บท 8: Entrance Exam (2)
A/N: Double Release (2/2) Get us to 200 powerstones by Sunday for another Double Release. Goal: 200 Powerstones. This story's continuation depends on your support—so don't forget to give the story powerstones!
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"Mahoraga—?" Shiro said aloud, his voice filled with curiosity. His sentence trailed off as his Metavision picked up something unusual from the corner of his eye. A light—a small, encapsulated glow—appeared in his peripheral vision, drawing his full attention.
Turning his head slightly, he watched as the light floated upward, shimmering like a distant star. It pulsed gently, expanding for a moment before solidifying into something far more distinct. Shiro's eyes widened as he realized what had formed.
The glowing light dissipated completely, revealing a golden wheel suspended above his head.
Confused, Shiro stood and approached the mirror built into his closet. His reflection confirmed what he already knew: the wheel was real, hovering steadfastly above him. "That's…" Shiro began, his voice barely above a whisper as he examined the object's intricate details. "That's the wheel," he said, awe in his tone.
At the wheel's core, was a golden sphere. Eight lines extended outward from the center, connecting the core to a circular rim. On this rim were eight smaller spheres, evenly spaced like points on a compass. The object radiated power.
Raising his hand tentatively, Shiro tried to touch the wheel. His fingers brushed close to its surface, but the wheel didn't react. He gave a gentle push, attempting to twist it, but it refused to move.
"So it truly only turns when I'm attacked…" Shiro thought, lowering his hand. He stared at the unmoving wheel, his brows furrowed. 'I always wondered if it was possible to manually move it myself… Guess not.'
Crossing his arms, Shiro tilted his head slightly as he studied the object. 'My only issue is how exposed this thing is. I'm not as combat adept as Mahoraga, so the wheel will be an easy target for others,' he thought, rubbing his chin.
"System," Shiro said aloud, breaking the silence. "Is it possible to hide the wheel? It's a bit of a nuisance having it float above my head like this. I'll constantly have to duck under doorframes or worry about hitting it somewhere. That would be… very tedious."
[Yes. You can turn it off while not in battle. However, if you want to use it, the wheel will reappear,] the system replied in its usual neutral tone.
Shiro nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "That's fine." he said.
[As you wish,] the system responded.
Shiro turned back to the mirror, watching intently as the wheel shimmered faintly. It began to glow again, before it dissolved entirely into light. The light drifted downward, spiraling around his right hand before vanishing beneath his skin. Left behind was a tattoo of the wheel, its design etched onto the outside of his hand.
"What's this?" Shiro muttered, holding up his arm for a better look. The tattoo pulsed faintly, as if alive.
[The next time you would like to use Adaptation, simply tap your right hand,] the system explained.
"Much better," Shiro said, flexing his fingers before lowering his arm. He walked back to his bed and sat down, exhaling deeply. Leaning back against the mattress, he stared at the ceiling, his thoughts racing.
"Tomorrow is the day of the entrance exam…" he murmured to himself. A determined glint appeared in his eyes. 'With my current powers, it's more than enough to get in,' he thought.
[New Quest!] the system chimed again, interrupting his train of thought. A blue notification appeared before him, hovering at eye level.
Shiro straightened up, his curiosity piqued. "What now?" he muttered.
[Mission: Get 40 Points without using your powers! This doesn't include your passive ability: Metavision. Reward: 10,000 XP.]
"That's… a really tough mission, System," Shiro said, running a hand through his hair. His gaze lingered on the notification as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "10,000 points is a lot, but it isn't worth failing the whole exam for. All my hard work would go to waste."
He exhaled softly, shaking his head. "I guess tomorrow will tell. If I can't face those robots without assistance, I won't hesitate to use my powers," he said firmly.
…
The next morning, Shiro stood on the platform of a bustling train station. The air buzzed with the nervous chatter of students, all dressed in casual clothes and headed for the same destination. Beside him, Uraraka shifted on her feet, her expression a mix of determination and anxiety.
"It's almost time, Shiro…" Uraraka said, stepping forward as the train approached the platform. The brakes screeched softly as the train came to a halt, its doors hissing open.
