Red in Different Shades

27. Results are Consequences

With a springing leap, Niwa launched herself forward, quickly leaping over multiple students who rushed toward the now-destroyed terrain. People split off into different areas by class, so Niwa followed their lead and matched her pace with the rest of her classmates.

"Let's start by going to the closest urban area!" Iida announced. "We'll work as a team as much as possible!"

"Right!" Class 1-A responded.

Niwa positioned herself next to Kyoka and Momo in the center of the group.

"Okay now, please wrap up the second test as quickly as possible, too." Mera yawned over the speakers.

"Everyone, be careful of falling debris!" Ojiro shouted from the back, keeping pace beside the frog-leaping Tsuyu.

"What's wrong, Midoriya?" Iida asked as Midoriya at the front of the class suddenly stopped and turned toward a ruined building.

Up ahead, Midoriya came to an abrupt halt, eyes narrowing toward a ruined building. "I hear a child's voice!" he shouted before darting off in that direction.

Without hesitation, Class 1-A followed.

"There!" He called, "He's over there!"

Midoriya jumped down into the rubble of concrete as soon as he spotted the kid bawling his eyes out.

"My grandpa, he's been crushed!" the kid cried, his voice hoarse.

"What? That's bad. Where!?"

"What's up with that? Minus points!" The 'kid' suddenly stopped crying, glaring at Midoriya. "First, you need to check whether or not I can walk! My breathing was weird too, wasn't it? And I'm bleeding pretty badly on my head! Those with provisional licenses should be able to assess the victim's condition in an instant and act based on that!"

Never mind the fact that this 'kid' wasn't a kid. The 'victim' had just told their class exactly how they needed to act to pass this test. First came assessing the victim's injuries, then identifying further threats in the area, moving them to safety, and getting them the proper medical treatment.

Shit, had anyone thought ahead and set up a site for the victims?

Not only that, but none of the classes had worked together at all; there was no communication within the rescue group.

Ah, fuck. This wasn't looking like a good start.

And minus points? Were the H.U.C. in charge of the scoring? If Midoriya got docked for saying the wrong thing, it meant they were being judged not only on their actions but also how fast and efficiently they responded.

"You're not just providing rescue and aid," the guy scolded. "Until the firefighters and police arrive, you need to exercise authority in their place and do your best to ensure everything goes smoothly. In order to save people, heroes must do many things."

He continued, "Above all, you... We're all scared, hurting, and worried out of our minds. The first thing you say is 'What? That's bad.' That's no good!"

This was falling apart fast.

"Kyoka!" Niwa barked, turning to her classmate as she crouched. "Get on! I'm going further into the destroyed area."

"R-Right!" Kyoka stammered, quickly climbing onto Niwa's back.

With Kyoka secured, Niwa hooked her arms beneath her legs, giving the rest of the class a determined glance. "We're moving ahead!"

"Understood!" Iida responded with a sharp nod, his hand chopping through the air in affirmation.

Niwa bounced away, carrying Kyoka in a manner that felt all too familiar. She knew how to move her body efficiently from the last time, though in hindsight, she probably should have trained more for high-speed rescues with passengers.