บท 15: Chapter 13: Battle Trial 2

Team H versus Team G, Kyoya Kayama and Kyoka Jiro versus Shoto Todoroki and Toru Hagakure. The lingering heat from Katsuki and Izuku's battle has yet to fade, and now it's against a clash between the top students. Thus, All Might understands the class's excitement.

They clearly expect another heated battle, like the first match. But, All Might had a different thought.

'According to Aizawa, Kyoya is already at the level of a pro Hero... And if it's Aizawa, who places rationality above all else, said that; then there's a very high chance of it being the truth," All Might thought.

Even for him, he only managed to see Kyoya's battle twice, with Aizawa and during the entrance exam. The five minutes preparation time is almost up, and he carefully watch the monitor with a hint of expectation.

*****

(Kyoya POV)

"Um, Kyoya. Is that your full costume?"

From behind my back, I hear Jiro's question. I take a look at myself. Black jumpsuit, utility belt, and white bandages wrapped on my wrist. Looks like Aizawa rip-off, even to me.

Shaking my head, I answer her question. "Yes and... no," I said, with a playful grin. "Watch."

The soil under my foot turned to sand, and they wrapped around me, forming a hooded cloaked figure where only the eyes are visible. "This should be my usual look," I said. Before she can says anything, I change to another form.

Bulky full body armor, slim lightweight armor, then some figure with angel wings on the back, mecha body suit and a few more shapes I can think of, before the all the sands slowly gather on my back, forming a gourd.

"W-whoa, that's cool!"

Hearing her said that, I scratch my cheek in embarrassment, though my lips form a joyful grin.

"Thanks, Jiro. Now, let's get ready, ok?"

"Wait, we don't have any plan yet!" she hurriedly said.

Hearing that, I tell her my plan, which is basically I'll take care of everything while she just need to stay and guard the objective. In a nice way, of course. Because I planned to end this quick.

If it's the usual me, I'll take this chance to enhance my image or whatnot but... tomorrow is very important. I'm feeling rather restless to calmly play here.

I noticed she seems a bit deflated, but no can do. We've only known each other for two days, anyway. I'll make up to you in the future, Jiro-san.

A few seconds after we finished our little discussion, All Might's voice rangs our from our earpieces.

"Start!"

And start we did. The moment that word is spoken, I can feel some of my sand near the entrance are now stuck in place. Probably due to ice. Jiro can hears something as well, but before she can tell me anything I have already stopped the spreading ice.

"Wait here, Jiro. If Shoto appears from that door, just blast him. I've made the floor there thinner, so it'll collapse." Leaving those instructions, I head to the door.

Shoto's already on the third floor, slowly climbing up. I can sense Hagakure outside, and Jiro's in position.

Confirming all of their position, I locked on to Shoto's position.

*****

(Shoto POV)

I've frozen the whole building but... the lack of response is rather disturbing. Some of the ice at the top floor has been destroyed as well. I don't know about the girl, but I've heard about Kyoya's feat in the entrance exam.

'But, there's no way I'll lose,' I thought. 'Sorry, Kyoya. But I won't stop for anyone...' I apologized in my heart. A real shame that I have to face him, since he left a pretty good impression to me.

Step by step, I climb the stairs. At the end of the third floor's stairs, I see Kyoya standing there. And then, I feel a hit on my neck before my vision slowly dims.

'THERE'S NO WAY I'LL LOSE HERE!!!' a voice in my heart screamed full of grievance, sobering me up a little. In that split second, my instinct decides to release a full power ice blast around me, the cold temperature clearing my mind.

I can feel my frantic breathing, still reeling from the close call. 'What was that?!' Looking around, I see no sign of him.

Using this chance, I hurriedly try to reach the next floor as this narrow stair corridor limits my movement.

On the fifth step, I can feel the floor under my feet vibrates, though I freeze them in place. It instantly vibrates again, stronger this time.

When I turn my face downward, I feel a silent hit on the back of my head, strong enough to disorient me for a few seconds.

Kyoya, without a sound, suddenly appeared and throws a punch to my gut. 'It hurts... But...'

"This is the end," I said while holding his arm ready to freeze, only to see his playful smile.

