The Mastermind of Multiverse: Starting from *Assassination Classroom*

"Rest assured, Ichinose! I won't say a word!"

"My reputation score is quite high! If it leaks, it must be because Su Wei was talking in his sleep!"

Su Wei: Hard to say.

It was fortunate that Horikita Suzune wasn't here.

However, he didn't refuse.

"I took a shower when I went back yesterday, and it hasn't been that hot lately... there shouldn't be any sweat smell."

"No, don't say any more!"

Ichinose's face slowly turned red, like a vibrant morning glow painted onto white clouds.

"Those strange details... there's no need to specifically explain them!"

py:<Arknights Search-Retrieve, Starting by Picking Up Texas>

"Doctor, they have entered the park."

"This day has come after all. Go, deploy the countermeasures."

On the night he pulled his 100th "African Heart" in a row, the ultimate hoarder Chen Shi'an was sent to the Terra Continent amidst a flash of light.

There was no time to grieve for the lost African Heart; next up was the Search-Retrieve System.

Search containers + complete missions.

[Combat Department Mission (Part 2): Defeat the slum street gang leader (0/1)]

[Mission Reward: Ghroth Experience Card *1]

[Note: If there are other members in the squad, this objective progress can be advanced by squad members collectively]

[??? Direct Control: Obtain partial Originium management authority after defeating the "Demon King" and the "Babel's Evil Spirit," and successfully evacuate from Babel like a flying squirrel]

[Mission Reward: AWM Sniper Rifle construction unlocked, .338 Lap Mag AP bullets *5]

But for Chen Shi'an, the biggest problem was how to deal with the Lupo girl who appeared to be unconscious in the corner.

Chapter 18: Sakayanagi's Curiosity

In the cramped equipment room cubicle.

Ichinose Honami looked down at the tactical suit on her body.

It seemed that because the clothes were custom-made to Su Wei's measurements, they were a bit loose on her. The neckline slipped, revealing her white, pink-tinted collarbones, and she even had to cover it with her hand to prevent exposing her chest.

There was no surge of power as imagined, nor was there any biological texture like in sci-fi movies that automatically shrinks to fit the skin.

It was simply like a well-made cosplay outfit; aside from looking good and being embarrassing, it was useless.

"...No reaction?"

Even though she had a premonition in her heart, Ichinose still felt a bit disappointed.

She didn't dwell on it too much, nimbly changing back into her school uniform and neatly folding the tactical suit that still held her warmth.

She pushed open the cubicle door.

Kushida Kikyo, who was waiting outside, immediately came up to meet her.

Seeing that she had already changed back into her regular clothes, she couldn't help but show a look of regret:

"It looks like... it didn't work?"

Ichinose shook her head helplessly and handed the tactical suit back to Su Wei:

"Sorry, Su Wei-kun. It had absolutely no effect when I wore it; it was just like a regular bodysuit."

"That's normal."

Su Wei casually packed the combat suit back into his bag, his tone indifferent:

"If such powerful equipment could be lent out at will, the value of S Points would be greatly discounted."

"Those who don't dare to risk their lives could just borrow equipment from the strong to survive, which clearly goes against the original intention of the Black Sphere, or rather, this school's 'survival of the fittest'."

"Besides, the final right of interpretation lies with them..."

"Mm, Su Wei-kun is right; I was too greedy."

Ichinose Honami nodded obediently.

But when her gaze accidentally met Su Wei's, she looked away as if she had been electrocuted.

Even though she hadn't smelled any sweat, and the clothes were perfectly clean.

But just the thought that the bodysuit had been clinging to Su Wei's skin only minutes ago, and was now pressed against her own...

That sensation, as if she were being indirectly embraced, still lingered on her skin.

For a girl who kept herself pure and disciplined, this was still a bit too advanced.

Don't think about it, don't think about it! Ichinose, what kind of wild thoughts are you having!

This was just a necessary test for the team's survival! That's right, just a test!

Facing the girl's bashful appearance, Su Wei withdrew his gaze, having no intention of teasing her on purpose.

