The digital clock on the wall read 10:42 a.m., and the interior of U.A.'s control room was cloaked in a hushed semi-darkness, broken only by the bluish glow of the monitors covering nearly the entire main wall.
On each screen, dozens of young students moved frantically, facing off against the test robots — the Pointers — while the countdown timer blinked in the corner.
The air smelled of metal, electronics, and freshly brewed coffee. The tension was almost tangible.
Nezu watched the screens with an enigmatic smile, his little paws crossed over the console, black eyes gleaming with curiosity. He seemed more excited than any of the teachers present.
"Fascinating, isn't it?" he began in his light, almost playful tone. "None of them were told how many Pointers there are, nor where they're located. We even made sure to change the map's layout."
Cementoss, arms crossed, muttered,
"That makes this year's exam even harsher than the last."
"Cruel, perhaps," Nezu replied without looking away, "but fair. A true hero isn't the one who faces a predictable foe… but the one who can think under pressure, adapt, and act before fear becomes paralyzing."
The central screen showed a group of students surrounded by three-point target. One shouted something about points; another ran in the opposite direction. Power Loader, adjusting his helmet, let out a frustrated grunt.
"Those ones are done for. No coordination whatsoever."
Midnight, reclining in her chair, lazily swung her foot.
"This year's batch looks promising, but I still don't see anyone truly standing out."
"I agree," said Aizawa, leaning against the wall, his eyes half-lidded. "None of them have shown the kind of insight we're looking for."
Then, one of the Support Course teachers at the far end of the table lifted the protective cover from a red button on the panel.
"Well then… the real test begins now."
He pressed the button.
Outside, sensors lit up, and a metallic roar echoed as the platforms at the center of each testing zone opened. The shadows of the Zero Targets rose over the buildings of every area.
Nezu tilted his head, his small white teeth gleaming in a curious smile.
"Ah, excellent. I love it when things start getting lively."
All Might, sitting beside him, watched everything intently. His thin form was wrapped in the dark fabric of his shirt, his face lit faintly by the monitors.
"Heh… you're particularly cheerful today, Principal," he remarked, folding his arms. "What's with that grin?"
"Oh, nothing much," Nezu answered softly, eyes still fixed on the screens. "There's just one participant I'm very interested in."
All Might raised an eyebrow.
"Interested?"
Nezu only nodded. His gaze locked on one of the smaller monitors — the image showed a black-haired boy running alone through a ruined street in the arena. No robots were near him, yet the thermal reading displayed an irregular wave of energy radiating from within.
Nezu lifted his teacup and took a small sip.
"Let's see how far your instincts can take you..."
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[Some time before the exam.]
The steam from the shower still lingered in the small bathroom, fogging up the mirror in front of Ryo. He ran the towel over his face, wiping away the droplets that slid down his chin before staring at his reflection. For a moment, he didn't recognize himself.
"I look like a different person…" he muttered, his rough voice breaking the muffled silence of the room. "…weird."
The glass revealed a cleaner face, his eyes slightly more mature than they had been a few months ago. His new haircut—short and parted at the front—highlighted the shape of his face. He looked much better than before. Stepping closer to the mirror, his eyes narrowed as he noticed a faint greenish gleam in his irises.
"The doctor said they changed color because of my quirk…" he murmured, almost as if talking to his reflection. "A reaction to all the stress from the past few months. Hah… yeah, makes sense."
His hand rested on the sink. For a moment, the boy looked tired, as if the mirror reflected not only his image but the weight of the past months — the hospitals, the pitying looks, the loneliness. He crossed his arms and sighed deeply, staring at the tiled floor.
"What am I getting myself into…?" he mumbled. "I called that teddy bear-looking principal, and now I'm here, about to take an exam for a hero school."
A short, dry laugh escaped his lips, fading too quickly. He moved away from the mirror and left the bathroom, adjusting the towel over his shoulder as he walked into the bedroom. From the wardrobe, he picked a blue jacket with black sleeves and put it over a dark hoodie. Combined with black pants and sneakers, the outfit gave him a simple but steady look—practical for the exam.
As he tied his shoelaces, recent memories resurfaced: Principal Nezu's overly cheerful, almost cartoonish voice over the phone, offering him a special spot.
"Normally, you wouldn't be able to participate without the written exam. But I'll make an exception. Let's just say… you're a special case."
Ryo scoffed, straightening his jacket collar.
"Special… great. I just wanted to understand this whole hero thing, and now I'm being dragged into a full practical test. Should've hung up the moment he mentioned the written exam."
