(Kata POV – Class 1-A, Morning)
The day after the USJ incident, classes were canceled. When we returned, Aizawa walked in—his arm heavily bandaged and his face as bored as ever.
"Morning," he greeted, as if he hadn't been half-dead the last time we saw him. The class erupted with concern, everyone expecting him to be bedridden, but before anyone could bombard him with questions, he cut straight to business.
"The U.A. Sports Festival is fast approaching, so you guys should prepare yourselves."
A brief silence filled the room before Sero broke it. "Hold on, come on! We just got attacked by villains, and now we're jumping into a tournament?"
Aizawa gave him a blank stare. "It's necessary. The school wants to show that U.A.'s crisis management protocols are solid. And the security will be increased to fivefold what it was in previous years."
That seemed to reassure most of the class, as they calmed down to hear the rest of Aizawa's announcement.
"The Sports Festival is the biggest opportunity you'll get," Aizawa continued. "It's Japan's most-watched event, on the same level as the Olympics. It's not something that can be canceled just because a few villains showed up."
"The nation's top heroes will be watching, right? They'll be there as scouts!" Momo added.
"They're looking to recruit future sidekicks. That's how most pros do it," Kaminari followed.
Aizawa nodded, finishing his explanation. "This happens once a year. That means you get three chances at most. If you're serious about becoming a hero, don't waste it."
The atmosphere in the class shifted immediately. Determined looks replaced the lingering unease from the USJ attack.
(Kata POV – Class 1-A, After School)
A constant buzz of chatter drifted in from the hallway. Uraraka and Izuku exchanged glances before heading to the door. When they opened it—
"Whoa… What's going on?!" Uraraka exclaimed, eyes widening at the sheer number of students gathered outside.
Before anyone else could react, Bakugo strolled past them, barely sparing the crowd a glance. "They're here to size us up. Makes sense—they want to see the kids who survived a villain attack before the Sports Festival."
Then, with his usual lack of subtlety, he sneered towards the crowd, "Now move aside, cannon fodder."
I let out a sigh from my seat, watching the interaction unfold. "You don't have to pick a fight with them, Bakugo," I said lazily, rolling my eyes.
He whipped around, eyes locking onto me with that sharp, animalistic glare of his. His teeth bared slightly—like he was this close to making me regret speaking—but a voice interrupted him before he could.
"It's true," a smooth, unfamiliar voice cut through the tension. "We came to take a look, but you sure are modest. Are the rest of you like this one?"
Shinso stepped forward, his tired gaze sweeping across the room. His posture was relaxed, but there was an edge to his tone—like he was challenging us without outright saying it.
He explained the system for transferring into the Hero Course, how he was here to take one of our seats for himself. His voice calm but pointed. "Consider this a declaration of war."
With that, he turned and walked off, leaving a tense silence in his wake.
Then, from within the crowd, another voice called out. "Don't disgrace the Hero Course!"
'Tetsutetsu. Of course,' I chuckled internally.
I too, soon left, heading straight home. 'Two weeks until the Sports Festival. The perfect opportunity to train myself.'
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(A/N: Next is him training and acquiring new abilities. I'll mainly be going into the training process, and the science or instincts that make the ability work. If you just want to see the final result, check out the abilities aux chapter for the final list.)
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(Kata POV – Training)
Over the next two weeks, I focused on refining my fundamentals—advanced abilities I hadn't fully developed yet but would serve as the foundation for stronger techniques in the future.
I started with Telekinetic Aura. Mastering it first would make every other technique easier, allowing me more instinctive and precise control within a smaller range. But I had no idea where to begin.
So, I meditated.
I focused on my mind, trying to draw out my telekinetic energy and wrap it around my body like a second skin. This was the hardest step—it took two full days before I could even manage a flicker of control.
Using Telekinesis to move objects outside my body was natural, but this was different. Instead of simply making something move, I had to focus on the energy itself, not the result. It was like trying to grab hold of something I couldn't see.
Eventually, I grasped the feeling and managed to envelop myself in it. Another day of practice, and I could maintain it constantly—like my radar.
It was strange at first, like being covered in an invisible, form-fitting barrier that responded instantly to my movements, thought and instincts. Almost like moving an arm or flexing a muscle. And the best part? It extended up to five meters from my body if I willed it to, for now.
Next, I worked on Telekinetic Constructs—objects, weapons, even animals. This was easier. I visualized the energy from my aura taking on a specific shape, then compressed it into a solid form further away from me, outside the range of my Aura. Within a few hours, I had my first crude constructs.
Telekinetic Pressure was something I had already utilised during the USJ incident—when that villain pissed me off. I replicated that same feeling and accidentally crushed the grass in my backyard. Toning it down, I realized it was just an extension of my regular telekinesis, spread over a large area indiscriminately, with little focus or control. A perfect tool for overwhelming weak opponents… or intimidation. The sheer aura of power it created was undeniable.
I also refined Telekinetic Solidification and Tethering, both necessary for creating stable constructs, so I improved them naturally in the process.
But the most valuable advanced technique I developed?
Vibration Emission.
By oscillating the molecules in the air—or in an object—I could generate vibrations at will. The potential applications were endless. From creating shockwaves to causing earthquakes, I could do a lot of damage.
