Kurokami Tenshin and Eijiro Kirishima volunteered to go first against Cementoss.
Most people expected strategy, diagrams, contingency plans, or at least something resembling tactical preparation.
Instead, the two sat together and discussed something far simpler.
Kirishima crossed his arms and grinned.
"So basically…we punch through?"
Kuro nodded immediately.
"Yeah! I mean, he controls cement, right? We break the cement."
Kirishima looked impressed.
"…That actually makes sense."
Neither of them was particularly concerned.
Cementoss was powerful. Everyone knew that.
But so were they.
Kirishima specialized in refusing to go down.
Kuro specialized in treating impossible problems as temporary inconveniences.
Their preparation ended up less like military planning and more like two very durable people agreeing to continue moving forward until something gave out.
Whether that something was them or the battlefield remained to be seen.
...
The rest of Class 1-A gathered in the observation area alongside several teachers.
Large monitors displayed each assigned matchup.
Yaoyorozu adjusted the list and quietly reviewed it.
Principal Nezu vs Mina Ashido & Kyoka Jirou
Thirteen vs Yuga Aoyama & Ochaco Uraraka
Present Mic vs Rikido Sato & Denji Kaminari
Ectoplasm vs Fumikage Tokoyami & Tsuyu Asui
Midnight vs Hanta Sero & Minoru Mineta
Snipe vs Mezo Shoji & Toru Hagakure
Cementoss vs Kurokami Tenshin & Eijiro Kirishima
Power Loader vs Tenya Iida & Mashirao Ojiro
Eraserhead vs Momo Yaoyorozu & Shoto Todoroki
All Might vs Bakugo Katsuki & Izuku Midoriya
She folded her hands.
"This exam seems designed to expose weaknesses rather than reward strengths."
Her eyes drifted toward her assigned partner. "What do you think? I feel we're supposed to break through our weakness to achieve victory, Todoroki-"
She expected acknowledgment.
Encouragement.
At minimum…eye contact.
Instead—
Todoroki had somehow produced an entirely concealed bowl of cold soba.
He noticed her staring.
After a brief pause, he carefully shielded it with one arm.
"…If you keep this confidential, I'll share."
Yaoyorozu stared.
Then released a long, defeated sigh.
...
Bakugo sat in silence.
That alone made people uncomfortable.
His expression lacked the usual irritation.
Instead—
Focus.
His palm sparked.
Not outward.
Inward.
Compressed.
Again.
Again.
Small detonations folded into themselves before blooming outward in controlled pulses.
Training.
Refinement.
Compression.
Nobody interrupted.
Bakugo stared directly ahead.
His opponent.
All Might.
His voice was quiet.
Too quiet.
"I'll prove who the strongest person at U.A. is."
No shouting.
No insults.
Just intent.
A short distance away—
Izuku Midoriya had already opened his notebook.
Pages flipped rapidly.
His pencil moved like machinery.
Notes.
Teacher habits.
Environmental factors.
Observed injuries.
Escape probabilities.
Possible objectives.
Hero tendencies.
Countermeasures.
Mutter.
Write.
Cross out.
Perform ritual.
Repeat.
Ochaco watched nervously.
"…Midoriya?"
No response.
"…Midoriya?"
He finally looked up.
"…Sorry."
Then immediately resumed writing.
Ochaco slowly turned away.
She had learned that once he entered analysis mode, interruption became nearly impossible.
Her eyes drifted toward the screen.
ALL MIGHT VS BAKUGO KATSUKI & IZUKU MIDORIYA
She suddenly understood why he looked possessed.
The observation room gradually quieted.
The first gate opened.
Cement shifted.
And somewhere in the city—
The first exam began. "I am Cementoss, I'm sure you're well aware of what this test is about and who I am, so I'll make my introduction short."