"Yes! It looks like a bit of trash got mixed in, but that concludes the Ability Awakening Ceremony!
Next, we will tally the awakened abilities and rank each class!"
"Excuse me, Vice Principal Yes-Man!"
"Oh? What is it, Weiss?"
"Before the ranking, Class 1-T would like to carry out an expulsion."
Weiss had just declared an expulsion.
This was a system that allowed a class to remove students who were holding everyone back or breaking the rules. If more than half the class agreed, the named student would be expelled.
Class 1-T had ten students total. Removing the target left nine. That meant five votes were enough for expulsion to pass.
Students who were expelled were transferred to a class called the Special Training Class. In short, it was a dumping ground for useless people.
This system was originally meant to be used during normal school life. Expelling someone on the very first day, right in the middle of the entrance ceremony, was completely unheard of.
The yes-man vice principal groaned at Weiss's extremely quick decision.
"Hmm, I see! You want to get rid of the trash right away to prevent your class ranking from dropping!"
"Yes, the beginning is the most important part," Weiss replied while adjusting his glasses.
"As expected of Weiss! That is exactly what you would expect from someone who became a Sage!
Very well, we will take the vote right here!
Students of Class 1-T! Anyone who wishes to expel the piece of trash named Leopin, please raise your hand!"
All at once, nine hands shot up.
The boys and girls who had been Leopin's classmates stared with eyes full of complete certainty.
They had no idea what they had just done.
They had no clue that they would come to regret letting Leopin go, deeply and bitterly, like drowning in an endless sea.
And that regret would come very, very soon.
"With unanimous agreement, it is decided! Trash goes to the incinerator! Leopin is transferred to the Special Training Class!
Now that we have cleared that up, let us announce the class rankings!"
The rankings were revealed.
The top five classes were…
1st Place – Class 1-K – S Rank
2nd Place – Class 1-B – B Rank
3rd Place – Class 1-S – B- Rank
4th Place – Class 1-G – C+ Rank
5th Place – Class 1-T – C Rank
"Ohh! As expected, the Triple One…! Class 1-K, where every student has an advanced job, takes first place!
Class 1-B, which has Monaka the Saint, who is called the reincarnation of the goddess, also put up a great showing!"
Weiss gritted his teeth at the result.
Damn it… C Rank…!
I thought getting rid of that huge piece of trash would guarantee us at least B Rank…!
The abilities of the trash around me are just too low…!
"And speaking of Saint Monaka, we have good news for everyone!
To celebrate Monaka's debut as a Saint, the class of the student who receives her first 'Healing' will be awarded a prize of ten million Ender!"
Saint Monaka… the daughter of a famous and respected family of Saints.
Every boy dreamed of her gentle mercy. Of course the one to receive her first Healing would be me, Weiss…!
With ten million in funds, I could pull far ahead of the other classes…!
The best girl and the best money. I will obtain both no matter what…!
Weiss stared intently at the large certificate the yes-man vice principal was holding up. It read "Lovey-Dovey Award with Monaka."
But he did not know.
None of the students in the hall knew.
They did not know where the unreachable flower of a girl was right now.
"…Leo?"
Leopin, who had been hanging his head in the corner of the venue, looked up at the sound of a voice like ringing bells.
Standing there was a girl so beautiful it seemed as if a halo surrounded her. She peered at him with worried eyes.
She wore a pure white robe that seemed untouched by any impurity, perfectly fitted over her uniform.
Below her knees, her skirt revealed translucent white calves.
Her long hair flowed in the gentle breeze, carrying a faint floral scent.
Her eyes sparkled like jewels, and her lips were like cherry blossom petals. Everything about her looked delicate and almost divine.
She was the complete opposite of Leopin, who sat there dirty like leftover snow on the roadside.
Leopin asked her, "Who are you?"
"Don't you remember me? It's Monaka. We were in elementary school together."
Leopin's eyes widened in shock.
The girl in his memories looked nothing like the one standing before him now.
"You're that crybaby Monaka…?! You've really grown up!"
"Mou… Leo, honestly! I'm not a crybaby anymore!"
Monaka smiled shyly and pressed both hands to her chest.
Her expression and gesture were exactly the same as when she was little.
But her chest had developed richly. When she pressed with both hands, the soft fullness spilled out from the sides.
Leopin almost got distracted, but he quickly focused on her face.
"We were in different middle schools, but now we're at the same school again."
"Yes! Please take care of me!"
Monaka bowed politely with a bright, blooming smile.
But her face quickly clouded over.
"Um, are you okay? Your face… you're hurt…"
"Ah, it's nothing. I got hurt like this all the time back in elementary school, remember?"
"Yes, you always protected me, Leo.
That's why I wanted to heal your injuries…"
She suddenly realized what she was saying and her cheeks flushed pink.
"P-please stay still. I'll heal you right away."
Monaka gently touched Leopin's cheek with her slender, white fingers.
The two of them were instantly wrapped in a pure, clean white light.
The scrapes on Leopin's face vanished, and the blood in his mouth stopped flowing.
It was a truly miraculous power. Leopin touched his own face and let out a surprised "Whoa."
"That's amazing. Your older sister was a pretty good healer, but your power is just as strong."
Monaka smiled like a gentle mother.
"Ufufu, thank you.
I'm glad my very first 'Healing' was for you, Leo."
Only then did the two of them finally notice that the entire venue had fallen completely silent, as if someone had poured cold water over it.
When they looked toward the entrance ceremony stage, Principal Nekodran and Vice Principal Yes-Man were staring straight at them.
Not only them, every new student in the hall was frozen, eyes fixed on Leopin and Monaka.
Everyone's mouth hung wide open.
"No way… for real…? Our idol, Monaka, is…"
"Giving her first 'Healing' to a guy like that trash…"
"Th-that's gotta be a lieeeeeee—!?!?"