Chapter 9: Results!
When Izuku stepped off his bus, freshly healed with shoulders slumped and a faint gloom clung to his expression. Around him, murmurs buzzed among the examinees who had witnessed his performance.
"You saw how he took out the Zero Pointer in one punch?"
"Yeah, didn't think someone so timid could be that strong."
"But he barely used his Quirk the whole time. What's up with that?"
"Yeah, it was like he was fighting Quirkless or something."
"You think he was trying to mess with us or something?"
The words hung in the air, drawing more attention to Izuku than he wanted. He kept his head down, clutching his bag tightly as he trudged away from the mutterings. A flicker of relief washed over him when he finally got some distance, letting out a small sigh.
From the corner of his eye, he noticed an orange-haired girl glance at him with a curious expression before hopping off the bus herself. Izuku blinked but didn't linger on it, his focus shifting when another bus pulled up.
His brows raised slightly as Bakugou stormed out, flanked by a group of equally irate examinees. Their scowls and muttered curses weren't aimed at him, though—they were all directed at one person.
Ben Tennyson stepped off the bus last, his hands in his pockets and an infuriatingly casual whistle on his lips. He seemed completely unbothered by the hostile glares and occasional shoves from the other passengers.
"Asshole," someone muttered under their breath, shoulder-checking Ben as they passed.
Ben just shrugged it off, still whistling, his demeanor as relaxed as ever.
"Uh… Ben?" Izuku asked hesitantly, glancing between him and the fuming group of examinees. His curiosity got the better of him. "What exactly… happened?"
Ben turned to him with a smirk, his green eyes practically twinkling with mischief. "Oh, nothing too crazy," he said, his tone light as he rubbed the back of his neck.
The gazes boring into Ben from behind told a very different story.
Izuku tilted his head, waiting for an explanation.
With a small chuckle, Ben finally answered, "I turned the Zero Pointer into a giant magnet."
Izuku froze for a moment, his eyes widening to comical proportions. "Y-You what?!"
Ben laughed, clearly enjoying his reaction. "Yeah, worked like a charm. Pulled in every bot in the zone. Got points for days, buddy."
Izuku wasn't so sure about that, especially judging by the sheer amount of frustration radiating off the group behind Ben. But before he could respond, Bakugou's voice cut through the air like a whip.
His hands sparked with small explosions as he glared daggers at Ben. "You're dead, Tramsforming Fuck," he snarled.
Bakugou stormed off, grumbling under his breath, his fists clenched tight as small explosions sparked from his palms. "Damn cheater, using sneaky Deku tactics... I'll show him next time."
Izuku watched nervously, wincing at Bakugou's muttering. "K-Kacchan is really mad..." he said, rubbing the back of his head.
Ben, entirely unfazed, shrugged casually. "Eh, I'm used to ticking people off. Comes with the territory. Anyway, how'd your exam go?"
Izuku's shoulders slumped in defeat, his face darkening. "It was... intense. I barely made it through..." he mumbled, trailing off.
Before Ben could say anything, a group of nearby examinees started talking loudly, catching both their attention.
"Hey, isn't that the kid who destroyed the Zero Pointer with one punch?"
"You mean Ben Tennyson?"
"No, not him—the green-haired, nervous-looking guy! I swear, he took it down in one punch. It was insane!"
Ben's head whipped around toward Izuku like a machine locking onto a target, his expression blank with disbelief. He stared at the smaller boy, unblinking, as if trying to process what he'd just heard.
Izuku chuckled nervously, waving his hands frantically. "I-I guess my Quirk came through in the end... somehow."
Ben tilted his head, his expression shifting to disbelief. "Hold up. You one-punched a Zero Pointer?"
"Y-Yeah," Izuku admitted sheepishly, scratching his cheek. "B-But it was only during the last two minutes, a-and it... uh... broke my arms and legs." He winced at his own words, his blush deepening.
Ben's jaw dropped, his eyes widening in exaggerated horror. "It broke your WHAT?!"
Izuku flinched at the outburst, his face practically glowing red. "M-My arms and legs! I-I wasn't used to using that much power... I didn't know it'd happen..."
