Despite this, tension still hung in the air until the police finally arrived—walking straight up to Shin. Many assumed he was about to be arrested. Instead, they were stunned when the officers thanked him. The police then asked for any intel he had gathered, and Shin relayed what he had learned from Himiko. The entire exchange was overheard by those nearby, shocking everyone when they realized the woman was from the League of Villains.
Questions arose about why Shin had been allowed to take her instead of the police. One officer explained, "Any villain captured by Shin has the choice of either entering his service under an extreme contract—an arguably harsher punishment—or going to prison, which is the lighter option."
This sparked heated discussions, with many questioning the extent of Shin's authority. Police captain simply stated, "If you're as powerful and influential as him, you get that many privileges."
With that, the officers dispersed, leaving the students and teachers alone. The tension noticeably eased after their explanation. Eventually, people refocused on the exam.
Shiketsu's students confirmed with Shin that Camie had merely been knocked out at her house, not kidnapped. To verify, they sent a student who lived nearby to check on her. Once confirmed, Inasa and the others apologized to Shin for their suspicions and thanked him before heading into the venue.
Due to the incident however, the provisional license test was postponed for an hour.
…
After things settled down, Aizawa, having regained his composure, casually mentioned that Yoarashi had participated in the U.A. entrance exam the same year as them and had ranked second overall. However, despite receiving an admission offer, he had rejected it for unknown reasons. This revelation caught the students off guard. If he had scored that high and still chosen to attend Shiketsu High instead, then he was likely stronger than most of them. The realization made them more cautious of him.
As they processed this, a female teacher approached Aizawa. It was clear from their interaction that the two knew each other well, perhaps even a bit too well. She teased him playfully as they exchanged words about the recent events.
Seeing this, Shin smirked and jested, "Hey, Sensei, introduce your beautiful girlfriend to your students."
Aizawa turned to him with a deadpan look. "She's not my girlfriend."
Shin rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "But the way you're talking to each other… Hmm, did you two break up, and somewhere deep in your heart, you're hoping to mend things?"
Aizawa's calm character started to crack, but Shin, continued. "Wait, don't tell me—she's not your ex? Ohh, then is she your unrequited love?"
Before he could finish, a cloth whip shot toward him, forcing him to dodge.
"She's a co-worker. Now shut your damn mouth." Aizawa growled, glaring at him.
Shin, laughing his ass off, strolled back to his classmates, who were barely holding in their laughter. His teasing had completely lifted the tension, restoring the pre-incident excitement.
Soon, the group found themselves face-to-face with the students of Ms. Joke—the female teacher, as Midoriya helpfully informed them. Her quirk forced people to laugh, which explained her personality. Her students greeted them enthusiastically, expressing their excitement about competing with U.A. They also admitted they were especially eager to see Shin in action, considering even the police had recognized him as someone immensely powerful.
With introductions out of the way, they entered the exam venue, preparing themselves for what lay ahead. The room they were led into was cramped, packed with so many people that it was difficult to move freely. At the front stood a sleepy-looking man, waiting for everyone to settle in.
Once the time was up, he finally spoke.
"I am Mera from the Hero Public Safety Commission. My favorite kind of sleep is non-REM sleep. Nice to meet you all." His voice trailed into a near-whisper, as if he were on the verge of passing out. "I had to work so much that I hardly slept… We need more personnel. I am very sleepy."
The room fell silent, unsure whether to take him seriously. Then, in the same drowsy tone, he continued, "I'll be giving you all an orientation for the Provisional Hero License Exam. There are 2,000 students here, competing in a free-for-all elimination tournament."
"Our society is currently oversaturated with heroes, and with the rise of the Quirk Task Force and the influence of Stain's ideology, the path to becoming a hero is going to be much tougher. I predict that in the next two or three years, many of the current pro heroes will transition into the QTF. When that happens, the title of 'Hero' will be stripped from them."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd.
"This is the reality we're heading toward," Mera continued. "The QTF aligns, in part, with Stain's ideology—where heroes should not seek compensation. In the near future, the word 'Hero' will belong only to those who selflessly risk their lives for others, not those who do it for fame or money. It will become a title reserved for a select few, like All Might."
"Instead, the professional heroes will function under QTF as government workers—paid professionals whose job is to save people, nothing more."
His tone never changed, but the weight of his words crashed down on the students.
"Those of you who pass this exam will enter that future and be given a choice—to join the QTF or to become one of the rare few still allowed to call themselves Heroes. My job is to ensure that only the most elite even get that choice in the first place."
"The rules are simple," Mera continued in his usual drowsy tone. "Each of you will be given three targets. You must stick them onto your body—placing them under your feet or in your armpits is not allowed. You will also start with six balls. When a ball successfully hits a target, it lights up. Once all three of your targets are lit, you're out. The person who lands the final hit on a person earns a point. To qualify, you need two points. And, as you might have already guessed, stealing balls is allowed."
He continued, "There is a high-tech contraption, which is connected to all the cameras and it will determine who lands a hit based on various factors—distance, positioning, speed, etc.—so there won't be any issues with accuracy."
"The first 100 participants to secure two points will pass."
