Showdown of the Century

The day of the long-awaited Showdown of the Century had finally arrived.

Today's race would settle the question of who was the fastest man in the world: A-Train or Shockwave.

They would compete in a hundred-meter sprint.

The hundred-meter sprint was known as the mother of track and field, and it was one of the world's most popular sports. Its champion earned the title of "the fastest person in the world"—a supreme honor that embodied humanity's relentless pursuit of the limits of its speed.

With the emergence of Espers, the world record for the hundred meters had been broken again and again. They had repeatedly surpassed what people once believed to be the limits of human speed. From then on, the contest for the title of fastest had been fought between Espers.

Because of the extraordinary significance of this race, public excitement had reached an unprecedented level. As soon as Vought International announced it, major newspapers splashed the news across their front pages. Tickets sold out the moment they went on sale through the official website.

Would Shockwave defeat A-Train and usher in a changing of the guard, or would A-Train hold on to his title? Everyone waited eagerly to find out.

The stands on both sides of the open-air stadium were packed. Spectators waved flags and shouted as they awaited the two competitors.

Beside the track stood a huge LED screen displaying a poster for A-Train and Shockwave's Showdown of the Century. Once the race began, it would broadcast the action live.

Most members of The Seven had come to watch; only The Deep and Black Noir were absent. Before the race, Homelander even gave a speech expressing his wholehearted support for A-Train.

The presence of The Seven whipped the crowd into an even greater frenzy. The screen suddenly switched to a split view, showing A-Train and Shockwave emerging from the competitors' tunnels at opposite ends of the stadium.

A-Train and Shockwave then came into view.

The crowd erupted in cheers, wave after wave of noise rolling over the stadium.

Seated in the guest section, Starlight looked up at the bustling stands. Her gaze swept slowly over the crowd before settling on one spot in the stadium.

There sat a stunningly beautiful Girl, a Young Man with slicked-back hair, and a Baldy with a vacant stare.

Seeing that the trio had arrived, Starlight quietly looked away.

After receiving Starlight's message, Mitarai Fubuki had dragged Luke and Serizawa to the stadium. She had paid for the tickets, of course. There was no hope of getting those two to pay for their own.

When the competitors appeared, Fubuki nudged the two beside her, neither of whom seemed focused on the race. She told them to watch A-Train closely for anything unusual.

According to the information Starlight had passed on, A-Train was very likely using some outside aid to make sure he won.

Fubuki's first thought was some kind of drug. If a drug existed that could enhance Psychic Powers, it would be a world-shaking secret.

As Fubuki watched, she noticed that A-Train did seem off. Compared with Shockwave, he was visibly more keyed up.

A-Train even struck a series of sprinter's poses for the crowd. His exaggerated performance caught the attention of a staff member nearby.

"Are you okay?" the staff member asked him.

"Yeah, I feel great." Realizing he was acting a little too excited, A-Train explained, "It's just been a long time since I've faced a challenge like this. I'm having trouble containing myself."

At the referee's signal, A-Train and Shockwave stepped up to the starting line and crouched into position.

The race was about to begin.

The debate over who was the fastest person in the world was about to be settled.

Even the starting blocks for a sprint between Espers were different from ordinary ones. Behind A-Train and Shockwave stood two enormous blocks made of refined iron, each weighing several hundred pounds and firmly anchored to the ground.

The force of an Esper's launch was tremendous. Ordinary starting blocks could never withstand it. Even these custom-built giants had to be anchored down to keep them from being kicked over at the start.

The starting gun fired.

Two clear footprints appeared in the refined-iron blocks, and A-Train and Shockwave vanished from the crowd's sight.

In the stands closest to the track, a blast of wind sent spectators' hair standing on end. Some holding drinks spilled them all over their faces.

Only when the footage on the trackside LED screen was slowed to less than a tenth of its original speed could the crowd see A-Train cross the finish line.

A-Train had won the Showdown of the Century!

According to the figures on the screen, A-Train had finished in 0.39 seconds. Sophisticated electronic equipment had recorded his peak speed at an unbelievable 371 meters per second.

He had shattered the world record he himself had set years ago.

Shockwave had finished in 0.43 seconds, with a peak speed of 342 meters per second. That, too, beat A-Train's old record—an extraordinary achievement.

Shockwave looked at the figures on the screen and shook his head helplessly.

He had set out to win. A vice president at Vought International had secretly promised him that if he won this Showdown of the Century, he would replace A-Train as a member of The Seven.

But that hope had clearly been dashed.

The spectators felt for Shockwave when they saw his disappointment. He was already incredibly fast—fast enough to have beaten A-Train as he had been years ago.

But A-Train had never let up. He had grown even faster.

Once the crowd recovered from the shock of what the two men had done, they began chanting A-Train's name. He had shown them firsthand what the limits of human speed looked like.

A-Train spread his arms and ran along the track. In that moment, he felt like an undisputed king receiving the adoration of the masses.

Meanwhile, A-Train's secret lover, The Female, was watching the live broadcast of the Showdown of the Century on television.

Her expression held excitement and a hint of anticipation.

A-Train had promised her that if he won, he would reveal their relationship in his post-race interview.

That meant The Female was about to become A-Train's official girlfriend, appearing beside him in public as his partner.

End of chapter.