I'm in a real religion, why are all the people who confess to me girls?

But she couldn't do that, because no matter how useless these people were, they had actually made it this far. Although there had been some stumbles along the way, it was unprecedented in the school's history for a class to rise from Class D to Class B in eight months and even compete for a place in Class A. Even Nan Yun took more than a year to rise from Class B to Class A.

Not to mention that when they started catching up with other classes, they were starting from zero. It's already a miracle that they've come this far.

"And then... I've recently heard some bad rumors in the class. In principle, as a teacher, I shouldn't interfere in your affairs, but there are some things you need to know. We recently changed to a new chairman of the board and a new student council president, I'm sure you all know that, right?"

The change of chairman and student council president has been going on for almost two months, so everyone already knows about these things, which are not new.

"A new broom sweeps clean; it's the rule, and it's bound to happen. I hope some people don't overdo it. Well, that's all I wanted to say. I hope you all have a pleasant winter break."

As Mr. Chabashira left, everyone got up and left their seats without exchanging a word.

Winter break has officially begun.

Chapter 74: The Rooftop Pact

"The class meeting is over. During the winter break, you should still be mindful of your role as students. The new monitoring system will be officially put into use after the winter break, so you need to adapt to living on campus as qualified students as soon as possible. That's about it. I hope you can live each day in a dignified manner. Also... don't get involved in any strange things, understand?"

Ryuen looked up and met Sakagami-sensei's gaze, then gave a nonchalant, fearless smile.

Even Sakagami was affected by Ryuen's attitude, so he stopped talking and announced the disbandment on the spot.

Upon hearing that the class was to be dismissed, many students rushed to leave the classroom, fearing that if they were slow, Longyuan would catch them and force them to do something embarrassing.

Everyone witnessed Ryuen's violence against Manabe in front of everyone. It was terrifying that someone could just destroy a camera with spray and then do whatever they wanted to their classmates.

The scene of Manabe being doused with buckets of water while wearing only his underwear and then beaten until he broke down will remain a nightmare that haunts them until graduation.

The reason why Ryuen executed Manabe is quite simple.

Because she was a traitor, the usually arrogant Manabe was beaten so badly that she lost control of her bladder. She couldn't help but confess that Ayanokouji had been using photos and videos of him bullying Karuizawa to blackmail her and that she had been providing information to Class B.

This is why everyone sympathizes with Manabe's plight, but no one dares to stand up for her.

Another mole planted by Amane, Nishino, was also exposed by Ryuen. Compared to Manabe, Nishino's mouth wasn't much tougher. At first, she was very defiant and said she would report Ryuen's violent behavior. The next second, she was terrified when Ryuen asked Albert to take her to the men's room. She cried and confessed everything.

Longyuan did this for two reasons: firstly, to demonstrate his absolute violence and prestige to consolidate his rule; and secondly, to signal to those who were secretly plotting something.

He is not blind.

After dealing with the two traitors, Nishino and Manabe, Ryuen also named seven or eight people, including Yamashita and Moroto, and told them.

"If you can't accept my rule, you can apply to drop out. I'll only be responsible for those who are loyal to me. If you choose to stay, then everything that happened before will be wiped clean. However... if I find out that any of you have betrayed us, then Manabe's fate will be your fate, and I'll make you suffer ten times, a hundred times, worse than Manabe!! Do you understand? If you understand, then tell me your choice loudly."

Interestingly, even after witnessing firsthand the ruthlessness and brutality of Dragon Garden, not a single person chose to drop out of school.

Class C also became stable again after this incident.

By this time, most of the bystanders had already left, leaving only Ishizaki, Albert, and Ibuki.

Kaneda and Shiina originally intended to stay but were driven away by Ryuen. What happened next was beyond their control.

"Long Yuan, do you really think the rest of us are okay?"

Ishizaki seemed hesitant, and not only him, but even Ibuki, who was standing next to him, was worried about what was going to happen next.

"There's no turning back now that the message to meet Totsuka has been sent. There's no going back. This meeting is a must. If you're afraid and choose to run away, I'll allow it. It's fine if only Albert and I go."

"What are you saying? How could I possibly choose to run away? I am definitely going to follow Longyuan."

