Koro-sensei was practically vibrating with excitement the next day.
He proved this by announcing that every period, from the first to the sixth, would be dedicated to "High-Speed Intensive Midterm Prep." He had been overflowing with resolve since morning, preparing nearly five after-images for every single student.
The reason was obvious; it undoubtedly stemmed from his encounter with the Chairman yesterday. Simply put, the Chairman had dismantled Koro-sensei's entire educational philosophy, which likely wounded his pride in one way or another.
"I've increased the number of my clones today!"
"No, you've increased them far too much!"
"What on earth happened between yesterday and today?!"
Maehara and Sugino's dry remarks were as sharp as ever.
Amidst all the noise, one thing weighed on my mind.
Yesterday, the Chairman described this class as "the bottom in terms of grades and treatment," yet Koro-sensei had never once denied the validity of the "Class E system."
I pondered the significance of that for a while but couldn't reach a conclusion.
So, instead, I decided to focus entirely on my studies.
That was all I could manage for now.
Furthermore, a thought occurred to me while I was showering last night, specifically regarding the Chairman's perspective.
That man was looking toward the future; he was thinking about what would happen after someone actually succeeded in the assassination. Meanwhile, I hadn't given that point any thought at all, despite being the one involved. In a sense, Mr. Asano—an outsider with no connection to the assassination—was thinking more deeply about the situation than I was.
That realization left a bitter taste in my mouth.
For example, if our previous mass assassination attempt had succeeded, what would we have left?
We would have the prize money to split, a sense of achievement for killing Koro-sensei, and perhaps the satisfaction of having accomplished something together. Wouldn't that be it?
Our grades would remain in the gutter. We would have money, but we would lack a way to make a living or the skills to sustain ourselves. Wouldn't we fall into a trap?
At least for me—someone who only managed a total of 100 points across the five core subjects in the first semester—I likely wouldn't get into a decent high school. I might end up blowing all the money and then dying alone in the streets.
Is that the future I want?
Even if we kill Koro-sensei, who is now teaching us so earnestly, the result would be the same.
We... or at least I, can only see a future leading to ruin if the assassination succeeds right now.
Therefore, I must at least achieve average grades, because I fully realize the magnitude of the suffering that awaits me if I don't.
"Koro-sensei, regarding the fourth question here..."
"Oh, you've reached that already? Your comprehension is remarkably fast. It seems your natural intelligence, which usually isn't directed toward schoolwork, is finally focusing on it. Has there been a change in your psychological state?"
"I thought about it after hearing the Chairman's words yesterday. Even though I was making assassination plans, I never thought deeply about what happens after I kill you. I only had a vague idea that the prize money would solve all my problems."
"Hmm, go on."
"But I reconsidered. Even if I get the reward for killing Koro-sensei, my weak abilities will land me in a failing high school, then a failing company, and I'll eventually die poor somewhere. So, I figured it's better to study to avoid that fate."
I didn't say I wanted him to praise me. If I saw his face turn into those green stripes, I'd feel annoyed, and if he became too arrogant, I'd only get angrier.
"Nuru-fufufu. That is wonderful, Nozaki-kun. Compared to your early days when you avoided others and dodged everything, you have become exactly the kind of student a teacher prefers. You've truly begun to change since Mr. Karasuma became the P.E. teacher."
"Please stop saying such disgusting things."
"You're just trying to hide your embarrassment, aren't you? But the truth is, you are exceptional. In addition to your intelligence, your leadership in unifying everyone, and your extraordinary focus, you are now beginning to sharpen your 'second blade.' That makes me truly happy."
The second blade... I remembered Koro-sensei saying something like that when Sugino failed his assassination attempt.
He was talking about the necessity of having a weapon you can use immediately if the assassination fails. When he spoke about the difference between an assassin who masters diverse skills and one who only knows one trick, I had said that "the one who masters diverse skills is better because they have more options."
I understood now. If the assassination is the first blade, then studying is the second. It seems I had unexpectedly grasped the essence of my earlier conversation with Koro-sensei.
