The dust had barely settled in the simulated cities, and the echoes of explosions and mangled metal still seemed to hang in the air as U.A.'s main faculty gathered in the primary observation room. The screens now displayed leaderboards, slow-motion replays, and biometric data analyses of the candidates. The energy in the room was a mix of professional assessment, admiration for the raw potential displayed, and a healthy dose of concern.
The usual names sparked discussion. Katsuki Bakugo, first in Villain Points, zero in Hero Points – a pattern of aggression that worried Vlad King. "Undeniable talent, but a short fuse that could be a risk to himself and others," he commented. Shoto Todoroki, admitted through recommendation, whose control over ice was impeccable, but whose refusal to use his fire side and apparent emotional distance intrigued Midnight. "Such vast power, yet he seems chained within."
And, of course, Izuku Midoriya. The boy who entered as Quirkless and left (literally carried out) after destroying the Zero Pointer with a single devastating, self-destructive punch. His Hero Points put him on the list of accepted students, but the nature of his power and his non-existent control were a dangerous enigma. "Recovery Girl is going to have nightmares about this kid," Present Mic sighed, reviewing the footage of Midoriya's broken limbs. All Might, in his skeletal form, felt a complex mix of pride in the boy's spirit and deep fear for the journey One For All would demand of him.
But amidst these expected discussions, one name and data set continued to draw perplexed stares and murmured comments.
Candidate 7112: Kinzoku Reiji.
Registry: Quirkless.
Score: 74 Villain Points (2nd Place). 0 Hero Points.
"Seventy-four villain points," Ectoplasm repeated, looking at Reiji's replays. "Observe the efficiency. No visible energy, no transformation. Just... pure speed and strength. He dismantled that 3-Pointer like he was opening a tin can."
"The speed is what intrigues me most," Snipe said. "He's not just running fast like the Iida kid. He's exploding into motion from a standstill, changing direction instantly, almost without inertia. That's not typical of simple muscle enhancement."
"And the endurance," Cementoss added. "He maintained that relentless pace throughout the entire exam. No sign of fatigue, not even at the end. Compare him to Bakugo, who was clearly winded despite his immense power."
"Besides the total lack of empathy," Vlad King grumbled. "Completely ignored everyone else. Zero rescue points isn't unheard of for combat-focused candidates, but his indifference was... clinical."
Shota Aizawa remained silent, his tired eyes fixed on Reiji's movements on the screen. He couldn't shake the confrontation with the Blood King months ago. The silent speed, the oppressive strength, the calculating coldness... they were disturbing echoes. But there were crucial differences. The Blood King used knives. Used a freezing power. Used those terrifying eye beams. Kinzoku Reiji, in the exam, used none of that. Only physical strength and speed pushed to an extreme Aizawa had never witnessed in someone without an obvious enhancement Quirk.
Could it be him? The suspicion was strong, almost a visceral certainty. But the concrete evidence wasn't there. The Blood King was an entity with multiple anomalous powers and immunity to Erasure. Kinzoku Reiji was... a physical mystery. A "Quirkless" individual who defied the very definition of Quirkless. Perhaps an incredibly rare, undetected mutation? Or a physical Quirk so subtle in its manifestation it fooled all registries?
Nezu, watching the debate with his enigmatic smile, finally spoke. "Candidate 7112, Kinzoku Reiji's performance is, without a doubt, the greatest anomaly of this exam," he said, his calm voice immediately silencing the room. "A student registered as Quirkless displaying physical capabilities that place him among the top overall performers, surpassing many with significant enhancement Quirks."
He displayed Reiji's biometric data gathered during the exam (readings from sensors in the test suits). "Vitals are... unusual. Heart rate slower than normal at rest, even after extreme exertion. Body temperature slightly below average. No Quirk energy signature detected by the sensors, confirming the absence of obvious emission or transformation."
"So, what is he, Principal?" asked Power Loader. "Some kind of genetic experiment? Undetected cybernetic enhancements?"
"Pre-admission medical screenings (which are mandatory for all candidates reaching this stage) revealed no implants or obvious genetic anomalies that would explain this level of power," Nezu replied. "Which leaves us with a fascinating enigma."
"Fascinating or dangerous?" Aizawa interjected, his voice rough. Everyone turned to him. He decided not to mention his suspicion about the Blood King directly – the proof was lacking, and accusing a newly accepted student without it would be problematic. But he could voice his concerns about what he did see in the exam. "His efficiency was inhuman. His indifference to the danger of others was total. He possesses strength and speed we cannot explain. Admitting someone like that, especially into Class 1-A, without understanding the source or limits of his power, is a risk."
"A calculated risk, Aizawa-kun," Nezu countered softly. "Young Kinzoku surpassed the admission criteria by a considerable margin, based purely on objective performance. Denying him entry based on 'being too strong for a Quirkless person' or 'not acting like a hero during the exam' would be arbitrary and set precedents we do not want."
He looked around. "Consider the opportunity. We have a phenomenon here. An individual who challenges our current understanding of human biology and perhaps even Quirks. Bringing him into U.A., into our controlled environment, allows us to study him closely. Understand the source of his power. Assess his character and potential – or lack thereof."
"And what if he's unstable? Or has ill intentions?" All Might asked, concern evident.
"Then, what better place to monitor and intervene than here, surrounded by professional heroes and the most promising students in the country?" Nezu argued. "Placing him in Class 1-A, under your direct supervision, Aizawa-kun, is the most logical measure. You are the most qualified to assess his behavior, test his limits in a controlled manner, and identify any signs of danger."
Aizawa felt the weight of responsibility. He still had the nagging suspicion about the Blood King, but even ignoring that, dealing with a "Quirkless" student with that level of power and coldness would be an unprecedented challenge. He would have to be constantly vigilant.
"We will implement additional, discreet monitoring protocols," Nezu assured the room. "Safety remains our priority. But we cannot fear the unknown, especially when it demonstrates such extraordinary potential, even unconventionally. Our duty is to understand, guide, and, if necessary, contain."
The decision was made. Kinzoku Reiji, the Quirkless enigma, the second-place finisher in the practical exam, would be a member of Class 1-A. The teachers looked at each other, a mixture of scientific curiosity, apprehension, and the acceptance that they were about to receive a student who could redefine everything they thought they knew about power and potential. For Aizawa, it was the beginning of a long, uncertain watch over the most dangerously enigmatic student he had ever encountered.