Vincent Fox had no intention of telling anyone the truth about Saitama's real power. If someone asked him how he knew, he wouldn't be able to explain. And even if he did, no one would believe that a plain-looking bald guy held unmatched strength.
After all, this world didn't have the One Punch Man anime. People here gauged heroes purely by their official ranks and public records.
Ms. Helena Hayes had just mentioned that C-Class heroes had a 90% success rate for resonance… With odds that high, almost anyone could form a successful bond as long as they weren't especially unlucky.
Vincent Fox's eyes lit up, a wide grin spreading across his face. If he managed to resonate with Saitama and gain his physique, wouldn't that basically guarantee he'd become an invincible powerhouse in the future? He wouldn't even need to work that hard. Just stick to daily training. And once his hair fell out… well, that would mean he was finally strong.
Vincent Fox didn't care if he ended up bald, as long as he gained overwhelming strength.
Ms. Helena Hayes's voice echoed through the room again. "There's really not much to say about C-Class heroes. Even if you do manage to resonate with one, it won't help much. You'll probably end up in some third-rate university… so let's move on. Next up is the highlight, S-Class heroes."
The students instantly perked up. Even Vincent looked intrigued. He wanted to know just how much people in this world really understood about S-Class heroes.
"There are 17 S-Class heroes in total. Each of them is incredibly powerful. But… not all of them are suitable as resonance targets. For example, the number-one S-Class hero, Blast, isn't available for selection. The same goes for number six, Metal Knight; number nine, Drive Knight; and number seventeen, Genos. Why? Because they're either robots or full-body cyborgs.
"There's another major trap among the S-Class heroes. I'm sure you all know who I'm talking about, right?" Laughter rippled through the classroom. Someone shouted, "It's the seventh-ranked hero, King!"
Ms. Hayes chuckled as well. "Exactly. King, the so-called 'Strongest Man on Earth.' In reality, he's just a regular guy. Aside from looking intimidating, he's got nothing to offer. Even if you successfully resonate with him, the only thing you'll gain is a really loud heartbeat when you're scared."
The class roared with laughter again.
"Aside from King, there are a few others who aren't great choices," Ms. Hayes went on. "Like the tenth-ranked Pig God, or the sixteenth, Puri-Puri Prisoner. Pig God gets stronger by eating his appetite is bottomless. If someone resonates with him, I doubt any normal family could afford to feed them." More laughter followed. "As for the… unusual Prisoner, I won't go into detail. You can look him up online later."
"Now then, which S-Class heroes are worth choosing? Quite a few, actually. The strongest among them is undoubtedly Tatsumaki. Her psychokinesis is unbelievably powerful. She could flatten an entire city with ease. Our nation's top warrior, Tatsumaki is the only person who has ever successfully resonated with Tatsumaki. Everyone knows how she managed it: sheer force of will." At the mention of Tatsumaki's name, admiration lit up on many students' faces. Clearly, she was a national idol.
"Besides Tatsumaki, you've also got strong choices like Silver Fang, ranked third; Atomic Samurai at fourth; and Speed-o'-Sound Sonic, who ranks thirteenth. Each one has incredible abilities, and they're far more realistic targets than Blast or King."
Vincent Fox nodded to himself. From what Ms. Hayes had said, it was clear that people in this world were quite familiar with the S-Class lineup from One Punch Man. But what they didn't know was that the most powerful character in the entire universe was hiding in plain sight among the C-Class.
"Now that we've covered the S-Class, let's move on to A-Class heroes," Ms. Hayes continued. "A-Class may not be on the same level, but some of them are still worth your consideration. The top-ranked A-Class hero is Handsome Kamen Amai Mask. He possesses powerful regenerative abilities. Then you have second-ranked Iaian, third-ranked Okamaitachi, and fourth-ranked Bushidrill each a disciple of Atomic Samurai and very skilled swordsmen. Fifth place goes to Heavy Tank Loincloth…" She proceeded to list each A-Class hero's strengths and weaknesses without missing a beat. The students, including Vincent, listened intently.
After finishing the rundown, Ms. Hayes's tone grew solemn. "Everything I've shared with you today was gathered at a great cost. These insights weren't just theory. They were compiled from years of trial and error by those who came before you heroes who used their one chance to test what works and what doesn't. We owe them our gratitude. The reason the government makes this information public is to help society progress, so people can avoid mistakes and more strong heroes can rise.
"Do you all remember how many lives were lost during the last monster outbreak?"
"It was seventy-four point four six million," someone whispered.
The number hit the room like a thunderclap. Silence settled in.
"You are the future of this nation. One day, when the older generation of heroes begins to decline, it'll be your responsibility to protect this country. I won't give you a motivational speech. I'll just say this: I hope you all get the best possible results in the upcoming Hero Sanctuary exam."
With that, Ms. Hayes glanced at her watch. "Time's up. Everyone, follow me to the field for assembly."