Tokyo Super High's grand auditorium was a marvel of modern architecture and traditional design. The ceiling soared overhead, embedded with power-dampening materials that gave the surface a faint, opalescent shimmer. Tiered seating rose in a semicircle around a central stage. The air buzzed with anticipation as hundreds of students filled the space, their collective nervous energy almost tangible.
Kazama settled into his usual spot alongside Kurogane and Haruto in the middle section. Kazama was sitting in between both of them. Three rows ahead, he could see Hana sitting with other student council members, her posture perfect and attentive. She had barely spoken to him this morning during their walk to school, her silence more threatening than any lecture. The promise of "dealing with your mess" hung over him like a storm cloud.
As the chatter around them continued, he turned to Kurogane with sudden concern.
"I forgot to ask yesterday with all the chaos, how are your injuries now, Kurogane?" Kazama asked, his voice carrying genuine worry. He had such a terrible day yesterday that the question hadn't even crossed his mind.
Kurogane's entire demeanor shifted,"Bro, Kiyomi-san is an angel. She healed me up real good. I just hope she stayed a bit longer. Some old geezer just came and took her."
"Geezer?" Kazama raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued.
"Yeah, he was some kind of bodyguard. Looked like some ex-military type," Kurogane explained, his tone shifting to one of clear annoyance. "But who cares. I just wanted to talk with her a bit more."
"That's sad," Kazama replied with understated sympathy, though his analytical mind was already filing away this information about Kiyomi's mysterious guardian.
Their conversation was interrupted as the principal's voice boomed across the auditorium with commanding authority. The principal was a tall and slender man named Sakaguchi Haiji with glasses and silver hair which were swept back. He was in his fifties, wearing the traditional dark brown suit with dark brown trousers. His presence commanded immediate silence; this was a man who'd spent decades as a pro hero before taking on this role.
"Can I have everyone's attention please. I hope everyone is doing well and is now seated. Today's assembly would be regarding the upcoming Japanese qualifiers and how everything is going to play out. I hope everyone pays attention to this since this is the real start of your journey".
The massive auditorium fell silent as two student volunteers wheeled out a large whiteboard covered in detailed charts and diagrams. Sakaguchi retrieved a stick from beside the board and began his presentation.
"The Japanese qualifiers," Sakaguchi began, his voice carrying to every corner of the auditorium. "On the road to being a pro hero and getting a license, doing well in school is really important. These qualifiers are just a stepping stone to evaluate all students. Those who excel in the qualifiers advance to the International Hero Tournament - broadcasted live across all seven continents, watched by millions, and attended by every major hero agency. And here's what makes it truly extraordinary - the tournament winner doesn't just get recognition. They receive an immediate pro hero license, bypassing years of additional training. More importantly, they earn the unprecedented opportunity to become the apprentice of the available top-ranked hero of their choosing".
The students in the auditorium were in awe after hearing that. Everyone started chattering about the tournament and its possibilities.
"Holy shit! Immediate license! Apprentice of a top hero! This is so cool!"
"Imagine if I teamed up with World Rank 1. That would be so awesome! For sure I am gonna pick him as my teacher. I will kick every criminal's ass!"
"World Rank 7 is so dashing. I want to work with him. I hope he comes to Japan to pick me up everyday!"
"Right ? I want to work with him too!"
The immediate license... that changes everything. Most heroes spend 2-3 years after graduation just to qualify for the license exam. This could fast-track someone by half a decade, Kazama thought as he got impressed by what the qualifiers had to offer.
"Damn! Immediate hero license! Now we are talking", Kurogane got all excited.
Haruto had a gloomy face ever since they took their seats in the auditorium, which Kazama noticed but didn't say anything.
Sakaguchi continued, his stick tapping against specific sections of the whiteboard. "Now, here's where it gets interesting. There are exactly 32 slots available across all of Japan. Due to our school's prestigious ranking as the nation's #1 hero academy, we've been allocated 12 slots - more than any other institution. The remaining five elite schools will compete for just 4 slots each. However, our internal selection process has been specifically designed to be both fair and ruthless. Each of our five class sections across all three years will compete for exactly 4 slots. That means first years compete only against first years, second years against second years and so forth."
The qualifiers are well structured for us and well thought out. So the first years are gonna get 4 slots and we don't have to compete with our seniors. While other schools would have all the years competing for just 4 slots, Kazama analyzed with growing appreciation for the strategic advantage this system provided their school.
