A/N: Hello, everyone! I'd like to ask a question for all of you before we begin. I wanna know if the First Person POV is causing issues for you guys enjoying the story. If so, I'll rewrite the chapters to Third Person POV instead. It shouldn't take too much time. Maybe a few weeks, at most. No plot changes will happen; just a change in POV and maybe cleaning up the dialogs. I'll still be releasing new chapters during it so no worries there.
I'd be happy if you guys let me know what you think. It's not too much work and I think it'll be worth it if it's negatively impacting the reading experience. I do want people to enjoy it, after all. This is a trial run for the third person POV. Anyway, onto the story!
Third Person POV
The scent of yakisoba and the excited hum of the crowd washed over her, a vibrant wave of life. Sunlight danced on the vibrant colors, catching on children's laughter and gleaming off ALL MIGHT figurines. A symphony of sounds, a spectacle of hope; a human tapestry woven for this fleeting moment.
She, cloaked in an unseen warmth that seemed to bend the very light, observed it all. Beside her walked a figure draped in shadows, hinting at an uncanny nature. A flicker of silver, a hint of fur, eyes that gleamed with an otherworldly glow; a companion from a realm of myth. This scene held a deeper resonance. Her gaze finally settled on a shock of green hair, its owner oblivious to the invisible eyes watching him. Her brother. He would never recognize her, never know the bond that transcended blood and time.
For six years, she'd kept silent vigil, her presence a shield born of warmth and an ancient light. Her companion, a creature bound by old tales and hidden power, had witnessed her quiet guardianship. Yet, something shifted, a ripple in the very air. A new energy crackled nearby, a subtle tremor that resonated deep within her. It was a presence cloaked in the guise of a burly man with red hair and beard, a figure strangely out of place amidst the throng. Yet, her senses prickled; a hint of something powerful, something otherworldly hiding beneath the facade. The Lone Rider himself in the flesh.
With this shift, a new understanding bloomed within her. Destiny was in motion, tugging on unseen threads. Her brother's path was taking shape, and a piece of the puzzle had finally clicked into place.
A strange flicker, a surge not of fear but a bittersweet kind of pride, stirred within her. She could only watch and wait, her steadfast companion a steady presence at her side. Perhaps, after the dust settled, after the trials were faced, they might finally share a cup of sake beneath the gentle glow of dawn. A silent toast, a shared bond, a secret held close to the heart of the unseen sun.
Inside 1-A Waiting Room
Momo observed the tense atmosphere of the waiting room. Mina clung to Izuku, her teasing bordering on provocation, while Ochaco's face burned with competitive fury. Izuku managed to dislodge Mina from his arm, though it resulted in the latter pouting. As sunlight caught his eyes, Momo noticed an unsettling detail: his pupils were slitted like a wild animal's.
Her Seer heritage usually offered glimpses of the future, but Izuku remained a frustrating blank. His involvement with the Pendragon Princess and Mina, both destined for remarkable yet difficult paths, made his absence even more jarring.
Todoroki approached Izuku, a mix of determination and respect hardening his gaze. "Midoriya," he said quietly. "The Battle Trial…it showed me how far I have to go." He paused, a flicker of frustration crossing his features. "From now on, consider yourself my rival. I am determined to surpass you."
Izuku met Todoroki's gaze with calm resolve. "I understand, Todoroki-kun. If we're to be rivals, it means we'll push each other to be better. I welcome the challenge."
Todoroki gave a curt nod. "We'll settle this at the Sports Festival," he said, a spark of determination lighting his eyes.
Momo watched the exchange with a thoughtful frown. Izuku was an enigma. His strange hidden power, his ability to inspire change in even the stoic Todoroki… she couldn't grasp his future, but the Sports Festival was about to become even more unpredictable than she'd imagined.
Sports Festival Stadium
The roar of the crowd washed over Izuku as he stepped into the massive U.A. stadium, the bright midday sun casting his shadow on the field below. The air crackled with anticipation, a sea of excited faces filling the stands. Everywhere he looked were banners, costumes, and the unbridled energy of thousands of spectators.
"HEY, LISTENERS! ARE YOU PUMPED?!" Present Mic's amplified voice boomed from towering speakers, his energy infecting the crowd like a tidal wave. "I CAN'T HEAR YOU! LET'S GET LOUDER! IT'S TIME TO FIND OUT WHO HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME A TRUE HERO! IT'S TIME FOR THE U.A. SPORTS FESTIVAL!"
