"Nice to meet you all. I'm Kaoru Mitoma from Class 2-A, and I serve as the Student Council President."
The other party finally spoke, the microphone slightly grating.
"On this spring day brimming with vitality, I'm delighted to welcome all new students as the student representative."
Though it was clearly a formal, bureaucratic speech, Nanase didn't sense any robotic delivery.
Instead, his excessive formality made her skin crawl.
"Last year, I stood where you are now, filled with anticipation and dreams for the future, hoping to gain something meaningful here."
His unhurried voice captured the freshmen's attention slightly.
"However—"
Suddenly, he interrupted almost everyone's train of thought.
"In just one year."
Kaoru's voice was utterly flat, "I climbed step by step to a throne that was never meant to be mine. Here, I express my sincere gratitude to all of you."
Instantly, some people's expressions turned vivid and strange noises emerged from the third year students' ranks.
Before Nanase could process what he meant by "throne," she noticed many people glancing toward a particular senior.
He was a male student with a full head of golden hair.
Though quite handsome, his face now appeared distorted, like a lion provoked, trying to protect what little territory he had left.
"The view from the Apex is indeed splendid. I understand the discussions you've had about me before."
Kaoru said, "But what I hope you'll understand more is the significance of my presence here."
A teacher tried to stop him, but Tsukishiro Kazunari intervened to prevent it.
"I know many of you harbor covetous thoughts. Over the past month, I've seen too many fence-sitters. Some have been excessively greedy toward me, as if I'd meet a dire fate if they didn't act."
"Your schadenfreude, jealousy, hatred, and greed surrounding me—I've grown deeply disgusted by them. Perhaps now, some have sensed what I'm about to do, thinking my wolfish ambition is finally revealing itself."
"Because I promised my senior not to make too many changes to the school, I'll only target those present here. Starting today, the Student Council will supervise each of you more strictly."
Tsubasa Nanase looked surprised—not because she understood Kaoru's meaning, but because he dared to say such things during the entrance ceremony.
Not only were the teachers silent, but no senior students stepped forward either, as if the entire gymnasium had become Kaoru's personal stage.
Being a new student, Nanase didn't fully grasp the situation.
The seniors weren't without opposition—they were just as stunned as she was, unable to react in time.
"If anyone dislikes me, if anyone still covets my position."
Kaoru looked toward the freshmen, "Including the new students, I welcome your challenges anytime."
Hearing this, Tsubasa Nanase had already furrowed her brows—was this person actually issuing a challenge to everyone?
Although Kaoru had left a deep impression on her, she cared more about her own goals in comparison.
Perhaps it was just a joke...
"However, if you lose your nerve because of fear toward upperclassmen, that would be too boring."
Suddenly, Kaoru interrupted her train of thought.
"Here, I hope you can be a bit braver."
Tsubasa Nanase looked up at the speaker in disbelief—what kind of mindset did this guy have to dare say such things?
At this moment, the freshmen ranks were in an uproar.
Many were seeing such an arrogant person for the first time.
[What is he doing?],
[Shameless],
[Is this a traditional welcome ceremony?],
[Who is he?],
[So handsome!],
[Is he a comedian?]...
Not just the freshmen—even the upperclassmen were stirred up.
[Oh no, he became another Nagumo],
[Even more arrogant than Nagumo],
[Damn, he must have a Hypnosis App],
[I want to punch him],
[I want to be his dog!],
[No, I'm his dog!]
...
Nagumo Miyabi's expression darkened.
Although he appreciated Kaoru's death-defying antics, saying such things was practically looking down on him!
He had previously challenged Horikita Manabu precisely because he lacked worthy opponents.
Now Kaoru was making a similar declaration—clearly, in Kaoru's eyes, he wasn't even qualified as an opponent.
"Hey hey, Nazuna, is your boyfriend going to be okay?"
A girl's voice came from nearby.
"He should be fine."
Asahina Nazuna seemed somewhat embarrassed, "Could you please stop looking at me like that?"
Hearing this, Nagumo Miyabi grew even more furious at Kaoru!
Meanwhile, the second-year section was even more lively.
"What on earth is this guy thinking?"
Sakayanagi Arisu felt her chest burning as she stared intently at Kaoru.
His words had actually excited her too.
Just seeing the look in Kaoru's eyes made her body tremble uncontrollably.
Only with such a condescending gaze would she permit this person to be her opponent.
Only then, when she personally pinned Kaoru beneath her, would she feel true pleasure.
She no longer cared about things like the "Greatest Masterpiece."
Sakayanagi Arisu licked her lips—she wanted to make this person kneel at her feet, wanted to personally shatter his confidence.
"Heh, what an interesting guy."
Ryuen was also watching Kaoru's figure.
Was he becoming this flamboyant because he'd taken over Nagumo's position?
No, it seemed more like he'd voluntarily stepped out from behind the scenes.
Ryuen Kakeru grew increasingly excited about their upcoming confrontation.
What changes would Kaoru bring now that he was no longer hiding himself?
His gaze turned toward the freshmen—was there someone here that Kaoru was paying attention to?
...
"Another self-proclaimed Alpha?"
The girl stared directly at Kaoru, a mocking smile appearing on her face as she thought of something.
Such words might carry some weight with others, but to them—the White Room Students—wasn't this like showing off one's meager skills in the presence of the master?
Did this guy have any idea what they'd been through in their past?
Even though the girl held no particular affection for the White Room, she didn't think Kaoru had any right to challenge White Room Students.
Just as she expected, several other freshmen had also noticed Kaoru.
Some displayed even more contemptuous attitudes than hers.
Perhaps some were already thinking that while taking down Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, it wouldn't hurt to teach Kaoru a lesson too.
...
"This kid... won't he get himself killed someday?" Chie Hoshinomiya's eyes sparkled with excitement, though Sae Chabashira beside her appeared somewhat uncomfortable.
'With such a student in Class A, could Class D... no, her Class C even manage to climb up the rankings?'
Chabashira, who had initially been pleasantly surprised by moving up one rank, now found herself inevitably slipping into doubt.
Could Horikita Suzune possibly defeat such an opponent?
"Shouldn't we intervene?" Tomonari Mashima asked the acting chairman beside him.
"Heh, as the student representative, he's free to say whatever he wants to the students," Tsukishiro Kazunari replied with a faint smile.
It was he who had proposed Kaoru as the student representative.
Then, Tsukishiro turned his gaze to the freshmen, spotting several familiar faces among them.
Undoubtedly, Kaoru had captured the attention of these newcomers, with some already setting their sights on this audacious speaker.
Although his mission target was Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, it was evident that the people from the White Room hadn't yet realized Kaoru's terrifying potential.
The key question was whether they could demonstrate their worth in front of Kaoru.
Recalling the events from a few days prior, Tsukishiro still felt a chill run down his spine.
The other party undoubtedly possessed the power to change everything—far surpassing that of his employer.