MHA: GAMER PATH

Chapter 114: Provisional Hero License Exam Aftermath

~Third POV~

[Minutes Later, Takoba National Stadium, Japan]

Given a few minutes to change into their civilian uniforms, there was tension in the air. The examinees were chattering, feeling nervous about their qualifications for the Exam.

"What's gonna happen now?"

"I mean, we did all we could, but…"

"… I wonder what they think…"

The examinees, having concerned expressions, Jiro with Ren, Ochaco, Shinso, and Momo, released a sigh in a nervous tone, "Sigh… this waiting is totally the worst part."

Momo patted her shoulder trying to reassure Jiro in a calm tone, "As long as you tried your best."

Everyone nodded as they headed to the middle of the stadium. There, they found Mera on top of the stage they made with a screen as he spoke in a tired tone, "It's been a long battle, boys and girls, but now it's time for the results… before that though…"

*Fwip*

Mera soon raised his hand, showing two fingers up as he explained in a tired tone, "Regarding the scoring system… we of the Heroes Public Safety Commission, along with the members of H.U.C… were deducting points on two issues as we watched you perform. Essentially, we judged you on your ability to act flawlessly in a crisis."

*Kzzt*

The screen behind Mera turned on as he waved his hand to the screen in a tired tone, addressing the examinees, "Anyhow, here are the names of those who passed the test, in alphabetical order. Keeping everything I've said in mind, please take a look…"

When the screen was turned on, it showed a list of the examinee's names written. Class 1-A checked to see if they made it with anticipation…

Their expressions of concern changed to relief and excitement, seeing they managed to pass the Hero License Exam. Even Bakugo and Shoto managed to pass the Exam due to their fighting against Gang Orca being a key factor holding him off while their allies came and helped against the goons.

Ren smirked, seeing everything go how he envisioned using his meta knowledge to his advantage, setting up where the key students in his class needed to pass the Hero License Exam.

But Mera soon spoke up as members of the HPSC handed out score sheets to the examinees he explained in a tired tone, "I assume you've all had a chance to view the results. Next, we'll be handing out score sheets. We've explained the scoring system in detail, so read them over carefully."

Everyone soon began to compare their scores with each other and the details that they needed to work on. Izuku held his with a smile on his face but thought in a curious tone, 'But… it's kind of weird. It was punitive, with no way to gain points… and a 50-point cutoff. A system with no hope of recovery once you stumble… but then why'd they leave people who fell below 50 to keep going instead of removing them from the arena…?'

Upon thinking that, Izuku soon received his answer Mera explained in a serious tone, getting everyone's attention, "Going forward, those who passed now have the legal right to act in a heroic capacity, but only during emergencies. That means fighting villains and rescuing people in disaster scenarios. Even without a professional hero's guidance, you're permitted to act on your own. But keep in mind that every action you take comes with a heavy responsibility to society."

Everyone nodded as Mera continued in a serious tone, addressing the issues in the hero society, "As you all know, with the defeat of All Might, his active presence served as an important deterrent to crime. That changed when he lost, as without that factor, he almost died this caused the more brazen villains out there to start showing their faces. The balance has shifted, and the world is bound to start changing in a big way."

Everyone had a concerned expression shown when the news was given as Mera continued informing the new pillars of society, "With that in mind, you know the next generation is the central pillar of society. Now, as heroes, you will set a standard, you must become the new bulwark keeping crime at bay. Be aware the licenses you now receive are provisional ones. The road ahead is still a long one, so study hard at your respective academic institutions!!"

All of the examinees nodded their heads as Mera eyed the ones who didn't pass in and got their immediate attention, "Now then, ahem… As for those who didn't make the cut. Don't be disheartened by your scores. You don't have time for that. Especially because there's a chance. If you sign up for and complete a special 3-month training course and pass the individual test at the end, you, too, will be awarded your provisional licenses."

The ones that failed had their eyes widened in shock and expressions of surprise as Mera continued explaining in a calm tone, "You may recall that I just said 'going forward.' Looking to the future, we need as many top-class heroes as we can find. The first round was a qualifier, and the hundred who were chosen to move on all have potential worth cultivating. Just because you failed doesn't mean that all hope is lost. Rather, if you go back and work on your deficiencies, you have the potential to surpass even those who triumphed today. Attending the training course while maintaining your regular coursework will make for a packed schedule, but… if you're up for the challenge, the next test is in April…"

Ren soon tuned out what Mera said as the HPSC handed out their Hero License. He smirked holding it in his hand as he thought stoically, 'That's one part of getting me a legal license for me to use my Quirk. Better to send a photo to see how much I made progress.'

Turning around and seeing all his classmates' happy expressions, he held his card tightly as he wondered in a curious tone, 'Still, I wonder how everyone will do when the real big threats start coming. I can only hope that they'll all remain that strong-willed for what's to come…'

/////

[Next Day, UA Highschool, Opening Ceremony, Japan]

It was the next day as Classes 1, A, and B are now having classes together this term, met up outside of the school. Few of the teachers were present, and Principal Nezu was standing on a small stage as he spoke out loud cheerfully, "Hello! It's everyone's favorite small mammalian principal! Lately, the fur I pride myself on has been looking rather shabby, so I've made great efforts to improve myself in that regard. This can apply to you, too, humans. Don't forget to eat balanced meals with plenty of zinc and other vitamins, but remember that the most important thing, above all else, is a good night's sleep. A chaotic lifestyle is the worst thing imaginable for fur quality. If any of you are concerned about your hair, then be sure to get enough sleep!"

