The UA sports stadium was filled with cheering spectators who were looking forward to the final event which was about to start. The audience was eagerly awaiting the battle between the two participants who were already standing in the arena.
While Present Mic explains the rules, Shinso pays attention to the opponent before him. Izumi Yagi, the daughter of the number 1 hero, is the center of attention in this match. One of the people who was born with gifts and talents and is the object of envy and admiration for many people, including himself.
But that jealousy and envy had recently vanished since he obtained something equally valuable.
" Hey, you, are you the student who was rumored to have received awakening? "
The same as Shinso, Izumi also assessed the opponent in front of her. She had already heard rumors about a general major student receiving an awakening and possibly becoming a Hunter. She could only assume that the student was the person in front of her.
" that's how it is "
" I see, then are you a Hunter? "
" No, at least not yet because I'm still in training. "
Hearing that, a faint smile formed on Izumi's lips.
" I see, then I will happily destroy you. "
There was a faint hatred visible in Izumi's eyes when she said that. Since her debate with the Hunters that day, Izumi had developed a hatred towards not only her arch-enemy but also the Hunters.
She didn't like how the Hunters she met showed off their abilities by eliminating her classmates. Apart from that, she also didn't like how Hunters gained abilities just because of lucky events that happened to them. Of course, this was just her imagination.
After hearing Izumi's declaration of war, Shinso slightly tilted his head in confusion. He didn't know what was the cause but there was hatred in her words.
But apart from that, it had nothing to do with him. He's just here to win, it doesn't matter whether his opponent hates him or not, as long as he can handle it he will win.
While the participants were busy with their thoughts, Present Mic immediately announced the start of the match.
" Izumi Yagi, right? "
" Right, why? "
" You're the daughter of the No. 1 hero, right? You're lucky, born with talent, and have parents with a good reputation. But it's a shame, your first opponent is me...
this match will be my victory. "
" What are you- "
At that moment, Izumi, who was provoked by her opponent's words, was about to attack, and her movements immediately stopped. Her body was stiff unable to move and her gaze and expression were blank. Seeing this, a smile formed on Shinso's face.
' I won... '
People became confused when they saw Izumi suddenly stop as she was about to attack. The same thing also applies to Present Mic who immediately commented on this.
" oi, oi what's wrong? Yagi, the match has just started and yet she's not moving at all. Is this Shinso's quirk? Even though it's not flashy at all, maybe he's dangerous?!
This is an unexpected situation, but will he reach the top?! "
Even though he didn't need to bother talking to his opponent, Shinso tried to restrain himself from using his mana. Since his opponent was the daughter of the No. 1 he wanted to test his abilities.
" Turn around and walk out of the arena! "
Shinso then gave orders to Izumi who were already under his control. While her body continued to move out of the arena, Izumi continued to let out curse words even though her head felt almost empty.
' damn! damn! damn! damn! damn! damn! damn! my body wouldn't listen to me. That damn quirk... just watch it you '
Amid the panic, her blurry vision stared at the empty hallway in front of her. There, in her vision, she saw several dark silhouettes with several pairs of eyes looking at her and at that moment she could feel her thoughts clear. She could feel her fingers moving and immediately forced her quirk to activate. Thanks to that, she was able to free herself from the brainwashing that was controlling her right before her steps crossed the line out of the arena.
This of course surprised Shinso and the audience. The audience's cheers could be heard again when Present Mic announced this.
Shinso's shock was natural since no one had been able to undo his brainwashing, except for one person.
' She, maybe she's the same as that person '
The person Shinso was referring to was of course none other than Izuku, the only person who was immune to the effects of his brainwashing, no matter whether it was his quirk or magic.
He remembered during his first training as a Hunter together with Izuku, he asked him to use his quirk on him but nothing happened which made him immediately shocked. He immediately asked the reason and Izuku gave the reason.
" I don't know about other people, but I think it's because of the immunity I have. "
" Then how do you deal with someone like you? "
" Well, I don't know how many people are like me, but if you meet one, you might be able to learn other skills since your class is a magician. For now, try practicing your mana control. "
" yes "
Shinso remembered this conversation during his first training session with Izuku and began to re-strategize in his head. He tried to use his ability once again, but this time he also used his mana. Blue mana slowly spreads from Shinso's body towards his opponent.
Izumi, who had been released from the brainwashing, immediately charged at her opponent full of anger. Realizing she might be hit by the opponent's ability once again, Izumi immediately uses her telekinesis quirk to attack the opponent.
Between the two powers, Izumi's quirk reaches Shinso first. Shinso's body was immediately pushed several meters and thanks to that Shinso's skill was also cancelled.
Even though one of the activation conditions has disappeared after awakening, the way to cancel the skill remains the same. Feeling at a disadvantage in close combat, Shinso immediately protected himself using mana and tried to defend against the upcoming attack.
Izumi, who saw Shinso being pushed back, quickly closed the distance and immediately attacked Shinso with his fist. Shinso was able to withstand Izumi's fist thanks to the short physical training he received, but due to the physical difference, he was still pushed backward which almost made him cross the dividing line.
Sensing a crisis approaching him, Shinso tried to get up and dodge Izumi's attack which was once again aimed at him. He then increased the amount of his mana output, forcing his body to move. Thanks to that, he was able to dodge Izumi's attack and put some distance between them again, giving him a chance to stall for time while thinking about his next strategy.
