Chapter 4: Draconic Entrance
(POV: Tatsuya)
Ten months of grueling training and adaptation had passed since my inheritance of Incursio. Through relentless day-and-night training, I had pushed myself to limits I didn't know existed. Incursio reassured me that I was now ready, physically and mentally, to harness even the third form of the armor. Yet, he always reminded me that my connection with him needed to deepen to unlock its true potential and initiate real-life adaptation that would lead to evolution to second and then third forms.
Currently, I could wear the armor for 8-10 hours, but that was during study or moderate sparring—conditions far removed from the heat of battle. Incursio's calculations suggested that I might maintain the armor for 2-3 hours in combat. Compared to where I began, this was remarkable progress; my ancestors took two years to reach similar results.
Training with the armor had enhanced my body beyond ordinary limits. Without it, I gained a slight edge in memory and reaction time, but wearing it transformed those abilities to unparalleled levels—photographic memory and the ability to read opponents' moves through subtle cues like muscle contractions and eye shifts. This newfound precision allowed me to ace my theoretical exams for UA effortlessly. My father advised me to condition myself in extreme environments, so my training included withstanding quirk-infused fire and ice attacks. I discovered that Incursio could adapt to a maximum of +650°C and -120°C; my limits without the armor were +325 and -60 degrees Celcius respectively at that.
The morning sun filtered through the curtains as my mother's voice echoed from downstairs.
Mom: "Honey, come down for breakfast. Your father will drive you to the exam."
Tatsuya: "Hi, Mom! Hi, Dad! Thanks for the breakfast. Dad, I'll head there myself to warm up."
Dad: "Will you make it on time?"
Tatsuya: grinning "I can outrun most of the cars in this city, so no worries."
Dad: with a proud nod "You're right. Just remember, we're proud of you. You'll pass with flying colors."
Mom: "Yes, Tatsuya. Remember, we believe you can achieve anything."
Tatsuya: "Thank you. I'll be back after the exams."
Dad: "See you!"
Mom: "Good luck!"
Incursio's voice chimed in my mind as I started running.
Incursio: "Try not to run too fast. You wouldn't want the police mistaking it for illegal quirk use."
The run was invigorating, a perfect warm-up. By the time I reached UA, 30 minutes early, the courtyard was already buzzing with chatter. Conversations about quirks and hero aspirations surrounded me, but none of it resonated. I stood alone, drawing glances. They wanted to be heroes but hesitated to approach someone like me due to my intimidating build. The irony stung.
A familiar voice called out.
??? – "Tatsuya! How are you?"
Turning, I saw Izuku, a green-haired boy who carried determination in his eyes despite his smaller frame. I hadn't sensed his approach—likely because he posed no threat.
Tatsuya: "Izuku. It's good to see you. You're here for the exam. I'm glad you didn't give up."
Izuku: smiling shyly "Yes. I've trained hard, and I'll do my best."
Tatsuya: "I remember when you saved Bakugo from that villain. It was all over the news."
Izuku: "I couldn't stand by and let him get hurt, even if it was Bakugo."
Tatsuya: "That proves you have the heart of a hero."
Izuku: blushing "Hearing that from you means a lot."
We talked until it was time for the theory exam. The questions came swiftly, some straightforward, others more abstract and challenging. Yet, it wasn't enough to slow me down. The instructor raised an eyebrow as I handed my paper back long before anyone else. Soon after, a break followed, giving me time to catch my breath and prepare for the practical exam.
The mock cities were laid out, each student was assigned a different zone. A pang of regret struck me as I realized I wouldn't see Izuku's progress today.
The air was tense as the signal blared, initiating the practical exam. Robots of varying levels emerged, each roaring with mechanical menace. I moved swiftly, dispatching the one- and two-point robots with precise blows. My fists, honed by Incursio's training, crushed steel as if it were paper. Sparks flew as metal fragments clattered to the ground. The observation room buzzed with incredulous chatter.
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(Observation Room)
Present Mic: "Whoa! He's crushing those bots like they're made of tin!"
Eraser Head: frowning in thought "And he's not using any visible quirk. Just raw physical power."
Midnight: "He's unique, isn't he? No quirk, yet..."
Nezu, always analytical, clasped his paws together. "There's more to this boy than we assumed. The way he fights—his instincts—it's not ordinary."
Eraser Head's eyes narrowed. "Let's see how he handles the zero-pointer."
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(POV: Tatsuya)
A sudden rumble shook the ground as the colossal zero-pointer emerged, towering over the mock city like an ancient colossus. Students scattered in terror screams filling the air.
