In Class D, the assessment process was relatively simple, but progress was unusually slow.
Students had to clearly tell the teachers what their abilities were, and the teachers would use the information the school had gathered to determine whether the students knew the truth.
However, many students in Class D knew very little about their abilities, yet treated them as secrets they were unwilling to reveal. Even when Chabashira warned them that they would be expelled if they failed the assessment, they still refused to change their minds or cooperate.
Horikita Suzune, Kouenji, Sudo, and Hirata were among the few students who had already reported their abilities to the teachers and passed the assessment.
Hirata Yosuke took the most direct approach. He told the entire class what his ability was, then used it to control the class, hoping to maintain peace.
His ability created a sphere of peace around him. Within that sphere, the people he designated could not come into conflict with one another. The more people he designated, the greater the mental strain on him. Even so, he stubbornly kept the entire class under its effect, much to Sudo's frustration.
However, Hirata soon realized that while his ability could maintain peace on the surface, it couldn't truly bring out his classmates' sincere feelings.
His control could make people obey outwardly, but it couldn't change what they really thought.
If they didn't want to reveal their abilities, there was nothing he could do about it, and that left him feeling rather frustrated.
Horikita Suzune and Kouenji, meanwhile, simply went straight to the teachers and told them what their abilities were, without revealing anything to their classmates.
Sudo's ability was even more straightforward: his Flame Ability was no secret in the class.
The slow progress of Class D's assessment left the homeroom teacher and the other teachers confused. They tried to encourage the students to be more open about their abilities so they could better understand and guide them. However, the students in Class D seemed more inclined to keep quiet, uncertain and afraid of their own abilities.
This situation created an atmosphere of tension and distrust in Class D. The students were suspicious of one another. Everyone was trying to uncover other people's secrets while protecting their own. This atmosphere was bad for the class's unity and cooperation, and it made the assessment even more difficult.
The atmosphere in Class D's classroom was tense, like a taut string that could snap at any moment.
Sudo stood in the middle of the classroom, anger written all over his face. His fists were clenched, and the muscles in his arms were taut with rage.
His voice boomed through the classroom like thunder. "Wouldn't it be better if everyone just revealed their abilities and got the assessment over with? Why does everyone have to be so secretive?"
His gaze swept across every student, sharp as a blade. But because of Hirata's ability, he couldn't take out his anger on them directly.
Ike and Yamauchi, standing beside him, looked at Hirata with gratitude. They knew Hirata's ability was the only thing keeping them safe from Sudo's violence.
Kushida Kikyo should have chimed in, but unfortunately, she had secretly tried to fool the teacher yesterday with a false impression of her ability, and the teacher hadn't accepted it.
Luckily, the teacher hadn't reported what happened. Otherwise, she would be in a difficult spot now.
As for simply telling the teacher the truth since the teacher already knew, she would never do that unless she had no other choice. She didn't trust anyone.
"Hey, Sudo, what do you think you're doing?" Karizawa Kei's voice was clearly annoyed and challenging. "It's our choice whether we tell anyone or not. What gives you the right to boss us around and threaten us?"
There wasn't a trace of fear in her tone, only a fiery defiance that refused to be trampled on.
Hirata Yosuke tried to play peacemaker. He stood up and attempted to calm them both down. "Everyone, please calm down. We can talk this through. There's no need to get so worked up."
Unfortunately, no one listened to him. Sudo's anger, Kushida's worry, Karizawa's provocation, and the other students' silence formed a scene ready to erupt into conflict.
Hirata's voice sounded weak amid the chaos, and his efforts seemed unable to settle the dispute.
The atmosphere in the classroom grew more and more tense. Every student had their own concerns and secrets,
and their eyes were full of distrust and wariness. They distrusted not only their classmates, but also their teachers.
The tension in Class D's classroom was almost tangible.
Horikita Suzune sat at her desk, a coldness in her expression as if the chaos around her had nothing to do with her. She openly looked down on the classmates who refused to reveal their abilities, considering their secrecy foolish and pointless.
In her view, if these people weren't willing to cooperate, then perhaps it would be better to let the school give up on them.
Chabashira's threat was no more than background noise to her. She even seemed resigned to the worst, as though she had already prepared herself for it.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka quietly observed the mood in the class. At last, his gaze settled on Horikita Suzune's cold profile. He realized it was time to take action.
His eyes lingered on her profile for a moment before he spoke softly, his voice low and mysterious. "Horikita, I... I think I might have a special ability."
Horikita turned to him, curiosity and disdain in her eyes. "Oh? Is that so? What can you do?"
Ayanokoji lowered his head slightly, his voice dropping even further. "I... I think I can create illusions for other people. Like this—"
Before he finished speaking, a subtle Mental Fluctuation emanated from him, attempting to plant a blurry image in Horikita's mind.
Horikita's brows lifted slightly. She sensed the Mental Fluctuation, and a sharp glint flashed in her eyes. Her mental field activated at once, like an invisible net catching the illusion trying to seep into her mind.
Her mind remained perfectly clear. Any outside interference was powerless against her.
Ayanokoji's ability quietly unfolded, attempting to plant a blurry image in Horikita's mind. But her mental field was as unyielding as a rock. The illusion brushed lightly against the edge of her consciousness, only to be mercilessly repelled.
A confident smile tugged at Horikita's lips, and her eyes seemed to say, "I saw through you long ago." "Your ability is Mind Illusion Creation, right?"
A flash of delight crossed Ayanokoji's eyes. He pretended to be thrilled that Horikita had identified his ability, looking at her in surprise. "Wow, how did you know? You're amazing!"
His performance was natural and convincing, and Horikita didn't suspect a thing.
Ayanokoji immediately stood up and walked over to Chabashira. He quietly told her, "Teacher, I think I've found my ability. I can create illusions for other people."
Chabashira looked at Ayanokoji, her gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny.
But after hearing his description and watching his "performance," she quickly nodded in approval. "Good, Ayanokoji. Your ability has been verified."
A low murmur of discussion rose in the classroom. Ayanokoji returned to his seat, a satisfied smile on his face.
He had accomplished his goal. By deliberately misleading Horikita Suzune, he had made her "see through" his ability, while naturally passing himself off as a rookie who had only just discovered his power. It had all gone according to plan.