The players' rest area was surprisingly peaceful, considering the storm raging outside on the field.
Yaoyorozu Momo sat cross-legged at the low table, snacks spread out in front of her like a feast prepared for a king—except everything was dense with calories.
Cream cakes, chocolate bars, a carton of milk tea, and a tower of biscuits.
"Want some?" she asked, sliding a box of cake toward Uchiha Madara, who sat beside her, arms crossed.
Madara glanced at the cake, the corners of his mouth twitching faintly. "I just ate. Can you even finish all that?"
"I have to." Momo pouted, stabbing her fork into the soft sponge cake. "I'll need energy for the next round. You know how my Quirk works."
Her words were muffled as she stuffed a piece into her mouth, cream smearing slightly on her chin.
Madara reached out instinctively, wiping it off with his thumb. "Eat slower. You look like someone's gonna snatch it from you."
"It's only half an hour before the finals start," she said, downing a cookie right after the cake. "I have to stock up."
Madara didn't reply—just shook his head, a ghost of a smile passing his lips.
On the massive screen ahead, the nameplate battle was reaching its climax.
Without the restriction of the horse formation, the field had turned into something closer to a warzone.
Shoto Todoroki's ice-covered half of the arena.
Bakugo Katsuki's explosions shattered obstacle walls one after another.
It wasn't even a competition anymore—it was an all-out brawl.
"Idiots," Madara muttered under his breath as Todoroki launched a wall of ice in Bakugo's direction… only for Bakugo to blast straight through it with a wild grin.
Yaoyorozu glanced up from her snacks, watching the chaos unfold. "Looks like they're venting their frustrations."
"Hmm." Madara leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes. "They'll burn themselves out before the real fight even starts."
Fifteen minutes later…
The exhausted participants lay sprawled across the arena floor as Midnight's voice echoed over the stadium.
"The nameplate battle is over! You all gave it your best!"
A staff member knocked gently on the restroom door.
"Uchiha Madara, Yaoyorozu Momo—you're wanted on the field for the next round."
Madara opened his eyes slowly. "Understood."
The sun was high when the first-year students gathered again on the open field.
The mood had shifted.
The easy excitement of earlier events had given way to something sharper—an edge of competitive tension in the air.
Present Mic's voice burst out over the stadium speakers once more.
"Everyone! Before we move to the finals, I've got some great news for those who didn't make it past the qualifiers!"
The crowd stirred, curious.
"This is a Sports Festival, after all—has prepared entertainment programs that everyone can join in!"
Laughter and applause rippled through the audience as the screen flashed images of inflatables, obstacle courses, and even a dunk tank.
"And to spice things up, we've invited a professional cheer squad from the United States!"
Present Mic's voice hit a new level of enthusiasm.
"After the entertainment events, the one-on-one knockout stage will begin—with the fourteen students who advanced through the preliminaries!"
In the crowd, Kirishima Eijiro's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "A one-on-one match, huh… Now that's a real man's battle!"
"So it's the same format as last year," said Ashido Mina, tapping her chin.
"Right. Though they change up the rules sometimes, the finals are always a duel format," added Sero Hanta. "Last year, it was inflatable sword fights, I think."
"Let's get the lottery started," said Midnight, stepping forward with a box in her hands.
"One by one, the finalists will draw lots to determine their first-round opponent."
She set the box on a small podium.
"And remember—after the draw, you're free to join the entertainment program… or rest until the finals begin."
Midnight smirked slightly. "After all… some of you might want to save your strength."
One by one, the students drew their lots.
By the end of the session, the matchups were set.
From Class 1-A:
1st place: Uchiha Madara & Yaoyorozu Momo
2nd place: Todoroki Shoto, Iida Tenya, Kirishima Eijiro, Ashido Mina
3rd place: Midoriya Izuku, Uraraka Ochaco, Tokoyami Fumikage, Hatsume Mei
4th place: Bakugo Katsuki, Shiozaki Ibara, Hitoshi Shinso, Sero Hanta
Madara scanned the tournament bracket with little reaction.
His first opponent—Kirishima Eijiro.
The boy with the hardening Quirk.
Madara smirked faintly. "This might be mildly entertaining."
"Alright! Entertainment time!" Present Mic shouted over the stadium. "Let's make the most of it before the real battles begin!"
Madara didn't bother with the entertainment.
Instead, he returned to the rest area and stretched out on the couch, arms behind his head, eyes closed.
Beside him, Momo sat quietly, nibbling on a chocolate bar, occasionally watching the entertainment feed on the screen.
Midoriya Izuku sat across from them, head hung low, hands clasped tightly between his knees.
If looks could kill, the black aura of nervousness around him would've been lethal.
"You good, Midoriya?" Momo asked gently.
"I… I'm fine…" Midoriya said in a voice that suggested he was not fine.
Madara cracked open one eye. "You're overthinking it again."
Midoriya glanced up. "I'm… about to fight Todoroki in the first round. Of course I'm nervous."
Madara closed his eyes again. "Then stop thinking. Go to sleep. You'll need it."
Midoriya opened his mouth to protest—
But Momo cut in, "Madara's right."
Midoriya blinked at both of them, then sighed. "Yeah… maybe you're right."
Two hours passed in a blur of laughter, music, and stadium games.
Meanwhile, Cementoss, one of the teachers, worked tirelessly on the construction of the battle arena.
By the time the entertainment program ended, the final arena was complete—
A vast stone platform, reinforced with barriers, designed to withstand Quirks of all kinds.
As the first-year students were called onto the field, the crowd roared back to life.
Yaoyorozu gave Madara a sidelong glance. "Nervous?"
Madara snorted. "Why would I be?"
Momo smiled faintly. "Just asking."
She placed the last chocolate wrapper on the table and stood.
The storm was about to begin.
And they would be right at its center.
---
A/N: Advanced Chapters have been uploaded on my Patreon, please do check it out, it will mean a lot to me
Support: patreon.com/Narrator_San