Konata Doesn't Want To Be The Female Lead

"U.A. is different from other schools. This is an institution dedicated to training heroes, so for the next three years, all of you must devote yourselves fully to becoming heroes… So, let's start with a Quirk Proficiency Test."

Once all of Class A had gathered on the sports field, Aizawa Shouta, who had been waiting there, addressed the students in his usual flat tone.

"...Quirk Proficiency Test?"

Hearing Aizawa's words, two people in the crowd immediately looked visibly uneasy.

A terrible premonition suddenly welled up in Konata's heart…

For some reason, she felt extremely guilty and instinctively wanted to hide behind the tallest person nearby, Iida Tenya. But before she could act, Aizawa's gaze was already on her.

"You're Konata, right? First place in the entrance combat test."

Aizawa stared at her—who was desperately trying to minimize her presence—still using his tired, half-asleep tone.

"How far could you throw a softball back in middle school?"

I knew it… I knew he'd pick on me!

With a miserable expression, Konata mumbled softly:

"N-nine… um, if I really try, I can throw over ten meters…"

"Nine meters…"

After a brief pause, Aizawa placed a softball in front of her.

"Now try again using your Quirk. As long as you don't leave the circle, you can do whatever you want."

"Throwing a ball, huh…"

Looking down at the slightly heavy softball in her hand, Konata's lips twitched.

She knew herself well. Sure, the teacher said she could use her Quirk, but could she actually use it? Aside from her two passive abilities, her other five skills weren't suitable for this at all. Unless she transformed into Railgun Mode, she couldn't freely manipulate electricity—she was stuck using fixed skills, making her combat style really rigid.

She could gather some sparks on her palm, but that was purely for show. It had zero actual power, let alone helping her throw the ball farther.

"Uh… what if I try to fire this softball like a Railgun? The skill description says I need a coin, but this ball is kind of like a giant coin… right? …Probably?"

...

"Konata-san, what are you dawdling for?"

Seeing Konata standing motionless for ages, the rest of Class A began whispering among themselves. Yet Aizawa remained patient, standing by without urging or stopping her.

"Maybe she's charging up her move or something?" Asui Tsuyu guessed.

"By the way, Midoriya-kun, you look really tense."

"Ah—no, no, not really."

Midoriya Izuku forced a stiff smile. Thanks to Konata, he'd gotten familiar with Asui Tsuyu as well.

Right now, his biggest worry was how to handle his own test.

He still couldn't control the power of One For All. If he used it recklessly, throwing the ball would definitely shatter his arm again, just like during the entrance exam. How could someone who could only attack once ever become a hero? He needed to find a solution—fast. If he wanted to stand on equal footing with the others, he'd have to work harder than anyone else.

Konata was a perfect example.

When he first met her, she was just a weak girl who couldn't even use her Quirk properly. Back then, she didn't even know how to use it. But through sheer effort, she had surpassed everyone and now stood at the top.

There was no denying that her incredibly powerful "Fantasy" Quirk played a part. But at the start, she was just like him—unable to control her abilities. If she could master hers in such a short time… then why couldn't he, who inherited All Might's power?

Midoriya clenched his fists silently.

At that moment, Konata finally began to move.

She let out a slow breath, her face unusually serious. Blue-and-white lightning began to gather and dance around the hand holding the softball.

"The electricity dancing at my fingertips… is the unwavering faith of my life… The one and only Railgun shall live on forever—huh?"

An enormous amount of terrifying electrical power gathered in an instant. A chilling sense of danger radiated from the ball in Konata's hand. The moment Aizawa sensed that destructive aura, his expression abruptly changed. His eyes snapped open, hair lifted on end, and the bandages around his shoulders whipped into the air. His furious roar followed immediately:

"You idiot! Are you trying to kill yourself!!!"