Ishizaki's Provocation

Yuefeng knew he had to leave immediately—and faster and quieter than them. If he got cornered near the warehouse, the consequences would be unimaginable.

He stopped hesitating and slid off the wooden crate like a leaf, landing without a sound. Then, hunched over, he used the shadows of the warehouse walls and abandoned pipes to head back the way he had come at top speed.

He stealthily made his way toward the training grounds behind the Gymnasium. The terrain there was complex and filled with obstacles, making it easier to hide and shake off pursuit.

His movements were swift yet cautious. The Slow Motion ability gave him extra awareness in the darkness, allowing him to avoid debris and anything that might make a sound in advance.

The wind concealed his faint footsteps.

Just as he was about to leave the warehouse grounds and enter the darker training field, he heard the warehouse's side door slam shut behind him, followed by Ishizaki's cursing voice. They were out!

Yuefeng did not look back. Instead, he sped up, and after a few agile bounds, vanished into the shadows of uneven training equipment and dense bushes like a ghost merging into the night.

He did not dare stop until he had made a wide detour and confirmed he was completely safe. Only then did he return to the area near Class C's dormitory building by another route.

He did not go upstairs right away. Instead, he found a secluded corner, leaned against the cold wall, and gasped for air as he calmed his racing heart and hands trembling slightly from tension.

He had succeeded. He had obtained irrefutable recordings of Ishizaki's extortion, and even his plans to use violence and frame others!

Under the moonlight, he took out his phone, its screen casting a faint glow in the darkness.

He lowered the volume and dragged the recording to the crucial section, confirming it once more—Ishizaki's coarse voice, arrogant words, and vicious plans all played back with absolute clarity.

Icy killing intent and blazing fury intertwined in his chest. Ishizaki had to pay the price.

Not only for himself, but also for Airi Sakura and Hiyori Shiina, whom Ishizaki might harm.

But how should he use this evidence?

Hand it directly to the school? Ishizaki and his two lackeys would certainly deny everything, perhaps even accuse him of fabricating the recording.

How would the school handle such a serious incident involving threats of violence and extortion?

And how would Ryuen react? Would he choose to shield Ishizaki to preserve Class C's "stability" and his own authority, perhaps even turn the accusations against him?

Give it to Ryuen? That would be no different from seeking a tiger's help. Ryuen would only use the evidence to further control Ishizaki—or turn around and use it to blackmail him.

Besides, given Ryuen's way of doing things, he would very likely suppress the matter and "deal with" Ishizaki in private for the sake of "class interests" and covering up the scandal.

But that would not solve the problem at its root. Ishizaki would remain a threat.

Or... use it to directly threaten Ishizaki, make him behave, or even force him out of Class C? The risks were just as great. If pushed too far, someone like Ishizaki might lash out desperately.

One option after another flashed through his mind, only to be quickly rejected.

Yuefeng felt troubled. He had evidence in hand, yet it was like holding a hot potato. He did not know how to use it to maximize the benefits while minimizing the risks.

He needed time. He needed to plan carefully.

After cautiously putting away his phone, Yuefeng gave the Old Gymnasium Warehouse one last look.

It had returned to deathly silence, as if nothing had happened there at all.

He turned and walked toward the brightly lit entrance of the dormitory building.

Over the next few days, Yuefeng behaved as if nothing had happened.

He still attended class on time, went to the library, and took part in research group activities.

Even when his gaze occasionally met Ishizaki's in the Class C classroom, he merely looked away calmly, as though that thrilling night at the warehouse had been nothing more than a dream.

But he alone knew that the phone in his pocket, and the recording file inside it, were like a burning coal, constantly reminding him of the power he possessed and the risks he bore.

He needed to wait for the perfect opportunity. Making the evidence public was too risky, while handing it to Ryuen or the school was beyond his control.

He needed a setting with only himself and Ishizaki, perhaps one or two "witnesses" at most.

A setting where Ishizaki could neither deny it nor immediately erupt into violence. A setting where he could calmly present the "evidence" and make Ishizaki face reality through strength.

That afternoon after school, Yuefeng left later than usual because he had to return several books on modern economic systems to the library. By the time he left, dusk was approaching.

As usual, he took the shortcut behind the old school building, which connected several narrow alleys. It was secluded and usually empty, but it saved quite a bit of time.

Just as he reached a fork in the road and prepared to turn into an even narrower alley flanked by high walls, three figures rounded the entrance ahead of him at the same time, blocking his path.

They were Ishizaki Daichi and his two inseparable lackeys.

The three of them clearly had not expected to run into Yuefeng here and were all briefly stunned.

The flesh on Ishizaki's face twitched. Surprise flashed through his eyes before being replaced by his usual ferocity and a trace of barely noticeable suspicion.

The alley was narrow, barely wide enough for two or three people to walk side by side. With no one around before or behind them, it was the perfect place to "settle private grudges."

"Yo, who did I think it was? Isn't this Class C's busy man, the research group's elite, Ayanokoji Yuefeng?

What, not with Lady Shiina today? Or did you go 'helping' some little cutie from Class D again?" Ishizaki was the first to react. He crossed his arms and blocked the alley entrance, a malicious grin spreading across his face.

The two lackeys snickered in cooperation, standing to the left and right as they subtly cut off Yuefeng's possible escape routes.

Yuefeng stopped and calmly swept his gaze across the three of them.

He showed no panic, not even a trace of tension. He simply watched Ishizaki quietly, and that look inexplicably made Ishizaki's skin crawl.

"Move, Ishizaki." Yuefeng's voice was not loud, but it rang unusually clearly through the narrow, silent alley.

"Move?" Ishizaki acted as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world. He stepped forward until he was nearly in Yuefeng's face, spittle almost spraying out as he said, "Does your family own this road? I'll stand wherever the hell I want!

But you, sneaking around this kind of back alley... did you do something you don't want people to know about, huh?"

As he spoke, he sized Yuefeng up and down with a provoking stare, trying to find some sign of fear on his face.

Yet Yuefeng merely frowned slightly and took half a step back to open up some distance, still watching him calmly.

That abnormal calmness only made Ishizaki more embarrassed and enraged.

He was used to people trembling before him or roaring in anger. Yuefeng's utterly indifferent attitude was practically a display of contempt.

"What, nothing to say? Scared stupid?" Ishizaki reached out to shove Yuefeng in the chest. "Or do you think joining that trash research group and having Boss Ryuen ask you a few questions once in a while makes you somebody?

Let me tell you, in Class C, dragon or tiger, you all have to lie down before me!"

At the instant his hand was about to touch Yuefeng's collar, Yuefeng moved.

There was no forceful block and no exaggerated dodge.

He merely sank his shoulder back with an extremely subtle motion while sliding half a step sideways. Ishizaki's aggressive shove brushed past the edge of his clothes and hit nothing.

The movement was smooth and natural, as if he had merely adjusted his stance without thinking.

Ishizaki missed, his strength veering off course as his body involuntarily tipped forward slightly.