Ren and Denki both had a deadpan expression as they thought in a stoic tone, 'Super irrelevant. Obnoxiously long-winded.'

Their thoughts were shared by the few students present for the opening ceremony of their new term. But that was when Nezu spoke in a calm tone, gaining their attention, "And the biggest recent disruption to our lifestyles, as you all know, was the incident that took place this past summer. We're seeing the effects of that emerging at a rate beyond expectations. Our society needs to prepare for unparalleled hardship in the near future. Including your second and third years of work-study. Going forward, you must be more aware than ever of the threats out there."

*Psst*

Listening to Nezu's words the students began to whisper from what they heard. Mina asked whispering to Tsuyu in a confused tone, "Work study…?"

Placing a finger over her face Tsuyu replied curiously at Mina's question tilting her head, "I'm guessing that's the next step after the internships we did…"

However, they soon returned their attention to Nezu as he continued to explain in a calm tone, getting the student's attention, "Such gloomy talk makes us all, heavyhearted, I know. Which is why we adults are doing our best to keep things from getting too dreary. We hope to inspire an industrious ethic in you young men and women so that you may go on to become capable members of society. The business course, the general studies course, the support course, and the hero course. Do not forget… that it's all of you who will inherit this society."

Everyone simply nodded as the Third Years were the first to return to their classrooms as did the following school year students…

/////

[UA Highschool, Class 1-A, Japan]

Starting their class, Aizawa opened up his book as he began to address the class in a stoic tone, eyeing them, "All right… we're back to our regular classes. A lot's happened. Too much, really, but now it's business as usual. Today in class, we'll just have a lecture, but look forward to some even harsher training throughout the second semester."

However, Mina soon whispered childishly to Tsuyu, "Borrrring, right…?"

*DOOOM*

But Aizawa managed to see Mina slipping as he spoke in a deep tone, "What was that, Ashido?"

*Shudder*

Mina felt a shiver run down her spine as she muttered quietly to herself in a frightened tone, "Eep! Haven't had that feeling in a while!"

That was when Tsuyu raised her hand as she asked a question curiously Aizawa listened to her question, "May I ask a question, Sensei? We just heard about work studies at the opening ceremony. Could you explain that a bit more?"

Hearing her question, the students began to whisper to themselves wondering the same thing as Sero asked Tokoyami curiously, "Oh yeah, the principal was talking about that."

Tokoyami nodded his head with his arms crossed, equally curious, "I'm also curious, actually."

Even Momo raised her hand slightly, curious to know more about work studies. "He mentioned that many of our upperclassmen are engaged in work studies…"

Rubbing the back of his head, hearing their questions, Aizawa soon explained stoically to the class, gaining attention, "I was planning to go over all that later, but… well, fine. I suppose it makes sense to explain it now. Put simply, it's hero work outside of school. A more immersive version of the internships you already did with Pro Heroes."

Ochaco, at first, innocently replies before her head starts to click in her head about the Sports Festival in an outraged tone, "Ooh... didn't know we got to that sorta thing –! So, what was the point of trying so hard at the Sports Festival?!"

Understanding her outrage, Ida asked stoically with a bead of sweat dripping off his face, "Indeed…! With these work studies available, it seems that getting scouted at the Sports Festival was hardly our only option."

Ren, seeing Ochaco freak out, tried to calm the poor girl down by saying, "Hey! Calm down! You're acting really un-Uraraka—like Uraraka."

Hearing their questions, Aizawa began to explain to his students in a stoic tone the importance of the Sports Festival's purpose, "You'll be using your networking connections from the Sports Festival to secure your Hero Work studies. It's all at your discretion to start with and is unrelated to classes here. Those of you who didn't get scouted at the Sports Festival will have a hard time finding positions anyway. It used to be that every agency in the country would seek out applicants, but the competition to win over UA students caused a lot of issues. So that's why things are how they are now. If that's all, then take a seat."

Ochaco, calming down, took her seat and apologized with a light bow in an apologetic tone, "Sorry for jumping to the wrong conclusion…"

Taking her seat, Aizawa continues to explain to the class the topic of work studies in a stoic tone, "Earning those provisional licenses will give you extended, in-depth experience when it comes to this stuff. But keep in mind that there's virtually no precedent for licensed first years. With the sudden outburst of villain activity, the possibility of first-year work studies is being given careful consideration. We'll revisit this later, at which point you'll get a complete explanation and some actual testimonials… when circumstances allow."

Turning his face to the door, Aizawa soon introduced the teacher for first period stoically, calling out loud, "Right… sorry to keep you waiting. Mic."

Present Mic appears to start English Class with Ren thinking about the next step in a calm tone about the next few days, 'The Shie Hassaikai Arc is next… It's about time I got around to saving Eri. With the power I have and legal backing, it's almost time to take Eri away from that bastard for good.'