𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗦 ⌈𝐈⌔𝐌 ✗ 𝔽!𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫𝑬𝑹⌋

Chapter 018

CHAPTER 18: Into the Arena

The excitement from the Cavalry Battle still buzzed through the air as the students gathered for the next round of the U.A. Sports Festival. The stakes had risen, and now it was time for the one-on-one matches—no teams, no alliances, just pure skill and strategy. This was where each of you would face your classmates head-on, testing your quirks and your willpower in the most direct way possible.

As you stood among your classmates, the reality of what was coming hit you. The Tournament Bracket flashed on the screen in the middle of the stadium, listing the matchups for the next round. Your eyes scanned the names quickly, looking for your own.

You spotted it.

Mizushima Y/N vs. Kaminari Denki

Your heart skipped a beat. Kaminari was a friend, someone you had fought alongside in the Cavalry Battle, but now, he was an opponent. His Electrification Quirk was powerful, and if he managed to catch you off guard, it could be devastating. You would need to think on your feet, using your water manipulation creatively to avoid his attacks and find an opening.

You swallowed hard, trying to steady your nerves. This wasn’t just about winning—it was about proving to yourself that you had grown stronger since the start of the festival. You had come this far, and now was the time to show what you were capable of.

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As the crowd buzzed with anticipation, Present Mic’s voice boomed across the stadium. "WELCOME TO THE ONE-ON-ONE MATCHES, EVERYONE! This is where things get REALLY exciting! No more teams—just raw power and skill! Let’s see who’s gonna come out on top in these matchups!"

You stood with the rest of your class, watching as the first match of the tournament began. Tenya Iida versus Mei Hatsume. While you weren’t facing off against Iida today, watching him in action was always a good way to learn. His Engine Quirk gave him incredible speed, but Hatsume was unpredictable with her support gear.

As the match unfolded, it quickly became clear that Hatsume wasn’t interested in winning. She was using the opportunity to showcase her inventions to the audience and the pro heroes, much to Iida’s frustration. The match ended in a bizarre fashion, with Hatsume deliberately losing while giving a full display of her gadgets.

Iida, despite his victory, looked visibly annoyed, but you could tell he was relieved to move on to the next round.

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Next up was Todoroki versus Sero. The matchup sent a ripple of excitement through the crowd—Todoroki’s ice and fire quirks against Sero’s tape. While Sero was a skilled fighter and his quirk allowed for flexibility, Todoroki was a powerhouse.

The match started, and within seconds, Todoroki unleashed a massive wave of ice, freezing half the stadium in a single, breathtaking move. Sero had no time to react—he was trapped in the ice, completely immobilized.

The audience roared in awe, and even though you had fought alongside Todoroki in the cavalry battle, seeing his power on full display was something else entirely. It was a reminder of just how strong he was and how much potential he still had to unlock.

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As the matches progressed, you felt the tension build. Soon, it would be your turn to step into the arena. But before that, another match was about to begin—Midoriya versus Shinso. The atmosphere shifted as the two competitors walked onto the field. Shinso, with his Brainwashing Quirk, was a wildcard. No one knew exactly how it worked, but there were rumors that it required a specific trigger—responding to something he said.

Midoriya stood on the opposite side of the arena, tense but focused. You watched him closely, knowing that this was going to be a mental battle just as much as a physical one. Midoriya had incredible potential, but his tendency to act without thinking could be a weakness against someone like Shinso.

The match began, and the two competitors faced off. Shinso immediately started talking, taunting Midoriya, goading him into a response. You held your breath, hoping Midoriya wouldn’t take the bait. But it was too late—Midoriya answered, and in an instant, his body froze.

Shinso’s quirk activated.

The crowd fell silent as Midoriya stood motionless, his eyes blank. Shinso grinned, confident in his victory as he instructed Midoriya to walk toward the edge of the arena. Your heart pounded in your chest as you watched, helpless to intervene. If Midoriya couldn’t break free of the brainwashing, the match would be over.

But then, something changed.

A strange energy seemed to pulse through the air around Midoriya, and for a moment, you saw his body twitch. His fingers moved slightly, and then, in a sudden burst of willpower, Midoriya snapped out of it. He lunged forward, breaking free from Shinso’s control and charging at him with newfound determination.

The crowd erupted in cheers as Midoriya landed a decisive blow, knocking Shinso out of the ring and securing his victory.

You let out a breath you didn’t realize you’d been holding, feeling a rush of relief for Midoriya. He had managed to overcome the mental battle, proving that his determination was stronger than any quirk that tried to control him.

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Now, it was your turn.

As the stadium prepared for the next match, you felt the weight of anticipation settle over you. Kaminari stood on the opposite side of the arena, offering you a friendly grin, but you knew he was taking this seriously. His quirk, while powerful, came with limitations, and you were determined to find a way to exploit them.

Present Mic’s voice boomed over the speakers. "NEXT UP: MIZUSHIMA Y/N VERSUS KAMINARI DENKI! Let’s see how these two will handle this electrifying showdown!"

The tension in the air was palpable as you stepped into the arena, your heart pounding with adrenaline. Kaminari activated his quirk, electricity sparking from his fingertips as he prepared for the fight. You could feel the moisture in the air around you, ready to respond to your command.

This was it. Your chance to prove yourself.

"Let’s have a good match!" Kaminari called out with a grin, his friendly nature shining through despite the competition.

You nodded, a small smile on your lips. "Let’s do this."

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A/N: Word Count: ~1105 words, The one-on-one matches have officially begun! Next chapter we'll see how Y/N handles her match against Kaminari and how she’ll continue to develop her quirk, where strategy and quirk mastery will be key to winning. Stay tuned for more action.

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