Chereads / MHA: Energy Nexus / Chapter 11 - Chapter 11: UA Sports Festival (End)

Chapter 11 - Chapter 11: UA Sports Festival (End)

With Present Mic's announcement, I made my way to the arena. The atmosphere was electric, the crowd's anticipation palpable as I approached the battlefield. From the opposite gate, I saw Ibara Shiozaki walking in as well, her calm and serene expression unwavering despite the looming challenge. She exuded a quiet confidence, her vines twitching slightly in preparation for the match.

We both entered the arena and stood face to face. There was an unspoken understanding that this match wouldn't be a drawn-out battle. She eyed me carefully, likely aware of my reputation for quick wins, but still resolute.

Present Mic's voice boomed across the stadium. "The next match is about to begin! Are you all ready for this? It's the thorn of Class 1-B, Ibara Shiozaki, versus the strongest from Class 1-A, Leo!"

I could sense the entire arena focused on the two of us. The signal rang out: "Start!!!"

Without hesitation, I raised my hand, tapping into my quirk. Space itself rippled around us. In an instant, I restrained her movements with a subtle wave of my hand, the invisible force of space locking her in place. Before she could react, a portal appeared beneath her, swirling like a vortex.

The entire arena went silent as she vanished.

Moments later, she reappeared, standing outside the ring. Her expression was a mixture of shock and disbelief, unable to comprehend how quickly the fight had ended without her even landing a move. Her vines, which had been poised to attack, now hung limply at her sides.

Present Mic's voice echoed throughout the stadium. "Shiozaki is out of the ring! Leo moves on to the next round!" He didn't miss a beat, almost as if he'd come to expect these lightning-fast victories. "And with that, folks, we have our final four contestants! After a short break, we'll head straight into the semi-finals!"

The audience erupted into applause, but I could still sense the undercurrent of shock from some spectators who were perhaps hoping for a longer match. As I walked out of the arena, I couldn't help but glance back at Shiozaki, giving her a respectful nod. She returned it, clearly acknowledging the power gap between us.

Now, with the semi-finals looming, the real challenge was about to begin. But I guess for me, it wouldn't be much of a challenge.

I left the arena and walked back to the participants' stand. Kaminari immediately came over, grinning. "Thanks for going light on her, Leo."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Did you fall for her, Kaminari?"

His face turned red, and he waved his hands in denial. "No, it's definitely not like that! I just... ya know... she's cute, and I was happy you didn't go all out on her, yeah, that's all!"

Everyone around us burst out laughing at his flustered response. I chuckled and shook my head, patting him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Kaminari. I understand."

Still red-faced, Kaminari tried to shrug it off, while the rest of the group continued to tease him.

As soon as Bakugo walked in, everyone let go of Kaminari and turned their attention over to him. Sero grinned and teased, "Oh, rough match, huh, villain-face? Looked like you got rubbed on the floor."

Tsuyu chimed in, "Matches aside, how are you holding up? You were quite seriously injured."

Bakugo's response was uncharacteristically light. "I'm fine." Then he sat down on an empty seat.

Everyone was completely stunned by Bakugo's calm reply. Kirishima blinked. "Did Bakugo just—"

Ashido whispered, wide-eyed, "Did he just say he's fine without shouting?"

Seeing this, I thought, *Looks like Jiro's Ultimate really shattered his arrogance and pride. At least I'll get to see a different Bakugo from now on.* I interrupted the teasing, "Come on, guys, let him go."

Bakugo clicked his tongue and looked away, but I could sense he was touched by their concern.

Then I asked, "Hey, Bakugo, why were you delayed? You clearly left before me."

Bakugo muttered, "Aizawa called me after I left the nurse's office."

I nodded in understanding and then made my way over to Jiro and Toru, sitting next to them. As we were all chatting, I remembered something and asked, "Say, what happened to Iida? I haven't seen him since the end of Jiro's match."

