"Lock, the wizard, will participate in the student Sports Festival as a special entrant whose results will not count toward rankings. In addition, he will also compete in the Pro Hero Exhibition Match."
The moment Midnight announced it—
The stadium erupted.
The audience had expected Lock might appear in the Pro Hero event.
What they hadn't expected… was that he would compete in both.
"QUIET!"
Midnight cracked her whip sharply against the stage floor.
The crisp sound echoed across the arena, forcing the noise down.
"Now," she continued, "I invite the student representative — Lock of Class 1-A — to deliver the competitor's oath!"
Thunderous cheers exploded.
No one questioned his position as representative. After USJ, his popularity had skyrocketed nationwide.
Step.
Step.
Under the roar of tens of thousands, Lock walked calmly onto the central platform.
The giant screen zoomed in immediately.
His face filled the stadium display.
Sharp features. Steady gaze. A maturity that didn't match his age. And an undeniable presence.
The Dragon Slayer magic subtly enhanced his physique and aura — the effect was unmistakable.
When the corners of his lips lifted slightly—
The stadium nearly detonated.
"LOCK I'LL HAVE YOUR BABIES—!"
"Marry me!!!"
"I'm dying, he's too handsome!"
Somewhere in the stands, male spectators groaned in collective despair.
"O women…"
Lock raised one hand slightly.
"…"
The crowd quieted almost instinctively.
The competitor's oath at U.A. was unscripted. Students were free to say whatever they wished — passionate declarations, determined vows, or even bizarre statements.
Lock inhaled slowly.
Then pointed directly at the sea of competitors below.
"Since my ranking doesn't count… there's no need for me to compete for the championship."
The arena held its breath.
"So I hope that among all of you…"
He paused.
"…there is at least one opponent worthy of forcing me to fight seriously."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Tens of thousands of people.
Not a sound.
How arrogant.
His oath didn't just express confidence—
It implied that none of them were currently worthy.
Some in the audience were Lock fans.
But many supported Todoroki.
Or Bakugo.
Or students from Class 1-B.
To them, this sounded like open provocation.
In the media section—
"Did you get that? Word for word!"
"This is headline material!"
"This Sports Festival is already explosive!"
Below the stage, the competitors bristled.
"Don't look down on us, Class A bastard!"
"I'll make you regret that!"
Even some of Lock's own classmates shot him complicated looks.
Bakugo's grin turned feral.
"Good."
Midnight coughed loudly.
"Alright! Let's move to the first event before this turns into a riot!"
Present Mic laughed nervously in the commentary booth.
"HAHA! What an oath! First-year energy is off the charts!"
Beside him, wrapped like a bandaged mummy, Shota Aizawa stared calmly.
"…Troublesome."
Midnight snapped her whip again.
"Heroes value speed in combat, rescue, and support alike! So our first event is—"
She raised her arm dramatically.
"THE OBSTACLE RACE!"
The stadium roared back to life.
"Eleven classes will compete together! One lap around the stadium — approximately four kilometers!"
"And remember — U.A. values freedom. As long as you stay on course, use any method you like!"
Cheers thundered.
The competitors assembled at the starting gate.
The entrance was deliberately narrow.
Whoever broke through first would gain a decisive advantage.
Students pressed shoulder to shoulder.
Shoving.
Pushing.
Breathing tight.
Lock stood quietly near the back.
Over a meter of space separated him from the last row.
He didn't look crowded.
"READY—"
"START!"
The crowd surged forward like a tidal wave.
And then—
A cold wave spread.
Frost bloomed across the ground instantly.
Feet froze in place.
"I-I can't move?!"
"It's freezing!"
At the very front—
Shoto Todoroki.
Ice spread from his right side in a widening path, freezing the field while simultaneously forming a smooth runway beneath him.
He slid forward, instantly claiming first place.
Present Mic roared:
"AND TODOROKI TAKES THE LEAD WITH A MASSIVE ICE OPENING!"
Behind him—
Bakugo blasted upward, explosions propelling him forward over the frozen terrain.
Jiro Kyoka heated the soles of her shoes with controlled magic-enhanced vibration, melting ice as she ran.
Ashido Mina secreted acid, dissolving her path.
Mei Hatsume activated specialized boots designed for low-friction traction, skating forward smoothly.
The audience exploded with excitement.
Talent after talent revealed itself.
The first event had barely begun, and it was already chaos.
And then—
The camera panned backward.
All the way to the rear.
Lock.
Standing still.
Arms relaxed at his sides.
Feet planted like a mountain.
No movement.
No urgency.
Present Mic blinked.
"…Uh? Lock is still at the back! What's going on?!"
The audience murmured.
Why wasn't he moving?
Did he underestimate the race?
Was he planning something?
Deep confusion spread through the stadium.
Lock simply looked ahead calmly.
The race…
Had only just begun.
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A/N: 40+ Advance Chapter Has Been Uploaded.
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