The crowd erupted in a roar so loud, Izuku felt it resonate in his very bones.
"NOW, LET'S GIVE A WARM WELCOME TO THE FUTURE OF HERO SOCIETY! HERE THEY COME… CLASS 1-A!"
The gates swung open, revealing Izuku and his classmates. This was it. The moment their journey towards becoming pro heroes truly began.
Midoriya Residence
The kettle whistled, its shrill note piercing the excited commentary blaring from the TV. Inko jumped, a nervous laugh bubbling up. "Sorry about that, Ken-kun," she apologized, turning back to her guest. "But this is it! Izuku's first event!"
Ken sat comfortably in her worn armchair, his unexpectedly stocky form filling the space. With a gentle rumble that vibrated through the floorboards, he turned his head, his large, slightly bulging eyes seeming to fixate on the screen with rapt attention. Inko's heart swelled with warmth. He even understood her worries about Izuku!
"You don't get to see things like this out by the river, do you?" Inko chuckled, setting a steaming mug of tea and a plate of cookies beside him. His hand, the webbing between the fingers catching the light oddly, reached out with surprising gentleness. Maybe the humidity was making his skin feel extra sensitive today.
Another roar erupted from the television, and Inko gasped, clutching at her chest. "Izuku!" she squeaked. A flicker of something... concern? surprise? crossed Ken's broad face just before it smoothed back into its usual stoic expression.
Sports Festival Stadium
"THEY HAVEN'T BEEN GETTING AS MUCH AIRTIME, BUT THIS CLASS IS ALSO FULL OF TALENT! HERO COURSE, CLASS 1-B!" The cheers, while enthusiastic, paled in comparison to the explosive welcome 1-A had received. Monoma Neito, at the front of his class, bristled with barely contained indignation. His sharp eyes scanned the crowd, a sneer twisting his lips.
"Looks like no one cares about the underdogs," he muttered to his classmates, his voice a venomous whisper. "They'll all be singing a different tune soon enough..."
Izuku, standing in the chaotic scramble of Class 1-A, watched with a mix of curiosity and determination. He was eager to see what the rest of the hero class had to offer. Then, amongst the unfamiliar faces, he spotted Itsuka Kendo, her smile warm and genuine. Beside her, Kinoko Komori bounced with barely contained energy. And then... a flash of deep green caught his eye.
Ibara Shiozaki was there, her hands clasped, her head bowed. As she met his gaze, Izuku saw her lips silently mouth two words: "My Lord."
"NEXT UP! GENERAL CLASSES C, D, AND E!" Present Mic announces. Amongst them, he recognized the purple-haired student who came to declare war on 1-A. "SUPPORT COURSE, CLASS F, G, AND H ARE HERE TOO!" A scattering of cheers rose from the audience, far less enthusiastic than the previous roars. Yet, as the group of students marched onto the field, Izuku's eyes lit up. These were the tinkerers, the inventors; the ones who could potentially elevate a Quirk, or create a countermeasure that could catch one off guard.
The new change that got implemented this school year is the lack of Business Students for the Sports Festival. Apparently, they have no business being there. It was a rational decision and the business students agreed. Funnily enough, not even they or their professors knew why they'll have to participate in such an event.
"THE U.A. FIRST YEARS ARE HERE NOW!" Present Mic announced, which earned a boisterous cheer from the crowd.
"Time for the Hero Pledge!" A certain R-Rated Hero announced as her whip crackled in the air. The people crowd and the male students except for Izuku all blush at the sight of her in her costume. Her glowing blue eyes adding to the effect, making her sexier than usual. Izuku perhaps have just gotten used to seeing Midnight in more provocative outfits and poses and thus wasn't moved much by it. "Quiet down, everyone!" she said as she whipped the air, "Representing the students is Midoriya Izuku, from Class 1-A!"
A ripple of excited murmurs ran through both his classmates and the rest of the stadium. It was no surprise. Izuku's performance during the entrance exam and his actions at USJ had solidified his reputation. Bakugou, standing near Izuku, remained unusually quiet. His eyes, always burning with aggression, held a flicker of calculation, a silent acknowledgment of Izuku's strength.
