….
In Japan's hero society, not everyone who has a Provisional License is a "Pro Hero."
There is a process - a long, bureaucratic ladder that begins with the Provisional Hero License Exam and ends with full Pro Hero certification.
The Provisional Hero License Exam is just the first step.
Its purpose is to determine whether an individual - usually a hero-course student, but occasionally a civilian - can use their Quirk safely and responsibly in public situations.
Passing it doesn't make you a Pro Hero, but it does grant limited legal permission to use your abilities in the field, so long as it's under supervision or in emergency conditions.
Most applicants come from prestigious academies like U.A., Shiketsu, or Ketsubutsu - these schools train their students from day one for the exam.
Still, the Hero Public Safety Commission allows a rare exception under the Civic Qualification Act: any civilian who meets the age, health, and psychological stability requirements can apply.
It's uncommon - but possible.
Those who pass receive a Provisional Hero License.
With it, they can participate in rescue operations, assist Pros, and even subdue criminals if necessary, though always under oversight.
Think of it as the equivalent of a trainee police officer carrying a real weapon - legally empowered, but closely monitored.
You can use your powers publicly, work alongside professionals, and gain experience - yet you are still considered 'in training.'
The next step is the Pro Hero License - the real deal.
To qualify, a Provisional License holder must complete official internships, rescue drills, and law courses, then pass a separate government evaluation known as the Pro Hero Licensing Exam.
Only after that can one register an official hero name, join or open an agency of own, and receive government recognition and pay as a licensed combat and rescue professional.
A Pro Hero operates independently, answers directly to the Hero Commission, and holds full legal authority in the field.
Jin-Ho, however, stands apart from both categories.
He isn't a hero-course student, nor a graduate from any academy.
In fact, he is technically just a foreign immigrant - though Giran had already forged him a convincing record of graduating from a regular high school with no hero training.
That small legal forgery allowed him to apply for the Provisional Exam as a civilian.
Under the Civic Qualification Act, any citizen above sixteen can apply for the test, provided they pass the necessary screenings and pay the examination fee.
The logic is simple: if a person with a unique Quirk wants to help society, or at least be recognized as capable of doing so - they shouldn't be restricted by school affiliation.
Jin-Ho took advantage of that loophole.
To him, the goal wasn't heroism or glory - it was practicality.
For the plans he wanted to accomplish in this world before leaving, he requires such a position in this Hero Society.
…and there is also the fact he needs to clear his second Task.
◤-----------------------◥
| Task - 1: Save Toya Todoroki from the path of a villain
| Task - 2: Become a Pro Hero
-> Rewards: ???
-> Punishmint: None]
◣-----------------------◢
As you can see, the second task was not just about getting a Provisional license.
But to become a Pro Hero and obviously a Provisional license alone isn't enough to become one.
Without formal hero education, registered training hours, or an agency sponsor, Jin-Ho can't climb to the next rank.
He will need to either apprentice under a Pro Hero - or apply as an assistant instructor at a hero academy like U.A., where he can operate legally without bowing to anyone's command.
For now, that's enough.
Once passed, he will be licensed, with permission to use his Quirk within the law's narrow boundaries - a civilian anomaly standing shoulder to shoulder with the country's future heroes.
….
[Same Day | Evening]
The exam ended with Jin-Ho walking out of the disaster simulation zone.
Dust clung to his clothes, smoke had turned parts of his shirt an unfortunate gray-black, and the tips of his hair were slightly singed from when he had gotten too close to one of the fire scenarios.
Behind him, the number of candidates decreased significantly prior to start, and they were scattered across the field in various states of exhaustion, and injuries - which were already being attended to by medical staff.
Jin-Ho, on the other hand, didn't look tired.
Just mildly annoyed that his favorite hoodie had caught fire halfway through the rescue simulation and now had a hole burned through the back.
He would have to stop by a convenience store on the way home.
Soon, the results were posted within twenty minutes, a holographic display showing candidate numbers and pass/fail status.
Jin-Ho found his number easily enough.
[HLE-21957: PASS]
Just a simple confirmation that he had met the minimum requirements.
A staff member called him to the processing desk, where they handed him a plastic card with his photo, name, and a holographic seal marking it as official Hero Public Safety Commission documentation.
====
PROVISIONAL HERO LICENSE
Name: Yoo Jin-Ho
Age: 18
Quirk: Telekinesis
Valid: 6 Months (Renewable)
Issued: [Current Date]
====
Jin-Ho took the card, examined it for about three seconds, then pocketed it without ceremony.
The staff member gave him an information packet. "Congratulations on passing. Please review the licensing regulations and restrictions. You will need to register with a Pro Hero agency within thirty days to maintain active status."
Jin-Ho nodded, took the packet, and walked out of the arena into the afternoon sun.
….
He made it about half a block before pulling out his phone and dialing Giran's number.
The fixer answered on the second ring. ["Well? How did it go?"]
"Passed." Jin-Ho said simply, dodging around a group of students who were celebrating loudly. "They gave me the license."
There was a brief pause, then Giran's laugh came through, genuine and relieved. ["Ha! I knew it. Told you the documentation would hold up. Any problems during the exam?"]
