Starting with Hirata-kun, the students involved in club activities seem to be getting along well with their juniors as expected.

I was a little worried that someone like Sudo-kun might be seen as suspiciously kind by fellow second-years but it seems he has settled into being seen as the type who takes good care of his juniors.

As for me I also wanted to make contact with underclassmen so I casually helped girls who seemed lost on campus or unsure how to order at the cafeteria and managed to get contact details from a few of them.

While going about those days, during one day’s homeroom.

Chabashira-sensei announced the introduction of a system called OAA.

Short for OVER ALL ABILITY, it quantifies and visualizes the abilities of all students in the school.

We were made to download it as an app onto our devices.

It is a new system implemented at the suggestion of President Nagumo.

With this, our abilities as students are clearly displayed and it seems there may even be penalties for students who remain at low ability levels.

Even though we are now Class A, there are still many students with low ability.

When sorted by lowest overall score names like Yamauchi-kun, Ike-kun and Sakura-san appeared at the bottom.

It also seems you can view information on students from other years and classes complete with photos.

There is basically no such thing as privacy.

I check my own stats.

Matsushita Chiaki

Academic Ability A− (80)

Physical Ability B− (61)

Adaptive Thinking B− (60)

Social Contribution B− (69)

Overall Ability B (67)

The definitions for each category are also listed in the app.

Academic Ability: calculated mainly from written test scores in regular and special exams

Physical Ability: calculated from performance in PE classes, sports festivals, club activities and special exams

Adaptive Thinking: calculated from communication skills such as number of friends and social standing as well as adaptability

Social Contribution: calculated from factors such as class behavior, attendance, misconduct and contributions like student council involvement

Overall Ability: the student’s ability derived from the four categories with social contribution weighted at half

It may sound like I am praising myself but I think I have maintained a fairly high and well-balanced level.

As for Kiyotaka-kun…

Ayanokōji Kiyotaka

Academic Ability A＋ (99)

Physical Ability A＋ (98)

Adaptive Thinking B (70)

Social Contribution B− (69)

Overall Ability A (86)

Wow… amazing.

His academic ability is maxed as expected.

His physical ability is also top tier.

His overall rating is A.

There is no one else in the year at the same level.

I thought his adaptive thinking seemed a bit high but it seems the school recognizes him as a class leader.

Looking at other class leaders like Ryūen-kun, Katsuragi-kun and Ichinose-san they all have B 70 as well.

Hirata-kun and Sakayanagi-san are even higher.

It seems that being recognized as a leader guarantees a certain value here.

As students react to the OAA system and their scores, Chabashira-sensei continues with further explanation.

It was about this year’s first special exam.

A written exam where first-years and second-years form pairs.

You could call it a partner written exam.

The outline is:

• One second-year pairs with one first-year. You may pair with anyone from any class.

Applications are made through OAA and can be submitted once per day.

If accepted, the partnership cannot be dissolved except under unavoidable circumstances.

After confirmation, applications will no longer be accepted after 8 AM the following day.

Students who fail to form a pair will be randomly assigned at 8 AM on exam day but will receive a 5% deduction from their total score.

• The exam will take place in about two weeks at the end of the month.

Five subjects, 100 points each, total 500 points.

• There are class and individual results.

For class results, the average score of all students and their partners determines ranking.

Top classes receive 50, 30 and 10 class points.

Last place receives 0.

For individual results, rankings are based on combined partner scores.

Top 5 pairs receive 100,000 private points per person.

Top 30% receive 10,000 private points per person.

• If a pair’s combined score is 500 or less, the second-year is expelled.

The first-year loses private points for three months.

However, intentional score lowering or sabotage results in expulsion regardless of year.

Forcing others to do so also results in expulsion.

Additionally, according to sensei, the difficulty of this test is quite high.

More precisely, achieving high scores is difficult.

There are multiple high-difficulty questions so even students with Academic A, meaning top-tier, are expected to score around 400.

