CHAPTER 28: CLASS C’S TYRANT

June 2nd, Class 1—D

Miss Elira stood at the front of the class, her voice calm and composed as she continued her lecture. Everyone sat quietly, taking notes and listening attentively. When the bell finally rang, she closed her book.

"We’ll continue this in our next class," she said, before walking out.

The classroom quickly turned rowdy. Students chattered among themselves, moving around freely now that the lesson was over.

"Let’s go," Aria said, turning to Kairon.

"Go where?" he asked, calmly.

"The cafeteria, obviously."

Kairon stood up with a small sigh and followed her out.

---

At the Cafeteria

The two sat down with their trays of food. Aria broke the silence first.

"So, what team are you in?" she asked.

"Team Aries," Kairon replied.

"I got placed in Team Gemini," Aria said with a small frown.

"I see."

"This school loves complicated tests," Aria muttered. "Have you heard what this one’s about?"

Kairon gave a small shrug. "I plan to do nothing."

"Huh? You’re just going to sit there and watch?"

He leaned back slightly. "We’ll be placed in groups. The objectives are meant for the group to achieve together. So technically, I can let the others handle it."

"That’s no good," Aria frowned.

Kairon glanced at her. "The first-years have been grouped according to the zodiac signs. The theme of this test is negotiation—specifically, silent negotiation."

He continued, "There are 20 soundproof booths, each monitored by evaluators and cameras. Students rotate through multiple sessions, each lasting 10 minutes. After every session, groups are shuffled and placed into new booths."

"What are the rules?" Aria asked.

"No verbal communication. No violence. And you can’t expose your group’s objective to others."

Aria thought for a moment. "That last one’s probably to prevent alliances between groups."

"Exactly," Kairon nodded. "Though I wouldn’t even call it alliance. Each group is given objectives that directly conflict with others. For example, say Team Aries’s objective is to secure exclusive access to the advanced training facility for a month. Then, Team Gemini’s objective might be to negotiate shared access for their class—with the rule that their class must be included."

"I get it," Aria said. "So both teams’ goals clash, and neither can compromise without breaking the conditions."

Kairon nodded. "Even if compromise were possible, which class would be willing to back down? Everyone wants to reach Class S. The reward is 5000 individual points. If a student earns it, their class’s total score increases dramatically. So, no one wants to give in."

"You’re right," Aria said, sighing.

Suddenly, Ren appeared beside their table, followed by Albert and Miya.

"May I join?" he asked casually.

Aria stood up. "I’m leaving."

Ren grabbed her wrist. "I just got here. Don’t be so rude."

"Let go," she said, yanking her arm free and sitting back down with a scowl.

Ren looked between them. "Which one of you eliminated Class C that night?"

Aria raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? Obviously, it was me."

"That’s impossible," Ren said. "According to Miya, you weren’t in good health."

Aria scoffed. "Even when I was in good health, she still struggled against me."

Miya stepped forward, angry. "What did you say?! You want to fight—?"

Ren raised a hand, and Miya went quiet.

"I’ll find out who’s pulling your strings, Aria," he said.

"Why do you think it’s us?" Aria replied. "Could’ve been Lizzy. Or Adams."

Ren smirked. "I know their capabilities." He turned and walked away.

Kairon remained expressionless. "You’re the lady of the hour now."

"Whose fault do you think that is?" Aria sighed. "So, what do we do about the test?"

"For us to succeed," Kairon said, "each class needs their members—placed across all zodiac groups—to earn 5000 private points each."

"This isn’t like the Hunter’s Test," Aria muttered. "Back then, we were united."

Kairon’s phone buzzed. "Seems it’s time."

---

Team Aries – First Booth, 9:00 AM

Kairon walked in and noticed only one seat left at the round table. Each place had a pen and notebook. He sat down as Lizzy smiled and held up her notebook, which read:

"Welcome to the first session of the Aries group discussion."

Kairon scanned the room.

Four from Class D: himself, Meira, Caden, and Juro.

Four from Class C: Miya, Selena, Elara, and Callista.

Three from Class A: Dominic, Gabriel, and Kaelen.

Three from Class B: Lizzy, Cedric, and Julian.

Lizzy typed something on her phone, and a holographic screen appeared, displaying a message. She then dropped a sealed envelope on the table and opened it.

Suddenly, the lights dimmed.

A glowing Aries sigil appeared on the ceiling, pulsing faintly.

Then, a cold voice echoed through the booth.

"Group Aries, welcome to the Booth of Silent Negotiation.

Your task is simple:

You must broker a trade agreement involving at least two other Zodiac groups, in addition to your own.

The agreement must be mutually acknowledged, with all parties agreeing to the same written terms.

However...

Only your group must benefit from the outcome.

You will not be given any tools or resources beyond what you can discuss, propose, or convince others to trade.

You have ten minutes. Booth rotation begins shortly.

Good luck."