"Nothing major. Some academy students tried to show off. I finished my objectives faster." Jin-Ho stopped at a crosswalk, waiting for the light. "They seemed annoyed about that."
["I bet they were."] Giran's tone was amused. ["A civilian outperforming hero course students? That's going to ruffle some feathers. Your name is probably already circulating in the academy networks."]
"Attention is something I am not looking for."
["Part of the game, kid. But seriously, congratulations. This opens up a lot of opportunities for you."] Giran paused, and Jin-Ho could almost hear him organizing his thoughts. ["So, did they brief you on the next steps?"]
"Yeah, they gave me a provincial licence." Jin-Ho pulled it out of his pocket, flipping through pages while crossing the street. "Says I need to register with a Pro Hero agency within thirty days to maintain active status."
["That's standard procedure."] Giran confirmed. ["The Provisional License gives you legal authority to use your quirk, but there are restrictions. Big ones."]
Jin-Ho found a bench near a small park and sat down, giving Giran his full attention. "So what's the next course of action… Mr. Fixer?"
["Option one - and this is the traditional route most provisional holders take, you sign with a Pro Hero agency. They assign you to work alongside established heroes, you work under them on patrols and rescue operations, you learn the ropes, and after six months they evaluate whether you are ready for independent certification."]
Jin-Ho's expression flattened. "So I passed just to end up working under someone?"
["Pretty much. But—"] Giran cut him off before he could protest. ["—you have got another option. Apply as an assistant instructor at hero academies. Places like U.A. sometimes take provisional holders to help with training. You still need to work with Pros though."]
Jin-Ho considered this. "Why would they accept someone like me?"
["You passed without formal training. That's impressive. Might not be U.A. on the first try, but you have got options - Shiketsu, Ketsubutsu, regional schools. I will send you the application info tonight."]
"Cool." Jin-Ho paused. "Thanks, Giran."
["That's what you pay me for."]
….
By the time Jin-Ho got back to the apartment, the sun was dipping below the rooftops, a molten red horizon bleeding through the half-drawn blinds.
The door clicked open, and a soda can flew past his head.
"HE LIVES!" Jin Bubaigawara yelled from the couch, throwing his arms up like he had just witnessed a miracle. "Ladies and gentlemen, the mysterious, quiet roommate finally returns from his heroic license exam! Wait, should we be calling it heroic? Maybe a bureaucratic license exam? No, that sounds boring!"
Jin-Ho side-stepped the flying can without even blinking, catching it mid-air with his telekinesis and setting it gently on the table. "I killed it."
The room went completely silent for approximately three seconds.
Then Twice's jaw dropped. "You WHAT?!"
"I mean I passed, with flying colours." Jin-Ho repeated, kicking off his shoes and walking straight to the fridge. "Want to see how a provisional license looks like?"
Toya, who had been sitting cross-legged on the floor near the window with Tom the cat curled up beside him, looked up with genuine disbelief. "You are kidding. They actually gave you a hero license?"
"Provisional." Jin-Ho corrected, opening a can of iced coffee.
"Still... you really did it, huh? Got the actual license and everything."
Jin-Ho shrugged, pulling the card from his pocket and tossing it onto the table where they could see it. "See. Now I just have to deal with six months of supervised probation before I can use my quirk independently."
"That sounds like a…" Toya searched for the right word. "Pain."
"Yeah, it is… But I have got a workaround. Might apply as an assistant instructor at a hero academy. That counts as working 'with' Pros instead of 'under' them."
Both Toya and Twice stared at him.
Twice recovered first. "Wait, wait, wait. You? Teaching? Students? CHILDREN?"
"Assistant instructor." Jin-Ho clarified. "Not actually teaching classes. More like helping with practical training exercises. Combat simulations, rescue scenarios, quirk application workshops. That kind of thing."
"But... working with students?" Toya's skepticism was palpable. "You realize kids that age are going to be annoying, right? Energetic, overly enthusiastic, constantly asking questions..."
"Can't be worse than you."
"Hey!"
The cat - Tom, as they had finally settled on naming it, walked lazily across the room and jumped directly into Jin-Ho's lap. It settled immediately, purring like a small motor, completely at peace with the chaos surrounding it.
For a moment, the three of them sat in relative silence, one freshly licensed telekinetic who would rather teach than hero, one pyro maniac processing his unexpected life trajectory, and one hyperactive kid with dissociative identity disorder who found the entire situation hilarious.
Then Twice finally spoke again, voice muffled through the pillow. "Hey, roomie?"
"Yeah."
"If you really get that assistant job… please tell me you will let me crash your classes sometimes."
"No."
"Man, you are cold."
Twice raised his can of beer high.
"To the most unheroic hero in Japan!"
The cat meowed again like it was seconding the toast.
Toya rolled his eyes but grabbed his own drink, water, since he was still underage and Jin-Ho had made it clear there would be no alcohol for teenagers in this apartment.
"To... I guess, to not doing what's expected?"
Jin-Ho didn't smile - not fully - but his eyes softened just a bit.
"Yeah." he muttered. "To that."
….
.
[To be continued…]
★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★
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