I stared at the back of the robots, not caring that Todoroki has taken the lead. I remained still, waiting for Izu.

The robot that was frozen fell over on someone. I wasn't too concerned considering I saw it was a familiar red head. The students began freaking out, thinking that they had died.

However the red head himself broke through the machine, his body hardened and he has that look in his eyes. "Like I'd die!" He roared. I sweat dropped.

Same old Kirishima.

"That bastard Todoroki! He timed it on purpose so it'd be right when they fell. If it hadn't been me, someone would've died!" Kirishima shouted angrily in the direction Todoroki went.

He immediately spotted me behind the robots. "Eh? Kiri? Go! Run! Teach that bastard a lesson!" He shouted at me.

I turned my head in the direction he went, seeing he had gotten quite far, before turning back. "Don't wanna." He fell atop the robot at my claim. The spot next to him began to break as someone emerged, their body completely metallic.

Ah, it's the loud idiot that visited the classroom. "That Class A really is filled with bastards! If it wasn't me someone would've died!" He shouted in rage.

Ah, the idiots are really similar. In personality and Quirk.

Well I'm gonna say metal boy is a little more annoying. Suddenly explosions sounded. I couldn't see much due to the new robots that appeared. The ones that were worth points in the exam and two more zero points.

The explosions kept on sounding and suddenly Kacchan jumped down from above and ontop of the robot. Well, it's about time he got over.

Ah. Sero and Tokoyami had landed as well. They used Kacchan and hitched a ride through with him. Clever.

The three jumped down next to me and took off. Kirishima and the metal boy jumped down next to me and took off. "I'm going." Kirishima called to me, seemingly crying.

What's he crying about? I looked over at them as they ran. "Good luck." I called out in a monotone voice. But he didnt care about the tone, just grinned at me from over his shoulder.

All that have passed is from Class A, with the exception of metal boy. It's not that the other classes aren't good, it's just Class A doesn't spend a lot of time standing around. One by one, my classmates broke through.

Those who experienced firsthand that world above them through the incident at USJ, those who had fear planted in their hearts, those who dealt with it and pulled through, they all used that experience to drown out their hesitation.

Well, it helps out a lot that they're always ones to go forward despite the obstacles in their way.

Izu ran past the giant ones and to the little. He picked up a big piece of destroyed armor from the robot and continued to run. One smaller robot after him. The smaller ones are about twice our height. It reached its hand out and Izu turned.

Using the piece he picked up, he cut through the arm and destroyed it. I smirked. Well played.

He turned and ran my way, still having a hold of the armor. Yaoyorozu used her Quirk to make a canon to take out the giant zero point ones. With that everyone ran my way.

As soon as Izu reached me, I turned and ran as well. "Kiri-Nee! You should've run when you had the chance." He chastised. I frowned. "But-"

He shook his head. "No. You must run on ahead if you can pass an obstacle. You gotta do your best!" He stated.

I sighed loudly. "Alright." I grumbled. Man, this is a nuisance.

As we ran, we made it to our new obstacle. It's a cliff with ropes connecting to little island cliffs that can hold two people. It's really weird canyon but not uncommon.

Asui jumped on and began to crawl pretty quickly. I turned to Izu. He nodded.

Sighing I ran forward, easily running across the rope. "Amazing! Kiri, Tsuyu! You two are amazing!" Uraraka shouted after.

I ignored her and kept on running on the ropes. Lucky me, or unlucky depending on the look, I've trained to run on things like this since I was a kid. This is just a glorified tightrope. And those are simple.

I finished the ropes and kept up a leisure jog since I was currently in third place, behind Kacchan and Todoroki. Izu said to do my best. I'll do this much at least. The third obstacle . . .

A mine field? Are you serious?

Whereas Todoroki was moving carefully, Kacchan flew with the assistance of his explosions. "Bastard, don't declare war on the wrong person!" Kacchan shouted, moving his hand to set an explosion to attack Todoroki.

Ah-ah. He's fired up. Oh well. Looking down, I ran through the field, around the mines that they made us able to see.

I have quick reflexes and I'm able to move fast and avoid any oncoming obstacle. It's simple really. Still in third place, I ran behind them, some of the others behind us.

Kacchan and Todoroki were fighting each other while they ran, each trying to get first place.

"Hey, do you think a minefield is a good place to fight?" I asked once I was close enough. The glanced back briefly before continuing running forward. "Shut it Kiri!" Kacchan shouted as he continued to fight Todoroki.

Oh well. We're about out of the minefield. They'll battle it out more then. The sounds explosions sounded behind as students stepped on the mines. They were buried deep enough not to cause any physical harm, just to scare, but they are still being cautious.

Suddenly, an extremely loud explosion sounded and the wind whipped violently. We all stopped momentarily to look back, seeing the large flash.

What was that?

I stood my ground as the wind hit with force. What the? Ah!

My eyes widened slightly as Izu was launched forward by the explosion, headed straight towards us.

He must have dug up a bunch of mines.

I smirked. Way to go Izu. I watched as he soared above, taking the lead. The boys snapped out of it and began to run, going after Izu instead of each other. "Deku! Don't go ahead of me!" Kacchan yelled, using his explosion to move forward as Todoroki used his ice to freeze over the mines so they wouldn't activate.

Oh boy. I began running after them, on top of Todoroki's ice.

Izu slowed as he began to fall. I pushed myself so I ran next to Kacchan and Todoroki. Izu, what are you going to do?

Izu flipped, grabbing hold of the cable attached to the armor and slammed it on the ground, triggering some mines. Kacchan, Todoroki, and I stopped and braced as the explosion went off.

It only made Izu take the lead as he rolled forward before running. I see. That's quick thinking.

