Sorry for the delay. I'm starting a new business and trying to start another side gig. Also, I got sidetracked by Helldivers 2.

I also want to apologize for the next couple of chapters. I'm going to take a few narrative shortcuts like the one at the end here. This is because I'm having difficulting getting through the festival and on to the other arcs that I'm looking forward to. That also means that I have to make a few adjustments, so things I was going to do later I am going to do a little bit early. It also means that I have to cut a few interactions that I wanted to tell and push them for some other time.

Hopefully, it is still enjoyable for you.

I'm also having issues with email alerts. I keep getting the same message about how my email provider bounces or rejects this site's emails. I've done everything they told me to do (mark it not spam, add them to contacts, and even change email addresses). Does anyone else have this issue? Is there a fix?

I watched as the other contestants began to trickle down one by one. The next one to cross was Midorya as he could still take advantage of Bakugo and Tordorki's fight for second place. Said duo busted through the finished line with third and fourth place respectively. Mr. Third Place stomped over to me and got inches into my face.

"This doesn't change a damn thing gaijin!" he shouted in my face, "I'm still going to win this tournament and pound you into the ground." Bakugo's face began to turn slightly red as his eyes looked like they were ready for blood.

I blinked.

I shouldn't piss him off any further.

"You're doing a terrible job at that," I monotone.

So much for that.

"You bastard!" Bakugo shouted as he pulled his hand back. Miniature explosions were going off on his hand and in an instant my biotics flared a protective shell around me. A ball of energy gathered in my hand ready to push the boy back.

"That's enough you two!" Midnight called out to us.

"Yo yo yo! Ya'll need to save that for later," Mic crackled over the speakers, "Got a few hotheads in your class don't you Aizawa?"

"I want to go home and sleep," Aizawa bemoaned.

At that moment Kirishima grabbed Bakugo and pulled him back with the help of Kaminari.

"Hey man calm down," Kirishima said behind a forced smile.

"Cool it you are going to get disqualified," Kaminari conveyed the same sentiment without a smile.

At the same time, Bakugo was being pulled by someone something had slithered around my waist and pulled me back. Unexpecting the sudden pull and touch, I instinctively spun my body around ready to attack only to stare at the calm eyes of Asui. Quickly I dropped my arm and turned off my quirk. Now relaxed I looked down to see that it was her tongue that was wrapped around my waist.

"Please don't do anything rash," Asui croaked in her monotone way.

"He started it," I grumbled, crossing my arms.

Asui took the time and placed a calming hand on my arms. "I know but please calm down."

I looked down into her onyx pools and a wave of calmness washed over me. Surprised at this, my body began to relax and my arms fell to the side. "Okay, and I'm sorry for swinging at you Asui."

"It's okay, and please call me Tsu," the frog girl said a small smile forming on her lips.

"Will you two knock it off!" The ever-so-vigilant class rep shouted out as he sped towards us. His arms tensed as he mimicked the running man sign. "You're making the whole class look bad."

I wanted to correct that class president, but I bit my tongue and looked up to Midnight, who had her left arm out. Her other hand was grasping the thin material her eyes cold.

A sigh escaped my lips as I moved away from the group.

"Get back here I'm not done lecturing!" Ida shouted at me.

"Whatever," I muttered through gritted teeth

I fought down a growl that was building in my throat as Midnight began to go on to the next game. "Forty-two of you qualify for the next round," she said with a sadistic smile "Gird your loins and prepare for your next test…A Cavalry Battle!"

Right, this one.

I looked around to spot my two potential teammates in the crowd.

"Those of you at the top will suffer the most. Of course, that's something you'll hear over and over again at UA. Show us what 'Plus Ultra' means!" Midnight's voice dipped back down to a throaty tone. "Seth placed first in the qualifier. He'll be worth ten million!"

…well shit…

Sweat began to pour down my face as I felt all the eyes on me. Each one had killing intent behind them. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as Midnight explained how the race would happen. This is part that I hated about this whole thing. We're supposed to want the same thing, to be heroes. Turning us against each other and possibly creating animosity is counterproductive.

I shook my head.

It doesn't matter right now. I need to focus on winning this.

With a shaky hand, I raised it and clenched it into a fist. "Bring it on you fuckers!" I growled toothily, "I'll take you all on."

