The wind ruffles at his hair as he stands there. Eyes focused on the tall building in front of him. Yuei was the number one hero school in the world.

There, right in front of him was a tall, imposing gate. Everything he ever wanted since he was born stood behind that threshold. Just within his reach.

His dreams, for once in his life, were just within his grasp.

Taking a step forward, he strode into the campus. Eyes wide and full of wonder as he looked at the people bristling around him. Taking in their anxiety-riddled faces and their excited steps.

He was too distracted it seemed. For the next thing he knew, he had tripped over a stone of some kind. The ground getting closer to his face at an incredible speed. Still, he didn't let himself fall. The skills within his body immediately activating and making up for his loss of balance.

The odd thing, however, was the hand that was just inches away from his shoulder as soon as he straightened up.

"Oh! It seems you don't need me after all!" Looking towards the owner of said hand. He realized that a girl was talking to him. Her outstretched hand must mean she wanted to help him.

"Ah yeah! Thanks though, I almost didn't make it there." He smiled sheepishly, his hand coming up to rub at his neck.

"That was so cool! The way you just stopped your fall! How did you do that?" The excitement in her voice was palpable. Yet, before he had the chance to answer, a bell rung. Signaling the start of the exam's ceremonial explanation. "Ah, we have to go! Good luck on your exams!" The brunette waved wildly as she took off into the building.

"You too!"

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After that, the time went by pretty fast. To his surprise, Yamada was the one to explain the exam. His appearance gaining a standing ovation from the examinees. Some of them, not having seen him in the past two years. Nonetheless, all of them were excited to see him up and about.

It felt weird seeing him in his hero costume. He was used to his SAO gear. The half-bun he'd always have instead of the spiky hair reminiscing of an exotic bird.

He was happy for his friend though. It seemed, despite the two-year gap in his hero career. He still had some devoted fans.

After the explanation, they were all directed to their respective training grounds.

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After asking Aizawa, it turned out that he wasn't allowed to bring his sword. The entrance exam only allowed for support items that were vital in the use of a person's quirk. Since he had other useful combat skills, he supposed that it was fair. He was still legally quirkless after all.

He didn't see Bakugou anywhere in the group of people crowding the training ground's gate. Small mercies he supposed. He didn't want to have to deal with the hot-head today.

However, one familiar brunette stood to the far side of the group. He contemplated talking to her again. Maybe ask for her name. Still, he supposed he should leave her prepare for the exam. He didn't want to distract her. He knew better than anyone the importance of a clear mind before a fight.

His hesitation must have been evident, however, if the tall blue-haired bulky guy's scolding was of any indication. The guy just walked up to him and started reprimanding him for wanting to distract the girl.

He was about to explain himself but the buzzer, signaling the beginning of the test interrupted him. It seemed to be happening a lot today.

Not waiting a second longer, he launched himself into the training field. Easily surpassing the rest of the group. Kids who, until now, didn't know what it meant to stop hesitating. Didn't understand the importance of every second in a fight. One moment of hesitation could mean certain death. One millisecond of doubt could cost them everything.

He learned that a long time ago. Had to learn. To stop doubting and hesitating. He learned how to survive. They all did.

Gasps could be heard from behind him but he paid them no mind.

He ran at full speed, whizzing between the buildings and structures of the field. Multiple robots blocked his way but he took them out easily by the sheer force he put behind every kick and every punch. His body was stronger than ever. He could feel the strengths and powers he had in the game brimming underneath his skin.

The rest of the exam went similarly. Broken metal left in his wake as he destroyed every obstacle in his way. His stride only broken when he had to save someone from falling debris or push them out of the way of an ongoing attack.

That is, until the ground rumbled beneath his feet. The training ground practically vibrating under an unknown force. Distant clunks of metal and sounds of wiring could be heard in the distance.

With growing horror, he realized that it was the Zero pointer. It's size rivaling some of the high-level boss monsters he fought in the game.

This was the moment it really hit him. The stark realization that he was not in the games anymore. He didn't have to fight the zero pointer. He didn't have to fear for his life. For the lives of the people around him.

This realization crashed down in pieces as soon as he heard a distant cry for help.

There, underneath a slab of fallen concrete, was the girl he met this morning. She was hurt. Fear and panic evident in her features as she cried for help.

