The last few days before the Sports Festival continued flying by in a blur.
Souta had made remarkable progress in everything he aimed for.
He had managed to push the output of his Full Cowl up to 10 percent.
It wasn't that his body couldn't handle more - if anything, thanks to his regeneration, it could - but 10 percent was the current limit where he could still seamlessly integrate it into his fighting style without losing control.
As for CryoPyre, the progress was equally satisfying.
The ice half, which had once felt clumsy and foreign compared to his natural flames, was finally reaching a point of balance. It no longer hindered him, and though he hadn't perfected it yet, he had already created a handful of methods to use both sides fluidly - setting the foundation for a future, devastating style.
Of course, he hadn't forgotten his usual body training either.
In the dormitory's massive underground gym - filled with top-of-the-line equipment - he spent hours honing his muscles, both with and without the use of One For All.
It was brutal. It was exhausting. But it was necessary.
The last major project he finished was finalizing his hero costume, working closely with Power Loader, the support course's gruff but brilliant leader, and a handful of top students from the department.
One of them, a pink-haired girl who spoke at a mile a minute and seemed to live in a world entirely her own, had especially surprised Souta.
He had thought, between his family and his classmates, he had grown accustomed to weird people.
But this girl... was on an entirely different level.
Not bad weird. Just... weird.
Still, despite her eccentricities, the suit had turned out better than Souta could have ever hoped.
Made from cutting-edge materials, it was built to withstand the massive forces Souta could unleash - whether from OFA-enhanced strikes or the violent surges of fire and ice he could summon.
And, thankfully, there had even been enough material left to produce a special reinforced P.E. uniform as well.
When Power Loader handed him the uniform, Souta had to physically stop himself from shedding a tear of gratitude.
He had dreaded the idea of suddenly standing completely naked in front of live-streamed cameras during the Sports Festival.
That nightmare scenario had haunted him more than any villain attack.
Power Loader had simply patted his shoulder, his voice casual as ever: "You're not the first kid with that problem. There's a senior in the graduating class. Same issue. Took us two years to finally get rid of this obvious issue. Now, we have finally learned our lesson after that."
Souta had chuckled at the story, remembering the U.A. Sports Festivals, from the last years, he had watched with Shoto back at home.
Back then, three students in particular had always caught his eye:
The ones who were now known as The Big Three of U.A.
Mirio Togata - cheerful, unshakable, someone who radiated a kind of strength that made Souta instinctively think, He'd be fun to be around. Tamaki Amajiki - awkward and self-conscious on the surface, but Souta could sense a deep, hidden potential just waiting to erupt. And then there was Nejire Hado - bright, bubbly, with a smile that could light up a stadium.
Truth be told, Souta had developed a small crush on her sunny, magnetic personality, though nothing beyond that.
He smiled to himself at the memory, shaking his head.
---
The day of the Sports Festival arrived.
U.A. Stadium loomed massive and glimmering under the clear blue sky, a coliseum of hopes, dreams, and battles waiting to happen.
The air buzzed with energy as students from every course gathered, a swirling sea of colors and emotions.
Inside one of the many waiting corridors, Class 1-A stood together, all dressed in their normal P.E. uniforms, well besides Souta, who stood there in his brand new one.
Souta adjusted his gloves, feeling the hum of energy beneath his skin. Full Cowl was ready. CryoPyre was steady.
He took a deep breath.
This is it.
Beside him, Shoto stood calm and silent, his own presence like a blade ready to be drawn.
Midoriya fidgeted nervously, muttering to himself under his breath.
Bakugo cracked his knuckles menacingly, practically vibrating with impatience.
And Souta - he smiled faintly, heart pounding not with fear...
But with excitement.
He wasn't here to prove anything to anyone else.
Today, he was here to prove it to himself.
The booming voice of Present Mic echoed through the stadium, signaling the opening ceremonies.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen - let's welcome our future heroes!"
With a roar from the crowd outside, the giant steel doors began to rumble open.
Their time had come.
---
The roar of the crowd thundered through the air as Class 1-A began their march out of the tunnel, the midday sun painting the arena in a golden glow.
Every step forward seemed to vibrate underfoot - not from nerves, but from the sheer energy of the moment.
Around the field, students from every department were entering as well:
General Studies, Support, Management, and of course, the other Hero Course class, 1-B.
