Classroom of the Elite, Keima Katsuragi's Love Brain Battle

"Huh?"

Sae Chabashira, standing to the side, couldn't help but let out an exclamation.

This person, suffering from such severe injuries?

It looked as if he had jumped off a building...

There was no way this could have been caused by a simple fall on flat ground!

That left only one possibility...

Keima Katsuragi had beaten the other person into this state.

She found it hard to believe this conclusion in her heart.

After all, no matter how one looked at him, Keima Katsuragi didn't seem like the type of person who would get into a fight.

Furthermore, his entrance physical assessment rating was an E.

Could it be that he had been hiding his true strength in this regard?

Various thoughts swirled through Sae Chabashira's mind. She had indeed previously considered Keima Katsuragi a special student, but she never imagined he would be capable of something like this.

"Katsuragi-kun, although the school strictly prohibits fighting, cases of legitimate self-defense are acceptable. So, don't worry; just tell me exactly what happened."

Narimori Sakayanagi remained smiling as he spoke to Keima Katsuragi.

"Sorry, he really just fell."

Keima Katsuragi said, his expression unchanging.

He couldn't exactly explain that the culprit had first collided with a Hell Creature and then been tossed around like a yo-yo by an even stranger Hell Creature.

Regardless, he had already confirmed there were no surveillance cameras in that area.

Even if there were, Elsie could easily tamper with the footage.

Seeing Keima Katsuragi's response, Narimori Sakayanagi didn't press the issue, merely nodding.

"In that case, I won't ask any further. However, Katsuragi-kun, you have always left a deep impression on me."

Narimori Sakayanagi said with a smile.

"Oh?"

"After all, it is extremely rare in the school's history for someone to achieve a perfect score on the entrance exam. You surpassed the second-place student, Ichinose, by over ten points. I wonder, if the test had been longer, would you have widened the gap even further—"

Narimori Sakayanagi paused intentionally before turning his head toward Sae Chabashira.

"Moreover, Katsuragi-kun, you are the first student in history to rationalize the act of 'playing games during class'."

"After all, Teacher Chabashira said that anything can be purchased at this school. If that isn't possible, wouldn't that imply the rule is meaningless?"

Keima Katsuragi's tone remained calm. While speaking, he even took out his handheld console, preparing to play a game.

Sae Chabashira's expression darkened slightly.

Although she didn't interfere with student behavior in principle, he could at least be mindful of the occasion...

He was in front of the Chairman of the school!

However, Narimori Sakayanagi showed no displeasure; instead, he felt even more convinced that Keima Katsuragi was a special student.

"You are right. As long as you have enough points, anything can be bought—points are the symbol of strength, and we are a school that prioritizes meritocracy, so there is no problem. However, this year's students are the most unique group yet. In less than the first week of school, all classes have become aware of the S-System, and it was your Class D that discovered it first."

"A normal person would realize the school's rules are strange after a little thought. How could the government allow students to spend so much money without limit? With one hundred and sixty students per grade, the total expenditure for three grades is not a small sum."

"That is indeed true. I have no more questions for now. It is getting late, so Katsuragi-kun, Sakura-san, you two should head back and rest—"

"I have one more question, Chairman."

Just then, Keima Katsuragi looked up, his gaze meeting Narimori Sakayanagi's.

"What question?"

"As the victims, Sakura-san and I should be entitled to compensation, right?"

"Oh?"

"Because of the school's failure in screening its staff, Sakura-san and I were subjected to unnecessary trouble. This was a very dangerous situation. Furthermore, if the outside world were to learn that such things happen at our school, I fear it would impact our school's reputation."

"Then what would you like to do?"

"Sakura-san and I require compensation."

As Keima Katsuragi uttered these words, Sae Chabashira's eyes widened in surprise.

This guy, he was actually demanding compensation directly from the Chairman?

Was he serious?

Airi Sakura, standing nearby, also opened her eyes wide in astonishment.

Upon hearing what Keima Katsuragi said, Narimori Sakayanagi was stunned for a moment, but he quickly broke into a smile.

"What you say is indeed reasonable. So, Katsuragi-kun, what kind of compensation do you want?"

"I want five hundred thousand points for both Sakura-san and myself."

Keima Katsuragi seemed to have already thought it through, so he spoke without a shred of hesitation.

