The classroom fell silent after Uituba's words. Csendez didn't even need to call for their attention. She simply clapped her hands once, and every student looked toward her, even those who had shown no interest in the meeting until now.
"If you came here, regardless of your reason, then be quiet and speak only about the purpose of this meeting. Uituba gathered all of you to discuss the optional subjects because it is the best solution for everyone—not for her and not for me. You already knew that. Otherwise, you wouldn't have come."
Csendez's voice was calm and almost emotionless. She spoke slowly, without raising her voice, as if she wasn't trying to convince anyone, only stating facts.
"As the alicorn said, everyone here believes this Academy is more complicated than it appears. If you can believe that, then why can't you believe that this class ranking is also more than what it seems?"
She looked directly at the alicorn who had spoken first. He frowned.
"What do you mean by that?"
Csendez ignored the question.
"This class is unusual. Even during the entrance ceremony, we were the only class that stood out from the others. Since then, I've been trying to find the reason, but so far I only have suspicions."
She let out a quiet sigh.
"I never expected us to reach a decision today, or even next week. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. What I do know is that this is not the time to let ourselves be used by those adults as tools."
She stopped speaking. Uituba nodded with satisfaction before continuing.
"I think exactly the same as Csendez. That's why I organized this meeting. Listen, everyone. Choosing our optional subjects together doesn't mean forming alliances or becoming friends. It only means cooperating for a short time so everyone benefits."
She looked around the circle.
"That is far better than creating a lose-lose situation. So let's make one agreement. When it comes to our class's interests, leave your family conflicts and racial disputes outside this room. For now, we are simply classmates."
One of the unicorns who had insulted the werewolf earlier spoke with obvious sarcasm.
"Like Feyer said, give us another reason. I don't care about helping the class."
Before Uituba could answer, the Dark Eye student spoke.
"The Academy's rules never say that we'll remain students here for all fifty years."
Several students turned toward him.
"They also never say we can't be expelled. The Headmaster said on the first day that he could move students from one class to another whenever he wished. He never said he couldn't expel them as well."
A Dijin crossed his arms.
"That's just speculation. You expect us to ignore our own preferences because of a possibility? That's a little—"
"Stop." Uituba interrupted him before he could continue. "No insults. Do you want another reason? Fine. I'll give you one."
She walked into the center of the room and activated her Koutiul. A large projection appeared in front of everyone, displaying every classroom and every student's name.
"As Csendez and Shu Mo pointed out, this Academy is planning something. Some of you have already noticed it. Others haven't. But the way students are divided into classes—and ranked within those classes—is strange."
She changed the display. Several names turned red. Others turned blue.
"The red names belong to the twelve noble races. The blue names belong to the other twenty-one races."
She looked around.
"Do you notice anything?"
The fairy girl was the first to answer. "There are more noble races in Classes C, D, and E. But in the other classes...they're almost balanced." She blinked. "Was that intentional?"
Uituba smiled. "Exactly. They no longer separate us according to nobility or military strength. So there must be another criterion. Or perhaps several. But raw power clearly isn't the deciding factor anymore."
She turned toward the two Changement siblings, who had remained silent until now.
"No offense. But your race isn't known for combat. Your magic only changes appearance. It gives almost no advantage in battle. And yet both of you are ranked twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh in Class S. You ranked above a dragon, an elf, and a fairie. If strength were the criterion...that would be impossible."
The twins exchanged a glance before nodding together.
"We were confused too," one of them admitted. "We wanted to be placed in Class D or even Class E. But the admission letter said the Headmaster believed our place was in Class S."
That statement caused several students from the non-noble races to nod.
Apparently, many of them had experienced the same surprise. What followed was nearly an hour of speculation. Several theories were proposed regarding the Academy's intentions, while others questioned whether any of it mattered at all. In the end, no one reached a definitive conclusion.
….
Csendez glanced at the clock displayed by her Koutiul. A slight frown appeared on her face. This meeting is becoming too long.
If we continue like this...someone may become suspicious.
She wasn't the only one thinking so. Shu Mo's expression hadn't changed, but the atmosphere around him had grown noticeably heavier.
Csendez stood up.
"Uituba."
The elf looked toward her.
"This has gone on long enough." After a brief pause, Uituba nodded.
She closed the projection and returned to her seat. Csendez looked around the circle.
"If you still wish to cooperate...stay. We'll decide the optional subjects. If you don't...you're free to leave."
No one moved. She waited another moment before continuing.
"Good. I hope you'll remain consistent with that decision."
She looked around the classroom once more.
"We already have mandatory classes. Magic. History. And combat. For the optional subjects...we can choose Arts...Economics...and Science. There are seven optional hours. My proposal is simple. Two hours for each subject. And the remaining hour. ..goes to the subject recommended by our homeroom teacher."
She waited for objections. A few students looked dissatisfied. None of them spoke.
"Good. I believe that's the fairest solution. It also allows us to test our teacher. If he truly is on our side...the subject he recommends may itself become a clue."
She folded her hands behind her back.
"And if anyone dislikes this arrangement...the library is always open. We only have twenty-seven scheduled hours each month. That leaves plenty of free time. You can study whatever interests you on your own."
She nodded once before sitting back down. Uituba stood up once more.
"Then it's decided. When we receive the registration forms...everyone should submit these choices. This will be our class's first act of cooperation. The meeting is over. Thank you all for coming."
"Wait." The werewolf's voice stopped everyone just as they were about to leave.
"What we discussed here...stays here. Not with your families. Not with anyone outside this classroom. Today we met to discuss optional subjects. Nothing else. Not the Academy. Not our families. Not the real reason behind these class rankings. Talking about those things will only make the Academy more cautious. And we'll become puppets before we even realize it."
"Obviously no one would say something like that," a Dijin replied dismissively. Then he noticed several students lowering their heads. His expression changed.
"...Wait. You actually intend to tell your family's relatives from another class?"
The room fell quiet again.
"This discussion has already lasted too long." The griffin who had remained silent throughout the entire meeting finally spoke.
"If any of you believe this information should be shared, I advise you not to do it. But if you insist...go ahead. You'll be the one who loses."
She walked toward the door before continuing.
"Right now, we're competing against the other classes. They'll do whatever they can to gain an advantage. If not your family....then your classmates."
She rested her hand on the door handle.
"So don't tell anyone. Not yet. Wait one week. During that week pay attention. See whether the other classes reach the same conclusions we did."
She looked around the room one last time.
"Class S wasn't filled with the strongest students. Or the smartest. Every class has intelligent students. They have access to information too. If our conclusions are correct...they should eventually notice the same things."
She opened the door.
"So wait. And observe."
Without another word, she left the classroom.
For a brief moment, silence remained.
Csendez and Shu Mo, who had both been about to say something similar, relaxed slightly. There was no longer any need. One after another, the students began leaving the classroom.
Some left deep in thought. Others quietly discussed the meeting among themselves.
A few simply remained silent.
By the time they left, the meeting had lasted one hour and forty-five minutes.