Before anyone knew it, it was time for finals.
After studying the material, Sam was ready.
And his confidence was not misplaced. He found the questions on the exam easy and ended before the others.
But now, he was done. He had no intention of doing a practical. He had no plans to become a hero after all.
He recalled the last time he met with Rumi. She was clearly hiding something from him. It was strange, but he didn't pry. He trusted her.
He was still in his school clothes, while the other students were all dressed up for the practical.
In front of them was Aizawa and the rest of the staff.
"Now then, let's begin the last test. It is possible to fail this one. If you want to go to camp, then don't make stupid mistakes."
Sam didn't really care. None of this had anything to do with him. But he forgot that there was a summer camp, would he have to go? He would ask later.
"Uh, why are all the teachers here?"
Jiro points out.
"I believe you all were aware or at least had an idea of what the practical was going to be, right?"
Aizawa asks.
"We're fighting robots! Metal robots!"
Kaminari said excitedly.
"Fireworks! S'mores! Here we come, camp!"
Mina exclaims with certainty.
"Actually, this year's test…"
A voice from within Aizawa's scarf showed itself. A voice Sam was familiar with.
The principal, Nezu, popped out of Aizawa's scarf.
"Will be completely different for various reasons!"
He exclaims with his smile.
""Principal Nezu!"" Many students declare at the same time.
"You're changing things?"
Momo asked with worry.
"The tests have a new focus! There will be hero work, but also combat and teamwork between people! You will be working in pairs and face a member of the staff! Isn't that great?!?"
The students just gaped.
Sam just had one thought.
'I warned them.'
———
After grasping the situation, the students were told of their pairs.
Sam had to admit, this final was going to be tough for his classmates.
He knew what most of their strengths and weaknesses were. And he knew the teachers chosen to face them were very difficult for them to counter with their quirks.
'This is why relying on your quirks all the time is foolish.'
First up was Sato and Kirishima.
They both had great potential. Sam was excited to see what they got.
———
Needless to say, Sam was disappointed.
They blew it. Kirishima and Sato are great, but once again, they are too over reliant on their quirks.
They ended up getting caught by Cementoss. They likely thought they could break through his cement, but they fail to understand, that cement is used in some battleships. Meaning, their punches won't do much.
And that's exactly what happened.
Sam sighed.
'If everyone's going to be foolish like them, I might as well leave.'
"Suzuki."
Sam was getting ready to watch the next bout, but Aizawa called him.
"Yeah?"
"Come out back with me."
He left the viewing area. The other students were confused with what was going on, but left it alone to strategize or watch the others.
———
When he exited the viewing room, he was met with Aizawa. But instead of his tired look, he actually looked a bit concerned.
"What's up?"
Aizawa took a deep breath.
"Suzuki, we actually have a practical made for you."
Sam scowled.
"What? The deal was, the hero course stuff was optional!"
"I know. Which is why it is optional to take this practical."
Sam calmed down.
"Okay? So you'd have me fight one of the faculty or team up with someone?"
Aizawa shook his head.
"No. In fact, we have a completely different type of practical. Your fighting experience is exceptional. I dare say you far surpassed me in that regard. But this isn't going to be with a member of the faculty. It's an outsider who Nezu requested the help of."
Sam raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"So what would happen if I fail?"
"Then just like the others, you wouldn't be allowed to go to the camp."
Sam wasn't impressed. He couldn't care less about some hero camp.
Aizawa saw that Sam would need an incentive.
"How about this? You pass the practical, you get more outside privileges."
Sam widened his eyes.
"So I won't need to be locked in the damn school all the time?"
Aizawa nodded.
Sam smirked.
"Who's the lucky guy I am fighting?"
Before Sam could think more about it, Aizawa interrupted once again.
"Listen, Suzuki. While you won't be told the specifics yet, your practical is different. Suzuki, I must warn you, it will be torture. And I don't use that word lightly."
Aizawa said, not hiding his concern.
Sam lost his smile. He could tell that Aizawa wasn't lying.
"What kind of test are you lot planning?"
"I can't say. But Sam, this test will go against many ethics as human beings. It's going to really push you to the brink."
Sam scoffed.
"You're over exaggerating. I've been through-"
"I know! You've been through worse. But even I can tell this would be dangerous. Especially for you. I won't tell you anything, but trust me when I tell you that if you take this, you might never be the same."
Sam was worried now.
'Just what are these guys planning?'
"But, I will promise you this. If you pass this, you will grow. That I can guarantee."
Sam thought for a bit.
'Should I risk it? Aizawa isn't trying to trick me. This was a genuine warning. And I have a really bad feeling in my chest. This… this might be a bad idea.'
Sam was considering refusing to do it, when all of a sudden, he heard something incredible.
"Team Bakugo and Midoriya have captured All Might!"
The announcement was made from the viewing room.
Sam was shocked. He was almost certain they would fail, since Bakugo loathes Izuku. He would. Ever work with him. Unless…
'Unless, Bakugo accepted help. Bakugo did what he had to win, even if it meant teaming up with the person he hates the most.'
Sam looked at his hands.
'He grew. They grew.'
He then looked at the other students who were preparing for their fight. They were ready to bring out their best.
He looked at his hands.
'What am I if I let these kids show me up?'
He sighed a resigned sigh.
"I will do it."
Aizawa was shocked. He saw Sam hesitate and thought maybe they wouldn't need to do it, but it seems it's not the case.
"…I understand. But Sam. I warned you."
Sam just nodded.
Aizawa went back inside.
Sam went to the changing room. He was going to need his exercise attire for this battle.
———
One after another, the students took their test.
They were all ready to work together and surpass their limits.
'I guess that's plus ultra.'
He even saw how Mineta won. He literally saved Sero and escaped with him.
It was truly impressive.
Seeing how much stronger they all got was amazing.
'This class is amazing. Honestly, some like Bakugo, Midoriya and Todoroki already surpassed the likes of Pierre and the other child soldiers… although I doubt they could touch Zola.'
Sam smiled fondly, thinking about her resilience and agility. That agility was what gave her the name, Whitesnake.
Sam shook his head.
He needed to be at his best for this.
He didn't know what was coming, but he was sure it was going to be horrible.
When they finished the tests of the kids, it was finally time for Sam.
"Suzuki… are you ready?"
The others thought the practicals were finished. But Sam is taking it, much to their surprise.
"Sensei! Why is Sam taking it?!? I thought he wasn't required to do hero related activities!"
Iida inquired.
"It isn't required. But that doesn't mean it's forbidden. Sam accepted it when we proposed a test for him."
They all looked at Sam and saw him ready to go. Already in his under armor shirt and his sweatpants, along with his steel toe boots. He also has Zola's knife attached to his hip, ready for anything.
"I'm ready."
Sam left the observation room. As he was leaving, her heard a few chants of "good luck" from his peers.
That made him feel a bit better about this.
"Let's see what this torture is."
He walked to the site of his test.