—Fight!— Midnight ordered the combatants in the arena.
With a determined expression, Ashido Mina lunged at her opponent. She knew that Tetsumaru's Quirk, Iron Sand, was versatile, strong, durable, and generally annoying. It was simply a bad match-up, but she refused to give up just like that.
—Take this!— she growled at Tetsumaru's expressionless face, his eyes so similar to hers, yet somehow more terrifying, intimidating. She bathed that face and those eyes in acid.
As she expected, the Iron Sand emerged from Tetsumaru's palms, blocking her acid and sending golf ball-sized chunks in her direction.
Mina relied on her agility and physical condition to evade the solidified sand projectiles. She had seen Tetsumaru crash a building made of that sand over the Nomu's head, so she didn't dare underestimate its hardness and strength.
One of those spheres passed close to her face at high speed, smashing into the ground a few steps away from her and leaving a small crater in the cement. That made her swallow.
—Tetsumaru? Isn't that a little strong?— Mina called out with a shaky smile. The black-haired boy's expression didn't change at all.
—That was just an example. From now on, all my attacks will go with that power, so be on your guard and give it your best— were his cold words.
What followed was an incessant bombardment of Satetsu balls chasing Mina along the perimeter of the arena. The girl used her acid efficiently, helping her to evade, run, and of course, melt the iron sand.
Mina displayed her entire range of non-lethal abilities, giving a show to the crowd that supported her and the professional heroes who kept an eye on the girl with pink skin and hair.
Aizawa, who was contemplating the duel in silence, analyzed Tetsumaru's attitude and figured out his game, just like the more perceptive professionals:
—He's allowing his classmate to show off— several thought with approval.
But Tetsumaru wasn't just letting Mina show her skills; he was also planting a seed that might save his ass later.
After almost ten minutes of combat, in which Tetsumaru didn't move an inch from his spot or alter his impassive posture with crossed arms and the serious expression that, according to him, looked cool, Mina finally gave up when she was wrapped in a cocoon of Satetsu.
—Terumi Tetsumaru of Class 1-A advances to the next round!— Present Mic exclaimed, which earned the black-haired boy some boos from the crowd.
It wasn't very pleasant to see Tetsumaru's apparent disdain for his classmate, attacking only with his sand and without moving even once. It was arrogance to most, including some professional heroes who couldn't see past the outer layer.
—Thanks for that, Tetsumaru— Mina said with a tired smile as she leaned on the Satetsu and they left the arena.
—Don't worry, you did well— the boy praised.
After that, the battle between Tokoyami and Momo followed, with the enigmatic and dark boy winning. And finally came the turn of Terumi Mei and Kirishima.
—Take your positions— Midnight ordered.
Kirishima had stopped smiling, carefully watching Mei's figure. He knew how fast and strong the girl was, and he distrusted that water emitter-type Quirk she had so rarely used.
One can forget that she has it, and that could be fatal.
—Fight!—
Kirishima hardened his skin the next second, just in time to receive a kick from Mei to the stomach that sent him several meters back and almost made him lose his balance.
—Strong!— the red-haired boy thought with clenched teeth. He almost let the air out of his lungs due to the shockwave that ran through his body.
Although he can harden his exterior, his organs are still just as sensitive.
—Don't think I'll hold back just because you're a girl!— Kirishima warned as he charged at Mei. The kunoichi smiled flirtatiously and shot towards him, slower this time, but still equally fast beyond what a human without a physical reinforcement quirk should be able to do.
Kirishima's fist met Mei's with a dull thud. The shockwave made the red-haired boy's limb tremble, and he noticed that his opponent, more slender and delicate, was not affected at all.
In a flash of speed and agility, Mei moved her other fist, her target fixed on Kirishima's jaw. The redhead blocked it with his other hand, but he made the mistake of neglecting the lower area of his body.
Mei's leg snapped out and kicked Kirishima's knee, forcing him to kneel from the sudden loss of balance. Exactly the same tactic she used against that villain at the U.S.J.
What followed was a knee to Kirishima's face that sent him falling onto his back, more from the momentum of the blow than from actual pain.
—What a display of strength and skill!!— Present Mic shouted, rousing the audience.
Kirishima was still conscious. His teeth chattered from the impact, but he had managed to harden his face as well. As a result, Mei's exposed knee was hurt, a smudge of blood darkening that area through her clothes.
The kunoichi allowed him to stand up, her ever-present smile visible as she gingerly touched her bleeding knee.
—You really are a tough guy, Kirishima— she praised him.
—Hehe, you're very strong, Mei— Kirishima acknowledged with an excited smile. —But how do you plan to tackle this situation without breaking your limbs in the process?— he asked mockingly, ignoring the fact that open-palm strikes and back kicks didn't hurt the kunoichi.
—Hm, before that, I have a question for you— Mei hinted, capturing the attention of Kirishima and the entire stadium.
—What is it?
—Fufufu... Kirishima, even though your skin hardens, it's still skin, right?— she tentatively asked.
—Uh? Well yeah, what else would it be— he shrugged.
—You know, no matter how tough skin is, it still has pain receptors... Kirishima, my little knee hurts and I need retribution— Mei explained with a smile that made more than one person shiver.
—Yujiro, I hope you're right, you son of a bitch Ogre— Mei thought, hoping not to be ridiculed by what she was about to attempt.
—W-what are you!?— Kirishima took a step back as Mei's figure shot toward him. He raised his arms in a defensive stance, but standing still was his mistake.
In a second, Mei circled Kirishima and spun on herself, extending her arm in a kind of diagonal sweep. Reinforcing her limb from her hand to her shoulder with chakra, she whipped it like a lash across the redhead's exposed back.