Chapter 4: The Eight Tests

Chapter 4: The Eight Tests

The students of Class 1-A gathered on UA Academy's expansive training field, the crisp autumn air brushing against their faces. The training grounds stretched endlessly around them, framed by towering trees with fiery orange leaves that swayed gently in the breeze. At the center of it all stood their homeroom teacher, Aizawa Shota, his disheveled black hair falling across his tired but sharp eyes. His presence, calm yet commanding, seemed to weigh down on the students, adding to the tension already thick in the air.

Each student stood in the academy's signature athletic uniform, their postures ranging from confident to visibly anxious. Among them, Natsu's pink hair stood out vibrantly, catching the light as it moved with the wind. On his shoulder perched Hapi, the small, blue-furred feline with wings folded neatly at his sides.

For a moment, a deep silence enveloped the group. The only sound came from the rustling leaves above, until Hapi broke the quiet with a grumble. "Why didn't they design a uniform for me too?"

Natsu turned his head slightly, a teasing smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Since when did you consider yourself a student?"

Hapi shot him a mock-offended glare. "That's just rude."

Aizawa's dark eyes shifted toward Hapi, his expression unchanging. "A pet?" he asked flatly, his voice carrying just enough authority to make the class straighten unconsciously. "Bringing animals to school is prohibited unless they're part of your Quirk."

"Hey! Hapi isn't a pet or some Quirk tool. He's Natsu's friend!" Hapi snapped, puffing up his small chest and staring at the teacher with defiance.

Without hesitation, Aizawa walked over and casually lifted Hapi by the scruff of his neck, dangling him in the air. "I have a feeling you'd get along well with the academy's principal. You should meet him sometime." Then, setting Hapi back down, Aizawa turned his attention back to the class, his tone never shifting. "Alright, let's get to business. I'm Aizawa Shota, your homeroom teacher for Class 1-A. Unlike some of my colleagues, I don't waste time on formal introductions or classroom icebreakers. At UA, we focus on developing heroes with perfect combat readiness. Speed, strength, skill—these matter more than academics."

Natsu's grin widened at the mention of combat readiness. Aizawa noticed and locked eyes with him. "But don't get too excited, Natsu. We aim to create smart heroes too. You might have scored the highest on the practical exam, but if you keep failing the written tests, you'll be held back."

The smirk vanished from Natsu's face, replaced by a sheepish grimace. Around him, a few of the students chuckled quietly at his expense, while others, like Bakugo, merely narrowed their eyes in silent appraisal.

Aizawa continued, unfazed by the shifting mood. "Today, we're starting with a set of eight physical tests. Simple exercises with a few modifications… for example."

Reaching into his pocket, Aizawa pulled out a baseball and tossed it casually toward Natsu, who caught it with a puzzled look. The class watched in silence, their curiosity piqued.

"Throw this baseball using your full physical strength," Aizawa instructed.

Natsu examined the ball, then shrugged. "That's it? Just throw it?"

With a sharp inhale, he planted his feet firmly on the ground, pulled his arm back, and launched the ball with all the force his body could muster.

Fwoosh!

The ball sailed through the air, though not as far as some might have expected. Aizawa held up his phone, reading the result aloud. "72 meters."

The students murmured among themselves. While impressive for an ordinary person, they all knew UA wasn't a place for ordinary results.

"That's a respectable distance for a human," Aizawa noted, his tone detached. "But we're at UA. The purpose of these tests is to evaluate your Quirks. Now, Natsu, throw it again—this time, using your Quirk."

The atmosphere shifted. Another ball was handed to Natsu, and the group leaned forward, eager to see what he could do. A mischievous glint flickered in Natsu's eyes as he tossed the ball lightly into the air.

"Using my Quirk, huh? Alright, this might be a bit more fun..."

Flames erupted from his right hand, their heat rippling through the air. With a leap, he swung his blazing fist upward, roaring, "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"

BOOM!

The ball rocketed skyward, engulfed in fire as it streaked through the heavens like a meteor. Natsu landed gracefully, his grin wide and toothy as sparks danced around him.

The class stared, mouths agape. Aizawa lifted his phone again, reading the result. "840 meters."

Gasps and exclamations broke out.

"It went more than ten times farther with his Quirk!" Mineta squeaked.

"I could definitely beat that score..." Bakugo muttered, his jaw tight with determination.

"So we can use our Quirks for all eight tests?" Uraraka asked, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

"This is so cool! Just what I expected from UA!" Mina Ashido exclaimed, practically bouncing with energy.

"Things are starting to get interesting..." Kirishima grinned, cracking his knuckles.

"Yeah, this might actually be kinda fun," Kaminari added, his enthusiasm infectious.

But Aizawa's voice cut through their chatter, cold and sharp. "Fun? That's how you're viewing this?"

The group fell silent as his gaze swept over them. "Fine. Let's make it more interesting. The student who ranks last in total score at the end of these tests... will be expelled."

The mood shifted instantly, the lighthearted excitement replaced by a suffocating weight. The students exchanged uneasy glances, their nerves mounting.

Yet amid the growing anxiety, Natsu stood unfazed, his grin still intact. "Again, again! I want to break 1,000 meters this time!"

The class stared at him in disbelief, but his carefree attitude began to stir something within them. Slowly, they began to think, Why should I be scared? Fear's what will get me expelled. I need to aim for the top, just like Natsu.

Aizawa sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're annoying. No more chances to throw the ball. Focus on the other seven tests now."

[....]

The morning sun stretched across UA Academy's sprawling training grounds, its golden rays dancing over the polished track and the dewy grass. The surrounding trees, their leaves painted in vibrant hues of red, orange, and gold, swayed gently with the crisp autumn breeze. Thin clouds drifted lazily across a pale blue sky, the perfect backdrop for what promised to be a defining moment for Class 1-A.

