Classroom of the Elite: Standing Firm in Class A — Chapter 79

Chapter 79: The Initiative

Mashima Tomoya’s voice gradually faded against the rhythmic crashing of the waves, signaling the end of his explanation regarding the Special Exam’s rules. Wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, the burly homeroom teacher lowered his megaphone. He cast a heavy, sweeping gaze over the sea of students before him, most of whom were still reeling in shock from the sudden, brutal reality of their situation.

“Each class will now begin discussing their strategies independently,” Mashima announced, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Remember, this is your own Special Exam. The faculty will not intervene beyond the absolute minimum.”

With his final warning delivered, Mashima turned and strode toward the gathered ranks of Class A. Across the white sands, the homeroom teachers of the other three classes were already corralling their respective students.

“Class A, follow me,” Mashima instructed with a curt gesture.

He led them away from the bustling center of the beach, guiding them toward a shaded, relatively secluded alcove near the tree line. The natural barrier of foliage and distance ensured their upcoming deliberations wouldn’t be easily eavesdropped upon by their rivals. Lugging their heavy travel bags, the students trailed behind him in a tense, uneasy silence.

Once they arrived, the thirty-nine students formed an irregular, anxious circle. Mashima set down a reinforced storage box and popped the latches. Inside, thirty-nine identical, rugged wristwatches rested in neat rows.

“Before any discussion begins, everyone is required to wear one of these.” Mashima extracted a watch, holding it up by its thick black strap. “These are specially manufactured devices designed to monitor your body temperature, pulse, and other vital physiological indicators. They are also equipped with continuous satellite positioning.”

He tapped a distinct, recessed button on the side of the casing. “This is the emergency contact button. You may press it if you encounter a genuinely life-threatening situation. However, bear in mind that activating this signal constitutes an immediate withdrawal from the Special Exam.”

He let that sink in before continuing. “, no one is permitted to remove this watch without explicit authorization. That includes while bathing or swimming. If it happens to fall off due to unforeseen circumstances, you are required to secure it back onto your wrist immediately.”

Closing the now-empty box, Mashima leveled a serious look at his class. “One last thing. You need to determine your designated leader as soon as possible. Once decided, that individual must come to me to collect your class’s key card.”

The moment the teacher finished speaking, Katsuragi Kohei stepped forward from the front row. He cleared his throat, his broad shoulders squared as he naturally assumed a position of authority.

“Everyone, I believe our first priority should be securing a suitable location to establish a temporary base camp. Once we have a secure perimeter, we can sit down and properly formulate our overarching strategy.” Katsuragi’s voice was steady and confident, his stern gaze sweeping across the faces of his peers. “Discussing critical class matters while standing out in the open is not only inefficient, but it also leaves us vulnerable to espionage from the other classes.”

It was a highly pragmatic, deeply conservative proposal. Several students—primarily those who favored his steady, risk-averse approach—nodded in immediate agreement, ready to fall in line behind him.

But just as Katsuragi thought he had smoothly taken the reins of Class A, a calm, distinctly unbothered voice cut through the humid island air.

“That won’t be necessary.”

The collective gaze of the class shifted instantly toward the source. Kaedehara Tetsu stepped out from the periphery of the crowd, his posture relaxed but his tone carrying an absolute, unquestionable weight.

“Let’s resolve the matter of the leader right here, right now.” Tetsu held Katsuragi’s sharp glare without a flinch. “And I will be taking the initiative for this Special Exam.”

The declaration dropped like a live grenade, instantly shattering the fragile, cooperative atmosphere Katsuragi had just tried to build. Whispers broke out among the students. None of them had anticipated Tetsu making such a brazen, direct power grab the very second the exam began.

Katsuragi’s expression darkened, his heavy brows knitting together. He had been biding his time for an opportunity exactly like this. With Sakayanagi Arisu absent due to her physical condition, this island test was his perfect stage to demonstrate his leadership, solidify his faction’s dominance, and elevate his prestige within Class A.

There was no way he was going to simply hand the reins over to someone else.

“Kaedehara, I believe you are acting far too rashly,” Katsuragi reprimanded, his voice dropping into a stern register. “The selection of our leader is a critical choice that dictates our survival. It must be subject to thorough, democratic discussion, not a unilateral demand.”

He paused, casting a deliberate look over the gathered students. “, I firmly believe this position requires someone who has consistently demonstrated responsibility and possesses tangible experience in managing the class’s internal affairs.”

Though he didn’t explicitly name himself, the implication was glaringly obvious. He believed he was the safe choice. He was the rightful leader.

The murmurs among the students grew louder. The Katsuragi faction naturally rallied behind their figurehead, nodding at his sound logic. However, the rest of the class remained hesitant. Tetsu’s academic perfection and terrifyingly high complete abilities were well-documented. He wasn’t someone who could be easily dismissed.

