Chapter 21-25
Chapter 21: "Hero(es)" and Girls
Unaware of the discussions happening far away at U.A. High School, Kaminari was in his room, completely immersed in his project. He was typing away on his computer, working on a document titled "Complete Pokémon World Settings."
He had to admit, creating this comprehensive guide was actually a lot of fun. It allowed him to revisit the details of the Pokémon world and the various creatures that populated it. First, he started by listing the major regions: Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, and others.
Originally, he'd considered drawing a full map of the world, but that idea lasted all of three seconds before he dismissed it. Who was he kidding? He didn't have a photographic memory to perfectly recall every detail of such a vast map.
Luckily, since Pokémon was originally created by a Japanese company, many of the regions were inspired by real places in Japan. Kaminari figured he could let a professional Japanese artist handle the world map; his job was to lay down the essential details, like the world's origins, legendary Pokémon myths, and the intricate ecosystem.
He typed up information about various roles in the Pokémon world, such as Pokémon Trainers, Coordinators, Breeders, Rangers, and even the ever-present Officer Jennys and Nurse Joys. He made notes on the various leagues, Elite Four members, and even the criminal organizations like Team Rocket and Galactic.
After hours of work, Kaminari had managed to get through a lot of the groundwork. He was now moving on to drawing the legendary Pokémon, ensuring that they closely resembled the iconic versions from his previous life.
"Alright, the three legendary birds are done. Now, I just need to finish Raikou, and that will complete the three legendary beasts. Next up is Ho-Oh…"
As he spoke aloud to himself, Kaminari paused to reflect, sighing deeply. "Man, why didn't I get some kind of system that could summon Pokémon for real…?" he muttered wistfully.
Meanwhile, Japan's MTV music network had begun heavily promoting Kaminari's latest song, "Hero." Anyone who visited the site couldn't miss the banner showcasing a striking image of Kaminari, the blond fifteen-year-old with lightning-shaped black streaks in his hair. The bold text read:
"Anyone can be a Hero! – Fifteen-year-old Kaminari Denki!"
"From the creator of 'Only My Railgun'!"
It didn't take long for the campaign to gain traction. Within minutes, hundreds of thousands of people had seen the promotion, piquing their curiosity about this young musician who had only recently come into the spotlight.
Although Kaminari wasn't a complete unknown his previous song "Only My Railgun" had garnered some attention, this new track's theme and the story behind it intrigued listeners. Many were eager to see if he could replicate the success of his debut.
As they navigated to his page to give "Hero" a listen, they came across a personal message from Kaminari:
"I'm about to take the entrance exam for U.A. High School's Hero Course. This song, 'Hero,' is dedicated to myself, my future school, its teachers, my future classmates, and all those who strive and work hard. Anyone can be a Hero!"
Readers were surprised to learn that this fifteen-year-old musician was also an aspiring Hero Course student at U.A., the most prestigious Hero school in Japan. The dual ambition of pursuing music and heroics made Kaminari an even more interesting figure.
In a small town in Shizuoka Prefecture, a purple-haired girl was sitting in her room, staring at her laptop screen. She had just read Kaminari's message and was intrigued. As someone who had also passed U.A.'s written exam, she realized they might actually meet at the entrance exam.
"Interesting," she thought, turning up the volume as she clicked to play "Hero." The opening beats filled the room, the rhythm electrifying as it pulsed through her high-end surround sound system. Her room, more of a music studio than a typical bedroom, was filled with musical instruments, an electric guitar, electronic keyboard, drum kit, and an array of speakers.
Her parents had even soundproofed the walls to accommodate her love for rock music. Yes, she was definitely well-off, but her passion was unmistakable. As the prelude played, she felt herself getting absorbed in the beat, her head swaying in time with the drums.
"This rhythm… it's amazing!" she exclaimed, her foot tapping on the floor.
The lyrics began:
"Pretending to be brave, I started to get carried away!
Throwing all important things aside!
Torturing myself like a prisoner!
Saying goodbye to myself like this!"
She raised an eyebrow at the opening lines. "The song is called 'Hero,' but it doesn't seem to be about Hero work," she mused. Still, the energy was undeniable, and she kept listening, curious to see where it would go.
In another corner of Shizuoka, a boy named Midoriya Izuku had just woken up from yet another exhausting night of training at the Takoba Seaside Park. His phone buzzed with a notification from the Japanese MTV app, promoting Kaminari's "Hero."
Midoriya was always interested in songs about Heroes. While they were just songs, he found that listening to them made his own dream feel more vivid, even if only for a moment. He decided to give the song a listen as he got out of bed, still groggy from his limited sleep.
As he listened to the lyrics, one line resonated deeply with him:
"What should I do if I'm afraid of that guy?"
Midoriya felt a jolt of recognition. He knew that fear all too well. It wasn't just about bullies or villains; it was about the fear of not being good enough, of not measuring up to the standards of those who were born gifted.
The song continued to build:
"A man should be strong for others!"
"Bite your teeth and make up your mind to persevere to the end!"
"It doesn't matter if you fall down, just stand up again!"
"That's all, if you can do it... you're a Hero!"
Midoriya Izuku's heart was instantly set ablaze by these lyrics, and he felt a surge of energy coursing through his veins! The pain and exhaustion from the past ten months seemed to evaporate in an instant.
"Clench your teeth... make up your mind and stick to it... Yes! That's the way it should be!"
"I can't give up now!"
As the song reached its final verse, the climax began.
"A man should be strong for others!"
"Compete with everything you've got!"
"It's okay to cry, just find your smile again!"
"That's all. If you can do it... you're a Hero!"
"Yes!" Midoriya grabbed his phone, then burst out of his room and headed for the kitchen, his voice ringing with determination, "What have I been doing? How can I be so lax? Don't I want to become a Hero like All Might?!"
"After dinner, I'll head straight to the seaside park to continue clearing the debris!"
"And today, I'm going to sing this song a hundred times! A hundred times!"
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, the purple-haired girl listened to the line:
"The same goes for girls, you can't just watch from the sidelines! If it feels right, go for it, as long as you have the courage to take the leap!"
"That's all. If you can do it... you'll be a Hero!"
At that moment, she burst into laughter. She glanced at the high-resolution poster of Kaminari on her screen and whispered to herself, "You talk big, huh... I hope you're just as good at walking the walk when we meet, hehehe."
She didn't choose to play the song again. Instead, she jumped up, grabbed her electric guitar, and immediately started playing with ease.
It was the intro to "Hero!"
She had only listened to it once and already memorized the melody perfectly!
Her musical talent was simply astounding...
Chapter 22: Encounter
"Hero" is a hit, a total hit!
Kaminari had gained some level of fame. While not a nationwide superstar, he had carved out a name for himself, especially in the small circles of Saitama Prefecture. He was a recognizable figure, at least enough to be considered a local star.
As he stood on the subway, he noticed several boys and girls with their phones out, aiming their cameras at him.
"You know, you really are a star. I never noticed it before..."
Tetsutetsu, standing beside him, couldn't help but glance enviously at the excited group of girls nearby who were too shy to approach.
Though rough around the edges, Tetsutetsu was still a teenager, and like most boys, he couldn't completely ignore his interest in pretty girls.
"By the way, have you been ignoring Japanese MTV completely?" he asked Kaminari.
Kaminari, ever the charmer, kept his smile intact while waving to the middle school girls. After hearing their soft gasps of admiration, he signed his name for them and posed for a quick photo.
Well, he was aiming to be a big star after all. Gotta start building the fan base young, he thought. Though it also caught the attention of a few confused adults who didn't recognize him.
Well, getting surrounded was just part of being a star. Just gotta get used to it… yeah, just gotta get used to it.
"Ah, music, huh? I used to listen to some... but not anymore," Tetsutetsu replied, rubbing his nose awkwardly as the lingering scent of the girls' perfume made him feel a little self-conscious.
The girls, after excitedly taking their first-ever photo with a celebrity, returned to their seats, still giggling and sneaking glances at Kaminari, whispering amongst themselves.
Still smiling, Kaminari asked, "So, what have you been up to lately?"
"I've been working on that technique you showed me," Tetsutetsu began, sounding a bit proud. "The moment I got home, I went straight to the garden in my apartment complex and started practicing. I've been—"
But before Tetsutetsu could finish, Kaminari interrupted, frowning slightly. "Didn't I tell you? It isn't something you can master in a short time. Don't focus all your effort on it."
"I know, I know. But listen!" Tetsutetsu insisted. "I'm not just practicing that. A couple days ago, I joined a judo gym! I've been training with Sensei Daimon!"