Shoji responded, "Oh, he got a call from his mom and left soon after. He looked pretty worried."

I nodded. "I see."

Ashido added, "I hope he's alright."

Just then, Midoriya walked in, and everyone rushed over to him. Kirishima was the first to ask, "Midoriya, how are you? You looked totally beat up after that match."

Sero nodded. "Yeah, you haven't been that injured since the entrance exam."

Midoriya, moved by their concern, smiled and replied, "I'm fine now, thanks to Leo. Recovery Girl said even she couldn't fully fix me, but Leo's quirk took care of it."

Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief, and Kirishima added, "That's great. You almost crippled yourself. Good thing Leo was here."

The rest of the group nodded in agreement, and I chimed in with a smile, "Come on, guys, since I have the ability, why wouldn't I use it?"

Just then, the short break ended, and Present Mic's voice echoed through the arena once more. "Now let's begin the next round! Both of these competitors have reached this stage with crushing leads. This is a fight between the elites! Izuku Midoriya versus Leo!!!"

Hearing this, Midoriya and I entered the arena from our respective sides. As we stood facing each other, I looked at him and asked, "You ready?"

Midoriya clenched his fists and nodded with determination. "Yeah, let's give it everything we've got!"

As soon as Present Mic's voice rang out, "Start!!", both Midoriya and I activated our quirks in unison. Green arcs of energy surged around Midoriya, and red arcs flared around me. The crowd leaned in, sensing the tension in the air as we rushed at each other with explosive speed.

Our fists collided with a thunderous crack, sending shockwaves rippling across the arena. The force of each impact shook the ground, and the spectators gasped with every blow. Each collision created gusts of wind, throwing dust and debris into the air as we exchanged rapid strikes.

Despite my ability to unleash far more power, I purposefully limited myself to match Midoriya's strength, wanting to experience the full thrill of a balanced battle. Every time our fists met, the ground beneath us cracked, and the sheer energy of our movements sent tremors through the stadium.

Midoriya's determination was fierce, his green lightning flashing as he pushed his body to its limits, throwing punch after punch. But I was prepared, countering every strike with precision, deflecting his attacks, and returning them with equal force. My energy manipulation allowed me to stay at my peak, constantly absorbing energy from every collision, keeping me sharp and tireless.

At one point, Midoriya leaped into the air, aiming a powerful One For All punch straight at me. I met him head-on with a punch of my own, and the resulting collision sent a massive shockwave throughout the arena, pushing back even the spectators.

The ground beneath us shattered, creating a crater where we stood. Midoriya was breathing heavily, sweat dripping down his face, but I was still in peak condition. Yet, neither of us showed any signs of backing down.

"Not bad, Midoriya!" I said, grinning as we clashed once more. His strength was incredible, but I could feel the slight strain in his movements as his body struggled to keep up with One For All's power.

With every punch, I could sense Midoriya's growing exhaustion, while I remained in peak condition thanks to my passive energy absorption. The battle raged on, our fists colliding with bone-shattering force, but I knew it was only a matter of time.

Finally, after one last powerful exchange, I saw the opening. Midoriya's movements slowed, just for a moment, and I took the chance. With a quick feint, I dodged his punch and countered with a swift uppercut, sending him flying back.

He crashed to the ground, struggling to get up. His body was battered, his breath labored, but his spirit was still strong.

"I can keep going," he muttered, trying to push himself to his feet.

I stood over him, smiling but offering a hand. "Not this time, Midoriya. You gave it everything, but this fight's over."

Midoriya, panting and exhausted, looked up at me and finally took my hand. The crowd roared as I pulled him up, the thrill of the battle still buzzing in the air.

Present Mic's voice echoed through the arena: "AND THE WINNER IS… LEO!!!"

The crowd erupted in applause, and I could feel the admiration from my classmates as I helped Midoriya to his feet. He gave me a tired but appreciative smile.

