chapter 16: 1-A

Izuku Midoriya woke up that morning with a mix of anxiety and excitement. Today was the day. His first day at U.A. High School, the school of his dreams. He dressed carefully, adjusting the gray and green uniform in front of the mirror.

"It's all right, it's all right," he murmured to himself, trying to calm his nerves.

With one last determined look at his reflection, Izuku grabbed his backpack and left the house. The streets were busy, filled with students from various schools. But Izuku had eyes for only one destination: the imposing structure of U.A. rising on the horizon.

As he approached the school gates, his heart beat faster and faster. 'I really made it,' he thought, still hardly believing it. 'I'm here. At U.A.'

Izuku passed through the enormous gates, marveling at the campus. Students of all kinds walked through the well-kept gardens, some casually displaying their Quirks. A boy floated by, while another chatted animatedly with a girl with pink skin.

Swallowing hard, Izuku entered the main building. The hallways were wide and well-lit, with floor-to-ceiling windows. Signs indicated directions to different areas of the school.

"Class 1-A... Class 1-A..." Izuku murmured, anxiously looking at the numbers on the doors.

Finally, he arrived. The door to Class 1-A was massive, at least three times larger than a regular door. Izuku hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering over the handle.

'Here we go,' he thought, taking a deep breath. 'The first step to becoming a hero.'

With a determined move, he opened the door and entered the classroom.

Izuku had barely taken two steps into the room when a familiar scene struck him. Kacchan, his old schoolmate, had his feet up on a desk, glaring defiantly at a bespectacled boy who was gesticulating frantically.

"Take your feet off the desk immediately! This is a sign of disrespect to our seniors and the institution itself!" the bespectacled boy exclaimed.

"Hah? Who do you think you are to give me orders, Four-Eyes?" Kacchan retorted, his usual acidic tone.

At that moment, Kacchan's eyes turned to the door, locking onto Izuku. His face twisted into a scowl of disgust. "Deku..."

The bespectacled boy, noticing Izuku's arrival, turned quickly. "Ah, it's you! The participant from the practical exam. My name is Tenya Iida, from Somei High Scho-"

But before Iida could finish his introduction, a massive shadow loomed over Izuku from behind. The green-haired boy turned slowly, his eyes widening as he faced a huge student, easily the largest in the room, with a broad smile on his face.

"HELLO EVERYONE!" The newcomer boomed, his voice resonating throughout the room. "I AM INASA YOARASHI! PLEASED TO MEET YOU!"

The sudden increase in volume made Izuku jump to the side, almost tripping over his own feet.

Inasa, not missing a beat, strode into the room with large, enthusiastic steps. "I'M SO EXCITED TO BE HERE! EVERYONE'S PASSION IS INCREDIBLE!"

He stopped in the middle of the room, looking around with bright eyes. Suddenly, to everyone's shock, Inasa bowed at a 90-degree angle, his forehead hitting the floor with a loud thud.

"PLEASE, BE MY FRIENDS!" he shouted, still bowed.

The room was silent for a moment, everyone staring wide-eyed at the scene. Kacchan was the first to react.

"What the hell is with this nutjob?" he muttered, a vein pulsing in his forehead.

Iida, recovering from the initial shock, started moving his arms robotically. "While your enthusiasm is admirable, shouting in the classroom is inappropriate!"

Izuku, still near the door, wasn't sure whether to laugh or become more nervous. 'Is this Class 1-A?' he thought, a nervous smile forming on his face. 'It's going to be an... interesting year.'

The silence that followed Inasa's booming introduction was almost palpable. The students remained still, some with their mouths still agape in astonishment. Uraraka, the girl with brown hair, finally diverted her gaze from the enthusiastic giant to Midoriya. Her eyes widened in recognition, and she stood up from her seat, about to greet him.

But before she could take a step, a gentle and soft voice cut through the air, coming from the entrance of the room:

"I see you're as energetic as ever, Inasa."

