*Midoriya's P.O.V*
Class returned to normal after the USJ incident. The first day back we were told about the Sports Festival. While there were many mixed reactions, the main purpose of the festival was to A.) show the world that U.A. is fine after the incident, and B.) To show off to spectators and pros who will be scouting us for internships. It was stressed how important the Sports Festival is. From Mr. Aizawa and even All Might. However... there was still one irrefutable truth. Midterms. Were. In. Two. Days. Apparently someone thought it was a fantastic idea to make midterms right before the Sports Festival.
Though I can't really argue, especially since I'm already down a strike and it's been a whole month since I've been here. So all I can do is study and do well.
Class ended and it was currently lunch period.
"Hey Midoriya, you want to come eat with us?" Uraraka asked.
"...I'll catch up in a minute, there's something I need to do." I siad.
"Alright, we shall see you in the mess hall." Iida said as they left.
Support class... support class... ahh here it is. I walked over to the giant metal door.
"HATSUME DON-!" A loud voice said before a massive explosion blew open the door. The sheer force knocked me onto the ground, at least the door opened.
"*Cough Cough*" A feminine person coughed, "I should have cut the blue wire..." She muttered as the smoke faded, "Oh who are you?" She asked.
I slowly opened my eyes, a pink haired girl who has... crosshairs for eyes? Was on top of me.
"I-I'm here for an upgrade." I said.
Her eyes somehow managed to widen further than they currently are, "WHAT?! OH COME IN! COME IN!" She yelled jumping off of me and rushed inside.
...She's an excited one. I stood up dusted off the remaining smoke and soot off myself and entered.
"What are you wo- Oh it's you, Izuku Midoriya." Mr. Power Loader greeted.
"Good afternoon Mr. Power Loader, I'm here for an upgrade." I said.
"I see... right before the Sports Festival ah?" He asked as I nodded, "Well by all means, anything in particular?" He asked.
"I need an aparatus that'll help me control my flame breath." I said, "I use it not only as a long range attack, but also as a method to get around, like a rocket so to say."
"So you need something to help you control the direction of the flames. Am I right?" Power Loader asked.
"Yes sir."
"Then I have just the thing!" She exclaimed as he handed me a bandana? "I call this, Baby #29."
"Um... what does this do?" I asked.
"It's a flame resistant bandana, I made it myself, but how does that help you control your flames? Well simple, we use this!" She exclaimed handing me... a metal tube like a few inches wide?
"I'm not following."
"This will be attached to your bandana." She said.
I set the whole thing down, "Okay explain the whole thing in full please?"
"Gotcha! So the tube will..." She said as she folded the bandana downwards, then attatched the tube inside the fold, "Go in here, now, take put the bandana on." She said.
What do I have to lose... aside my life, and possibly my hair. I did as told and put on the bandana around my mouth, adjusting it so the tube hole... for lack of a better name, was over my mouth... for lack of a better explanation.
"Alright, now that's where these come in." She said as she held the end, of the tube, they were split off, and at the ends there were these funnel type things. "These are for either your arms or legs, I'd recommend your arms." She said.
"I think I know where this is going... and I like it already."
"I know right?!" She exclaimed as she attacked the end of the tube to my wrists, and the funnel fit perfectly over my palms, "Now, you can test it outside if you would like." She said.
"Hell yeah I will!" I yelled, excitement, "Want to come with me?" I asked.
"Yeah, I need to make sure everything works correctly." She said following close behind me.
I didn't think too much on that statement, it is a prototype after all. Once we were outside Hatsume stood a few feet away from me.
"Alright, now jump then blow as hard as you can." She said.
Okay. I jumped as high as I could, and blew as hard as I could. Fire was shot out of the funnels, and I gained... about a few feet, before I ran out of air, and fell onto the ground.
"Well... it works, but you can't use it for a long time." She said showing me her stop watch, "About 5 seconds."
"Well, what do I do?" I asked.
"Hmm, well... Wait! I have an idea." Hatsume said.
"I'm all ears." I said.
She said nothing but gripped my wrist and dragged me back inside. We headed... to the band room? I didn't even know we had a band class.
"Yo yo yo! What's happ- Oh hey Midoriya." Present Mic said.
"Hey." Was all I said.
"Present Mic, I need my flute." Hatsume said.
"What for?" Present Mic asked.
"I'm gonna teach him circular breathing." Hatsume said.
"Circular what now?"
"It's a technique where you can breath through your nose and exhale through your mouth at the same time."
"...That's possible?!" I asked.
"Yes! It's just difficult to grasp at first." She said.
"I'll do it." I said, I need this to work if I want to win the Sports Festival.