Of course that includes some margin but if low academic students pair together expulsion is unavoidable.

Our class with many low academic students might be in serious trouble.

Immediately Ike-kun and Yamauchi-kun go to consult Kiyotaka-kun and Hirata-kun.

"It is fine. Students with Academic E can be safe if they pair with first-years who are B or above. Of course effort is still required but everyone worked hard last year to avoid expulsion. We can overcome this too."

"That is right. Also many students like Sudo-kun have improved beyond their OAA ratings through studying last year. We must be careful but it is not something to fear excessively."

Thanks to Hirata-kun and Horikita-san the panicked lower academic students regain their composure.

Both of them have gained presence over the past year.

Very reliable.

"For now, anyone with Academic C or below can accept partner requests from first-years with B or above immediately. However those with Academic B or above should consult me or Hirata-kun first. Until then those with C or below should attend study sessions as much as possible."

Everyone nods.

No one wants to be expelled at the start of the new year.

I glance at Kiyotaka-kun.

He is staring at his device with a serious expression.

"What are you looking at?"

When I ask he shows me the screen.

There are already over a dozen partner requests on his device.

Despite the once-per-day limit that is bold… or maybe that is the power of a 99 academic rating.

They want to secure a high-level upperclassman before others do.

"As expected of the top student."

"First-years do not know my personality yet. It cannot be helped."

It is not impossible that a top student might accept without much thought.

They are betting on that.

…It seems we can also view the OAA of applicants.

"Horikita-san, Hirata-kun."

Once things calm down I call them over.

This information could be an important piece for strategy.

"…As expected. For someone who always scored full marks your evaluation is justified."

"With OAA and this exam Ayanokōji-kun’s name may already be known among first-years."

"Troublesome…"

He sighs.

It is too late to stay unnoticed but it seems being known this early was unexpected.

"The applicants… surprisingly many are not low academic students. There are many around B. Even some A-level students."

"They probably aim for top individual rankings. With Ayanokōji-kun as partner the chances of top 5 are high."

While they think I memorize the names and faces of the female applicants.

It may not matter for the exam but it is better to be cautious.

"…Strange."

Horikita-san mutters while scrolling.

"What is it?"

"There are no applications from Class D. They should have the most low-performing students."

"…True."

Hirata-kun and I check as well.

Most applications are from Class C then B then A.

None from D.

"It is not coincidence. It likely means there is already a leader controlling the class."

"That aligns with the earlier idea that first-years already know the S-system. They probably chose a leader in preparation for class competition. If so working with all of Class D would be efficient but…"

Horikita-san thinks.

If classes cooperate they can pair high and low students and prevent expulsions easily.

Since our class has many low academic students we may not win.

So prioritizing zero expulsions might be the plan.

"We are now Class A. Negotiations with Class D should be in our favor. Being former Class D is also an advantage. We can offer them knowledge to rise."

"We could even share some special exam strategies if needed. Things like Paper Shuffle happen every year. The method Horikita found was not restricted either."

We propose ideas but Horikita’s concern remains.

"In the end it depends on their leader."

"If they are like Ryūen it is better not to negotiate. Either way we should check. Let us go to Class 1-D after school. Hirata-kun, can you handle the study group?"

"Of course. What about you?"

"I will go with Horikita. As support and bodyguard, Chiaki and Sudo too. I will stay hands-off this time so keep that in mind."

"Understood. Thank you, Matsushita-san."

"Yeah, let us go."

After school we head toward Class 1-D and run into Ryūen-kun from Class 2-D.

He is riding momentum after defeating Ichinose’s class.

"Ryūen-kun. Are you scouting too?"

"Yeah. You are moving fast, Suzune. Or is this Ayanokōji’s doing again?"

"I am hands-off. This is Horikita’s decision."

"Not bad. Quite a crowd for Class A."

"And you are alone? Like a lonely king."

