"Live broadcast? So everything we do is going to be seen by the public?"
"Look—cameras there. And there."
The moment Good Eyes mentioned it, the room erupted again.
Several examinees pointed out cameras mounted around the hall.
Faces paled. Those lacking confidence clearly imagined themselves failing spectacularly—broadcast for all of Japan to laugh at.
A public execution, in real time.
But others lit up with excitement. The confident ones—the strong ones—could barely sit still.
In a world overflowing with Pro Heroes, fame was everything.
Villains didn't appear every day. Disasters were even rarer.
Most new Heroes could only get work through boring neighborhood patrols.
Pro Heroes didn't draw a salary. Their income came from public requests.
Which meant—if you weren't already famous, you survived on scraps.
Some Heroes even worked side jobs. For example, the beautiful "Python Hero" was known to model just to pay bills.
If you were strong enough to crush villains instantly?
If you resolved crises faster than anyone?
You soared in popularity.
And commissions came to you.
If not… You faded away.
That was why many in the room resented Lock.
Even if they passed today, many would debut unknown and broke.
Meanwhile, he was already a headline across Japan.
Once again, jealousy burned.
For the ambitious, though, this live broadcast was a golden stage.
"Live broadcast, huh…?" Lock tilted his chin, eyes gleaming. "Perfect. I'll use this exam to cement my name."
He turned toward a camera perched in the corner—already pointed at him.
Meaning half the country was likely staring right at his face.
So Lock lifted his hand…
…and gave a sharp victory sign to the lens.
Confident. Bold. Unapologetically daring.
Elsewhere — Watching Live
At Ryukyu's office, Ryukyu sat forward, eyes fixed on the screen.
The moment Lock flashed his victory sign, Fat Gum whistled beside her, grinning.
"Your nephew's got guts. Love the confidence."
On her other side sat Sir Nighteye, glasses glinting, idly spinning an All Might figure between his fingers—obsessively inspecting the sculpt details.
"I hope he lives up to your guarantee," Nighteye murmured. "Failure here won't just hurt him."
Ryukyu sighed, helpless. Lock's nerve really was something else.
Meanwhile, far away—
Jiro Kyoka, still at school, clenched her fists.
Setsuna Tokage, already out on an internship, paused during patrol and whispered to herself:
"You better pass, Lock…"
They couldn't watch. But both silently prayed for him.
Back in the arena—
"Quiet!" Good Eyes lifted a finger to his lips. The hall settled instantly.
"You all remember your exam numbers, right? If not, check them. The last four digits matter."
Lock pulled out his exam card.
His last four digits: 2018.
Good Eyes continued, monotone but clear:
"The first round is simple. A free-for-all battle. When only 800 examinees remain, the round ends."
A ripple of tension passed through the crowd.
"For the second round, teams will be formed based on your last four digits."
Good Eyes glanced at Lock with a knowing look.
The sudden live broadcast was no coincidence—Lock's special exemption forced the Commission's hand.
Better to show the nation he won or lost fairly than deal with endless conspiracy theories.
And to ensure fairness, one of the Top 10 Pro Heroes would personally judge Lock later—if he cleared the normal rounds first.
"Alright. Let's begin. Open."
Snap.
The four walls around them collapsed outward, like cardboard falling flat.
The cramped hall unfolded into a vast battle arena spanning mountains, buildings, plains—an artificial cityscape built for war.
Above, dozens of drones lifted into view—cameras zooming, broadcasting every angle live nationwide.
"Three… two… one…"
Good Eyes' voice echoed.
"The exam begins!"
Instant chaos erupted.
Some examinees sprinted toward terrain suited to their Quirks, racing to survive.
Others turned immediately aggressive—going after anyone nearby, thinning the competition.
Then dozens of hostile gazes snapped toward Lock.
Their intentions were unmistakable.
In the next heartbeat—
A storm of attacks exploded toward him from every direction.
Bright, violent, overwhelming.
All aimed at Lock.
---
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