"Judo?!" Kaminari blinked, surprised. He looked Tetsutetsu up and down, then said thoughtfully, "Honestly, with your personality and Quirk, you'd probably be better off training in karate or maybe even Chinese Bajiquan."
"Really?" Tetsutetsu grinned, though his enthusiasm for judo didn't waver in the slightest. "But I kinda like judo. The throws and grapples are pretty cool!"
Of course, he wouldn't mention that right now he was the one being thrown around every day. But he believed that soon enough, he'd be the one tossing people left and right. Maybe he'd even try it on Kaminari!
"Alright, as long as you're enjoying it," Kaminari shrugged. For someone like Tetsutetsu, physical, strength-based combat styles seemed like a perfect fit. But in the end, everyone has their own preferences. Kaminari could only wish him success.
By now, it was already February 26th, and the Shinkansen they were riding was speeding toward U.A. High School in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Since Shizuoka was a bit far from Saitama City, the journey took nearly an hour, even by high-speed train. To pass the time, Kaminari played one of his new songs for Tetsutetsu, thinking he'd enjoy it.
Sure enough, as soon as Tetsutetsu finished listening, he grabbed the headphones and started looping the track. Kaminari had guessed right, he was into that kind of rock music, full of passion, struggle, and fighting spirit.
Though he didn't seem to care much for Kaminari's "Only My Railgun" ... Well, to each their own, Kaminari thought. Personal tastes couldn't be forced.
And so, the two fifteen-year-old boys passed the time. Tetsutetsu sat engrossed in the music while Kaminari casually chatted with the girls on the train. They both enjoyed the trip, though Tetsutetsu occasionally cast a complicated look in Kaminari's direction.
One hour, or sixty minutes—3,600 seconds, to be precise passed quietly, and soon the train arrived. Kaminari and Tetsutetsu stepped off the Shinkansen at their destination.
Well, Kaminari did leave with a few new fans. Three more, to be exact.
It was 8:25 AM, thirty-five minutes before the start of U.A.'s practical entrance exam. According to the map, the school was only a six-minute walk from the station.
So, the two weren't in any rush. They strolled leisurely toward U.A., taking in the sights of Shizuoka. Along the way, they spotted other students, all wearing different middle school uniforms, heading in the same direction. Clearly, these were fellow candidates for the exam.
All competitors, Kaminari thought to himself.
Both Kaminari and Tetsutetsu were also wearing their old middle school uniforms, as per U.A.'s request. It seemed the school wanted its candidates to present themselves as students.
This made Kaminari a little nostalgic. He had thought he'd never wear a school uniform again, but now that he was, he realized he'd grown somewhat attached to it over the past three years.
"We're here."
Soon, Kaminari and Tetsutetsu, along with candidates from all over Japan, reached the gates of U.A. High School—gates they had only seen on TV before.
"The Heroic Protective Wall!"
A massive gate made from a mysterious alloy. According to rumors, not even a main battle tank could take it down.
The gate was open now, welcoming the candidates. Signs reading "U.A. High School" and "Entrance Exam Venue" hung beside it.
Some candidates had already arrived, entering either alone or in pairs. The atmosphere was tense and quiet.
"It's about to begin. The big exam with an acceptance rate of 300 to 1," Kaminari muttered to himself as he stepped through the gates. Even with his laid-back personality, he couldn't shake a bit of nervousness. After all, this was a huge moment for him.
"I heard they're only accepting forty students out of over a thousand applicants..." Tetsutetsu muttered, his face tight with anxiety.
In front of them were three large red doors. Only the one marked with a "2" was open, with a sign beside it indicating it was the briefing room for the exam.
Just as Kaminari and Tetsutetsu were about to head over, a sharp voice broke the silence from behind them.
"Move aside, weakling!"
"Get out of my way, or I'll crush you!"
The harsh tone echoed through the otherwise quiet area. Kaminari and Tetsutetsu, along with the rest of the crowd, turned to see who it was.
A second later, everyone turned back, going about their business. It was just some loud greeting between friends, though the approach was a bit... intense.
Kaminari did the same, but for some reason, his eyes lingered on a flustered green-haired boy who seemed rattled by the encounter.
"Let's go, Kaminari," Tetsutetsu said, curling his lip in mild disdain. He wasn't fond of people who got so easily shaken up. How could someone like that hope to be a pro hero?
"Yeah, let's go," Kaminari nodded, but there was an odd feeling nagging at him... Maybe it was just the nerves from the upcoming test?
But just as they began to climb the steps toward the red door, a voice called out behind them.
"Kaminari Denki!"
Chapter 23: Routine
"Hm?"
The voice that called out was unexpectedly pleasant, so Kaminari turned around. Tetsutetsu, standing next to him with his hands shoved in his pockets, reluctantly stopped as well, glancing back to see who it was.
"A girl... another girl?" Tetsutetsu's expression immediately stiffened.
Is this what it's like to be a star? Girls just call out to you wherever you go?
"Looks like we really did run into each other here!"
The girl, with short purple hair, walked up quickly and started looking Kaminari up and down without a hint of shyness, almost as if she were confirming something.
Kaminari, ever the showman, flashed a charming smile and said, "Hey, I'm Kaminari Denki. And you are?"
Since she was here, it was pretty clear she was also a candidate for the U.A. entrance exam, possibly even a future classmate. He couldn't afford to act cold or distant, even if he was used to being treated like a celebrity.
Not that he was that type of person anyway.
"My name's Jiro Kyoka," she said confidently, offering her hand for a handshake. "I'm also here for the Hero Course. Looking forward to working with you, especially when it comes to rock and roll!"
She extended her right hand boldly, clearly full of confidence in how she'd perform in the test.
"Uh, sure..."
Kaminari was caught slightly off guard but quickly shook her hand. After all, who would refuse a handshake from a cute girl? Maybe she's an orphan, too... Well, as expected, her hand's nice and soft, Kaminari thought with an internal chuckle. He shook her hand briefly, then let go.
"Hey, there's only ten minutes left before the briefing starts," Tetsutetsu suddenly said from beside him, his voice flat. He was always punctual, it definitely wasn't because he had any ulterior motives...
"And who's this?" Kyoka asked, coolly tilting her head toward Tetsutetsu. Her right hand casually toyed with the headphone jack attached to her ear.
A closer look revealed that the jack wasn't just an accessory. It was actually connected to her earlobe clearly part of her Quirk.
"Is that part of her ability? Seems sound-based," Kaminari noted to himself, making a mental note as he resumed climbing the stairs. He was about to introduce Tetsutetsu, but his friend beat him to it.
"Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu!" he declared, puffing out his chest proudly. "I'm Kaminari's best friend, and the future number one pro Hero!"
"Uh... hello," Kyoka replied, momentarily taken aback by his boisterous introduction. But after a brief pause, she gave a genuine smile. Tetsutetsu's straightforward personality was hard to dislike.
And just like that, the duo became a trio, with Kaminari leading the way through the open red door labeled "2."
"Man, talking to girls so easily..."
At the back of the group, Midoriya Izuku watched them with a bit of envy. He'd just met a girl earlier, but all he did was stammer a few words. He didn't even manage a proper response before the moment passed.
Even though it had been thrilling just to have a girl speak to him, he couldn't help feeling a little regret. Seeing Kaminari chat so effortlessly with girls only made him more self-conscious.
As he stared after them, a lyric from the song "Hero"—a song he'd had on repeat for days popped into his head:
"Even with girls, you've got to take the first step! You can't just sit and watch! Have the courage to speak up!"
"Courage…" Midoriya muttered under his breath, clenching his fists tightly as determination swelled inside him.
Ten minutes later, in a spacious lecture hall filled with rows of seats, the exam briefing finally began. The event was hosted by the one and only Present Mic, a top-tier pro Hero known for his DJ skills and signature booming voice.
Behind him, a massive electronic screen displayed the U.A. emblem, simple but unmistakable. Every student in the room immediately recognized it.
"Welcome, everyone, to my live broadcast!" Present Mic announced, his energetic voice echoing through the hall. "Everybody-Say-Hey!"
His over-the-top energy, combined with his rap-like tone, was both amusing and distinctly his own. It almost felt like an American rapper speaking Japanese. This was his unique style, and the students familiar with him couldn't help but get a bit excited.
Well, except for the fact that everyone was still too nervous to respond. Silence filled the room as no one dared to follow his cue.
Kaminari smirked at the awkwardness. This was amusing.
Especially when Present Mic awkwardly muttered about how "boring" the students were for not playing along. Kaminari thought this whole exchange did wonders to ease the tension in the room.
