Chapter 9: Quirk Apprehension Test

Under the glare of the morning sun, class 1-A is warming up and preparing for their quirks test. Tension is in the air, which is not weird considering what'll happen to the lowest-rank.

Expulsion.

'It's a cruel punishment,' Izuku Midoriya thought. 'Especially on the first day.'

As Izuku looks around, he can see a few of his classmates are nervous as well. Taking a deep breath, he tries to calm his nerve. But he don't think it's working, considering how stiff his body is.

As time flows, the dreaded moment arrived. The first event, 50-metres sprint.

*****

'If they can't even handle this level of pressure... then they should find another career path,' I thought.

This test I made is for them to see their improvement. To find their limit. To perform under pressure. To know their weakness. So many things can be gleamed from this test. So it's only rational for me to do it, no?

But then, there's Kyoya-kun. That boy have been looking at me with a troubled smile. Rather, he probably don't believe that I'll truly expels any of them, huh? The same with that girl, Momo Yaoyorozu.

I don't blame them, though. The multiple times I visited Kayama's house, there's no reason to be strict to him. He's just... excellent. While Momo's is a student known for her intelligence.

'If it is Kyoya-kun... he can secure a middle-upper placement even without using his quirk,' is what I really thought.

Seeing that the tracks are filled up, I slowly steps to the side.

"Begin."

As they do the multiple tests, some shines more than the others in something. Tenya Iida in 50 meters dash, Mezo Shoji in grip-test, and Ochaco Uraraka in ball-toss are some examples. But if there's anyone that shine in all events... it's Kyoya-kun.

For 50 meters dash, five hands made of sand push him from behind. And those hands were flying. It is... flying. While I've known he can shoot his sand, this is a totally different thing. His record is 2.9 seconds.

For grip strength, he wore a sand-gauntlet. And he crushed the grip machine. If I've seen correctly, a part of his gauntlet turned to glass under the extreme pressure.

Standing long jump, he flew. For repeated sidesteps, he just do it normally. Now that it's time for ball toss, I noticed that the eyes on him increased. Curiosity and awe. There's also hostility from Bakugo Katsuki, though.

But what I've been focusing on is All Might's student. Izuku Midoriya. I've checked his entrance exam and... using his quirk will incapacitates him. If there's really no way around it then...

*****

As Izuku Midoriya steps forward, he can feel his heart beats louder. He can hear some of his classmates are saying something, but he is too shaken to listen.

'At this rate, I'll have the lowest score...' The realization make his heart heavy. For this ball toss, he needs to achieve something. Something big.

Holding the ball, Izuku pumps himself up. Using his quirk, he throws the ball...

Only to reach 46 meters.

"Huh?" a sound he inadvertently made, though he immediately remember about Aizawa's quirk.

"Um, Aizawa-sensei..."

"Uh-huh. I erased it. Your quirk, that is," Aizawa said, ignoring the look of confusion on the boy's face.

"Or rather, considering that ridiculous entrance exam... it's completely irrational when some like you passed it," Aizawa continued. Pointing to the boy, Aizawa slowly opens his mouth.

"I saw it how you... can't control your quirk. You'd just be incapacitated again. Are you hoping that someone will help you afterwards?" the bitter truth keeps pouring out of Aizawa's mouth.

"No sensei. I-"

"Izuku Midoriya. I'll give you another chance. Prove it that you can save more than one person," Aizawa cut the boy off, leaving him with the ball.

If he didn't see the boy with All Might, he'd deemed this boy hopeless. But if he is truly hopeless, then it might be better if he give up early.

Seeing the boy took a throwing stance in the circle, Aizawa thought, 'Show me what the symbol of peace sees in you. Show me your worth.'

As the boy starts to throw, Aizawa noticed that... his body is void of that surging power.

'He's not using his quirk? No, that's not it...'

After the boy threw the ball, Aizawa peeks at the measurements gadget.

"S-sensei... I can still move!" Izuku exclaimed, holding back his tears.

Once in a rare while, Aizawa lets out a grin. '705.3 meters, huh. This kid...' Aizawa thought, a bit happy that he doesn't have to expel anyone.

*****

After the test finished, Aizawa give a short speech and about how he lied about the expulsion.

But Kyoka Jiro doesn't have the heart to mind any of it. She, to a certain degree, expects that expulsion is unlikely.

