I held my new identity card, the name *Aiden Blaze* staring back like a rejected manga title. *Really, old man? Sounds like a pro wrestler's stage name.* At least the photo was a step up—sharp jawline, jet-black hair, dark eyes, the quintessential anime protagonist look for a 16-year-old. I could blend into Musutafu's hero-crazed streets or stand out, depending on my mood.
Locking the door of my traditional Japanese house—tatami mats, cedar scent, the works—I hailed a taxi to UA High School. The city buzzed outside: hero billboards loomed over skyscrapers, a woman with hawk wings soared past, and civilians snapped photos like it was a tourist attraction. My mind, though, was on the Helmet of Fate, tucked in a pocket dimension. It was my trump card, making me stronger than most pros in this quirk-filled world. Without it? I was just Aiden, one villain's bomb away from game over. *If someone slips C4 under this seat, I'm toast.*
"Great Sage," I whispered mentally, keeping my voice low, "any way to keep me alive if I'm not wearing the helmet?"
*"Analyzing… Two solutions. Option one: channel the helmet's magic to cast protective spells without wearing it. Option two: integrate me with the helmet for a passive link, allowing me to equip it instantly in emergencies or cast spells you've mastered from the magic book."*
"Wait," I said, frowning. "I thought you couldn't use the helmet or book."
*"Clarification: I cannot learn spells directly from the magic book; you must study them. However, I can channel your mastered spells and control the helmet or world-travel ability without restriction."*
I smirked. *So the old man's making me do the grunt work.* "Integrate with the helmet. If I'm in danger—like a villain's sneak attack—equip it instantly. No delays."
*"Integration complete. Safety protocol active."*
Relief hit, but my nerves stayed on edge. I was heading to UA, the epicenter of MHA's hero world, with a cosmic artifact that didn't play by quirk rules. One wrong move, and I'd be on someone's radar—hero or villain.
The taxi dropped me at UA's gates, where students swarmed, their quirks on full display: spiked tails, glowing hands, one kid with literal rocket feet. A teacher in a tracksuit waved us toward the exam hall. "Entrance exams, this way!" I slipped inside, blending into the crowd, my plain look a stark contrast to the walking quirk showcase.
In the hall, I grabbed an empty seat, the air thick with nervous chatter. Teachers handed out written tests, and I stared at mine, my stomach sinking. *Hero laws? Quirk history?* I'd spent a week grinding spells, not memorizing UA's rulebook. *Time to cheat.*
"Great Sage, scan every test in the room. Feed me the answers."
*"Scanning… Answers compiled. Transmitting."*
Facts flooded my brain—quirk regulations, All Might's debut, rescue protocols. I scribbled fast, acing the test without breaking a sweat. *Sorry, UA. Magic's my study buddy.*
The written exam ended, and Present Mic, his blond hair defying gravity, took the stage. "Are ya READY?!" he bellowed, his quirk rattling my eardrums. The room stayed silent, a few kids wincing. He grinned, undeterred. "Next up: a 10-minute mock battle! Head to your assigned battle center after I drop the mic! Check your targets!"
Screens lit up, showing robotic villains: 1-Pointers, 2-Pointers, 3-Pointers. "Easy bots are 1 point, medium 2, hard 3," Present Mic said. "Defeat as many as you can! No attacking other examinees—that's a BIG no-no!"
A tall, glasses-wearing student stood, hand raised. "Excuse me, sir!" he said, his voice sharp enough to cut glass. A spotlight—*where'd that even come from?*—snapped onto him. "The handout lists *four* villain types, not three! If this is an error, it's a disgrace to UA's reputation! We expect excellence from Japan's premier hero academy!"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. *Tenya Iida, right on script.* It was like watching the anime, but being *in* it threw me off. Was I supposed to follow the plot or carve my own path?
Present Mic scratched his head. "Good catch, Examinee 10001! The fourth type's a zero-pointer—no points, just a big obstacle. Think of it as a bonus challenge!"
"Thank you," Iida said, bowing before sitting. The room settled, and I headed to Battle Center B, a fake city of concrete towers and narrow alleys. My heart pounded as I scanned the crowd for Midoriya or Bakugo—green hair, explosions, anything. Nothing. *Guess I'm solo.*
The siren blared—*START!*—and examinees surged forward, quirks flashing: ice walls, energy blasts, one kid turning into a wrecking ball. Bots emerged from alleys, their red eyes glowing. I hung back, my hand itching to summon the helmet. *Time to play.*
I whispered, "Great Sage, equip the helmet." It snapped onto my head, the world sharpening as power flooded my veins. My clothes morphed into a blue-and-gold suit, a golden cloak billowing behind me. I floated a few feet up, the arena sprawling below. *Okay, let's not go overboard.* I'd racked up points in my head already—strategy, not showboating, was the goal.
I raised a hand, channeling a spell I'd practiced: a shimmering energy shield, about the size of a trash can lid. A 1-Pointer charged, its claw swinging. My shield sparked, holding firm. I grinned, then thrust my palm forward, unleashing a telekinetic pulse. The bot crashed into a wall, sparking. *One point down.* This was my chance to test the helmet's power.