A 2v2.

It would be a test, not of her skills as a weaponsmith, but as a fighter. She was nowhere near as strong as the average hero course student and she knew it. After all, she spent most of her time locked away in her workshop. Even so, she took on a double workload. She participated in active training assignments, most recently the Hostage Rescue Simulation. All so she could become not just a great support hero, but a great hero overall. Someone worthy of the name of Paragon and the armor she had inherited. The match here today was going to be a culmination of her training. To see how far she had left to climb before she reached the top. There was a very real chance that she was going to crash and burn, especially considering their opponents. Nevertheless, if she was going to lose, she was happy to do so alongside someone else with lofty goals even more ambitious than her own.

During the Hostage Rescue Simulation he had asked her not to use excessive violence. In an exercise focusing on rescuing civilians, he wasn't just worried about the civilians, but their captors too. It had given her a lot to think about, and she was happy to work alongside him once more. ''I heard you changed your hero name. Should I call you by your new name for the duration of this fight?'' Even though she was nervous it hardly showed on her. Stoic as always, Masao knew that failure here no matter what, still wasn't the end. Worst case scenario, they both lost horribly and she could use that as fuel to become even better for next year. She had already more than showed her worth as a manufacturer. If anything, she was more concerned about how Michael came across to the audience. This was his first year to really prove himself, and she already felt he had the makings of a great hero. He just needed to convince all the big heads running hero agencies of that too. ''As you have no doubt guessed, Riis-san will be of great trouble to us with her quirk. She prefers to attack from a distance while the both of us specialize in close quarters combat. Hada-senpai is nothing short of a genius so far as manufacturing goes, but I have yet to see his prowess in combat myself. It would be wise for us to be wary of Riis-san, but not to underestimate Hada-senpai either.'' Although she normally wouldn't, she put a hand on Michael's shoulder to reassure him. ''Do your best, and don't compromise on your ideals.'' She said firmly, ''they make you who you are. Being yourself is far more important than winning.'' With that she headed up to the ring and prepared herself for a fight.

Ylva Riis
Samaritan
Kei Hada

Teaming up with Ylva, Gen and Junsuina? Sometimes she really did feel like she had somehow offended the principal of the school personally, and this was their way of getting back at her. All of her teammates were problems in their own right, some more than others. Since this whole exercise was based on trust she knew she was shit out of luck. Ylva wanted to win and become a strong hero, she knew that much, but there was also no guarantee she wouldn't throw this exercise just to get back at her. Gen was an absolute troll if his display at the hero introductions was anything to go by, so she didn't trust him either. Jun she wasn't all too familiar with herself, but she knew the girl was trouble in her own way.

It was clear as day, she was surrounded by idiots on all sides.

''If we cannot simply throw the potato, then it would be beneficial for us to stick together and communicate closely. While I do not know what the obstacle course up ahead has in store for us, I'd wager our quirks will be able to help us at different points along the field. So, our pattern is going to be trusting one another and reading the context of our exchange correctly. That means putting personal feelings aside and carrying our weight.'' She immediately didn't follow her own advice when she looked at Ylva and Gen, insinuating that they were going to be the two biggest problems for their team dynamic. Crossing her arms, she continued ''Make a mockery of this exercise if you must, but your banal and childish attempts to compromise the integrity of the games will follow you well into your prospective hero careers.'' She took a step forward and got herself ready for the exercise. Seeing as she already felt negatively towards two of her teammates, Ylva and Gen, things didn't look great for them. ''I have nothing else to say. Do your part for the team, or do us all a favor and forfeit right now.''

Kurokami Gen
junsuina
Ylva Riis

''Indeed, that seems like the most optimal strategy.'' She agreed with Emi. Michael had kind of caught her by surprise. She had expected him to be a model hero student, as with so many others, but she hadn't expected him to be so noble and idealistic as to suggest a more pacifist approach. She wasn't bothered by it, if anything, it would be a welcome challenge and something she would fully adhere to. ''If that is your wish, Mr. Inflatable, then I will do my utmost to ensure that no unnecessary harm befalls our opponents. Lodestar, on your signal.'' She was more than prepared to take flight, especially since in the event that she had to fall out of the sky, her armor could help protect her. Michael would most likely be fine too given his quirk's properties.

Once they took flight she was ready to activate her quirk at a moment's notice, either once the guards started shooting at them, or once they needed to drop down near the hostages, or somewhere in the middle of the base to make their search easier. ''It's time. I'll see you on the other side, Mr. Inflatable.'' She let go as she let herself drop down once they made it past the containers, transforming into her suit of armor midair, causing another bright flash to go off, like someone had thrown a flashbang grenade.

Landing with a heavy thud, her armor absorbed the brunt of the falling damage as the woman that was once Masao had been replaced with a knight in shining armor, complete with a helmet that concealed her appearance. With this overly dramatic entrance she had become Paragon. Hoping to make the infiltration easier for Michael, she immediately charged for the nearest guards, but rather than engage them with punches or kicks, she instead focused on trying to disarm or grapple them.

TL;DR: Masao goes along with the plan, decides to activate her quirk once they float past the containers and drop down to cause more disruption against the guards, hoping to give Michael the opportunity to reach the hostages faster.

Kei Hada
Yanai Hebiru
Samaritan
Emilia Hall

[attr="class","likedo"]

''Is that so? I had heard about the escapades of one Lodestar beforehand. Functionally, our quirks are similar after all. However, I was not aware that you were roommates with Helt-san.'' She nodded solemnly when Emilia mentioned that Freja should be in this exercise. ''Indeed, she signed up like the rest of us, though I have yet to run into her myself.'' Just like she had assumed her and Emilia's quirks were very similar, which made her feel all the more relieved when Michael talked about his powers.

''I see. In other words, that means you are the most versatile of the three of us if we're just talking about the applications of our powers.'' She looked at the both of them, as intense as ever, though that was hardly a surprise when it came to Masao Ando. ''I will personally see to it that no villains do you harm during this incursion, and in turn I will place my life in your hands too.'' She bowed her head proudly, before turning to the matter at hand.

Sneaking through the streets of Ground Beta was no easy feat, especially not with so many patrols about, and yet... Somehow they managed just fine. ''Mr. Inflatable, may I ask, how proficient is your floating properties?'' She kept her voice low as they approached the center. ''If we are to make a plan and execute it, now is the opportune time to speak your mind.'' Her own plan? It was remarkably simple, but it depended on a few factors. ''I propose we toss this gentleman here.'' She said to Emilia while pointing at Michael. ''Our quirks are more suited for rabble-rousing than stealth. Either one, or both of us could serve as a distraction while Mr. Inflatable floats in from the top.'' Naturally, if their enemies were smarter they wouldn't send the entire force to deal with just Emilia or Masao. The both of them? Perhaps, but it still ran the risk of leaving Michael outnumbered on his own. She left room for the others to speak too, more interested in supporting their ideas than going with her reckless own.

It wasn't until she actually saw the center blocks that she reconsidered her plan. ''These villains really aren't holding back on us. We had better make haste, lest the hostages will get liquidated in cold blood.'' She looked to her allies in arms. ''Come what may, you have my support.'' And she was true to her word. Whether they stuck to stealth, a mixture of stealth and combat, or just charged straight into enemy lines, Masao understood that one shouldn't halfass anything. No matter what she was going to commit fully to their next course of action.

Yanai Hebiru
Kei Hada
Samaritan
Emilia Hall

[attr="class","likedo"]

''Whether it is easy or hard to remember is hardly the point. It's about basic respect. Let me remind you, Riis-san, that your name is foreign to me too. Yet I don't stoop to your level and come up with petty nicknames.'' It was absolutely getting under her skin in every way Ylva wanted and intended. Perhaps that was part of why she loathed this woman so much. Somehow, they had barely even known each other for a month, but she knew how to press her buttons and get under her skin. Usually she didn't let anyone get that close to her. Show any signs of weakness or hesitation. Was she starting to slip? Was Ylva truly driving her mad? ''And that is precisely why you exhibit the response from others that you do.'' She punctuated harshly. It wasn't really a secret that Ylva was a strong personality, and you'd have to look hard within the student body to find anyone that actually got along well with the girl, or so Andy wagered.

''You're unbelievable..'' Her expression was hidden by her armor's helmet, but the contempt in her tone was clear as day. Turning on her heels she sprinted towards a nearby civilian and checked up on them. Thankfully they weren't injured, but just scared of the whole situation. With some quick, rehearsed reassurance she sent the civilian on their way towards the shelter before rushing towards someone that was unconscious and bleeding from their head. Undoing her armor on her right arm for a split second, she tore part of her own clothes to act as makeshift bandage to help stop some of the bleeding momentarily. ''How much longer until these things are eradicated, Riis-san?'' She called out. She hated her roommate, but she had to put that aside when lives were at risk.

Ylva Riis