The Purpose of School

"Chie Hoshimiya, what are you following for? Get back!"

Behind Mu Tianchen and Ayanokouji, the beaming teacher Chie Hoshimiya was stealthily trailing them, but was still caught by Teacher Chazhu.

But, what was she smiling about just now? Could she be mocking the two of us? This teacher really...

"Sae, don't be so cold! Let me listen in, okay? Besides, you specifically called two handsome guys to your guidance office and won't let me come—do you have some special purpose?"

"Chie Hoshimiya, what do you mean by that?"

"Oh my, since you're asking so directly, I'll just say it—could it be you're thinking of overstepping your bounds?" Chie Hoshimiya replied with a grin.

Overstepping bounds?

Hearing this, Mu Tianchen finally understood why Teacher Chazhu had called them here.

She probably wanted the two of them to contribute to the class, thereby raising its standing.

But, before this, she'd been acting like she'd given up, and now suddenly...

Could it be she'd discovered Ayanokouji's identity?

No, he didn't believe school teachers had the ability to investigate students' backgrounds; at most, the school itself might.

Perhaps she'd noticed something—like in this recent quiz, Ayanokouji's rather conspicuous score.

"Chie Hoshimiya, don't let your imagination run wild. I just have some business." Seeing Chie Hoshimiya still following, she added, "How long do you plan to tail us?"

"Huh? I'm not tailing you. I just happen to have something to do at the guidance office too. And since it's nothing important, it shouldn't matter if I tag along, right?"

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

"Teacher Hoshimiya, I have some questions about the student council I'd like to ask you. Could you spare a moment?"

"Someone's come for you too. Go on now."

"Oh my, I didn't expect Honami to show up so quickly. What a shame. Well then, Sae, I'll be off. Bye-bye~"

After saying that, she called Honami Ichinose in, gathered her materials, and headed elsewhere with her.

Because Shibata had mentioned her many times before, Mu Tianchen glanced at Honami Ichinose as she entered. The girl had light pink hair and very refined features—a real beauty.

Her behavior was also very polite, and from her, he couldn't sense the kind of fake aura Kushida carried.

Still, having a girl like this lead a class in this school, competing against others, might be a bit cruel for her...

After watching Chie Hoshimiya leave, Teacher Chazhu led Mu Tianchen and the other toward the guidance office.

Soon, they arrived inside.

"Um... excuse me... what's the reason you called me out?"

Ayanokouji spoke first as soon as he entered the guidance office.

"Follow me to the tea room first."

Teacher Chazhu didn't answer Ayanokouji's question. She opened another door and led the two into the tea room.

"Teacher Chazhu, can you tell us now?" Mu Tianchen also spoke up, since they couldn't just keep waiting like this.

"Well... you two stay here and don't move. I'll go handle something and be right back," Teacher Chazhu said, glancing at the clock on the wall before continuing:

"Also, without my permission, you're not allowed to come out or make a sound. If you break the rules, I'll have you expelled, understand?"

"Fine." Though Mu Tianchen had questions, he could only wait.

"Uh... this..." Ryoji seemed a bit speechless.

"Ryoji, do you have a problem!?"

"No."

"Good. Then that's settled."

After saying that, she closed the tea room door and walked out.

Soon, the sound of a door opening came from outside.

"Horikita, come in! What do you want to see me about?"

Upon hearing Horikita's name, Mu Tianchen shot a thoughtful glance at Ryoji, who spread his hands as if to say he didn't know.

What is Horikita doing here? No, more than that, Teacher Chazhu is the bigger issue—her actions just now seemed like she already knew Horikita would come...

"Teacher Chazhu, I'll be direct. Why was I placed in the bottom-ranked Class D? I don't accept this!" Horikita's voice sounded very dissatisfied.

So that's it.

"Don't accept? You think you're quite outstanding, do you?"

"Of course," Horikita answered without hesitation.

"Then where do you think your excellence lies?"

"Where it lies... My exam scores in class are at the top, and even school-wide, I'm not far behind. Besides, I didn't make any mistakes in the entrance exam. I don't believe the school would rate me as the worst student."

Not to mention Teacher Chazhu, even Mu Tianchen found her words a bit exasperating. He didn't think this school relied solely on grades, and besides, she wasn't the only one in Class D with particularly outstanding scores.

She actually thought she stood out like a crane among chickens in Class D—that was indeed a bit too...

"Since you've come this far, I'll make an exception and show you the entrance exam results. Normally, students aren't allowed to see these, but I happen to have your test paper right here."

With that, Teacher Chazhu handed the test paper beside her to Horikita.

Happen to have? Mu Tianchen didn't think it was a coincidence—she'd definitely prepared it in advance. Ayanokouji beside him also looked unconvinced.

Horikita took the paper. "Thank you. Though, you've prepared quite thoroughly... almost as if you knew I'd come."

Horikita might be a bit arrogant, but she wasn't stupid. She saw through it at a glance.

"Now that you mention it, I am still a teacher after all. Naturally, I have some understanding of the students in my class."

"Horikita Suzune, your entrance exam results are exactly as you thought. There were no mistakes in your interview, and your written exam scores rank among the top of the entire first-year class."

"Then why was I placed in Class D?"

"Before I tell you the answer, why don't you tell me why you refuse to accept being in Class D?"

"Isn't it obvious? You said before that only Class A can enjoy the school's benefits. I believe the school made a mistake in evaluating me, and I judge that this mistake will have a huge impact on my future. So isn't it only natural that I refuse to accept it?"

"A mistake by the school? Haha, you really are amusing." Teacher Chazhu laughed, then continued:

"I do admit your academic performance is excellent. But this school has no rule stating that those with good grades get to enter a better class. I never told you that, did I?"

"Teacher Chazhu, are you joking? Isn't that common sense in society?"

"Common sense? Hmph, that way of thinking is wrong. It might work at other schools, but at this school, relying solely on academic ability won't get you evaluated as an outstanding talent."

"This school's purpose is to cultivate true Postnatal geniuses. If you think academics alone are enough, you're sorely mistaken!"

Teacher Chazhu refuted Horikita's words without mercy.

Cultivating Postnatal geniuses, huh?

But in this kind of competition, most people would still be ordinary, wouldn't they? Only a few could become geniuses...