New Skill

He glanced at the entry for Ayanokouji Kiyotaka in his vision, his affection level still at 0 (No Attention). He then recalled the figure at the Kendo Club's recruitment booth, stretching as if no one else was around, exuding an elegance that bordered on the extreme—Kouenji Rokketsuke.

[Target: Kouenji Rokketsuke]

Aristocratic Demeanor and Etiquette (Comprehensive): B-Rank (Core Skill)

Self-Awareness and Mental Strength: A-Rank (Core Skill)

[Affection: 0 (No Attention)] - Unlocking any skill requires Affection ≥ ??? (System Hint: Target is extremely special, conventional social methods are ineffective. You need to pique his "interest" or "resonance.")

Kouenji... A faint smile touched Toudou Shizuka's lips. This "beautiful boy" who seemed to exist outside the rules might be another unexpected branch line. However, the immediate priority was to cultivate Class B, this fertile ground.

He pushed open the door to Dormitory 307, and the warm light flickered on. The single dormitory was his safest haven, and also the starting point for his next round of "involution."

A warm current of Deep Sleep flowed through his body. He needed to rest well, to gather strength to continue playing the gentle, quiet Class B "Toudou Shizuka" who occasionally provided crucial information. The dual hunt for points and connections never ceased.

(Involution—Involution—Involution)

The campus Commercial Street was bustling with people on the weekend, the sun casting a warm glow on the clean street. After a high-intensity training session at the Sanda Club, Toudou Shizuka decided to use this rare leisure time to replenish some necessary supplies and relax his taut nerves.

He first went to a large supermarket. Thanks to [Thought Acceleration], his shopping list was already clearly laid out in his mind: High-Energy Protein Bars (to replenish the consumption from high-intensity training), Instant Black Coffee (to refresh, which could form an efficient cycle with Deep Sleep), a few basic but comfortable plain-colored T-shirts (convenient for training and daily wear), and a few concise reference books related to his studies (to improve learning efficiency).

His objective was clear, his movements swift. He pushed his shopping cart through the aisles, precisely grabbing the items he needed. Upon checkout, over two thousand Private Points were deducted from his card, leaving his balance still considerable.

Carrying his shopping bags out of the supermarket, the sun was just right. Toudou Shizuka slowed his pace, enjoying the leisurely weekend air. Shops lined both sides of the Commercial Street; cafes exuded tempting aromas, bookstore windows displayed new releases, and the sounds of the arcade echoed.

"Toudou-kun! What a coincidence!"

A cheerful voice called out from behind him. Toudou Shizuka turned and saw Kobashi Yume, her twin ponytails bouncing, holding several paper bags with a dessert shop's logo alongside a female classmate (Passerby D). Her face was beaming with satisfaction.

"Kobashi-san, good afternoon," Toudou Shizuka replied with a gentle smile. "Good haul?" His gaze swept over the paper bags.

"Hehe, the Strawberry Cream Cake Rolls from that new shop, 'Sweet Workshop,' are suuuper delicious! Want to try one, Toudou-kun?" Kobashi Yume enthusiastically recommended, making a move to open the bag.

"Thank you, I just bought some things. I'll definitely try it next time," Toudou Shizuka smiled and politely declined, his demeanor natural. He could feel Kobashi Yume's affection level, through consistent daily contact, had reached a critical point (Current: 39/40 Close).

[Kobashi Yume Affection +1 (Casual encounter, sharing joy). Current: 40 (Close)!]

[Unlocked Target (Kobashi Yume) Skill: Infectious Vitality B-Rank Simulation Permission!]

Toudou Shizuka's heart stirred slightly. 40 points of affection achieved! He had unlocked his first B-Rank skill! While [Infectious Vitality] wasn't as core as Ichinose's Charisma or Shiranamii's Information Synthesis, it was remarkably effective in livening up the atmosphere and uniting people, especially during class activities or when morale needed a boost.

Moreover, mastering a B-Rank skill would grant 20 Simulation Points! This was a timely boon for his currently tight point reserves (20 points).

"Alright then, be sure to come next time!" Kobashi Yume didn't push, bidding farewell with a cheerful smile. "We're heading off now, we still want to check out the new hair accessories over there!"

"Okay, have fun," Toudou Shizuka watched them leave, feeling pleased. He decided to find a quiet place to immediately simulate and learn this new skill.

At the end of the Commercial Street, there was a relatively quiet Green Leisure Area with several benches. Toudou Shizuka chose a corner seat, placed his shopping bags by his feet, closed his eyes, and pretended to rest.

Focusing his intent, he locked onto the newly lit icon on the system interface in his vision: [Infectious Vitality B-Rank].

[Enter Virtual Training Ground to simulate and learn target skill: Infectious Vitality B-Rank?]

