After leaving the library that day, a faint unease lingered in my chest—like someone who went to remove a lump only to end up finding another somewhere else.
The next morning arrived, but the gloomy air hanging over Class C hadn't lifted in the slightest. Everyone still looked somewhat deflated, their spirits dulled by yesterday's events.
Naturally, those who had won their matches against Class E were getting the attention now. Their victories, even if small, had restored a bit of pride to the class.
"Elena was amazing, wasn't she? Her opponent was strong, but she completely crushed them."
"I know, right? She didn't even break a sweat."
"Ehehe… it wasn't that big of a deal," Elena said shyly, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve.
To the others, she was a beacon of hope—a precious reminder that Class C wasn't completely hopeless. Since morning, her classmates had been clinging to her, piling on praise that teetered between genuine admiration and obvious flattery.
