Chapter 39 - Gear up for Final Exams

A week had passed since the chaos, and things had started to feel... almost normal again. You were back in class, though it still felt like a challenge to adjust. The constant presence of your classmates, especially Izuku and Bakugou, meant they didn't stray far from you—always vigilant, always there. You could feel their eyes on you most of the time, but it wasn't as suffocating as you feared. In fact, you were grateful. Even Aizawa and Shoto had their watchful eyes on you, making sure you were okay. It was nice, but it could be a bit overwhelming at times, having them around you all the time.

Izuku often offered a quiet smile, sometimes just sitting by you, letting you have your space without pushing you. Bakugou, on the other hand, was more direct, though his concern still showed through his gruffness. It was easy to tell that they genuinely cared about you, and even though you appreciated it, you were still trying to find your balance.

But the comfort of having them close outweighed the stress. You'd been through so much, and knowing that your friends cared—really cared—meant more than you could put into words. You had their support, and that was all you needed.

Today, as you sat in class, the anxiety of the upcoming final exams weighed heavily in the air. Aizawa stood at the front of the class, his usual serious demeanor taking over. He reminded everyone that the exams would be coming up in just a week, and it was time to start preparing—physically and mentally.

"Focus on your written and practical exams," Aizawa said, his voice steady but firm. "You need to be ready. Midterm grades will be taken into account, so now's the time to seriously start preparing."

There was a collective murmur of concern from the class, and you could feel the tension rise. Everyone seemed a little on edge, but it was nothing unexpected. Finals were stressful, even more so in a class like this. The combination of physical training and academic knowledge had always been a challenge.

Denki and Mina, sitting near the back, exchanged glances and sheepishly admitted that they hadn't been studying much lately due to everything going on throughout the semester. They didn't seem too worried, but you could see the anxiety in their eyes.

"I mean, I've kinda fallen behind," Denki confessed, scratching the back of his head. "But I'll manage! I always do, right?"

Mina nodded, though her usual cheerfulness was strained. "Yeah, same here. I guess we'll just have to push through!"

Fumikage, who was sitting beside them, sighed and shook his head. "It's going to be tough. The exams are going to be harder than the midterms, especially with everything going on."

Rikido, always the practical one, grinned and chimed in. "It's only the practical part that's gonna be tough, right? I have great grades in class—so the written stuff will be a breeze for me."

You cocked your head slightly at the conversation. You'd always been fairly confident in your academics. Maybe not the top of the class, but you'd always kept up, and you knew you'd do fine. You smiled at them, reassuringly.

"Hey, we can always study at my mom's place," you offered, your voice light but genuine. "She'd be happy to help out."

Momo, who was sitting a few rows away, nodded immediately, a warm smile on her face. "Yes, definitely. It's a great idea. We'll all study together—it'll be fun!"

The idea of studying together with your classmates, in a relaxed setting, gave you a sense of calm. You were all in this together, and it wasn't just about passing the exams—it was about being a team, about growing together after everything you'd been through.

The class seemed to perk up at the thought of a study session at your house, and even Aizawa, who had been silently observing from the front, nodded approvingly.

"Good. Use this time wisely," he said, his voice still firm but with an edge of approval. "But remember, don't overdo it. You need to rest and recharge. You're heroes, not machines."

You smiled softly, feeling a surge of gratitude toward your classmates and the people around you. No matter how difficult things had gotten, you knew they were here for you. And that made all the difference.

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You sat at the lunch table with Izuku, Uraraka, and Iida, sharing a rare moment of lighthearted conversation amidst the tension of exam preparations. The cafeteria buzzed with chatter as students filled the room, laughter and clattering dishes creating a lively atmosphere. Izuku animatedly discussed a new hero analysis he'd been working on, while Uraraka giggled at Iida's overly formal responses to casual remarks. You smiled softly, enjoying the company of your friends.

Just as you reached for your drink, a sudden bump jolted the table, making you glance up sharply. Standing behind Izuku was a broad-shouldered boy with pale blond hair and piercing periwinkle eyes. He wore a smug grin, but there was an awkwardness in his stance, like he was trying too hard to seem confident.

"Oh, oops. Sorry," the boy drawled, his grin widening. "Your head was so big, I couldn't miss it." His tone was casual, but the jab was clearly directed at Izuku.

