Impossible Lam

As if the shock of the day wasn't over, the thick blue bubble came rolling onto the stage with a student in it. Upon proper scrutiny, everyone saw that it was Bron Littlestone, the one who wasn't present when Mrs Black mentioned his name for the test.

Immediately, the hall went up in a crazy fit of laughter. Even the third year students couldn't resist the urge to bust out laughing. It was like a little comedy show to suppress the tension created by Seven.

And just like that, the students totally forgot about Seven, his almighty quirk, and his revolutionary speech. But some of the teachers had already scrambled up on their feet to run after Seven Howell. They'd do anything within their reach to stop that boy from getting away from them. They must deliver him over to Earth's League of Avengers, maybe he might be a useful asset in the looming war. But since the boy wasn't willing to stay, and with his amazing quirk that even the teachers couldn't handle, how were they supposed to stop him?

So, Hunter Man, Alpha, Amelia Grenn, a hidden teacher called Optimus, and the four security guards around the hall went after him. Only Mrs Black, Mr Al, Ronda Alena, Fong Yuk, and another security guard remained in the hall with the students.

Everyone now focused on the blue bubble that had just landed in the center of the stage which trapped Bron Littlestone. He was neatly folded within the thick, translucent material, trying desperately to wiggle free but unable to move his limbs. The struggle to escape drew more laughter from the audience as the teachers rushed onto the stage, their faces a mix of concern and urgency. They tugged and pulled at the material that made up the bubble, their hands slipping off the slick surface as they struggled to find a grip. Mrs. Black, shouted instructions, while Mr. Al, was in not even concerned at the welfare of the boy. He attempted to calm Bron, assuring him that they would get him out soon just so others could see he was doing something.

"I have seen this before, back on Luxus. Silver, can you remember?" Jade said.

"Yes, I can. That Loca guy used it to defend that Leo crap. Wait... Does that mean..?"

"Exactly. It means Leo can also perform that silly trick. I'm sure he's the one who trapped Bron. I am very sure."

"Ridiculous," Silver said. "Seems our chicken Leo is a bully as well."

The struggle to free Bron lasted what felt like an eternity, with the bubble stubbornly holding its shape despite their efforts. The teachers tried various tactics: throwing their quirks at it, pushing, pulling. The security guard even attempted to pop the bubble with his sharp weapon, but it only bounced back.

Lam who was beside Leo was deep in concern for Bron. "What should we do? He could die at this rate. He can't breath in that thing!"

"Well, he can breath or else he should have died. I've been inside it myself." Leo said.

"But..."

"Be calm, Lam. The teachers will find a way out. I can't just go up there to save him. Everyone will know I was the one who got him there, and I don't want to be seen as a bully."

Lam wasn't convinced but he didn't say anything again.

"Fong Yuk, our quirks are not working against this bubble. You have to use the core attack to break it," Mrs Black said, exasperated.

Fong Yuk, a forty-year old man with a smooth face, tiny eyes, a toned skin, straight spiky hair and a goatee walked over to Mrs. Black and said, "but it could harm the boy. Attacking the bubble from within might kill him."

"But he'll die at this rate," Mrs. Black screamed.

"I'll rather watch him die than kill him myself, Mrs. Black. I have a reputation to defend."

Suddenly, a fire was thrown at the bubble from the stand. The fire hit the thick blue circle and a soft pop sound was heard. And just like that, the Blue bubble melted completely around Bron. "The show has started getting boring. Two stars rating at most," Jade said, laughing.

"Wow. He really is my nemesis," Leo said to himself, "only him can burst that bubble."

"I'm relieved he's out finally." Lam said.

Bron flopped onto the stage, weak. He could breath properly, but his limbs which has been folded up for so long couldn't move. He ached so badly all over."

A medic team came over to his side and carried him away on a self-driving stretcher.

Mrs. Black walked on stage again, fuming. "I think this is the most annoying first-years I've ever seen. Keep it up, very soon you'll kill half of yourselves before leaving this academy."

The crowd who were supposed to be concerned about this warning only bust our laughing the more.

After the laughter died down and calm was restored, she proceeded to call the next person.

"LAMBERT ALFRED!"

Lam suddenly froze beside Leo. He never expected to be called so soon, but now that he has been called, he knew where was nothing he could do anymore. He had to go up there and show how poorly he could perform.

