Chapter 55 — The First Test
A week later, Aoi was on his way to school, the engine of his motorcycle humming beneath him as the morning breeze whipped against his face. The city passed by in a blur of color and noise, but all he could think about was how annoying his situation was.
Damn law banning the use of quirks…
Even if I used Lunar Step, by the time I explained it's not a quirk, I'd already be late anyway… what a pain.
He exhaled loudly, the sound nearly lost to the roar of the engine, and accelerated toward U.A. High. Morning traffic didn't help his mood, but eventually he reached the school grounds.
As he pulled into the parking lot, he cut the engine and swung off the bike with practiced ease. His muscles ached faintly, and when he stretched, several joints cracked loudly—leftovers from the brutal training session he'd had the previous night.
"Good thing I'm a physical monster with regeneration…" he muttered under his breath. "Otherwise my little bunny would've finished me off yesterday."
He gave a small chuckle, though he still felt sore.
Making his way to the classroom, he was about to grab the door handle when he heard shouting—loud, explosive shouting—from inside.
Bakugou's voice. Obviously.
"OUTTA MY WAY, EXTRA!"
Aoi closed his eyes, breathed deeply, and forced a tired smile onto his face.
Three years of this… it's going to feel longer than All Might's entire career.
He opened the door and stepped inside.
Immediately, Tenya Iida approached him with impeccable posture and a formal bow.
"Good morning! You are Aoi, correct? We were in the same testing field. I witnessed your performance, and I wanted to thank you for healing me."
Aoi shook the offered hand politely.
"No problem. Really."
But before he could say anything more, a high-energy voice blasted from behind him.
"AOI-KUN!!!"
Mina Ashido launched herself into him like a pink missile, wrapping her arms around his torso with zero hesitation. Aoi barely managed to keep his balance.
Uraraka walked up behind her, smiling softly—she was clearly used to Mina's antics.
"How were your holidays, Aoi?" she asked, tilting her head.
"They were… eventful," he replied, answering a barrage of questions from both girls who seemed absolutely determined to extract every detail from him.
Across the room, Kaminari watched the scene with watery eyes, dramatically draped over his desk.
"It must be so nice to be handsome…" he lamented, voice trembling. "Life isn't fair… why couldn't I be born like that…?"
Before Aoi could comment, a slow, tired voice cut through the chatter.
"Is the commotion over?"
The entire class turned as Aizawa rose from his iconic yellow sleeping bag, hair disheveled, eyes half-open with barely concealed annoyance.
"Good. You've all met each other. Now put on your training uniforms and follow me to the testing field."
The class didn't dare argue.
Aoi headed with the boys to the locker room. While taking off his shirt and folding it neatly, he noticed Shoto nearby and walked over.
"So," Aoi asked casually, "how's the old man?"
Shoto let out a breath, shoulders tensing.
"The same as always. Obsessive. Overbearing. Unchanging."
Aoi's expression softened with sympathy.
"After everything… even now?"
"Unfortunately." Shoto's voice was quiet, but the frustration underneath it was loud.
Before the moment could grow heavier, Kirishima suddenly popped up beside them.
"DUDE! Your muscles are totally manly!" he exclaimed, poking Aoi's arm like it was some sort of rare artifact.
Aoi laughed. "Kirishima, you make it sound like I came from a lab."
"Bro, if you did, that lab deserves a medal," Kirishima replied with absolute sincerity.
After they finished changing, everyone made their way to the training field where Aizawa stood waiting.
The teacher crossed his arms, looking more awake now.
"Today, we'll be testing your limits and how well you use your quirks."
His gaze snapped to Aoi.
"Todoroki Aoi… you go first."
Aoi stepped forward calmly.
"What was your average in normal school without quirks?" Aizawa asked.
Aoi blinked. He actually had no idea how to answer that.
Aizawa stared at his blank expression… and sighed.
"Never mind. Just throw the ball as far as you can."
Aoi nodded, took a breath, wound up his arm, and hurled the ball with a clean, powerful motion.
A split second later—
BOOM!
A sonic crack split the air. Several students flinched.
Aizawa glanced at the device in his hand, then raised it for all to see.
"Fifty thousand meters."
The class erupted into shouts, gasps, and disbelief.
Aizawa continued, unfazed by the chaos.
"That's exactly why I need to know your limits. So that each of you can eventually surpass them."
Mina raised her hand, practically vibrating with excitement.
"That's so cool! I'm next, sensei!"
"Wonderful enthusiasm," Aizawa deadpanned. "Because whoever places last… will be expelled."
Panic instantly swept through the class like a shockwave.
The tests began.
Aoi performed each task effortlessly—running, grip strength, flexibility, even the long jump. At one point, he barely bent his knees, hopped lightly, and still landed on the far end as if he were stepping off a curb.
Without Mineta in the timeline—thanks entirely to Aoi—the atmosphere felt slightly less cursed.
Eventually, the final ranking came in:
1st — Aoi
2nd — Momo
3rd — Shoto
4th — Bakugou
Last — Midoriya
Aoi watched Izuku go through his whole emotional whirlwind—breaking his finger, giving his heartfelt speech, and convincing Aizawa to let him stay in Class 1-A.
Aoi didn't intervene.
Midoriya didn't need saving here.
It wasn't a life-or-death scenario.
Once the tests ended and everyone dispersed, Aoi grabbed his things and sighed, shoulders sagging.
Too bad that from here on… it's only going to get worse. Disaster after disaster.
His eyes sharpened, filled with cold resolve.
"But this time…" he whispered. "If anyone thinks they're going to hurt Mirko or Nemuri… they're dead wrong."
A heavy, oppressive Haki seeped out of him unintentionally, making the air thicken. Several students shivered without knowing why.
Aoi inhaled slowly, pulling the aura back under control.
His war against destiny…
was only just beginning.