Help You Paint

Then she swiftly closed in on All Might, scorching fireballs and countless ice needles appearing around her and streaking toward him.

Bang bang bang bang bang bang!

"It hurts, it hurts!"

All Might shielded his face with both hands as the continuously exploding fireballs engulfed him. The ice needles pierced his flesh, even leaving him with minor injuries.

"This avatar is really impressive."

Of course, he had no idea that Rikka had used something akin to the defense-ignoring and armor-piercing effects in games, directly damaging his actual body.

"But it's useless!"

One punch!

At a speed too fast to see clearly, All Might instantly appeared at Rikka's side and drove a fist into her chest.

The force was so immense that Rikka's body split directly into two halves!

Flesh and blood splattered everywhere!

"Hmm?"

All Might's expression suddenly changed as he realized the scene before him had twisted and vanished in an instant.

It was an Illusion Technique.

"Cough, cough... That scared me to death." All Might had nearly believed he had really smashed Rikka apart. Half his life had been scared out of him just now.

The real Takanashi Rikka had already arrived behind All Might, conjuring a coin at her fingertips.

"Take this."

Ding!

The coin was flicked into the air.

"This is the Super Special Move of Misaka Mikoto, the third-ranked of Academy City's seven Espers, the strongest Electromaster, the Electrifying Princess of Tokiwadai... Just kidding!"

"This is my full-power attack, Railgun... Fake!"

A powerful current flashed. The instant the coin touched her finger, a dazzling beam of light tore through the air and struck All Might ahead of her in an instant.

Boom!

The cannon-like explosion sent terrifying shockwaves spreading in every direction. Even Rikka was knocked to the ground by the aftermath.

"It hurts!"

All Might spat out blood.

Given his current physical condition, he had indeed underestimated the girl before him.

Although... this Railgun was merely an imitation, it still displayed considerable power. For an unguarded All Might who had taken it straight to the face, it was simply devastating.

Izuku Midoriya, who witnessed this, froze for a moment. However, he was currently running toward the exit with Yukino and had no attention to spare for what was happening here.

Seeing the two of them, All Might inwardly cursed. He shouted and punched Rikka away, then flashed over to their side.

With one punch, Midoriya was struck in the abdomen and sent flying. He crashed through several walls in succession before vanishing from sight.

Then, without mercy, All Might struck Yukino, smashing her into the ground before stomping hard on her body.

"Gah!"

Pain wracked her entire body. Yukino felt as though more than half her life had been beaten out of her.

"All Might... you're playing favorites." Her muffled complaint made All Might's expression awkward.

"Sorry, young man... no, young lady. You are worthy of me using a little more strength. This is training for you." All Might withdrew his foot and apologized sincerely.

Yukino had no choice but to have the slightly injured Rikka leap over in a few steps, scoop her up, and quickly flee from All Might.

Then...

"Don't think you can escape!"

Bang!

Another punch smashed brutally into Yukino's back.

Crack!

One of her ribs broke. Her fragile body was like a kite with its string cut, rolling across the ground dozens of times without any ability to resist before she stared blankly at the sky.

Everyone in the monitoring room tensed at the sight.

Fighting a monster on All Might's level, serious injuries were practically inevitable. But Su Lin's miserable state was truly worrying.

"It's fine. There's no need to worry." Fumikage Tokoyami comforted everyone. "Even if her avatar dies, she can quickly summon another one. It won't harm her actual body."

"But... she looks like she's in so much pain. All Might hit her way too hard." Ochaco Uraraka said worriedly.

"Tch. Don't let that pained expression fool you. She might be enjoying it inside." Bakugo looked as though he had seen through everything.

Most of his anger was directed at Midoriya. The other boy's strength had improved far too quickly. As for Su Lin... well, he was also very unhappy about that.

His intensely warped pride would not allow him to tolerate anyone surpassing him.

"So Su Lin-chan has a secret Masochistic Tendency?" Kirishima was stunned.

"No, that is the price of becoming stronger." Tokoyami tried to defend Su Lin's reputation.

"Pant... ah, I'm so tired."

After running six or seven hundred meters and climbing through windows along the way, the frail Sister Doma, covering the actual body, finally reached the exit.

She panted as she approached the final door.

"Oh no."

The moment All Might saw this, he transformed into a human cannonball and shot toward Sister Doma.

But...

The first match was over. Team Su Lin and Midoriya had won.

The result was decided.

The instant Sister Doma stepped through the door, she dropped to one knee, bracing herself with both hands as a victor's smile appeared on her face.

"We won?" All Might stopped in his tracks, his face filled with unexpected delight.

"This kid..."

"He might be one of the most outstanding students in U.A.'s history. Perhaps one day, he can become a symbol against villains as well."

"Still... I hope young Midoriya can recognize himself through this enormous gap."