As if struck by an electric current, all the students turned toward the voice. There, casually standing in the doorway, was none other than Clark Kent—the son of the legendary All Might.

The effect was instant and overwhelming.

"It's... It's Clark Kent!" someone shouted from the back of the room.

"No way!" exclaimed another.

"All Might's son is going to study with us?!"

Mina Ashido, the girl with pink skin, was bouncing excitedly in her seat. "I can't believe it! Clark Kent in our class! This is so exciting!" Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.

Momo Yaoyorozu, sitting elegantly in her chair, seemed impressed but maintained a dignified composure. "It's an incredible honor to have someone so illustrious in our class," she said softly, a small smile on her lips.

Meanwhile, Shoto Todoroki kept his neutral expression, though his eyes followed Clark with interest.

The room exploded into a chaos of excited and incredulous voices. Some students stood up from their chairs, others pointed, mouths agape. It was as if a superstar had just walked into a packed concert.

Clark, wearing the same uniform as everyone else, smiled gently, looking a bit embarrassed by all the attention. His bright blue eyes scanned the room, briefly meeting those of Izuku, Inasa, and Todoroki, who remained calm amidst the chaos.

Kacchan, who had previously looked bored, was now leaning forward in his chair, eyes wide and intensely focused on Clark. His face oscillated between shock and a challenging smile.

Iida, on the other hand, seemed to have short-circuited. His arms moved frantically, but no sound came from his open mouth.

Uraraka had her hands on her cheeks, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "I can't believe it," she murmured. "He's even more amazing in person!"

While most of the class continued in a state of shock, Inasa smiled broadly. "CLARK! It's great to see you, my passionate friend!" he shouted, his voice easily cutting through the room's buzz.

Clark chuckled softly, stepping further into the room. "Good to see you too, Inasa. Looks like we're going to be classmates."

This confirmation provoked a new wave of surprised exclamations. It was as if reality had finally set in: they were really going to study alongside the son of the greatest hero of all time.

Clark walked calmly through the room, his gentle smile never wavering in the face of his new classmates' admiring gazes. He paused for a moment beside Midoriya, placing a friendly hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, Midoriya! Great to see you here," Clark said warmly and genuinely. "I can't wait to see how you do."

Midoriya, still a bit dazed by the whole situation, managed to stammer out a "T-thank you, Kent-san!" in response.

Clark then turned to face the entire class. His posture was tall and confident, but not intimidating. His blue eyes shone with a mixture of kindness and determination as he spoke:

"Hello everyone," he began, his clear and reassuring voice echoing through the room. "As you may already know, my name is Clark Kent. I am truly honored to be here with you in Class 1-A."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room, as if wanting to connect individually with each classmate.

"I know my last name may carry certain... expectations," he continued, with a small self-deprecating smile. "But I want you to know that I am here just like any of you—to learn, grow, and become the best hero I can be."

Clark opened his arms in a welcoming gesture. "I hope we can all work together, support each other, and form strong bonds. After all, the best heroes aren't those who work alone, but those who understand the importance of friendship and teamwork."

His smile widened, lighting up the entire room. "I'm looking forward to getting to know each of you. If you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out to me. Let's make this an incredible year!"

Clark's words seemed to have a calming effect on the room. The admiring looks turned into smiles of acceptance and enthusiasm. Even the more skeptical ones, like Bakugo, seemed a bit impressed by his sincerity.

Midoriya, watching all this, couldn't help but think: 'Wow... he really has the charisma of a true hero.'

The room was plunged into a respectful silence after Clark's speech. The students exchanged impressed looks, many smiling or nodding in approval. Clark's humility and kindness had touched everyone, especially considering his status and abilities.

Momo Yaoyorozu whispered to Jirou: "He could easily be arrogant, but he's so... kind."

Kirishima, his eyes shining with admiration, murmured: "Man, that's what it means to be a true man!"

Even Bakugo, who normally despised any display of kindness, seemed to be re-evaluating his initial opinion, his frown morphing into a thoughtful expression.

