I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

To put it bluntly... they are the students with the least independent opinions and the most likely to be 'fence-sitters' among the large academies that Amamiya has come into contact with so far.

As things stand...

Faced with similar instigations such as "making the tea party members betray Nagisa," "making the seminar members betray Rion," "making the Pandemonium members betray Makoto," and "the students of the Hyakki Yagyō rebelling against Nia's 'tyranny'," only the Pandemonium... has a slight chance of success.

This doesn't just mean that these student council presidents are 'safe'.

Furthermore, it is because the students in these academies, regardless of their academic level, all have their own opinions.

At the Red Winter Federal Academy... students tend to have weaker opinions on average.

If a war breaks out... the students of the Crimson Winter Federation Academy will most likely choose to 'join' rather than fight individually or resist with loyalty.

Ba hesitated for a moment, then thought about it and finally gave up on his plan to 'advise' him.

Amamiya then looked at Saori and the other three: "...Are you nervous about a four-person team launching a counterattack on the entire academy?"

Saori shook her head.

Whether it's exploring the eerie and terrifying "Rosethorn" temple of Beatrice, or battling those colossal mythical creatures that are several meters or even tens of meters tall...

Still, we charged toward the World Tree, cutting through thorns and brambles beneath a burning twilight.

Arius's squad has done all of these things...

Why would they back down just because they have to face an enemy that outnumbers them by a hundred?

This is not recklessness, but a correct assessment of one's own courage and strength, as well as the strength of the enemy.

Saori, holding a rifle, Misaki and Akiko, holding submachine guns, and finally Hiyori, a sharpshooter holding a precision rifle, underwent a full inspection of their equipment and firearms.

"Sensei, Arios's squad is ready and awaiting your orders."

Amamiya snapped his fingers: "Let's get started."

"Let everyone see your 'professionalism'."

【~???~】(Saori, Misaki, Akiko, Hiyori)

Saori nodded solemnly, and then formed an assault formation with Misaki and Akiko.

As a 'sharpshooter' or rather a precision marksman, Hiyori checked her white camouflage cloak on the spot, waited a while, and then followed behind.

The cold wind howled, and the white cloaks worn by the team members not only shielded them from the wind and snow, but also allowed them to hide silently in the snow.

In the morning, that's precisely when our minds are most relaxed.

Upon reaching the entrance of the Red Winter Federation Academy, Saori quickly noticed the defense room and sentry post at the entrance.

—In order to prevent the 'rebellion' that could occur every day, the Red Winter Federation does need to set up checkpoints in places that other academies don't need to pay much attention to.

Naturally... to prevent Cerino from making a comeback, Marina would nervously strengthen the defenses.

"In Potion".

Having found a perfect vantage point, Hiyori crouched down, the matte finish of the "M39 EMR Enhanced Marksman Rifle" muzzle suppressor in her hand barely noticeable under the snow.

Before Arius's squad joined Sharai... Hiyori was a sniper, and a 'not-so-professional' one at that.

After joining Xia Lai, although her position changed to sharpshooter, she still retained a considerable number of the operational habits of a sniper.

Although Arius's team was planning a surprise attack and had no intention of infiltrating... it's still better to take out the sentries first.

After all, the importance of having a better field of vision...

“STATUS”.

"A total of four front gate posts have been confirmed for operation."

"Take them out."

Hiyori raised her gun and aimed, and the sound of the wind around her seemed to freeze at that moment.

The Red Winter Federation Academy is indeed in the polar region... and the members of Arios's squad do not yet have experience in combat in polar environments.

However, this can be compensated for by the superior quality of weapon tuning, accumulated training experience, and... some 'special advantages' of the equipment.

Under the influence of the "Most Perfect Omen" bond skill... Hiyori feels that she is in an unusually good state.

The cold air and frost gathered on the gun, and Hiyori subconsciously received a boost from Persona.

Hiyori's Persona is [Anshi White].

A fallen angel under judgment, belonging to the Tower of Arcana.

Fallen angels are still angels. The "blessing of the archangels" and the "bullet mania" provide an almost supernatural boost.

Calmly aim, fire, and let the sound disappear into the vast white snow.

“TANGO DOWN”.

Hiyori's efficiency is undoubtedly extremely high.

Her aiming and shooting were not affected by the wind, snow and extreme environment at all. Almost every few seconds, a student on the sentry post would fall.

In a very short time, under extreme conditions, Hiyori quickly emptied a magazine and began tactical movement while simultaneously reloading.

Saori temporarily hung the rifle on her thigh and picked up her "M320 grenade launcher".

"STACK UP".

The door was breached, and grenades were fired. Then, while Saori put the grenade launcher back and retrieved her rifle, Akiko and Misaki took turns firing, tactically finishing off any students still able to move in the duty room with two shots to the chest and one to the head.

“CLEAR”.

"MOVE".

After efficiently clearing the checkpoint connecting the inside and outside of the academy from the duty room, Saori made a 'keep moving forward' gesture.

After confirming that Saori and her group were safe, Hiyori immediately entered the duty room and, under their cover, began searching for the next observation and firing point.

Everything proceeded smoothly, though it might not have been professional enough to the eyes of true professionals... but it was sufficient to handle the situation at the Red Winter Federation Academy.

Following behind, Amamiya, Cerino, Ba, Shigure, and Waka witnessed the highly effective killing power of the Arios Squad as the 'blade'.

