The third obstacle of the first event, the Obstacle Race, was a minefield.
In the large area leading to the finish line, there were a great many landmines. Of course, they weren't real mines, just special mines made for the competition.
Once stepped on, they produced a huge sound and impact but had no lethality, and the mines were deliberately set to be visible to the naked eye.
This design was specifically aimed at the runners in the lead, giving those behind a chance to catch up.
"What happened at the scene of the third obstacle? How did Lock create such a large-scale explosion?"
Following Present Mic's explanation, the big screen showed a replay of the moment just before the third obstacle area.
Lock's left and right hands were both burning with scorching flames, reaching forward.
All the viewers stared at the replay on the screen, wondering what Lock was going to do next.
In the next moment, with scorching flames flickering in his eyes, Lock brought his two flames together, and they fused into a huge fireball.
"Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!"
Then he took a posture like throwing a bowling ball, and the fireball flew in a straight line, scorching and distorting the air, wrecking the ground along that line.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
All the ground in its path was burned, which also triggered the conditions for the explosions.
Next, the big screen ended the replay, because what followed was the scene where the camera's view was blocked by rising white smoke.
The next moment, the camera turned to the finish line again.
A figure came out of the white mist. It was Lock!
He stretched his hand skyward with his index finger up, like the pistol-firing gesture a referee makes at the start of a race.
In this world, no one knew the meaning of Lock's gesture.
But it didn't matter. It didn't stop the entire audience from standing up, and thunderous shouts and cheers resounded throughout the venue.
All the praise and applause went to Lock, who was the first to reach the finish line!
At that moment, witnessing Lock's strength from such a close distance nearly crushed second-place Shoto Todoroki.
With his actions alone, Lock told everyone why he had been able to pass the Provisional Hero License Exam and become a pro hero while still a student.
"Congratulations to Lock for being the first to reach the finish line! Although this result doesn't count, he has undoubtedly proven to the world that he has what it takes to be a pro hero."
Present Mic also commentated in an excited tone. He had originally wanted to give more shots to the other students, but in the end, Lock's actions had kept drawing the camera.
The first event had been completely turned into his personal show.
All Might, who was watching the race from somewhere in the stands, looked at Lock on the screen and smiled appreciatively.
He had once invited Lock to be his next successor precisely because of this excellence beyond his age. But now that the dust had settled, he didn't think the successor he had chosen was a bad one.
It just needed a little time to grow. He was worried about Izuku Midoriya, though. His ranking couldn't be too low. At the very least, he had to pass the first qualifying round.
And Endeavor, who was also somewhere in the stands, wore a gloomy expression.
This Sports Festival was supposed to be where his son, Shoto Todoroki, showed everyone that he was no less than All Might and that there was an overwhelming gap between him and everyone else.
However, all of that had been ruined by Lock. He remembered his conversation with Lock in the principal's office, and his eyes were complicated.
Listening to the cheers on the field, everyone was shouting Lock's name. No one mentioned the No. 2 Hero's son, Shoto Todoroki, and because of the huge gap between first and second place, he had become a mere backdrop!
At that moment, Ryukyu and Nejire Hadou also stood up, cheering like the audience around them without regard for their image.
The race wasn't over yet. In the commentary room, Present Mic continued his commentary.
"Finally, someone has caught up! Second and third are Todoroki and Bakugo of Class A. Except for Lock, who can't be judged by common sense, the minefield is an obstacle that works against those in the lead."
The impact of these step-triggered mines was just enough to knock a body off balance. Once you lost your balance and touched the mine next to you, they easily went off one after another, which was a serious waste of time.
"Damn it, did Lock already run to the finish line?"
Hearing this, Bakugo, who was still having a hard time, grew furious at the huge gap and blasted his way directly to Shoto Todoroki's side.
"Lock's result doesn't count, so at least this somewhat hollow first place has to be mine."
At that moment, both of them had the same idea in their hearts.
On this obstacle, Shoto Todoroki's Quirk wasn't of much use, and he had to carefully navigate through the minefield.
But for those who could fly, it wasn't an obstacle at all.
So Bakugo used the blast's impact to reach Shoto Todoroki, then quickly struck him with an explosion from his left hand. The moment Shoto Todoroki dodged the attack, Bakugo took second place away.
"Don't think you can just pass me that easily."
Naturally, Shoto Todoroki would not give up second place, and he quickly used his ice to fight Bakugo.
As the two advanced toward the finish line, they clashed with ice and explosions. However, because of their confrontation and the interference of the landmines, their speed dropped, and the large pack of participating students behind them caught up.
Even so, without any surprises, these two would decide the ownership of first place among the runners. However...
BOOM!
"Todoroki and Bakugo, the fastest at the moment, are about to clear the minefield. Wait, there's a big explosion behind them!" Present Mic, who was commentating, suddenly saw a huge explosion in the rear of the screen and stared at it carefully. Then he continued:
"It's Midoriya from Class A! He rode the blast and is chasing after them. Will he become a dark horse again?"
Izuku Midoriya had pulled off an armor plate from a giant robot in the first obstacle, Robo Inferno. He had felt that this thing could be used as a shield with high versatility.
Facing the third obstacle, he thought of using the mines' explosive impact together with the armor plate, and he shot straight to the front of Bakugo and Shoto Todoroki.
"DEKU! I'll never let you run ahead of me!" Bakugo roared loudly, trying to hit Midoriya with an explosion from his hand. Shoto Todoroki next to him also formed ice, planning to take the opportunity to shake them off.
Oh no! Although I rushed over in one breath, I didn't even think about how to land.
Damn it, I can't give up. I finally got ahead of the two of them. I absolutely can't let this chance go!
At that moment, Midoriya suddenly remembered the conversation he'd had with All Might in the room earlier, echoing in his mind.
"Go and tell the whole world that you are here!"
He, who had been Quirkless, had always been called Deku by his childhood friend, but even so, he wanted to shine!
Izuku Midoriya gritted his teeth, seized the timing of his landing, and slammed the heavy armor plate onto the ground.
BOOM!
There happened to be a mine right where the armor plate came down, and a huge explosion instantly threw both Bakugo and Shoto Todoroki off, forcing them to be stopped by the blast.
"Oh my god, Midoriya has really become a dark horse! At that very moment, he hindered the competitors behind him, and at the same time, with the help of the explosion's impact, he flew past the third obstacle!"
Present Mic stood up excitedly. Who would have thought that the qualifying round alone would exceed everyone's expectations and be so full of unknowns?
"And now, the second one to reach the finish line after Lock is Izuku Midoriya of Class A, who has taken first place in the first event, the Obstacle Race!"
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