The week passed quickly after the combat exercise, and Kairo kept to himself mostly—observing Class 1-A and memorizing their quirks and rhythms. But the quiet didn't last long.
One morning, the class buzzed with chatter until Aizawa walked in, his tired eyes cutting through the noise.
"Listen up," he said. "End-of-term practical exams begin tomorrow. Fail, and you won't be going to the training camp."
The classroom exploded into groans and worried mutters.
"Seriously?" Denki groaned. "We just got Kairo! Can't we have a break?"
Aizawa sighed. "You've all been through plenty, but villains won't wait for you to rest. This is necessary."
Izuku raised his hand. "Are we doing written exams too?"
"Yes," Aizawa replied. "But the focus will be the practical—each of you will face off in pairs against one of the teaching staff."
Mina leaned over to Kairo. "You're new—do you even have to do this?"
Kairo gave her a calm look. "I don't think I'm exempt."
---
After Class – Match Assignments
The pairings were posted after class:
Izuku Midoriya & Katsuki Bakugo vs. All Might
Tenya Iida & Ochaco Uraraka vs. Thirteen
Fumikage Tokoyami & Tsuyu Asui vs. Ectoplasm
Mina Ashido & Denki Kaminari vs. Principal Nezu
Shoto Todoroki & Momo Yaoyorozu vs. Eraser Head
Eijiro Kirishima & Rikido Sato vs. Cementoss
Yuga Aoyama & Mina Ashido vs. Power Loader
Hanta Sero & Minoru Mineta vs. Midnight
Mezo Shoji & Toru Hagakure vs. Snipe
Mashirao Ojiro & Koji Koda vs. Present Mic
A few heads turned when they noticed one name missing from the combat list.
"What about Kairo?" Uraraka asked.
Aizawa glanced at the list. "His evaluation will come later."
---
Day One – Exam Arenas
Kirishima and Sato charged into their match with confidence. But Cementoss quickly overwhelmed them, erecting walls to divide and trap them. Their brute strength wasn't enough.
Kairo's POV: Raw power. They push through anything. But they rely too much on breaking obstacles head-on. Cementoss neutralized that immediately. A predictable strategy is a losing one.
Result: Fail.
---
Sero and Mineta faced Midnight. Sero's tape offered mobility, but Mineta kept tripping over his own feet and flirting awkwardly. Sero tried to distract Midnight, but once Mineta was knocked out, he was overwhelmed.
Kairo's POV: Sero has potential—he's versatile, quick. But Mineta... his mindset isn't suited for high-stakes combat. The gap between partners cost them the match.
Result: Fail.
---
Ashido and Kaminari dealt with Nezu, but the principal's tactics were far superior. Using the environment like a grand game of chess, he funneled them into traps. Kaminari discharged electricity in frustration, but it only gave Nezu more openings.
Kairo's POV: Nezu isn't a combatant, but he's lethal with intellect. Kaminari loses control too easily under pressure. Mina kept her cool, but that wasn't enough against a genius strategist.
Result: Fail.
Still, Aizawa clarified later: "While these students failed the exam, due to their growth and effort in previous assignments, they will still attend the training camp."
---
Iida and Uraraka used coordination and strategy to outmaneuver Thirteen's black hole quirk.
Kairo's POV: They're a strong pair—disciplined, thoughtful. Iida's speed and Uraraka's precision make up for any individual shortcomings. They've improved.
Result: Pass.
---
Tokoyami and Tsuyu fought Ectoplasm, using terrain and timing to counter the clones.
Kairo's POV: Tokoyami's Dark Shadow is a major asset. Tsuyu balances it with tactical support. They adapt quickly—useful in real combat.
Result: Pass.
---
Todoroki and Yaoyorozu's fight against Aizawa was tense. Aizawa erased Todoroki's flames, forcing Momo to lead. Her quick thinking and decisive actions turned the tide.
Kairo's POV: Momo's intelligence gives her an edge. She hesitates sometimes, but not today. Todoroki's control helps her shine. Good teamwork.
Result: Pass.
---
Aoyama and Ashido took on Power Loader. Aoyama's beam dug tunnels while Ashido used acid to dissolve barriers. The teamwork was shaky but surprisingly effective.
Kairo's POV: Aoyama's overconfidence hurts him. But Mina's improvisation compensates. They're not ideal partners, but they pulled through.
Result: Pass.
---
Shoji and Hagakure were up against Snipe. Their stealth and communication gave them the edge. Hagakure's invisibility and Shoji's awareness worked in perfect sync.
Kairo's POV: Underrated pair. Shoji's calm and Hagakure's invisibility make them excellent for recon and silent operations.
Result: Pass.
---
Ojiro and Koda faced Present Mic. Ojiro relied on martial skill while Koda summoned bugs to distract. The battle was chaotic but effective.
Kairo's POV: Not flashy, but dependable. Koda's command is growing stronger. Ojiro provides consistency. Quiet fighters, but capable.
Result: Pass.
---
As the last match wrapped up, Kairo stood on the observation deck alone, watching as the sun dipped below the horizon. The shadows on the field faded, leaving only silence and scattered debris behind.
Tomorrow, it would be his turn.
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