Izuku stepped forward, a small, confident smile playing on his lips. This was an honor, a chance to represent his class. His voice rang out, clear and strong. "Thank you. This festival isn't about me. It's about all of us pushing our limits, about becoming stronger together. I won't let you down!"
A roar of applause met his declaration. Iida nodded enthusiastically. As Izuku met the eyes of the other schools, he felt a rush of determination, fueled by the knowledge that even Bakugou, in his own way, was standing behind him. This was his stage, and he would show everyone just what U.A's first years were made of.
"Now, let's get started right away," Midnight announced.
One student retorted, "U.A. really does things 'right away,' huh?"
"Every year, many drink their tears here! Now, here is the fateful first game!" Midnight continued, a hologram appearing above her as she whips the air once more.
"This year it's..." she pauses before the roulette came to a stop.
"...an Obstacle Race!" she announces. "All 8 classes will participate in this race. The course will be the outer circumference of this stadium; about 16 kilometers. Our school's motto is freedom," she said before licking her lips, "As long as you stay on the course, it doesn't matter what you do!"
Izuku couldn't help but grin, the crowd's roaring anticipation fueling his excitement even further. After this, they went to the red gate assigned for the event.
Izuku thought back on what ALL MIGHT told him about the projected increase in crime rates and what the people needed the most at a time like this. All this talk about destiny suspiciously coinciding with heroics no longer seem possible. He'll need to declare to the world, not just on this side, that "I AM HERE!"
The starting gate loomed ahead, a narrow bottleneck promising intense competition. The air hummed with nervous energy, but Izuku focused on the task ahead. He surveyed the crowd, not with panic, but with strategic calculation. Competitors jostled, their Quirks flaring erratically.
He smiled. This was his element; chaos was an opportunity, not a threat. Years of strategizing came into play, his analytical mind plotting the optimal route and anticipating the reactions of those around him.
"Ready? Set..." Midnight's voice was the starting call for his meticulously crafted plan. He tensed, muscles coiled, timing his movement to the exact moment the gate swung open.
"GO!"
The crowd surged forward, a wave of predictable chaos. Izuku, in a burst of calculated power, propelled himself above the bottleneck, his movements fluid and precise. In an instant, he'd cleared the starting gate, the obstacle course stretching out before him.
Izuku hit the ground running, the roar of the crowd fading behind him. He'd cleared the starting gate, and now the obstacle course stretched out in all its expanded glory. Every step counted, every decision crucial. Then, a sound cut through the chaos – a sharp, crackling echo of ice.
He risked a glance over his shoulder – just in time to see a shimmering wall of frost rise from the entrance, sealing the path behind him. Todoroki stood at the center, a solitary figure amidst the abruptly stilled crowd. A rush of grudging admiration shot through Izuku; it was a smart, brutal move. Todoroki was taking no chances of getting caught in the starting line mayhem.
A low chuckle escaped Izuku's lips. The Sports Festival was officially on. Todoroki had just raised the stakes – it was time for him to do the same. With renewed focus, he turned his attention back to the obstacles ahead. Time to leave the competition in his dust.
Obstacle #1: Robo Hell
"AND WE'RE OFF, FOLKS! AN EXPLOSIVE START TO THE OBSTACLE RACE, AND MIDORIYA SURGES AHEAD WITH SHOCKING AGILITY! BUT LOOK OUT, HERE COMES THE FIRST MAJOR CHALLENGE – THE ROBO HELL!"
Izuku skidded to a halt, the robots looming ahead, many of them shake the ground with every slight movement.
"WHOA, HOLD YOUR HORSES!" Present Mic exclaims. "LOOKS LIKE MIDORIYA'S COME TO A SCREECHING HALT! IS THAT HESITATION I SEE? THE ROBOTS ARE NO JOKE, FOLKS, THESE METAL MONSTROSITIES CAN KNOCK YOU CLEAN OUT OF THE RACE!"
A grin spread across Izuku's face. He needed a spectacular solution. He visualized his mental hand: a *Royal Flush*. A surge of satisfaction pulsed through him.
The camera zooms in on Izuku, his expression shifting from apprehensive to focused determination.
"HEY NOW, WHAT'S THIS?" Present Mic's voice booms. "MIDORIYA'S NOT RUNNING AWAY, HE'S SIZING UP THE SITUATION… AND FOLKS, I GOTTA SAY, THERE'S A GLINT IN HIS EYE I HAVEN'T SEEN BEFORE!"
Power surged from his Spark. With a flick of his mind, the lumbering titans danced, their massive bodies launched skyward with effortless power. The ground no longer trembled – it was his instrument, amplifying the sheer scale of the Force within him. Each robot soared higher, reaching the desired altitude with ease. Decades, no, centuries from now, this might merely be a warm-up, but for now, the spectacle was just beginning.
His mind raced, seeking the fiery finale. Instead of individual bursts, a different image burned brightly in Izuku's mind: a single, concentrated blast of flame. Like a blazing comet, it would ignite the titans in a blinding explosion. That was it.
"IMPOSSIBLE!" Present Mic's voice cracks with surprise, barely audible over the stunned silence from the crowd. "HE'S LEVITATING THOSE… THOSE METAL MONSTERS! WHAT KIND OF QUIRK IS THIS?! THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT STRENGTH, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS IS A WHOLE OTHER LEVEL OF POWER!"
He focused on the distant titans, no longer individual threats but pieces of a grand display. His hands ignited, not with the playful flicker of a *Four of a Kind*, but with the focused intensity of a cannon, primed to release a devastating inferno.
With a roar, not of his voice but of his raw will, a surge of fire erupted from his outstretched hand. It wasn't a scattered spray, but a concentrated beam of blazing energy, tearing through the air towards the robots. Time seemed to slow as the beam connected with its targets, a prelude to the inevitable devastation.
Then it struck. The inferno consumed the robots, the flames coalescing into a blinding flash that outshone the sun itself in the sky for a dazzling moment.
Present Mic's voice, for the first time, is quiet, awestruck. "I… I DON'T HAVE WORDS, FOLKS. THAT WASN'T JUST POWER, THAT WAS…"
The blinding flash faded, replaced by wisps of smoke drifting across the sky. For a moment, the stadium felt oddly suspended, a collective breath held as the crowd processed what they'd just witnessed. Then, a ripple of excited whispers started, morphing into a cacophony of cheers, confused murmurs, and envious shouts. Cameras panned frantically towards Izuku, attempting to capture the boy who had transformed the competition into his own personal stage.
Izuku lowered his trembling hands. That was power. The crowd, the competition, it all faded, replaced by the intoxicating thrill of pushing his limits. True control wouldn't come today, maybe not ever. But today, he had lit up the sky. This was just the beginning.
Competitors stared in a mixture of awe and apprehension. Some, with an ambitious spark in their eyes, saw this display as a challenge to rise to, an exciting glimpse into the heights of potential. Others felt a flicker of fear, the realization that this wasn't merely a game, but a battlefield.
In the stands, reactions were just as diverse. Parents gasped and laughed in disbelief, younger children tugged on sleeves, demanding explanations. Teachers' gazes were intense, analyzing Izuku's movements, calculating the potential, and the danger. ALL MIGHT's booming laugh echoed above the din, yet there was a sharpness behind his smile. This wasn't simply a powerful successor, this was a force of nature, barely contained. It was exhilarating…and potentially terrifying.
Obstacle #2: Sensory Overload
The metallic tang of victory clung to Izuku's nostrils, a bittersweet counterpoint to the electric buzz coursing through his veins. He stood amidst the wreckage of the Robo Hell gauntlet, the fallen robots testament to his explosive display of power. The roar of the crowd washed over him, a wave of exhilaration and awe.
But amidst the cheers, a flicker of apprehension danced in his gut. Beyond the smoldering remains of the robots, a section of the stadium warped and shimmered, the air itself buzzing with a dissonant energy. This was it: the Sensory Overload Zone.
Present Mic's voice boomed through the stadium, barely containing his excitement. "MIDORIYA HAS DOMINATED THE ROBO INFERNO! NOW LET'S SEE HOW THIS YOUNG POWERHOUSE HANDLES THE NEXT CHALLENGE: THE SENSORY OVERLOAD ZONE!"
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd as they saw the section of the stadium warped and shimmered, the air itself buzzing with a dissonant energy.
"THIS IS NO ORDINARY OBSTACLE, FOLKS!" Present Mic continued, "THIS ZONE IS A FULL-ON ASSAULT ON THE SENSES! BLAZING LIGHTS, EAR-SPLITTING NOISE. IT'S ENOUGH TO BREAK THE WILL OF EVEN THE TOUGHEST COMPETITOR!"
