"Teacher change?"
Saiki Kusuo immediately sensed something was off after hearing Chabashira Sae's words.
*"This new teacher seems to handle quite a few subjects. I've seen them once before—they look very young, almost like a student. But I've heard they're incredibly capable, even Chairman Tsukishiro seems to respect them greatly."*
Chabashira Sae thought to herself.
*'Yare yare… It's definitely that guy, right?'*
Saiki Kusuo was certain—Saiki Kûsuke had arrived at the school.
Initially, Saiki Kusuo thought the new semester would only bring two students from the White Room, which wouldn't affect him much. But with Saiki Kûsuke here, the chances of trouble skyrocketed.
Special measures would be needed.
Saiki Kusuo lowered his head, checking his phone. The class's comprehensive scores were displayed, sortable in ascending or descending order.
*'My score is slightly above average, I guess.'*
Last semester, his physical score reached 70 thanks to the sports festival. However, his social interactions were limited, and his grades were average, so his overall score wasn't outstanding.
It was an acceptable result.
*'Good thing no one noticed my score just now…'*
Saiki Kusuo sighed in relief. If others had seen his absurd score, it could've caused chaos.
Though, in a way, those numbers weren't wrong.
All Saiki Kusuo's stats were S simply because the system's cap was S.
"Also, though unrelated to our class, as a special measure for second-year students, Sakayanagi Arisu's physical score will always match the lowest-ranked student in athletics."
Due to her health, Sakayanagi Arisu couldn't participate in sports exams, so her score was always last.
But after Chabashira Sae corrected A-Class to B-Class, she smiled again:
"With this software, everyone's performance is quantified. Students from any grade can instantly see each other's names and faces. It'll surely become a vital tool for communication—but… I think there's more. This is just my guess, but starting this year, students with insufficient comprehensive scores might face penalties."
"Expulsion…?"
Ike Kanji looked extremely worried.
"It's possible, but it's just my speculation. Still, the closer your score is to E, the higher the risk."
Chabashira Sae continued.
Saiki Kusuo glanced at the screen. The lowest scores in the class belonged to Sakura Airi and Ike Kanji.
Ike Kanji's grades and stamina were poor, so his low score was expected. Sakura Airi's grades weren't bad, but her stamina and social skills were abysmal.
If scores were used for expulsion, they were in the most danger.
"Some of you might feel these scores don't match your abilities. You can prove yourselves in the second-year exams. For physical scores, join clubs to make the data more accurate."
Chabashira Sae added,
"This system was proposed by Student Council President Nagumo Miyabi and approved by the school, with funding and tech support from the government and major corporations."
*'Figures.'*
Saiki Kusuo narrowed his eyes.
Horikita Manabu had mentioned the differences between him and Nagumo Miyabi.
Manabu wanted the class to work together, while Miyabi favored individual battles.
"That's all about the OAA system. Any questions? Now, about the special exam…"
Chabashira Sae's lips curved upward.
"Your first second-year exam will be a groundbreaking new format, just like the OAA system."
The classroom fell silent. Chabashira Sae paused briefly, then continued:
"The key point: second-year students will partner with first-year students for the written exam."
"Partner with first-years…?"
The students were surprised.
Previous exams involved multiple grades, but scores were calculated separately, with minimal impact between grades. This time seemed different.
"The rules are similar to the first-year Paper Shuffle exam. Each of you will team up with a first-year student."
Chabashira Sae explained,
"You're free to choose any first-year. You have about two weeks, including today, to find a partner and study. The deadline is month-end."
After speaking, Chabashira Sae tapped the board, displaying exam details.
"Five subjects, 100 points each, totaling 500. There are two competitions: class-based and individual."
**Class Competition:**
Average score of the class and all partnerships determines the winner.
Rewards: 50, 30, 10, or 0 points based on rank.
**Individual Competition:**
Combined score with your partner.
Top 5 pairs: 100,000 points each.
Top 30%: 10,000 points each.
**Penalties:**
Below 500 points: second-year students expelled, first-years lose points for three months.
Intentionally failing or manipulating scores: expulsion for both grades. Forcing others to fail: expulsion.
*"The rules seem similar to last time, but the risks differ. First-years lose points, but second-years face expulsion. This gives first-years more control."*
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka analyzed quickly,
*"I need a suitable partner fast. Teaming with a White Room student could drag me down. Intentional failure is punished, so they can't sabotage openly. This protects most students, but not their partners."*
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka narrowed his eyes, knowing Tsukishiro was involved.
"Remember, higher scores mean better outcomes."
Chabashira Sae emphasized,
"Once partnered, it's permanent. Use the OAA system to bind, and it can't be undone."
The screen updated, showing partnership rules:
**Partnership Rules:**
One request per day via OAA (resets after 24 hours if rejected).
Acceptance finalizes the partnership.
*Exceptions: expulsion, severe illness, etc.*
Confirmed partners appear on OAA by 8 AM the next day, blocking new requests.
*"No first-year will want me…"*
Ike Kanji looked distressed. Top students were in demand, but his grades were poor.
"Don't worry. If you can't find a partner, the school will assign one. Unpaired students by exam day will be randomly matched at 8 AM. However, these pairs lose 5% of their total score. Since second-year numbers are odd, the last unpaired student's score is doubled but still loses 5%."
Meanwhile, Horikita Suzune was also strategizing.
*"Struggling students will have trouble pairing. We should negotiate as a class. Our advantage is being in A-Class, but individual scores still matter."*
"That's the April exam overview. Good luck!"
Chabashira Sae smiled and left.
---
**Meanwhile, in the staff room…**
"Is there anything else I can do?"
Tsukishiro looked uneasy, fidgeting.
Saiki Kûsuke stood before him.
Tsukishiro had no idea who Saiki Kûsuke was until Ayanokōji Professor called repeatedly, ordering him to cooperate and not provoke Saiki Kûsuke.
Months ago, Ayanokōji Professor arranged for Tsukishiro to hire a new teacher—Saiki Kûsuke.
Ayanokōji Professor's final words still echoed:
"If you cross him, we're all dead."
Tsukishiro couldn't believe Ayanokōji Professor would say such a thing.
*"Saiki Kûsuke… Saiki… Is he related to Saiki Kusuo? I researched Kusuo and found he has a brother… Could this be him?!"*
Tsukishiro's mind raced,
*"Ayanokōji Professor warned me not to provoke Kusuo because of him… The school's system upgrade was supposed to take months, but Kûsuke finished it instantly. He has incredible tech and funds. Who is he?!"*
*"Whatever happens… don't provoke him…"*
"You've made your decision, haven't you?"
Saiki Kûsuke smiled at Tsukishiro.
"My… decision?"
Tsukishiro was confused.
"You just decided not to provoke me after weighing the situation."
"What?!"
Tsukishiro was horrified.
*'How does he know what I'm thinking?!'*
"You're shocked I know your thoughts, right?"
Saiki Kûsuke smiled, as if observing an inferior being.