The dinner on the first day of the special exam had wrapped up, and the clock hit exactly 8 PM.
The boys were already off enjoying their free time, but the girls had gathered once more in the gymnasium to settle the large groups.
The school's schedule called for small groups during the day and large groups at this hour.
The boys had wrapped everything up in the daytime slot thanks to the two student council presidents pushing things along efficiently, but the girls—hampered by personal ties and cliques—were sticking to the original plan.
"Hello, I'm Sato from Class 3-A. I'll be moderating to help us decide the large groups."
When the third-year representative spoke up in front of the underclassmen, nobody raised an objection, so the discussion kicked off.
"First, about how we're actually going to pick the large groups—we've got one proposal from us. What do you think about the girls going the same route as the boys, with the first-years deciding in draft order?"
The third-year spoke as if it was a given that the boys had already finished their large groups during dinner, but pretty much everyone already knew that, so no one batted an eye.
"No problem for the first-years!!"
Honami Ichinose answered loud and clear as the first-year representative.
The presumed second-year representative, however, stayed silent.
"I'm sorry, but we second-years are against the draft system. We've already decided which third-year groups we want to join. Switching to draft would be a huge problem for us."
"I see. First-years, any thoughts on the second-years' suggestion?"
Calling the second-years selfish or sneaky wasn't an option.
The fact they'd pre-decided their groups proved all four second-year classes had inside info on the third-year small groups and were working together.
Opposing the decision would mean opposing every second-year student at once.
"…Doesn't look like it. So upperclassmen merge their small groups first, then the first-years pick by draft—sound good?"
"Yes, that's fine with the first-years!"
Honami Ichinose checked the faces around her before replying.
"All right, let's get started. First-year leaders, six of you—rock-paper-scissors to decide nomination order.
Second- and third-years, gather up nice and clear."
The moment the instructions were out, the upperclassmen moved fast.
The first-years quickly pulled their six leaders together so they wouldn't hold anyone up.
The leaders were Masumi Kamuro (Class A), Mako Amikura (Class B), Mariko Yajima (Class C), Suzune Horikita (Class D), Shiho Manabe (Class C), and Yuki Himeno (Class B).
The six knocked out their rock-paper-scissors in no time.
"I'm first."
Suzune Horikita took the top spot.
Next came Yajima, Manabe, Himeno, Asakura, then Kamuro.
Since the upperclassmen had already shifted positions, the leaders returned to their classmates for a quick huddle.
"As expected, Horikita-san—you've got killer luck in these things!"
"Just got lucky, that's all."
Her cool tone with her classmates never changed.
Still, her favorability was higher than before, so the icy stares from the start of the year were gone.
"Kushida-san, the class we're picking… it's the one you told me about, right?"
"Yeah.... I double-checked everything."
Kikyou Kushida answered with a relaxed, confident grin.
"…You're really sure it's fine?"
"Horikita-san, you worry too much~ I've got pretty good connections, you know!"
"I know that. I just can't trust anything I haven't seen myself."
"Yeah, I know. That's your personality."
Kushida deliberately let the sentence hang, exaggerating it like she was pointing out the flaw.
Suzune Horikita caught the spite but refused to take the bait.
"…You sure it's okay to talk like that? Won't the sharp ones notice?"
"Sharp ones probably will pick up on my attitude shift. But it's fine now. This is just who I am."
A faint smile slipped across Suzune Horikita's lips at those words.
This was a different Kikyou Kushida.
The fact that the class's central figure was finally cooperating made her unconsciously let her guard down.
Class D was going to change.
She could already feel it.
"I see. You really have changed. Maybe we can actually get along now."
"Ahaha, don't misunderstand. We're not getting along. We'd never match anyway."
When Suzune Horikita tried to close the distance, Kikyou Kushida fired back with a verbal straight punch.
Suzune Horikita, irritation flaring, opened her mouth to snap back—
"We're ready."
