Chapter 8: The Beginning

Chapter 8: The Beginning

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The morning air was crisp and refreshing as the soft light of the sun bathed the grounds of UA Academy in a gentle warmth. It was 7:30 AM, and the day had yet to grow hot, making the early hours feel peaceful. The sound of students chatting and walking filled the air—some arrived in groups, while others, like Yahari, made their way alone. He paused briefly at the academy's entrance gate, a wide smile stretching across his face as he thought, *The time has finally come.*

Yahari's dark eyes, brimming with life, scanned the area. His hair had grown longer over the past months, now flowing to the same length as Luffy's from *One Piece*. He wore a blue hoodie over a plain white T-shirt and simple jeans. A backpack hung from his shoulder, containing his athletic clothes for the practical exam.

As he confidently walked onto the UA campus—structured like a small university with clear, easy-to-read signs—he couldn't help but notice the sheer size and scale of the place. There was no chance of getting lost here, not with the abundant markers and directions.

Yahari followed the path to the auditorium where the entrance exam briefing would take place. Inside, the room was dim, illuminated only by the giant screen at the front. It felt almost like a cinema, with rows of seats filled by eager students murmuring among themselves, their voices blending into a constant hum of nervous energy.

Finding an empty seat, Yahari sat down and glanced around at the other applicants. The atmosphere was electric—a mix of excitement, tension, and fear. Soon, the screen flickered to life, and the booming voice of Present Mic, UA's well-known hero and teacher, filled the room. His lively figure appeared on the screen, radiating energy.

"Welcome, future heroes, to the entrance exam of UA Academy!" Present Mic's voice was as enthusiastic as ever. "I'm here to explain the rules of today's practical test. You'll each be assigned a testing area where you'll face robotic villains. Your goal is to earn as many points as possible by defeating these robots. The more points you score, the better your chance of getting into UA!"

The screen showed a series of robots, each one labeled with its point value. Present Mic continued, "There are three types of robots: one-pointers, two-pointers, and three-pointers. But beware of the zero-pointer! It's big, it's tough, and it won't give you any points, so avoid it if you can!"

With the explanation complete, the students were directed to their testing zones. Yahari checked his card: "Zone B." As he joined the crowd of examinees headed for Gate B, he could feel the tension building with every step.

At the gate, the air was thick with anticipation. Some students were stretching, others were adjusting their gear, while others stood in quiet contemplation, preparing mentally for the challenge ahead. Yahari closed his eyes for a moment, breathing deeply to calm his nerves. This was it. All his hard work had led to this moment.

The gates creaked open, and with a burst of energy, Yahari and the other students sprinted into the testing zone. It was a large, urban-themed area with buildings, streets, and robots roaming the scene—waiting to be defeated.

Yahari's heart raced as he readied himself. Months of training had brought him here, and now it was time to put everything to the test. He clenched his fists, focusing on his quirk, and felt the familiar stretch in his body.

"Rubber Pistol!" Yahari shouted as he flung his arm forward, stretching it far ahead of him. His fist connected with a one-pointer robot, smashing it against a nearby wall. Some students paused to watch him, their faces a mix of confusion and awe at his strange ability—and the fact that he called out his attacks like it was some kind of anime.

Undeterred by their stares, Yahari pressed on. He moved with precision, his rubber-like body giving him an advantage in flexibility and range. "Rubber Whip!" he called, swinging his leg in a wide arc, tripping up a two-pointer robot. Without missing a beat, he followed it with a "Rubber Stamp!"—his foot slammed down on another robot, crushing it flat.

Despite the puzzled looks from the other students, Yahari's performance spoke for itself. He was steadily racking up points, his attacks swift and effective. His peers couldn't help but notice his growing score and the ease with which he dispatched the robots.

As the test continued, the level of difficulty increased. Larger robots appeared, more formidable than before, and Yahari spotted the towering zero-pointer in the distance. Knowing better than to waste time on it, he focused on eliminating the smaller, point-scoring robots.

In the distance, a three-pointer robot was advancing on a group of students who were clearly struggling. Without a second thought, Yahari dashed toward it, his body stretching as he leaped into the air. "Rubber Rocket!" he yelled, launching himself at the robot and delivering a powerful punch. The robot toppled over, sparks flying from its damaged core.

The students he saved looked at him with wide eyes, stunned by his sudden intervention. Yahari gave them a quick nod before moving on, his focus back on earning as many points as possible.

With the exam nearing its end, Yahari could feel the strain taking a toll on his body. He had pushed himself hard, and his muscles were starting to scream in protest. But he couldn't afford to stop now—not when the finish line was so close. Gritting his teeth, he summoned his remaining energy and unleashed a final barrage of attacks, taking down several more robots before the buzzer sounded.

The test was over.

Yahari stood amid the wreckage, panting heavily. His entire body ached from the exertion, but a deep sense of accomplishment filled him. He had given everything he had, and now it was up to the judges.

As he made his way back to the starting area, the other students gathered as well, each of them wearing expressions of exhaustion and relief. The exam was finished, but the journey was only just beginning. Yahari had spent nine months training for this, and the future remained uncertain. But for now, he allowed himself a brief moment of rest, knowing he had done everything he could to earn his place at UA Academy.

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