Izuku flinched slightly, but before he could respond, your glare locked onto the blond. The intensity of your gaze made the boy visibly shrink back, his grin faltering. He gulped audibly, rubbing the back of his neck in nervous apology.

"O-ops, s-sorry, Dragon Hero," he stammered, his confidence cracking. "I-I didn't know these friends were yours."

He hurriedly backed off, retreating to another table. You rolled your eyes, muttering under your breath about people who couldn't seem to mind their own business.

"See? You're kinda scary," Uraraka said with a chuckle, clearly amused by how quickly the boy had scurried off.

You smirked slightly but rolled your eyes again, leaning back in your chair. "Scary, huh? Maybe I should start charging for the service," you quipped, earning a laugh from your friends. Izuku, meanwhile, gave you a grateful look, clearly relieved you'd stepped in.

The tension at the table eased again, and you returned to your conversation, a sense of camaraderie settling over the group. You were grateful for moments like these, moments where you could just be yourself with the people who truly mattered.

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Returning to homeroom after lunch, the energy in the room was palpable. Mina and Denki buzzed with excitement as the announcement about the practical exam being robot-based spread through the class.

"Yes! Robots! That's perfect!" Mina cheered, practically bouncing in her seat. Denki pumped his fist in agreement. "Finally, something we can handle without worrying about accidentally shocking a classmate," he said, grinning.

You leaned your head against your hand, watching their enthusiasm with a mix of amusement and skepticism. "Nothing U.A. throws at us is ever that simple," you murmured, half to yourself. The thought lingered as you recalled the grueling tests you'd faced so far. Fighting against teachers, a rescue race under pressure—none of it had been straightforward. "If it sounds easy, it probably isn't."

Mezo, always calm and analytical, voiced his theory. "Maybe they chose robots because they know some of us struggle with controlling our Quirks against real people," he said thoughtfully.

The comment didn't sit well with Katsuki. He scoffed loudly, crossing his arms as he leaned back in his chair. "That's just an excuse for being weak. Whether it's humans or robots, if you can't control your Quirk, you're useless." He shot a sharp glare across the room before turning it on Izuku. "And you, Deku, don't think I didn't notice you showing off during that rescue race. I'm gonna crush your score—and I'll crush Icy Hot's, too."

The room fell silent as Katsuki stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Shota Aizawa, who had been observing quietly, sighed heavily. Watching the fiery blond disappear down the hallway, he muttered under his breath, "Is he finally improving his attitude, or is it getting worse?"

Turning his attention back to the class, Aizawa's gaze settled on you. You were sitting by the window, staring outside with a distracted expression. "L/N," he said sharply, "are you focusing on the lesson or daydreaming?"

You jolted at the sound of his voice, snapping your attention back to him. For a brief moment, your purple eyes shimmered with a flicker of something wild and untamed—enough to make Aizawa's hand twitch toward his capture scarf. But then you blinked, and the tension dissipated as quickly as it had appeared.

"Sorry, sensei," you mumbled, sitting up straighter in your chair.

Aizawa narrowed his eyes at you for a heartbeat longer, his chest tight. But when you lowered your gaze, seemingly calm, he let out a quiet breath of relief. Whatever that moment had been, it was over.

"Just stay focused," he said gruffly, turning his attention back to the lesson. But even as the discussion continued, he couldn't shake the feeling that you were still teetering on a knife's edge—and he hoped you wouldn't fall.

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The week before finals passes in a blur of preparation, tension, and studying. Everyone has their own way of getting ready, and for some, that means coming together.

You find yourself at Momo's sprawling estate, sitting in her spacious lounge room alongside Denki, Mina, Mashirao, Kyoka, and Hanta. The elegant space feels almost too grand for a simple study session, but Momo insists it's perfect. A massive table is spread with textbooks, notebooks, and Momo's meticulously organized flashcards.

"This place is like a dream," Mina marvels, spinning slightly in her chair. "I think just sitting here makes me smarter."

Denki grins, scribbling something onto a notepad. "Well, we could use it," he teases, earning a playful swat from Kyoka.

You chuckle softly at their antics, enjoying the lighthearted atmosphere. It's a refreshing break from the intensity of everything that had happened recently. Despite the warmth in the room, you remain quiet, absently running a hand along the edge of a notebook.

