Unlike the recommended students, the remaining second-year students were visibly excited. A few of them even rolled up their sleeves, eager to get started.
"Oh? We're fighting juniors? Isn't that a bit like bullying?"
"Well, they are recommended students. It shouldn't be too easy, right?"
"Don't start crying when you get hit. I remember the first time someone used their Quirk in combat—they were so scared their legs gave out."
"…"
Shina Etsuha, on the other hand, was just as excited.
"I can use my Quirk to fight the seniors? Of course I'm in!"
"…Oops."
Seeing Etsuha's enthusiasm, Aizawa Shouta's expression subtly changed.
He had almost forgotten—this guy was a complete battle maniac.
The purpose of this practical combat exercise was to temper the arrogance of new students, to prevent them from becoming overconfident just because they entered through recommendation. But that approach was completely useless against someone like Etsuha.
If anything, the second-years were the ones in danger.
The students who had stayed behind were, for the most part, those with poor academic performance. Expecting them to defeat Etsuha? That would be a miracle.
Aizawa Shouta had no intention of letting Etsuha crush their confidence right away. Clearing his throat, he spoke calmly:
"Shina, you'll sit this one out for now. You've already done enough earlier—just take this time to rest."
"Huh?"
Etsuha hadn't expected that at all.
He had been planning to test how his genetic modification ability could be applied in combat. Being excluded like this caught him completely off guard. But after a brief moment of thought, he quickly understood Aizawa Shouta's intention.
So this is about protecting the freshmen's morale…
A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
That's a little provocative, isn't it?
Of course, there was no way he would let such a rare opportunity slip by.
Turning toward the second-year students, Etsuha spoke with exaggerated helplessness:
"Well, it seems Aizawa-sensei thinks I'm too strong, so he won't let me participate in the first class. That's really disappointing… I guess the seniors aren't much in his eyes either."
"…This guy!!"
Aizawa Shouta nearly choked on his own breath.
That tone—he was clearly provoking them on purpose!
As expected, the second-year students instantly exploded with anger.
"Hey, you loudmouth brat—are you picking a fight with us?!"
"What nonsense! When did Aizawa-sensei say that? We're just trying not to hurt you!"
"Aizawa-sensei, don't go easy on him! Let him pick any one of us!"
"A freshman acting this arrogant? You're asking for it!"
Aizawa Shouta watched the situation spiral out of control, completely speechless.
He had been played.
At this point, refusing the second-years would only make things worse. Left with no choice, he let out a sigh and relented:
"Fine. Shina Etsuha will participate. But let me make this clear—this is a lesson, not a real fight. Stop before things get out of hand. Friendship comes first."
"Mission accomplished," Etsuha muttered under his breath.
The second-year students sneered, cracking their knuckles.
"Don't worry, we won't bully a junior… but we will teach you how to respect your seniors."
"Yeah," Aizawa Shouta replied calmly.
But inwardly, he was already mourning for them.
This year's freshmen… might just deal a devastating blow to the second-years.
The Quirk combat exercise would be conducted as one-on-one matches.
Under Aizawa Shouta's guidance, the group arrived at U.A.'s specially prepared abandoned city training zone. It was designed to simulate real combat environments.
There weren't many students present—only five from the remedial group. Including the three recommended students and a couple of extras, there were exactly eight participants.
Four matches.
"Shina, since you're so confident, why not draw first?" someone challenged.
"Sure."
Etsuha didn't hesitate. He reached into the box, pulled out a tag, and revealed it.
"3."
The moment the number was shown, several second-year students lit up with excitement.
"Number 3?! I hope I get that one!"
"He's mine!"
Etsuha simply returned their enthusiasm with a provocative smile, fueling their eagerness even further.
Next, Yaoyorozu Momo and Gojima Ryōzō drew their numbers—2 and 1, respectively—both looking visibly nervous.
"Oh? So you're the arrogant one."
At that moment, a well-built second-year student stepped forward toward Etsuha. He opened the tag in his hand.
It also read:
"3."
An exact match.