Meanwhile, Tetsutetsu and Kyoka, sitting on either side of him, were both clearly more nervous than he was. They hadn't said a word since entering the hall, their lips pressed into thin lines.
"Well then, dear listeners! Let me give you the rundown on today's practical exam!"
Despite the lack of enthusiasm from the audience, Present Mic recovered quickly, launching into his usual routine. The guy was a pro, after all.
But he still couldn't resist trying to get one more interaction.
"Are-you-ready?!"
...Silence. Again.
Kaminari couldn't help but chuckle under his breath. The only person who seemed genuinely excited by Present Mic's energy was Midoriya, who had probably been a fan of his broadcasts for years. Kaminari could tell he admired Present Mic quite a bit.
"Just like it says in the exam guide, you'll all be participating in a ten-minute 'simulated cityscape battle!'"
"You're allowed to bring anything you need. After I finish explaining, you'll head to your designated test sites!"
Kaminari glanced at the exam ticket he'd received earlier and noticed that he, Tetsutetsu, and Kyoka were all assigned to the same test site—Test Site C. That brought a mix of relief and anxiety. While it was nice to be with familiar faces, they were also direct competitors now.
But Kaminari's mind was elsewhere. His focus was more on understanding the rules that Present Mic was explaining. In an exam like this, knowing the rules inside and out could make all the difference.
With over a thousand candidates and only forty spots available, he couldn't afford to slip up.
As Present Mic continued, the screen behind him switched to a series of images.
"Each test site is filled with various categories of 'villains,' and they're divided by difficulty. Defeating them will earn you points based on their level!"
"Use your Quirks to defeat these 'villains' and rack up as many points as you can. That's the name of the game!"
"The 'villains' are robots..." Kaminari observed, easily recognizing the shapes shown on screen. A wave of relief washed over him. If they were robots... well, this was going to be fun.
Present Mic then spun around dramatically, pointing toward the audience and giving a stern warning.
"And remember! Attacking fellow candidates is strictly prohibited! Such behavior goes against the spirit of being a Hero!"
The "spirit of Heroism," huh? Kaminari thought. While this line might not have meant much to some of the other students, it struck a chord with him. He was starting to piece together the deeper meaning behind this exam.
Coupled with what he already knew about U.A., he felt about 80% confident in his theory... but something still didn't sit right.
"I have a question!" A sudden voice broke through Kaminari's thoughts. A tall, imposing figure in the crowd raised his hand, and a spotlight immediately illuminated him.
What followed was a pointless back-and-forth that, in Kaminari's eyes, wasted everyone's time.
Kaminari sighed in annoyance. The guy's question was self-righteous and unnecessary. U.A. wouldn't have such a glaring loophole in their exam. Sure enough, Present Mic casually thanked him and moved on.
"The fourth category of villains is worth 0 points! They're only there to slow you down!"
"There's one at every test site. While they can be defeated, it's not worth your time! I recommend you avoid them at all costs!"
"This is it!"
Kaminari's eyes lit up. He was now 90% sure he'd cracked the code of this exam.
"The structure of this test... it's a bit predictable."
Chapter 24: The Assessment Begins!
The briefing session was short and straight to the point, giving Kaminari a glimpse of the U.A. High School's efficient, no-nonsense approach.
Afterward, the candidates changed into the casual clothes they had brought and gathered at the playground behind U.A. Dozens of buses were already lined up, waiting to take them to the exam's simulation sites.
Following instructions, each candidate found the bus that corresponded with their designated testing location, as indicated by the number on their admission ticket. They were headed to U.A.'s renowned "simulation city," where the practical part of the entrance exam would take place.
Despite the lack of any supervisors to maintain order, the scene was remarkably calm and disciplined. No one cut in line, and no one made any unnecessary noise. Everyone was focused, silently preparing themselves for what was to come.
The simulation city was said to be the size of about four blocks, and there were seven of these massive areas in total. Clearly, such a large space couldn't be located within Tokyo itself, which explained why U.A. High School was situated out in Shizuoka Prefecture.
It also explained the need for the bus ride. The forty-seat bus took them more than forty minutes from the school to the test sites.
During the ride, Kaminari noticed a shift in the atmosphere. As soon as the bus left U.A.'s campus, the tension in the air lightened, and the candidates started chatting.
They began introducing themselves to each other, talking about their Quirks, sharing their nerves, or excitedly expressing their dreams of becoming pro Heroes.
The once-silent bus was now buzzing with conversation. Even the more introverted candidates seemed to relax, listening curiously to their peers and occasionally joining in.
Kaminari smiled, enjoying the change. He liked this livelier atmosphere much better than the earlier tension.
"Kaminari, are those gloves special or something?" Jiro Kyoka, who had been sitting next to him, asked, noticing the blue-crystal-like feature embedded in the glove on his right hand.
Her question caught the attention of Tetsutetsu, who was sitting in the seat ahead of them. He had noticed Kaminari's gloves earlier when they were changing but had assumed they were just for show, maybe a flashy accessory. After all, why would anyone put a big crystal on their glove? Still, he had to admit, the design looked pretty cool.
"This? Oh, yeah. These gloves are actually really important to me," Kaminari said, holding up his right hand and admiring the glove.
They were custom-made, ordered by his father from the famous tech hub "I-Island." It had taken over three months for them to be completed, and they arrived just in time for the exam literally the night before.
His father had been worried that they wouldn't arrive in time, but thankfully, the delivery came through at the last moment. These gloves represented not only Kaminari's equipment but also his father's high hopes for him.
"Equipment?" Jiro asked, her curiosity piqued, while Tetsutetsu leaned closer to get a better look.
"Yeah," Kaminari nodded. "The gloves are made from a lightweight alloy. They're not super strong, just tough enough to block things like fruit knives but they have great conductivity."
He flexed his hand, demonstrating. "With these gloves, I can save about 20% of the energy I use when I channel electricity through my fists."
Jiro and Tetsutetsu were intrigued, especially by the blue crystal embedded in the glove.
"As for this crystal..." Kaminari said, tapping it lightly, "I'm not exactly sure what it's made from, but I know it's a high-tech battery. It's pre-charged and can store enough power to last me for three years."
He smiled. "Since my Quirk lets me store electricity in my body and discharge it at will, these gloves let me recharge whenever I need to. They're perfect for keeping me powered up during a long fight."
"As for the design, that was my idea. I figured since I'll be wearing them a lot, they might as well look cool, right?"
Hearing that the gloves were ordered from the famous I-Island, the candidates nearby especially Jiro and Tetsutetsu were impressed. I-Island was renowned for its cutting-edge tech, and having custom gear from there was no small thing.
Kaminari's equipment put him a step ahead of the competition, at least in terms of preparation. But he didn't seem to care much about how others viewed him. His mind was already racing ahead, strategizing for the test.
He knew the test would involve battling robots, which made him feel pretty confident. But there was something else about the test that nagged at him, a detail he couldn't shake. Still, he kept it to himself. He didn't want to sound overconfident or arrogant.
After forty minutes, the buses finally began to split off, each heading toward one of the seven simulation zones. Kaminari's bus came to a stop in front of a towering iron gate, more than ten meters tall.
Another bus pulled up right behind them, and soon, the candidates were being instructed to exit in an orderly manner. The exam would start in just ten minutes.
As they stepped off the bus, the atmosphere shifted once again. The nervous tension returned. Everyone dealt with it in different ways. Some took deep breaths. Some stared at the sky in silence. Others, like one overly eager candidate, began doing push-ups on the spot.
Among Kaminari's group, Jiro put her headphones back on, listening to music to calm her nerves. Kaminari noticed, with a small smile, that she was listening to his song, "Only My Railgun."
Tetsutetsu, meanwhile, had his eyes closed, inexplicably stepping in place as if preparing for a sprint, gradually increasing his speed.
As for Kaminari, his preparation was a little more subtle. He quietly ran small currents of electricity through his muscles, using them to stimulate and relax his body from head to toe.
Suddenly, the massive iron gate in front of them began to open silently, without even a creak.
Some of the candidates who had been focused on their own preparations didn't even notice at first. Those who did were momentarily stunned by the door's silent movement.
"The exam begins now!" a voice rang out, breaking the silence.
Kaminari didn't wait. He tapped Tetsutetsu and Jiro on the shoulders, signaling them, before he wrapped himself in crackling electricity and launched forward. He shot through the open gate, his body a blur of golden lightning.
From this moment on, they were no longer just friends. They were competitors. Kaminari knew he had to take care of his own score first, he could worry about helping them later.
When you're struggling, take care of yourself. When you're thriving, you can help others. That had always been Kaminari's philosophy.
