Classroom Of The Elite: Crumbling Mysteries

Prologue

Something unexpected happened.

The entire school body had received a message regarding a new special exam and everyone was called to a large theatre on the cruise.

Horikita along with Class C were also walking towards the theatre with grim expressions. The second island exam had just finished and everyone was tired.

After the amazing performance Koenji had displayed, Class D had risen to Class C.

'What's the school thinking?' She mused while discreetly reading everyone's expressions.

... They weren't enthusiastic.

She understood them.

She herself was the most anxious. Ayanokouji was nowhere to be found and the whole events on the island had caused her cold heart to beat with tension.

I2... AK... Noon... Expelled.

While Ayanokouji did not get expelled during the exam there was certainly someone targeting him and she felt it was not just the first years and the one who gave them the bounty.

There was someone else.

The night breeze rustled her hair as a low voice entered her ears.

"Suzune, have you seen Ayanokouji?"

It was Sudo.

She shook her head with a calm expression. She couldn't show her worries on her face, that was the bare minimum she had to do as the Leader of Class C.

"Don't worry about him. He'll come by himself."

Sudo nodded hesitantly and trailed behind her. Class C was having their own discussion.

"Ahhh! I can't believe this school goddammit!" Ike bellowed in frustration.

"Yeah, we were supposed to enjoy a vacation, right? The hell is wrong with these adults." Kei along with her group of girls supported his statements and similar complaints were spoken.

"Jeez, it's like they're sadists or something." Haruka muttered while walking with the Ayanokouji Group, "Say Miyachi, have you seen Kiyopon?"

"Nah, last time I saw him was yesterday."

"Same, we talked briefly yesterday, " Keisei chimed in as Airi also wondered where Ayanokouji was.

She shook her head when Haruka asked her where Ayanokouji was.

Soon they arrived at the theatre and it was already packed.

Because Class C was waiting for Horikita and Horikita was waiting for Ayanokouji they were the last to reach the theatre.

In the last row were the third years with Nagumo sitting in the middle.

The second years were in the middle with the first years at the bottom.

Below the first years were the teachers while at the forefront of the theatre was Mashima sensei sporting an expression full of confusion.

'Were they not expecting this as well? Don't tell me it's something like the Unanimous Voting Exam like last year.' Horikita kept her thoughts to herself.

Having the class panic was the last thing she wanted.

'Where the hell is Ayanokouji?'

The worry in her heart grew.

"It seems like you took your sweet time Suzune." A frivolous voice called out to her and she calmly looked towards Ryuen before ignoring him.

"How cold~" he teased her further seeing Sudo's annoyed expression but much to his dismay Sudo didn't react and sat down quietly.

If it was the Sudo of last year he would've surely jumped to argue with him.

It was a testament to his growth.

After a few minutes of idle chatter, Mashima-sensei raised his hand.

"Since everyone is here I will now begin the explanation for this special exam. Before that are there any questions or worries?"

Horikita's hand was the first to shoot up and Mashima-sensei nodded at her.

"Sensei, Ayanokouji-kun isn't here yet can we please wait for him?"

"Yeah, he'll be here soon Sensei!" Ike shouted along with her.

Mashima-sensei looked hesitant but he ultimately shook his head.

"Unfortunately the timing for arrival was at 7 pm sharp and it's already 7:03 PM. The viewing has to start and I'm unable to delay it. According to the rules, the doors will be closed."

"But Sensei!" Ike wanted to continue but Horikita stopped him.

She didn't know why Ike was so enthusiastic about Ayanokouji but for now, he had to stop.

She wasn't aware of the entire details of what happened on the island but Ayanokouji seems to have helped him somehow.

Otherwise, his behaviour made no sense.

"I understand." She calmly accepted his explanation. She noticed the word viewing and deduced that at worst she would explain it to him later.

It couldn't be that the school would want to start a special exam with a student missing, right?

"Now I'll begin the explanation. This sudden event was arranged by the Government and everything will be explained through the theatre." 

His words caused the hall to delve into hushed whispers.

"This makes no sense, his explanation is too vague," Horikita muttered upon seeing that Mashima-sensei was not going to say anything else.

"The government you say, Mashima-sensei? May I ask for the reason behind the sudden intervention? I believe the government hasn't ever involved itself with the school directly."

Mashima looked at his student with a stern expression.

"I have myself not received any details so I'm unable to answer your questions Sayanagaki Arisu."

"I see..."

"Now we'll begin the viewing!"

He raised his voice and the lights in the theatre died down.

The spectacular screen in the middle lit up as bold characters appeared on it.

[Episode 1: What is Equality? What is Freedom?]