Tatsuya: muttering "Now it's my turn to push beyond."
My hand gripped the activation key, and a surge of energy crackled in the air. The key glowed, drawing astonished gasps from those who saw.
Incursio: "Prepare yourself, Tatsuya. Let's make them remember this. It's time, Tatsuya. Show them the legacy."
The zero-pointer barreled forward, a metallic giant that screamed power and intimidation. The ground quaked beneath its weight, dust, and debris scattering with each mechanical step. The exam site erupted into chaos as students scrambled for safety.
I held the activation key tightly in my palm, feeling its dormant energy pulse in sync with my heartbeat. As I triggered it, a rush of light enveloped me. The air around me buzzed and crackled as a ghostly, spectral form of the armor emerged from the space above, just as I had seen in the history recordings of my ancestor's transformation.
The armor materialized first as an ethereal, translucent shell, hovering above me and casting an imposing shadow. It slowly descended, piece by piece, locking into place with mechanical precision. The transformation was fluid but forceful—shoulder plates snapped onto my frame, followed by the chest piece that gleamed with its emblematic dragon motif. The helm crowned my head, its crest sharp and angled like a warrior's blade. Every joint and surface glistened with a cold, blue luminescence.
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(Observation Room)
Present Mic's voice faltered as he watched the transformation unfold. "Whoa! Are you seeing this?!"
Cementoss leaned forward, his eyes wide. "It's as if history is repeating itself... but in real-time."
Midnight's expression was one of awe mixed with concern. "This power—it's Incursio. No doubt about it."
Nezu, calm and composed, glanced at Aizawa. "A sight few thought they would ever witness again. And yet, here it is... the hero's legacy reborn."
Eraser Head nodded slowly, eyes still fixed on Tatsuya. "And he's wielding it like he's been doing it for years."
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(POV: Tatsuya)
Encased in Incursio's first form, I could feel the power surging through me—an exhilarating blend of strength and resilience. The zero-pointer loomed ahead, gears grinding as its red eyes glared down, calculating and merciless. It swung one of its massive arms, intending to crush anything in its path. I dodged sideways, the ground beneath me shattering from the force of the impact.
Incursio: "Stay agile. Exploit its mechanical limitations."
I rushed forward, landing a powerful kick on one of its knee joints. Metal groaned but held; the zero-pointer staggered slightly, its balance temporarily disrupted. Seizing the moment, I leaped onto its leg, using the momentum to propel myself upward along its body, scaling the towering construct like a predator closing in on its prey.
The zero-pointer, sensing my ascent, rotated its head, red optics zeroing in on me. A blaring alarm sounded as it swung its arm back in an attempt to swat me off. The shadow of its limb raced toward me, but I activated Incursio's enhanced reflexes, dropping flat against the cold metal just as its swing passed overhead, missing me by mere inches. The wind pressure alone nearly knocked me off, but I held fast.
I reached the chest level of the robot, where a core panel pulsed with energy. I knew striking there would be critical, but it wouldn't be simple. Summoning all my strength, I drove a concentrated punch into the metal, denting it but failing to break through. The zero-pointer responded with a jolt, its entire frame convulsing as it tried to dislodge me.
Tatsuya: "Not yet..."
As the zero-pointer's gears groaned in defiance, I could sense that raw strength alone wouldn't bring it down fast enough. I needed something more—the legendary weapon that accompanied Incursio: Neutone. The air around me buzzed with energy as I raised my armored hand to the sky, summoning the spear with a silent command. The atmosphere cracked open, a surge of light piercing through the clouds. From above, Neutone descended, its shaft gleaming with a silvery-blue sheen and crackling with residual power.
As my fingers closed around its cool surface, I felt a surge of unity with Incursio that resonated deep within me. The spear pulsed in my grip, its weight perfectly balanced, as if crafted for this very moment. The zero-pointer lurched forward, gears shrieking, determined to make one final attempt at crushing everything in its path.
Incursio: "Strike with precision. End this now."
With a fluid motion, I dashed forward, Neutone a streak of silver as I leaped. The world seemed to slow as I focused on the exposed, weakened core of the giant robot. I aimed the spear precisely and drove it with all my strength into the vulnerable point. The spear pierced metal and circuitry, embedding itself in the core. Sparks burst around me, lighting up the air in an explosion of electricity and searing light. The zero-pointer's movements shuddered to a halt, its red eyes flickering before going dark.
