Breaking the Siege

10:00 PM, Class D dormitory building.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had just finished his shower when he received a message from Sakayanagi.

Meeting again? What kind of trick is it this time?

He replied: "Fine. But I hope this is a genuine 'sharing' session, not another attempt to probe me."

Soon, Sakayanagi replied: "I guarantee it will be substantial. After all, if the opponent is too weak, the game isn't fun, is it?"

Ayanokoji put down his phone and opened the system interface.

[Tactical Deduction (Intermediate)] activated, simulating potential scenarios for tomorrow.

Simulation Scenario 1: Sakayanagi sets a verbal trap during the meeting to fish for information. Probability: 70%.

Simulation Scenario 2: The meeting itself is a ruse, with the real objective being to lure him away to facilitate an attack on other members of Class D. Probability: 40%.

Simulation Scenario 3: She actually reveals some information, but it is a mix of truth and lies. Probability: 65%.

Regardless, he had to go.

[Situation Insight (Beginner)] automatically analyzed the current dynamics of each faction:

Class A (Sakayanagi Arisu): Strategy shifted to "testing and observation," interest in the host continues to rise.

Class C (Ryuen Kakeru): Intent for retaliation is clear; methods likely lean toward physical sabotage.

Class B (Ichinose Honami): Alliance is stable, but facing pressure from Class A to defect; internal signs of wavering (detected individual students having private contact with Class A).

Inside Class D: Kushida Kikyo's recent actions are abnormal; frequent contact with personnel from Class A and Class C (requires priority monitoring).

Kushida Kikyo...

This hidden threat had always existed. Ever since Karuizawa mentioned her contact with Sakayanagi, Ayanokoji had been keeping a close watch. Now, it seemed she might truly be operating in the shadows.

How should he handle this?

Direct confrontation would alert the enemy. Leaving her unchecked could lead to problems.

Perhaps... he could make use of her?

A plan began to take shape in Ayanokoji's mind.

He picked up his phone and sent a message to Karuizawa: "During training tomorrow, find an opportunity to 'accidentally' let Kushida see our fake relay order list."

A few minutes later, Karuizawa replied: "Fake relay order? When did we have a fake one?"

"Make one now. Put Sudo in the first leg, me in the last leg, and arrange the others randomly. Make it look subtle, but ensure Kushida can 'accidentally' discover it."

"...Understood. Who do you want her to pass it to?"

"To anyone who wants to pry," Ayanokoji replied. "Truth mixed with lies—that's what makes it interesting."

After handling this matter, Ayanokoji lay down on his bed.

Tomorrow would be another day filled with calculations.

He closed his eyes.

[Ding! Detected the host initiating a scheme, triggering skill "Strategy" experience gain.]

[Current Strategy Level: Novice (45/100)]

The system notification flashed and vanished.

Ayanokoji ignored it and drifted into a deep sleep.

3:00 PM the next day, Sports Festival venue, Chess competition area.

This area was quite secluded, located in a side hall of the main stadium, with only a few tables and a couple of chess sets. There were very few people signed up to compete; besides Ayanokoji and Sakayanagi, there were only two other students who looked like they were just filling numbers.

Sakayanagi Arisu had already arrived. She sat in her wheelchair with a chessboard set up in front of her.

"Punctual," she smiled. "Care for a game? There are twenty minutes left before the preliminaries begin."

"Sure." Ayanokoji sat down across from her.

"Decide who goes first?"

"You take the red pieces," Ayanokoji said.

Sakayanagi didn't stand on ceremony and moved her "cannon": "So, regarding the new discovery about the rule loopholes..."

"Is this what you call 'sharing'?" Ayanokoji moved his "knight," blocking the cannon's path.

"Of course." Sakayanagi moved her other "cannon." "I discovered a very interesting point. In the scoring rules for team events, there is a note: 'In the event of force majeure causing a match to be interrupted, the completed portion will be scored proportionally.'"

She raised her eyes: "But what constitutes 'force majeure'? If it is a disturbance created by human hands, does it count?"

"For example?"

"For example... a sudden fire alarm." Sakayanagi smiled as she captured one of Ayanokoji's "pawns." "Or equipment failure. Or a student suddenly falling ill."

Ayanokoji moved his "chariot": "You want to create chaos during the competition to interrupt the matches?"

"Not me." Sakayanagi shook her head. "But I feel that someone will do it. And the target is very likely your Class D."

"Ryuen."

"Clever." Sakayanagi Arisu nodded. "That is why I suggest you check your track, the exchange zones, and your team members' equipment before the Relay Race begins. Especially... the running shoes."

Running shoes?

Ayanokoji felt a chill run through his heart.

If someone were to tamper with the running shoes—loosening the laces, applying oil to the soles, or even damaging the spikes—it would be incredibly easy for an accident to occur while running at high speeds.

"Why tell me this?" Ayanokoji asked. "Helping an opponent prevent danger doesn't seem like your style."

"Because I want a brilliant game, not a boring landslide," Sakayanagi answered earnestly. "If your athletes were to withdraw due to such low-level tactics, it would be far too dull."

She moved her "Chariot," putting him in check.

"Besides," she added, "this is also a test. I want to see what kind of precautions you can take when you know there is danger. Will you be so paranoid that it affects your performance, or will you resolve the crisis with composure?"

