An inspection and guidance visit.
The absolute arrogance contained within these five simple words made everyone present feel their hearts sink.
Even the teachers and students from Sobu High School felt that Ye Xing's words were too arrogant.
"Wait a moment..."
Some more observant students noticed a detail in what Ye Xing had just said.
"Did Ye Xing just say... first in the joint exams?"
"Is he talking about... that nationwide joint examination for all of Japan?"
"Ye Xing-kun... is first in the joint exams!?"
After realising this, the students of Sobu High finally understood.
So Ye Xing wasn't just first in the previous spring examinations.
He actually entered Sobu High with the top score in Japan's joint examinations?
No wonder.
No wonder he could speak with such arrogance even when facing a behemoth like Shuchi'in Academy.
What does being first in the joint examinations mean?
This meant that among all candidates in Japan for this academic year...
He was the strongest.
Standing in the queue with other members of the Supernatural Society, Yukino Yukinoshita watched Ye Xing's back, her eyes revealing a contemplative expression.
There was one thing she couldn't quite understand.
Why had Ye Xing, who ranked first in Japan's joint examinations - an even more exceptional genius than her own sister Haruno - chosen to enrol at Sobu High School instead of the prestigious Shuchi'in Academy?
By normal logic, simply being able to enter this institution, hailed as Japan's cradle for talented individuals, would mean one had already achieved success in life.
Between Sobu High School and Shuchi'in Academy, any rational person would know which one to choose.
Yet Ye Xing had chosen Sobu High School.
Yukino herself had also chosen Sobu High School despite being qualified to enter Shuchi'in Academy.
She had an inexplicable feeling.
Perhaps she and Ye Xing actually shared some similarities?
Just then.
The Shuchi'in Academy student representative, who had remained silent until now - with her long, straight black hair and ruby-like eyes that exuded an untouchable noble aura simply by standing there - finally spoke.
"Ye Xing-kun."
The young woman walked slowly to stand before Ye Xing, her ruby-like eyes meeting his directly as she spoke word by word.
"Being first in the past doesn't mean you'll remain first this time."
Seeing this young woman take the initiative to approach Ye Xing and counter with words, the Shuchi'in teacher, who had been frowning as if wanting to say something, immediately chose to remain silent.
Just as Sobu High School had pinned all their hopes of victory on Ye Xing alone...
Shuchi'in Academy's administration clearly understood as well.
In this joint examination, the average scores students achieved held no significance.
This wasn't a team battle decided by average scores.
This was an individual battle to seize the top position and claim the title of strongest.
The strongest of Shuchi'in Academy...
This noble young lady with black hair and crimson eyes possessed an extraordinary aura of elegance.
As the eldest daughter of the Shinomiya conglomerate, she exhibited no flaws in appearance, speech, behaviour, or any other aspect of her abilities—a truly perfect genius...
Kaguya Shinomiya.
In Shuchi'in Academy's spring examinations, Kaguya Shinomiya ranked first, while the common-born Miyuki Shirogane placed second.
This was precisely why these two had been selected as student representatives.
As for Chika Fujiwara...
Her inclusion was primarily due to her family background and personality, serving as a diplomatic presence to mediate the atmosphere.
Shuchi'in Academy's administration had devised what seemed like a perfect plan.
First, the highly capable and prestigious Kaguya Shinomiya would suppress Sobu High School's momentum.
Then, at the appropriate moment, Chika Fujiwara would step in to ease tensions and prevent relations from deteriorating.
This was also a form of psychological warfare.
From the moment they disembarked, Shuchi'in Academy intended to continuously apply various pressures on Ye Xing, whom they regarded as their primary concern, having achieved first place in the joint examinations.
This wasn't considered underhanded tactics, nor was it dirty tricks.
In Shuchi'in Academy's view, the joint examinations had already begun the moment Sobu High's teachers and students arrived at their school gate.
However, the administration never anticipated...
That on their home ground, a mere first-year student like Ye Xing could be this audacious.
What should have been Shuchi'in Academy's offensive position had, through Ye Xing's few remarks, transformed them into challengers standing half a head shorter.
Observing Kaguya Shinomiya's composed expression and aura that didn't weaken in the slightest compared to his own, Ye Xing thought, 'As expected of the Shinomiya conglomerate's eldest daughter.'
Judging by her straight black hair, she was clearly still in her 'Ice Kaguya' phase and didn't yet know Miyuki Shirogane standing beside her.
