"Alright, that should be just about enough. Ochaco, take a few of these too."
In a short burst of activity, Yaoyorozu Momo finished creating several small items and passed them to Uraraka Ochaco.
"Okay, let's move now. While we're running, throw them down as we go!"
"Got it!"
The two girls immediately accelerated, charging toward the pair still locked in battle ahead.
Behind them, the larger group of competitors finally reached the third obstacle. Seeing that several students had already passed through, many assumed most of the landmines had been cleared and rushed forward without hesitation.
The result was immediate.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
A chain of violent explosions erupted as multiple landmines detonated in succession.
"What the hell?! I clearly avoided the mines!"
One unfortunate student, blasted high into the air with tears streaming down his face, stared at the ground in disbelief.
Running ahead, Yaoyorozu Momo listened to the explosions and screams behind her. A sly, fox-like smile crept onto her lips.
Earlier, she had discreetly used her quirk to create numerous miniature trigger charges. Individually, they were harmless—but their small size made them difficult to detect. Once detonated, they triggered nearby landmines planted by the school.
It was simple logic: fewer competitors meant better odds. Even if the exact number of qualifiers was unclear, draining opponents' stamina and momentum was always beneficial.
Meanwhile, Igarashi Masata had already crossed the minefield and was sprinting toward the final stretch.
After surviving the magma zone and the abyssal rope section, Midoriya Izuku finally reached the entrance to the third obstacle.
Watching classmates get launched skyward one after another, Izuku swallowed hard.
"I lost too much time at the second obstacle… I'm way behind now. Damn it."
Everyone in the leading group had already entered the minefield, pushing through the explosions toward the exit. For Izuku, this was a serious crisis.
But while he still lacked full control over his quirk, Izuku's greatest strength had always been his mind.
As he watched bodies flying upward—and noticed the abandoned gliding device left behind by Yaoyorozu Momo and Uraraka Ochaco—an idea sparked.
"It's not over yet. I can still catch up."
"Most of the mines have detonated where people are clustered… but there must be untouched ones where it's sparse."
Working quickly, Izuku dug several remaining landmines from the ground and piled them together. Taking a deep breath, he strapped the glider onto his back.
"…This is my only option."
Closing his eyes, Izuku slammed down onto the pile.
BOOOOM!
An explosion far greater than any before thundered across the course, drawing everyone's attention—even Masata, who was nearly at the finish line.
"Not bad, Midoriya," Masata muttered with a grin. "Brains are power too."
The massive shockwave launched Izuku high into the air, propelling him straight toward the minefield's exit. Ordinarily, he would have fallen straight back down—but in midair, Izuku grabbed the glider and spread it wide.
Like a bird riding a thermal current, he soared over the competitors still struggling below.
"Using my equipment like that…!"
Yaoyorozu Momo stared in disbelief. She hadn't expected the usually quiet classmate to shine so brilliantly at the final moment.
"Dammit! Who said you could fly over my head?!"
Already furious from repeated interference, Bakugo Katsuki snapped.
"Get down here!"
A violent explosion blasted from his palm, striking Izuku mid-descent.
The impact shattered the glider's balance.
"No—! The glider's broken!"
Izuku spiraled downward toward the minefield, where countless landmines still waited.
"…All Might. Please."
With a desperate roar, Izuku slammed the broken glider into the ground.
BOOM!
Another explosion hurled him skyward once more—this time cleanly past Bakugo.
"What am I seeing?! An unknown student makes an unbelievable comeback! Midoriya Izuku of Class A—can he overtake at the last second?!"
Even Todoroki Shoto, seeing Izuku surge forward, reacted instantly. With a flick of his right hand, a massive ice spike shot toward Izuku.
"This is Todoroki's quirk!"
Instead of panicking, Izuku stepped onto the ice midair, kicking off it and accelerating forward.
"What the hell are you doing, Half-and-Half?!"
Bakugo roared as Izuku passed him completely.
Landing hard but upright, Izuku pushed onward.
"The first student has returned to the stadium! It's Igarashi Masata of Class A!"
Masata crossed the finish line, claiming first place without dispute.
Moments later, Izuku stumbled across the line, collapsing to one knee as exhaustion finally caught up with him.
"The second place is Midoriya Izuku! The former underdog surges forward—dark horse or sheer determination?! We'll find out in the next rounds!"
More students arrived in quick succession. In the end, the top forty-two competitors advanced past the preliminaries.
For those eliminated, the school prepared special exhibition stages—ensuring that even defeat came with a chance to shine.