There's Gold in Books

Class 2-B.

On a clear afternoon, a gentle breeze carried away a hint of the day's warmth.

Fujino, dressed in his school uniform, sat by the window, clutching a math book.

His eyes rapidly scanned the text, the words a flowing stream pouring into his mind.

At the same time, his Student Proficiency was growing at a visible rate.

"This 'Natural Scholar' skill is truly terrifying."

During a break, Fujino glanced at his student career's proficiency.

In just half a day, he had already gained seventy-five proficiency points.

That's right, the only reason he was sitting here reading was to increase his Student Proficiency.

'Natural Scholar' was a skill that amplified learning ability by 100%.

In just one day, he had already learned more than half of the content in the math book he held.

As he acquired knowledge, his Student Proficiency also steadily increased.

Once his proficiency reached two hundred, he could advance a Student Level.

With advancements in Student Level came upgrades to Student Discount.

In other words, he wasn't just reading books; he was reading money!

There is gold in books, the ancients truly did not deceive me!

"Ran, Fujino-senpai has been sitting here all day, holding that math book. Is something wrong?"

Not far away, Sonoko observed Fujino, who was reading by the window, and asked Ran.

"It does seem that way..."

Ran's gaze was fixed on Fujino. "He didn't even eat lunch."

"This won't do," Sonoko murmured, then added with a hint of apprehension, "Did something happen to senpai's mental state? He hasn't been to school for so long..."

"Sonoko!"

Ran shot Sonoko a reproachful look, then turned her attention back to Fujino.

She frowned, completely perplexed by Fujino's behavior.

Recalling the incident where Fujino had 'fainted' from strenuous exercise, she nodded in agreement. "Sonoko, you're right. This really won't do. With senpai's physique, if he continues like this, he'll faint again just like last time!"

Sonoko frowned. "Then what should we do?"

"Let's go find Teacher Hiratsuka!"

"Yes, if it's Teacher Hiratsuka, she'll definitely have a solution."

Hearing Ran's suggestion, Sonoko nodded.

After all, in her impression, Hiratsuka Shizuka was the person at Teitan High School who best understood the psychological issues of ordinary students. If normal persuasion failed, she would directly intervene with physical correction.

Her nickname: The Soul Mentor, [Iron Fist Saintess].

A moment later.

Fujino put down his book, stretched his back with a big yawn.

Honestly, this was the first time he had ever felt the joy of studying like this.

Being able to receive visible rewards made learning knowledge feel completely different.

Stretching his stiff shoulders, Fujino was about to stand up when he saw Hiratsuka Shizuka standing beside him, her eyes fixed on him.

"Teacher Hiratsuka... what are you doing here?"

Fujino looked at Shizuka and chuckled sheepishly.

"So, you've been sitting here reading for a whole day?"

At this moment, Hiratsuka Shizuka glanced at the math book on Fujino's desk. "What is this all about?"

"I just wanted to review," Fujino replied, his tone slightly defensive as he looked at Hiratsuka Shizuka. "Is there a problem, Teacher Hiratsuka?"

He couldn't quite understand what this violent beauty was getting at.

It was wrong to not read, but it was also wrong to read for too long.

Truly, he couldn't understand women's minds at all.

"You... come with me to the faculty room!"

With that, Hiratsuka Shizuka pulled Fujino out of the classroom.

Initially, Fujino thought he had said something wrong and that this violent woman was going to hit him a few times.

However, when she opened the door to the rooftop, Fujino breathed a sigh of relief.

"So, Teacher Hiratsuka, what did you want to bring me to the rooftop for?"

Fujino, with dead fish eyes, gazed at the scenery on the roof and asked Hiratsuka Shizuka.

"What's going on with you right now?"

Hiratsuka Shizuka turned her head and asked Fujino, "Why do other students say you're having a really hard time lately?"

"Is this why you don't come to school usually?"

"Well..."

Fujino scratched the back of his head. "It's mainly the property tax, 1.5 million Yen a year. After deducting my daily expenses, there isn't much left. My usual client requests are also unstable, so I've had to put school aside."

"So that's how it is..."

Hiratsuka Shizuka's eyes gradually deepened as she sensed a hint of loneliness and sadness in Fujino's heart.

He must have been heartbroken when his parents passed away.

That kind of pressure on a high school student is just...

In any case, he must be suffering greatly right now.

Thinking this, Hiratsuka Shizuka sighed and gently patted Fujino's shoulder, offering comfort. "You must be feeling very distressed right now..."

Fujino was a bit bewildered by her words.

After scratching the back of his head, he calmly replied, "It's not exactly distressing, I've gotten used to it."

At this moment, Hiratsuka Shizuka hesitated before speaking again. "Would you like me to sponsor you..."

"Whoa! Hold on!"

Fujino frowned, sensing something was amiss.

Good grief, she's going to sponsor him?

But why does this sponsorship feel a bit off?

No, even though I, Fujino, love money, I'm definitely not the type to leech off others.

Besides, this violent beauty is just a high school teacher, how much money could she possibly have?

And so, the school day passed.

After a day's effort, Fujino's student proficiency reached one hundred.

This was already outrageous. He usually only got fifty from slacking off at school.

Now, the proficiency points he gained in one day were almost double what he used to get!

However, before that, he still had 600,000 Yen in commission that he hadn't collected.

That woman, Yuko Ikezawa, really needed to be taught a lesson.

Otherwise, Fujino wouldn't feel right about it himself.

Who commissions a detective for an investigation and then breaks into the target's house?

That's pure distrust!

Late at night, at Fujino's home.

"So, after taking my request, you accepted Yoko Okino's request too?!"

Yuko Ikezawa sat on the sofa, shouting at Fujino indignantly. "I say, you detective are really unprofessional! To accept a request to investigate the target!"

"You're the one who breached the contract first!"

Fujino frowned, not backing down from Yuko Ikezawa, and shouted back. "Do you know that if it weren't for me, you would have been embroiled in a scandal already!"

"What do you mean by that?"

"You know exactly what I mean."

As he spoke, Fujino took out an earring from his pocket and retorted, "This earring should be yours, right? I saw you wearing it when you came to commission me before."

Seeing the earring in Fujino's hand, Yuko Ikezawa couldn't help but be stunned.

How did the earring she lost yesterday end up with him...?

Could it be?