Ben blinked, trying to process the information. He sweatdropped, a mix of being impressed and just a little jealous flickering across his face. His mind wandered briefly to all the ways he could've beaten the Zero Pointer in one punch—one particularly ridiculous idea involving Upgrade fusing with a Zero Pointer to create a giant mecha. He shook his head, snapping himself out of his thoughts, and focused back on Izuku.
"Man, I still can't believe you actually did it," Ben said, his voice laced with a teasing awe. "That thing was like 20 stories tall, and you just went full One Punch Man on it!"
Izuku blushed at the praise, glancing away shyly. "I-It wasn't that impressive... I just—"
"It was totally impressive," Ben interrupted, nudging him lightly as they started walking. "Don't downplay it, Izuku. That's some next-level hero stuff."
Izuku smiled faintly, feeling a small weight lift from his chest. Talking about the Zero Pointer was somehow less stressful than worrying about the results of the exam. "T-Thanks, Ben..."
Ben grinned but then furrowed his brow in curiosity. "Wait, hold on. Why'd you even fight the Zero Pointer? Everyone else was running for the hills."
Izuku's expression turned sheepish again, a faint blush dusting his cheeks. "W-Well, there was this girl... she was trapped under some rubble... I couldn't just leave her there."
Ben's grin widened into a knowing smirk. "Ohhhh, a girl, huh?"
Izuku waved his hands frantically, his blush deepening. "N-No! It wasn't like that! She was just... the same girl from the front gate."
Ben raised an eyebrow. "Wait, the one who stopped you from eating concrete earlier?"
Izuku nodded quickly, trying to avoid Ben's amused gaze. "Y-Yeah... that's her."
"Thank me later." Ben said.
"Huh?"Izuku said as Ben shoved him to the right Izuku widened.
"Eh–?!" Izuku said as hit the body of a girl he turned and saw the brown haired girl with bob-shaped hair from before with permanent blushes.
"H-Huh?!" The girl said in shock as she blushed slightly.
"O-Oh..."Izuku tensed up immediately and blushed heavily."S-Sorry!" Izuku said.
"No it's okay." The girl said cheerfully."I keep running into huh?"
"I-I guess so..."Izuku said blushing furiously he didn't know why but he could feel Ben grinning.
Ben caught something out of the corner of his eye, his grin turning mischievous. "Hey, Izuku... thank me later."
"H-Huh?" Izuku asked,without warning, he gave Izuku a firm shove to the side.
"Wha—Ben?!" Izuku yelped, stumbling to the right and bumping into someone soft. He froze, his heart skipping a beat as he turned to see a familiar face.
The brunette from earlier—her round face framed by bobbed hair—looked just as startled as him. Her cheeks flushed a faint pink as she blinked up at him. "O-Oh! It's you again!"
Izuku's mind blanked, his face heating up as he stammered, "S-Sorry! I didn't mean to—"
The girl waved her hands quickly, her expression brightening. "Oh, no, it's okay! I guess we just keep running into each other, huh?"
"I-I guess so..." Izuku mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. His blush burned hotter as he struggled to find anything coherent to say.
"W-Well, I better..." Izuku stammered, moving stiffly, almost robotically, as he tried to make a quick escape.
"W-Wait!" the girl suddenly called out.
Izuku froze mid-step, his heart nearly leaping out of his chest. Slowly, he turned around, his movements jerky as he nervously faced her.
"What's your name?" she asked, walking up to him with a bright, friendly smile.
Izuku blinked, momentarily stunned by her directness. "I-Izuku M-Midoriya," he finally managed, his voice barely above a squeak.
The girl's smile widened. "I'm Ochako Uraraka. Thank you for saving my life."
Izuku's face immediately turned crimson. "N-No p-problem! It's j-just what heroes do! Or... w-well, what heroes-in-training do! Er... I mean... yeah..." He trailed off, cringing at his own awkwardness.
Ochako giggled softly at his flustered demeanor. "You're cute."
Izuku's brain short-circuited. "C-Cute?!" he squeaked, his face somehow turning an even deeper shade of red.
Ochako just smiled, unfazed by his reaction. "Mind giving me your phone?"
"My... phone?" Izuku repeated, blinking in confusion.
"Yeah, your phone," she said, holding out her hand expectantly.
