**Chapter 26: The Festival Begins**
The U.A. Sports Festival stadium was nothing short of breathtaking. Towering stands stretched as far as the eye could see, filled to capacity with excited spectators. Flags waved, the air buzzed with energy, and the whole venue was a living, breathing entity of anticipation. Thousands of voices united in a chorus of cheers, creating a deafening roar that shook the very ground beneath their feet. The stadium, shining under the bright morning sun, was decorated in vibrant banners celebrating the hero hopefuls about to compete.
At the center of this arena, standing tall at the commentator's booth, was Present Mic, the energetic voice of the U.A. He had a grin plastered on his face as he grabbed the microphone, his signature style on full display.
"YEAH! What's up, everybody?!" Present Mic's voice boomed, amplified by the stadium's speakers. "Welcome to the U.A. Sports Festival! And with me today… the man, the myth, the mummified legend—Aizawa-sensei!"
The camera cut to Aizawa, who sat next to Mic, wrapped in bandages after his brutal battle against the Nomu in the USJ incident. He gave a quiet, indifferent nod, clearly uninterested in the hype.
Mic didn't miss a beat, launching into an energetic speech. "It's been a CRAZY year so far, but today's all about seeing what the future heroes are made of! This festival isn't just about proving strength—it's about showing who has the heart, the courage, and the drive to be the next SYMBOL OF PEACE!"
As if on cue, the crowd erupted in a wave of applause, the excitement palpable as it reverberated through the stands, shaking the very walls of the stadium. Everyone from the youngest children to the oldest grandparents leaned forward, eager to see what the day would bring.
But it wasn't just those in the stands who were watching. Across Japan, millions were glued to their screens, whether in homes, cafes, or on the go. In bustling city streets, giant screens displayed the live broadcast as pedestrians stopped to catch glimpses of the action. Families huddled together in their living rooms, faces lit up by the glow of their TVs. On trains, people crowded around their phones, captivated by the spectacle unfolding before their eyes. The U.A. Sports Festival was *the* event of the year, an unmissable spectacle for hero fans nationwide.
---
In a quiet room backstage, the atmosphere was vastly different. The students of Class 1-A sat in tense silence, the distant roar of the crowd echoing through the walls. The weight of the day pressed down on their shoulders—this wasn't just any event; this was their chance to prove themselves on the grandest stage imaginable.
Kirishima tried to break the heavy mood with a nervous grin. "Man, those stands are on fire! The energy out there is insane," he said, though the tension in his voice was undeniable.
Meanwhile, Mineta had all but vanished, hiding under the table. His face was pale, and his voice trembled as he whimpered, "Maybe I should've sat this one out. What if I mess up? What if I'm just not cut out for this?"
In the corner of the room, Todoroki stood apart from the others, leaning against the wall. His eyes, once cold and detached, seemed different now—focused, yet filled with an intensity that hadn't been there before. He glanced at Natsu, who stood nearby, the two of them locked in their own silent world. In the week since their individual training, Todoroki had undergone a transformation, becoming more focused, more driven. His resolve was as fierce as the flames he kept at bay.
Bakugo, on the other hand, sprawled lazily across a bench, his feet propped up on the table in front of him. His sharp, bored gaze drifted across the room as he yawned. "Ugh, this is so boring. When is this thing finally gonna start?"
Sero raised an eyebrow, glancing at Bakugo. "Easy for you to say. People with quirks like yours never have to worry about these tests. The rest of us actually have to work for it."
Mina, ever the ball of energy, bounced on her heels. "I'm excited! This is going to be fun. I can't wait to see what everyone can do!"
Before the conversation could continue, the door to the room swung open, and in marched Iida, ever the picture of seriousness. Adjusting his glasses, he declared, "It's time! Everyone, get ready—our moment has arrived."
The tension in the room shifted as adrenaline began to surge through their veins. Natsu was the first to spring to his feet, grinning ear to ear. "Finally!" he shouted, punching the air. "It's showtime!"
Happy flew behind him, equally enthusiastic. "Aye!"
As Natsu passed Iida on his way out, he gave him a cheerful grin. Iida, for his part, nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. As Natsu left the room, Iida turned to the rest of the class. "You're not seriously planning on letting Natsu steal the spotlight, are you?"
That simple comment had an immediate effect. The anxious expressions on the faces of Kirishima, Kaminari, and the others melted away, replaced by grins of determination. Kirishima cracked his knuckles. "No way I'm letting anyone outshine me."
Kaminari shared a glance with Yaoyorozu. "Let's show them what we've been working on." She gave him a confident nod.
One by one, the students of Class 1-A steeled themselves for the challenge ahead, their nerves replaced by burning resolve. Together, they began their walk down the long hallway that led to the arena.
---
As the students of Class 1-A emerged from the tunnel, the stadium erupted into deafening cheers. The stands shook with the force of the crowd's excitement, and all eyes were on them. Present Mic's voice soared over the noise, introducing them with dramatic flair.
"AND HERE THEY ARE, FOLKS! THE STARS OF U.A.! The students of Class 1-A, the ones who faced the League of Villains at USJ and lived to tell the tale! Our future heroes are right here!"
The crowd's reaction was immediate and overwhelming. They shouted, waved banners, and chanted the names of their favorite students. But one name was on everyone's lips: *Natsu Dragneel*. Ever since the USJ incident, rumors had swirled around him, and now, the spotlight was firmly on the pink-haired hero-in-training.
"Did you hear about him?" one spectator whispered to another. "They say he's the one who defeated the villains at USJ. He's probably the strongest one here!"
"Yeah, he's the one who made the League of Villains retreat," another added. "I've heard he's got insane powers. He's definitely the one to watch."
"All this hype… if anyone's going to win, it's gotta be him."
The students of Class 1-A continued their march to the center of the arena, where they were joined by students from the other classes. The tension in the air was electric as the competitors assembled in front of Midnight, who stood tall as the referee for the event.
The stage was set. The U.A. Sports Festival had officially begun, and the world was watching.
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