Powerless - A My Hero Academia/ DC Crossover

Chapter 55 - Rescue Exam

The first test of the provisional licensure exam had officially ended. Only 100 of over 1,500 applicants made it through, with UA's Class 1-A among them. It had been pretty close, but Izuku was happy to see that all of his classmates had made it to the next test. However, at this moment, the last thing Izuku was thinking about was the exam.

He was still shaken by what he had seen before reaching the anteroom. Had Kacchan really appeared to him? Was it because of what J'onn had said, how an imprint of himself was living inside his quirk? And what did he mean? Was he trying to tell him something? His mind began to buzz as his analysis continued.

"Midoriya!"

Izuku jumped as he felt the hand of Iida on his shoulder, trying to get his attention. He didn't realize how deep in thought he was, a habit that still carried over despite his training. "Sorry," Said Izuku. "What did you say?"

"They're about to announce the next test," Said Iida. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, thanks," Izuku lied. "Let's see what they have to say."

"All right," came the tired voice of Mera over the speakers. "For those 100 of you who passed the first exam, please draw your attention to the screen."

The jumbotron above the applicants came to life as an image of the testing arena appeared on the screen. Then, to the shock of everyone in the room, large explosions began to emanate from the arena around them. Buildings began to fall, mountants crumbled, turning to craters and rubble, leaving the once-pristine arena looking like a warzone.

"There is only one test left in the exam," said Mera. "Your goal is simple: undertake rescue exercises and save the bystanders from these disaster areas. Treat this like the real thing. It will help us gauge your ability to carry out successful rescue procedures once you obtain your provisional licenses."

Izuku began to understand. Now that they were tested on the strength of their quirks, strategy and fighting prowess, now they were going to be tested on their ability to save innocents from disaster scenarios.

"What's that on the screen?!" Said Sato, shocked. As he said it, various people began crawling out of the rubble, including men, women, children and even the elderly. Izuku was shocked. Surely, they didn't intend on bringing in actual civilians for this exercise. That was extremely dangerous.

"Don't worry," Said Mera. "These are specialists from the 'Help Us Company.' They have been trained as professional rescuees. They will be dressed up as civilians and will be placed across the disaster site. We'll be judging how well you keep them safe as you go about your mission."

Izuku had heard of companies like this. It was the kind of job you never would think about, but a necessary one, considering the sheer number of hero training courses like theirs that were across the country. Not only this, but they were also used by other law enforcement and rescue agencies, such as the police and fire departments, in an effort to train and prepare them for rescuing and handling citizens while on the job during a myriad of crises.

"You'll be graded on a point system," Mera continued. "If you have more points than the benchmark at the time this exercise comes to an end, then you pass the exam. We'll start in ten minutes. Take care of any and all preparations now."

"This looks familiar," Said Iida.

"It looks like Kamino Ward," Izuku agreed. He wondered if this exercise was based on the final battle between All Might and All For One. The event haunted Izuku, even to this day. Seeing such destruction before him, even though he knew it was staged, caused a chill to run down his spine.

"Perhaps it's similar," said Iida. "But back then our only goal was to get you away from the villains safely. All Might, Batman and the other pros handled the rest. And there were still many casualties."