#79 Announcement of Sports Festival

There were only a few more days remaining until the school resumes and we would have to attend the classes once again after these few days will pass by. I myself was spending those days either by training or by spending my time with Yukina.

She is extremely intelligent and it seems that even her senses are quite good for her age. Whenever I go somewhere and come back, she is always there waiting for me, sometimes she even jumps on my head from the furniture even though I don't make too much noise to attract any attention to my presence. At first, she was really friendly and obedient but after spending a few days with me she turned out to be quite a naughty little kitten. Of course, she never took it too far and actually knew when to stop acting all naughty at the right time. It almost looked like she was able to sense my mood.

...

*Beep* *beep*

I quickly turned off the alarm on my phone and slowly opened my eyes. Although I wasn't feeling sleepy, I also didn't feel like getting up from the bed but that would end up pretty bad for me because today is the day classes resume. Being absent right on the first day could cause me big problems but ignoring the problems it could cause me...I would also perhaps need to listen to Sae-chan's lecturing words and even though I am fond of her and I wouldn't mind spending some time with her, I don't really want to spend an hour listening to her lectures while looking at her serious expression.

I wanted to get up but I stopped myself.

Again? I thought with a wry smile across my face when I saw little Yukina peacefully lying on my chest.

I shook my head and gently put her on her own pillow I bought for her.

When this happened for the first time, she easily woke up but now it almost looked as if she was dead...She grew fond of me too fast and her trust in me grew at the same speed.

I dressed up my school uniform and took a small book from my table with me before leaving the room for the morning class.

I doubt that we will immediately resume studying, however, maybe there will be another special exam, considering how twisted this school is when it comes to surprising the students.

When I closed and locked the door to my room, I opened that small book and started reading while walking towards the elevator.

Hm? My brows moved slightly up in surprise when I saw the person waiting for the elevator.

"Huh? Hello" Ayanokoji also noticed me and greeted me with quite a tired expression, however, I wasn't sure if he was actually tired or if he simply looks like that every day.

"Good morning" I shortly said and redirected my attention back to the book, however, I couldn't help but notice Ayanokoji's curious gaze when he saw that book.

"Tragedy of the Assassin?" He mumbled with a slightly absent-minded expression when he read the title of the book.

"Hm? Don't ask me, I am still at the beginning so I am not exactly sure what is it about. However, it looks like some kind of fantasy novel judging from what I have read until now." I looked up to meet his eyes and he nodded in understanding.

Thankfully, the elevator arrived quickly so we didn't have to spend a lot of time in complete silence. However, when the doors opened, no one was inside...

We both briefly looked at each other before entering the elevator.

...*silence*...

"Eh, thanks for the message" It looked like he was trying to eliminate the silence by opening the conversation, however, I myself didn't find that silence uncomfortable with the novel in my hands but since he said something I should at least reply.

"No need, you told me everything about their plan and all of it was the truth, You could have easily said some lies but you didn't so I thought of that as returning the favor." I said with a small nonchalant smile while looking at him out of the corner of my eye.

He was talking about the message he received from "Ike", thanks to this, they couldn't find any reason to criticize him for not checking on them. Plus it didn't cost me anything except for 15 seconds I had to use to type and send that message.

"..."

"...It almost feels like you are an honorable person" He once again said something to fill the silence.

"Do you hate silence that much? As for you calling me honorable...I am getting goosebumps just from hearing that word being associated with me and you should know it better than anyone else not to call me an honorable person." I gave him a weird look before redirecting my attention back to the novel.

I didn't do that especially just to return the "favor". I did it because it was better this way for both of us. This way, they probably just asked him if he doesn't know anything but if I didn't send the message, they would start suspecting him and pressing him. Then it would depend on him if he would actually risk his position of an average student for this matter. Wasting 15 seconds for a fair reassurance...I think a good deal.

...

When both of us arrived at our class, I received looks from a few girls but I had no idea why would they look at me so weirdly...maybe it's because of their discussion in the changing room.

...Thinking about the changing room, I couldn't help but recall the sight from that day I would like to forget. Fortunately, I had my novel to take off my mind from those thoughts. I went to my seat and sat down and isolated myself from everyone by reading the novel about the so-called best assassin and his tragic life, as the title mentions. I must admit that I am slightly immersed in it and I also thought that there might be some cool techniques inside it. Usually, inside such fantasy novels, they use moves normally impossible for normal humans to perform, however with my superior body I might be able to do a few tricks or at least get some inspiration.

