Opening Ceremony (1)

He suppressed the urge to try it immediately and refocused on reality.

For now, trying to grind Horikita's favorability was unrealistic—the risk-to-reward ratio was too low. It was better to focus on easier targets and self-improvement first.

The dormitory building soon came into view. A modern structure with good lighting and a quiet environment. Following the signs on the device, Toudou Shizuka found his room—Building B, Room 307.

He swiped his card to open the door, and a faint scent of new furniture mixed with cleaning supplies wafted out. The room was small, but the layout was reasonable and fully functional.

A single bed was placed against the wall, along with a desk, wardrobe, and private bathroom—everything he needed. There was even a small balcony. Sunlight streamed through the clean glass windows, warm and inviting. Though it was only basic configuration, it was clean and independent.

Toudou Shizuka set his package on the floor and looked around this small space that was his own. A strange sense of calm settled over him. This was his first foothold in this survival-of-the-fittest world—a safe house where he could drop the act and focus on "involution."

He opened his personal device and entered the Campus Store again.

His fingers slid quickly across the screen, [Thought Acceleration] making information processing efficient.

First, he needed to supplement daily necessities:

- A more comfortable bedding set (to improve rest quality): 3,000 Points. - An ergonomic cushion (essential for long study/training sessions): 1,500 Points. - A high-quality toiletries set: 800 Points. - A small silent fan (to deal with potential stuffy weather): 1,200 Points. - Some basic snacks and drinking water (initial stockpile): 500 Points.

Total: 7,000 Points. Toudou Shizuka didn't hesitate and placed the order decisively. These investments would directly improve his quality of life and study/training efficiency—they were necessary. His account balance instantly became 93,000 Points.

For the remaining points, he needed to be more cautious. Both Kanzaki and Ichinose had mentioned that class evaluation was tied to points, which meant he might need to spend points on class activities or personal improvement later. He'd hold onto them for now.

Just as he finished the order, a soft knock came at the door.

"Toudou? You there?" It was Kobashi Yume's voice, carrying her signature energy.

Toudou Shizuka opened the door. Kobashi Yume stood there, hugging her own dormitory package, grinning. "I'm in the room right next to yours! We're neighbors now! I just saw the store has this super cute rug—wanna split an order? There's a discount if we hit the minimum!" She enthusiastically showed him the product image on her tablet.

[Target: Kobashi Yume (Refreshed)]

- [Favorability: 27 (Friendly) → 28 (Friendly)] - Actively visited a neighbor, shared shopping info. - Unlocking her [Infectious Vitality B-Rank] requires favorability ≥ 40 (Close). Getting closer.

"Sure, let me take a look." Toudou Shizuka put on an interested smile and stepped aside to let her in. He noticed her high enthusiasm for decorating the dorm—this was a good angle to boost favorability. He seriously discussed rug styles and split-order details with her for a while. In the end, he didn't place an order immediately (he needed to observe the school's actual spending levels first), but Kobashi Yume was clearly happy to have found a "kindred spirit."

"It's a deal then! Let me know if you find something you like!" Kobashi Yume went back to her room, satisfied, hugging her package.

[Kobashi Yume favorability +1. Current: 29 (Friendly).]

After seeing her off, Toudou Shizuka closed the door, leaned against it, and let out a soft breath. Maintaining this gentle, friendly facade was itself a kind of skill application. He walked to the desk and looked out the window at the fading sunset glow, which dyed the distant teaching building spires red.

In his field of vision, the system interface was clearly displayed:

[Simulation Points: 50] - (Tight; needs to earn more quickly)

[Talent Shop]: [Deep Sleep (Basic) 100 Points], [Dynamic Vision (Fine-Tuning) 120 Points], [Pain Attenuation (Mild) 80 Points]... All out of reach.

[Key Target Favorability]:

(Only listing skills needed first; otherwise, showing everything would be padding word count)

- Ichinose Honami: 21 (Friendly) → Target 50 (Amicable) to unlock [Team Cohesion A-Rank] - Kanzaki Ryuji: 16 (Neutral) → Target 45 (Acknowledged) to unlock [Rational Analysis Decision B-Rank] - Shiranami Chihiro: 12 (Neutral) → Target 40 (Close) to unlock [Information Synthesis B-Rank] - Kobashi Yume: 29 (Friendly) → Target 40 (Close) to unlock [Infectious Vitality B-Rank] - Horikita Suzune: 4 (Cold) → Target 70 (Highly Recognized)... Hell difficulty.

Points and favorability were like two intertwined ropes. Points came from mastering new skills or completing possible system tasks (yet to be explored); mastering new skills required enough favorability as the key to unlock simulation privileges. It was a cycle of mutual reinforcement and constraint.

Toudou Shizuka's gaze turned calm and sharp. He walked to the window and looked out at the campus, where lights were gradually flickering to life in the twilight.

"Involution Core System..." he murmured to himself. "Improve yourself, earn points; manage relationships, get the keys; use the keys to unlock more power... Cycle on and on, until..."

He didn't voice the endpoint. But the cold sense of power from the newly acquired S-Rank Fighting Style, combined with the clarity of [Thought Acceleration], silently hinted at the possibilities of this path.

He turned, opened the basic package he'd received, and began methodically organizing his single dormitory. His movements were quick and efficient, carrying an unusual precision.

Beneath the gentle, shy facade of "Toudou Shizuka," the precise gears of the "Skill Hunter" had begun to spin silently at high speed, fueled by the starting capital of 100,000 Points and sheltered by the single dormitory.

Class B's first night was quiet and full of unknowns. Toudou Shizuka laid out his newly bought bedding, sat at the desk, and opened his personal device. Under the lamplight, his silhouette was quiet and focused, like a hunter lurking in the shadows, beginning to plan a dual hunt for points and connections. Moonlight streamed through the window, washing over his face in silence.

Early morning sunlight, carrying the chill of early autumn, streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the grand auditorium of Kōdo Ikusei High School.

The vaulted ceiling was high and wide, with deep red seats arranged in a fan shape, solemn and dignified. The air was thick with the tension and anticipation of a new semester. Each class sat in designated areas, clearly demarcated.

Class A was at the very front, orderly, carrying an air of unspoken superiority; Class B followed closely behind, with a relatively relaxed and harmonious atmosphere; Class C's area was a bit loose, with a hint of an arrogant and untamed aura; and Class D... was positioned further back, with a faint sense of chaos and unease.