Library Materials

Kanzaki Ryuji read quickly, his expression turning grave. His B-Rank Rational Analysis Ability let him immediately grasp the potential implications and severity.

"'Causing significant losses to the class'... 'serious consequences'... The implications are already pretty clear." He took a deep breath. "Toudou, this is a very important discovery! We need to tell the Class Leader right away!"

[Kanzaki Affection +3 (highly impressed by his ability to uncover key information and share it promptly). Current: 22 (Neutral) → Target: 45 (Recognition).]

"Yeah, I think so too." Toudou Shizuka nodded, her expression serious. He had revealed some crucial clues—the focus on results and the risk of expulsion—but kept quiet about the even more shocking possibility of Class Demotion, since the source was unclear and the idea was too alarming. He had also preserved the manual's inherent ambiguity.

That way, he could demonstrate his value and provide enough concrete information to draw the attention of the class core, without making his source seem too unusual or himself seem all-knowing.

"Kobashi, let's go. We've made an important discovery!" Kanzaki called to Kobashi Yume, who was still reading a magazine. Though Kobashi Yume had no idea what was going on, she saw how serious the two of them looked, quickly put down her magazine, and followed.

The three of them hurried back to the Class B Classroom. Ichinose Honami and Shiranami Chihiro were organizing the class contact list and a preliminary interest survey.

"Class Leader, Vice Class Leader, we have something important to report!" Kanzaki Ryuji got straight to the point, quickly recapping Toudou Shizuka's discovery and his own analysis. He emphasized the risk that Special Exam results would determine the outcome, and that a serious individual mistake could lead to severe punishment—even expulsion.

The atmosphere in the classroom turned grave at once. Even Kobashi Yume, usually so lively, covered her mouth and stared wide-eyed. Amakura Asako stopped working on her tablet, while Morita Ken froze with his hand halfway to his glasses.

"E-Expulsion?" A girl—a passerby—asked in a trembling voice.

Ichinose Honami's warm smile disappeared, replaced by an unprecedented gravity and sense of responsibility. Her A-Rank leadership skills now radiated a steady strength. She stood and spoke clearly and firmly. "Everyone, don't panic! The information Kanzaki and Toudou brought us is very important, but we need to analyze it calmly!"

She looked at Toudou Shizuka with sincere gratitude and respect. "Toudou, thank you so much for noticing this! It's a wake-up call for us." Then she looked around the class. "This shows that the Chairman's words about 'Survival of the Fittest' and 'resources being allocated based on performance' weren't empty talk! The challenges ahead may be even tougher than we imagined, and we may have less room for error!"

[Ichinose Affection +3 (highly impressed by his crucial discovery and contribution to the class). Current: 25 (Friendly) → Target: 50 (Close).]

"The Class Leader is right!" Kanzaki Ryuji chimed in calmly. "There's no point panicking.

"Our immediate priorities are: First, take the first exam—and every Special Exam from now on—seriously. We must treat them as crucial battles that affect the survival of the class and our personal futures, and abandon any wishful thinking.

"Second, strengthen cooperation within the class and improve our teamwork, raising our overall abilities and reducing the risk of individual mistakes.

"Third, keep gathering all the information we can about the format and rules of past exams, and prepare thoroughly for every possibility."

Shiranami Chihiro silently handed over a notebook. In neat handwriting, she had already jotted down Kanzaki's key points, along with the source of the information—the Management Regulations Appendix Toudou Shizuka had found—and questions that still needed answers, such as the exact penalties and past cases.

[Target: Shiranami Chihiro (Refreshed)]

[Affection: 12 (Neutral) → 14 (Neutral)] - Recognition for providing a crucial source of information.

Information Synthesis: B-Rank (Active) - Unlock requires Affection ≥ 40 (Close).

Watching Shiranami Chihiro work so efficiently, Toudou Shizuka silently admired her. This B-Rank Information Synthesis Ability was exactly what he needed! If he could learn it, then combined with [Thought Acceleration], it would multiply his efficiency in processing vast amounts of information. And an Affection threshold of 40 was relatively easy to reach.

"Toudou," Ichinose Honami said, turning to him again, her tone earnest. "We owe you for this. Please keep an eye out for information from now on, and be sure to tell us as soon as you find anything." Her words conveyed both trust and a willingness to rely on him.

"I will, Class Leader. This is my way of doing my part for the class." Toudou Shizuka answered sincerely. This was exactly what he wanted—to establish himself within the class core as an "Information Discoverer" and steadily raise the Affection of key figures.

"Okay!" Ichinose Honami clapped her hands, lifting the mood again as her A-Rank leadership skills came into play. "The road ahead may be challenging, but as long as Class B stands united, trusts and supports one another, we'll be able to overcome anything!

"For now, let's focus on the basic tasks. Kanzaki, Shiranami, please continue organizing the contact list and interest survey so we'll be ready for any team activities that may come up. Everyone else, please get to know the school as quickly as you can and settle in!"

Ichinose's determination and optimism dispelled much of the heavy atmosphere. Everyone chimed in and returned to work.

Toudou Shizuka went back to his seat. He appeared to be helping organize the forms, but his thoughts had already locked onto a useful skill in Shiranami Chihiro's skill tree: [Information Synthesis: B-Rank].

[Enter the Virtual Training Ground to simulate learning the target skill?]

[Warning: Target (Shiranami Chihiro) Affection is insufficient! Current Affection: 14 (Neutral). Simulated access to this skill requires Target Affection ≥ 40 (Close).]

Just as expected. Toudou Shizuka wasn't surprised. He looked at the icon glowing in his field of vision, then checked the System Interface:

[Simulation Points: 50] - Still 50 short of buying [Deep Sleep (Basic) for 100 points].

[Shiranami Chihiro Affection: 14 (Neutral)] - Target: 40 (Close).

[Ichinose Affection: 25 (Friendly)] - Target: 50 (Close).

[Kanzaki Affection: 22 (Neutral)] - Target: 45 (Recognition).

Raising Shiranami Chihiro's Affection had become his top priority. How should he go about it? She was quiet and introverted, and rarely drew attention, but she worked with exceptional diligence and responsibility.

Trying to befriend her too directly might backfire. Perhaps... he could offer her some useful tools to make her work more efficient? Or lend a hand whenever she needed help? For example, he could offer to look up some of the materials next time she needed to find a lot of information.

As he mechanically sorted the forms, he rapidly planned under [Thought Acceleration] how to approach Shiranami Chihiro naturally, without making it obvious—like a patient gardener preparing to water a seedling called "Affection."

The clues in the library were only the beginning. Cultivating his standing within Class B was the real foundation for establishing himself and gaining more power. Both points and keys would need to be carefully nurtured in this soil, in Toudou Shizuka's own way.