Under Pressure

Chapter 3: A shot to prove my worth.

The early morning sun filtered through the blinds of the modest apartment U.A. had provided for Ezra, casting soft golden light across the floor. Ezra lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, letting the silence wash over him. Today was the day - the day that everything changed.

Ezra swung his legs over the side of the bed, his mind already focused on the task ahead. He had been through ten months of brutal training back in Chicago, pushing his quirk and his body to their limits. He wasn't just going to pass this exam - he was going to ace it.

He sat up in bed, the quiet hum of the city outside a stark contrast to the chaotic streets of the South Side of Chicago. Japan felt different. It was different. He wasn't fighting to survive here-he was fighting for his future.

Ezra slipped into his routine, making his bed with military precision. His grandmother's words rang in his head: "Start your day with order, and the rest will follow." He showered quickly, dressed in his usual white hoodie, his black Jordan 3 shoes, and black pants, and stood in front of the bathroom mirror, staring at his reflection. His amber-brown eyes stared back, serious and focused.

Ezra: "Alright Ezra, today is the big day that can determine whether you have the potential to become one of this generation's greatest heroes or...you could just die trying and end up being a victim in a society where power means everything."

He whispered to himself, barely audible as he put on his glasses, slung his backpack over his shoulder, grabbed the lightning-bolt charm that Leland had given him, and fastened it around his wrist before heading out the door.

As Ezra walked toward U.A. High School, the enormity of the building loomed before him. It was every bit as intimidating and prestigious as he'd heard. His stomach churned slightly with nerves, but he kept his expression neutral, his head held high. He wouldn't let his nerves show. Not now.

The other examinees were already gathered at the front gate - chatter filled the air, excitement, and anxiety radiating from the crowd. But Ezra stood on the edge of it all, quiet and composed. He wasn't one to mingle easily, preferring to keep to himself.

The campus of U.A. High School was sprawling, far larger, and more intimidating in person than in the brochures. Ezra's eyes scanned the buildings as he made his way toward the examination hall. His posture was calm and confident, but inside, doubt lingered.

Ezra: "What if I'm not cut out for this?"

The students around him buzzed with nervous energy, chatting excitedly about the exams. Ezra walked alone, his hands in his pockets, keeping to himself. His introverted nature set him apart, but it wasn't just his quiet demeanor - it was the aura of control, of calmness, that surrounded him. He was like a storm waiting to strike, and the other examinees couldn't help but notice.

As Ezra made his way inside, he spotted a few unfamiliar faces from the crowd. A young sharp-eyed blonde boy with a fierce expression and a green-haired boy who seemed to be in his world. Both of them stood out to Ezra, though he said nothing. He simply took his seat and focused on the task at hand.

The written portion of the exam was the first hurdle. Ezra opened his booklet, his eyes immediately scanning the questions. He'd always been sharp, but this was different. He had trained his mind over the last few months to be as precise as possible, and it showed.

As he flipped through the pages, he noticed something - the questions, while challenging, had hidden patterns. Errors in the structure of certain problems jumped out at him. Calculations that didn't quite line up. He spotted them almost immediately, correcting the inconsistencies in his head. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. This is a test within the test.