Izumi completely ignored the looks coming from the rest of the class and rested his head on the desk, preparing to nap.
Although Yukinoshita Yukino's earlier words annoyed him, he wasn't petty enough to hold a grudge over something that small.
Besides, the position of class rep didn't end up on him anyway—it landed squarely on Yukinoshita.
She was the one who'd suffer for it later, not him.
Honestly, Izumi was more curious to see how Yukinoshita planned to "lead the class to become stronger."
Yukinoshita herself was furious, but she had no choice.
Everything had already been decided—what else could she do?
She was despairing inside.
Yuigahama, sitting beside her, had no choice but to comfort her nonstop.
Well, that's what best girlfriends were for.
There wasn't really a "right" or "wrong" in this whole situation.
If anything, the blame should go to the idiot who started hyping Izumi up as class rep in the first place.
The so-called "self-study period" was really just an excuse for everyone to get to know each other.
After all, they hadn't been in the same class before—many hadn't even attended the same school—so this was just the teachers giving them time to mingle.
Izumi had absolutely no interest in getting to know anyone.
On the other hand, Le Fay was extremely popular.
With her good temper and adorable, petite appearance, she drew plenty of attention.
Honestly, there were way too many blond girls in this class.
Le Fay, Asia, Eriri, Gabriel, Miura Yumiko, Blue-Haired Asagi…
A whole flock of golden-haired girls—blindingly bright.
The entire morning passed like that.
Only in the afternoon did the actual combat class begin.
Izumi followed the class to the school field, waiting for the teacher to arrive.
Apparently, Natsuki would be teaching everyone a general-purpose magic today, so most students were buzzing with excitement.
After changing into their gym uniforms and gathering on the field, boys and girls naturally separated into their own groups.
Izumi's immediate neighbor was none other than Hikigaya Hachiman—the Great Teacher Hachiman.
Seeing Izumi standing beside him, Hikigaya attempted a conversation:
"Izumi-kun, you're already so strong… do you still need to learn magic like this?"
He had witnessed Izumi's strength during the fallen angel invasion.
In just an instant, Izumi had taken down every intruder.
His ability to conjure weapons from thin air was ridiculously cool.
So in Hikigaya's mind, Izumi must be a Sacred Gear user.
After all, weapon creation was a known power in some countries.
Izumi chuckled at his question.
"Actually, I'm not that strong."
"It's just that my peers are weak. Or maybe you guys are too weak, so I look strong."
"But in reality, on a real battlefield, I'm just cannon fodder. Seriously, not strong at all."
Hikigaya froze on the spot.
Cannon fodder?
If you're cannon fodder, then what does that make us? Not even worth cannon fodder?
In this era where humanity was at a disadvantage, someone like Izumi was already insanely strong.
But hearing him downplay himself like that…
Yeah. No way to continue this conversation now.
Izumi saw his speechless expression and chuckled.
"Well, learning more things is never wrong."
"So, Hikigaya-kun—do your best."
Hikigaya's eyes widened.
This guy… actually remembered his name?
That was surprisingly touching.
Even his classmates back then used to get his name wrong.
But this sky-high-tier powerhouse?
He remembered?
And said it out loud?
This… must be the difference between geniuses and ordinary people.
Izumi had no idea that a single casual comment had sent Hikigaya into emotional shock.
He was too busy admiring the girls in the class.
Compared to boys, Izumi definitely preferred long, white, slender legs.
As he looked over the girls, he nodded in approval.
No matter how many times he saw them, youthful, radiant beauties were truly the treasure of this world.
The students on the field naturally formed small groups.
This alone showed that the class hadn't fully bonded yet.
When Izumi's gaze landed on a certain flat-chest girl, he smirked.
She was still being ostracized.
Aside from Yuigahama, no one stood near her.
Kinda pitiful, actually.
While Izumi was clicking his tongue in amusement, Hayama Hayato walked over to him.
"Izumi-kun, hello."
"I'm Hayama Hayato. Please take care of me."
Izumi shot him a sideways glance.
"What do you want?"
He really had no interest in talking to other guys—especially ones who weren't even cute.
With Hikigaya, he only talked because he didn't find him annoying.
But other male classmates?
Yeah, no thanks.
Hikigaya instinctively backed away from Hayama.
He didn't know why Izumi treated him differently, but distancing himself from the situation was the safest move.
He had a keen sense for reading the atmosphere.
He had already noticed that Izumi showed zero interest in other boys.
Even he, at best, was on Izumi's "not annoying" list.
And if he ever irritated Izumi, he would definitely be dropped straight into the blacklist.
Hayama, noticing Izumi's cold attitude, felt awkward but pressed on.
"Well, I just wanted to say hi."
"And about Yukinoshita… she didn't mean to sound like that. I hope you won't take it personally."
...
Izumi gave him another glance.
"So you're playing mediator?"
"Trying to earn her favor? Or just being a people-pleasing saint?"
The moment Izumi opened his mouth, Hayama felt personally stabbed.
He had no idea how to respond.
Izumi ignored his expression and continued:
"I know her. The absolute correctness Yukinoshita, right?"
"She thinks she's right about everything. Always pushing her own beliefs. Says whatever she wants without hesitation."
"Always acting like she can save the world. Never thinking about herself. Completely clueless about social interactions. Always putting others first."
"So to summarize—she's a saint."
"A saint who'll get herself killed. The type that dies first on the battlefield."
Izumi delivered his roast mercilessly, line after line.