"Yeah," Shiro replied, following her onto the train.
The pair found seats on a bench to the left. Uraraka tapped her fingers against her knees in a restless rhythm, her nerves evident in every small movement. Shiro, on the other hand, leaned back, his posture relaxed as he gazed out the window. The city blurred past, a backdrop to the day ahead.
"You don't seem nervous at all," Uraraka remarked, turning her head to look at him. Her voice carried a mixture of admiration and disbelief.
Shiro exhaled through his nose. "I am nervous," he admitted, his gaze still on the passing scenery. "But there's no point letting it control me. I have to stay calm."
'How could I not be?' he thought to himself. 'There's so much riding on this. If I fail without using my powers, I'll miss out on 10,000 XP. But if I rely on them, I might not even pass…'
Uraraka nodded, though her foot tapped anxiously against the floor. "I guess you're right. But… it's UA! The best hero school in the world. It's a lot of pressure, you know?"
Shiro finally turned to her, his gaze steady. "You'll be alright. Truly," he said, his tone firm.
Uraraka blinked, surprised by his confidence. Her expression softened into a smile. "Thanks, Shiro," she said quietly. She clenched her fists, rallying herself. "We can do this!" she declared, punching the air. Her sudden enthusiasm earned a few stares from other passengers, making Shiro chuckle softly.
When the train arrived, the pair stepped off onto a platform crowded with students. Nervous excitement filled the air as they followed the flow of people toward the towering gates of UA High School. The blue gates loomed above them, the golden UA emblem shining brightly in the morning sun.
"Whoa…" Uraraka breathed, her eyes wide as she took in the sight.
Shiro glanced up at the gates, equally impressed. The symbol of the school filled him with resolve. This was it—the first step toward his future.
Uraraka grabbed Shiro's hand, snapping him out of his thoughts. "We're going to be late if we keep staring!" she said, tugging him forward.
Shiro followed her lead, his Metavision activating as he scanned the area. He noted the height of the walls, the placement of security cameras, and the flow of students entering the building. Every detail painted a clearer picture in his mind.
From behind them, a voice shouted, "MOVE OUT OF THE WAY, DEKU!"
Shiro glanced over his shoulder, smirking. 'So they've finally arrived,' he thought. Uraraka, still caught up in her own nervous energy, seemed oblivious to the commotion.
"GET OUT OF MY WAY OR I'LL KILL YOU!" Bakugo barked, his voice harsh and commanding as he stormed past Midoriya. The whispers of other students followed him.
As Bakugo passed, he and Shiro exchanged a brief glance. Shiro's smirk deepened slightly. 'I'm not sure how he doesn't have blood pressure issues,' he thought dryly.
As Midoriya was also about to pass the two, he stumbled and fell. Shiro caught the movement just as Uraraka acted, touching Midoriya and halting his fall with her Zero Gravity quirk.
"Huh?" Midoriya stammered, his face red as he looked up in surprise.
"It's my quirk," Uraraka explained with a warm smile. "Sorry for stopping you, but it's a bad omen to trip and fall."
Midoriya's mouth opened and closed as he stammered out, "Yeah—Uh—I—"
Shiro couldn't help but chuckle softly at the scene. Seeing it unfold in person was even more amusing than he'd expected.
Midoriya turned to look at him, his expression curious. Shiro met his gaze and said calmly, "Take care not to fall during the real exam."
Midoriya's expression grew serious as he nodded firmly. "Yeah!" he said, his voice filled with determination.
"Well then, we'll be off. Good luck!" Uraraka said cheerfully, giving Midoriya a wave as she walked away, with Shiro following close behind.
"Y-Yeah…" Midoriya replied, his face still flushed as he watched them go.
As Shiro and Uraraka stepped into the building, Shiro's expression turned serious. 'I've got to make sure I don't fail this exam. If fighting without my powers doesn't work, I'll use them without hesitation,' he thought.
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Reminder: Get us to 200 powerstones by Sunday for another Double Release. Goal: 200 Powerstones. This story's continuation depends on your support—so don't forget to give the story powerstones!
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