Tetsu completely ignored the rising tide of whispers, his dark eyes locked dead onto Katsuragi.

“Discussion?” Tetsu echoed, the word rolling off his tongue with a trace of dry amusement. “Are you referring to those tedious, time-wasting debates where we pretend everyone’s opinion holds equal value?”

He closed the distance between them. While Tetsu didn’t possess Katsuragi’s strong, imposing physique, the sheer, suffocating weight of his composure made the air around him feel incredibly thin.

“I will say it one more time: there is no room for negotiation here.” Tetsu’s voice dropped to a chillingly even pitch. “If you refuse to step down, Katsuragi, then every single student affiliated with the Sakayanagi faction will immediately press their emergency buttons and withdraw from this Special Exam.”

Dead silence crashed over the alcove.

The students stared at Tetsu in absolute, unadulterated horror. The Sakayanagi faction comprised roughly half the class—nearly twenty people. If all of them intentionally retired on the very first day, the resulting penalty would obliterate Class A’s starting pool of two hundred and seventy Class Points. It would be a catastrophic self-destruct sequence that wouldn’t just forfeit the exam, but potentially drag them down from their throne at the top of the school’s hierarchy.

Katsuragi’s face contorted, the veins in his thick neck bulging. He had anticipated resistance, perhaps a battle of wits or a vote, but he had never expected Tetsu to deploy such an apocalyptic, scorched-earth tactic right out of the gate. This wasn’t a negotiation. It was a hostage situation.

“Kaedehara, you are actively endangering the future of this entire class!” Katsuragi’s voice cracked like a whip, finally losing its measured calm. “You cannot hold our collective interests for ransom just to satisfy your own arrogant desire for power! Handing the reins to someone as reckless as you is the true danger to Class A!”

“I am intimately aware of your capabilities, Katsuragi,” Tetsu replied, entirely unfazed by the larger boy’s outburst. “You follow procedures blindly. You cling to the rules like a lifeline, and you will always, without fail, choose the most conservative, passive strategy available. Against the vermin in the lower classes, that predictable style will only turn us into their stepping stones.”

“You—!” Katsuragi took a half-step forward, his fists trembling with raw indignation. He opened his mouth to tear into Tetsu’s logic, but a heavy, authoritative voice cut between them.

“That is enough. Both of you, calm down.”

Seeing the situation rapidly deteriorating toward a complete internal fracture, Mashima stepped forward, feeling obligated to mediate before his class imploded on day one. “This kind of internal disagreement can be resolved civilly. There is absolutely no need to resort to—”

“Mashima-sensei.”

Tetsu didn’t even raise his voice, merely shifting his cold gaze to the homeroom teacher. “This is a Special Exam. As a faculty member, you are strictly prohibited from interfering with the internal decisions and strategies of the students.”

Mashima choked on his next words, his jaw snapping shut.

Tetsu was entirely correct. According to the rigid framework of the Advanced Nurturing High School, teachers were required to maintain absolute neutrality during exams. They were observers, not participants.

Mashima held Tetsu’s unwavering stare for a long, tense second before letting out a gruff exhale. He took a deliberate step back, crossing his thick arms. “…Resolve it amongst yourselves.”

Watching their homeroom teacher physically retreat from the conflict, Katsuragi felt a cold knot form in his stomach. He fully realized the terrifying weight of Tetsu’s absolute control over the opposing faction.

Katsuragi looked to the surrounding students, desperately seeking a spark of defiance, but all he found were averted eyes and faces pale with hesitation. No one wanted to call the bluff.

Because it isn’t a bluff, Katsuragi realized with a bitter, sinking sensation.

Tetsu really would pull the trigger. He would gladly burn Class A to the ground just to prove a point. If Katsuragi forced the issue and the Sakayanagi faction withdrew, the resulting devastation wouldn’t just cripple their point total. As the acting leader who failed to prevent the disaster, Katsuragi would bear the entirety of the blame. His political standing would be annihilated.

A suffocating silence settled over the alcove. The only sound was the whistling of the sea breeze rustling the dense canopy above, carrying the salty tang of the ocean. Thirty-eight pairs of eyes were fixed on Katsuragi, waiting for the verdict.

After what felt like an eternity, Katsuragi closed his eyes and took a long, ragged breath. His fists were clenched so tightly by his sides that his knuckles had turned a bloodless white. Slowly, painfully, his fingers uncurled.

“I will step down.” His voice was hoarse, the words tasting like ash in his mouth. He opened his eyes, glaring at the boy who had just hijacked their class. “However, Kaedehara. If this Special Exam proceeds according to your dictatorial methods and ultimately ends in failure… then every single future exam will be organized and led by me.”

It was his final, desperate stance—the only political bargaining chip he could salvage from the wreckage of his pride.

Tetsu smiled, a faint, chilling expression that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Agreed.”