The Practical Exam

The students of Class 1-A gathered in U.A.'s spacious auditorium, tension and curiosity filling the air. Everyone had heard whispers about the practical exam, but none were prepared for what was to come.

Standing in the middle was Aizawa, his usual tired expression masking whatever challenge they were about to face. Principal Nezu stood at Aizawa's shoulder, his frame small but his presence undeniably commanding. 

"Now, onto the practical exam," Nezu began, clasping his hands together in excitement. "This year, we've prepared something a little... different from the usual robot destruction scenario."

A murmur spread through the room. No robots?

"Instead," Nezu continued with a mischievous smile, "you'll be working in pairs, and your opponents... will be the U.A teachers themselves!"

A collective gasp echoed across the class. Kaminari's eyes widened. Pro heroes?! They were going to fight their teachers?

"You'll have two objectives in this exam," Aizawa spoke up, his voice monotone but clear. "Either capture your teacher or escape from the designated battlefield. Those are your only options."

He flicked a glance at the students, his gaze sharp. "But don't think it will be easy."

Nezu then elaborated, "The pairing of the students and the heroes has been done based on balancing your individual strengths and weaknesses, so expect your quirks and strategies to be pushed to the limits."

A large screen descended behind them, and Aizawa pressed a button on a remote, revealing the pairings:

Kaminari Raio & Mina Ashido vs Principal Nezu

Midoriya Izuku & Bakugou Katsuki vs All Might

Yaoyorozu Momo & Todoroki Shoto vs Eraser Head

Satou Rikido & Kirishima Eijirou vs Cementoss

Iida Tenya & Ojiro Mashirao vs Power Loader

[...]

Kaminari blinked in disbelief as he saw his name next to Mina's and then the word "Nezu" in big, bold letters. Principal Nezu is going to participate too?

He shot a quick glance toward Mina, whose expression was a mix of tension and happiness.

Nezu's playful voice cut through Raio's thoughts. "Each matchup has been carefully considered to challenge you. You'll face not just the strength of the Pro Heroes, but also your own weaknesses. Take this seriously. Your futures as heroes depend on it."

Aizawa's eyes swept across the class one final time. "Get ready."

...

"Mina and Kaminari Team, practical exam. Ready... GO!"

The heavy metal gates of Training Camp Gamma slid shut behind Kaminari and Mina, sealing them into the labyrinth of factories and machinery that formed their testing ground. The air was thick with the scent of rust and oil, the perfect environment for Principal Nezu to hide.

Kaminari cracked his knuckles, eyes narrowing as he scanned their surroundings. Mina, standing next to him, fidgeted slightly but smiled, her usual bubbly energy peeking through the tension.

"Alright, Kaminari. We've got this!" Mina said, giving Kaminari a playful punch on the arm.

Kaminari only nodded, his thoughts racing ahead. Nezu is smart—too smart. I'll need to stay sharp. His body tensed as he instinctively felt the weight of the situation.

Mina's words barely registered, his mind already planning how to handle the obstacles that would inevitably come their way.

"Stick close to me, Mina. I'll clear a path. You just focus on getting to the exit," Kaminari said, already moving forward.

Mina paused, a furrow forming between her brows. "Uh, I can do more than just hang back, y'know?"

Kaminari didn't stop. "It'll be quicker if I do it myself. I don't want you getting caught up in Nezu's traps. Trust me I'll handle it, focus on finding the exit."

She watched him for a second, her expression faltering. Handle it? she thought. What does he think I'm here for, decoration? Mina bit her lip, following reluctantly, her usual enthusiasm dimmed by Kaminari's overconfidence.

As they ventured deeper into the maze of machinery, the first trap triggered—metal rods shot out from hidden slots, attempting to trip them. Kaminari reacted instantly, his movements sharp and focused. Electricity sparked from his fingertips, and he dashed ahead, vaulting over the rods in a blur of motion. His speed had improved drastically, his training with Endeavour showing in the way he seamlessly evaded the obstacles.

"C'mon, Mina!" Kaminari called over his shoulder, not realizing how far ahead he'd gotten.

Mina clenched her fists. He's not even giving me a chance! She followed, her acid quirk at the ready, but Kaminari was already dismantling another trap, electrocuting the gears and wires that controlled it. Every time she got close enough to help, he was a step ahead, clearing paths and navigating the maze almost single-handedly.

