Talent Shop

[The Talent Shop (Beginner) has been unlocked!]

[Currently purchasable talents:]

[Accelerated Thinking (Basic)]: Slightly boosts information processing speed and short-term memory capacity. Price: 120 Points.

[Deep Sleep (Basic)]: Improves sleep quality, recovers energy faster, reduces necessary sleep time. Price: 100 Points.

[Dynamic Vision (Fine-Tuning)]: Slightly enhances the ability to track fast-moving objects. Price: 120 Points.

[Pain Attenuation (Mild)]: Slightly reduces pain nerve sensitivity. Price: 80 Points.

(More talents will be unlocked as the Host's level increases or more simulation points are invested.)

Toudou Shizuka's heartbeat quickened slightly. These talents, though tagged with "Basic" or "Mild," each targeted his most urgent needs! [Accelerated Thinking] paired with A-Rank Learning Ability was like a turbocharger for knowledge absorption!

[Deep Sleep] would buy him more time to "grind to death" in the Virtual Training Ground!

[Dynamic Vision] was hugely beneficial for combat, sports, and even observing details!

[Pain Attenuation]... thinking of the countless real deaths he'd experienced in the Virtual Training Ground, this one seemed pretty practical too.

With only 200 Points, the choice became excruciatingly difficult. He subconsciously swept his gaze across his classmates, pausing on Ichinose Honami.

Her [Team Cohesion Building A-Rank] and Kanzaki Ryuuji's [Rational Analysis and Decision Making B-Rank] both shimmered with tempting allure. If he could master these skills, it would greatly help him establish himself in Class B and even influence the class's direction.

His mind locked onto [Team Cohesion Building A-Rank].

[Enter Virtual Training Ground to simulate learning Target Skill: Team Cohesion Building A-Rank?]

[Warning: Target (Ichinose Honami) affinity insufficient! Current affinity: 20 (Friendly). Unlocking Simulation Privilege for "Team Cohesion Building A-Rank" requires target affinity ≥ 50 (Amicable).]

[Hint: Aside from the 3 free target scans obtained upon initial system activation, subsequent simulation learning of Target Skills requires meeting specific affinity thresholds (affinity range 1-100, not fixed, fluctuates with Host's behavior). Different skills have different affinity requirements.]

Like a bucket of cold water poured over his head!

Toudou Shizuka snapped awake instantly from his longing for the Talent Shop and his craving for new skills.

So there was this invisible shackle! The free lunch only came three times! To "simulate and grind" to learn others' core skills later, he actually had to raise their affinity first?

And affinity could fluctuate—it wasn't a one-and-done deal!

He immediately checked the other targets he'd scanned before.

[Target: Kushida Kikyo - Affinity: 15 (Neutral) - Unlocking her "Expression Management and Emotional Camouflage A-Rank" requires affinity ≥ 60 (Trust)]

[Target: Horikita Suzune - Affinity: 5 (Cold) - Unlocking her "Learning Ability (Theoretical Absorption and Logical Deduction) A-Rank" requires affinity ≥ 70 (High Recognition)]

[Target: Ayanokouji Kiyotaka - Affinity: 0 (No Interest) - Unlocking any of his skills requires affinity ≥ ??? (System Note: Target is exceptional; affinity requirements and acquisition methods are unusually complex. Proceed with caution.)]

Each requirement was higher than the last! Especially Ayanokouji—those question marks made Toudou's eyelids twitch.

It seemed that being able to directly learn Ayanokouji's S-Rank Fighting Style and Kushida's A-Rank Affinity earlier was purely riding on the "first-time free" wave—a newbie bonus.

On the road ahead, to acquire those top-tier skills, he'd have to pay the price of "socializing."

Points were important, but connections (affinity) were the key to unlocking the treasure! Toudou Shizuka's thoughts cleared in an instant.

The Talent Shop had to be used, but points couldn't be wasted—they had to be spent carefully. At the same time, raising the affinity of key targets became a strategic task as important as earning points.

"Hey! You're Toudou, right?"

A lively voice interrupted Toudou's thoughts. He looked up to see Kobashi Yume, her twin tails bouncing, standing by his desk with a smile as bright as the sun outside the window, holding a cute-looking box of pastries.

"I'm Kobashi Yume! We're classmates from now on! Wanna try some cookies my mom made? They're super—delicious!" She enthusiastically pushed the box toward him.

[Scan Target: Kobashi Yume (Refresh)]

Infectious Vitality: B-Rank (Active)

Topic Creation (Casual): C-Rank (Active)

Social Initiative (Icebreaker): C-Rank (Active)

[Affinity: 25 (Friendly)] - Unlocking her "Infectious Vitality B-Rank" requires affinity ≥ 40 (Close).

"Ah, thank you."

A warm, shy smile immediately appeared on Toudou's face, carrying just the right amount of pleasant surprise and a hint of embarrassment. He naturally took a cookie, bit into it, and his eyes widened slightly. "Mm! It's really good! Your mom's baking is amazing!" His tone was sincere, with the natural flow of A-Rank Affinity.

"Right, right!" Kobashi beamed even brighter at the affirmation. "I told you! If you ever want some, just let me know! My mom loves making these!" Her vitality seemed to infect the very air.

[Kobashi Yume Affinity +1. Current: 26 (Friendly).]

A simple interaction, and the affinity ticked up slightly.

Toudou understood in his heart—it seemed sincere responses and appropriate praise were effective ways to raise affinity.

"Toudou-kun, do you like sweets?"

A gentle voice joined in. Toudou turned to see Class Leader Ichinose Honami walking over as well, her signature, spring-breeze smile on her face.

She seemed to be checking on how the new student was settling in.

[Target: Ichinose Honami (Refresh)]

[Affection: 20 (Friendly) → 21 (Friendly)] - Unlock "Team Cohesion Building A-rank" requires ≥50 (Amicable).

"Mm, I tried some—it's really good."

Toudou Shizuka nodded with a smile, his manner polite and friendly, and naturally nudged the snack box toward Ichinose. "Class Leader, want one?"

"Then I won't be shy. Thank you, Kobashi, and thank you, Toudou."

Ichinose took a piece gracefully, her movements elegant. "We're all new to this environment—chatting a bit helps us get familiar fast. Toudou, if there's anything you're unsure about regarding the school or class, feel free to come to me or Kanzaki." Her words carried a natural warmth and sense of responsibility.

"Got it. Thank you, Class Leader."

Toudou Shizuka replied with a grateful smile. He could sense a tiny increase in Ichinose's affection, clearly from the goodwill and willingness to merge into the group shown by sharing food.

"Speaking of which, Toudou," said Morita Ken, who sat diagonally in front of Toudou Shizuka and had been quiet and introverted until now. He gathered courage to turn around, adjusted his glasses, and wore a slightly bookish earnestness. "I think I saw you looking at... um... Introduction to Algorithms? Is it computer-related?" His tone carried a hint of seeking a kindred spirit.

Toudou Shizuka was briefly taken aback. He'd been a programmer in his past life—had that habit been noticed? It seemed this Morita had sharp observational skill.