UA University's Entrance Exam: Orientation (3)

The giant screen behind him flickered, now displaying a new map of the battle centers with three distinct robot silhouettes—each labeled with different point values.

"YOUR GOAL, DEAR LISTENERS, IS TO EARN POINTS BY IMMOBILIZING THE FAUX VILLAINS AS MANY AS POSSIBLE—! ALL UNDER 10 MINUTES!!!" Present Mic continued, grinning wide as he wiggled his finger dramatically in the air. "OF COURSE, ATTACKING OTHER EXAMINEES AND ANY OTHER UNHEROIC ACTIONS ARE PROHIBITED!!"

The atmosphere inside the hall grew heavier once more, the weight of the upcoming exam sinking into everyone's mind.

But—

"Excuse me! May I ask a question?!"

One voice among the gathering of many applicants suddenly cut through the noise, now catching the attention of everyone in the auditorium. The owner of the voice had stood up from his seat, raising his hand high for all to see, carrying himself with an air of urgency and seriousness.

"Okay!" Present Mic responded energetically, gesturing to the standing applicant as a cue of approval, with a spotlight soon shining down onto the very same applicant, revealing him fully to everyone.

A young man. A bespectacled one with quite the fierce gaze that screamed discipline and diligence.

"Thank you!" the bespectacled young man said firmly, before pulling out and presenting a paper. "There seems to be a discrepancy on the printout given to us!"

He highlighted the content of the handout, in particular the 'four' faux villain silhouettes that were printed right in the middle.

"There appears to be four types of villains that we will have to face according to this information, AND YET—!"

He then pointed straight at the display screen behind the Voice Hero—

"—You have only shown us three villains instead of four! Is this perhaps a misprint?!" The serious young man glared with sharp intensity toward the smiling MC of the orientation. "Such a blatant error, if it is one, is highly unbecoming of U.A.—Japan's Top Academy!"

Everyone began to realize it as well, as many pulled out their own information papers—

"He's right...!"

"There's one more listed here...!"

A wave of clamor and murmuring started to sweep across the hall, a mix of confusion and unease beginning to set in among the hopeful examinees.

"...We examinees are here, in this place—U.A. University, because we wish to be molded into exemplary heroes..." the bespectacled young man declared, gesturing toward his fellow applicants, "which is why I beseech you to provide a proper and thorough explanation for this discrepancy!"

However, it was not just the supposed laxity of the Academy that the serious young man had in concern—

He turned his fierce glare toward another target—

Izuku.

"And you! The one with green curly hair!" the young man barked, pointing an accusatory finger at him.

"Hmm? Me?" Izuku tilted his head, somewhat confused and even surprised by the sudden attention.

"Yes, you!" he snapped sharply, practically brimming with righteous indignation. "From the very start, you have been nothing but a disturbance! Frolicking about with the MC's pointless fanfare—chatting during an important briefing—and even flirting shamelessly with the girls beside you!"

"...What?"

"Huh—?!"

While Izuku only tilted his head in confusion by the accusation, both Katsuki and Ochako jolted in their seats—their faces flushing red in sync from the supposed 'flirting' comment.

However, the bespectacled young man wasn't finished yet, his glare growing fiercer at Izuku's nonchalant reaction—his apparent lack of seriousness only fanning the flames of his disapproval.

"It's distracting! You are being a nuisance to all examinees present!" he continued, voice rising with each word. "We are gathered here today to take the first, vital step toward becoming pro-heroes—! Your attitude does not befit one who seeks to hold such an honor!"

His hand clenched into a tight fist by his side, voice filled with conviction.

"If this is merely a leisurely trip for you—then I strongly suggest you leave immediately!"

The entire hall was now dead silent, everyone holding their breath from the confrontation.

Izuku, for his part, let out a small, bashful chuckle, scratching his cheek sheepishly. He wasn't exactly trying to be the 'nuisance' this serious young man had claimed... but...

"Oh, yeah, my mistake. Sorry about that—"

"What did you just say, four-eyes...?!"

A voice cut him off—sharp and burning with fury—

"K-Kacchan?"

Katsuki had shot up from her seat, her crimson glare locking fiercely onto the bespectacled young man.

"Oi. You've got some nerve talking like that, you damn extra," Katsuki growled, her whole body radiating anger. "Who the hell made you judge of who's fit to be a hero?!"

"W-what—?!"

The bespectacled young man staggered for a moment; taken aback not just by the blonde woman's glare—but also by her intensity. For a moment, he was nearly overwhelmed by the sheer force behind her piercing gaze...

...But he managed to stand his ground—!

"I-I said nothing untrue!" he declared, trying to steady his voice, adjusting his glasses as he glared back at Katsuki. "Regardless of who he is, no one is exempt from the expectations placed upon us as aspiring heroes! If he cannot take this seriously, then he disrespects this institution—and every applicant here!"

"That's where you're dead wrong about him." Katsuki snarled. "This guy right there—"

She jabbed a thumb toward Izuku, somewhat surprising the green-haired boy himself—

"—he's more fit to be a hero than any of you bastards sitting in this damn hall! Hell, he already IS one to begin with!!!"

"Kacchan..."

Her words struck hard, leaving Izuku somewhat stunned... but also quietly moved by her unexpected support.

However, the same could not be said for the bespectacled young man, who was visibly startled—as was everyone else present in the auditorium—taken aback by her bold declaration.

The air within the auditorium turned heavy—thick with the threat of escalation at any given second—

Until—

"ALRIGHT, ENOUGH OF THAT, MY DEAR LISTENERS!!"