Chapter 62 - The Villain's Test

Four days later, the air in Gym Gamma is thick with tension and energy as the students prepare for a tough workout. Izuku stands at the center of the arena, eyes focused, ready to show the progress he's made since his last training session. All Might watches from the sidelines, his towering presence still ever-imposing even in his weakened state. The massive boulder above them begins to crack and crumble, threatening to crash down on All Might, but Izuku's new fighting style and upgraded costume take center stage.

A smirk tugs at your lips as you stand to the side, your wings fluttering ever so slightly in anticipation. Izuku channels all of his energy into his legs, his movements becoming a blur as he leaps into the air with perfect precision. In a dazzling display of power, he strikes the boulder with a force so intense that it shatters into pieces, scattering harmlessly onto the ground. You smile at his success, the pride in your chest swelling at how far he's come.

With a quick wave of your hand, you focus your magic, manipulating the shards of the broken boulder, sending them back to their original position as if they were never disturbed. You form the pieces back into place with practiced ease, securing the structure once more. It's like a dance to you now, your magic moving in perfect sync with your intentions.

Denki and Eijiro rush up to Izuku, their faces lighting up with excitement and admiration. "Woah, Izuku! That was amazing!" Denki exclaims, his eyes wide with awe. "Your new moves are incredible, man!" Eijiro adds, a grin spreading across his face as he gives Izuku a thumbs-up.

Izuku blushes slightly, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. "It's not exactly a super move, but I've been working on it. Mei Hatsume made some upgrades to my costume—these new soles help with my mobility and speed. It's called Shoot Style." His voice has a mix of pride and modesty as he explains.

All Might nods, his gaze intense as he observes Izuku. "That's a big step, young Midoriya," he says, his tone firm but approving. "Shoot Style is definitely something worth perfecting. You've made incredible progress." The praise from his mentor is enough to bring a wide grin to Izuku's face, though a slight flush of embarrassment creeps onto his cheeks.

As Izuku's classmates gather around, offering their cheers and congratulations, you watch the scene unfold with a content smile. It's good to see everyone growing, becoming stronger with each passing day.

Suddenly, you feel a tap on your shoulder. You turn to find Kirishima and Denki, their faces bright with curiosity. "Yo, Y/N!" Kirishima calls, a wide grin stretching across his face. "That was awesome, but what about you? What's your ultimate move?"

A smirk curls at the corner of your lips. You reach out, extending your hand with a fluid motion. A swirling ball of blue and purple energy forms between your fingers, crackling with power. The sphere pulses with an ethereal glow, a force that radiates with immense energy, yet feels almost gentle in its balance.

"Watch closely," you say, your voice calm yet filled with a quiet intensity. You flick your wrist and the sphere flies from your hand like a bolt of lightning. It speeds towards a nearby rock, and with a snap of your fingers, the ball explodes on impact, scattering the rock into smaller pieces as if it had been disintegrated by the sheer force of the blast.

Kirishima and Denki erupt into cheers, their voices overlapping as they clap and cheer for your display of power. "That was amazing!" Denki shouts, eyes wide with excitement. "Your ultimate move is next-level, Y/N!" Kirishima adds, his grin growing wider.

You simply grin in response, your wings fluttering slightly as you watch the pieces of rock fall harmlessly to the ground. "It's a move I've been working on for a while now," you say, your tone casual but confident. "I call it Lunar Cataclysm."

As the cheering dies down and everyone regroups, you can't help but feel the adrenaline rush from showing your classmates what you've been able to achieve. With each new move, each new step forward, you know you're closer to becoming the hero you've always wanted to be.

As the day progresses, a sense of competition fills the air as Class 1-A eagerly prepares for the upcoming provisional hero license exam. However, as they gather for a final briefing, an unexpected interruption comes from the entrance of Class 1-B, who walk in with their usual confident smiles and playful banter. The mood shifts slightly, but the real twist comes when Shota Aizawa steps forward with an unreadable expression on his face, ready to deliver some shocking news.

"Alright, listen up, everyone," Shota says in his usual calm yet authoritative tone, his eyes scanning the room. "Class 1-A and Class 1-B will not be competing against each other in the provisional hero license exam."

