Chapter 1: The New Symbol
Four years had passed since the great war that changed the world of heroes forever. The dust had settled, but the echoes of that battle still resonated in every corner of society. U.A. Academy, rebuilt larger and stronger, stood as a beacon of hope—a symbol of the future, a promise that the next generation would rise to protect and inspire.
It was the morning of the new entrance exam, the first step for hundreds of hopefuls dreaming of becoming professional heroes. Among them walked Ryume Tashadi, a boy whose presence was unassuming at first glance but whose eyes burned with a quiet fire.
Ryume's quirk was called Build Up, a power that defied conventional limits. Unlike quirks that granted immediate strength or flashy powers, his was slow, gradual, and limitless—his power would grow continuously as long as he lived, building endlessly like a force destined to surpass all others. But at fifteen, that power was barely a whisper, a flicker hidden beneath a determined exterior.
As Ryume stepped through the grand gates of U.A., the murmurs of other students swirled around him. Some eyes flickered with curiosity, others with doubt. The reputation of the war had raised expectations, and the new generation faced the daunting shadow of legends like Midoriya Izuku—Deku—the hero who gave everything for peace and left behind a legacy that no one could forget.
Ryume felt that weight but carried it with quiet confidence. I was born to be the best, he thought, tightening his grip on the strap of his backpack.
The exam registration hall buzzed with nervous energy. Ryume stepped forward to the official's desk, where a sharp-eyed examiner glanced over the names on the list. When Ryume gave his name and quirk, the official paused, raising an eyebrow at the unfamiliar ability.
"Build Up, huh?" the official said, flipping through the sheets. "Not a common quirk. Well, good luck. You'll need it."
Ryume nodded, his face calm but his mind racing with plans. He knew this would be the first test of his life, but also the start of something much bigger.
Outside, the exam field sprawled wide with obstacles, simulated crisis scenarios, and high-tech monitoring systems. Groups of students were already warming up, their quirks dazzling in the morning light—flames flickered, shadows shifted, and bursts of wind cut through the air. But Ryume remained steady, stretching and centering himself.
As the horn sounded to signal the start of the exam, Ryume moved forward. His quirk was not the kind to grant instant dominance. While others dashed through challenges with powerful blasts or agile teleportation, Ryume relied on steady, measured progress. His limbs didn't blaze with fire or electricity; instead, his movements were precise but unremarkable.
By the time they reached the physical endurance test, Ryume was near the back of the pack. His classmates towered over him with raw strength and flashy powers. Among them was a boy with electric chains crackling from his arms—Tora Renji, whose cocky grin followed Ryume wherever he moved.
"Hey, newbie," Tora called out, leaning lazily against a wall, "you sure you belong here? You're slow. This is Class 1-A, not the slowpoke club."
Ryume didn't flinch. He merely smiled faintly, his eyes narrowing with resolve. "I'm just getting started."
The tension in the air thickened as the exam's next phase began—the simulated disaster scenario. Suddenly, an explosion rocked part of the arena, smoke and debris filling the air. An emergency alert blared through the speakers, instructing students to evacuate and rescue trapped victims.
Panic rippled through the crowd. Some students hesitated, unsure how to respond under pressure. Ryume's instincts kicked in. He spotted a trapped student nearby, pinned beneath a collapsed beam. The boy's breathing was shallow, but he was conscious.
Without hesitation, Ryume sprinted toward him. His muscles burned with exhaustion from the earlier test, but his quirk stirred deep inside—a faint warmth spreading through his body. He felt something awakening, a surge beyond his usual limits.
Gripping the beam, Ryume pushed with all his might. The wood groaned but refused to budge. His palms sweated, and his breath hitched, but the power inside him surged like a rising tide. Slowly, painfully, the beam shifted just enough for the trapped student to slip free.
As he helped the boy to safety, Ryume felt the strain nearly overwhelm him. His body glowed faintly with a golden aura—an outward sign of his quirk working beyond its natural pace. He staggered, the energy exacting a physical toll.
Other students gathered, eyes wide with surprise and admiration. Among them, Tora's smirk faded, replaced by something sharper—concern, respect, and a hint of fear.
"He's dangerous," Tora muttered to a nearby teammate. "Not now... but someday."
Ryume leaned against a wall, catching his breath. His body ached, but his spirit soared. This was only the beginning. He had barely scratched the surface of his potential.
Later, as the exam concluded and results were tallied, Ryume awaited his fate. The room was silent except for the rustle of papers and the low murmur of conversations. When his name was finally called, the official's expression was unreadable.
"Ryume Tashadi... welcome to Class 1-A."
Relief and determination washed over him. This new path would be filled with challenges, rivals, and discoveries beyond anything he had imagined.
He glanced out the window at the sprawling city beyond U.A.'s walls. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear—Ryume Tashadi was ready to build up, to grow beyond limits, and to carve his place among the heroes who would shape the world's next chapter.