Flamebound: Embrace the Heat ||BNHA||

.Chapter 16.

Chapter 16: License Exam

Kaye took a deep breath as she stood before Takoba National Stadium, the massive structure looming above her as if to remind her of the significance of this moment. Her wings fluttered gently, giving off an orange glow that reflected her nervous energy. She adjusted her hero costume, trying to calm herself, though the excitement mixed with uncertainty was hard to ignore. All around her, heroes and students bustled in and out of the stadium entrance, giving the area a buzzing sense of urgency and anticipation.

This was a special license examination—a unique circumstance for heroes renewing their licenses or, in Kaye's case, acquiring a new one for eligibility in Japan. Even though she already had a license in America, it was deemed ineligible, and so, thanks to All Might, she found herself here at this late exam. The requirement for her to wear her hero costume only added to her awareness of how different this all felt from the exams back home.

With a determined nod, Kaye stepped through the stadium doors. A representative from the Public Hero Safety Commission stood at the front of a room filled with examinees, her voice steady as she went over the rules of the exam. The room was small and cramped with bodies, but everyone was eager to move on to the next stage. Kaye listened intently, her eyes focused, as the explanation played out in detail.

Once the orientation was complete, the doors opened to reveal the enormous expanse of Takoba Stadium's interior—varied terrains spread out over a field of obstacles and challenges. Rocky hills, shallow lakes, dense vegetation, and even sandy stretches filled the space, each one seeming to test a different aspect of a hero's adaptability.

"The first phase of the exam will now begin," the representative announced. "Place your three targets on your body—only on exposed areas. You are not allowed to place them under your armpits or on the bottoms of your feet. Use these six orange balls to hit other competitors' targets. Eliminate two opponents to pass to the next round, and only the first 100 will advance."

Kaye took her targets and, after a moment of consideration, placed them strategically—one on her right shoulder, one on her upper back, and the last on her left thigh. She scanned the participants around her, watching others place their targets, trying to get a sense of their quirks and approaches. It was time to get her game face on.

The signal to start blared through the speakers, and the stadium came alive. Balls flew through the air, quirks activated, and the once-organized group of examinees turned into a chaotic frenzy. Kaye wasted no time; she shot into action, her wings glowing brightly as they carried her above the fray. She could see many students trying to find cover, and others using their quirks to manipulate the terrain in their favor.

"Alright, time to end this quickly," Kaye muttered, her eyes narrowing as she scouted her first target. She spotted a student running across the field, his targets placed on his lower back and his legs. Swooping down, she launched a ball, hitting the target on his back with ease.

"One down," she grinned, quickly following it up with another aimed throw, striking the second target on his leg. The boy stumbled, trying to retaliate, but Kaye was too fast. She spun mid-air, dodging his attempted shot, and aimed for his last target. It lit up red with a satisfying beep, signaling his elimination. Kaye pumped her fist in triumph.

"Gotcha!" she cheered as the boy looked down, clearly frustrated, before giving her a reluctant nod and walking off. Kaye took a moment to catch her breath, glancing around to look for her next opponent.

She rose higher into the air, scouting from above—her wings giving her an advantage few others had. Her eyes quickly locked onto a girl with two lit targets, and Kaye couldn't help but smirk. She swooped down, feeling the wind rush against her as she aimed for the third target. The girl looked up, eyes wide in shock.