Aizawa Shōta watched the students buzzing excitedly over Lock's cannon-shot stunt and clicked his tongue.
"As I said at the start, this is a Quirk Mastery Test. The point is to use your Quirks. If it can be done inside the starting circle, I don't care how you do it."
"Ohhh, that sounds fun!"
"Yeah, this is way more interesting!"
"We can go all out—now that's hero training!"
The moment they understood the freedom they were given, the class burst into chatter again, eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Aizawa immediately drenched them with an ice bucket of reality.
"Fun, huh?" His voice dropped several degrees. "Do you think you'll survive three years at U.A. with that mentality?"
His dark, oppressive aura washed over the group like a tidal wave. Shoulders stiffened. Conversations died instantly.
Becoming a Hero wasn't casual. Not even for those born into Pro Hero families.
Aizawa's first task today was to crush the naive optimism in new students.
He smiled a devilish little smile.
"Very well. The student who places last in total across all eight tests… will be expelled."
Silence.
Only the wind answered him.
Dozens of students stared in horror.
"Wh-what?!"
"You can't be serious!"
"The first class of the year, and we're threatened with expulsion?!"
"This is U.A.," Aizawa said calmly. "A school of freedom. That freedom applies to teachers as well. And chose this method."
He swept his tired but sharp gaze across them.
"Welcome to the Hero Course of U.A. High School."
The weight settled on their shoulders immediately. Panic spread across the weaker students.
And the most terrified among them—
Midoriya Izuku.
He still couldn't control One For All without breaking himself. Eight events? He'd destroy his whole body before finishing three.
His breathing quickened.
A hand suddenly clapped onto his shoulder.
"Relax. Calm down."
Midoriya jolted and turned—
Lock stood beside him.
"T-Teacher Lock…?"
"This test is for you," Lock said quietly.
Midoriya blinked. "Huh?"
Lock pressed a finger to his lips. Midoriya swallowed his panic and kept quiet.
Everyone else was too busy panicking to notice their exchange.
"The Quirk Mastery Test doesn't matter for students who already know how to use their Quirks well," Lock murmured. "This is for you. You, who still haven't mastered yours."
Midoriya's eyes widened.
"How do you… how do you know I can't—?"
"All Might told me," Lock lied smoothly. "I know you're his successor."
Midoriya froze.
Successor.
He still could hardly believe it. He'd gone from Quirkless nobody to inheritor of the Symbol of Peace.
Excitement and inferiority tore inside him. Doubt whispered that he wasn't worthy.
And yet—
Lock, the second Pro Hero Midoriya admired most, affirmed it without hesitation.
The boy's heart steadied.
"Think," Lock continued. "How can you use One For All repeatedly without shattering your arms? How can you complete eight tests without crippling yourself?"
Midoriya lowered his head, mind spinning.
And slowly—
Click.
An idea snapped into place.
His eyes lit up.
"Lock… thank you!" Midoriya bowed deeply.
"Why help me?" he blurted.
Lock smirked.
"Because it's interesting. Running too far ahead alone is boring. I want you to grow quickly… to reach a height where you can make things fun for me."
Midoriya gulped.
That arrogance—
That confidence—
The air of a king waiting atop a lonely throne.
Terrifying… but inspiring.
"Plus Ultra," Lock said, turning away. "Give it everything."
Aizawa finished his speech, casting a glance toward the two. He'd noticed their conversation, but he said nothing.
He knew Lock had been offered One For All and refused it. Midoriya inherited it instead.
But advice alone wouldn't save a student. Ultimately, Midoriya would have to prove his capability on his own.
Aizawa then surveyed the rest of the class.
Most were unmotivated—because in their minds, Lock's presence made it impossible to reach first place. Why bother trying if a professional Hero was competing?
Aizawa sighed.
"…Some of you look awfully bored."
He turned toward Lock again.
Their eyes met.
Lock suddenly felt a bad premonition.
Aizawa smirked.
"New rule. Whoever surpasses Lock in any of the eight events… will become the Class President of 1-A."
Silence.
Then—
BOOM
Explosive fighting spirit erupted across the class.
Dozens of eyes sharpened with desire:
Bakugo.
Todoroki.
Yaoyorozu.
Iida.
Even the quieter students twitched with ambition.
Class President of the Hero Course was a title that drew media attention.
It could shape a whole future career.
Until now, they'd assumed no one could surpass Lock in total score.
But one event?
One single test?
Aizawa had lit a bonfire.
"This time," Bakugo snarled, stepping forward, "I'm going to crush you and take that damn president seat!"
He had doubled his training since Lock beat him.
Then doubled it again after Lock saved him.
His pride demanded he close the insurmountable gap.
Lock wasn't fazed. He looked around at the entire class—now filled with burning determination.
"Heh. Good," he said. "I'll show you all the difference between students… and a real Pro Hero."
Aizawa's lips curled into a pleased smile.
"First test: 50-meter dash.
First group—Lock and Bakugo Katsuki."
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A/N: 40+ Advance Chapter Has Been Uploaded.
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