Classroom Of The Elite: Strings of The Puppeteer Master

Whis watched the class descend into a flurry of hushed whispers, a frown creasing his brow. Sudo was in trouble again. This was becoming a recurring theme. He glanced at Ayanokoji, whose expression remained impassive, a hint of amusement playing on his lips.

"What's going on, Kouji?" Whis asked, his voice low.

Ayanokoji shrugged, a rare gesture for him. "Seems like Sudo got into another scrape. Quite troublesome," he observed, his gaze sweeping across the room.

Whis nodded in agreement. "Sudo's impulsiveness is his biggest weakness." He knew Sudo well enough to understand that the boy's temper often got the better of him.

Horikita, her face etched with concern, stood up and moved towards the center of the room, where a cluster of students were engaged in hushed conversation.

"What's up with the whispers going on in the class about Sudo?" Horikita inquired, her voice firm but not overly assertive.

Kei Karuizawa, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint, replied, "Looks like Sudo got into a fight with some students from Class C."

Horikita's expression hardened. "A fight? But why?"

"Seems like it escalated quickly," Karuizawa continued, her voice dripping with a hint of amusement. "Apparently, some harsh words were exchanged, and things got out of hand."

Just as Horikita was about to delve deeper, Chabashira entered the classroom, her presence immediately commanding attention. The room fell silent, every student instinctively straightening their posture.

"As you may have heard," Chabashira began, her voice devoid of emotion, "Sudo Ken is facing disciplinary action for engaging in a physical altercation with students from Class C. A formal complaint has been filed."

A wave of murmurs rippled through the class. Students exchanged worried glances, their faces reflecting a mixture of concern and apprehension.

"Sudo Ken might be expelled," Chabashira continued, her words carrying a chilling weight.

The room fell into an uneasy silence. Expulsion. The word hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the consequences of their actions.

Horikita, her face pale, raised her hand. "Chabashira-sensei, how sure is the school that it was Sudo who started the fight?" she asked, her voice steady despite the rising panic within her.

Chabashira shrugged, her expression remaining impassive. "The school will investigate the matter. However, student testimonies will play a crucial role in determining the outcome."

Horikita's shoulders relaxed slightly. "So, if we have witnesses who can testify to Sudo's innocence..."

"Indeed," Chabashira replied. "If you have any information that can assist Sudo in this matter, I encourage you to present it to the student council."

Horikita turned to her classmates, her eyes gleaming with determination. "We need to help Sudo. We're his classmates, and we need to support each other."

Whis observed Horikita's decisive action with a mixture of approval and curiosity. He was eager to see how Ayanokoji would respond to this situation.

Ayanokoji, as expected, remained calm and collected. He watched Horikita's interaction with her classmates with a detached curiosity, his eyes narrowed slightly as he analyzed the unfolding events.

"Let's work together," Horikita repeated, her voice gaining strength. "We'll find a way to help Sudo."

Whis watched the scene unfold, his mind racing. He knew that Sudo's predicament was far more than just a simple schoolyard brawl. It was a test, a challenge, and an opportunity to observe the dynamics within the class and assess the capabilities of his classmates.

Meanwhile, in Class C, Nero watched Ryuen pace restlessly in front of the window.

"What do you make of this? You know there's a bunch of surveillance cameras in the gym, we're totally fucked," Ryuen exclaimed, his voice laced with frustration.

Nero remained calm, his gaze fixed on a distant point on the wall. "Do you know why I chose the gym, Ryuen?" he asked, his voice a low, measured tone.

Ryuen stopped pacing and glared at Nero. "How the hell would I know?" he retorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"We're the first years of this school," Nero began, his voice calm and collected. "Naturally, the staff would want to ensure that the school is in pristine condition for incoming students. This includes thorough cleaning and maintenance."

Ryuen furrowed his brow, still unconvinced. "So? What does that have to do with the cameras?"

"The gym, in particular, requires significant maintenance," Nero continued, his gaze unwavering. "The heavy use of equipment, the sweat, the dust... it all takes a toll on the environment. And of course, the cameras."

Ryuen's eyes narrowed. "You mean..."

"The cameras in the gym, especially those near the weightlifting area, are likely to be affected by moisture, dust, and even the vibrations caused by heavy equipment," Nero explained. "The image quality might be compromised, making it difficult to clearly identify individuals involved in the altercation."

Ryuen's eyes widened in realization. "You mean the cameras might not be able to provide clear evidence against us?"

"Precisely," Nero replied, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Of course, there's always a chance that the footage might be usable, but we've significantly reduced the likelihood of facing severe consequences."

Ryuen let out a relieved sigh. "You really are a genius, Nero."

"Just doing my job," Nero replied, his gaze turning towards the window, his mind already calculating the next move.

This incident, he realized, had the potential to create significant ripples within the school. It was a test, a challenge, and an opportunity to observe the reactions and responses of the other classes. And Nero, ever the strategist, was eager to see how the events would unfold.