The perspective shifts to the classroom of Class 1-C (formerly Class 1-B).
The homeroom teacher, Hoshinomiya Chie, stood at the podium, her face beneath her brown curly hair trying to maintain her usual gentle smile, but her eyes could not completely hide a hint of suppressed disappointment and unwillingness.
She turned and wrote the same ranking data on the blackboard as in the classrooms of Class A and Class D:
[As of May 1st]
[class points Ranking]
[Class A: 1000 points]
[Class C: 910 points]
[Class B: 820 points]
[Class D: 0 points]
Looking at the numbers on the blackboard, especially the glaring third place "820" and the adjacent "Class C: 910," the students below let out a low murmur, their faces showing complex expressions—surprise, confusion, and even deep disappointment.
Hoshinomiya Chie turned around, facing her dispirited students, and sighed silently in her heart.
Who made Class A have such a monstrous student?
Sakamoto.
That First Year who stirred up trouble just a week into school, even daring to speak eloquently in front of the Student Council.
Class A's miraculous perfect score must have his shadow behind it, perhaps even orchestrated by him single-handedly.
And that damned Class C actually managed to get 910 points, completely surpassing them!
This is simply… Hoshinomiya Chie clenched her fingers tightly, her nails almost digging into her palm.
She recalled the news she had accidentally learned from Mashima-sensei earlier—a student in Class A had sold s system information externally.
She had suspected Sakamoto at the time, and now it seemed the buyer was very likely a student from Class C!
How could a novice class completely unaware of the rules win against a cheater with a strategy guide?
She took a deep breath, forcibly suppressed the indignation in her heart, and her face once again bloomed with that extremely approachable smile, her voice gentle and full of encouragement:
"Students, don't be discouraged! 820 points, this is already a very, very good score!"
Her gaze swept across the room, her tone sincere:
"Without fully understanding that class points are linked to daily behavior, purely through everyone's conscientiousness and effort, we were able to achieve such a high score! This is enough to prove that our Class B... oh no, our former Class B students, possess extremely high qualities and potential!"
"This score, in any previous First Year, would definitely be top-tier! We are just... slightly behind at the starting stage."
Her voice rose, full of infectious energy,
"But that doesn't mean we've lost! The competition has just begun! As long as we work together, figure out the rules, we will definitely catch up and return to our rightful position! Your teacher has faith in you!"
Ichinose Honami immediately stood up, her pink long hair gently swaying with her movements. Her face was beaming with an equally warm and firm smile, and her voice clearly and powerfully echoed:
"Hoshinomiya-sensei is right! Everyone has done a great job! This ranking only shows that we haven't fully grasped some rules, it doesn't mean we're not excellent! Next, let's work together, not only to clarify the rules but also to do even better! I believe we can definitely overtake them!"
She waved a small fist, making a gesture of encouragement.
Most of Class B's students were naturally optimistic and friendly, easily influenced by positive emotions.
Under the continuous encouragement from their homeroom teacher and leader, the low pressure in the classroom quickly dissipated, replaced by an optimistic belief and fighting spirit of "just temporarily behind, we'll definitely make it next time."
Everyone nodded, whispering encouragement to each other, and the atmosphere became lively again.
Ichinose Honami smiled as she looked at everyone, but in her heart, there was also a hint of small surprise and relief.
Previously, her homeroom teacher had asked her to try to contact Sakamoto to gather information. Although there was no substantial progress, based on her own observation and intuition, she vaguely felt that class points were related to daily behavioral norms, so she subtly guided everyone to pay more attention to discipline and conduct.
Unexpectedly, she had really bet on the right direction.
Although she didn't know how Class C got such a high score, she believed that given time, they would definitely return to the top... The perspective shifts to the classroom of Class 1-B (formerly Class 1-C).
The atmosphere was completely different.
The homeroom teacher, Sakasue Kazuma, was a middle-aged man with a slightly stern face.
After concisely announcing the ranking data on the blackboard, he did not comment further but made a move that somewhat surprised all the students—he actively stepped aside, nodded to the student with an ominous aura below the stage, and made a "please" gesture.
"Ryuuen, you tell everyone."
This trust and concession were self-evident.
Ryuuen Kakeru's mouth curved into an undisguised triumphant smile.
He stood up, slowly walked to the podium, and took the place of the homeroom teacher.
With his hands in his pockets, his gaze, like an eagle's, swept across the students who were once Class C.
At this moment, these students' faces were filled with excitement—they had been promoted from Class C to Class B.
"910 points."
Ryuuen spoke, his voice not loud, but it instantly captured everyone's attention.
"Do you see? This is power."
He pointed to the number on the blackboard that represented them,
"This is the result of following the rules and using the power of the rules to crush our opponents."
His tone lost some of its usual sternness, instead carrying a rare hint of appreciation:
"You did well this month. Much better than I expected. At least, you learned to listen and how to exert yourselves."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the students below whose eyes were gradually lighting up.
"From today onwards, the Class B signboard belongs to us. The old Class B can only squat in Class C's position now. This is the difference in strength! This is what we deserve!"
"Oh—!"
Silence fell for a moment below the stage, then burst into enthusiastic cheers and applause!
Especially the students who were originally considered delinquents, such as Ishizaki Daichi and others, were even more excited, their faces flushed, clapping vigorously and whistling!
They had never experienced this kind of "comeback" thrill!
This feeling of stepping on the so-called "elite class" made their adoration and trust in Ryuuen reach its peak.
Ryuuen enjoyed the fervent atmosphere below, and he was indeed quite satisfied with this score in his heart.
910 points, surpassing the original Class B, firmly securing second place, which laid a more solid stepping stone for his subsequent challenge to Class A.
The first step of integrating the class and establishing authority was perfectly achieved.
However, amidst the jubilation, a hint of gloom flashed in the depths of Ryuuen's eyes.
Two things made him slightly displeased.
Firstly, Class A.
That woman, Sakayanagi Arisu, did not fight Sakamoto to the death as he had expected, due to his false information.
On the contrary, from some scattered signs, she seemed to have... changed her strategy.
Not only did she not continue to target Sakamoto, but she even seemed to be actively approaching him.
Did she want to investigate Sakamoto on her own, or did she want to bypass him and cooperate directly with Sakamoto?
Ryuuen temporarily couldn't figure out her moves.
Secondly, the relationship between Shiina Hiyori and Sakamoto.
He had sent Ibuki Mio to monitor them several times, and the feedback was always that they were seen sitting quietly together reading in the library, and their discussions indeed seemed to be about literary novels and such.
It looked flawless.
But the more it was like this, the more Ryuuen suspected.
There must be more to these two than meets the eye.
It's just that for now, he hadn't found conclusive evidence or a breakthrough.
Never mind.
Ryuuen pulled back his thoughts, his gaze once again becoming sharp and ambitious.
A new month, a new beginning.
These past minor flaws can be temporarily set aside.
What's most important now is to consolidate achievements, and then look towards a more distant future.
Ryuuen Kakeru is determined to win.