Present Mic had already explained all the details, so there really wasn't much left for Midnight to do—actually, there was nothing left at all.
All she needed to do was announce the start of the test, maybe crack a joke or two before it began.
Just like every year, she was there to help monitor the candidates. And, as always, to keep herself from getting bored, she enjoyed observing the hopefuls who might one day become her students.
But then… while most of the candidates stared at her in awe, there were always a few who let their eyes wander a little too much.
Well, she was already used to that.
Kids these days… Midnight shook her head in mild disappointment.
One of the candidates even froze in a daze, completely unaware that the exam had already begun.
As the rest rushed ahead, only one person remained for Midnight to observe.
He was on the taller side—around 175 cm, maybe. His build wasn't bad either; clearly someone who did some sports. Not perfect, but solid. His looks weren't bad as well, and with those cat ears and tail, he appeared cute without seeming feminine.
He could probably make good money as a model or an idol… but a hero? Not so sure.
She ended her evaluation there. After all, he likely wouldn't become her student.
But then, suddenly, his entire body began to sparkle. His muscles seemed to double—no, triple—though the change wasn't visible on the outside. Instead, everything inside became far denser, far stronger.
The most obvious transformation was his hair—no, his fur—turning pure white, while his brown eyes shifted to a striking red.
…I take it back.
A smile tugged at her lips. She had found someone interesting after all.
Midnight quickly activated her tablet to check the student's quirk—and tilted her head in confusion.
???
Name: Nekoyama Nora
Quirk:Cat in the Box
Crack.
The white cat launched himself into the mock city, leaving a small crack on the ground where he'd been standing.
'God's Strength' increases your raw damage.
But in reality, damage doesn't rise from arm strength alone—an imbalance won't raise your output.
To truly increase damage, your overall strength must rise evenly. Your lower body needs to be strong enough to pivot, support, and channel that power properly.
In Nora's own words:
A certain drunken plum saint of swordsmanship once said, "The lower body is the foundation of every move."
…
"Nora!" his mother called him from below.
'lololol'
'What happened? It's earlier than usual!'
'Go, Mommy's baby!'
Nora took off his headphones ignoring the usual chat and went downstairs, finding his mother and father sitting together in the living room.
"Yes?" Nora asked, confused. They were both seated on the sofa, but the television wasn't even on.
On the table in front of them were two envelopes:
one bearing Shiketsu's symbol,
and the other U.A.'s.
"Your test results arrived," his dad explained.
"Oh." Nora replied with forced calm and sat down with them. His tail, however, betrayed him—flicking anxiously back and forth.
"Have you guys opened them yet?" he asked.
"Not yet," Dad said.
"Which one do you want to see first?" Mom added.
"Let's start with Shiketsu," Nora said, eager but undeniably nervous.
At his cue, Mom opened the envelope and slid the documents onto the table for everyone to see.
"OHHH!!" Dad was the first to shout, quickly followed by Mom's gasp. Nora had passed Shiketsu's entrance exam!!
"Congratulations to our son!!" Dad boomed, sweeping his arms around both Nora and Mom. With his huge frame, he lifted them both at once in a crushing family hug.
"W-wait!" Nora stopped his dad mid-celebration. "Let's check the other one first!"
"O-oh." Dad reluctantly set them both down, and Mom immediately started opening the second envelope.
Gulp.
Who swallowed just now—Nora? Mom? Or all three of them? Either way, the tension was real.
Clack.
What fell out wasn't a document, but some sort of device.
"It's a hologram video," Mom murmured and quickly set it up.
A small, human-mouse figure appeared.
It was the principal.
"Candidate 278, Nekoyama Nora—"
The voice sounded slow, but in reality, it was just their anxious minds speeding up everything around them.
Gulp.
"Congratulations!" A hologram party popper burst into pixels. "You passed the U.A. entrance exam!"
The principal went on to explain other important matters—necessary procedures, precautions, schedules—but the Nekoyama family heard none of it. They were far too busy celebrating. And besides, it was a video; they could replay it later.
"OHHH!!" Dad cheered again, this time with tears of joy streaming down his face.
When the initial excitement finally settled a little, Mom turned to Nora.
"So, Nora… which school are you going to enroll in?"
I had already decided long before this, if I ever got the chance.
There's only one possible answer for me.
I'm definitely not going back to the military.
Even if there were some fun moments—
Nope. Not happening.