After hearing Ishizaki's answer, Ryuen nodded calmly and looked at Ibuki beside him.

"What about you, Ibuki? You're different from us. I know you have Amane's powerful backing, which means you have a safety net and don't have to take risks with me."

"Long Yuan, are you trying to provoke me?"

Ibuki frowned. Ryuen now seemed much stranger to her. Although Ryuen's behavior appeared more violent than before, she couldn't sense any violence in him when they talked.

It actually feels like talking to someone with a smart head like Shiina or Amane.

The feeling that this Dragon Garden gave her was terrifying.

Yes, it's terrifying.

"Yes, I'm using reverse psychology to test your loyalty."

Ryuen's frank answer left Ibuki speechless.

She had considered that Long Yuan might give her various answers to evade her concerns, but she never expected that Long Yuan would have a frank conversation with her.

What would happen if I refused?

"First, I'll pretend not to care and let you go back, then I'll use you as a useless pawn to discard during the special exam in second grade."

Ryuen's calm reply sent a chill down Ibuki's spine.

"Aren't you afraid of what I might say...?"

"Aren't you afraid you'll defect to Tianyin? Haven't you already been planning that?"

Ibuki fell silent.

She has indeed been trying to get closer to Amane through Shiina recently. Although the progress is still very slow, at least Amane doesn't reject her. If she wants to join Amane in the future, Amane will most likely not refuse.

However, to her surprise, Long Yuan already knew about this matter. What surprised her even more was that Long Yuan had not mentioned her name when punishing the traitors before.

This left Ibuki at a loss for what to do, and there was another thing she cared about most.

So how did Longyuan find out about this?

Could it be Shiina...?

"What? You're already looking dumbfounded after such a short time? With this kind of expression control, you still dream of cooperating with others from the inside? I sincerely advise you to give up."

"How did you know me...?"

There are no secrets that stay hidden forever.

Is it Shiina?

"you guess"

Faced with Ryuen's nonchalant attitude, Ichibuki couldn't tell whether his guess was right or wrong. However, the issue at hand was no longer about finding out who leaked the information, but about immediately expressing his stance to Ryuen.

"I'll go with you."

"I'm so glad you made the only right choice so far."

Ryuen gave Ibuki, who looked unwilling, a deep look, then waved his hand, signaling the others to leave the classroom.

Because of the time lost due to the conversation with Ibuki, Ryuen quickened his pace.

It has only been about thirty minutes since the start of winter break was announced, but the teaching building is already deserted.

The students had mostly left the classroom, so even if Ryuen and his group acted openly, it wouldn't attract anyone's attention.

Long Yuan and his group arrived at the school's rooftop.

However, he was clearly not the first person to arrive here.

There were already people here waiting for his arrival.

"Hey! Longyuan, you're so unpunctual! You made me wait three extra minutes in this cold place, you bastard!"

Chapter 75: The Uninvited Guest

Longyuan sneered as he looked at the angry boy complaining to him.

"Only three minutes."

"What do you mean 'only three minutes'? You need to understand, you're the one who asked me out. If this is how you intend to meet me, then our meeting ends here."

After the other person finished speaking, he walked towards the stairwell. He had already sensed something was wrong from Long Yuan's expression and the unfriendly looks from the people behind him. Just as he was about to get away, Albert blocked his way.

"What are you trying to do? There are surveillance cameras here! I know your Longyuan likes to solve problems with violence, but I advise you to think about the consequences."

The other party's blustering but cowardly demeanor prompted Long Yuan to let out a contemptuous laugh.

The laughter was like the hooting of an owl, extremely grating to the ears of the other person.

"Totsuka, you wouldn't dare show up here just because there are security cameras, would you? If that's all, then I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you."

"What...what do you mean by this?"

Totsuka saw Ryuen open his schoolbag, but instead of books and stationery, it contained a can of common spray paint.

Just as Totsuka was somewhat confused, Ryuen picked up a black spray paint and lightly sprayed it twice onto the security camera on the door.

In an instant, Totsuka understood what the other party wanted to do, but it was too late to stop him. Seeing that the situation was not good, Totsuka tried to make a run for his life, but Ibuki kicked him in the groin.

The intense pain caused Totsuka to collapse to his knees on the spot, letting out a chilling scream.

