The gates of U.A. High stood tall and gleaming under the midmorning sun, their sleek metal design casting long shadows across the crowd gathered before them. The school's emblem — proud and unmistakable — glinted from a plaque near the entrance, as if daring each hopeful applicant to prove they were worthy of bearing its name.
Hundreds of teens filled the plaza outside the main gate, buzzing with energy and anticipation. Some wore modified versions of their school uniforms, others dressed in comfortable athletic gear. Many were stretching or chatting nervously in clusters, while others simply stood in awe of the building towering above them.
A boy with electric-blue hair was floating a few inches above the ground in a meditative position. Nearby, a girl with translucent skin phased her arm straight through a vending machine to grab a juice box, drawing a half-hearted warning from a proctor. Another examinee with bark-like skin was doing push-ups with one arm, sweat pooling beneath him.
It was a sea of quirks, nerves, and ambition.
Through this ocean of talent and tension, Kael Ishiro walked with his hands in his jacket pockets, tall and steady. His sharp eyes scanned the crowd with practiced calm, taking in the sheer variety of abilities on display without so much as a blink. Yumi, at his side, looked around with wide, amused eyes, already picking favorites among the chaos.
"Is it bad that I want to ask half these people what their Quirks are?" she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Her outfit had a subtle, stylish mix of athletic practicality and flair, standing out in the best way.
Kael smirked. "That'd take all day."
"Still might do it," she muttered.
Trailing just behind them was Izuku, holding a small notepad he was scribbling in as he walked. The moment he stepped into view of the gates, he froze.
"This… this is really happening," he breathed. His fingers gripped the notepad tightly before he tucked it away.
Kael slowed to a stop just in front of the gates and turned to look at the massive U.A. sign mounted beside them. "This is it."
Yumi exhaled and stepped closer. "You know we have to get a photo in front of the sign, right?"
Kael blinked at her. "Seriously?"
"Yes. Don't be lame about it. Midoriya, back me up."
Izuku, already pulling out his phone, nodded. "We'll want to remember this."
Kael sighed, but there was no real protest as the three lined up. Yumi pulled him into the center, draping an arm over both boys' shoulders, a confident grin on her face. Kael stood tall but relaxed, his usual stoicism giving way to a faint, amused smirk. Izuku gave a sheepish smile and a peace sign.
Snap.
The camera clicked. A moment captured.
A future about to begin.
They stared up at the gates for a second longer. Then Kael stepped forward first, voice steady and low. "Let's go."
Together, they crossed the threshold — three lives, three stories, and three dreams converging on the greatest hero school in Japan.
…
The U.A. orientation hall gleamed with polished floors and mirrored walls, filled with hundreds of applicants murmuring with anticipation. Kael Ishiro sat near the center, composed and focused. On his left, Yumi leaned back with arms folded, looking up at the massive screen ahead. Izuku sat on Kael's right, bouncing his knee slightly, eyes wide and anxious.
Suddenly—
BOOM!
"YEEEEAAHHH!! WHAT'S UP, FUTURE HEROES?!"
A figure skidded across the stage, coat flaring behind him, blond hair electrified by energy and voice turned up to eleven.
They threw both hands into the air, his voice echoing through the hall's built-in sound system.
"I'm PRESENT MIC, your orientation host today, comin' atcha live from U.A. High School's official entrance exam! Who's ready to be a hero?!"
Some students flinched at the volume. Yumi just tilted her head with a faint smirk. Kael stared and Izuku nervously adjusted his sleeves.
"Alright, alright, simmer down! Let's break it all down so YOU don't break down out there!"
The massive screen flickered, showing a layout of four separate testing arenas: Ground Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta.
"You'll each be assigned to one of these four testing grounds. They're built to resemble urban environments — mock cities — complete with roads, alleys, buildings, and, most importantly: TARGETS!"
The screen shifted to display stylized robot silhouettes, numbered 1 through 4.