After a few minutes of reading inside the noisy classroom, the doors to our classroom got abruptly open and our homeroom teacher Sae-chan came inside with her usual serious look on her face and stack of papers in her hands.

Oh boy, this doesn't look good. I thought when I saw the stack of papers in her hands.

"As you already know, from today the classes will resume again, however, for a period of one month, there will increase in PE classes due to incoming sports festival. The details about the sports festival will be distributed by the students from the first row." She said and handed the papers to the students in the first row and they immediately started distributing them to everyone.

However, her announcement turned the class upside down, a lot of students who were expecting such event clenched their fists with determined expressions while releasing a low shout to hype themselves, however, there were also students who didn't look very happy about this announcement, most of these students were physically weak and their athletics results weren't the best.

When I received the paper containing information about the sports festival, I put my novel to the side for the moment to have a good look at the paper.

Immediately, representative of our class Hirata raised his hand and Sae-chan just looked at him to show that she is paying attention.

"Sensei, is this also one of the special exams?" Hirata understood her meaning so he asked with a serious expression.

"You are free to think of it however you want, nonetheless, there is no denying that it has the same impact on each class as those 'special exams'."

"Yes! Finally!" Sudo shouted confidently with his clenched fist.

And on the other hand, students who have no confidence in sport immediately turned even gloomier after hearing that the impact is the same as special exams.

"Well, most of you probably already roughly read through it and noticed that school used a method of dividing all school years into two separate groups and have them compete against each other. Your class, Class D was assigned to the Red Team along with your new ally Class A. The one you and Class A will be competing is White Team consisting of Class B and Class C." She continued roughly explaining for the students who still didn't get it after reading through the paper or for those who were too sleepy or lazy to read it themselves.

Most of the students were surprised by this information...Allying with Class A. Most of them knew that the students from Class A probably won't take us seriously because there is such a big gap between us and them. If we were teamed up with Class B, it would be probably ideal because both of us could help each other without facing any risks, that wouldn't be possible if we were teamed up with Class C.

However, this team layout is actually much better for me. At least I will be able to verify if Sakayanagi can keep her word.

This also means that Manabu will be on the same team as us. I thought and cast a side glance at Horikita who seemed to also realize that fact and started to act nervously.

"Alright, first of all, look at the outcomes." Sae-chan continued explaining once the class quieted down while occasionally making eye contact with me.

--- Allocation of points for all participants in competitions (Mostly groups consisting of 3 students from each class competing in individual contests)

Everyone is obligated to participate in these "individual" contests and class has to agree on the groups and in which order they will participate. Boys and girls will be competing separately, therefore groups can't be mixed. In case the competition requires more students to participate, you will be informed in the details of such competition. In case someone can't compete due to serious problems, they can be subbed by someone who has already participated but the said student must pay a fee of 3.000 private points. Each grade will be separated, therefore 1st years will be competing against each other and 2nd years...etc. Although the different grades won't be competing among each other, scores from all grades will be summed up by the end of the sports festival to determine which team is a winner.

"Sensei? Why do we have to form the groups if it's individual contests?" Ike asked with his hand raised and his confusion was clearly visible on his face.

"Because your group won't be a "team", you will compete against each other. Overall 12 students will be competing and you could say that you have 3 chances to obtain good places."

"I see so we will practically become enemies for a moment?" Ike mumbled aloud for everyone to hear with a thoughtful expression.

"I didn't say that, you can help each other and obtain 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for your class, ultimately winning 20 points for first, 15 for the second and 8 for the third place. While other students placing lower than 3rd place will have their points deducted by 1 point." Sae-chan said with a faint smile while looking at me.

---Allocation of points for all participants in the recommended competitions

As stated...it's recommended only competitions so, only a certain number of students can participate and each class has to agree on which students will be taking part in these competitions.

Depending on the results 1st place 50 points, 2nd place 30 points, 3rd place 15 points and 4th place 10 points will be allocated. While those placed lower than 4th place will have 2 points subtracted from them.

"Maybe you are wondering why is there also 4th place this time while in the individual contests there are only the first 3 places rewarded. It's due to the number of students participating in each competition." Sae-chan immediately added when she saw a few confused faces of her students

And because the recommended competitions will also be much fiercer plus there will always be those who will lose and losing 2 points isn't a good feeling. I added inwardly.