“Albert, go and guard the stairs. If any student council members or teachers come, call me. If it’s Sakayanagi and Kito, don’t hesitate, go up and beat up Sakayanagi to try and create a melee that will be judged as mutual fighting, understand?”

Albert nodded and then walked toward the stairs.

Ishizaki then closed the door leading to the rooftop, thus eliminating Totsuka's complete hope of escape.

To prevent accidents, the school has built tall and sturdy railings around the rooftop and installed hemispherical surveillance cameras with protective lens housings. The combination of the cameras and the high railings assures the school that the area is safe enough.

But there are always people who can find flaws in a near-perfect layout.

Since the goal is to prevent the surveillance camera from being vandalized, just cover its lens with paint. This way, even if it still functions normally, it will no longer serve the purpose of preserving evidence.

The moment Ishizaki closed the door leading to the rooftop, this place became a cage.

The cage that Longyuan had meticulously prepared for him.

"Why...why did you do this to me..."

"I know that after you agreed to meet me, you must have made a deal with someone else that if you didn't reply to my messages or show up for a certain period of time, he would tell the homeroom teacher or Sakayanagi, right?"

Totsuka opened his mouth in shock, and the next second Ryuen punched him on the bridge of his nose.

Totsuka let out a scream and lay on his side on the ground, bright red blood gushing from his nose.

"How does it feel to play me? It must feel great to have your cake and eat it too, right? Since your mother failed to discipline you properly and teach you the most important thing about being a person is to be honest, then today I'm going to give you a proper lesson."

Ryuen gave Ishizaki a wink.

Ishizaki stretched his body, and as Totsuka listened to the cracking sounds coming from Ishizaki's body, his face turned pale.

"Don't hit me! Don't hit me! I'll give you back the money... no, I'll give you double... all of it! I'll give you all my money, please let me go, I won't tell anyone about what happened today!"

Totsuka cried out pitifully to Ryuen for mercy.

Ishizaki stopped what he was doing upon seeing this and waited for Ryuen's next instructions.

Ryuen approached Totsuka and slowly squatted down beside him.

You are very smart.

Totsuka's ability to shrewdly grasp Ryuen and his group's weakness at such a time, using their fear of being punished by the school as a bargaining chip, shows that his reaction was remarkably quick, befitting a prodigy from Class A.

Upon hearing Ryuen's words, Totsuka's face lit up with a joyful smile, but the smile vanished almost instantly.

because……

"I refuse! Do you really think I'm short of points? You don't even know why you were beaten up. What's going on in your head? Or... are you deliberately asking to keep it as evidence? Give me your phone."

Faced with Ryuen's demands, Tozuka lowered his head and began to play the ostrich, but the next second he was slapped across the face and his cheek was swollen.

No one had ever treated him like this before. For a moment, Totsuka was stunned. Seeing this, Ishizaki went up and kicked Totsuka to the ground, then kicked him a few more times.

"Are you deaf? Give me your phone right now!"

Despite being beaten half to death, Totsuka still refused to take out his phone. At this point, even Ibuki, who was a beat slow to react, could tell that there must be something wrong with Totsuka's phone.

Ibuki quickly stepped forward and began groping Totsuka's body. After a short while, she took out Totsuka's cell phone and handed it to Ryuen.

"Give it back to me!"

"Give me back my grandpa!"

Ishizaki slapped Totsuka so hard that tears welled up in his eyes.

Totsuka dared not say another word, not even a single one.

Long Yuan opened his phone and immediately turned on the recording function. As he expected, it was already running and had been recording for more than ten minutes.

With this, even if Class C steals our points now, we'll probably be able to get them back in the future, even if it's a huge loss.

Ryuen deleted the recording and then casually tossed his phone to Totsuka.

"This is child's play. Seriously, have you run out of new tricks? All you do is record audio and secretly film. Do you really think these childish methods will solve anything? You're getting a beating, consider it tuition for learning honesty. As for the points, save them for some good medicine. Ishizaki, Ibuki, give them a good beating."

At Ryuen's command, Ishizaki and Ibuki began to beat Totsuka.

The screams pierced through the rooftop door and echoed throughout the teaching building, sounding extremely eerie.