I spent another day buried in physics books, researching new ways to make my ability more destructive.
Using my radar, I trained myself to detect the natural frequency of objects around me. While that alone wasn't too impressive, it led to something far more dangerous—resonance. By generating vibrations that matched an object's frequency, I could make it crack and shatter if it was solid. In liquids, it caused violent heating and waves, while in air, it amplified sound, creating deafening noises when resonance was achieved.
The first two applications had obvious combat potential—from breaking through barriers to cooking someone from the inside out. As for the air-based effects, I could use them to amplify sounds, making it easier to spy from a distance or project my voice over large areas.
These were advanced-level applications of telekinesis, which took up my first week of training. Once I felt I had them under control, I moved on to Expert-Level Techniques.
That entire second week, I only managed to develop a single ability. But it was a game-changer.
Molecular Manipulation.
I already had a head start thanks to Vibration Emission, so I began by learning how to accelerate matter at a molecular level.
First, I had to train my radar to detect individual molecules—which took two full days to accomplish. Once I could sense them, I spent another two days learning to influence them, finally managing to increase and decrease their kinetic energy.
And with that, I unlocked something incredible.
I could control temperature itself.
By accelerating molecular movement, I could generate heat, even to the point of ignition. Slowing it down, I could freeze things instantly. With this, I gained a crude form of elemental manipulation, controlling fire, water, air, and earth by directly influencing their molecular structures.
Even more than that—I could change the state of matter at will. I could heat a solid into a liquid, freeze a gas into a solid, or evaporate water into vapor.
And the best part?
This wasn't everything the ability could do. With more training, I'd eventually be able to manipulate the properties of any object.
But alas, the 2 weeks were over and the sports festival was tomorrow. So I'd have to put a break on this training for a while.
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(A/N: End of the training arc for anyone who skipped. There won't be new abilities for a bit, since the rest are much harder to grasp and train.)
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(Kata POV – Sports Festival Stadium)
Sitting in the prep room, the air buzzes with excitement. Everyone chatters about possible events, likely winners, and their own chances.
I check the time, then stand and announce, "Get ready. The events are about to start." I stretch as I make my way toward the exit.
As I walk, I overhear Todoroki confronting Izuku.
A little competition is good.
Just as I step forward—
"And you too, class president."
I stop. Turning my head slightly, I meet Todoroki's determined gaze.
"You may have won last time..." His fists clench. "But I'll win this time."
My expression remains unreadable. "That won't happen." I say it simply, like stating a fact.
I hold his gaze. "Even if you fought at 100%, I'd still beat you. But at 50%? You stand no chance."
I turn away and continue walking. As I pass Bakugo, we lock eyes—an unspoken challenge. I don't need to say anything. The silence speaks for itself.
This isn't arrogance. Todoroki and Bakugo are strong, but their strength is useless against me now.
The rest of the class follows as we step through the tunnel, moving toward the stadium.
The roar of the crowd hits us like a wave.
"The first-years' stage! The students are coming out!!"
Present Mic's voice thunders above the cheers.
"It's U.A.'s Sports Festival!! The one time each year... when our fledgling heroes clash in a ruthless grand battle!!"
The crowd erupts again.
"And first up... you know who I'm talkin' about!!"
The anticipation builds.
"The miraculous rising stars who brushed off a villain attack with their steely willpower!!"
We step into the light.
"The first-years..."
"...of the hero course!!"
The audience shouts in unison.
"IT'S CLASS 1-A!!!"
The applause is deafening. Cheers, chants, screams—it's overwhelming.
Then Present Mic moves on, introducing the other classes. The crowd's energy noticeably dips.
"We're just here to make others look good."
"Hard to get motivated..."
Some students grumble, but a sharp whipping sound cuts through the noise, silencing them instantly.
Midnight stands on an elevated stage, her presence commanding.
"Now for the athlete's oath!!"
Her next words send ripples through the crowd.
"Your student representative is... from Class 1-A—Kata Okada!!"
Murmurs spread among the other classes. Some scowl, clearly displeased. Class 1-A is in the spotlight again.
Unbothered, I step forward with measured confidence, making my way to the stage. Standing beside Midnight, I face the students.
I take a breath and begin.
"Doubt lingers in the mind of every competitor. A quiet question—'Am I good enough?'"
I scan the crowd. Faces tense. Shoulders stiffen. That doubt? I see it written all over them.
"There's only one way to answer that. You step forward. You fight. You prove it through action."
I pause, watching their uncertainty shift into something else.
"I plan to win. That's simply the most logical conclusion."
A ripple of anger spreads through the crowd. Doubt turns to frustration. To challenge.
'Good.'
"But logic isn't absolute."
Some eyes widen.
"People defy odds. Rewrite outcomes. Overcome expectations. So, try."
The word lands like a spark in dry grass.
"Struggle."
Fists clench. Teeth grit.
"Push past your limits."
Determination flares in their expressions.
I give them a moment to absorb it. To feel it.
Then, I deliver my final words.
"Maybe one of you will succeed. Maybe not."
I lock eyes with Todoroki. Then Bakugo.
My message is clear.
The challenge is set.
"Either way, I'll be waiting at the end."