Wings of Awakening

Part 7

On the morning of the U.A. entrance exams, Izuku stood outside the towering U.A. High building, a sense of awe swelling within him. The massive structure gleamed in the morning sun, a symbol of hope and strength for every aspiring hero, including himself. He'd worked so hard to get here, and today was finally the day.

With a deep breath, Izuku whispered to himself, "This is it. I'm finally here." He steeled his nerves, feeling the gentle tug of determination that had kept him going through all those long days of training. I'm going to do my best—no, better than my best.

He stepped inside, following the flow of students who were also here to take the exams, each wearing expressions that ranged from anxious to overly confident. As he made his way to the exam hall, he double-checked his exam ticket and followed the row numbers, scanning for his designated seat. Finally, he spotted his row—only to notice that his assigned seat was right next to none other than Katsuki Bakugo.

Izuku's breath caught for a moment. He and Bakugo hadn't spoken since their last confrontation, and the idea of sitting right next to him felt...awkward, to say the least. Bakugo hadn't noticed him yet, his gaze fixed ahead, a fierce determination evident in his eyes. Okay, just... stay calm, Izuku, he reminded himself, sliding into his seat and trying not to attract Bakugo's attention.

He settled in, hands clasped together, tapping his fingers to keep his mind steady. Around him, students continued to file into the hall, chattering nervously or exchanging determined glances, waiting for the proctor to start the exams. His heart raced, excitement and nerves colliding in his chest. He was here, surrounded by so many talented individuals who shared his dream.

This is where my journey truly begins.

Present Mic stood at the front of the exam hall, his voice booming across the room, filling every corner with an energy that could wake even the sleepiest of students.

"ALRIGHT, LISTEN UP, EVERYONE!" he announced, grinning from ear to ear. "No cheating, no talking, and absolutely no funny business during the exam! This is the real deal, so I expect you to give it everything you've got! You've got three hours—GO PLUS ULTRA!"

The students exchanged determined glances, steeling themselves as the papers were handed out. Izuku took a deep breath, the intensity of the hall heightening his focus. Here we go, he thought, scanning the questions with confidence. He might not have been the "top dog" in middle school, but he was consistently in the top five, and his long hours of study had prepared him well. Page after page, he answered quickly and thoughtfully, recalling his preparation and the countless notes he'd made. He felt good about it—he could do this.

Three hours flew by, and soon, Present Mic's voice once again cut through the silence.

"TIME'S UP! PENCILS DOWN!"

Izuku sighed in relief, stretching his fingers after writing furiously for hours. He felt confident—he'd given it his best, and the questions were challenging but not impossible. But he barely had time to relax before Present Mic continued with his announcement.

"You've got a thirty-minute break before the practical portion! Head to the cafeteria if you're hungry, change into your gym clothes, and get ready to show what you're made of!"

Izuku grinned, the excitement building in his chest. He joined the crowd heading toward the cafeteria, where he quickly grabbed a light meal to refuel for what lay ahead. After a quick bite, he made his way to the locker rooms to change. The buzz in the air was undeniable; he could feel the anticipation from everyone around him as they slipped out of their school uniforms and into gym clothes. It was time to show what they could do.

This is my chance, he thought, lacing up his sneakers with renewed determination.