Days later, the day of the showdown arrived.
"Forget the notes and everything I told you earlier. Today, just choose five events and team members based on your preferences."
Before the exam, Horikita Suzune approached Saiki and said,
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
"What if I interfere and mess up the plan? Will the others be okay?"
Saiki asked, though he already knew the answer.
"I didn't promise anyone specific events or spots. I told them we'd adapt based on the day's ten events and their order. It's fine."
Horikita continued,
"This is a class competition. Despite the interference, it's a test of Class B's overall ability. You're up against Sakayanagi's Class A, the strongest in our grade. Even if we lose, no one will blame you."
"Got it."
Saiki nodded. Horikita was a far cry from the arrogant girl she'd been when they first enrolled.
"But I have one question."
"What?"
"What's in that bag?"
"Stuff for the exam."
"Exam stuff?"
Horikita's gaze fell on the plastic bag in Saiki's hand.
*It's clearly a cake, right?*
"I'll head out now."
Saiki didn't elaborate, leaving the school building for the special classroom in the multipurpose building.
There, the leaders from the other two classes were already waiting.
"Good morning, Saiki."
Ichinose Honami greeted him warmly.
"Good morning, Saiki."
Sakayanagi Arisu smiled at him too.
Just then, footsteps approached from behind.
"Oh, you're already here?"
"What?"
Ichinose's expression turned surprised. Instead of Kaneda Satoru, representing Class D, it was Ryūen Kakeru.
*I used force to prevent Kaneda from participating, just like Class B did on the island. If a leader can't compete due to unforeseen circumstances, a substitute takes their place. That's how I replaced him.*
*Poor Kaneda.*
*And Class C, you've already lost. We've poisoned you—nothing harmful, but you'll be running to the bathroom all day.*
*Wait, did I hear that right? No way a high schooler would say that.*
*Luckily, we're not facing Class B... No need to deal with that guy...*
'...'
Ryūen's glance at Saiki carried a hint of fear. If Class D were up against Class B, he probably wouldn't be here.
*Ryūen's hesitation when looking at Saiki—it confirms Saiki's the one who defeated him.*
Sakayanagi, who'd already suspected as much, caught Ryūen's fear, solidifying her theory.
"All four leaders are here. Come in."
The special classroom's door opened, and Saiki entered with the others.
A temporary wall divided the spacious room in two, providing excellent soundproofing.
"Class B and D, move to that side."
Ichinose and Ryūen followed Mashima Tomonari's instructions, with Chabashira Sae joining them.
The examiners for Classes A and B were Sakagami Kazuma from Class D and Hoshinomiya Chie from Class C.
To avoid bias, each teacher oversaw a different class's exam.
"You're really something, Saiki."
Five minutes before the exam, Sakayanagi turned to Saiki,
"You weren't my target, and I never expected you as an opponent. But here you are, even catching Ayanokōji's attention."
"This wasn't my plan either."
Saiki sighed. He'd just wanted a normal high school life, not this chaos.
"What do you know about my past and Ayanokōji's?"
"If I say nothing, you won't believe me."
"I usually ask for mercy, but give it your all today."
Sakayanagi's eyes gleamed like a hunter's.
*I'll crush you, Saiki, and stand before Ayanokōji.*
*Just ignore me, will you?*
Saiki thought.
"Alright, time to start! Take your seats!"
Hoshinomiya instructed, her gaze on Saiki.
*Saiki topped the class vote. How did he manage that?*
*Ask the person next to me.*
Saiki sat at a computer, displaying Class B's members and the ten events.
"I'm Sakagami, overseeing this special exam. Each class, choose five events and confirm."
Horikita had told Saiki the highest-probability events, though she'd advised him to decide freely.
Saiki selected *Kyūdō*, basketball, table tennis, tennis, and rock-paper-scissors for Class B.
The other events tested physical ability, and Class A outperformed Class B academically.
Rock-paper-scissors, however, was pure luck—unless you had psychic powers.
After Saiki confirmed, Class A's choices appeared: chess, English, modern literature, math, and mental calculation. As Katsuragi Kōhei predicted.