Confirm!

Consciousness shifted.

Scene: A virtual classroom with a heavy atmosphere and low morale. The projected students looked listless and dejected, as if all their enthusiasm had been drained. Scene Information: [Simulation Scenario: Class encounters a minor setback (e.g., losing a sports match), morale is low. Training Objective: Use infectiousness to significantly improve the emotional state of at least 5 students within 3 minutes (show smiles or speak positively).]

Toudou Shizuka found himself standing beside the podium. He took a deep breath, trying hard to recall Kobashi Yume's radiant smile, like a little sun, and her energetic body language. He attempted to grin, but it came out stiff and forced.

"Everyone... don't be discouraged! Next time... next time will be better!" He tried to raise his voice, but his tone was dry and unconvincing.

The projections below looked up, their eyes filled with a more bewildered, even "Is this guy an idiot?" expression, making the atmosphere even colder.

[Failure: Insufficient infectiousness, counterproductive. Evaluation: Stiff expression, unnatural tone, lack of sincerity and resonance.]

This is the first time I've seen such a strange expression.

"What's with that face?"

"It's nothing, it's nothing. I just suddenly felt a little emotional."

"Emotional? What's there to be emotional about?"

The man in black, who was holding a large sword, looked at the young man in front of him with a puzzled expression.

"It's just that I've been following you for so long, and I've never seen you so happy before. It's like you've finally found your true love."

"Heh, you're right. I'm very happy right now."

The young man's eyes were filled with a smile.

"I've finally found the person I've been looking for!"

"Who is it? Who is it? Tell me quickly!"

"Hehe, you'll know soon enough."

The young man's smile grew wider.

"But before that, I need to deal with you first."

The young man's smile disappeared, replaced by a cold and cruel expression.

"What? What are you talking about?"

The man in black was stunned.

"You... you can't be serious!"

"Heh, why not?"

The young man raised his hand, and a black sword appeared in his palm.

"You've been following me for so long, and you've been a good subordinate. But now, you're just a burden."

"A burden? You can't possibly mean that!"

The man in black's eyes widened in disbelief.

"I've followed you for so long! I've done so much for you! How can you treat me like this?"

"Heh, loyalty is a valuable trait, but it's also a weakness."

The young man's voice was cold.

"And I don't need weakness."

"You... you monster!"

The man in black roared, drawing his large sword.

"I'll kill you!"

"Heh, you think you can?"

The young man sneered, and the black sword in his hand glowed with a dark light.

"Shadow Slash!"

The black sword moved, and a wave of dark energy surged towards the man in black.

The man in black raised his large sword to block, but the dark energy was too powerful.

BOOM!

The man in black was sent flying backward, crashing into a tree.

"Cough, cough..."

He coughed up blood, his body trembling.

"You... you're too strong..."

"Heh, of course."

The young man walked towards him, his eyes filled with disdain.

"You were never a match for me."

"But... why? Why are you doing this?"

The man in black asked, his voice weak.

"Why are you betraying me?"

"Betrayal? No, this is not betrayal."

The young man stopped in front of him, a cruel smile on his face.

"This is evolution."

"Evolution?"

"Yes. I've finally found the person I've been looking for. And with that person, I will achieve true power."

"And you, my loyal subordinate, are just a stepping stone."

"A stepping stone..."

The man in black's eyes widened in horror.

"No... no..."

"Heh, goodbye."

The young man raised his black sword, and with a swift movement, he plunged it into the man in black's chest.

"Ahhhhh!"

The man in black screamed as his life force was drained away.

The young man watched with a cold expression, his eyes filled with a strange light.

"Now, it's time to find her."

He turned and walked away, leaving the dying man behind.

Scene reset.

Toudou Shizuka changed his approach, trying to imitate Kobashi Yume's way of sharing small joys. "Hey! Everyone listen! I just discovered the vending machine has new, super delicious Peach Soda! It's chilled! Let's go buy some and try it!"

(Σ(ﾟ∀ﾟﾉ)ﾉ)

This time, a few projections looked up, a hint of interest in their eyes, but they quickly lowered their heads, muttering, "Not in the mood," "Forget it."

[Failure: Inappropriate topic introduction, failed to touch upon the core emotions. Evaluation: Failed to understand the root of their dejection, the topic remained superficial.]

Once, twice, ten times...

Toudou Shizuka repeatedly hit a wall in the virtual, gloomy classroom. He tried exaggerated movements, only to look like a comical clown; he tried telling inspirational stories, but they were hollow and boring; he tried getting everyone to chant slogans, but few responded, leading to awkwardness.

(▄█▀█●)

Through countless failures, Toudou Shizuka gradually came to understand that B-Rank Infectious Vitality wasn't just about a bright smile or a loud voice.