-49- The revealed rule

"This teacher..."

Hori squinted his eyes at Chabashira Sae.

"Nanaya?"

The rest of the students in the class also looked at Hori, somewhat puzzled.

This included Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, Horikita Suzune, Hirata Yousuke, Karuizawa Kei, and Kushida Kikyou.

The difference was that while the others subconsciously looked over based on the progression of the conversation, Kushida Kikyou's eyes flickered slightly, indicating she was contemplating something.

In this situation, Hori also glanced at the others.

After a moment, Hori sighed.

"What do you want me to say, sensei?"

Upon hearing Hori's indifferent tone, Chabashira Sae smiled instead.

"Just say what you know. I want to see the extent of your understanding," Chabashira Sae responded, seemingly expecting something.

Hori smirked.

Then, Hori spoke.

"You want me to say that it's foolish to give up on Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudou here, right?"

This sentence stunned the entire class.

Especially Horikita Suzune.

"Foolish?"

What does that mean?

While the students in the class were bewildered, Hori continued nonchalantly.

"Because this school is special."

This doesn't need to be reminded again.

This school chooses talent not just based on academic ability but on overall capabilities.

Even if it's just talent in one aspect, the school will consider admission.

For example, Sudou Ken, despite his poor academic performance, has outstanding athletic ability. He aims to become a professional basketball player, and with his physical prowess, he has already caught the attention of the basketball club advisor within just one month of enrollment and is likely to become a formal member of the team, ensuring his abilities are guaranteed.

If that's the case...

"If this school prioritizes academic ability, then exams are used to test students' capabilities. But this school doesn't focus on students' academic ability; it's just one of their strengths."

This means one thing.

"If the criteria for admitting talent to this school are based on overall capabilities, then there must be tests for these aspects, right?"

Hori revealed this secret in front of the entire class.

"Academic ability can be tested through written exams, but other abilities also need corresponding tests. This is what defines a 'school.'"

So, the midterm exams this time are just the beginning.

Next, Advanced Nurturing High School will provide various tests to assess students' abilities in all aspects.

"This time it's academic ability, but next time it could be athletic ability."

Hori enlightened everyone.

"And if there really is a test to assess athletic ability later on, losing someone like Sudou, who has exceptional sports instincts, would be a huge loss for Class D."

The same goes for other abilities.

Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki definitely have talents that the school recognizes and accepts.

Therefore, in the upcoming tests for various abilities, if Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki, who excel in their respective fields, are lost, the competitiveness of Class D will plummet.

Competition at this school is conducted on a class-by-class basis.

If we lose talented individuals who can excel in specific exams, how can the competitiveness of Class D not decline?

"I believe there must be rules in the S System related to the performance of each class in various exams," Hori stated, looking at Chabashira Sae.

"If lateness, absenteeism, and various classroom discipline issues result in 'deductions,' then the grades in various exams must relate to 'additions.'"

Hence, Hori's earlier statement:

"Next, the school should provide opportunities to narrow the gap."

It's for this reason:

"Otherwise, if criteria like classroom discipline are always used as grading standards, then Class D, filled with various stragglers, will definitely be no match for Class A, filled with elites. In that case, there's no competition."

Therefore, this school, which considers comprehensive abilities, will definitely provide opportunities for both adding and deducting points in various aspects, allowing students from each class to compete fully in this meritocratic school.

"Now, Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudou may be lagging behind in academic tests, but if the goal is to climb up with Class A as the target, abandoning them here is definitely foolish," Hori glanced at Horikita Suzune and then addressed Chabashira Sae.

"Is this what you want me to say, sensei?"

As his words fell silent, the whole room went quiet.

The entire Class D was stunned by the sudden revelation from Hori.

Including Kushida Kikyou and Hirata Yousuke, as well as Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken.

Only Ayanokouji Kiyotaka remained indifferent throughout.

Naturally, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, like Hori, had long sensed this.

However, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, adhering to his reclusive style, steadfastly avoided standing out in front of the entire class and remained silent when questioned by Chabashira Sae.

As for the others, including Horikita Suzune, they certainly didn't expect this, did they?

"Clap, clap, clap, clap!"

Chabashira Sae suddenly applauded.

"So, you've noticed these rules, Nanaya," Chabashira Sae said, looking at Horikita Suzune.

"Unfortunately, that's how it is, Horikita. Your failure to notice this and your outright abandonment of Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudou already proves your limited ability. It's unrealistic for you to strive for Class A."

Chabashira Sae's merciless critique shook Horikita Suzune on the spot.

"You..."

Horikita Suzune's gaze turned to Hori, seeming to want to say something.

But before she could, Hori cut in first.

"Do you blame me for not telling you such an important thing? Or do you blame me for knowing about it but still watching Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudou give in to their own downfall?"

Hori's words silenced her.

"I've told you, I have no internet in climbing up to class A. And you also agreed to what I said before. Each person must take responsibility for their own actions, right?"

With that statement, Horikita Suzune bit her lip.

Exactly.

Hori hadn't done anything wrong.

The only ones at fault were Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken, who lacked ambition.

Hori had no reason to be blamed.

And Horikita Suzune's choice to abandon Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken was also not wrong.

It's just that if she intends to aim for Class A, not realizing this and subsequently not assisting Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken would be an unavoidable mistake.

This mistake also needed to be borne by Horikita Suzune herself.

Otherwise, it would be better to give up on aiming for Class A sooner rather than later.

For this reason, Chabashira Sae repeated:

"This is your limit, Horikita."

Horikita Suzune, who adhered to the lone wolf ideology, finally had to pay the price for not caring about others around her.

This was not just Horikita Suzune's limit but also her flaw.

"Now you understand why you're in Class D, Horikita," Chabashira Sae's words, landing in Horikita Suzune's ears, became piercing once again.