Not Bad-Like a Little Calf

"As for this Advance Test... I've been wanting to see what this so-called Black Sphere game is really like."

"Kanzaki..." Ichinose was touched, thinking that her efforts had finally paid off.

And so, the spots were exchanged.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka watched the scene keenly.

He's deliberately targeting people who took part in the previous exam...

Both he and Shiranami Chihiro had survived the last one.

Was it just random chance?

Or a deliberate, targeted hint?

Ayanokoji thought it over, then turned and headed toward the school building.

At the same time, Kanzaki Ryuji said goodbye to the students of Class B and hurried over to Ayanokoji.

"You're one of the three who survived after getting caught up in the last Special Exam, right?"

Kanzaki Ryuji studied the seemingly ordinary boy from Class D before holding out his hand.

"Hello. Kanzaki Ryuji, Class B."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka shook his hand politely.

"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, Class D."

As the atmosphere around them grew heavier, Su Wei also took out his phone and pretended to browse through his messages.

Although Kushida Kikyo's reminder had played a part in this Advance Test, Su Wei had already been considering it for some time.

After all, for all the talk of Classroom of the Elite's mind games being on the level of Zhongli faking his death, it was still a story about intellectual battles.

Spending every day fighting and killing was a waste of the premise.

The original story had been limited by its realistic setting and legal and ethical constraints, leaving very few possibilities to explore.

Now that he was an absolute superior with plenty of items at his disposal, what sparks would fly if he brought the games from Alice in Borderland into Classroom of the Elite's exams?

Let's try out the Wolf and Sheep Game first...

Just as Su Wei opened the screen that only he could see, ready to have a good look, a pleasant scent wafted over on the breeze. It wasn't perfume.

Ichinose Honami had come up beside him at some point, her face grave.

"Su Wei..."

"I never thought the Black Sphere Trial would start again. And in this way, too."

Su Wei gathered his thoughts.

"There's nothing we can do about it."

"We have no choice. We can only accept being chosen. We'll just have to make the best of it."

Ichinose Honami shook her head, jaw set as she gritted her teeth and swallowed her humiliation.

"I don't think so."

"Things are cruel right now, but I've always believed that effort doesn't always get you what you want, but it will always lead to some kind of result."

"As long as we don't give up, we'll find a way to turn things around!"

"Then let's believe—and keep hoping," Su Wei said.

Seeing that he didn't disagree, Ichinose Honami seemed encouraged.

She hesitated, then suddenly lowered her voice and spoke with a hint of embarrassment.

"By the way, Su Wei."

"About how to use the Reinforcement Suit..."

"I tried it a few times on my own. My strength definitely increased, but I still don't understand the difference you mentioned. Could you explain it in more detail?"

Ichinose's ears turned red.

"Am I using it incorrectly, or... am I doing it the wrong way?"

Tomorrow's update will come in the evening. I'll make it up to you with an extra chapter.

And while I'm at it, please consider giving me a free recommendation, a monthly pass, or a blade. It really means a lot to a small-time author!

orz

Not Bad—Like a Little Calf

After checking the time and confirming there was no need to postpone the test, Su Wei put away his phone and spoke to the expectant Ichinose Honami.

"You might have a hard time understanding what it feels like if I just explain it."

"Come with me. I'll change clothes and show you directly. Then you'll probably get it."

"Sorry to trouble you, Su Wei."

Ichinose Honami nodded obediently, without a trace of suspicion, and quickly followed Su Wei.

A short distance away, Shiranami Chihiro watched the two of them walk off side by side. She opened her mouth as if to call Ichinose back, but couldn't think of a reason to stop her.

After all, she knew why Ichinose was going to see Su Wei.

Strictly speaking, Shiranami Chihiro was also one of the beneficiaries of this "sacrifice."

In this situation, she couldn't exactly rush over and grab Ichinose, saying:

"Honami-chan! Don't go! You'll be alone with a man, and he looks like a bad guy. What if he takes advantage of you?"

That would be utterly ridiculous, and far too petty.

In the end, the girl could only bite her lip and watch Ichinose's retreating figure.

It felt like watching a helpless wife look on as her husband, forced to provide for the family, went on a business trip with his boss...

No, wait.

She didn't even qualify as a "wife." At most, she was a helpless best friend.

That made it even worse.

So frustrating...

A few minutes later, they arrived at Su Wei's door. He put his hand on the doorknob and glanced back.

"Wait here. I'll change into my Combat Suit first."

"Okay... Huh?"

Ichinose Honami had instinctively started to follow him inside. She'd taken one step before realizing that this was the boys' dorm and that Su Wei was going to change into his Combat Suit.

Her cheeks flushed bright red.

"N-no, it's fine! I'll wait outside!"

Su Wei left the door ajar. Through it, he saw the girl facing the wall and taking deep breaths, clearly trying to calm herself. He couldn't help shaking his head.

Honestly, Ichinose Honami was top-tier, both in physical ability and in her kindness to the very core.

But those strengths had also become weaknesses, the greatest vulnerability of both her and all of Class B.

In a world where the strong preyed on the weak, taking every responsibility onto herself without the strength to match would only crush her in the end.

Su Wei didn't dislike saints.

But he didn't like it when someone's lack of ability dragged the whole group down, leaving them with an insufferable ending.

That was different from Kushida Kikyo.

He was simply attracted to the contrast between Kushida's sweet exterior and dark side, as well as her enormous assets. He was a pure physical-attraction kind of guy.

As for Ichinose... he did have some thoughts of nurturing her.

I hope this time helps you figure things out a little.

Su Wei thought as he opened the Black Sphere interface.

The game he'd chosen this time was a classic from Alice in Borderland: [Seven of Hearts: Wolf and Sheep Game].

The rules followed the TV adaptation.

There were four players: one wolf and three sheep.

The sheep had to hide so the wolf couldn't find or see them.

But in the end, only the person who retained the identity of "wolf" could clear the game and survive.

And the moment a wolf and a sheep made eye contact, their identities would switch.

So...

What the players really had to hide from wasn't the sheep, who were prey.

It was the wolf, who had to remain hidden to survive, even if it meant betraying their humanity.

[Game loaded.]

[Participants: Ayanokoji Kiyotaka (D), Kanzaki Ryuji (B), Kaneda Satoru (C), Machida Koji (A)]

Once the game began, Su Wei stopped paying much attention to it.

Sending Ayanokoji to play mind games with those people was like bringing a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Rather than watch them get crushed, teaching Ichinose was more important right now.

Just then—

"Knock, knock."

A tentative knock came from outside the door.

"Su Wei? Are you done changing?"

Ichinose Honami's voice came through, and the door opened a crack as she gently pushed it.

She seemed to think it was locked and had only pushed cautiously. She hadn't expected the door to be open, and it swung inward quite a bit.

"Ah! Sorry!"

Ichinose jumped and instinctively started to back out and pull the door shut.

"It's okay. Come in."

Su Wei was already fully dressed and stood in the middle of the room, loosening his wrists.

"I left the door open for you. Come in, and we'll continue."

"Huh? O-okay."

Ichinose said no more. She lowered her head, stepped inside, and closed the door behind her.

She glanced around.

The room was unexpectedly tidy. There was no smell of sweat or socks tossed carelessly about. The air even held a faint scent of lemon-scented air freshener.

Her tense nerves eased a little.

Ichinose walked up to Su Wei and looked at him, uncertain.

"So, what should I do now?"

Su Wei turned and held out his right hand to her: