MHA: Animari

Examination room in U.A

"The results of the practical skills entrance examination are here." A voice says.

"Earning 60 rescue points and 32 villain points, Malik wins 1st place!! Targeting 1-point and 2-point villain bots, easily approaching them, and defeating them with his strength, while also defeating the 0-point robot rescuing multiple people with his amazing Animari quirk. This kid's got talent, for sure!"

"Though he Earned zero rescue points, Bakugo still placed 2nd!! Also targeting 1-point and 2-point villain bots and continuously intercepted them to lure them into a flashy explosion blast once they'd gotten weaker during the second half of the exam. He's as tough as they come."

"At the other end of the spectrum, we have the kid, Midoriya, who ranked 7th even without any villain points. It's been a long time since someone's sent it flying like that. I couldn't help but shoot 'Yeaaah!' when I saw that!" Another voice comments.

"But the injuries he incurred from the blow-back were intense...it was almost like watching a child manifest for the first time. Kid's an Anomaly, apart from that one blow, he was the picture of a candidate destined for rejection." A woman says.

"Whatever dudes, who cares?! I've taken a liking to him!! He made me throw my hands up and go 'Yeah!!'" Who's voice could only be identified to be Present Mic

___________________

Next Day

The morning sun spills golden light over the city as Malik steps out of his house, his bag slung over one shoulder. The air feels different today—crisp and electric, as though the universe knows this is the start of something big. Malik breathes it in, a small, confident smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he starts walking to the station.

The train ride is uneventful but quick. Malik leans against the window, earbuds in, but his mind isn't on the music. It's in the U.A.—the place where heroes are made.

When the train pulls into the station, Malik steps off and joins the flow of students heading toward the campus. The moment he spots the towering gates of the U.A., he pauses, pulling out an earbud.

"Wow," he mutters, taking in the sight.

He'd visited over the summer, of course, during orientation and the entrance exam, but today it feels… alive. Decorations hang everywhere, the campus buzzing with students. The energy is infectious. Malik adjusts his bag, his golden eyes scanning the grounds as he walks through the entrance.

He notices the stares almost immediately. Whispers ripple through the crowd.

"Is that him?"

"He's from Class 1-A, right? The second-highest score ever?"

"Look at him--he's gorgeous"

"He doesn't even look nervous!"

"I heard he crushed the exam. Like, crushed it."

Malik doesn't react at first, his expression calm as usual. But as he passes a group of older students, he catches sight of a few girls whispering and glancing his way.

One of them makes eye contact with him and quickly squeals, her friends giggling behind her.

He raises an eyebrow and tilts his head slightly, smirking for just a second before continuing on his way.

"Man, they roll out the welcome committee, huh?" he mutters under his breath, amused.

The boys, meanwhile, are a mix of impressed and annoyed. Malik catches a few glares from the jealous ones but shrugs it off.

Can't help being me, he thinks with a grin.

Finally, he finds himself standing in front of the door to Class 1-A. The door is massive as if it's trying to make a statement.

Malik places a hand on the handle but pauses when he notices something to his left.

A yellow... cocoon?

He squints. No, it's a sleeping bag. A person-sized sleeping bag slumped against the wall. 

Malik stares for a moment, debating whether to ask questions, then decides against it. "Not my business," He mutters, opening the door.

The classroom is lively. Students are scattered about, some chatting in small groups, others exploring the room.

Malik's eyes immediately land on a trio in the front of the room, in the middle.

One boy, seated with his feet propped on a desk, Malik remembered him as Bakugo from the entrance exam auditorium.

He's mid-shouting match with a boy in glasses who stands stiff and formal, gesturing dramatically.

"Don't put your legs on the desk! Don't you think that's disrespectful towards your classmates?!" The four-eyed boy yelled.

"No, as a matter of fact, I don't think so, which middle school are you from anyway, you two-bit extra?!" Bakugo screamed as he slammed his hand on the desk creating a small fire-cracker bomb from his hands, intriguing Malik.

The third member of the group, Malik remembered as Midoriya, is frantically waving his arms, trying to de-escalate the argument.

Malik crosses his arms, humming in interest.

Bakugo and Midoriya had both gone to Aldera, the same Junior high Malik had attended before graduating. 

As Malik closes the door behind him, the boy with glasses attention snaps toward him.

"You!" he announces, his voice ringing out as he strides over. Malik tenses slightly, ready for anything, but Iida stops short and extends a hand.

"I am Tenya Iida from Soumei Junior High," he says, bowing slightly. "It's an honor to meet someone with such remarkable talent, officially," he says as he also remembers Malik.

Malik hesitates, skeptical, but then shakes Iida's hand. "Malik Von Auster. Nice to meet you too."

Before anything else can be said, Bakugo interrupts, his voice dripping with mockery. "Soumei--!? Well, aren't you an elite? Seems I've got a reason to fucking end you after all!"

Iida spins around, his face blackened with shock "What nerve! You, want to be a hero?!"

Malik snickers, leaning against a desk as the two bicker. "Man, you two are like a comedy duo," he says casually.

Bakugo's head snaps toward him, his expression sharp. "And what's so funny, huh?"

Malik meets his glare without flinching, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Relax, boom boy. Don't blow a fuse."

"Bakugo's eyes narrow. "What'd you just call me?"

"Boom boy. Fits, doesn't it?" Malik gestures vaguely at Bakugo's hands.

"You wanna go?" Bakugo growls, stepping forward.

"Sure," Malik says, his voice calm. "But I should warn you-- I don't lose.

Before things can escalate further, Midoriya rushes between them, waving his arms. "C-Calm down, guys! We're all here to be heroes, right? Let's uh, not fight on the first day."

Malik chuckles, stepping back and raising his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright."

Midoriya blinks, glancing at Bakugo, who grumbles under his breath.

At that moment, the door opens again, and a girl with shoulder-length brown hair steps in. She pauses looking around the room before her eyes land on the group.

"Hi!" She says cheerfully. "I'm Ochaco Uraraka. You're all in this class too right?"

Malike steps aside a bit giving her some room.

"Thanks!" she smiles.

Ochaco looks towards Midoriya, pumping her fist in the air. "You made it, just like Present Mic said!! Yay, go you! By the way, that punch was out of this world!"

"No it's not like that, uhh, that is to say, it was all thanks to you speaking on my behalf... I... uhh..."

"Ehh? How did you know about that?" she replied

Malik tilted his head interested before looking towards Bakugo noticing his glare got even worse than before, looking like he straight up wanted to kill Midoriya.

Introductions continue, the group growing as more students enter. Malik watches the interactions with mild amusement, chiming in here and there but mostly observing. 

Then, out of nowhere, a muffled voice echoes from the corner.

"If you're all done talking..."

Everyone freezes, turning toward the sound. The yellow sleeping bag Malik saw earlier is now upright, and from inside it emerges a scruffy-looking man with tired eyes and messy long black hair.

"Welcome to Class 1-A, This is the Department of Heroes!!"

Malik raises an eyebrow. "And who's this guy?"

Their teacher smirks faintly. "I'm Shota Aizawa you're your homeroom teacher."