"You did great," I said. "You pushed me more than I expected."

Midoriya nodded, still catching his breath. "Thanks, Leo. I'll get stronger... next time, I'll push you even further."

I chuckled and patted him on the back. "I'll be waiting for that."

Following the end of the match, we returned to the participants' stand, and as soon as we entered, we were immediately swarmed by our classmates. Kirishima was the first to speak up, his voice full of admiration. "That was an incredible match, you two. Seriously, that was the most manliest fight today!"

Everyone else quickly joined in, offering their own words of praise. "You guys were amazing!" Kaminari added, while Mina gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up. Bakugo, still his blunt self but more sincere than usual, gave a short nod and said, "Not bad. You both held your ground." It was a rare moment of direct praise from him, and the group couldn't help but notice the shift in his tone.

Kirishima seized the moment and said, "Man, I still can't get over Bakugo's new character. Something always feels off." Bakugo shot back, "What do you mean by that, you bastard?" Kirishima laughed, "There's the Bakugo we know!" The group erupted in laughter, and Bakugo clicked his tongue in annoyance, looking away, but a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

Before we could continue, Present Mic's voice boomed through the stadium, "Now for the next match: Tokoyami versus Jiro!"

Hearing this, Jiro stood up and stretched. "Guess I'm up." Leo cheered from the sidelines, his voice warm and encouraging. "Good luck, Jiro! Go give them a good fight."

Jiro smiled, a small flicker of nervousness in her eyes. She nodded and walked toward the arena, with Tokoyami getting up and heading there as well. Both stood face-to-face, their eyes locked in focus.

As Present Mic's signal echoed through the stadium, Jiro and Tokoyami faced off, their eyes locked with fierce determination. Dark Shadow hovered protectively around Tokoyami, its presence both intimidating and powerful. Jiro plugged her earphone jacks into the amplifiers on her legs, ready to unleash her sound-based attacks.

Wasting no time, Jiro launched her first move. She sent a powerful soundwave attack directly at Tokoyami. "Heartbeat Wave!" The ground trembled as the concentrated soundwaves rippled through the air, hurtling toward her opponent. Dark Shadow braced itself, shielding Tokoyami from the brunt of the blast, but the force still pushed them back several feet.

"Jiro's really bringing the beat!" Present Mic shouted, excited by the clash.

Not backing down, Tokoyami directed Dark Shadow forward. "Dark Shadow, counterattack!"

Dark Shadow shot toward Jiro with terrifying speed, its massive arms reaching out to strike. Jiro responded with another well-aimed soundwave, this time trying to disrupt Dark Shadow's advance. "Heartbeat Disruption!" The concentrated waves hit Dark Shadow squarely, forcing it to slow down and giving Jiro the opening she needed.

But just as she was about to follow up with another attack, a sharp crack rang out. Her amplifiers sputtered and sparked, and Jiro felt her heart sink. The hurried repairs couldn't hold up against the intensity of the battle. Her amplifiers gave out completely, rendering her soundwave attacks ineffective.

Cursing under her breath, Jiro quickly adapted. With no way to project her soundwaves at a distance, she yanked her earphone jacks from the broken amplifiers and switched to close combat. "Guess I'm back to basics."

As Dark Shadow lunged for her again, Jiro cracked her earphone jacks like whips, their sharp tips slashing through the air. The whips collided with Dark Shadow's strikes, forcing it back momentarily. Tokoyami furrowed his brow, impressed by Jiro's quick transition.

Using her agility, Jiro dashed around the arena, lashing out with her jacks at every opportunity. Dark Shadow blocked most of the strikes, but Jiro managed to land a few solid hits. Each impact sent a small ripple of energy through Dark Shadow, momentarily weakening its grip on Tokoyami's control.

However, Tokoyami's endurance began to outlast Jiro's. Without her amplifiers to bolster her offense, Jiro found herself slowly being pushed back. Dark Shadow pressed forward relentlessly, finally managing to land a heavy strike that knocked Jiro off balance.

