NADIR

Midnight returned to the center stage like she was meant to be on it, hips swaying with theatrical confidence as her voice echoed across the stadium.

"And we're back!" she grinned, "Even those who didn't make it through the first round will have another chance to shine! That's right—there might just be a little something extra for you all later on."

So they weren't out of the spotlight just yet. Side event, maybe. Or some publicity stunt. Either way, it didn't matter to Yuki.

Midnight raised her crop and turned to the massive screen behind her. "Now, moving on! The next event is..."

Yuki tensed slightly.

"...a Cavalry Battle!"

Yuki exhaled slowly through her nose. Of course. Of all the options, it had to be a group event. Forced collaboration.

"That's unfortunate," she muttered.

Around her, the murmurs began to spread—some excited, some apprehensive.

"Let me explain!" Midnight's voice rang louder. "Participants will form a team of two to four members. The rules are similar to a regular cavalry battle, but there's one key difference!"

The screen shifted. A chart of names and numbers blinked into view.

"According to the results of the last race, each player has been assigned points!"

"That means that different teams will have different point values," Ochaco pointed out, already putting it together.

Midnight whipped around, clearly annoyed. "You guys are saying what I'm about to say!"

The screen lit up again, numbers ticking up from the bottom. 42nd place—5 points. 41st—10 points. On and on, rising in increments of five. Until—

"And the first place? Ten. Million. Points."

A stillness fell over the students like a heavy fog.

All eyes turned.

Yuki didn't even have to follow their gaze. She already knew.

Midoriya blinked under the pressure of about forty murderous intentions.

Midnight, as if feeding off the tension, grinned wider.

"It's a 15-minute survival game where the inferiors overthrow the superiors!"

She twirled her whip and pointed to the screen. "Each team will have a rider who must wear a headband showing their total point value—clearly visible from the neck up! If you lose your headband, you're still in the game! You just won't be worth anything!"

The noise of the stadium rose with excitement. Yuki, meanwhile, was trying not to sigh audibly.

Ten to twelve real teams. That was going to get chaotic fast.

"This is still a cavalry battle," Midnight reminded them. "Any attack with evil intent will get you a red card. That means immediate disqualification!"

A digital timer appeared on the screen, ticking down from 15:00.

"You've got fifteen minutes to start negotiating your teams! Use your time wisely!"

The second the buzzer blared, students began to scatter like startled birds, some charging after classmates, others huddling in corners, whispering fast strategies.

Yuki stood still for a moment, arms crossed.

Of course. Team-building.

She already felt tired.