Chapter 32 - Think Outside the Box Time

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As in the figure to the right, the crystalline structure known as a body-centered cubic unit consists of multiple cubes a having sides 1 arranged periodically, with an atom at each vertex and at each cube's center. Most alkaline metals including Na and K, are body-centered cubic units. Focusing on atom A(0) in a body-centred cubic unit, of all the points within the space, the domain D(0) consists of the set of points closer to A(0) than to any other atom. Find the volume of D(0).

Karma stared at his paper, deep in thought.

'What was it that Nagisa always used to say?' Karma wondered.

" How can two people have such a large gap? I guess you really do have a talent for this, Karma-kun. "

'Easy for you to say, for me, I don't think I can really tell who is the real genius here. What we call 'talent' is the part of us that no one else sees'

Karma studying by himself at home.

'Like Sugino who can slide right in its people, like Okuda who can lose herself in something she loves, like Terasaka who can act tough without giving it a single thought, like Asuna...who eventually worms her way into everyone's heart...'

Asuna with rosy cheeks and a big smile on her face was seen.

'Tsk, just like how that glasses guy in the Big Five is being much friendlier with her after the school festival'

Karma clenched his pencil in annoyance as a tick mark popped out on his forehead.

'Calm down...she doesn't take notice of him anyway...from where I stand, those are all talents. Everyone has this talented domain that I can't see, so I guess we are all the same in that sense. Now, let's see if we can solve this problem with my own talent'

Karma narrowed his eyes before his face showed a slight grimace.

'Damn, I really don't have the time to finish this problem'

With Gakushuu...

'Atoms, body-centered cubic units...I can't let these unnecessary details distract me...once I get down to the essentials, it'll be simple' Gakushuu thought as he eyes zoomed in on '...the domain D(0) consists of the set of points closer to A(0) than to any other atom. Find the volume of D(0)' detail.

'Find the volume of your own domain here in this box, surrounded by enemies'

Gakushuu whirled around and dodged the attack by the monster on one of the corners of the box, shooting at it.

'When both sides are evenly matched, their attacks meet at the middle. Which mean from there inward...is my domain!' Gakushuu smirked as he destroyed the monster, a red glow around the area, 'Gotcha. Now it can't sneak into my domain anytime soon. Eight enemies surround the inside of this cube so if I find their volumes and subtract it from the cube, I'm left with A(0)--my domain!'

Immediately, monsters from the remaining 7 corners started attacking Gakushuu.

'Once I lock them all down, I'll have my answer!' Gakushuu smirked as he defeated two more, staring down at the remaining five.

'Ruling over this space--the perfect theme for me!' a frown settled on his face, 'I'll be different from my father. He's now obsessed with proving that his own 'rational education' is correct. It will break them instead of educating them.'

'I'll set him straight and give him a piece of my mind!'

" To take control---that is my duty as his son! " Gakushuu declared.

'There it is! The volume of one of the sealed-off areas is an aggregate of one hexagonal and three triangular pyramids!'

Back to Karma...

Karma nervously kept rereading the question, looking for any clues on how to start answering the question. That's when his eyes zoomed in on a particular sentence in the question : multiple cubes a having sides 1 arranged periodically.

'Wait a minute...this can be solved easily!' Karma realised, 'It's separated out into this little cube but if it's an atomic crystal, there'll be more of the same structure outside of this cube too which means that it's endless!'

'And from where I stand, everyone has their own talent, their own domain, so everyone's the same...'

Karma could see parts of the cube he stood in taken by his classmates : Nagisa, Sugino, Kurahashi, Itona, Asuna...

'All I could see from inside the box was mere fragments of everyone. Just as I claim my own domain, the others will too. We're all the same size, the same distance apart' Karma thought, 'If we're all cut from the same box, those eight contiguous boxes can be broken up into the same proportion. So each person's fragment accounts for one-eight'

Karma held a sphere which then broke up into eight equal parts and formed the corners of a cube into his hand with the empty space between them all.

'The box holds one whole me and one-eight each from eight people's fragments. In other words, this cube...'