Right on cue, the upperclassmen finished lining up with each group's leader at the front.
Suzune Horikita scanned every face once, but none were familiar.
Without Kikyou Kushida's help, Class D might have been finished at this exact moment—she made that cold assessment.
If Kikyou Kushida had still been showing open hostility like she did at the start of the year, she would have gone all-out to expel Suzune Horikita in this exam where she held every advantage.
Suzune Horikita's personal skills had skyrocketed since enrollment, but when it came to blending into the group, she was still overwhelmingly outclassed by Kikyou Kushida.
She felt genuine gratitude in her heart for having an equal partner she could actually work with.
"Our group nominates the one led by Ayase-san from Class 3-C."
Suzune Horikita declared it with total confidence.
The group she chose had a Class 3-C leader, but the members were packed with Class A students.
In an exam decided by average scores, it was the best possible pick.
The choice came from normal school life plus the intel gathered at dinner.
And of course, it was all thanks to Kikyou Kushida's work.
It was the result of squeezing every last drop out of strengths Suzune Horikita simply didn't have.
"Then our group nominates the one led by Sato-san from Class 3-B."
Next, Yajima's group picked the Class 3-B-led group.
It too had a heavy Class A presence.
According to Kikyou Kushida's evaluation, it was the second-best option.
The turn kept rotating until it reached Shiho Manabe, leader of the Class 1-C group.
"Our group nominates the one led by Igari-san from Class 3-B."
By the third pick the popular groups were already gone and overall strength dropped fast.
Yet according to Kikyou Kushida's assessment, the group Shiho Manabe chose still ranked fourth in total ability.
Inside, Suzune Horikita looked down on her—no eye for quality at all.
"Oh my, Manabe-san. You sure you won't regret that choice?"
The exact thought Suzune Horikita had just now left someone else's mouth.
Of course it wasn't Kikyou Kushida speaking. The voice belonged to Arisu Sakayanagi of Class A.
Sitting in her pipe chair because of her condition, she stood out sharply.
"…Got a complaint?"
"Not even the tiniest one."
"What's your problem?"
Shiho Manabe narrowed her eyes in clear disgust at Arisu Sakayanagi's thin smile.
Arisu Sakayanagi's easygoing attitude made it obvious she had more to say about the choice.
But after saying her piece, she simply backed off.
Kikyou Kushida stayed on guard. She weighed whether to reach out and find out the real motive, calculating risk versus reward.
"Okay, next person, your turn~"
While everyone mulled things over, the group assignment rolled on.
With the third-years running the show, everything stayed efficient, and the selections wrapped up quickly.
"Okay! Group assignment complete. Everyone good?"
Sato checked with the teachers.
Once the teachers gave the okay to disperse, everyone felt lucky it had ended ahead of schedule and headed back to their rooms in ones and twos.
Kikyou Kushida was about to leave with her friends when she spotted Honami Ichinose and Arisu Sakayanagi breaking away from the main group in a different direction.
Honami Ichinose was in the same group as Shiho Manabe.
Just like Kikyou Kushida, she was dying to know what the top-tier brain among the first-years—Arisu Sakayanagi—was thinking.
Kikyou Kushida tailed the two without letting them notice.
"Sakayanagi-san. Earlier… you had some thoughts, didn't you?"
Once they reached an empty hallway, the pair started talking.
"Oh my, Ichinose-san still hasn't noticed? I thought someone as kind as you would share the same impression as me."
Sakayanagi let out a soft giggle, showing no intention of explaining any further.
Ichinose continued the conversation in an attempt to see through her true intentions.
"I don't get it. All Manabe-san did was choose Igari-senpai's group, right?"
"Do you really think that's all there is?"
The small laugh vanished, and cold eyes that looked down on all of humanity turned toward Ichinose.
Her doll-like, perfectly pretty face showed no emotion whatsoever.
Ichinose felt an unfathomable dread from the completely different atmosphere she was giving off.