As the class absorbed Clark's words, he suddenly tensed, his keen senses picking up on something the others hadn't noticed yet. He turned slowly toward the door, a small smile forming on his lips.

There, partially hidden by the slightly ajar door, was a large yellow sleeping bag. From within it, two tired eyes and a fringe of disheveled black hair were visible.

"Good morning, Professor Aizawa," Clark said calmly, surprising everyone. "We didn't want to start without you."

The other students followed Clark's gaze, many exclaiming in surprise at the sight of the man in the sleeping bag.

Aizawa slowly rose, emerging from the bag like a caterpillar from a cocoon. His face showed a mix of boredom and slight irritation.

"Hm, as always, your perceptive skills are impressive, Kent," Aizawa murmured, stepping into the room. He looked at the class, his tired eyes scanning each face. "Eight seconds. That's how long it took for you to get quiet. Time is precious. You're not very rational, are you?"

The atmosphere in the room changed instantly. The shock of Clark's presence was quickly replaced by a mix of confusion and apprehension at this strange new teacher.

Izuku, in particular, seemed especially nervous. 'Who is this guy?' he thought. 'And how did Clark notice him so quickly?'

Clark, for his part, maintained his calm demeanor, though his eyes followed Aizawa with a mixture of respect and curiosity. He knew that with Professor Aizawa, appearances could be deceiving, and the real challenges of U.A. were just beginning.

Aizawa positioned himself in front of the room, his tired gaze scanning the anxious faces of the students. Without changing his apathetic expression, he began:

"I am Shota Aizawa, your homeroom teacher," he said in a monotone. "Pleasure to meet you."

There was a moment of silence as the students processed the information. Some exchanged confused looks, clearly not expecting this disheveled man to be their teacher.

Without giving time for questions, Aizawa continued: "Now, put these on immediately." He pulled a gym uniform out of his sleeping bag, showing it to the class. "Then head to the school yard."

The sudden order caught everyone by surprise. Iida immediately raised his hand, his arm moving robotically. "Sensei! What about the opening ceremony? The orientation?"

Aizawa looked at Iida with disinterest. "If you want to become a hero, you don't have time for useless ceremonies," he replied dryly. "U.A. is known for its free curriculum. This freedom applies to the teachers as well."

Clark, who had already moved to get his uniform, said calmly: "Understood, Professor. Let's hurry, everyone."

His calm attitude seemed to soothe some of the growing anxiety in the room. The other students began to move, some still looking confused, others anxious.

Izuku grabbed his uniform with trembling hands. 'What does Professor Aizawa have planned?' he thought, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement.

As the students hurried to change, Aizawa watched with a critical eye. "Whoever is the last to arrive at the yard will be considered without potential and will be immediately expelled," he added casually, causing a wave of panic among the students.

Within minutes, the room was empty, with the students running towards the locker rooms and then to the yard. Clark was one of the first to leave, but he stayed behind to help Izuku, who seemed particularly nervous.

"Let's go, Midoriya," Clark said with an encouraging smile. "Something tells me Professor Aizawa has an interesting test prepared for us."

The morning sun bathed the U.A. training field in golden light. The air was fresh, carrying the scent of freshly cut grass and the faint metallic smell of training equipment scattered around the perimeter of the field.

The twenty students of Class 1-A gathered in a semicircle, their breaths still a bit heavy from the hurried run to the field. The blue and white U.A. gym uniforms stood out against the sandy background, creating an impressive visual contrast.

In the center of the group, Professor Shota Aizawa stood, his thin and disheveled figure starkly contrasting with the vibrant and eager appearance of the students. His tired eyes scanned the group, analyzing each face with an intensity that made more than one student squirm uncomfortably.

"Well," Aizawa began, his monotone voice cutting through the tense silence, "now that you're all here, let's start the Quirk assessment test."

He then took an electronic device out of his pocket, a small and compact device that looked like a state-of-the-art smartphone. "You've probably done tests like these before, but you were never allowed to use your quirks. The Ministry of Education is still irrational in that regard."

