(Dazai Crowley's POV)
Cerulean Academy, Present Day
Mondays are notorious for being stressful days, especially in highschool. And unfortunately, today is no exception. As a great wave of silence passed over the class, the air slowly became thick with tension to the point it almost became hard to breathe.
—At this rate, I'd rather be back at the auditorium, listening to the opening ceremony again…
Perhaps feeling the same way I did, Ester sighed.
"It seems like everyone has finally understood the true extent of our current situation. Good, good. Realization is the first step to progress, after all."
Slam!
After watching the class finally settle down, Gwein slapped the table yet again to attract our attention.
"Right then! As I see it, Class D, or rather, the students of Class D, have only three options."
As she said that, she raised three fingers.
I think I know where this is going.
"To quit, to accept, or to struggle."
"Quitting should be self explanatory. If you don't like your situation, just walk out that door and never come back. Just know that even if you beg and plead, I will never allow you to set foot here again."
"Accepting is also easy to understand. If you want to give up the good fight, feel free to do just that. Of course, you'll miss out on your one chance to fulfill a wish, but it's not like it'll be the end of the world. Besides, if you graduate from Cerulean Academy one way or another, I'm sure there'll be plenty of colleges and universities who would happily take you in. Oh, but then again, you might just end up as "that one kid from Class D". In that case, I suppose no one would want any of you worthless peons."
….Ouch.
"And then there's, of course, my favorite option. The option to "struggle". Now, I'll be real with you here. Since the founding days of Cerulean Academy, Class D's fight has, and will always be, a steep battle. It will be difficult. You will be hurt. And you will suffer. However, that is fine. No wars are won without challenge, after all. And as your teacher, I promise to lend you all the full extent of my power as well. That is why, even if there is only one person who remains behind in this class, you will not fight alone."
These were our only options.
To quit, to accept, or to struggle.
There's nothing more to it than that.
For me however, there was only one option.
Quitting or accepting my situation for what it was, not once did this idea ever cross my mind.
That's why I'll choose to fight.
The question is, how many people will choose to fight alongside me? Curious, I noticed Ryoku had stood up, her eyes emanating with conviction.
"I came here to fulfill a certain dream of mine, just like everybody else. And I won't stop at nothing, no matter my circumstances, until I see it through. That is why I have, and always will, choose to fight."
Her words were simple. Instead of cowering or accepting the situation for what it was, she too wanted to challenge the odds.
"What about you, Esmes? What do you plan to do?"
As if trying to subtly rally the class from behind, she turned to Esmes, who also held great authority here.
"First of all, it's Mrs. Esmes to you. Second of all, before I give you my answer, I have a question for Sensei. When it comes to student disposition amongst the classes, can we be certain the school faculty makes no mistakes in their evaluation?"
"Absolutely."
Gwein's response came almost immediately.
"When it comes to abilities such as your academics, altethism, achievement, potential and the like, the school thoroughly measures each and every aspect about you before coming to a final decision."
"So then that means me being assigned to Class D is, without a shadow of a doubt, no mistake?"
Even from here, I could tell Esmes's gaze grew a lot fierer. Speaking from Gwein's perspective, I suppose it was like staring at the eyes of a tiger.
And yet despite that, Gwein didn't even flinch once, let alone be intimidated by the likes of her gaze.
"Of course not. If you are in Class D, it means we as a whole have deemed you deserving of only that."
"—Then it appears this school is in desperate need of a new change of management."
"Excuse me?"
"You say the school measures all of our abilities and comes to a decision based on the results, correct? And yet, despite that however, you all thought it would be wise to place me in the lowest tier possible. Alongside these other peasants, no less."
I could be poorly mistaken, but I could have sworn she glared at me just now.
"Therefore, I have concluded that this situation is either one of two things. The first is that the school faculty is nothing more than idiots who don't understand what true power is, or, the school itself has decided to look down on me. Either way, on my pride and honor as a Montoya, I will not accept this."
"So what do you plan to do? Run to your parents and have them file a complaint?"
Esmes scoffs out of displeasure.
"That is certainly one approach. However, I do not know if that would be the wisest. My family may be powerful, but even I must admit the school holds an unbelievable amount of influence, considering their strong ties with the Kingdom's royal family. Even if we were to challenge you, even we may not win."
"Indeed. It would most likely end as a waste of time and effort for both of us. A pointless struggle."
"I agree. However, regardless of what the outcome may be, I suppose it doesn't matter at this stage. Besides, even if I was theoretically guaranteed to win, I would still choose not to."
"Oh? Why's that?"
"It's simple. Because, even if it's over a matter as important as this, relying on my family to remove every single obstacle in my way would be far too cowardly. That is why I intend to solve this absurdity of a problem with my own two hands."
"Neither you nor this school knows anything about my power. If they did, I wouldn't be here. This, in of itself, is a mistake. But that is fine. It just means there was just a slight hiccup in some calculations. An error in someone's hindsight or judgment. In that case, all that needs to be done is for me to simply correct it. No big deal. So that is exactly what I will do. I will show both you and this school—...the full extent of my power. I believe my choice is clear."
As she boldly declared those words, she smashed her fist and palm together. Whoosh. A blazing hot aura began emanating off her being as well.
If left uncontrolled, there's no doubt in my mind she would reduce both this school to ash.
Despite her haughty proclamation however, Gwein observed Esmes's fiery resolve before smiling in a manner I had never seen before.
"Well then, if there are no more questions or concerns, I suppose a single conclusion has now been reached. Today marks the start of a revolution, Class D's rebellion. Esmes, Ryoku, and everyone else present, I am glad that you all are here. Now allow me to make it official."
"—Welcome to Class D."