The apartment around him was silent. White, pictureless walls, a worn-out sofa, the faint smell of coffee, and the distant echo of memories he tried not to remember. He stopped in front of the door, one hand resting on the doorknob. For a few seconds, he stood still, his gaze lost in the emptiness of that home where only silence kept him company.
He took a deep breath.
"I've already chosen this path…" he whispered to himself. "So all that's left is to keep walking and see where it leads me."
With one last glance at the apartment behind him, Ryo opened the door. The light from the hallway poured in, scattering the heavy air that lingered inside. Without another moment of hesitation, he took the first step — the step that would lead him down a new path, and perhaps, to something he still refused to call destiny.
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The U.A. High's main gate towered before Ryo like an imposing wall. The metallic pillars gleamed under the morning sunlight, and the school's golden emblem shone brightly — a reminder of the prestige this place held. He stopped for a moment, taking in the crowd of applicants gathered at the entrance — hundreds of young people of varying ages, clothes, and attitudes. Some laughed nervously, others tried to stay warm, while a few simply stared at the colossal building ahead with equally determined expressions.
Ryo adjusted the strap of his backpack and let out a quiet sigh.
"The world's greatest hero school, huh…" he muttered, watching the commotion. "At least now I understand why there's such a crowd."
As soon as he crossed the gate, the buzz around him grew louder. He kept a calm pace, indifferent to the excitement of the others, until he heard a grumble behind him. Before he could fully turn, someone deliberately bumped into his shoulder, shoving him aside.
"Outta my way, idiot," a harsh voice growled.
Ryo steadied his footing and slowly turned his head. The voice belonged to a spiky blond-haired boy with red eyes and an impatient scowl — Katsuki Bakugo. The blond didn't even spare him a proper glance, simply kept walking while muttering something about "useless nerds" and "that annoying Deku."
Ryo raised an eyebrow and adjusted his jacket.
"Still the same walking stick of dynamite…" he murmured, rubbing his shoulder. A faint, ironic smile curved his lips. "Bet he still thinks the world revolves around him."
He continued on, crossing the busy courtyard until he reached a large, dimly lit hall inside the school. Projection screens partially illuminated the room, and on the main stage stood a tall blond man in flashy clothes, gesturing with contagious energy.
"HEEEELL YEAAAH! Good morning, future heroes! I'm PRESENT MIC, and I'll be explaining the rules of the practical exam!"
The hero's booming voice made many cover their ears, but Ryo merely kept a neutral expression. He listened closely as the man explained: each candidate would be sent to a designated urban area and would have to defeat villains robots — the "targets" — to earn points. The stronger the robot, the more valuable the points.
After the briefing, groups began being directed to their respective test areas. Ryo was assigned to Area H, where he now stood before a massive metal gate alongside other competitors. He glanced around, noting tense faces, nervous murmurs, and a few trying to focus. No familiar faces — which was a relief.
"At least I didn't end up with him," he thought, exhaling in relief as he stretched.
He began to loosen up his arms and legs, preparing his body.
"Using my quirk right away would be dumb…" he muttered. "The robot shells would get contaminated. Better stick with the second method."
Suddenly, the speakers buzzed, and Present Mic's excited voice echoed across the arena.
"ALL RIGHT, START!"
Everyone looked around, confused, waiting for the countdown that never came. Present Mic just laughed.
"What's wrong? There's no countdown in a real fight! Go, go, go!"
Ryo frowned, but his muscles reacted before his mind did. He shot forward — his speed suddenly absurd, easily over 200 km/h. The wind sliced against his face, and his eyes shifted, the sclera darkening while his pupils glowed with an intense green light.
Behind him, the other participants stared in disbelief before they too began to run. But Ryo had already left most of them behind. As he moved through the simulated city streets, his thoughts remained cold and analytical.
"I figured this out during the hospital tests…" he thought while sprinting. "If I channel part of my energy into my body, I can reinforce muscle strength and bone density. It's the secondary use of my quirk — Mode: Inner Transition."
Turning a corner, a three-point target appeared, its wide wheels spinning and mechanical arms ready to strike. Ryo didn't slow down.
"The problem is, if I use too much energy, I lose control over my strength."
He pushed off the ground, his body launching upward. His right fist drew back, veins glowing a vivid green. When the punch connected with the robot's metal chest, the impact was devastating — the frame twisted violently, a massive hole tore through it, and half the machine vanished in a cloud of smoking debris.
Ryo landed solidly, straightening up as he looked at the result.
"That's why I only use a little…" he said quietly.
When he raised his gaze, more robots were emerging from the same corner — machines of various sizes, their metal casings marked with numbers from one to three points. He clenched his fists, feeling the energy pulse beneath his skin, lifting him toward the incoming machines.
