"First, the last place in the special exam results, First Year Class B, zero points."
As soon as the last-place class was announced, the entire venue fell silent.
Even Sakayanagi couldn't help but frown slightly. In her calculations, First Year Class B should have at least retained some stronghold points; it shouldn't have fallen to a point worse than First Year Class A.
Suddenly, Sakayanagi looked at Amane-san as if she had thought of something.
If anyone could do such a thing, Sakayanagi couldn't think of anyone other than Amane-san who could accomplish something so incredible.
"First Year Class B… why did it turn out like this?"
Horikita also couldn't understand how First Year Class B could have fallen to last place.
"Hey, Shiina, what do you think about this?"
Ibuki's gaze remained fixed on Amane-san.
She wasn't good at thinking, but even she knew how great an advantage First Year Class B had in the final battle for control.
Yet, unexpectedly, they were completely overturned in the last two days.
In her impression, the only person who could create such a miracle was the woman not far away who even gave Ryuuen a headache.
"Ibuki-san, don't you already have the answer?"
Following Ibuki's gaze, Shiina also saw Amane-san, who had a calm expression, clearly having anticipated such a result for First Year Class B.
"This is so frustrating. With someone like her chasing us from behind, we'll quickly drop to First Year Class D, won't we?"
Ibuki grumbled dispiritedly.
Shiina, however, shook her head helplessly. First Year Class C, with its current strength, had no way to contend with First Year Class D. A demotion was almost a foregone conclusion. If there wasn't a major turning point, Amane-san leading First Year Class D to climb to First Year Class C or even First Year Class B would be effortless.
If Ryuuen were still here, he might have found a way to delay First Year Class D's progress or interfere with them.
But with Ryuuen absent, First Year Class C was virtually powerless against First Year Class D. Even Shiina Hiyori had no solutions.
"The third-place class is…"
"Please wait, Mashima-sensei! I object to this result!"
Classmate Kanzaki stepped out of the crowd and confronted Mashima-sensei.
"Does your objection refer to the remaining points?"
"Exactly. I admit that every first-year class has more or less excellent talent that can see through First Year Class B's arrangements, but no matter how formidable someone is, they shouldn't be able to strip us of our stronghold points, right? The rules state that even if a student with the infiltrator identity sees through it, it only deducts all points except the stronghold points. So, Mashima-sensei, where did our stronghold points go?"
Classmate Kanzaki, after an initial moment of shock, was the first to react.
If such an obvious loophole wasn't pointed out and First Year Class B was allowed to become last, First Year Class B would soon be trampled underfoot by other classes.
Vaguely, he seemed to see that figure from the rainy night again, mockingly laughing at him.
He wouldn't lose in a place like this!
"Exactly! So what if everything was guessed? We still have stronghold points. Something must have gone wrong!"
"What kind of crappy school is this? They treat even the final results so carelessly. I can't imagine what will happen in the future!"
"Mashima-sensei, please go check the final results again before announcing them. Be careful not to get slapped in the face later, hahaha!"
All sorts of cheers and doubts from First Year Class B students filled Classmate Kanzaki with even more confidence. As long as everyone worked together, even the school couldn't treat them unfairly.
"Quiet. Since you have doubts, I will answer you. The school has conducted multiple checks on the final results of this special exam and confirmed that there are no issues. As for the stronghold points you mentioned, the last punch-in record for First Year Class B's stronghold does not bear First Year Class B's name."
Mashima-sensei's words made the First Year Class B students erupt like a boiling pot.
They could understand the previous content, but the latter part about the last punch-in record not bearing First Year Class B's name finally caused First Year Class B's dissatisfaction to explode.
"What a joke! First Year Class B absolutely cannot accept such a result!"
"Exactly! I personally saw Classmate Kanzaki go to punch in. How could it not be First Year Class B's? Even now, the cooldown period shouldn't be over. There must be a problem with the school's system!"
Seeing the situation gradually spiraling out of control, Ichinose stepped forward.
"Everyone, please quiet down."
Ichinose, with a slightly hoarse voice, quieted the entire First Year Class B with a light remark.
They thought Ichinose was going to lead them to fight for the benefits that rightfully belonged to First Year Class B, so they all quieted down, waiting for Ichinose to speak.
Seeing Ichinose step forward, even Mashima-sensei had to take her seriously. Although his results were absolutely correct, the girl named Ichinose Honami standing before him wielded a more formidable power.
However, she herself didn't seem to realize what kind of power trust could generate.
"Classmate Ichinose, do you have anything to say?"
Mashima-sensei asked with a serious expression.
Ichinose shook her head and turned to look at the First Year Class B students.
"My words are for everyone. I'm not sure about other things, but the stronghold points have indeed all been deducted."
"Ichinose! Do you know what you're saying?"
Classmate Kanzaki didn't know what had gotten into Ichinose that she would deny everyone's efforts the moment she opened her mouth.
"Kanzaki, look at that key card."
Ichinose's somewhat pale face finally made Classmate Kanzaki realize something was wrong, and he quickly pulled out their key card from his clothes.
"The key card is still with me…"
"What's the name on the back?"
"At a time like this, Ichinose, don't be so… First Year Class D… Miyako Amane? What a joke!!! Why did this turn into First Year Class D's key card?"
Accompanied by Classmate Kanzaki's exclamation, the other classes also looked over, curious.
"Kanzaki, what nonsense are you talking about?"
A girl walked over and took the key card from Classmate Kanzaki's hand.
"It really is First Year Class D's key card? Why…"
"Shibata!!!"
Classmate Kanzaki turned around and, without a word, punched Classmate Shibata in the face.
"Classmate Shibata! Classmate Kanzaki! Don't fight!"
Suddenly, First Year Class B became incredibly chaotic. Classmate Shibata, who had been punched by Classmate Kanzaki, also punched back, unwilling to show weakness.
Compared to Classmate Kanzaki, Classmate Shibata, who trained regularly, was clearly stronger. He knocked Classmate Kanzaki to the ground with just one punch.
"Are you crazy? Your own mistake, and you come looking for trouble with me. If it weren't for you, would the key card have been swapped?"
Classmate Shibata's stern rebuke was met with Classmate Kanzaki's cold sneer.
"Do you think I don't know? It must be a trap set by you and Miyako-san in collusion! You picked up the key card, don't you know whose name was written on the back?"
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"