From the narrator's point of view
My breathing was still disturbed as I stood before the massive iron gate.
"Hero Academy"... the words were engraved on the top plaque in shining gold under the sunlight.
Lines of students began pouring in from all directions, some walking confidently, some dripping in sweat, and some staring in awe just like I was.
A neat uniform adorned them all, but it didn't hide their strange diversity: wings, blue skin, glowing eyes, blazing hair, metal limbs... It was as if I were in front of a superhero circus show, not an entrance exam.
"This is real..."
"Salmon"
I whispered as I observed the scene.
I heard whispers behind me:
"Is this the entrance exam? It feels like we're entering a war zone..."
"I heard 90% of the applicants get rejected."
"My older brother said one student lost his arm last year..."
I swallowed nervously.
The crowd began to move inside.
Then...
I saw the scene.
A green-haired boy, his slim body running with all his might.
"Izuku?"
He was stumbling... about to fall...
Then...
A girl with brown hair and a warm smile reached her hand toward him.
His body floated in the air suddenly... as if gravity had stopped.
I realized what happened.
It was her quirk...
The girl who controls gravity.
She gently lifted him, prevented his fall. He stood on his feet and looked at her in surprise, then thanked her.
"Oh... I didn't think I'd see this moment in real life," I thought to myself.
I whispered:
"This is the true beginning."
I looked ahead.
And saw the gate open.
A mechanical voice echoed from the surrounding speakers:
"All applicants, proceed to the test sites. You will be divided into groups based on initial energy levels."
Everyone started moving.
And so did I.
As soon as I passed the gate, a faint light flashed before my eyes.
[Ding!]
A transparent screen appeared in the air, like a hologram visible only to me.
[Mission: Arrive at the test location on time – "Completed"]
Analysis:
You arrived in the last three minutes.
Completion level: 100%
Heart rate: Fast
Reward: "Free Speech"
You can now speak freely, but beware—speech consumes the host's energy.
"Energy Level: 60%"
(Skill can be upgraded)
"Huh?"
The word came smoothly out of my mouth.
"Energy Level: 59.5"
As soon as I saw the energy drop, I realized I could speak—but it was limited.
I could only say about 200 words per day. But since it can improve with practice, that's great.
I stood there stunned for a moment.
I looked between the screen and the crowded students around me.
"This... is awesome?"
But as soon as I saw the other students running, I realized the exam would start soon,
so I quickly headed toward the hall.
I ran fast to catch up,
because any delay now meant disqualification.
I crossed a long metallic corridor with dim blue lights hanging from above,
until I reached a massive door that automatically opened before me with a mechanical sound.
I entered...
The Hall!
A vast hall, almost the size of a stadium, with elevated seats arranged like bleachers,
and each student calmly taking their place.
The lighting was white and focused,
the indoor air sterile—smelled like a lab or a military facility.
I sat in my seat.
Tension filled the room.
Suddenly... the lights dimmed.
A muscular man appeared on stage wearing a bright blue outfit with the academy's logo on it.
His hair slicked back, his face stern, his glasses reflecting the screen behind him.
It was him...
Present Mic.
His voice exploded in the hall:
"Welcome, kids!! To everyone dreaming of becoming a hero—HELLO!!"
His voice was powerful, enthusiastic, echoing in the walls.
"My name is Present Mic, and I'll be your announcer today! Yahooooo!"
He raised his arms and began hopping in front of the huge screen behind him, which started showing diagrams.
"As you know, this is the official entrance exam for Hero Academy!"
"And now—let's get to the important stuff!"
The screen changed to show a digital map of a huge test field.
"You'll be divided into 10 random zones.
In each zone, you'll find 3 types of robots,
each worth different points when destroyed."
The screen displayed:
The 1-point robot. The 2-point robot. The 3-point robot.
"The more points you collect, the higher your chances of passing!"
Then appeared a massive robot... one that couldn't be classified.
Present Mic raised an eyebrow:
"As for this big guy... he's the Zero-Point Target!"
He chuckled a little, then said:
"You won't get any points for destroying him... so I recommend avoiding him!"
Some students began exchanging anxious looks.
But I already knew all this from the anime.
"The test will last ten minutes!
Once the timer starts, no one's allowed in or out!"
Then he raised a finger up, and said seriously this time:
"Remember! This isn't a game! Take the exam seriously!"
Then… suddenly, the massive side gate behind the stage opened.
A mechanical sound echoed through the room.
"Get ready for launch!"
To be continued
50 energy stones = 1 bonus chapter
Image of the exam announcer in the comments