"Ugh…"
Groans rose from the muddy pit as several students struggled to pull themselves free, their faces full of frustration. Many of them felt utterly defeated.
However, the assessment wasn't limited to just the race. A single failed result wouldn't be enough to completely ruin their final evaluation. After climbing out of the mud, the students quickly cleaned themselves up and hurried to prepare for the next stage, not daring to waste any more time.
"The remaining group, get ready!" Aizawa Shouta called out, looking toward the students waiting behind.
"Hey, Shina!"
Someone called out from behind. Shina Etsuha turned his head—and couldn't help but be slightly surprised by the person's appearance.
The boy looked… unsettling.
Or rather, his features were almost frightening.
His lower jaw appeared lipless, exposing a neat row of teeth, while his eyes took up an unusually large portion of his face. At first glance, he looked almost like a walking skeleton.
"You are…?" Etsuha blinked.
This was the one who had created the quagmire earlier—the Quirk user who had nearly secured third place, only to be overtaken by Yaoyorozu Momo at the last moment.
"My name is Furuya Dozō," the boy introduced himself, sounding slightly dissatisfied. "That ice path of yours earlier was completely unfair. Using it for yourself is one thing—but letting Yaoyorozu use it to overtake me? That really pissed me off!"
"Ah… well…"
Etsuha had expected anger or hostility, but instead, Furuya simply complained before straightening up and speaking seriously:
"Next time, I won't lose to you!"
He seemed like a straightforward, earnest person. Etsuha was briefly taken aback, then smiled.
"I'll be looking forward to it."
"See you!"
Etsuha had some recollection of Furuya Dozō. According to the original storyline, he was also one of the students who passed the recommendation entrance exam. However, unlike Yaoyorozu Momo, he would be assigned to Class B.
Officially, U.A. claimed there was no difference between Class A and Class B—both were Hero courses, both equally important.
But in reality… that wasn't quite true.
In later events, Class B received far less focus and recognition, often reduced to supporting roles. It was an unfortunate but unavoidable outcome—Class A had the advantage of being the "main stage," and Class B simply couldn't compete with that spotlight.
"Ready…!"
"Bang!"
Just as Etsuha had expected, the second group began their race.
The Quirks in this group were also impressive, but most were limited in application. Their efficiency in a race like this was far from optimal. Overall, it turned into a fairly average competition.
The top finishers were quickly decided.
One particularly interesting boy stood out—his Quirk allowed him to create invisible air walls. Because many runners tripped or collided at the start, he managed to take advantage of the chaos and secure a place in the top three.
"A Quirk that condenses air…" Aizawa Shouta muttered thoughtfully. "How exactly does it work? What's its range?"
"It can only be used within ten meters of my body," the student replied. "The air wall is formed by manipulating air with my mental power. If my control improves, I might be able to extend the range further."
Aizawa's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Could you create an air wall inside a person's body? Split them from the inside?"
The surrounding students immediately felt a chill run down their spines and instinctively stepped back.
"…No," the student answered awkwardly.
"Even so, it's an interesting Quirk," Aizawa said with a nod, showing no disappointment.
The idea he had just proposed was highly theoretical—but if someone could truly achieve that level of control, their potential would be terrifying.
Imagine creating an invisible barrier inside someone's body during combat, severing their organs from within…
Even someone like All Might would have to tread carefully against such an ability.
Still, that level of application remained purely hypothetical.
Aizawa didn't pursue it further. Turning to the group, he spoke again:
"Continue to the next round of testing! Those eliminated in the first stage may still participate. However, if you accumulate three eliminations during the assessment, you will lose your recommendation eligibility."
The students who had failed earlier let out quiet sighs of relief.
They still had a chance.
Etsuha, meanwhile, felt a surge of excitement.
Opportunities to freely use his Quirk like this were rare.
"Shina, come here."
Aizawa Shouta suddenly called him over.
"Hm? What is it?" Etsuha asked, confused.
"After discussion among the faculty," Aizawa said seriously, "we've decided to cancel your assessment."
"…What?"
"It means exactly what it sounds like. You no longer need to be tested. You've already secured your recommendation admission."
"That's not acceptable!" Etsuha protested immediately. "That's unfair to the other students! I haven't even fully demonstrated my abilities yet—how can it end like this?"
"…Huh?"
This time, it was Aizawa Shouta who was left stunned.
Unfair?
Letting you continue would be what's truly unfair to the others.