Houtarou Oreki Classroom of the Elite

Meanwhile in Class C.

During lunch break, everyone had gathered in the classroom instead of going to eat.

A pile of bread that Daichi had bought sat on the podium, presumably to be distributed to classmates later.

Kakeru was conducting a meeting with all students seated — including Class C's homeroom teacher, Mr. Kazuma Sakagami.

The teacher sat quietly in the corner, observing the class representative's commanding presence.

"Our class scored 100 points in this exam. Each of you has earned 10,000 points." Kakeru announced.

"...I don't want to memorize anymore." One student complained.

For the past ten days before the exam, they had done nothing but memorize test papers. Kakeru kept them after school daily, drilling them with answer-filled papers.

Seven days before the exam, each student received 5 sets of papers to master. Anyone who couldn't score 100 points wasn't allowed to leave — some stayed as late as 11 PM.

Their mental state was completely shot.

"Shut up!" Kakeru glared at the student, "How else will you get the maximum reward? Look — except for that garbage heap Class D, all three classes A, B, and C received the maximum 100 points for their class evaluation scores. A and B are working just as hard. How will you surpass them without putting in the effort?"

"But the current situation is fine." The student protested weakly, "No tuition fees, plus living expenses."

"Then after graduation you can just sweep streets or be a shut-in." Kakeru retorted.

"W-why would I be sweeping streets after graduation—" The student cried out.

"When you have a chance to rise straight to the top but choose to degrade yourself, you might as well drop out now. Start sweeping streets three years early instead of taking detours." Kakeru said, "But if we reach Class A, forget street sweeping — any future becomes possible."

The bespectacled Kazuma watched the scene unfold.

Kakeru was the most unique student he'd encountered in his career. Though academically weak, he possessed undeniable leadership ability.

Like a tyrant, he had shaped the unpromising Class C into something orderly.

It made Kazuma think that perhaps they really could make it to the top.

And if Kakeru succeeded, his own teacher's salary would increase too — a win-win situation.

So go for it, Kakeru!

As a homeroom teacher who had graduated from Class A himself, Kazuma harbored anger in his heart.

Despite being Class A graduates like his colleagues, Kazuma wondered why he was assigned to Class C while Tomonari and Chie got Classes A and B. He was determined to prove his worth.

Beep Beep!

His phone vibrated with a new notification from the school.

"Hmm?" Kazuma put down his phone and said, furrowing his brows, "Everyone, the Class Evaluation Scores have been updated."

He went to the blackboard and wrote up the new Class Points.

「Class A: 1330 Points」

「Class B: 670 Points」

「Class C: 490 Points」

「Class D: 80 Points」

"Why did Class D get points?" a blue-haired girl in the corner suddenly spoke up.

Her name was Mio Ibuki. Though her academic abilities were poor and she lacked insight, she deeply resented Kakeru's tyrannical leadership style.

She was willing to follow his orders if he could lead them to Class A, but that didn't lessen her hatred.

"Shiina, what do you think?" Kakeru ignored Mio and turned to Class C's strategist.

The silver-haired girl stood up.

"If it wasn't initially a system error, something must have happened in Class D. Gaining 70 points suddenly suggests someone there has learned to use the rules effectively." Hiyori said.

"So you're saying Class D has someone worth watching?" Kakeru furrowed his brow, "Well, they'll still have to climb their way up first. What I want to discuss now is the information from our upperclassmen. There's an off-campus exam every year in the third semester — a chance to gain both Private and Class Points. They couldn't share specifics, but they called it the best opportunity in student life to earn points. We need to prepare for this."

"..."

While heading to Class A, Houtarou passed by Class C and noticed all students gathered in their classroom, with Kakeru's voice drifting out.

Their enthusiasm for class competition was evident. And hadn't Class C just revealed some valuable information?

The next exam would offer both Private and Class Points.

Despite Kakeru's strong leadership, failing to screen for spies or post guards during meetings showed poor judgment.