"For example, Igari-senpai's group only has one Class A student among the third-years. It's mainly composed of students from Class B and Class D."
Sakayanagi began analyzing Igari's group.
The only third-year from Class A, Tachibana, was a senior who had kindly taught Ichinose about student council duties. Among the second-years, many were friends of Nagumo, and she had even spoken with some of them before.
Ichinose realized these things when they were pointed out, but she still couldn't read Sakayanagi's real intention from that information.
"Can you notice anything else? For instance, about the second-years?"
"The second-years? There are quite a few from Class A, but it feels like half are from other classes."
There was nothing particularly off about it.
If she had to point something out, it was that she recognized the faces of the second-years in that group.
Since Ichinose was in the student council, she had plenty of opportunities to interact with upperclassmen.
That's why she knew the faces of the second-years in the same group and even which classes they belonged to.
And then she noticed it.
"Are you trying to say that the second-years in my group are all Nagumo-senpai's friends?"
What Ichinose had realized was the connection between the familiar second-years.
Every single one of them was a student closely associated with Miyabi Nagumo.
"Fufu, as expected. However, it seems you haven't reached the next step yet."
"Well, yeah. Honestly, so what about it?"
"Your honesty is truly a virtue."
The cold gaze disappeared as Sakayanagi showed a gentle smile.
It was rare praise coming straight from the heart for her.
"Then, let me give one hint to the honest you. This is information from a certain person, but it seems Tachibana-senpai is going to be targeted in this exam."
"Wha…!?"
Just like Ichinose's reaction, Kushida couldn't hide her shock.
Tachibana being targeted. If that fact was true, several things started to click.
She was the only Class A student in Igari's group. There were students in the second-years who were under Nagumo's influence. The carry-over rule.
However, to drag a third-year like Tachibana down with them, cooperation from the third-years was essential. Even if the second-years joined forces, they couldn't expel Tachibana by themselves.
"You've noticed, haven't you? Yes, the second-years alone cannot expel Tachibana-senpai."
"Hmm, you read my mind so easily."
"Fufu, anyone can do this much. So, how do you think they would target Tachibana-san from here?"
Excluding the likes of Kamukura, Sakayanagi, and Ayanokouji who were in a league of their own, Ichinose possessed one of the best minds in the school.
She put her brain into overdrive and arrived at one conclusion.
"…The third-years cooperate as well. That way, they can lower the large group's average score to finish last. Then they can use the carry-over rule…"
"Yes, exactly."
"B-But Sakayanagi-san. What's the benefit of doing something like that? It's a plan that uses up a ton of points. I don't even understand why the second- and third-years would team up to target Tachibana-senpai. Honestly, this sounds way too far-fetched."
"That's true. I think so too. That's exactly why I want you to investigate this. Since you've been placed in the same group as Igari-senpai."
"…I see."
Ichinose finally understood the reason Sakayanagi had approached her.
It was to investigate this outrageous story. She didn't know where Sakayanagi had gotten the information, but wanting her to verify it made sense.
However—
"…Hey, Sakayanagi-san. Who is this 'certain person' who gave you that information?"
"I can't tell you that. We made a promise."
Sakayanagi smiled while Ichinose glared at her.
The advantage clearly belonged to Sakayanagi.
(There's no way it's not Kamukura.)
Meanwhile, Kushida followed her intuition and zeroed in on one person.
Even though the exam had only just started, there was only one person who would make such a bizarre prediction.
She had reached the answer through that baseless hunch.
"Got it. But since it's just a verbal promise, don't complain if my investigation fails, okay?"
"Yes, of course."
The two headed back to their respective rooms.
Kushida considered going to ask Kamukura about this information but decided to observe the situation for now.
The exam had only just begun.
She couldn't afford to dive into unnecessary matters and risk affecting the test.
(I noticed he was being heavily monitored during dinner today. I wonder what that guy did.)
During dinner, Kushida had clearly noticed the heavy surveillance focused on Kamukura.