Following Kaminari's lead, the rest of the candidates snapped into action, scattering in all directions, each chasing after their own goals.
Not long after Kaminari sped into the simulation city, the first "villain" appeared before him.
It was a humanoid robot, moving swiftly on two wheels. Its steel arms gleamed in the sunlight, and a camera-like device on its head flashed red as it locked onto Kaminari.
"Target acquired. Eliminate."
With a loud mechanical whir, the robot rushed toward him at full speed. But just as it was about to attack, a chaotic golden current surged through its body, paralyzing it instantly. The wheels screeched to a halt.
"Boom!"
A moment later, the red light on the robot's head dimmed as its systems powered down. Kaminari, without even glancing back, continued forward, having fully expected this outcome.
"It's just like I thought," Kaminari muttered to himself, a satisfied smirk on his face. "I might be able to help Tetsutetsu and Jiro soon after all..."
(Can you guess what Kaminari's gloves are modeled after?)
Chapter 25: Believe
I've been getting the same question over and over, and I'm tired of answering it. So, I'll just leave this here.
The MC doesn't know anything about MHA because it didn't exist in his world. If he seems like he's got a handle on things, it's because he's clever. He's watched tons of anime and read plenty of comics, so he can figure out common themes and patterns in a world like MHA. Any knowledge he shows comes from his own smarts and observations, not because he knew anything about the series beforehand. And if you can't stomach that, there are countless fanfiction stories on this platform besides this one, to be honest.
"There's definitely a big flaw in this exam."
Kaminari streaked down the street, sparks and lightning crackling in his wake. Any candidates who had tried to approach him didn't last more than ten seconds before storming off in frustration, dark looks on their faces.
They quickly realized that unless they had Quirks that enhanced their speed, there was no way they could keep up with Kaminari. While it might take others three or four seconds to take down a robot, Kaminari could do it in just one, barely breaking a sweat. He didn't even need to use his hands, just a quick brush of his clothes as he sped past was enough to short-circuit the machines.
What the others didn't know, though, was that Kaminari's actions weren't as random as they appeared. It wasn't just about running fast and zapping anything in sight. His movements were precise, calculated. Every time he passed a robot, he intentionally grazed the core, the red light at the front of each machine, which housed its control center.
That was the key. While dodging their attacks with lightning speed, Kaminari targeted that spot and let his electricity burn out the internal power supplies.
But to the other candidates Kaminari's finesse went unnoticed. All they saw was someone dominating the battlefield, mowing down robots with ease thanks to his Quirk and his speed.
Back at U.A., the principal, along with the Hero instructors including All Might watched the exam unfold on their monitors. Kaminari's performance hadn't escaped their attention, and they couldn't help but nod in approval.
His control over his Quirk, his ability to read and react to the robots' movements, and his composure while moving at high speeds were all clear signs of his skill. After years of effort, Kaminari's potential was finally blossoming.
But as Kaminari sped through the exam, he couldn't shake the thought that something was off about the whole setup.
"This exam is unfair."
It had only been four minutes since the test started, yet Kaminari had already cleared an entire street of robots. Now, standing atop a tall building, the wind swirling around him, he surveyed the area. His gloves, with their blue gems gleaming in the sunlight, pulsed with electricity as he considered the problem.
The exam's goal was to simulate a scenario where the candidates, as stand-in Heroes, would be fighting off 'villains' attacking the city. But the issue was that these 'villains' were robots.
That meant the difficulty of the test depended entirely on the candidates' Quirks. Kaminari himself was the perfect example. Even if he wasn't relying on his high-speed movements, his electricity alone would have made short work of the robots. The only difference would've been the speed at which he racked up points.
But what about someone with a Quirk that was ineffective against robots? What if their powers were more suited for taking on biological enemies? In that case, they'd be at a severe disadvantage.
"If I had been born with a Quirk like the Sharingan, for instance," Kaminari mused to himself, "there'd be no way I could pass this test." He'd have been forced to rely entirely on physical combat, which, while possible, would be far from ideal.
But thankfully, Tetsutetsu and Jiro didn't have that problem. Their Quirks were still useful here, even if their method was less flashy than his.
As Kaminari's thoughts wandered, he finally spotted his two friends down below. Tetsutetsu and Jiro had teamed up, working in tandem. One would distract the robot, drawing its attention, while the other would use their abilities to deliver the final blow. Jiro would plug her headphone jacks into the ground, sending shockwaves that disoriented their competition long enough for Tetsutetsu to smash the robot with a punch.
They swapped roles seamlessly, with Tetsutetsu using his steel body to block anyone trying to muscle in on their fight. Their teamwork was impressive, even if they were slower than Kaminari. They were methodical, and that made them stand out to U.A.'s teachers as well.
Seeing this, Kaminari grinned as golden electricity crackled around him. It was time to lend a hand.
In an instant, Kaminari leapt from rooftop to rooftop, dashing toward Jiro and Tetsutetsu. His sudden appearance caught the attention of the other candidates, especially those who had been frustrated by his earlier performance.
What's his deal? They thought. He already took over one street, now he's coming here to steal more points?
They watched as Kaminari made his approach, glaring at his seemingly endless greed.
"So selfish!"
"This guy's unbelievable!"
Meanwhile, Jiro and Tetsutetsu had just taken down another robot when they spotted Kaminari approaching. Their faces lit up with surprise and excitement.
"Kaminari!" Jiro called out, waving.
"Come on, follow me!" Kaminari shouted, not wasting any time. He gave each of them a quick pat on the shoulder, and suddenly, both Jiro and Tetsutetsu felt an electric surge run through them. Their bodies hummed with energy, temporarily boosted by Kaminari's Quirk.
"What the—this is high-speed movement?!" Tetsutetsu exclaimed, feeling his body lighten instantly. Jiro's eyes widened in shock as she too felt the unfamiliar rush of speed.
But neither of them hesitated. They knew exactly what Kaminari was doing, and without missing a beat, they chased after him as he bolted ahead.
The other candidates could only watch, stunned, as the three of them sped off together.
"Hey, hey, hey! That's too much!"
"He's boosting them too?!"
"That's basically cheating!"
Cries of outrage filled the air, and some candidates even accused Kaminari of breaking the rules. But as time passed and no reprimand came from U.A., it became clear that Kaminari had done nothing wrong.
Back at U.A., the teachers were surprised by Kaminari's decision to help his competitors, but after careful review, they found that he hadn't violated any rules. The exam guidelines prohibited using Quirks to attack others, but there was nothing against helping fellow candidates. Still, no one had expected Kaminari to use his abilities to assist his competition.
With their newfound speed, Tetsutetsu and Jiro easily destroyed the robots Kaminari had disabled ahead of them. Kaminari hadn't completely fried the machines this time. Instead, he had wrapped them in electricity, scrambling their systems temporarily.
It was almost like putting the robots in a mechanical version of paralysis. The momentary confusion allowed Jiro and Tetsutetsu to finish the job before the other candidates could catch up.
As they chased after Kaminari, both Jiro and Tetsutetsu couldn't help but admire him. This wasn't just about scoring points anymore Kaminari was proving himself to be someone worth following.
But then, suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled violently.
For a moment, the candidates thought it was an earthquake. After all, this was Japan, where quakes were frequent. But the rumbling stopped as quickly as it started, and when they looked up, they realized the true cause.
A massive robot taller than the buildings around it loomed ahead of them. It was the Zero Pointer, a giant machine meant to test the candidates' ability to handle overwhelming threats.
"No way! That thing is huge!" Tetsutetsu gaped in shock at the towering figure in front of them.
"Present Mic said we're supposed to avoid those," Jiro reminded them, watching as the other candidates scattered in a panic, fleeing from the enormous robot.
"And we've probably got enough points to pass," she added, already starting to back away.
"No!"
Kaminari's voice cut through the chaos, stopping both Tetsutetsu and Jiro in their tracks. "We need to take this thing down!"
"What?!" Tetsutetsu and Jiro turned to him, confused. The Zero Pointer was worth no points, there was no logical reason to fight it.
But Kaminari stood firm, electricity sparking at his fingertips. "Right now, we're acting as professional Heroes, remember? When you're a Hero, and you come across a 'villain' that poses this much danger to the city, you don't just ignore it because there's no reward!"
Tetsutetsu and Jiro fell silent, his words sinking in. Even the teachers watching through their monitors at U.A. were momentarily speechless. None of them had expected Kaminari to understand the deeper meaning behind the test so quickly.
Meanwhile, in Area B, Midoriya was sprinting toward the Zero Pointer himself, determined to save the girl trapped beneath the rubble.