A collective murmur runs through both classes, each student surprised and confused by the announcement. Many were preparing themselves mentally for the intense rivalry they'd been expecting, and now, that sense of competition is suddenly called into question. Izuku frowns, looking at the members of Class 1-B, while Bakugo's brow furrows, his hands twitching as if he's ready to argue.

Shota raises a hand, silencing the room before anyone can speak. "Most of the participants in the exam will not be first-year students," he continues, his voice carrying the weight of the information. "You'll be facing off against seasoned heroes-in-training, students with far more experience than any of you."

The air in the room thickens with tension as the students of Class 1-A process this. Some of them exchange nervous glances, unsure of what this means for their chances. Others, like Bakugo, scowl at the idea of facing opponents with more experience—he doesn't like the idea of losing, especially to people outside of their year.

Y/N watches the entire exchange with quiet amusement, a small smirk tugging at the corner of their lips. The thought of facing more experienced students and heroes doesn't faze them at all—if anything, it makes them more excited. They've trained for this moment, and they know they're ready.

As if sensing the same unspoken confidence, Bakugo scoffs loudly, his voice sharp. "Hah, more experienced? So what? Doesn't matter how long they've been around—I'm still gonna wipe the floor with them."

Izuku, ever the optimist, glances at Bakugo before turning to the rest of the class. "We've come this far already, so I know we can handle whatever challenges come our way," he says, his usual determination shining through. But even he can't hide the slight worry in his eyes as he thinks about the competition they'll face.

Shota nods, acknowledging the anxiety in the room. "This will test all of you. More than ever. You'll be judged not just for your physical strength or abilities, but for your teamwork and strategy. So start preparing your minds and your bodies. The exam is not what you expect."

As the news settles, Y/N feels the familiar rush of determination settle over them. If anything, they are more focused than ever. They know they're going to push themselves further, honing their skills to meet this new challenge head-on.

Class 1-A and 1-B leave the room in a mix of nerves and newfound resolve. The upcoming exam looms ahead, but Y/N can't help but feel confident. This is just another hurdle to jump over—and with their wings and newfound abilities, they're more than ready for the challenge.

As they exit the room, Y/N shares a brief look with Bakugo, who still seems to be stewing over the news. Despite his fiery attitude, Y/N knows that underneath it all, he's just as determined as everyone else. The competition has just gotten even more interesting.

That night at Heights Alliance, the air was warm and comfortable as the girls gathered in the common area, taking a much-needed break from their intense preparations for the upcoming provisional hero license exam. Laughter and casual chatter filled the room as they relaxed, trying to keep their nerves at bay before the big day.

Mina, Toru, and Momo were deep in conversation about the countless hours they'd spent training and refining their moves. Momo, always the perfectionist, frowned slightly as she explained, "I have an ultimate move in mind, but my body isn't quite ready for it yet. I'm not sure I can execute it properly without hurting myself."

Toru, always the optimist, placed a hand on Momo's shoulder with a grin. "You'll get there, Momo! You're always so prepared. You'll be able to pull it off in time."

Tsuyu, sitting next to them, smiled and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, and my new move is more frog-like than ever before." She flexed her legs slightly as if to demonstrate her new agility. "It feels pretty strong, but I need to work on fine-tuning it."

You smiled at your friends' efforts, proud of them all. "You're all doing great. Just keep pushing yourselves, and you'll be ready. I'm proud of all of you."

Mina, Toru, and Momo all blushed at the compliment, their faces lighting up with smiles. The atmosphere shifted to something more light-hearted as the girls continued to talk about their plans for the exam, but soon enough, the teasing began.

Ochaco, who had been quietly listening, suddenly found herself the target of Mina's playful curiosity. "Ooh, Ochaco," Mina teased, leaning forward with an impish grin. "Are you in love with someone? Your face is all red!"

Ochaco's face immediately turned bright pink, and she stuttered in embarrassment. "W-Wha-What? No! No way!" She tried to wave off the comment, but her flustered expression betrayed her.

You couldn't help but smile at Ochaco's reaction, her awkwardness always so endearing. You flew up beside her, letting your wings flicker gently as you placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's not a bad thing to be in love, Uraraka," you said with a wink.