Houtarou knew his own classmates were already attempting to establish connections with Class C students — meaning Class C likely harbored spies.

He was also aware of one particular student in his class who was especially invested in Class Points.

⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟

Houtarou returned to Class A.

"Class D's Evaluation Score increased by 70 points."

Kōhei was already frowning.

After visiting the cafeteria, he had passed by the first-year notice board and witnessed the Chairman grimly adjusting Class D's Evaluation Score to 80 points.

"It seems someone from Class D used points to purchase passing scores." Arisu's voice came, "The school then withdrew their evaluation and awarded them the standard 80 points given for passing."

Her early return was unusual, but her information was precise.

Houtarou glanced at Masumi standing behind Arisu.

Either this girl had investigated the matter herself, or Class D already had informants in place.

The latter seemed likely — after all, Class D had received 1,000 points this month after having zero the previous month. It was a perfect opportunity for underhanded dealings.

"I see... so at this school, points can truly buy anything." Kōhei nodded.

As a Student Council member, he now understood more about the system. These flexible point transactions couldn't affect his position.

Yet the revelation that points could accomplish anything intrigued him.

He considered whether to begin collecting points from his faction members soon.

But soliciting points might drive his supporters to Arisu's side — a counterproductive outcome.

With Classes B and C gaining momentum, maintaining Class A's position took priority. Internal conflict would only weaken them.

He mulled over these thoughts.

Arisu, however, changed the subject.

"However." She said with a gentle blink, "Oreki-kun seems quite close with Class D's Suzune Horikita. She caused quite a stir by purchasing scores to prevent failing grades."

Suzune Horikita? A Class D student?

Kōhei merely listened, dismissing the information.

Class D's climb would be too steep — 0 Points in the first month, followed by students failing an open-book exam even with remedial measures. They were beyond hope.

He decided to dismiss Class D and focus instead on the representatives from Classes B and C.

"And because of this, she earned 20 Class Points per month." Arisu continued.

"..." Houtarou remained silent.

It occurred to him that Class D must already have informants in place. How else would this girl know such details?

Then he noticed Arisu's delicate features.

Was he walking into some kind of dramatic scene after returning from lunch?

Though if anyone was going to create drama, Houtarou thought his connection with Eru (Chitanda) was far more substantial than any supposed relationship with Suzune.

"By the way, when I passed Class C earlier, I overheard Kakeru's meeting. He mentioned getting information from upperclassmen about June's exam being off-campus. The points at stake are significant, so he's planning preparations." He said.

"Is that so? It seems Class C is making their move," Arisu said, setting down her cane. "I hope it proves interesting. Unfortunately, due to my health condition, I won't be permitted to attend the off-campus exam. I'll have to watch your performance from afar."

She let out a soft sigh.

This explained why Arisu had instructed her followers to obey Kōhei's commands when he'd worried about class factions splitting earlier.

She must have been referring to this exam.

Unable to participate due to her health, she had relinquished command.

However—

"...?" Kōhei paused.

Having just dismissed the situation, he now found himself deeply intrigued.

Teachers typically announced special exams on the first of each month, yet today there had been no such announcement.

Yet somehow Houtarou, Arisu, and Class C's Kakeru all seemed aware of the exam's nature.

Could it be that everyone else had established connections with the upperclassmen?

He'd been so confident that joining the Student Council would provide him with sufficient information that he'd neglected this avenue entirely.

Meanwhile, everyone else had gotten ahead of him, with Class C already planning their strategy.

"..." He realized he'd been far too complacent.

Despite it being only the first day of June, Kōhei knew he needed to start taking things more seriously.

⍟⍟⍟

T/N: If you want more chapters like this, check out my Patreon! Take a look at my other translations too, you might like them!

For just $1 you can access all the extra content, and descriptive images, costs only $2!

That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)

https://www.patreon.com/mrblackwing