"Well then, Nozaki-kun, although this is slightly beyond the scope of the test, why don't you try the first question on the next page?"
"The next page?"
"Yes. The problems on the next page are advanced applications of what we are studying now. Elite schools sometimes intentionally include questions that haven't been explained yet to measure the students' ability to apply logic."
"Understood. I'll give it a try."
I began solving the problems as requested. I slipped into "The Zone" every now and then, taking my time with absolute precision. As time passed, I crammed my mind with everything related to Mathematics until I could solve every problem on my own.
It had been a long time since I last focused on stuffing my head with equations like this. But my brain, having regained its enthusiasm, was hungrier for work than I expected. My mind was finally no longer idle.
Thinking about it, perhaps giving up on studying entirely under the guise of "lack of desire" was the wrong move.
After all, our profession is "students," and not studying is a form of professional negligence. It is, without a doubt, a complete failure of duty.
"Excellent! Then, let's continue at this pace and move slightly ahead of the test scope in the remaining subjects. Next is Japanese."
"Copy that."
And so, our Class E continued cramming various subjects until the end of the sixth period.
The exam is tomorrow. Thanks to Koro-sensei, we will achieve results in this test that far exceed our previous grades.
During after-school hours, while I felt this tangible sense of accomplishment... I still hadn't imagined that we would soon face a massive wager upon which the future of our lives in Class E would depend.
●○●○●
Koro-sensei was panting heavily, completely out of breath. My classmates watched him with slightly worried expressions; they didn't understand why he was pushing himself this hard.
"He seems truly exhausted this time."
"Of course he is. He assigned five clones to every student."
"Can't we just kill him right now?"
I smiled bitterly as I heard my classmates analyze Koro-sensei's tired state and say whatever they pleased. Truly, Koro-sensei looked defenseless at first glance, but if we attacked, he would undoubtedly dodge us.
I felt a sense of gratitude toward him, so I began fanning his tentacles and his flushed face to cool him down. I was certain that even from this distance, he could easily evade any assassination attempt I might try.
So, I decided to stick to my role as the "fan operator."
As I continued fanning, Okajima asked casually:
"Why does he push himself so hard to teach us?"
"Nuru-fufufu. If your grades improve, my teaching skills will be recognized, and it will be difficult to kill a successful teacher like me. Also, maybe I'll get a chance to teach some beautiful girls who will beg me to tutor them...!"
Koro-sensei's response was full of his usual pipe dreams. I smiled bitterly for the second time today at his perverted fantasies.
However, in response to Koro-sensei's delusions, a gloom settled over the classroom. Normally, Sugino would have snapped back, "That will never happen!" Instead, Mimura muttered with a voice full of despair:
"It's fine... there's no need to overdo it with the studying."
"You're right..."
Yada-san, who was nearby, responded to that murmur and agreed, deepening the dark atmosphere. The air wasn't so much turbulent as it was filled with that dreary, characteristic dampness of the "End Class," a mood we used to feel comfortable in.
We are the "finished" students of Class E, so nothing we do matters. That hateful atmosphere, which we hadn't felt in a while, was returning to dominate the room.
"In the end, if we succeed in the assassination, we get a 10 billion yen reward."
"When we have 10 billion, our future lives will be rosy anyway."
"That's exactly right..."
"Nyu-yaaa?! Are you all actually thinking this way?!"
The atmosphere became even bleaker.
I understood now. I hadn't noticed it before, but when I lacked motivation, the air around me felt just like this.
I really need to reflect on myself.
As I thought this, Okajima and Mimura delivered a decisive sentence—one that perfectly matched the Chairman's words from yesterday—and directed it at Koro-sensei:
"Because in the end, we are just Class E students, Koro-sensei."
"Our grades and treatment are at the bottom. For us, assassination is the closest and most realistic opportunity."
Even if Okajima or Mimura hadn't said it, someone eventually would have. It was undoubtedly on everyone's mind.
In fact, when Sugino failed to assassinate him with a baseball, I had thought something similar, so I understood their feelings.
But Koro-sensei was different.
This man's stance at this moment was the complete opposite of our way of thinking. As proof, though he had been lost in his rosy delusions seconds ago, his face returned to its usual yellow.
"── I see. I understand perfectly."
His face was yellow, but his tone had clearly shifted to anger. Even though his face didn't change color, his rage was palpable.
"Understand what?"
"In your current state... you don't possess the qualifications of assassins... Everyone, out to the plaza. Nozaki-kun, can you call Professor Irina and Mr. Karasuma?"
"── Yes, sir."
In a way, I understood why Koro-sensei was angry. It was related to the conversation we had during the test prep earlier.
I went to the faculty room as requested and brought the teachers to the plaza. When we arrived, Professor Irina and Mr. Karasuma were shocked by what they saw.
They saw Koro-sensei slowly dragging the podium across the plaza, and they immediately realized he was in a state of extreme fury.
Mr. Karasuma appeared slightly tense as well.
"Professor Irina, I ask you as a professional assassin."
"Wh-what is it?"
"When you plan an assassination, do you prepare only one plan?"
"No. Primary plans often fail. The foundation of assassination is creating meticulously detailed backup plans for unexpected events or emergencies."
She looked puzzled by his sudden question, but once asked about the details of her professional work, her expression completely shifted.
She answered with the face of a professional who trusts her craft and takes pride in it. Koro-sensei nodded with satisfaction, then turned his question to Mr. Karasuma.
"Mr. Karasuma, when you teach students knife skills, is the first strike the only one that matters?"
"── No. The first strike is undoubtedly the most important, but the following movement is equally crucial. If the opponent is strong, it is highly likely they will dodge the first blow. Therefore, what determines victory or defeat is how precisely you execute the second and third strikes."
"Ultimately, what are you trying to say──"
Maehara interrupted Koro-sensei's sudden questioning of the teachers, trying to hurry him along, but Koro-sensei cut him off.
"As the teachers said, possessing a 'second blade' you can rely on is what makes you a confident assassin. Considering that, what about you all?"
Koro-sensei began spinning in place as if he were dancing. He started slowly and then gradually accelerated.
"You think to yourselves: 'It's fine, we have the assassination,' and based on that, you set low goals for your studies. You are just running away from the inferiority complex you face. The problem is that the Class E system is brilliantly designed; it puts students in a position where it's difficult to even grasp an opportunity to leave this class, which fuels their sense of inferiority."
Yes, Class E has symbolic rescue measures: a student must place in the top fifty in the exams, and their original homeroom teacher must agree to their return. But so far, no one has managed to achieve that. Because no one succeeds, the sense of inferiority among Class E students only grows.
"What if the teacher ran away and left you? What if I, the target, decided to leave the class for some reason? What if I were killed by another assassin before you?"
Fear began to creep onto my classmates' faces.
"You, having lost the pillar of the assassination, would have nothing left but the sense of inferiority from being in Class E. Isn't that right, Nozaki-kun?"
Here, Koro-sensei directed the question to me.
The reason was undoubtedly the words he said to me earlier: "You are beginning to sharpen your second blade." He wanted to say that this second blade is necessary for everyone in the class.
"You're right. Even if they manage to kill you now, they'll have nothing left but a reward that will dwindle after being split, and a temporary sense of achievement. After that, they'll face the reality of their poor grades. They'll spend the money thinking they can do anything, then they'll be surprised when it runs out and they starve to death."
"Exactly. And aside from starving to death, unless someone succeeds in the assassination alone, the reward will be divided. The things we think are plentiful are the first to run out without us noticing."
Koro-sensei increased his speed even more.
This supernatural being, who can reach Mach 20, continued to accelerate, generating powerful winds that lifted the plaza's sand and weeds until a massive cyclone formed.
"Your current situation is very dangerous. So here is a piece of advice from your teacher: those who do not possess a second blade do not deserve to be called assassins!"
The cyclone suddenly expanded and then dissipated, scattering the fierce winds and dust.
