Demon Slayer: I was taken home by Shinobu Kocho at the beginning.

Were they coming for me?

Ayanokouji had the answer in her heart, but she still stood silently behind Horikita without saying a word, and even took out her phone to operate it in this situation.

Just as Horikita and Takarazumi were facing off, exchanging meaningless remarks, Kamio Tatsuya's cell phone vibrated in his pocket.

They came for me.

The simple four words made Tatsuya Kamio's lips twitch. Is this guy that perceptive?

Even Tatsuya Kamio hasn't figured out anything yet.

Unfortunately, Tatsuya Kamio arrived rather late. By the time he got there, Hosen was already locked in a battle with Horikita, so it's understandable that he didn't notice.

But that Ayanokouji guy...

What do you mean by sending me this?

Do you think I can save you?

Give up, there's no hope, just wait to die!

"You seem to have misunderstood something. Our positions are equal." Horikita said this, whether out of ignorance of the situation or on purpose.

"Equal? ​​Looks like you're not all that great after all. In this exam, we first-year students actually had the advantage. Can't you see that?"

Upon hearing Horikita's words, Hosen's eyes revealed disdain.

"Then tell me, where exactly do you have the advantage?"

"Although you seem to be trying to trick me, I'll still mercifully tell you that for this exam, we first-year students have a trick to forcibly lower the scores."

Upon hearing this, Horikita bit her lip hard, a look of resentment on her face.

Wow, Horikita's expression is so suggestive.

There's a strong urge to be bullied.

"Are you kidding me? You could get expelled for deliberately slacking off on an exam," Sudo said, stepping forward with displeasure.

When confronted with Sudo's questioning, Hosen didn't even bother to answer.

Then, he looked around and fixed his gaze on Tatsuya Kamio.

"I think Kamio-senpai, who was the first to protest the exam rules, must understand why, right? I think you wouldn't mind standing up for the idiots in your grade, would you?"

Damn it, I just wanted to watch the show in peace, why do they have to cause trouble for me?

Therefore, Tatsuya Kamio merely raised his eyelids and completely ignored him.

Kamio Tatsuya's disregard made Hosen lose face, but fortunately, Nanase, who was with him, stepped in to help him out.

Students who fail to select a partner within the specified time according to the rules will be randomly assigned to teams on the day of the exam, but their total score will be reduced by five percent.

That five percent could very well be the last straw that breaks the camel's back.

"Then all we need to do is find a partner before the exam starts, right?"

"Really? As a member of Class D, it must be difficult for you to find other students to partner with, right? In other words, the only ones willing to help you are us, who are also from Class D."

Nanase's words were well-founded, leaving Sudo speechless.

"Although some students may not receive their individual points for the next three months due to insufficient scores, that's only 240,000 points. In any case, it's much better than dropping out, isn't it?"

"This……"

After Nanase put it this way, even Sudo understood the advantages that first-year students had when facing second-year students.

"So, you've given up on your class ranking in this special exam, is that right?"

Horikita's sudden question startled many people present, who then realized what was going on.

If Class D really does that, then without a doubt, their average score will be much lower, and the outcome at the class level will immediately be a foregone conclusion.

Although it's uncertain who will win among the preceding classes, Class D is definitely going to lose.

"Hmph, so what? I wouldn't even look at a mere fifty class points."

Baoquan gave a cold laugh and made this declaration.

Upon receiving this answer, Horikita actually laughed.

"Really? I understand."

"Oh? So you've come to terms with reality and are ready to bow down and admit your mistakes?"

A triumphant smile appeared on Baoquan's lips.

"Don't get me wrong, I never said I wanted to cooperate with you."

Horikita's words froze the smile on Baoquan's face.

Looking at Horikita's expression, Kamio Tatsuya narrowed his eyes. Could it be that Horikita is thinking the same thing as me?

After the results of this exam were announced, Tatsuya Kamio had other ways to resolve the issue besides protesting.

This exam has a total of five subjects. If the two classes cooperate with each other based on their knowledge of each other, it would be incredibly easy to break through 501 points.

The only problem is that high-achieving first-year students might be aiming for the private points rewards at the top of the rankings.

However, that doesn't matter, because the second-year students' demands are basically just to ensure that the students are not expelled.

Therefore, they won't need many places for highly qualified students, which leaves room for negotiation.

Although the first-year students had a clear advantage in this exam, don't forget that the second-year students have already worked hard at this school for a year.

The intelligence we possess is far superior to that of the first-year students. As long as we use this intelligence in exchange, we have no fear of them not cooperating.

As for if someone is really stubborn and insists on extorting money, like Takarazumi now, Kamio Tatsuya doesn't care.

Just because you don't care about the outcome of your class doesn't mean the students in the other three classes don't care. As long as the second grade cooperates with the other three classes, we can first protect the students with lower academic abilities in our class.

The remaining students could simply choose not to cooperate with those guys in Class D and deliberately lower Class D's average score, thus securing fourth place for Class D.

The top three will undoubtedly receive class points as a reward.

As long as the first few classes send in a few high-achieving students, they can reliably obtain class points.

As for who is first, second, and third, that depends on their own abilities.

