A Tyrant's Will

Volume 2: Chapter 2.3 - Finishing Touches

For many, the first month of school was tranquil and carefree. Students basked in their apparent good fortune, spending their points freely and enjoying themselves to the fullest.

However, just two months later, this once cheerful school had transformed into a battlefield. Surveillance and reconnaissance became the norm. Students tailed one another relentlessly, desperate to uncover even the tiniest shred of valuable information.

The stakes were high, so it was no surprise. However, the act of spying itself was just a front and served little purpose. After all, it was unlikely the enemy would slip up in public.

In truth, the key to victory ultimately lay in information control.

Information is a weapon-a double-edged sword that can completely alter the course of battle. The question is: what should remain hidden, and what should be revealed to the masses?

In this situation, both classes appeared to be on equal footing. However, in reality, one side held an overwhelming advantage.

One class had a hidden weapon, one that the other class was completely unaware of.

This in itself already placed that class at a significant disadvantage. Now imagine for a moment that they were fed false information on top of that. Their chances of winning would be virtually zero, wouldn't it?

As of right now, all preparations for the contest with Class A were complete. The stage was set. However, I had one last errand I needed to complete before jumping into the fray.

Right after school ended, I made my way to a classroom at the end of the hall. I swung the door open without a second thought for those still inside.

After all, these people were none other than Class D students-the preyed-upon defects of this school.

Recent events involving them had piqued my interest. I wanted to uncover more while subtly preparing for what lay ahead.

As I stepped inside, the entire class fell silent, clearly not expecting my arrival.

Class D's homeroom teacher, Chabashira, paused and shot me a quick glance before leaving without a word. Like Mashima, she didn't seem interested enough to stick around and see what I was up to. Well, I suppose babysitting a bunch of losers wasn't exactly her idea of fun.

I quickly scanned the room as I searched for a particular individual. Within seconds, I spotted her: a girl with long black hair and a serious expression.

That had to be Horikita Suzune, the sister of Horikita Manabu.

The resemblance to the student council president was uncanny; it felt as though I were staring at his female counterpart. In hindsight, I should have realized she was his sister the moment I saw her in the library.

"Hey! What the hell are you doing here? This is Class D's room!" A red-haired boy leapt from his chair, glaring at me with anger.

"How unfriendly," I replied with a smirk. "I get that being stuck in Class D with no points isn't the best, but you should still show some respect to your superiors, don't ya think?"

The boy marched over, fists clenched. "What, you think you deserve special treatment just because you're in a higher class?"

"Heh. I remember you. Sudou Ken, huh? Hard to believe a primal ape like yourself even managed to pass the midterms. I thought you'd be expelled after the first month."

"What did you just call me?" Sudou roared. "I'll make you pay for that, you jerk!"

"No! Sudou-kun, don't!"