When the dust in the plaza settled, the usual sight of parched land full of weeds and bumps from poor maintenance was gone. Instead, a perfectly leveled plaza appeared, free of any weeds, with white lines drawn more precisely than even those in regular schools. It was a perfect plaza that required no further adjustment.
The monster stood alone in the center of the schoolyard after showcasing a glimpse of his power. He opened his crescent-shaped mouth to speak in a voice audible to everyone, yet carrying a tone of a murmur:
"Since the plaza was full of weeds and bumps, I have maintained it. I am... a supernatural being who will destroy the Earth. Leveling this area is a simple task for me."
"..."
Everyone gasped involuntarily. I knew how fast Koro-sensei was, but I never imagined he was capable of such a feat if he truly wanted to.
When we see a glimpse of his true power like this, we are forced to realize just how unnatural the opponent we are trying to kill really is.
"If you cannot show a second blade you trust... then I will consider that there are no assassins worthy of facing me in this class, and I will level the school building and leave."
Teachers and students looked back and forth between the school building and Koro-sensei. Looking at the leveled plaza, everyone realized how easily that threat could be carried out.
Amidst everyone's shock, Nagisa spoke up and asked Koro-sensei:
"The second blade... by when?"
"The matter is decided. Tomorrow's exam. Everyone in this class must place within the top fifty in tomorrow's test."
"── !!?"
The response to Nagisa's question was a request that seemed impossible.
I thought this request was unreasonable or reckless, but it seemed Koro-sensei didn't see it that way at all; his face bore the number 50.
"The teacher has already cultivated your second blade. And the teacher is not so slow in his teaching that the main building teachers can surpass him. Go out and brandish your blade with confidence. This is your first mission."
Our first mission.
Our first enemy in the assassination would be our own peers in the school's main building.
"Succeed in the mission, and hold your heads high with a smile; for being assassins, and for being in Class E!"
Once again, Koro-sensei isn't saying the Class E system is wrong. Even though education would be easier in a better environment. That is the only thing that still puzzles me.
"But..."
There were still classmates who couldn't agree with Koro-sensei's words. They choked on their speech.
This was natural; someone who has spent their entire life at the bottom cannot suddenly gain that confidence.
What should I do?
I thought about it, but there wasn't much I could do.
Yes, there wasn't "much," but that didn't mean "nothing." So, I'll do what I can. I'll provoke them.
Since I am considered a delinquent, it's fine for me to play the villain a little.
"... Hey you all, are you really satisfied with this?"
"... Keiichi?"
Isogai looked at me with concern, but I didn't care.
"Last time, when you tried to kick out Professor Irina, didn't you say she was hindering your studies and demand she leave? Now when you're asked to show the results of those studies, are you going to back down?"
I looked at Professor Irina out of the corner of my eye, and she responded with a slight smile. That tone that sometimes makes me feel condescended to because I'm younger seemed encouraging this time.
"He's right. I chose to be a teacher to do my job as a professional. I won't allow you, the ones who were the cause of this, to come out with meager results, do you understand?"
"Wh-what are you saying all of a sudden?!"
"Damn it, don't talk down to us, especially when you're at the bottom of the grade rank."
"Yes, I am last. So, Terasaka, I'm going to get a better rank than you."
"What did you say?!!"
Ah, I did it.
I said words I can't take back. This isn't like me at all.
What am I doing, earning my classmates' hatred like this? It's true they treat me as a delinquent, but I don't want people to hate me.
"Ah... Keiichi, you're back to doing that again."
"Isogai-kun, what do you mean 'again'──"
"Isogai, Kataoka. I'm going to get better grades than both of you too. In fact, better than anyone here."
"You actually said it?!"
Okajima, Maehara, and the others had an exaggerated reaction to my provocation.
Good, the villain role has paid off.
"If you don't succeed, you have to apologize to everyone here on your hands and knees."
"Fine. A kowtow apology, right, Terasaka?"
"Show us what you can do then."
And so, I shattered the friendly atmosphere that had begun to form in the class. In a single moment, I became an outsider not only to the main building but even within Class E.
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