Taking a deep breath, Izuku focused on his mental hand, the five cards shimmering faintly. He needed a solution, not a shield. With that resolve, he stepped through the shimmering barrier, and the world exploded.
"WOAH!" Present Mic's shout echoed the surprise of the crowd. "LOOKS LIKE MIDORIYA JUST GOT A SENSORY OVERLOAD! WHAT'S HIS STRATEGY HERE? HE CAN'T PUNCH HIS WAY THROUGH THIS ONE!"
The world didn't dim, but warped, distorting his surroundings into a kaleidoscope of blinding lights and deafening noise. The steady ground beneath his feet pulsed with strange vibrations, throwing off his balance. He stumbled, his instincts screaming for escape.
He focused on his shimmering mental hand, scanning for a solution. No powerhouse like his Force gem…but there, linked to a humble *Pair*, was the familiar Shield gem. It wasn't much, but it was something. Suddenly, a wave of dissonant sound washed over him, so sharp it pierced him like pain. He focused on the *Pair*, picturing a desperate, frantic surge of power.
"HANG ON, FOLKS, SOMETHING ODD IS HAPPENING!" Present Mic's voice crackled with confusion. "THERE'S A SHIMMERING AROUND MIDORIYA, LIKE HE'S WARPING THE VERY ENVIRONMENT! IS THIS A NEW TWIST ON HIS QUIRK, OR… SOMETHING ELSE ENTIRELY?"
The power surged, the Shield gem's effect twisting and stretching under his will. It wasn't the solid defense he usually relied on, but a shimmering, warping field that shattered the relentless rhythm of the sound wave.
A flicker of movement within the chaos caught his eye, a shimmer of normalcy that might be the exit. He pushed off the unstable ground, his power surging with renewed hope. The warped field shifted around him, obscuring his movements.
"MIDORIYA'S ON THE MOVE!" Present Mic's voice rose with excitement. "BUT WHAT IS HE DOING? HIS FORM IS BLURRING WITHIN THAT WARPED FIELD! IT'S LIKE HE'S BECOME A PART OF THE CHAOS ITSELF!"
He hurtled through the zone, fighting for every step as the sensory assault ebbed and flowed around him. He burst through the shimmering barrier, gasping for breath, his vision swimming.
Present Mic's voice boomed once more, a mix of awe and lingering confusion. "AGAINST ALL ODDS, HE'S DONE IT! MIDORIYA HAS CONQUERED THE SENSORY OVERLOAD ZONE! I DON'T KNOW HOW HE DID IT, FOLKS, BUT THAT DISPLAY WAS PURE, RAW ADAPTABILITY!"
Obstacle #3: The Fall
The cheers of the crowd were still a distant echo as Izuku surveyed "The Fall." A series of rocky platforms stretched out across a seemingly bottomless chasm. Disqualification hung heavy in the air, but it felt less threatening than the boredom of slow, methodical movement.
"ALRIGHT, FOLKS, THE LAST OF THE PRELIMINARY OBSTACLES AND IT'S A DOOZY!" Present Mic's voice echoed through the stadium. "THIS IS 'THE FALL,' A TEST OF BALANCE, COORDINATION, AND THE OVERWHELMING FEAR OF GRAVITY! CAN MIDORIYA KEEP HIS WINNING STREAK, OR WILL HE FALL FLAT ON HIS FACE?"
A quick glance at his mental hand revealed a comforting sight – *Three of a Kind*, promising a potent surge of Force. A wicked grin spread across his face. Rules were for those who lacked imagination. He focused on the Force energy, not on short bursts, but a single, earth-shattering explosion.
"HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS, FOLKS, THIS MIGHT GET BUMPY!" Present Mic shouted. "LOOKS LIKE MIDORIYA'S GOT SOMETHING UP HIS SLEEVE! HE'S NOT EVEN APPROACHING THE FIRST PLATFORM, HE'S JUST….CROUCHING? WHAT'S HIS GAME HERE?"
With a deep breath, Izuku crouched low on the first platform. The crowd held its breath, unsure if this was genius or madness. The Force surged, not with finesse, but with raw, unfiltered power. The explosion of energy sent him hurtling across the gap, covering more than half the distance towards the next platform in a single leap.
