As the competition progressed, Nagumo Miyabi's initial frustration quickly dissipated.
Kiriyama Ikuyo's betrayal had not only caught him off guard but also left the students of Class 2-B equally stunned.
Many appeared bewildered before taking the field, as their assigned order hadn't changed drastically.
However, they soon realized their positions corresponded directly with those of Class 2-A.
Even if they weren't particularly strong themselves, they were matched against one or two weaker students from Class 2-A, allowing them to secure relatively high rankings.
Though this should have been a cause for celebration, the students of Class 2-B felt strangely disoriented.
They speculated that Kiriyama Ikuyo had somehow obtained Class 2-A's competition roster.
But how had he managed that?
Moreover, how did their leader still have the audacity to challenge Nagumo Miyabi head-on?
For a moment, the students of Class 2-B felt an unfamiliar distance from their leader.
Too many uncertainties lingered, making them hesitant about whether to cooperate with Kiriyama Ikuyo.
He didn't even explained what the future held for them.
Classes 2-C and 2-D were equally shocked but quickly made a decisive choice—to help Nagumo suppress the rebellion.
If they performed well, perhaps he might even grant them a transfer to Class A.
Thus, in reality, Class 2-B was now fighting one against three.
The only reason they hadn't collapsed immediately was that Class 2-B had originally been recognized as the school's former Class A students, maintaining a consistently high overall standard.
Additionally, their tailored strategy against Class 2-A in the competition roster allowed them to hold out a little longer.
However, the tide was gradually turning in favor of Class 2-A, and Nagumo ultimate victory seemed increasingly likely.
During the obstacle race, Nagumo stood in the fourth lane, right beside Kiriyama Ikuyo.
"What did Mitoma offer you?" Nagumo didn't turn his head, his tone indifferent.
"With your personality, you wouldn't act recklessly, Kiriyama."
"The Student Council President's term is ending soon. I simply couldn't let you run wild any longer," Kiriyama Ikuyo replied calmly. "
Also, it was me who agreed to Mitoma-kun's conditions."
Nagumo scoffed coldly. "Run wild? Underperforming students deserve to be eliminated. The school's relief measures are the real joke. Not just those—I'll also propose abolishing the class transfer conditions."
"Abolish the transfer conditions?" Kiriyama was genuinely surprised.
"Though twenty million Personal Points is a lot, it's not impossible to gather," Nagumo said mockingly.
"Look at them. For just twenty million, these losers would betray their own class without hesitation, all for a chance to move to Class A. Do you really think the school intended for such people to graduate from Class A?"
Kiriyama was momentarily speechless.
Hadn't he been the one to promise this very condition to the second-year students?
"If you abolish the transfer conditions, aren't you afraid of being called a traitor who breaks his word?"
"Hehehe, I don't need evaluations from a bunch of useless people. Even if they make it to Class A, they might still get eliminated," Nagumo Miyabi smiled faintly. "But don't worry, I merely made a suggestion to the school. Whether they adopt it or not is beyond me."
Kiriyama Ikuyo forced himself to stay calm and said in a low voice.
"How much more do you intend to change?"
"Good question. I've actually been pondering this myself—what truly defines meritocracy? Is it others' evaluations of you?"
Kiriyama didn't answer immediately, instead turning to stare at him as if waiting for him to continue.
"Do you know how strong a crocodile's bite force is, Kiriyama?"
"I've heard it's stronger than most animals."
"A crocodile's bite force depends on its jaw muscles and bones. Their unique tooth structure allows even a 4-meter-long crocodile to achieve an astonishing bite force of 2 tons."
At this point, Nagumo sighed.
"But no matter how amazed humans are, crocodiles didn't evolve their bite force for human approval. Their purpose is to survive in nature and become apex predators."
Kiriyama understood—the most extreme form of meritocracy was individual supremacy, the so-called law of the jungle where the strong prey on the weak.
"Only when you stand as an apex predator will praises surround you. Their evaluations merely follow your strength—the stronger you are, the more firmly people remember you. Conversely, no one cares about the weak, nor do they need to."
As the competition was about to begin, Nagumo wore a thick smile.
"From now on, I'll ensure this school only welcomes students who understand and accept this truth. Those who drag others down should voluntarily drop out."
"In your eyes, even classmates you've spent so much time with can become trash?" Kiriyama asked.
"My class will only consist of valuable students," Nagumo glanced sideways. "In comparison, you're too soft, Kiriyama. Willing to give up Class A's position for one or two classmates."
"I believe in my classmates," Kiriyama said firmly.
Even when he suddenly charged ahead, though most of Class 2-B was confused, they still followed him—only a few slacked off.
