The atmosphere in Class 1-A was different.
Ever since the internships ended, the tension had been slowly building, especially around Reiji.
His classmates weren't avoiding him, but they weren't as friendly either.
Some, like Deku and Iida, still weren't sure what to make of him.
Some, like Todoroki, were openly watching him closely.
And some, like Bakugo, didn't care—he just wanted to fight him.
Reiji? He couldn't be bothered.
[If they can't keep up, that's on them.]
But today wasn't about the past.
Because today…
The Final Exams were starting.
The Final Exams Announcement
Aizawa stepped into the classroom, his usual tired expression in place.
"Alright," he began, scrolling through his tablet. "The time has come for your final exams."
The room fell silent.
Everyone knew what this meant.
This wasn't just a regular test.
It would determine whether they could move on to the next phase of training.
"The exams will consist of two parts," Aizawa continued. "A written test and a practical combat exam."
Reiji sighed. The written test was going to be boring.
But the practical exam?
Now that was worth looking forward to.
Aizawa glanced at the class, his eyes lingering on Reiji for a brief moment before continuing.
"For the combat portion, you will be paired up and required to fight against a Pro Hero."
Murmurs spread through the classroom.
"Wait, what?" Kaminari blinked. "You mean, like… actually fight real heroes?"
"That's correct," Aizawa confirmed. "Your ability to work under pressure, strategize, and function as a team will be tested."
Reiji grinned.
[Finally, something fun.]
The Combat Pairings
The projector screen lit up, displaying the official matchups.
Deku & Bakugo vs. All MightMomo & Todoroki vs. AizawaIida & Ojiro vs. Power LoaderJirou & Koda vs. Present MicReiji & ??? vs. ???
Reiji raised an eyebrow. His name was listed, but his partner and opponent weren't.
Aizawa sighed. "Kurobane, your matchup has been arranged separately due to… specific concerns."
The class glanced at Reiji, some looking surprised, others looking uneasy.
Specific concerns?
Reiji smirked.
[Guess they didn't want me fighting with the rest of them.]
Aizawa continued. "You'll be fighting alone in a one-on-one match. Your opponent will be… Hawks."
The room fell silent.
Then—
"Wait, what?!" Kaminari blurted out. "Reiji has to fight Hawks alone?!"
"Isn't Hawks the Number 3 Pro Hero?" Kirishima added, looking shocked.
Even Bakugo, who never cared about fairness, looked mildly intrigued.
Reiji, on the other hand—
His smirk grew wider.
[Now that's interesting.]
Hawks. The fastest Pro Hero.
A hero who was always five steps ahead of his opponents.
Reiji could already feel his blood rushing.
A one-on-one fight with a top hero?
This was going to be fun.
The First Combat Exams Begin
The following day, the practical exams officially started.
Reiji watched as his classmates took their turns, each one facing off against their designated Pro Heroes.
Deku and Bakugo's fight against All Might was particularly explosive.
Momo and Todoroki's battle against Aizawa was a brutal test of teamwork.
One by one, the battles played out, each student showcasing what they had learned.
Then—
It was Reiji's turn.
Reiji vs. Hawks – The One-on-One Test
The training field was massive, designed to mimic a small urban district.
Reiji stood in the center, stretching his arms casually.
The wind shifted slightly—and then Hawks landed in front of him.
The Number 3 Pro Hero smiled lazily, his red wings fluttering slightly behind him.
"So, you're the interesting one," Hawks said, tilting his head. "Gotta say, kid, you've been making quite the name for yourself."
Reiji didn't waste any time. "Keeping tabs on me, Birdman?"
Hawks chuckled. "Something like that."
Then, he spread his wings slightly.
"Alright, here's the deal," Hawks continued. "You don't need to defeat me to pass. You just need to prove you can hold your own against a high-speed opponent."
Reiji rolled his shoulders. "And if I want to win?"
Hawks' golden eyes flickered with amusement.
"Then you're in for a hell of a fight."
Then—
He vanished.
The Battle Begins
Reiji's golden eyes sharpened.
Hawks moved too fast for normal sight.
Even before Reiji could react, feathers shot toward him at high speed, aiming for his arms and legs to immobilize him instantly.
But—
FWOOOM!
Reiji's Hellfire erupted, incinerating the incoming feathers before they could touch him.
Then, in the next instant—
He teleported.
Hawks' eyes flickered in surprise as Reiji reappeared above him, fist blazing.
[He's… fast.]
But—
Hawks was faster.
Before Reiji's attack could connect, a burst of feathers propelled Hawks backward, dodging the attack with ridiculous ease.
Reiji landed smoothly, cracking his neck. "Not bad, Birdman."
Hawks didn't respond. His golden wings flickered, and his expression remained unreadable.
"Let's see if you can keep up."
Pushing the Limits
The battle continued, both of them moving at blinding speeds.
Hawks would attack—his feathers moving like bullets.
Reiji would counter—his Hellfire incinerating every projectile.
They were evenly matched in pure reaction time.
But then—
Hawks changed tactics.
Instead of attacking with his feathers—he used them to manipulate his movement, increasing his speed even further.
Before Reiji could react—
Hawks was already behind him.
Then—a swift strike to the back of the neck.
Reiji's vision blurred.
[He's… fast.]
Before he could counter—
BOOM!
He was slammed into the ground.
The Final Move
Lying in the debris, Reiji gritted his teeth.
Hawks hovered above, arms crossed.
"You've got power, kid," he said. "But if you can't hit me, you can't win."
Reiji exhaled slowly.
Then—he smirked.
"Let's see if you can keep up now."
Then—
His Hellfire changed.
His golden flames began warping, moving differently than before.
Hawks' eyes narrowed.
[What's he doing?]
Then—
Reiji vanished.
But this time—Hawks couldn't track him.
Phantom Step.
A new ability, fresh from his system.
And in the next instant—
He reappeared right in front of Hawks.
His fist, coated in blazing white-hot Hellfire, crashed into Hawks' chest.
BOOM!
The Number 3 Hero was sent flying.
And for the first time—Hawks looked surprised.
End of Chapter 29.
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