Opening Ceremony (3)

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink into every new student's heart.

"The points in your hands are the yardstick that measures your worth! The evaluation rank of your class directly determines the base points you receive each month! Your individual performance will affect the resources and opportunities you can obtain! Here, falling behind means elimination! Resources are only tilted toward those capable of acquiring and defending them!"

"Competition and cooperation are the eternal themes here!" His tone softened slightly, but the content remained icy. "You can climb to the heights on individual ability, or you can rely on your team's strength to cut through thorns and brambles. But remember, the final result only depends on where you stand! The school won't favor anyone, but it will never bury true talent either!"

"Over the next three years, the school will test and temper you through various 'Special Exams,' daily evaluations, and challenges you can't even imagine!" Chairman Sakayanagi's gaze grew deep and sharp. "I hope you can deeply understand the meaning of 'Survival of the Fittest,' make good use of the resources in your hands, and prove you're worthy of this school's cultivation!"

His speech was concise and forceful, with no flowery rhetoric—only bare, realistic rules and cold pressure. Like a basin of ice water, it doused the romantic fantasies lingering in many new students' hearts. The auditorium fell into silence, leaving only heavy breathing sounds.

[Accelerated Thinking] ran at full power! Toudou Shizuka's brain, like a precision computer, rapidly analyzed every key piece of information from the chairman's words:

"Resource tilt": Confirmed the core status of points, with class and individual performance as the key.

"Competition and cooperation": Hinted that individual heroism and teamwork coexist, but the ultimate direction is results.

"Special Exams": Unknown assessment methods, possibly high-risk, high-reward, requiring high alert.

"Challenges you can't even imagine": Full of uncertainty; improving strength is the only way to cope.

"Won't favor, won't bury": Rules appear fair on the surface, but are there loopholes in execution? Needs observation.

He instinctively looked toward Class B's core. Ichinose Honami sat up straight, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, her face carrying a solemn but determined expression, clearly digesting these rules seriously and thinking about strategies to lead Class B forward. A Class leader's charisma seemed even more composed under this pressure. Kanzaki Ryuji was quickly jotting down notes on his Personal Device's memo pad, his eyes behind his lenses calm and focused—Class B's Rational Analysis Ability was processing information at high speed.

In the Class D area, the atmosphere was oppressive. Horikita Suzune remained Still Expressionless, but Toudou Shizuka keenly caught her hand on her knee clenching slightly, revealing her inner turmoil and fierce fighting spirit. Ayanokouji Kiyotaka... too far away to read his expression, but that "transparent" aura remained, as if the chairman's speech had nothing to do with him.

In the Class A area, a faint, almost imperceptible smile seemed to tug at the Corner of Sakayanagi Arisu's mouth, her fingers lightly tapping on the armrest of her wheelchair, as if she were enjoying an interesting play. Katsuragi Kouhei, on the other hand, wore a stern expression with sharp Eyes.

In the Class C area, Ryūen Kaku bared his teeth in a cruel, excited grin, his gaze sweeping over the Other Classes like a hungry wolf, especially Class D.

The opening ceremony ended in a heavy, tense atmosphere. The New Students filed out, their conversations lowered, carrying thoughts and a hint of unease about the future.

"Wow... that felt so stressful." Kobashi Yume stuck out her tongue and sidled up to Toudou Shizuka. "That chairman was really scary. Toudou-kun, do you think we Class B Students can get a lot of points?" Her words carried a reliance on the group and a small worry about the future.

Toudou Shizuka gave a reassuring smile, his tone warm but confident: "With our class leader and Vice Class Leader here, as long as we all unite and work hard, we'll definitely make it." He skillfully expressed trust in the class leadership and conveyed a positive message.

[Kobashi Yume Affection +1 (Received comfort and confidence). Current: 31 (Friendly) -> Target: 40 (Close).]

[Ichinose Honami Affection +1 (Recognized trust in the class). Current: 22 (Friendly) -> Target: 50 (Friendly).]

"Yeah! You're right!" Kobashi Yume nodded firmly, reigniting her fighting spirit.

"Toudou-kun." Kanzaki Ryuji walked over, his expression still serious. "About the 'Special Exams' and Class Evaluation the chairman mentioned, I think we need to gather more information as soon as possible and prepare in advance. Do you have any ideas about information gathering?" He asked proactively, clearly including Toudou Shizuka in the category of "people worth talking to."

Toudou Shizuka's heart stirred. An opportunity to show his value! He thought briefly and answered cautiously: "Maybe the school forum on the devices could be a starting point? Senior Students' experience sharing might be limited, but official announcements and Student Council updates should have clues. Also, the library might hold some past public records?" The directions he proposed were practical, fitting a clear-thinking new student's positioning.

A glimmer of approval flashed in Kanzaki's Eyes: "Close to what I was thinking. Shiranami-kun has already gone to check the forum. The library is indeed worth exploring. Toudou-kun, if you have time, we could split up for better efficiency." He offered a preliminary intention to cooperate.

[Kanzaki Ryuji Affection +2 (Recognized clear thinking and collaborative value). Current: 19 (Neutral) -> Target: 45 (Recognition).]

"Sure, no problem." Toudou Shizuka agreed readily. This was a perfect chance to merge into the class's core circle and boost Affection.

Just as the Class B group was discussing in low voices, a voice as sweet as honey rang out nearby, carrying Just Right enthusiasm and a faint, hard-to-detect probing.

"Oh my, aren't these the Class B Students? How did the opening ceremony feel?" Kushida Kikyo had somehow walked over, her face wearing that flawless, perfect smile, her gaze shifting among Toudou Shizuka, Kanzaki, and Kobashi Yume. "I'm Kushida Kikyo from Class D. Nice to meet you!" She gave a slight bow, her posture elegant and natural.

[Target: Kushida Kikyo (Refreshed)]

Social Affinity: A-rank (Activated)

Expression Management and Emotional Camouflage: A-rank (Activated)

Topic Guidance and Listening Skills: A-rank (Activated)

[Affection: 15 (Neutral)] - Unlocking her "Expression Management and Emotional Camouflage A-rank" requires Affection ≥ 60 (Trust).

An Alarm Bell faintly sounded in Toudou Shizuka's heart. Kushida actively approaching Class B? Was it just socializing, or was there another motive? He immediately put on a warm, friendly smile: "Hello, Kushida-san. The ceremony... was quite enlightening." He used a neutral term.

"Yeah, yeah! I feel like we'll have to work even harder from now on!" Kobashi Yume chimed in without a hint of guile. Kanzaki merely gave a slight nod, maintaining a polite distance.

Kushida Kikyo's smile remained unchanged, her gaze lingering on Toudou Shizuka's face for an extra half-second, seemingly imperceptible. A-rank insight let Toudou Shizuka vaguely sense that she had developed a faint curiosity about this "quiet" Class B student, but it was quickly masked by her perfect smile.