"Art… well, now that your 'performance' is over, let the 'game' continue. The people behind you are still waiting," All Might said, still a bit stunned by what he had just witnessed.
"Yes, Sensei!"
Kaminari nodded earnestly, adopting the demeanor of a well-behaved student.
Of course, he understood the situation perfectly. He'd already stolen the spotlight this time, so now was the moment to keep a low profile. After all, he knew better than to push things too far, he understood that chasing too much glory could backfire.
Shortly after, the results of this round appeared on the screen:
First place: Katsuki Bakugo.
He got what he wanted, but for some reason, his face didn't show the joy one might expect.
Second place: Denki Kaminari.
Third place: Fumikage Tokoyami.
Somehow, Tokoyami had surged ahead and overtaken Todoroki.
Fourth place: Shoto Todoroki.
Despite using his ice to create paths and bridges for himself, there were simply too many obstacles to navigate efficiently.
Fifth place: Mezo Shoji.
Shoji demonstrated that flight wasn't enough, what mattered was how fast you could fly!
---
"You were amazing out there, Kaminari!"
As Kaminari, Todoroki, Bakugo, and the others returned to the observation platform, a crowd of excited classmates surrounded them. Kaminari scanned their expressions and saw genuine enthusiasm on everyone's faces.
"Kaminari, why didn't I see 'Gimmighoul'?" Kyoka asked, puzzled.
"Uh… well, if you watch closely during the next rounds, you might spot it. I've created a total of 151 'Pokémon' sculptures, some of them haven't even shown up yet!"
As Kaminari spoke, he couldn't help but feel a growing sense of pride in what he had accomplished. As long as 'Sports Ground Y' remained in use, more and more hero students would see his creations over time.
This is free, sustainable, top-tier advertising!
"It's just a shame that I can't keep these 'Pokémon' floating in the air indefinitely. The effect would definitely be even better if I could…"
Kaminari's thoughts drifted as he fantasized about the possibilities.
If only I had the ability to permanently alter the magnetic field, I could create a flying display of Pokémon that wouldn't need to perch on surfaces or strike awkward poses.
Imagine releasing Rayquaza, letting it soar among the heroes!
Lost in his imagination, Kaminari didn't even notice the questions his classmates were throwing at him.
Nearby, Tetsutetsu sighed and covered his face. Here he goes again. Is this what they call 'genius syndrome'? Always lost in his own world at the weirdest times.
Luckily, the next match began, pulling everyone's attention back to the big screen.
---
This fourth round was especially intriguing. somehow, the draw had grouped four girls together.
"Jiro, Yaoyorozu, Tsuyu-chan, Uraraka-chan… and Hagakure?"
"The one with the best mobility is probably Tsuyu-chan," Iida noted thoughtfully. "Her frog-like jumping ability and wall-climbing skills will definitely shine in this environment."
Midoriya nodded and chimed in, "Uraraka can do well too. She can use her Quirk to make her clothes and gear lighter, and she can even float past obstacles if needed."
"Momo's ability to create tools on the spot will keep her from falling behind. As for Kyoka… she might have some difficulty, but her new support equipment should compensate for that."
From his seat, Kaminari gazed at the screen, his thoughts wandering.
Huh, it seems everyone's forgotten about Hagakure…
---
Meanwhile, Ojiro, who was observing quietly, couldn't help but shake his head with a wry smile. Poor Hagakure.
It wasn't just her Quirk that made her easy to overlook, her mobility wasn't exactly her strong suit either.
Soon enough, the results of the fourth match were displayed:
First place: Tsuyu Asui.
No surprises here—her excellent mobility and agility made her the clear winner.
Second place: Momo Yaoyorozu.
She had cleverly recreated the spring-loaded 'jumping sticks' from a previous sports festival and used them to propel herself forward efficiently.
Third place: Ochaco Uraraka.
While she had the option of using her Quirk to float over obstacles, she opted to climb and navigate the course with surprising dexterity, showing off skills reminiscent of Tetsutetsu.
Fourth place: Kyoka Jiro.
Kyoka grumbled about how she could've just smashed her way through the obstacles using her Quirk, but All Might's strict instructions to minimize destruction held her back.
Fifth place: Toru Hagakure.
She gave it her all and managed to cross the finish line shortly after Kyoka, earning her spot.
---
"All right, that concludes today's lesson in 'Hero Basics,'" All Might announced, addressing the class.
"But I'm sure you've all noticed how much better you've become at using your Quirks compared to when you first started at U.A."
"Keep this momentum going and start preparing for the final exams in early July! Although you only have one month to prepare and there's also the important midterm exam during this time—remember, you've chosen the path of becoming heroes, so stay mentally prepared!"
The announcement sent ripples of tension through Class 1-A. The pressure from exams weighed on everyone differently, but it was a shared burden nonetheless.
---
In the locker room, the boys began removing their combat uniforms and changing back into their school attire.
"Man, today's training was no joke," Ojiro said, sighing as he wiped the sweat from his upper body with a towel.
"Yeah, tell me about it. That sports ground was huge, and running through all those obstacles was exhausting," Tokoyami agreed, adjusting his tie.
"I just hate that there's no bathhouse here. Look at me, sweaty and gross!" Aoyama whined dramatically.
"Mobility's clearly a weak point for me," Kirishima added with a shake of his head.
"That's true," Tokoyami remarked. "But Tetsutetsu's Quirk compensates for that perfectly. His teleportation makes up for what he lacks in brute strength and speed."
"Right! If Tokoyami hadn't mentioned it, I would've completely forgotten about Tetsutetsu's teleportation!" Kaminari nodded, realizing Tokoyami had a point.
Bakugo and Kirishima were also paying attention now, Bakugo out of frustration from his previous loss to Tetsutetsu, and Kirishima because of his friendship with him.
Tetsutetsu, however, looked uneasy. He glanced toward Kaminari for reassurance, only to find Kaminari just as unsure.
Before anything else could be said, Mineta suddenly burst in with a nervous, high-pitched voice.
"Guys! Midoriya! You've got to see this, I've found something shocking! Come check it out… it's this cave—it looks like something straight out of 'Shawshank Redemption'!"
***
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