The structure in his hand slowly floated up and once again formed the sphere which glowed brightly.

'...the ratio of me to the other eight is 1:1 And if it's 1 to 1 inside the box, the volume of the domain I can claim up to is half of the cube!'

The sphere formed a glowing silhouette of Karma. The two reached an arm out to each other, placing their palms against each other. Karma dropped his rifle which disintegrated into glowing sparks as he wrote his answer.

a^3/2

" Geez, this is primary school stuff! " Karma snorted as the cube rippled from his answer before disintegrating, freeing Karma form its confines.

'There's no need for complex calculations or drawn out diagrams' Karma grinned, 'If you tweak the fact that there's a world outside yourself...'

Akabane Karma, final problem : 20/20 points.
*
" Time's up" the teacher announced as Gakushuu furiously scribbled down his solutions and his eyes widened.

" Asano, the test is over. " the teacher repeated as Gakushuu gritted his teeth.

" Dammit, one more line...and I even knew the answer! " Gakushuu seethed as he broke his pencil in two from the grip he held it with.

Asano Gakushuu, final problem : 17/20 points.
*
" Now then, class, I'll be returning your exam scripts. " Koro-sensei announced, " Did your second blades manage to reach their targets? "

Everyone waited in anticipation.

" No grumbling about losing a point or two here and there, now. " Koro-sensei added as he began to give everyone's scripts, " Were your scores this time around good enough to put you to the top fifty? The main campus will now be posting the overall rankings so let us now start with the E class's rankings here as well! "

Koro-sensei unrolled the poster with the rankings as the students got up and crowded around the chalkboard to get a glimpse.

" N-No way...I got 46th?! " Terasaka exclaimed in disbelief.

" Isn't Terasaka dead last in our class? If he's 46th then... " Yoshida trailed off.

A moment before everyone erupted into cheers.

" We even beat the Big Five for the top spots! "

" This is practically a win! "

Sakakibara Ren : 9th

Kanzaki Yukiko : 8th

Kataoka Meg : 7th

Takebayashi Kotaro : 6th

Isogai Yuma : 5th

Nakamura Rio : 4th

Kawasaki Asuna : 3rd

Asano Gakushuu: 2nd

Akabane Karma : 1st

" And Karma's first for once! " Sugino added, teasing.

Karma sighed in relief.

" How do you feel, Karma? To win that first place spot from such a high-level battleground? " Koro-sensei asked.

" Eh, whatever I guess. " Karma blushed slightly.

" It seems your battle against the perfection-boasting Asano came down to the final math problem. " Koro-sensei said.

" About that, I'm not sure exactly why, but I don't I think I could have solved it if I didn't spend my entire year with all of you. That's the kind of problem it was. " Karma mumbled.

" I'm quite surprised about your score though, Asuna. " Koro-sensei said, addressing the girl who was slumped in exhaustion in Karma's seat, " You scored higher than Asano in the last final math problem but made lots of careless mistakes which pulled your overall score down. If your careless mistakes weren't there, you'd probably be tied or even surpass him and took 2nd place yourself. "

Asuna shrugged, " To be honest, it was pretty hard for me to continue studying. I felt pretty burned out so I'm kinda not surprised I made quite a bit of mistakes here and there. Not that depressed about it though, I still did my best. "

" That's exactly right. Not everyone can keep forcing themselves to study so if you needed a break even if it will pull your results down, your health is much more important. " Koro-sensei nodded as he gently placed a tentacle on Asuna's head as she dozed off, " Let her rest, she outdid herself this time too. "

" It's been a long journey to get here. " Maehara spoke up.

" I can't believe we actually got into the top 50! " Toka marvelled.

" We really did beat the A class too. " Okano said in disbelief.

" We can go to our first-pick schools! " Mimura said happily.

" Girls will be throwing themselves at us! " Okajima cheered.

" Girls are gonna come at us! " Maehara added.

" Yay, girls everywhere! " the three cheered.

" Heh, feels like the final episode. " Fuwa smirked.

