Chapter Text
Authors Note:
Ayo, I did the math, and based on the most common fan theory that the first year of UA is set in 2136, and therefore the class was all likely born in 2120, making Síat born on September 13th like I was actually gives him a Friday the 13th birth date, just like me (I was born in 1996)! Cool! I didn't have to fudge that year!
And yes, I used Telltale Games references. I have them on the mind. Can't think of why, haven't played any of them in years...
「You're going in with blood forged clothes?」 Toshinori looked over Síat's outfit. A hooded sweatshirt, baggy "denim", and running shoes, all rendered in sanguine.
Síat shrugged, his hands in his kangaroo pouch pocket. 「Yeah, I don't want to wear my hero costume, I want that unveiled when everyone else's is, but I want to have its function available. I even have pants on under this. They're yoga pants, but they'll serve the same function of modesty if I somehow lose consciousness.」
「I suppose that makes sense, though I have to say, it does make you look a little like a 1990s street thug. You should consider changing it.」
Síat pondered for a moment, then pulled the hood up, detaching a chunk of it. The outfit started to shift, and the detached piece solidified into a pair of sanguine sunglasses.
His jacket became a sanguine leather punk-style jacket, and his shoes morphed into combat boots. 「Better?」
「Better enough that it's not worth trying to change again. At least now you only look like a music punk, and not a street punk.」Toshinori lingered on the sunglasses.「Those glasses are trippy, can you actually see out of them?」
「Oh yeah, but only in shades of red. I can make them thicker and look directly at the sun, though.」
Síat strode through the quad. His grin was incandescent.
Other examinees were whispering as he passed him.
「Isn't that the kid who fought the sludge villain? He looks so much bigger in person...」
「Those are some awesome shades, where do you think he got them?」
「Is he gonna be okay? I heard he passed out after the villain was captured...」
You hear that, kiddo? You're already famous... Nana's voice sang in his head. He could hear the smile in her voice.
「You...」
Síat turned to find an angry looking blonde boy scowling at him.
「Tch. You probably couldn't understand me if I told you to leave.」 Bakugo's posture shifted. He was still furious about being made to puke on live television, but what could he say?
Síat smiled warmly. 「It's you! Good to see you're alive, boy!」
Bakugo's jaw dropped. His hands began popping.
「May The Morrigan foresee victory in your battles, friend.」 Síat pounded his chest with a fist and turned back to head inside.
The auditorium was a packed house. Síat found his seat, up in the nosebleeds, back row. He sat looking over his pamphlet, next to a girl with what looked like vines for hair. Then the stage lit up, and his pamphlet was set down.
A tall, lanky man with long blonde hair styled with what had to be an unholy amount of hairspray, in rockstar threads, took the stage. 「What’s up UA Candidates, thanks for tuning into me. Come on and let me hear ya!」
A lone voice, low bass, was the only one to ring out. Síat stood up and hollered, 「YEAH!!! WHOOP WHOOP WHOop whoo-... Oh, come on, where's the energy?」
🎤 Present Mic will remember that...
The vine-haired girl flinched. Many, many heads turned to look at the tall foreigner whose embarrassment seemed to be entirely on their behalf, and not his own.
Present Mic was shocked. This has never happened before. His dropped jaw spread into an incandescent grin. 「THAT'S THE KIND OF ENERGY THIS RADIO HOST LIKES TO SEE, LISTENER!!! If I could give you points for that, you'd have already passed the practical! But speaking of, allow me to explain the rules! ARE YOU READY‽‽‽ YEAH!!!」
Síat matched his enthusiastic 「YEAH!!!」 in sync. Once again, he found himself alone in the tradition of Call-And-Response, and once again, his disappointment in the rest of the auditorium was palpable.