Uraraka's blush deepened, and she shyly looked away, her hand nervously rubbing the back of her neck. "I-It's not like that! I don't... I mean...!"

The others giggled at her reaction, but they quickly reassured her, not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable. Momo, who had always been the more mature one in the group, cleared her throat and offered a gentle smile. "Yes, Y/N is right. We shouldn't pressure her. If she likes someone, that's okay."

The girls all nodded in agreement, their teasing turning to soft smiles as they relaxed once more. Ochaco let out a relieved sigh, grateful for the support, and smiled shyly at everyone. "Thanks, guys," she murmured. "I just... I get nervous sometimes. It's nothing serious."

"You don't have to explain yourself," Mina said cheerfully. "We're your friends, after all. You can tell us when you're ready."

With the topic quickly shifting away from Ochaco's love life, the girls continued to unwind and share more stories of their preparations for the exam. The night grew late, but the laughter and camaraderie between them created a warm atmosphere that made the challenges ahead feel just a little bit easier to face. You watched them all, content with the bonds you had built over the last few months.

The exam was coming up fast, but you knew that no matter what happened, you'd face it together.

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The next day, the exam had arrived, and the students of Class 1-A found themselves at the testing ground. They gathered around the area, buzzing with excitement and nerves, mentally preparing for what would be one of their biggest challenges yet. The sun was rising high, casting long shadows across the grounds, adding to the intensity of the day.

Suddenly, a sleek black car pulled up, the engine roaring as it came to a stop. The door swung open, and out stepped a confident woman with a wide smile and a playful demeanor. She was dressed in a hero costume that matched her cheerful, exuberant personality. Her energy was unmistakable as she enthusiastically called out to Aizawa.

"Hey, Aizawa! It's been too long!" she called, laughing as she waved dramatically.

You tilted your head slightly, intrigued by the unexpected visitor. The woman's attempt to make Aizawa smile—or at least crack a grin—was met with the usual stoic expression from your teacher. It seemed she wasn't going to get any easy responses from him.

Despite her persistent efforts to tease and flirt with him, Shota remained unmoved, shooting down every one of her advances with a quick, blunt remark. "Stop." His voice was deadpan, his face still unreadable, making it clear that nothing was going to sway him.

Izuku, standing beside you, seemed to recognize the woman and quickly spoke up, his usual enthusiasm shining through. "Oh! That's Emi, the Smile Hero: Ms. Joke! Her Quirk is called Outburst, and it makes people laugh uncontrollably!" he explained with a bright smile.

You raised an eyebrow, curious about this quirky hero and the power she wielded. Aizawa's interaction with her seemed a lot more interesting than you'd expected. Ms. Joke, despite being rejected by Aizawa, just shrugged it off and continued on with her bubbly energy.

Ms. Joke then turned toward the group of students, introducing them to the students from Ketsubutsu High School. "Class 2 from Ketsubutsu, come on out!" she announced.

A few students emerged from behind her, and two of them caught your attention right away. Tatami Nakagame and Yo Shindo both had confident, almost cocky expressions as they greeted Class 1-A with enthusiasm.

Yo, in particular, immediately approached some of the students, his grin widening as he introduced himself. As he reached you, you couldn't help but notice the lingering hand he offered to shake. You took it, and his grip was firm, but there was an odd tension in the air. His gaze lingered a bit too long as he smiled at you, and you could feel something about him wasn't quite right.

"Hmm," he said, his voice smooth and almost teasing. "It's too bad you're here, Dragon Hero. You'd be better off at our school." His words were casual, but there was an edge to them, as though he was sizing you up.

Before you could even respond, Katsuki's voice rang out sharply, his usual anger seeping through as he stormed toward you. "Oi! Get your hands off her!" he yelled, clearly agitated by Yo's behavior. He grabbed Yo's wrist tightly, pulling him away from you with a force that had even Yo backing off slightly.

"She's not going anywhere with you," Katsuki snapped, his voice low and filled with warning. His protective stance left no room for argument, and his eyes bore into Yo with a fiery intensity.

You stood there, a bit taken aback by the situation, but you appreciated Katsuki's quick reaction. The moment between you and Yo seemed to dissipate as Yo, though a bit rattled, just smirked and stepped back, clearly unbothered.

"Easy there," he said, clearly trying to shrug off the tension. "Just a friendly greeting."

Katsuki shot him a glare, but it was clear who was in charge of the situation. You looked over at Aizawa, who seemed unfazed by the entire exchange, his expression still as stoic as ever.

Ms. Joke, seeing the tension, quickly intervened with a loud laugh, trying to defuse the situation. "Alright, alright, let's save the drama for later! We're here to have some fun, after all!"

As the other students from Ketsubutsu mingled with Class 1-A, the atmosphere slowly began to shift. You couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning, though. The exam was coming, and with it, more challenges and perhaps more unexpected encounters.

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The tension in the air thickened as Aizawa gestured for you to follow him. You complied without hesitation, curiosity bubbling inside you about where he was leading you. He led you past several of the other students, each caught up in their own conversations or preparations for the upcoming trial.

Eventually, the two of you came to a stop in front of a large, imposing figure. Standing before you was a man with an intense aura and the unmistakable head of an orca, his black-and-white hero costume blending in perfectly with his massive frame. You cocked your head to the side, intrigued, taking in the sight of this new, unusual hero.

"This is Gang Orca," Aizawa said, his voice steady as he pointed to the man in front of you. "He wants to talk to you."

Aizawa's words hung in the air, and you could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on you. You glanced between Aizawa and Gang Orca, wondering what exactly this was about. Aizawa, noticing your slight hesitation, spoke again, his tone almost gentle, yet still holding its usual edge.

"Don't hurt her too much, okay?" Aizawa muttered under his breath as he stepped back, leaving you alone with Gang Orca.

Gang Orca let out a snort that sounded almost like a laugh, his eyes narrowing in what you could only describe as an amused but predatory way. The aura around him was powerful, yet not hostile. There was something about his presence that made you stand up straighter, instinctively ready for whatever was to come.

"I can take care of a dragon," Gang Orca said with a grin, showing a set of sharp teeth. "But I'll take it easy on you."

He extended a large, gloved hand toward you, the offer of a handshake hanging in the air. You hesitated for a brief moment, before shaking his hand firmly. His grip was strong, yet not crushing, and you could feel the power that radiated from him.

"Hey there, L/N," Gang Orca said, his voice deep and gravelly. "I was wondering if you'd like to play villain with me in this exam."

The words hung in the air for a moment, and you could sense the implication behind his question. This wasn't just a friendly request; he was asking if you'd join him in taking part in the exam, playing the role of the antagonist. The challenge of being the villain, of using your powers in a different way, was suddenly laid before you.

You couldn't help but feel a slight thrill at the idea. The prospect of being a villain in this mock exam, testing your strength against the heroes, was intriguing, to say the least. You were a dragon, after all, and the idea of opposing heroes was almost a natural instinct. But you knew you needed to think this through, weighing the consequences of your actions carefully.

Gang Orca seemed to sense your hesitation, his grin widening as he leaned in slightly, his massive frame towering over you. "Think of it like a test of your abilities," he said. "A chance to show what you're really made of, no holding back."

You stared into his eyes for a moment, considering the offer. Your heart raced, and your mind buzzed with possibilities. Could you do this? Could you play the villain and test your strength against the best of U.A.?

Before you could decide, Aizawa's voice broke through your thoughts, pulling your attention back to the reality of the situation.

"You don't have to, L/N," Aizawa said, his voice as neutral as ever. "It's your choice, but you'd better be prepared if you go through with it."

You turned back to Gang Orca, now understanding that this wasn't just an opportunity to show your power—it was a chance to prove yourself in a different light. With a deep breath, you made your decision.

"I'll do it," you said, your voice steady and determined.

Gang Orca gave a low chuckle, pleased with your answer. "Good. This will be interesting." He gave you a nod of approval, before turning to Aizawa. "I'm looking forward to this, Eraserhead."

Aizawa gave a brief nod in return, clearly unfazed by the interaction. "Don't get too carried away," he warned Gang Orca, but there was a slight flicker of amusement in his eyes.

You stepped back, your mind now focused on the challenge ahead. The exam was about to begin, and you were ready to face it—on the side of the villain.