Classroom of the Elite: Prepared

Chapter 34 - The shackles of the past

As I set the two bodyguards down on the slightly moist grass, I cast a glance at the contestants and the audience. All had more or less the same reaction, except Ichika, who was somewhat captivated by what she had just witnessed.

Drops of sweat were forming on the foreheads of the students in the audience, likewise for the guests.

"W-what was that?" wondered Mrs. Sakayanagi aloud enough for the others to hear her.

"It was a normal brawl, nothing more and nothing less than that," I retorted as the others, who were silently watching the unfolding events, provided no response.

"Normal fight? Don't you understand? Those bodyguards... they weren't just any bodyguards, one of them was one of the top five martial artists." She clarified in a slightly raised voice.

"Huh?"

Upon hearing this, the audience grew more and more disbelieving, and their eyes gradually revealed more and more of their emotions.

"The top five martial artists in the entire world?"

They were already informed that the bodyguards were high-ranking martial artists, but they didn't know they were that proficient.

I intentionally let a moment of silence pass so the others could process what they had just heard.

"I think you're the one who doesn't understand," I then finally told her.

This only sparked more confusion, however, not only for Ms. Sakayanagi but for the audience too.

"How so?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Second, third, fourth, it does not matter to me, at the end of the day they are just that and nothing more. As long as I'm the strongest, I simply don't care."

"Those two were really stupid." It was the man who broke the silence with that remark.

My attention then shifted from Mrs. Sakayanagi to that man, the others remained silent so far.

"Can't you just leave? We both know you can't bring me back with methods like that." I did not receive a reply, instead he simply ignored it and the stillness continued.

"Believe me, old man, I myself attempted such methods and it didn't work. Kuku." The first one who dared to speak was none other than Ryueen, who was standing next to Sakayanagi.

"Of course, I doubt that fools like you could harm him."

"You haven't answered my question yet," I informed him, interrupting the conversation between the two.

"The one in which you asked me to leave? I don't have to answer such a ridiculous question, do I?"

I didn't answer, but glanced at the attendees who were just as agitated as the crowd, but still whispering to each other, but one person was entirely silent.

The usual upbeat spirit and smile she habitually displayed were nowhere to be seen, in fact, she was more than likely blaming herself.

I knew why this person was even worse off and immediately addressed her.

"Tsubasa, you don't have to feel bad, this is not your fault." In less than a second, she seemed to return to reality.

"Still senpai, I'm sorry for causing you trouble." She said in a soft tone.

It was plain to see that she blamed herself for all of this, but in reality, it wasn't her fault.

"It was bound to happen sooner or later, so don't apologize."