𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗦 ⌈𝐈⌔𝐌 ✗ 𝔽!𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫𝑬𝑹⌋

Chapter 002

CHAPTER 02: The Hero's Path

The walk back home after the entrance exam felt like a blur. The streets, the people, the noises of the city—it all passed by without you really noticing. Your thoughts were stuck in a loop, replaying every moment of the exam. The successes, the failures, the close calls.

You'd managed to save a student, knocked down a few robots, but it still didn't feel like enough. That zero-pointer had cast a shadow over your thoughts ever since the exam ended. You didn't score a lot of points compared to everyone else. Midoriya's last-minute save was incredible—he had destroyed the zero-pointer with one punch. And here you were, barely scraping by.

Your hands fidgeted with the straps of your bag as you stepped through the door of your house. The quiet hum of the house greeted you, your father's voice somewhere in the living room, talking on the phone. The air smelled faintly of dinner, but the knot in your stomach left you with little appetite.

"Y/N, is that you?" Your mother's voice came from the kitchen, followed by the sound of her steps.

"Yeah," you replied, not moving from your spot at the door.

Your mom emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel. She took one look at your face and softened. "Tough day?"

You nodded, swallowing the lump in your throat. "I don't know how I did, honestly." You dropped your bag on the floor, kicking off your shoes as you finally stepped inside. "There were moments where I thought it was going okay, but... my quirk, it didn't do what I needed it to. I froze up, and I didn't score many points."

Your mother watched you with calm eyes. She had heard this before-many times. "It's always harder in the moment, Y/N. Exams like that aren't just about your quirk—they test your instincts, your ability to adapt under pressure."

"I know," you muttered, your shoulders slumping. "But what if it wasn't enough?"

Aiko crossed the room, gently placing her hand on your shoulder. "You're strong, Y/N. I know it's hard, but you have the potential. The entrance exam is just the start. Whether you pass or not, it doesn't define you."

You wished you could believe her.

---

The next few days passed in a haze of anxiety. Every time you thought about the exam, you felt a mixture of hope and dread swirling inside you. On the one hand, you had saved someone. That had to count for something, right? On the other hand, your quirk felt so unreliable, and the number of points you'd scored seemed so low compared to everyone else.

It was hard to focus on anything else. Your father had noticed the change in your mood but hadn't said much, leaving you to your thoughts. You spent most of your time in your room, your mind constantly circling back to that moment when the zero-pointer came crashing down. You could still hear the sound of metal collapsing, the crackle of energy as Midoriya's punch landed, and then-silence.

Would that have been enough?

---

The letter from U.A. arrived early one morning. You'd barely had time to rub the sleep from your eyes when the sound of footsteps and a knock on your door made you jump.

"Y/N?" Your father's voice came through the door, and you could tell by the way he said your name that something important had arrived.

You bolted to the door, heart pounding in your chest. Your father stood there, holding a sleek envelope in his hand, the U.A. High School emblem embossed on the front. The weight of the moment hit you as you took the letter from him, his silent nod the only encouragement you received. Your mother stood nearby, her face unreadable.

You quickly tore open the envelope, revealing a small metallic disk. You knew what this was-the results. You rushed back to your room, quickly placing the disk on your desk and activating the hologram.

For a split second, your stomach twisted in knots. And then, a familiar, larger-than-life figure appeared in front of you.

"I AM HERE!"

You blinked, momentarily stunned as the holographic figure of All Might himself filled the room. You hadn't expected him to deliver the results.

"Congratulations, young Mizushima!" All Might's voice boomed with excitement, his signature smile beaming through the projection. "You've done a splendid job in the entrance exam!"

Your heart skipped a beat. Was this real?

All Might continued, "I'm sure you're wondering about your performance. Don't worry-your results speak for themselves!" The hologram shifted to display a screen with your exam stats. Your total points weren't high-only a few points from defeating lower-ranked robots-but then, a second number appeared next to it: Rescue Points.

You stared, blinking in disbelief. Rescue Points? You had forgotten about those. All Might's voice rang in your ears as he explained, "During the exam, we not only judged you on defeating robots but also on your heroic spirit-how you helped others in moments of crisis. And let me tell you, young Mizushima, saving another student from that three-pointer took guts!"

Your hands gripped the edge of the desk. It wasn't just about the robots. They had seen you save that girl. They had noticed.

"Your selflessness earned you rescue points, which combined with your combat score, means you've successfully passed the U.A. entrance exam!"

The words took a moment to register. You had passed. You had actually passed.

All Might's smile seemed to grow even brighter. "You've shown great potential. It's not always about the flashiest quirks or the strongest punches. A hero is someone who acts when others are in need, and you did just that. U.A. welcomes you with open arms, Mizushima. Keep training, keep learning, and we'll see you soon!"

The hologram flickered and faded, leaving the room in silence. For a moment, you just sat there, staring at the spot where All Might had been. You passed. You were going to U.A.

A knock on your door made you snap out of your daze. "Y/N?" Your mother's voice was cautious but hopeful.

You opened the door, your heart still racing. "I passed."

Your mother's eyes softened, and for the first time in days, a smile spread across her face. "I knew you would."

---

That evening, the house was filled with quiet relief. Your mother had made a special dinner, though your father remained silent throughout, occasionally glancing at you with a mix of pride and concern. You couldn't help but notice the way his jaw tightened when the subject of U.A. came up, but for now, you chose to focus on the victory.

"Don't forget," your mother said gently, "this is only the beginning. There's a long road ahead."

You nodded, knowing she was right. The entrance exam was just the first step. You were entering a world where the competition would only get tougher, the challenges more daunting. But for the first time in what felt like forever, you felt ready. Ready to learn. Ready to grow.

And maybe, just maybe, ready to become the hero you'd always dreamed of being.

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A/N: Word Count: ~1200 words, Yay—another chapter done and out in the world! I’m on a roll lately, and it feels great. See you in the next chapter!

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