Thousands of eyes watched as they lined up row by row in the center of the massive stadium.
Souta, standing near the end of Class 1-A, felt his heart hammering against his ribs. Not with fear. No.
Today, he felt alive.
The chatter of the audience dulled as a certain, revealingly clothed figure took center stage at the announcer's booth – the R-18 Pro Hero Midnight.
"Good day, everyone!" she announced. "Before we begin the festivities, it's customary for our top student to say a few words to represent the hopes and ambitions of U.A. High!"
There was a small pause.
"And this year, our representative will be... Souta Todoroki from Class 1-A!"
The stadium buzzed with surprise.
Somewhere behind him, Bakugo growled low under his breath - but whether out of irritation or disinterest, Souta didn't know and didn't care.
Souta stepped forward, feeling every gaze latch onto him - classmates, rivals, pro heroes, media, civilians.
Breathe. You're ready.
The podium rose from the ground in front of him.
He placed his hands lightly on either side of it, leaned in, and spoke - his voice firm, clear, resonating through the stadium's speakers.
---
"I was born without a quirk. That was the diagnosis given to me as a child."
The statement rang out like a shot, quieting even the murmurs in the stands.
"For most of my life, I was just another kid without power. Watching everyone else race ahead, while I tried my best just to keep up."
His eyes swept across the crowd. Hundreds of students stood before him. All different. All chasing their own dreams.
"But I never let that stop me."
He smiled faintly.
"I trained. I studied. I learned. I picked up hobbies, built skills - anything that might become my path someday."
A breeze stirred the air, tugging at the edges of his uniform.
"What I want to say is simple."
He leaned closer to the mic, voice steady.
"It's not the quirk you're born with that defines you."
"It's not about starting strong, or having flashy powers."
"It's about drive. About the will to keep going. To keep improving. To keep reaching for what you truly want."
The stadium was completely silent now, hanging on his every word.
"And I believe - no, I know - that every single person standing here today can reach their dreams. One way or another."
He straightened up, eyes bright with quiet fire.
"If you keep moving forward, if you don't give up, if you believe in your path - then nothing can stop you."
"For today, for tomorrow, and for every day after - let's give it everything we've got and follow the school motto. Go beyond, Plus Ultra."
Souta stepped back from the podium, giving a respectful nod toward the crowd.
A beat of silence.
And then - the stadium erupted into applause.
It wasn't polite clapping.
It wasn't half-hearted.
It was real.
Raw.
The sound of thousands of hearts resonating with his words.
---
In the stands, high up among the other pro heroes, Endeavor stood stiffly, arms crossed, face as grim as ever.
But his eyes, usually sharp and judgmental, were slightly downcast, shadowed.
Watching. Thinking.
---
A few rows down, Hawks leaned casually back in his chair, one leg kicked over the other, sunglasses perched low on his nose.
He gave a low whistle, a small grin tugging at his lips.
"Not bad, kid," he murmured under his breath. "Truly heroic."
---
In the VIP area, Ryukyu gave a triumphant smile as she nudged the pro hero next to her - the white-furred, battle-hungry rabbit woman known as the Pro Hero Mirko.
Mirko was slouched in her chair, arms behind her head, clearly looking for any excuse to leave.
She had been bribed into coming with a massive favor from Ryukyu - one she was still regretting.
But even she had to admit...
Her ear twitched slightly.
That speech?
It wasn't bad.
"Tch," she grunted under her breath. "Maybe this won't be a complete waste of time after all."
Ryukyu only smiled knowingly.
---
Back on the field, Souta returned to his spot, the applause still ringing in his ears. Shoto gave him a small nod of approval.
Midoriya's eyes sparkled with admiration.
Even Bakugo, though scowling, didn't say anything - a rare, grudging kind of respect.
Present Mic's voice boomed out again, full of energy:
"Alright, folks, after such an inspiring speech… Time to kick things off! Let's start with our first event for the day!"
The giant monitors lit up, showing a wheel beginning to spin. On it, all kinds of different disciplines. All possible to be selected for this event. It continued spinning for another few seconds, before it ultimately came to a stop.
"AND THE FIRST EVENT… THE OBSTACLE RACE!" Present Mic's loud voice boomed through the whole stadium, igniting the crowd even more.
Souta cracked his knuckles lightly, smiling to himself.
'Now... let's have some real fun.'