"Yes! It looks like a bit of garbage got mixed in, but that concludes the 'Ritual of Ability Awakening'!" The principal sneered. "Now, we'll tally the awakened abilities and rank each class!"
"Please wait, Vice Principal!" Weiss called out. "Huh? What is it, Weiss?" "Before the rankings, Class 1-20 would like to initiate an exile," Weiss declared.
This was a system to expel students who lagged behind or broke rules. If a majority in the class agreed, the targeted student would be removed and transferred to the 'Special Training Class.'
"In Year 1, Class 20, there are 20 students total. Excluding the one to be expelled, that leaves 19. Approval requires at least 10 votes. Expelled students go straight to the 'Special Training Class'—or as it's better known, the outcast class."
This system applied throughout school life, but exiling someone on the very first day, during the entrance ceremony? Unheard of. The vice principal groaned at Weiss's lightning-fast decision. "Hmmm, I see! You're purging the trash to keep your rankings high!"
"Exactly. The first step is always the most crucial," Weiss replied, adjusting his glasses. "As expected from Sage Weiss! Alright, let's vote right here! Class 1-20—raise your hand if you want to expel the trash known as Leopin!"
…
Nineteen hands shot up. Every boy and girl who had once been Leopin's classmate now saw him as dead weight. But they had no idea. They could never fathom how deeply they'd regret abandoning him—like an ocean of remorse.
"Then it's unanimous! Trash to the incinerator! Leopin to the Special Training Class! Cleaned up and ready—now for the class rankings!"
The results flashed on the screen:
1st: Class 1-11, S Rank
2nd: Class 1-02, B Rank
3rd: Class 1-19, B Rank
4th: Class 1-07, C+ Rank
5th: Class 1-20, C Rank
"Whoa! As expected, Class 1-11 takes the top spot—all advanced occupations! And Saint Monaka shone brightly in Class 1-02!" Weiss gritted his teeth. Guh! C Rank? I thought ditching that massive liability would secure us a solid B! His stats dragged us down too far… (Yes, that was the "Sage" thinking.)
"And speaking of Saint Monaka, I have exciting news! To celebrate her debut, the first class healed by her will win a prize of 10 million ¥Ender!" Monaka, daughter of a legendary saintly family, was the dream of every guy in the hall.
The first to bask in her love and affection? That'll be me, Weiss. With 10 million ¥Ender, I'll crush the competition. I'll claim the best girl and the fortune—no matter what it takes!
Weiss glared at the massive catalog the vice principal held up: "Monaka-san and I Love You Award." But he didn't know. None of the students in the hall knew. No one realized where the ethereal girl's gaze was fixed.
"…Leo-kun?" Leopin, slumped in the corner and staring blankly, looked up at the sound of a voice like tinkling bells. There she stood, radiant as if glowing from within. Leopin gazed at her in concern.
She wore a pristine white robe over her neat uniform, untouched by any grime. Her skirt fell modestly below her knees, revealing pale, flawless calves. Long hair flowed in the breeze, carrying a floral scent. Her jewel-like eyes sparkled, her lips like cherry petals—everything about her fragile yet divine.
A far cry from Leopin, who looked like melted roadside snow, battered and dirty. "You are…?" Leopin asked. "You don't remember? It's me, Monaka. We went to elementary school together." "What?" Leopin's eyes widened. The girl he recalled was worlds away from this vision.
"You're the crybaby Monaka? You've grown so much!" "Mou, Leo~ I'm not a crybaby anymore!"Monaka clasped her hands over her chest, smiling. The gesture was just like their childhood days, but now her ample curves pressed outward, spilling from the sides.
Leopin nearly faltered but forced his eyes to her face. "We got separated in junior high, but now we're reunited at school!" "Yes! It's wonderful to see you again!"
Monaka bowed deeply, beaming. But her expression quickly clouded. "Um, are you okay? Your face is hurt…" "Ah, I'm fine. Injuries like this happened all the time back in elementary school, remember?"
"You always protected me… And I always wanted to heal you." Monaka's cheeks flushed as her voice softened. "Stay still—I'll fix you right now."
She gently touched his cheek with fingers as white as marble. A pure, enveloping white light surrounded them. The scratches vanished; the blood from his mouth stopped. Leopin touched his face in awe at the miracle.
"It's incredible. Your sister was a great healer, but yours is even stronger." Monaka smiled warmly, like a nurturing mother. "Thank you. I'm so glad my first heal was for you, Leo-kun."
Only then did they notice the hall's eerie silence, as if everyone had vanished. Glancing at the stage, they saw Principal Nekodran and the vice principal staring, mouths agape.
All student's eyes were locked on them—gawking in disbelief. "Seriously…? Monaka, the girl of our dreams, is…"
"She gave her first heal to that trash?!"
"Uooooo?!?!" The Principal exclaimed in utter shock.