"But for who?"

An impact on my stomach pushes me away, colliding against some rough surface. Only then I see what hit me. His hand was covered in sand-glove, almost indistinguishable from his real flesh, and he launched that. A flying palm.

At the moment of impact, I noticed that I crashed into something else, rather than a normal wall. An ominous premonition prompted me to move, though it's a little too late.

The sand disguised as the wall wrapped around me, especially both of my palms. As I struggle, I see Kyoya slowly raises both of his palm.

"Sand Coffin," he said in a serious voice. The instant after he said that, the sands movement speed up and cover me instantly, leaving only my head to breathe. The spikes pointing to my neck dissuades me from struggling any further.

Seeing that I'm secured, he wastes no time to wrap the capture tape around me. Once he's done, I hear All Might voice from my earpiece.

"Shoto, out."

Letting out a sigh of relief, Kyoya knocks on his partially frozen right hand, until that part falls and shatters. Then, he put both of his palms onto the floor and closes his eyes for a few seconds.

"Sand Coffin." Again, his voice rang out, followed by a small "Ah!" from somewhere outside the building.

"Team Villains, WIN!!" All Might announces in a loud voice.

As I lay there, immobilized, an endless frustration wells up in my heart. 'I lost... in a battle...'

*****

(Class POV)

Once again, All Might gathers all of the students for the battle evaluation.

"Before I say my analysis of this battle, I want to hear the reason from Shoto and Kyoya of why you guys fight alone. Let's start from you, young Todoroki!" All Might gestures toward Todoroki.

With a frustrated face, Todoroki opens his mouth. "It's because I believe that I can do it alone."

"Umu, I see. Kyoya?"

"Well, Jiro's quirk is not suitable as offensive indoor, as it will damage the building. So I left her behind to guard against the invisible girl." After a brief pondering, Kyoya continues with, "I also thought that more people in a narrow space is not viable, especially when fighting Shoto's quirk..."

Hearing his answer, All Might nods. "For this battle, Kyoya is the MVP."

Mina Ashido raised her hand and asks, "But he did left behind Jiro, so won't that reduces his point?"

"Good question. Anyone would like to explain?" All Might asked, though his eyes are locked to Momo.

As expected, Momo is the one to offer her opinion. "I do, All Might sensei. From my observation, he did it out of necessity, as I too agree with Kyoya's statement. And if I'm not mistaken, he left some sort of contingency plan before he left in case he fails. Right, Jiro?"

Not expected her name to be brought up, Jiro is startled, though immediately nods her head. "He thinned a part of the floor, so I can destroy it easily with a sound blast."

Hearing Jiro's answer, Momo continues her answer, "First, this is a rather biased judgement, as Jiro and Toru was left out of the battle. Even then, Kyoya's solo performance alone qualify him for the title..."

"His quick reaction when the building was frozen, made a viable plan on the spot, suitably adheres to the indoor battle concept, and choose the best course of action for the team..."

"Shoto's performance is overall excellent, but it suffers from the issue mentioned by Mina just now..."

"As for Jiro and Toru, they were unable to show their full capabilities, hence I have no comment on their performances."

Probably after seeing it for the second time, the shock brought by Momo is lessened, though the class is still in awe. All Might, seeing that Momo is done with her explanation, nods and continues with his explanation.

"In a battle, accurate judgement is vital. But don't worry! We can all learn from our mistakes and do better, PLUS ULTRA!"

"PLUS ULTRA!!!" the class join in, lightening the somewhat serious air in the monitor room.

Unfortunately, it failed to loosen Bakugo's frown, as well as to ease Shoto's frustration. Momo notices those two, and let out a small sigh. Seeing Bakugo being beaten through tactic is one thing, but seeing Todoroki being beaten in a head-on clash is another. Before she saw Kyoya's battle, she honestly thought that no first-year can beat Shoto unharmed.

Shoto's capabilities in the recommendation exam leaves a very deep impression on her mind. Bakugo's battle prowess is terrifying as well.

'And both of them lost...' Momo feels a rather complicated emotion deep in her heart. Thinking back to the quirk test yesterday, a thought arise in her mind. 'UA is not the top hero academy for no reason, huh...'