Classroom of the Elite, Oh No, I've Become a Stand-in

Mhm.

The students of Class A sat in their seats with calm expressions; for them, this was the expected result. More than that, the fact that they had been surpassed by Mikage Touji was the real shocker.

Katsuragi Kōhei nodded in satisfaction. The effort Class A had put in over this past month was plain for all to see. If they continued at this pace, Class A's lead would become quite secure.

"The class points will be posted on the bulletin board shortly. If you want to see them, you can check for yourselves."

"Additionally, to reward you for your exam results this time, the school has decided to take you on a two-week vacation to a southern island during the summer break," Mashima Tomoya announced, dropping another bombshell.

The students of Class A, who had just been indifferent toward their grades, became visibly excited. An island vacation—that was something only a very small number of people could afford to enjoy.

"Ehh?! Really?"

"Yes."

Mashima Tomoya nodded solemnly, "And all expenses during this period will be covered by the school."

"Oooooh!" The boys in the class began to cheer; some pounded their desks in excitement, while others started high-fiving their neighbors.

"Blue skies, the ocean, sandy beaches, the island, the summer stars... a dreamlike summer vacation."

"Then we have to buy swimsuits and practice swimming beforehand." The girls also couldn't wait to start discussing it with those nearby.

"Yeah, yeah, it would be too embarrassing to be out on the ocean wearing a swim ring."

"I'm going to buy that blue one-piece swimsuit!"

"Polka-dot bikinis are more stylish!"

A voice that completely ruined the mood shattered everyone's beautiful fantasies.

"As expected of... a school funded by the state... how generous. The last time I saw... the school be this generous was... when Mashima-sensei mentioned 100,000 points..."

The intermittent voice acted like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing everyone's enthusiasm.

Following the sound, the owner of the voice was currently shifting left and right in his seat, dodging the projectiles launched by Morishita Ran with extreme awkwardness, with eraser shavings falling from his head every now and then.

Come to think of it, is this school really that kind-hearted?

The crowd's gaze toward Mashima Tomoya turned suspicious.

"A special exam."

Katsuragi Kōhei, who had remained silent since Mashima Tomoya began speaking, finally spoke up.

"Up until now, we haven't experienced a single special exam. Based on the experience of the second and third-year students, there should be at least one per semester."

Katsuragi Kōhei's words were the final nail in the coffin, completely shattering the last remaining fantasies in their hearts.

The entire class focused their attention on Mashima Tomoya, hoping he would provide an answer.

"The only information I can give you at the moment is that you will be taking a cruise ship to a small island in the south for a one-week vacation."

Facing the gaze of the entire class, Mashima Tomoya kept a straight face and revealed only that tiny bit of information without changing his expression.

"An island? A training camp? Wilderness survival? A skills competition..."

Mikage Touji, who was still dodging and weaving, rattled off a string of possible exam projects as if he were reciting a menu.

Mashima Tomoya's expression shifted slightly, "You will have to find the answer to that yourselves."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the bell for the first period rang right on cue, putting an end to the serious atmosphere in the classroom.

"That is all I have to say. This morning meeting is now concluded."

After dryly and quickly finishing the remaining notices, Mashima Tomoya packed his things and left the classroom.

"Mikage Touji! Mikage Touji! What do you think it is?"

After missing several times, Morishita Ran reached out and grabbed Mikage Touji by the collar, shaking him desperately while asking with her large, sparkling eyes.

"What do you want it to be?" Mikage Touji asked, rolling his eyes.

"Wilderness survival!"

Morishita Ran blurted out; it seemed she was truly looking forward to it.

"Then that's likely what it is. Didn't the PE teacher say they would teach us how to swim before the summer break? If it were any other project, there would be corresponding safety measures; only this one cannot guarantee the students' safety one hundred percent."

"However, it's just a guess at the end of the day. We need to obtain further intelligence to confirm it."

When Mikage Touji had listed that string of potential exam projects, he had clearly sensed a special emotional fluctuation from Mashima Tomoya regarding wilderness survival.

"Hey, that one, let's go explore together when the time comes?" Morishita Ran had already started planning her daily life on the deserted island.

