Classroom of the Elite (LN)
Chapter 4.1: A Quiet Outbreak of War Part 1

Volume 3, Chapter 4: A Quiet Outbreak of War Part 1

In order to check how C Class was doing, I looked around the base camp that was close to seashore. Until yesterday, this place was loud as if there was a festival going on but now it was just quiet with flies flying all around.

“Hey, you scared me, seriously. I thought you were strange but not to this extent.”

I was just vaguely looking around at the shore view when two people came out walking from behind me, pretending that they knew who I was.

“Did you come here to spy too, Ayanokouji?”

It was Ichinose and Kanzaki from B Class. I wondered if these two came to see how C Class was doing.

“I’m in charge of finding food. I was just walking around in the forest and ended up here on the shore.”

“Even though it’s the middle of the day, it’s dangerous to be out here doing this by yourself.”

I nodded my head in agreement to Ichinose’s kind warning. The two of the them hid themselves in the shade and closely watched the movements of C Class.

This is because they had a good reason to be hiding.

“Woah, I can’t see anybody. It must be just like Kanzaki said. They must be abstaining from any operations.”

Ichinose scratched his cheek and let out a sad sigh.

“We were trying to see who C Class’s leader was but… was this all for nothing? If they’ve all gone up to the boat then we won’t be able to find any hints.”

“I thought about it and don’t you think C Class already used up all their points? If so then, even if we do find the leader, does that mean we won’t get a penalty?”

“They said there would be no bad influences in Semester 2 so their points wouldn’t go below 0.”

Ichinose pursed his lips as if he was sort of bored. Since it was 3 o’clock, at the base camp of C Class that we had looked around, there was already nobody there and all we could see was an empty place. There were still students playing around in the water but that too, was due to the time.

“An operation that uses all of your points, it’s not really something to compliment but even so it’s really amazing.”

“No matter how much I think about it, this just doesn’t seem like it will work. This test is so you can gather points. By just throwing that whole idea away, Ryuuen has already lost.”

Ichinose and Kanzaki, both with a pitiful look on their face, looked towards the uninhabited island as they spoke.

“It’s so hard trying to figure out who the leader is. It’s really a waste of time, just a waste.”

“I think quietly keeping watch and quietly taking part in the test would be the best option.”

“Yes, yes. I think a solid strategy is the best thing we can use.”

I don’t know if those two were lying or telling the truth, but I could clearly hear their plan. Ichinose and Kanzaki realised that spying in C Class was meaningless and they focused their attention on the shore. Right now, it was the perfect opportunity.

I felt compelled to try asking Hiratana Kushida about Sakayanagi and since it’s the two of them, they may know some details. Right now, the best thing would be to avoid doing anything that would make D Class notice me.

“I happened to hear this somewhere but… A Class’s Katsuragi and Sakayanagi, do they each have their own opposing groups?”

“They don’t get along, that is true. It seems they fought really hard. But… why are you asking?”

“Nothing. It’s just that Horikita said if I had time to come and find out something about it. That there was a chance to really break down A Class down here but… even if they did fight that much, wouldn’t they all come together for the sake of the test?”

“I feel the same but Sakayanagi is taking it easy in this test. It seems like Katsuragi is the only one putting in any effort. Because of that, don’t you think all of them would be leaning towards Katsuragi? Am I wrong?”

Ichinose tilted his head and asked Kanzaki for his opinion. Who would’ve thought that Sakayanagi was an absentee.

“Katsuragi is one smart boy. Sakayanagi may be absent but the right-hand men won’t defy him. I don’t think they would do anything to like… deliberately cause a division between them though. To do that means you have no merit.”

If this was all true, that meant that those two were doing exactly what Katsuragi told them to do.

“I see, I think that’s true. But then, the students working with Sakayanagi, wouldn’t they be really unhappy? Those two are complete opposites so it’s clear their opinions would be opposites too.”

“Complete opposites?”

“Reformists and conservatives? Offense and defense? One side assaulting and one side protecting? It feels like that’s the complete opposite. Seeing it that way, if I think of A Class just going all out, that’d be scary. If they properly came together then, that would reveal their true side.”

“I see. I will inform Horikita, later. Oh! Well. I think she would prefer to investigate it on our own again. What can I say? She works her men very hard, anyway. Oops… Pretend that you did not hear this last line. It’s bothersome to be yelled at later.”

“Ahaha.. I will keep it a secret. However, Horikita… Her viewpoints are very good. It seems that if those two people completely oppose each other, there will be retribution for sure, to the point that they may self destruct. But, there’s not much that can be done at this stage, anyway.”

Kanzaki confirmed the time on the wristwatch and began suggesting that he should go back to Ichinose.

“I must go. I should go back, look for food. They will be angry if I return empty-handed.”

“Well then, let’s be careful with each other’s injuries and do our best. Please do not act rashly.”

That’s right, if I were to put it in Ichinose’s words, I would say thank you for your petty tricks.