"Here are the rules" Midnight's voice cut through, "the game will last fifteen minutes. Individual points values will be added together to reach your team total. Everyone will know how much you're worth thanks to your headbands. Swipe as many headbands as you can to raise your score. Stolen headbands must be worn from the neck up. So the more you steal, the harder it'll be to manage them."

"Not unless you're smart on placement," I muttered, "The real trick will be to put them on."

"And another thing, even if your headbands get stolen or your team falls, you can keep playing until time's up!"

Just like in real life. If you fall you can always climb back to the top.

Oh my god, that's it!

I can't believe I've been stupid this entire time! The whole time I thought that this was some useless festival only used to gain recognition and pine for a job. While that is part of it, the other half is to teach us. To teach us what it's going to be like in the real world.

I looked around at the students as I made this realization.

The first task was to show off our adaptability and personal skills. This next bit is to see how well we work with others. The final part is our combat ability.

Goddamn it, how could I be so fucking blind? Fuck! I got so wrapped up in my pessimistic outlook that this didn't even cross my mind. GAH!

"It's anyone's game, then," I heard Momo say out loud which snapped me out for a bit. I looked over to the vice class rep to see Sato adding his two cents.

"And since there are about 42 contestants there'll be ten or 12 teams fighting on the field."

My face scrunched up as I heard that.

Isn't that the same as before?

I looked around and saw that all of classes 1-A and 1-B were in as well as Shinso and Mei. Who…

Violently I shook my head to get rid of the thought.

No, I can't think like that. I have to think about myself right now. I have to get through this and make it to the top three.

"So if you lose your headband in the beginning, you have more time to recover," Mina said directly behind me which caused my back to stiffen.

"I dunno, Mina," Asui said worriedly, "Maybe we should wait and see how the teams turn out before we start strategizing."

"But it will also make things difficult," I muttered, "The knee-jerk reaction would be to aim for those at the top with the most points."

"So it would be best to pick off the little ones first," I heard Mina say.

"Right," I confirmed as I turned my head to look at her, "everyone is going to be going for the top meaning that they'll be sidetracked."

"So go after them while they are going after you…" Mina said cheekily with a smirk to match.

"Aw fook off yea," I said irritably.

"Wha…?" came the confused answer.

Langue barrier for the win.

"This is going to be rough," Midnight said with a sadistic look, "You may use your quirks as much as you like, but there are still rules! Make a team fall on purpose and I'll slap you with a red card. You'll be disqualified!"

Great that takes out half of my arsenal.

"Now you've got 15 minutes to build your teams. I recommend that you get started."

With a sigh, I watched as everyone quickly dispersed and began forming groups including the two I wanted to team up with. I quickly looked around and tried to spot anyone on my list. To be honest there were only two on it. If I can't get them then I am screwed.

Meanwhile right outside the stadium was a small two-story temporary building that had a sign that said BREAKROOM STAFF ONLY.

Inside three pro heroes sat around and rested watching the first year's festival via TV in the breakroom. Mt. Lady, Kamui Woods, and Death Arms all watched the screen until it changed to the results. They had just been discussing how these games simulated what it would be like once they went pro in the real world.

"So," Death Arms said as he exhaled smoke, "Are any of you thinking about picking up a work-study?" the hero tapped his cigarette into an ashtray full of ash.

"There are some good first years," Kamui said as he reset his wooden mask. "They have a lot of potential that could benefit from our guidance."

Mt. Lady just shrugged her shoulders as she leaned back into her chair, "I don't know," she mumbled, "I could use someone to clean up my house."

Kamui snapped his head towards the hero, "That's not the point of work-study!" he yelled but Mt. Lady just shrugged her shoulders.

Death Arms took another drag of his cigarette before he spoke, "I'm a bit concerned about the foreigner, uh…Seth."

Kamui and Mt. Lady turned to look at the bulky hero, "What do you mean?" Kamui asked as he pointed at the TV where it showed Seth's ten million score, "He seems to be doing fine so far."

'I wonder if anyone noticed it then,' Death Arms finished off his cigarette and smashed the nub into the ashtray. It was only briefly but he spotted what the boy had. 'If the judges hadn't said anything then he must have gotten permission to use them.'