Back when he was on planet Luxus with the other students, when the other students started discovering their quirks due to Luxus' mutation effect, Lam discovered that his body couldn't become mutated like the others. At first, he thought it will only take a little more time for it to manifest but many months went by on Luxus and he still couldn't find any change in his body.

The authorities on Luxus called him one day for an experiment. He was taken to the academy's laboratory and a sample was taken from his body to be examined. It was then Lam heard the news he never wanted to hear in his life. He can still remember the words the laboratory scientist said to him that day:

"Your DNA can't be modified. Your genes can't be mutated... I'm sorry, boy but you're an IMPOSSIBLE. You can't even possess a passive quirk..."

That news for Lam's life crashing down before his very eyes. He suddenly became a shadow of himself. He was a confident and optimistic boy, with an air of a born leader. But after that news, he withdrew so deep into his shell that he found he couldn't act as he used to. He knew he'd become the ridicule of the world if it ever got out that he was an Impossible. He had even considered killing himself to end the coming pain before it sets.

"Why are you not moving, Lam?" Leo asked.

Lam said nothing.

"Look Lam, I know you're not that powerful, but please just go up there and throw a few quirks and get out. Don't be ashamed of your weak quirk..." Leo tried to encourage him.

With a crestfallen expression, Lam said, "I'm an Impossible."

"What..?!" Leo was shocked.

But Lam didn't answer him again. He walked past Leo and started descending the stairs with his head bowed in utter shame.

After getting to the stage, Lam turned to Mrs. Black and whispered to her. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Black but I can't participate. I...I...I don't have a...quirk."

"What? You don't have any quirk? Not even a passive quirk?" Mrs. Black asked in a hushed tone.

"Yes, Mrs. Black. I'm an Impossible."

"Aw, poor boy. There's nothing I can do about that. You still have to take the test, it's how the system is built. We have to grade everybody according to their rank."

Mrs. Black didn't mean to hurt Lam further but what must be done must be done. And she wasn't going to watch things take a turn under her close watch. After all, she didn't make the rules.

The walls rose again, facing Lam. Lam sobbed within him. How was he suppose to break even one?

"But I still have to do the test," he said to himself. "Okay. Let them laugh at me all they can."

[START]

Since Lam didn't have any quirk, he walked close to the wall, stretched his right elbow backwards and threw a low punch at the wall, with all his strength.

A little puff of dust flew out of the wall...

Lam fell down in pain, clutching his right hand and whimpering silently. His right hand was mangled...

The crowd stared blank-eyed for a moment or two, trying to understand what just happened. Then it hit them...

"He has no quirk, hahahaha," somebody shouted.

"Is he really an Impossible?"

"He might not be an Impossible. Maybe he just didn't have an active quirk."

"I've seen enough comedy for today."

Leo was so worried about Lam that he couldn't even bring himself to watch what was happening to him on the stage. "Nooo," he lamented.

[LAMBERT ALFRED: F-RANK QUIRK STRENGTH]

A girl nearby from the second year students was called to heal Lam's mangled hand since she has the healing quirk and the medics are not present.

The girl could have healed him by just touching him, but she chose to slap Lam in the face. The hit stung Lam in his cheeks. He winced in pain, but the pain in his hand gradually subsided. He watched his hand straighten out and return to normal.

This disrespectful slap from the healer girl only testified to the fact that even the weak bullies those that are weaker than them.

"ACCURACY TEST CANCELLED FOR LAMBERT ALFRED!"

"AGILITY TEST NEXT!"

"This is so ridiculous. They should just stop," Leo raged at the back of the hall.

The first bot fired the first arrow and Lam attempted to dodge it, but his body was too weak and slow to do that. So, he got hit right from the first try.

His futile attempt to doge the shot only evoked more laughter from the audience. Lam was on the brink of tears.

[LAMBERT ALFRED: F-RANK AGILITY TEST]

[LAMBERT ALFRED: F-RANK AVERAGE]

[F-RANK EQUIVALENT TO 1/7]

[WELL, CONGRATULATIONS]

Even the display system discriminated in its congratulations. That was how messed up the world has turned.

"WELL. THAT WAS THE FIRST F-RANK FOR TODAY. I WISH YOU LUCK, LAM," Mrs. Black said.

"That was supposed to be me, but I cheated. I should be ashamed of myself.

At least, Lam faced his obstacle fairly. I am the real loser. I am the real loser, not Lam.

I am powerless," Leo tortured himself, tears pouring down his eyes.