33 -33- Climb up

"————"

As Nanaya Hori posed his question, the sound of everyone's breath became audible in the room.

It was because everyone fell into silence, letting the stillness pervade.

If Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's question concerned the competition between classes, then Nanaya Hori's question was about the fundamental existence of the school.

———— "S System".

Grasping all the rules within this system was the key to standing at the pinnacle of this school and overcoming all challenges.

Nanaya Hori once again displayed his keen insight and perception by pinpointing the weakness of his opponents.

However, this weakness was also the weakness of the school, the weakness of this world that valued strength above all else.

To detect this weakness on the first day when the true nature of the school began to reveal itself, just a month after the start of the school year, showcased Nanaya Hori's exceptional abilities.

It was like...

"He's like an assassin who only needs a single blow, this Nanaya," Chabashira Sae expressed her most fitting evaluation of Nanaya Hori.

However, the expression in her eyes was not one of timidity but of refined composure.

"Do you see, Horikita?" Chabashira Sae didn't immediately respond to Nanaya Hori's question. Instead, she addressed Horikita Suzune.

"This is the behavior truly deserving of excellence."

Chabashira Sae's assertion left Horikita Suzune biting her lip.

Because Horikita Suzune had no way to refute.

Indeed, compared to Nanaya Hori, Horikita Suzune was clearly lacking.

Faced with the sudden revelation, Horikita Suzune's response was skepticism, rebuttal, and protest.

In contrast, Nanaya Hori had already grasped the most critical situation and identified the most important issues.

Even Ayanokouji Kiyotaka accepted the situation immediately, which brought him here.

Compared to these two individuals, Horikita Suzune undoubtedly seemed much more naive.

"After all, reality is always cruel. Even if you question, refute, and protest, it's just avoidance. It won't have any impact on what you should do next. It might even become a hindrance," Chabashira Sae offered this advice.

"Only those who accept reality immediately can continue forward."

This theory was also too correct.

Therefore, Horikita Suzune had no way to refute.

At this point, Chabashira Sae's tone changed.

"Unfortunately, I can't answer that question for you," Chabashira Sae looked at Nanaya Hori and made this statement.

"Indeed, understanding the truth about the points system is the key to conquering this school. In this school, there's nothing more important than points."

"The school has set thousands of extremely detailed rules in order to cultivate truly outstanding talents. These rules encompass major aspects such as trading points, handling violent disputes, and disciplinary actions for expulsion, as well as minor aspects like speaking during class, using phones, being late, or absent. Once a rule is violated, the corresponding class points are immediately deducted, while there are also various explicit provisions for increasing class points."

"So, having a thorough understanding of the S System's detailed rules will undoubtedly be of great help in ascending to Class A."

"However, teachers can mention and teach students only a few rules."

"This is because almost all rules are not allowed to be disclosed."

"No, not only that, many areas are even unclear to the teachers."

"After all, there are as many as thousands of rules."

Chabashira Sae explained this to Nanaya Hori.

Nanaya Hori didn't feel disappointed by this.

"I thought it would be like this," Nanaya Hori muttered to himself, "This explains why when I tried to get information from the senior students earlier, they were resolute in not revealing anything to me."

Upon hearing Nanaya Hori's words, not only Chabashira Sae but even Horikita Suzune was surprised.

"I see," Chabashira Sae asked with a scrutinizing look, "You've confirmed many things with the senior students before today, haven't you?"

"Isn't that natural?" Nanaya Hori said without changing his expression, "Since the beginning of the school year, this school has shown many anomalies. While first-year students might not understand these anomalies, the senior students, being experienced, surely know, right?"

So, Nanaya Hori had already probed senior students before.

But no matter which senior student he approached, none of them would disclose any information to him.

"That's also because the 'rules' restrict seniors from revealing information to juniors, right?" Nanaya Hori affirmed.

"Seems like you have more initiative than I imagined," Chabashira Sae showed a hint of a smile.

Of course, this smile quickly disappeared.

"Let me ask you both then," Chabashira Sae looked at Nanaya Hori and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, saying, "Nanaya, Ayanokouji, are you dissatisfied with being in Class D?"

The answers from Nanaya Hori and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka to this question were different.

"I don't have any dissatisfaction," Ayanokouji Kiyotaka replied very calmly, "As long as I can live my life quietly in any class, I'm satisfied."

That's the only thought of an escapism believer.

As for Nanaya Hori's thoughts, they were even more straightforward.

"It's not like we're fighting for our lives," Nanaya Hori said indifferently, "It's just being at the bottom, and we can even climb up. The worst result is just expulsion, which is just a game, right?"

Was that Nanaya Hori's intention?

Any competition that doesn't involve risking lives is nothing.

Climbing up from the bottom?

Compared to being thrown into a forest to fight for your life, if it's not a game, then what is it?

Even if this game isn't simple, it's still the same.

"Well then, let me ask another question," Chabashira Sae crossed her arms and closed her eyes.

When she opened them again, the look in her eyes had changed.

It became profound.

Chabashira Sae posed a question like this.

"Do you want to climb up?"

In other words, do you want to advance to Class A?

That's what Chabashira Sae wanted to ask.

Unfortunately...

"I don't have that intention for now because I hate trouble," Ayanokouji Kiyotaka answered without hesitation.

"I can't find a reason to advance for now," Nanaya Hori shrugged, still straightforward.

"...Is that so?" Chabashira Sae closed her eyes again. When she opened them this time, her gaze had returned to its previous coldness.

"Then let me see what you'll do next."

Leaving behind these words, Chabashira Sae turned around and left without stopping.

Nanaya Hori and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka also didn't stay.

"I'm leaving too."

"Then let's go together."

Both of them turned and left at the same time, without a trace of nostalgia.

Seeing this, Horikita Suzune felt a deep sense of being left behind.

"....."

So, Horikita Suzune took a deep breath and followed Nanaya Hori and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.