"That's not what I'm talking about," he said. The two heroes in front of him looked at him.

"Work studies will indeed happen after the festival, and most of the pros watching it now will send invitations. Based on how well students do will determine how many invitations they will get and from whom, at least normally," the punching hero explained. "In Seth's case, I'm afraid he won't have the opportunity."

"So you're saying that even if he wins he won't get that many invitations?" Kamui asked confused. Why wouldn't Seth get invites he has a powerful quirk and has performed well so far. "Why do you think that?

"Because he's a foreigner," Death Arms stated.

"What do you mean?" Mt. Lady asked before she used her appeal to scam a passing hero for their chips.

Death Arms rolled his eyes at the behavior before he began to explain."While Japan has made a lot of progress on being open to foreigners whether they are workers or residents." The hero began to look in his pockets for his pack of cigarettes. "When it comes down to it people would much rather work with a local than someone that's not Japanese."

"Seriously?" Mt. Lady scoffed as she opened the bag of chips.

"Hey, that's just the way things are now," Death Arms said with a shrug as he gave up on his search. Their break was almost over anyway. "Whether it's from prejudice, stereotyping, or good old-fashioned racism heroes are going to bypass him."

"What about you?" Kamui asked wondering if at least some hero would pick up the boy.

Death Arms just shrugged his shoulders, "I'm on U.A.'s list of agencies that will take on students who need internships. I don't care either way." He then turned his eyes to the TV screen showing the students grouping together. "I wouldn't worry too much about Seth through, this festival is watched around the world I'm sure someone from his home country would send him an invitation."

"Well, it's too early to tell," Kamui said as he stood up with the other two heroes following his example, "Perhaps he'll perform well enough to where that won't be an issue."

I was able to gather my team together with one additional member that I didn't plan for. Mei had jumped me when Midnight cut us loose to craft our teams. Which I should have expected since she wanted to show off her babies and I'll be the center of attention. While I didn't plan on her I might be able to work with it. Besides I can see what her babies can do firsthand. After the support student invited herself onto my team, I hunted for Mina and Ida. I planned to craft a highly mobile team to get me in and out of trouble. Since I was the highest point that made me a target and a moving target was harder to hit. Mina was with a group of students who were surrounding Bakugo, and after trading a few barbs with him I managed to pry Mina from him. The next one on my list had just made his proclamation to his classmate and friend, Midyora. Quickly I swooped him and snatched him up before Todoroki could get him.

With my team in place, we walked away from the crowd to begin strategizing.

"Hey why are you still…you know blue," Mina said as she motioned to my quirk which flickered around like wisps of flames.

"I'm working on my endurance," I said as I turned off my quirk.

"I suppose you have a plan," Ida said as he adjusted his glasses. To which I nodded.

"So what is the plan?" Mina said after a few seconds of silence which I used to make sure I could properly explain my plan.

"Simple," I said as I pointed at Ida, "You're going to be upfront," I turned my finger at Mina and Mei, "and you two going to be in the back. You can secrete acid from your feet right?"

Mina nodded her head and pointed at her shoes. "Yep I got special shoes that will allow me to melt the ground so I can slide around," she said with a bright smile.

"And I got some babies that we can use," Mei said with a crazed grin.

I nodded, "Good," I said as we stopped. "The plan is this." I turned around and looked at my teammates.

"We will fight," I said with a toothy smile and a clenched fist. My team, minus Mei, looked shocked as their eyes bugged out and excitement came out of my pours, "To run away!"

God, I love Captn' Jack Sparrow.

"That's your plan!" Mina yelled out as she bonked my head with a karate chop, "Just run the entire time?!"

"Well, that is a sound plan," Ida said as he rubbed his chin, "With our points, all we have to do is protect you the entire time."

"Bingo," I said with a snap of my finger. "That's why I chose you two," I said, "We're light and mobile it will be difficult for the others to catch us. All I need you to do is keep moving." I pointed to my chest, "I'll defend us with my quirk."

Ida nodded, "Yes," he said, his eyes lighting up, "Your quirk is very versatile from what I've seen. Good for defense and offense!"

I smirked as I crossed my arms, "Exactly, but there are a few defensive techniques I want to go over." My eyes widened as I adopted a dark smile, "How good is your English?"