Seeing an opening, Tokoyami commanded Dark Shadow to wrap around Jiro. The tendrils of Dark Shadow coiled around her, pinning her in place.

"Jiro is unable to continue! Tokoyami advances to the finals!" Present Mic declared, his voice ringing out over the stadium.

Dark Shadow retreated as Tokoyami approached Jiro, offering her a hand. "You fought well, Jiro. I had to be on my toes the entire time."

Jiro accepted his hand, panting slightly but smiling. "Thanks, Tokoyami. I'll make sure my gear's ready next time."

The crowd cheered for both competitors as they left the arena.

After a short break, Present Mic's voice boomed across the stadium, his enthusiasm radiating through the speakers. "At last, we have arrived at the final match! The best of UA's first years will now be decided! It's the relentless strength of Class 1-A's Leo versus the indomitable Tokoyami from Class 1-A!!!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, the energy in the air electric with excitement.

I turned to Tokoyami, catching his unwavering gaze. His expression was calm but intense.

"You ready?" I asked, keeping my voice steady but focused, sensing the gravity of the moment.

"As ready as I'll ever be," he replied in his usual calm, composed tone.

With that, we both made our way toward the arena, the crowd's cheers only growing louder, nearly deafening. Each step felt heavy with anticipation, like the entire stadium was holding its breath, waiting for the final clash.

When we entered the ring, the tension only thickened. We faced each other in the center, standing in silence for a brief moment, both of us evaluating, calculating. It wasn't just about strength—it was about strategy, precision, and pushing each other to our limits.

The air felt charged as Present Mic's voice rang out once more, echoing across the stadium, amplifying the moment.

"And... START!!!"

As soon as Present Mic's signal came, I said, "Hey, Tokoyami, I want to fight you at your strongest, so don't hate me for this."

Tokoyami looked confused, his brow furrowing in concern. "What do you mean by that, Leo? And why am I getting a bad feeling?"

I grinned, crossing my fingers in front of me. "I've always wanted to do this,

Domain Expansion: Eternal Night."

The moment my voice fell, a powerful dark shockwave erupted across the arena with me at its center, sweeping through the entire stadium. Even those outside the arena felt its force. Soon, all the aura converged into a massive pillar of darkness that shot into the sky, and night swiftly enveloped the entire stadium.

Everyone was stunned, whether they were in the stands or watching from home. From the outside, it looked like a massive dark dome was covering the entire venue. The police and nearby heroes were thrown into a state of alert, eyes wide with concern as they scrambled to assess the situation. After contacting the event staff and understanding what was happening, they quickly lowered their guard, but remained vigilant.

Todoroki was the first to react, his voice filled with awe. "Is... is this his full strength?"

Kirishima's jaw dropped, eyes sparkling with excitement. "That's insane! I didn't know Leo could do something like this!"

Uraraka, gripping the railings tightly, whispered, "It's like the whole world just turned into night... during the day."

Bakugo smirked, his demeanor slightly more open than before. "Now this is what I'm talking about. Let's see if bird boy can keep up." His usual bravado was laced with a hint of admiration, and he leaned forward, clearly invested in the showdown.

In the arena, Tokoyami was equally stunned, his voice a mix of awe and concern. "Now I understand what you meant... and why I had a bad feeling. But seriously, Leo, are you sure you want to do this? In this dark environment, I have very little control over Dark Shadow. Even I won't be able to hold him back if he goes for the kill."

I nodded confidently, feeling a rush of determination. "Of course, I know that. Aside from wanting to fight you at full strength, I also want to help you. Remember what I said? 'I'll see what I can do to fix the berserk situation.' Besides everything that happens inside this Domain is under my complete control. "

Hearing this, Tokoyami's expression softened, and he nodded, ready to embrace the challenge. "OK then, I'm going to release Dark Shadow now. The rest depends on you."

