Chapter 25

“Aren't you a little too overconfident? What if you lose?!” Yaoyorozu asked me in return.

“Nah, I'd win!”

“What a bold statement; it seems the first-year representative is really confident in his capability. Now, let’s get started right away. The first game is what you’d call a qualifier!” Midnight's loud voice echoed through the stadium.

With a gesture of her hand, the screen behind her began to show an image of the course, before stopping on the word “race”

“U.A. doesn't waste any time, huh?”

I could hear Uraraka muttering near me. And I could only agree, as UA's particular style of education favours quick and bold action.

Midnight continued her speech.

“Every year, many contestants drink their tears and go back home without fulfilling their goals! Now, here is the fateful first game that will eliminate the majority of them! This year's first event is this. All 11 classes will participate in an obstacle course race!” she said, prompting the crowd to rise and cheer once again.

‘It's like they are begging me to take first place.' I squinted slightly while looking at the narrow tunnel entrance.

“The course will be held on the outer circumference of this stadium, which is about four kilometers! And since our school’s selling point is freedom! As long as you guys stay on the course, it doesn’t matter what you do! However, be reminded that only the first 42 contestants who cross the finish line will move on to the next round. " Midnight yelled.

‘ Seriously! With this narrow passage, once all the students are packed together, all I'll have to do is use the paralysis scream. And I could leisurely finish the entire race at my own pace.’ I thought while looking at the other contestants.

“Okay, here’s the play-by-play!

Are you ready to do the commentary, Mummy Man?”

“You’re the one who forced me to come.”

“Let’s get started right away, Mummy Man! What should we pay attention to in the early stages?”

“This part right now.”

I heard Eraser Head and Present Mic commenting on the race as we lined up at the starting gate, ready to run once the

“Is everyone in place, good!”

"Ready,"

"START!!" Midnight yelled.

At her signal, everyone rushed towards the exit; chaos erupted instantly as everyone started bumping and shoving each other, trying to gain the lead. Suddenly, the air turned cold as ice began freezing the feet of most of the students.

When the race began, I ignored their comments and completely focused on myself.

Passing over the others, I was already airborne, flying above the ice and easily taking the lead once outside the tunnel.

Wind whipped through my hair as I flew higher. Below me, I could see Bakugo chasing after me and Shoto sliding on his ice behind him. Trailing behind them was Yaoyorozu using a staff she created to jump over the ice, Aoyama using his laser to fly over, Kirishima using brute strength to break through the ice, and Midoriya running over as fast as he could, all of them trying their best to not be left behind.

"Bastard! Do you really think you can get away from me?" Bakugo yelled as he continued to get close to me.

“Hey there, Bakugo! Say, do you really think it's a good idea to fly so close? I even did you all a favor by giving you all a chance to compete with me earlier. You wouldn't want it all to go to waste, right!” I said while pointing a finger at my mouth.

“You fucking… just you wait, I'm going to beat you.” Bakugo cursed, but he stopped chasing me before trying to fly around me while keeping the most distance between us.

‘ Smart guy; he knows better than to come close, even if he technically has the advantage in the air.’

I thought, raising an eyebrow, and also flew away, gradually widening the gap between us.

Todoroki glanced up in my direction, his expression slightly distorted before refocusing on the race.

As I was flying ahead, I caught sight of dozens of Zero-Pointers, along with hordes of smaller combat robots, waiting to attack anyone who got close. Unconcerned, I just flew higher to avoid the robots.

‘ Why waste time trying to show off when I can just finish faster and use the rest of the time to recuperate? Might as well speedrun the rest since they're pointless against me.’

Without looking back, I continued flying until I arrived at the second barrier. It was a giant pit consisting of many pillars with ropes connecting them and serving as a bridge between each side.

I flew over the other side of the pit without concern and continued. As I climbed higher into the sky, I looked below me, seeing a familiar minefield; it was barely an inconvenience to me, as I effortlessly flew over it as well. I reached the stadium and passed the finish line, easily taking first place.

'It's almost too easy; this course gives too much advantage to those who can fly, not that I'm complaining, though. I recall that the next course serves to punish them with limited air access.'

The crowd stares in disbelief at the ease with which I completed the race.

"What a stunning display of speed! Looks like we have a winner, and it seems like his earlier words weren't just boast lady’s and gentlemen, the first to cross the finish line is… None Other Than our student representative, Arata Seiji!!"

The stadium erupts into cheers at Present Mic's announcement.

'Now I can rest while waiting for the others to also arrive at the finishing line.’

"And here come our second finalists! Bakugo Katsuki!”

A moment later, Present Mic announced Bakugo's arrival.

"Again...! Shit, that fish-eyed-looking bastard, how dare he threaten me to win. I'm going to murder him!" Bakugo said, frustrated about losing.

Todoroki, however, just looked in my direction without saying anything.

This time Midoriya took fifth place, being overtaken by Tsuyu.

‘It seems like me being in the lead made Bakugo and Todoroki focus more on the race than stopping each other.’

A few moments later, the rest of the students arrived. Filling all 42 spots for the second round.

"The first round is officially over! Let's look at the results!" Midnight announced to the contestants.

Arata Seiji n°1

Bakugo Katsuki n°2

Todoroki Shoto n°3

...

“The 42 at the top have earned the right to advance! I'm sorry to those who failed; you'll have to try the next time. For all those remaining, we can now start the second event!" Once she spoke the screen behind her changed once again, with new words appearing.

"The Human Cavalry Battle! For this event, Students will team up in groups ranging from 2 to 4 people.

They will have a rider, while the others make sure he doesn't fall onto the ground. If the rider falls to the ground, that team is eliminated. As for what they will be fighting for, points!  Each contestant that made it into the top 42 is awarded 10 points, starting from the bottom. As the rank moves up, 10 more points are added. To advance, each team has to snatch the other headband. The teams with the most points will be able to pass on to the next round." Midnight said with a sadistic expression on her face, clearly enjoying herself.

"A final detail: the 1st place headband, however, is worth 1 million points."

The other students all turned to me with greed, ready to do anything necessary to win those points.

"Be reminded that staying in the air for more than five seconds is forbidden; do so and you'll be instantly disqualified."

‘ What a sadistic plan. They made the course easier for people who could fly so they could bring them down in the second half. I wonder if it was Nezu or Midnight who came up with that plan. However, if they think they can take those points from me, they're in for a bad surprise.' I thought while waiting for Midnight to finish speaking before choosing my teammate.

" You have 10 minutes to choose your teammate and choose your position. After you're done, come to us to receive your headband. " Midnight said.

Immediately, everyone started to make teams. I also started walking towards the person I wanted on my team.

….

At this moment, in a dark room, Shigaraki was sitting down on a sofa, staring at the image of the winner of the first event of the UA sports festival. While shaking with Rage.

"Sensei! Are you watching? It must be him; I'm sure of it! It's those despicable kids who cut my limbs off. I'm going to kill him; no, I'll make him suffer before killing him, Sensei!!" Shigaraki said as he furiously scratched his neck.

"I see… However, you must remain patient for the time being. Once the time is right, you'll be free to do as you please with him!" All For One comforted his disciple.