Fortune’s Favor

Chapter 5: Chapter 5



In a dark monitor room, multiple individuals, pro heroes and examiners, sat in front of a large screen that displayed what was currently going on in the different battle centers. 

"In this practical exam, the examinees have not been informed of the number of villains or their locations. They have a limited amount of time in a vast area. They have to draw the villains out from there." Nezu, the rodentlike principal of U.A., narrated as they watched prospective students scampering around the centers.

"Information gathering ability to understand the situation before anyone else. Mobility that can be used in many different circumstances. Discernment to be able to stay calm in any situation. And pure combat ability. These basic abilities needed to keep the peace in the streets are turned into points in this test." He finished. 

"Doesn't this year's group look promising?" Midnight, the R-rated hero, muttered.

"Well, we can't know for sure yet."  A gruff voice rebuffed. "Their true test is still to come." 

-[Asahi]-

I lost count of how many robots I shut down. With my head start, I got to a good number of robots before anyone did but I couldn't be everywhere at the same time. 

Some of the other examinees went in different directions, hoping to find one that I hadn't already come across and taken down. Their complaints were music to my ears as I planted my hand on my latest victim; a three pointer, shutting it down with a powerful shock. 

Its companion was a one pointer which I quickly fried as well. Still, I was losing steam. Even with my empowered items, I'm still human and I have limits. At some point I had to slow down a bit to conserve my stamina. 

I still haven't seen the zero pointer so I have to be careful. It could be anywhere. Maybe I should get to higher ground to get a better view of where it is. 

Before I could even make a move, the whole center began shaking. Up ahead, the buildings shook before being destroyed as something came through it. Through the dust clouds, a large figure loomed higher than any robot the exam had brought forth so far. 

I was able to recognize the shape through the smoke. There it is, the zero pointer. So this is what he meant…

The buildings were nothing but obstacles for the giant robot as it barreled through them by simply moving forward. 

Still, isn't this too much?!

There was no need to fight it, so I wouldn't. I'm sure I already have enough points to scale through. 

Screams filled my ears and my fellow examinees turned heels and ran in the opposite direction, hurrying to get away from the giant machinery of destruction. 

Just as I too was about to take off, I spotted someone who tried to run but was thrown off balance by the earthquake the zero pointer was causing. The others barely spared him a glance and continued running. 

It was an easy distance to cross from where I stood so I saw no reason not to help. Speeding through the street, I picked up the boy who weighed more than he looked. 

Turning tails and dashing off with him in my grasp, I barely avoided the metal foot that stomped into my previous spot. 

As I dashed ahead of the crowd and dropped the boy, allowing him to run on his own, I couldn't help but wonder if people had ever died during these exams. 

The blaring of a loud alarm brought me out of my thoughts, signaling the end of the exam. "Time's up!" Present Mic screamed, his voice carrying through all battle centers. 

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding, allowing myself to relax a bit. Unless there was some hidden criteria I didn't meet, I'm sure I passed. 

A smile came to my face, unhindered as we waited for the bus to pick us up. 

Seated on the floor with my back on a building, I could feel the numerous eyes on me. The murmurs weren't as quiet as they were intended to be, speculating what my quirk could be. 

Unfortunately, my ring doesn't refill stamina so I have to do that manually. All in all, a successful day. 

Xx-Xx-Xx

The days after the exam were quiet. With middle school over, I had a lot of free time on my hand to continue experimenting with my quirk. I learnt something during the exam. 

My strengths don't lie in explosive power or speed but in versatility and preparation. If I didn't have any of my empowered items, I would have performed horribly. Even with my items, there's a limit to how many I can carry at once. 

Lugging around a bag would somewhat hinder the mobility that I enjoy with my shoes so that was crossed off the list. I need something inconspicuous and not easily lost. 

Once again, the internet was a great source of knowledge but unfortunately, the type of storage type quirks I'm thinking of classify as spatial quirks and those are very rare. 

The closest I could find was the rescue hero thirteen but their quirk destroyed targets rather than storing them. Still, I continue searching. If there was an easy fix, I doubt it'll come without its own disadvantages.

Sighing, I left the computer for the moment, going to get some water from the kitchen to refresh myself. I've spent a lot of time online recently, I'm sure that isn't healthy. 

On my way to the kitchen, I spy a white envelope that sat in front of my door. Who delivers mail by this time of the night?

As I approached it, I froze, spotting the U.A. seal that held the envelope shut. This is it. This is where I'll see the fruits of my work. 

Tearing it open, I'm left holding a small cylindrical disk that fits in my palm. I don't know what I'm supposed to do with it. 

As if it heard my thoughts, it lit up, projecting a screen with a familiar face in the air in front of me. 

"I am here as a projection!" All Might…Japan's number one hero. 

I forced my hand to stay steady as the man talked. None of his words reached my ears. My mind was far away, my ears once again hearing the screams. The heavy scent of fire and smoke was one I would never forget. 

My ears regained their function soon enough. 

"…re graded not only based on Villain points but on Rescue points as well. It's the other basic ability we at U.A. look at!" The projection announced, the 'screen' changing to a score board. 

Out of the ones I could see, I don't recognize any names other than a single one, mine. At the top of the list at number one was my name. 

Asahi Kaneko: Villain [79] Rescue [20]

Coming after mine was someone with 77 Villain points being their only source of points. A certain warmth spread through my chest as I barely stopped my knees from giving out under me. 

Being confident that I did well was one thing, seeing the results upfront was an entirely different story. 

The rest of All Might's speech was lost on me as I focused on the only thing that mattered at the moment. 

I did it. I actually did it…


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