Still dazed, Izuku fumbled with his pocket, nearly dropping his phone in the process before handing it over to her.
Ochako giggled again as she caught the phone with ease. "Relax, I'm not gonna steal it." She quickly began typing something into his phone before handing it back to him.
"There. Now you've got my number," she said cheerfully. "You can call or text me so I can properly thank you. Or, y'know, we can just chat or something."
Izuku stared at his phone in disbelief, like it was suddenly a priceless artifact. "Y-You don't have t-to thank me!" he stammered, shaking his head.
"I know," Ochako replied, her smile turning softer. "But I want to. Besides..." She stepped back, waving casually as she began to jog off. "If we both pass the exam, we might end up as classmates. It'd be nice to know someone already, don't you think?"
Izuku stood frozen in place, his heart hammering in his chest as he watched her go. "C-Classmates..." he murmured under his breath, glancing down at his phone again. A small, shy smile crept onto his face despite his lingering embarrassment.
Izuku turned to Ben, clutching his phone like it was a sacred relic. "I-I-I g-got a-another g-girl's number...!" he stammered, his face glowing red with a mix of disbelief and joy.
Ben raised an eyebrow, folding his arms casually. "Are you seriously gonna freak out like that every time a girl gives you her number?" he asked, recalling a similar reaction when Kyoka had done the same.
"...Yes."
"...Alright then."
...
Ben and Izuku made their way back to the auditorium, where the next challenge awaited them: the U.A. written exam. As they approached the testing halls, they exchanged a quick nod of encouragement before splitting off to their respective exam areas. Izuku headed toward the Japanese portion, while Ben, as an international examinee, was directed to the section tailored for students from overseas.
When Ben entered the room, he immediately noticed how sparsely populated it was—only about six other applicants were seated, far fewer than he had expected. His gaze quickly fell on a blonde girl with horns who sat a few rows away. She caught his eye and flashed him a bright, cheerful smile of recognition. Ben felt a flicker of familiarity but had no time to dwell on it as the proctors signaled the start of the exam.
The moment the test began, Ben realized this wasn't going to be the cakewalk he had hoped for. He scowled at the paper in front of him, his pen tapping against the desk.
"Ugh, I'd rather fight Vilgax again," he muttered under his breath, earning a glare from the proctor and a stifled chuckle from someone behind him
Being a kid from the U.S., Ben already knew he was at a disadvantage. The Omnitrix was incredibly helpful for understanding spoken languages, but it didn't translate written text for him—especially not the complexities of Japanese kanji. To top it off, he wasn't exactly a bookworm.
He could practically hear Gwen's voice chiding him for slacking off on his language lessons.
He pushed through the English section first, which was mercifully simple for him.
Math? Ugh... why does math always have to show up like a villain I can't punch? he thought, grimacing as he worked through each equation.
Then came physical science. He groaned audibly when a question on physics appeared. If there was one thing Ben would have gladly handed over to someone else, it was physics.
Then came Heroic Informatics, and Ben audibly groaned. It wasn't that the subject itself was boring, but Japan's hero culture was so vastly different from what he was used to in the States. Hero Laws and Ethics? He felt like he was being tested on how well he could guess what a hypothetical hero "should" do, and it didn't help that Japan seemed to have a much stricter code of conduct for their heroes than anywhere else.
Still, as much as he wanted to give the sarcastic, witty answers that came naturally to him, Ben knew better than to sabotage his chances of making it into U.A. He smirked mischievously when he saw a particularly loaded ethics question. "I'll give you the answer you want, but I'm not saying I agree with it," he thought, scribbling down his response.
By the time the exam ended, Ben felt like he'd gone twelve rounds with Four Arms against a Tetramand who didn't know when to quit.
He slumped back in his chair, exhausted but relieved to be done. As he glanced around the room, he noticed the blonde girl with horns stretching and looking just as tired as he felt.
...
Ben stepped out of the exam room, rolling his shoulders to loosen the tension that had built up during the grueling test. He took a deep breath, glad to finally be done, when he heard a voice call out behind him.
"Wait!"
He turned to see the blonde girl with horns from earlier weaving her way through the small crowd. She reached him, slightly out of breath, and for the first time, Ben got a proper look at her.
