"Speak."
On the other end, Ayanokōji Doyushen's deep voice replied.
"I checked Sakayanagi's files. Saiki Kusuo was also specially admitted."
Tsukishiro said seriously, his eyes on the documents before him.
They contained Saiki Kusuo's details: photos, grades, etc.
Tsukishiro even reviewed school footage for unusual behavior—but found nothing.
Saiki Kusuo knew about the cameras and avoided using his powers where they could see.
"Continue."
"His grades are average, except for the recent finals. His physical abilities are above average, as seen in the sports festival. Nothing else stands out... But he's close to Ayanokōji. Their class rose to B in six months, nearly matching A-class scores..."
"Do you think Saiki is involved?"
"I... don't know. Ayanokōji is in that class too."
Tsukishiro replied instantly.
Ayanokōji Doyushen fell silent on the other end.
*Kiyotaka wouldn't act without reason. Did he raise D-class to B?*
*He's changed since we last met, but I doubt he'd cause such a sudden shift.*
*Could Saiki be involved? They're similar... Are my rivals planning something like Shirō's scheme?*
Ayanokōji Doyushen felt anxious. In politics, he knew rivals would use any means necessary.
But Saiki Kusuo and Ayanokōji Kiyotaka differed greatly in background.
Kiyotaka had none, so investigations would find nothing.
Saiki's family was ordinary—too ordinary for this school.
Strange.
*Is his family a facade?*
Ayanokōji Doyushen pondered.
"...That's all for now. I've prepared next semester's admissions list."
Tsukishiro reported all the information.
"Hmm, proceed with the plan. As for Saiki Kusuo, let's keep an eye on him for now."
Ayanokōji Tokishige gave the order and hung up the call.
As a politician, Ayanokōji Tokishige used encrypted devices for all communication with Tsukishiro to prevent eavesdropping.
However, he didn't know that his phone had already been remotely hacked with software so advanced that even experts couldn't detect it.
In a hidden base, a young boy stared intently at a wall of large screens.
They displayed live feeds from the Advanced Nurturing High School, the White Room, and various other locations.
Not even Ayanokōji Tokishige could imagine that his secret White Room had been under constant surveillance.
"Let's prepare. I'm planning to visit your school soon, Kusuo. It's a place I've chosen specifically for you. Next semester will be interesting! But... those who dare challenge you without knowing their place—I'll deal with them first. They don't deserve to stand on the same level as you. They're just ants."
A slight smile played on his lips.
"After all, you're the only one who's ever beaten me."
...
Meanwhile, back in Class B, Chabashira Sae continued explaining the exam rules.
"Even if you're the one chosen for expulsion, there's still a way out. Using personal points can change everything."
Chabashira Sae had mentioned this during the last special exam.
"Twenty million points. From our perspective, if you can prepare that, expulsion should be canceled."
*Twenty million points... Impossible to save up...*
*This is terrible...*
*They won't vote for me, right?*
At that moment, the students in Class B had different thoughts—some anxious, others panicked.
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka was rapidly analyzing the key to this exam.
*No restrictions on transferring personal points means negotiations using them will be accepted. In other words, if you can buy praise votes with money, it's considered a show of strength. Like the abilities you've demonstrated this year, the wealth you've saved from exams, or the teamwork born from friendship. The school wants us to freely showcase those strengths.*
*In terms of ability, Horikita and Hirata are safe. Wealth-wise, no one in the class can match Kakeromatsu. Teamwork-wise, Kushida is also safe, and Saiki should be fine too.*
*Relatively speaking, am I in the most danger?*
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka thought to himself.
'Seems like it.'
Saiki Kusuo shook his head slightly.
'But this exam shouldn't have anything to do with me... normally... For some reason, I have a bad feeling about this.'
"That's all for the exam details. The rest is up to you."
After saying this, Chabashira Sae left the classroom, leaving the students to discuss among themselves.
"What do we do? The worst exam ever is about to start!"
"Boys, shut up!"
"Shut up? You're not planning to vote against me, are you?"
The exam hadn't even begun, but the class was already in chaos.
"How ugly."
At that moment, Kakeromatsu Rokusuke chuckled.
*How pathetic. Let's redirect their attention to me for now.*
Kakeromatsu Rokusuke thought.
"And you, are you really in a position to talk? Do you even realize how much trouble you've caused the class?"
Sudō Ken glared at Kakeromatsu Rokusuke, and the other students turned their attention to him.
