While the other classes were still relishing in extravagance, Class-D's leader was doing something else.
"Um, Mister Apollo... thank you for the meal." a senior student from the second year Class-E said in a low voice, eyes darting around. "But I don't really have any intel to give you."
Apollo Silverstein reclined in the cafeteria chair, a chilling smile on his face as he tapped the table in sharp rhythms.
"Are you saying you're useless, senior?"
The air thickened with an odd tension.
Behind Apollo, the pink haired Alexander glared at the senior. "Hah? You don't plan on leaving without a word, do you?"
The senior's eyes flicked to the nearby surveillance camera.
"Hey, don't sound so threatening! I'm still your senior."
Although it was true he lacked credits, he still expected these juniors to respect him.
"Of course..." Apollo's smile widened, "We definitely can't touch our senior under surveillance, can we?"
Alexander appeared stumped, not understanding why Apollo seemed to be retreating.
"But there are places without surveillance right?"
The purple haired delinquent leaned forward, eyes narrowed in a predatory glare.
Instantly, the senior paled. He was deeply afraid because Apollo seemed like someone who'd pester his life relentlessly. And with the limiters on, he wouldn't be able to overpower them in raw physical abilities.
"Are you really Class-D? You're even worse than Class-E." He remarked, "I really can't tell you anything. Else I won't get a chance to graduate. That guy will expell me."
Apollo's eyes narrowed as he leaned back, his expression turning serious. "Let's both take a step back, senior..."
"You'll tell us what you can share, and we'll give you 80,000 credits. A fair deal right?"
The senior gulped, tempted. 80,000 credits was a fortune to him.
"Fine." He relented, "The school divides the classes in a merit system. All five classes are rivals. Only the Class-A students can get the guaranteed benefits the school promised."
He suddenly stopped, looked around warily, then lowered his voice. "That's all I can tell you. Now transfer the credits."
Unfortunately...
"Huh? What credits?" Apollo gave him a confused look, then turned to Alexander. "Hey, did you hear me promise to give him credits?"
The latter quickly caught onto his idea. He shook his head with a mischievous smile.
"Nope. Boss never said such a thing."
"You—!"
Before the senior could explode, Apollo cut him off in a cold voice.
"Piss off! You better be happy I'm letting you go while I'm in a good mood."
The senior turned silent, unable to argue. He had been tricked by his greed. Intimidated by Apollo's eyes, he hurriedly left cafeteria.
Apollo watched his back with a cunning smile. "I didn't expect that Ajila-guy to have such deep control on all the second years. What have you gotten on him?"
Alexander earnestly replied. "Nothing much actually. I only know his full name is Ajila Eren and he's in the second year Class-A. Whenever I asked those second years about him, they'll grow pale instantly."
Apollo hummed, his mind churning. "So he's got them tight, huh?" He muttered under his breath.
"Forget it. I don't want to challenge him now. Instead, I'd love to face the other classes first."
When he had arrived in the school, he had immediately sensed something was wrong. Along with the clues dropped by their homeroom teacher; Instructor Steve Rogers, he suspected the school was deliberately hiding information from them.
The senior's words confirmed it. Though he knew that wasn't all.
'Looks like my stay here will be interesting.'
...
After leaving the cafeteria, Apollo walked back to class with Alexander a step behind him. The walk was quiet and oddly peaceful.
The moment he stepped inside, everyone turned to look at him.
"Boss! You're back! How was it?" A green haired kid said aloud as he approached Apollo.
The de-facto leader of Class-D glanced at him, "Shut up and sit."
Sermin, the guy, scratched his head awkwardly and sat down. He was one of the two delinquents who had attacked Apollo on the first day of school. Now though, he was loyal to Apollo.
As Apollo sat unrestrained in the teacher's seat, the class grew silent. They knew he wanted to say something important.
His eyes landed on a girl with green hair in a styled haircut.
"Yo, Thyla!" He started, "You're awfully quiet."
As expected, the girl scowled at him.
"So what? Mind your own business, asshole." Her eyes carried high disdain for Apollo.
"I was just worried you might be sick." He grinned scornfully, "Or is it that time of the month?"
Thyla almost snapped. Veins bulged on her forehead as she restrained her urge to punch him in the face.
Realizing it would be futile to verbally argue with him, she snorted and turned away.
"Now, that's better." He smiled thinly, "As from now on, I don't want any of you to arrive late to class or skip work. Understood?"
His order left the class bewildered. Why was that a problem? It wasn't like the teachers cared. Even Alexander was confused.
Unlike the others, Apollo's thoughts went deep. Since the senior had claimed that the classes were split on a merit system, there had to be a difference in treatment. And what excuse would the school use to carry out punishments other than normal school rules?
"Don't ask me irrelevant questions. Just do as I say. Else..." He stretched the last word, letting the threat sink in.
They had witnessed how he brutalized Alexander and the other two delinquents.
"Also, I have a special task for you guys. Provoke the students from the other classes. Keep note, though, you shouldn't be the first to throw a punch."
He relaxed, fingers crossed.
"Alrighty, boss!" Sermin raised a pumped fist. This was his field. He preferred using violence than thinking.
At the back of the class, a girl with neat pink hair and green eyes sighed.
'Is all of this really necessary? Though it seems Apollo is already uncovering the school secrets.'
She shook her head, then turned back to her novel. She didn't want to be involved in the chaos.