"And that little bit… is more than enough to deal with you."
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In Area I, the start of U.A.'s practical exam had turned into utter chaos — but not because of the robots.
The loudspeakers were still echoing Present Mic's words when the first target was destroyed in a blur of wind and dust. A metallic explosion reverberated through the streets of the artificial city, and every nearby examinee froze in shock.
"What was that?!" shouted a spiky-haired boy, shielding his face from the dust.
Another one pointed down the street. "Look! Someone's over there!"
A two-point target rolled into view, gears whirring as it prepared to attack — and was pulverized before it could even move. A chain of clangs, booms, and bursts of shrapnel rang out from every direction, as if an invisible storm was tearing through the machines.
And in the middle of it all, a short-haired blond boy, training jacket half open and a wide grin on his face, dashed through the streets in a zigzag pattern, leaving only trails of wind behind him.
"HAH! This is awesome!" shouted Dash, eyes gleaming with excitement. "These bots don't even know what's hitting them!"
He ran along walls, leapt across rooftops, and with every motion knocked down another robot — with a punch, a kick, or just the shockwave of his speed. The metallic crash of shattered enemies echoed across the entire zone, while the other examinees could only stare, caught between awe and despair.
"Hey, that's not fair!" complained a girl with brown braids. "He's destroying all of them!"
"How are we supposed to score points like this?!" yelled another boy, kicking a smoking piece that had been a three-point robot just seconds ago.
Among the crowd, Minoru Mineta was trembling from head to toe. His face was pale, sweat running down his forehead as his eyes followed the path of destruction.
"H-he's taking everything!" he stammered in panic. "I-I won't get a single point at this rate! I'll never get into U.A.! Or even near the cute girls!"
He looked around frantically, eyes wide, hands clutching his vest. Then he spotted it — a one-point target wobbling weakly at the end of the street, damaged but still standing.
"Ahahah… perfect!" he muttered, eyes glinting with greed.
He jumped, using his sticky balls to propel himself forward.
"Come to daddy!"
But before he could touch it, a golden blur shot past him. The target exploded instantly, blown to pieces by a strike too fast to see. Mineta hit the ground hard, bouncing once, twice, before ending up face-down and dizzy.
When he lifted his head, he saw a pair of red sneakers right in front of him. Looking up, he found Dash standing there, hands on his hips, wearing the same carefree grin.
"Hey, sorry, little guy," said the speedster in English, tilting his head innocently. "That one yours? My bad, I got there first!"
Before Mineta could respond, Dash waved lightly and vanished again — turning into a golden streak that raced through the streets, hunting for more robots.
Mineta stayed where he was, still sprawled on the ground, watching the trail of destruction spreading across the test site. He groaned and slammed his forehead against the pavement.
"I'm screwed… totally screwed…"
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Ryo Tanaka was already exhausted.
He had spent most of his time running through the ruined streets of Area H, taking down targets without rest. The broken buildings and the constant smoke in the air painted a chaotic scene—but he didn't seem to care. He ran, kicked, destroyed—and kept moving forward.
"103 points…" he muttered, glancing at the display on his wrist. The number blinked in green, but he didn't look satisfied. "I don't know if that's enough…"
The boy let out a low sigh, adjusting his dark-blue jacket as he walked over the debris of a street. The ground trembled slightly with the distant sounds of explosions and screams, but nothing made him hesitate.
Then he heard a heavy metallic sound ahead. His eyes darted toward it, catching the reflection of something approaching—a three-point target was about to crush a girl who had tripped between two slabs of concrete.
Before the robot could strike, Ryo was already moving. His feet scraped against the ground and, with a single leap, he twisted his body, delivering a precise kick to the side of the robot's metallic head. The impact was sharp; the machine's body was thrown against a wall and shattered into pieces.
The girl fell on her back, gasping, her face streaked with dust and tears. When she looked up, she saw the boy standing with his back to her, the wind tugging at his short black hair.
"Thank you! I… I thought I was—"
"Don't mention it," Ryo replied, adjusting his coat without looking at her. Then he walked away, leaving her there—confused, staring at his retreating figure.
He wasn't there to play the hero. He only helped when it was inevitable. On his way, he passed more candidates in trouble—some cornered, others injured, even a girl trapped beneath what remained of a three-point robot. He averted his gaze and kept walking.
"What kind of exam is this?" he thought. "These things could actually kill someone."
Before he could think further, the ground beneath him shook violently. A deep metallic rumble echoed from the city's center. The soil split open, revealing a massive underground elevator slowly rising. From within, a colossal shadow emerged—the Zero Target.
