I couldn't believe it.

On the 31st May, I received a notification from the school that I was being moved up to C Class.

When I checked my uniform, the coloured lining had already been changed to Megiddo Blue. The tie as well.

"No way... no way, no way, no way!"

Panic seeped into the very core of my body.

I was deeply against this. I didn't want to change class.

I wanted to stay in D Class, together with Zyriot and the others!

Why was I being moved up? I haven't done anything impressive at all...

I was just Zyriot's right hand man. Nothing more, nothing less.

My grades were average and I died in the war due to my own incompetence.

There was no way I was being promoted...

I could list at least ten other people who deserved moving up before I do. Zyriot being one of them, right at the top.

Though... I knew he couldn't, since he's class representative. Class representatives can't change classes unless they forfeit their position as rep.

Since I was changing nations, that meant I could no longer live in the Zoa Green dorm anymore. That weekend, I spent the rest of my time packing my things and moving into the Megiddo Blue dorms.

On 1st June, I went to school and followed the instructions given to me by the notification. I was to meet with my new homeroom teacher, Akusa-sensei, in the teacher's lounge.

"Yo, Satou-san! Good to have you on board."

I stared at my blue tie in dismay.

"...yeah, I guess."

The other students that were being transferred were also here. From D Class, it looked like only two others were being transferred, Mikitaka and John. They were wearing Drachma Red uniforms, which meant they were going down to E Class.

I looked over to Mikazuchi-sensei, who was with Ishima and Jomko. They were wearing Zoa Green uniforms, meaning they were moving up to D Class.

Before I headed to C Class with Akusa-sensei, I went up to Mikazuchi-sensei and started asking why I was being moved up.

"...Mikazuchi-sensei."

"Oh hey, Satou-san! Congrats on moving up."

"...why?"

"What do you mean why?"

"Why me? Why did you move me up?!"

"Zyriot-san and Horie-san aside, you're D Class's best student."

He's lying... he's definitely lying through his teeth.

"No way... that's impossible. There's no way that's true! I died in the war, didn't I?!"

"You're focusing too much on one aspect, Satou-san. At this school, we measure everything about a person. Just because you failed in one area doesn't mean you can't make up for it in another."

"With all due respect, sir, I think you should reconsider your snap evaluation of me. Because as far as I can see, I'm beaten out by plenty of others in all sorts of aspects! If it's grades, Tetsuya-san beats me! If it's sports, Souichirou-san beats me! If it's sociability, Haruko-san beats me! All those people deserve to up before I do! I've done nothing of note except be Zyriot's right hand!"

"And that's the reason I'm moving you up."

"...h-huh?"

"While it's true you're not as brilliant in those aspects as those people you listed, they're flawed in other places. Shirogane-san has poor physical ability, Terasaka-san has poor academics, and Kobayashi-san has poor judgment. You, however, are a very solid jack of all trades. That's the type of people who make up C Class, the middle of the pack. They're good allrounders, but they're not amazing enough to break into the upper classes - yet."

Mikazuchi-sensei put a hand on my shoulder.

"I think you have some great innate talent hidden inside of you, Satou-san. There's a reason why Zyriot-san has relied on you and made you his right hand man. You get along with everyone very well and work diligently to help out the class whenever you can. Your loyalty and obedience makes you perfect to carry out any tasks given to you."

Being praised this much for my efforts... I didn't do anything special, really. I just rallied behind Zyriot like everyone else... I didn't deserve this at all.

"However, staying in that position when you can achieve more is detrimental to your growth. In order to become better, I believe Akusa-sensei and her class have what's necessary to make you blossom, in order for you to one day reach the top of this school. While you may dislike this decision in the short run, in the long run, I believe this is extremely beneficial."

Mikazuchi-sensei talked to me honestly and earnestly, clearly explaining why he chose me to move up.

"Even so... even so, I love that class! I don't want to leave it... and I don't want to leave Zyriot and my friends side! C Class is weaker than D Class... I know that D Class has the power to overtake C Class... so moving up doesn't feel like an achievement. It feels like my time as a Megiddo Blue student has an expiration date... one day, I'm going to eventually drop back down to D Class... but it will be without the people I'm close to."

"I understand your worries, but think about it this way. If you feel threatened by D Class, that means you just have to defend your position as C Class, right? And if those impressive people you mentioned smooth out their flaws, they'll soon join you in moving up. Over time, you'll be reunited with your friends, all while keeping that higher position in the school."

"But... that's not guaranteed to happen though... I just... well... I... ugh!"

I decided to voice the real reason why I was so reluctant to move up, rather than dance around the subject for any longer.

"I won't be accepted the same way in C Class as D Class accepted me..."

"You have to adapt. That's an essential skill in life, Satou-san. Without adapting to change, you'll be left behind. Don't throw away your potential over this. I moved you up because I believed in you."

"I don't even believe in myself, Mikazuchi-sensei..."

"Soon enough, you will."

Mikazuchi-sensei smiled gently.

"For now, go meet C Class and see how they really are. Maybe your perception of them will change once you talk to the class reps."

"They're very friendly people."

Akusa-sensei chimed in, listening to our conversation.

"You're in safe hands... I think. She used to be the Crimson Cutter back in the day."

I knew that Akusa-sensei used to be a pro cardfighter on the Asia Circuit, but I never knew she was the legendary Crimson Cutter who ruthlessly buried her opponents in a sea of blood. To think she was now a teacher at this school...

"Please Ryuzaki, that's long in the past!" She laughed.

"Satou-san, you like Vanguard don't you? You'll have a blast talking to her."

"We play Vanguard every homeroom session. I can't wait to see you pit your huge piss off Savage King against Suzune-chan's Blademaster some day!"

I sighed, still unhappy with the results.

However, I knew I couldn't do anything about it anymore, so I accepted my fate and sulked.

"I'll do my best, then..."

"Let's get you acquainted with everyone then."

After waving Mikazuchi-sensei, Mikitaka, and John goodbye, I followed Akusa-sensei into C Class.

"Everyone, we have a new student joining our class from Zoa Green! Please give a warm welcome to Mr Dino DNA himself, Satou Ishigami-san!"

I stood at the front of the class awkwardly and introduced myself with a bow.

"Hello... I'm Satou Ishigami... please take good care of me."

The class didn't seem to have much of a reaction or enthusiasm for my addition. Perhaps they had lost a classmate? Otherwise, I wasn't sure why the atmosphere was so gloomy.

However, two people did stand up to greet me. One girl with brown hair tied in a bun, and one boy with short cut dark green hair.

"I'm Kinoshita Suzune, he's Ikeda Arata, and we're the representatives of C Class. It's a pleasure to have you, Satou-san."

The girl, Kinoshita, extended her hand, and I shook it slightly.

"...glad to be here."

The winds of change started to blow, moving the hair covering my burnt eye out of the way.

I could see a little clearer now.

Everyone in C Class was clapping happily for me.