Classroom of the Elite, It's Not About Meritocracy, It's About Me Ruling the World!

However... Horikita Manabu felt a hint of hesitation.

His conflict with Nagumo Miyabi was merely a clash of ideals, lacking any deep-seated animosity.

Yet, Kijima Tsukur's strength was truly overwhelming; he had no doubt that the man before him could easily crush Nagumo Miyabi if he so desired.

On the other hand, Kijima Tsukur could just as easily crush him.

So, what was Kijima Tsukur's objective, and what were his ideals?

Inviting him into the Student Council would undoubtedly be inviting a wolf into the fold. Horikita Manabu made an instant decision: he had to be far more cautious when dealing with Kijima Tsukur!

"Is that so?"

Nagumo Miyabi narrowed his eyes, though he found it difficult to say anything more.

He could roughly guess that Horikita Manabu might possess some special ability to gauge a person's strength, and this was the first time he had ever seen Horikita Manabu lose his composure like this.

Just what kind of person could make Horikita Manabu act so out of character?

Thinking of this, Nagumo Miyabi also turned his gaze toward the first-years.

Yamamura Miki unfolded a folding chair, placed it beside Ichinose Honami, and then quietly hid behind her.

Kijima Tsukur sat on the chair without a shred of hesitation.

He crossed his legs, rested his hands on his knees, and stared at the group, acting as if he were in his own home.

Ichinose Honami and Katsuragi Kohei were stunned; weren't they here to apply for the Student Council? Why was this guy acting so casual?

"You..."

Behind the desk, Tachibana Akane glared at him fiercely.

She had clearly told them to mind their manners earlier, yet he was being so brazen—and he had even brought his own chair?

It was clear he didn't hold the Student Council in any regard. Tachibana Akane's soft, moist eyes glared at Kijima Tsukur as she scolded him in a sharp voice:

"You are in the presence of President Horikita. Mind your attitude."

"It is fine."

Horikita Manabu's expression was graver than ever. Since he did not yet understand Kijima Tsukur's situation, he had to maintain the utmost vigilance. He said in a deep voice:

"I don't believe I saw the two of you in the gymnasium earlier, so allow me to introduce us again. I am the Student Council President, Horikita Manabu of Class 3-A. Beside me is Vice President Nagumo Miyabi of Class 2-A, Vice President Kiriyama of Class 2-B, and Secretary Tachibana Akane of Class 3-A."

The man identified as Vice President Kiriyama nodded steadily, while Tachibana Akane continued to glare at Kijima Tsukur, the man who dared to be disrespectful to Horikita Manabu.

Only the blond-haired man sitting to the side flashed a bright smile and raised his hand in greeting:

"Hello there. I'm Nagumo Miyabi from Class 2-A. Rather than Vice President, I'd prefer it if you called me Senior Nagumo; it sounds a bit more intimate."

With that one sentence, Katsuragi and Ichinose Honami relaxed significantly.

Horikita Manabu was simply too cold and imposing, making him feel unapproachable, whereas Nagumo Miyabi seemed very easy to talk to.

"I didn't expect four people to want to join the Student Council this year."

Nagumo Miyabi looked back at Horikita Manabu and smiled. "That's great, President Horikita. This way, things will be a lot easier for us."

As soon as these words were spoken, Ichinose Honami and Katsuragi relaxed even further.

What Horikita Manabu had said in the gymnasium earlier was truly intimidating, but hearing Nagumo Miyabi say this now, joining the Student Council didn't seem so difficult after all.

"The Student Council only welcomes those who possess the necessary strength."

Horikita Manabu glanced at Ichinose and the others. Having seen them so easily deceived by Nagumo Miyabi's facade, Horikita Manabu had already mentally disqualified them both.

Nevertheless, he said in a deep voice:

"Regardless of your reasons for coming to the Student Council, introduce yourselves first."

The group exchanged glances, and finally, Katsuragi stepped forward, his voice steady.

"Greetings, seniors. I am a first-year student, Katsuragi Kohei of Class 1-A. I served as class representative and student council president during middle school. I hope to become a member of the Student Council in high school, receive your guidance, and contribute to the Advanced Nurturing High School so that my fellow students can enjoy a better campus life."

Clap, clap, clap.

Nagumo Miyabi clapped his hands, wearing a bright smile as he said:

"I didn't expect such an excellent first-year student like Katsuragi-kun this year. I, for one, look forward to you joining the Student Council. However, the Student Council at our school is entirely under the authority of the Student Council President, so the final result depends on President Horikita."

"Thank you for the advice, Senior Nagumo. Regardless of whether I can join the Student Council, I am willing to contribute to the school."

Katsuragi Kohei bowed slightly and stepped back, his demeanor as steady as ever.

Horikita Manabu hadn't spared him a second glance from start to finish, saying coldly:

"Next."

"Yes!"

Ichinose Honami stepped forward, her right hand pressed against her heaving chest, her energetic and pretty face instantly filling the room with vitality:

"Nice to meet you. I am a first-year student, Ichinose Honami of Class 1-B. I have experience as a class representative and as a first-year student council president. Although I couldn't continue in the role of president during my third year of middle school for certain reasons, causing everyone a lot of trouble, I deeply apologize for that."

