August 7, evening, just before nightfall.
The Luxury Cruise Ship journey was only halfway over.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka entered the Opera House built into the aft section of the cruise ship.
The Class D homeroom teacher, Chabashira Sae, had already been waiting there for quite some time.
"Honestly, I'm surprised. Even after you stepped in, this was all you managed?" Chabashira said coldly.
Ayanokoji's expression didn't change. "If this exam has made you fully understand that I'm lacking in ability, then that's enough."
"This is some personal advice: Class D won't make it to Class A this year. Your wish will probably go unfulfilled."
He added, "But that's all right. You're a teacher, after all. You can still wait for another chance in the next three years."
Chabashira scoffed at first, then her laughter gradually grew louder.
After laughing heartily, she returned to her usual expression. "I saw everything you did during the exam."
"In fact, without you stepping in, the other three classes would have scored over a thousand points after this exam, while Class D wouldn't even have earned a tenth of that."
In reality, things were already much the same.
The gap between Class D and the other classes was over six hundred points, a figure that was utterly despair-inducing.
Ayanokoji didn't look at her, keeping his gaze fixed straight ahead. "Unless you have further evidence that the man wants me expelled, please don't disturb my free life in Class D again."
With that, Ayanokoji turned and left.
"Wait!" Chabashira called out urgently, trying to stop him.
"Is there something else, teacher?"
"You've probably heard the story of Icarus, haven't you?"
Chabashira stated firmly, "There's no such thing as freedom! Is this the kind of school life you want?"
For the first time, Ayanokoji glanced at her, his