Facing Kaguya Shinomiya's counterattack, Ye Xing merely smiled before speaking softly, in a volume only the two of them could hear.
"If you plan to send someone to follow me again, I hope you'll assign someone more professional."
Hearing this, Kaguya Shinomiya's expression remained completely unchanged as she calmly stated, "I don't understand what you're referring to. Have you mistaken me for someone else?"
'Playing dumb?'
The smile gradually faded from Ye Xing's face as he responded flatly, "The tracking skills of your maid named Ai Hayasaka are truly inadequate."
When he directly named Ai Hayasaka, though Kaguya Shinomiya maintained her flawless composure, revealing no cracks, she was quite surprised internally.
After all, Ai Hayasaka had undergone years of professional training—ordinary people couldn't detect her presence.
Otherwise, Kaguya Shinomiya wouldn't have assigned her to gather intelligence on Ye Xing and those around him.
To think he had actually discovered her?
Not only did he discover her, but he even knew Ai Hayasaka's name and her relationship with Kaguya Shinomiya so clearly?
Even within Shuchi'in Academy itself, very few people knew about the connection between Ai Hayasaka and Kaguya Shinomiya.
Moreover, Ai Hayasaka herself didn't even realise her surveillance had been detected.
Considering this, Kaguya Shinomiya's wariness towards this opponent who had once defeated her in the joint examinations grew several degrees stronger.
"Kaguya Shinomiya, you still haven't realised one thing."
"Then why don't you tell me, Ye Xing-kun?"
Looking at Kaguya Shinomiya standing before him, Ye Xing slowly began to speak.
"The gap between you and me isn't merely about rankings."
"First place means success. Every other ranking, whether second or third, only has one collective name."
"That is, loser."
Kaguya Shinomiya's eyes flickered briefly before she retorted without backing down.
"It's still too early to say who will be the loser this time."
...
After entering Shuchi'in Academy, the demeanour of Sobu High School's teachers and students had clearly changed from when they were standing at the main gate.
Though they still marvelled at the various facilities of this prestigious school, their initial wonder and astonishment - like Granny Liu visiting the Grand View Garden - had transformed into the confident stride of senior leadership inspecting the lower levels.
Noticing this, Kaguya Shinomiya maintained a calm expression outwardly, but inwardly added another assessment of Ye Xing.
'Skilled at using words to motivate people and shift the atmosphere.'
As the eldest daughter of the Shinomiya conglomerate, Kaguya had received professional training since childhood on how to use speech and demeanour to guide others' thoughts.
Those who could control hearts and public opinion were the ones who wielded truly formidable power.
Growing up in the Shinomiya conglomerate environment, Kaguya had always instinctively looked down upon people she met for the first time while calculating their usefulness in her mind.
But this time was different.
Kaguya Shinomiya found herself unable to feel contempt for this peer beside her.
Because of Ye Xing's recent words, she had even subconsciously placed herself in the challenger's position.
When they reached the teaching building where the exam would be held, they could see Shuchi'in Academy's first-year students had been waiting there for some time.
Hundreds of students' gazes from the opposite side focused on Ye Xing, who stood beside Kaguya Shinomiya.
"Is that... Sobu High's genius?"
"He's quite handsome, but unfortunately, good looks don't earn extra points."
"What kind of genius could possibly emerge from a mere Sobu High?"
"Even if he was originally talented, by choosing such a self-destructive path, he's ultimately become mediocre."
"He doesn't actually think he can defeat Shinomiya-sama in the joint exam, does he?"
"How presumptuous."
Most students of Shuchi'in Academy appeared thoroughly confident, not sparing a single glance for any Sobu High student, including Ye Xing.
First place in Japan's joint exam?
That did qualify as genuine talent.
But even a genius couldn't possibly bridge the gap between Shuchi'in Academy and Sobu High School in teaching resources and educational standards.
"Welcome, everyone."
A middle-aged woman in formal attire with gold-rimmed glasses stepped before the Sobu High contingent.
With undisguised arrogance in her expression, she slowly began to speak.
"Welcome to Japan's finest high school, Shuchi'in Academy."
"Next..."
Before the middle-aged woman could finish, Ye Xing, standing at the forefront alongside Kaguya Shinomiya, shook his head with a light laugh and interrupted.
"Wait a moment."
"What is it?"
Ye Xing looked directly into the middle-aged woman's eyes, not concealing his disdainful attitude.
