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At this moment, all around the competition grounds, the spectator stands were already packed with people, and waves of cheering continuously rang out.
Although the cheers couldn't quite compare to Academy City's grand festivals, they still created a lively atmosphere.
Under such circumstances, in the contestant seating area, the students from one of the schools were actively warming up, looking thoroughly prepared.
On the other side, namely, A Certain High School, students lay scattered everywhere, completely listless. Anyone who saw them would feel drained just looking at them.
At that moment, the broadcast announcement began to sound.
"School District 7, High School Division, Event 1: Wrench Pole Competition. Five minutes remaining until the start."
Even with so little time left, the students remained exactly as before, looking completely burned out.
"Th-This is outrageous! Can you even be called energetic, vibrant teenagers like this?! Could it be anemia?! Then go replenish fluids and calcium! Hurry over! There are sports drinks here!"
Wearing an armband marking her as a Daihasei Festival committee member, Fukiyose Seiri was dressed in sportswear. As she moved, her ample chest bounced, drawing the attention of her classmates.
However, all the students could do was stare at her sluggishly, unable to muster even a shred of enthusiasm.
This only made Fukiyose Seiri even angrier.
"Kamijou! Did you bring this depressing atmosphere with you?!"
"W-Why am I the first one you suspect?! Does my usual state look that lifeless?! This is so unfair!"
Under Fukiyose Seiri's fury, Kamijou Touma scrambled away in a panic. Along the way, he stepped on Tsuchimikado Motoharu and Aogami Pierce, causing one to let out a "Meow" and the other an "Ah," yet neither showed any intention of getting up.
Fang Li was completely unable to make sense of it.
"What's going on here?"
Could it be that these idiots were like children going on a field trip, so excited before the Daihasei Festival that they couldn't sleep, and now all of them were sleep-deprived?
"Not like that."
As if seeing through Fang Li's thoughts, Himegami Aisa appeared beside him at some point and began explaining expressionlessly.
"They just don't have any enthusiasm."
That's right, no enthusiasm.
Because, even though this was only the first event, A Certain High School's ranking was already destined not to be high.
This was, after all, a competition unique to Academy City, where superpowers could be freely used.
And A Certain High School was at the very bottom in terms of ability development. Its students were either Level 0 Espers or at most Level 1 or Level 2 Espers, meaning they were at a disadvantage from the very start.
"And for the first match, our opponent seems to be a private elite school."
Himegami Aisa's words made Fang Li understand the situation.
Simply put, they didn't think they could win, so they gave up from the very beginning.
"Meanwhile, the other side is full of enthusiasm." Himegami Aisa pointed toward the opposing contestant area and said, "Knowing this is the class where the Diva is, whether it's to stand out, promote themselves, or even attract the Diva's attention, they're giving it their all. So the opponent definitely won't hold back."
Knocked out before the match even started?
Fang Li couldn't help but hold his forehead.
"Seriously! Get fired up already!"
Fukiyose Seiri's furious voice echoed all around.
Seeing this, Fang Li narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Fukiyose," Fang Li called out, beckoning her over. "Come here. Leave this to me."
"You?" Fukiyose Seiri only just noticed Fang Li's arrival. With a doubtful look, she walked over and said, "Can you really get these guys motivated?"
"I probably can't," Fang Li suddenly smiled and said, "but someone can."
As his words fell, a head peeked out from behind Fang Li.
"What happened?" Sylvia asked in surprise. "Why is everyone like this?"
It was Sylvia, who had already removed her disguise and returned to her original appearance.
"S-Sylvia-san?!"
The moment they saw her, everyone present widened their eyes in shock.
"Everyone, long time no see." Sylvia waved at them, then gave a radiant smile as she said, "I'll be participating in the first event together with you all, so please get fired up and let's win together."
At that instant, everyone's hearts trembled.
"..."
In the next second, the students who had been lying on the ground slowly began to stand up one after another, their heads lowered so their expressions couldn't be seen.
However, an astonishing pressure began to emanate from each of their bodies.
"Wh-What's going on…?"
"S-So much pressure…!"
Fukiyose Seiri and Himegami Aisa both trembled on the spot.
Then, under these circumstances, Kamijou Touma, standing at the center, suddenly raised his head.
Flames burned in his eyes.
"Victory is ours!"
As Kamijou Touma shouted, everyone roared in unison.
"Victory is ours!"
The flames of fighting spirit ignited within every single one of them.
"Hehe." Sylvia smiled happily. "Everyone really is quite honest, after all."
In response, Fang Li could only feel exasperated.
Because to him, this was simply reality,
A bunch of very realistic people.
...
The following match became completely one-sided.
The moment they stepped onto the field, thunderous cheers erupted, echoing across the venue like rolling waves.
After all, with Sylvia appearing, there was no way the atmosphere wouldn't heat up.
The students on the opposing side were equally overwhelmed with excitement the moment they saw Sylvia.
Unfortunately, this also caused them to hesitate to attack her at all.
The so-called "Wrench Pole Competition," as the name suggested, involved setting up wooden poles in both camps. Each side had to defend their own poles from being knocked down while also trying to topple the opponent's poles. Victory was determined by the number of poles knocked down.
Under these rules, both sides were free to use their superpowers.
And Sylvia actually chose to charge forward and personally topple the opponent's poles.
Thus, the situation became obvious.
The opposing side didn't dare attack Sylvia. Wherever she passed, every student would panic and make way for her, allowing her to knock down poles with incredible ease.
On top of that, Fang Li showed no restraint in displaying his exceptional athletic ability, and the rest of the class was bursting with enthusiasm.
With all that combined, was there even any suspense left?
Thus, amidst cheers that echoed throughout the entire venue, Fang Li and his group left the competition grounds. Before the crowd could turn chaotic, Fang Li intended to take Sylvia and leave as well.
However, Sylvia shook her head and said:
"Shokuhou Misaki invited me to afternoon tea, alone."
Well then.
It seemed that the previous "smokeless battle" hadn't ended after all.
(End Of This Chapter)