Classroom of the Elite: Alter - Self-Test

Last Day, 11:55 AM.

The rest area was filled with students. Each class's designated area had chairs and drinks so everyone felt comfortable while waiting underneath the provisional tents.

"What the hell...? Why's Ibuki here? I thought she retired long ago..." Ken scratched his head in confusion.

"Any idea, Kiyotaka?" asked Akito.

"No, I didn't know that Ibuki was still on the island." I shook my head in response.

Drones equipped with cameras could be seen flying around the beach. They're probably meant for the people on the boat who aren't able to personally hear the results— namely; Class D.

"Ibuki-san! We didn't expect to see you here! All of us thought you retired!" Kikyou and her friends walked towards Ibuki and tried to make a conversation.

Since the exam has come to a close, Ibuki's job naturally ended with it. Outside of being a spy, she doesn't know how to act around the friendly girls who accompanied her throughout the first few days.

"Uh... Well, some things happened so..." Ibuki struggled to respond. She was overwhelmed by their genial spirits.

Around that time, Mashima-sensei appeared with a megaphone in hand. The air around the beach tightened as soon as he turned it on.

"Good noon, everyone. Over this past week, we, your teachers, have closely watched your efforts in this special test. There were some students who took on the challenge honestly and head-on. There were some who devised schemes to tackle the test with creativity. Many things have happened, but overall, the test results were splendid. Good work."

The students appeared relieved to receive such straightforward praise from Mashima-sensei. It seemed like everyone was finally starting to believe that the one-week exam was really over.

"Well then, to get straight to the point. I would like to announce the results of the special exam."

Not even Chabashira-sensei has seen the results. Silence enveloped the place while everyone appeared to be on edge. I glanced at Ibuki, whose eyes narrowed in anticipation.

"We will not accept any questions regarding the test results, no exceptions. We would like you to accept the results you have been given, analyze them, and use them to help you for the next special exam. It is what it is. Don't wet yourselves over these results. I implore you to accept reality as it is."

Mashima-sensei raised the card in his hand. This very card holds the fruits of our labor in this special exam. Once the results reach our ears, things may very well reach a turning point.

Inside a luxurious medical suite on the cruise ship lay Ryuuen and his lackeys.

"Turn down the music volume, Ishizaki," he ordered with a grin. "Once they announce the rankings, I might consider changing it to a requiem, just to fit the mood."

Ishizaki hurriedly followed as Ryuuen leaned back on his soft bed. The T.V. screen was so big that even Albert and the others could see everything clearly from the door. The inordinate jazz music that reverberated throughout the room slowly faded.

Ryuuen looked forward to the reactions of everyone on the beach. He wanted to see how the three upper classes would take it— after finding out that their provisional points didn't amount to anything at all.

"Now, we will announce the rankings. The lowest class, in fourth place, is Class A, with 120 points."

A commotion instantly erupted.

"Hahahaha! Look at their faces! The confusion and disbelief— They're priceless!" Ryuuen reveled in their shock without restraint.

"In third place; Class D, with 126 points."

The baffled faces of the students became even more apparent. At the same time, Ryuuen's classmates gasped in awe after witnessing his predictions come true. They were skeptical when Ryuuen declared that he'd have the class rise from zero points, but the results spoke for themselves.

"Y-You're amazing, Ryuuen-san..." muttered Ishizaki.

Komiya, Kondou, and Yamawaki gulped nervously, and Albert nodded with a light snort.

"Heh, who do you think you're talking to?" he shrugged. "This wasn't even the ideal result, thanks to Ayanokouji."

"Coming in second place is Class C, with 140 points." Ryuuen relaxingly tilted his head as Mashima-sensei announced the scores he predicted and calculated.

Ichinose and her classmates stopped being calm. This time, they were also subjected to the same confusion as the other classes.

"And then, Class B..." Mashima-sensei's movements stiffened a little bit before he continued speaking. "Class B comes in first... with 247 points."

At that moment, the jazz music stopped.

Ryuuen's smile disappeared and his eyes narrowed with a sinister glint.

"He figured me out..." Ryuuen muttered under his breath.

It wasn't long before another smile was carved on his face.

"Kukuku... You never cease to amaze me, Ayanokouji."

————————————————————————

Meanwhile, at the beach...

"We won! Let's go!" cried Ken.

"We did it!" Kikyou joyfully engaged with her friends.

"Yahoo!" Yamauchi celebrated with a jump.

"Our efforts paid off!" yelled Ike.

"W-Wait— Isn't 247 points too many-?" Matsushita softly mused to herself.

Yukimura and Nishimura had the same doubtful expression as her.

Most students of Class B, especially the boys, roistered in glee. My classmates also praised me nonstop...

No, seriously. It made me slightly nauseous...

"You guys are amazing— Ayanokouji, Hirata!" said Ike.

"You should be giving yourself some credit too, Ike," I deflected the compliment back to him.

"Ayanokouji-kun is right, Ike-kun. You're one of the reasons why we got this result." Hirata nodded with a warm smile.

I agree. But to be honest, it's probably more accurate to say that Ike was the sole reason for this victory.

"All I did was teach everyone how to fish and distinguish good food from bad food, though." Ike scratched his head, flustered.

"That's more than enough, Kanji-kun! Your knowledge helped us a lot!" Kikyou rallied behind our praise.

The attention got split between the three of us, as a result. Our classmates thanked and complimented us, boys and girls, alike. Both Ike and Hirata effortlessly received everyone's praise...

Just how do you do it, guys...?

"That's it for your very first special exam. I hope you think about your own ramifications so you can yield more promising results for the next tests. Enjoy your vacation." Mashima-sensei turned off the megaphone and walked towards the ship.

"What's the meaning of this, Katsuragi?!"

"Why the hell are we in fourth place?!"

"And why did we end up with 120 points?!"

Class A, our neighbor, seemed like they had something going on. Well, it was only natural. They were Class A— the best among all classes in our year. It should've been very humiliating for them to be placed below Class D, which was considered the class for defects.

"Ayanokouji-kun... Ibuki-san is approaching us." Horikita lightly whispered beside me.

"Let her. It would've been more interesting if Ryuuen came along, but he's not here," I shrugged.

Ibuki briskly walked towards us with a somber expression.

"How?" she asked me using a single word.

"I'm not obliged to tell you anything, Ibuki," I replied, shaking my head.

"Why didn't you put Ryuuen's name in?" Ibuki continued asking questions as if she didn't hear me.

"The exam's finished... I'm not in the mood to talk about this." I stood up and took my stuff.

Hirata and the rest of the class followed as soon as they saw me leave my seat.

Although displeased, Ibuki couldn't really force herself to continue. She could only watch as Class B departed for the cruise ship.

It's finally over, huh? This was a pretty interesting experience. I still have a lot of questions, but at least we finished the exam as the sole victors.