After all, Kakeromatsu Rokusuke had been a troublemaker in the class.
"You unilaterally withdrew from both the Uninhabited Island Exam and the Sports Festival, right?"
Sudō Ken pressed further.
At that moment, many students already had someone in mind for expulsion.
*Kakeromatsu is really annoying.*
*Yeah, with him around, we're safe.*
*Let's vote for Kakeromatsu! I'm sure many are thinking the same.*
'Good thing I didn't go down the path of making the whole class hate me.'
Saiki Kusuo thought.
However, perhaps only Saiki Kusuo knew that Kakeromatsu Rokusuke often steered conversations, redirecting class conflicts toward himself to prevent them from escalating.
"You're the one who's clueless, Red Hair."
Kakeromatsu Rokusuke propped his feet on the desk.
"You seem to think the abilities you've developed this year are key to this exam."
"That's right!"
"Wrong. This exam looks ahead to the next two years."
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
Sudō Ken was confused, thinking this was just more of Kakeromatsu Rokusuke's nonsense.
"Listen up. This exam is an exception. Normally, classes with expulsions face severe penalties, right? But this time, there are no punishments. It's the perfect chance to eliminate unnecessary students."
As Kakeromatsu Rokusuke spoke, he pulled out a mirror from somewhere.
"I'm talking about you, the troublemaker of this class!"
"No, that's impossible."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm excellent."
Kakeromatsu Rokusuke stated his reasoning and continued,
"I'll do my best to contribute to the class from now on."
*He's not wrong. In terms of ability, Kakeromatsu is one of the top talents in the class. Even if many dislike him, that's undeniable. If we want to reach Class A, Kakeromatsu is essential.*
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka thought.
Just as Ayanokōji Kiyotaka suspected, many students' opinions began to shift due to Kakeromatsu Rokusuke's words.
Saiki Kusuo couldn't help but notice their thoughts, and soon one name stood out.
Yamauchi Haruki.
*Yamauchi, that guy.*
*Yamauchi is disgusting.*
*He's bad at studies and has a bad personality!*
Unconsciously, many in the class saw him as a more suitable candidate for expulsion.
Among them, Kushida Kikyō was the most determined. From the start, she had only one target.
*Yamauchi Haruki, I'll make sure you're expelled.*
Yamauchi Haruki seemed to sense the attention on him and could only lower his head, pretending not to notice.
*No one will vote for me, right? My grades aren't great... but... maybe there's still a chance? Yeah, I'll ask Sakayanagi for help. She'll definitely assist me!*
Yamauchi Haruki thought.
...
In Class A.
"For this exam, I want to expel Katsuragi."
"Let's vote. Raise your hand if you agree that Katsuragi should be the sacrificial expulsion in this additional exam."
On the podium, the petite Sakayanagi Arisu spoke.
Almost instantly, everyone raised their hands.
Except for Katsuragi Kōhei and Totsuka Yahiko, the vote passed.
"I accept."
Katsuragi Kōhei sat at his desk, head bowed, and replied simply.
He was highly capable, but his opponent was Sakayanagi Arisu.
In fact, the battle between Katsuragi Kōhei and Sakayanagi Arisu had ended in the first semester.
Most of Class A had already joined Sakayanagi's faction. While some were unhappy, they wouldn't rebel. For a safe and secure graduation, they'd continue supporting Sakayanagi Arisu.
Katsuragi Kōhei's only supporter was Totsuka Yahiko.
"The contract I made is still in effect. Because of it, personal points are uselessly flowing from Class A to Class D's Ryūen. I'll take responsibility."
Katsuragi Kōhei stood up and bowed to everyone.
"Rather, you have no room to object."
Sakayanagi Arisu smiled meaningfully at Katsuragi Kōhei.
*But the one I actually want to expel isn't you, Katsuragi, it's your most loyal follower, Totsuka Yahiko.*
*Also, before this exam, I received an anonymous letter. This additional exam is clearly someone's stage to expel Ayanokōji. It's probably the school officials who forced my father to resign.*
*But that's too boring. I won't play along. There's only one person who deserves expulsion from Class B.*
Sakayanagi Arisu thought.
*Yamauchi, you bumped into me during the training camp and were rude. You can leave quietly in this exam.*
*But before that, show your remaining worth.*
*Let me learn more about that Saiki person.*
....
'Yare yare, why do I feel a chill?'
Saiki Kusuo suddenly felt a shiver in the classroom.