"Audience!" Present Mic's voice riled up the crowd, cheers and hoorays overwhelming the stadium. "The Finals you have been waiting for… are finally starting!"
On the field, Pro Hero: Cementoss had used his Quirk to create a massive field of 100 by 150 meters, taking a seat for himself. He would be acting as a judge for the final round.
"Match Number One—" Present Mic introduced, displaying the students on a huge panel. "Luke vs. Tenya Ida! Two students from the Hero Course's same class! Is it the start of a new rivalry?!"
Tenya walked out from one entrance, cracking his knuckles and finishing the last can of orange juice.
Through the Recreational Activities, which lasted for half an hour, he had gotten enough rest. Also, using the Orange Juice, he had already fueled his Engine Quirk enough.
But Tenya knew this was true for Luke as well.
He must have recovered his Stamina, Tenya thought, balling his fingers into a fist. If… If I want to win, I must win it quickly or…
Tenya belonged to an elite Pro Hero Family, where all members had served as Pro Heroes.
His older brother was Turbo Hero: Ingenium, the current no. 53 Pro Hero.
As much as the Sports Festival was about getting scouted by the Hero Agencies, for Tenya, it was also to prove to his older brother that he had what it took to become a Hero.
But whenever Tenya thought of Luke, a heaviness settled in his heart.
After spending around 3 months with him, Tenya knew just how ridiculously strong Luke was. Let's not even talk about the many Quirks he could use through Nyx. He himself wasn't easy to deal with.
Tenya had a plan to work around Nyx's known Quirks, if Luke wasn't hiding more of them.
Regardless of those plans, though, Tenya felt unsure. It was like a needle that kept stabbing him in the back, screaming that — no matter what he did — it won't be enough.
…
Luke stretched his arms, lightly jumping on his feet.
He didn't think that it would be an easy fight, unlike the second stage.
But to say that Luke was entirely serious about the fight, or, if put in a much broader sense, the entire tournament, then it would be a lie.
The only reason Luke was doing it was to keep up appearances.
He was a student of the Hero Course at UA High School and, as such, he must maintain the persona.
It was the same reasoning that Miss Justice had mentioned while urging him to make friends at the beginning of the school term.
Think of it as Acting, she had said, Luke remembered.
And if he could Act as Midoriya, Mina, Shoji, Toru, and others' friends, then why couldn't he Act as a student who wanted to prove himself to others — to the world — to prove that he wasn't just a discarded bastard…
…
[Now-Now… No need to get emotional. Keep your head straight, Luke. Don't hurt any kid. They are not our enemies. Not yet, at least.]
…
Luke's lips twitched.
Sorry, he apologized to Miss Justice. I didn't mean to…
"Luke."
He turned around and found Sand standing against the wall. "Here for some motivational words, Sand?"
Sand let out a wry smile. "I just wanted to say that don't get emotional out there and end up hurting someone…"
Luke's mouth opened slightly.
…
[See! I told you! People are observant, Luke. And it won't cost you anything to let someone get close to you! It helps in keeping a balance… You will understand later.]
…
Miss Justice, Luke asked, you are just pissed about what I said to Toru, aren't you?
…
[… I am pouting…]
…
Smiling and feeling a lot better than before, Luke nodded at Sand.
"Did you like my joke?" he asked, moving out as Present Mic called out his name.
Sand shook his head. "I can't imagine how many nights you must have wasted, coming up with that kind of courage to do that with so many people looking at you.
"Anyway, was it worth it? Making a fool of yourself?"
Luke looked over his shoulder and laughed out loud.
Sand narrowed his eyes as Luke disappeared into the light before bursting out with a laugh of his own.
Perhaps… Sand thought, putting his hands inside his pockets. Perhaps it was worth it, I guess.
…
"The rules are simple!" Present Mic commented as Luke and Tenya climbed the stage. "Force your opponent out of the bounds, or immobilize them. You can also win by making your opponent say — I Give Up!
"Also, let it go wild! Because we have got our very own Recovery Girl on standby to heal all injuries! Morals? Ethics? Put them aside!
"Of course, any life-threatening activity will get you disqualified!"
As Luke and Tenya stood opposite each other, Nyx joined them, fluttering out of the sky.
Cementoss eyed the two students and raised his hand. "I will stop you if things go too far."
"So! Let's do a countdown, Peopleeeeeeeee!" Present Mic shouted. "Three! Two! Anddddddd — One! Begin!!"
Quirk: Engine —
Tenya crouched, time almost melting in his surroundings.
Gigantification. Illusions. Exchange Positions. These were the Quirks he knew Nyx could use at any moment.
He wasn't worried about Gigantification, as Luke was too smart to use that against him.
Illusions wouldn't work as long as he didn't look Nyx in the eyes.
Only Exchange Positions could threaten him, Tenya knew.
But — what if he turned this Quirk useless?
Tenya forced the torque and RPM of his engines into overdrive, the red-orange fire burning out of the mufflers on his calves turning blue.
— Recipro Burst!
Tenya had used this move during the second stage, letting Todoroki snatch Midoriya's headband, too.
It granted Tenya an enormous boost in his speed, but it would only last for ten seconds before his engines stalled.
So, he must finish the fight within ten seconds.
With a massive boom, Tenya covered the gap to Luke within the blink of an eye.
Then he kicked, his leg blurring like a blue, flaming blur, burning the air itself, Luke dodging the kick by the width of a hair.
Yes. If Tenya kept himself close to Luke throughout the fight, then there was no advantage in using Exchange Positions at all.
The thing was — Luke had already seen this move one time.
****************
AN: Original image of a fighting scene between Tenya and Luke is available
60 more chapters are available in advance [Use the link available on my Webnovel Profile].
With each Tier, you will get ALL Monthly Uploads of all my works, Side Stories, Backlog Chapters, along with unique Images, enriching your reading experience while simultaneously supporting the work.
100 Power Stones/day: +1 Bonus Chapter