She was petite, with a round face and an equine-like muzzle that added an innocent charm to her features. Her thick, wavy blonde hair cascaded halfway down her back, with shorter bangs brushing against her forehead. Her wide, Prussian blue eyes sparkled with an almost childlike curiosity, and her tall, lyre-shaped horns swayed slightly as she moved. His gaze briefly flicked downward, noting her rounded calves, brown hooves, and the short, swishing horse tail peeking out from behind her.
"Uh... hi?" Ben said, a little caught off guard.
The girl took a second to catch her breath before speaking. "H-Hey! I'm Tsunotori Pony!" she said, her words tinged with nervous energy. Her accent revealed her American roots, though her slightly hesitant Japanese hinted that she wasn't entirely fluent.
"Ben Tennyson," Ben replied, scratching the back of his neck as Pony stepped closer. Her earnest gaze made his face heat up slightly.
"I-I thought that was you," she stammered, her hands clasped in front of her. "You're the guy from the videos, right? The vigilante with the aliens?"
Ben blinked, his brow raising in surprise. "Er... yeah, I guess that's me."
Her face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Wow! That's so cool!" she said, her voice rising slightly before she caught herself and looked sheepish. "S-Sorry! I didn't mean to yell. It's just... I saw that video of you on the bridge—the one with that mutant guy with the multi-Quirk. You were so brave, standing up to him like that!"
Ben rubbed the back of his head, trying to downplay it. "Oh, that? That was... just another Tuesday."
Pony's eyes widened in admiration, and she clasped her hands together. "You were so young back then too! And you got framed for all those crimes? That must've been so scary... but you still kept fighting! You're amazing, really!"
Ben felt his face flush deeper under her praise. "Uh, thanks. But, you know, it's not all that big a deal. I just do what I can."
Ben's blush deepened as Pony's fangirling drew the attention of a few passing students. He scratched the back of his head, unsure how to respond. "Uh, thanks," he said sheepishly. "But, you know, it's not a big deal. Just doing what I had to do."
Pony shook her head quickly, her tail flicking behind her in disbelief. "N-No! It is a big deal! You're like... like a real hero! Even before coming here!" Her voice softened slightly as her excitement tempered. "I-I mean, I know things were tough, but you still inspired a lot of people. Including me."
Ben blinked in stunned silence, trying to process the sudden enthusiasm radiating from the girl in front of him.
"The way you just came out of nowhere and saved everyone… You're just… amazing!" Pony gushed, her eyes sparkling as she leaned in slightly, her hands clutched together in front of her. "You're kinda like an actual anime protagonist! The way you fought those villains—like that octopus guy? And the crazy woman who attacked that hospital?! You were so brave!"
Ben's lips parted to say something, but Pony wasn't done. "And the way you transformed into all those aliens? It's like something straight out of one of those action mangas! I mean, who even does that?! You're like… like All Might-level cool but with your own alien twist!" Her voice was rising in pitch as she spoke, her excitement bubbling over.
Then, as if realizing how over-the-top she sounded, Pony abruptly stopped, her face flushing red. She looked down at her hooves, fidgeting awkwardly. "Oh gosh," she murmured, nervously twirling a strand of her blonde hair around her finger. "I probably sound like a massive fangirl, huh?"
Ben chuckled, the sound soft but genuine, as he rubbed the back of his neck. "It's cool," he said, smiling slightly. "Honestly, you're one of the few people who don't want me thrown in prison. So, I'll take it."
Pony's embarrassment melted into a soft giggle as she looked up at him again. "That bad, huh?" she said, tilting her head sympathetically. "Well, for what it's worth, I think you're a hero no matter what anyone says."
Ben's grin widened at her kind words, and for a moment, he didn't feel the weight of all the judgment and misunderstandings that had been following him for months.
"Oh! I better go," Pony suddenly exclaimed, glancing at the clock on the wall and realizing she was running late. She took a step back, hooves clicking softly against the floor. "But, um, maybe we can talk more later?"
"Yeah, sure," Ben said with a nod, his smile still lingering. "See you around, Pony."
Pony gave him a quick, shy wave before turning and trotting off, her tail flicking slightly behind her.