"I knew you would." She said as she walked to one of the closet and pulled out a flute, "This is for when you want to try it out, but first, we need to warm you up. Let's go to the mess hall." She said.
"Alright..." I said, not sure how food will help us, but she hasn't led me astray yet.
We headed to the Mess Hall, we have 20 minutes until lunch period ends. Once we entered I was waved at by Uraraka.
"Midoriya! Hey you're back." Uraraka greeted.
I glanced over to Hatsume, "Go ahead, I just need to prepare some things." She said as she headed over to the line, thankfully it was shorter so it won't take long.
"So, what are you doing with her?" Uraraka asked then she locked eyes with my bandana, "And what's with the bandana?"
"Oh i-"
"I'm back!" She exclaimed squeezing herself between Iida and Uraraka, she laid out a glass of water and a straw.
"I'll explain later..." I muttered as I gave Hatsume my full attention.
I spent the remaining lunch period going through the motions of circular breathing. Puffing out my cheeks and breathing in and out my nose. Once I got used to the feeling of breathing with my puffed out cheeks, I did the same thing again, only with filling my cheeks with water and a straw in my mouth. Then while I slowly emptied my mouth of water, I tried to inhale through my nose at arond the same time. It was difficult, but not impossible. I practiced it for a little while... until the Lunch bell rang.
"Well, I'm heading to class." Hatsume said until she handed me her flute, "Here, practice with that once you're confident." She said until getting in my face, "But if I see it melted or with scorch marks... I'll be upset." She said.
I laughed, "Don't worry I'll be fine."
She then left, leaving my confused classmates staring at me.
"What the heck are you doing?" Bakugou asked.
"Huh? Oh circular breathing, it's a technique where I can breath in through my nose and out through my mouth at the same time." I said, "So I can use my fire breath for a longer time."
"...Interesting. But what's with..." Yaoyorozu said while pointing at the funnel on my hand, "That?"
"Oh... it's a surprise, can't tell you all everything, especially since the Sports Festival is coming up." I said standing up, "But you'll see soon enough."
Classes went by quick, and I headed back home... I mean All Might's house. While I studied I practiced circular breathing. It was difficult to coordinate at first... but I think I have a grasp on it. It went like that for a little while. Until I felt like I was ready to try the flute... then I realized it was 11:40, I'll practice tomorrow.
The next day however... was eventful to say the least. By that, I mean our class was swarmed by the other students. Or as Bakugou called them 'Extras' and yes... I did laugh at that. However one 'Extra' stuck out from the rest, one purple haired kid. He explained that he was in the general course, and wanted to be in the Hero Course, but he was denied in... and he glared at me during his explanation.
"I still can't believe they allowed a criminal into the hero course." He muttered.
Okay... that crossed the line. I walked over and gripped the collar of his shirt.
"What did you say...?" I asked anger seething through my words.
"You heard me... how did they let you, who did nothing aside burn down buildings, into the Hero Course? You didn't even do the entrance exam." He said.
"Listen to what I'm about to tell you..." I muttered, "You have absolutely NO right to say anything. Especially since you know only a tenth of the information." I said letting go of his collar. "Do I deserve to go here? No, I'll agree with you on that stand point. But I'm here, and I'll work my a** off to stay here. Why? Because unlike all of you 'Extras' I have a reason I have a drive to not only say here in the Hero Course, not only to win, but I have a drive to become a hero." I said pointing to this purple haired extra, "From what I've heard, you just want to get into the hero course. So until you have a personal drive to succeed, I'm certain the minute you step in... you won't last a whole day."
The whole room went silent... until he chuckled, "So the criminal has some tongue to him. That's fine... it'll be all the more sweeter the minute I take your spot." He said as he turned to face the rest of us, "As for the rest of you, consider this a 'Declaration of War' so to speak. I'll be coming for your spots." He said walking away.
"Then you better be damn well prepared for retaliation!" I yelled as he walked away. I took in a deep breath, "Why the f**k are you all still here?! Don't you have anything better to do?!" I yelled as light embers escaped my mouth. They all took a hint and ran away. I gripped the bridge of my nose then looked at everyone, "What?"
"You just made everyone our enemies!" Thunderdolt yelled.
"So what? They were going to come for us anyway." I said walking up to him, "Let me tell you an old saying Thunderdolt, if you can't take the heat." I said pointing towards the door, "Then get out of the kitchen. Because I welcome any resistance that will come my way, that'll make accomplishing my goal a grander story to tell." I said as I sat back down on my seat, continuing to study. As if I'll let that guy ruin the nonspoken promise to my mother. The promise that I'll become a hero and make her proud.
*Uraraka's P.O.V*
Soon it was lunch, as Iida and I flagged down Midoriya.
"Don't you think what you said was too mean to Kaminari?" I asked.
