Shi Cheng

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Shi Cheng (石诚)
Gender	Male 1
Affiliation	Advanced Nurturing High School, Class D 18
Occupation/Role	First-year student; Class D strategist and combat-capable student 18 36
First Appearance	Chapter 1 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Lightning manipulation	1	Already capable of producing electrical sparks from his fingertip; regards the power as the basis for eventually becoming strong enough to face any danger. 1
Electromagnetic Barrier	9	Activates a defensive field that stops Horikita Suzune's compass thrust just short of contact; he can increase its output. 9
Capture — “Lightning” effect	23	Gains a capture effect that lets him perceive movement within an instant, greatly improving his reactions. 23
Capture in combat	25	Perceives events as slowed during Horikita's Shoulder Throw attempt, allowing him to brace himself and reverse the situation despite being a martial-arts layman. 25

Background

Shi Cheng arrives at Advanced Nurturing High School after leaving an earlier “starting point” that had become a psychological burden. Initially melancholy, he regains his resolve after confirming that he still possesses lightning powers and decides to embrace his future. 1

He enters Class D as a new student, taking a seat near the back of the classroom. His early encounters with the detached Horikita Suzune and the poker-faced Ayanokoji Kiyotaka establish his tendency to observe others before deciding how to approach them. 1

Appearance

Shi Cheng is a tall, handsome young man with delicate features. His eyes are repeatedly noted for carrying a seasoned quality unusual for someone his age. 1 23

• Delicate, youthful-looking facial features. 1
• Eyes that lack the clarity expected of a typical teenager and instead appear experienced. 1
• Tall build and conventionally attractive appearance. 23

Personality

Shi Cheng is confident, curious, and highly observant. He analyzes the school’s systems, suspects hidden motives behind seemingly generous policies, and quickly identifies the Student Council as a more influential authority than the teachers. 10 36 38

He is also calculating in social situations. Shi Cheng often approaches people with private objectives, uses classmates’ motivations to influence their choices, and treats Kushida Kikyo’s friendly persona with suspicion rather than trust. 6 14 26 40

His methods can be coercive. He fabricates evidence to pressure Sakura Airi, exploits knowledge of Kushida’s past during her breakdown, and later directs Airi to accept blame for an assault he plans. 12 40 49 At the same time, he can be patient when it suits his goals, such as giving Airi space after she reveals her identity and attentively listening to Shiina Hiyori discuss literature. 13 18

Abilities & Skills

Lightning Manipulation

Shi Cheng can generate and control electricity, initially demonstrating it as a small current on his fingertip. He considers lightning his primary path toward becoming stronger. 1

• Can manifest electrical currents and sparks. 1
• Uses lightning during sudden confrontations, though he consciously restrains himself when dealing with fellow students. 3
• Used his power to determine that Kato Megumi was human after briefly suspecting otherwise. 3

Electromagnetic Barrier

A defensive application of Shi Cheng’s electrical power. 9

• Creates a barrier capable of halting a close-range weapon strike. 9
• Can increase the barrier’s output after activation. 9
• Successfully neutralized Horikita Suzune’s surprise compass attack. 9

Capture

Capture is a perception-based ability that enhances Shi Cheng’s reactions in fast-moving situations. 23 25

• The “Lightning” capture effect lets him clearly perceive movements in a split second. 23
• Makes events appear to slow down during critical moments. 25
• Allowed him to defend against Horikita Suzune’s Shoulder Throw despite lacking formal martial-arts training. 25

Strategic Analysis

Shi Cheng regularly examines incentives, authority structures, and gaps in available evidence. 10 36 43

• Predicted that the school’s generous living-expense policy would likely be reduced. 10
• Recognized that the Student Council possesses substantial authority over school affairs. 36
• Challenged the accusation against Sudo Ken by highlighting that the alleged fight occurred in a camera-blind spot and lacked proof. 43 44
• Suspects ulterior motives behind school events, including the cruise awarded after final exams. 49