As Ben watched her disappear into the crowd, he couldn't help but chuckle softly to himself.
...
Ben made his way out of the examination hall, his mood a mix of relief and annoyance as he stretched his arms above his head. He immediately spotted Izuku walking ahead, his posture slumped, backpack securely strapped, and head hung low as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders.
Ben frowned. It didn't take a genius to figure out what was going on—Izuku probably thought he'd bombed the exam. With a sigh, Ben hesitated for a moment before jogging up to him.
"Hey, bud," Ben called out cautiously.
Izuku flinched, his eyes darting to Ben before quickly looking away. "O-Oh, h-hey, Tennyson..." Izuku's voice was melancholic, his tone dragging as much as his feet.
The silence that followed was awkward. Ben wasn't exactly the best at comforting people, and Izuku seemed lost in his own spiral of self-doubt. Then, an idea struck him, and Ben snapped his fingers.
"Oh!" Ben grinned as he enthusiastically grabbed Izuku's bag. "Let's get some food!"
"H-Huh?" Izuku stammered, startled as Ben began dragging him away. "T-Tennyson, I have to get home! T-Tennyson!"
Ben waved off his protests with a shrug. "Come on, relax! We're just grabbing some food. You'll feel better, trust me."
The two eventually stood outside the neon-lit "Burger Shack," the smell of chili fries and greasy burgers wafting through the air. Izuku grimaced at the overwhelming aroma of unhealthy food, his eyes darting up to the glowing sign.
"E-Er, Tennyson... Are you sure this is a good idea?" Izuku asked hesitantly, tugging at his sleeve.
Ben, however, looked at the restaurant as if it were a five-star establishment. His mouth practically watered, and he licked his lips in cartoonish anticipation. "Good idea? It's a great idea. Come on, let's head in!"
With no room for further protest, Ben shoved the door open, the sound of rock music and sizzling grills greeting them as they stepped inside.
Meanwhile, Kyoka Jiro walked into the Burger Shack, trailing behind her parents. Her father, Kyotoku, was brimming with excitement, his voice booming through the establishment.
"MY DAUGHTER JUST PASSED THE U.A. ENTRANCE EXAM! YEEEEEAAAAH!" Kyotoku shouted, throwing his fists into the air like he was at a concert.
Kyoka groaned, tugging at her jacket hood to shield her face. "Dad, the results haven't even come in yet. You're embarrassing me."
Her mother, Mika, chuckled warmly, resting a reassuring hand on Kyoka's shoulder. "Oh, don't mind him, sweetie. You know how he gets."
Kyoka sighed heavily as heads turned to look at them, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She pulled her hood further down over her head. "I don't know him," she muttered under her breath before walking briskly to find a quiet corner booth.
Mika giggled as Kyotoku followed after them, looking sheepish but still grinning. "I'm just proud of her, you know? She's following her dreams! That's my girl!"
Kyoka slumped into a seat in the corner, doing her best to avoid eye contact with anyone. She glanced out of the corner of her eye and froze when she spotted Ben and Izuku sitting a few tables away. Luckily, they hadn't noticed her—or her dad's outburst.
"Great," Kyoka muttered to herself, slouching lower in her seat. "Just what I needed."
Her mother slid into the booth beside her, smiling gently. "You know, Kyoka, you've already accomplished so much. Whether or not you pass, we're incredibly proud of you. You'll help people, whether it's through hero work or your music. You just gotta show you're stuff."
Kyoka glanced at her mom, her cheeks flushing at the praise. "Thanks, Mom," she mumbled.
Her dad chimed in, sitting across from them with a dramatic sniffle. "She's gonna be the best hero-rockstar combo the world has ever seen! I just know it! And me and your mom will be your biggest fans!"
Kyoka buried her face in her hands as Mika laughed, giving her a playful nudge. "You're our little hero already, sweetie."
Kyoka glanced toward Ben and Izuku's table again, her curiosity piqued as she fiddled with her drink straw. Ben was ordering food, casually leaning on the counter while a bored-looking girl with gum lazily took his order.
"I'll take chili fries, a cheeseburger, and... let's go with a soda," Ben said, grinning at the girl as if they were old friends.
