They quickly walked back to the pool while chatting, only to find Ryuen Kakeru still standing there. Unlike before, though, he now had two people beside him: a Green-haired youth and a Silver-haired girl. The Silver-haired girl was even holding a book, which looked especially out of place in a swimming pool.
Itozawa's brow furrowed slightly, his mind full of questions. If he'd only been suspicious before, now he was almost certain that every member of Class C was taking part in this exam. Ishizaki's presence here might have been normal, but Shiina going out of her way to bring a book to the pool was highly unusual.
Itozawa's thoughts swirled. He knew that Ishizaki and Shiina in the Original Work had no supernatural abilities, but the situation now forced him to reconsider. What struck him as strange wasn't that Shiina was carrying a book, but that her behavior was completely at odds with her personality and habits. Could Shiina's ability have something to do with the book? The thought flashed through Itozawa's mind.
He decided to set his doubts aside for the moment and observe the situation first. Itozawa said to the classmates beside him, "Looks like Class C is preparing for the assessment too. Maybe we can watch what they do and find out something."
The students of Class B nodded, then began quietly observing Ishizaki and Shiina. Ishizaki seemed to be discussing something with Ryuen Kakeru, while Shiina stood quietly to one side, her eyes occasionally scanning the pages of her book as if searching for something.
Itozawa noticed that whenever Shiina turned a page, the air around them seemed to shift ever so slightly. His thoughts stirred. Could this book be more than just a book—an ability item that could affect its surroundings?
He decided to keep watching, while also looking for a way to learn more about Class C. Itozawa knew that this assessment wasn't just a simple test; it was a contest of abilities, intelligence, and strategy. He had to stay alert and make the most of every piece of information and every resource available.
Under Itozawa's lead, the students of Class B began a silent game of observation and deduction. They knew the outcome of the assessment might hinge on these details. Itozawa, meanwhile, silently recorded everything he observed, ready to piece the clues together when the time was right.
Ryuen Kakeru's gaze swept over the students of Class B before finally settling on Itozawa. A provocative smile curled his lips as he strode toward Itozawa, clearly intending to pick up where they'd left off and pass the time with a fight.
"Itozawa, how about another round?" Ryuen Kakeru's voice carried an unmistakable challenge. "Waiting around here is so boring."
Itozawa had no desire to fight Ryuen Kakeru for no reason. A sly look flashed in his eyes as he proposed an alternative. "Ryuen Kakeru, how about we see which class finishes the assessment first?"
From what Ryuen Kakeru had said earlier, Itozawa knew that Class C's assessment involved defeating the Water People created by Teacher Yasuda, and that they were formidable fighters. Itozawa wondered how Shiina had defeated a Water Person so quickly, but he didn't ask outright.
Ryuen Kakeru scoffed at the proposal. He didn't have much confidence in the other members of Class C, and this kind of contest still meant he'd have to wait around here, bored. Seeing Ryuen Kakeru hesitate, Itozawa decided to provoke him into agreeing.
"Ryuen Kakeru, are you scared?" Itozawa taunted deliberately. "If you don't even have that much confidence, how can you lead Class C? Or do you think everyone in Class C is trash?"
Ishizaki, standing nearby, reacted fiercely. His eyes were practically blazing, and his clenched fists revealed his anger.
"Ryuen Kakeru, let's accept the challenge!" Ishizaki shouted, his voice echoing through the pool. "There's no way Class C could lose to Class B!"
But just as Ishizaki was about to voice his anger and resolve further, Ryuen Kakeru's gaze suddenly sharpened. He turned to face Ishizaki, his cool, piercing stare radiating unquestionable authority. Ryuen Kakeru's lips pressed into a tight line. There was no hint of humor in his eyes—only sternness and warning.
"Shut up, Ishizaki." Ryuen Kakeru's voice was low and forceful, each word a command that allowed no argument.
Ishizaki stiffened, his movement coming to an abrupt halt at Ryuen Kakeru's command. His anger seemed powerless before Ryuen Kakeru's authority, like a flame doused by a bucket of cold water. Ishizaki slowly unclenched his fists, a flash of reluctance crossing his eyes, but he knew Ryuen Kakeru's decision couldn't be questioned.