That's why any extra assistance might earn the hatred of the student council president.
Observing was the best option right now.
After making that decision, Kushida started on her way back.
...
"Kamukura-san! Let's play some games!!"
"I won't."
Dinner and bath time were over. The first day of the special exam had come to an end.
As he returned to his room and prepared to sleep, Ishizaki and his cheerful group were playing with cards and UNO.
They had brought over the two desks that came with the room and spread the cards on top of them.
Out of the fifteen people in the room, five were playing UNO, four were playing regular cards, three were watching, and two were lying on their own beds.
Aside from those two exceptions, everyone was following the outcome of the games.
"Alright!! I'm out!"
"You idiot, Komiya! You didn't say 'UNO,' so redo it!"
Sonoda pointed it out with a big laugh and dealt extra cards to Komiya.
The spectators laughed along with him.
"Shut up."
The grumbling voice from the bed sounded thoroughly fed up.
After clicking his tongue, Ryuuen sat up from the bed and looked down at them.
"Hey, Kamukura. Go beat the crap out of all of them and shut them up."
"Why? It's noisy, but it's still before bedtime. I have no intention of restricting free time.
If you hate it so much, why don't you just join in yourself?"
"I refuse. I have no intention of playing games without any stakes."
Apparently he can't enjoy it if there's no thrill.
"You scared, Ryuuen?"
Conversations in the same room carry surprisingly far.
Tokito-kun from Class C, who overheard us, immediately starts provoking.
"Kuku, if we're betting points, then I'll play."
"Bring it."
Ryuuen drops down from the bed, and Tokito stands up. The two quickly start getting heated.
"Hey, betting only points is going a bit too far, isn't it?"
Hashimoto-kun from Class A jumps in.
Even though he was an outsider during the day, no one criticizes him for speaking up now.
"Even if it's just a game, betting something on it makes it way more exciting, right?
Points are simple and easy to wager on this."
Ryuuen has no intention of changing his mind.
However, Hashimoto doesn't back down either.
"Yeah, I agree with that. But how about we add some milder rules?"
"Add rules?"
"Yeah. People who want to bet points can still do so.
But there are guys who don't want to or can't bet points. So why not allow other things as the stake?"
"Like?"
"How about revealing secrets?
Penalty game style… embarrassing pasts, current crush, sexual fetishes, any secret you've never told anyone. Or the loser has to absolutely answer one question from the winner."
Points are an easy stake, but not absolute.
Revealing secrets could be even harsher than points for some, making it a perfect alternative.
Hashimoto's suggestion is very student-like and would definitely make the game more fun.
"Makes sense. Fine, I'll go with those rules."
Once Ryuuen agrees, the others follow.
After that, under Hashimoto's lead, the rules are finalized.
The stakes: The player who finishes first can choose one of the following three for the last-place player:
Pay 1000 Private Points, reveal a secret, or absolute obedience (question or command).
If you can't answer the question, you have to pay 1000 PP to every player.
"Kamukura, you're playing too. Don't tell me you're scared of losing?"
Ryuuen grins slyly.
One of his goals seems to be beating me.
"Understood. I'll join."
The room got a little excited when I said that.
After confirming the game would heat up, we quickly prepared the cards to start.
The first round players were me, Ryuuen-kun, Tokito-kun (Class C), and Hashimoto-kun.
The same four who decided the rules.
As we sat around one round table, every student except Koenji-kun gathered around.
"Follow the rules, Ryuuen."
"Kuku, I'll follow them to deepen our friendship, Hashimoto. So prepare yourself for whatever order I give."
"Hey, at least don't order me to betray Class A or anything."
"You idiot, I wouldn't give such a lame command."
Ryuuen was completely pumped up.
He actually wanted to play games all along.
"Then I'll deal the cards."
Kaneda-kun, acting as dealer and observer, starts distributing the playing cards.
The first game is Old Maid, using 53 cards with one Joker.