"Hey, hey, that's wilderness survival. Don't end up becoming a buffet for the local wildlife. Besides, it might not necessarily be wilderness survival, right? There are other possibilities."

"I also think it's wilderness survival, and if it's me, there won't be any problems." Morishita Ran puffed out her chest proudly.

"If I may ask, Miss Morishita, where does this confidence of yours come from?"

"I often watch programs like that on the internet..." Morishita Ran said, full of confidence.

"..."

I also watch esports tournaments often, but don't I still get absolutely crushed?

Meanwhile, on the other side, in the Class C classroom.

"Yamawaki, Komiya, I'm sorry, but you two failed this exam. Pack your things and prepare to withdraw from the school."

Class C homeroom teacher Sakagami Kazuma adjusted his glasses and calmly announced the news.

"Ho-how can this be? Sakagami-sensei, there must, there must be some mistake somewhere?!"

"Yeah, that's right! We were studying really hard. At least take that into account..."

The two Class C students who had been told to withdraw were clearly panicked, scrambling to plead their case to Sakagami Kazuma.

"I have seen your efforts, but unfortunately, rules are rules and they cannot be changed."

Sakagami Kazuma's methodical voice struck the hearts of the two students like a heavy hammer.

"And there is no mistake. As your homeroom teacher, I have put 120 percent of my effort into handling your withdrawal. I have reviewed your test papers many times and found no grading errors. Yamawaki, two points; Komiya, three points. I am sorry, but you failed to clear this hurdle."

"If you want to see your test papers, feel free, but I advise you not to bother with such a futile gesture."

Sakagami Kazuma's flat and suffocating words dealt the final blow to the two students, who collapsed powerlessly into their seats.

"Withdrawal, going home..." Yamawaki clutched his head in despair, his fingers digging deep into his hair. "My old man is definitely going to beat me to death."

"Even though... even though I just got here, I have to withdraw and go home in the second month..." Komiya covered his face, a choked sob escaping him.

The rest of the students in Class C were silent at this moment. Regardless of anything else, the two had been their classmates for two months; even if they weren't close, there was at least some sympathy.

"Hey, hey, can you stop saying such spineless things?" An arrogant and domineering voice broke the silence inappropriately.

Ryuen Kakeru had his legs propped up on his desk, his hands behind his head, and said mockingly: "If you lose, just crawl home obediently. Isn't it a man's choice to admit defeat gracefully?"

"Ryuen, you bastard!" Ibuki Mio stood up from her seat to stand up for her classmates. "Komiya and the others are about to be expelled, and you're still saying things like that!"

"Am I wrong? People who don't even understand this school don't deserve to survive here."

"Ryuen, what do you mean by that?" Some students vaguely sensed that there was more to Ryuen Kakeru's words.

"Komiya, you once said that you'd rather withdraw than let me rule this class, right?"

Ryuen Kakeru stared at the head-bowed Komiya, a cruel smile on his face.

"Then go ahead and withdraw. Trash doesn't deserve to survive in this school."

"Ryuen-shi, do you mean you have a way to keep Komiya and the others here?" Kaneda Satoru put down the two test papers and turned to look at Ryuen Kakeru.

Hope seemed to reignite in the eyes of Yamawaki and his companion.

"Ah, I do. I'm not like you bunch of losers who couldn't even see such an obvious thing."

"Sakagami-sensei, is this true?" Some of the smarter students asked Sakagami Kazuma for confirmation.

"Such a method does exist, but as your homeroom teacher, I cannot tell you."

Hearing Sakagami Kazuma's answer, Ryuen Kakeru burst into unrestrained laughter, his arrogant cackle echoing throughout Class C.

"Hehahaha!"

Ryuen Kakeru scanned the entire class with a wild grin.

"See that? You bunch of losers, you can't even see something this simple and yet you dream of graduating from Class A."

"Hey! You two, if you still want to continue your studies at this school..."

Ryuen Kakeru stood up from his seat and walked in front of the two.

"Kneel down and beg me!"

Chapter 55 Sakayanagi Arisu: When it comes to infighting, you are no match for me

The wall clock ticked away, shrouding the entire Class D in silence.