I shook my head and said, "Not just on me. You have to try too. After all, it's your own quirk. Don't worry if he goes extremely out of control; I'll handle it."

Present Mic's stunned voice echoed, "This... What a wonderful start! Leo has completely turned day into night!" The crowd snapped back to attention, and an earth-shattering applause erupted, a mix of thrill and uncertainty in their cheers. Out of the corner of my eye, I even saw Endeavor watching me with a serious expression, clearly evaluating the implications of my power.

I refocused on the arena as Tokoyami released Dark Shadow. The creature grew to an enormous size, its dark form pulsating with energy, and immediately began attacking the first target it saw—me.

"Alright, Dark Shadow! Show me what you've got!" I called out, my voice echoing through the oppressive darkness. Tokoyami's shadowy counterpart lunged at me, a massive form of pure chaos, devoid of its master's control.

With a swift movement, I sidestepped a powerful swipe from Dark Shadow, the force sending a ripple through the air. "You're not going to catch me that easily!" I teased, enjoying the ease of the encounter as I danced around the attacks.

Dark Shadow was relentless, striking out with shadowy tendrils, but I remained light on my feet, laughing as I evaded every assault. "Come on, you can do better than that!" I shouted, my excitement palpable.

Tokoyami, struggling to regain control, watched in frustration as his quirk rampaged. "I can't control him in this darkness!" he shouted, panic creeping into his voice as Dark Shadow continued its onslaught, striking at anything in its path.

"Don't worry! I'm here to help!" I replied, my enthusiasm undeterred as I blocked another strike, feeling the thrill of the clash. "You just need to tap into your determination!"

"Dark Shadow! Please listen to me!" Tokoyami implored, but Dark Shadow only rampaged, the darkness amplifying its wild nature. I could see Tokoyami's determination begin to rise, his fists clenched as he focused.

"Remember, Tokoyami! You're the one in control!" I shouted, parrying another attack with ease. "Show him your strength!"

With a newfound determination, Tokoyami took a deep breath, channeling all his energy. "Dark Shadow, I command you!" he bellowed, the force of his will echoing through the darkness. For a moment, Dark Shadow paused, as if considering its master's words.

"That's it! Keep pushing!" I encouraged, dodging another strike as the crowd held its breath.

But just as Tokoyami thought he had regained some control, Dark Shadow surged forward again, fueled by the chaos of the domain. I couldn't help but admire the raw power of Tokoyami's quirk, but it was clear he needed assistance.

"Let's modify your quirk!" I called out, ready to lend a hand. "You need to take command!"

With that, I concentrated, my energy flowing toward Tokoyami as I modified his quirk, granting him master control over Dark Shadow. "Now you'll be able to give commands without fear!"

Tokoyami's expression shifted as he felt the change, his eyes widening with determination. "I can feel it! Dark Shadow, obey me!"

Suddenly, the chaotic creature hesitated, waiting for Tokoyami's commands. "Yes! Now, Dark Shadow, I want you to—"

Tokoyami's newfound control surged as he continued, "Channel your power into yourself!"

In a moment of realization, Tokoyami called out, "Dark Ankh!" Dark Shadow enveloped him like a protective armor, enhancing his strength and granting him the ability to fly. The crowd gasped in awe at the transformation.

"Now that's what I'm talking about!" I exclaimed, clapping my hands together. "Let's see how you fight now!"

With newfound confidence, Tokoyami launched himself into the air, his movements graceful and fluid. "I won't hold back!" he declared, sending a flurry of shadowy projectiles my way.

I easily dodged and countered, relishing the challenge. "Come on, give me more!" I encouraged, enjoying the thrill of the clash. The impact of our strikes echoed through the arena, and the crowd erupted into cheers, captivated by the spectacle.

Tokoyami attacked with renewed vigor, Dark Shadow responding to his commands. I could see the focus in his eyes as he learned to harness his quirk. "This is it!" he shouted, launching a powerful strike.

