Chapter 27; Run!
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The students stood in disciplined rows in the arena, each surrounded by their classmates, awaiting their turn. The air was thick with anticipation, but a profound silence dominated the hall as Midnight's voice echoed. Her words were crystal clear, commanding the attention of everyone present, even the audience, whose usual chatter had subsided into an eerie stillness, captivated by the impending event. The weight of the moment pressed down on everyone, as if the entire arena was holding its breath, anticipating what was to come.
After Midnight's explanation came to an end, the energy in the arena subtly shifted as she declared, "Now, the student who scored the highest in the entrance exam, Natsu Dragneel!" The crowd murmured in surprise. Natsu blinked for a moment, a hint of surprise flashing across his face, before his trademark grin spread wide. Bakugo, on the other hand, clenched his teeth, frustration bubbling within. "Why him?" Bakugo muttered under his breath.
While Bakugo held the highest overall score, it was only by combining both the written and practical exams. In the battle against the robots, Natsu had surpassed everyone, but his dismal performance in the written part left much to be desired.
Natsu walked toward the wooden platform, his steps filled with confidence, despite the murmurs of disbelief from his fellow students. They all knew that Natsu, with his simple mind and carefree attitude, was not the type to give a formal opening speech. Hapi, fluttering beside him, grinned mischievously, "No need to worry, Natsu. Everyone's gonna laugh at you either way."
As Natsu approached the microphone, he could hear hushed voices from the audience in the stands. Some people whispered, "Is that... a cat? A cat floating beside him?" Others blinked in disbelief, "A cat? Really?"
Standing firmly before the students, with Midnight to his side, Natsu paused briefly. Then, in his usual clear and booming voice, he announced, "I can't wait for some awesome fights in this festival! Bring it on with all you've got!" His words echoed through the arena like a challenge, directed not only at his own class but at every student present.
The response was immediate. The arena erupted with angry shouts, especially from students in Class 1-B, like Tetsutetsu, who shouted in frustration, "Who does he think he is?" Meanwhile, others from Class 1-A exchanged amused glances, smiling knowingly. They had expected nothing less from Natsu. Yaoyorozu, exasperated, put her hand to her face and sighed, "I knew he'd say something like that." Iida and Midoriya exchanged quiet smiles, already used to Natsu's bold personality.
As Natsu made his way back to his spot, Happy flew beside him, grinning, "Looks like you made quite the impression, Natsu. Those students from the other classes are giving you death stares." Natsu's grin only widened, "That just makes it more fun."
Standing among his classmates again, Mina Ashido couldn't help but tease, "You know you'll have to deal with the consequences, right?" Mineta, nervously glancing around, muttered, "Thanks to you, we're officially public enemy number one now."
Bakugo suddenly stepped forward, an intense look of challenge in his eyes. "Only the weak-hearted should be scared," he growled, extending his hand toward Natsu in a direct challenge. "I'll blast you out of this festival!" he declared. Natsu's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Bring it on," he replied, his grin unwavering.
Sensing the rising tension, Midnight quickly clapped her hands to regain control of the students. "Alright, enough of that!" she shouted, her voice slicing through the chaos. "It's time for the first game: the obstacle race!" The students immediately quieted down, their focus turning to Midnight's explanation. "You will all be racing through a course filled with traps and obstacles," she continued, gesturing toward the narrow entrance. "You'll start there." The entrance was a tight squeeze for the large number of competitors, a fact that didn't go unnoticed.
As the students lined up, the arena fell into a heavy silence once more. The calm before the storm, as everyone prepared themselves mentally for the challenge ahead. Each competitor stood ready, their faces a mixture of determination and anxiety.
Yamada, the commentator, suddenly broke the silence with his booming voice, "Let the obstacle race begin!" The arena exploded with cheers, the energy skyrocketing.
Natsu, grinning wildly, was ready to leap forward, a fiery circle appearing beneath him. "Finally! Let the fun begin!" he shouted. But before he could move, a sharp elbow slammed into his face, knocking him off balance and sending him back into the thick crowd. "What the...?" he muttered, disoriented, as the students around him jostled for space. The entrance was quickly becoming a bottleneck, the sheer number of students making it impossible to pass through easily.
The students groaned and pushed, frustration etched across their faces. "Move!" one shouted. Another screamed, "We're all stuck!" Natsu, wedged between two larger students, rubbed his cheek. "What's going on?" he grumbled, trying to see over the crowd.
Suddenly, the sound of roaring flames filled the air. A familiar voice, cold and determined, rang out above the chaos. "In order to surpass myself, I had to kill my old self." Todoroki, surrounded by a swirling blaze, shot forward like a missile, soaring over the heads of the other students, leaving a trail of fire in his wake.
Natsu's eyes widened in shock. "Another fire user?" he murmured, his expression filled with surprise. Around him, the students gasped in amazement as Todoroki effortlessly flew past them, the first to break free from the chaos. It was the first time many had seen him use his flames so openly.
In the stands, Endeavor smirked, pride gleaming in his eyes. "As expected from my son. That's how you start a festival," he muttered under his breath.
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