He scoffed, "If that was 'too mean' then you don't want to see me really pi**ed off." Midoriya said before turning towards us, "Besides, if that made him upset... then he shouldn't be here."
"You don't me-"
"I do mean that." He said to Iida, "He should toughen up, especially if he intends to be a pro hero." he muttered before shaking his head. "Anyway, how's studying for midterms going?"
So... he said it, to toughen him up?
"Oh quite well, I feel prepared for the test tomorrow." Iida said.
Oh right... the midterms! I'm still not ready, but maybe I should study on my own, I shouldn't rely on Iida so much... Yes! That's what I'm gonna do! The minute I get home I'm going to crack open those books!
*The next day*
I DIDN'T CRACK OPEN THOSE BOOKS! Ugh... I'm so doomed. No! Don't think like that! I got this! I can pass easily! Just gotta think calm and rationally, and I'll win the day!
*Three Days Later*
Ugh... that was brutal. I don't even know how I did... Who was the cruel person who decided that the week before the Sports Festival was the perfect time to have midterms?!
More importantly... how did Midoriya finish so fast?! He finished his tests an hour before time was up? I knew it! That boy must have had studying secrets he was keeping to himself! The nerve!
Oh well... the results are coming in. Mr. Aizawa handed us the test and in a slow fashion I flipped over my test... 13/20! Not fantstic... but not terrible! Right...? Oh who am I kidding I'm not even in the top 50%.
"Iida how did you do?" I asked as he showed me his paper shaking angrily.
"T-Third place!" He yelled, "How could this have happened?!" He yelled.
"You're upset... over third place?!" I growled, "I got 13th! You have no right to complain!" I yelled.
"How did you get the second highest mark?!" Jirou asked Yaoyorozu.
"I just studied hard." She said with a pleased smile.
Wait... who got fir- No way.
"Midoriya... what did you get?" I asked as I walked over to his desk.
He quickly shoved his paper underneath his books, "O-Oh, absolutely nothing to worry about." He stuttered... Oh I see.
"Well had you not rushed then you would have gotten a better score, well it can't be worse than mine." I said pulling it out of his book, "I got thir... WHAT?!" I yelled garnering the attention of everyone. "Y-Y-Y-Y!" I stuttered as Yaoyorozu came in and grabbed the paper from my hands.
"You got first place?!" She asked as Midoriya sunk further and further into his desk, "Not only that! You got them all right!"
"C-Can we not... talk about that?" He asked.
"Absolutely not! What a mooch! You have all these study tips and techniques and you don't share?!" Kirishima yelled.
"B-But..."
"How the hell did you get number 23 right?" Sero asked.
"Yeah, and how did you even possibly know number 56? We didn't even cover that!" Ashido asked.
Midoriya jumped up, snatched his test, and shoved it into his backpack. "What I got on the midterm isn't important. What's important is the Sports Festival." He said grabbing his bag, "Now... I'm going to get some last minute training and rest. I think you all should do the same." He said opening the door, "Unless you plan on losing." He said as he exited the room.
*Midoriya's P.O.V*
I entered my mother's room, "Hey Mom." I greeted.
"Oh Izuku, welcome, how was midterms?" She asked.
I pulled out my test and handed it to her.
"Oh! I'm so proud of you!" She exclaimed ruffling my hair.
"Ahh! Okay, okay, it's just midterms it's not a big deal." I said, "What matters right now... is the Sports Festival. Oh that reminds me, I asked Toshinori, and he said you can come watch in person... if you want." I said.
Her eyes widened for a second, "I... I don't know." she said.
"You don't have to... but it's there if you want." I said scribbling All Might's number down, "Here, if you want to go call him and he'll give you a ride there." I said packing up, "Sorry for having a really short trip, but there are things I need to do." I said leaning in to kiss her on the cheek, "I love you, bye." I said exiting the room.
Time for some last minute training. Luckily the allowed us into U.A. for training, so I headed straight for Ground Beta, climbed the tallest building, and strapped on my new toy. I debated whether I wanted the funnel on my palms or on the back of my hands. I decided on my palms, not like I can't shift it easily, it can slide arond my straps.
I stood at the far edge of the building, adjusted my bandana, and practiced circular breathing before running towards the edge.
"Okay... 3, 2, 1, Go!" I yelled as I ran towards the edge and swan dived. I closed my eyes and used circular breathing, a few seconds later... and I haven't hit the ground yet. My eyes shot open and I was flying high above the ground. It worked... IT FREAKING WO- WOAH! I swerved away from a building that I was spiraling towards at fast speeds. I can't believe this is working! I'm flying!
Wait. Shoot... gotta turn back, I see other students a few ways away. I flew away from them, I need this technique to be secret. Once I slowly landed on the building, I took off the bandana and laid on my back.
