Classroom of the Elite: Portrayal

Chapter 21: Favour the odds

HIRO (DAY 1)

All students,

Please come to the indicated room at the stated time.
Those who are more than 10 minutes late may receive a penalty.
Come to room 507 by 5:30 pm today

- ANHS

Well, we were off to such a great start.

I was feeling tired and angry. The last place I wanted to be at was at room 507.

I was seriously considering being late to receive a penalty, but it wouldn't have been wise for me to do so.

As I entered the room, I noticed a couple of familiar faces.

Specifically, Ryuen's face. The other two, if I'm being honest, are a bit more forgettable.

Chabashira checked her watch, "you made it on time. When I mean you made it on time, you're 9 minutes late."

I shrugged my shoulders, "still didn't receive a penalty."

It was enough to give Chabashira a satisfied smile as I pulled out a chair. Ryuen remained quiet throughout.

She went on to explain the details of this "Zodiac Exam."

Let's just say there were a lot of rules to follow, and I wasn't too sure if I would make it through the whole thing.

"Wake up," Chabashira asked in a stern voice.

I immediately went back up, rubbing my eyes. I guess I was asleep from everything.

She went on to explain the rules of it all. Some important stuff was less important.

But what sparked my interest the most was that, thankfully, the exam was three days long. Now, that was a gift I was excited to get, as I would only be on this cruise for a good three days.

Everything else was entirely relevant to me.

Sure, the VIPs and the cases were important, but all I wanted to do was leave this room.

"That is all."

Ryuen was the first to leave his seat and exit the room; knowing him, he was oddly silent. He must have had something up his sleeve for this exam.

I was the last one remaining in the private room. The silence was looming over us all. Just as I was to get up from my seat, Chabasbira began eying me down. She wanted something.

"Sit." She calmly said.

I was obliged to be interested in what she wanted to say to me.

"Congratulations on your victory." Chabashira gestured to me with a slight smile on her lip.

I relaxed in the chair, returning the smile. "I can say the same for you; congratulations on coming second."

She shrugged her shoulder, her smile unwavering. "You'll have to thank your close friend Matsushita for that. She's becoming a fine leader."

A warmth in my chest grew hearing that from her.

It was all I ever wanted for her, but. . .

"She's going to get destroyed in this exam. . . You know that, right?" I grinned.

"Time will tell, " she answered, though you could see that struck a nerve or two. You may leave."

I nodded my head, exiting the room.

With that out of the way, I could conclude that this was an interesting exam.
Although the exam was not as physically challenging as the Island Exam, it was mentally challenging.