Social Manipulation

Shi Cheng is skilled at steering people and situations toward outcomes he prefers. 6 26 40

• Arranged a meeting between Kushida Kikyo and Horikita Suzune while pursuing his own agenda. 6 7
• Pressured Sakura Airi with fabricated chat records and her secret photography hobby. 12
• Manipulated classmates into joining Horikita’s study group. 26
• Used his knowledge of Kushida’s history with Horikita to control their confrontation. 40

Relationships

• Horikita Suzune — Initially hostile classmate and combat rival. Their relationship develops into a tense working partnership through the security-camera investigation, study-group problems, sparring match, and meeting with her brother. 3 10 24 25 48
• Kato Megumi — Classmate and frequent companion. They shop and walk to class together, discuss the school’s hidden systems, and later share meals at her dorm. 2 4 8 36 37
• Sakura Airi — Shi Cheng initially blackmails and pressures her over her secret hobby and identity. She later seeks his guidance, gives him money, and willingly accepts blame while assisting his plans. 12 13 24 41 49
• Kushida Kikyo — A mutual-use alliance. Kushida repeatedly asks Shi Cheng to help her approach Horikita, while Shi Cheng investigates her motives and later confronts her hidden personality. 6 7 14 39 40
• Shiina Hiyori — A Class C literature enthusiast whom Shi Cheng meets in the library. Their bond grows through books, tutoring, shared meals, and increasingly open feelings. 17 18 25 34 44
• Sudo Ken — Classmate who comes to regard Shi Cheng as a best friend after Shi Cheng helps him during Class D’s exam and disciplinary conflicts. 26 36 44
• Ichinose Honami — Class B student who warns Shi Cheng about Ryuen Kakeru and offers mutual support. She later asks him to act as her fake boyfriend to reject a confession. 31 32 46 47
• Horikita Manabu — Student Council President and Suzune’s older brother. He tests Shi Cheng’s ability and considers him potentially useful as a friend or ally for Suzune. 48

Story Role / Major Arcs

Arrival at Advanced Nurturing High School

Shi Cheng joins Class D and immediately begins assessing the school, its students, and its power structure. His first conflicts with Horikita Suzune establish both his lightning powers and their combative dynamic. 1 3

Kushida and Horikita’s Failed Friendship Attempts

Kushida asks Shi Cheng to facilitate contact with Horikita. He agrees, but treats the arrangement as an opportunity to study Kushida’s motives; Horikita rejects Kushida’s friendship attempts. 6 7 14

Sakura Airi’s Secret

After discovering Airi’s photography hobby and concealed identity, Shi Cheng coerces her with fabricated evidence. Their conflict later shifts after Airi reveals that she is the gravure model Shizuku and begins relying on him. 12 13 22 24

Library Connection with Shiina Hiyori

Shi Cheng meets Shiina in the library by seeking help with a difficult book. He becomes a regular listener for her literary explanations, and their connection gradually develops beyond casual friendship. 17 18 25 34 44

Class D’s Point and Exam Crisis

Shi Cheng investigates the reduction of Class D’s monthly points, supports Horikita’s efforts to improve the class, and challenges Chabashira Sae over unfair exam conditions. His intervention earns Sudo’s loyalty and reveals the Student Council’s influence. 20 26 36

Sudo Ken Assault Case

When Sudo is accused of assaulting Class C students, Shi Cheng identifies the lack of evidence and confronts the Student Council’s demand that Sudo attend a meeting. President Horikita ultimately intervenes and redirects the matter toward Class C. 43 44

Meeting Horikita Manabu

Shi Cheng accompanies Suzune to meet her older brother. Manabu recognizes Shi Cheng’s ability, while Suzune declares that she will reach Class A and prove herself without relying on him. 48

Cruise Trip

After final exams, Shi Cheng joins Class D on a cruise trip that he suspects has a hidden purpose. He spends time with Hirata Yosuke and Karuizawa Kei while attempting to understand their unusual relationship. 49 50