NOVEL NEXT Chapter 17
Chapter 17. Team Selection
The next day, when I entered the classroom, I still feel a few unpleasant stares, though not as many as yesterday. The reason? Their attention is focused elsewhere. That’s right—today is the team selection for the interschool competition.
I wonder if Hattori-san will participate. If she does, the matches would become a foregone conclusion. Surely, she wouldn’t stoop to such unsportsmanlike behavior.
Let me explain how the selection process works.
Teachers choose students who have shown exceptional performance in class. Typically, candidates are selected from the second or third years, but this year, there are many outstanding first-year students. For instance, the girl with exceptional telekinesis detected in the training grounds might get picked.
Well, whatever. It’s not like it matters to me. The only benefit would be a slightly longer break from school.
My classmates begin to move. Today is the dreaded practical ability training day. On top of that, since the selection is part of it, it’s a joint session with the second and third years.
“This is such a pain…”
Can’t I just do something else during this time?
Honestly, it doesn’t benefit me in the slightest and has zero necessity for me.
Even so, I reluctantly head over since I need the credits.
Once I finish changing in the locker room and enter the training grounds, I see the teachers from all grade levels already waiting. They’re holding some documents, presumably noting potential candidates among the students.
A significant number of students have already gathered, and among them, I spot Hattori-san.
When all the students assemble, they line up and wait for the teacher’s instructions.
“Today’s practical training will be crucial, as it considers the interschool competition. Give it your all!”
Mirror-sensei, the overly muscled teacher, crosses his arms and shouts loudly. His voice is so intense he doesn’t bother using a megaphone.
Looking around, I see my classmates are all fired up, breathing heavily and brimming with determination.
“Spread out and activate your abilities!”
I head to my usual spot.
Guess I’ll meditate again today…
As I sit at the edge of the training grounds, someone approaches me.
“What’re you doing here?”
It’s Hattori-san.
She peers down at me with her usual bright smile—a smile that holds immense charm for all the guys around.
“I thought I’d meditate for a bit. What about you, Hattori-san? What brings you here?”
“Eh, there’s nothing for me to learn, so I’m just killing time.”
That makes sense. Only someone from her level in the Special Task Force could teach her. Honestly, the school would benefit more if she were the one teaching.
“By the way, listen to this! No one in class believes I’m part of the Special Task Force!”
“Did you show them your badge?”
“Of course I did! But they called it fake. Now they just treat me like some weirdo!”
“Well, to them, the Special Task Force is like a far-off legend. It’s hard to believe someone their age, let alone a classmate, could be part of it.”
“Ah, I see. Makes sense.”
With that, Hattori-san seems satisfied, and I begin meditating.
“[Mars].”
I focus on sensing the space around me.
“Wow, that’s incredible!”
As expected, someone of her level notices.
There are many people here today. Aside from the teachers, the most formidable are Hattori-san and a fairly strong archer—likely Nanase-san.
I see. They don’t call her the strongest in the academy for nothing. Her aim is precise, her power solid, and it’s evident she works hard daily. What she lacks is real combat experience.
As I observe, three students approach, heading not toward me but toward Hattori-san.
“Hattori-san, how about a quick spar?”
“A spar?”
“Yeah, if you’re really part of the Special Task Force, you’d wipe the floor with us, right?”
Opening my eyes from meditation, I glance at the three. Their grins are unnerving, clearly scheming something. They must be planning to use the spar as an excuse to pull some stunt on her.
They probably don’t believe she’s actually in the Special Task Force.
Let me give you some advice: write your wills before starting. I’ll make sure your remains are taken care of.
“Sure thing!”
Hattori-san answers with a radiant smile.
But I understand the true meaning behind that smile:
“If I annihilate them, they’ll have to believe me, right? They asked for it, so I’m not at fault!”
Terrifying.
I almost feel sorry for what’s about to happen to them.
“Sensei, can you referee this?”
“Uh, sure.”
Hattori-san asks a nearby female teacher, whose strained expression suggests she knows exactly what Hattori-san is capable of.
“All right, ready?”
“Anytime!”
The surrounding students stop what they’re doing, intrigued by the spar.
I can’t help but feel nervous, wondering if Hattori-san will hold back.
Both sides take their positions. Well, Hattori-san stays casual.
Once the teacher confirms they’re ready, she gives the signal.
“Begin!”
The moment the signal is given, the trio moves—or tries to.
“Huh?”
But their legs don’t follow their intentions. Instead, all three collapse as if their strength has left them.
The onlookers notice something for the first time: Hattori-san has moved.
She was standing in front of the trio but now stands behind them.
“What just happened?”
“How did they fall?”
“What the heck’s going on?”
Confusion spreads among the students.
“It’s over, Sensei!”
“Huh? Oh, uh, Hattori-san wins.”
Even the teacher seems clueless about what just occurred.
What Hattori-san did wasn’t overly complicated. She moved at a speed imperceptible to the human eye and struck their jaws with her palm, shaking their brains and rendering them unable to stand.
I think to myself—too fast.
What she did was simple, but her speed was abnormal.
If this wasn’t even close to her full potential, I’d need to level up significantly to keep up.
Terrifying, yet incredibly reliable.
The Special Task Force—Japan’s strongest ability users, assembled to protect humanity.
As long as they exist, Japan is safe.
Hattori-san flashes me a V-sign with her fingers and a grin. I return the smile but can’t help but think she went too easy on them. Will they really believe she’s genuine now?
◇
After the training ends, all students are gathered in the gymnasium.
The next event is the announcement of the interschool competition participants.
The atmosphere is tense; everyone is restless and fidgety.
They should learn from me, half-asleep and calm.
“Quiet.”
The voice belongs to Nikaido-sensei, holding a microphone. Her piercing gaze alone silences the room.
“Now, I will announce the selected participants.”
I hear someone gulp.
Please don’t make me nervous with your nervousness.
“Third Year, Shougo Yamada.”
“Yes! Woohoo!!”
The senior whose name is called shouts triumphantly.
Others cheer, patting his back and congratulating him.
“Second Year, Masuzu Nanase.”
“Yes!”
In the distance, I see the senior making a small fist pump.
It’s only natural. With her dedication, not getting selected would be strange.
More names are called, with cheers and groans filling the air. The excitement grows like a festival.
Six participants will be chosen in total. The next name will be the last.
Nikaido-sensei announces the final student.
“First Year, Hayato Yanagi.”
…
…
“Huh?”