In all fairness, Ichinose Honami was indeed a girl who found it very easy to trust others.

Having only just enrolled, she had dared to pour out her dark history to Nagumo Miyabi after being led on by a few words.

It was just too innocent.

However...

The reason she trusted him so unreservedly this time.

Was it perhaps because she had been stuck to him so many times before that she had inevitably been dyed in his colors?

There was no helping it; the fault did not lie with him.

Who could refuse a pink, giant puppy that would wag its tail at you, its eyes filled with nothing but trust?

"Looking at it this way..."

Kushida Kikyo's voice rang out at the right moment.

Seemingly oblivious to the romantic tension between the two, she analyzed calmly:

"The equipment we prioritize exchanging later should definitely be the combat suits, right?"

"Even if we can't lend them out, the boost to physical stats alone is worth the price."

Ichinose also quickly snapped out of her shyness, returning to her usual reliable self:

"Mm, Kushida-san is right."

"I'll organize the data from this test and send it to the group so everyone can be mentally prepared."

Having said that, she turned to look at Su Wei, her eyes filled with apology:

"It's just... if we're talking about team cooperation, it might affect your earnings at the start, Su Wei-kun..."

"It's fine."

Su Wei said indifferently:

"I don't like fighting and killing anyway."

"If anything, with a leader like you who considers everyone, I can save myself a lot of trouble."

"Actually, if possible... I really do hope to spend these three years of high school in peace."

He wanted to live a peaceful life.

That was the truth.

He hadn't come here to destroy the world; as long as no one provoked him, he was happy to enjoy his leisure.

Hearing these words, Ichinose's eyes flickered, a brilliant smile bloomed on her face, and she nodded heavily:

"Mm! Leave it to me!"

"I promise, I will definitely make sure everyone survives unscathed!"

Sunlight streamed through the high windows of the equipment room, shining on the girl's hopeful face, as if gilding her with the radiance of a saint.

Watching this scene, Kushida Kikyo narrowed her eyes slightly.

She suddenly understood where that inexplicable irritation she felt this morning had come from.

That pure, unadulterated kindness, that resolve to risk everything even for strangers.

Why?

Why can someone go to such lengths for strangers?

We're both just pretending to be good people, so why is it that you can pretend so naturally?

Kushida Kikyo could not understand.

It was the instinctive repulsion of someone walking in the darkness toward a blinding light.

At the same time, in the Class A classroom for first-years.

Sakayanagi Arisu sat in her special seat by the window, resting her chin on one hand, quietly watching the figures on the playground running freely and shedding sweat.

That vibrant sense of motion, that solid feeling of feet striking the earth.

No matter how many times she watched it, that envy she had deliberately suppressed in her heart would still beat with a hint of resentment at moments like this.

In the past, she had forcibly sealed away this longing, clinging to the theory that "geniuses are always lonely and incomplete."

But now...

The young girl's fingers gently caressed the cool surface of the desk.

Since she knew this was not an unsolvable predicament, as a natural-born ruler, Sakayanagi Arisu would naturally yearn for wholeness, or rather... perfection.

This emotion did not linger on her face for long.

Weak emotions were only permitted to exist for an instant.

Sakayanagi Arisu withdrew her gaze and picked up her phone.

On the screen was the chat history between her and her father, the Chairman, over the past few days.

The information revealed between the lines was not optimistic.

The arrival of the Black Sphere trial seemed to have touched a nerve among certain higher-ups.

Although her father still maintained his position as Chairman, according to him, the authorities had already decided to parachute in a "Vice Chairman" to assist in handling related matters.

The name of that Vice Chairman, it seemed, was Tsukishiro?

"Heh."

Sakayanagi Arisu let out a soft chuckle.

So-called assistance was likely just an excuse to seize power.

However, facing this situation where the storm was about to break, she was not worried; in fact, she almost wanted to laugh.

If this were in the past, her father might have had a headache.

But now...

Whatever White Room or Black Room, whatever artificial geniuses... in the face of the supernatural power of the Black Sphere, which acted as a dimensional strike, they were nothing more than clay chickens and pottery dogs.