The sigil faded. Silence returned.

Kairon didn’t move until the sound of mechanical gears signaled the booth’s rotation. As the room shifted, he flexed his fingers.

Lizzy scribbled in her notebook again and held it up.

"If anyone has a problem with me leading, write it down now."

No one responded.

As usual, Kairon thought. No one will challenge her, especially in a test like this where even speaking could disqualify them.

Cedric wrote, "I believe Lizzy is the right person to lead." Everyone nodded.

Lizzy smiled and wrote, "Let’s choose two Zodiac groups to negotiate with. I propose Leo and Virgo."

Dominic, however, wrote: "I suggest Gemini and Cancer instead."

"Why?" Lizzy wrote back, but Dominic didn’t respond.

Suddenly, a notification beeped on everyone’s phone.

"Your designated negotiation targets are: Leo and Virgo."

Lizzy nodded and wrote: "Then it’s settled. We’ll negotiate with Team Leo and Team Virgo."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Meira, meanwhile, tapped her phone disinterestedly, clearly not invested in the task.

---

Outside the Booth

The door opened. The environment had changed completely—now resembling a luxury resort.

A panel lit up and a proctor’s voice echoed.

"During booth rotations, the surroundings have also been changed. This is another sector of the academy.

You will stay here for the duration of the test.

Rooms, bar, pool, and spa are available."

A new notification appeared on everyone’s phone with room assignments. Kairon checked his—Room 3—and quietly left.

---

Near the Lounge

Meira sat on a public bench tapping on her phone. Suddenly, Selena, Elara, and Callista approached and surrounded her.

"What is this?" Meira asked. "What do you want?"

"Rose told us you bumped into her at the counter yesterday," Selena said.

"Rose?" Meira frowned. "Who’s that?"

"Don’t play dumb," Elara snapped. "She said it was a blond girl with a ponytail."

"I don’t even know anyone named Rose," Meira said, standing up.

Selena pushed her back down. "We’re not done. Apologize."

"I didn’t do anything," Meira replied. "You’ve got the wrong person."

"Let’s take her picture and show it to Rose," Callista said.

Selena raised her phone to snap a picture, but Meira knocked it away.

"Hey! That could’ve broken my phone!" Selena snapped.

"If it breaks, report it to the school. They’ll give you a new one," Meira said coldly.

"Why are you scared to have your picture taken if you’re innocent?" Elara asked.

"Don’t take my picture," Meira repeated, her voice sharp.

Elara and Callista grabbed her arms as Elara tried to take a photo. Just then, Dominic arrived with Gabriel and Kaelen.

"Enough," Dominic said.

Selena glared. "Mind your business."

"If you don’t stop, I’ll report this," Dominic warned.

The girls backed off. "Let’s go," Selena muttered.

Meira looked up at Dominic, gratitude in her eyes.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I’m fine... thank you," she said with a small smile.

From a distance, Kairon watched, unfazed. Then he turned and walked away.

---

At the Bar— 8:09 PM

Aria and Kairon sat across from each other.

"Have you gotten your group’s objective?" Aria asked.

"Yes."

"So, what’s your plan?"

"Lizzy’s in charge," Kairon replied. "I’ll leave it to her."

"You trust her?"

"This test isn’t about trust. She was chosen because she fits the role."

Aria rolled her eyes. "I know that already."

Then—

"Well, well... are you two on a date?" Mind if I join you?

Ren approached, hands in his pockets, casual as ever. He picked up a bottle from the table nearby, twisted off the cap, and took a drink without asking. There was something unsettling about how relaxed he was — like he owned the place.

"So, how’s your group objective going?" he asked, his tone playful, but the edge in his voice was sharp.

Aria frowned, her posture stiffening. "And what makes you think we’d tell you?"

Ren let out a light laugh. "Then let me ask something else — how are you going to complete it?"

Aria crossed her arms, stepping slightly forward. "What about you? What’s your plan?"

Ren turned to her with a grin. "Easy. I’ll have every Class C student submit their phones. One by one. And I’ll get everything I need — their motives, goals, weaknesses."

Aria looked at him, disbelief on her face. "That’s insane. The school would never allow something like that."

Ren shrugged and turned away. "Who said anything about the school? In Class C, my word is order. And order gets results. I’ll crack this test with my hands."

He walked off without another word.

Kairon watched him leave. Aria muttered, "He’s underestimating the academy."

But Kairon didn’t look convinced. "Maybe not. Maybe he’s figured it out — how the school tests really work. And now he’s trying to break the system."

He turned to her. "Can you do something for me?"

"What is it?" she asked.

"I need information. On Group Virgo... and Leo."

Aria paused. "Why them? Do you have a plan? And why me?"

Kairon’s tone stayed calm. "Because I trust you."

Her eyes widened slightly before she looked away. "...Fine. I’ll look into it."

Kairon nodded, his eyes steady.

The game had already started.

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