Izuku, meanwhile, stared nervously at the menu, shifting from foot to foot. His face twisted with uncertainty as he scanned for the healthiest option. Finally, with a resigned sigh, he mumbled, "I-I guess I'll have what he's having..." before slumping dejectedly as the server walked off.
Kyoka quirked an eyebrow. "Dramatic much?" she muttered under her breath, but something about the dynamic caught her interest.
Ben turned back to their table, his usual easygoing demeanor intact. He plopped into his seat and leaned back as if the world wasn't weighing on his shoulders. "You know," he started, glancing at Izuku, "I don't get why you're so bent out of shape about this. It's just a school."
Izuku's head shot up, his eyes wide in disbelief. "J-Just a school?! U.A. isn't just any school! It's where All Might—"
"The best of the best, yeah, yeah, I've heard it before." Ben waved a hand dismissively, cutting him off. "Doesn't change what I said."
"T-Tennyson—"
Ben leaned back in his chair, his expression softening. "Let me ask you something, Izuku: Do you want to be a hero, or do you just want to go to U.A.?"
Izuku froze, caught off guard by the question. "I… what? I want to be a hero, of course, but—"
"But nothing," Ben said firmly. His green eyes locked onto Izuku's, his voice steady but sincere. "Being a hero isn't about others knowing you did something good; it's about you knowing you did something good. Being a hero is its own reward."
Izuku's breath hitched, his mind flashing back to the countless times he had imagined what being a hero really meant to could see the frustration of failing in Izuku's eyes as he contunied.
"But come on, dude. You don't need U.A. to prove you can be a hero. You're already one. Or do you really think saving people depends on a fancy diploma?"
Izuku blinked, visibly taken aback. "T-Tennyson, you don't have to cheer me up..."
Ben shrugged, leaning forward. "I'm not trying to cheer you up. I'm being real. If a school like U.A. rejects the guy who jumped into danger to save someone without a second thought, then maybe they're the problem, not you."
Izuku stared down at the table, his hands gripping his knees. "But it's the best school... the school All Might went to... It's everything I've dreamed of since I was a kid..."
"So what?" Ben interrupted.
Izuku blinked, startled. "H-Huh?"
"So what if All Might went there? You're not All Might. You're you. And the way I see it, you've already got the most important part of being a hero down—you care about helping people. The rest? That's just tools. Your Quirk, the school you go to... they're all just things to help you do what you already know you want to do. But if you think you need U.A. to be a hero, then you're selling yourself short, Izuku."
"You think the people you're saving are gonna stop and ask what school you graduated from before they thank you for saving their lives?" Ben raised an eyebrow.
"Being a hero isn't about the name on your diploma. It's about what you do. You get the skills, yeah, but you don't need U.A. for that. You need heart."
"But..." Izuku started, his voice wavering.
Ben cut him off with a faint grin. "Look, if you think you can't be a hero because you don't have the 'right' school, the 'right' connections, or the 'right' quirk, then you're already holding yourself back. At the end of the ... Are just gadgets...You need to be the hero."
"Skills, connections, fancy schools—they're all tools," Ben continued, his voice steady but firm. "Like a Quirk or some high-tech gadget. They can help, sure, but they're not what makes a hero. If you really want to save people, you'll find your own way to do it. That's what being a hero is all about."
Kyoka felt her heart skip a beat as she listened, her face growing warm despite herself. The words had struck Kyoka more than she realised.
Izuku's eyes widened, the weight of Ben's words hitting him like a wave. His grip on his knees loosened as he looked up at Ben, a flicker of something new—determination—shining in his eyes.
Kyoka, still stealing glances at Ben while trying to look uninterested, felt her heart thumping faster with every word he said. She didn't even notice her mother leaning closer, a teasing grin spreading across her face.
"Oh my," Mika said, her tone dripping with amusement. "Your heartbeat just went wild—like a double bass pedal in a metal solo."
Kyoka's face turned bright red as she groaned, burying her face in her hands. "You're imagining things."
Mika chuckled, clearly enjoying herself. "Oh, I don't think so. Is it that cute American boy sitting a few seats away?"
"Mom!" Kyoka hissed, her voice muffled as she slumped lower in her seat. "Please, stop."
