> "If you want to capture the enemy's core, make sure yours isn't already under control."
The school hall. All classes were gathered.
The curator appeared on stage, flanked by advisors. His voice rang out clearly:
— Welcome to the next trial. It's called "Core Intercept."
Each class will be assigned a central zone — their core. Your task is to protect your own core while attempting to intercept the cores of others. Every core is hidden in one of nine marked sectors. The sectors are scrambled. Communication between teams will be limited. Holding a core earns points. Losing your core results in a penalty.
He paused.
— Among you will be secret agents, tasked with sabotage or manipulation. No one assigns them — they are chosen by you. And yes… as always, — the curator smirked, — the stakes are high. The class in last place will lose one student.
A quiet murmur swept through the room. I glanced briefly at Ai Sanada. She was staring at me. Calmly. Too calmly.
> She's already planned everything.
Aoi turned to me.
— Do you feel that?
— The scent of war, — I said. — This time, it starts from within.