[Target Scanned: Morita Ken (Refresh)] Basic Academics (Theory): B-Rank (Core Skill) Observational Skill (Details): C-Rank (Activated) Social Anxiety: D-Rank (Negative Trait, Trying to Overcome)
[Affection: 10 (Neutral)] - Unlocking his "Basic Academics (Theory) B-Rank" requires affection ≥40 (Close).
"Hmm, I'm a little interested."
Toudou Shizuka didn't deny it. His face lit up with the delight of meeting someone who shared his interests. "Are you interested in this stuff too, Morita?"
"Ah, yes! Absolutely!"
Morita Ken's eyes lit up as if he'd found his people, and his social anxiety seemed to ease considerably. "I really like logic and algorithms! Especially data structures! What do you think of the rotations in red-black trees, Toudou?"
He immediately posed a technical question, speaking faster as his excitement grew. Drawing on the knowledge he'd gained in his previous life, Toudou Shizuka easily picked up the conversation, and the two began discussing algorithms in low voices.
Most of what they said might as well have been another language to Kobashi Yume and Ichinose, who were standing nearby, but Toudou Shizuka listened patiently and responded at just the right moments, encouraging Morita Ken to talk more and more.
[Morita Ken Affection +3. Current: 13 (Neutral) → 16 (Neutral, Leaning Friendly).]
A deep conversation based on shared interests had a notable effect.
Kanzaki Ryuji came over too. He seemed to have been confirming the class contact list with Shiranami Chihiro.
Adjusting his glasses, he looked at Toudou Shizuka and Morita Ken and spoke calmly. "Looks like our class has some promising students academically, too. Toudou, Morita, perhaps you could talk more in the future, whether for a study group or a project."
His words carried the weight of a rational assessment, but they were also a form of recognition.
[Target: Kanzaki Ryuji (Refresh)]
[Affection: 15 (Neutral)] - Unlocking "Rational Analysis and Decision Making B-Rank" requires affection ≥45 (Recognition).
"Of course. It would be an honor to talk with you, Vice Class President Kanzaki."
Toudou Shizuka replied modestly. Kanzaki gave a slight nod, accepting his goodwill.
At the other end of the classroom, Amakura Asako was speaking quietly with Shiranami Chihiro, her fingers swiping rapidly across a tablet. They seemed to be discussing a programming issue.
Shiranami Chihiro listened attentively, nodding from time to time as she jotted down the key points in her notebook. The two had formed a little group of their own, focused and efficient.
While keeping up with the conversation in front of him, Toudou Shizuka watched them from the corner of his eye. Amakura Asako's [Computer Technology B] and Shiranami Chihiro's [Information Synthesis B-Rank] were both practical skills.
Shiranami Chihiro's ability to process information efficiently, in particular, could help him quickly understand this school's complex rules.
[Target: Shiranami Chihiro (Refresh)]
[Affection: 12 (Neutral)] - Unlocking "Information Synthesis B-Rank" requires affection ≥40 (Close).
[Target: Amakura Asako (Refresh)]
[Affection: 10 (Neutral)] - Unlocking "Computer Technology (Basic Applications) B-Rank" requires affection ≥35 (Friendly).
The affection requirements weren't ridiculously high, but each one would take consistent effort.
The free conversation time passed quickly. Toudou Shizuka was like a gentle sponge, naturally soaking up the goodwill and information coming from his classmates.
He matched Kobashi Yume's energy, thanked Ichinose for her thoughtfulness, delved into Morita's technical interests, showed Kanzaki respect, and didn't forget to offer friendly smiles to Shiranami and Amakura, who were a little farther away.
When Teacher Hoshinomiya clapped her hands to quiet everyone down, the affection scores for various targets in the corner of Toudou Shizuka's vision had all ticked up a little.
The core skills he hoped to unlock were still a long way off, but he'd taken the first step beneath his outward appearance of quiet transparency, without anyone noticing.
"All right, everyone!" Teacher Hoshinomiya said sweetly. "Chat time is over! Next, we're going to pick up your student handbooks, school badges, and—most importantly—your Personal Devices! These are your 'IDs' and 'wallets' at school! Follow me!"
The New Students let out excited murmurs and got to their feet. Toudou Shizuka rose with them, brushing the last crumbs of cookie from his clothes. He glanced at the glittering [Talent Shop] icon in his vision, then at the affection scores for each target on the System Interface.
Points or affection? Talents or skills?
He'd already started weighing his options. Improving his own abilities was an investment independent of others, with fewer risks. [Thought Acceleration] and [Deep Sleep], in particular, could directly boost his efficiency at "grinding."
Raising affection, on the other hand, was a long-term investment with clear targets, but it paid off more slowly and came with the risk of setbacks.
"Toudou, let's go!" Kobashi Yume called to him energetically.
"Coming."
Toudou Shizuka answered with a gentle smile and followed the group.
On the way to pick up their devices, he focused his thoughts on the golden icon in the Talent Shop that cost 150 points.
[Purchase talent: Accelerated Thinking (Basic). Cost: 150 Simulation Points.]
Confirm!
A cool, mint-like sensation flowed into his brain! Toudou Shizuka felt as if a clear stream had poured into his mind, instantly sharpening his thoughts and clearing away the haze.
He processed the details of his classmates' conversations, the unspoken implications in Teacher Hoshinomiya's words, the notices posted on the hallway walls... Information flooded his senses and was analyzed and processed faster and more systematically. It was only the "Basic" rank, but the effect was immediate!
[Simulation Points: 200 → 50.]
Looking at his sharply reduced points, Toudou Shizuka didn't feel the slightest pang of regret. If anything, he felt reassured.
This was an ability of his own, and no one could take it away. As he savored the remarkable effects of accelerated thinking, his calm gaze swept across the energetic Kobashi Yume, the gentle and dependable Ichinose, the cool and rational Kanzaki, Chihiro taking focused notes, Asako absorbed in technology, and Morita working to overcome his anxiety...
The Class B Students were walking treasure troves of skills, and the keys to unlocking them—affection—would take time and a little effort in the way of "Toudou Shizuka" to refine, bit by bit.
Sunlight streamed through the hallway windows, illuminating the path ahead. Toudou Shizuka narrowed his eyes slightly, the faintest, almost imperceptible curve at the corner of his mouth.
(Points matter, but connections are weapons, too. The path of grinding has only just begun to unfold.)
The room where they collected their Personal Devices was spacious and bright, with a distinctly high-tech feel. Rows of brand-new tablet terminals sat in charging docks, their deep blue lights flashing as they awaited activation. Uniformed staff handed them out efficiently and in good order. Toudou Shizuka received his own. The tablet felt slightly heavy in his hand, with smooth, rounded edges and a screen as black as a mirror, reflecting his calm face.
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