Before visiting the first-year classrooms, Suzune met with Hirata Yōsuke and others to share her plan.
"We should pair weaker students with stronger ones to balance the class's performance."
Horikita Suzune spoke seriously,
"This exam is somewhat complicated. To ensure a score above 500, students with D-rank abilities must partner with first-year students ranked B or higher. Conversely, teaming up with B-ranked students or above makes the exam quite reassuring."
As she spoke, Suzune noticed several students looking uneasy. She continued,
"Besides, we've been working together all year, enduring similar exams. If we cooperate as we have and study diligently, surpassing 250 or 300 points isn't impossible."
"Yeah, I agree," Hirata Yōsuke nodded.
"Also, I urge B+ ranked students and above not to rush. Analyze the situation calmly. To save everyone, we'll keep some high-performing students in reserve. Regardless of rank, consult me or Hirata before acting."
Suzune then asked Hirata and other club members to inquire about potential candidates from their clubs.
...
After some discussion, Suzune, Saiki Kusuo, and Ayanokōji Kiyotaka prepared to act.
"I've categorized first-year students with B-rank abilities or higher as gifted. There are 17 in Class A, 13 in Class B, 13 in Class C, and 11 in Class D."
Suzune explained,
"Fortunately, our class has no E-ranked students. There are 12 D-ranked students. We'll pair them with high-performing first-years... It's surprising we have no E-ranked students. Last year, I'd expect at least three or four."
"Hmm," Kusuo nodded, recalling Ike Kanji and Sudō Ken.
Without intervention, they'd undoubtedly be E-ranked.
However, during last year's midterms, Kusuo used telepathy to transfer knowledge into their minds, boosting them to D or D+.
Elevated to Class A, they've shown slight improvement.
Still, they're the lowest-performing in the class.
At that moment, their phones buzzed with a message from Ichinose Honami:
*"We're approved for a first and second-year gathering today from 4 to 5 PM in the gym. Please attend if available."*
Suzune glanced at Kusuo and Kiyotaka, gauging their reactions.
*'Waiting until the gathering to meet first-years might be too late. Second-years could already be acting,'* Kusuo thought.
Yet, he didn't plan to act proactively.
Partnering with anyone made no difference.
Given Tsukishiro's behavior, the White Room students were likely instructed not to target him. As long as Kiyotaka was their focus, Kusuo should be unaffected.
However, if they did target him—
He'd show them a psychic's power.
Kusuo also intended to observe the first-years.
Previously, he avoided interacting with other grades.
But troublemakers would find him regardless.
Better to identify potential issues proactively.
At this school, Kusuo realized trouble would find him no matter how he avoided it.
"Alright, let's head to the gym later," he said.
...
Meanwhile, Nagumo Miyabi arrived at Saiki Kûsuke's office.
"A new physics teacher for second-years?" he muttered.
As student council president, he knew about staff changes.
But Kûsuke's name intrigued him.
Since the term began, Nagumo faced 'interesting' situations.
Tsukishiro tasked him with expelling Ayanokōji Kiyotaka.
Nagumo didn't know why Kiyotaka was targeted but obeyed as president.
Curious about Tsukishiro and Kiyotaka, Nagumo was more interested in Saiki Kusuo.
He'd heard Kûsuke and Kusuo were brothers.
This piqued Nagumo's curiosity about Kûsuke's identity.
Hearing Kûsuke was his age and a teacher, Nagumo knew he was no ordinary person.
He approached Kûsuke's office, about to knock, but the door opened automatically.
Inside, Nagumo was stunned—
Countless robots moved, assembling something. Screens displayed school surveillance. High-tech equipment surrounded him, beyond Nagumo's comprehension.
"You're Nagumo Miyabi, student council president," Kûsuke said, seated in a chair linked to the tech.
"In second year, you expelled 17 classmates."
As Kûsuke spoke, screens displayed Nagumo's info: birthday, grades, family background—all investigated a year ago.
"Nice to meet you, Saiki-sensei," Nagumo said, stunned but recovering.
"The expulsions were well-considered. I believe in meritocracy..."
"Meritocracy? I don't disagree, but your classmates aren't that different," Kûsuke said casually.
To him, others were foolish and incapable, no better than single-celled organisms.
Even Nagumo was no exception.
Nagumo's forehead twitched with anger at the implied mockery.
*'First Kusuo thwarted my plans, now his brother challenges me?'*
Nagumo clenched his fists, a new idea forming.
*'No, this is an opportunity. Defeating him would humiliate both Saikis...'*
"You misunderstand. I didn't intend to provoke or mock," Kûsuke said.
"I..."
"No need to explain. I've studied you. You crave victory, value individualism—I agree. Personal ability matters most. Incompetent teammates hinder communication."
Kûsuke shook his head.
Nagumo grew more irritated.
*'He acts like he reads my mind, so condescending!'*
"Honestly, your thoughts are easy to guess. Your expressions give you away," Kûsuke said.
"..."
Nagumo was speechless.
"You're annoyed, wanting to prove yourself," Kûsuke said, snapping his fingers. Screens displayed numbers.
"What's this?"
"Last year's first-year special exam questions. Mental math. Each round increases difficulty. During the exam, it stops at round 10, but I've modified it to go infinitely. Let's compete."
"This..."
"Don't worry, I won't reveal this. Just a casual challenge."
"Fine," Nagumo agreed, gritting his teeth.
"Start. Input answers on that computer."
"If you're using equipment..."
"Think I'll cheat? No worries. You input, I'll write. Fair?"
Kûsuke smiled.
Nagumo hesitated, then nodded, sitting at the computer.
The first question was simple.
The second, third... also easy.
By the eighth, ninth, and tenth, both answered.
But from the eleventh, difficulty soared.
Nagumo answered the eleventh, slower than before.
Kûsuke wrote his answer instantly—correct.
*'He...'*
Nagumo realized Kûsuke wrote his answer before Nagumo input his, without editing.
*'Did he memorize the questions? Why so fast? Did he know I'd come today?'*
Nagumo grew anxious.
For the twelfth, Nagumo took several seconds. Kûsuke answered instantly.
Nagumo was already losing in speed.
"Continue?" Kûsuke asked, smiling.
"Continue..."
Nagumo Miyabi reluctantly nodded, gritting his teeth.
Actually, Miyabi's response speed was already impressive. Horikita Suzune managed to keep up until the ninth question, while Katsuragi Kōhei only made it to the eighth.
But the person in front of him, Saiki Kûsuke, was a complete monster.
By the thirteenth question, Miyabi's hands began to tremble slightly, and sweat formed on his forehead.
He couldn't solve this problem no matter how hard he tried.
"What's wrong, Student Council President? Hit a wall? Your skills are still far from enough, you know~"
Saiki Kûsuke chuckled, not writing the answer but simply stating it aloud,
"The answer is 188,345.345."
*Is this guy even human? That level of calculation is beyond genius!*
Miyabi was baffled. Even if he could solve it, he'd never match Saiki's speed.
It was as if Saiki knew the answer at a glance.
Just then, Miyabi's phone buzzed—a Student Council matter. He sighed in relief:
"Apologies, Teacher Saiki. I have to leave urgently."
"Sure, we'll continue next time," Saiki replied casually.
To him, such calculations were no different from 1+1=2.
Miyabi nodded awkwardly and practically fled the office, muttering,
"Who the hell is this guy?!"