Toudou Shizuka sat toward the back of Class B's section, where she had a clear view of the hall. She quietly adjusted her posture, her gaze sweeping over the entire auditorium with an air of calm. A pale blue dot flickered in the upper-right corner of her vision. The [Accelerated Thinking (Basic)] talent had made her senses exceptionally sharp.
She could clearly pick out the straight backs of the Class A students in the front rows and the occasional scrutinizing glances they exchanged;
She could hear a faint commotion and a few muffled complaints from Class D behind her;
And she could feel the complicated mix of excitement, nerves, and anticipation among her Class B classmates.
[Target scan ongoing...]
[Target scanned: Class A Sakayanagi Arisu (front diagonal)]
Strategic Layout and Game Theory: S-Rank (theoretical pinnacle of humanity)
Psychological Analysis and Manipulation: A-Rank (approaching S-Rank)
Information Gathering (efficient and covert; my dad is on the school board): A-Rank
Leadership (controlling type): A-Rank
Basic Physical Fitness: D-Rank (a drawback; not even as good as someone off the street)
[Affection: 0 (unnoticed)] - To unlock any skill, affection must be ≥??? (System prompt: Target is special; requirements are extremely high)
Toudou Shizuka's heart tightened. S-Rank strategic planning! The "queen of the school" of Class A truly lived up to her reputation. This skill was probably even more valuable than Ayanokoji's Fighting Style!
(Protagonist's quip: A powerful dragon can't crush a local snake. With your dad on the school board, you can turn the place upside down as long as you don't go too far.)
But the question-mark affection requirement and nearly impossible threshold meant she could only sigh and admire it from afar for now.
[Target scanned: Class C Ryuen Kakeru]
Fighting Style (all-around combat): B-Rank
Intimidation and Oppressive Aura Usage: B-Rank (active; currently scanning Class D)
Insight (perception of malice and weaknesses): C-Rank
Violent Team Domination: C-Rank
[Affection: -10 (latent hostility)] - To unlock any skill, affection must be ≥??? (System prompt: Target danger level 'high'; contact not recommended)
(No, seriously, I'd just go in with a sliding tackle ⌓‿⌓)
The undisguised hostility radiating from Ryuen made Toudou Shizuka's nerves tense instinctively. The combat instincts granted by her S-Rank Fighting Style let her clearly sense how dangerous he was. It was best to keep her distance from someone like him. After all, she was a nobody for now, and it was better not to attract too much attention.
[Target scanned: Class D Ayanokouji Kiyotaka]
...(Skill tree omitted)...
[Affection: 0 (unnoticed)] - To unlock any skill, affection must be ≥??? (complex)
[Target scanned: Class D Horikita Suzune]
Learning Ability (Theoretical Absorption and Logical Deduction): A-Rank
Self-Discipline and Focus: A-Rank (active; ignoring the surrounding noise)
Social Skills (proactive): D-Rank (notable)
[Affection: 4 (distant)] - To unlock Learning Ability A-Rank, affection must be ≥70 (high regard)
Horikita Suzune sat alone at the edge of Class D's section, her back ramrod straight and her gaze fixed on the empty stage ahead, as if the commotion around her had nothing to do with her.
That focus made Toudou Shizuka's heart stir again. A-Rank Learning Ability... Combined with [Thought Acceleration], it would make her incredibly efficient. But the "high regard" threshold of 70 was an insurmountable chasm. She needed an opportunity—one that would make Horikita recognize her worth, not some pointless attempt at socializing.
"Hey, Toudou, are you nervous?"
Kobashi Yume gently nudged her with an elbow and asked in a low voice, a little excitement on her face. "I heard the chairman's going to speak in person!"
Toudou Shizuka came back to herself and gave her a warm, slightly shy smile. "I'm all right. A little excited." [Social Affinity A-Rank] made even her subtle expression and tone seem perfectly natural and sincere.
[Kobashi Yume's affection +1 (sharing feelings). Current: 30 (friendly) -> Target: 40 (close) to unlock Infectious Vitality B-Rank.]
"Hehe, I'm a little nervous, but mostly excited!" Kobashi Yume clenched her little fists, brimming with energy.
"Quiet! It's starting!" Kanzaki Ryuji called from the row ahead, his voice low but clear. He pushed up his glasses and swept a sharp gaze over the Class B section, instantly silencing several students who had been whispering. His B-Rank Rational Analysis and Decision Making gave him an instinctive knack for maintaining order.
[Kanzaki Ryuji's affection +1 (approval for maintaining class order). Current: 17 (neutral) -> Target: 45 (recognition) to unlock Rational Analysis Decision B-Rank.]
Toudou Shizuka's thoughts stirred. It seemed that showing Kanzaki she cared about class affairs and was willing to cooperate was an effective way to raise his affection.
Just then, a side door at the front of the auditorium opened. A line of people in dark formal suits filed in and headed for the stage. Leading them was a tall, efficient-looking female teacher with a short bob. She had a stern face, sharp eyes like an eagle's, and a steady, forceful stride. An icy, unapproachable aura surrounded her. Her gaze swept over the crowd like a cold blade, and even the faintest sounds from Class A vanished as it passed.
[Target scanned: Chabashira Sae (Class D Homeroom Teacher)]
Aura Intimidation (teacher-specific): A-Rank (active)
Insight (reading students): B-Rank (core skill)
Information Conveyance (intimidating): B-Rank
Rule Enforcement (ruthless): A-Rank
Toudou Shizuka's heart tightened. The Class D homeroom teacher had an aura more than a tier stronger than Teacher Hoshinomiya's, and it carried a clear sense of oppression and coldness. But when it came to teaching, she was terrible. From the clips she had seen in her previous life, Chabashira had practically left Class D to fend for themselves. And with A-Rank Rule Enforcement... Class D's days wouldn't be easy.
Chabashira Sae took her place beside the stage like a silent sentry, alongside the other homeroom teachers for the first-year classes. Then an elderly man with white hair, a dignified face, and an impeccably tailored suit walked to the microphone at center stage. He was Sakayanagi Naruyuki, Chairman of Kōdo Ikusei High School.
"Good morning, new students." Chairman Sakayanagi's booming voice rang through the auditorium from the high-quality speakers, steady with the authority of a man accustomed to power and admitting no contradiction. "Welcome to Kōdo Ikusei High School, the highest institution of learning, guided by the principle of survival of the fittest."
He surveyed the hall, his gaze passing over every young face as if it were tangible, filled with scrutiny and appraisal.
"Here, all hollow titles and past backgrounds are utterly meaningless!" His voice suddenly rose, sharp and decisive. "Your worth depends solely on the abilities you demonstrate in the present and the heights you can reach in the future! The school has invested enormous resources to cultivate the true elite who can shoulder the future. But these resources are not gifts freely given!"
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