While the others were having fun with the recreational games, those who were involved in the tournament could not afford to relax. Some polished their strategy against their upcoming opponents. Others tried to keep their presence of mind. Some prepared for the fight. Some sharpened their senses. And some tried to relax their nerves by socialising with their fellow competitors.
Izuku sat across from Felix in the changing room. Both of them opened their mouths to speak at the same time, so Izuku motioned Felix to begin first.
“The matchups are out,” the exchange student began in a serious voice. “The boy you’re fighting, Shinsou; he has some kind of telepathic power to command your body.”
“So I’ve noticed.” Izuku nodded, recalling Ojiro’s dazed look. “But how did you shake yourself out of it?”
“I’m psychic, so I can naturally resist mental assaults,” Felix replied, tapping his head lightly. “I believe his power requires you to answer a question he asks before it can activate-”
“So don’t engage in conversation with him?”
“Precisely.”
Izuku tilted his head down, deep in thought. “You resisted his attacks with brute force, but how was Ojiro shaken out of it? He was awake after you hit him with your power. Was that your doing?”
“That attack was a purely psychokinetic hit.” Felix shook his head. “There was no telepathic component to it. If I were to wager a guess, I’d say he woke up after a hit to the head.”
“There’s going to be no one to wake me up out there, so I cannot fall victim to his brainwashing,” Izuku reminded himself. “I can’t afford to make any mistakes.”
Felix patted him on his back encouragingly.
“Win this for us, Izuku.” He grinned. “Show that arrogant boy that Class 1A is deserving of your spot in this school.”
“Oh, one more thing. Felix, I need you to do a favour for me.”
Felix raised his eyebrow at Izuku.
“Todoroki is burdened by his father’s wishes. I’m sure you know that he is the Number Two hero, Endeavour. Todoroki wishes to reject his father’s flame power and win the tournament with a mere half of his full power.” Izuku looked up at Felix. “You’re going to battle him in your first round. I have seen for myself how strong you are, and I know Todoroki will probably not make it to the next round.”
“What are you trying to get at, Midoriya?”
“I probably won’t get to face him myself, so…” Izuku’s voice dropped. “Shake him out of the mindset for me, will you? Save him from his own turmoil. No one deserves to lose the chance to be a hero because of his past.”
“You really have the heart of a true hero, don’t you?” Felix let out a short smirk, shaking his head.
“Very well. As you wish, Izuku.”
~ ~ ~
“The finals that you’ve all been waiting for are finally starting!” Present Mic roared from the stands. “Even though he’s done well so far, what’s with that face? From the hero course, it’s Izuku Midoriya!”
Felix squinted from his seat in the stands. Even though he could barely see Izuku’s expression from that distance, he could already imagine how nervous his friend must have been looking.
“...Versus- Sorry, he hasn’t done anything to stand out yet!” Present Mic continued. “From general studies, it’s Hitoshi Shinso! The rules are simple. Force your opponent out of bounds, or immobilise them! You can also win by making your opponent yield!”
The purple haired boy stood on the other end of the cement-filled stage with a smug look on his face.
“Bring on the injuries! Because we’ve got our very own Recovery Girl waiting on standby!”
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Felix glanced at the picture of a pint-sized old lady dressed in a doctor’s lab coat. There was a small infographic which read: Quirk: Heal. Her quirk allows her to amplify and speed up the human body’s natural healing process by planting a kiss on the injured person.
Well, that’s convenient…
“But of course, anything life-threatening is not allowed!” Present Mic’s voice rang out. “Heroes should only use their fists to catch villains. I’ll stop things if they go too far!”
Midnight signalled for the match to begin, and Izuku immediately charged towards the General Studies student.
Felix leaned forward, observing closely as his classmate leapt nimbly around Shinsou. There was no doubt that he was physically athletic, but he was still not using his quirk for some reason. Felix frowned, wondering why Izuku was so intent on hiding the full power of his quirk.
“-You know nothing about them!” Izuku’s hysterical yell burst out all of a sudden, catching the attention of even those at the far end of the stadium.
Oh no…
“Hey, hey, what’s the matter?” the emcee called out. “Midoriya is suddenly frozen? He’s following orders like a good boy!”
Felix slumped back into his seat in despair, watching Izuku slowly walk towards the boundary of the stage. Despite having his guard up, Izuku must have still fallen victim to Shinsou’s taunts. The psychic clenched his fists in frustration. There was still so much he needed to see, but it seemed like Izuku was going to lose this match without putting up much of a fight.
A gust of wind burst from Izuku’s fingers, shocking everyone in the crowd.
“Wooow! Midoriya managed to stop himself by breaking his own fingers!” Present Mic screamed like he was about to lose his mind.
“Yeeess!” Felix leapt from his seat in excitement as well.
“Turning the tables at the last moment!” Tenya cheered. “A classic Midoriya move!”
Izuku covered his mouth with his hand, forcing Shinsou towards the edge of the field and flipped him out of bounds without another word.
“Shinsou is out! Midoriya advances to the next round!” Midnight announced the final verdict as the purple haired boy stood back up to his feet. The two competitors shared a few words, before heading back to their respective rooms.
Felix’s phone rang as Ochaco hopped over to his seat, psyched up to discuss the match with Tenya and him. He excused himself to take the call, leaving Tenya to entertain Ochaco as well as the rest of their classmates. He glanced at the unknown number on his phone again.
The boy’s face fell.
~ ~ ~
“...You’re acting disgracefully, Shoto. If you used the power on your left side, you would’ve had an overwhelming victory in the obstacle course and the cavalry battle. Stop this childish rebellion already. You have a duty to surpass All Might.”
Felix groaned internally at the recognisable voice.
“You’re different from your siblings,” Endeavour continued berating his son. “You are my greatest masterpiece! Do you understand?”
“Is that all you can say, bastard?” Todoroki was sounding even angrier than usual. “I will win and advance with just Mom’s power. I won’t use your power in a fight.”
Alright, screw this. I’m getting out of here.
Felix walked out of the washroom in full view of the feuding family. Todoroki shot him an angry look before storming out of the place. Felix put his phone back in his pocket silently.
Endeavour released a loud, drawn sigh.
“Children these days are so rude,” he said, looking straight at the boy. “They never try to understand the intentions of the adults.”
“You’re in my way, sir.” Felix’s voice was coated in sarcasm and mock respect.
“I believe we may have gotten off on the wrong foot.” Endeavour forced a smile that looked like it fractured half of his face in the process. “I may have underestimated your capabilities, Felix Pagonis. You don’t have to work under me; I’m inviting you to be a direct associate of my hero agency. We can work together as equals, how about that?”
“Why are you so intent on recruiting me to your cause?”
“Game recognizes game,” the man said, keeping his hand outstretched. “A Greece exchange student who got here by recommendation; you must have connections with someone famous. Who is it? Pankration?”
Felix shot him a cold look. “That’s none of your business. Besides, I have other plans. So I’m gonna have to reject that offer.”
“If you say so. That’s too bad for you,” Endeavour replied. “I trust you will do your best to beat Shoto in the upcoming match. It is his duty to surpass All Might, and you’ll be a good stepping stone for him.”
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Shoto isn’t you.” The psychic glared at the man. “Whatever your personal feud with All Might, leave him out of this. You don’t really care about what’s best for him; you only care about what you want. Typical.”
The flames on Endeavour’s body seemed to burn brighter as he simmered in anger at the boy’s insolence.
“I’m done here, hero. Out of my way.”