The machine was enormous, towering over every building nearby. Its steel body gleamed under the artificial lights, with thick cables and pistons moving like mechanical muscles. Its massive treads crushed the concrete as it advanced, the sound of its gears booming like thunder.
"It's the zero-target villain!" someone shouted in the distance, running. "That's the one they told us to avoid! Run!"
The robot advanced, its tracks flattening cars and facades alike. A single swing of its arm demolished an entire building, the impact echoing across the area. Chunks of concrete rained down, striking a group of candidates who couldn't escape in time.
Ryo's eyes widened.
"Hey!" he shouted toward the invisible loudspeaker. "This is getting out of hand! Someone's gonna die if this keeps up!"
No answer. Only the constant grinding of gears.
He clicked his tongue, annoyed. "Damn it…"
The Zero Target turned its metallic head toward him, its green sensors lighting up. The tracks began to roll in his direction. Ryo took a step back, analyzing.
"Tch… it's not really my problem anyway…" he thought.
But as he turned to leave, something grabbed his wrist.
He turned—and his heart almost stopped.
A boy with brown hair and a calm smile stood before him. The face was unmistakable.
"Are you really going to abandon them, Ryo?" the boy asked, his voice soft, almost sorrowful. "Are you going to keep running away and blaming everyone else, just like you always do?"
Ryo froze, his cold gaze faltering.
"Shut up…" he muttered, fists clenching.
"Then prove you want to change."
The voice echoed, fading into the air. Ryo stood there, breathing heavily, before letting out a low curse.
"Damn it… this better be worth it!"
He sprinted toward the wreckage, leaping over beams and debris.
The trapped candidates cried out for help as he arrived.
"Hold on tight!" Ryo shouted, lifting a broken pillar as if it weighed nothing. The girl from before was among them, her ankle caught. He pulled her free and helped her stand.
"I-I don't know how to thank you—"
"Just get out of here," he replied.
She started to run, but suddenly stopped, pointing behind him.
"LOOK OUT!"
Ryo turned just in time to see the colossal shadow covering the ground. The Zero Target's arm was descending at full speed, ready to crush him.
"There's no time to dodge it!"
He took a deep breath, muscles tightening.
"Alright… just a little more, then."
A green light began to bloom in his eyes. His irises flared, almost incandescent. Energy coursed through his body in silent waves, distorting the air around him.
As the metallic hand came down, he surged forward. The distance between them was short—the robot's arm was almost touching the ground. Ryo threw his punch with all the little energy boost he thought was acceptable.
But the impact didn't land as expected. Instead of striking and bouncing off, something strange happened: the entire right arm and half the body of the massive Zero Target simply ceased to exist—as if torn from reality itself. Not through some flashy energy beam, nor an explosion, but through a massive shockwave that expanded from the point of contact.
For a moment, silence. Then, a colossal gust of wind swept through the artificial city. The nearest buildings disintegrated. A deafening sound echoed through the testing grounds.
Even Dash, who had been running carelessly in Area I, stopped dead in his tracks and covered his ears.
"What the hell was that?!"
When the dust settled, 80% of the Zero Pointer simply wasn't there anymore. The strike had erased its entire upper half and part of the lower body, leaving only twisted treads and glowing scraps of metal. The entire landscape had changed—side buildings obliterated, simulated cars flung aside, and a cone-shaped trail of destruction where concrete should've been.
From above, Area H looked like a pizza with a missing slice—and that missing piece was everything Ryo's blow had vaporized.
Ryo panted heavily, his body still trembling with residual energy.
"Maybe I overdid it a little…"
He looked around, checking if anyone was hurt. The outer walls of the testing field were cracked, but miraculously, no one seemed to have been hit directly.
The loudspeaker finally came to life:
"The practical exam is now over! Candidates, cease all actions immediately and await further instructions!"
Ryo exhaled, sitting on the ground as exhaustion washed over him.
"They're definitely gonna disqualify me for property damage…" he muttered, closing his eyes and letting the faint sound of the wind fill the silence.
In the observation room, silence reigned. The monitors showed part of Area H completely devastated—smoke rising in columns, and the carcass of what was left of the Zero Pointer. Aizawa, eyes half-open, crossed his arms without a word. Present Mic gaped, speechless, while Cementoss frowned, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
Nezu, standing atop his chair, watched the crater with eyes gleaming with pride.
"Fascinating," murmured the principal, adjusting the monitor.
But little did they know that, out of all the energy Ryo possessed within himself—that strike had used only 1% of it.