Well, I guess I gotta go, huh? Without further ado, I ran forward along with the other two as we chased after Izu.

We cleared the field and entered the tunnel to go back to the stadium. Izu still in the lead. The other two were desperately trying to catch up and take first. I ran behind them, not particularly caring about the placement.

Instead, I internally cheered for my friend.

Go, Izu. GO!

Izu exited the tunnel first, winning the first event. Next came Todoroki, then Kacchan, and then me in fourth place.

The crowd cheered loudly in excitement. I jogged over to Izu as he looked around the crowd. "Congratulations, Izu. Ah." I smiled lightly. "Always a crybaby, huh?" I tease, seeing the tears of joy in his eyes.

He smiled, still crying. "Thank you, Kiri-Nee." Eh? What'd I do? Before I could ask, Izu scanned the crowd before stopping on All Might. The two gave each other a knowing nod.

I sighed, crossing my arms. Master and Student moment, got it.

Izu wiped away his tears and turned to me. "You got fourth, right? Congrats." He grinned. I sighed and shrugged. "Well I had to. What's the point if I can't be in the top five without you?" I asked.

I mean Kacchan was expected to be, so I'm kind of glad I took fourth. Being in the top five with the two of them made the race a little more bareable.

Only a little though.

Izu chuckled at my claim. "You know, your mom's probably at home crying while watching this." Izu sweat dropped and nodded. "Probably."

I imagined the woman, crying in front of the TV. Probably worried based on the first events obstacles. Giant threatening robots, high ropes that suspend several stories into the air, explosive mine fields, and of course Kacchan.

A lot of hazards to Izu.

And we all know she treats him like some frail little thing since he's been known as Quirkless all his life. But . . .

I glanced at Izu, smiling lightly. For a Quirkless fool to take first place, he sure is something.

More and more people cleared the obstacle race, each running to place. I watched with a bored expression as they filed in. If I think about it, it was mainly A-Class that used their Quirks during that race. Sure, it's because our class acts now, not wasting a moment. But surely the other classes would have used their Quirks.

Of course the Obstacle Race is only the first event. They could have been conserving their energy.

Or maybe they're just cowards who second guess their moves. Well, be it their tactic or coincidence, it doesn't concern me. I just want to get this day over with. I hate being forced to participate in anything involving this many people. It's such a pain.

As soon as all the first years that passed the race arrived, we gathered back to the stand where Midnight waited, a smirk intact. Her eyes found mine and she winked. I gave her a blank look.

Oh boy. This next event's going to be worse, I can tell.

I so should have feigned illness just so I could have avoided this. It's a pain in the ass and I don't like being around people.

"Deku! You were amazing!" Uraraka's voice called. Izu and I turned to see her running over to us. "Uraraka." Izu said, a bit surprised to see her. "First place is amazing! That's so frustrating damn it! Even Kiri, getting fourth place! You two were amazing damn it!" She shouted in joy and frustration as Iida moped in the background.

"I-It was just-" Izu wrapped his arms around himself to hide his blushing face, still having some difficulty talking to girls. I chuckled at his behavior.

Uraraka continued to praise us until Midnight spoke. "The first game of the first-year stage is finally over. Now, take a look at the results!" The screen appeared behind her and showed our names and our place.

The top ten is Izu, Todoroki, Kacchan, me, Shiozaki, Honenuki, Iida, Tokoyami, Sero, and Kirishima. I briefly glanced at the names of the others, all the way down to number 46.

"The top 46 made it through to the next round. It's unfortunate, but don't worry, even if you didn't make it! We've prepared other chances for you to shine." Midnight licked her lips and I shivered.

I hate it when she does that, because I'm always the one to suffer. What is she up to?

"The real competition begins next! The press cavalry'll be all over it! Give it your all!"

Wait a second . . .

"The second round of the U.A. Sports Festival first-year stage is . . ." She called out as the screen spun before stopping on an event.

"A Cavalry Battle with the top 46 from the qualifier!" Cavalry Battle. Cavalry. Group. Team work.

"Shit." I grumbled from next to Izu.

I can work solo just fine. I have great results so long as I'm able to move within my own timing. But this is a group thing. The closest teamwork I have good experience in is walking home with Izu, Iida, and Uraraka.

I don't do group work.

I am the work alone type of person. This can't possibly go well.

"Let me explain. The participants can form teams of two to four people as they wish. It's basically the same as a regular Cavalry Battle, but one thing that's different is based on the results of the last game, each person has been assigned a point value."

"Uh-oh." I don't like where this is going.

As students began to talk, Midnight got ticked off and shouted for them to shut it. The screen morphed and next to our names is a number, our individual point worth.

"The points assigned go up by five starting from the bottom. So 46th gets five points, and 45 gets ten points! And the point value assigned to first place is . . ."

I looked up all the way to first place. Right by Izu's name, a large number stood out. "Uh-oh." I repeated.

"Ten million!" She shouted loudly into the microphone.

"Those at the top will suffer more. You'll hear this many times as you attend U.A. This is what 'Plus Ultra' means!" Midnight spoke, her blue eyes glinting with mischief.

She pointed her flogger at Izu. "Midoriya Izuku, who placed first in the qualifier, is worth ten million points!" I glanced at Izu who had gone tense and white as a ghost. Sweat began to form on his brow as everyone eyed him, choosing him as their prey.

And I do mean everyone.

Midnight smirked, a light blush on her cheeks as she basket in the hostility. "That's right. It's a survival of the fittest, with a chance for those at the bottom to overthrow the top!"

Everyone's eyes bore into Izu, officially ostracizing him. Izu wasn't looked on with respect and awe anymore.

No, he was every competitors prey. This next match is made to make him suffer.

"Shit."