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[Scan Target: Morita Ken (Refreshed)]

Basic Academics (Theory): B-Rank (Core Skill)

Observational Skill (Detail): C-Rank (Active)

Social Anxiety: D-Rank (Negative Trait, Attempting to Overcome)

[Affinity: 10 (Neutral)] - Unlocking his "Basic Academics (Theory) B-Rank" requires Affinity ≥ 40 (Close).

"Hmm, I'm a bit interested."

Toudou didn't deny it, a look of delight at finding a kindred spirit spreading across his face. "Morita-kun, are you interested in this area too?"

"Ah, yes, yes!"

Morita Ken, as if finding his people, lit up, his social anxiety seeming to ease. "I really love logic and algorithms! Especially data structures! Toudou-kun, what do you think about the rotation operations in red-black trees..."

He immediately threw out a technical question, his speech speeding up with excitement. Relying on his foundation from his past life, Toudou Shizuya easily picked up the thread, and the two fell into a low discussion about algorithm problems.

Though most of the content was like a foreign language to Kobashi Yume and Ichinose beside them, Toudou Shizuya maintained patient listening and timely responses, making Morita Ken talk more and more enthusiastically.

[Morita Ken Affinity +3. Current: 13 (Neutral) → 16 (Neutral, Slightly Friendly).]

An in-depth exchange based on shared interests yielded significant results.

Kanzaki Ryuji also walked over; he seemed to have been confirming the class contact list with Shiranami Chihiro just a moment ago.

He adjusted his glasses, his gaze landing on Toudou Shizuya and Morita Ken, his tone calm. "Looks like our class has some promising academic talent. Toudou-kun, Morita-kun, maybe we can exchange more in future study groups or project collaborations."

His words carried a tone of rational assessment, but also a form of recognition.

[Target: Kanzaki Ryuji (Refreshed)]

[Affinity: 15 (Neutral)] - Unlocking "Rational Analysis and Decision Making B-Rank" requires Affinity ≥ 45 (Approval).

"Of course, it would be our honor to exchange ideas with Vice Class President Kanzaki."

Toudou Shizuya responded with a humble attitude. Kanzaki gave a slight nod, accepting the goodwill.

In another corner of the classroom, Amakura Asako was quietly saying something to Shiranami Chihiro, her fingers swiftly swiping across her tablet, as if discussing some programming issue.

Shiranami Chihiro listened intently, nodding occasionally, jotting down key points in her notebook with a pen. The two formed their own small circle, focused and efficient.

While handling the exchanges in front of him, Toudou Shizuya observed 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.

Especially Shiranami Chihiro's ability to process information efficiently could be very helpful for him to quickly understand the complex rules of this school.

[Target: Shiranami Chihiro (Refreshed)]

[Affinity: 12 (Neutral)] - Unlocking "Information Synthesis B-Rank" requires Affinity ≥ 40 (Close).

[Target: Amakura Asako (Refreshed)]

[Affinity: 10 (Neutral)] - Unlocking "Computer Technology (Basic Applications) B-Rank" requires Affinity ≥ 35 (Friendly).

None of the Affinity requirements were absurdly high, but all required sustained investment.

The free exchange time passed quickly. Toudou Shizuya, like a gentle sponge, naturally absorbed goodwill and information from different classmates.

He responded to Kobashi Yume's energy, thanked Ichinose for her care, delved into Morita's technical topics, showed respect to Kanzaki, and didn't forget to offer friendly smiles to Shiranami and Amakura at a distance.

When Teacher Hoshinomiya clapped her hands to signal everyone to quiet down, the Affinity values representing different targets in the corner of Toudou Shizuya's vision had all jumped up a little, more or less.

Though still far from unlocking those core skills, this first step had been silently taken under the facade of "quiet and transparent."

"Alright, everyone!" Teacher Hoshinomiya's sweet voice rang out. "Exchange 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! Everyone, follow me!"

The new students let out excited low cries and stood up one after another. Toudou Shizuya also rose with the crowd, brushing off the last crumbs of cookie. He glanced at the golden [Talent Shop] icon shimmering in his vision, then at the Affinity values of various targets on the System Interface.

Points, or Affinity? Talents, or skills?

He already had a preliminary balance in his mind. Enhancing his own foundational talents was an investment independent of others, with lower risk. Especially [Accelerated Thinking] and [Deep Sleep], which could directly boost his "internal competition" efficiency.

Building Affinity, on the other hand, was a long-term investment—clear in goal but relatively slow to yield results, with the risk of fluctuation.

"Toudou-kun, let's go!" Kobashi Yume called out to him energetically.

"Yeah, coming."

Toudou Shizuya replied, a gentle smile on his face as he followed the line.

On the way to pick up the devices, he moved his mind slightly, locking onto the golden icon in the Talent Shop priced at 150 points.

[Purchase Talent: Accelerated Thinking (Basic) — Cost: 150 Simulation Points.]

Confirm!

A cool, mint-like sensation instantly surged into his brain! Toudou Shizuya felt as if a clear spring had been injected into his thoughts; the previously somewhat muddled stream of consciousness became clear and sharp.

The details of his classmates' conversations, the implied information in Teacher Hoshinomiya's words, the content of notices posted on the corridor walls... the sensory input was processed and analyzed faster and more systematically. Though only at the "Basic" level, the effect was immediate!

[Simulation Points: 200 → 50.]

Watching the sharply reduced points, Toudou Shizuya felt no regret, only a sense of solidity.

This was an ability belonging to him, one that couldn't be taken away. Feeling the strange experience brought by Accelerated Thinking, his gaze calm, he swept his eyes over the energetic Kobashi Yume beside him, the gentle and reliable Ichinose, the cool and rational Kanzaki, the focused note-taking Shiranami, the tech-immersed Amakura, the hardworking Morita struggling with his anxiety...

The Class B students were like walking treasure troves of skills, and the key to unlocking those troves—Affinity—would need to be polished bit by bit with time and Toudou Shizuya's own approach.

Sunlight streamed through the corridor windows, illuminating the path ahead. Toudou Shizuya squinted slightly, a faint, barely perceptible curve lifting the corner of his mouth.

(Points matter, but connections are also a weapon. The path of internal competition has only just begun to unfold.)

The room for picking up personal devices was spacious and bright, exuding a sense of technology. Rows of brand-new tablet terminals sat on charging stands, flickering with a dormant blue light. Uniformed staff efficiently distributed them. Toudou Shizuya received his own. The tablet felt slightly heavy in his hand, its edges rounded, its screen black as a mirror, reflecting his calm face.