While the atmosphere was tense in the middle of the arena, from the audience seats, Izuku watched this match with cold eyes. The match that he initially thought would end, quickly changed when Izumi released Shinso's brainwashing on her own. He didn't think anyone besides himself would be able to escape Shinso's brainwashing.
However, unlike himself, who has immunity from negative status, in Izumi's case it seems like thanks to her quirk that activates by itself. Since seeing Shinso's abilities for himself, Izuku believes that no one can escape its influence unless the caster or target is hit by a powerful attack, and of course, someone who has immunity like himself. But Seeing this exception, there was only one thing Izuku could think of.
' is this the ability of One For All '
" This is surprising... "
While Izuku was busy with his thoughts, Toya, who was reading the match from beside him, began to voice his opinion.
" I thought this match would end quickly without a fight, but it looks like that girl can still fight. "
" You're right, I also thought that at first. "
" But how did she escape his brainwashing? "
" I don't know, I'm curious too "
Returning to the arena, the chase scene between Shinso and Izumi is still ongoing. While Izumi continues to attack, Shinso tries hard to avoid it, but because of the physical differences between the two of them, Shinso is quite overwhelmed. He had no choice but to cover his physical deficiencies with his mana.
However no matter how good his mana control was, he had not yet reached the point where he was able to use his mana efficiently, and therefore his mana quickly ran out and fatigue quickly accumulated on his body.
Feeling himself cornered, Shinso decided to use all his remaining mana and put it into his fist. Responding to Shinso's seriousness, Izumi also finally used her One For All quirk to the maximum which made her right hand glow reddish.
When their fists finally met, Shinso's body was immediately thrown out of the field. The wind caused by the waves created by Izumi's maximum attack was so big that it reached the audience seats.
Seeing this, Midnight as the judge immediately announced Izumi's victory over Shinso. The match ends with Izumi winning. The audience immediately cheered to welcome the first winner of this match.
Even though she won, the price she had to pay was an injured right arm. The injuries she suffered were severe enough to make her right hand hang limp.
Meanwhile, Shinso slowly recovered his consciousness. This is probably because Hunter's recovery rate exceeds that of ordinary humans.
' so I lost... '
Shinso stares blankly at the sky contemplating his defeat. Even though he had given everything he still lost. But from this fight, he gained something more valuable. Not only was he able to realize his shortcomings, but he also gained fighting experience.
Therefore, even though he was a bit disappointed by losing, he was not down because of one defeat and was instead satisfied with this. He immediately got up and walked back to the arena to pay his respects to the opponent after the match.
Despite his calm reaction, the same did not apply to his opponent. His opponent's expression looked dissatisfied with her incomplete victory, while she endured the pain in her right arm.
But once again, it had nothing to do with him, Shinso immediately turned around and walked away from the arena. Just as he was about to enter the hallway, he heard a familiar voice calling him. He immediately faced the owner of the voice and how surprised he was when he saw the owner of the voice.
" Yo, Shinso-kun "
" Izuku-san?! "
Among his classmates who came to greet him, Izuku was standing among them, waving at him. Before Shinso was finished with his surprise, Izuku spoke to him again.
" Good job last match, you looked cool earlier. "
Izuku smiled at Shinso giving him both a compliment and a thumbs up. Not only Izuku, but his friends also praised him without realizing the existence of the Vice guild master of Dawn guild among them. Meanwhile, Shinso, who still couldn't believe the sudden appearance of the Vice guild master, couldn't hide his smile when he heard their words of praise.
Thanks to their words, the small disappointment in his heart quickly disappeared, replaced by a strong feeling of continuing to move forward and grow stronger.
' That's right, there's no time to be gloomy, I just need to get stronger...
ah... I can't wait for training this weekend '
Different from the friendly atmosphere of Shinso and friends. A heavy cold atmosphere was felt on the other side of the arena. Precisely in the hallway where the participants enter the arena, where Toya blocks Endevor's path to meet Shoto.
" yo... haven't seen Endeavor for a long time "
Seeing Toya suddenly appear in front of him made Endeavor surprised. He didn't expect to meet Toya in this place. But despite the mixed feelings he felt every time he saw him, as expected of No.2 he still forced himself to remain calm.
" What are you doing here? "
" Of course to provide support to my younger brother who is competing, unlike someone who imposes his will on his child. "
The words Toya said hit Endeavor right on point. Apart from that, this sudden meeting was their second meeting since the match between Hunter and Hero that day, Endevor still didn't know how he would deal with his son who he thought was no longer there. For now, it's better to leave before a dispute breaks out.
" step aside "
" That's my word, you should step aside, I won't let you approach Shoto-kun while I'm here. "
" What's wrong with you suddenly acting like a good older brother after disappearing for quite a long time? "
" Because I am his older brother, at least I tried to make amends with my family and apologize to them, unlike you who can only run away. "
" you... "
Endeavor's words stopped as the cheers in the arena grew louder. Cheers indicating that the participants had entered the arena, plus Present Mic announcing the names of the participants confirmed this.
Hearing this, Toya felt that it was no longer useful to talk to the person in front of him.
" Yeah, I think we'll just end this nonsense, I don't want to miss my brother's appearance.
See you No. 2 "
After saying that, Toya left, leaving Endeavor alone. Amid the silence of the hallway, Endevor's fire secretly grew bigger following his feelings.
.