Present Mic took it in stride. He stage-whispered to himself, something like "Can't wait to tell Shouta..." Then stood tall. 「As it says in the application requirements, you listeners will be conducting ten-minute mock urban battles! You can bring whatever you want with you. After the presentation, you'll head to your specified battle centers, okay?」
The screen behind him shifted into silhouettes matching the bots on the pamphlets, minus one. The silhouettes shifted into pictures as he spoke. 「Each site is packed with three different types of faux villains! You earn points for each one you take down, based on their difficulty level. We have 1 pointers, 2 pointers, and 3 pointers! Your goal, listeners, is to use your Quirks to incapacitate these faux villains and rack up points! Of course, attacking other examinees or any other unheroic behavior is strictly prohibited!」
A tall boy with blue hair stood up, closer to the front. 「Excuse my interruption, but I must ask; On the printout, there are four types of villains listed, not three! If this is a misprint, then U.A., Japan’s most prominent academy, should be deeply ashamed! We examinees are here because we wish to be molded into exemplary heroes!」 He turned to face Síat, revealing glasses. His hand chopped the air mechanically. 「Furthermore, you there, with the unsettling sunglasses! Your disruptive outbursts are not befitting a U.A. student! You should leave, if you do not intend to take this seriously!」
Síat didn't miss a beat. 「Disruptive? Lad, I only answered the big man's Call and Response, unlike the rest of you disobedient wet blankets! If anyone's disruptive, it's the Diesel Weasel interrupting this amazing man's performative timing!」
Iida froze, his face lighting up crimson. His lips pursed, and he turned back around.
🚗 Iida will remember that...
Present Mic stood frozen on stage, his hand still hovering mid-air from where he’d been preparing a response. The massive, toothy grin on his face slowly morphed into an expression of pure, unadulterated awe. He clutched his leather lapels as if struck by a bolt of cosmic lightning, looking between Iida and the rowdy teenager in the blood-forged sunglasses. 「PERFORMATIVE TIMING‽‽‽」 Mic gasped dramatically, his voice echoing with theatrical reverence through the auditorium speakers. 「Oh, my heart! Finally, a listener who respects the sacred rhythm of the stage! You hear that, listeners‽ That is the soul of a true headliner! Rock and roll isn't just about the music, it's about keeping the energy alive! Thank you for protecting the groove, Examinee 7235!」
He snapped back up, spinning smoothly on his heel to face the Engine Boy. He pointed a sharp, double-finger gun directly at Iida, dropping his volume to a slightly more conversational, but still heavily amplified, radio tone. 「As for your data check, Examinee 7111! Excellent eye, but no need to put the academy on blast! Our specs-wearing listener hit the nail right on the head. That fourth model on your handout is worth zero points! Think of it like a stage hazard or a giant roadblock that’s going to rampage around in tight spaces. It’s not impossible to beat, but there’s absolutely no villain point reward for doing so! My professional recommendation to all you listeners? Avoid it entirely, keep your momentum, and focus on the bots that actually pay out!」
Iida blinked, his rigid hand dropping to his side as he processed the explanation. Realizing he had completely misread the situation, his face paled again. He quickly bowed so low his forehead nearly clipped his desk. 「I see! It was an intentional hurdle to simulate a chaotic battlefield! I apologize for my unseemly interruption, and for questioning the curriculum! Please, carry on!」 He promptly sat back down, stiff as a board.
Present Mic threw his head back and laughed, throwing his arms out wide to recapture the entire room's attention as the massive presentation screen behind him lit up with giant, sparkling golden characters. 「Alright, listeners! The vibe is restored, the setlist is clear, and it’s time to see what you’re made of! As the great hero Napoleon Bonaparte once said: ‘A true hero is someone who overcomes life's misfortunes!’ Now, let me hear you get those batteries charged up for the main event! Go beyond...」Mic thrust his fist straight up into the ceiling, his voice reaching a booming crescendo.
「PLUS ULTRA!!!!!!!」 Síat beamed when he realized he wasn't the only one responding this time. He was backed by at least half the auditorium.
Present Mic was also beaming. 「Examinee 7235, if you make it into U.A. and you ever need anything, you let me know! Thanks for tuning in, listener!」 He shot Síat a thumbs-up, his eyes misting behind his shades.