A crossover anime, where people are in Classroom of the Imaginary Era, and behind the scenes, the ki

"Only one class can be the winner each time out of the four classes. Even if you want to participate, you must have a compelling reason for others to choose you!"

"......reason?"

Nanase Tsubasa murmured softly, as if considering what she could offer in exchange.

Yes, in this cruel school where merit reigns supreme, why should someone give her the hope of survival when she is a freshman with no connections?

Horikita Suzune didn't keep her guessing for long, choosing instead to tell her the shortcut directly:

"Ripple Qigong"

"A secret manual brought back from the exam hall by the student council president. It's currently open to the entire school, and everyone can practice it. Not only can it prolong life, but it can also deal special damage to monsters that are afraid of light."

"As a cultivation technique worth 12 S points... as long as you can successfully master it and demonstrate your talent, you will be qualified to stand out and be given special protection and training."

As she spoke, Horikita Suzune took out a slightly crumpled booklet from her pocket and handed it to Nanase Tsubasa.

Nanase Tsubasa accepted it with both hands.

Upon opening it, she discovered that the photocopy was filled with notes and reflections on key points written in blue ballpoint pen.

"Senior, this is too precious..."

Nanase Tsubasa was about to speak when she realized that she had already downloaded the electronic version of the ripple pattern from the class group last night and had tried practicing it herself, so she didn't need her senior to give her her hard work.

Horikita Suzune had already turned her head away:

"Don't worry about me. I've already memorized everything on this."

"Even so... I haven't really mastered it yet."

I hope you can.

Horikita Suzune turned and glanced at her, her eyes filled with complex emotions: "Because you are so much like the old me..."

Upon hearing this, Nanase Tsubasa pursed her lips, feeling a little heavy-hearted.

As someone skilled at reading people, she was able to keenly sense the disappointment and helplessness hidden beneath Horikita Suzune's cold exterior.

This emotion is highly contagious, making it easier for Nanase Tsubasa to empathize with her.

She sensed that the senior student in front of her seemed to be carrying something much heavier in her heart than her own 'unfulfilled wish'.

"I'll do my best!" Nanase Tsubasa carefully put away the booklet, looking at Horikita who was about to leave. "By the way, senpai, where are you going?"

Horikita Suzune waved her hand without turning around:

"I'll find you a quieter place to practice. Otherwise, you'll get heatstroke on this rooftop, which would waste time and become a burden."

This sounds like a classic case of someone with a sharp tongue but a soft heart.

Nanase Tsubasa's previously tense shoulder line finally relaxed, and her long eyelashes trembled slightly, as if something soft had touched her heart.

"Senior, you are actually... a really good person!"

The girl called out to Horikita's retreating figure.

Horikita Suzune paused, momentarily stunned.

She didn't understand the point of Nanase Tsubasa's seemingly random statement at all, and just felt that this junior's thought process might be a bit off, just like Kushida's.

However, she did not ask Nanase Tsubasa for the reason.

Led by Horikita, the two soon arrived at a 'holy place for learning'.

Looking at the library, now empty again after the midterm exams, Horikita Suzune nodded in satisfaction.

"Let's do it here."

I followed Horikita Suzune and found a seat in the corner.

Seeing Horikita Suzune close her eyes and adjust her posture, it seemed she was trying to enter a meditative state to practice Ripple.

Nanase Tsubasa followed suit, attempting to guide her inner potential based on the opening instructions of the Ripple Training Manual she had flipped through on the way.

Unfortunately, Ripple Qigong cannot be mastered simply by studying the theory.

Despite her superb body control developed through training, she quickly learned to adjust her breathing rhythm and could feel a faint flow of energy within her body.

But it's like stagnant water stuck in a pipe; no matter how hard she tries, it just won't come out.

Moreover, with each failure, she gradually became impatient, and her originally steady breathing rhythm was disrupted, forcing her to take several deep breaths and start over.

Horikita Suzune, who had been unable to grasp this for a long time, had anticipated it.

She slowly extended her index finger.

Under Nanase Tsubasa's astonished gaze, Horikita displayed a faint but undeniably present golden ripple of lightning at the tip of her finger.

"No need to rush. The more you rush, the less you can grasp the feeling of ripples."

Horikita Suzune chuckled self-deprecatingly:

"Moreover, Ripple seems to be an ability that values ​​talent... Don't laugh at me, but even with the time I spent in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, I've only barely reached the threshold of entry."

"This level of ripple is completely insufficient for actual combat."

Nanase Tsubasa stopped what she was doing and stared intently at the gold at Horikita's fingertips.