"Looking for me? The second round is about to start. Why couldn't this wait until afterward?"
Although confused, Igarashi Masata understood priorities. Being summoned at this moment clearly meant something urgent. After greeting his classmates, he walked alone toward the high platform outside the venue.
"Oh, you're finally here. You really made me wait."
As Masata pushed open the door, he saw Murayama Ryo sitting at a desk, tapping lazily on his laptop. Beside him stood a tall, imposing man—one of today's Top Ten Pro Heroes.
Gang Orca.
What do you mean 'made you wait'? It's only been one minute since you called me!
Masata complained silently in his heart, but outwardly he remained polite.
"Excuse me. What can I help with?"
"You won't be taking the second exam, Igarashi."
"…What?!"
Masata's eyes widened instantly.
He stared at Murayama Ryo in disbelief.
Why wouldn't he be allowed to take the exam?
Had he gone too far in the first round?
Was the Hero Committee really that petty?
"Classmate Igarashi," Murayama Ryo continued calmly, "we've reviewed your performance in the battlefield incident. In terms of combat power, you're already comparable to All Might after his injury, aren't you?"
Even Murayama himself had been shocked when he received this instruction from higher authorities.
"…About the same, if we're only talking about combat ability," Masata replied honestly.
In truth, he was being modest.
If he fought All Might head-on now, Masata was confident he could win. Elementalization already countered All Might's style, and his physical limitations had been resolved.
At this point, he was practically a walking natural disaster.
But to Murayama Ryo, it sounded like extraordinary confidence.
His tone softened.
"Then why can't I participate?" Masata asked. "I also want a provisional license."
Murayama laughed.
"A temporary license is a small matter. Don't worry—you'll get one even without taking this exam."
"If someone like you couldn't obtain one, then our committee would be completely incompetent."
For decades, All Might had dominated the hero world.
The gap between him and the Number Two Hero had been enormous.
A figure with such overwhelming charisma and strength appeared only once in a century—maybe even once in a thousand years.
Now that All Might had retired, society faced growing threats.
What heroes needed most wasn't rescue talent.
It was overwhelming combat power.
Someone who could crush evil head-on.
Masata had appeared like a meteor in the darkness.
Even if he wasn't officially called the "Symbol of Peace," as long as he stood on the side of justice, he fulfilled that role in the eyes of villains.
In this world, even under the rule of law, the strong naturally received privileges.
"As for why you won't participate," Murayama continued, "it's because you've been assigned another task."
He gestured toward Gang Orca.
"You'll act as a villain together with him and attack the candidates."
Masata immediately relaxed.
Good.
If he had really been forced to play rescue worker, he would've been miserable.
"Hello, Igarashi," Gang Orca said politely, nodding.
"Heroes must have comprehensive abilities. Rescuing civilians is important—but confronting villains is equally essential."
"Halfway through the exam, we'll enter the site and interfere with the candidates. We'll evaluate them based on their reactions."
"That sounds easy," Masata replied casually.
Now he understood.
If he entered the exam normally, even Gang Orca wouldn't last more than a punch against him.
That would embarrass both the Pro Hero and the committee.
Letting Masata act as a "villain" solved everything.
It was considerate, strategic, and avoided awkwardness.
Very clever.
"Thanks for the advice, Gang Orca."
To be honest, Masata wished he wouldn't smile.
With that face, he could easily rank in the Top Ten "Most Likely to Make Children Cry."
"Oh, one more thing," Murayama added suddenly. "Don't use your magma Quirk. The damage is too high."
"No problem."
"If you go all out, no one here could fight you anyway."
"And that ability you used in the first round—you can't use it either."
"…Which one?"
"The one that stunned hundreds of people."
"Oh. Conqueror's Haki. Got it."
"Don't use too much strength."
"Understood. I'll hold back."
"You'll also need to wear special restraint gear. Otherwise, it wouldn't be fair."
"Clear."
"And also—"
After a long list of restrictions, Masata's power had basically been sealed down to the level of an ordinary Pro Hero.
While sighing at his own ridiculous strength, he also gained a new understanding of Murayama Ryo.
Wasn't he supposed to be cold and lazy?
Why does he feel like an overprotective mom now?
Suddenly, a broadcast echoed throughout the venue.
"A large-scale terrorist attack has occurred! Zero-Zero City has been reduced to rubble!"
"Casualties are severe! Roads are destroyed!"
"Rescue teams cannot arrive in time! Heroes on site, take command immediately!"
"Oh?"
Masata's eyes lit up.
"It's finally starting."
The second round of the provisional license examination had begun.