"However, I still hope to join the Student Council and become a member. Beyond the small wish to make up for my past mistakes, I hope even more to contribute my strength and bring a happy school life to everyone."

Having finished speaking.

Ichinose Honami met everyone's scrutiny with frankness.

Compared to Katsuragi, her resume was not exactly outstanding.

Depending on one's perspective, the fact that she couldn't continue as president could even be considered a stain; at the very least, it suggested she had some shortcomings.

Therefore, Ichinose Honami hoped to win them over with sincerity, which could be considered one of her strengths.

However.

Horikita Manabu was well aware that this strength would only make things worse when facing Nagumo Miyabi, and that he absolutely could not let Ichinose Honami join the Student Council.

"Next!"

Ichinose Honami stepped back, though she didn't look disappointed.

After all, the student council president didn't seem to intend on giving an answer on the spot, likely out of consideration for their dignity.

Whether she could join the Student Council remained uncertain.

For a moment.

Everyone's gaze involuntarily fell upon Kijima Tsukur, and Nagumo Miyabi also narrowed his eyes with a smile.

Based on his observations just now.

Although Katsuragi Kohei and Ichinose Honami were both quite excellent, it was impossible for them to be so outstanding that they would make Horikita Manabu lose his composure.

Therefore.

The one who made Horikita Manabu lose his composure must be the Kijima Tsukur standing before them.

He would let him take a good look: what merits did this guy have, and was he excellent enough to be worth his attention?

Behind them.

Yamamura Miki finally let out a sigh of relief.

When she first walked through the door, Horikita Manabu and Nagumo Miyabi had actually noticed her.

It had truly made Yamamura Miki tremble with fear, worried that she would be called upon to introduce herself.

But looking at it now...

Yamamura Miki secretly gave herself a gesture.

Yay~

I was forgotten again!

Chapter 15: The Strongest Man in History!

"Kijima Tsukur."

Kijima Tsukur leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, and asked:

"I didn't expect the Student Council to be unexpectedly tolerant. You aren't the least bit dissatisfied with such rude behavior from me. Is it because of what the teachers said, that 'this school measures students by ability'?"

"That's right, the Advanced Nurturing High School emphasizes ability above all else."

The first to answer was still Nagumo Miyabi. He also leaned back in his chair and smiled:

"Those who possess ability naturally have certain privileges. Actually, Ichinose and Katsuragi, you don't need to be so restrained; feel free to sit down."

"This..."

Ichinose and Katsuragi exchanged a glance.

Both of them still hoped to leave a good impression on their seniors, so they politely declined, feeling even more curious that Kijima Tsukur had no intention of introducing himself at all.

"I see."

Kijima Tsukur naturally realized that it was easier to get answers from Nagumo Miyabi. He pointed his right finger at the ceiling and said:

"Is there a salary for joining the Student Council? Or rather, how many points can one get each month?"

Hm?

Ichinose and Katsuragi were slightly stunned; they hadn't considered this question at all.

The two looked at Kijima Tsukur beside them with some surprise, then looked toward Horikita Manabu and the others, waiting for their reply.

"Well, there actually is, you know."

Nagumo Miyabi leaned back in his chair, nodded quite candidly, and smiled:

"The Student Council President gets 20,000 points a month, the Vice President 15,000, the Secretary and Treasurer 10,000, and General Affairs 5,000. Currently, the Student Council only has vacancies for Secretary and General Affairs, so at most, only two of you can join."

"However, you don't need to worry. Personally, I think all of you are talented enough to join the Student Council. Once the third-years graduate in the second half of the year, two more spots will open up, so it won't be too late to join then."

Ichinose Honami and Katsuragi were stunned for a moment.

More than the fact that only two people could join the Student Council, the two were clearly more surprised that there was actually a salary involved, and that Nagumo Miyabi had actually answered the question.

"No need to be so surprised; other clubs are the same."

Nagumo Miyabi noticed the look of surprise on their faces and laughed.

"If you join a club, you'll find out that as long as you become an official member, you get point rewards, though it's not like the Student Council where everyone gets them."

Clearly.

The school was using points to encourage students to participate in campus activities.

Katsuragi frowned.

He didn't quite believe that there was such a thing as a free lunch in this world.

Ichinose, on the other hand, was somewhat delighted. As long as she put in the effort, she would be rewarded; she really liked this style of education.

"Alright, that's all I'll tell you."

Nagumo Miyabi turned his head to look at Kijima Tsukur and smiled.

"Although the school emphasizes meritocracy and I personally support the strong having certain privileges, you have to prove that you are indeed strong first. If you want to join the Student Council, you at least need to introduce yourself, right? A name alone won't get you accepted by us, Kijima-kun?"

"Is that so?"

Kijima Tsukur didn't care about the other party's words at all and proceeded at his own pace.

"Then let me ask one more question: how many points does it take to buy the position of Student Council Secretary?"

Hm?