"With that kid's strength… it should be… no…"
Aizawa Shouta didn't know Shina Etsuha very well. After all, the incident involving the muscular bloodthirsty man had only happened in Tanshoin Town, and news of it hadn't spread very far. But the newspaper in front of him was so direct and exaggerated that even he couldn't help but take a closer look.
The article described Etsuha's performance in battle—his incredible reaction speed, his precise combat instincts, and that massive, overwhelming ice spike. It all sounded somewhat exaggerated. Normally, Aizawa would have dismissed it outright. But after meeting Etsuha in person just now, a strange sense of unease began to creep into his mind.
"Eraser Head, what are you thinking about?"
A teacher with long blond hair walked over, radiating a flashy, punk-like presence.
His name was Present Mic, an English teacher at U.A. High School. His Quirk was a powerful voice ability—so strong that, according to rumors, his very first cry as a baby had ruptured the eardrums of both the doctor and his parents.
"Hm? Nothing." Aizawa snapped out of his thoughts, glancing at the newspaper once more before letting out a small laugh.
It was ridiculous. Was he really being unsettled by a middle schooler?
No matter how powerful a "finishing move" was, it was still just a Quirk. With his own ability, he should easily be able to stop it.
"You're acting weird," Present Mic said with a shrug after glancing at the paper. "But yeah… this batch of U.A. applicants has some seriously strong kids."
"…"
No response.
Present Mic was left hanging awkwardly.
…
After boarding the bus, Shina Etsuha quickly scanned the seats and spotted a few familiar faces. His gaze moved from one student to another until it landed on a girl sitting alone in a two-person seat.
She was elegant, composed—and very beautiful.
Etsuha smiled and walked over.
"Hi. Mind if I sit here?"
"Huh? Oh—yes, of course…" Yaoyorozu Momo turned her head, and when she saw his face, her eyes widened slightly. "Wait… are you Shina Etsuha?"
"You know me?" Etsuha asked as he sat down beside her.
"Of course!" Momo pointed at the documents beside her. "This time, the main focus is on determining the stronger Quirk between you and Shoto Todoroki. Even if people haven't met you, almost everyone here knows your name."
It seemed that the name "Shina Etsuha" had already spread throughout the bus.
Students nearby began whispering as they looked over.
"So that's Shina Etsuha? He just looks like a normal, good-looking guy."
"The documents say he's already a manga artist. And now he has a powerful Quirk too? That's insane."
"You really can't tell what kind of Quirk he has just by looking at him."
"Yeah… kind of unfair, honestly."
Amid the murmurs, the bus slowly started moving.
At the front, Aizawa Shouta gestured toward Present Mic, signaling him to begin the briefing.
Present Mic cleared his throat, picked up the microphone, and spoke loudly:
"Alright everyone! Welcome to U.A.'s recommended admissions exam! I'm your examiner, Present Mic! Next to me is Aizawa Shouta—also known as Eraser Head!"
At the mention of such a strange Hero name, many students looked confused, clearly unsure what kind of Hero would choose a name like that.
Present Mic didn't pause.
"This entrance assessment will last two days. The school will evaluate your abilities in multiple areas. Anyone who fails will lose their recommendation status!"
He paused briefly before continuing:
"But before that—because of overlapping Quirks, Shina Etsuha and Shoto Todoroki will face each other first in a preliminary match! Just like the rest of the test, the loser will be eliminated from the recommendation process!"
A ripple of excitement and tension spread through the bus.
"So it's starting already… a direct elimination match? That's brutal."
"Well, it is U.A. Still, I think Todoroki has the advantage."
"He's Endeavor's son, after all. But Etsuha doesn't seem weak either."
All eyes gradually shifted toward Etsuha.
But he remained completely calm, showing no visible reaction.
"Aren't you nervous?" Yaoyorozu Momo asked quietly.
Etsuha blinked. "Why would I be?"
"That's Endeavor's son. The No. 2 Hero's child…"
"It doesn't matter," Etsuha said with a faint smile. "I trust my own strength."
"Hey! You two over there! Yeah, you—Shina Etsuha!" Present Mic suddenly called out.
Etsuha looked up.
"Got something to say?" Present Mic asked.
"Yes," Etsuha replied, standing up. "Is 'H' not here?"
"Good question! Student H lives close to U.A., so he's already arrived ahead of time," Present Mic answered casually. Then he grinned. "Now my question—what do you think about this preliminary match?"
Etsuha thought for a moment before answering calmly:
"I don't have any objections."
He paused.
"I won't lose."
Crunch—
At that moment, the bus came to a stop.
They had arrived.