I blocked it effortlessly, a wide grin on my face. "Nice try! But you'll need more than that!" The energy of the fight surged, and I could feel the excitement coursing through me.

In a final exchange of blows, we collided head-on, creating shockwaves that rippled through the stadium. The crowd was stunned by the sheer force, but the arena remained intact, a testament to our control over our powers.

"This domain is mine!" I proclaimed, feeling the rush of the battle. "And in here, everything is under my control!"

With one final strike, I launched Tokoyami out of the ring, showcasing my strength. The dark dome of my domain began to shatter, colorful particles scattering like confetti as I declared my victory. "And that's the match!"

As the darkness dissipated, I looked at Tokoyami, who was catching his breath. "You did great! You've come a long way."

Tokoyami, still panting but with a look of newfound confidence, nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Leo. I couldn't have done it without your help. You really pushed me to confront my limitations."

I waved my hand dismissively, a grin spreading across my face. "It wasn't just me. We did it together! You found your strength, and I just helped you channel it." I could see the fire igniting in his eyes, a clear sign that he was ready to take on more challenges ahead.

He straightened up, his posture more assertive now. "I feel like I can finally control Dark Shadow, even in the darkness. Your assistance made all the difference."

I nodded in agreement, proud of how far he'd come in such a short time. "And I'll be here to help you along the way. Just remember, the strength of your quirk comes from your determination."

The cheers from the crowd echoed around us, a reminder of the exhilarating battle we had just experienced. We both raised our hands in acknowledgment, basking in the support of our classmates and the audience.

"Let's keep pushing each other," I added, my voice filled with enthusiasm. "We're just getting started!"

Here's the continuation with some polishing:

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Soon after, Midnight walked toward us, confirming the outcome of the match before announcing, "Tokoyami is out of bounds! Leo is the winner!"

Present Mic's excited voice boomed across the stadium. "And that concludes our contest! The first-year winner of UA's Sports Festival is Leo from Class 1-A!!!" The crowd erupted in cheers, and moments later, fireworks burst overhead, painting the sky in vibrant colors to celebrate the conclusion of the tournament.

Midnight's voice cut through the applause. "Now, let's move on to the awards ceremony!"

Standing atop the first-place pedestal, I couldn't help but feel the energy of the stadium wash over me. On my left, Tokoyami stood on the second-place podium, still a little winded but proud nonetheless. Sharing the third-place position were Midoriya and Jiro, both looking pleased and exhausted from their respective battles.

Midnight took center stage, announcing to the crowd, "In third place, we have both Jiro and Midoriya! Now, for the medals! Presenting them this year is...!"

Before she could finish, All Might made a grand entrance, his larger-than-life presence filling the stadium. "I am here... with the medals!" he bellowed, though his entrance was interrupted as Midnight finished, "Everyone's hero, All Might!"

All Might's eye twitched slightly at being cut off, and he shot a playful glance at Midnight, who quickly offered a sheepish apology. "Sorry for cutting you off." The light-hearted moment drew laughter from the crowd as All Might returned to his signature grin.

The stadium roared with cheers, the excitement of the moment reaching its peak upon seeing All Might.

Soon, the awards ceremony began under the thunderous cheers of the audience. All Might approached Jiro and Midoriya, hanging the medals around their necks with a proud smile. "Congratulations, Midoriya, Jiro! You both have come a long way," he said, beaming at them. "Midoriya, remember that even the smallest step forward matters, so never stop moving. And Jiro, your resolve in battle speaks volumes, but don't be afraid to trust your instincts more." He gave Midoriya a heartfelt hug, causing the crowd to swoon at the tender moment.

As he turned to Jiro for the same, I couldn't help but glare at him instinctively. Catching my stare, All Might paused, feeling an ominous premonition. Wisely, he reconsidered the hug and instead extended his hand for a respectful handshake with Jiro, who smiled as they shook hands.

