Chapter 111 Don't Distrub Our Leader

As Halma smiled, Akira remained silent. The fact that they still had to undergo an entrance exam was something the principal and All Might likely hadn't been aware of.

If they had known, they would have told him in advance.

"I understand, Teacher Halma. We'll do our best," Akira said calmly.

"Good. Just line up with the others. I have other matters to attend to," Halma replied, giving them one last glance before turning away without waiting for a response.

Watching him leave, Bakugo scowled. "So we came all this way just to take another damn test? No one thought to mention that?"

"My guess is that the principal and All Might didn't know," Todoroki said, his voice composed. "Otherwise, they would've warned us beforehand."

Akira chuckled. "Relax. Worst case scenario, we fail and turn this into a one-day trip to Country M."

That comment lightened the mood a little, and even Bakugo scoffed. "Hah, like hell we're failing."

At that moment, a platform slowly rose above the crowd, lifting a frail-looking man onto the stage. His sickly appearance made it seem like a strong breeze could knock him over, but his voice carried clearly to all nearly 1,000 people present.

"Welcome to the Academy of the Brave," he announced. "I will be your examiner today. The test is simple: a battle royale. The last 20 standing will be accepted. The rest of you? You can go home."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the crowd erupted into murmurs.

"A battle royale? That's insane!"

"We have to fight against nearly 1,000 of the strongest students from around the world?"

"This is brutal... the odds are terrible!"

"Ugh, my teacher said that if I pass this, I'll gain insane combat power..."

"Yeah, because they push you beyond your limits. But that comes with a price."

"Enough!"

The examiner's voice rang out, cutting through the noise like a blade. A heavy pressure spread through the field, making the crowd instinctively flinch.

However, compared to Akira's Conqueror's Haki, the pressure was nothing.

"Do not interrupt when I'm speaking," the examiner continued. "Otherwise, you will be eliminated immediately."

His gaze swept over the crowd before he continued.

"The battlefield is this entire venue. Your objective is simple: remain standing. The last 20 will advance. The only rule—no killing.

"Now... begin!"

For a moment, silence hung in the air. Then, an explosion erupted in the center of the field, shattering the momentary stillness.

The battle had begun.

"Fall back!" Akira ordered.

Without hesitation, the others followed him toward a corner of the battlefield. Unlike most of the students who were forced into fights immediately, their group conserved their energy.

"Let's not engage yet," Akira said in a low voice. "We wait."

Many others had the same idea, choosing to avoid direct combat for now.

However, not everyone believed in restraint.

A stocky, broad-shouldered student noticed their group retreating and sneered.

"Look at these cowards," he taunted. "The Academy of the Brave isn't looking for weaklings who hide in the corner. If you're too scared to fight, you should've stayed home!"

Akira's gaze swept over the battlefield before settling on the arrogant brute.

"Bakugo," he said calmly.

The moment his name was called, Bakugo shot forward, a wild grin spreading across his face.

Sparks crackled in his palm, thick black smoke rising into the air.

"You just pissed off the wrong guy," Bakugo growled. "And you interrupted our leader."

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