Even if Baoquan had tried to win over students from other classes beforehand, there was no need to worry. After all, compared to the first year, the second year had no conflict of interest with the first year, so there was no need to worry about being taken advantage of during the cooperation.

Even if the barriers between grades become weaker, the final winner will still be the four classes in the same grade. For first graders, the real rivals are the three in the same grade, not the second graders.

Moreover, compared to Baoquan, who looks like a hoodlum, it's obvious that Kamio Tatsuya, the student council vice president, is more likely to be trusted.

However, this was really pointless, so Kamio Tatsu became too lazy to do it and instead handed over the initiative of the exam to Ryuen.

Let him shine brightly again after a long time.

Judging from Horikita's current demeanor, could it be that he has also thought of this?

"Hmph, it seems you really are stubborn as nails. You're not still pinning your hopes on that protest letter, are you? In my opinion, that's a joke."

Although Horikita remained calm and composed, Hosen Kazuomi also appeared confident and aloof.

"Don't go too far!"

Sudo, provoked by Baoquan, lost his mind and stood directly in front of Baoquan.

The two were about the same height, but Baoquan definitely had the advantage in weight, so Sudo looked rather thin.

"Don't lose your composure, Sudo-kun. You should know this school very well, right?"

Baoquan was clearly not angered by her words, so there was only one reason for him to do this: to anger Sudo who was standing next to him.

That would be truly terrible if we gave them leverage over us.

After being reminded by Horikita, Sudo was a little anxious, but he was still prepared to step down, after all, he had survived in such a cruel environment for a year.

Although Sudo still has a bad temper, he knows what he should and shouldn't do and is very good at controlling his temper.

Initiating a fight will only bring negative consequences to the class and to yourself.

However, although Sudo obediently retreated, Hosen, who was opposite him, did not seem to intend to stop there.

After Sudo turned and walked away, while Sudo's feet were off the ground, Hosen stretched out his huge hand and pushed Sudo.

"Ugh!"

In that instant, Sudo lost his balance and fell flat on his back.

"It's just that I'm tall. I only touched it lightly and I fell down."

Baoquan's actions stunned the second-grade students around him, who then looked at him with disbelief, as if they couldn't believe what they were seeing was real.

"what are you doing!"

Ishizaki Daichi, a second-year student, is a delinquent type who is prone to arguing and has even fought with Sudo before.

However, since they were all second-year students, they immediately stood up after seeing what Sudo had gone through.

"They're swarming out one after another like cockroaches!"

"There should be a limit to looking down on people, hey!"

Just then, someone suddenly looked at the vine on the ground.

"Suto... Suto has fainted!"

"Could it be that he hit his head when he fell to the ground?"

"No way, isn't this terrible?"

Looking at the motionless Sudo on the ground, Kamio Tatsuya knew it was his turn to make his appearance.

To be fair, Sudo's acting skills are quite good, at least he did a good job faking injuries.

The moment Kamio Tatsuya saw Baoquan, he knew that this guy was definitely here to cause trouble, and given his personality, he might do something drastic.

Given the circumstances at the time, the person most likely to clash with the other side was undoubtedly Sudo from Class D.

Therefore, Kamio Tatsuya warned Sudo in advance that if the other party attacked first, no matter what injuries he sustained, he should be knocked to the ground and not get up.

If you really don't know how to act, just close your eyes and pretend to be unconscious.

"That's it."

Tatsuya Kamio stepped out from the crowd.

"Ishizaki, Yamada, you two take Sudo to the hospital. If he really bumps his head, the infirmary can't do anything about it."

Then, he looked coldly at Baoquan.

"As for you, go back to the first-year classroom. The student council will make a judgment on your behavior based on Sudo's injuries."

"What the hell are you saying, you bastard?"

"What? Are you going to attack the student council vice president?"

Kamio Tatsuya wasn't intimidated at all by the irritable Hosen; in fact, he was even looking forward to Hosen attacking him. That way, Kamio Tatsuya could send him packing in one fell swoop.

"Hmph, let me test your mettle as the vice president of the student council."

As he spoke, Baoquan swung his fist and punched Kamio Tatsuya.

"Baoquan!"

Nanase behind him seemed to want to speak up and stop him, but Hosen remained unmoved.

As the enormous fist drew closer, Tatsuya Kamio reached out his left hand, grasped the fist, and held it tightly.

"Hmph, you've got some skill, managing to take my punch."

Baoquan sneered and was about to pull his fist out, but Kamio Tatsuya gradually increased his strength. Baoquan felt a huge force coming from his right hand, as if it was going to crush his bones.

"Stop! Stop it, you bastard!"

As he wished, Kamio Tatsuya released his grip on his hand and then kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying.

Tatsuya Kamio didn't use his full strength in that kick; he was afraid of killing the guy directly.

After all, his seven points of strength represent the limit that humans can reach.

After subduing Baoquan with swift and decisive action, the second-year classroom fell into a deathly silence. Even Ishizaki and Yamada, who were carrying Sudo and preparing to leave, subconsciously stopped and looked over.

Meanwhile, Sudo, who was being carried by them, secretly opened his eyes and saw Baoquan's miserable state.

However, everyone was so shocked by what had just happened that they were speechless.