Classroom Of The Elite: Strings of The Puppeteer Master

"It had been ages since I'd set foot on school grounds, and so far, it had been a breeze. Being placed in Class 1-C initially made me question my abilities, but I quickly dismissed the thought. Why the hell should I complain? Life doesn't always give you what you want. I may not be the smartest, but I'm cunning. What's the point of being in Class A when I can climb to the top and prove I'm superior to everyone here?

Competition? No, I enjoy crushing my opponents' dreams, their opportunities, their efforts. I love to see them fail.

Ibuki approached my desk after class.

'Hey, Ryuen. We need to talk,' she said.

Ibuki, with her short blue hair and arrogant expression, always reminded me of myself.

'Sorry, Ibuki, I can't talk now,' I replied.

'You're literally doing nothing but lounging on that chair,' she said disapprovingly.

'Kuku, sometimes doing nothing is the most productive activity of the day, if you know what I mean. A man once said, "Man's greatest problem stems from the inability to sit in his own silence."'

Ibuki looked confused, then a smirk spread across her face.

'Say, Ryuen, I didn't know you were a bookworm. Hell, even a guy like you knows philosophy?'

Her words stung a little, but I just chuckled.

'Don't worry, I barely read. But I know a few books that contain valuable life lessons. Safe to say, I could have that kind of relationship with you.'

Ibuki's expression turned serious. 'Is that supposed to be a pickup line? If it is, you failed miserably.'

'Kuku, let's cut the chit-chat. What did you want to say in the first place? I made it clear we're going to take down that musclehead regardless of how long we're in this school.'

'Ryuen, expelling someone from another class is reckless. We'll make enemies of the entire year if we do that.'

I understood her point, but she wasn't seeing the bigger picture.

'From your perspective, it might seem reckless. But have you considered the school's rules?'

'I-I... I'm familiar with some of them, but still...' she trailed off.

'Think, Ibuki. If we successfully expel Sudo, we'll make him a scapegoat. What are the repercussions? Are there any rewards? How will it affect their class? I considered all of this before making my decision.'

'So you're saying he's a test subject in your little experiment?'

'Kuku, any problem, Ibuki?'

'You're messed up.'

'Yeah, I am. But in reality, humans are the most messed up creatures. Targeting Sudo makes the task easier. If he falls for it, he's as stupid as he looks. This way, we reduce their class points, gain an advantage, and increase the possibility of expulsion.'

'Killing two birds with one stone,' she said, stroking her chin thoughtfully.

'Catching on?' I teased, smirking.

'I acknowledge your street smarts. I appreciate that you didn't make a decision without considering the consequences. But expelling a student?'

'Let me ask you a question.' Ibuki perked up.

'This school, why do you think it's designed this way? Do you think not taking an action that affects a classmate's well-being makes you a good person?'

'What!!! Who gives a fuck about the well-being of a student? I'm considering what will happen to our class if we make other classes wary of us.'

She had asked the same question earlier.

'It seems you're still in the dark. There's a reason I chose this route, Ibuki. This school allows students to observe and understand the prowess of other students and classes. So, for example, even if we manage to expel Sudo, what do you think the other classes will do?'

'They're going to think we'll do the same to them.'

'Again, you're wrong. It'll be the complete opposite.'

'We'll be acknowledged, Ibuki.' She looked at me like she was trying to solve a puzzle.

'Acknowledged... that's not...'

'You thought far ahead, but you didn't apply the school's logic, which is why you reached that conclusion.'

She remained silent as silence filled the now empty classroom. I stood up and headed for the door, then stopped and looked back at Ibuki.

'What's with that look in your eyes, Ibuki?'

'Don't mess this class up, Ryuen.' Although Ibuki doesn't approve of my dictatorial methods, she recognizes their effectiveness.

This class has a few capable students, but they don't seem to have the ability to engage in mind games. I haven't been here long, but I'm sure I haven't seen the other classes' course of action yet.

This should be fun.

School Hallway

I walked down the hallway, reminiscing about my conversation with Ibuki, when I saw a familiar figure leaning against the wall.

'Hey, Ryuen. Let's have a chat.'

This idiot. I thought I beat him up pretty badly the other day, and he doesn't even have a scratch on him. It's interesting that he's waiting for me outside the class, though. I wonder what he wants to discuss.

