The gates of U.A. High School stood like ancient monoliths, polished steel glinting under the morning sun. Students from across Japan gathered outside, chattering with nervous energy and wide-eyed awe. It was the start of a new era — for them, for heroes, and for the future itself.
Izuku stood still, gripping his backpack tightly, his green eyes fixed on the towering school building.
"This is it," he whispered. "The first day."
Riku Midoriya stood beside him, perfectly calm, dressed in the sleek black and silver version of the UA uniform he'd customized the night before — pressed shirt, tailored blazer, and silver tie pin shaped like a ticking clock.
"Feels like we're walking into a chessboard," he muttered.
"Let's hope it's not one of Bakugou's kind," Izuku added, only half-joking.
Riku smirked. "Even better. Let's be the ones flipping the board."
They stepped through the gates, side by side.
Class 1-A – 8:00 AM
The classroom looked like something out of a sci-fi film — minimalist design, reinforced windows, ergonomic seating. But the real centerpiece was the students themselves, each one a future hero in the making.
Izuku walked in first, eyes wide with nerves.
Riku followed, scanning the room with a calm gaze. Every movement, every expression, every Quirk signature — he cataloged it all within seconds. Chronovision wasn't active, but his enhanced memory didn't need it to start forming patterns.
There were a few standouts already.
A tall boy with glasses was standing at his desk, introducing himself to others with strict formality.Tenya Iida, Riku thought, recognizing him from the entrance exam. Fast, efficient, by-the-book. Likely the class's structural center.
A girl with short brown hair waved enthusiastically as Izuku passed.Uraraka, Riku noted. Friendly, personable. High emotional intelligence. Possible group cohesion asset.
And then—
"Hey, Deku," a voice growled. "Didn't expect to see you here."
Katsuki Bakugou sat near the back, arms crossed, eyes narrowed with quiet hostility. He didn't even glance at Riku.
"Still pretending you belong, huh?"
Before Izuku could stammer a reply, Riku stepped in front of him.
"Careful," he said, voice low. "If you start barking this early, someone might think you're trying to mark your territory."
A few students snickered.
Bakugou stood slowly. "You want to go right now, Midoriya?"
Riku raised an eyebrow. "Which one?"
The tension snapped a moment later when the classroom door slammed open.
"If you're here to make friends, leave."
The room fell silent.
A tired-looking man in a black capture weapon and a sleeping bag dragged himself across the floor.
"I'm Shota Aizawa. Your homeroom teacher," he said, unrolling from the bag like a disgruntled cat. "Put on your P.E. uniforms and meet me outside. Orientation is canceled. You've got a Quirk assessment to survive."
Several students stared, confused.
"Didn't we have a ceremony first?" someone asked.
"No time," Aizawa replied bluntly. "You're training to be heroes, not party guests."
Riku felt something shift in the air — the tone of the room, the tension, the unspoken challenge.
Finally, he thought, following the others outside. Time to see what these people are made of.
U.A. Training Grounds – Quirk Evaluation Test
The open field was wide and flat, ringed by trees and containment barriers. Aizawa stood with his hands in his pockets, holding a small tablet.
"We'll be doing a series of physical tests — but you can use your Quirks," he said. "Whoever scores the lowest overall… is expelled."
The students gasped.
"What?!" Uraraka cried. "But that's not fair!"
"Life's not fair," Aizawa said flatly. "Villains won't give you time to warm up."
Riku glanced sideways. So he's the "sink or swim" type. Efficient.
"Midoriya," Aizawa continued, nodding to Izuku. "You got the highest rescue score on the exam. You go last in each test. I want to see if you can handle pressure."
Izuku paled.
Riku stepped forward. "What about me?"
Aizawa looked him over. "Riku Midoriya… second-highest combat score. But your file flags your Quirk as high-cognitive strain. Try not to collapse on the field."
"Noted," Riku replied calmly.
The tests began.
50-Meter Dash:Tenya Iida rocketed across the track with perfect form, using his Engine Quirk to clock an impressive time.
Riku followed, sliding his glasses down as he activated Chronovision: Acceleration (Self – Legs Only). His world slowed just enough to give his muscles an edge — not true speed, but enhanced coordination.
Result: 4.01 seconds. Not faster than Iida, but close. Efficient use with minimal cost.
Grip Strength:Riku focused Chronovision on the testing device, slowing the mechanical resistance, allowing a brief spike in pressure during the measurement. His arms trembled slightly afterward, but the result was solid.
Ball Throw:Bakugou scored high, using his explosion to rocket the ball far into the sky.Izuku hesitated, then whispered something to himself. The ball flew farther than anyone expected, powered by a sudden, controlled flick of One For All.
Riku stepped up last.
He focused on the ball in his hand, eyes narrowing.
Chronovision: Acceleration – Object (Ball)As he hurled it, he enhanced its velocity mid-air, creating the illusion of a superhuman throw without damaging his body.
Result: 943 meters.
The class erupted into cheers — and whispers.
"Whoa. That guy didn't even look like he tried…"
"Did he just speed up the ball?"
"His Quirk is scary…"
Riku smiled slightly, watching the reactions. He didn't need to be flashy. Just precise.
As the tests wrapped up, Aizawa reviewed the data.
"No one's being expelled today," he said finally. "But that doesn't mean tomorrow's any easier."
The class collectively sighed in relief.
"Dismissed."
As the others filtered out, Aizawa walked past Riku and paused briefly.
"You used your Quirk efficiently. Didn't push past the threshold."
Riku inclined his head. "I monitor my limit like a pilot watches fuel. One overuse, and the whole flight crashes."
Aizawa nodded, faint approval in his eyes. "Smart. But your performance has one inconsistency."
"Oh?"
"You scanned every classmate during the run. Why?"
Riku didn't answer at first. Then: "Because someone isn't moving right."
Aizawa blinked. "Explain."
Riku turned his eyes toward the classroom building in the distance, where shadows pooled near the steps.
"One of the students… their time lags, subtly. It's like their movements don't align with their body's physics. It's minor. Almost imperceptible."
Aizawa narrowed his eyes. "A side effect of their Quirk?"
"Possibly. Or they're hiding something." Riku looked back at him. "Either way, I intend to find out."