As Erasure Head mentioned the matter of expulsion, everyone looked at Luke and Todoroki.
"I will explain the dorm system later," Aizawa said, taking his eyes off the two troublemakers. "Before that, I need to discuss two important things. First, the Provisional Hero License Exam."
Once again, involuntarily, everyone looked at Luke and Todoroki.
By now, all of them had learned what the alternate punishment UA had decided for them and for Monoma from Class 2-B.
"The entire point of the Training Camp was not only to make your Quirk stronger," Aizawa explained, "but also to prepare you for the Provisional Hero License Exam, which will be conducted in the second half of this semester. You must all know by now that Luke, Todoroki, and Monoma are debarred from taking that exam. However… they can still apply for the Remedial Course next semester."
A wave of cheer ran through the students as Luke looked at Aizawa in shock, Toru and the others congratulating him from the sides.
But Erasure Head's eyes had narrowed into needles, instead.
Sensing something amiss, Luke looked at Todoroki, whose face practically held no shock.
"… You already knew," Aizawa commented. "Who told you?"
Hidden among the students, Midoriya smiled wryly, remembering that it was Comedy Hero: Lemillion who had let it slip out.
"It doesn't matter," Aizawa continued. "You two will have a chance to take the Provisional Hero License Exam, but… You will also be fighting alone against everyone else. There's a reason that it is recommended to attempt the exam in groups."
And the cheery wave died.
"Sir!" Tsuyu raised her hand. "Wouldn't that be the same for everyone taking the Remedial Course?"
As the students whispered in agreement, Aizawa shook his head. "Not anymore," he told them. "The rate of passing students in the Provisional Hero License Exam has always remained low. This time, because of the obvious shift in the world's circumstances, the rate of passing will be even lower because of stricter rules and regulations for the marking scheme."
Faces paled.
"Don't tell me…" Aizawa grinned, "… were you all thinking that just because you will be attempting the Exam, it is given that you will earn the License. Haha…"
It had never boded well when Aizawa smiled at them.
Much less needed to be said about the time when he outright laughed.
Meanwhile, Luke smiled widely at everyone. "I am looking forward to some of you joining Todoroki and me next semester…"
Mouths twitched, easing the students' shoulders.
This guy… Aizawa looked at Luke and sighed. If he weren't so goofy, he would already be…
"Anyway," he said, "that leads us to the second matter I needed to discuss. Sports Festival."
For the first time, laziness, sleepiness, and goofiness disappeared from Luke's face, making Aizawa nod within.
Not only Luke—every single face had gone hard the moment Aizawa said Sports Festival.
Getting a Provisional Hero License Exam was also an individual endeavor, but it didn't actually mean that they had to compete with each other. Sports Festival, on the other hand, meant not only competition, it meant… revival of old rivalries and checking out how much they had progressed compared to each other… truly!
Bakugo's eyes narrowed as he looked at the back of Deku's head.
Luke looked to his left and found Todoroki looking back at him.
Not only them, everyone was looking at each other… the entire atmosphere heating up.
Clap!
Aizawa's clap dissipated the heat instantly.
"You still have time," he said. "Sports Festival will be organized around the same time as last year. Also, you need to keep in mind that fighting each other is not the goal of the Sports Festival. There might not even be One-to-One matches…"
Jaws dropped.
"I am just making a guess," Erasure Head said as students began shouting, asking if those disappointing words were true. "The point is, even if you have made it to your Second Year, you still need to impress the Hero Agencies, which you will be joining after getting your Provisional Hero License for your Work Studies. So, be mindful of that. Alright. That is all. Let's go inside."
As the students followed Aizawa, Momo neared Luke.
"Where's Nyx?" she asked.
"Still under the weather," Luke told her, holding back a yawn. Then, lowering his voice, he asked, "… did you hear anything from your parents again?"
Momo, going a touch red, shook her head rapidly.
From the sides, Kyoka Jiro narrowed her eyes at them.
Luke nodded with relief.
His father, Reijirou Saionji, had approached the Yaoyorozu household with the matter of Quirk Marriage between him and Momo.
To not let this matter become a hindrance for him in the future, Luke had threatened to leave the Saionji Family entirely, much earlier than the planned time as per the deal with Mrs. Saionji. She had not been pleased with Luke revealing the matter. However, he had no choice, either.
Anyway, that had done the trick, it seemed.
"What are you two whispering about?"
Luke and Momo looked behind and found Mina narrowing her eyes at them.
"Guys…" she stretched her voice, catching ears. "Luke and Momo are dating!"
"WHAT?!" Toru shouted.
Kyoka Jiro's eyes widened, popping out of her skull.
Tsuyu and Ochaco involuntarily came together and held their hands, their eyes shining.
Meanwhile, all the boys had their mouths open, Kaminari and Mineta crying and laughing at the same time, patting Luke and giving him thumbs up.
Momo let out an ashamed, shocked gasp. "No, we… are not…" she said before sensing the hesitation in her voice. Then, taking a deep breath, she repeated, "We are not! Luke. Tell them!"
"Well…" Luke scratched his head.
And the girls gasped, Momo slapping Luke's back, asking him not to joke about it anymore.
Looking at the lively bunch over his shoulder, Erasure Head shook his head.
I guess… he thought, opening the doors. … We will have to keep an eye on all the students… for many reasons.