One would have thought that, with the worsening global situation and recent stepping down of the Symbol of Peace, events such as the Sports Festival would have attracted not only doubts but also criticisms.
But the tens of thousands of people who showed up on the day of the event once again proved that even the best experts failed when it came to predicting the true feelings of the masses, especially when backed by the power of social media.
A part of the credit for this unpredictable number of people taking interest in the Sports Festival also went to UA.
First, UA pointed out via several Public Outreach programs over the last few weeks how All Might had bought peace for the citizens by defeating one of the most notorious Villains. So, it would be odd not to enjoy that peace to its fullest extent.
Second, with the Police and Hero Public Safety Commission backing their statements, UA promised security and safety for all, so that everyone could enjoy the festival without worrying about Villains among them.
And third, perhaps the greatest contributing factor, was UA declaring that All Might himself would be spearheading one of the main attractions in this Sports Festival.
Even if the Pro had retired, the number of people who followed him like a god was in the hundreds of millions, not letting go of any chance to see him in person, and in action, even if it was for something as simple as referring to an event.
There were a few changes as well, easing the crowd rush.
UA's Sports Festival had always been a one-day event, unlike its School Festival.
This time around, UA had decided to spread the event over three days, with each day dedicated to a year, focusing on different aspects.
That gave the students of Class 2-A a much-needed break.
They were already given an off from their Ultimate Moves' training a few days ago. But most of those days went by worrying about the Sports Festival itself, calming their nerves, and thinking of the Provisional Hero License Exam.
Only today, with the first years scheduled to be the main attraction, did they finally get the excuse to just… enjoy.
So, a few minutes before the start of the event, most of the Class 2-A students took seats at a dedicated section for themselves in the stadium where they had participated last year.
Midoriya looked at Luke, who had bought popcorn, as if they were here to watch a movie or something, making his lips twitch wryly.
Momo reached out from the seat behind Luke and took a handful of popcorn.
"…"
Midoriya took a deep breath and looked forward.
"Sand's acting as the referee for the first round?" he pointed out. "That's… not like him."
Dust Hero: Sand rarely appeared wherever there were chances of people's eyes focusing upon him. After spending a year as his students, the students had more or less learned that when it came to personalities, both Sand and Erasure Head were just two sides of the same coin.
"They are keeping the first round the same as last year?" Tenya observed.
"Makes sense," Midoriya replied. "They might change the second round, but the third round will also be a duel-based one. In the case of first years, UA's still aiming for the Hero Agencies to notice them and perhaps show off the quality of students coming year-on-year to the world. I heard All Might and Erasure Head talking about how UA is considering throwing the first years into the Provisional Hero License Exam in their next semester as well."
That raised many eyebrows.
Toru shivered. "I'm so nervous even now," she mumbled. "I don't know what I would have done if I had to take the exam last year…"
Mineta, Kirishima, Uraraka, Mina, Yuga, and others, who had been going through the same feelings, gulped, imagining the same.
Luke looked to his left. "So, we might be wrecking our juniors next semester?" he said, grinning at Todoroki. "Nice of UA to let us study our opponents, no?"
"Hey, that's right!" Mina exclaimed. "That's not fair! You two will have it so easy…"
"Don't fall for Luke's tricks," Momo said, narrowing her eyes at his back. "First, the Exam itself takes place at three different locations in the country. Second, UA will never put students from two Classes of Hero Course at the same location, forget about pairing juniors with seniors."
As others laughed, Kirishima added, "I'm… not so sure."
"Huh?" Momo looked at him.
"Well," Kirishima said as everyone looked at him, "I met Tetsutetsu from 2-B yesterday. He said that Vlad King told him they will be taking their Provisional Hero License Exam next semester. So, it's possible that Luke and Todoroki would be sent to the same location as them."
That… didn't sound good for the two of them.
2-A and 2-B had a year-old rivalry between them.
If it came to grouping up in the middle of the exam, that would leave Luke and Todoroki sticking out like sore thumbs.
"Speaking of 2-B," Jiro mentioned, "did you hear they got a new student from General Education?"
"Whoa! Really?!" Toru asked.
Tsuyu, who had heard of it, nodded as well. "That guy who fought Midoriya last year… Hi…"
"Hitoshi Shinso…" Midoriya recalled, his face gaining seriousness. "That guy… is strong."
It didn't come as a surprise to many students as they heard of Shinso being transferred to 2-B this year. He had the Quirk Brainwashing, one of the most practical support-type Quirks against Villains, especially when considering the surprise element.
BANG!
That sound jolted the students' thoughts, making them focus on the huge screen, like everyone else, waves of cheers and roars echoing across the vast stadium.
And, out of nowhere, smiles began appearing on their faces as they looked at the first year's racing, trying to outdo each other… just like they had done a year ago.
A year that seemed so close, yet so far.
And tomorrow, they must prove themselves to the world… to each other… just how far they had come in this one year.
Even without looking at each other, the likes of Midoriya, Tenya, and others knew that tomorrow…
… they must erase the last year's shame with sweat and, if necessary, blood!
********************
Note: Sports Festival is a long arc in this Volume, and is already finished. You can binge read it if you want to, simultaneously supporting the work and author. Enjoy!