" It can't end yet! " Hara protested.

" Are you ok, Takebayashi? " Isogai asked worriedly.

" Yeah, it's just so much has happened when I went down to the E class but I'm glad I stayed. " Takebayashi said with a small smile.

" What are you doing looking so down for?! " Terasaka grabbed Takebayashi suddenly in a fit of happiness with his own score, " It's weird coming from you! "

" That's right you should leave the ugly mugs to Terasaka. " Itona nodded.

" WHAT?! " Teraskaa snapped, accidentally cutting off Takebayashi's airway.

" Terasaka, you're choking him! " Isogai shouted.

" Well? " Hayami raised a brow at Chiba.

" I think I can get to my dream school with this. " Chiba grinned.

" For architecture right? " Hayami asked.

" Yeah, It's why I wanted a school that's big on sciences. "

Hayati hummed.

" Those A class peeps must be as white as a sheet now when they see their scores right about now! " Okajima said confidently.

" They surely didn't think they'd lose to us! " Maehara said triumphantly.

" On their part, they did well for the first half of the exams. But it seems like more and more students got hung up on the tougher problems during the second half. " Koro-sensei stated.

" Well, you can't keep bloodlust going for that long. " Nakamura shrugged, " Even with daily assassination, its tough to stay in the right frame of mind for a whole day. If you plan to dope on bloodlust, cramming won't work. You have to nurture it slowly but surely, over time. "

" Besides, if you can keep your bloodlust going for so long...you're not even human anymore but a monster. " Asuna added, yawning.

At the A class...

" How could we lose after all we've been through? " Seo groaned.

" With your kind of studying, of course you couldn't win. " Gakushuu answered, " That's what it all comes down to. Although my scores are also not as exemplary either. I'll make good use of this frustration, that's for damn sure. "

" Even in high school, I'll keep winning and find ways for all of you to win as well. " Gakushuu announced as he stood up and turned to face his classmates, " So, please...lend me your support. "

" Asano... "

" Can you still say that now that the battle on which you bet your life is over? "

Gakushuu froze as he turned to see his father standing behind him.

" Principal, sir! " they gasped.

" Life is always an unknown. Will losing a battle means losing your life as well? You never know until the battle's over. Which is why all of you needed to keep on winning. I have an obligation to teach you that much. " Asano droned on, " I'll get your brains better by graduation time. "

" Principal, sir? " Araki spoke up, " It's clear to us now. "

" With these current methods, there's no way we can beat the E class. " Sakakibara continued.

Asano had a shock look in his eyes.

" The E class and Asano grew stronger by facing defeat. " Araki explained.

" Our strength is no match for their flexible strength they have. " Sakakibara added before the four of the Big Five members bowed.

" We apologise for falling short of our goal. "

" If you wish, you can send us down to the E class. " Sakakibara suggested as everyone in the A class was now seen bowing as well except for Gakushuu, " I feel like we can learn and grow more there. "

" You have your answer, sir. " Gakushuu spoke up, turning to his father.

In his shock, Asano slapped Gakushuu hard enough for him to be sent to the wall of the classroom, shocking everyone.

" Asano-kun! "

Asano looked at his hand, twitching and somehow bruised from the hit he delivered. Gakushuu cracked up, chuckling.

" That look on your face, it looks like you're glitching out. " Gakushuu smirked, " Seems like I'm finally seeing the fatherly side of you. "

The students began to file out of the class.

" If you'll excuse us, sir. " Araki muttered as he slid the door closed, following after the others who were escorting Gakushuu tp get an ice pack for his bruise and to clear up the blood.

Asano stared at the empty classroom with dead eyes.
*
" Alright, students. You've all achieved the qualifications to get out of the E class. So, " Koro-sensei's eyes narrowed, " is anyone looking to get out of here? "

The students chuckled as they all held knives and guns in their hands.

" Of course not! " Maehara laughed.

" We've all found our second blades, this is when things get serious. " Mimura smirked.

" There's no other environment better suited for assassination than here. " Kataoka nodded.