"I've got a plan," Kaminari said, turning back to face his friends with a confident grin. "But it's only got a 50% chance of working."
He paused for a moment, his eyes gleaming with determination.
"Do you trust me?"
Chapter 26-30
Chapter 26: Super! Electricity! Magnetic! Gun!
Seeing Kaminari's confident smile, Jiro felt a bit flustered. But beside her, Tetsutetsu stomped his foot, raised his clenched fists, and flashed a fierce grin.
"Well, since you said so… let's do this!"
At that moment, Tetsutetsu looked undeniably cool.
"Jiro?" Kaminari grinned as he bumped fists with Tetsutetsu, then turned to Jiro.
"What do you want to do?" Jiro asked, curling her lips in mock irritation.
Her response made both Kaminari and Tetsutetsu smirk with satisfaction. In that moment, they knew—they could trust her. Jiro was no longer just a classmate; she was a teammate.
Real partners aren't formed by words alone, but through shared efforts and actions. And when you truly connect with someone, there's always a bit of reality that comes into play. No matter how passionate or idealistic your dreams may be, they need to be grounded in the real world.
"Alright, first thing!" Kaminari said, his smile fading into a more serious expression. He focused on the task at hand, but then he turned to Jiro and asked something that left her puzzled.
"You have a music player on you, right?"
At this point, the massive 'Zero Pointer' robot was less than sixty meters away, its sheer size displacing dust and debris as it crushed the surrounding buildings.
"Yeah… why?" Jiro replied, clearly confused.
"When the time comes, cue up "Only My Railgun", set it to loop, and crank the volume to max," Kaminari said, completely serious.
"..." Jiro.
"..." Tetsutetsu.
Back at U.A. High School, the heroes and teachers, still reeling from the spectacle of Midoriya's one-punch takedown of the Zero Pointer in Area B were left speechless once again by Kaminari's odd request.
"Uh… why?" Tetsutetsu asked, dumbfounded. Playing music at full volume during an emergency like this? He couldn't wrap his head around Kaminari's reasoning.
"BGM! You can't have a moment this epic without an equally epic battle song! It's gotta get everyone hyped!" Kaminari explained, waving his hand as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Alright, let's focus on what we need to do next."
"..."
Jiro and Tetsutetsu exchanged resigned glances, choosing not to argue. They simply nodded, ready to follow Kaminari's lead. After all, whatever weird ideas he had, they knew he had a plan. Ten seconds later, they sprang into action.
Since the 'high-speed boost' on Jiro and Tetsutetsu had worn off, Kaminari quickly recharged them with another jolt of electricity, just in case things went south. It would ensure they had enough mobility to escape if necessary.
Now, for the strategy.
Jiro detached her headphone jack from her ear and set up the music, despite thinking Kaminari's request was absurd. Meanwhile, Kaminari and Tetsutetsu, now glowing with golden electricity, dashed into a nearby building, racing up the stairwell at lightning speed.
As for the elevator? Please like that could keep up with them.
"Kaminari, why'd you say this ultimate move you're planning only has a 50% chance of success?" Tetsutetsu asked as they rushed up the stairs.
"Because it's huge. I've never faced anything this big before..."
"..."
Tetsutetsu fell silent, unsure if Kaminari meant to say that in such a weird way. Thankfully, they reached the top floor before he had time to question it further. Only a flimsy iron door stood between them and the rooftop.
"Boom!"
Tetsutetsu kicked the door off its hinges with ease, and they stepped onto the spacious rooftop. Ahead of them, the colossal Zero Pointer robot lumbered forward, unstoppable.
"Liberation! Keep the dream engraved in your heart!"
"I won't even hesitate to leave the future behind!"
"Ignore the meaningless, so-called limits!"
Below, Jiro had started the music, the familiar lyrics of "Only My Railgun" echoing in the distance. Though the volume wasn't deafening from this height, it was enough to get Kaminari's blood pumping. His heightened physical senses, thanks to his Quirk, made the song crystal clear.
Kaminari's excitement surged. For the first time, he could experience the kind of climactic, BGM-fueled moment that anime protagonists got to enjoy.
"Here we go, Tetsutetsu!"
"Right behind you!"
With a loud tearing sound, Tetsutetsu activated his Quirk, ripping off the remnants of his upper clothing. His steel body gleamed in the sunlight as he took his place in front of Kaminari.
"Bring it on!"
Meanwhile, down below, Jiro was carrying out her part of the plan. She stood dangerously close to the crumbling wreckage caused by the Zero Pointer's rampage, as chunks of debris fell around her. But wrapped in Kaminari's golden current, she showed no fear. Instead, she focused, extending her headphone jack toward the ground.
Then, with precise timing, she activated her Quirk.
The amplified sound of her heartbeat, multiplied tenfold, surged through her headphone jack and into the ground. The result was immediate.
"Crack—CRACK—"
"BOOM!"
The ground in front of Jiro shattered in a fan-like pattern, the solid concrete reduced to rubble in seconds.
"Not enough!" Jiro gritted her teeth. She knew her job wasn't just to destroy the ground but to slow down the Zero Pointer as much as possible, giving Kaminari and Tetsutetsu time to set up their attack.
Without hesitation, she darted forward, dodging the falling debris with her boosted speed. She positioned herself just ten meters ahead of the giant robot, dangerously close.
At this distance, Jiro could feel the ground trembling beneath her feet as the towering machine approached. The teachers monitoring the situation grew tense. With U.A.'s 'Recovery Girl' in Area B, any injuries Jiro suffered here might not get immediate treatment.
"There are only three minutes left in the exam!"
Present Mic's voice suddenly echoed across the exam site. At the same time, "Only My Railgun" reached its climax.
"Lookin'!"
"The blitz loops this planet to search a way!"
"Only my RAILGUN can shoot it—"
"Right now!"
On the rooftop, a beam of dazzling golden light burst from Kaminari's location. It tore through the air, a brilliant streak of electricity arcing toward the Zero Pointer.
Jiro, the U.A. teachers, and all the candidates in Area C who hadn't already fled watched in awe as the beam sliced through the massive robot like it was made of paper. The golden light struck the Zero Pointer's control center with pinpoint accuracy, piercing through its core.
"Super—SUPER! ELECTRIC! MAGNETIC! RAILGUN!"
Kaminari's triumphant roar echoed louder than the explosion that followed. As fire and lightning engulfed the giant robot, Kaminari stood on the rooftop, his blonde hair blowing in the wind, looking every bit the hero he aspired to be.
Well, except for the part where Tetsutetsu was launched off the rooftop in the process...
Chapter 27: Exposed
"Exam—OVER!"
Present Mic's announcement echoed from the loudspeakers, followed by an alarm-like buzzing sound that resonated throughout all seven 'simulation communities.'
But in Area C, none of the candidates moved. Instead, they stood there, wide-eyed, staring in the direction of the enormous beam of light that had just obliterated the Zero Pointer.
The giant robot continued to explode in a spectacular fashion, a constant reminder of what had just transpired. And, of course, the song "Only My Railgun" kept playing on a loop in the background, adding to the surreal atmosphere.
To be fair, the candidates weren't the only ones caught off guard. The teachers back at U.A. were equally shocked. Most of them had been focused on the events in Area B, where Midoriya's punch had taken down a Zero Pointer. No one had seen the massive beam of light coming from Area C until now.
One thing was clear: whatever had just happened was well beyond the capabilities of the average student. It was one thing for Midoriya to destroy a robot with a punch, even at the cost of serious injury. But in Area C, the Zero Pointer had been completely annihilated, its core pierced clean through.
The thought crossed their minds, what if that beam had been directed at a person?
"Let's not jump to conclusions!" Nezu, the principal—a small, white, rat-like creature clapped his paws to gather the teachers' attention. "We'll know more once we review the footage."
With quick, practiced movements, he typed on the keyboard before him, merging six of the small screens into one large display. Soon, they were watching the event unfold from a satellite view, capturing every moment of Kaminari's actions from above.
Yes, U.A. had satellites, and it seemed they had more than one. Quite the powerful school, indeed.
On the screen, Tetsutetsu whose skin had turned dark due to his steel Quirk stood shirtless in front of Kaminari. The tattered remains of his clothes lay scattered around, making the scene look a bit... unusual.
But Kaminari's expression was completely serious. He stretched his arms forward, placing them parallel to either side of Tetsutetsu's steel frame.
Golden electricity began crackling between Kaminari's arms. The currents were controlled, obediently flowing between his hands without leaking. This steady buildup lasted for about twenty seconds before small sparks started dancing across Tetsutetsu's body.
Then, something remarkable happened.
