…the announcement was done, and we moved toward the designated area for Block One.
So this is it.
Who am I going to face now…?
I really hope my match comes last. I don't want to use that method.
"Are you ready, Midoriya?" Aizawa-sensei asked, his voice low but steady.
"Yes, Sensei," I replied without hesitation.
---
The Champions Trial
Unlike normal arenas, this one had spectators—eyes from all over the world watching every move.
Only two matches per day.
Sixteen fighters.
Single-elimination matches.
Only the final two of each block qualify.
Two blocks.
Four days.
From each block—two survivors.
The final four advance to the last stage.
I'm in Block One.
Li Wei.
Zhang Meilin.
Hannah Weiss.
Kavya Rao.
Jade Miller.
…Why are there so many girls?
No—focus.
Baek Ji-ho.
Han Seo-jun.
Ji-ho… isn't he Ara-senpai's boyfriend?
Han Seo-jun—
Short.
Really short.
About 155 cm.
"Yo," I called out casually.
"Ah—Izuku Midoriya-san," Ji-ho replied, bowing slightly.
"Just call me Izuku. I don't mind," I said.
Ji-ho hesitated, then asked quietly, "Who do you think will fight first, Izuku-san?"
"Don't know," I said honestly.
"I really hope it's not me."
"Why?"
A sharp voice cut in.
"Are you afraid?"
Han Seo-jun.
I looked down at him.
"…Sorry, but I don't feel like explaining myself to short guys."
"…Huh?"
His face turned red instantly.
"What did you say, you bastard?!"
Oh wow.
Mini Kacchan.
"Where are you?" I squinted exaggeratedly.
"I can't hear you. Wait—if I can't see you, how can I hear you…? Wow, I'm so stupid."
"I'LL KILL YOU!" he screamed.
This is fun.
"Izuku-san, please don't provoke him," Ji-ho whispered urgently.
"Sorry," I laughed.
"He just reminded me of someone I know."
"The blonde Bakugo Katsuki-san?" Ji-ho asked flatly.
"…You know him?"
"We were partners in the last round," Ji-ho replied, staring into the distance like a man who had seen hell.
…You poor soul.
---
The announcement boomed across the arena.
> "First match of Block One—
Izuku Midoriya versus Han Seo-jun!"
Han Seo-jun turned toward the entrance, cracking his knuckles.
"You better be ready, Izuku Midoriya," he snarled.
"Because I plan on fucking killing you."
…Shit.
I really didn't want to resort to that method.
---
Han Seo-jun was already standing in the arena, the crowd roaring around him.
Then—
Someone else walked in.
"HUH?"
Han Seo-jun squinted.
"WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU?"
"…Me?"
The man smirked.
"I'm the Phantom Thief. Monoma Neito."
Monoma Neito raised his hand theatrically.
The announcement followed immediately:
> "Japan has invoked the Substitute Clause.
Due to injury, Izuku Midoriya is unable to battle.
If the substitute—Monoma Neito—wins, Midoriya advances.
If he loses, both are eliminated."
Han Seo-jun laughed.
"The fuck? Is he that afraid of me?"
---
I was watching from the stands, surrounded by the rest of Block One.
Mostly girls.
…Way too many girls staring at me.
"Izuku-san," Baek Ji-ho said sharply, stepping closer.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"It's exactly what they announced," I replied calmly.
"I'm injured. Declared unfit to battle."
"Is this a joke to you?"
Zhang Meilin's voice cut through the air.
I met her gaze.
"Why do you think it is?"
"Because you're fooling around with a woman now," she snapped.
Before I could respond—
Kurohane tightened her grip around my arm.
…When did she even get here?
"…I heard Izuku Midoriya from Japan is strong," Zhang Meilin continued coldly,
"but also that he's a womanizer who seduces every woman he meets."
"…Well," Kurohane said cheerfully, clinging even harder,
"he certainly seduced me."
DON'T ADD THAT.
The atmosphere turned hostile instantly.
"…Zhang Meilin-san," I said carefully, keeping my voice steady,
"I don't know what rumors you believe—but I'm frustrated too. If I could fight, I would. My medical report says I need one more day to heal. The teachers don't want me disqualified or forced out."
I exhaled slowly.
"This substitute rule disadvantages me as well. If Monoma loses—I'm done."
She clicked her tongue.
"Let's see if your strength matches your words."
Then she walked away.
…As expected.
Using a substitute feels cowardly.
Even I hate it.
But I don't have a choice.
I haven't even fought Arjun Dev.
Or Ethan Cross.
"Kurohane," I muttered, "could you let go of my hand?"
"What can I do?" she smiled sweetly.
"You seduced me. You should take responsibility."
