The test continued.
Grip strength. Standing long jump. Repeated side jumps. Long-distance running. Sit-ups…
Everything progressed smoothly.
For Masata, clearing each test without difficulty was almost secondary. What really interested him was watching his classmates one by one. After all, this was the first time he had seen so many different Quirks gathered in one place, each expressed in its own unique way.
One moment stood out in particular—during the grip strength test, Masata squeezed the dynamometer so hard that it cracked.
The broken device left the surrounding students staring at him in shock once again.
And then there were the more… mysterious sights.
Like the short boy who was barely a meter tall—what exactly was growing on his head? Could it be taken off? Were those grapes? Why did he also somehow look like a small teddy dog?
Masata silently judged everyone with great enthusiasm.
However, Izuku's situation worried him.
His results were… average. Across the board.
If things continued like this, he really might be eliminated.
That would be a shame.
Among everyone in Class 1-A, Izuku Midoriya was someone Masata was relatively close to. Masata had personally seen how much Izuku's physical fitness had improved compared to the sludge incident a year ago—and he knew how much effort that must have taken.
Hard workers deserved respect.
Besides, Izuku's personality was genuinely good. And having him around also meant constant entertainment thanks to Bakugo.
(Bakugo: You magma bastard!)
Masata didn't want to see Izuku get expelled here.
Soon, the final test arrived.
Softball throw.
Masata, who had already completed this event earlier, stood off to the side and watched.
"Hey!" Uraraka Ochaco, the round-faced girl, lightly tossed the softball into the air.
With a soft whoosh, the ball flew upward—and kept going.
It shrank into a tiny dot against the sky.
"Infinite," Aizawa-sensei said weakly, staring with his usual dead-fish eyes.
"Oh! Zero gravity?" Masata perked up instantly. "That's an amazing Quirk! Can you fly?!"
"Ah—well, kind of," Uraraka replied shyly, scratching her head. "It's not that strong yet. I can manage short flights at best. But Igarashi, you're really strong too. I've always admired Quirks suited for close combat."
Masata nodded in approval.
"Next—Midoriya Izuku."
"It's me."
Izuku stepped onto the field, heart pounding.
Imagine the egg not exploding in the microwave…Concentrate One For All into a single point…
He took a deep breath and assumed a throwing stance. Sweat gathered in his palm. He wasn't completely sure what would happen next—but his eyes were filled with resolve.
Thud.
The softball landed.
"46 meters."
Izuku stared at his right hand in disbelief.
"But… I used my Quirk…"
"I erased it," Aizawa Shouta said coldly. His hair floated slightly as the capture weapon around his neck fluttered.
"Based on your performance, you can't control your Quirk yet," Aizawa continued, bloodshot eyes fixed on Izuku. "The entrance exam lacks rationality. Someone like you shouldn't have passed it in the first place."
"If you can't move after one attack, are you planning to wait for others to save you every time?"
Aizawa's voice remained merciless.
"There was once a Hero who passionately saved over a thousand people during a massive disaster. A legend. But after rescuing just one person, he became nothing more than a puppet."
"Midoriya Izuku—you cannot become a Hero."
The words fell like a verdict.
"Sensei! Please give him another chance!"
A firm voice cut through the silence.
"Oh?" Aizawa glanced sideways. "Igarashi, are you speaking up for him?"
"No," Masata said calmly. "I just believe that everyone deserves a chance to break through."
He met Aizawa's gaze directly.
"And I think now is exactly when Midoriya should make that breakthrough."
Maybe it was Izuku's determination.Maybe Masata simply didn't want to see someone this hardworking fall here.
After a moment, Aizawa sighed and returned to his usual listless posture.
"Hmph… Midoriya Izuku. Your Quirk is restored. You have one more attempt."
"Finish the test."
Izuku nodded, eyes blazing.
"I won't be immobile this time, Aizawa-sensei!"
He raised the ball again.
Concentrate everything into one point.
Hope surged through his body as he threw.
Hidden near the school building, All Might's eyes widened.So did Aizawa's.
At the moment of release, Izuku activated One For All—just in his index finger.
The explosive power transferred cleanly into the ball.
The softball shot into the sky like an arrow.
"Midoriya Izuku—705.3 meters."
Izuku clenched his right fist, enduring the sharp pain in his finger. Tears filled his eyes—but he turned toward Aizawa with a bright smile.
"Sensei… I can still move!"
"Yes! You did it!" Masata stepped forward and slapped Izuku's shoulder a little too hard, grinning widely. "First time controlling it, and you nailed it!"
"Thank you, Igarashi," Izuku said sincerely. "Without your advice and encouragement, I couldn't have done this."
Not far away, Aizawa watched silently.
"…This kid."
Behind the school building, a blond figure trembled with excitement.
"That's insanely cool!!!" All Might clenched his teeth, barely holding himself back from cheering.
"What the hell was that just now?!" A furious voice suddenly roared.
Bakugo Katsuki blasted forward using his explosions, charging straight toward Izuku.