What has been in her mind is 'that' boy. She heard it's Kyoya Kayama? It's the boy with the sand-quirk.

Due to her quirk, her hearing is very good. And during the entrance exam, she overheard some teaching staffs conversation. About a group who finishes the practical test in seconds. No, it's not a group, it's a student. A boy. Who monopolized everything with his sand quirk.

Of course, Kyoya doesn't seems that overbearing in his test just now. But he monopolized the first place for all events, saves for ball-toss. Just like 'that' boy.

Usually, she's not the type to concerns herself to things like ranking. Rather, she's more interested to spend her time with music. But her curiosity, and the fact that Kyoya seems so friendly with his smile, and his good-looking face, makes her feet slowly goes to meet him.

'He doesn't seems like he'll get angry, so...' deciding that in her mind, she opens her mouth.

"E-Excuse me, Kayama-kun."

"Um?" Kyoya replied. Seeing that it's a classmate, Kyoya flashes her his usual smile and says, "Ah, you can call me Kyoya. I don't want to be mistaken with my sister, you see?"

Relieved he doesn't seems displeased, Kyoka Jiro too let out a small smile. "Sure thing, Kyoya-kun. I'm Kyoka Jiro, by the way. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too, Jiro-san. Um, is there anything I can help with?" he asked, his head tilted in confusion.

"N-no. I'm just wondering..." she paused, not knowing how to ask her question. Her question can be somewhat sensitive towards some so...

Sensing her hesitation, Kyoya doesn't rush her. Giving her a reassuring smile, he waits.

"Well... Your quirk is sand, right? Are you from group G?" deciding not to be too direct, she asked her question in a roundabout way.

Unfortunately, quite a few students know about what they call 'The Legend of Group G'. Of course, they didn't know about the students quirk. All they heard was that in group G, a single student monopolized every point, even destroying the gimmick.

Shoto Todoroki and Momo Yaoyorozu, the two recommended students. Katsuki Bakugo. Mezo Shoji. Fumikage Tokoyami. Including Kyoka Jiro, these six are the one who knew a bit of the story.

"Uh-huh," Kyoya seems a bit puzzled, as if he didn't understand why she'd want to know this, or how, for that matter.

However, the inner Kyoya has been grinning ear to ear from joy.

'A bit small of a show, but a good start nonetheless,' Kyoya thought, ecstatic.

Hearing the confirmation, the other four who has been eavesdropping display various reaction. From Shoto's shock to Momo's awe, the expressions are a sight to behold. As for Katsuki, he is too occupied with Izuku, so he didn't pay attention to other things.

While Kyoka has her suspicions, she didn't expect for him to admit it so lightly. At a loss for words, she didn't know how to continue the conversation.

Luckily, Aizawa-sensei suddenly display the overall ranking for the test, giving her an excuse to slip away.

As she breathed out a breath of relief, she looks at the ranking.

1. Kyoya Kayama

2. Momo Yaoyorozu

3. Shoto Todoroki

.

.

.

18. Kyoka Jiro

19. Toru Hagakure

20. Izuku Midoriya

Seeing the name at number one spot, she lets out a small sigh. Looking at her name, she lets out another, heavier, sigh.

*****

After they've changed out of their gym clothes, class 1-A heads back to class. Along the way, Shoto has been observing the boy he met this morning, Kyoya Kayama.

He is rather curious. If someone is that good, why don't he joined through recommendation? As far as he knew, recommendation can be received if they showed exceptional merits in middle school. He heard that money and authority can help too, but he is not sure how.

From the corner of his eyes, he can see that some of the classmates flocks to the boy. Shoto understands why, though.

Kyoya treats everyone with care. He knows what to say to different types of people. Yet he never lose his smile, as if he comes out right from a fairy tale that know not of suffering. Of grudge. Of greed.

Amidst the bunch of rowdy kids, his composure and kindness looks like an older brother dealing with little children.

But Shoto doesn't plans to forgive his father. He'll hold his grudge. So, Shoto decided that he... won't get closer to the boy. They lived a totally different lives, Shoto thought.

Once Shoto has made his decision, he no longer looks at the boy. But he do admits that... he is a bit jealous of Kyoya's happiness. A question arise from the depth of his heart, wondering if he too, can be as happy.

But he buries that question with the burning hatred towards the man called Endeavor.