Clockwise, each player takes one card from the person on their right. Those who empty their hand first drop out. The one left with the Joker at the end loses. Simple rules.
I received 14 cards, the other three received 13 each.
"I got this one."
Tokito declares with full confidence.
He has 5 cards and is lucky to already have 4 pairs from the initial deal.
Ryuuen has 7, Hashimoto has 9, so he'll have the advantage.
"Kamukura has 6. Looks like I'm the one in the worst position here."
My remaining cards: 6. Five Spades from 10 to Ace plus the Joker.
If this were poker, I'd have a Royal Flush and couldn't lose.
"Hashimoto starts clockwise. Come on, draw from my hand."
Order: Hashimoto → Tokito → Ryuuen → me.
The game starts right away. Hashimoto quickly makes a pair and discards it.
"Ryuuen, I'm gonna make you last place and hit you with a penalty."
"Aren't you gonna try to squeeze points out of me? That's not like you, always nagging about class points."
"Don't need 'em. I thought of a much better penalty.
I'll declare it upfront. Until the day is over——you're talking like a full-on onee-chan."
"…Interesting. I'll return the exact same penalty right back to you."
The two kept taunting each other, but Tokito couldn't form a pair, so this turn ended with Ryuuen losing a card.
"Now, I've got a good penalty ready for you too, Kamukura."
He says that while reaching for my spread-out hand.
It's probably something stupid, but I'll ask anyway.
"What's the penalty?"
"——Confess to Ibuki."
The spectators go wild at those words.
"I don't mind."
When it comes to opposite-sex topics, especially romance, high school boys in puberty turn into screaming monkeys.
Ryuuen draws my card and completes a pair.
"Seriously though, what do you really think of Ibuki, Kamukura?"
Next it's my turn to draw from Hashimoto.
Hashimoto casually broadens the conversation.
"We're friends. I have zero romantic feelings for her."
A connection I wouldn't have made if I hadn't entered this world.
"Confident answer. Even if you confess because of the penalty and she accepts, would you date her?"
"Depends on the exact content of the penalty."
Even if I confessed to a woman I don't like and started dating her, as long as I don't reveal that it was a penalty game, there won't be any problems.
Besides, there's no way I'd lose a game like this.
I draw from Hashimoto's hand, make a pair, and am left with 4 cards.
The game continues at a good pace into the third round.
Since I completed pairs every round, my first place is locked in.
"Hey, what kind of penalty are you thinking of?"
"Hmm. How about we make the last place person reveal their romantic secrets?"
I chose this penalty both to liven up the game and to collect more data on emotions I don't understand.
Once the penalty is decided, the game between the three proceeds smoothly.
After a heated match, Hashimoto ends up in last place.
Afterward, Hashimoto reveals his own romantic secret, and the room becomes even more lively.
We added more members and proceeded to the second round.
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Hi guys, I just wanted to let you know that the rewrite for the Supreme Overlord project is officially ongoing now. If you want to read it, feel free to check out my second account.
Since this account got shadowbanned and I can't really interact with anything anymore, I decided to upload it on my second account instead: Elenea. (I'll leave a comment under this post so it's easier for you guys to find my second account.)
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[Father of the Evil Gods]
Synopsis:
In Zoroastrianism, the Mother of the Evil Gods is the source of all sin and darkness!
It is said that she created the Six Archdemons: Malice, Chaos, Aging, Betrayal, Weakness, and Destruction!
After obtaining the Authority of the Mother of the Evil Gods in the Little Garden, Saigou became the Supreme Being in the world of Overlord;
Surrounded by the Overlord, the Witch of the Void, the Archon of Teyvat, the Sage of Gensokyo, the Satan of DxD, and the Creator of the Demon Pillars;
Saigou was certain that he had firmly established his name as the Evil God;
And so, he must shout at the top of his lungs - God is dead!
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If you're curious and want to read it, feel free to check out my second account.