Deduction

The library was quiet. He found the files related to the Sports Festival—schedules from previous years, rulebooks, and result records.

[Tactical Deduction (Intermediate)] activated, and he began to analyze the data.

The deduction results appeared quickly: according to the scoring rules of previous years, the point distribution for the relay race was 100 points for first place, 80 for second, 60 for third, and 40 for fourth.

However, there were adjustments this year, and the specific details had not yet been announced.

What could the "hidden loophole" mentioned by Sakayanagi Arisu be?

Ayanokoji pondered, and a possibility suddenly occurred to him: what if the scoring method was not based on ranking, but on time differences?

For example, using the first-place time as a benchmark, points could be deducted for every second slower. In this way, if a class intentionally sent slow participants to compete, dragging down the overall time, they could then compensate with high scores from other events...

No, that was too obvious.

Or... was it a restriction on the number of participants? The rules stated "ten people per class, five men and five women," but what if someone was unable to compete at the last minute? Could they be replaced? What were the restrictions on substitutions?

This could be a loophole.

Or perhaps... the rules regarding the baton pass? Was it possible to exploit baton-passing errors to interfere with other classes?

Various possibilities flashed through his mind.

Ayanokoji noted down every point he thought of, then continued to search for more information.

An hour later, he left the library.

Although he hadn't fully confirmed what the loophole was, he had several suspected directions.

What he needed now was verification.

That evening, in the Class D classroom.

Yosuke Hirata gathered everyone who might participate in the Sports Festival to discuss the distribution of events.

"The event schedule is basically finalized." Hirata distributed the printed forms to everyone. "Individual events are open for voluntary sign-ups, while group events require selection. The focus is on the 'Class Relay,' which requires five men and five women."

Ken Sudo immediately raised his hand: "I'm in! I'm good at relay races!"

"I'll sign up too," Suzune Horikita said calmly.

Kei Karuizawa hesitated: "I'm just average at running, but if you need to fill the quota, I can do it."

One after another, a dozen people signed up.

Hirata tallied the list and then looked at Ayanokoji: "Ayanokoji, what about you?"

"I'll sign up," Ayanokoji said. "Also, I need to study the specific rules for the relay race. Does the Student Council have a detailed version?"

"They should," Hirata said. "I'll go ask tomorrow."

"I'll go with you," Ayanokoji said.

After the meeting ended, Ayanokoji was called over by Mio Ibuki.

"Something up?"

"Ryuen Kakeru is making moves," Ibuki said, lowering her voice. "He met with Albert from Class C and several students with strong athletic ability today for a private talk. The content is unclear, but it definitely has to do with the Sports Festival."

Albert. The foreign student from Class C who was nearly two meters tall with formidable physical strength. He was Class C's ace in athletic events.

"Also," Ibuki continued, "Daichi Ishizaki has been asking around about our class's relay race roster. He didn't say it explicitly, but it felt malicious."

"Got it," Ayanokoji nodded. "Keep observing. Tell me immediately if there's anything unusual."

"Understood."

After Ibuki left, Ayanokoji remained in the classroom alone.

He opened the system interface to check the newly unlocked [Situation Insight (Beginner)].

The description read: "Can analyze the dynamic relationships and potential conflict points between various factions in the current environment."

Activate.

[Analyzing...]

[Current major faction relationships:]

Class A (Sakayanagi Arisu): Highly interested in the host, currently laying out plans, purpose unknown.

Class B (Honami Ichinose): Solid alliance with Class D, but facing pressure to be courted by Class A.

Class C (Ryuen Kakeru): Clear hostility, currently planning retaliation, likely to use physical means.

Inside Class D: Cohesion is improving, but there are still hidden concerns (such as the potential dissatisfaction of Kushida Kikyo).

[Potential conflict points: Sports Festival relay race (85% probability), accidents in individual events (60% probability), scoring disputes (45% probability)]

It was about what he expected.

The focus was the relay race.

The next morning, at the Student Council Office.

Hirata and Ayanokoji met with Akane Tachibana.

"Detailed rules for the relay race?" Akane Tachibana adjusted her glasses. "The specifics haven't been fully finalized yet, but the basic framework is out. Here."

She handed over a document.

Ayanokoji scanned it quickly. The rules were detailed: ten people per class, five boys and five girls, each running 200 meters for a total of 2,000 meters. There were strict restrictions on the exchange zones, and jumping the gun or committing fouls would result in point deductions.

