The Power-Based Classroom Backed by Black Technology Chapter 35

"Same here."

Looking at these three, Horikita Manabu was at a complete loss for words. And that last one—who asked you?

"It seems you still misunderstand the meaning of pride and solitude. If you truly want to rise to a higher class, then struggle with all your might. There is no other way."

With that, he walked away without looking back, vanishing into the darkness in an instant.

After watching Horikita Manabu leave, the silence lingered for a moment before Shuichi Kanda gave a light cough.

"It's about time. Akito, let's go."

"Wait."

Huh? Couldn't you have said something earlier?

Wasting my time, so I'm not waiting.

"This world doesn't work the way you think—people won't just do whatever you say, especially when you lack strength."

Kanda's words left Horikita Suzune speechless. Miyake glanced at her, looking somewhat disheveled, then followed Kanda as he left.

"Oh, right." At the corner, Kanda seemed to remember something and stopped. "Ayanokoji, come pick up last year's archaeology exam questions later."

Kanda didn't care at all about having just embarrassed Horikita Suzune, nor did he fear any retaliation from her.

If she dared to make a move, Kanda would make sure she knew what humiliation really meant.

Then again, Horikita Suzune probably wouldn't hold a grudge over something this small.

Of course not—because she was still mulling over Kanda's words. This world doesn't work the way you think—people won't just do whatever you say.

Those who follow your orders expect something in return—benefits, honor, or even your body.

For now, Kanda had no expectations from Horikita Suzune. If he wanted entertainment, watching Ike and Yamauchi's antics every day was more than enough.

The hardest people to deal with are those without desires. Kanda wasn't entirely without desires, but at least Horikita Suzune had nothing right now that could tempt him.

Unless she offered up her 36D!

"Is it really okay to just ignore her like that?"

Once they reached the dormitory lobby, Miyake asked.

"It's fine. Ayanokoji's still watching over things. I'm going back to check my answers. You can grab a copy of the test later too."

After watching Kanda and Miyake leave, Ayanokoji prepared to quietly slip away himself. But unlike Kanda, he couldn't just walk off—he had jumped into this mess on his own.

About half an hour later, Ayanokoji stared at his right hand, still clasped with Horikita's, and seemed to understand something.

Kanda, you set me up again! Completely forgetting that he was the one who had called Kanda out earlier.

Right now, Horikita Suzune was a huge problem. Getting close to her meant being dragged into trouble whether you wanted it or not. That's why Kanda hadn't wanted to go out in the first place, making Miyake take the fall instead.

But Ayanokoji's observational skills were too sharp—he broke through Miyake's defenses and called Kanda out.

You screw me over, I'll return the favor, right?

So Kanda immediately pulled Miyake away, and at the corner, he deliberately mentioned the archaeology exam questions.

Did you think Kanda was telling Ayanokoji that?

Wrong! What were you thinking?

He said it on purpose for Horikita Suzune to hear.

She might be dense, but she still had some intelligence. She'd definitely figure out that Ayanokoji knew about the archaeology exam too. After that, how Horikita Suzune would cause trouble for Ayanokoji was none of Kanda's concern.

Back in his dorm, Kanda started comparing the answers on the test. Unsurprisingly, he got a perfect score—all answers correct.

He also gained a deep understanding of the exam. Over ninety percent of the questions fell within the teachers' designated scope, while the remaining ten percent weren't even in the first-year textbooks.

So regular exams were also a way to filter out students with top-tier academic ability?

Knock knock knock!

The familiar knocking nearly made Kanda fall out of his seat. Every time he heard that sound, it meant trouble.

Probably Ayanokoji, right?

Decision made! No way he's getting in this time.

Grabbing the test paper, he walked to the entrance and peered through the peephole. Sure enough, it was Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, and he was alone.

"Oh, you're back. This is last year's archaeology exam from a senior in my club. Please pass it to Horikita."

The moment he opened the door, Kanda shoved the photocopied test into Ayanokoji's hands, stepped back, and quickly shut the door to Room 404, leaving Ayanokoji standing there in stunned silence.

Operation: No Entry!

Success!

Chapter 60: Midterm Exam

After handing the archaeology exam to Horikita, Kanda didn't stop. He pulled out his notebook and started summarizing the knowledge points covered in the test.

Given Horikita's personality, she probably wouldn't share the exam questions early. That would make the Idiot Trio think everything was fine and slack off on studying.

After finally getting a chance to torment them for a week, why would Horikita let them off easy?

So this was where Shuichi Kanda stepped in. He organized the knowledge covered on the test papers and handed it to those three idiots to memorize.

As for whether those idiots took it seriously or how much they actually learned, that wasn't Shuichi Kanda's concern. After all, this world never lacked idiots who could still fail an open-book exam.

As for Horikita's side, since all of this was within the exam scope anyway, she couldn't really say anything.

And in Shuichi Kanda's view, wasn't studying for the test still studying? Otherwise, why would you go ask Chabashira-sensei to confirm the exam scope? It was because there was too much material to review from normal classes.