"Japan's finest high school - is that really Shuchi'in Academy?"
The middle-aged woman furrowed her brow slightly and snorted coldly.
"Not our Shuchi'in Academy? Could it possibly be your Sobu High School then?"
Ye Xing maintained a gentle smile as he uttered a highly provocative remark.
"Old timer, I think your menopause is acting up and clouding your judgment."
As these words fell, the venue immediately erupted in uproar.
Old timer?
The students of Shuchi'in Academy were filled with righteous indignation.
Wasn't this guy being too arrogant?
Ye Xing didn't give the middle-aged woman any chance to speak, continuing on his own.
"I am this year's top-ranked student..."
Then, Ye Xing pulled Shizuka Hiratsuka, who had been standing behind him, to his side and said with a smile.
"And this person beside me is the most outstanding teacher in Japan."
"First in both aspects - if our Sobu High School isn't the best institution, then could it be your Shuchi'in Academy?"
"Based on what? Your larger campus area, or your longer name?"
Upon hearing this, the most surprised people in the venue weren't from Shuchi'in Academy after all.
But rather Shizuka Hiratsuka, who had been pulled to Ye Xing's side.
Although he had told her privately that he considered her the best teacher.
Shizuka Hiratsuka never expected.
That Ye Xing would actually reaffirm those words said in private jest so seriously in front of so many people from both Shuchi'in Academy and Sobu High School.
While feeling flustered, Shizuka Hiratsuka also felt an inexplicable stirring in her heart.
Watching Ye Xing standing beside her, facing all the teachers and students of Shuchi'in Academy without any restraint, being utterly arrogant, she realised for the first time...
This kid actually seemed quite handsome.
"Hmph, meaningless verbal sparring."
Upon hearing the middle-aged woman's words, Ye Xing smiled.
"Indeed, you know it yourself that Shuchi'in Academy can hardly be called the best institution now. Otherwise, why would you need to specifically emphasise it?"
"Old sister, you're feeling insecure inside."
The middle-aged woman's face twitched twice as she clenched her teeth, feeling her blood pressure rise.
"Anyway, the exam rules this time are simple."
The middle-aged woman adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses, a hint of smugness appearing in her eyes as she slowly announced a shocking rule that made Shizuka Hiratsuka's expression change.
"Literature, science, and English - all three subjects on one exam paper, with question order completely scrambled."
"Total exam time of three hours, with no breaks during."
"Individual cubicles in the exam hall, all candidates answering separately, with comprehensive camera surveillance throughout."
"Any other questions?"
Shizuka Hiratsuka and Mafuyu Kirisu exchanged glances, both looking grave.
What kind of exam was this?
Not only were three subjects combined on one paper, but the question order was scrambled, too.
This meant.
The question you were answering might now be a multiple-choice question in literature.
While the next one could become a problem-solving question for science.
Even if you identified the locations of questions for all three subjects before starting, it would be difficult to achieve the smooth answering state of regular exams.
Not to mention...
Three hours?
Averaging it out, that meant the questions for each subject needed to be completed within one hour.
Shizuka Hiratsuka and Mafuyu Kirisu didn't know the difficulty level of the exam paper set by Shuchi'in Academy this time, but it was foreseeable that it definitely wouldn't be lower than Sobu High School's exam difficulty, and might even be much higher.
For ordinary students, completing the answers within an hour would be quite difficult, let alone checking them a second time.
No...
Maintaining full concentration for three hours straight was already an extremely severe test in itself.
Shizuka Hiratsuka and Mafuyu Kirisu refused to believe that Shuchi'in Academy's regular exams followed such torturous rules.
This was clearly specially prepared for this joint examination.
"This definitely isn't..."
Just as Shizuka Hiratsuka was halfway through her sentence, Ye Xing spoke dismissively.
"Then let's begin as soon as possible."
Seeing that Ye Xing had agreed, Shizuka Hiratsuka couldn't say much more and could only nod helplessly.
"Alright."
...
Before entering the examination hall, Kaguya Shinomiya specifically approached Ye Xing and spoke softly.
"I know these exam rules give me an advantage since I'm on home ground, so..."
"It doesn't matter."
Just as Kaguya Shinomiya was surprised, thinking Ye Xing was being magnanimous, she heard him add with a smile words that reignited her competitive spirit.
"I actually hope there are as many conditions as possible that disadvantage me and advantage you."
"Otherwise, how could we make Shuchi'in Academy clearly recognise the gap between you and me?"
