Chapter 8: The Eight tests, Part Two

**Chapter 8: The Eight tests, Part Two**

The morning sun gleamed over the polished track, casting shadows of the towering trees surrounding UA Academy's vast field. The sky was a soft blue, with thin clouds lazily drifting by, as the students of Class 1-A gathered, tension building in the crisp air. The occasional gust of autumn wind stirred the fallen leaves, sending them swirling across the grass as if even nature itself was caught in anticipation.

Each student, dressed in the academy's signature blue and white tracksuits, stood poised, determination etched on their faces. The pressure to prove themselves on this first real test was palpable. Eyes darted towards Aizawa, their homeroom teacher, standing calm and indifferent, his black hair framing his unreadable face. With a casual air, he announced the first test.

"The first trial: the speed race."

The atmosphere thickened as the students prepared. Two names were called out, breaking the silence like a ripple across still water.

"Kirishima. Kaminari. You're up first."

The two boys exchanged glances, then stepped forward. Kirishima's determined eyes met Kaminari's laid-back gaze, but behind both their expressions lay a fierce desire to win. Their footsteps crunched against the dirt as they approached the starting line. The course stretched ahead, a simple 50-meter dash, but the implications were far more complex. This wasn't just about beating the person next to you—it was about outpacing the entire class.

Aizawa's voice cut through the quiet. "Remember, speed alone won't be enough. It's your performance relative to the class that counts. Ready yourselves."

Kirishima's muscles tensed, his fingers curling into fists. He knew Kaminari wasn't specialized in speed, but neither was he. The outcome would come down to sheer effort. Beside him, Kaminari stood focused, his brow furrowed. He wasn't going to risk using his electricity just yet—too unpredictable for this kind of straightforward trial.

"Begin!"

The sharp sound of the starting signal echoed across the field, and both boys launched forward with all the strength they could muster. Kirishima, hardening his toes for extra traction, pushed himself forward like a charging bull. Kaminari kept pace, his focus on maintaining a smooth, steady sprint.

The race was short but intense, ending with Kirishima crossing the line at 8.56 seconds, Kaminari just behind at 9.12.

Standing among the students, Natsu observed quietly, a bored expression crossing his face. "Why didn't they use their quirks?" he muttered under his breath.

Iida, standing nearby, pushed up his glasses and responded, his tone calm and analytical. "Their quirks wouldn't have added any advantage here. They'll need to reserve their abilities for tests where they truly matter. Patience, Natsu."

Natsu gave a small, unimpressed shrug. "This is a waste of time. If Aizawa-sensei really wanted to test us, why not just throw us into a combat exercise?"

From across the field, Aizawa's gaze flickered towards Natsu, hearing the comment. But rather than addressing it directly, he called out, "Next race—Natsu Dragneel versus Tenya Iida. Take your positions."

A grin spread across Natsu's face, his earlier boredom melting away as he eagerly jogged to the starting line. High above, Happy hovered on his wings, his cheerful voice cutting through the murmurs.

"You've got this, Natsu!"

The other students watched in amazement at the flying cat, unable to contain their surprise.

"Is that a... cat?" Uraraka blinked in disbelief.

"And it's flying!" Mina added, equally bewildered.

Natsu, now standing at the starting line, looked back at Happy with a smirk. "Thanks, partner. Don't worry—I won't lose."

Iida stepped up beside him, his face calm but serious. "Confidence is admirable," he said, adjusting his glasses once more. "But overconfidence can be dangerous."

Natsu's eyes sparkled with mischief. "You're welcome to prove me wrong, Iida."

Aizawa's voice interrupted their exchange. "Prepare yourselves."

Natsu's muscles tensed, his fingers twitching with excitement. Meanwhile, Iida's engines roared to life, blue flames flickering at his calves, drawing everyone's attention. Natsu stared at the flames, his eyes widening with interest. "Those look... delicious."

"Go!"

The race began with a thunderous burst. Iida shot forward, propelled by his powerful engines, leaving behind a trail of blue fire. Natsu's pink hair fluttered wildly in the wind as he watched Iida's back, a sly grin curling at the corners of his mouth.

"He's fast," Natsu muttered, a spark of excitement flashing in his dark eyes. With a burst of flame, Natsu's feet ignited with a fiery blaze, propelling him forward like a human rocket.

"Dragon Fire Star!"

The air around Natsu crackled as he surged forward, flames bursting from his feet with each step. The ground trembled as his fiery momentum shook the earth beneath him, and soon he was neck and neck with Iida. The crowd gasped as Natsu shot past, overtaking Iida just before the finish line in a flash of fire and heat.

At the finish line, both boys skidded to a halt, smoke rising from their shoes as they slowed down. The tension hung in the air until Aizawa's voice broke through.

"Natsu Dragneel, 4.55 seconds. Tenya Iida, 4.67 seconds."

Natsu pumped his fist into the air, his wide grin shining with pride. "Oo Yes! Did you see that, Happy?"

Happy flew in a small loop above him, laughing. "Aye, sir!"

Iida, on the other hand, clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowing as he stared at Natsu. 'Damn it,' he thought, frustration welling up inside him. 'That was the one trial where I should've come first... But this guy... he's full of surprises.'

Natsu turned to Iida, his grin softening into a friendly smile. "Your speed really pushed me to go all out. You've got some serious power in those legs of yours."

Iida gave a small, respectful nod, returning the compliment. "Your flames... I could feel the heat from them when you passed me. Impressive work."

As the tests continued, the air buzzed with tension and excitement. Each student had a chance to shine, their quirks coming into play in various ways. Some excelled in multiple trials, while others struggled, performing well in one but falling short in others. With each passing test, the pressure mounted, and the results began to paint a clearer picture.

But one student stood out for all the wrong reasons: Izuku Midoriya. He had yet to make a mark, his scores averaging out, leaving him vulnerable to the threat of expulsion. As the next trial approached—Ranged Quirk—Midoriya stepped forward, determination etched into his every movement. Yet, as he prepared to unleash his quirk, Aizawa's eyes flashed.

Suddenly, Midoriya's power was gone. The teacher's voice cut through the air like a knife. "Breaking your bones again, are you? Do you really think you can become a hero like that? You can't save anyone if you can't even protect yourself."

The weight of Aizawa's words pressed down on the students, and they exchanged concerned glances. Natsu, watching from the sidelines, frowned in thought. 'That power he used in the entrance exam... It was incredible, but the backlash... It's a dangerous gift.'

Despite the odds, Midoriya found a way. Channeling all his power into a single finger, he launched the ball with force, impressing Aizawa and earning a respectable 716 meters—good enough for fourth place.

With the final rankings announced, the tension in the air shifted. Uraraka's infinite throw claimed first place, while Natsu took second, followed by Bakugo in third. Midoriya's small victory in the ball throw earned him a glimmer of hope, but the day wasn't over yet.

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