A pang of frustration gnawed at her. Mina had always been a team player, but it was clear Kaminari wasn't leaving room for teamwork today. 

...

From his perch high above the chaos, Nezu observed the battlefield with a keen eye, his paws neatly clasped in front of him as he steered the environment to his advantage. Every trap sprung, every obstacle moved, carefully calculated to test the students below. It was clear from the start—Kaminari and Mina were not on the same page.

Nezu's mind worked quickly as he watched Kaminari dart forward, eager to take the lead. Raw power… quick reflexes, but tunnel vision. He could see it in every movement—the boy was trying to shoulder the entire burden, thinking he could muscle through without strategy. A common flaw of those gifted with overwhelming power.

His gaze flicked to Mina, trailing behind, her expression shifting between determination and frustration. And then there's her… intelligent, resourceful, but underestimated. He's not listening to her, and it's wearing her down. That recklessness—if left unchecked—will be their undoing.

Nezu's whiskers twitched as he reflected on their performance so far. Kaminari's insistence on acting alone was not just a strategic error; it was a sign of inexperience. He was wasting Mina's talents, pushing her aside when she had the creativity and adaptability that could complement his power.

He sighed inwardly. Power without wisdom is wasted. And Mina… well, frustration breeds rash decisions. Soon enough, one of them will make a mistake.

A flash of lightning crackled across the field as Kaminari blasted through another obstacle, determined to force his way forward. Nezu narrowed his eyes. He's fighting the environment as if it's the only enemy. But in truth, his biggest challenge isn't me… it's himself.

Nezu's sharp intellect pieced together the dynamics at play. Mina, with her acidic abilities, had the potential to change the course of the battle. She could melt through obstacles, slip past defenses, but her role had been diminished by Kaminari's bullish approach. If he can't learn to work with her, to trust her instincts, they'll never pass this test.

As the chaos unfolded below, Nezu couldn't help but be intrigued. This will be an interesting turning point for them… if they realize it in time.

...

Several minutes passed with Kaminari dismantling every trap, his movements a blur as Mina followed. But with every step, her growing frustration bubbled up until it couldn't be ignored.

"Hey, Kaminari!" Mina called, her voice sharper than usual. He didn't respond, his focus locked on the task ahead.

"Kaminari!" she yelled again, louder this time, finally catching his attention as he turned toward her, still sparking with leftover energy.

"What?" he asked, panting lightly.

"Stop trying to do everything by yourself!" Mina snapped, her usual carefree tone replaced by anger. "This isn't a solo mission. We're supposed to work together!"

Kaminari blinked, taken aback by her outburst. "But I'm just trying to get us through this. I don't want you getting hurt."

Mina's eyes narrowed. "You think I'm not capable? I'm part of this exam too, Kaminari. I'm not just gonna stand around while you play the hero."

"I'm not doing that, I just want to get us passed-"

Mina's frustration had been brewing for a while. Kaminari had insisted on pushing forward alone, dismissing her attempts to help or contribute. Every time she tried to suggest something, Kaminari would cut her off or rush ahead. She clenched her fists, struggling to hold back the irritation bubbling inside.

Finally, she snapped.

"Ugh! You know what? I'm done with this!" Mina stormed off, her face flushed with anger. "If you think you can do everything by yourself, then go ahead, genius!"

Kaminari stopped, a frown crossing his face as he watched her walk away. "What's her problem?" he muttered under his breath, turning back to the task at hand. "I've got this. I can handle it."

As he pushed forward alone, navigating the booby-trapped training ground, he heard a loud crack from above. His eyes shot upward, and his heart dropped. A large piece of debris from the demolisher ball was about to fall directly on top of Mina, who was still walking off in a huff.

Without thinking, Kaminari dashed forward at lightning speed. "Mina, watch out!" he shouted, pushing her out of the way just as the debris came crashing down.

But he wasn't fast enough to save himself. The debris landed hard on his leg, pinning him to the ground. Pain shot through him as he gritted his teeth, trying not to scream.

Mina, who had turned back at the last second, saw what had happened. At first, her anger flared up again. "I didn't need your help!" she started, but then her eyes widened as she saw Kaminari trapped beneath the heavy rubble.

Her breath caught in her throat. "Kaminari!" she rushed to his side, her frustration fading into worry.

