Chapter 70: Final Exam Arc (4)
~Third POV~
[UA High School, Practical Exam Area – Center Plaza, Monitor Room, Japan]
Yui and Kirishima started the first round against the teachers on the exam. Ren and Momo are seen with Recovery Girl as she mutters in a neutral tone, "Well, looks like I have my work cut out for me today."
*Hisss*
The sounds of the mechanical door opening to reveal Ochaco coming through as she looked a bit surprised, answering the duo, gaining their attention, "Oh, Class Vice and Rep. You're watching, too? Hi."
They both greeted Ochaco, entering through the monitor room. He greeted her with a friendly smile and responded, "Yeah. It's not like we get many chances to watch students in combat with teachers, right? And besides... we already got our game plan, right, Momo?"
She smiled happily with a nod, having their plan already made in a confident tone, "Of course. But we'll still have to be careful against Aizawa-Sensei since he is fighting us without restraints. It certainly feels like a real challenge to overcome."
Ochaco blinked, seeing the two have a plan, as she spoke in a nervous tone, asking for some advice, "I can see that. And, uh, my partner is a little preoccupied with himself. That's why I thought I'd try and get inspiration from everyone else's battles. Although some advice from you two might help as well, hehe…"
Rubbing the back of her head, Momo responded in a confident tone about Ochaco's approach, "Smart. But I'm afraid I don't know how to go about No.13 Quirk [Blackhole]. It's just… too strong and lethal to be used."
But that was when Ren chimed in, gaining attention from the three as he sighed out loud, making his point in an obvious tone, "That sounds strong, but it's actually a glaring weak point for No.13 if you look at it in a different light. One that can be taken advantage of if you have the guts."
Recovery Girl, hearing this, hums as she asks in a kind tone about the weakness, gaining Ochaco's attention, "Oh…? Having a strong quirk like that is a weakness, young man? Care to explain?"
He curtly nodded his head as he spoke in a neutral tone, analyzing No.13 fighting style or rather a lack thereof, placing his hand under his chin, "Elementary Recovery Girl. It's because No.13, having such a strong and deadly Quirk like [Blackhole], will no doubt have a lack of CQC. Considering she's a Rescue Hero, she would not want to use her Quirk on the students unless she wanted to kill them on the spot, and with her experience along with control, she wouldn't want to suck them in. The best way to go about against her is to catch her by surprise, getting sucked in intentionally, and force her to turn off her Quirk, cuffing her in the process as you are sucked into her direction."
Everyone blinked at his words, with Ochaco considering them. Momo smiled, seeing that Ren already formulated a plan against No.13 in a happy tone, "As always, Ren, you managed to figure out a way out of the situation. I didn't even consider the possibility of using the test itself against her in that scenario. Truly, your creativity never ceases to amaze me."
Ren simply smiled with his mask off turning their attention to the practical of Yui and Kirishima beginning their Final Exams beginning…
/////
~Yui K. POV~
[UA High School, Practical Exam Area – Ground Beta, Japan]
Having arrived at our practical exam was to take place at Ground Beta. The original place was used for the entrance exam as the announcer spoke out loud for us to hear, "Team Kodai and Kirishima. Practical exam. Ready? Go."
Hearing that, we both began to run. We weren't given the exit of this place since we were under a time limit of 30 minutes. But soon, Kirishima began to speak in a bold tone, "So what do ya think? We'll get a higher score for capturing instead of running, do you agree?"
Tempting. It sounds like a good idea, but I would rather avoid confrontation if I can avoid it in this case. I spoke out my mind, surprising him in a neutral tone, "Yeah, that'd make sense – ah!"
*THUD*
Suddenly, a piece of the cement rose up from our direction. We had time to avoid the attack, jumping back as we saw Cementoss appear quite a distance away.
Learning some lessons by observing others taking the Class Rep's type of careful observation, Cementoss-Sensei can use his Quirk [Cement] at this far of a range. Does he have a limit or –
But I didn't have much time to figure out a plan as Kirishima spoke out in a bold tone, "Mr. Cementoss can't move around very fast. Let's break through from the front and shoot for a high score!"
