"Look, if I do this, it feels as though my hand could reach your heart at any given moment."

Devoid of an ounce of tension, delivered from a state of perfect relaxation, a right palm strike accurately blasted through the giant's solar plexus.

Not even a striking impact resonated; it was a blow designed to directly shatter the interior.

Albert's massive frame flinched violently for a split second, collapsing onto the mat like a massive timber whose strings had been cleanly severed.

(What the hell am I saying?! No wait, that's literally what I said to Kurosaki Ichigo!! I mean, it's fine since I won, but still!! …Wait, crap! Did I put a bit too much power into it?! Are you gonna be okay, Albert-kun?!)

Internally delivering a full-powered comedic retort to myself for executing an exquisitely stylized space as naturally as breathing, while sweating internal waterfalls over the fact that an unexpected amount of raw power had connected cleanly... I maintained a completely cool face outwardly, standing quietly without breaking the composure of an absolute powerhouse.

"…Stop! Winner, Class A's Aizen!"

The referee's voice echoed through the gymnasium, and at the absolute eleventh hour, Class A pulled the match back to a dead even.

《Class A: 2 Wins | Class C: 2 Wins》

"Fifth match. This will be the final bout between the remaining participants."

Finally, the fateful final match arrived with a tie of 2 wins and 2 losses.

Selected automatically was the showdown between Class A's 『Kanzaki』 and Class C's 『Ishizaki』.

On the gymnasium court, an Ishizaki overflowing with fighting spirit stood facing a quietly poised Kanzaki.

"I am absolutely not losing this! For Ryuuen-san's sake, I'll show you the pride of Class C!"

Faced with an Ishizaki barking with exposed fighting spirit, Kanzaki calmly swept his bangs aside with a smooth motion, opening his mouth to speak.

"…What a coincidence. I, too, intend to purify the murky violence you radiate right here, all to protect the 'trajectory of light' we have woven together."

"Ha...?"

Ishizaki furrowed his brows in deep skepticism.

(What is with this guy? …Come to think of it, that bastard Tokitou started talking weird like this ever since the training camp too... Did that bastard Aizen use hypnosis or something on them?)

Immediately after Ishizaki delivered a highly accurate internal retort, the signal to start the match echoed out.

"Uohhhhhh!!"

Ishizaki assaulted Kanzaki with rough rushes cultivated through real-world brawls and heavy, power-reliant flurries. However, Kanzaki utilized the waste-free footwork and relaxation-conscious defensive techniques drilled into him by Aizen, perfectly parrying the ferocious onslaught by a hair's breadth.

"Dammit! Quit dodging around!"

Exploiting the openings left by Ishizaki swinging through empty air, Kanzaki drove in calm, highly precise counters.

However, Ishizaki refused to concede a decisive hit through his natural toughness and sheer grit, forcefully closing the distance to throw back gritty, unrefined strikes. Refined techniques drilled in by Aizen versus wild violence forged through real brawls. It turned into a massive, breathless see-saw struggle where neither side yielded an inch on the court.

Eventually, the buzzer signaling the expiration of time resonated, and the match moved to a decision.

And then—the referee's flags raised high for Kanzaki, who had outstripped his opponent in effective hits.

"…A fine struggle. However, the 'trajectory of light' we walk shall not be severed here."

Though breathing heavily, Kanzaki quietly delivered the line while looking down at a kneeling Ishizaki.

Watching the figure through the monitor, Ichinose displayed a joyful expression while delivering a massive internal comedic breakdown.

(Kanzaki-kun!! You're using that weird way of speaking again... but you won!!)

At the exact same time, inside the Class A classroom where everyone had been watching the outcome with bated breath, a rumbling explosion of massive cheers erupted over Kanzaki's heroic triumph.

《Class A: 3 Wins | Class C: 2 Wins》

With this, the seventh event of Karate concluded in a victory for Class A, and the total outcome of the entire Event Selection Exam was definitively sealed.

【Final Results: Class A: 4 Wins | Class C: 3 Wins】

Seeing the results inside the Commander room, Ichinose slumped in place with tears of immense relief welling in her eyes. Kaneda balled his hands into frustrated fists, bowing his head deeply.

On the same day, after all the exams concluded.

On the school bulletin board, the results of Class B versus Class D were also disclosed.

【Final Results: Class B: 4 Wins | Class D: 3 Wins】

Though Class D had challenged the exam by positioning Ayanokoji as the Commander and utilizing specialized talent that excelled in single arts, it seemed they fell just a step short, suffering a defeat before the perfect leadership and comprehensive capability of Sakayanagi Arisu.

As a result, Ayanokoji, serving as the Commander of the losing Class D, would expend his protection point as a substitute for the expulsion penalty.

(I went through all that trouble to give Kiyotaka a protection point, and it vanished in an absolute flash!! That bastard Sakayanagi was talking about 'protecting Ayanokoji-kun,' but in the end, she strips it away herself!! I mean, it was a serious match so it can't be helped, but still!!)

While tossing out a furious internal retort, I instantly regained my composure, letting my thoughts spin.

(…However, no matter how much it's Kiyotaka, it seems he couldn't completely overturn the fundamental difference in class fighting assets. Class B possesses high individual student capabilities, and the Sakayanagi who leads them is an undeniable genius, after all.)

With this, the shifts in Class Points for each class were firmly locked in.

【End of Third Term • Class Points】

Class A (Ichinose): 1,378 cp

Class B (Sakayanagi): 1,155 cp

Class C (Ryuuen): 506 cp

Class D (Horikita): 116 cp

Class A, continuously maintaining an absolute lead.

Class B, fiercely pursuing them from an ironclad position.

Class C, vowing a resurgence despite tasting defeat.

And Class D, sinking into the absolute rock bottom.

Intertwined with various calculations and pure absurdity, the turbulent first year thus brought its curtain down quietly, leaving behind an absolute 'disparity.'