All he was doing was narrowing that scope down a bit more.

Sure enough, the next day at Saturday's study session, when Shuichi Kanda pulled out this summary, the three idiots didn't suspect a thing, and Horikita just glared at him without making a scene.

The three idiots also showered Shuichi Kanda with gratitude, though it was clear Sudo was sincere while the other two were just going through the motions.

This was several hours of my handwriting, damn it. You two better thank me with some genuine appreciation.

As expected, every class had a few annoying people. In his past life, and here too.

But Shuichi Kanda was used to it. An adult had to be a little tolerant, right?

Worth mentioning, even though everyone had already collected their ten-thousand-point reward, no one chose to leave the study session.

Oh, right, except Koenji. That guy bolted the second he got his ten thousand points.

Overall, it was a pretty big success.

And so, time arrived at the day before the exam, Thursday.

Thursday's classes ended, and it was time to go home.

After Chabashira-sensei finished the homeroom meeting and left the classroom, Kushida immediately sprang into action.

Kushida walked up to the podium carrying a thick stack of A4 paper. What that was went without saying.

Shuichi Kanda looked over at Horikita. With such a perfect chance to win people over, you're not going to show your face? Are you an idiot?

Don't talk about whether you can or can't handle it. Even if the road ahead is full of thorns, it can't be harder than moving from Class D to Class A.

And now that the class was finally somewhat united, if you stepped up and built some presence, with Hirata's support, you could easily earn everyone's trust. But instead...

As expected, even though you're both Horikita, you're still way behind!

"Everyone, sorry. Could you listen to me for a moment before you leave?"

Kushida called out, stopping all the students who were about to leave.

"I know everyone is anxious about tomorrow's midterms, but please don't worry. I have a set of test questions here that can help you out."

With that, she handed out the test questions and answer keys to the students in the front row, who passed them back.

"These are actually last year's exam questions. I got them from a third-year senior last night." Kushida's face wore a sweet smile. "I also heard that the midterm exams from two years ago and last year were the same, so I think if you study this paper, it'll definitely come in handy on tomorrow's test."

"No way! Kushida-chan, thank you!"

"As expected of our Class D angel!"

Yamauchi and Ike grabbed the papers excitedly, and the other students anxious about the exam couldn't suppress their excitement either.

Sudo let out a huge sigh of relief, then picked up the papers and started reading. He planned to study in the classroom for two hours, as usual.

But when he saw the test papers, the expression on his face grew stranger and stranger. Soon, he had looked through all five subjects.

This, this is!?

Sudo raised his head and looked at Shuichi Kanda not far away.

And Shuichi Kanda, as if sensing it, looked back at Sudo, gave a small smile, and raised his left hand with a thumbs-up.

"We have to keep this a secret from the other classes! We'll score high and blow them away!"

Ike shouted arrogantly, and everyone agreed with him.

They were all competitors; there was no need to hand weapons to the enemy unless it brought greater benefits.

Besides, during this time, the students of Class D had been looked down on by the other classes to some degree. Everyone had a fire burning inside them, and they were really pissed off!

Shuichi Kanda packed up his bag and called out to Miyake, ready to make his escape.

As he passed by Sudo's seat, he specifically reminded him: "You should head home early today too. Don't study too late. Your nerves have been wound tight these past few days; take a good rest tonight."

"Ah, thanks, Kanda!"

Shuichi smiled and patted Sudo on the shoulder. "Do your best!"

Friday morning. The Class D students were finally about to face these terrifying midterm exams.

"No absences. Looks like the whole class is here."

Chabashira-sensei held a clipboard in one hand, pushed open the front door of the classroom with the other, and stepped inside.

"For you lot at the bottom of the barrel, this is your first hurdle. Are you ready?"

"Everyone has studied really hard these past few weeks. I don't think anyone in this class will fail!"

"Hirata, you sure are confident."

Chabashira-sensei teased him, then took the test papers out of her clipboard and handed them out.

"If no one fails this exam or the final exam in July, I'll take everyone to a southern island for summer vacation."

"A vacation?"

"That's right. When the time comes, I'll have you all living a dreamlike week on an island surrounded by the sea."

Summer at the seaside... of course that meant getting to see the girls in swimsuits...

For a moment, even Shuichi Kanda felt a twinge of temptation—he was a man, after all...

Too bad. Shuichi Kanda figured there was no way something this good would happen.

After all, a nightmare was still a dream in a sense, wasn't it?

"Everyone... let's give it our all!"

"Uoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!"

The deafening roar startled Shuichi Kanda. Can't you bastards keep it down? Don't you know I'm easily scared?!

And hey, Ayanokouji, why are you joining in on the fun?

Horikita, good glare!

Soon, everyone received their exam papers. Following Chabashira-sensei's instructions, they all flipped them over—Shuichi Kanda included.

The first thing he did with the paper.

Write down his own name: Shuichi Kanda.

Then start reading the questions.

Sure enough, just as he'd deduced, this midterm was exactly like the previous quiz—identical to last year's paper.

Not just somewhat similar, but completely identical.