Already using his Quirk [Hardening], he recklessly charged right in. That idiot!
If he's going to charge straight away, I should use this to observe Cementoss-Sensei's actions and his Quirk. Observe and see how to react accordingly. From what the Class Rep says, for every power or Quirk, there's gonna be a drawback of some kind or a condition to fulfill.
Taking the chance to observe from afar, along with not having enough time to discuss a plan, Cementoss took a moment to speak in a neutral tone, shaking his head, "So you've decided on a direct frontal assault."
*Shiii*
Readying my utility belt, I noticed that Cementoss-Sensei placed his hand on the ground, making a light glow. And that was followed by cemented walls popping up, creating a shield for himself as Kirishima voiced out loud, slamming his fist onto the wall, "This is it, Kodai! Let's go!"
He began to slam his fist onto the ground. I, on the other hand, readied a customized glue bomb pellet on my fingertips, realizing Cementoss-Sensei Quirk's condition. But it was at that moment I saw more walls begin to cover the area.
Cementoss intends to trap us. We're not gonna win it like this. Our Quirks are amazing, but there's a limit to how long we can use them.
We won't last forever. But observing our opponent I don't think Cementoss-Sensei has that kind of limit, though.
The more time that passes by, the more of a disadvantage we're at. I yelled out loud to Kirishima already, but instead interrupted me, "Come on, Yui, we got him! I'll smash these walls away!!"
That idiot probably didn't realize this, but he's slowly getting surrounded. Grabbing from my utility belt a grappling hook, I don't need to be a good – too late.
*Swooosh*
The cement soon grabbed hold of Kirishima as I scowled at the scenario. He was kidnapped as he rushed straight in before planning and even managed to get captured by our enemy.
If there was anything good, he had his mouth shut. But noticing the cement coming closer with Kirishima enclosed inside the cement dome with his limbs likely stuck.
Cementoss-Sensei soon directed his attention at me. Warning, taking a moment back, he spoke in a neutral tone coming closer in clear view, "You're both weak when it comes to long-term battles. Listen well. When your life is on the line, you need to know exactly how far you can push your powers – "
Pulling out from my utility belt, I threw a glue bomb while shooting a gun with my free hand. Cementoss eyes widened as I pulled the trigger.
*Bang*
*Swooosh*
Shooting from my gun is a pellet. The pellet is a custom-made bullet with a built-in glue bomb upon contact, exploding through anything in its wake. Like a paintball, except they'll be stuck with glue.
Cementoss responded, probably by instinct, putting his hands down. Now is my chance as I readied my aim with my grappling hook gun aimed at his hands –
*Bang*
*SPLAT*
While Cementoss was busy looking at my grappling hook, he was distracted by my paintball glue gun. Having been distracted, him being immediately caught off guard, not having time to place his hands on the ground.
Then I threw the glue bomb I activated it quickly as the bomb grew into a cannonball-sized glue pellet, which captured him groaning in pain as I made my way to him. I smiled, seeing him restrained. This is my chance!
Having his body stuck and his hands off the ground covered in glue, I sighed in relief, using the handcuff over his wrist in a neutral tone, "Whew… didn't think it would work. But it seems like your Quirk Cementoss-Sensei needs contact for it to work. Right?"
*BEEE*
The buzzer blares as the announcer roars out loud for everyone to hear, "Kodai and Kirishima have passed! Exam over."
Cementoss sighed but smiled, complimenting me as he moved his fingers with some struggle, releasing himself from the glue confinement, "Good work. You managed to observe the match and worked on defeating me on your own. I'm glad to see that one of our students has a good head on their shoulders. Congrats, young lady."
I blushed from the praise muttering in a happy tone, "Hm!"
/////
~Ren Y. POV~
[UA High School, Practical Exam Area – Center Plaza, Monitor Room, Japan]
Observing their match I soon heard the speaker buzzing at their win with a smile on my face feeling proud of Yui using the utility belt I custom-made on her request, "Kodai and Kirishima have passed! Exam over."
I sighed in relief, seeing they win, as did Momo and Ochaco observing the monitor above. It seems like Yui managed to take Cementoss-Sensei by surprise.
But then again, one would be on guard if she suddenly fired a gun like that. However, I could hear Recovery Girl mutter silently to herself about Kirishima – oh… Oh!
Right, something like this did happen before in the series, right? It was when Hanta and Mineta fought against Midnight, leaving the purple midget to win with everyone looking down on him.
Oh… Kirishima did what he wanted even if he tried to listen, he recklessly charged in ahead against Cementoss. But it does go well for his personality in this case as I asked Recovery Girl purely for curiosity's sake, "Say Recovery Girl with every match based on the student's weakness what was the weakness between Yui and Kirishima? Bad personality match up, perhaps?"
She blinked, chuckling lightly with Momo and Ochaco, listening to our conversation in a lighthearted tone, "Hohoho. You certainly are the perspective one, young man. But to answer your question, it would be their personality. One is calm and collected but not impulsive, while the other is hot-headed and bold but lacks critical thinking. Although it seems she managed just fine with how she observed the match."
Ah… if that's the case, then I can see why Aizawa-Sensei put those two together. Yui is calm and collected, but not everyone knows that well except for the girls. But Kirishima is the complete opposite to her, no more like a foil more like.
Thanks to his past Eijiro subverted his days when he used to be more impulsive in battle due to a lack of tactical thinking and struggled with getting good grades; because of his hard work, he's become smarter and wiser over time.
But currently, that's in the future. This is the present with this Eijiro still reckless and impulsive in battle. And without the fight against the villains in the USJ, he probably hadn't noticed this weakness of his in the process.
However, I wasn't given time to contemplate much more as the next match with Tsuyu and Tokoyami began, which meant our time was getting short planning. I looked over to Momo as she briefly bobbed her head, excusing us in a calm tone, "Sorry, Ochaco, but Momo and I will go shortly to rephrase the plan one more time. We wish you luck – "
*Thud*
But I was soon interrupted by Mina coming through to greet us, followed by Denki. They seemed glad to find us – no. Me specifically, she asked in a nervous tone, getting close to me, "Oh! Glad to finally find ya, Ren-kun! I was wondering if you had any insight on how to deal with Nezu?"
Raising an eyebrow, Denki clarified as the match with Asui and Tokoyami began to show in the monitor room in a nervous tone, "Yeah, man. We thought if we were gonna face the Principal, we were wondering if you knew how useful his Quirk is in the practical. Or what would you do if you were in the principal's place?"
Hearing that, I paused lightly, giving them suspense. But this is an improvement in my eyes, considering the dumb duo.
Probably a good call to ask someone who has Nezu's Quirk what they would do if they faced off against each other in this kind of environment. And being the good and charismatic Class Rep that I am, I gave it to them straight with an evil grin on my face as I spoke in a happy tone, "I would do everything in my power to make you all scurry like rats in a maze. Probably leaving only one path to exit because I'm a nice guy as I torment you with debris as you run for your life."
They both froze as Momo and Ochaco gazed at me in that response. Recovery Girl laughed, getting what I was doing, considering Mina told me their location and immediately knew what Nezu planned to do.
They paled every second as I explained to them. But soon, I saw that some of my classmates came. Jiro, Kinoko, Toru, and Toga coming along.
Jiro rubbed her head as she asked Momo and me a quick request in an embarrassed tone, doing her earphone jacks tipping together, "Hahaha… hey guys. We were looking for you. I was wondering if you could make us some items we need for the exam if it's alright? Like, say, some headphones, perhaps?"
We all turned towards Recovery Girl as she shrugged her shoulders. Ultimately, she nodded her head as my classmates asked for some advice with me assisting using [Create] to make some custom-made items using my [High Spec] and [Mechanical Mastery] for her practical exam against Present Mic.
By technicality, I'm handing them prototype Support Gear because, thanks to technicality, I'm a Support Course Student. I'm allowed to test out my babies or Mei's to the Hero Course students if need be.
And for Toga, she asked if I could ask for some blood in an armor easy to use and for Toru, a highly powerful flashlight. I could see what they were doing, and I approved their ideas, but eventually, it would soon be our turn, and I wondered what Aizawa-Sensei had in store for us…