The pages of the exam paper seemed to mock me with every turn. The classroom was deathly quiet, save for the occasional rustling of paper and the steady rhythm of my pen scribbling down answers. It felt like the weight of the world was pressing down on me, as if the entire school was watching my every move.

I glanced up for a split second and spotted Bakugo again. His usual fiery expression was gone, replaced with intense focus as he filled out the paper. But the aura around him was still unmistakable—he was always on edge, ready to explode at any moment. It made the air feel thicker, as if every second could turn into a competition. I could almost hear him in my head, daring me to fail.

I shook my head and refocused on the exam. This wasn't about him. This was about me proving I belonged here, not about competing with Bakugo or anyone else.

Question 5:

A hero is faced with a scenario where they must stop a villain who is using a child as a human shield. The villain is a master manipulator and has planned for every possible reaction. What strategies and actions would you take in this situation? Provide a detailed breakdown of your approach, considering both physical and psychological elements.

My eyes narrowed at the question. This wasn't a straightforward fight; it was a test of intelligence, calmness under pressure, and the ability to think outside the box. And of course, it had to be a moral dilemma. The child wasn't just a shield; they were a living, breathing person. I couldn't just rush in and risk hurting them, even if I wanted to stop the villain.

I took a breath and began writing, trying to push aside the noise in my head.

Izuku's Answer:

The first step is to stabilize my own thoughts. I know that hesitation or panic will give the villain an advantage. This situation is a mind game—if I react emotionally, I lose control, and the villain wins. It's important to remember that my actions need to be measured and calculated.

Control the situation: I'd look for the villain's weaknesses—anything that could give me an advantage. Does the villain have any obvious tells, or are they too confident? I would look for a chance to turn their arrogance against them. Most manipulators rely on control, so if I can disrupt their confidence, it gives me an opening.

Psychological tactics: The villain is expecting me to hesitate, and that's where I can gain the upper hand. I would try to manipulate the situation to create doubt in the villain's mind. For instance, making it appear as though I'm giving them exactly what they want, only to twist it and use that to my advantage. I might even try to convince them that their hold on the child is slipping—create a diversion, get them to focus on something that allows me to safely intervene.

Non-lethal combat: Physical confrontation with a shielded target requires precision. I would use my mobility to my advantage, keeping the child safe at all times. If I can disarm or restrain the villain using indirect methods, like using the environment or a tool nearby, I would. It's not about strength; it's about taking the villain off balance.

Escape or retreat: If the situation is too dangerous to continue, I'd have to prioritize the child's safety first and foremost. If I can't neutralize the villain without putting the child at risk, retreating and regrouping with backup would be my best course of action. Sometimes, walking away isn't a failure—it's a tactical decision.

I exhaled slowly as I finished the last line, my hand cramping from the effort of writing so quickly. I took a moment to collect myself, but the next question was already staring me down.

Question 6:

You are facing a villain whose quirk allows them to manipulate memories. They have already targeted you, and you have no way of knowing if you've been affected or not. How do you proceed?

I stared at the question for a while. Memory manipulation was a terrifying concept. How do you fight something when you don't even know if your own mind is under attack? This was one of those rare questions where strength and physical ability wouldn't help at all. I had to think, and think carefully, because the answer wasn't obvious.

Izuku's Answer:

This is a psychological battle more than anything. In a situation where memory manipulation is involved, you have to consider the possibility that the villain has already influenced your perception of reality. That uncertainty would be my first obstacle.

Stay calm: The most important thing is to keep a clear mind. I would immediately take note of anything that feels off in my thoughts or surroundings. If my memories start to feel fuzzy or distorted, I'd have to take a mental step back and rely on external verification. The key here is not to fall into the villain's trap of self-doubt or confusion.

Establish baseline facts: To counter the memory manipulation, I would focus on concrete, verifiable facts. Anything that doesn't feel right or that seems to be altered, I would ignore until I can verify it. I'd look for patterns or discrepancies that could tell me if I've been affected—anything out of place that might show I'm not thinking clearly.

Countermeasures: Assuming I am already affected, I would rely on the help of those around me to test my memory. Friends, allies, anyone who can provide objective truths that don't rely on my own mind. I would ask questions, test my recollections of events, and try to triangulate the truth from multiple sources.

Resist the influence: The longer the villain tries to manipulate me, the more desperate they would become. I would continue to challenge their version of reality, staying strong in my sense of self. If necessary, I would employ physical methods to disrupt the villain's concentration, breaking their focus and forcing them to stop altering my memory.

I set my pen down with a sigh, feeling the pressure lift slightly as I read over the answers. I was almost done, but I couldn't let my guard down just yet. I had one more section to go.

Question 7:

Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the following pro heroes: Vlad King, Eraserhead, Thirteen, and Cementoss.

I raised an eyebrow at this one. It wasn't just a test of knowledge—it was a test of judgment. I had to understand each hero's abilities, yes, but I also had to think critically about how they used those powers in real-world scenarios. And with each of these heroes, it wasn't always as clear-cut as it might seem.

I shifted in my seat, trying to calm my nerves as I began to write.

Izuku's Answer:

Vlad King:

Strengths: Vlad King is a formidable hero due to his blood manipulation quirk. He can create powerful weapons and defend himself or others with his own blood. His quirk allows him to both attack and defend with precision, and he has high endurance, making him a solid frontline hero in combat situations.

Weaknesses: The reliance on his own blood limits the sustainability of his power. If he's injured or too drained, his ability to use his quirk efficiently decreases, leaving him vulnerable. His quirk also requires significant control and focus, and it might not work as effectively against certain enemies who can counteract or ignore his attacks.

Eraserhead (Aizawa):

Strengths: Aizawa's quirk—Eraser—is one of the most powerful in terms of neutralizing opponents. By simply looking at someone, he can erase their quirk, making them essentially powerless. This is a massive advantage in a fight, especially against powerful opponents who rely on their quirks.

Weaknesses: Aizawa's quirk has a limited range, and he has to maintain eye contact to keep erasing a quirk. This makes him vulnerable in long-range combat or when facing multiple enemies. Additionally, his quirk drains his stamina quickly, and after prolonged use, it can leave him physically exhausted and vulnerable.

Thirteen:

Strengths: Thirteen's quirk, Black Hole, allows her to create a black hole capable of sucking in objects and opponents. It's incredibly versatile, useful for both capturing criminals and defending against large threats. Her quirk is also non-lethal, which gives her an advantage when facing situations that don't require deadly force.

Weaknesses: Thirteen's quirk can be difficult to control, especially in confined spaces or with multiple objects in the way. It's also possible for her to accidentally draw in innocent bystanders if she's not careful, which could complicate rescue operations. The power of the black hole can be overwhelming, and she must exercise extreme caution when using it.

Cementoss:

Strengths: Cementoss's quirk is incredibly useful for creating barriers and structures in combat. His ability to manipulate cement makes him a valuable asset when it comes to defensive strategies and building structures under duress. He can create walls or traps on the fly, providing protection for civilians or fellow heroes.

Weaknesses: Cementoss's quirk requires a lot of preparation and space. It's not an offensive power like some others, and in a direct confrontation, it might not be as effective unless he has the time and space to build. Additionally, manipulating cement is physically demanding, and it can leave him exhausted after prolonged use.

I put my pen down and leaned back in my seat. The clock was ticking down, and I had just finished the last section. I wiped my forehead, feeling the strain of the test slowly ebbing away. But even though I had answered everything, there was one thought lingering in my mind:

I had to show everyone—especially Kaito—that I was going to give this my all. No more holding back.