The tests continued one after another. Nora might not have been the best in every event, but he consistently produced solid results, managing to secure a position around second or third place.
The only person who kept pace with him was a girl with sleek, ponytailed black hair. Her Creation quirk was astonishingly versatile, allowing her to adapt to almost any situation.
In the end, the one who ranked last—Midoriya Izuku—displayed a level of strength that defied imagination.
"Isn't that more like God's strength than mine…?" Nora joked to himself, though his mind was preoccupied with something else entirely: their homeroom teacher.
A quirk that erases other quirks… is it similar to 'Silenced'? Could it erase mine too? Though I'm not even sure if what I have counts as a quirk or just some reincarnation perk.
Of course, he couldn't simply walk up to their teacher and ask him to try erasing his ability. So, he decided to shelve the thought for now.
After the tests, everyone was given free time to mingle and get to know each other—a slightly belated class introduction.
Nora had already become friendly with most of his classmates, but this was a good chance to properly learn about one another. Their teacher's earlier "expulsion joke" had certainly helped break the ice.
Naturally, the class was buzzing with talk about how terrified they'd been at the idea of finishing in last place and getting expelled on the spot.
And finally, the story everyone had been waiting for was revealed.
"…So, because of an unavoidable issue, I ended up starting a beat or two later than everyone else," Nora began, recounting his experience during the entrance exam. The others nodded along, fully absorbed in the tale.
"By the time I managed to catch up, many of the targets had already been defeated—or rather, smashed to pieces."
Once again, everyone nodded. Practically the whole class was listening.
Katsuki Bakugo had caused quite a scene that morning, so it was no surprise that everyone's curiosity had been stirred.
Aside from Midoriya—the green-haired boy—and Todoroki Shoto, the half-and-half guy who left right after homeroom, the rest of the class remained gathered inside.
Even the "victim" of the story, Bakugo himself, stayed to listen.
'Why is he listening too…?' Nora wondered for a moment before brushing the thought aside.
"And now, a question. In that situation, what would you do?" Nora suddenly pointed at one of his classmates—the ponytailed girl, Yaoyorozu.
She paused to consider it. "I'd probably panic and try to secure points for myself," she replied confidently.
"Exactly." Nora nodded in satisfaction. "Then what about you? What would you do if someone was flying around and blowing everything up at high speed?" This time he pointed at Kirishima.
"I'd be even more panicked?" Kirishima answered, visibly unsure.
"That's also correct. So then—how do you handle a situation like that?" Nora leaned in, his excitement growing. As expected of the hero course, everyone was eager, energetic, and ready to participate.
'It's not even a class, though…' Nora thought.
This time he didn't call on anyone. He simply waited. When no one volunteered an answer, Nora gave a small grin.
"The answer is… you stand right in front of that guy and take the points one step ahead of him."
A few students caught on immediately.
"Uwah…" Hanta Sero—the one with tape elbows—reacted first. Others quickly followed, realization dawning on their faces.
And then, the whole class stared at Nora as if he were some dog shit they stepped on by accident.
"Hey! You guys were the ones who wanted to hear it!" Nora complained under their judgmental gazes.
"That's way too dirty, bro," Kaminari shot back.
"Ghh—I know. That's why I apologized! I just wanted to pass the exam too!" Nora defended himself.
"Tch! Go die, you damn piece of shit!" Bakugo snarled, snatching up his bag before kicking the door open and storming out. insidely, he could understand the tactics.
"Ahaha…" Nora laughed dryly. "Good thing fighting between classmates is prohibited."
Everyone silently nodded in agreement.
***
In their usual dining room, Nora and his family were gathered around the table for dinner.
Tonight's menu was chicken—
and not just any chicken, but karaage.
It wasn't their absolute favorite (that honor belonged to fish), but they enjoyed chicken well enough. Besides, it's not like they could eat fish 365 days a year, right?
"…And that's what happened," Nora said cheerfully as he recounted his first day of school. Naturally, parents always worry about their children—especially on the very first day. Some parents worry, some simply find it entertaining, and some don't care at all.
But Nora's family was the type you could find anywhere: warm, ordinary, and familiar.
"Gahaha!" Dad burst into laughter, a cup of beer in one hand. "I figured it'd be funny if you ran into that guy from the entrance exam, but to think you're actually in the same class—gahaha! He must be trying to kill you by now!" He downed another gulp in satisfaction.
"Did you apologize?" Mom asked, her tone more on the scolding side.
"Yes, I did," Nora answered, not particularly guilty about it. He had apologized, since he did play a little dirty—but not that much. After all, it was a competition for points.
"Good, nya," Mom said with a satisfied smile. "Then you don't have to worry about his feelings. Whether he accepts your apology or not is his problem. It was a test for everyone, after all."
Like mother, like son—she was just as pragmatic as Nora.
"If he comes after you for revenge, don't forget to break his nose, nya."
"…Mom says terrifying things sometimes," Nora muttered, lamenting his family situation.
"Gahaha! That's what I like about her. What was it again? The law of the jungle?" Dad said, looking at Mom with obvious affection.
"Nya. Law of the jungle," Mom confirmed with a firm nod.
Watching the two of them exchange glances like newlyweds, Nora nodded to himself.
"It seems I might have a little sister in the near future."
Bonk.
A crisp, perfect sound echoed through the dining room.
Just another ordinary moment in the Nekoyama household.
***
Student Roster – Class 1-A
1.Aoyama Yuga
2.Ashido Mina
3.Asui Tsuyu
4.Iida Tenya
5.Uraraka Ochaco
6.Ojiro Mashirao
7.Kaminari Denki
8.Kirishima Eijiro
9.Koda Koji
10.Shoji Mezo
11.Jiro Kyoka
12.Sero Hanta
13.Tokoyami Fumikage
14.Todoroki Shoto
15.Nekoyama Nora
16.Hagakure Toru
17.Katsuki Bakugo
18.Midoriya Izuku
19.Mineta Minoru
20.Yaoyorozu Momo