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

With Kijima Tsukur's ability, joining the Student Council is clearly more than enough, right?

On the other side.

Katsuragi and Ichinose are also looking somewhat grave.

They hadn't considered this direction before, but now they have to admit that Kijima Tsukur's analysis makes a lot of sense.

Most people choose to leave their parents for three years to attend this school because they are drawn to the Advanced Nurturing High School's promise of free tuition, free living expenses, and the freedom to choose their own career path.

Only the opportunity for free career choice can truly motivate everyone to compete.

Of course, everyone's reason for enrolling might be different; there might be a few odd reasons, but those are naturally outside the scope of consideration.

Only a small number of people possess the opportunity for free career choice.

Furthermore, this small group is likely organized by class, meaning only those who graduate from Class A possess the opportunity for free career choice.

It is not difficult to judge this point.

Yesterday at Keyaki Mall, one could clearly feel the seniors' differential treatment toward different classes.

Kijima Tsukur hasn't interacted much with others over these past two days, yet they are very clear about it.

Thinking of this, Katsuragi's mindset toward Ichinose Honami beside him changes instantly, shifting from unguarded friendliness to wariness.

There was no conflict of interest before, but now it has directly turned into a competitive relationship.

This shift in mindset is also inevitable.

More importantly, once it is determined that future competition will be based on class units, selecting a class leader becomes a necessity.

After all.

Fighting alone is no match for an entire class.

Only an excellent leader can consolidate the strength of a class!

Katsuragi Kohei cannot help but frown.

Originally, he definitely wanted to be the leader of Class A; after all, the title of Class A leader at Advanced Nurturing High School would certainly add a touch of brilliance to his resume.

Moreover, he has the ability, the popularity, the means, and leadership experience, making him the undisputed choice for a leader.

However, Katsuragi Kohei glances at Kijima Tsukur without leaving a trace.

Based on his performance over these two days, Katsuragi Kohei can also judge that Kijima Tsukur's ability is indeed a bit stronger than his own.

If there were a better candidate for leader, Katsuragi Kohei wouldn't mind stepping back to act as an assistant to support Kijima Tsukur.

The problem is...

Kijima Tsukur is too strange; from the very beginning, he stated that everyone in Class A is his subordinate, which is truly too maverick.

Can he really lead everyone to graduate from Class A?

But only graduating from Class A grants the opportunity for free career choice, which undoubtedly concerns the lives of everyone in Class A!

Considering this point, Katsuragi Kohei is willing to make concessions!

Katsuragi Kohei still decides to observe for the time being; everything depends on Kijima Tsukur's policies and character.

If Kijima Tsukur cares for his companions and has the intention to lead the class to graduate from Class A, he wouldn't mind becoming Kijima Tsukur's subordinate.

If Kijima Tsukur is the type of person who would sacrifice his companions to seek maximum benefit for himself, he wouldn't mind standing on the opposite side of Kijima Tsukur!

"Clap, clap, clap."

At this moment, Nagumo Miyabi, having finished listening to his analysis, claps his hands:

"A nice deduction, you're already getting close to the truth. However, this isn't actually of much use to your Class A and Class B; you'll naturally know the truth next month."

"..."

Katsuragi and the others frown; this way of answering is actually quite cunning.

Nagumo Miyabi didn't answer the question, yet revealed that they would know the truth next month, which counts as tacitly admitting that this is indeed an exam.

It is equivalent to hinting that, If you want to get the answer, you need to pay some chips.

But on the other hand, he tells them that this answer isn't of much use to their Class A and Class B, so even if they lose out, they can't blame Nagumo Miyabi.

But this way of whetting one's appetite is truly maddening; what if this really affects the status of Class A?

Judging from Nagumo Miyabi's performance just now, He clearly isn't lacking in points, so this "chip" might not necessarily refer to points, or perhaps it's just some insignificant cost.

Should they pay the price to seek the answer or not?

Could it be that he isn't worried about them going to Horikita Manabu or other upperclassmen to seek the answer?

Hmm?

Or perhaps all of this was actually within the expectations of Nagumo Miyabi?

Was this just a choice Nagumo Miyabi had laid out for them?

Should they spend points to trade with the upperclassmen for this dispensable answer?

Or should they pay a trivial price to seek the answer from Nagumo Miyabi himself?

Nagumo Miyabi was, in fact, setting a hook for them.

Thinking of this.

Katsuragi and Ichinose could not help but turn solemn.

If this were truly the case, then this vice president was somewhat terrifying.

If it were as Horikita Manabu had said, that the Student Council only welcomed those who truly possessed strength, then this Nagumo Miyabi, who appeared as gentle as a spring breeze, might not be as simple as he looked on the surface.

Just then, a light chuckle from the side once again drew everyone's attention.

Chapter 17: To See Me Is to See God!

"Heh."

Kijima Tsukur leaned back in his chair, looking at Nagumo Miyabi with a rare smile.

"This is the first time I've been looked down upon like this; it's a truly strange feeling. Nagumo Miyabi, you appear considerate like a thoughtful senior, but in reality, you are arrogant at heart, completely looking down on everyone around you."

