• Benevolence •

Chapter 36

"ULTRA!"

I jump at the loud voice behind me. Turning, I see a few students from another school berating their peer.

"It's not good to randomly insert yourself into other people's huddles, Inasa."

The teen, Inasa, spins around to face us. "AHHH, DAMN IT! PLEASE ACCEPT MY HUMBLEST APOLOGIES!"

I flinch back as he slams his head to the ground... bowing?

"W-what...?"

The class breaks into conversation and I find myself next to Bakugou. I notice people begin to point out the other school's uniforms.

"U.A. to the east. Shiketsu to the west."

I glance up to the ashy blond before turning my attention back to the other school. The boy begins to speak quite loudly, explaining himself.

"I JUS' WANTED TO TRY AN' SAY IT ONCE!! PLUS ULTRA!!! I MYSELF, I MUS' SAY THAT I LOVE U.A.!! ITS THE UPMOST HONOR TO COMPETE WIT' YOU ALL AT U.A. I WISH YOU THE BEST!!"

I watch in concern as blood drips down his forehead from where he smacked it on the ground. I dig around in my pocket before pulling out a few antiseptic wipes and offer them to the boy.

Bakugou scoffs, "Fuckin' boyscout..."

I ignore his words, getting the Shiketsu boy's attention. "Um... y-you're bleeding so these should clean it up and dis-disinfect the cut. Head wounds tend to bleed more than others b-but you should still be weary of getting a concussion or worse. Also maybe don't hit your head on the floor like that...?"

The boy, Inasa, takes them from me, grinning widely. "SO HONORABLE!! JUST AS EXPECTED FROM U.A.!! THANK YOU!!!"

I smile, nervous, before stuttering quietly. "It's n-no problem... but please be more careful."

"Eraser? Eraser, is that you?! I saw you on tv and at the sports festival but it's been so long since we've seen each other face to face!!"

A woman walks up, waving. She has green hair and what looks to be a pirate themed costume. I glance over to sensei and he has the most emotion on his face I've ever seen. Complete and utter dismay.

The woman smiles brightly. "Let's get married!"

"No thanks."

She bursts into laughter, "No thanks?! Good one!"

Midoriya jumps up excitedly, eager to explain who she is. "The Smile Hero, Ms. Joke! Her quirk is called 'Roaring Laughter!' By forcing the people around her to laugh, she impairs their cognitive and motor skills! Her villain suppression techniques are insane!"

She grins brightly at sensei, "If you married me, we could start a family filled with unbearable laughter and joy."

"That doesn't sound joyful to me."

I find myself snickering quietly at his response.

Asui nods to the both of them. "You two seem pretty close..."

Ms. Joke nods excitedly. "Our offices used to be close to each other! We'd help each other out, coming to each other's rescues! A relationship built on mutual love."

"Untrue... Oh, your school's here too?"

With a bright smile, Ms. Joke calls a group of students over. "Come here everyone! It's U.A.! Ketsubutsu Academy, second year, class 2! These are my kids."

They wander over excitedly, pointing each of us out. A girl asks Todoroki for his autograph.

Out of nowhere, a boy named Shindou introduces himself, before going around to shake everyone's hands. Getting to me, he goes to take my hand but Bakugou snatches it away before he can. Undeterred, the boy continues. "[Y/n] [L/n], right? You did pretty well at the sports festival for a quirk like yours."

"U-um tha-thanks... it's nice to meet you." I offer my other hand as Bakugou scowls.

Shaking it, Shindou smiles. "It's our privilege to stand alongside you all today. We will do our very best."

Bakugou sneers, turning away. "Screw off, shitface. The words comin' out of your mouth don't match up with that look on your face."

As Kirishima jumps in front of us to apologize, Aizawa calls for our attention. "Hey, get changed into your costumes and we'll head over to the information session. Don't waste any time."

Still gripping my hand, Bakugou pulls me along to change. I decide not to comment and just follow him quietly. We soon find ourselves in a large room surrounded by hundreds of other students. Nervous with the crowd, I find myself pressing closer to the angry blond. If it bothers him, he doesn't say anything.

A tired man stands to the front. "Er... well then, let us begin that provisional license thing." He introduces himself as Mera and rants for a moment before continuing.

"There are 1540 of you here taking this exam. We'll carry out an exercise to whittle down your numbers." He goes on about hero society for awhile.

"...All of you who receive a provisional license will be plunged into these rapids. For those who cannot keep up with that speed, I will say it clearly- it is relentless. Therefore, what's being test is your speed! The first 100 examinees who achieve the required conditions will pass!"

My heart drops at the number. Only 100?! I listen closely as he explains the exercise.

Essentially, we'll each have three targets that we can place anywhere (as long as they remain exposed) and given six balls. If a ball hits the target, it lights up. If all three of your targets light up,  you're out. Whoever lands the third hit get the takedown and you must take out two people to pass.

"Once the expansion is complete, the balls and targets will be distributed to you all. We'll start one minute after you all have spread out."

Suddenly, the walls begin to unfold and reveal the arena. I find myself gaping at the sheer size of it. Several terrains are placed around the area. A desert, a mountain, even a city! It, oddly enough, reminded me of USJ but without the disasters.

Midoriya looks around as everyone spreads out before trying to call us all to attention. "Guys! We should all stick together!"

"This isn't a field trip, dumbasses! See you later!" Bakugou runs off, Kirishima following closely behind. "Wait up!"

Panicking, I run after the two. "K-kiri, Bakugou wait! We gotta stick together!!"

Behind me, Kaminari follows as well. As we run, I decide where to place my targets. One on the collar of my costume, one on my abdomen, and the last on my chest above my heart. All places you instinctively protect...

"The first selection process of the provisional license examination has commenced!"

---
People, with common sense:
lets do this

Bakugou, a fully feral individual who willfully disobeys all orders:
no

Thank you all for reading!!!
I love all of you so much
and I hope you're all
doing well!!!!