Her mother only giggled, nudging her gently. "Alright, alright, sweetie. I'll back off… for now."
Kyoka exhaled in relief, but that relief was short-lived as her father, who had been quiet up to this point, suddenly radiated an over-the-top murderous aura. His smile didn't reach his eyes, and the fork in his hand bent slightly under his grip.
Ben, completely unaware of the situation, froze mid-bite. A chill ran down his spine, and he slowly turned to look over his shoulder.
"Ben?" Izuku asked, noticing his friend suddenly tense up.
"I-I don't know why," Ben muttered, sweat forming on his brow, "but I feel like I'm in serious danger."
Kyoka's dad let out a low, almost comically menacing chuckle, which made Kyoka slam her head against the table in exasperation. "Dad, seriously! Can you not?"
"What? I'm just being a good dad, looking out for my daughter!"
Kyoka groaned louder, her face still buried against the table, while her mom stifled her laughter behind her hand. Ben, still uneasy, cautiously resumed eating, though the feeling of being watched lingered.
...
[Few Days Later]
Ben paced anxiously around his apartment, hands stuffed into the pockets of his hoodie as he tried to shake the nervous energy bubbling in his chest. The entire week had been a blur—video games, junk food, and whatever distractions he could get his hands on to keep from obsessing over the U.A. entrance exam results.
Kyoka had come over a few times, challenging him to Guitar Hero, an old classic she absolutely wrecked him in. Ben's eye twitched just thinking about it. He had tried everything—button-mashing, frantic strumming, even switching up the difficulty mid-song—but Kyoka barely broke a sweat, effortlessly shredding her way through song after song while smirking at his misery.
"Better luck next time, Tennyson," she had teased, tossing her controller aside after another flawless victory.
Ben had grumbled but bided his time. His revenge came in the form of Sumo Slammers, a game where he held the high ground. The tables had turned, and this time, Kyoka was the one groaning in frustration as he crushed her character with a perfectly timed special move.
"Hah! Who's the champion now?" Ben had gloated, pumping his fist as Kyoka shot him a deadpan glare.
Izuku had also dropped by, though it was clear he was just as anxious as Ben was, if not more. They had spent hours trying to distract themselves, playing co-op games and watching old hero documentaries, but the weight of the unknown still loomed over them. Ben's parents, Gwen, and Grandpa Max had been calling him constantly, checking in, eager to know if he had gotten any news.
And then, just like that, the week was over.
Ben stepped outside for his usual morning walk, stretching his arms above his head as he tried to shake off the restlessness. But the second he looked down at his doorstep, his breath caught in his throat.
There it was.
A single letter, with the U.A. insignia stamped across the front.
Ben's body moved before his brain even caught up. He snatched the envelope off the ground and bolted up the stairs to his apartment, slamming the door shut behind him.
He stood frozen in his living room, staring down at the letter in his trembling hands. His reflection stared back at him from the black screen of the TV. His heart pounded so hard he swore he could hear it.
This is it.
His last chance to be a hero. To prove he could be one.
Ben swallowed hard. He needed to open it. He had to.
But for some reason, his fingers wouldn't stop shaking.
Come on, man. It's just a letter. No big deal… right?
His heart pounded against his ribs as he carefully tore the envelope open. A small metal disc slid out, landing with a soft clink before rolling across the table. Ben blinked, watching as it spun on its edge before finally coming to a stop.
Then, without warning, a flash of light erupted from the disc.
"Gah!" Ben shielded his eyes as a holographic projection burst to life, filling the room with a booming, all-too-familiar voice.
"BOO YAH! I AM HERE AS A PROJECTION!"
Ben nearly fell off the couch.
"All Might?!" he blurted out, staring wide-eyed at the larger-than-life figure in front of him. The Symbol of Peace stood proudly, his signature grin shining just as brightly as the yellow suit and tie he wore.
"YOU'RE SURPRISED, AREN'T YOU?" All Might bellowed, his voice full of energy. "TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, I CAME TO U.A. TO BECOME A TEACHER!"
Ben raised an eyebrow. "Wait, seriously? That's… actually pretty awesome."