Shin had a doubt, so he raised his hand.
"Questions are not allowed," Mera said bluntly, irritating Shin. So, instead of waiting, he shouted his question outright. "What if I'm the only one left standing?"
Mera finally seemed to register the question, though he still didn't bother looking up as he replied, "I don't think anyone can pull that off, but if it happens… well, you would be the only one to pass."
Shin smirked. "So, if I eliminate everyone except my classmates, my entire class advances?"
At first, Mera started to respond casually. "I don't know where you get that confide—" but then his voice faltered. His gaze slowly drifted to the source of the voice, and when he saw who had actually spoken, his expression changed entirely. "…Actually, forget it. You don't need to participate. I declare you passed."
The shift in tone was so sudden that the entire hall erupted in outrage. "What?! That's cheating!" someone yelled, followed by a ton of protests.
Mera, unbothered, simply shrugged. "I make the rules. If you don't like it, you're free to leave."
"That's blatant favoritism!" another student shouted.
Mera sighed and rubbed his temple. "No, this is called giving you all a chance to actually participate. If I don't pass him, then what he just said will happen—he'll wipe everyone out. And instantly, at that. So, instead of whining, be grateful you don't have to face that demon in this round."
That effectively shut down any further complaints. Just like that, Shin was given an instant pass. Without bothering to argue, he walked toward the relaxation area, eager to watch how his classmates would handle the elimination round.
Meanwhile, Mera made one final adjustment. "Since Shin is already through, the number of participants who can pass this round has dropped to 99. Do your best."
At that moment, the entire hall split open. The ceiling retracted, and the walls slid away, revealing a vast battlefield custom-built for the exam. Immediately, the students secured their balls and stuck the targets onto their bodies before rushing out.
U.A.'s Class 1-A instinctively grouped up, knowing full well they would be prime targets due to how Shin had bypassed the round. However, Todoroki moved alone, while Bakugo charged forward with Kirishima and Kaminari following close behind. The rest of the class stayed together, ready to face whatever came next as they moved out. However, none of them were nervous. Instead, they were brimming with confidence in their abilities which have been primed through their intensive training sessions.
…
A few minutes earlier, Aizawa and Ms. Joke stood together, watching the screen projecting the scene inside the hall where the students had gathered. Both listened carefully as the rules were laid out, analysing what their respective classes would do.
"You really didn't tell them anything about what happens in the Provisional Exam, did you?" Ms. Joke asked.
"No, I did not," Aizawa replied flatly.
"Why, though?"
"Because they don't need it. From both my perspective and U.A.'s, learning to handle unexpected situations is essential. This is more or less just another training for them."
Ms. Joke crossed her arms. "My students—and every other student, really—have gathered all the intel they could on your class. U.A. is the only academy without the advantage of keeping their quirks hidden. Their abilities were put on full display during the Sports Festival, unlike the other academys. That's a serious disadvantage, and my students will use it to its fullest. They've worked hard for their dreams, Aizawa. If you place your class on a pedestal like that, they're bound to fall."
Aizawa didn't reply. He simply continued watching the screen, his expression unreadable.
When the scene shifted to Shin casually mentioning wiping everyone out, Ms. Joke let out a laugh. "Wow, your student's got a great sense of humour. I knew it when he teased you earlier—he and I would get along just fine."
Aizawa, however, didn't share her amusement. His gaze remained fixed on the screen as he muttered, "That wasn't a joke. He's irritated about being ignored. If Mera doesn't handle this properly, he'll make his words a reality."
Ms. Joke blinked. "Wait… you're serious?" She turned to look at him, expecting sarcasm, but his grim expression told her otherwise. A faint unease crept into her voice. "He's really that capable?"
Then, she saw it—Mera's expression shifting the moment he realized it was Shin who had spoken. The way he instantly declared him passed without participation.
Ms. Joke swallowed hard and turned back to Aizawa. "Just… how strong is he?"
Aizawa finally looked at her. "At least as powerful as All Might was in his prime."
Her breath fastened. "You're kidding."
…
Shin observed the ongoing chaos from the relaxing area, monitoring each of his classmates through his Force Pulse, which covered the entire test venue.
He watched as his classmates were swarmed by other students, thrown off balance, and separated by a student from Ms. Joke's class who wielded a vibration quirk. Meanwhile, Inasa tore through the competition, eliminating at least 200 students at once. Using his wind manipulation quirk, he created a massive cyclone that sucked in all the balls before launching them back at high speed, striking multiple targets at once.
Elsewhere, a large group of women had trapped Momo, Jiro, Setsuna, Froppy, Kuroiro, Shoji, and Shoda inside a building. Their strategy revolved around neutralizing the quirks of Momo's group, exploiting gaps in their intel. The leader of the opposing group had a quirk that enhanced her intelligence, but her information was incomplete—she hadn't accounted for Momo, who hadn't participated in the Sports Festival.
Momo quickly turned the tables by using Quantum Arsenal to instantly create a specialized bomb. She detonated it against the translucent glass panels blocking sunlight, restoring Kuroiro's ability to use his quirk. From what Shin could sense, she had infused her Eth into the bomb's construction, ensuring the explosion didn't harm her teammates.
