The next morning, around 7:30 AM, Kendo Itsuka arrived at our house. We had decided to leave by 8, giving us plenty of time to reach UA before the exam began. I had just finished breakfast and was double-checking my bag to make sure I had everything I needed for the day. My dad had surprised me with a special tracksuit for the exam, and I couldn't help but feel a swell of gratitude as I looked at it.
The tracksuit was sleek and modern, designed to look like a regular outfit but with subtle enhancements tailored for my Quirk. The material was incredibly durable, far more so than regular cotton, yet it was breathable and lightweight—unlike the stifling polyester fabrics I'd worn before. It felt fresh and sturdy, perfect for the physical demands of the exam.
"I had it custom-made," my dad explained, a proud smile on his face. "The fabric can withstand a lot of wear and tear, and it's designed to help regulate your body temperature. I thought it might come in handy for your Quirk."
I was speechless. The thoughtfulness of the gift hit me harder than I expected. "Thanks, Dad," I said finally, my voice a little hoarse. "This… this means a lot."
He clapped me on the shoulder, his smile widening. "Go show them what you're made of, son."
Before heading out, I took a moment to open my System panel one last time. The interface flickered in my mind, displaying my current stats and skills:
System Interface
Name: Jin Kuroda
Level: 12
Occupation: Student (Junior High)
Stats:
Strength: 26
Stamina: 20
Agility: 18
Endurance: 19
Vitality: 20
Dexterity: 18
Constitution: 25
Intelligence: 19
Wisdom: 6
Luck: 9
Perception: 5
Energy: 1300/1300
Free Attribute Points: 22
Skills:
Passive: Insight (Level 1)
Active: Energy Conduit (Level 2), Flowing River Technique (Level 3), Iron Body Technique (Level 2), Flowing Wave Palm (Level 2), Mountain Shattering Fist
I still had 22 free attribute points to allocate. After a moment of consideration, I added 4 points to Strength, bringing it up to 30. I then distributed 5 points each to Agility and Perception, boosting my speed and awareness. That left me with 8 points, which I decided to save for later, depending on how the exam unfolded.
I knew that the exam was going to be 10 minutes of combat so my strength, perception, and agility mattered the most. That is why I made these stats my priority.
I knew the basics of the UA entrance exam from my memories of the anime—giant robots, points, and the chaos of competing against hundreds of other applicants. But knowing about it and actually facing it were two very different things. Still, I felt confident. My training had prepared me for this. I was ready.
By the time I stepped out of my room, I found Kendo sitting in the living room, chatting with my mother. The sight made me pause. My mother had a mischievous glint in her eyes, and Kendo looked surprisingly at ease, sipping tea like she'd been here a hundred times before.
"Oh, there he is!" my mother said, her tone teasing. "I was just telling Itsuka about how you used to—"
"Mom!" I cut her off, my face heating up. "We should probably get going. Don't want to be late."
Kendo chuckled, standing up and slinging her bag over her shoulder. "Don't worry, Jin. Your secrets are safe with me." She winked, and I groaned inwardly. This was going to be a long day.
We left the house shortly after, my mother waving us off with a cheerful "Good luck!" The car ride to UA was quiet at first, the weight of the upcoming exam hanging in the air. But Kendo, ever the optimist, broke the silence.
"So," she said, glancing at me. "You ready for this?"
I nodded, my gaze fixed on the road ahead. "As ready as I'll ever be. What about you?"
She grinned, her confidence shining through. "I've been training for this my whole life. I'm not going to let anything get in my way."
I couldn't help but smile. Kendo's determination was infectious. "Well, let's make sure we both get in, then."
"Deal," she said, holding out her fist. I bumped it without hesitation.
As we approached UA, the towering gates of the prestigious academy came into view. My heart raced, a mix of excitement and nerves bubbling up inside me. This was it—the first step toward becoming a hero.