"Five hundred thousand points—that's no small number. For two people, that adds up to one million—"

"I'm sure the Chairman is well aware of the severity of this incident. I don't believe this compensation is excessive. Even if we students are currently unable to communicate with the outside world, there will eventually come a day when we graduate. Furthermore, if more students were to learn of this, their trust in the school administration would plummet, so I don't consider this an exaggerated figure."

Keima Katsuragi paused deliberately, then pushed up his glasses.

"Of course, I personally have an alternative form of compensation. I can forgo the demand for points."

"Oh? And what would that be?"

"That my behavior of playing games during class be completely legitimized, and that I no longer be required to fulfill the deal made with Sae Chabashira—the contract involving twenty thousand points per month and the requirement to improve the class's standing."

Keima Katsuragi replied.

He had only made the deal with Sae Chabashira in the first place so he could play games during class.

If there was a chance to renegotiate, Keima Katsuragi would not let it slip by.

He had no desire to climb the class ranks, and he certainly didn't want to waste any more time than necessary on this "reality."

Narimori Sakayanagi's gaze shifted to Sae Chabashira, whose expression seemed to turn rather unpleasant.

"You really are an interesting student, Katsuragi-kun. I accept your terms. Airi Sakura's points will be issued shortly. Do you have any other questions?"

"Just one last question."

"What is it?"

"As far as I know, there is a girl in Class A with the surname Sakayanagi. May I ask if you are acquainted with her?"

"Are you referring to Arisu? She is my daughter."

Narimori Sakayanagi paused for a moment, then continued with a smile.

"However, she was not assigned to Class A because of me. The screening process and such are entirely fair."

Fair, my foot.

Keima Katsuragi grumbled inwardly.

Arisu Sakayanagi seemed to be in poor health, yet she also seemed to have plenty of schemes up her sleeve.

A student like that shouldn't have been placed in Class A.

But it didn't matter.

As long as she wasn't in Class D, she wouldn't cause him any trouble.

For now.

Although the Chairman claimed he wouldn't give Arisu Sakayanagi special treatment, no one in the real world would actually believe such words.

If he were to take action against Arisu Sakayanagi in the future, would he have to factor the school administration into his plans?

Come to think of it, the Chairman might actually be a decent source of information.

"Have you already met Arisu, Katsuragi-kun?"

"I met her earlier today."

As Keima Katsuragi answered, Airi Sakura, standing to the side, pricked up her ears to listen.

"I see. I was actually a bit worried about whether she would be able to get along with her classmates."

"Does the Chairman know what his daughter likes?"

"What she likes?"

This sudden question left Narimori Sakayanagi somewhat puzzled.

"What aspect are you referring to, Katsuragi-kun?"

"Every aspect: hobbies, food, colors, clothing."

"As for Arisu, she is very fond of chess and enjoys drinking coffee... Why do you ask, Katsuragi-kun?"

"It's nothing, just asking out of curiosity."

Keima Katsuragi turned his gaze back to his handheld console; he had already obtained enough information.

"If there's nothing else, we'll be taking our leave, Chairman."

"Mm."

"Goodbye, Chairman Sakayanagi. Goodbye, Teacher Chabashira."

Keima Katsuragi then led Airi Sakura out of the office.

"He really is a peculiar student, Teacher Chabashira."

"Katsuragi's performance in class is indeed quite peculiar..."

Sae Chabashira pursed her lips, pondered for a moment, and then asked again.

"Chairman, is what you said about the shop clerk true?"

"It is true. The culprit was severely injured; the doctors even suspected he had been hit by a car."

"But... how is this possible..."

"Teacher Chabashira, let me show you a video sent over from the hospital."

Narimori Sakayanagi held his phone out in front of Sae Chabashira.

The screen played a video—

The severely injured clerk had woken up in his hospital bed, only to repeat a single phrase like a madman.

"Monster! Monster!"

Sae Chabashira frowned:

"This person's brain must have suffered severe damage, right?"

"He brought this upon himself, but an ordinary person wouldn't be able to reach this level."

"Chairman... may I ask what Keima Katsuragi's true identity is?"

"The information I possess is no more than what you have, Teacher Chabashira."

Narimori Sakayanagi shook his head.

Within the political world, he was considered a person of status and influence.

He even knew the true identity of Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

Yet, regarding Keima Katsuragi, the intelligence Narimori Sakayanagi held was still extremely limited.

"Perhaps the entire landscape of the school will change because of this."

On the other side, inside Arisu Sakayanagi's room.

Masumi Kamuro had rushed back and recounted everything she had witnessed earlier.

"What?"