'You gonna answer me or just keep smirking like an idiot?'

'Bold words coming from you. How about we pick up where we left off the other day?'

He sighed. 'No thanks, I think I've had enough knuckle sandwiches for today. Instead, I have some questions that might interest you.'

Questions? What the hell does he want?

'Oh yeah, not interested. So you better fuck off.' I said this, expecting him to explain why he wants to question me.

'You see, Ryuen, this isn't the best place to talk about this. How about we go to the Cafe?'

He refused to reveal his motives, but I was curious. Before I could even piece my thoughts together, he started walking away, urging me to follow.

I decided to follow him, to see what questions he had for me.

Somewhere in Keyaki Mall

Nero didn't start speaking; he just stared at me. It was getting on my nerves.

'You gonna talk or just keep looking at me?'

'Sorry... I was observing.'

'Observing? Well, I ain't got time for that.'

'You're quite impatient, Ryuen. I suggest you order a cup of coffee or tea to relax?'

Now he's really getting on my nerves. I stood up from my seat, ready to leave.

'Your method of expelling Sudo will prove to be a failure. It's quite unpolished, Ryuen.'

He knows about my plans to expel Sudo. That wasn't a surprise, considering I wasn't exactly keeping it a secret from the class. What he has to say about the plan is what interests me.

'Well, I assume you're finally going to talk, yeah? So tell me what you know, trying to blackmail me?'

'Stop forcing allegations on me. I don't intend to use this information for my own gain. I want to add to your plan and make it flawless.'

Flawless, huh? This guy makes me laugh.

'I don't get you. What do you mean flawless? I already see perfection in my plans.'

'Ryuen kun, I just want to share my thoughts on your plan.'

'Which is?'

'You're planning to make Daichi Ichizaki and some other students from Class 1-C fight with him. How will they pull it off? By taunting him, considering his aggressive attitude, he'll take the bait. But I don't know how you're going to make it Sudo's fault when it was obviously your minions who started the fight.'

'Well, it's not complicated. They'll let him overpower them.'

'And you'll file a complaint to the school about the fight? I'm also assuming you'll need a location free from camera surveillance while the fight takes place.'

'Well, you're not wrong. Now cut to the chase. What are your proposals?' Nero twirled his finger and looked at me.

'It's a dim-witted plan.'

Okay, that pissed me off, but I had to wait for his perspective.

'Why do you say so? It's not like there's a student capable of solving this case.'

'Which is exactly why it's a shallow plan. You don't know what the other classes are capable of, and you're already underestimating them. You'd have to close off any chance for the opposition to use against you, Ryuen kun.'

'What do you propose?'

'I see that you're using a handful of classmates. But think, wouldn't it seem strange for a single individual to beat up a group of students? No matter the level of martial arts, it gets harder as

Here's the continuation of the revised passage:

"Speaking like you're a martial artist," I scoffed.

"Common sense isn't common. With that, they'd conclude your minions are lying. For example, why would Sudo be unharmed, and the others beaten with bruises as their trademark? Another point to consider."

"So you're saying two guys would be more believable?"

"No, two would be the most believable number in a fight. If I heard that two students fought Sudo, and Sudo won in a brawl, I'd believe it, given his physique."

"Interesting. I should start taking notes, but don't be cocky..."

"It would benefit you to have witnesses who can prove your minions' innocence. Positioning some students to see the whole fight is necessary."

"That way, I could control the situation even if Class 1-D has a witness."

"Yes."

Nero, this guy is highly perceptive of people. His deduction skills would be credible if this scheme of his actually worked.

He stood up to leave, then turned to me. "Ryuen kun, remember, you're not doing this to win. Even if it succeeds, know that it was a flop."

"Don't give me advice on the outcome of things. I didn't intend to win from the start, but it was an option."

"Yeah, and be careful of your minions. If they're caught, they face expulsion and might be forced to reveal their leader, which is you, Ryuen kun."

"I know and understand the dangers of this operation. You don't have to tell me."

He looked at me with hollow eyes as he walked away. I was never the leader of the class. It never crossed my mind. I'm a selfish dictator.

But I guess that's my way of doing things.