The chime signaling the start of first period echoed through the campus.
The very first class of the day belonged to Hiratsuka Shizuka.
When she stepped into the classroom and spotted Izumi actually attending school again, she blinked in disbelief for a moment.
Still, she didn't press for answers.
For this guy, showing up was probably nothing more than entertainment. Whether he studied or not made no difference.
"Since everyone's here, let's begin the assessment," she announced.
"Today is the day we test your current combat ability. Summer vacation starts in a few days."
"You're elite students, so I won't waste time lecturing you. You already know what's expected."
"For now, follow me to the field."
Hiratsuka turned to leave, but just before stepping out, she suddenly spun back toward Izumi.
"Oh, right—Izumi, you don't have to participate."
"Just watch from the sidelines."
"A test like this is pointless for you."
"You're already a perfect score."
Leaving those words behind, she walked away with a strangely stiff expression.
To be honest, that had not been her decision.
It was the school's.
Because Izumi was too strong.
Letting him fight would likely mean sending more students to the infirmary—and Hiratsuka remembered all too well the last time he knocked Koneko unconscious.
This guy was stronger than the teacher herself.
Having him take a newcomer's assessment was utterly pointless.
The class collectively froze at her announcement, then nodded in unison as reality sank in.
This was merely a standardized evaluation.
Everyone already knew Izumi's power level.
There was no need to "test" it.
Only Yukinoshita Yukino frowned, visibly disliking what she perceived as special treatment.
Aside from her, nobody complained.
And as for Izumi?
He was thrilled.
Sitting back and watching girls fight?
Yes, please.
Even though he didn't have to participate, Izumi still followed Asia, Eriri, and Megumi to the field.
He immediately claimed a spot beneath the shade of a tree and settled down to watch the show.
Only their class was being tested today; the other classes were still in lecture.
But that didn't stop students from sneaking glances toward the training grounds.
After all—this was the elite class.
Everyone was curious how powerful they'd become.
From afar, Izumi clicked his tongue as he observed.
A single week had passed, and everyone had leveled up their magic skill noticeably.
Yukinoshita Yukino had already reached Rank E.
Several other students had too.
Though compared to Koneko and the actual combatants, they were far behind.
Even Satanichia, idiot that she was, had reached E- minus.
Well—she was a demon, after all.
While Izumi was quietly comparing stats, a loud voice cut through the air.
"Oi! Who wants a buff? One hundred yen per cast!"
"Full-stat enhancement. The real deal."
The moment Gabriel Tenma White announced this, students swarmed her immediately.
"Gabriel-san, give me one!"
"Me too!"
"I'll buy!"
Within seconds, a crowd surrounded the former angel, waving cash.
A handful of students, however, stayed put.
One of them—Yukinoshita—couldn't watch quietly.
"Gabriel-san, please stop undermining the rules," she scolded.
"This is blatantly unfair."
Gabriel didn't even look up as she counted bills.
"The teacher didn't say anything about buffs being banned."
"If they pay for it, why shouldn't they use it?"
She wasn't remotely bothered.
As long as she had money to gacha, life was blessed.
Yukinoshita faltered.
Strictly speaking… there was no rule against it.
She tried again.
"But those who don't buy your buff will be at a severe disadvantage!"
Gabriel scowled, offended.
"And whose fault is that? If they don't buy, that's their problem."
"It's not like I'm refusing to sell to them."
"You're so naggy, prez."
"Shoo. You're ruining my business."
"Buffs for sale! One hundred yen! Four-hour duration! Limited time offer!"
...
Yukinoshita's face darkened.
Was this really an angel?
When she first transferred in, she'd been studious, polite—heavenly, even.
At what point did she turn into a cash-obsessed slacker?
Perhaps the rumors were true.
The angel had fallen.
Yukinoshita massaged her temples.
Forget it.
She refused to resort to such tactics.
She would fight honorably.
…Which only meant she was about to receive a brutal lesson from reality.
...
Back under the tree, Izumi watched the scene and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Then he called out—
"Hey, Asia, Eriri, Megumi. Come here."
The three girls rushed over.
Asia looked up with shining eyes.
"Yes, Izumi-sama. Do you have orders for us?"
Eriri and Megumi also stared curiously, unsure what he was planning.
Izumi grinned.
"As members of my team, you're not allowed to embarrass me."
"Here—your weapons."
In the next instant, several weapons materialized before them, projected into existence.
Megumi's mouth twitched.
This is bullying, isn't it?
They all knew exactly how ridiculous Izumi's weapons were.
During their last training, they'd steamrolled everything thanks to them.
She opened her mouth to refuse—
—but Asia had already grabbed her sacred artifact and hugged it happily.
"Thank you, Izumi-sama! I'll do my very best!"
Eriri hesitated, then accepted her staff.
Seeing them both comply, Megumi sighed and took the dagger offered to her.
If Gabriel was allowed to buff people for cash, then rejecting a free power-up seemed pointless.
Besides, the other two would make her look bad if she refused.
Weapons in hand, the three returned to the lineup.
Yukinoshita watched this unfold in silence.
Her face contorted.
This is bulls**.*
If she ever allowed herself to swear, she would have unleashed a tirade on the spot.
Gabriel and Izumi had no intention of playing fair.
They had no intention of giving anyone else a chance.
Why even fight?
Why even try?
This was no longer a test.
This was the systematic oppression of the poor.
Welcome to capitalism.