"Hmph, whether it's you or Horikita-senpai, you're all weaklings," Nagumo sneered.
"Don't tell me you think Mitoma can help you? You saw the last match—he can't even take care of himself now."
"Did he?" Kiriyama appeared calm but was inwardly anxious.
Though Class 1-A had several outstanding students, it was limited to them—the rest seemed targeted and performed averagely.
"Hehe, then let's wait and see."
Nagumo assumed a starting stance, his gaze fixed ahead, ready to dash at any moment.
The obstacle race didn't just require speed—it demanded zero mistakes, with no delays at any hurdle.
Having practiced repeatedly, he knew the course inside out.
There was no chance of error.
Kiriyama Ikuyo felt a slight tension.
He didn't understand why Kaoru had arranged for him to be in the same group as Nagumo, but with a mix of unease and trust in the other, he prepared himself nonetheless.
Whoosh—
With the sound of the whistle, several dark figures dashed forward, with Nagumo Miyabi taking the lead while Kiriyama Ikuyo lagged behind.
As the first obstacle drew nearer, Nagumo's lips curled slightly upward, his eyes burning with a lion-like intensity.
Thud!
The balance beam rolled a few times, causing Kiriyama to pause momentarily, his steps slowing as he stared at Nagumo lying on the ground, a flicker of confusion flashing in his eyes.
Nagumo was equally bewildered.
Had he tripped over his own foot and fallen?
Stay calm, he had to stay calm.
Even if all eyes were on him, he needed to compose himself, get up quickly, and keep moving forward.
Thud!
Kiriyama leaped over the balance beam, catching a glimpse of Nagumo lying dazed on the ground, seemingly questioning his own body.
"Impossible..." Nagumo stared at his hands in disbelief.
How could he have fallen? It felt as though someone had been controlling him.
Instinctively, he glanced around.
The entire field was eerily silent, countless piercing gazes fixed on him, and he could almost hear mocking laughter.
Nagumo's face darkened.
He stood up, fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms, veins throbbing on his forehead, his entire body burning with rage.
How could he have made such a mistake here?
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he had fallen—twice?
Nagumo felt his blood boiling, the surrounding stares unbearably sharp and painful, sharper than needles, as if thousands were whispering his name.
The next moment, he charged forward like an enraged lion, nearly bulldozing through the balance beam before scaling the climbing net, overtaking numerous students along the way.
Kiriyama, who had been in first place, was quickly caught up to, and Nagumo surpassed him at the very last moment.
"Miyabi, where did you fall? Are you hurt—" Asahina Nazuna rushed over, her face full of worry, but her words were abruptly cut off.
"I'm fine!" Nagumo snapped, glaring at her, the veins on his neck bulging, his expression twisted with fury.
"How can you be fine? You were running so fast, and you fell—"
"I said I'm not hurt! And I came in first—that's all that matters. Stop talking and do your job, Nazuna!" Nagumo's gaze bore into her.
"Get back to your position. Don't tell me a single Kiryuin has all of you at a loss!"
Asahina stared at him in disbelief.
She had only come to check on him, and this was how he spoke to her?
"No, you need to come to the medical—"
"I said enough, Nazuna."
Nagumo didn't bother continuing.
He turned and walked away without a second glance.
"Don't give me that attitude!" Asahina shouted at his retreating back.
"Do whatever you want! I don't care anymore!"
With that, she stormed off in a huff.
Kiriyama witnessed the entire scene, his expression subtly shifting.
How bizarre—Nagumo humiliating himself in public?
When he returned to the area of Class 2-B, someone immediately approached him.
"Hey, Kiriyama, was it you who smeared lubricant on Nagumo's shoes?"
"I don't even have that stuff, and there's no way I could've done it."
"Then what happened?"
"I don't know."
"Tsk tsk, I always said Nagumo isn't anything special. Just a regular person like the rest of us—gets hungry, needs to eat, tires out, needs sleep, and can even trip while running."
"Mikidani, cut it out."
Though Kiriyama Ikuyo tried to stop his classmates from mocking Nagumo, their laughter drowned out his voice completely.
It was as if a year's worth of pent-up frustration had finally been released.
The entire class was filled with a lively, almost gleeful atmosphere.
And it wasn't just Class 2-B—soft chuckles could also be heard from the other two classes.
Amid the two heavy thuds of Nagumo's fall, not only had the illusion of his perfection shattered, but the weight on their shoulders had also been lifted.
So Nagumo Miyabi was capable of making ridiculous mistakes too?
Even though he had still taken first place, no one cared anymore.
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