MHA: GAMER PATH

Chapter 112: Provisional Hero License Exam Arc (3)

~Third POV~

[Lecture Hall, Takoba National Stadium, Japan]

Soon, other students of other Hero Courses flooded the Lecture Hall, with Class 1-A thinking of the knowledge they were given from their Class Rep. This was especially concerning for Shoto and Bakugo.

Staring at Ren talking with his classmates, Bakugo looked at his hands, clenching them tightly as he thought seriously, 'Quirk Awakening… can it be enough for me to close the gap between that thief and me?"

A few minutes earlier, Ren provided a general idea for the possibility of his classmates awakening their Quirks. After the initial Quirk manifestation, the user can undergo an 'Awakening' later in life.

The right emotional catalyst can cause Quirks to evolve (on the spot, usually requiring the individual to experience intense feelings of stress, like that of a life-or-death situation. This results in one's Quirk gaining a new level of strength and/or new aspects to its nature that were previously not possible.

Awakenings are typically considered very rare; there are instances where people can summon an absurd amount of power in a crisis. However, these only manifest when they are truly at death's door.

Even Shoto considered looking into the idea as he thought, gazing at his own hands, pondering lightly, 'As I stand now against him, I won't be able to see myself become the No.1 Hero other than him…'

While Bakugo and Shoto fought against Ren during the Sports Festival, they thought they had a chance of overcoming him. But at the same time, both thought in a serious tone, 'I have to get stronger to surpass All Might's Successor!'

The two felt renewed by the possibility of going Plus Ultra, finding ways to awaken their Quirks to match against Ren. Meanwhile, Ren was talking to Momo as everyone was in their groups with him, saying in a calm tone, "They seemed to be busy thinking over what I said. Although I wonder if they want it, though…"

Momo placed her hand over his and blushed lightly she replied in an embarrassed tone, "I – I'm sure our classmates are in deep thought of what you said. About refining their Quirks, giving them a chance to get stronger…"

Seeing her blush, Ren smiled as he clasped her hands, causing Momo to blush even deeper as he whispered, placing an order on himself using [New Order] for Momo to hear in a kind tone, "Of course… After all, it would be rude not to pay attention to my fiancé. I'm merely thankful you allowed me this much freedom in our open relationship."

Momo only shyly nodded as Ren began to recount how they were prepared for marriage by her parents when they first met…

/////

[Flashback, Momo's Estate, Japan]

A few weeks back, Momo had asked Ren to meet her parents to have an important discussion relating to his future. This leads to both seeing her parents as currently they sit on a couch.

Presently, only Momo's father was around, sitting in his office with Momo, looking a bit anxious about Ren's presence. Momo's Father gazed at him as he spoke in a deep tone, being respectful, "Ren Yuki… you're quite the exceptional young man. First Place at the UA Sports Festival, savior of the I-Island Incident, and, importantly, the protégé of All Might. For someone so young, you've accomplished a great deal…"

Ren merely smiled using [High Spec] on clearly seeing the path in a calm tone, answering Momo's father, "You honor me with your words, sir. However, until I've completed my goals, everything I've accomplished thus far is just a stepping stone towards my goals."

Exhaling a light chuckle, Momo's Father remarked in a curious tone, carefully eyeing him, "I wonder… does that include my daughter? Is the Heiress of the Yaoyorozu Family a mere task to achieve your goals…?"

Hearing that, Ren immediately knew what type of person he was talking to with [High Spec] as he thought disdainfully, 'He just like Endeavor. Merely using her daughter to produce a stronger heir. I can work with this.'

Quickly, Ren answered with a calm expression as he honestly said with a light grin, "I think sir already knows the answer to that question. As influential as the Yaoyorozu Family is, I don't need your money or resources to achieve my goals. And merely meeting and befriending your daughter is a great honor to have."

Momo blushed at the compliments given. But her father analyzed Ren's expression as he calmly said, "Hmmm… I suppose not…"

Leaning his back to his chair, Momo's Father met with Nezu, wanting to know more information about Ren Yuki. There were a few reasons why he wanted to know everything he could about the man that her daughter had loved in front of him.

He hadn't been apprised of everything, but he knew Ren had the power to refine the Quirks of individuals as well as copy Quirks permanently. And that included the infamous Quirk [All for One] granting the ability to 'steal' or 'give' Quirks.

Momo's Father wasn't a fool. He heard of the underground network of AFO giving Quirks to the Quirkless or rich families like the Aoyama's gaining a Quirk for their son.

Not only that, but he also knew he could make others stronger by simply 'increasing' their stats, as Momo explained to her father of the recent increase. Momo's Father knew if Ren was allowed to grow, he would become someone important and influential it was a matter of time.

While others viewed Momo as a 'golden goose' doing everything in their power to curry favor with the Yaoyorozu Family, Ren was brazen enough to say 'I don't need you, but you need me' in front of him. And it showed with Momo getting stronger and getting a refined version of her Quirk in the future.

Gazing at Ren directly, he asked curiously, trying to see anything from him, "What is your objective? What drives you forward to excel and surpass others?"

Adopting a faint smile, Ren replied as he crossed one leg over in a confident tone, staring directly at Momo's Father, "I desire two simple things. The first is to leave this world without regrets and enjoy my life. Second, ensure I make this world a better place."

Momo looked touched, but her father, snorting through his nose, remarked rather coldly, causing Momo to flinch, "What an idealistic farce. Even if you can make the world a safer place during your lifetime, your efforts will be for naught the moment you expire. Without someone to carry your legacy to the next generation, everything you accomplished is utterly meaningless…"

Momo looked hurt, but Ren, adopting a cheeky smile, merely said in a calm tone, continuing to stare directly at Momo's Father, "And who said I wouldn't have such a person…? Depending on how things play out, I could have the future head of the Yaoyorozu Family carrying it for me… if Momo would allow me. Her word is just as important as mine. Right partner?"