Kaguya Shinomiya's eyes flickered as she said calmly, "I only hope your ability matches your words."
With that, she entered the examination hall.
Although Shizuka Hiratsuka didn't need to take the exam, she was unusually nervous at this moment.
She approached Ye Xing's side and said with concern, "If you get too tired... don't push yourself too hard. The pressure from this kind of exam is really overwhelming."
"Don't worry."
Ye Xing waved it off with a laugh, striding confidently toward the examination hall as he declared firmly, "Bearing the name of Shizuka-kawaii, I absolutely won't lose."
Watching him enter the examination hall and hearing his words, Shizuka Hiratsuka pressed her lips together, her face slightly flushed as she muttered quietly, "That brat... what's this about bearing Shizuka-kawaii... giving your teacher strange nicknames again."
After entering the examination hall, Ye Xing saw that it was exactly as the middle-aged woman had said.
They were all individual cubicles, open at the top but enclosed on all four sides with partitions.
On the ceiling were dozens of movable cameras, precisely covering every single cubicle.
"This is your seat."
As a key figure in this joint examination, Ye Xing naturally received special treatment—he didn't need to find his own seat, as an invigilator led him there.
When he reached his designated cubicle, the Shuchi'in Academy invigilator snorted coldly, his tone carrying a warning. "Remember, if you dare to cheat, we will definitely catch you."
Ye Xing turned to look at the man and said lightly, "Your Shuchi'in Academy should actually be hoping I cheat."
"Because only if I'm caught cheating and have my results disqualified would I be unable to take first place."
...
Ten minutes later, Kaguya Shinomiya, who had been sitting in her cubicle with closed eyes, organising her thoughts, finally heard the bell signalling the start of the exam.
The combined three-subject test paper had been lying on the desk the entire time.
With the cameras monitoring them, of course, no one dared to start writing early, but most candidates had already looked over the paper in advance.
But Kaguya Shinomiya had not.
Shuchi'in Academy's administration's thoughts regarding this joint exam, she didn't know, nor was she interested in knowing.
Kaguya Shinomiya only knew one thing.
Given that Ye Xing-kun's character, he would disdain using such petty tricks before the exam officially began.
Since that was the case, she naturally wouldn't do so either.
Kaguya Shinomiya picked up her pen and wrote her name on the exam paper, her ruby-like pupils revealing a solemn expression.
Finally, it was time to determine the winner.
...
Three hours later, the joint exam ended.
"Finally, it's over."
The moment the exam papers were collected, Kaguya Shinomiya finally relaxed.
She felt her mind was somewhat dazed.
Three hours of intense concentration, plus she had answered the questions in order, requiring her thoughts to constantly switch between liberal arts, sciences, and English.
Even for the strong-willed Kaguya Shinomiya, her mental energy had reached its limit.
Moreover, the difficulty of this exam was clearly many times more complex than Shuchi'in Academy's usual tests.
According to Kaguya's estimation, even among Shuchi'in Academy's first-year students, probably less than twenty percent could complete all the questions.
And among those, perhaps less than five percent could reach the passing mark.
However...
Kaguya felt quite satisfied with her performance during this exam.
Her results should be quite good.
She stood up and left the examination hall.
When she breathed the fresh outside air again, Kaguya couldn't help but relax completely.
Just then, she noticed Ye Xing sitting not far away with that teacher, Shizuka Hiratsuka, holding a bottle of Coca-Cola, looking completely without fatigue after intense concentration, instead appearing entirely at ease.
Kaguya slightly frowned, thinking to herself, 'Could that exam just now, which I found extremely difficult and exhausting, really be that easy for Ye Xing-kun?'
She completely refused to believe such a thing.
After hesitating for a moment, Kaguya chose to approach proactively, intending to greet Ye Xing.
After all, as the eldest daughter of the Shinomiya conglomerate, she wouldn't neglect such basic etiquette.
"Ye Xing-kun."
Kaguya walked up to Ye Xing, speaking in a flat tone.
"From your appearance, it seems that the three-hour exam posed no difficulty for you?"
Kaguya also had a competitive spirit; though completely exhausted moments before, she had now adopted an effortlessly competent demeanour.
Unexpectedly, Ye Xing's next words shattered her meticulously trained professional skill of concealing her true feelings - for the first time in her life.
"Three hours?"
Ye Xing smiled.
"I finished all the questions in forty minutes and left after submitting my paper early."