The morning sun cast long shadows across UA University's campus as Class 1-A gathered in class.
Marcus Grayson stood among his new classmates, mentally cataloging each student based on the information Roberta had provided during their preparation.
Katsuki Bakugo – explosive temper matching his quirk, among the ones who scored high in the entrance exam.
Shoto Todoroki – son of the number two hero, powerful dual quirk user. Izuku Midoriya – mysteriously acquired a powerful strength enhancement quirk after being quirkless his entire life.
Marcus felt Evelyn's presence beside him, her posture relaxed yet alert.
"I am your homeroom teacher, Shota Aizawa," announced a disheveled man in black, his bloodshot eyes scanning the assembled students with clear disinterest. "Put these on and meet at the P.E. grounds. Immediately."
As the students went to get to the training fieldd and change into their gym uniforms, Marcus recalled what his uncle and father told him.
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Flashback:
"Integration is key," Thragg had stated, his imposing frame dominating the family meeting room. "This world worships its heroes. Becoming part of that system will facilitate our long-term objectives."
Nolan nodded in agreement. "Just as I did on our Earth, you must establish yourselves as trusted figures. Learn their customs, their weaknesses, their potential allies."
"But why UA specifically?" Mark had asked. "Wouldn't it be more efficient for example for you dad to simply join the professional hero ranks directly?"
"UA produces this society's elite," Thragg explained. "The future leaders, the most powerful quirk users. By infiltrating now, you position yourselves at the center of their power structure."
Amanda leaned forward, her expression thoughtful. "Plus, let's be practical. Getting this world to heel will be challenging with all these quirks. Casualties could be significant unless we have insider knowledge and established relationships."
"Your mission," Thragg continued, "is threefold.
First, identify potential allies – those who might willingly join us when the time comes.
Second, subtly influence those on the edge toward dissatisfaction with the current system.
Third, gather intelligence on any threats that might require... special handling."
"Remember," Nolan added, his voice carrying the weight of experience, "patience is essential. We have time. Use it wisely."
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"Today we're conducting a quirk assessment test," Aizawa announced, pulling Marcus back to the present.
The class murmured in surprise, several students protesting about missing the orientation ceremony.
"If you want to make it to the top, you can't waste time on pointless ceremonies," Aizawa stated flatly. "Here at UA, we're not tethered to traditions. That means I get to run my class however I see fit."
He turned to Marcus, his bloodshot eyes narrowing slightly. "Grayson, you managed to get the highest score on the entrance exam. What was your farthest distance throw with a softball when you were in high school?"
Marcus paused, remembering his cover story as a late bloomer. "I didn't have my quirk in high school, sir. So only about forty meters with normal human strength."
Aizawa's eyebrow raised slightly at this information - acting as if he didn't already know, like a lazy teacher who didn't read their files.
"A late manifester? Interesting. Well, try doing it with your quirk now," he instructed, tossing him a ball. "Anything goes, just stay in the circle."
Marcus stepped forward, aware of all eyes on him. He gripped the ball, carefully calculating the appropriate level of strength to display – enough to impress, but not enough to reveal his true capabilities.
With a fluid motion that spoke of years of practiced control, he threw the ball. It shot forward with impressive speed, though clearly restrained.
Aizawa watched the trajectory, his expression darkening as the ball landed. He held up his phone displaying the distance:
705.2 meters.
"Is that all you've got, Grayson? For someone who topped the entrance exam, that's surprisingly... mediocre."
The class fell silent, sensing the tension.
"I was just-" Marcus began.
"Holding back," Aizawa finished for him, his tone cutting. "I can see it in your form, your control. You're calculating rather than performing." His eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Let me make something clear. In my class, you give your absolute best or you leave. I have no interest in teaching students who won't push their limits."
Marcus felt the weight of every stare on his back.
"Try again," Aizawa commanded, tossing him another ball. "And this time, stop playing games. Show me why you deserved that top score, or pack your bags."
A murmur ran through the class. Being threatened with expulsion before the first test was even complete was absurd.
Marcus reassessed his approach. This teacher was far more perceptive than anticipated. He would need to display more of his strength while still maintaining his cover.
Can't show that he is near the strength of their top heros after all as a mere university student.
"Yes, sir," he replied, stepping back into the circle.
This time, he allowed more of his power to flow through his arm as he launched the ball. The resulting throw created a small sonic boom that echoed across the field, the ball becoming little more than a blur as it soared through the air.
Aizawa's device climbed rapidly before settling: 1,203.4 meters.
"That's more like it," Aizawa stated, though his eyes remained suspicious. "Now, let me explain to the rest of you what this is about.
Today you'll compete in eight physical tests to gauge your potential. Whoever comes in last has none and will be expelled immediately."
A collective gasp rippled through the students. Marcus exchanged another glance with Evelyn, both recognizing the tactical value of this development. Pressure revealed character.
"All of you need to know your maximum capabilities," Aizawa continued. "It's the most rational way to figure out your potential as a pro hero."
As the tests began, Marcus carefully recalibrated his performance. For the 50-meter dash, he clocked in at 3.04 seconds – impressive enough to raise eyebrows but not so extraordinary as to seem inhuman.
Evelyn followed with 3.12 seconds, her pink energy subtly propelling her forward.
"Graysons taking the lead," Aizawa noted, his expression unreadable. "Let's see if they maintain it."
The grip strength test provided another opportunity for measured excellence. Marcus applied precisely 540 kilograms of pressure – comparable to what All Might might casually display, but nowhere near his actual capability.
"Impressive," murmured Mezo Shoji, whose multiple arms had produced a respectable 540 kilograms as well. "Your strength quirk is quite powerful."
"Thanks," Marcus replied with a practiced humble smile. "Yours too. Multiple limbs must be useful in a lot of situations."
The standing long jump proved trivial. Both Marcus and Evelyn cleared the sandbox entirely, landing gracefully beyond its confines. Several classmates watched with undisguised admiration.
"They're so good!" exclaimed Ochaco Uraraka, "The Graysons must come from a family of pros!"
"I've never heard of any pro heroes with their last name," Izuku Midoriya muttered, his mind clearly working overtime to run through his memories. "Their quirks seem similar to All Might's in strengthening..."
During the repeated side steps, Marcus deliberately placed third behind Mineta and another student, recognizing that he shouldn't appear too perfect - would make him a bit too above everyone, and unapproachable, not good for his mission.
When they reached the ball throw again, Evelyn stepped into the circle first.
Pink energy surrounded the ball as she manipulated its molecular structure, making it virtually weightless while simultaneously propelling it forward with a bit of force.
"Infinity," Aizawa announced, showing his phone to the class. Like Uraraka's throw, the ball had effectively entered orbit.
"Whoa!" Kaminari exclaimed. "Another infinity! What exactly is your quirk again?"
"Matter manipulation," Evelyn explained with a modest smile. "I can alter the molecular structure of objects I touch or focus on."
The long-distance run provided another opportunity for Marcus to demonstrate again, a bit of ability, making him in the future a potential prospect as a sidekick to the pros, but again, not too impressive.
While still restraining himself to maintain his cover, he completed the track in a time that had Aizawa raising his eyebrows and Midoriya frantically muttering calculations.
"That's... that's almost as fast as All Might's recorded time from his recent documentary!" Midoriya exclaimed, his eyes wide. "Not his prime, but still..." he muttered the last part to himself.
The seated toe-touch and sit-ups passed without incident, though Marcus noted with interest how various students utilized their quirks to enhance their performances.
Creative application would be valuable information for future reference.
As Aizawa compiled the final results, tension filled the air. Midoriya in particular looked devastated, having performed poorly after apparently injuring himself during the ball throw.
"Time for the results," Aizawa announced. "Your total scores reflect your performance in each of the eight events. I'm being logical about this and ranking you all from best to worst. Here are the rankings."
The holographic display appeared, showing the final standings:
Marcus Grayson
Evelyn Grayson
Momo Yaoyorozu
Shoto Todoroki
Katsuki Bakugo
The list continued, with Midoriya's name appearing at the very bottom.