Kaminari, gritting his teeth, tried to shift the weight of the debris but couldn't move it. He looked up at Mina, his voice strained. "I thought… I could lift it," he admitted, a pang of regret in his tone. "But… I am wrong."

Mina knelt down, her determination now focused. "Shush. Just let me handle this."

With quick thinking, she assessed the situation and used her acid to melt away a small portion of the debris, just enough to free Kaminari. She worked swiftly and efficiently, her frustration gone, replaced by calm leadership.

As Kaminari watched her in action, the reality of his behavior hit him hard. Mina wasn't just trying to help for the sake of it—she was perfectly capable. He had been shutting her out when they could've been working together all along.

Mina pulled him free, and as Kaminari staggered to his feet, he looked at her with newfound respect and weightned regret.

"Thanks," he said, his voice soft.

"Don't mention it." She said, bluntly. 

Their seemed moment of understanding is interrupted by another rumble of machinery.

...

The wall trembles as a giant barrier rises in front of them, it's surface slick with water. Water streams in from the sides, flooding the floor beneath them. Debris closing an exit behind.

Kaminari's electricity flickers in his hands, but he quickly realizes something is wrong. "This is a trap. If I use my quirk here... the water, it'll fry ys both."

Mina watches the rising water leves and grits her teeth. "Then we find another way!" She takes the lead and rushes the rising barrier, her hands full of acid as she lays them on the barrier.

"Mina, don't!" Kaminari rushes in, grabbing her by the arm and yanking her back. 

Mina's eyes widen, but she quickly masks it with a scowl. "What? We just went through this!"

"If you melt the barrier the water will rush in faster!"

She stops for a second before undoing Kamianri's grip on her arm, crossing her arms, frustation lingering. 

"Great, but unless you have a magic solution-"

"You can burn through part of he wall without collapsing the whole thing?" Kaminari cuts her off, glancing at the wall at their side.

Mina pauses, catching on. " Yeah, I can control the strength."

Kaminari's expression softens. "Okay, hear me out: If you melt a hole near the base of this wall, we can get out of here through the tunnel."

Mina hesitates, she's still mad but won't allow it to hinder their approval.

"Got it, step back and let me do my thing, Mr Perfect."

Her words hit harder than Kaminari expected. He realized, that in his drive to go ahead of her, he'd completely overlooked her strength. His mind flashed back to the times Mina had proven herself over and over again. She's right, I screwed up.

Mina carefully melts through the wall as a opening is made, once clear, she enters and Kaminari follows, seemed getting away from the trap.

As they arrive inside a warehouse, Mina takes the lead and looks for an exit.

"Mina..." Kaminari calls for her, he sees that she's ignoring him at first but soon turns to look at him, her face clearly shows she's not happy with Kaminari, not the situation.

"...I'm sorry," Kaminari said, his voice quieter now. "I didn't mean to make you feel like that."

Mina crossed her arms. "Yeah, well, you did. You acted like I would just get on your way and didn't even considered talk to me about a plan. I'm not dead weight, Kaminari, no matter what you think."

Kaminari exhaled slowly, nodding. "You're right. I was inconsider-, no... I am being a dumbass acting this way. I wasn't letting you do your part."

Mina nods, her tone serious, she sighs before continuing. "Listen, Kaminari. You're great, your quirk is great, you can probably get this thing done by yourself, but they didn't make duos for no reason, we have to work together and this attitude of yours is not helping."

Sharper than Stain's blades, her words are filled with reason, she is entitled to feel this way, why would he assume she would be okay with being left behind?

"Forgive me, Mina. There won't be a second time."

Mina gave him a quick smile, her usual playfulness returning. "That's all I wanted, Kaminari."

They shared a brief, understanding look before Mina stood up and took the lead. "No more solo stuff, got it?"

Kaminari grinned, limping beside her. "You got it."

...

"I think over half the time limit has already passed, we need a plan this right. First, we need to find Nezu, you're on, Kaminari." Mina resumed his playful personality but her resolve is shining through.

Kaminari smiled as he closed his eyes, his electroreception working overtime to find the smallest hint of Nezu.

...

Just as they started to brainstorm, a distant rumbling echoed through the camp. Kaminari's head snapped toward the source, recognizing it as one of Nezu's heavier traps being set in motion. But this time, he didn't bolt ahead.