Tetsutetsu's steel form began to rise slowly off the ground. Though he only floated about ten centimeters into the air, the effect was clear, he was hovering, kept within the field of energy between Kaminari's outstretched arms.
Tetsutetsu, looking visibly tense, closed his eyes and lifted his arms, bringing his palms together as if in prayer. In this moment, he entrusted everything to Kaminari, putting his complete faith in his friend.
Gradually, Tetsutetsu's body shifted from upright to horizontal, transforming him into a human-shaped steel missile aimed directly at the approaching Zero Pointer.
And then Kaminari's eyes sharpened.
Golden electricity erupted from him, filling the rooftop with an intense surge of power. The current was so strong that even the residual charge lit up the surrounding area, turning the rooftop into a danger zone crackling with energy.
"Super—SUPER! ELECTRIC! MAGNETIC! RAILGUN!"
The words barely left Kaminari's mouth before the electricity condensed into a blinding golden beam, shooting forward with incredible speed. The beam tore through the air and pierced the center of the Zero Pointer, effortlessly cutting through its metal frame like a hot knife through butter.
Only after the massive robot exploded did Kaminari's voice catch up to the action. The teachers watching the footage heard his triumphant shout at the same time they witnessed the Zero Pointer's fiery destruction.
"..."
Silence hung over the U.A. staff room.
Principal Nezu, All Might, and the rest of the teachers were speechless for a moment.
What had they said during their meeting a few days ago?
Kaminari's control over electricity was nowhere near that advanced, right?
Hadn't they concluded that Kaminari wasn't as strong as other top candidates like Yoarashi Inasa or Todoroki Shoto in terms of raw combat power or mobility?
Could those two even beat Kaminari in a one-on-one duel now?
Kaminari was supposed to be mediocre when it came to academics and strategic thinking, right?
Then how in the world had he pulled off a move that involved electromagnetism? That was no beginner's trick.
The string of rhetorical questions left the teachers with nothing to say. If Midoriya's punch in Area B had surprised them, then Kaminari's electromagnetic railgun had left them completely floored.
Well, they'd subconsciously ignored Tetsutetsu's role in all this. There wasn't much to say about him after all. He'd been launched like a projectile, but Kaminari was clearly the star of the show.
But… what was Kaminari doing now?
On the screen, Kaminari's posture had changed. He was giving two enthusiastic thumbs-up, strutting around aimlessly, his expression oddly triumphant.
"Is he… congratulating himself?" All Might muttered, a confused look on his face. This strange behavior felt… familiar.
No! All Might quickly reminded himself. I'm a teacher at U.A. now. I can't think of these students as anything other than potential heroes.
No! I must remain professional!
But I can't... I can't hold it back anymore…
"He looks like an idiot," came a cold, deadpan voice from behind.
All Might, along with the other teachers in the room, exhaled as if a huge weight had been lifted from their shoulders. They'd been thinking the same thing but hadn't dared to say it out loud.
They turned to see Aizawa, better known as Eraser Head, standing behind them.
"This is probably his Quirk's limit," Aizawa continued, his tone thoughtful. He wasn't making a joke; he was seriously assessing Kaminari's condition.
After all, with Kaminari looking like a shoo-in for Class 1-A, Aizawa knew he'd be responsible for him soon. Understanding Kaminari's limits was crucial.
"Yes, there's a note in his file," Principal Nezu confirmed, his sharp mind recalling all the candidate data. "Kaminari Denki is prone to short-circuiting his brain if he releases more electrical power than his body can handle in a short period of time."
On the screen, Kaminari seemed to snap back to normal. He glanced around nervously, as if checking to make sure no one had seen his embarrassing moment. After confirming the coast was clear, he casually adjusted his clothes and hair, trying to look as cool as possible.
With a confident smile, he walked to the edge of the building, standing amid the sparks and fire of the destroyed robot. The fast-paced melody of "Only My Railgun" was still playing as he gave a thumbs-up toward the ground below.
Jiro Kyoka, looking up at him, couldn't help but smile.
"..." All Might.
"..." Principal Nezu.
"..." Aizawa Shouta.
"..." The rest of the Hero teachers.
Among the incoming students of U.A.'s Hero Course, they were witnessing the rise of a truly unique individual. A boy with incredible power… and a flair for theatrics. All the teachers couldn't help but smile, albeit with some exasperation.
Meanwhile, over in Area B…
BOOM!*
Tetsutetsu, forgotten by everyone in the aftermath of the Zero Pointer's destruction, had been launched by Kaminari's blast. Driven by the force of the impact, he crashed into the ground, creating a crater.
Coincidentally, he landed right next to Midoriya, who lay unconscious, his injuries already healed by Recovery Girl's Quirk.
"..."
Recovery Girl stared at the unconscious Tetsutetsu, a confused look on her face.
"What in the world…?"
Chapter 28: Withdrawing From The Group
"Sigh..."
Kaminari, now drained of electricity, stepped into the elevator and hit the button for the ground floor. The elevator's quiet hum filled the air, the only sound as he descended. No BGM, no explosions just the soft whirr of the machinery.
This was a rare moment of peace, giving him time to think.
It wasn't that Kaminari didn't want to keep up his cool, "high-speed movement" entrance, with "Only My Railgun" blasting as he heroically swept Jiro off her feet from outside the building. But his body had other plans. The "super electromagnetic gun" he'd just used had wiped out all the electricity in his system.
Luckily, the glove on his right hand had started recharging him. The crystal on the back of his glove emitted a soft, glowing blue light as it worked.
Now, about that electromagnetic railgun…
In truth, that move was Kaminari's strongest attack, but before this, his "railgun" had only been a knockoff version of Misaka Mikoto's technique, using coins as a medium. The range was short, and the power output was capped, with a maximum distance of only fifty meters.
The reason for using coins aside from being easy to carry was his control over electromagnetism. It simply wasn't strong enough for anything more complex. Unlike the Misaka Mikoto of another world, Kaminari had some serious limitations to consider.
That's why when he told Tetsutetsu and Jiro he had a 50% chance of success, he was honestly overselling it. The actual odds were way lower. If the railgun failed, the worst that would happen was that he'd run out of power without being able to launch Tetsutetsu at the Zero Pointer.
Still, it had been a gamble worth taking.
After all, what's life without a little risk?
As long as you're prepared for the consequences and can handle them, why not go for it?
And this time, it had paid off. Not only had Kaminari secured passing marks for himself, Tetsutetsu, and Jiro, but he'd also grabbed the attention of U.A.'s teachers. Most importantly, though, he had gained a deeper understanding of his railgun technique.
This wasn't something he could have learned from studying electromagnetism in textbooks. It was the kind of knowledge that came from real experience, from pushing his limits in the heat of battle. While the payoff might not be obvious yet, Kaminari knew that in the future, this experience would be crucial for developing more advanced electromagnetic techniques.
"Still... I should brush up more on electromagnetism..."
Ding!*
The elevator reached the first floor, the soft chime snapping Kaminari out of his thoughts. The metal doors slid open with a cold, mechanical precision, as if to silently remind him it was time to leave.
"Kaminari!"
Jiro Kyoka's voice echoed through the entrance hall as she rushed toward him, clearly relieved to see him.
"Huh?"
Jiro looked around the elevator, puzzled. "Where's Tetsutetsu?"
"Oh, him..." Kaminari started, walking out of the elevator as he explained the chaotic events that had unfolded on the rooftop. Jiro listened, her mouth opening in disbelief. By the time Kaminari finished, she managed to distill her complicated emotions into one simple phrase:
"So the light that just shot out was... Tetsutetsu?"
When they stepped outside, Jiro frowned as she stared in the direction Tetsutetsu had been launched. "Is he going to be okay?"
"He'll be fine," Kaminari said, shaking his head. "The force from the electromagnetic push would've died down after it penetrated the Zero Pointer. I aimed to send him far, but not too far."
After all, the weight difference between a coin and Tetsutetsu was massive. Just because Kaminari could shoot a coin fifty meters didn't mean he could launch Tetsutetsu the same distance.
"After that, it was just inertia. But with Tetsutetsu's steel body, he'll be alright. Plus, we're still within U.A.'s grounds. Heroes must've already recovered him by now."
That said, only Tetsutetsu could have survived that kind of high-risk stunt. If anyone else had tried it, things might not have ended so well.
"Recovered..." Jiro muttered, her lips twitching at the odd choice of words. Still, the mention of U.A. heroes reassured her, easing her worry about Tetsutetsu.
Soon, Kaminari and Jiro reached the exit of Area C. The space was filled with candidates, many of whom looked battered and bruised after their encounters with the robots. But the moment Kaminari and Jiro appeared, all eyes were on them.
