Meanwhile… on the main stage, Present Mic and my father stood as hosts for the event. As always, Present Mic's voice rang out loud and vibrant with unshakable enthusiasm.
[ROUND ONE — THE OBSTACLE COURSE HAS BEGUN!!! THE STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE A FULL LAP AROUND THE SPECIALLY DESIGNED OUTER TRACK!!!]
He shouted with fiery energy.
At his side, my father remained silent, his eyes shifting to the ever-energetic friend beside him, quietly observing his animated commentary.
[THE RULES ARE SIMPLE—AND BRUTAL! IT'S A FREE-FOR-ALL RACE WHERE ANYTHING GOES!]
[EVEN OUR CAMERA BOTS CAN'T LOOK AWAY!!!]
Boom!
The screen cut to Bakugo, twisting through the air with explosive bursts from his palms, narrowly dodging the massive heads of incoming robots.
[ANDDDD BAKUGO FROM CLASS 1-A BLASTS THROUGH THE SKY, DODGING THOSE ROBOTS LIKE A PRO! THAT'S SOME SHARP THINKING!!!]
The broadcast shifted again, highlighting the front pack—dominated by Class 1-A students. Among them were a tape user, a shadow manipulator, and others. Class A was pulling ahead by a wide margin.
[ON ANOTHER NOTE—MIDORIYA IS ADVANCING UP THE RANKS! BUT WAIT… HE'S NOT USING HIS QUIRK AT ALL?! IS HE STILL HESITANT TO UNLEASH IT?!]
Despite not using his Quirk, Midoriya pushed forward with raw physical might, dismantling a robot with sheer force, tearing through it piece by piece.
The screen shifted again—this time to the top three contenders. One was cloaked in a strange black aura, another surfed forward on a path of ice, and the third blazed through the air with violent explosions in his wake.
[WHOA?! CLASS 1-A'S TODOROKI, BAKUGO, AND AIZAWA ARE ALL LEADING THE FRONT!!! CLASS A REALLY IS PACKED WITH TALENT!!!]
Present Mic's voice cracked with adrenaline.
Now, the first obstacle section had been cleared. What lay ahead was a massive stretch of floating platforms—connected only by thin ropes hanging between them.
As for me? I simply soared through the air without a care, effortlessly bypassing the entire hazard, keeping pace with the three figures beside me.
The platforms disappeared beneath us. Up ahead loomed the final challenge: a minefield—strategically rigged with carefully placed explosive traps.
Bakugo launched forward, blasting through the air with a furious momentum. I stayed airborne, cruising steadily alongside.
Todoroki glanced sharply in my direction.
"Hey... damn you. You can go faster, can't you? You're just... toying with me," he growled.
I let out a quiet chuckle.
"You've got it all wrong, Todoroki. I'm not playing around with you. I'm just... holding back. Orders from my dear old dad," I replied with a teasing glint in my voice.
[ALRIGHT, FOLKS—WE'VE GOT THREE CONTESTANTS NECK-AND-NECK IN THE FINAL STRETCH!!!]
The finish line came into view, shimmering in the distance. We all surged forward, accelerating with everything we had.
And then—
BOOMMMM!!!
An explosion erupted behind us, fire lighting up the sky.
***
The air was thick with smoke, swirling in dark plumes as the chaos settled. Amidst it all, Midoriya emerged—riding a sturdy piece of robot debris like a makeshift board, surging forward through the explosion's aftermath. I was left stunned.
"Midoriya... Did he plan this?" I muttered internally.
But then, a small smile curled on my lips.
"Heh... Truly impressive."
[WOAH?! IZUKU MIDORIYA FROM CLASS 1-A IS CATCHING UP TO THE FRONT THREE! HE NEVER FAILS TO SURPRISE!!]
Every student's gaze was now locked on Midoriya as he blazed ahead, momentum pushing him past the competition. But no one else slowed down.
He was right in front of me now, still speeding forward on that scrap of metal.
[MIDORIYA JUST OVERTOOK THE FRONT THREE!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!!]
"DEKU!!! HOW DARE YOU PASS ME?!" Bakugo roared, eyes burning sharper than any blade.
With a loud BOOM, Bakugo increased his blast power. Todoroki surged forward even faster atop a trail of ice, while I... started falling slightly behind.
I let out a soft chuckle, scratching my head lazily before stretching both arms forward.
"Hakujoudai."
Responding to my call, Hakujoudai's eye glowed fiercely. The orb spun around me, swirling with black smoke and a sinister aura.
[HERE IT IS!!! THE SUPERNATURAL QUIRK USER!!! SON OF PRO HERO ERASERHEAD!!! WHAT'S HE PLANNING NEXT?!]
My father remained silent, eyes watching me with an unreadable expression. Yet... even behind his bandages, I could almost feel his hidden smile.
Suddenly, I shot forward like a missile. The dark mist summoned by Hakujoudai triggered the landmines ahead before my feet ever touched them—clearing the path in an instant.
I was now neck-and-neck with Midoriya again. His speed had begun to falter—his makeshift board wobbled dangerously.
"Hey, buddy! Need a little boost?" I offered with a grin.
Startled, Midoriya turned, then beamed with that wide, earnest smile of his.
"Tsukasa... You're the best!"
I let out another laugh, then gave Hakujoudai a quick signal.
"Sorry if this stings a bit."
"Huh? Wait, what—" Midoriya started.
Before he could finish, a red laser blasted out from Hakujoudai's eye, striking the back of his board. The explosion that followed gave him the final burst of speed he needed—launching him ahead like a rocket.
And just like that... he crossed the finish line.
[1st Place: Izuku Midoriya. 2nd: Shoto Todoroki. 3rd: Katsuki Bakugo. 4th: Tsukasa Aizawa.]