Ayanokoji moved his "Guard," blocking the attack.

"I will keep it in mind. Thank you for the reminder."

"You're welcome." Sakayanagi smiled. "Now, shall we continue the game?"

The two continued their match. Twenty minutes later, the preliminary round began—which, in reality, was just a match between the two of them, as the other two students had forfeited early.

In the end, Sakayanagi Arisu won. Her playing style was delicate yet sharp, with a hidden counter-move behind every step.

"I accept your concession," she said with a slight nod.

"My skills were inferior," Ayanokoji said as he stood up. "I will see you at the Sports Festival tomorrow."

"I look forward to your performance."

After leaving the Chess Area, Ayanokoji immediately sent a message to Hirata: "Check the equipment of all relay team members, especially their running shoes. Inspect them thoroughly from the inside out; do not overlook any details."

Then, he sent another message to Ibuki: "Come to my dorm after training ends today. We have something to discuss."

At seven in the evening, in Ayanokoji's dorm.

Mio Ibuki arrived on time. She looked somewhat guarded. "What is it that couldn't be said in the classroom?"

"It's about safety for tomorrow," Ayanokoji said, closing the door. "Sakayanagi Arisu warned me that someone might tamper with our running shoes. You were in Class C; do you know what methods they are most likely to use?"

Ibuki thought for a moment. "If it's Ryuen... he likes simple and direct methods. For example, cutting the laces halfway at the seams—it wouldn't be visible, but they would snap under pressure. Or, putting small pebbles under the insoles; it wouldn't be a problem for short training sessions, but it would cause blisters during a long run."

"Anything else?"

"There is also..." Ibuki hesitated. "Shiho Manabe. She is skilled at meticulous manual work. If it were her, she might apply a transparent glue to the treads of the soles. It would provide friction normally, but become slippery when exposed to sweat or water."

Ayanokoji noted all of this down.

"Also," Ibuki added, "if Ryuen wants to create chaos to interrupt the competition, he would most likely use smoke bombs or smoke canisters. There are many fire exits in the Sports Festival venue; lighting one in any corner would be enough to cause a panic."

"Do you have a way to prevent it?"

"I can go around the venue tonight and check those hidden corners," Ibuki said. "But I can't guarantee I'll find anything. If Ryuen has someone bring them in at the last minute tomorrow, it will be impossible to guard against."

"Do your best," Ayanokoji said. "Also, during the competition tomorrow, I need you to keep an eye on the spectator stands. Especially the area where Class C students are gathered. If anyone acts suspiciously, let me know immediately."

"Understood."

After Ibuki left, Ayanokoji opened the System Interface once more.

[Tactical Deduction (Intermediate)] running at full capacity, simulating all possible accidents that might occur tomorrow.

Deduction Scenario 1: Running shoes tampered with, athlete falls and gets injured. Probability: 50%.

Deduction Scenario 2: Smoke bombs cause chaos, competition is interrupted. Probability: 30%.

Deduction Scenario 3: Substitution rules are abused, Class A suddenly swaps in a hidden ace. Probability: 80%.

Deduction Scenario 4: False intelligence passed by Kushida Kikyo takes effect, opponent makes a tactical error. Probability: 60%.

Deduction Scenario 5: ...Unknown factors. Probability: 15%.

There are still unknown factors.

What could they be?

Ayanokoji frowned. He felt as though he had missed something.

Just then, his phone vibrated. It was a message from Honami Ichinose:

"Ayanokoji-kun, there is something I must tell you. Tetsuya Hamaguchi from our class was taken out for a talk by Hashimoto Masayoshi of Class A today. Since returning, he has been somewhat... shaken regarding our alliance strategy for tomorrow."

Tetsuya Hamaguchi, a student in Class B, has decent physical fitness and signed up for the Team Obstacle Race.

Hashimoto Masayoshi, a problematic student in Class A, has an impulsive personality and enjoys using violent methods.

"What did they talk about?"

"I'm not sure. Hamaguchi refuses to say," Ichinose replied. "But I feel that Class A might be poaching our members. You should be careful on your end as well; there might be Class B students who have been turned."

Internal issues within the alliance.

This could be the "unknown factor."

"I understand. Thank you for the reminder."

After ending the communication, Ayanokoji leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

The Sports Festival had yet to begin, yet the contest in the shadows was already this intense.

Ryuen's violent threats, Sakayanagi's psychological games, the internal wavering of Class B, and the hidden perils within Class D...

Tomorrow, when the competition officially commences, all these undercurrents will rise to the surface.

And he must ensure that Class D stands firm amidst this storm.

[Ding! Multiple crises detected. Emergency mission triggered: Helmsman in the Storm.]

[Mission Requirements: During the Sports Festival, successfully neutralize at least three malicious actions directed at Class D (physical sabotage, Rule Trap, psychological warfare, etc.).]

[Mission Rewards: Depending on the number of successful interventions and their effectiveness, receive the "Crisis Management" ability and a large amount of points.]

[Failure Penalty: Class D's Sports Festival ranking drops, and alliance relations are damaged.]

A new mission had arrived, and the difficulty was high.

But Ayanokoji Kiyotaka did not shrink away.

He opened his eyes, his gaze calm and resolute.

Come then.

Let this storm rage even more fiercely.

Tomorrow, the outcome will be decided on the field.