"I was last," Midoriya whispered, his face pale. "That means I'm expelled."
Bakugo stared at the rankings, his expression darkening as he processed being outperformed. His fists clenched at his sides, small explosions popping from his palms.
"And I was lying about expelling someone," Aizawa suddenly announced. "That was just a rational deception to make sure you gave your all."
Relief washed over most students' faces, though Yaoyorozu commented that they should have realized it was a logical ruse.
As the class began to disperse, Marcus noticed Bakugo stalking toward Midoriya, his expression murderous.
"DEKU!" Bakugo snarled, grabbing the green-haired student's collar. "You've got some explaining to do. You were quirkless! So what the hell was that power? You've been lying to me this entire time, haven't you?! I should blow your fucking tongue off!"
Marcus moved - after a moment of taking in what was happening - positioning himself between them, wanting to help as a good person, while also seeing the opportunity in this. "That's enough," he said firmly, "Whatever issues you have, this isn't the way to resolve them."
"STAY OUT OF THIS, EXTRA!" Bakugo roared, small explosions crackling in his palm. "This is between me and this lying piece of-"
"I said enough," Marcus repeated, unmoved by the display. "I don't know what history you two have, but threatening a classmate crosses a line. We're all here to become heroes, aren't we? This behavior suggests otherwise."
Bakugo's eyes widened in rage. "YOU LOOKING DOWN ON ME? I'LL KILL YOU!"
He lunged forward, an explosion building in his palm, while Marcus readied himself for a counter – only to find his attack completely nullified as his quirk suddenly deactivated and his body restrained by capture tape.
"That's enough," Aizawa stated, his eyes glowing red and his scarf-like weapon wrapped around Bakugo. "Causing a fight on the first day? How irrational."
His gaze shifted to Marcus, and his eyes narrowed in confusion. Despite his quirk erasure being active, Marcus showed no signs of shock or the like of losing his enhanced abilities – did he not lose it? Or did he not realise it?
If it was the former then... Well, it should be impossible.
"Interesting," Aizawa murmured, filing this observation away for later investigation. "Bakugo, control your temper. Grayson, while I appreciate your intervention, I don't need students fighting my battles. Everyone is dismissed. Midoriya, go see Recovery Girl about that finger."
As the class dispersed, Evelyn joined Marcus. "Making friends already?" she teased quietly.
"You could say that," he replied, "But I've identified several potential good friends for our future heroic career."
Good friends, their code word for potential candidates that are good to keep under observation and if possible steer them towards their side.
"As have I," Evelyn agreed. "Particularly Yaoyorozu and Todoroki. Both from prominent families, both with exceptional abilities."
"Don't forget Midoriya," Marcus added. "There's something unusual about his power. The way it injures him... Something just tells me there is more to it."
They walked in silence toward the main building, their first day successfully navigated.
Behind them, Aizawa watched their departure, his mind working through the implications of what he'd observed.
"Erasure possibly didn't work on him," he muttered to himself. "But that's impossible... Am I being too paranoid? Maybe I should sleep an hour longer today."
Still, just to be sure, he pulled out his phone and began typing a message to Principal Nezu. The Grayson family warranted closer observation – much closer than they might expect, since every instinct in his body just told him there was more to them -
and as a logical person who believed in intuition and instinct existing and to be trusted in battle, since it has come into existence as a way of survival, he knew he'd be a fool to completely ignore it.
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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all liked the chapter!
Do tell me how you found it. Sorry, couldn't upload a chapter yesterday, was too busy, and well, still thinking on how I want things to go.
My particular problem really is what to do with Thragg, Nolan and the others.
The kids have their role, but they can't sit on their behinds and do nothing.
I've been thinking of finding a logical way to perhaps make them enter the hero career, since as Thragg said, people worship these heroes,
and I think it would be in character for him to think that it would be good for integration if the Emperor was known as the number 1 hero who defeated the History's Greatest Villain - All For One.
Well, I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)