The scoring method... was based on placement.

However, one note caught his attention: "In the event of extreme weather or other force majeure, the judging panel reserves the right to adjust the scoring method, using 'completion time difference' as the benchmark for evaluation."

Extreme weather?

Ayanokoji looked up. "How is 'extreme weather' defined?"

"Heavy rain, strong winds, lightning, or other conditions that affect the competition," Akane Tachibana said. "However, the weather forecast says the day of the Sports Festival will be sunny, so this clause likely won't be needed."

Not necessarily.

What if "extreme conditions" were manufactured?

For instance... sprinkling water on the track? Or creating some other form of chaos?

This could be the loophole Sakayanagi mentioned, or perhaps a tactic Ryuen would employ.

"Additionally," Akane Tachibana added, "a 'moral score' has been added this year. If malicious fouls or harmful behavior occur during the race, not only will the individual be disqualified, but the class will also have points deducted."

This was a preventive measure aimed at Class C.

But as the saying goes, for every foot the righteous advance, the wicked advance ten.

"Thank you." Ayanokoji returned the document to Akane Tachibana.

After leaving the Student Council Office, Hirata asked, "Did you find anything?"

"Possibly," Ayanokoji said, "but nothing is certain yet. We need to be prepared for all kinds of contingencies."

"Do you think someone will cause trouble?"

"Definitely," Ayanokoji said. "Especially Ryuen."

Hirata's expression turned serious. "Then we need to strengthen our defenses. We should assign someone to watch every relay runner to prevent them from being interfered with before the race."

"Agreed," Ayanokoji nodded. "Also, we need to prepare substitute runners. In case someone is unable to compete at the last minute, they must be ready to step in immediately."

"Understood."

In the afternoon, at the track.

The relay runners from Class D were training.

Ken Sudo was the fastest, finishing 200 meters in about 23 seconds, which was close to the level of a professional athlete. Suzune Horikita was also quite good, at around 30 seconds. The others were inconsistent, with the slowest taking over 40 seconds.

Ayanokoji tested himself once: 25 seconds. He had deliberately controlled his speed and had not used his full strength.

During a break in training, Kei Karuizawa walked over. "Ayanokoji, have you heard about Class A?"

"What about them?"

"Sakayanagi Arisu seems to be making contact with our class's Kikyo Kushida," Kei Karuizawa said. "Someone saw them talking in the hallway."

Kikyo Kushida?

That girl who was an angel on the surface but dark on the inside. She had always been hostile toward Ayanokoji, but had restrained herself for the time being out of fear of his capabilities.

What would Sakayanagi want with her?

"Do you know what they talked about?"

"Not sure," Kei Karuizawa shook her head. "But when Kushida came back, her expression was a bit strange—I couldn't tell if she was happy or nervous."

Ayanokoji pondered.

Sakayanagi might be trying to obtain intelligence on Class D from Kushida. Or... she might be trying to use Kushida to create conflict within Class D.

This was indeed a problem.

"Keep observing," Ayanokoji said, "but don't alert the enemy."

"Mm."

Training continued.

An hour later, an accident occurred.

It wasn't a training mishap, but rather—Kanji Ike suddenly slipped and fell while running a curve.

"Ike!" Hirata rushed over immediately.

Kanji Ike clutched his ankle, his expression pained. "My foot... I think I twisted it."

"Go to the infirmary."

Several people helped Kanji Ike up and headed toward the infirmary.

Ayanokoji crouched down to inspect the spot where Ike had just fallen. The track was clean; there were no pebbles and no water stains.

But looking closely, there was a small... oily smudge on the ground?

It was very faint; if one didn't look carefully, it would be impossible to notice.

He touched it with his finger, picked up a bit of the transparent liquid, and sniffed it. It had no scent.

"What's wrong?" Horikita walked over.

"There's something on the track," Ayanokoji said. "It might have been greased by someone."

"Sabotage?"

"Possibly."

Ayanokoji stood up and scanned the field. Students from other classes were also training; Class C was on the track on the other side, while Class A and Class B were at the courts in the distance.

Who did it? When did they do it?

[Insight (Basic)] swept across the surroundings, but no suspicious individuals were found.

However, this incident itself was already a warning.

Someone had started to make their move.