They all wanted to know what had caused that massive beam of light and why Kaminari had bothered with the Zero Pointer, knowing full well it didn't award any points. Most of the candidates had enough brains to figure out there had to be more to the story.
But Kaminari wasn't in the mood to explain. He was exhausted. Ignoring the stares, he gestured to Jiro and led her toward the exit, slipping through the crowd and heading toward the large iron gates.
He knew that once they left the 'simulation community,' there would be little chance for him to see or interact with the rest of the candidates anytime soon. Their paths were likely to diverge.
Well, except maybe if they liked his music. Some might brag about taking the U.A. exam alongside Kaminari Denki, the rising star with the hot new single.
But let's be real when it came to exams like this, any talk of "friendship before competition" was just an empty platitude. The cold, hard fact was that only forty out of over a thousand candidates would pass. Well, actually, excluding the four recommended students, only thirty-six people would make it through those gates wearing the U.A. school uniform tomorrow.
Kaminari climbed onto the bus, returned to his seat, and closed his eyes. He needed rest. There was so much to look forward to, becoming a hero, meeting new friends, and, of course, facing new villains.
Having watched tons of anime in his previous life, Kaminari knew all too well that in a world filled with Quirks, heroes, and villains, conflict was inevitable. It was part of the balance.
Although Kaminari didn't aspire to be a typical, professional Hero, by choosing this path, he'd knowingly stepped into the middle of that conflict.
But wasn't that what made life exciting?
In his old world, a world without Quirks, Kaminari had spent countless hours fantasizing about moments like these. Now, those fantasies were becoming reality. How could he back down now?
This was why he'd spent 80% of his free time studying, training, and preparing himself.
Otherwise, wouldn't it have been easier to just copy songs and animations, become a pop star, and make a fortune that way?
But then what? What if a villain threatened him or his family? Was he supposed to just sit on his wealth, hoping some professional Hero would show up in time to save them?
No way.
It was better to be strong. To have the power to protect the people around him.
And as for being a star? Well, why not have both? Kaminari Denki wanted it all. With a new life ahead of him, why not make it as extraordinary as possible?
If that meant trading away his leisure time, sweat, and hard work to achieve it, then so be it. He had no regrets.
Meanwhile, the buses carrying candidates from all the major 'simulation communities' were making their way back to U.A. High School, where their fates would soon be decided.
In the teacher's lounge, the principal and the instructors began their final discussions about who would be placed in Class 1-A of the Hero Course. U.A.'s rules were strict, only forty students would be admitted into the Hero Course, with Class A and Class B each having twenty members.
Four names were already set in stone: Kaminari, Tetsutetsu, Jiro, and Midoriya. They had passed with flying colors in terms of their performance, their Hero spirit, teamwork, and the potential of their Quirks. No debate was needed.
As for Midoriya, his performance spoke for itself.
The real discussion, however, was focused on two candidates: Minoru Mineta and Eijiro Kirishima. Mineta had the lowest score in the practical exam, and his Quirk was more suited to support than direct combat.
Kirishima, on the other hand, had a high score, but his Quirk overlapped significantly with Tetsutetsu's, and his overall performance hadn't been as strong as Tetsutetsu's.
Now the question was clear: who would be asked to withdraw from Class 1-A?
Chapter 29: Minoru Mineta
At this moment, the comprehensive results of the practical test were tallied and displayed clearly on U.A.'s large screen:
NO.1 - Kaminari Denki - 103 (Hero Points) - 50 (Rescue Points)
NO.2 - Bakugo Katsuki - 087 - 00
NO.3 - Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu - 060 - 20
NO.4 - Jiro Kyoka - 053 - 20
NO.5 - Kirishima Eijiro - 039 - 35
The most impressive result was Kaminari's.
Not only had he racked up an incredible score, but he had also impressed the judges with his Hero spirit and exceptional teamwork. Even though the special rescue points weren't necessary for him, the examiners had still awarded him a symbolic fifty points.
Because of this, the discussion among the teachers regarding Kaminari was brief. He was guaranteed to be in Class 1-A, so there was no point in debating further.
Only Midnight, U.A.'s alluring and playful pro Hero, glanced at Kaminari's name with a mischievous smirk. She was looking forward to the next time they met, especially after he'd 'deceived' her during the exam.
"It's not very gentlemanly to toy with a woman's heart..." she muttered to herself, amused.
With Kaminari's placement secured, the real discussion about the distribution of students into Class 1-A and Class 1-B began.
"If we're going purely by scores, Minoru Mineta should be placed in Class B," Principal Nezu began, swiftly pulling up Mineta's exam data and his recorded performance. "But as we all know, class assignments are not based solely on scores."
"Minoru Mineta's Quirk is 'Pop Off.' Those round, grape-like objects on his head are extremely sticky. They can remain stuck to a person for more than twenty-four hours and regenerate quickly."
"However, if he uses too many in a short period of time, he begins to bleed from his scalp," Nezu continued, referencing the Quirk analysis on the screen.
Present Mic whistled and leaned back in his chair with a grin. "Tsk, tsk, tsk—control-type Quirks. Perfect for Heroes."
"Indeed," Midnight agreed, thoughtfully touching her chin. "While Heroes need the power to deal serious damage when necessary, capturing and restraining villains is always the preferred method. This kid's Quirk is perfect for that."
The other teachers quickly nodded in agreement. As professional Heroes themselves, they could all see the practical applications of Mineta's Quirk in various situations. Even though Mineta had ranked near the bottom of the results, his Quirk was highly useful. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that he belonged in Class 1-A.
Vlad King, the teacher in charge of Class 1-B, raised a practical point. "Are we really going to move Kirishima Eijiro to Class B, just because his Quirk overlaps with Tetsutetsu's?"
He pulled up Kirishima's data on the screen, comparing it with that of other candidates. "Kirishima ranked fifth in the exam. It doesn't seem fair to move him, especially when we've got other candidates like Rikido Sato, whose Quirk overlaps with theirs. Or take Koji Koda and Toru Hagakure, for example. They're also among the lower ranks and have more support-based Quirks."
All Might, Nezu, and the rest of the teachers paused, considering Vlad King's point. Then Principal Nezu turned to Aizawa Shouta, the pro Hero Eraser Head, who had been standing silently at the back of the room.
"As the homeroom teacher for Class 1-A, what do you think?"
Aizawa squinted at the screen, studying the profiles of the candidates for a long moment before his muffled voice finally emerged from behind his scarf.
"I've made my decision," he said, his tone flat yet decisive.
Meanwhile, the candidates were once again passing through the gates of U.A., though this time they were leaving, not entering. Each of them carried the weight of uncertainty, knowing that not everyone would be returning.
Some had already accepted that this was the closest they'd ever get to becoming a Hero. The reality was sinking in, at only fifteen years old, they were already facing the harshness of the world.
But Kaminari and Jiro were not among the crowd heading home just yet. Instead, they were standing in U.A.'s infirmary, watching over a snoring Tetsutetsu, who was lying on a bed.
Recovery Girl, the pro Hero with the Quirk that allowed her to speed up healing, had reassured them that Tetsutetsu wasn't hurt he was just knocked unconscious from his earlier "missile" adventure.
The boy who had been sent to the infirmary with Tetsutetsu, Midoriya Izuku, had already left. Kaminari heard his injuries were much worse, but Recovery Girl had healed him enough to go home.
"So, what now?" Jiro asked with a chuckle, glancing at their still-sleeping friend.
"Simple," Kaminari smirked, raising his right index finger and poking Tetsutetsu's arm. A small, controlled spark of golden electricity zapped through his finger with a crackling sound.
"Wake up time!"
"AHH!" Tetsutetsu shot up in bed with a shout, his steel skin activating out of pure reflex. His eyes darted around the room in confusion.
"Why are you here? No, where am *I*?" He looked down at the blanket covering him, then at Kaminari and Jiro, before blurting out, "Wait, what about the exam?!"
Seeing there was no immediate danger, his body returned to its normal state.
"The exam's over," Jiro replied, hands in her pockets.
"...Over?" Tetsutetsu repeated slowly, rubbing the back of his head as he swung his legs off the bed. "So... did we pass?"
"I'm not sure yet. Present Mic said the final results will be mailed to us," Kaminari said, giving Tetsutetsu a light punch to the chest. "But don't worry we totally passed. All three of us."
Tetsutetsu let out a long sigh of relief. "Whew good. I just wanted to get through that exam!"
"Alright, let's exchange contact info with Jiro, and then we can head home," Kaminari said, yawning as he thought about the long journey ahead. The Shinkansen would take another hour to get him back to Saitama, and the thought made him sigh inwardly.
