This One Has Potential

...

Within moments, everyone had passed Toma. By the time he entered the exam site, explosions were already echoing through the streets.

"Looks like people are scoring already," Toma said calmly.

He stood still for a moment, thinking, then headed to the right. A green robot suddenly burst from an alley. The number three was written on both sides of its body.

"Three points."

Toma's arm turned into vines, and they pierced straight through the robot's midsection in a flash. Then he broke into a run.

A little over a minute later, his score had already reached what he considered a safe passing range. He stopped, climbed onto a tall building, and sat down. Toma had no interest in first place. Passing was enough.

"Now I just wait for the exam to end," he muttered.

Inside the monitoring room, several judges sat before rows of screens.

"Who is that student?" one of the judges asked from the front row.

Principal Nezu flipped through the file in his hands and answered gently, "Toma Hayashi, from Kumohata Junior High."

Principal Nezu was an animal who could speak, a rare case even in a world of Quirks. He had a scar over his right eye and a cheerful, approachable demeanor.

Because of his Quirk, humans had once experimented on him, and beneath his friendly surface was a sharp, mischievous streak when it came to outmaneuvering opponents.

"This year's students are strong," one judge said with a laugh.

Another judge nodded. "That student is worth developing. From the start, even against enemies, he stayed perfectly calm. The pressure he gives off is almost like a pro hero's."

"His Quirk looks a lot like Kamui Woods', doesn't it?"

Nezu frowned slightly when he heard that. According to the entrance documents, Toma Hayashi's Quirk was Fire Breath. Those records should not have been wrong.

Quirks were usually tested in person and confirmed through several channels before the information reached U.A.

"What is he doing now?" one of the judges asked, staring at the screen.

On the monitor, Toma had his eyes closed and seemed to be resting.

"His score should already be enough to pass. Looks like he isn't planning to chase a high score. Interesting kid. If he kept taking points, a lot of the students in his exam site would be in trouble."

The judge was not wrong. With Toma's speed, if he truly wanted a high score, he could destroy so many mock villains that slower applicants would have nothing left to fight. In that sense, the others were lucky.

"Principal Nezu, this child has promise, but he will need careful guidance."

Nezu nodded with a smile. "Of course."

"With talent like that at his age, as long as he doesn't go down the wrong path, he'll become someone remarkable after graduating from U.A."

Behind the judges, All Might looked surprised as well.

"That young man... he is the boy from the park yesterday."

A faint, intrigued smile appeared on his face. Ten minutes was not long, but it was not short either. When the alarm rang, Present Mic's voice boomed through the exam site.

"Test over!"

Applicants who had passed smiled with relief. Those who had failed looked unwilling to accept it. When Toma heard Present Mic's announcement, he opened his eyes and walked back toward the crowd.

He had nearly fallen asleep. Once he rejoined the group, Tenya Iida's gaze landed on him. Toma gave him a contemptuous look. Iida frowned.

What was with this guy? After the exam started, Iida had not seen him anywhere. His breathing was steady. His clothes were clean. He was not sweating.

Had he failed to defeat even a single robot? Or had he really come here only to interfere with other people's exams?

"All right, everyone. Good work."

At the sound of that voice, the applicants turned around. An elderly woman in a white coat walked over with a syringe-shaped cane in one hand and a strange helmet on her head. This was Recovery Girl.

At first glance, Toma could only think she looked strange. The syringe-shaped cane was one thing, but the helmet looked like it had a syringe stuck into it too.

"This world really does have a lot of odd people," he muttered.

"Good work, good work," Recovery Girl said as she approached an injured applicant.

She pulled several colorful gummies from her pocket and smiled.

"Here you go. Have a gummy."

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