" Besides, who wants to stay at such a stuffy building with envious eyes following you everywhere? " Asuna pointed out.

Koro-sensie began dodging the anti-sensei BBs shot at him.

" Gluttons for punishment, huh? " Koro-sensei chuckled, " Then for your reward this time around, I will tell you my wea-- "

He was cut off as everyone screamed at the sudden intrusion of their campus. The sound of something breaking and the building shaking from the impact caused everyone to be in shock. Karasuma and Irina looked up in shock as the ceiling shook in the staff lounge.

Kataoka slid the window open and gasped at what she saw.

" The school building! "

The others gathered around her to see an excavator with it's claw embedded into the building.

" Please get ready to vacate the premises. "

The students turned to see Asano.

" Principal, sir! " they gasped.

" The Board had made the decision this morning to tear down the old campus building today. " Asano announced, " You will move to the new campus of our affiliated school opening next year. You will help us test the building's performance until graduation. "

" A new campus?! " Muramatsu shouted.

" With a surveillance system and anti-escape system drawn from correctional facilities so that students can study in an environment akin to a more civilised prison. " Asano elaborated, " The new E class : the culmination of my educational theories. "

" But moving us now? " Nagisa said worriedly.

" No way! We want to graduate from this campus! " Sugino said vehemently.

" You'll carry out your educational vision until the very end, won't you. " Koro-sensei stated as he went outside of the classroom to meet Asano.

" Yes. But make no mistake, you are no longer useful to my education. And this... " Asano took something out from his coat, " ...is how I kill you. "

Koro-sensei sweated nervously as soon as he realised what that thing was. Asano had taken out papers which notified Koro-sensei's dismissal form his teaching position. Koro-sensei screeched.

" K-Koro-sensei's walking papers! " Isogai gasped.

" He actually used his forbidden ace! " Maehara said in disbelief.

" T-That's wrongful dismissal! " Koro-sensei protested weakly.

" How can this Mach 20 monster really be afraid of the principal? " Asuna wondered, " It makes him look kinda...no, never mind, really pathetic. "

" She has a point. It really works well on this octopus. " Sugino sweatdropped as everyone watch Koro-sensei be all flustered about the announcement.

" Can he even stage a protest? " Nagisa deadpanned.

" To not jump to any conclusions, this is nothing but a tool to control my target. " Asano continued, " I have come, Koro-sensei to kill you once and for all. "

At those words, Koro-sensei's movements halted with his tentacles still holding various signs showing his protest of his dismissal.

" You are...no longer useful for my education, you see. " Asano repeated again.

" Is he really serious? " Isogai wondered, anxious.

" I know that you're superhuman and all, but our octopus won't go down so easily. " Karma said as one arm hung over the window sill as he leaned back against his chair casually.

" Hold off the demolition for a while, I have some work to do inside for now. " Asano ordered to the workers.
*
Inside the classroom stood Koro-sensei with a half-ring of five desks in front of him and Asano nearby as well. The students have been ushered out to watch Asano's assassination attempt from outside by the window. Irina and Karasuma were watching from the doorway.

" Where did that notice of dismissal come from? " Irina asked as Karasuma was deep in thought.

'What is the principal thinking?'

" Now then, Koro-sensei, if you don't want to be dismissed, if you want to protect this classroom, I'll have you join me in a little gamble. " Asano said.

" A gamble? "

" I've prepared five subjects' worth of test questions and five hand grenades. Four of them are anti-sensei hand grenades and one works on humans. They're the real deal. " Asano took hold of one of them and raised it up to his face, " They are identical in appearance and smell, and made such that once the pins are pulled, they'll explode the moment their handles begin to rise. "

Asano pulled the pin of the grenade in his hand.

" I've pulled their pins and placed them carefully between random pages in the test books, handles in place. You will open the book and solve the problem at the top right. " Asano explained.

" But the moment he opens the book, the handles will pop up and-- " Hara shouted in realisation.

" Exactly, he'll most certainly meet the explosion. " Asano nodded, " But he can't move an inch until he solves the problem. You'll be doing the

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