Ryuen Kakeru turned back to face Itozawa, his eyes carrying a hint of contempt. His gaze was cool and sharp, as if he could see right through Itozawa. He spoke casually, his voice tinged with amusement. "Itozawa, do you really think that trick will work on me? I'm not the sort of person who falls for taunts so easily."
Itozawa's brows drew together slightly at those words. He really was at a loss. He didn't want to get into a fight with Ryuen Kakeru here, but he couldn't seem to find a good reason to avoid one either. His mind raced as he tried to figure out how to deftly sidestep this unnecessary fight.
Just then, a shimmering teleportation array appeared in the pool.
A figure gradually emerged from the light. It was Ibuki. She appeared with an angry, storming presence.
The light of the teleportation array swirled around her, then slowly faded, leaving calm in its wake as if after a whirlwind.
Ibuki's sudden arrival made Itozawa's eyes light up. He knew this unexpected turn might change the situation.
He noticed the fighting spirit in Ibuki's expression. She had clearly heard their earlier conversation and was ready to act.
Seeing how angry she was, Itozawa secretly felt relieved. He knew the fight could now be avoided.
Shiina glanced over as light shimmered in the teleportation array. The instant she saw who was inside, her pupils contracted, and a sudden sense of foreboding welled up inside her.
"Ryuen Kakeru, stop her!" Shiina's voice was urgent and clear, breaking the silence she'd maintained until then.
She knew how impulsive and hot-tempered Ibuki was, and that once provoked, Ibuki would charge forward without hesitation.
Shiina's silver hair swayed as she turned in a rush. Her gaze locked on Ibuki, hoping Ryuen Kakeru would act in time.
Unfortunately, she'd realized too late. Ibuki's arrival through the teleportation array had been quiet, so Shiina hadn't known that people could be heard from inside it.
By the time she warned Ryuen Kakeru, Ibuki's words had already bolted like a wild horse, impossible to call back.
"What do you mean, we wouldn't accept?" Ibuki's voice rang through the pool. Her blue hair streamed behind her as she moved, fury blazing in her eyes like a roaring fire.
Shiina's heart sank. She knew it was already too late.
Ibuki pitched her body forward and whipped out her right leg like a steel whip, the kick slicing through the air toward Itozawa's flank. If it landed, even an experienced fighter would struggle to take it.
Shiina's fingers tightened around the book until her knuckles turned white with tension. Her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, all that came out was a helpless sigh.
Itozawa stood still, his gaze calm, as if he had already anticipated Ibuki's attack. Just as her leg was about to reach him, he shifted slightly to the side and easily dodged the kick.
Then his right hand darted out and caught Ibuki's ankle, while his left hand lightly supported her knee, bringing her attack completely under control.
Ibuki's attack was completely blocked. Momentum tipped her body forward, but Itozawa controlled his strength and balance just right, preventing her from losing her footing or continuing the attack. His arms were as steady as steel, holding Ibuki Mio's leg firmly in the air so she couldn't move it any farther.
Itozawa met Ibuki Mio's eyes calmly, his voice steady and firm. "Ibuki, you shouldn't be directing your anger at me."
A flash of surprise crossed Ibuki Mio's face. She hadn't expected her attack to be neutralized so easily. Itozawa held her leg firmly, leaving her unable to put any more force behind it. She tried to pull it back, but his strength made it hard to break free.
"Let go of me!" Ibuki Mio shouted, twisting her body in an attempt to find a way out.
Watching Ibuki charge in and get caught, Ryuen Kakeru could only shake his head helplessly.
What an idiot Ibuki was. She'd already agreed to the challenge; even if he was furious, he had no choice but to agree too.
He said to Itozawa, "Fine, Itozawa. We'll do it your way. Can you let her go now?"
Itozawa nodded and said calmly, "Then it's settled, Ryuen Kakeru. As for the terms of the bet, we'll decide them after we win."
Then he slowly released Ibuki's ankle and stepped back, giving her enough room.
Ibuki Mio regained her footing. Anger still burned in her eyes, but her earlier aggression had faded.
"Fine, Itozawa. You win this time." Ibuki Mio's voice carried a hint of reluctant acknowledgment. "But Class C won't lose."
Before you continue