The Class D classroom had shed its usual rowdiness. The students sat in their seats with stiff postures. Sudo Ken flipped through his pages over and over again in agitation, the friction making a harsh rustling sound as if he were trying to make up for the study time he had wasted playing basketball. Most of the others cast glances toward the classroom door from time to time, only to return their gazes with a mix of luck and disappointment.

In the quiet classroom, the conversation between two people was particularly jarring.

"Haruki, the questions on this exam were very simple, weren't they? I might even get a perfect score."

Ike Kanji sat sideways facing Yamauchi Haruki, leaning back with only two legs of his chair touching the floor, swaying triumphantly.

"Yeah, yeah! A mere Midterm Exam is simply unworthy of a versatile genius like me. After all, I'm the kind of student who can get a high score with just a little bit of review."

Yamauchi Haruki rubbed his nose with his hand, even imitating the tone of Kouenji Rokusuke, pretending to be suave as he tossed hair that didn't exist.

"Kanji, do you think that after the school sees our superb learning ability this time, they will be amazed and promote us to Class A?"

"That's impossible. Things like this have to be done step by step, just like playing a game, right?" Ike Kanji waved his hand dismissively.

Many Class D students frowned, looking at the two smug individuals with confusion.

However, the dissatisfied stares of their classmates did not draw the attention of the two, or rather, it was exactly what they wanted. The two looked at each other and burst into laughter at the same time.

Two bursts of airy, floating laughter—as if they had inhaled too much magical Western leaf—drifted out of the Class D classroom and echoed through the quiet corridor.

10 minutes later.

The sound of high heels clicking against the floor approached from afar, ringing in the ears of the Class D students at a steady pace. Before long, Chabashira Sae arrived at the classroom door as promised, holding a stack of papers, and scanned the entire class.

"It seems everyone is here. Very well, then I will get straight to the point and announce the results of this Midterm Exam."

"Come on, I'm ready. Now, let the students of Class D witness the true power of yours truly, Yamauchi Haruki."

"Me too, me too! Ike Kanji here, currently still looking for a girlfriend. Make sure you don't fall in love with me later, okay?"

Ike Kanji gave a stiff, awkward wink in the direction of Kushida Kikyou, leaving her completely stunned right as she was trying to comfort her classmates.

"You two are certainly confident." Sae chuckled.

"We try, we try~"

"However..."

As she slapped the poster displaying the Class D results onto the blackboard with a sharp thwack, the confident laughter died instantly, replaced by a cold verdict that sent them plummeting into the abyss.

"Yamauchi, Ike, Sudo—the three of you failed."

Sae stood with one hand on her hip and the other resting on the podium, looking down at the two boys in disbelief and Sudo Ken, who was clenching his fists. She offered a faint smile and spoke in a nonchalant tone.

"Should I say it's fitting for companions who always act together? Even when it comes to expulsion, you're together. How perfect. Perhaps you can even attend the same school after you leave. Isn't that just wonderful?"

"I failed? How is that possible? Sae, you're joking, right? Or maybe there's been a mistake somewhere. Yes! You must have mixed up the test papers!"

Ike Kanji stood up abruptly, his face stiff, the legs of his chair screeching harshly against the floor. He stared at the crimson numbers on the poster, forcing a smile as he asked.

"No, no... why is my English score even lower than Sudo's? This is absolutely impossible!" Yamauchi Haruki stood up in a panic, fine beads of cold sweat breaking out on his forehead as he muttered incessantly, "I should have scored much higher. We clearly had... someone must be jealous of my brilliance and changed my scores."

Unlike the other two, Sudo Ken, who had some awareness of his own level, slammed his fist into the nearest wall with a dull thud and squeezed his eyes shut in agony.

"Argh! Damn it! I still didn't pass?!"

The other students in Class D also began to show signs of panic. Putting aside the fact that they had been classmates for two months, if anyone were to be expelled, the class points they might have gained would vanish in an instant.

Horikita Suzune fixed her gaze on the three scores on the poster with a grave expression, pulling out her notebook to record the scores for each of their subjects.

Something was wrong.

It made sense that Sudo had failed by three points; his foundation was weak to begin with.

But why were the scores for Ike and Yamauchi so far below the passing mark? One was short by eight points and the other by six. The exam questions this time had been quite simple; even with a normal effort, it shouldn't have been possible to fail by such a margin.