Morning light filtered through the tall academy windows, casting long shadows across the classroom floor. The air felt different today—tenser, sharper. Conversations were quieter, eyes more cautious.
Word had spread.
The academy would soon announce the first official competition between classes.
I sat in my usual seat near the back, watching the room slowly fill with students. Every movement felt slightly more calculated than yesterday. People were preparing themselves, even if they didn't realize it.
Humans were predictable like that.
When competition appears, true personalities surface.
Keiko Yamashita entered first, cheerful as always. She waved enthusiastically to a group near the window.
"Good morning, everyone! Today feels exciting, right?"
Her optimism spread quickly. A few students smiled, others nodded.
Encouragement. Motivation. Emotional fuel for the class.
Useful.
Mio Tanaka followed behind her, already holding a notebook.
"Everyone, please take your seats," she said calmly. "We might receive an announcement today."
Toru Fujimoto stood beside her, helping organize the students. The two of them worked naturally as leaders. Efficient. Reliable.
But leadership didn't always mean control.
My gaze drifted toward the door.
Hikari Aizawa walked in.
Her posture was confident, her expression sharp as always. She scanned the room once—quickly, precisely—before sitting near the front.
For a brief moment, her blue eyes glanced toward me.
Then she looked away.
Interesting.
Yesterday she ignored me completely.
Today she noticed me.
Observation had begun.
Before I could think further, the classroom door slid open.
Akira Shidou entered.
The room fell silent instantly.
He placed a tablet on the desk and looked around the classroom slowly.
"Good morning," he said calmly.
No one spoke.
"Today marks the beginning of the academy's internal evaluation system."
A few students shifted in their seats.
Competition always creates tension.
"Classes will compete against each other in various challenges," he continued. "Strategy, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability will determine your ranking."
The screen behind him lit up.
A large board appeared.
Four class names.
Class A
Class B
Class C
Class D
And beneath them—points.
We were last.
Class D.
Predictable.
Whispers filled the room.
"Of course we're last…"
"Class C is already ahead…"
Ren Sakamoto scoffed loudly.
"Tch. Rankings already? What a joke."
Shouhei Takeda crossed his arms, looking irritated.
Meanwhile, Mio stepped forward.
"Everyone, calm down," she said firmly. "We can improve our position if we work together."
Her leadership stabilized the class.
But another voice spoke.
"Working together isn't enough."
Everyone turned.
Hikari Aizawa had stood up.
Her gaze moved across the room, calculating.
"We need strategy," she said.
The classroom grew quiet again.
She continued calmly.
"Other classes are already planning ahead. If we simply react, we'll always remain behind."
A few students nodded slowly.
Her logic was solid.
But something about her tone was… deliberate.
Her eyes shifted toward the back of the classroom.
Toward me.
"Especially when certain students are hiding their true abilities."
Silence.
Interesting.
She wasn't accusing me directly.
But the implication was clear.
I leaned back slightly in my chair.
So she had started testing the board.
Very well.
Akira Shidou watched the exchange silently, then spoke again.
"The first challenge will begin tomorrow."
The screen changed.
A single word appeared.
Strategy Examination.
Teams would compete to solve a complex scenario involving limited resources, negotiations, and decision-making.
In other words—
A psychological battlefield.
Perfect.
Students began whispering again.
Keiko looked nervous.
"Tomorrow already…?"
Kenta Mizuhara leaned closer to me.
"Man… this sounds intense," he muttered.
I simply nodded.
Across the room, Hikari sat down again.
But her eyes were still watching.
Not the class.
Not the board.
Me.
And somewhere else in the academy…
Nao Hoshino was undoubtedly preparing her own strategy.
Three minds.
Three different games.
The board had finally been set.
And tomorrow…
The first real move would be made.