Moments later, the sound of soft footsteps draws everyone's attention. Momo's mother enters the lounge, carrying a tray of tea. Her elegant demeanor and warm smile make the luxurious surroundings feel less intimidating.

"Ah, hello," she says as she approaches. Her gaze lands on you, and her smile softens further. "You must be the Dragon Hero I've heard so much about."

You blink, surprised by the kindness in her tone, and sit up straighter. "Oh, um, yes, ma'am," you say, inclining your head politely.

As she sets the tray down, she gently places a steaming cup in front of you. "I'm so sorry about what happened with the Hero Killer," she says, her voice filled with sympathy. "You've been through so much."

Her words take you aback for a moment, but you manage a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, ma'am," you reply quietly. "I'm doing my best to move forward."

Momo's mother nods approvingly, resting a hand lightly on your shoulder. "You're very brave," she says, then looks around the room at the other students. "And I can see you're in good company."

As she leaves, the room falls silent for a beat before Mina chimes in, grinning. "See? Even Momo's mom thinks you're awesome."

You laugh, shaking your head, and reach for the tea. "She's kind. Now let's see if we can all survive finals, okay?"

The group dives back into studying, and for the first time in a while, you feel a flicker of normalcy amidst the chaos of your life.

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The day of the practical test arrives, and the atmosphere at U.A. is thick with a mix of excitement and dread. As Class 1-A gathers, Kyoka is the first to notice the unusually high number of teachers present for the exam. She nudges Denki, who glances around nervously.

"Is it just me, or does this feel way more intense than usual?" Kyoka mutters.

Denki nods, his usual bravado replaced by apprehension. "Yeah, and I bet it's just robots again," he says, trying to sound optimistic. Mina, overhearing, chimes in with an enthusiastic cheer, "Easy peasy, let's smash some tin cans!"

Shota Aizawa sighs deeply, his expression unreadable as he surveys the class. But before anyone can press him for details, Principal Nezu suddenly leaps out of his scarf. The unexpected move makes several students jump, and even you reflexively spread your wings slightly in surprise.

"Good morning, Class 1-A!" Nezu begins cheerfully, standing on Aizawa's shoulder. "I have some important news regarding your practical exam!"

"Wait, what's this about?" you ask, your wings twitching as you narrow your eyes at the tiny principal. The unusual tone of the announcement has set you on edge, and you're not the only one.

Nezu beams, clearly delighted by the tension in the room. "Contrary to what you may believe, there will not be a battle simulation against robots."

The declaration lands like a thunderclap. Denki and Mina let out simultaneous cries of despair, Denki nearly falling to his knees. "No robots? What are we supposed to fight, then?!" Mina wails.

Nezu's sharp eyes glint with mischief. "I'm glad you asked! Due to the recent surge in villain activity, U.A. has decided to increase the intensity of our training. From now on, our practical exams will simulate real-life battle conditions. Class 1-A, as our flagship class, will be the first to undergo this new training regimen."

The class erupts into a cacophony of shock and nervous chatter. You, however, cut through the noise, your voice steady. "So, what does that mean for us?"

Nezu tilts his head, clearly pleased by the question. "It means that for your practical exam, you will be forming pairs to face off against one of U.A.'s teachers in combat."

The shock deepens, rippling through the room like an electric current. "We're fighting teachers?!" Denki cries, looking like he's about to faint.

Nezu nods. "Indeed! The pairs and your opponents have already been decided. This will not only test your combat skills but also your ability to strategize and work as a team."

He begins reading out the pairings and matchups, and the tension thickens with each name. "Midoriya and Bakugo against All Might..." The murmurs grow louder. "Uraraka and Aoyama against Thirteen..."

Finally, he gets to your name. "L/N, Yaoyorozu, and Todoroki against... Eraser Head."

Your stomach twists slightly. Aizawa, your own homeroom teacher, who knows all your strengths and weaknesses, will be your opponent. You glance at Momo and Shoto, who both share your apprehension. Momo looks determined, while Shoto's face remains stoic.

Aizawa looks over at your trio with a small, knowing smirk. "I hope you've been paying attention in class," he says dryly.

The challenge in his tone only makes your wings twitch again. "We'll see," you mutter, your eyes narrowing slightly.

With the matchups announced, Nezu claps his tiny hands. "Good luck, students! Remember, this is about growth and resilience. Show us what you're made of!"