Chapter 11: The Dark Horse
In that instant, Izuku Midoriya's heart became completely clear.
Tears were still streaming down his face, but inside him something ignited—a blazing determination that surged through his entire body.
He jumped forward.
His legs propelled him into the air as he charged toward the giant robot.
Energy gathered in his right arm.
The pressure alone began tearing his sleeve apart.
But his eyes remained steady.
Determined.
"I just need to tighten my core… gather everything… and shout it in my heart…"
"SMASH!"
His fist exploded forward.
The punch struck the robot's core directly.
With a thunderous crack, the machine split apart.
A cloud of white steam burst into the air as the massive structure collapsed.
Everyone nearby stared in disbelief.
The timid boy who had seemed so nervous just moments ago had unleashed incredible power.
Was it courage?
Responsibility?
Or something else entirely?
Midoriya himself barely understood what had happened.
As he began falling back to the ground, his right arm felt completely numb.
His body floated downward helplessly, like a rag doll drifting through the air.
Just before he hit the ground—
"Got you!"
Ochaco Uraraka used her Zero Gravity Quirk to catch him.
Midoriya dropped gently onto the ground.
"…Saved…"
He collapsed in exhaustion.
Only after making sure he was safe did Uraraka release the heavy debris pinning her own leg.
Then she hurried over to check on him.
Meanwhile, Midoriya's thoughts drifted back to someone.
Looking through the crowd, he saw Akio Tatsuma's back disappearing into the distance.
For some reason, it felt as though Akio had known from the beginning what Midoriya would do.
As if he had always believed Midoriya would step forward.
Even if it meant breaking his arm.
Even if it meant risking everything.
Midoriya clenched his teeth slightly.
He would never give up.
The practical exam soon came to an end.
Later, the results appeared on a giant screen.
First Place — Katsuki Bakugo: 77 Points
Second Place — Eijiro Kirishima: 39 Points
Third Place — Ochaco Uraraka: 28 Points
Fourth Place — Ibara Shiozaki: 36 Points
Fifth Place — Itsuka Kendo: 25 Points
Sixth Place — Tenya Iida: 52 Points
Seventh Place — Izuku Midoriya: 60 Points
Eighth Place — Akio Tatsuma: 50 Points
Ninth Place — Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu: 49 Points
Tenth Place — Fumikage Tokoyami: 47 Points
Eleventh Place — …
The crowd immediately began discussing the results.
Bakugo Katsuki's overwhelming score quickly became the main topic.
But many people were also talking about Midoriya's unusual result.
Some students had also begun mentioning Akio Tatsuma.
After all, he had suddenly appeared among the top rankings.
To them, he was an unexpected competitor.
Meanwhile, inside the teacher observation room, several instructors reviewed the results.
"That student, Akio Tatsuma… interesting," one teacher remarked quietly.
Several others turned their attention to the screen.
"I don't see anything particularly flashy about his performance," said Cementoss, crossing his arms.
The first teacher shook his head.
"Look more closely."
"He avoided crowded areas and focused on quieter parts of the battlefield. His movements gradually brought him closer to the center while accumulating points efficiently."
"The most important part is his Quirk."
Another teacher spoke.
"Yes. His Quirk is extremely powerful among elemental types."
Shota Aizawa sat quietly in his chair, his eyes half-open as usual.
"Lightning-type Quirk," he said calmly.
"The full potential hasn't been tested yet."
"Lightning?" Midnight repeated with interest.
"That's rare."
"There's a student named Denki Kaminari who uses electricity," another teacher said.
"But electricity and lightning aren't exactly the same thing."
Midnight's eyes sparkled slightly.
"Well… that's certainly interesting."
Aside from Akio, many teachers were also curious about Midoriya's Quirk.
The sudden explosive power he demonstrated resembled All Might's style.
Though powerful Quirks existed in many forms, the scale of that punch had clearly caught their attention.
Each year, U.A. High School's Hero Course accepted only 36 students through the entrance exam.
Two classes.
Eighteen students each.
Competition was fierce.
Yet somehow—
Akio Tatsuma had secured a place.
A few days later, Akio arrived at U.A. High School again.
His previous middle school had merely been a brief stop along the way.
Now his real focus was on Class 1-A.
Originally, the class roster was already full.
But Akio's performance had impressed several teachers.
They decided to add him as an additional student.
A new "dark horse."
Akio himself didn't know about the nickname.
Nor did he particularly care.
He simply walked toward the classroom building.
"Class A… Class A…"
He heard someone muttering ahead.
Standing near the classroom door was Midoriya.
When he noticed Akio approaching, he looked surprised.
"You're the one who helped me earlier."
Midoriya remembered clearly.
During the exam, Akio had encouraged him at a crucial moment.
"We'll be classmates now," Akio said casually, patting Midoriya's shoulder.
Midoriya blinked.
"You're in Class 1-A too?"
"Looks that way."
Midoriya immediately straightened and bowed slightly.
"My name is Izuku Midoriya. It's nice to meet you."
Akio quickly stopped him.
"Hey, you don't need to be that formal."
Still, he smiled.
"My name is Akio Tatsuma."
Then he added in a calm voice,
"Whatever happens from now on… I'll be watching how you grow."
For a moment, Midoriya felt a strange sensation.
It almost sounded as if Akio knew something about him.
But that was impossible.
Only All Might knew about One For All.
Still—
Midoriya felt grateful.
Encouragement like that meant a lot to him.
He had spent most of his life being dismissed because he had been Quirkless.
Being acknowledged now felt like a new beginning.
"Come on," Akio said.
"Everyone's probably already inside."
He opened the classroom door and walked in.
Midoriya hesitated briefly.
Then followed.
Inside the classroom, several students were already seated.
Akio scanned the room briefly before choosing a seat by the back window.
Low profile.
That suited him best for now.
Some students glanced at him curiously.
They had heard rumors about the "dark horse."
But Akio didn't seem interested in conversation.
Meanwhile—
A loud voice suddenly echoed across the room.
"Take your feet off the desk!"
Tenya Iida pointed accusingly at Bakugo Katsuki, who had his boots resting on the table.
"Huh?" Bakugo sneered.
"Don't you think that's disrespectful?" Iida continued. "Many students before us have used these desks."
Bakugo leaned back lazily.
"Which middle school did you come from again?"
He smirked.
"Background character."
Midoriya stood frozen at the doorway.
His expression darkened.
The two people he had hoped not to see…
Were both here.
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