~POV: Akira~
Last day before the Festival
Ha… Ha… Ha… Ha…
In the training hall, I am standing with my arms folded in front of Izuku, who is on the ground panting from exhaustion.
"How… how did I do?" He asks.
"You did well, I'm pretty sure that the current you can give Bakugo a run for his money."
His observation skills, learning ability, and the way he imitates me are quiet, something I must admit. He even notes down advice in his notebook. I knew he was like that, but I can't help but be impressed by his eagerness and perseverance. Bakugo should learn from him.
The current him can probably beat Bakugo. I don't think he can beat Todoroki compatibility-wise, but he can hold his ground.
"By the way, Akira-san…"
He now calls me Akira-san because he said that it makes him uncomfortable
"What are your clones doing over there?"
He points toward the edge of the stage where my clones are working on seals and barriers with the scrolls before them
"Don't mind them; you will know in time."
I answer to him. It is still early to tell him about this.
"Even so… compared to you, Todoroki-kun and Katchan I'm still far from achieving my goal."
"Did you hear what I said earlier?"
If you exclude me, Izuku is now among the three strongest in the class
'And don't compare yourself to me; I'm an exception to this world's very rules.'
Indeed, my powers aren't quirks, strictly speaking. They don't possess a "core" or a "factor", like quirks. That's why even if AFO wants to steal them, he just can't, and if I inherit the OFA, my powers won't integrate with it.
According to my observations and experiences, there is strange incompatibility between chakra and the energy that quirks use. They resemble each other and are extremely similar, like I can feel chakra signatures coming from this world's people. I can convert chakra to this world's energy and do the reverse, but others can't.
I think the reason is, the fact that I directly produce and control chakra. The two are composed of physical and spiritual parts, but are still different. To me, it is like quirk's energy is a downgraded version of chakra, this could explain the quirks' lack of versatility compared to Ninjutsu using chakra. In exchange for this lack of versatility, the quirk's powers seem stronger in their field.
I can make mistakes though, it is really a theory, and I don't have real proof to back this up.
"Anyway, now I think you are ready to take on the festival without being left behind."
Izuku looks at me like he wanted to say something and bows down 90°
"Thank you for everything you have done for me."
'Is that necessary?' I wonder.
"Don't mind it; after all, we are still first years; numerous things will happen to us in the future."
'More than you can imagine.'
"I will keep that in mind."
Indeed, you should.
"By the way, how strong are you actually, Akira-san?"
Do you really think I will answer that?
"I don't recall asking personal questions like 'How is your relationship with Uraraka' right?"
Izuku's face passed from pale to red
"W-w-w-w-w-what d-d-d-d-d-do you mean?"
"It's obvious you love her man. Anyone with working eyes can see it."
While Izuku is flustered, my attention shifts to the festival
'Mmm… Finally, I can use a bit more power than last time… This will be fun'
I thought without realizing that a battle junkie smile worthy of Madara appeared on my face.
The next day, the sports festival finally takes place, to the great pleasure of the press and the public from around the world. As the class representative, I waited for instructions at the entrance of the stadium.
"The presentation will start in 5 minutes, so call your classmates."
The staff indicates to me that it will be our turn. Walk toward our waiting room. When I open the room, I am greeted by the sight of my classmates reassuring themselves that they could, but…
'Why does Izuku look like a veteran soldier ready to go to war?'
Was my training regiment too much?
"Everyone, this will be our turn." I immediately left. I don't want to be involved with Izuku's and Todoroki's stuff. However, since I succeed in boosting Izuku's confidence a bit, his words will be different, but that's not my problem (it is in some way).
Present Mic began his speech to exit the crowd; it will be our turn soon.
"The freshly formed Miracle stars that shrugged off a mass villain assault with wills of steel! The department of heroics! Freshman class, the class A-1!"
The crowd's cheers resound through the stadium
"The stadium is full…" (Izuku)
"Indeed! And we need to show our best performance in front of them; this is an essential component of being a hero!"
'Not necessarily look at Aizawa-sensei. He doesn't like the media.'
While Present Mic is presenting all the classes
'Mm?'
I have a strange feeling
'Mind's Eye of the Kagura'
I try to feel the strange presence. The number of people present makes my search more difficult. I can't identify this person clearly, but I can say I don't know him or her, and the location is outside the stadium. Before I could search more, the presence began moving out of the school before it exited the range of my senses.
'I don't know who it was nor what this person's intentions are, but I need to keep an eye around more often.'
While I was deep in thought, I found myself before the podium where midnight is standing.
"It is time for the oath!" she declares
The men in the public are behaving like they have seen a miracle or something
"You see how she is dressed." (Kirishima)
"She is worthy of her title of 18-rated hero…" (Kaminari)
"And that doesn't prevent her from teaching in a High school?"(Tokoyami)
'Fair point, my bird-headed friend.'
"This is good!" (Mineta)
"You are in no position to say anything about it, so shut up." (Akira)
"Eh"?! (Mineta)
"Silence! I call the first year representative Uchiha Akira." (Midnight)
'Me? Ha! Right, I finish first in everything!'
I completely forgot about it. Do I have to do it? I'm good in combat, but not in speeches like this. Midnight's announcement makes the other first years go silent. I scratch the back of my head.
"I can't say I'm good with words, but I will do my best." (Akira)
"It is alright, Akira-san. I'm sure you will be fine!" (Yaoyorozu)
"Yeah, I'm sure you will be fine." (Jiro)
"T-thanks…"
'Thank you for believing in me, but aren't you a bit too enthusiastic about it? And Jiro you should be in my direction if you talk to me.'
I wonder if the USJ thing leads us to this.
'Now this is unexpected. Was my Shunshin really frightening them to this point?'
I walk toward the podium and reach the microphone facing the crowd. I take a deep breath. And I took the microphone off its stand and began my speech.
"This sports festival is only one of the trials that life will put our way as students of UA, particularity. As seen with the USJ incident, those who wish to commit misdeeds or even want destruction will not disappear easily. This festival is far more than just knowing who is the strongest first year. Actually, it doesn't matter much who is the strongest first year."
The public is silent; I'm not sure what that means, but I guess that's a good start. I turn around and face my fellow students. I don't use formal speech, nor do I speak with an arrogant tone. Just in a casual speech, like I am speaking to a friend.
"This event is, before everything else, is a way to challenge ourselves and progress by competing against one another."
I look at the other students.
"Like all the trials life puts our way, we all need to do our best. And regardless of what the future holds for us, I have the conviction that this generation of students is the best that UA has ever seen in its history. No matter the sector, our seniors can raise their guard and work harder if they don't want to be surpassed before they know it. I am certain that this generation of heroes will be the best our country has ever seen and that we will attend the birth of a New Number 1 Hero who will surpass All Might Himself."
The crowd's cheers resumed louder than ever before
'Saying that one of us will surpass All Might is daring enough to fire them up before the competition, I suppose.'
I completely made that up on the spot without thinking too much, but it seems as if it worked just fine. Even the other first-year's cheers from the recognition they obtained.
'That doesn't mean I will let any of you beat me.'
I returned to my classmates.
"Now we can start with the first game. We will rapidly see some tears. Let's see what fate decides for the First game." (Midnight)
The screen behind her shows a spinning.
"Obstacle race"
'Same I see…'
After her explanations, we take our marks at the massive door with three green lights.