Instead, he turned to Mina, a new sense of determination in his eyes.

"Let's take this down together." he said, offering a hand. Mina smiled, finally seeing the team spirit she'd been waiting for.

With their dynamic reset, the duo moved forward again, but this time as equals. Mina's acid melted through metal barricades, clearing paths, while Kaminari's electricity disarmed Nezu's traps with precision. They worked in tandem, each compensating for the other's weaknesses.

The labyrinth might have been built to test them, but now they were ready to face it as a team.

...

Kaminari and Mina ventured deeper into the labyrinth, their movements synchronized now that they were working as a team. The tension that had lingered between them earlier had dissolved, replaced by a newfound respect for one another. Every step they took was calculated, their quirks complementing each other in a way that allowed them to push forward through the relentless traps set by Nezu.

Suddenly, a series of grinding sounds echoed from overhead. Mina looked up, her eyes widening as she spotted several giant gears turning in unison. The ground beneath them shook violently, causing the metal platform they stood on to vibrate.

"That can't be good," Mina muttered, bracing herself.

From a higher vantage point, Kaminari squinted through the haze of dust and smoke, his eyes locking onto a massive crane in the distance. There he is. He quickly formulated a plan, but this time, he hesitated. The old Kaminari would've gone charging in, leaving Mina behind, but now he knew better.

"Mina!" He shouted to catch her attention.

"Nezu's controlling everything from that crane," Kaminari said, pointing toward the structure. "It's booby-trapped, and there's no doubt he's got more tricks up his sleeve."

Mina nodded. "Right, so what's the play?"

A mischievous grin spread across Kaminari's face as the electricity crackled at his fingertips. "We are going to cause some chaos. You ready?"

Mina's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Always."

As the plan is unveiled, both classmates are ready to pass the test.

3 minutes remains.

...

Nezu, high in his crane, watched the duo through his binoculars, his sharp intellect picking up on the shift in their strategy. "Ah, they're finally working together," he muttered to himself. "But will it be enough?"

The ground shook beneath them as Kaminari unleashed a barrage of electricity, activating trap after trap. Metal plates slammed shut, floors opened to reveal hidden pits, and massive gears spun violently. The cacophony of mechanical mayhem filled the air, all while Kaminari danced through the chaos, purposefully triggering Nezu's network of tricks.

Nezu chuckled from his perch in the crane. "What a reckless move, Kaminari. But you're playing into my hands." Nezu's attention shifted toward Kaminari.

Kaminari continued his relentless assault on the traps. He was faster now, more precise, as if the sparks coursing through him were in complete harmony with his body.

"Come on, Principal Nezu, focus on me." Kaminari whispered, knowing that Mina needed more time.

Nezu, still perched in the crane's control room, was growing more impressed by the second. "This is quite the show, Kaminari," he mused. "But do you really think this distraction will fool me? Mina won't be able to melt through all the debris blocking the exit before the time runs out. It's unfortunate, but it's too late. HA HA HA HA!" Nezu's laugh was macabre.

As if on cue, the crane groaned, a loud metallic creak echoing through the training ground. Nezu's eyes widened in realization. "Wait—"

Down below the crane, Mina smiled.

The supports were weakened enough. Now came the final part of their plan.

Their plan was simple but bold. They would overload the system. He would create a massive distraction, setting off as many traps as possible in a concentrated area to draw Nezu's focus, making the principal believe Mina is heading towards the exit.

Meanwhile, Mina would take advantage of the chaos to move toward the crane's structural weak points.

Mina stealthily made her way to the base of the crane, her footsteps light and quick. She reached the structure without triggering any alarms or drawing Nezu's attention. Her quirk, perfect for melting through obstacles, would be the key to their victory.

"I'll start by weakening the support beams," Mina whispered to herself. "Once that's done, it'll be up to Kaminari."

The crane towered over her like a beast of iron, but Mina showed no fear. With a deep breath, she placed her hands on the thick metal beams that held the crane in place and released a steady stream of acid. The metal hissed and sizzled as her quirk ate away at the crane's support system, the structure slowly beginning to wobble.

"Kaminari!" Mina shouted, catching his attention.

Kaminari looked back just in time to see the crane starting to collapse. Nezu, still inside, was in danger of being caught in the fall. Kaminari acted on instinct, his body moving faster than his mind could process. Sparks of electricity exploded from his feet as he propelled himself toward the crane, reaching it just as it began to tip.

