Chapter 03 ~ In preparation for the sports festival.

Chapter 03 ~ In preparation for the sports festival.

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The day before the UA Sports Festival dawned quietly over the academy, but within the walls of the principal's office, there was a sense of urgency. Around a large circular table sat the academy's most esteemed faculty—professional heroes in their own right—each with a packet of papers and a bottle of water before them. The meeting had run its course, and the final agenda item, the sports festival, had been discussed in detail. It was now time to finalize the plans.

Principal Nezu, seated at the head of the table, spoke with a composed yet commanding voice. "So, to summarize, we have three main events for the festival. The first is the Obstacle Race, designed to reduce the number of participating students to forty-two. Next, we have the Cavalry Battle, which will encourage teamwork by forming groups of two to four students, fostering a sense of collaboration and mutual trust that will be invaluable in their future careers as pro heroes. Finally, the Elimination Round, where sixteen students will face off in one-on-one battles to determine the overall champion. This, of course, is the stage most spectators will look forward to the most."

As Nezu's words hung in the air, there was a brief pause—a momentary calm before the inevitable end of the meeting. Yet, just as some of the teachers began to stir, preparing to rise from their seats, a voice broke through the silence.

"There's one last issue I'd like to address before we adjourn," said Eraserhead, his tone measured but firm. He rarely spoke more than necessary, so the other teachers immediately turned their attention to him, waiting for him to continue.

"I'd like to discuss the participation of a transfer student," Eraserhead began, his voice steady. "His name is Fulan Nanaimo, and he joined Class 1-A from Saikono Academy last week. According to protocol, his participation in the festival must be approved by both the principal and the faculty."

A murmur of surprise rippled through the room. The first to voice his thoughts was Vlad King, the teacher of Class 1-B. His objection came quickly. "Wait, a transfer student? In the Hero Course? This is the first I've heard of this! What about the entrance exam? Principal, surely this isn't something that can happen without your direct approval. Allowing a student to enter the Hero Course without an exam could tarnish our academy's reputation."

His words were met with nods of agreement from the other teachers. All eyes shifted to Principal Nezu, who remained calm, his expression unreadable as he absorbed the objections.

After a brief silence, Nezu finally spoke, his voice calm and calculated. "I understand your concerns. This situation is indeed unusual. However, the principal of Saikono Academy—whom I trust deeply—personally requested that Fulan transfer here. He believes that Fulan's talents would be wasted if he stayed at Saikono. Given that the principal of Saikono is not someone who speaks lightly, I took his words seriously and accepted the transfer."

The room fell silent once more. Nezu's explanation had been unexpected, and it wasn't long before Present Mic, his yellow hair vibrant against the room's soft lighting, voiced his own concerns.

"But, Principal, shouldn't there have been at least some sort of test? Something to evaluate his capabilities before we accepted him? You know as well as I do how the media can be—how are we supposed to explain this? The Hero Course is incredibly competitive. Thousands of students vie for just forty spots. Even those who are accepted based on recommendation have to undergo thorough evaluation. How do we justify adding a student without the same process?"

His concerns resonated with the other teachers, and the room seemed to tense in anticipation of Nezu's response. But the principal simply smiled—a small, confident smile that seemed to ease some of the tension.

"Precisely why we must allow Fulan to participate in the sports festival," Nezu replied smoothly. "This will be his test. Fulan Nanimo comes from a poor background. The only reason he couldn't take the entrance exam for UA was due to the cost of transportation and food. Yet, despite his circumstances, he excelled at Saikono and gained the personal recommendation of their principal. Fulan is not here through mere favoritism. He deserves his place, and the festival will prove that to everyone."

The weight of Nezu's words hung in the air for a moment before the teachers began to relax, some sighing in resignation. They trusted Nezu's judgment, even if they had reservations. One by one, they began to stand, gathering their papers and preparing to leave.

"Thank you," Eraserhead said quietly before exiting the room. His words were simple, but the gratitude was clear. He knew Nezu had taken a risk in accepting Fulan, and now it was up to him to ensure the boy succeeded.

Nezu watched as the last of the teachers filed out, his smile lingering. "Take good care of that boy, Eraserhead," he murmured to himself. "He may just surprise us all."

With that, the meeting concluded, and the final preparations for the UA Sports Festival kicked into high gear. The staff moved swiftly, coordinating everything from the setup of the arena to the handling of media inquiries. The festival was more than just a student event—it was a nationwide spectacle, watched by families across Japan and attended by fans from far and wide. Some reserved tickets for prime seats in the stadium, eager to witness the next generation of heroes in action. Others prepared to tune in from the comfort of their homes, waiting for the live broadcast.

Meanwhile, the students of UA Academy were also preparing. For most of them, this would be their first chance to prove themselves on such a grand stage. The pressure was palpable, but so was the excitement. Each student had their own goals—some aimed to stand out in the crowd, others simply hoped to survive the first round. But for all of them, the festival was a chance to push past their limits.

In the midst of all this anticipation, Fulan sat at the dinner table with his mother, quietly eating a modest bowl of rice. Despite the simplicity of the meal, his mind was far from calm. The weight of tomorrow's festival pressed down on him, but there was also a spark of hope.

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