---Impact of the outcome of Red Team vs. White Team

The losing team will have 100 points subtracted from their class points.

---The impact of separate school years

The class which takes the 1st place will be awarded 50 class points.

The class which takes the 2nd place won't have any change in their class points.

The class which takes the 3rd place will have 50 class points subtracted.

The class which takes the 4th place will have 100 class points subtracted.

This is pretty ruthless, only the class which will take 1st place will gain any points, not to mention that class can still be in losing team, therefore they will still lose 50 class points. There is not even a mention of the winning team being rewarded. If one will be truly unlucky then one class can even lose 200 class points, that's not a small number.

"Umm, sensei? How many points will the winning team acquire?" Hirata also noticed it and immediately asked.

"There is no mention of it so what do you think?" She didn't answer his question but instead asked him her own question.

"...nothing?" Hirata said with an uncertain expression, it wasn't as if he was stupid but it was simply too unrealistic that the winner will get nothing.

"Bingo" Sae-chan said with a smile but for most of the students, it looked more like a sadistic smile of the demoness.

"What?! Seriously?!" Ike immediately complained aloud with a tired expression, however, he wasn't the only one.

---Individual Competition Rewards

For students placing 1st in the individual competitions: 3.000 private points or "3 marks" in a written exam will be awarded.

For students placing 2nd in the individual competitions: 2.000 private points or "2 marks" in a written exam will be awarded.

For students placing 3rd in the individual competitions: 1.000 private points or "1 mark" in a written exam will be awarded.

(Marks can't be used on other people)

For the students with the lowest ranking: 500 private points subtracted or loss of 1 mark in the written exam.

"Sensei, what are these marks?" Ike asked even though he already looked like he knew.

"It's exactly what you are thinking, you can apply them in your exam if you don't have enough points to pass." She replied.

---Best performing student reward

The student who will acquire the highest amount of points across all competitions will receive 100.000 private points.

---Best performing student reward for individual competitions

3 students from each school year who have highest score across all competitions will receive 10.000 private points individually.

!After completion of all competitions, within a school year, 10 individuals with a lowest scores will be penalized!

"For you lot, 1st years, you will be penalized by losing 10 marks so I advise you to try your hardest if you aren't good at academics." Sae-chan "kindly" gave us advice.

Hearing this, Ike's expression changed into a horrified one. He wasn't good at academics and it couldn't be said that he is good at sports so he definitely felt the pressure.

---Universal participation events

100-meter dash

Hurdle race

Capture-the-flag (Boys only)

Ball-toss game (Girls only)

Tug of war

Obstacle course race

Three-legged race (the only mixed gender event)

200-meter dash

Kibasen (Cavalry Battle)

---Recommended only participation events

Scavenger hunt

Shot put (weight varies from the gender)

Middle-distance running (distance varies from the gender)

Three-legged race (mixed class and gender)

"You will receive additional information about each competition individually on your phones. After you read everything, you can start forming groups and recommend others to participate in recommended only competitions. Be aware that although for competitions as 100-meter and 200-meter dash there are groups of 3 students from each class, however the same doesn't apply on the Three-legged race or Cavalry battle and others. You will have to give me a list of groups for each competition and also their order in which they will participate before the sports festival begins." Sae-chan added with a smile, however, most of the students had terrified or tired expressions on their faces when they saw the number of competitions.

I could also hear the sound of someone slapping himself, I guess they think they are still dreaming, hehe.

This can be quite a good farm for the private points, however, perhaps I shouldn't take all 1st places or they will think of me as a creep and not someone good at sports. After all, this is mostly competition of stamina with so many events in a row, of course, one can rest when other groups compete however that isn't enough for normal humans. Maybe it will be enough at the beginning however, I can guarantee many tired students after half of the events will be done.

Well, perhaps I will do it this way...If I will see anyone in my group being able to take 1st place then I will let them have it otherwise I will go for the 1st place myself.

I will also have to make contact with Sakayanagi but something tells me that she will contact me on her own.

Let's see what will happen during this sports festival. I thought with an amused smile while putting aside the paper with rules and paying attention to my novel once again.

Sae-chan also noticed my action which made her frown a bit.

I felt as if someone was glaring at me so I took my eyes off the novel and looked up to spot Sae-chan almost hatefully looking at me.

I just smiled and winked at her before returning to my own things.