WebNovels

Chapter 8 - U.A. High's Recommendation Entrance Exam

May 12, 2266 — U.A. High Exam Venue

The summer sun hung high above the U.A. examination complex, its mirrored walls gleaming like polished steel. Rows of well-dressed students—each carrying their own brand of confidence, nervousness, or smug arrogance—stood outside the gates waiting for the Recommendation Entrance Exam to begin.

Unlike the general entrance exam, this one wasn't something anyone could just sign up for. Invitations were scarce. Each examinee standing there had either a powerful quirk, exceptional academic records, or the endorsement of a professional hero to vouch for them.

The reason it was held this early was simple: students who entered through recommendations were considered "priority candidates." Their skills were vetted earlier so U.A. could finalize slots for top talent before opening up general applications later in the summer.

For those without recommendations, the general entrance exam scheduled months later was their shot. But for students like Hayato, today was their proving ground.

Hayato Kurogane adjusted the cuffs of his black jacket as he stepped out of the car. His presence, calm and composed, subtly warped the atmosphere around him. A few students glanced in his direction, whispering to each other.

No one approached him. His passive impression boon was subtle but potent—first impressions were almost always favorable, or at least neutral. Arrogant kids who might have picked a fight simply looked, then turned away.

"Name and registration details, please," said a U.A. staff member at the reception desk as Hayato entered the main building. The hall smelled faintly of disinfectant and polished wood.

"Hayato Kurogane," he answered, handing over his admission slip.

The staff scanned the holographic card, and the display lit up with his information. "Recommendation from Daigo Arashiyama, former Top 30 Pro Hero. Quirk registered as… Enhancement type—Super Speed. Records verified. Welcome, Kurogane-san. Please proceed to Hall B for the written examination."

He nodded politely and moved on. As he walked down the corridor, he noted the other candidates—some fiddling nervously with their pens, others laughing too loudly.

A few had quirks that radiated low-level pressure—maybe enhanced strength or minor elemental control—but nothing that caught his interest.

The written test was first. Rows of pristine white desks lined the exam hall. A U.A. faculty member gave a short speech about hero ethics, responsibility, and the weight of the recommendation system. Then the timer started.

The questions ranged from quirk ethics and hero law to battlefield calculations, strategy, mathematics, history, and hypothetical moral scenarios. Hayato breezed through them effortlessly, finishing well before the hour mark.

He leaned back, eyes half-lidded, watching others panic over trick questions about quirk usage limits in densely populated areas. He didn't bother to hand in early; attracting unnecessary attention wasn't his goal.

Next came the practical test. Outside, a massive training ground awaited—structured like a miniature urban course littered with traps, combat dummies, and vertical obstacles. The purpose was to assess their control, mobility, and creative application of their quirks under pressure.

"Begin!"

The buzzer echoed. Students launched forward: one with hardening abilities bulldozed through walls, another awkwardly flew using weak flight powers, some tried to dazzle the proctors with over-the-top techniques that crumbled halfway.

Hayato didn't rush. One light step—and the world slowed.

To the observers, he became a blur, slicing through the course in an elegant streak of silver and black, crossing the finish line almost before the sound of the buzzer faded.

[System — Practical Test: Cleared. Time: 0.21 seconds.]

Murmurs rippled through the group. Proctors scribbled notes with calm, practiced expressions—U.A. had seen strong students before, but his composure and efficiency stood out.

After a short break, came the interview stage.

Inside a quiet, wood-paneled room, three U.A. faculty members sat across from him. The middle-aged woman in the center adjusted her glasses. "Kurogane Hayato. Age 14. Recommended by Daigo Arashiyama. Enhancement-type quirk—Super Speed. Written and practical: exemplary."

She folded her hands. "Let's begin. Why do you want to join U.A.'s Hero Course?"

Hayato answered without hesitation. "Because I want to refine my abilities under the highest educational standards available. U.A. is the place where the strongest heroes are shaped. My goals align with that level of discipline and excellence."

One of the male examiners leaned forward, tone sharp. "Strength isn't everything. What would you do in a situation where saving one person means sacrificing another?"

"I'd assess the situation as quickly as possible, act based on the highest probability of survival, and minimize total loss," Hayato replied. "I understand heroes can't save everyone—but hesitation saves no one."

The woman's gaze softened, impressed. "And if it's someone you personally care about?"

"Then I'll find a way to save both," he said simply. "If I can't, I'll live with the choice—but I won't freeze."

The third examiner, older with a deep voice, tapped his pen. "Heroes live in the public eye. Given the… scale of your quirk, how will you use it responsibly?"

"By knowing my limits and maintaining control," Hayato answered evenly. "Speed without restraint is chaos. I've spent years making sure that never happens with me."

A final question came from the woman, more thoughtful. "Do you think being recommended gives you an advantage over general examinees?"

Hayato tilted his head slightly. "It gives me an opportunity. What I do with it will determine if it's deserved."

There was a brief silence. The panelists exchanged subtle nods.

"That's all. You'll receive your results through Hero Mail Online."

He bowed politely and left the room, walking through the corridors with quiet ease. Other examinees whispered as he passed—some envious, others intimidated. A few arrogant ones looked like they wanted to compete, but his passive presence made any confrontation dissolve before it began.

Back home that evening, he flopped onto the sofa and pulled out his phone. A notification blinked from Momo. He grinned faintly and typed.

Hayato: Yo, how'd it go?

Momo: Oh, hey! Pretty similar to what you described earlier. Written was fine, practical was easy too. I made a glider using Creation and just raced through. 😎

Hayato: Lol classic you. Overachieving but stylish.

Momo: And what about you? Let me guess, you ran and finished before the timer started?

Hayato: 0.21 seconds.

Momo: …You're ridiculous. 😂

Hayato: I'll take that as a compliment. Interview went smooth too.

Momo: Same here. They asked some serious stuff, but nothing too bad.

Hayato: Good. Guess we just wait for the results now.

Momo: Yup. Good luck, not that you need it.

Hayato: You too. Let's both get in and make the others cry later.

Momo: Deal 😎

He set the phone aside, a soft smile lingering. Extending his perception casually, his mind brushed over the distant Dagobah Municipal Beach Park, where a scrawny boy trained under the watchful eye of the Symbol of Peace.

Everything was still on track. No butterfly effect. No divergence. The story was flowing exactly as he remembered.

Satisfied, Hayato leaned back, deciding to spend the rest of the day playing games and enjoying the rare quiet moments with his family.

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