"There would be 4 tests," the principal announced, his voice taking on an almost ominous tone. "Written test, physical fitness test, ability IQ and power levels test. The written and the fitness tests would test sincerity and determination while the power based ones would test your potential to become a hero. The written and fitness tests would also have dampeners on for fairness and testing what the student can do in situations where powers are not required. Which seems like something some students didn't understand yet."
The principal's smile as he delivered this last line was anything but warm. Students began speculating what that last line meant.
"Who is Sakaguchi-sensei talking about ?"
"Is it that thing with Kurogane and his friends ?"
"How do you know that ?"
"There was some gossip when I was entering school today that Kurogane and his friends beat up some students from another school with their powers"
"That's so shameful! Disgrace! I knew Kurogane was a piece of shit!"
"This Kazama Raiden is also a piece of shit. He should be expelled. I bet he was the one behind all that mess", Taiga, the delinquent who had his eyes on Takemi said from one corner of the auditorium just to tarnish Kazama's reputation.
Kurogane visibly shuddered. Beside him, Haruto's face flushed with shame as he stared down at his hands. Kazama, however, maintained his composure with the calm of someone who had faced far worse scrutiny.
"Shit! The principal knows about this. We are screwed," Kurogane whispered frantically, his voice barely audible but heavy with panic.
"Keep calm. Panicking now won't help," Kazama replied in a low, steady tone that somehow managed to be both reassuring and commanding.
"We should just accept our mistake and bear the punishment," Haruto said with the defeated resignation of a man who had already given up hope.
"I think Takahashi-san's scolding broke him," Kurogane observed with dark humor, glancing at their friend's deflated posture.
The principal raised his hand for silence before continuing. "Now, there's one more crucial announcement. After extensive discussions, the student council has unanimously voted to abstain from participating in the qualifier selection process. While the qualifiers themselves are optional, please understand that the four testing components are absolutely mandatory for all students - they will factor significantly into your final grades. So now that I have given the brief of the qualifiers, I will take up your questions. Let's start".
Gasps echoed through the auditorium. Students turned to stare at the student council section, where Hana and her colleagues sat with expressions of calm acceptance.
A student's voice rang out from somewhere in the crowd, filled with genuine confusion. "Why would the student council give up their slots?!"
"The student council members believe that their responsibilities to this school and their fellow students take precedence over personal advancement. They've chosen to dedicate their time to ensuring these qualifiers run smoothly for everyone else," Sakaguchi explained with what appeared to be genuine respect.
So this is what Hana nee-san was talking about. And on top of that when I went through the names currently on the student council, they don't really need such stepping stones to acquire a pro hero license. They really are monsters, Kazama thought, his understanding of the school's power dynamics deepening with each revelation.
Another student asked, "So each test would determine one slot ?"
The principal while clearing his throat, " Yes, the first position from each test from each year gets a slot."
The students continued to ask questions regarding the qualifiers while Kurogane continued to panic.
"Did you hear that ? Some people hate us here. I mean I am used to it since they are jealous of my physique and football skills", Kurogane said while flexing his bicep and calves and then continued, "but I am sure I heard someone slander Kazama as well. How is that even possible ?"
"I don't really care what others are saying. They don't know the whole story. They are just making things up based on speculation. We need to clear things up today" Kazama said with his arms crossed and his gaze towards the students asking questions. He already had people whispering about him and Takemi .
"Okay now," Sakaguchi said as he smiled and rubbed the back of his neck, easing some of his own tension. "I think I've answered all your questions. And if you have any more, you can always reach out to your teachers or even the student council."
He stepped forward and swept his gaze across each section of the auditorium, meeting the eyes of as many students as he could.
"Give your best. Show everyone here who you really are."
He lifted his fist high, voice rising with conviction.
"You're all in the best school in Japan, that means you have something within you. You're here because you have a spark. Take that spark… and show me what you're made of. Show all of Japan what you're made of and show the world what you're made of!" His tone got louder with each sentence.
The students erupted into cheers, the entire auditorium buzzing with excitement. A wave of energy rippled through the crowd with fists raised and voices rising in sudden confidence. Sakaguchi let the moment ride for a few seconds, a small, satisfied smile tugging at his lips.
Then he raised his hand for calm.
"Alright, alright," he said with a light chuckle as the noise steadied. "Let's head out in an orderly fashion. The Discipline Committee of the Student Council will guide you from here."
Just as the crowd began to disperse, the principal's voice cut through the noise like a blade.