Stop phrasing it like that.
The daggers from the other girls only intensified.
…Please win, Monoma.
---
The Match Begins
"I don't have time for extras," Han Seo-jun barked, rolling his shoulders.
"Since that bastard Midoriya is scared, he sent a lackey. Come at me."
"…You sure you won't regret that?" Monoma asked calmly.
"What the hell are you talking about—"
BOOM.
An explosion slammed into Han Seo-jun's side, blasting him across the arena.
Copy: Katsuki Bakugo.
"…Regretting it yet?" Monoma mocked.
"You annoying piece of shit!"
"Come forth," Han Seo-jun snarled.
Two shadowy figures split from his body—perfect, identical copies.
"What the hell—?" Monoma muttered.
"Scared?" Han Seo-jun grinned.
"They won't bite. They'll just kill you so thoroughly no one will be able to identify the corpse."
"…So scary."
The clones rushed him simultaneously.
Copy: Tenya Iida.
Monoma vanished in a burst of speed, engines screaming as he tore across the field.
"How long are you gonna run?!" Han Seo-jun roared.
"Don't be impatient," Monoma taunted mid-sprint.
"Girls don't like impatient men."
He pivoted—
BOOM.
One of the clones disintegrated in a violent explosion.
---
Monoma's grown a lot.
He's switching between Kacchan and Iida seamlessly—no hesitation, no lag.
Five quirks.
Ten-minute limit.
But how long can he really last?
I kept my eyes on Seo-jun instead of Monoma.
His movements were getting sharper—but heavier.
Each charge was stronger than the last… and slightly slower to recover from.
He hasn't noticed yet.
"He's pushing his speed too hard to overwhelm Monoma," I murmured.
"Still thinks this is a straight brawl."
I glanced at Ji-ho.
"Oii," I whispered.
"What's wrong with you?"
"…I've never seen Seo-jun this worked up," he said.
"That's because he's being forced to react," I replied.
"Monoma isn't trying to overwhelm him—he's making Seo-jun move first every time."
Ji-ho frowned.
"…Is that bad?"
"It will be," I said quietly.
"Seo-jun's strongest when he controls the flow. Right now… he hasn't realized he's already being dragged."
I watched the arena carefully.
"If he figures it out in time, this turns ugly… and I'll have to treat you.
If he doesn't—"
I smirked.
"…then Monoma wins before his own limit becomes a problem."
"Whoa, Izuku," Kurohane breathed.
"You're so smart."
…I adjusted my imaginary glasses.
---
Seo-jun smiled—wide, unhinged.
"It's been a while," he said, his voice trembling with excitement,
"since I was this worked up."
Suddenly, he accelerated.
Faster.
Stronger.
The remaining shadow surged forward with him, perfectly synchronized.
"What the hell—?!"
Copy: Kirishima — Hardening.
The collision shook the arena, the shockwave rippling outward as the ground cracked beneath them.
"I don't usually say this," Seo-jun snarled, veins bulging along his neck,
"but you and that dick Midoriya really pissed me off."
He destroyed his own shadow mid-charge—
—and rushed head-on.
"This is it—!"
A violent burst of wind erupted beneath Monoma's feet.
Copy: Inasa Yoarashi — Whirlwind.
Monoma launched upward, then—
BOOM.
An explosion detonated behind him, stacking momentum on momentum as he tore through the air.
"How many quirks did you copy, you bastard?!" Seo-jun shouted.
"Just enough," Monoma replied, his voice steady as he closed the distance.
They collided.
Smoke swallowed the arena.
Shockwaves tore through the stands.
The sound vanished—
Then—
Silence.
---
"Seems you lost, Izuku Midoriya," Zhang Meilin scoffed.
"Zhang Meilin-san," I said firmly, my eyes never leaving the arena,
"don't interrupt. Watch. The match isn't over yet."
"…How dare you—"
"Just look."
---
Seo-jun stared down at his legs.
Encased in ice.
"What did you do?!" he shouted.
"I hardened to survive," Monoma said calmly, brushing dust from his shoulder.
"I'd be dead if I was even a second late."
He raised his hand.
Copy: Shoto Todoroki — Half Cold, Half Hot.
"Sorry," Monoma said softly.
"You can't break free for at least a minute."
Fire descended.
Hellflame.
Seo-jun's consciousness faded.
---
The crowd erupted.
PHANTOM THIEF!
PHANTOM THIEF!
As the med team rushed in, Monoma looked down at him.
"Sorry, buddy… no hard feelings," he said lightly.
"Can't let our star fall because of paperwork, right?"
Seo-jun laughed weakly as he was lifted away.
"What the fuck are you talking about…?
You're the star here."