The matches were announced and it seemed that Izuku will be fighting the brainwasher who goes by the name of Hitoshi Shinso.
"I look forward to out match student rep."
As Izuku turns to him to respond but his mouth is covered by a fleshy tail. Shinso walks away.
"Don't respond to him."
"He takes control of people by response I know. If he was smart he wouldn't have tried to use it here. Thanks for the warning though."
"Uh, no problem Midoriya."
The match came as Midoriya and Shinso stand on the concrete platform as Present Mic gave them an introduction. Midnight was on the side refereeing the match.
"Alright boys I want a clean match here today. Nothing below the belt and lethal blows are grounds for disqualification. Is that understood?"
The two combatants both nod.
"Then let the match begin."
"Let's have a good fight."
Izuku nods in response. The both of them stand there seemingly having the same plan.
"Are you so stuck up as to not even grace me with a verbal response? You people in class A are all the same. Thinking your all so much better than the rest of us. Isn't that right student rep?"
Izuku remains silent.
"I'll take your silence as an admission then. Your life must have been great. Cheers all around for the future hero. You say you know what it's like for those less fortunate but you can never truly know can you?"
"I can't"
'I've got him'
"...but that doesn't mean I don't have the right to help. Just as I did for you during the entrance exam."
'...what?'
"Am I right to assume that your quirk has you viewed by others as a villain? Only the ignorant and blind would believe that. You are not your quirk neither is the quirk you. I know it's been tough for you. You look skinny as if you haven't eaten or trained much-"
"But that's where your wrong I have trained."
"Yet you are not at your full potential. What were you going to do if you were fighting in a group. They can easily get each other out of your quirk's effects. You may not believe it but their words have gotten to you. Thinking your no better than what your quirk makes you. They gotten so deep in your head that the only value you see in yourself is your quirk. You unconsciously neglect to even train your body."
This seems to get under his skin as Shinso rushes toward Izuku. Izuku stays still letting him get his first hit in. Shinso punches him in the chest then immediately recoiled in pain holding his fist. He collects himself and tries to push Midoriya but he doesn't budge. He starts to get desperate hitting Midoriya while not caring for how bruised his fist are getting. Midoriya picks him up and moves him out of bounds. To the audience he was leaving after images as he moved to the edge of the stage.
"Hitoshi Shinso is out of Bounds. Izuku Midoriya moves on to the next match."
Midoriya puts Shinso's arm over his shoulder.
[Headache Resistance]
"Come one let's get you to Recovery Girl and I think you've got yourself a couple of fans."
Shinso looks up to see some of his classmates commending him for his effort and bravey and even a few gazes thrown by heroes which held much the same sentiment.
The rest of the matches in round one continue with Todoroki, Iida, Tokoyami, and Bakugou advancing into round two. That last round was quite brutal according to the audience but it was what heroes will be faced with in an unfavourable battle. Izuku's next fight was with Todoroki. As he was walking to his waiting room he turns the corner to see the flame hero himself who seemed to be waiting for him.
"Impressive quirk you've got there kid and from what I've heard, strong enough to rival All Might. You'll be a great stepping stone for my masterpiece."
"You mean you son."
"Tch, of course who else would I be reffering to."
"Then don't speak of people like they're merchandise."
"You. should. watch. your. tongue. boy
"
"What can't take Ban-"
Endeavor enraged throws a flame powered punch straight at Izuku's face but it was blocked by a palm.
[Potency increased : ^ Heat Immunity]
"You really shouldn't be assaulting anyone who gets under your skin especially in the halls of UA."
Endeavor realising the implication looks around for cameras but sees none. He glances back at Izuku to find that he was gone.
A few minutes later
Midoriya and Todoroki stand once more on the raised concrete platform. Todoroki has an angrier look on him. He must have spoken to Endeavor.
"Ready?"
They both nod.
"The let the match... Begin!"
'Heaven-Piercing Ice Wall'
Todoroki sends a huge glaceir of ice encasing Izuku in it. The audience was in shock and felt an bit disappointed that the match was so quick and anticlimactic but as Midnight was about to call the match the glacier cracks and explodes sending large chunks of ice near the crowd and in the middle of the destroyed glacier stood Midoriya who looked completely unharmed bits of ice still stuck to his clothes. The crowd cheered at the spectacle. Midoriya ripes a chunk of ice from beside him throwing it up and down like a baseball.
"Todoroki I though you knew that wasn't going to work."
He says nothing as he sends another wave of ice which was immediately blown apart with a with by throwing the chunk of ice turning it into snow. This continues for a few short minutes as the audience was getting bored. They were dissatisfied that this was all the son of Endevor could do when faced with an opponent resistant to their attacks, using the same attack over and over and saving themselves by using ice walls. Todoroki could feel their dissatisfied looks especially his father's. He began slowing down, ice patches appearing on his right side and tiny flickers of flame of the left. The ice moved slower, generated smaller. Consequences from quirk exhaustion as explained to the class by Bakugou in the stands. Quirks were like muscles, use it too much it's bound to break and Midoriya barely had to use his. Todoroki stood in a nest of ice keeping himself in place panting out cold fog.
"If your not giving it your all why fight it. You've been sending the same attack over and over, seeing it parried over and over should have gotten the point across."
"I need to win."
"Then why haven't you tried anything different and I don't mean your fire-"
"His fire."
"Your fire, even without it you should have had a plan if things went south. All you've done so far has only tirer yourself out and in the eyes of the public you look like a one trick pony and the disgraced son of Endeavor. I know you would like that for Endeavor but most of that is pointed solely on you. Him mearly a bad teacher, and you a snobbish prince who has never known hardship."
"Did my father pay you off!? Just so I would use his quirk."
"Of course not, rather I think he completely despises me. Look at him up there, that angry scowl uncaring of how that would look to the public. His own son defeated by something as simple as quirk exhaustion. Something he though impossible for his great 'Masterpiece'."
Izuku waves at Endevor which only deepens his scowl as flames intensify causing some in the stands to back away from the heat.
"You know you'll lose if you kept using your ice so why not try something new."
"I will never break my pledge."
"Then you must face the consequences of that choice."
Izuku flicks and launched a pseudo air cannon flinging Todoroki out of bounds. Todoroki was too tired to try to save himself as he lands on the grass unconscious.
"Shoto Todoroki is out of bounds. Izuku Midoriya continues to the semi finals."
The crowd cheers except for Endevor who is glaring at Midoriya as he carries Todoroki off to the nurses office.
_______________________________________
Next time
Chapter 21 : End of the Festival
Thanks to RcMmCy, Antisuperstar, MRFRITZ1, Lasagnor, JokerJay75, orion6602, NONCONTRIFIED81, Seth_G_Necron, need_sleep123, AdamKlydeUy, Fenrir_52, donjoaquin2, Lost_Bussy, Easybeingcheesy1, TheKoiFishLover07, and Sc0rpioN7 for voting.