"Small Neko-senpai… when did you get so close to Kato-san? That's not like you at all!"
Small Neko was familiar with Izumi and Kato Megumi—but only in a casual, acquaintance kind of way.
Izumi and Small Neko sometimes played games together, which was how they got a little familiar, but that was all. Just ordinary friends.
So now, hearing Izumi tease Kato Megumi and actually defend her? That was nothing short of a miracle.
Small Neko stared at him expressionlessly.
"No. I just… can't tolerate you, Izumi-kun. What you're doing is a crime, you know?"
"H-hentai… pervert…"
…Izumi honestly didn't know how to respond to that.
He surrendered completely.
"Y-yes, yes, you're right! Okay, okay, Small Neko-chan, I get it, I was wrong, alright?"
With that, Izumi reached into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of catnip, placing it in front of her.
"Here. This is for you."
Small Neko twitched her nose, glancing at the catnip in his hand. Her brows furrowed.
"I feel… offended! Take this away immediately!"
Though she wanted to snatch it, she restrained herself. She was not a cat!
Meanwhile, Kato Megumi watched in silent exasperation as Izumi turned his attention to teasing Small Neko.
Sighing, she finally spoke up.
"Izumi-kun, Tōjō-san… the next class is combat training. The school is going to test you."
"So we need to change clothes."
Izumi nodded, putting away the catnip.
"Right. This is our first test anyway."
"Several months have passed since the semester started… it's about time."
Over these months, aside from basic knowledge, the school had also been teaching a fair number of combat techniques.
That's one of the reasons Izumi had chosen to study here: to understand this world. Knowledge was essential.
Now was the test. And upperclassmen from the second and third years would come to watch. If someone was lucky, they might be invited to join a squad!
Many students had been anticipating this day.
If they could get invited to join an upperclassman's team or become a retainer, it would be a huge gain. That was the dream for many.
Izumi, however, didn't care. He had no desire to join any faction. His only plan was to form his own mercenary group, fight monsters on the frontlines, earn money, build a massive crystal palace, and live the high life.
After staring at Izumi for a few moments, Small Neko withdrew her gaze.
A combat test, huh… maybe now I'll finally see just how strong he really is.
In this class, the only person who could actually make her feel threatened was Izumi—her game buddy and occasional teaser.
She had seen his enrollment information, but except for the record of when he joined, the rest was blank.
Moreover, he had already awakened his template before enrolling—a rare feat.
Humans who awaken their abilities on their own were either from prestigious backgrounds, wielders of artifacts, or natural prodigies.
Regardless, such people were incredibly strong.
Izumi had never revealed his true strength. No one knew just how dangerous he could be.
He kept a low profile at school, but some things gave him away. His combat scores were consistently perfect, and he had aced every other subject.
A person this outstanding naturally drew attention—but no one had made a move yet.
Small Neko, being Rias' retainer, had received guidance from her senior to observe Izumi and gauge his true strength.
If possible, in the future, Izumi might even become part of her own retinue. That would make him the first male retainer for Rias.
After changing into his sportswear in the locker room, Izumi headed to the school's vast field for assembly.
This campus was enormous—at least ten times larger than any anime depiction he had seen before.
Many classes had already gathered on the field, mainly freshmen. Today's test was to evaluate their combat abilities.
When Izumi arrived, students were already clustering in small groups.
He spotted Small Neko and Kato Megumi in their lantern pants.
Seeing their long, pale legs, he clapped his hands and exclaimed:
"Two beautiful sausages! Amazing—definitely chicken-flavored, huh?"
Small Neko and Kato Megumi glared at him in disbelief.
Comparing girls' legs to sausages… seriously? You want to remain single forever, don't you?
Izumi just grinned and shamelessly stared at them, completely unfazed by their angry looks.
Before the girls could squirm further, the teacher in charge of their class arrived.
Wearing a white lab coat and holding a cigarette in her mouth, she was none other than Shizuka Hiratsuka.
Izumi honestly didn't know how to react. This… this was perfectly fitting somehow.
Rumor had it that Shizuka Hiratsuka was a C+-ranked powerhouse. Curious, Izumi scanned her with his system.
[Hiratsuka Shizuka]
Overall Power: C+
Race: Human
Gender: Female
Talent: Iron Fist
Sure enough: C+ strength and a violent streak.
And still room to grow—clearly a fighter template!
"Assembly!!"
Shizuka arrived and immediately shouted, her voice booming across the field.
The class quickly formed rows, gathering into neat lines.
Shizuka nodded in satisfaction.
"Today, we'll test your current combat strength."
"Although you awakened at F-rank, in reality, your practical strength is barely stronger than ordinary soldiers."
"The results of this test will affect the resources you'll receive from now on!!"
"So, show me your true strength!!"
The class was speechless. Shizuka, a beautiful teacher, casually dropped ore-sama ("old me") into every sentence, and even smoked!
Izumi glanced at her, pondering.
Was it because this world was… different?
Shizuka seemed much more hot-tempered here, with a certain iron-blooded aura about her.