The students still awake in various buildings, as well as the students on patrol... were no match for them at all.

With submachine gunners in front, riflemen behind, and sharpshooters following closely behind, they coordinated their operations, using astonishing accuracy and an exaggerated knockdown rate of one shot to eliminate high-threat targets equipped with grenade launchers, light or heavy machine guns, or light individual firepower.

Street fighting within the academy?

It's over before it even begins.

Wherever Arios's team went, the auras went out early in the morning, and students from the Red Winter Federation Academy fell asleep everywhere.

The members of Arius's squad put into practice what it means to 'destroy the least amount of damage with the greatest possible harm'.

Even after arriving at the headquarters of the Red Winter Affairs Bureau, not a single student was able to relay the news of the encounter with the enemy or the attack.

Cerino, who was following behind Amamiya, was stunned.

While the Arius squad's 'efficient annihilation,' 'rapid movement,' and seamless teamwork indirectly demonstrate just how vulnerable the Crimson Winter Federation Academy's security committee truly is to attacks from 'professionals'...

Moreover, they were all beating up their own people.

But it must be said that... having such a powerful and efficient professional team guarding you means you don't even have to lift a finger; they can take care of any threats you pose in a whirlwind of activity...

This kind of "sense of security" is something that people who haven't experienced it will never understand.

Although it was just a 'temporary trial card'... Cerino still enjoyed the professionalism of a true "student council president's private bodyguard" at this moment.

Standing downstairs at the headquarters of the Red Winter Affairs Bureau, Saori let out a sigh of relief.

"Then what happens next..."

Saori led the group to a temporary stop and turned to ask Cerino for his opinion.

Should we storm the building?

Saori's intentions were quite simple... To ensure that Cerino would understand, she even added, "Choosing to storm the building would allow for a decapitation strike, the fastest and most efficient way to take it down."

“Choosing a decapitation strike... can resolve the incident efficiently and effectively.”

"The option of announcing it and letting them gather their forces, then confronting them head-on, is a faster way to...establish authority."

—In order to achieve Sensei's goal and ensure that Xia Lai gains complete support from the Crimson Winter Federation Academy...

In the past, weaving would do whatever was simple and efficient to solve the problem, but this time, for once, it gave Cerino a choice.

After all, it's a task... so it's only natural to give the 'temporary employer' some choice.

Saori's words should have been more appropriate... Her words immediately brightened up Cerino's eyes, who had been idly following behind.

To establish authority?!

This is good!

It should be announced!

After issuing the proclamation, let them gather their strength, and then suppress them with swift and decisive action!

Only in this way can I demonstrate my authority as the student council president of the Crimson Winter Federation Academy!

Thinking of this, Cerino hummed confidently, raised his head, and put his hands on his hips.

"Hmph... Although I don't know why Marina started the rebellion, in order to make an example of her... with such a ruthless way of suppression, we have to show it off!"

"At the same time, it's also to strengthen our ties with our comrades, the Crimson Winter Federation Academy, and Xia Lai..."

After glancing at Amamiya, Cerino waved his hand dismissively.

"Sensei's guard... let's see just how far you've come!"

Chapter Thirty-Three: The Silent Hunters of Arius's Squad

On a bright and sunny morning, Marina yawned and stretched as she stood by the window, looking out at the snow-covered academy landscape.

"Phew~ I see..."

"You really don't know how wonderful power is until you've tasted it."

Marina surveyed the student council president's office with satisfaction, reveling in the feeling of looking down on everyone. She felt an unprecedented sense of fulfillment.

"Sleep as long as you want, eat as many snacks as you want!"

"The only drawback is that the chair the former president sat in is a bit too small for me..."

"But the soft and fluffy feeling is also very nice!"

"I could live like this forever and never get tired of it... Is this what they call paradise...?"

She hadn't been enjoying herself for long when she suddenly became worried again.

“Oh right… President Cerino, and Sensei…”

"They wouldn't..."

Clap!

The danger struck without warning, coming from outside the window, shattering the glass, and then narrowly grazing Marina's cheek.

The powerful penetrating force of the .308win bullet, though it only grazed Marina's cheek, still caused her to feel a burning pain.

The burning pain in my cheeks was accompanied by a sense of unease and dread, like prey being watched.

The bullet that shattered the glass did not stop moving after hitting the wall, but instead struck a ceramic vase in the room at an excellent angle.

The vase was right next to Marina, and the moment it shattered, dust and shards splattered all over her face and head.

“W-What…?!”

Marina instinctively picked up her gun, looked around warily, and then immediately focused her gaze on the bulletproof glass that had been blasted open, revealing a jagged spiderweb-like crack.

After the glass shattered, cold wind rushed in.

The chill that swept over her instantly cleared Marina's eyes, who had been so smug just a moment ago.

Swallowing hard, her heart pounding with fear, she crouched down and, like a frightened cat, went to the window. She observed the situation for a moment, then pushed open the door and looked around.

What exactly happened...?

According to the agency's specifications for bulletproof glass, it should be able to withstand close to medium-range attacks from common pistols, rifles, and submachine guns of the Akafumi standard...

Marina, cautiously observing her surroundings, was unaware that on a nearby building, at an observation point covered in white snow camouflage, Arius's team's 'sharpshooter' was aiming at her.

The precision rifle that had just launched an attack like a viper's hiss was now at her command.