Moving to the second-place pedestal, All Might stood before Tokoyami, hanging the silver medal around his neck. "Congratulations, Tokoyami! You're a strong one, and through your match, you've become even stronger. But remember, there's always room to grow, to unlock more of your potential, and open up a world of new opportunities." He gave Tokoyami a firm hug, to which Tokoyami held his medal tightly and nodded. "Understood."

Finally, All Might stood before me, a proud grin lighting up his face. "Now, Leo! You know, in a world constantly changing, few can reach the top—and even fewer can stay there. Take this medal as a reminder to keep fighting to hold your place at the top." He placed the gold medal around my neck, then gave me a mighty hug, nearly squeezing the air out of me.

"Understood, All Might, but can you let me go now? You're suffocating me," I muttered, feeling crushed by his strength.

All Might laughed heartily and whispered in my ear, "That's what you get for glaring at me earlier!" He then released me and turned to address the crowd and participants.

"Well then, these are your winners!" he announced proudly. "But hold on, everyone! Everyone here has the potential to be standing up here next year. Competition! Encouragement! Pushing each other to climb higher and higher. The sprouts of today will grow into the heroes of tomorrow! In that spirit, let's have a final cheer!" He raised his hand. "Everyone say it with me! One, two, and..."

Together, the entire stadium roared, "PLUS ULTRA!!!"

With the ceremony concluded, the audience began to leave, and we, the students, headed back to our classroom. Once inside, Aizawa met us with his usual stoic demeanor. "In light of today's festival, you'll have tomorrow and the day after tomorrow off. Use it to recover."

Then Aizawa continued, his tone as dry as ever, "As for the scouting reports and feedback from the pros, they'll be waiting for you here after the break. So, when you come back, look forward to that." He glanced around the room, making sure everyone was paying attention. "For now, enjoy your time off. You've earned it."

A sense of anticipation filled the room, mixing with the excitement of the festival still lingering in everyone's minds. We all exchanged glances, the prospect of being scouted by professional heroes adding an extra layer of excitement to our well-deserved break.

With the Sports Festival behind us, the atmosphere in Class 1-A felt lighter, but the excitement still buzzed beneath the surface. As we sat in the classroom, the weight of what came next slowly started sinking in.

"Internships, huh?" Kaminari said, leaning back in his chair. "I wonder which pro-hero I'll get to work with."

"Whoever it is, you better not fry your own brain this time," Jiro teased, earning a laugh from the others.

Kirishima grinned, his hands clenched in determination. "This is our chance to learn from the best! Time to go Plus Ultra!"

Tokoyami, now more confident after his experience in the arena, nodded. "There's still much to learn."

I looked around at my classmates, each of us eager and nervous in our own way. "Whatever happens, we've got each other's backs. Let's keep pushing forward."

Uraraka chimed in with her usual optimism, "Yeah, and remember, we've all grown so much already. The internships are just the next step!"

Aizawa gave a final word of encouragement before dismissing us. "Rest up. What comes next will test you in ways the festival couldn't."

As the students of Class 1-A walked out of the classroom, filled with excitement for their upcoming internships, far from the safety of UA, the shadows of society were beginning to stir. In the darker corners of the hero world, whispers of unrest spread. Dangerous individuals, disillusioned with the current hero system, gathered in secret.

Among them, a figure cloaked in shadow observed the aftermath of the Sports Festival through a flickering screen. "The future heroes... so full of potential, yet blind to the rot festering in the world they aim to protect."

A cold smile formed under the shadow. "It's time to show them the reality they've been shielded from."

As the students prepared for their next phase, something dangerous was indeed blooming in the shadows—a storm that threatened to shake the very foundation of hero society. The curtain was about to rise on a new, darker chapter.

A/N: There you go. That's the end of the Sports Festival arc. Hope you guys enjoyed it. See you all in the next chapter.