Chapter 103

The Exam is the one hundred and third chapter of Kōhei Horikoshi's Boku no Hero Academia.

Summary
Hanta is confused as to why Inasa would refuse enrollment into U.A even though he admires the school. Shouta replies that while Inasa can be awkward, his strength is great and warns Class 1-A to be careful. Suddenly, a female teacher approaches Shouta and states that it has been a long time since they’ve seen each other, although Shouta is indifferent; the female begins joking around with Shouta while the Erasing Hero is unamused by her sense of humor. The female teacher that Shouta apparently knows is “Smile Hero” Ms. Joke and her Quirk is Roaring Laughter; Ms. Joke’s Quirk forces others to laugh which impairs their cognitive and motor skills. Tsuyu comments on Shouta’s and Ms Joke’s closeness, causing Ms. Joke to reply that their workplaces were close to each other and helped each other whenever they had trouble, which is why she and Shouta know each other very well. However, Shouta denies the part about them being lovers. Ms Joke reveals that she is a teacher from Ketsubutsu Academy and she teaches Class 2-2.

Some students from Ms Joke’s class show up and greet Class 1-A. One of her students called Shindo happily greets some of Class 1-A. Shindo is impressed with Class 1-A’s perseverance considering everything they went through during the year and believes that overcoming obstacles is what Heroes need which is why he respects Class 1-A. Shindo tries greeting Katsuki, but Katsuki rejects Shindo’s greeting, causing Eijirou to reprimand Katsuki for his rudeness; although Shindo isn’t bothered by it.

Ms. Joke tells her class to change into their Hero Costumes. As her class go to get changed, Ms. Joke asks Shouta if he told his class about something that happens every year at the Provisional Hero License Exam; Shouta replies he hasn’t.

Inside Takoba National Stadium, Mera of the Hero Public Safety Commission, a sleep deprived man, introduces himself and will be the one explaining the Provisional Hero License Exam. Mera tells the 1540 examinees that only 100 of them will participate in the actual Provisional Hero License Exam, much to their frustration. Mera informs them that they will first compete in the First Exam to determine the 100 examinees that will compete in the Provisional Hero License Exam. The objective of the First Exam is to test the examinees' speed which is required in Heroics. Mera explains the preliminary round; every examinee will take three targets and paste them somewhere on their bodies where others can see, except their feet and armpits. Each examinee will be given six balls and use them to hit the targets; the target will light up when it is hit by a ball and once the third target is lit up, that examinee is considered as lost and disqualified. Whoever lights up the third target will be considered as the person who took down the other person. The goal of the preliminary round is to take down two examinees using the six balls given and whoever takes down two people will pass the preliminary round and qualify for the Provisional Hero License Exam. Mera tells the examinees that they will give them the targets and the balls a minute after the preliminary round has begun.

The place the examinees are in opens up and reveals that they are inside Takoba National Stadium surrounded by a huge varied terrain. Watching from the bleachers, Ms. Joke is surprised that Shouta did not fail any of his students which he is known for and wonders if Shouta likes his current class, although Shouta is indifferent about Class 1-A, much to Ms. Joke’s laughter.

On the preliminary round battlefield, Izuku decides that Class 1-A should work together to pass the preliminary round since he believes that it will be school versus school. However, Eijirou, Katsuki and Shouto separate in order to use their Quirks more effectively and so that they don’t become an easy target by huddling together. Some of Class 1-A follow Izuku while Izuku explains that working together is better because the other schools know their Quirks and fighting styles. Ms. Joke comments to Shouta that while the format changes every year, a tradition does exist throughout the history of the Provisional Hero License Exam; the tradition is “destroying U.A”.

The preliminary round of the Provisional Hero License Exam begins; as Izuku and some of his classmates follow him, dozens of examines approach them and are eager in taking them out. One of them, Shindo sees Izuku again and comments that his Quirk breaks his body every time he uses it. Shindo and many examinees begin throwing balls at Class 1-A. However, Izuku, Minoru, Mina, Ochako and Fumikage block the incoming balls with their Quirks. Shouta tells Ms. Joke that it didn’t matter if he told them or not about the tradition in taking out U.A since they have to overcome the obstacle regardless; being a Hero means that they have to get themselves out of a pinch whatever the circumstances are.

Izuku informs his classmates to brace themselves.