At the prestigious academic institution, the highly anticipated annual festival, Kyudai Erabi, selects nine top-ranked students from over 2,000 competitors vying for a spot in the elite S・A program.
The festival begins with all 2,000 students competing in the challenging Miracle Forest, once the prison of Yuma. They engage in fierce battles for supremacy, followed by intense one-on-one matches to showcase their skills.
Those who advance will compete in high-stakes team battles during the thrilling final stage, testing their collaboration and teamwork amidst the excitement of the event.
At the Kyudai Tensai, a grand assembly takes place as all the first-year students gather in the spacious hall, anticipation buzzing in the air.
Meanwhile, the instructors take their positions in the specialized ground battle chairs, ready to observe the eager students before them. The atmosphere is charged as the students listen attentively to the inspiring speech being delivered by the dean.
"Today marks a pivotal moment in your lives! It is the day you will seize your dreams and fully unleash the vast potential that lies within each of you. Cherish this opportunity, but bear in mind: only those who exhibit true strength and determination will secure their place within the prestigious ranks of S・A."
Declares Dean Katsuya, a pivotal figure who oversees the dynamic third-year students, confidently delivering his address with passion and purpose.
''Out of 2000 aspiring students, only 9 will join the new Student Assembly representing the esteemed 101 generation,''
''Ouuuhhhhhhh!!!!!!''
As these words echoed in their ears, the students erupted in cheers and applause, motivated to pursue their dreams with determination.
Their faces displayed a complex mix of emotions, including happiness, fear, the essence of existence, and a palpable sense of worry. Despite this rich tapestry of feelings, it is important to note that only one of their many goals will ultimately find success.
"The S・A, huh?" Kaito remarked with a tone that barely concealed his determination, his fierce expression fixed intently on Takeru, who stood just a few steps away.
"I'm here for one reason only: to win over the Shiba Clan." His intense red-eyed stare bore into Takeru, filled with a relentless ambition that made Haruto, who was close by and observing the interaction, feel distinctly uneasy.
Haruto shifted slightly, feeling the weight of Kaito's gaze and sensing the palpable tension in the air, as it was clear that Kaito was utterly focused on achieving his goal.
"I will win this game," Shinji asserted confidently, exchanging a brief nod with his friend Keigo.
"Waoh, this will be fascinating to watch!" one student at the back said to himself, a broad smile on his face as he glanced at the dean, clearly excited about the competition.
''Emmm!" Nakamura-sensei suddenly interjected, her voice cutting through the room as she glanced over the surprised students who were completely captivated by the dean's remarks. It was clear that they were hanging onto every word spoken, but she felt there was something important that needed to be added.
"I just wanted to add some more detail to this discussion," she said, taking a moment to scan the room and ensure she had everyone's attention before continuing her explanation. "The Miracle Forest is home to the 3rd-ranked Yuma," she stated, her tone emphasizing the significance of this information.
At her words, the students fell utterly silent, taken aback by the revelation that had just been presented to them. The weight of her statement hung in the air, leaving them in a state of astonishment as they processed the implications of such an important fact.
"Y-You actually wanted to kill us?" one student exclaimed, eyes wide with disbelief and shock. The weight of the accusation hung heavily in the air.
"Yes, that's correct," the speaker replied, their voice steady, though the gravity of their words was evident.
"However, we must acknowledge that it was a mistake on our part. We currently hold only the first rank ourselves, and to be completely honest, we've never had the opportunity to experience a match against Yuma, who has attained the impressive status of being ranked 3rd.''
'' Considering that he is in such a higher rank, it would be nearly impossible for us to achieve victory in any confrontation with him, given the vast difference in our levels of expertise and skill. '' One by one, the students spoke their mind.
As a result, a significant 70 percent of the students nodded their heads in agreement, fully understanding the implications of what had been said.
Meanwhile, the remaining 30 percent wore smiles on their faces, clearly excited about the potential excitement and challenge that the upcoming game promised to bring, as they anticipated it would be quite interesting.
In the viewing area, a lively group of second-year students from S・A gathered, their eyes fixed on the spectacle of the ongoing battle below. They exchanged amused glances and chuckled at the scene before them, finding entertainment in the struggles of the first-year students who were trying to prove their worth.
"Heh! ----- I thought they were going to show some real bravery, but honestly, what is this?" one of the second-years remarked with a smirk, shaking his head in disbelief as he looked down at the newcomers attempting to navigate the challenges they faced.
"Well, at first, we were all quite surprised by what Nakamura-sensei said, weren't we?'' One of the girls spoke up, turning to look at her friend with a questioning expression.
"Hah! Don't even think about comparing me to them! I'm definitely not that weak," he firmly rejected his friend's words, clearly unimpressed by the idea that he could be grouped with others who might hesitate in the face of challenges."
'"EHHHH," she replied in disbelief, provoking his anger.
"WHAT?" he said, glaring at his friend, clearly frustrated.
"Stop right there, you two!" exclaimed one of them, feeling frustrated as he couldn't bear to witness them bickering over something so trivial. He continued, his voice rising slightly,
"This is definitely not the right moment for the two of you to be getting into a pointless argument like this."
"Got it, no need to repeat!" an angry man replied to his friend.
"I'll make their lives hell too."