With his quirk restored, Kuroiro activated Shadow Transport, his ultimate move, allowing him to pull his teammates through the shadows and into the midst of their unsuspecting opponents. Within moments, the group that had set the trap was swiftly taken down and eliminated, allowing Momo's team to pass.
Elsewhere, Todoroki was surrounded by ten opponents who had seemingly studied his weaknesses. However, he countered them effortlessly with Ice and Flames, an ultimate move that let him wield both fire and ice simultaneously without them interfering with each other. His enemies never stood a chance.
Meanwhile, Bakugo, Kirishima, and Kaminari faced off against a senior from Shiketsu High. His quirk was grotesque—he could turn people into living meatballs. However, Bakugo demonstrated not only his raw power but also his growth, working seamlessly with his teammates to take the senior down.
Midoriya, Ochaco, Sero, Iida, Mina, and Ibara also managed to pass, though not without intense effort. They had found themselves outnumbered five to one, dodging a relentless barrage of balls. However, by combining their abilities—Sero, Ochaco, and Ibara restraining most of their attackers while the others acted as bait—they quickly secured the necessary points to qualify. Tokoyami, Toru, Sato, and Koda showcased their own strength, eliminating a significant number of opponents before efficiently tagging their required targets.
Throughout the elimination round, Shin keenly observed the growth of his classmates. He particularly noted how Midoriya and Bakugo, though not the official leaders of the class, naturally became the focal points, elevating those around them.
Watching them, he was reminded of the certain 'Kings' from his original world—leaders who gathered small but powerful groups that grew stronger under their influence. Their presence alone inspired their followers to strive for greatness, to stand beside their leader as equals.
Yet, Shin failed to recognize that he, too, shared this quality with them.
...
After a brief rest, Mera's voice echoed through the mic, announcing the second and final test. A screen projected an image of the small city where their first test had taken place. Suddenly, the buildings on the screen exploded, reducing the landscape to rubble.
As the destruction played out, Mera explained, "The scenario you are given is as follows: the city has been invaded by villains, causing severe damage to the infrastructure. Many civilians are in need of rescue." The screen then shifted, showing images of injured and trapped individuals.
"These people belong to the HUC—Help Us Company. They are professionals who simulate disaster victims to train new heroes in rescue operations," Mera continued. "You will be acting as bystanders who witnessed the attack. Imagine that you've already obtained your provisional licenses, and it is now your duty to conduct the rescue operations until reinforcements arrive."
As soon as the instructions ended, the room opened up just as it had before, and students immediately rushed forward to begin the rescue. However, before they could scatter, Shin stepped ahead and stopped them.
"I know a lot of you think I passed the first test unfairly, but it is what it is," he stated firmly. "I have the ability to gather information extremely fast, so if you want to make this rescue efficient, listen to my instructions." His words made those who were about to charge ahead hesitate. "I also know that many of you won't want to cooperate with me. But keep in mind, we're going to be judged based on teamwork and coordination. Before running off on your own, think about that."
At this, the students fully stopped, now paying attention.
"I don't know all of your quirks, nor their full potential, so figure out how to contribute—not just within your own groups, but with everyone here. Right now, we are one team with a single mission: save everyone." His sharp gaze swept across the crowd. He continued, "I get that this is a rescue scenario, but let's not forget that it was caused by a villain attack. We need to be prepared for the possibility that we'll have to fight."
Shin had not brought up this possibility from out of nowhere. In fact, he was quite sure that it would happen. After all, he had perceived many pro heroes on standby, hidden from normal view through his Force Pulse as he was observing the happenings of previous test. In fact, many of them were top class pro heroes, even those from the top ten rankings. He was especially surprised after noticing a certain someone, majorly because of a specific system notification that popped up nearly within a minute after he had seen them—something completely out of his expectations.
His tone shifted subtly as he recalled the notification, while he issued another command to those who were listening to him. "Anyone with strong offensive abilities, stay on standby for combat. You can help with the rescue, but be ready to fight at a moment's notice if the situation demands it."
With that, Shin activated his Force Pulse, scanning the entire area and relaying precise information to the group—where people were trapped, how injured they were, and what areas needed immediate attention. With his guidance and the collective effort of everyone present, the rescue operation became highly efficient. Each of his classmates contributed where they were needed most, utilizing their strengths to ensure a smooth operation.
Shin also noted how the HUC professionals weren't just judging how well the victims were rescued, but also how the students approached them. They observed how the students handled the injured, whether they provided comfort, and how much situational awareness they demonstrated.
Meanwhile, Shin also noticed lingering tension between Todoroki and Inasa. Despite this, Todoroki maintained his composure and approached Inasa directly, initiating a conversation. He even apologized for any past wrongdoing. Their hostility, which had once bordered on outright hatred, gradually transformed into a budding rivalry instead.
As the rescue progressed, all the injured were brought to a designated center, where students specializing in support and healing worked to ensure they were stabilized. Combatants also remained nearby—both as a precaution against Shin's suspicion of a potential twist in the exam and to be ready for any unforeseen emergencies.