"WHAT THE–" Present Mic's voice boomed through the stadium, barely containing his shock. "DID… DID HE JUST FLY?! MIDORIYA JUST CROSSED HALF THE CHASM IN A SINGLE LEAP! THIS ISN'T BALANCE OR PRECISION, FOLKS, THIS IS PURE, UNADULTERATED POWER!"
He landed with a bone-jarring thud, the platform groaning slightly under the impact. But he was unharmed, a surge of adrenaline washing away any lingering sense of fatigue.
Present Mic managed to recover his voice. "HE… HE MADE IT! BUT THAT LANDING – HOLY MOLY, SOMEONE CHECK IF THAT PLATFORM IS STILL IN ONE PIECE!"
With another surge of Force, he rocketed towards the next platform, the sheer distance he covered leaving the crowd gasping.
"HE'S DOING IT AGAIN!" Present Mic's voice was tinged with hysteria. "THIS ISN'T 'THE FALL,' FOLKS, THIS IS 'THE ROCKET SHOW!' THIS KID IS REWRITING THE RULES, AND I LOVE IT!"
He crossed the remaining distance in a series of powerful leaps, each jump a testament to the overwhelming force he could unleash. If "The Fall" was a test of balance, he countered with a display of sheer, explosive might.
He crossed the finish line with a final, staggering surge, collapsing on the ground with a triumphant whoop.
"HE'S DONE IT!" Present Mic's voice echoed, an explosion of excitement matching Izuku's own. "MIDORIYA HAS CONQUERED 'THE FALL'! NOT WITH GRACE, NOT WITH PRECISION, BUT WITH ENOUGH RAW POWER TO REWRITE THE RULEBOOK! WHAT AN ABSOLUTE MADMAN!"
Obstacle #4: The Climb
Present Mic's booming voice echoed through the stadium, "AND IT'S YOUNG MIDORIYA, OUR FRONTRUNNER, APPROACHING 'THE CLIMB'! THIS COLOSSAL WALL ISN'T JUST ABOUT STRENGTH, FOLKS – IT'S ABOUT STRATEGY! AND THIS KID'S GOT IT IN SPADES. BUT LET'S NOT FORGET THE UNIQUE CHALLENGE HE FACES: THAT BRACELET! IT MAY NOT LOOK LIKE MUCH, BUT TRUST ME, IT REACTS TO A COMPETITOR'S OWN STRENGTH. FOR SOMEONE LIKE MIDORIYA, WELL, LET'S JUST SAY IT'S ABOUT TO FEEL LIKE CARRYING A MOUTAIN!"
Izuku stared up at 'The Climb', the artificial wall dominating the stadium. It seemed to stretch into the clouds themselves, a sheer expanse of obstacles marked with ominous hazard signs. The roar of the crowd was a distant hum, replaced by the whistling of the wind through the gaps in the structure and the groan of stressed metal. He took one last breath, his gaze focused squarely on the table in front of him. This was "A Weighty Burden," indeed, and his was about to get a whole lot heavier.
His eyes flickered to his fist. The green sparks of One for All crackled beneath his skin, a wellspring of power he'd have to rely on more than ever today. This obstacle was about proving his skill, his ingenuity, the unpredictable beauty of his own magical talent.
Present Mic's voice rose again, "LOOKS LIKE MIDORIYA'S GETTING HIS GAME FACE ON! HE KNOWS THIS CHALLENGE WILL PUSH HIM TO HIS LIMITS, BUT IT'S CLEAR THAT WON'T SLOW HIM DOWN! THIS KID'S A NATURAL COMPETITOR, ALWAYS READY TO OVERCOME THE NEXT OBSTACLE! REMEMBER, THE SPORTS FESTIVAL IS WHERE HEROES ARE BORN, AND THERE'S NO TELLING WHAT INCREDIBLE FEATS HE MIGHT PULL OFF NEXT!"
A determined grin spread across Izuku's face. One for All was a part of him, as much as his own unpredictable magic. He'd fight this battle on his own terms, even with the weight of the world around his wrist. He focused on his fist, the green energy surging forward, suffusing his body with a low hum of power.
Then, he moved towards the table. The bracelet loomed large, deceptively simple in appearance. He picked it up with a trembling hand, the metal unexpectedly cool against his skin. For a moment, nothing seemed to happen. Then, the world tilted. It was subtle, the ground shifting beneath his feet not from an external force, but an invisible pressure settling onto his shoulders. It would only get worse from here. But he was ready.
