The sun rose faintly over Kunugigaoka, brushing the treetops with muted gold light. Dew clung to the needles of the surrounding forest, dripping silently onto the worn path that led to Class 3-E. Anya Forger walked alongside Loid and Yor, her small footsteps tentative, still echoing with the fatigue of the previous two days. Her eyes darted constantly, scanning the forest, the classroom building, and even her own reflections in the misty windows along the path. Every day feels impossible… but I have to keep going.
Inside the classroom, the students were already preparing for the day's exercises. Chalkboards shifted slightly, papers fluttered, and a faint hum of anticipation vibrated through the air. Koro-sensei was moving between desks at incredible speed, his yellow form a blur, tentacles adjusting devices, and monitoring students with a perpetual, unnerving smile.
Karma Akabane leaned against his chair, arms crossed, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "So, new girl, are you ready for round three? Or do you plan to faint before breakfast?"
Anya's hands tightened around her bag strap. Round three… if they're calling it rounds, I have to survive all of them. She forced a calm inhale, trying to block out the torrent of telepathic signals flooding her mind. Every student's thought was a rapid calculation: strategies, intentions, strengths, weaknesses. She closed her eyes briefly, letting instinct guide her, focusing on the rhythm rather than individual thoughts.
Nagisa Shiota, sitting near the window, observed her silently. She's handling the mental pressure better today. But how long before the fatigue catches up? I need to see how she reacts under real stress.
Loid stood near the back, assessing every angle, every possible threat. His thoughts were structured, calculating risks: She adapts faster than expected. The placement cannot be random. If this is intentional, there's an underlying reason. I must uncover it.
Yor, silent and taut, scanned the room with quiet intensity. Every student is a potential threat. I need to stay alert… but I cannot expose our cover.
Koro-sensei clapped his tentacles together, signaling the start of the day's exercise. "Today," he announced cheerfully, "we will focus on teamwork and strategy. Everyone, combine your efforts, and Anya, you will participate fully. Let us see how well you can adapt to collaborative tactics!"
Anya's stomach tightened. Teamwork meant she had to anticipate not only Koro-sensei's movements but also coordinate with students whose skills, thoughts, and intentions were chaotic, fast, and often lethal. This is worse than individual drills… I can't just react—I have to predict multiple minds at once.
The students moved into their positions. Anti-Koro devices clicked into place, papers floated, and the hum of strategic calculation grew louder, almost suffocating in its intensity. Koro-sensei darted around the room, a streak of yellow, interacting with multiple students simultaneously.
Anya's first attempt was shaky. She misread a subtle shift in Karma's plan, and a tentacle grazed her shoulder. Her body jerked instinctively, rolling to safety, and she scrambled upright, heart pounding. I have to adjust faster… every second counts.
Nagisa whispered, "Focus on the flow, not the details. Anticipate patterns, not single actions."
She obeyed, letting instinct and telepathy guide her. Slowly, her small form began to move in sync with the class, predicting trajectories, reading intentions, and adjusting her movements before any external cue reached her eyes. Each success built confidence, even as her mind screamed from the overload.
Karma smirked, leaning closer. "Huh. Not bad. You're starting to keep up. But can you sustain it?"
Loid observed quietly, calculating the probability of sustained adaptation. His mind traced connections between students' reactions, Koro-sensei's adjustments, and Anya's responses. She's not just surviving; she's integrating herself into their system. That cannot be coincidence. Someone placed her here for a reason.
Yor's senses remained taut. She noted subtle cues from the forest outside: a flicker of movement, a shadow shifting unnaturally among the trees. External threat… possibly unrelated to the classroom… but I need to track it. Always ready.
The drill escalated. Multiple sequences were layered: simultaneous projectiles, shifting platforms of floating chalkboards, and calculated mental attacks among students. Koro-sensei darted between them with Mach-20 velocity, testing reactions, monitoring collaborative timing, and introducing unpredictable variables.
Anya's small body moved with increasing precision. Her telepathy allowed her to anticipate shifts, adjust her trajectory, and respond to teammates' actions. Sweat dampened her hair, muscles ached, but she maintained focus. I have to survive. I have to master this.
Karma observed, intrigued. "Interesting… she's not just reacting, she's predicting. That's unusual for a new student."
Nagisa noted silently, "She has potential. Far beyond normal. But how will she handle fatigue? The mental strain… it's extreme."
Loid's mind was racing, piecing together the puzzle. Administrative irregularities, her rapid adaptation, and Koro-sensei's growing interest all hinted at deliberate orchestration. Someone wants her here. But why? And to what end?
Yor noticed a subtle shift in the forest outside—a shadow that moved too deliberately to be natural. She stiffened, eyes narrowing. The danger may not be confined to the classroom. I must stay vigilant.
The drill ended with Koro-sensei floating before the class, tentacles extended, eyes fixed on Anya. "Excellent work today, everyone. Anya, you exceeded my expectations. Your adaptability is remarkable."
Anya exhaled, sinking into her seat. I survived… again. But why is he so interested in me?
Loid approached, crouching beside her. "You did well. Very well. But we need to understand the reason behind your placement. There's more going on than they're telling us."
Yor's hand brushed gently against Anya's hair. "We will protect you, no matter what happens."
Karma smirked, folding his arms. "She's adapting fast… I'm curious how long that will last."
Nagisa observed silently, thoughtful. There's something unusual about her mental resilience. I need to watch closely.
The class dispersed. Anya's small hand slipped into Loid's, her body trembling with fatigue but determination still burning in her eyes. The shadows of the surrounding forest deepened, carrying the promise of unseen threats.
Loid's mind was already planning: assessing security, anticipating administrative motives, and calculating potential outcomes. The placement cannot be random. Someone wants her here. I need to uncover the purpose before it becomes dangerous.
Yor's senses remained heightened, tracking subtle movements, shifts in the wind, the barely perceptible rustle of the underbrush. There's danger… and it may come from outside as well as inside the classroom.
Karma's smirk lingered as he watched from a distance, silent amusement in his eyes. Nagisa's gaze remained analytical, calculating probabilities, and monitoring potential outcomes.
The day ended with a mixture of relief, tension, and anticipation. Anya was exhausted, her small body trembling, yet her mind retained a spark of determination. I will survive… I have to…
And somewhere, in the corner of Koro-sensei's awareness, a question lingered: This child is remarkable. She is more than ordinary… but what is she truly capable of? And how will she change the dynamics of Class 3-E?