"NOW, LET'S MOVE ON TO YOUR LETTER!" All Might continued, puffing out his chest. "BENJAMIN KIRBY TENNYSON, YOUR PERFORMANCE WAS ABSOLUTELY BOMBASTIC, TO SAY THE LEAST! YOU DEFINITELY MADE AN IMPACT! YOU SHOWED UNPARALLELED SKILL, INGENUITY, AND STRENGTH WHEN ELIMINATING ALL ROBOTS!"
Ben grinned. "Heh, well, I do have my moments."
"WITH AN OVERWHELMING 620 VILLAIN POINTS!"
Ben's smirk instantly faded.
"Wait… what?" His eyes widened as the words sank in. Six hundred and twenty points?! That was insane!
All Might let out a hearty laugh. "YOUR LAST PLAN WAS SURELY ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS! IT SHOWED NOT ONLY YOUR CREATIVITY AND QUICK THINKING, BUT ALSO YOUR ABILITY TO PERFORM UNDER PRESSURE! YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF SUCH AN OVERWHELMING VICTORY!"
Ben couldn't help the grin stretching across his face. Oh, heck yeah! Mom and Dad are gonna freak when they hear this!
But before he could even reach for his phone, All Might's expression suddenly shifted. His grin softened into something more serious, almost… regretful?
"IT IS WITH GREAT SHAME THAT I MUST SAY…"
Ben's heart plummeted.
No way… no, no–
"YOU HAVE DETROIT SMAAAAAAASHED MY RECOOOORD!"
"…Huh?"
Ben blinked, completely thrown off.
"I TOOK THE EXAM BACK IN MY DAY AND PASSED WITH ONLY 200 POINTS… BUT YOU, YOUNG MAN, HAVE EARNED OVER 600 POINTS, SHATTERING MY RECORD!"
For a second, Ben just sat there, his brain struggling to process what he'd just heard.
Then, a wide, almost comically smug grin spread across his face.
"Ohhh yeah!" He fist-pumped the air. "I so gotta call Gwen about this!"
"BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!"
Ben's excitement paused mid-victory dance. "…There is?"
The projection shifted to display footage of the exam, showing Spider-Monkey swinging in to save students from falling debris.
"YOU SEE, BEN TENNYSON, THE EXAM WASN'T SOLELY GRADED ON VILLAIN POINTS... WHOO, DÉJÀ VU." All Might wiped his brow with exaggerated flair before folding his arms again. "ANYWAY, THERE WAS A WHOLE OTHER CATEGORY!"
Ben leaned in.
"RESCUE POINTS!"
"Rescue points?" Ben repeated, brow furrowing.
"THAT'S RIGHT! BEING A HERO ISN'T JUST ABOUT KNOCKING OUT VILLAINS. THE JOB OF A TRUE HERO REQUIRES RISKING ONE'S OWN LIFE TO SAVE OTHERS!"
Ben thought back to Izuku, how he had told him how selflessly thrown himself into danger to save someone else, despite knowing how hopeless it seemed. Ben smirked, already sure of Izuku had passed.
"WITH A WHOPPING 90 RESCUE POINTS..." All Might glanced down at the number, tilting his head slightly as if even he couldn't believe it. "COMBINED WITH YOUR VILLAIN POINTS... WITH A GRAND TOTAL OF 710 POINTS, YOU HAVE EARNED FIRST PLACE!"
Ben's eyes nearly bulged out of his skull. "WHAT?!"
He quickly glanced at the leaderboard that appeared next to the projection, scanning for his name. There it was, right at the very top.
Benjamin Kirby Tennyson: 620 Villain Points / 90 Rescue Points - First Place
And right below him—
Izuku Midoriya: 20 Villain Points / 89 Rescue Points - Second Place(109 points
Ben let out a stunned laugh, running a hand through his hair as a wide, victorious grin spread across his face. He had never been the top of anything before, not in school, not in sports—but now? Now he had crushed it.
And even better? He had beaten All Might's old record.
"AND HAVE PASSED BY AN EXCEPTIONAL AMOUNT!"
All Might extended his hand forward, his smile unwavering.
"BEN TENNYSON, WELCOME TO YOUR HERO ACADEMIA!"
Ben stared at the screen for a long moment.
Then, his face split into the biggest grin of his life.
"...Hell yeah."