Glancing at the clock, the fifteen minutes were already up.
Midnight smiled, waved her hand lightly, and said, "Alright, time's almost up! Students who've decided can come up and announce their Hero Names!"
"We have to announce them too?!"
"That takes some serious courage…"
Clearly, the class hadn't expected this part. Many students suddenly grew nervous, worried that their Hero Names might sound embarrassing or poorly thought out.
At that moment, however, Aoyama Yuga had already stepped up onto the podium.
For someone who lived for attention, the concept of shyness simply didn't exist in his vocabulary.
"The Shining Hero— I Cannot Stop Twinkling!"
The first half sounded fairly normal.
The second half… felt more like a short essay.
Under Midnight's guidance, Aoyama trimmed the name slightly. Soon after, the energetic Mina jumped up next.
"Alien Queen!"
"Tone it down a bit!"
After hearing two aggressively unique Hero Names in a row, the class cringed even harder.
At that moment, Asui calmly stood up.
"The Green-Moving Hero— Froppy."
This was the Hero Name Asui had come up with back in elementary school. It was met with unanimous approval and finally brought some order back to the chaos.
After that, the rest of the class went up one by one to show off their Hero Names.
Eventually, only four people remained seated:
Igarashi Masata, Midoriya, Bakugo, and Iida.
Masata wanted to see everyone else's names first, but Bakugo flatly refused—apparently because his name was "too violent."
Meanwhile, Midoriya and Iida hesitated for a long time, staring at their boards without writing anything.
"Then I'll go next."
Masata stood up, picked up his whiteboard, and walked onto the podium. He turned it around so everyone could see.
"The Ashbringer?!"
Seeing Masata's Hero Name—so different from everyone else's—the class was momentarily confused.
"Yes," Masata said calmly. "Since I've chosen to become a hero, I'll also shoulder a hero's responsibilities. Let me become magma, and turn the darkness of this society into ashes."
This was the final Hero Name Masata had settled on.
Ashbringer was originally the name of a legendary sword said to carry holy light—one that reduced the undead to ashes. Masata felt the name fit perfectly.
Before him, all evil would be burned away.
He believed he was worthy of that name.
After Masata, Midoriya and Iida finally confirmed their Hero Names as well.
Midoriya chose DEKU—a word Aizawa had once used during the entrance exam, meaning "useless puppet." However, it also carried another meaning: You can do it.
Iida, on the other hand, chose to use his real name.
Over the past two days, everyone had learned about his older brother, Ingenium, who had been severely injured by the Hero Killer. News about the Hero Killer had been spreading like wildfire on television, and Ingenium was a well-known Pro Hero.
Even so, Iida acted as though nothing was wrong. Although his classmates tried to comfort him, the results were limited.
"Since everyone has decided on their Hero Names, class is dismissed," Aizawa said.
"Next is the one-week workplace internship. I'll send you the application forms shortly. After I review them, they'll be submitted before the weekend."
After announcing dismissal, Aizawa briefly glanced through the documents from the Hero Offices.
Even students without invitations could still choose from over forty Hero Agencies across the country.
"Choose a region that suits your quirk."
"Exactly," Midnight added. "Every Pro Hero specializes in different fields. Think carefully."
As class ended, discussions immediately broke out about internship choices.
"I'm going to Vine Hero!"
Cha Cha pointed excitedly at Masata, showing him her invitation, her voice full of energy.
"Vine Hero focuses on urban disaster relief," Yaoyorozu said approvingly.
"That fits Cha Cha's quirk perfectly."
Compared to direct combat, Cha Cha's abilities were indeed better suited to rescue and support work.
"What about you, Masata?" Yaoyorozu asked. "Have you decided where you're going?"
Hearing her question, Masata looked down at the thick stack of invitations on his desk.
After a brief pause, he replied calmly:
"I've thought about it. I'm going to Endeavor."
The moment he said that, several classmates gathered around him.
After all, Endeavor was the acknowledged No. 2 Hero, and having him personally extend an invitation was a huge deal.
"I'm so jealous…" Kirishima said earnestly. "Interning under Endeavor means real combat against criminals! But I won't lose either!"
Kirishima chose a downtown agency focused on capturing villains—perfectly matching his personality.
"What's so great about Endeavor?" Mineta scoffed. "I'm going to Mt. Lady!"
"Pervert."
Asui's blunt remark instantly exposed Mineta's true intentions. His expression changing on the spot only confirmed it.
Meanwhile, Todoroki sat quietly at his desk, unmoving.
He was slightly surprised when he heard that his father had invited Masata.
Father's always been busy… taking in students this time really is unusual.
Looking down at his own application form, he saw the words Endeavor Agency written clearly at the top.
That alone strengthened his resolve.
"By the way," Masata suddenly asked, realizing something,
"Where are you going, Yaoyorozu?"
Hearing his question, Yaoyorozu took out her phone and showed him the details.
"I'm interning under Heroine Hero. She's one of the few outstanding female Pro Heroes."
"Heroine Hero? I know her!" Mineta shouted excitedly.
"I've seen her commercials—she's a total beauty!"
As expected, only female heroes left a lasting impression on him.
In a dark alley—
"Hero Killer… what do you want?! I didn't break any laws! Why won't you let me go?!"
A blood-soaked hero lay slumped in the corner, barely able to lift his head as he stared at the shadow looming before him.
The figure wore a crimson scarf, his body bristling with knives. In his hand was a gleaming katana, already buried deep in the hero's abdomen.
Listening to the desperate pleas, Stain slowly extended his long tongue and licked his lips.
"'Hero' is a title meant only for those who have achieved true greatness," he said coldly.
"Someone like you—who profits from hero work—doesn't deserve to be called one."
Cruel light flashed in his narrow eyes.
The katana pushed deeper… then slashed sideways.
Fresh blood splattered across the alley, painting it a deeper shade of red.