He caught sight of Nezu through the control room window—completely calm despite the danger. Kaminari didn't have time to think. With a final burst of electricity, he leapt into the air, reaching out for the principal. His hand clasped around Nezu's small frame, pulling him from the collapsing structure as they both plummeted toward the ground.

Time seemed to slow as Kaminari twisted midair, positioning Nezu so that he would take the brunt of the impact. But Kaminari's reflexes kicked in, and he managed to land with surprising grace, his feet hitting the ground with a solid thud.

Breathing hard, Kaminari looked down at the small Principal in his arms. Nezu, ever calm, smiled up at him.

"Well done, Kaminari," Nezu said softly, clearly impressed.

Kaminari grinned, feeling a rush of accomplishment. "Thanks, but we're not done yet."

Gently, Kaminari set Nezu down, and with one swift motion, he pulled out the capture cuffs and snapped them onto the principal's tiny wrists.

"That makes us officially the winners," Kaminari said, still catching his breath.

Mina, having witnessed the whole thing, ran up with a victorious laugh. "Now that's how you pass an exam!"

As the dust settled and the last echo of falling debris faded away, Kaminari and Mina stood in the center of the now-silent training ground, catching their breath. The tension that had hung over them since the start of the exam had evaporated, replaced by the victorious glow of accomplishment.

"We did it!" Mina cheered, her eyes gleaming with excitement. She punched the air with both fists and turned to Kaminari with a beaming smile. "See? Teamwork makes the dream work!"

Kaminari chuckled, his usual swagger returning after the intense moments. "Yeah, that was pretty smooth. You melted the heck outta those support beams."

Mina placed her hands on her hips, her tone playful. "You didn't do too bad yourself, Lightning Boy. Activating all those traps? Total genius move."

Kaminari ran a hand through his hair, trying to play it cool despite his adrenaline still running high. "Well, you know… I aim to please. But seriously, we wouldn't have passed without you."

Mina shot him a wink. "Good thing you realized that before trying to do everything yourself!"

He laughed, shaking his head. "Okay, okay. I get it. Lesson learned. No more trying to be the one-man army. We're a team, right?"

"Exactly!" Mina gave him a light punch on the arm. "And don't you forget it."

Kaminari rubbed his arm where she punched him, but he was smiling. "Alright, I'll make a note of it. Next time, we take on the world together."

They shared a look—one that wasn't heavy with tension but rather filled with the satisfaction of knowing they'd worked through their differences. The weight of trying to prove himself on his own had lifted from Kaminari's shoulders, and Mina felt like her contributions had finally been recognized.

After a few moments of silence, Kaminari grinned mischievously. "You know, I'm still pretty sure I did more of the work."

Mina gasped dramatically, eyes wide. "Excuse me? You're lucky I don't melt you where you stand for that!"

"Hey, hey! Chill with the acid threats, alright?" Kaminari said, raising his hands defensively while laughing. "I'm just messing with you."

She gave him a mock-serious glare before bursting into laughter. "Fine, you're off the hook—for now."

As they walked off the training ground toward where the teachers were waiting to announce their results, Mina nudged Kaminari lightly with her elbow. "But next time we face off against Principal Nezu, we'll make sure I get to carry him to safety."

Kaminari snorted, shaking his head. "I think I've got the hero rescues down. You can handle the melting stuff."

"Deal." Mina grinned, satisfied.

They reached the others, where Aizawa was waiting with his usual neutral expression, though there was a slight gleam of approval in his eyes.

"You two worked well together. That's what this exam was about—learning to rely on your partner."

Kaminari and Mina exchanged a knowing look, both feeling the weight of those words. The tension and conflict they'd started with had been replaced with a real understanding of how much stronger they were together.

As they were about to leave, Mina turned to Kaminari one last time. "So, what's next? Wanna go grab something to eat after this to celebrate this victory?"

Kaminari's eyes lit up. "You know what? That sounds like a great idea. I'm starving."

"Good! You can buy me snacks, as thanks for me saving your butt in the exam."

"Wait, what? You're the one who should be buying me snacks!" Kaminari laughed, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Keep dreaming, Sparky," Mina said with a smirk as they both walked away, still bantering like the true teammates they had become.