This courage test was a class-versus-class confrontation, divided into two rounds.
In the first round, Class B would act as the "scare team," hiding throughout the forest, while Class A entered to explore. Afterward, the roles would be switched.
Because everyone had been eagerly anticipating the bravery test, dinner moved along much faster than usual. Kurosawa Yoru took full responsibility for cooking Class A's meals. At this moment, the students crowded around her like baby chicks waiting to be fed.
"Hey, don't get so scared that you wet your pants again!"
Holding his rice bowl, Kaminari poked Mineta, laughing loudly as he teased him.
What happened in the Warcraft Forest—where Mineta had been scared into wetting himself—had already become a lifelong stain on his reputation. As both his best friend and his worst tormentor, Kaminari naturally refused to let it go.
"Shut up!!!" Mineta snapped back furiously.
"Class B won't be scared at all—they'll just laugh when they see your idiot face!"
"Three–five–seven—!"
Mineta hit back without mercy, stabbing Kaminari right in the sore spot. Kaminari turning into an idiot after overusing his Quirk was also a well-known joke among the class.
"Midoriya, are you delivering food again?"
At that moment, Igarashi Masata noticed Midoriya Izuku heading into the forest with a thermal container and immediately guessed his intention.
During dinner the night before, Midoriya had noticed that Kota refused to eat with everyone, so he had personally brought food to him. It seemed the same situation was happening again today.
"Yeah… I'm a bit worried about him."
Midoriya looked genuinely concerned. After talking with Kota the night before and learning about his past, he felt they had a lot in common and wanted to do something for him.
Masata nodded and didn't interfere. Some things couldn't be solved with words alone—only actions mattered. Since Midoriya had already made up his mind, Masata let him go.
"It's time for the courage test!!!"
Soon, after filling their stomachs, everyone gathered excitedly at the starting area, chatting nonstop about the upcoming event.
"How are we supposed to scare people?"
"Are we really just wearing weird costumes?"
Yaoyorozu Momo asked curiously. In her impression, courage tests usually relied on scary outfits—but these were U.A. students. Simple costumes wouldn't work.
"There are rules," Pixie-Bob explained cheerfully.
"The scare team can't make direct contact. You're free to use your Quirks creatively to scare them!"
"The class that makes more people wet their pants wins!"
"So we can use our Quirks freely? That sounds fun!"
Sero looked excited. He'd already come up with a plan—using his tape to disguise himself as a hanging ghost or mummy sounded perfect.
"This is clearly meant to inspire creative Quirk usage!"
Iida clenched his fists, tears streaming down his face.
"To think—even this is part of training! Truly worthy of U.A.!"
The rest of the class silently stepped aside, pretending not to know him.
"Then what are we waiting for?! Let's start!"
Kirishima rolled up his sleeves, determined to show his manliness in the forest.
"Well… even if I feel a bit bad about it."
A familiar tired voice interrupted.
Aizawa-sensei suddenly appeared, looking at the overly excited Kirishima and Ashido, his expression flat.
"You five—follow me back for extra lessons."
"Yes. All five of you."
"Noooo!!!"
"Please spare us just for today!"
"I'll double my training tomorrow!"
The excitement of the five instantly collapsed. Surrounded by Aizawa's capture weapon, they begged desperately—but the merciless teacher ignored them entirely, tying them up and dragging them away.
Masata glanced sympathetically at Kaminari. Just moments ago, Kaminari had been mocking Mineta mercilessly—now he wouldn't even get to participate.
"Hahaha! Kaminari, take care of your homework!"
Mineta laughed cruelly, hands on his hips.
"I'll tell you all the scary parts when I get back!"
This time, the courage test was conducted in pairs.
With five people removed from Class A, fifteen students remained, meaning one person would have to go in alone. In the end, they decided to draw lots.
Masata stared at the single-name slip in his hand, feeling like crying without tears.
He'd hoped to pair up with Yaoyorozu or Chacha, imagining something vaguely romantic happening in a scary atmosphere.
That dream was completely crushed.
To make matters worse, Yaoyorozu and Chacha ended up together—leaving Masata no room to negotiate.
Bakugo's grouping was just as cursed. He was paired with someone he absolutely couldn't stand, and his expression looked like he'd swallowed a bug.
Soon, the courage test officially began.
Groups entered the forest one by one. Class B had already set up their positions inside.
"Aaaaaaah!!!"
Screams echoed continuously from the forest, making the students waiting outside increasingly nervous.
From the intensity of the screams, it was clear that Class B had put in serious effort. Otherwise, it would've been impossible to shake Class A students with such strong mental fortitude.
Masata was in the fourth group, so it wasn't long before he entered the forest alone.
Night had completely fallen. The dense canopy blocked out nearly all moonlight. It was so dark that he couldn't even see his own fingers. Only faint patches of light filtered through the leaves.
The forest was eerily quiet—only the sound of insects echoed. Yet it felt as though something was lurking in the darkness, waiting to strike.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Masata felt the ground beneath his feet soften.
He looked down—
A human face stared up at him.
The face was embedded directly into the ground. Long black hair covered its eyes, but the twisted curve of its mouth revealed a sinister smile. The faint sound of teeth chattering sent a chill down his spine.
"What the hell…"
Masata instinctively felt uncomfortable rather than scared.
He braced his hands against the ground and leapt backward, escaping the muddy trap in one clean motion.