Aizawa's eyes scanned the group once more before fixing on me. I felt a shiver run down my spine when he pointed at me.

"You," he said, his voice betraying no emotion. "What was your best mark in the softball throw in middle school?"

I felt all eyes turn to me. The weight of expectations was almost tangible. After all, I was All Might's son. I swallowed hard before answering.

"Actually, I didn't attend regular school," I admitted, my voice coming out steadier than I expected. "I had private tutoring."

A new murmur ran through the class. I could see expressions of surprise, curiosity, and even a touch of envy on some faces. Aizawa, however, just nodded, his face a mask of indifference.

"Interesting," he murmured. "Well, let's see what you can do. Take this ball and throw it using your quirk."

He tossed me a softball, which I caught easily. As I walked to the throwing circle, I could feel the weight of my classmates' gazes. The tension in the air was palpable, electric.

I positioned myself in the center of the circle, the ball firm in my hand. My mind was racing, considering the possibilities. How to use my quirk without destroying the ball? How to show my true potential?

Then I had an idea. I focused, feeling the power flow through me. Slowly, a bluish force field began to form around me, enveloping not just my body but also the ball in my hand.

"I'm ready," I announced, my eyes meeting Aizawa's.

He nodded, his face betraying no emotion. "Whenever you're ready."

I took a deep breath, focusing all my energy. The force field pulsed around me, vibrating with contained power. With a quick and precise movement, I threw the ball.

What happened next was almost too fast for the eyes to follow. The instant the ball left my hand, the force field contracted, propelling it with unimaginable force. A deafening boom echoed across the field as the ball broke the sound barrier, leaving a visible trail in the air.

The reactions were immediate and varied.

"Holy crap!" Denki Kaminari shouted, his eyes wide with astonishment.

"That strength... he really is All Might's son!" Eijiro Kirishima exclaimed, his face a mix of admiration and shock.

Even Katsuki Bakugo, known for his unwavering confidence, seemed stunned, his mouth slightly open in an expression of pure astonishment.

The counter in Aizawa's hand was blinking frantically, the numbers climbing at a dizzying speed. Suddenly, with a sharp beep, the device simply shut off.

Aizawa looked at the device and then at me, his expression as impassive as ever. "The device hit its maximum limit," he announced, his voice betraying no surprise. "The ball went beyond what it can measure."

More murmurs of amazement ran through the class. Tenya Iida adjusted his glasses, as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Izuku Midoriya, the green-haired boy I knew to be my father's protégé, seemed to be in shock, his eyes wide and mouth agape.

But I knew it wasn't over. To everyone's confusion, I took a few steps towards the class and then turned, looking in the opposite direction from where I had thrown the ball.

"What's he doing?" I heard someone murmur.

Suddenly, a small bright dot appeared in the sky, growing rapidly. The students began to step back, scared, but I moved forward. With a fluid motion, I extended my hand and caught the flaming object - the same ball I had just thrown.

The silence that followed was deafening. All eyes were fixed on me, a mix of shock, admiration, and even a bit of fear.

"Impossible..." Iida murmured, adjusting his glasses once more.

"He... did he go around the world?" Uraraka asked, her voice almost a whisper.

Midoriya, who seemed to have finally regained the ability to speak, stepped forward. "Incredible!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement. "The strength needed to throw something with enough speed to orbit the Earth... is simply unimaginable!"

Aizawa, for his part, kept his neutral expression, though his eyes showed a hint of interest. "Well," he said finally, "it looks like we have an interesting performance to start with. Let's see how the rest of you do."

As I walked back to the group, I could feel the weight of their gazes on me. Some looked at me with admiration, others with a touch of envy, and some - like Bakugo - with a mix of anger and determination.

The quirk assessment test had only just begun, and I had already set a new standard for what was possible. As I watched my classmates prepare for their own tests, I couldn't help but wonder: what else did this day have in store for us?