Let's See What This Kid Is Up To

The moment Katsuki Bakugo fled, there was no need for the others to think twice. They all turned and ran. That was right—in the eyes of the other contestants, Katsuki Bakugo was running away.

Katsuki Bakugo did not think he was fleeing. He had already racked up enough points, so there was no way he was escaping!

Yang Xiao had already earned enough points as well and was currently making his way out. He was not stupid enough to take on a giant mock enemy. That was not something he could handle. Leaving was enough.

While running, Katsuki Bakugo spotted Yang Xiao. A trace of mockery appeared in his eyes, as if to say that they would never see each other again.

Of course they would not see each other again after Yang Xiao was eliminated. As far as Katsuki Bakugo was concerned, most of the people in Training Ground A would not make it through. The main reason was that he was too strong, forcibly snatching away so many other people's points.

Yang Xiao paid no attention to Katsuki Bakugo's gaze and simply kept running, as though Katsuki Bakugo were nothing but air.

Seeing Yang Xiao's calm expression, Katsuki Bakugo sneered inwardly. Had he already gone numb? Trash who knew he would be eliminated, yet he was still acting so arrogant.

Still, Yang Xiao's attitude had nothing to do with him. Katsuki Bakugo was merely a little annoyed. But then again, he would never run into this guy again.

With that thought, Katsuki Bakugo picked up speed and became the first to rush out of the grounds. His score was now locked in.

One after another, people rushed out of the grounds. Yang Xiao was no exception. Once nearly everyone had left Training Ground A, the assessment was considered over.

"Principal, the assessment in Training Ground A has ended."

Inside a surveillance conference room at U.A. High School, the dimly lit room was filled with people. Every one of them was a U.A. High School teacher—in other words, the school's upper management.

At that moment, the teachers were observing the situations in each testing area. The surveillance screens gave them a general grasp of what was happening.

"In this practical exam, the students were not told the number or locations of the enemies. With limited time and an enormous area, they had to stand out under such conditions. The ability to quickly gather information and assess the situation, the mobility to respond to every circumstance, the judgment to remain calm no matter what happened, and, of course, pure and straightforward combat ability."

The principal's name was Nezu. He was not human, but an animal whose Quirk had been awakened—a rare and exceptional case.

He resembled some kind of rodent, though his exact species was unknown.

Nezu's childlike voice rang out again. "The fundamental abilities needed to protect the peace of a town are reflected in the form of points. This year's crop is quite good, isn't it?"

"Principal, Training Ground A has finished its assessment. Would you like to look at the results first?" A voice brimming with feminine charm spoke up, and everyone present turned toward its owner.

Midnight was a U.A. High School teacher with flawless looks and figure alike. She liked wearing skintight clothing, and her weapon of choice was a whip, giving off something of an S&M vibe.

"Let's look at the results from Area A." Nezu nodded. Since Area A had already finished, it meant some had been eliminated while others remained. He was very interested in that as well.

"Display the footage—"

The image immediately appeared on the large screen, allowing every teacher to see it clearly.

"First place is a boy named Katsuki Bakugo. He actually earned seventy-seven points solely from defeating enemies, with zero rescue points. This score would not be undeserving even as the top score of the entire exam!" a teacher said in surprise.

The other teachers also showed thoughtful expressions. This student's score was clearly outstanding, but zero rescue points made him seem somewhat selfish. Still, his seventy-seven enemy-defeat points were right there for all to see, so no one could really say anything.

"The gap between second place and first place is rather large, but the score should still be enough to pass."

"Second place is called Yang Xiao?" a teacher said doubtfully.

"Mr. Ectoplasm, do you know this second-place student?" Midnight looked toward the teacher beside her. He looked somewhat frightening, his face resembling a mask, like that of a vicious ghost.

This teacher was Ectoplasm Ghost, a faculty member of U.A. High School. Nothing else about him was disclosed.

"No, I don't know him. I just find it strange. We all saw Katsuki Bakugo's score for ourselves, but where is the combat footage of this boy called Yang Xiao?" Ectoplasm Ghost voiced his doubts.

Only then did all the teachers notice a problem. They had been watching every examinee's abilities. Cameras had been placed throughout the grounds, allowing them to clearly observe everyone's battles and sudden dangers.

Katsuki Bakugo's fighting was extremely straightforward. The cameras could analyze and monitor him at all times without blind spots. But what about Yang Xiao? Ever since he entered Training Ground A, this guy seemed to have vanished. There was no footage of him.

"Immediately pull up all footage from Training Ground A and see how Yang Xiao earned these points," Midnight said at once.

The footage from Training Ground A's earlier assessment instantly appeared before everyone. The images began cycling, and nearly every examinee could be seen clearly.

Yet, bafflingly, footage of Yang Xiao seemed to have disappeared. There was not a single video showing his face.

"No footage?" Present Mic said in astonishment. "How is that possible? Could there be a problem with the surveillance?"

"Wait!" Just as everyone was feeling somewhat confused, Shota Aizawa walked over and pointed at a pitch-black screen. "Open every camera feed from this view."

Shota Aizawa was also a U.A. High School teacher and a Pro Hero, one of the more outstanding ones among Pro Heroes. However, his fear of trouble made him live a low-key life despite his strength. Many people outside did not even know what his Quirk was, much less how powerful he truly was.

Following Shota Aizawa's order, the system automatically opened the pitch-black display. The moment it did, dozens of feeds appeared. Aside from the originally dark one, every other feed showed Yang Xiao.

"Good eye, Mr. Aizawa!" Present Mic laughed heartily, pointing at the screen. "Come on, let's see what this kid is up to. He actually pulled a stunt like this!"

Before Present Mic could say more, the footage automatically switched over. The first dark screen showed nothing, but starting from the second feed, Yang Xiao appeared before all the teachers.

In the footage, Yang Xiao's head glowed, then his hands, then his feet. Whenever he was attacked by a mock enemy, his chest and back glowed as well.

None of that was important. What shocked all the teachers was that Yang Xiao killed with a single strike every time. No matter what type of mock enemy he faced, one punch or one kick was enough. There was not the slightest bit of hesitation or wasted movement.