The students stood assembled near the starting line, their blue-and-white tracksuits crisp and neat, though some fidgeted nervously. Determination was etched into their faces, each of them keenly aware of the stakes. Shadows from the towering trees shifted across the field, as if nature itself were holding its breath in anticipation.

At the center of it all stood Aizawa, his perpetually disheveled appearance contrasting with the sharp authority in his voice and demeanor. His tired eyes scanned the students, pausing briefly on a few of them, as if already gauging their strengths and weaknesses.

"The first trial: the speed race," Aizawa announced, his monotone cutting through the soft rustle of the leaves.

The air seemed to grow heavier as his words settled over the group. Two names broke the silence, spoken with a deliberate calm.

"Kirishima. Kaminari. You're up first."

The pair exchanged glances before stepping forward. Kirishima's expression was one of pure determination, his teeth gritted in anticipation. Kaminari, in contrast, offered a casual grin, but the subtle twitch of his fingers betrayed his nerves.

The two took their places at the starting line, their sneakers crunching softly against the gravel. The track stretched out before them—50 meters of flat, open ground that felt far longer under the weight of their peers' watchful eyes.

Aizawa's voice broke the stillness again. "Remember, speed alone won't be enough. It's your performance relative to the class that counts. Ready yourselves."

Kirishima crouched slightly, his muscles coiling like springs. He hardened the tips of his toes for better traction, preparing to launch forward with all his might. Kaminari, standing taller, inhaled deeply, focusing on a steady start. Neither intended to lose.

"Begin!"

The starting signal echoed sharply, and both boys exploded into motion. Kirishima powered forward like a battering ram, his hardened feet digging into the dirt with each stride. Beside him, Kaminari moved fluidly, his form more refined, though his raw speed couldn't quite match Kirishima's.

The race was over in seconds, but for the competitors, it felt far longer. Kirishima crossed the finish line first, clocking in at 8.56 seconds, with Kaminari just behind at 9.12.

Among the students watching, Natsu stood with his arms crossed, his pink hair catching the breeze. His expression was one of mild disinterest.

"Why didn't they use their quirks?" he muttered, loud enough for those near him to hear.

Iida, ever the tactician, adjusted his glasses and answered, his tone calm and measured. "Their quirks wouldn't have provided any significant advantage here. They'll need to reserve their energy for trials where quirks are critical. Patience, Natsu."

Natsu raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "This is a waste of time. If Aizawa-sensei really wanted to test us, why not just throw us into a combat exercise?"

Across the field, Aizawa's gaze flickered toward Natsu, his sharp ears catching the remark. He said nothing at first, but his eyes narrowed slightly. Then, he called out, "Next race—Natsu Dragneel versus Tenya Iida. Take your positions."

Natsu's expression immediately brightened, his earlier boredom evaporating. With a wide grin, he strode confidently to the starting line. High above, Happy soared in lazy circles, his small wings flapping rhythmically.

"You've got this, Natsu!" Happy cheered, his voice carrying over the murmurs of the class.

The students gawked at the flying cat, their surprise evident.

"Is that... a cat?" Uraraka asked, blinking in disbelief.

"And it's flying!" Mina added, her tone equal parts amazement and confusion.

Standing at the line, Natsu looked up at Happy with a smirk. "Thanks, partner. Don't worry—I won't lose."

Iida joined him, his movements precise and deliberate. His engines hummed softly, blue flames flickering faintly at his calves. His face was calm but serious. "Confidence is admirable," he said, adjusting his glasses. "But overconfidence can be dangerous."

Natsu's grin widened, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief. "You're welcome to prove me wrong."

"Prepare yourselves," Aizawa instructed, his voice cutting through the growing tension.

Natsu crouched slightly, his muscles coiled like a spring ready to snap. Beside him, Iida's engines roared to life, the blue flames flaring brighter, earning murmurs of awe from their classmates.

Natsu stared at the flames, licking his lips. "Those look... delicious."

"Go!"

The signal sent them both hurtling forward. Iida surged ahead, his engines propelling him like a bullet, leaving streaks of blue fire in his wake. His movements were smooth and efficient, every step perfectly calculated.

Natsu, trailing just behind, let the gap linger for a moment. Then, with a roar, flames erupted from his feet.

"Dragon Fire Star!"

The ground cracked beneath him as the fiery propulsion launched him forward. Each step sent ripples of heat through the air, and the fiery wake seemed to burn brighter with every stride. Within seconds, he was neck and neck with Iida.

With one final burst, Natsu surged ahead, crossing the finish line in a fiery blaze.

Smoke rose from the track as both competitors came to a stop, the heat from their clash still lingering in the air.

Aizawa checked his stopwatch, his voice cutting through the tension. "Natsu Dragneel, 4.55 seconds. Tenya Iida, 4.67 seconds."

Natsu punched the air triumphantly. "Yes! Did you see that, Happy?"

Happy swooped down in a loop, laughing. "Aye, sir!"

Iida stood silent for a moment, his jaw clenched. Frustration simmered beneath his calm exterior. "That was the one test I should've dominated..." he muttered under his breath.

Natsu turned to him, his grin softening into a more genuine smile. "Your speed really pushed me to go all out. You've got some serious power in those legs of yours."

Iida met his gaze, then gave a small, respectful nod. "Your flames... I could feel their heat when you passed me. Impressive work."

The tests continued, each student stepping forward to prove themselves. With every trial, the tension climbed higher, the specter of expulsion looming over them. Yet amid the nerves and competition, a sense of camaraderie began to grow. Each race, each throw, each display of power was a testament to their resolve.

But the day wasn't over yet. There were still trials ahead—and for some, the real challenge was only just beginning.

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