"Oh yes. Forgot one thing. Kurogane Ganjou, Haruto Tejou and Kazama Raiden. Please report to my office immediately."
The effect was instantaneous and devastating. Kurogane's face went white as he looked around and everyone was staring at him.
"Kill me please. Someone please. Kazama please zap me to death or Haruto please portal me into space," Kurogane pleaded with theatrical desperation, joining his hands and getting down on his knees, which would have been funny under different circumstances.
"I wouldn't entertain your strange requests," Kazama replied dryly, though his own mind was racing through potential scenarios and responses.
Haruto, meanwhile, had apparently found religion in his moment of crisis. "Oh lord in heaven please forgive me for I have sinned. Please punish me for the crimes that I have committed and bear witness to my atonement."
"Kazama! Please, Haruto has lost his mind. Please do something," Kurogane said, gesturing wildly at their friend who had begun muttering what sounded suspiciously like prayers.
"Let's just get to the office and figure it out. Staying here would only make us overthink this more," Kazama said with practical resignation, already mentally preparing for what was to come.
"How can you be so cool about this?" Kurogane asked, his voice filled with a mixture of admiration and disbelief.
Can't tell them that I was almost caught for something worse, Kazama thought grimly, his secret vigilante activities putting this current predicament into stark perspective.
"It's fine. I am sure other students must have done the same in the past and received complaints for the same," he said aloud, projecting confidence he didn't entirely feel.
The walk to the principal's office felt like a death march through the school's polished hallways. When they reached the administrative wing decorated with photographs of distinguished alumni and trophy cases displaying decades of achievements.
The principal's office was spacious and surprisingly warm despite the serious atmosphere. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined one wall, filled with hero theory texts and legal documents. The other wall displayed commendations from his active hero days with certificates of valor and photographs with other famous heroes.
The principal sat behind a broad mahogany desk, reading a report with a slight frown.
"Sit," Sakaguchi said without looking up.
They sat. Haruto continued his whispered prayers. Kazama sat with arms crossed in stoic acceptance. Kurogane attempted an expression of innocence that fooled absolutely no one.
"Japan's top heroes were once here. The ones that you see on television. The ones who have protected this country for the last 25 years. The ones that you aspire to be one day. Even Japan's current rank one hero, Meisuke Takahiro, was here. This school was formed 25 years ago. And in these 25 years we have never received a complaint like this", Sakaguchi said while looking at a report and then back at the three of them.
He wasn't just reciting history, he was laying the weight of the school's legacy squarely before them. Every word was meant to remind them where they stood: in an academy built for legends, upheld by discipline and known for producing heroes who shaped the nation.
Kurogane shot a panicked look at Kazama, who felt embarrassment despite his attempts to maintain composure. Kazama's earlier comment about "others" must have also faced the situation while using their powers now meant nothing.
"Look. I am a fair man. I would like to know your side of things as well. I know one part of the story. But that's not enough", Sakaguchi said as he adjusted his glasses and folded his hands together on the desk, showing a calm gesture that told them he had handled situations like this many times.
"I know that the three of you used your powers outside the school premises. There is no law which prevents you from doing that and isn't the school's problem as long as it's for a good cause which I would assume it was", Sakaguchi continued with a polite nod.
His gaze sharpened just slightly.
"You were wearing Tokyo Super High uniforms and that does bring the school into the loop. So please. Do enlighten me," the principal continued, his tone suggesting this was more of a courtesy than a genuine inquiry.
There was an awkward silence for about ten seconds.
"It was…." Kurogane began, but was immediately cut off.
"It was my fault," Kazama interjected firmly, causing both of his friends to stare at him in shock. Kurogane had a more dramatic shocked reaction as his eyes widened and he started looking here and there. Haruto on the other hand had his eyes widened for a split second but then returned to normal as if he expected that.
"I was the one who encouraged everyone to use their powers. They were bullying a student from our own school, Kiyomi Asahi and a puppy. I have electricity based powers, hence I can sense conductors and I was able to sense one of them possessed a knife. It was my decision to prevent the situation from escalating further. Using our powers was the most effective way of neutralizing them at that time. In my opinion".
Sakaguchi leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "Hmm. Interesting. They also claimed that a sand based power user attacked first and even threw a couple of punches while they were already down. I understand the usage of powers. But…. punching them while they were already down ? Was that also neutralizing ?"
Kazama glanced at Kurogane and could read the guilt written across his friend's face clearly. The memory of those additional punches was clearly weighing heavily on Kurogane's conscience.