Mm-hmm.

Yamamura Miki nodded to herself as she listened.

That was exactly right; she had the same feeling. Although Nagumo Miyabi seemed easy to talk to, she always felt that he didn't take any of them to heart.

Katsuragi and Ichinose, on the other hand, frowned. In their eyes, Nagumo Miyabi was nothing but a considerate senior.

Most importantly...

Nagumo Miyabi hadn't offended them, had he?

On the contrary, he had been answering their questions within the limits of what was permitted. To judge someone so rashly was truly inappropriate.

"You and that Kiriyama both serve as Student Council vice presidents."

Kijima Tsukur didn't care at all about what the people around him thought, looking at Nagumo Miyabi with a hint of amusement:

"However, your status is clearly above his. This Vice President Kiriyama hasn't dared to utter a single word, yet you dare to speak at length."

"On the home turf of the Student Council, you dare to speak recklessly without the permission of the student council president. This is clearly an act of overstepping the authority of the student council president."

"Unlike the respect in the eyes of that Tachibana Akane, this is clearly a provocative act."

Yes, yes.

Tachibana Akane nodded earnestly, her opinion of Kijima Tsukur improving significantly all of a sudden.

This Nagumo Miyabi was just too excessive. He didn't respect President Horikita as a senior at all, and he went against President Horikita at every turn. It was simply outrageous.

"Just now, when you called President Horikita the strongest in history, neither Vice President Kiriyama nor Tachibana Akane showed any reaction."

Kijima Tsukur stood up and walked to Nagumo Miyabi's desk, pressing his hands on the table and looking down at the guy in front of him with a playful expression:

"Clearly, that wasn't flattery on your part, but the truth."

"Yet, that President Horikita, whom you called the strongest in history, didn't stop you. This shows that you also possess considerable strength, enough to make that Horikita Manabu feel troubled."

"But even Vice President Kiriyama next to you turns a blind eye to your overstepping behavior. This is a bit subtle."

"According to the previous deduction, Class A and Class B should be in a competitive relationship."

"A vice president from Class 2-B should naturally be an ally of President Horikita. The fact that he remains silent can only mean that you hold considerable prestige in the second year."

"You may have even achieved a significant advantage in the second year, causing that Vice President Kiriyama to lose his will to fight entirely. Only this can explain his behavior."

"Clap, clap, clap."

Hearing this, Nagumo Miyabi clapped his hands, looking like a superior, and smiled with an expression of admiration:

"Excellent observation and reasoning skills. I have indeed achieved an advantage in the second year that other classes find difficult to recover from. Kijima-kun is truly outstanding. It would be even better if you knew how to show a little respect to your seniors."

As soon as these words were spoken.

Vice President Kiriyama and Tachibana Akane both wore complex expressions.

Even if they detested Nagumo Miyabi, they had to admit his strength. No matter how far Kijima Tsukur could deduce, Nagumo Miyabi always maintained the composure of a superior.

"Heh..."

Kijima Tsukur smiled indifferently:

"However, there is one more unreasonable point. If that Horikita Manabu is truly as outstanding as you say, he should have crushed you long ago, or at the very least, been your enemy."

"There are two third-years and two second-years present. Unless that Tachibana Akane is actually your person, there is no reason for things to be this calm right now."

"It seems your relationship with Student Council President Horikita isn't purely hostile, but rather something akin to rivals and friends?"

"It is precisely because he acknowledges your strength that President Horikita tolerates your provocations, isn't it?"

"And then?"

Nagumo Miyabi found this somewhat interesting, curious to see what kind of conclusion Kijima Tsukur could deduce.

"But that is merely tolerance, not a response."

Kijima Tsukur pulled out a chair and sat down in front of Nagumo Miyabi, looking somewhat playful:

"You are acting as if you are using these provocations to look forward to a response from him. On the surface, you are answering our questions, but in reality, the target of your conversation has always been President Horikita."

"That line, 'If it were just me, the outcome might have been different,' was indeed your subconscious thought, but the person you were communicating with wasn't me—it was President Horikita!"

Kijima Tsukur said with profound meaning:

"It's as if you were saying, 'This is the person you chose, isn't it?' You two aren't just simple enemies; there is some sort of difference in your philosophies. Perhaps the power of the Student Council is even greater than I imagined?"

Hearing this, Katsuragi and Ichinose swayed involuntarily.

They felt a wave of dizziness in their minds.

They could only vaguely sense that Horikita Manabu and Nagumo Miyabi might not have a good relationship, or that there was some kind of power struggle between them.

Yet, while they were still focused on school rules, Kijima Tsukur had already analyzed the landscape and interpersonal networks of the upperclassmen based on the situation before them, even guessing the root of the conflict between Horikita Manabu and Nagumo Miyabi. Their relationship was not as simple as a mere struggle.

And all of this was accomplished in less than twenty minutes.

Admittedly, this wasn't earth-shattering intelligence; one could likely find it out quickly by asking around among the upperclassmen.

But this was enough to demonstrate the terrifying nature of Kijima Tsukur.