Ryūen Returns!

After settling the swimming pool matter, Hashima Hikaru spent another 100,000 funds to purchase a new [Athletic Enhancement Drug] that evening, leaving him with only 7,000 points.

The two stocks he currently held were the high-priced [Ichinose Honami Stock] and the [Kushida Kikyo Stock], which he had been trying to raise in price, now at 40.

Just a little more push to raise the price to 50 would be enough to buy the [Combat Skills (Master)] ability, so Hashima Hikaru was still quite confident. After all, he had tested it twice—as long as he approached Horikita, Kushida Kikyo would become very proactive.

As for the [Ichinose Honami Stock] situation, although it hadn't risen for a long time, the price remained high.

Hashima Hikaru didn't want to use it now. The special exams hadn't even started yet, and perhaps more important skills would be refreshed in the future. It wouldn't be too late to cash out then.

Then, he opened his stock interface.

The system had now listed five stocks: [Ichinose Honami Stock], [Chabashira Sae Stock], [Horikita Suzune Stock], [Kushida Kikyo Stock], and [Hashima Hiyori Stock].

Hashima Hikaru had purchased two stocks, [Ichinose Honami Stock] and [Kushida Kikyo Stock]. Both had an initial price of 10, so he didn't hesitate to acquire them.

[Ichinose Honami Stock]

[Current price: 150, Holding: 3000]

[Kushida Kikyo Stock]

[Current price: 40, Holding: 5000]

The other stocks had higher initial prices, requiring sufficient reserve funds to purchase, to avoid problems with broken capital chains.

"Funds are still somewhat tight. After cashing out Kushida Kikyo's stock, I must immediately decide on the next stock target."

---

Just like that, two days quickly passed, and soon it was May 4th. This was the day Ryūen returned to class, so the atmosphere in the classroom, which had been downgraded to Class D, was somewhat tense.

Although everyone had basically accepted Ibuki Mio's position as class leader after this period of interaction, the man who had once proclaimed violence against everyone was returning today. What would happen next was something the students weren't quite certain about.

At 8:10 AM, a figure finally appeared at the classroom door. It was a male student with long red hair. He didn't immediately enter but instead looked at the metal plate marked "First Year Class D" for several moments.

"First Year Class D, hehe. In just one month, you've become the last place. Seems like you all did well under Ibuki's leadership."

Ryūen Kakeru swaggered into the classroom and immediately directed his fire at Ibuki Mio.

Ibuki wouldn't coddle him and stood up, glaring at him angrily. "Who do you think is responsible for lowering our class evaluation points?"

"If I remember correctly, that person should be you," Ryūen replied with a cold laugh. "Colluding with other classes, causing your own classmates to be suspended, and then resulting in class evaluation points being deducted."

"Yet you've still been accepted by everyone as the class leader. How ridiculous!"

"You..."

Ibuki's eyes widened in anger, her little face showing an extremely irate expression.

Seeing her in this state, Hashima Hiyori, who was beside her, immediately advised, "Wait, Ibuki. Don't be so angry. We all approved of your decision at that time, and no matter what Ryūen says, that won't change."

"You started a fight right at the beginning of school. Did you think that wouldn't deduct class evaluation points?"

"That was merely a necessary price to pay. If everyone in the class was under my control, I could lead everyone to rise to Class A together." Ryūen grinned widely, his tone conveying an inexplicable confidence.

Hearing this, Ibuki's little face showed disdain, and she mocked, "Ryūen, are you still half-asleep? Already daydreaming."

"No, I'm serious. But telling you all this now is useless. I'm here to issue a challenge."

The long-haired man stepped closer to Ibuki Mio. Just as he was about to reach the girl's desk, the burly Yamada Albert immediately stepped forward, like an iron tower blocking Ryūen's path.

"Oh, after a month, it seems Yamada has evolved into Ibuki's loyal dog. That's quite something."

"If you're looking to provoke, I don't mind having Yamada fight you. After all, we're already in last place." Ibuki signaled with her eyes for Yamada to step back, looking directly at Ryūen. "What do you mean by 'issuing a challenge'?"

"It's simple. I want to be the class leader, but unfortunately, you've stolen this position. So I need to find a way to take it back."

"Do you think you can do it? The class leader is decided by everyone's votes."

"Don't worry, did you think I've been sleeping in my dorm for a month? I've made many plans."

A dangerous smile curled at the corners of Ryūen's mouth as he turned to address the whole class loudly: "Since we've fallen to last place, let's fight our way up one by one, until we become First Year Class A!"

"Plans?"

After listening to Ryūen's outrageous claims, Ibuki Mio promptly asked, "What do you want to do?"

"This is my challenge. The explanation is simple."

Ryūen Kakeru stood in the middle of the podium and said to everyone in the classroom, "Since you all vote for Ibuki now, I have nothing to say. But next, I will implement some plans that can help the class."

"After the plans succeed, they will result in other classes' evaluation points decreasing. At that time, you will naturally believe that I am the most suitable person to be the class leader."

"Is that so?" Ibuki Mio coldly looked at the man before her, saying word by word, "What is your plan?"

"Of course I can't tell you, otherwise wouldn't it be leaked?"

Ryūen shook his head and added, "In any case, I will let you see my abilities, which are definitely not comparable to this person. Let's wait and see."

After speaking, he glanced at Ishizaki Daichi and Komiya Yōgo sitting in their seats, signaling them to leave with him.

After Ryūen finished, Ibuki's face turned ashen. She knew that this guy wouldn't just let things be after returning to the classroom.

"It's okay, Ibuki. If Ryūen really wants to help the class, I think it's fine to let him try."

Hashima Hiyori's expression was very calm. She knew that currently, Ryūen could only control the two followers who were suspended with him; other students wouldn't defect so easily.

But if he could really achieve results, that wouldn't be bad either. After all, it would be for the class.

"Hmph, what can this guy do besides fighting? I don't believe he can devise any complex schemes."

Meanwhile, Ryūen, who had walked out of the classroom, looked at the two people behind him and slowly said, "We'll take action this afternoon. Remember my previous instructions?"

"Rest assured, Ryūen. This is your first plan after returning, so it must be executed beautifully." Ishizaki Daichi looked very confident.

"Yes, we won't let you down, Ryūen." Komiya Yōgo's expression was very serious.

"Good. I heard that the bastard Hashima Hikaru's class has risen to Class A. What a nuisance."

Hatred flashed in Ryūen's eyes. It was this guy who got him suspended for a month, causing him to miss the time to consolidate the class. Now he could only control these two people, and when executing the plan, he had to go along himself.

"Just wait, Hashima Hikaru. This move was actually taught by you. I will definitely throw you into the abyss completely!"