Yes, All Might had originally planned to pair Midoriya with Bakugo. But choosing Su Lin in the end was undoubtedly intended to deal Midoriya a certain blow.

Young Midoriya was naturally excellent, but far too many weaknesses lurked beneath that excellence. After being completely unable to contribute anything in a match, this result would surely make him realize something.

"But now that I think about it carefully, from the very first moment we met, Su Lin somehow knew my Quirk was called ONE.FOR.ALL. That in itself is highly unusual. Could Su Lin... possess a Quirk similar to precognition or mind reading?"

It gave All Might the illusion of facing All For One. No, it was even more unnerving than that. At the very least, the Quirks All For One stole could not grow.

Chapter 76: Help You Paint

Early the next morning, Shota Aizawa appeared at the podium right on time.

"As for this final exam, although some of you failed, the Forest Camp Training... we'll still be going as a whole class!"

"Wha, we can come too?" Mina Ashido's eyes widened in surprise and delight.

"Of course. In this exam, we took the role of villains. While leaving you opportunities to win, we also held back so we could observe how everyone handled difficult situations. Otherwise, most of you would have been instantly defeated the moment the match began." As Shota Aizawa spoke, he displayed the absolute confidence of a teacher.

"So that's how it was. You clearly said you would go all out, but in the end..." Ojiro, seated at the very front, sighed.

Su Lin propped up his chin with one hand and turned his head toward the window.

Thinking about how All Might had specifically cast Midoriya aside before focusing on beating him up, he felt inexplicably depressed.

"So I really don't mean much to All Might."

The kind where he would not even feel bad about beating him to death.

"Lastly, those of you who failed this exam, don't celebrate too soon. The school has prepared another Remedial Class for you, and it will definitely be far more terrifying than studying at school. Take care of yourselves."

After saying that, Shota Aizawa completely ignored the petrified expressions of certain students and calmly walked out of the classroom.

When school ended, the setting sun hung in the sky.

A booklet labeled Forest Camp Training was handed out to everyone.

"This intensive training will last a whole week. I don't have a swimsuit, so I need to buy quite a few things." Kaminari said as he held the booklet.

"Night Vision Goggles!" Mineta's lecherous gaze moved over the girls in the class before finally landing on Su Lin.

"What are you thinking about now? Are you not even sparing guys this time?" Su Lin stepped back warily.

"No, I'm imagining Su Lin-chan's avatar's thighs in black stockings."

"Kero?"

Smack!

Tsuyu Asui's tongue shot out and sent Mineta flying out of the classroom.

"Then, tomorrow is Sunday, and the exams are over. Let's go shopping together as Class A." Torhu Hagakure raised her hand enthusiastically.

"Good idea. This seems to be the first time we've organized something like this, right? Su Lin, do you want to come?"

"Whatever." Su Lin frowned.

By nightfall, he had returned home.

Su Lin silently glanced around the empty room and felt worried about life during Forest Camp Training.

Although his home already had common appliances and furniture such as a refrigerator, wardrobe, and washing machine, that did not change the fact that he was poor.

"Looks like I still need to make money."

Since quitting the high-paying Maid job, Su Lin's usual income had become somewhat insufficient.

Selling himself was impossible, even though his avatar was quite pretty.

"The fastest ways to make money are all written in the law. Looks like I'll have to bring out Mashiro Shiina."

With a flash in the space before him, a girl with long beige hair and a sky-blue uniform skirt appeared, sitting by the bed.

She had a slightly airheaded expression, looked somewhat slow-witted, and possessed fair skin. Her seemingly slender body was unexpectedly a little soft and curvy.

The instant he took control of this avatar, she felt an inexplicable discomfort in her heart.

The room before her could be said to be completely not to her taste.

"Mm, I want to paint, but I don't have any brushes. Even just buying art supplies will cost quite a bit."

Moreover, the biggest problem now was how to quickly sell the finished paintings. After all, tomorrow was a day off, and she would be going shopping in the commercial district with everyone. It would not do to have empty pockets.

"Right, Yaoyorozu's family is especially wealthy. Maybe she'll buy something?"

Although it was somewhat shameless, Su Lin did not think too much about it for the sake of necessity and dialed her number.

"Hello, Su Lin-chan. Why are you suddenly calling me?" Yaoyorozu's gentle, smiling voice eased Su Lin's awkwardness somewhat.

"Do you like pretty paintings?"

"What... paintings?"

"Yes. Manga, illustrations, Watercolor Oil Painting, anything is fine. Anyway, if you like them, I'll come paint at your place."

"Huh? Class rep, what are you suddenly doing?"

"Anyway, I want to go to your place and paint. Is that okay?"

"No." A bewildered Yaoyorozu naturally would not refuse.

"Then wait for me. Also, please prepare art supplies. I'll be there right away."