "Sorry! I shouldn't have used my quirk without asking! I just thought it would be bad luck to fall before the test." She smiled apologetically at me. I just stood sputtering out nonsense as I tried to gather my thoughts. Kacchan snickered behind me.

"Well I'll see you in there! Bye!" And just like that she was running into the building.

"Deku, what was that?" Kacchan was now openly laughing at my flustered state.

"I-I don't know! I wasn't expecting to talk to any girls today! Let alone have one save me from my own clumsiness!" This just made him laugh even harder.

"You didn't actually speak dumbass. You just flailed around like an idiot." My face grew even warmer.

"F-fine! Let's please just go inside and never speak of this again."

"Tch. You're never living this down."

We walked silently into the building and made our way to a classroom for the written exam. Thankfully Kacchan got the teasing out of his system so I was able to calm down from my earlier flustered state.

The written exam was... surprisingly easy? I hope that was due to the amount of time spent studying and not for a lack of understanding of the test. After everyone finished the written exam we were given instructions to a large auditorium. My seat was next to Kacchan, much to his displeasure.

We didn't really speak to each other while we waited for the teacher to arrive and give us an explanation of the practical. The second the stage light was on and I saw the hero I lost it. It was the pro hero Present Mic! He's so cool! His quirk affects his voice so he can amplify it, it makes so much sense he would be the one to speak to all the applicants. And I listen to his radio show every week!