While many students would be looking to rent a place closer to U.A., Kaminari had no such plans. In his previous life, he'd had a distant relationship with his parents, but now that he had this second chance, he cherished every moment with them. Maybe most people didn't understand that feeling, but for Kaminari, each home-cooked meal made by his mom was a small joy he couldn't give up.
He was willing to endure the two-hour commute just for that. And besides, he could always use the travel time to study electromagnetism or catch up on other subjects.
After saying their goodbyes to Jiro, Kaminari and Tetsutetsu made their way to the underground station where their journey had begun earlier that morning.
"You know, Jiro's pretty lucky. It only takes her fifteen minutes to get home from U.A.," Tetsutetsu said with a hint of envy as they walked.
"So, do you want to rent a place nearby?" Kaminari asked casually.
"I thought about it," Tetsutetsu admitted, before striking a pose that mimicked a judo stance. "But not anymore. I've fallen in love with practicing judo with Sensei Daimon. No way I'm giving that up just because of a longer commute!"
"Oh, is that so? Impressive." Kaminari glanced at him with a smirk. "So, how many moves have you mastered so far?"
"..."
Tetsutetsu froze, his face turning sheepish. He quickly looked away in embarrassment. "I don't want to talk about it!"
Chapter 30: Hero Costume
It was three o'clock when Kaminari and Tetsutetsu left U.A. High School, and by the time Kaminari finally arrived home, it was already 4:35pm. Since it wasn't yet dinner time, the usual aroma of home-cooked food was absent from the house.
However, both his parents were there, which surprised Kaminari.
"You're home early," he said, looking at his father. "This isn't your usual time to get off work, right?"
Kaminari's father grinned with pride, ruffling his son's hair as he replied, "Today's the day of your Hero exam. How could I focus on work when that's all I've been thinking about?"
His mother, who had been standing nearby, came over to take his backpack containing his casual clothes and gloves gently from his shoulders. With an expectant smile, she asked, "So, how did it go?"
Kaminari beamed confidently. "I'm 99% sure I passed!" he declared. In front of his parents, there was no need to be modest.
"Hahaha!" Kaminari's father burst into laughter, clearly pleased. He trusted Kaminari's words completely. If his son said he'd passed, then it was as good as done.
"By the way," his father continued, "how did those gloves work out?"
His question shifted the mood to a more relaxed, lively atmosphere. Kaminari's father had spent a lot of money on those gloves, so naturally, he wanted to know if they'd lived up to expectations.
"They were great. Really smooth when charging," Kaminari said with a nod, glancing at the gloves his mother had set on the coffee table. "But… it would be nice if they had a few more features."
"Oh?" his father asked, intrigued. "What features?"
"For starters, a built-in music player would be cool," Kaminari said with a smirk. "And maybe the ability to shoot barbed wire especially the latter. That would give me some long-range capture ability."
His father and mother exchanged amused looks. The barbed wire suggestion made sense, but they couldn't help but be puzzled by the music request.
Still, Kaminari's father nodded. "Alright, write down your ideas when you get the chance, and I'll contact the company to see if they can add those features in a second modification."
"That would be awesome!" Kaminari grinned, already imagining the upgrades to his gear. But before he could get too lost in thought, his father interrupted him.
"By the way, there's something else I need to tell you," his father said, his tone shifting. "Your song 'Hero' has climbed to number three on MTV's best-selling list. Since last night, we've been flooded with calls from media outlets and companies."
Kaminari blinked in surprise as his mother looked at him, eyes sparkling with pride. "So, my son's really becoming a big star, huh?" she teased lovingly.
Kaminari scratched the back of his head. "I wouldn't go that far. The song's popular, sure, but I'm not exactly a household name yet, right?" He looked at his father, who usually kept up with these things more closely.
"Hahaha!" His father laughed heartily again. "Wrong guess, kid."
"Wrong?"
"Yep. Remember when you announced that you were aiming to get into U.A.'s Hero Course?" His dad pulled out his phone, opened the MTV app, and showed Kaminari his artist page.
"Turns out, the massive popularity of Heroes has gotten people more interested in you, too. That announcement gave 'Hero' a huge boost. The folks at MTV say that if you actually get admitted to the Hero Course and post your acceptance letter, your fame will skyrocket even more."
Kaminari's father looked serious now. "You've got a decision to make, son. You could strike while the iron's hot, accept media interviews, sign advertising deals with companies, and officially debut as a fifteen-year-old hero student."
"Or…"
Kaminari understood the weight of the choice in front of him, but he wasn't fazed. He'd already mapped out his life plan long ago.
"Dad, I want you to decline all the interviews and ad deals," Kaminari said calmly. "For the next three years, I'm going to focus entirely on my Hero Course, train hard to master my Quirk, and work toward getting my Hero License."
His eyes were steady, showing no hesitation. "From now on, my only identity will be as a student in U.A.'s Class 1-A who also happens to like singing."
"Of course, I'll still post photos and updates on MTV when I have time, and if I can, I might release new songs every now and then. But my priority is becoming a Hero."
Hearing this, Kaminari's father felt a wave of pride wash over him. His son was different, and he knew it. Most families might see this kind of opportunity as too good to pass up, thinking that fame and money were within reach.
But to Kaminari's father, the path of a professional Hero was on an entirely different level. Becoming an entertainment star couldn't compare to the prestige and fulfillment of being a Hero who saves lives.
Besides, the family didn't need Kaminari to bring in money at such a young age. Financially, they were more than stable. In fact, his business had been doing better than ever lately, with unexpected smoothness in government dealings and commercial ventures. Everything seemed to be going their way.
With a confident smile, Kaminari's father placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Alright, I'll handle everything on my end. You focus on your studies and your training at U.A."
He patted Kaminari's shoulder lightly and added, "I'll do whatever I can to support your dreams. Now, go rest—you've earned it."
From a young age, Kaminari's father had noticed that his son was special especially in terms of intelligence. There were times when he wondered if Kaminari's real Quirk had something to do with his IQ. But in any case, Kaminari had proven time and again that he could handle himself.
Meanwhile, Kaminari's mother had gone back to her room to change into a coat. She was planning to make a quick run to the nearby Tamade Supermarket to pick up some fish and meat for dinner. Her son had been through a lot at the U.A. exam, and she wanted to make sure he was well-fed tonight.
Just as Kaminari was about to head to his room, he turned to his father and said, "Oh, by the way, Dad I sent the rough drafts for Pokémon to your office computer earlier."
His father's eyes lit up. "You finished it already? That's great news!"
His smile grew even wider. It felt like everything was falling into place lately one good thing after another.
"I've already found a cartoonist to start working on it tomorrow," his father added, clearly excited about the project.
"Already? Who's the artist?" Kaminari asked curiously, though he wasn't expecting any big names.
"Oh, his name is Junichi shan. He's a young, relatively unknown cartoonist with solid drawing skills, but he's not great at coming up with original stories," his father admitted with a bit of embarrassment.
He had tried reaching out to more well-known artists, but they either weren't interested in collaborations like this, or their asking prices were through the roof. So, he had settled on a newcomer like Junichi, figuring that fresh talent might be more energetic and easier to work with.
"As expected," Kaminari thought to himself. But he wasn't bothered by the choice. He knew how strong Pokémon as a franchise could be, and it might actually be a good thing to help a new artist rise along with the story.
The next morning, on February 27th, the family of three had a simple breakfast together. After seeing his father off to work, Kaminari settled into his room to tackle his own tasks for the day.
At the top of his list: designing his Hero costume.
After passing the written exam, U.A. had required all prospective students to submit their ideas for their Hero costumes, and Kaminari had handed in a basic concept at the time. But last night, something unusual had happened.
U.A. had called him to say that the original support company responsible for his costume had passed the project over to a Mitsui-owned support company, which was now asking him to resubmit his design with as many specific details as possible.
This was highly unusual. Typically, support companies only accepted a small portion of a student's design ideas when making costumes for free. And while the quality of the materials used was always top-notch, it wasn't common for them to allow this much input.
Both Kaminari and U.A. had been left speculating as to why Mitsui was taking such an interest in his costume. Some of the more gossipy staff even wondered if Kaminari might be the illegitimate son of a Mitsui executive.
But Kaminari wasn't concerned. If they were offering better equipment, why not take advantage of it? It didn't do him any harm, after all.
"Hmm... The costume's gotta be cool, and it's gotta stand out... Maybe a skateboard, but without wheels. Hmm... I bet Mitsui can handle that."
"And I definitely need to factor in some defensive features…"