Kōenji's confident smile showed his faith in his strength.
He acknowledged Saiki's talent but believed he was still inferior.
*'Saiki will probably lose on purpose,'* Ayanokōji thought, staying to watch.
*'Yare yare, I have to win this,'* Saiki thought, staring at Kōenji.
"Start!"
The teacher's signal tightened the rope, but neither exerted full force.
Saiki couldn't end it quickly, and Kōenji found it too boring.
"Are they even trying?"
Nanase asked Ayanokōji, confused by their lack of effort.
The teacher was equally perplexed.
With 10 points at stake, students should fight fiercely, yet both seemed uninterested.
*'What are they doing?'*
*'This isn't good,'* Saiki thought, strategizing.
*'I can't use full power, or Kōenji won't even hold the rope. But stalling isn't ideal.'*
Saiki needed to win for the cake and the students' safety.
He gradually increased his grip strength.
Suddenly, Kōenji, holding the other end, lost his balance.
For the first time, Kōenji looked surprised.
He didn't expect Saiki's sudden burst of power but quickly steadied himself.
The rope strained, nearly snapping.
"Kōenji's expression changed," Nanase noted.
Initially casual, Kōenji now looked serious, as if acknowledging Saiki as a rival.
*'First time seeing Kōenji like this. He sees Saiki as a rival,'* Ayanokōji thought curiously.
*'Saiki usually ends things quickly, but he's competing with Kōenji. Why?'*
*'Is he aiming for a high rank? Or does he want to prove himself to Kōenji, turning him into a class asset?'*
Kōenji stared directly at Saiki, a rare occurrence:
"Not bad, using such power. Others would've lost already. I'll raise my opinion of you—you're beyond ordinary. But against perfect me, I'll give you a perfect defeat!"
Kōenji declared, using his full strength.
Sweat on his forehead showed his seriousness.
Unlike Kōenji's rare excitement, Saiki was anxious.
'Whoa, I barely used any power, and Kōenji almost fell. Good thing it's Kōenji—I need to win, but not too obviously.'
Saiki pondered his next move.
He had to win, but not in a way that stood out too much.
If Saiki lost control, he might fling Kōenji like a slingshot stone.
That would be a problem.
Saiki's mind raced as Kōenji's forehead glistened with sweat.
"I'm giving it my all, but I can't budge an inch? Saiki's strength must match mine."
'Huh? You're already at full power? I didn't feel a thing!'
"But Saiki still looks so relaxed..."
'Darn, I was lost in thought. Maybe I should've made a strained face.'
"Looks like this will be a test of endurance."
'I don't want to waste time here. The next exam should be coming soon!'
Saiki studied Kōenji, refining his strategy.
No matter what, he had to win this exam.
So...
Saiki narrowed his eyes, an idea forming.
He secretly activated his telekinesis, giving Kōenji's feet a gentle nudge.
Under extreme strain, even a small force could break the balance.
Kōenji lost his footing and tumbled to the ground.
Seizing the chance, Saiki pulled the rope, dragging the midpoint marker to his side.
Saiki claimed victory!
"The winner is Saiki from Class 2-A!"
The teacher announced, tapping the tablet to award Saiki 10 extra points.
"Saiki won?"
Even Ayanokōji was surprised by the scene.
"Kōenji's overall strength, especially his stamina, is top in first year. For Saiki to beat him now..."
"His fall was an accident, but Kōenji's earlier persistence shows he was serious."
"Saiki's goal must be either first place or taming Kōenji—and those goals aren't conflicting."
Ayanokōji analyzed quickly, while Nanase gaped in shock.
She knew Saiki was strong, but not this strong.
Even with the accidental win, Saiki had proven his power.
"Haha, I actually fell?"
Kōenji looked down at his shoes, blaming the earlier water spill for his defeat.
"Good match, Kōenji."
Saiki stepped forward.
"I was at my limit. If you hadn't fallen, I would've lost."
Of course, that wasn't true.
Kōenji stood, dusted himself off, and smirked at Saiki.
"Nice try, Saiki. But that lie's pointless."
He narrowed his eyes.
"You're the first to make me serious."
'I didn't want to,' Saiki sighed inwardly.
"Why get serious now, when you usually value efficiency?"
Kōenji's curiosity showed in his gaze.
"To turn me into a class weapon?"
"I just wanted a good score."
Saiki replied.
"Really?"
"Absolutely."
"There's a swimming challenge nearby. Lots of participants. Want to compete again?"
"No, I'm exhausted, and I'm not good at swimming."
Saiki shrugged.
The swimming challenge offered high rewards, but with many participants, it was too risky. Better to focus on smaller events.
"I see."
Kōenji studied Saiki's eyes, laughed, and left the summit.
After chatting with Ayanokōji, Saiki departed.
Nanase seemed dangerous, but Ayanokōji could handle her.
For Saiki, something else mattered more—
Having defeated Kūsuke, he needed his reward.
Using Kiryūin's tips and his powers, Saiki headed to the next challenge location—
The event hadn't started yet.
Mashima, the teacher in charge, was setting up with staff.
He was surprised to see a student already there: Saiki from Class A.
Though Saiki had demoted his class to B, Mashima treated all students equally.
"Mashima-sensei, is the challenge starting here?"
Saiki asked.
"Yes... How'd you find this?"
Mashima was shocked Saiki had arrived before the event—
He must've predicted the time and location.
"Just luck. I passed by and saw you setting up, so I guessed this was it."
"You're right."
"Does that make me first?"
"Yes."
Mashima nodded, awarding Saiki three points and placing two supplies before him.
"One's food—cake—and the other's water..."
"I'll take the cake."
Saiki interrupted.
"Okay..."
Mashima handed over the cake, puzzled.
Rewards were usually canned food or non-perishables, not expensive, fragile cake.
This was a last-minute order from above.
"Most students would choose water, but Saiki picked cake without hesitation..."
Mashima watched Saiki leave, confused.
...
Meanwhile, on another part of the island, Yagami approached Hōsen.
"Haven't seen you in days, Hōsen."
Yagami smiled.
Hōsen had just crushed an opponent in a challenge, earning many points.
"What do you want?"
Hōsen glared, his arrogance unhidden.
He saw all first-years as inferior.
"Amasawa's not around?"
"We work solo. Who knows where he is."
"I've got something to discuss with you, Hōsen."
"Spit it out."
"I heard you clashed with Saiki..."
Before Yagami finished, Hōsen threw a punch.
Yagami didn't dodge, continuing:
"I can get Saiki expelled!"
Hōsen's fist froze mid-air.