This idiot. He must have punched those guys after I left, Kazama thought while angrily staring at Kurogane.
"That may have been impulsive as Kurogane here was the one who was stabbed," Kazama explained, his tone carefully measured to convey both explanation and mitigation.
"Stabbed? Oh my," Sakaguchi said while putting a hand on his mouth, though his surprise seemed somewhat theatrical.
"But you already knew that," Kazama observed, his analytical mind picking up on the subtle cues in the principal's performance.
"What makes you say that?" Sakaguchi asked with genuine curiosity, as if impressed by Kazama's deduction. Kurogane and Haruto stayed silent and just looked at Kazama.
"You said you are a fair man. A fair man always does his own research first so you must have already talked to Kiyomi-san regarding this. And the way you were describing all the events, it felt like you already knew the full picture," Kazama replied with quiet confidence.
Sakaguchi's smile was one of genuine approval. "Clever. I did. As I already mentioned before, we are a prestigious school. Many schools and many people try to do many things to tarnish our name. And it is my responsibility to protect this school and its students from such things. I knew those bullies were over exaggerating things from the start. Although it still doesn't look good on you guys wearing the school's uniforms and fighting outside the school using your respective powers. But looking into this case specifically, you guys were not in the wrong. Not entirely".
Haruto suddenly snapped back to his normal self, the religious fervor evaporating as quickly as it had appeared. "So what's next then?"
"There won't be any further discussion regarding this. I had already cleared your names from getting booked in any way before I sent those notices. I had this conversation with you guys to understand your viewpoint and for formality of course. Just remember this. Your behaviour outside the ," Sakaguchi explained with business-like efficiency and clapped once to indicate that the issue was resolved .
"So we are free to go?" Kurogane asked with barely contained hope.
The principal's smile took on a decidedly different quality. "Yes. Absolutely."
10 minutes later, the three friends found themselves armed with mops, buckets and cleaning supplies as they worked their way through the entire second year building. The punishment, while not officially recorded, was thorough and exhausting.
"That was a cruel way to play mind games," Kurogane complained as he wrung out his mop with more force than strictly necessary.
"But even more than that, Kazama called him out. Not only did you take the fall, but also managed to impress the principal as well!", Haruto pointed out with a silent and slow clap.
"It was obvious. If he wanted to punish us from the start, he wouldn't have had this conversation personally. He would have directly handed out a suspension or some other form of punishment and would have booked us officially for breaking the rules," Kazama explained while scrubbing a particularly stubborn stain from the floor.
"Wow! Didn't think that through," Kurogane admitted, his respect for Kazama's analytical abilities growing even as his resentment about their current situation deepened.
"And now we are missing important lessons that could have a direct impact on the written test," Haruto pointed out with practical concern.
"There is no point in looking at the written test slot. Tachibana already has that on lockdown," Kurogane said with resigned acceptance of the academic hierarchy.
"Just like you have the dumb slot," Kazama replied with a slight smile that cut through his friend's self-pity.
"And you got the liar's slot," Kurogane shot back with equal sharpness.
"I didn't lie," Kazama protested, though his tone lacked complete conviction.
"So you knew he had a knife and you let me get stabbed? What the…" Kurogane demanded with mock outrage.
"Thought it was a butter knife," Kazama acted as if he didn't know while also making the gesture with his hands while balancing the mop's handle on his shoulder.
"Who carries a butter knife? Oh my god. Haruto just portal me into some volcano right now," Kurogane replied loudly while placing both his hands on his head and giving his hair a slight pull. The mop in his hand fell on the ground.
I did lie. But it was a risky one. I can sense conductors but not with the precision where I could tell what shape or form it has. As per my research, the principal is a former hero known as 'The Lie Detector'. That is why he knew the bullies were overexaggerating. He can notice the heartbeat changes and other clues to detect these lies. I couldn't use my powers to stabilize my heart rate using constant electric flow due to these dampeners. So I practiced how to lie with Hana nee-san with and without my powers which gave me a good grip. I couldn't afford to have these two idiots open their mouths, Kazama thought as Kurogane held Kazama's collar and shaked him in a back and forth motion to lighten his mood while Haruto tried to mediate.
As they continued their cleaning duties, the weight of the upcoming qualifiers settled over them like a heavy blanket. The games were about to begin and none of them could predict what challenges lay ahead. But for now they had mops to wield and floors to clean.