"It''s starting." Midori gulped, letting go of Satoshi and dusting him off. He then sped his hands together and eagerly stared at the principal as he slowly trudged towards the podium.


    Even though Sai Tama, the school principal, didn''t have any hair at all on his head, his graceful stride made it seem like he had a beard and that beard was flowing with the wind. He just had this aura of tranquility and everyone in his presence marveled at it. "Ehrmm, mic test. Testing. Testing. Testing." He began.


    whiiihnng~ the sound of feedback echoed throughout the open area in front of the school where everyone was gathered. It then died down and the tense atmosphere aggravated as a result of the momentary silence.


    "So everyone''s gathered here, huh. Before I start, I just like to apologize for all the third and fourth years of this school year. Because of the recentints from other schools in the vicinity of Tokyo, I had to slightly alter the selection process of our candidates. As you may as well know, this school, the United Superheroes Academy, is one of the most prestigious schools around the world, grooming thousands upon thousands of students throughout the years and helping them achieve their incredible potential as superheroes. And because of this prestigious school''s incredible output, I have decided that it would be unfair for all the other schools to fight our experienced third and fourth years. I know some of you may haveints about this decision but please understand that it''s not a permanent decision. And besides, our third and fourth years can already join other tournaments for adults so it''s your chance to step up and bring forth results for this school."


    "That said, I once again apologize to all the third and fourth years for robbing them of this precious experience. I know that this will be the first time that our representatives will all be first-years but I hope that you''ll cheer them on throughout the entire inter-high tournament."


    Some of the teachers pped upon hearing that, followed by everyone in the audience pping as well. Sai Tama almost flinched when someone began pping since he was expecting a violent reaction from some of the third and fourth years. Fortunately, such a thing didn''t happen and he get to continue speaking.


    "For the candidates, we''ll be picking seven of them but due to some rmendations and after thinking about it, I''ll be picking eight candidates. Without further ado, for our first candidate, we have a somewhat surprising first-year. You may not have seen him in the hero training but he was rmended by none other than the Nurse herself! That''s why I can''t just turn a blind eye to it."


    "Onigashima Midori."


    The announcement brought a series of gasps throughout the entire crowd as they stared at the green-haired first year. At that moment, it still didn''t sink in that he was chosen as the first candidate for the inter-high tournament. Adding to that, he wasn''t expecting to be chosen at all that''s why he couldn''t believe that he just heard his name.


    "Oi! The Nurse rmended you?! What on earth did you do?" This time, it was Satoshi who grabbed Midori by the neck as he rubbed his head with his fist. "Congrattions on being the first candidate!" Satoshi continued.


    "Wait... was that— was that true? I thought it was a prank? Why was I... " Midori''s sentences were all jumbled up together since he didn''t know what to say anymore. Currently, he was just too ted to even speak straight.


    "Yeah! You lucky bastard." Hiroshi clicked his tongue. He was surprised that Midori was chosen even though he didn''t participate in the hero training.


    Some of the first years were genuinely happy for Midori but the others showed distaste and envy. Of course, that much is to be expected since a school is a breeding ground forpetition.


    "Midoriyama Satoshi." Sai Tama continued but this time, he received little to no response. Of course, it is to be expected that he will be a candidate for this year''s inter-high. He basically single-handedly took on everyone and he wasn''t even breaking a sweat when he did so.


    "Congrattions, Satoshi." Midori''s face is already filled with excitement as he grabbed Satoshi by the hand and shook it with fervor. "I''ll be looking forward to being in your team! Man, wait til my family finds out about this!"


    "Kobayashi Siril. You''ve given us a great lesson about tactics. I hope you''re as promising as you showed us to be."


    "Itsuka Shidou. As the ss representative of ss 3-2, you managed to keep your team together without engaging with everyone. I hope your input will be as useful in the uing inter-high." Sai Tama continued.


    A huge cheer erupted from ss 3-2 as their ss representative''s name was called. For some reason, Itsuki Shidou is the only guy in the ss... for some odd reason. But that fact aside, it was obvious that Itsuka Shidou was actually promising. How could a normal person hold apany of girls together in a free-for-all fight? He surely has talent, but everyone in the other ss just doesn''t know about it yet.


    "Next is Kurayami Kurogami. You held yourself back during the hero training because your superpower is destructive. That restraint of yours will be vital in the uing inter-high tournament."


    Although Kurogami didn''t participate in the inter-high, there were rumors that his superpower is actually the most superior one, even more powerful than Satoshi''s. Of course, he still hasn''t disclosed his superpower to his ss so they could only wonder as to what it is. But if the school principalmended him for holding himself back during the hero training, then that should mean that he really is as powerful as the rumors say... except those rumors are as unbelievable as stories in myths and legends.


    The power of the shadow— if the rumors are true, then he may very well be the most powerful superhero that hasn''t debuted yet.