Giving her a light wink, Momo slowly nodded her head with a beat red expression. Momo's Father's expression twitched as he thought of the scene in a neutral tone, 'He already bewitched her… just as I expected from my future-son-in-law. He has the power that can shake the foundation of this world… it just makes one wonder what powerful children he'll make.'

Momo's Father, while obviously cares deeply about her daughter, the tempting offer was too great to pass up. In fact. The reason Momo had been whisked away was to prepare for that eventuality, planning her marriage from countless suitors.

The potential of Ren's Quirk, his potential, and his backing were too great for the Yaoyorozu Family to ignore. Add to the fact that their family benefitted almost one-sidedly from welcoming Ren into their ranks…

After a lengthy period of silence, Momo's Father asserted in a calm tone eyeing the two giving his blessings, "Once the two of you have graduated, you have my blessing to marry my daughter. Until then, you are free to do as you please…"

While Ren wasn't fond of being told what to do, Ren had already prepared for that outcome if Momo fell for him. Thus, in response to Momo's Father's words, he asked curiously, "You're saying that while being aware of my situation?"

Momo's Father nodded his head with his arm crossed, replying his tone firmly knowing about Ren's growing Harem, "It doesn't matter. So long as my daughter becomes your official wife and the two of you can produce an heir, everything else can be overlooked. The constraints of society have never applied multilaterally to the elite. Those with the power and the means do as they will. Those without do as they are told."

Ren simply nodded as Momo blushed, hearing the marriage proposal, thinking to herself in a conflicted tone, 'I know what occurred that I have to marry Ren-san to uphold the Yayorozu family and have no say in this but…'

Her eyes gazed at Ren as he held her hand with a soft, gentle smile, seeking her words, making her heart skip a beat, already decided in a kind tone, "P-Please take care of me, m-my… dear…"

Ren smiled, giving her a light hug as he made his promise in a gentle tone, "It's fine, Momo… I promise you to be the happiest girl ever."

*Bdmp*

Her heart skipped a beat as her father observed the situation and thought excitedly, 'Hah! He is amazing, just imagining how strong my grandchildren will be makes my body tingle in excitement! And if they become Quirkless, who cares my son-in-law will simply give them powerful Quirks to ensure they fit in, guaranteeing no failures in our bloodline!'

Unaware of the selfish thoughts of Momo's Father, Ren, and Momo have been declared tied by promise till the day they graduate would be when they marry. Ren, seeing this thought in a confident tone, said, 'I've secured my future greatly. Times like these make it worth it that I took Izuku's spot. If he was a bit more selfish and greedier, he could've gotten a good life, benefiting from All Might's influence and position as his protégé.'

/////

[Present, Lecture Hall, Takoba National Stadium, Japan]

*Flik*

As Momo and Ren were having a flashback of their future promise, a screen turned on, getting everyone's attention. That was when they heard Mera's tired voice say bluntly through the TV screen, "Now, will all hundred of you… please watch the screen."

That was when Izuku muttered in a confused tone, "It's the field…"

Ochaco soon followed up saying equally confused, "What's happening…?"

*BOOOM*

*BOOOOM*

*BA-DOOOOOM*

That was when the second phase of the exam started; those settings were destroyed through explosives, simulating a disastrous event. Professional stuntmen from the Help Us Company then scatter themselves through the various debris, pretending to be victims so the students can rescue them were being set up.

Ren's eyes observed the scene, recalling what he knew about this arc using his meta-knowledge. That was when Mera spoke up again in a tired tone, explaining the rules, "Round two's the last one! You examinees will venture into the ruins as bystanders… and prove your worth when it comes to rescuing innocent victims."

Observing the scene unfolding on the screen, Izuku frowned as he muttered, "Rescue test…?"

The students were surprised by the scene as Mera continued explaining in a tired tone of the second round, "You examinees will enter the disaster scene as bystanders… and will undertake a rescue exercise."

That was when Denki muttered with the rest of his classmates, "Pie stampers?"

Overhearing his words, Toru explained, recalling doing this in UA in a neutral tone, "That means people who happen to be on the scene. We did this in class, remember?"

Hearing this, Momo nodded with Ren standing up as she asked in a confused tone, "The term is also used to refer to ordinary civilians…"

Mera continued explaining via the TV screen as every examinee listened intently to the instructions, "You will not act as ordinary civilians, but as those who hypothetically earned their provisional hero licenses… You're being tested on how well you respond in rescue situations."

Upon viewing the TV, they see old people and kids on the scene as Mera continues to explain in a calm tone, "Everyone there is a highly trained professional rescue and in very high demand as of late!! Please welcome the good people of Help Us Company, or H.U.C. for short."

Ren paused with a confused expression, muttering out loud, "There's a job of being rescued?"

Shinso standing next to him shrugged seeing an odd job profession in a stoic tone, "Heroes are so popular nowadays, so it makes sense?"

Unconvinced, Ren returned to paying attention, listening to Mera explaining the second round in a serious tone, "The members of HUC will be feigning injuries across the field. It is your task to rescue them. You will all be scored on how well you perform these rescues. Those who attain the required points at the end of the test will pass. We'll start in 10 minutes so take your bathroom breaks now…"

Hearing this, the group of examinees was given 10 minutes to prepare, with Ren thinking in a calm tone, 'So it's this portion of the exam. Time to strategize this perfectly.'