"THE IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER, FOLKS, IS THAT ACCORDING TO THE RULES, THIS BRACELET STAYS ON FOR THE REST OF THE RACE! IT'S A TRUE TEST OF ENDURANCE!"
The climb was a blur of obstacles and frantic, focused energy. His magic shifted and pulsed, the gems he'd pre-assigned manifesting in different combinations to overcome each challenge. Every step was a labor against the personalized burden. Muscles strained as he fought to stay upright, as the shifting gravity threatened to buckle his knees. Even the constant vibration of the structure thrummed in his bones, adding a disorienting element to the challenge.
Finally, he came to a particularly treacherous stretch, a slick surface offering no purchase. Skid marks and frustrated cries echoed below, a testament to the difficulty. The smell of ozone filled the air, a testament to quirks being pushed to their limits.
Present Mic's voice reverberated through the stadium, "UH OH! LOOKS LIKE MIDORIYA'S HIT A SLIPPERY SLOPE! HE DOMINATED ROBO HELL, BUT SENSORY OVERLOAD THREW HIM FOR A LOOP! HE'S STILL AHEAD, BUT HIS LEAD IS SHRINKING! WATCH OUT, MIDORIYA, KENDO ITSUKA OF CLASS B IS GAINING ON YOU! THIS IS GETTING TENSE, FOLKS!"
A grim determination flickered in Izuku's eyes. Below, the rest of the competitors struggled, their progress insignificant. But Itsuka was close, her movements precise and relentless, steadily closing the distance. He couldn't let her overtake him.
He focused his will, drawing from the chaotic nature of his magic. He was currently dealt a humble Pair, not enough to link to his Shield gem and protect himself from a fall. He considered switching to his other available linked gem, Force, but that wouldn't solve his current predicament.
Desperate times called for desperate measures. He took several calming breaths, focusing on the weight of the bracelet grounding him. Then, he risked it all. Attempting to force one of his unlinked gems to manifest. It was a long shot, a gamble as unpredictable as the wild magic within him. He'd never done it before, but necessity fueled his determination.
"AND WHAT'S THIS?!" Present Mic's voice roared with excitement, catching the crowd's attention. "MIDORIYA'S UP TO SOMETHING! I'M NOT SURE WHAT HE'S GOT PLANNED, FOLKS, BUT IT LOOKS RISKY! COULD THIS BE THE MOVE THAT SECURES HIS VICTORY, OR HIS DOWNFALL?"
With a final surge of concentration, a flicker of crimson materialized within his mind – the powerful Rage gem. He linked it to his Pair with unwavering determination. A strange, prickly sensation surged through his hands and feet, the Rage gem amplifying his own frustrated determination, fueling his focus.
Activating One for All in his legs, he powered through the treacherous surface, maintaining his tenuous lead over Itsuka. His muscles burned, and sweat dripped into his eyes, blurring his vision, but the finish line seemed tantalizingly close. With a final burst of effort, he clambered over the edge, heart pounding in his chest.
"AND JUST LIKE THAT, MIDORIYA HAS RETAINED THE LEAD AND IS ON HIS WAY TO THE FINAL OBSTACLE!" Present Mic announced, causing the crowd to cheer.
He didn't collapse. He didn't have time. The race wasn't over. There was more ground to cover, more obstacles to face. But for a moment, a single precious moment, he allowed himself a triumphant grin. He'd reached the peak, and he was still in the lead.
Obstacle #5: Minefield
The final leg of the obstacle course was a sprawling minefield. Unlike the previous challenges, raw power wouldn't guarantee victory here. The ground was littered with hidden landmines, each one packing a loud, flashy punch designed to temporarily stun any unfortunate competitor who triggered them. However, unlike real minefields, these were no match for a keen eye – with careful observation, competitors could spot subtle clues in the environment, revealing the safe path through the treacherous field.
Izuku, still burdened by the weight of the bracelet, surveyed the minefield with a determined glint in his eyes. The bracelet, he reasoned, was giving him an unexpected advantage. Its tremendous weight was grounding him, making it harder for the explosions to throw him off course. His natural durability made the shocks mere annoyances, allowing him to maintain his balance and speed. The real challenge now was maintaining his lead; Itsuka was closing in, and every second counted.