"You'll be facing down three types of combat robots, each worth a different point value! Let me hit you with the specs!"
A new slide popped up:
EXAM SCORING BREAKDOWN
1-Point Robot: Small, fast, nuisance-level. Think of these as your warm-up targets.
2-Point Robot: Medium-sized, tougher. Think scooters with attitude.
3-Point Robot: Big, durable, and strong. These boys pack a punch, so get ready to move.
Zero-Point Robot: A.K.A. 'The Crusher'. It's enormous, destructive, and… completely optional. That's right, zero points. More on that later!
"Now listen carefully," Present Mic continued, adjusting his shades dramatically. "The goal is to rack up as many points as possible within the ten-minute time limit. We already dropped some of ya for failing the written test. About..3300 of you to be exact. So, you're score here reeallyy determines whether you pass — or crash!"
He leaned forward like he was sharing a secret.
"But hey, don't get tunnel vision. Heroes aren't just about muscle and explosions. You'll be judged on judgment, initiative, and how you handle a dynamic battlefield. Strategy counts."
Kael gave a small nod to himself. Yumi glanced at him, her eyes meeting his for a second before she looked away with a smile.
"But wait!" Present Mic shouted. "There's one big ol' wrench in the machine — the Zero-Point robot. Massive. Dangerous. Scary. But worth absolutely no points. You don't have to fight it, but still, watch out for it."
Just then, a hand shot up from the audience.
"I have a question," came a sharp voice.
Kael looked up just as Tenya Iida stood. His movements were crisp, formal — the kind of guy who ran on internal gears.
"There seems to be a discrepancy in the briefing booklet. It does not mention a zero-point robot. How are we to prepare for a test with undisclosed variables?"
A few murmurs rippled across the hall. Iida then turned his eyes toward Kael, his gaze firm.
"And another thing. You—" he gestured to Kael, voice firm but not hostile, "—you were whispering earlier. While the instructions were being presented. This is an official briefing, and it's disrespectful to be inattentive."
Kael blinked slowly. He hadn't said a word since entering the hall.
"That wasn't me," he said plainly.
Yumi leaned forward with a scowl. "I was the one who said something! What are you gonna do about it, huh? So just shut up and sit down before I make you." Her eyes glowed for a split second out of anger.
Several nearby students chuckled, and Iida turned slightly red, clearing his throat before sitting.
Present Mic grinned. "Oohhh, spicy crowd! Love the energy! Alright, folks, that wraps the orientation!"
The screen shifted again.
Deployment Schedule:
Ground Alpha: 280 students per section
Ground Beta: 120 students per section
Ground Gamma: 150 students per section
Ground Delta: 150 students per section
"Your ID numbers will route you to your assigned testing zone! Find your bus, stay hydrated, and prepare to bring the PLUS ULTRA!"
The screen went dark. Doors opened across the sides of the hall as students began filing out in waves.
Kael stood calmly, checking the card in his pocket.
"Ground Beta," he said.
Yumi peeked over. "Same. Looks like we'll fighting together."
Izuku glanced at his card. "I got… Ground Gamma."
Kael offered a brief nod. "Good luck, Izuku. I know you can do it."
Izuku smiled nervously, nodding. "You too, both of you."
As the crowd split and they made their way toward their respective buses, a familiar voice called out.
"Oi."
Kael turned slightly as Katsuki Bakugo stepped forward, hands stuffed in his pockets. His sharp eyes briefly flicked over Kael and Yumi.
"I remember you. From the mock city practice way back when. You've gotten a little taller mophead?"
Kael gave a casual nod. "Just a little, Sparklers."
Bakugo smirked, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Try not to slow me down out there punk."
"We're not even in the same arena," Kael replied flatly.
Bakugo scoffed and walked past. "Good, for your sake."
Yumi tilted her head. "He's loud."
"Very," Kael said.
Together, Kael and Yumi boarded the bus bound for Ground Beta.
…