School cafeterias were the same in every world—packed to the brim.
Since they had arrived early, Fang Zheng and the other two had managed to find a decent spot. After ordering their meals, they sat down to eat. At the same time, Chiba Erika eagerly started chatting.
"Come to think of it, we still haven't thanked you, Kasugano. After your speech that day, the First Course Students' attitude changed quite a lot."
"Y-Yes."
Shibata Mizuki nodded as well.
"To be honest, having to endure the First Course Students' sarcastic remarks every day was really unpleasant... But things are much better now. We can finally study in a relaxed environment..."
"I only said what I wanted to say."
Fang Zheng shrugged, looking perfectly calm.
"And I'm not some egalitarian. In fact, I believe in meritocracy."
"Huh? Really?"
"Of course. What I said before wasn't that First Course Students should treat Second Course Students equally. The world itself isn't equal. First Course Students do indeed have greater innate advantages than Second Course Students. That's an objective fact and cannot be changed. But humans don't simply give up because something can't be changed. By that logic, humans are weaker than elephants, slower than cheetahs, and have worse eyesight than eagles. Yet we still became the rulers of this world. The reason is... here."
Fang Zheng pointed at his head.
"Intelligence. Competition. If our ancestors had simply raised their hands and surrendered because they were inferior to other animals, humanity would never have become the rulers of this world. For all we know, we might still be like apes that hadn't shed their fur, locked in cages and admired by some other intelligent species."
"I really can't imagine that future."
Chiba Erika shook her head, while Fang Zheng chuckled.
"So it depends on whether