Every Single One of Them is a Traitorous Minister and Rebel

Another day of classes concluded, and the entirety of Class B gathered once again at the karaoke parlor to discuss official business.

"Chie Hoshinomiya just sent a message saying that we will have an examination next week."

"This exam will only serve as a reference for the future and won't be reflected on our report cards. The teacher specifically mentioned that there will be no risks involved with this test."

Ryuji Kanzaki conveyed the latest intelligence to everyone in a steady tone.

His voice was clear and resonant, ensuring the information was delivered accurately.

Compared to the slacker-like Sae Chabashira, Chie Hoshinomiya was at least slightly more reliable.

At least she would inform the students of Class B about intelligence in advance.

"If it truly weren't important, the teacher wouldn't have issued a warning beforehand."

"It's just as you thought, Makoto Nishikado. Advanced Nurturing still places importance on academics."

Honami Ichinose couldn't help but smile as she spoke.

Their class had been preparing for exams consistently of late.

Upon hearing the news of the exam, the students of Class B showed not a hint of panic; instead, they puffed out their chests, their faces filled with confidence.

Under Makoto Nishikado's arrangements, they had long since consciously begun forming study groups.

Every day after class, they would gather to discuss difficult problems and organize key points of knowledge.

From obscure mathematical formulas to complex classical literature analysis, everyone helped one another, having long since entered a genuine state of study.

Facing the exam now, they appeared as confident as battle-hardened soldiers facing a familiar battlefield.

"Since the school stated it clearly, this exam indeed carries no risk."

"However, the fact that they call it a 'reference' is quite interesting. It's possible there will be another exam after this one, and that will be the critical one."

Makoto Nishikado naturally knew that the exam after next would involve expulsion, and that there were shortcuts for that particular test.

If one only wanted to pass that exam, it would be possible to slack off.

But Makoto Nishikado was even more aware that Class B could not rely on shortcuts for three whole years.

Improving one's own strength through hard work was the most righteous path.

"Is anyone's academic performance at risk? Speak up now."

Makoto Nishikado looked toward Yuki Himeno and Honami Ichinose.

They were the two most familiar with the students' profiles within the class.

"Everyone can at least guarantee a passing grade. The most dangerous one might actually be you, Makoto Nishikado. Are you sure your modern literature is fine?"

Honami Ichinose shook her head.

She had obtained the entrance placement test scores for the Class B students from Chie Hoshinomiya.

Advanced Nurturing had five subjects: modern literature, English, mathematics, chemistry, and sociology.

Makoto Nishikado's grades in the other subjects were excellent, but his modern literature score hovered right around the passing line.

Moreover, Makoto Nishikado rarely attended the Class B study sessions.

"Don't doubt my ability. I just haven't taken that subject seriously until now."

"To think you'd dare doubt my strength—I suspect you're trying to usurp the throne, Ichinose."

Makoto Nishikado feigned suspicion as he looked at Honami Ichinose.

"Honestly, Makoto Nishikado, you really do love to joke."

Honami Ichinose shook her head with a smile.

If it were anyone else, they might indeed harbor such concerns.

After all, Class B was able to function as a unified collective because of Honami Ichinose's management.

Looking purely at functional roles, Makoto Nishikado had almost become a figurehead class leader.

But neither Makoto Nishikado nor Honami Ichinose were the type to care about such trivial matters.

"I support Honami-chan's usurpation!" Yume Kobashi suddenly jumped up.

"I support it too!" Hayato Shibata responded immediately.

"E-everyone, are you joking? Then I support it too!" Chihiro Shiranami raised her hand tremblingly.

Yuki Himeno had just been about to stand up to support her boss when Asako Amikura physically covered her mouth.

"Fine, you lot are all treacherous subjects."

Makoto Nishikado finally understood; these brats were just looking for trouble, acting like spinning tops that needed a good whipping.

Amidst the jeering, Honami Ichinose, much like Zhao Kuangyin during the Chenqiao Mutiny, suddenly found herself draped in the yellow robe.

"Alright, everyone, stop messing around, or I'm going to get angry."

Honami Ichinose knew everyone was joking, so she put her hands on her hips and feigned anger.

"Class C has been harassing us lately; are we really not going to do anything about it?"

Once everyone had settled down, Ryuji Kanzaki brought up another serious matter.

The previously chaotic and disorganized Class C had recently found a clear leader.

That person was Ryuen Kakeru.

At the mention of Ryuen Kakeru, the air in the classroom seemed to grow a few degrees heavier.

According to the information gathered by Honami Ichinose and the others, Ryuen Kakeru had used force to subdue the entire class, earning him the title of "tyrant" among the students of Class C.

It was also under Ryuen Kakeru's iron-fisted leadership that the students of Class C had become extremely aggressive.

Recently, they had been frequently harassing students from Class B, with constant petty provocations ranging from intentional taunts in the cafeteria to malicious collisions in the hallways.

"Ryuen Kakeru has likely established himself as the leader of Class C, and these provocations are probably just him testing the school's rules."

Makoto Nishikado still wore a calm smile on his face, showing no signs of panic.

Among the other three classes in the first year, the one he was least worried about was actually the highly aggressive Class C.

Of course, if he weren't in Class B, then Class C would indeed be the class that required the most careful handling.

Honami Ichinose had a gentle personality and excelled at uniting her classmates.

However, when facing an opponent like Ryuen Kakeru who would stop at nothing, Honami Ichinose was prone to being taken advantage of.

Makoto Nishikado was the exact opposite; he was best at dealing with such "ruthless characters."

"In the future, if you encounter students from Class C, you can interact with them normally; there is no need to deliberately avoid them."

"But if you run into Ryuen Kakeru, don't say anything—just leave immediately. If he has business, tell him to come find me directly."

Makoto Nishikado would not leave Ryuen Kakeru to anyone else.

The weaknesses Honami Ichinose possessed were shared by most people in Class B.

The only person capable of handling Ryuen Kakeru was Makoto Nishikado.

"By the way, regarding the situation with Class C, Asako Amikura has something she wants to say."

Honami Ichinose pushed Asako Amikura forward.

"Amikura, what is it?"

Makoto Nishikado looked toward Asako Amikura.

"Actually, I made a friend in Class C. We met at the library."

"If we end up becoming enemies with Class C, could we please not make her an enemy?"

Asako Amikura felt a bit embarrassed as she voiced her request.

She had taken it to heart when Makoto Nishikado said she was insensitive to romance last time.

She had wanted to find some novels about romance or professional books on the subject.

After a trip to the library, Asako Amikura had unexpectedly made a friend she really clicked with.

"Her name is Shiina Hiyori. Unlike the others in Class C, Hiyori is a very friendly person."

Although they hadn't known each other for long, Asako Amikura and Shiina Hiyori were already good friends who understood one another.

Shiina Hiyori was somewhat dissatisfied with Ryuen Kakeru's actions, but for the sake of the class, she didn't want to get involved.

If Makoto Nishikado planned to retaliate, Asako Amikura didn't want it to affect Shiina Hiyori.

Makoto Nishikado frowned upon hearing the name Shiina Hiyori and cautioned Asako Amikura.

"Amikura, go buy a voice recorder. From now on, whenever you encounter people from Class C, remember to keep it running the entire time."