I can't wait to use this during the Sports Festival. I can't wait to use this on Shigaraki's ugly face! However... I need to practice still, I need to master this technique. But still, this is gonna be fun.
*A few more days later*
I feel like I've nearly mastered the flight technique, it can even be used as hand flame throwers. I can't wait to use it, but now it's time to suit up. Of course I had to say that I'm using this device, I said it's for dual fire blasts, as opposed to the single fire blast from my mouth. It was thankfully approved.
The roars of the crowd can be heard all the way down here in the locker rooms. I was suited up in my gym gear a long while ago... all I was waiting for, was a confirmation text from All Might saying if my mother was going to be here.
"...Midoriya." A soft voice said, I looked up to see Todoroki? What did he need? "From an objective stand point... I think it's fairly clear that I'm stronger than you."
"...From whose point of view?" I asked.
"Huh?"
"From a Quirk stand point, yes you have me beat, however from an experience stand point, I have you beat, so why don't we cut to the chase, what do you need?"
"Fine... I know you have All Might helping you." He said as I looked at him, my eyes widening a tad bit, "I'm not here to pry about whatever it is you two are doing, but know that I will beat you."
The room went silent, "Man what's with all these war declarations." Thunderdolt commented.
"Yeah come on man, wh-"
"Let him go..." I said as Kirishim backed off, "Well, we'll just have to see about that now won't we?" I said staring at him dead in the eyes as my phone buzzed, I glanced at the message from All Might, my mom's here right next to him in the stands, "But just now, I won't be holding back, not for you, not for any of you." I said glancing at everyone, "I'm here to win, even more so now, so if we meet in the finals, be prepared to fight till your body gives out." I said exiting the locker rooms.
"Fine..." I heard him mutter, before we headed out to the open field.
The moment I was out in the open, I heard a loud 'Izuku'. I looked around frantically for the source of the noise, once I found her, I waved at my frantically waving mother.
...I will win for her and make her proud.
"Is that your mom?" Uraraka asked who was right next to me.
"Yeah... she's the reason why I'm here after all." I said turning red for a split second... until I shook it off, "She's why I'm gonna win this whole festival."
She looked at me then smiled back a look equally determined, "Well I'm not gonna lose to you either." She said.
"We'll see about that now won't we." I said.
Then Midnight took center stage, garnering looks from... everybody, whether it'd be thirsty guys, jealous women, or embarrassed parents... I hope my mom doesn't really care about that.
"Silence, everyone!" Midnight yelled flicking her whip... wait she brought a whip?! "And for the student pledge, we have Izuku Midoriya!"
Wait... what?! Why me?
"It must be because you're once a criminal and you being here would give the school publicity for taking you in and reforming you." Iida theorized... makes sense anyway.
"Come on up, we don't have all day." Midnight said.
...Fine.
I walked up the steps up to the microphone. I could feel everyone from the other classes glaring at me, while everyone from Class 1-A are nervous about what I have to say.
"Um... well all I would like to say, is that I fully plan on winning this thing." I said as I could hear my classmates gasp in shock... well except Bakugou he just smirked in approval, while the other student started booing.
"Class 1-A is full of themselves!"
"Get him off the stages!"
"Boo all you want." I said removing the mic and looking for my mother, once I found her I pointed at her direction, "But I have plenty of reasons to win this thing, if you all want to beat me, go on ahead, I'll be waiting for you all." I said as the entire stadium went silent, "Thank you..." I said about to walk off the stage, before I ran back to put the microphone back.
"YOU CAN DO IT IZUKU!" My mom yelled re-lighting the crowd.
I smiled then turned to Class 1-B, "You can call us whatever you want, but if insults is all you got, then you are not worth my time."
"OH YEAH?! WE'LL SHOW YOU!" A guy with sharp teeth yelled, in a fit of anger his entire body was turned into iron.
"I'll be ready for it." I said.
After a few more sour comments, we were given 10 minutes to do some stretches, warm up, pray... whatever you need to do. I adjusted my bandana so my mouth was over the tube hole... man I need a better name for that. Then, it was time for the first part of the Sports Festival to start, it was an obstacle race, around the perimeter of the stadium. Midnight smirked and allowed us to use our Quirks however we wanted, so long as we don't leave the path. I don't like the sound of that, I should use the flight sparingly, who knows what kind of counter-measures they have set up for people who can fly over the damned obstacles.
Soon everyone croweded in front of the door, I'm expecting all of the students to clog the doorway. Guess now is a good time to debut my newest technique.
The lights above the door started to slowly light up. The three red lights lit up before the last green light. Then the green light lit up and the door opened.
It's show time!
*End of Chapter*