Wings of Awakening

Part 53

The day of the Provisional Hero License Exam had arrived. Class 1-A gathered at the enormous Takoba National Stadium, some feeling the pressure as they noticed the wary, evaluating stares of the other examinees. Mr. Aizawa, their usually stern teacher, encouraged them with a rare bit of motivation, "Do your best. This is your chance to take a step closer to becoming heroes. Make it count." The class huddled together, the atmosphere a mix of nerves and anticipation. Izuku, as class rep, did his best to boost morale.

Suddenly, their pep talk was interrupted by an unexpected arrival. A student with a buzz cut, wearing the distinctive beret of Shiketsu High School, stepped forward energetically. His sudden appearance prompted one of Class 1-A's students to mutter, "Hey, it's rude to interrupt someone else's huddle!"

Unfazed, the newcomer dramatically flung himself forward, bowing so deeply that his forehead slammed into the concrete with a loud thud, causing blood to drip from the fresh cut on his brow. Several members of Class 1-A recoiled in shock at the sight.

"I apologize for the interruption!" he bellowed, his voice radiating enthusiasm. "My name is Inasa Yoarashi! I'm absolutely thrilled to compete against the famous U.A.!" His declaration was bold, but Izuku couldn't help but notice the sharp, almost hostile, glare that Inasa directed at Shoto. For his part, Shoto looked genuinely confused, unable to fathom why this stranger was staring at him with such disdain.

Katsuki scoffed at the display. "What's with this idiot?"

Kirishima leaned over to Izuku and whispered, "Whoa, intense introduction, huh? Shiketsu is no joke."

As Inasa and the rest of the Shiketsu students walked away, Aizawa spoke up, eyes narrowing. "That was Inasa Yoarashi. He's strong—very strong. He actually got the highest score at U.A.'s recommended exam the same year you all did, but he declined his acceptance."

"What?" Izuku blurted out, surprised. He'd never heard of anyone refusing U.A. after being accepted. "But why would he turn down U.A. if he passed with the top score?"

Aizawa shrugged. "He's...a bit awkward. But don't let his behavior fool you—he's a powerhouse. Be careful."

The class nodded seriously, taking the warning to heart as they entered the arena.

Inside the stadium, a tired-looking man in a rumpled suit, Yokumiru Mera from the Hero Public Safety Commission, welcomed the crowd of 1,540 examinees. His tired voice belied the intensity of the exam ahead: only 100 examinees would qualify to participate in the actual Provisional Hero License Exam.

Yokumiru explained the preliminary round's rules: each participant was given three targets to place on visible parts of their bodies, excluding feet and armpits. They would also receive six balls, and the goal was to knock out two opponents by hitting their targets with the given balls. The first 100 to accomplish this would pass to the next stage.

With a rumble, the stadium's interior shifted, opening up to reveal a vast, multi-terrain battlefield. From the stands, Ms. Joke teased Aizawa about not failing any of his students, much to his annoyance. He merely grunted, prompting Ms. Joke's laughter.

As the announcement to begin echoed, Izuku stepped forward as the class representative. "Good luck, everyone. Remember, the other schools are watching us, so stay sharp and work together!"

"Spare me the pep talk, Deku," Bakugo snorted. "I don't need any of you to pass."

"Come on, bro," Kirishima said, slapping Bakugo's shoulder. "No harm in being a little nicer to Midobro, yeah?"

"Shut it, redhead!" Bakugo growled, but his usual fiery demeanor only made the others smile—they knew that was his way of wishing them luck.

The countdown ended, and the First Exam began. Class 1-A moved as a unit, with Izuku leading them towards a less crowded section of the stadium. But their movements didn't go unnoticed. Yo Shindo from Ketsubutsu Academy, alongside a group of his classmates, ambushed them with a volley of balls. Izuku, Ochaco, Mina, Minoru, and Fumikage quickly countered, blocking the barrage with their Quirks.

"U.A. students...as expected," Yo murmured, mildly impressed. Shikkui Makabe and Itejiro Toteki from his team launched a coordinated follow-up attack. Makabe hardened his projectiles with his Stiffening Quirk, while Itejiro's Boomerang Quirk sent them underground in an unpredictable arc.

"Watch out!" Izuku shouted.

Kyoka reacted instantly, slamming her headphone jacks into the ground and unleashing Heartbeat Distortion—a shockwave that shattered the earth and revealed the trajectory of the hidden balls.

"Nice one, Jiro!" Mina grinned, creating a thick barrier of acid with Acid Veil to shield Minoru, who was vulnerable.

From above, Fumikage used Black Abyss, encasing himself in Dark Shadow's power and diving at an opponent. "Piercing Twilight Claws!" he roared, aiming for Tatami Nakagame. Tatami barely managed to avoid the strike, collapsing her body with her Telescopic Quirk in a narrow dodge.

"U.A.'s strength is no joke," she muttered, retreating.

Yokumiru's voice crackled over the stadium's speakers. "So far, zero examinees have passed!"

Izuku took a deep breath, assessing the chaotic battlefield. "They've all analyzed our Quirks... we need to work as a team," he called out, rallying his classmates.

"Let's see what they're capable of before we make a move," he added, watching carefully for any openings.

In another part of the stadium, a sudden gust of wind sent dozens of balls swirling into the air. Inasa Yoarashi stood on a building, a wide grin on his face as he unleashed his Whirlwind Quirk, creating a powerful vortex that caught many off guard. He directed the balls with a surge of wind, knocking out 120 examinees in one decisive attack.

"Unbelievable! Inasa Yoarashi is the first to pass, taking down 120 in an instant!" Yokumiru announced, shocked.

Back on the battlefield, Yo Shindo slammed his hands to the ground, sending tremors through the earth with his Quirk. The sudden earthquake forced the U.A. students around Izuku to scatter, each trying to regain their balance. Izuku, thinking quickly, spread his vibrant green wings and soared into the air, gaining a crucial vantage point.

Spotting him in flight, the other examinees saw an opportunity and launched their balls toward him, aiming to bring him down before he could act.

But Izuku was prepared. With a swift motion, he activated his telekinesis, halting the incoming balls in mid-air. For a brief, tense moment, the stadium fell completely silent, all eyes locked on the spectacle above.

Then, a determined smile spread across Izuku's face. Using his Quirk, he redirected the suspended balls with expert precision, sending them hurtling back at multiple examinees. Each throw was calculated, hitting targets with pinpoint accuracy.

"Midoriya Izuku passes!" Yokumiru's voice boomed across the stadium as Izuku touched down gracefully, his wings folding neatly behind him. He had taken out enough opponents in one bold, strategic move.

Satisfied with his performance, Izuku headed to the waiting room, where he joined Inasa, feeling hopeful that the rest of his class would make it through as well.