Clawing desperately at the floor, trying to get out of the robot's way.

His feet moved without his consent, his body reacting before his mind caught up to the actions.

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Back in the exam viewing room. The teachers had varying looks on their faces. Looks that ranged from speechless shock to giddy excitement as they watched the examinees through the monitor screens.

As they watched a particular green-haired teen clad in black.

They watch him take off without a second of hesitation. Watch him take out the robots as if they were nothing but distractions. Witnessed as he saved student after student without a second thought.

The teachers were beyond impressed by now. A few of them, namely one homeroom teacher and an English teacher wore proud grins on their features.

However, one particular new addition to the staff was beyond impressed. The number one hero looking at the screen with a curious intensity. One that only the principal understood the meaning of.

"This batch of students are promising. Let's see how they fare against this challenge." The giddiness in the principal's voice was evident. His eyes shining in mischief as he focused on one particular training ground.

All of them watched as the boy ran straight into the fray. Not paying the threat any mind as he focused on something else. A figure trapped under fallen rubble.

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They weren't in the game anymore, his mind cried out.

The school wouldn't endanger a student's life.

Izuku couldn't stand it though. Couldn't live with himself if he just left her there.

He ran up to her, picking up two long jagged metal plates on his way. All the while keeping track of the fast-approaching zero pointer. Although he didn't have his swords, his skills were still present. He didn't need his swords.

"It's okay! I'll get you out of here!" He reassured the girl as he got ready to lift the concrete.

He could hear the whiring growing louder, the vibrations beneath his feet getting stronger.

"There's no time! It's coming! You need to go!" The girl cried out, her eyes widening in horror as she stared past Izuku. Straight at the giant robot looming over them. "If you stay here, we'll both get crushed!"

"No way." His voice brimmed with underlying emotion. His eyes flashing as tried to convey his sincerity. "As long as I am alive. I will not let another party member die." Uraraka would have questioned the 'party' comment if she wasn't caught up by the raw emotion dripping from the boy's every word. Those shining green eyes held a captivating fire in them. It spoke of years of suppressed sadness and anger. "I will never let that happen. Not again." The last words were whispered. She heard them nonetheless.

In that moment, she didn't see a teenager anymore. She saw so much more. She couldn't explain it even if she tried. But at that moment, she trusted him with everything she had.

The boy screamed, a raw, ragged sound as he held the metal sticks higher in his hands. His glare directed at the robotic arm that was coming down to crush them.

She wanted to close her eyes. Brace herself for the incoming pain that awaited them. She didn't though. Her eyes were trained on the green-haired teen in front of her. His body acting as a shield to keep her safe.

The robot struck down. His arm clashing against two crossed metal sticks. Creating a shock wave that rippled through the training ground. The boy had met the attack head-on. Blocking it. His ponytail whirling under the pressure of the wind he'd created.

She could see the metal slowly cracking under the weight and power it was subjected to.

The teen wasn't deterred though. With a swift movement of his arm, the robotic arm was thrust back. One of the metal sticks was broken now. Yet, the teen persisted. Running straight at the retreating robot. The boy struck at its body. Slicing the metal as he ran up the robot. His movements and speed barely visible to the naked eye.

Who was this guy?

With a final scream, the boy finished his attack. The robot exploded in a fiery display of electricity and explosions. Its metallic body sliced in half.

Barely paying the fire and explosions any mind. The teen dropped back onto the ground. His decent graceful as he dropped onto one knee. His head bowed as he breathed hard in exertion.

"It's okay. You're safe now." The green-haired boy reassured. Slowly rising to his feet and looking at her again. A smile adorning his features. A great contrast to the unadulterated rage he showed just a few minutes ago.

With a sway of his body, the teen fell back, his body slumping on the concrete as consciousness left him.

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Silence dominated the field. The examinees were all gathered around the fallen figure as they looked upon the destruction and havoc he had caused.

The zero pointer was in tattered heaps on the ground next to him. Smoke and fire surrounding them as they just stood there. Speechless.

None of them had done anything. None of them had dared to move when the robot came into view.

Yet, this kid. A boy their age. Took it head-on. Destroyed it all by himself.

All of them had one prominent thought going through their minds in that instant.

Who was this guy?