"A king stands alone. You would not understand since you cannot defeat Ayanokōji."

He glares at Kiyotaka-kun.

As expected, he is the one Ryūen fears most.

Not just him.

Ichinose and Sakayanagi likely feel the same.

"He is my ally. I am not foolish enough to cause internal conflict."

"Fine by me. Stick to Ayanokōji forever. I will go ahead."

"Wait. Which class are you targeting?"

"The same as you."

We follow him slowly.

We cannot interfere or rush ahead so we end up forming a strange group heading to the first-year floor.

Ignoring the uncomfortable looks, Ryūen heads straight for Class 1-D.

He reaches for the door… and frowns.

Then suddenly opens it forcefully.

We peek inside and are speechless.

"Looks like negotiations will be troublesome."

Ryūen leaves, amused.

What remains is an empty classroom.

"…I see. This will not be simple."

After briefly observing other classes we leave the building to discuss our next steps.

But as we descend the stairs Kiyotaka-kun speaks.

"All three of you, listen without turning around."

"What is this, some drama line? Are we being followed?"

Sudo asks casually.

"Good guess."

"Seriously?"

"Stay calm. It is possible in this school… Ryūen?"

"No, two people. First-years—"

"Yo, Ayanokōji."

Before he finishes they approach.

A large rough-looking boy and a refined sharp-eyed girl.

An unbalanced pair.

"And you are?"

"Class 1-D. Hōsen Kazuomi."

"Also Class 1-D. Nanase Tsubasa."

"I see. Do I need to introduce myself?"

"No. You are already famous. Ayanokōji Kiyotaka. Max academic, top physical ability."

It seems his reputation has already spread among first-years.

"I am honored."

"And a sly one too. I do not like you."

"You understand me then. Let me introduce my classmates—"

"No need. Nanase."

"Yes."

She checks her device.

With OAA introductions are unnecessary.

Feels unpleasant.

"Horikita, Matsushita and Sudo… huh? Academic E+? So even Class A has idiots."

"What did you say—"

Sudo steps forward but Horikita stops him.

"Your actual ability is higher than your rating. Do not worry about first-year evaluations."

"Y-yeah."

"So you sweet-talk him and use him as a guard dog. Clever."

"Insult him and you will regret it. Sudo has A+ physical ability. Higher than you."

"Oh? Want to test it?"

Hōsen glares.

Bad situation.

Even if Sudo is strong a fight is different.

Also Hōsen may not care about cameras.

Kiyotaka said he would stay hands-off but we cannot risk injury.

I signal him.

He nods.

"Horikita, stop."

"Ayanokōji-kun…"

"So you figured it out. That he cannot stop me."

"You too, Sudo. A real fight will not end clean."

"But—"

"You can settle it later."

This is going nowhere.

I step in.

"So? You were following us for more than insults, right, Nanase-chan?"

I direct it to Nanase.

"Yes. Why did you come to our class?"

As expected.

"Because we thought your class already has a leader. Impressive."

"No trouble organizing those weaklings."

Hōsen answers.

So he is the leader.

Nanase seems more like support.

"As expected of Class A. I did not expect you to notice so quickly."

"You are sharp too for Class D. Then you understand our goal?"

"Forming an alliance between classes."

I nod.

"But we are the ones doing you a favor. You have expulsion risk. You came to beg us."

He smirks.

…He knows we were former Class D?

Something feels off.

But I continue.

"No. We are offering help. If not you, we can go to Class C."

I push strongly.

We are Class A.

We can choose.

"…Understood. We will consider it positively."

"Hah? No need. We do not need them."

"Hōsen-kun."

Nanase scolds him.

He clicks his tongue but says nothing.

"…Our control is not absolute yet. Give us one day. We will explain to the class tomorrow."

"Fine. We will think as well. You might not be worth partnering with."

"That is fair."

Even if we proceed, other classes might be safer.

We agree to decide after one day and part ways.