The massive construct collapsed backward in a defeated heap, sending shockwaves through the ground. I landed in a crouch, Neutone still firmly in my grip, surrounded by the silence that followed such a colossal defeat.
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Observation Room
The stunned silence stretched, punctuated only by the crackle of monitors.
Cementoss leaned forward, eyes wide. "Did he just summon Neutone?"
Midnight, eyes sparkling with awe, nodded. "Yes, and wielded it like a seasoned hero."
Nezu, with his usual calm, now showed a rare hint of excitement. "It's as if we're witnessing the legends of old come alive. Incursio's power has indeed found its worthy bearer."
Aizawa's eyes narrowed, hiding the intrigue in his voice. "He doesn't just possess strength; he understands how to wield it strategically. This could redefine our expectations for Class 1-A."
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(Time skip: one week)
(POV: Tatsuya)
A week had passed since the entrance exam, but I hadn't felt any doubt in my mind. The battle against the zero-pointer, the robots, the civilian rescues—it all seemed like a mere formality. With Incursio by my side, I knew my performance was beyond anything they had expected. In a way, I was confident the results would come as no surprise.
I hadn't really discussed it with anyone, but deep down, I was certain. My mind wandered over the test, recalling how effortlessly I'd crushed the robots, how the armor had given me every edge I needed, and how I'd handled the zero-pointer without breaking a sweat. The thought of receiving the letter felt almost redundant. Of course, I had earned my place. My body still hummed with the residual power of Incursio, and that assurance followed me as I opened the door to the delivery.
The letter was a bit more than I had expected. It was holographic, a video projection embedded within the envelope. I raised an eyebrow, curious.
As soon as I triggered the letter, a figure materialized before me in the form of a flickering image. It was none other than Shoto Aizawa, The Underground hero: Eraser Head. Luckily for me, Izuku shared a lot of information about heroes in UA with me during this week of anticipation incuding about him.
His voice was firm, his expression stoic, yet there was a hint of respect in his tone.
"Tatsuya," Aizawa's image began, looking directly at me. "Congratulations on passing the UA Entrance Exam. You've earned a total of 110 Hero Points: 80 points for the destruction of robots and 30 points for saving civilians during the practical part of the exam. This result allowed you to achieve the number one spot on the entrance result."
He paused, letting the numbers sink in before continuing. "Your performance is exceptional, and I'm confident you have what it takes to be part of Class 1-A."
Aizawa's hologram gave a small nod before continuing with his usual no-nonsense demeanor.
"Starting next Monday, we'll see you at UA. Don't think for a second that you've earned your spot by mere chance. Now comes the real work. You're in Class 1-A, the class for those who show true promise. Be ready."
The hologram flickered and disappeared, leaving me standing there in silence for a moment.
I smiled to myself, my confidence now confirmed. It wasn't like I needed the confirmation, but hearing it from Aizawa himself made it all feel more official. But before I could get too lost in my own thoughts, my parents walked into the room.
"Well?" my dad asked, smiling eagerly as he entered. "What does it say?"
I didn't even need to speak. I simply turned the hologram on again, and they both watched intently. My mother's hand flew to her mouth in surprise when Aizawa's figure appeared before us. It was clear that she was as nervous as I had been, though for different reasons.
My father gave a proud nod as Aizawa's message concluded. "You really did it, huh?" he said with a broad grin. "Top of the class... with that kind of performance, there's no doubt you're going places."
My mother, tears starting to well up in her eyes, wrapped her arms around me. "You've always worked so hard, Tatsuya. We're so proud of you."
I could feel the warmth of their support. Despite my own confidence, this moment felt like a weight had been lifted. The anticipation was over. The letter wasn't just a confirmation of my success—it was a shared moment with my family, a milestone that marked the beginning of something bigger.
"Next Monday, huh?" I said, breaking the silence as I looked at the letter one last time. "I guess that means it's time to really start."
"You've earned this," my dad said, resting a hand on my shoulder. "But remember, it's only the beginning. This isn't the end of the road."
My mom nodded in agreement. "We believe in you. Always."
As the day continued, we spoke more about what was to come. There was a sense of calm in the house, and though my parents were proud, they knew that the true challenge was only beginning.
In a way, this new journey felt familiar. It was a path I had already seen myself walking for a long time—but now it was a reality. Class 1-A awaited, and I would be there, ready for whatever came next.
(A/N: if you have any questions or if you find any mistakes in grammar or information please do not hesitate to write that in the comments, I will try to answer all of the questions and edit the mistakes I made.)