"Now, the system will randomly select seven events. Saiki, facing Sakayanagi? Tough luck. I feel for you."
Hoshinomiya teased.
Saiki knew she didn't mean it.
"Hoshinomiya, watch your words."
Sakagami warned seriously.
"Right, right. Sorry for the private chat."
"The central screen will show the results. Look there."
Sakagami began the draw—
But Saiki, with his powers, controlled the outcome.
*Class A's smarter, so if our events are picked, we gain the edge.*
The first event appeared:
Basketball: 5 players, 20 minutes (2 x 10-minute halves).
Rules: Standard basketball.
Substitutions: Leaders can replace one player at any time.
Horikita had prepared this for Sudō Ken, a star on the school basketball team.
"Sakagami, can students talk freely?"
Sakayanagi asked.
"No restrictions. Go ahead."
"So, verbal sparring's allowed?"
"Yes."
Sakagami adjusted his glasses.
*Saiki's mental toughness is unknown, but words are a sharp weapon.*
*I've prepared verbal attacks for Sudō in the basketball event.*
*Sudō's impulsive. A few jabs, and he'll lose his cool. We'll win without a fight.*
*Typical Sakayanagi move.*
Saiki entered Class B's basketball lineup: Makita Susumu, Minamikata Kozue, Ike Kanji, Hondō Ryōtarō, and Onodera Kayano. Sudō wasn't in the starting five.
'Horikita's plan is to bench Sudo for the second half, ensuring victory in the second period. As for the other starters, except for Ike, they'll likely only appear in this chapter. No need to remember their names. They seem decent in sports... except for Ike.'
Saiki thought to himself,
"And this exam has nothing to do with the command tower. Even if we win, it'll be credited to Horikita."
In contrast, Class A's starters were Machida Koji, Toba Shigeru, Kamuro Masumi, Shimizu Naoki, and Kito Hayato. A few of them were also one-chapter wonders.
"They're deliberately holding Sudo back, aiming for victory—with Sudo's athleticism, it's no surprise he excels in table tennis or tennis. Just as I expected."
Sakayanagi Arisu smiled at Saiki, trying to detect a hint of panic in his expression.
But Saiki remained unfazed.
The match began, with Class B and Class A's starters evenly matched. The score was tight from the start.
However, once Class B surpassed ten points, the game's momentum shifted.
Class B's shots suddenly became pinpoint accurate, while Class A's shots consistently missed by a hair. Not only that, Class A started making amateur mistakes, like losing control of the ball. The score gap widened.
*What's going on? If it's just raw skill, the gap shouldn't be this big. We should be the ones with the advantage... The plan was to keep it even until the second half... Is it because Class B is on fire, and we're ice-cold?*
Sakayanagi's smile froze.
Her original plan was to have the starters hold back, maintaining a tie to lure Sudo Ken into the game. But the first half was already collapsing.
Class A's starters had no room to keep hiding their true abilities.
*It's because of psychic powers.*
Meanwhile, Saiki smirked.
The widening score gap was his doing.
Every time Class B shot, he subtly adjusted the ball's trajectory mid-air. For Class A, he did the opposite, even causing the ball to bounce away when they dribbled.
By halftime, the score was 20-8, a significant lead.
In the second half, it was time for Sudo Ken to enter the game.
Though the score was already in their favor, victory wasn't guaranteed. Sudo's entry would secure the win.
Even if Sudo didn't play, he was already registered for the basketball event, so he couldn't participate in others.
"Looks like you're in the lead. If you keep this up, victory is yours. But once Sudo enters, things might change."
Sakayanagi smirked. She was waiting for Sudo to play.
She'd provoke him, causing him to lose his cool.
On the court, Kito Hayato scored a hard-earned point. Sudo approached him:
"Hey, Kito, you play basketball?"
"No, we're complete amateurs."
Kito replied, following Sakayanagi's orders to act like a beginner and provoke Sudo.
If Sudo lost control, they'd have a chance to turn the tables.
But Saiki had seen through her plan and used a trick of his own.
"Right, I've trained for ages and still can't beat you."
That's what Sudo heard.