Present Mic's voice boomed through the stadium, "AND HERE COMES OUR FRONTRUNNER, MIDORIYA, CHARGING TOWARDS THE MINEFIELD! HE'S NOT EVEN SLOWING DOWN! WHAT'S HIS STRATEGY HERE?"
Ignoring the growing commotion, Izuku focused solely on the task at hand. He wouldn't waste precious time picking his way through. He wouldn't give Itsuka another inch. With a deep breath, he launched himself forward, a blur of green charging recklessly into the heart of the minefield.
Present Mic's voice crackled with excitement, "THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE! MIDORIYA'S GOING FULL KAMIKAZE! THOSE EXPLOSIONS SHOULD BE KNOCKING HIM OFF HIS FEET, BUT HE'S NOT EVEN FLINCHING! THIS KID IS A FORCE OF NATURE, FOLKS!"
The ground erupted in a cacophony of deafening booms and blinding flashes as Izuku triggered mine after mine, his path a trail of detonations. The force of the explosions rippled through him, but his iron will and innate sturdiness kept him charging forward. Smoke and dust billowed around him, briefly obscuring the finish line in sight. He coughed, pushing through the haze, a wild grin splitting his face. This was madness, but it was working! He was leaving the rest of the competition in the dust.
Present Mic's voice rose to a fever pitch, "HE'S A MACHINE! THOSE BLASTS CAN'T STOP HIM! CAN MIDORIYA MAINTAIN THIS INSANE PACE, OR WILL THE MINEFIELD FINALLY TAKE HIM DOWN?!"
The finish line emerged from the dissipating smoke. With a final burst of speed, Izuku crossed it, the roar of the crowd washing over him. He collapsed, chest heaving, the weight of the bracelet now a crushing burden. He'd made it through, and against all odds, he'd done it in first place.
Present Mic's voice thundered through the stadium, "AND IT'S MIDORIYA, FOLKS! AN ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE PERFORMANCE! HE CROSSED THAT MINEFIELD LIKE IT WAS A LEISURELY STROLL! AGAINST ALL EXPECTATIONS, MIDORIYA HAS MAINTAINED HIS LEAD AND CLAIMS FIRST PLACE IN THE OBSTACLE RACE!"
The crowd erupted in a frenzy of cheers and applause. Exhaustion forgotten, Izuku allowed himself a triumphant grin. It hadn't been elegant, but it had been effective.
But before he could completely succumb to the cheers, a surge of pride welled up within him. With a heavy breath, he pushed himself onto one knee, then the other. Ignoring the throbbing in his legs, he raised his left fist high in the air, a radiant smile splitting his face. For a moment, he mimicked the iconic pose of his idol, All Might. The crowd roared even louder, recognizing the homage to the legendary hero. In that instant, bathed in the cheers and the fading smoke of the minefield, Izuku felt a flicker of something new: not just victory, but the spark of a true hero in the making.
Then, Itsuka emerged from the dust cloud, a look of begrudging awe on her face. The rest of the competitors straggled in, shaken and disoriented. Even within the haze of exhaustion, Izuku felt a twinge of guilt at leaving them behind so mercilessly.
Even so, excitement and anticipation coursed through him. He'd crossed the finish line first, but the Sports Festival was just getting started. Whatever challenge awaited next, he was ready.
Thanks for reading the chapter, everyone! Like what I mentioned above, I'd like to know if you guys prefer the First Person POV with occassional Third Person every now and then or switch to this format. Your input would be greatly appreciated.
Not much talking this chapter, huh? I just realized as I was writing this.
Originally, I intended to put all SportsFes content within a single chapter but putting the extra challenges took the wind out of me. Hope you guys enjoyed it, at least. The course is also longer this time because if I used the canon 4km course, he'd clear that in...4 seconds...while lowballing his speed. So it's both longer and have more challenges. At first, I planned so the bracelet is supposed to be removed at the top of the wall, but I thought it'll be interesting to use it as an advantage after The Climb so it turned out the way it is. The next few events would be closer to canon, with some obvious changes based on what happened here. Hopefully, I'd be able to finish SportsFes in the next chapter.
Also, second time we saw Izuku's sis with her companion.
Ken regularly goes to Inko to have his horses checked so they became friends.
Next up: Sports Festival (part 2)