Point Crisis and Silent Layout

The first month after enrollment passed in the blink of an eye. While most Class D students were still basking in the brief joy brought by those ten thousand points, at the beginning of the second month, a sudden storm swept through the entire class.

That morning, students checked their Student Terminals as usual, eagerly anticipating the arrival of their monthly points. However, the numbers displayed on the screens left everyone dumbfounded.

"Zero... Zero Points?" Yamauchi Haruki was the first to cry out, his voice filled with disbelief and panic.

"Mine is zero too!"

"What's going on? Didn't they say we'd get ten thousand points every month?"

The classroom instantly descended into chaos, panic spreading like a plague. Even the usually composed Hirata Yousuke furrowed his brow, and Kushida Kikyo's smile cracked for the first time. Sudo Ken slammed his fist onto the desk, producing a dull thud.

Although Horikita Suzune remained seated upright, her clenched fists and slightly whitened knuckles betrayed her inner turmoil. Though she had used her points sparingly, this sudden turn of events had clearly caught her off guard as well.

Just then, Chabashira Sae walked into the classroom with the bell. She seemed to have anticipated the commotion, calmly stepping up to the podium and sweeping her indifferent gaze over the panicked students.

"It seems you've all noticed." Her voice carried no fluctuation. "As you can see, the points awarded to Class D this month are zero."

"Why?!" Ike Kanji couldn't help but stand up and demand. "Didn't they say points would be distributed every month?"

A faint, almost imperceptible sneer curled at the corner of Chabashira's lips. "I said that point distribution is tied to the Class Evaluation System. After the first month of observation, Class D's overall evaluation ranks last among all classes. According to School Regulations, classes with low evaluations will not receive points."

Her words hit like a bucket of ice water, leaving everyone stunned.

"Evaluation? What evaluation?" Yukimura Teruhiko pushed up his glasses, his voice trembling.

"Daily Behavior Standards, Classroom Performance, Exam Scores, Club Activities... everything affects the class evaluation." Chabashira said flatly. "And in the first month, Class D has had Skipping Class, Being Late, Disruptive Classroom Discipline, and the lowest Exam Scores. More importantly..." Her gaze swept over a few pale-faced students, "Unrestrained Consumption Behavior fully proves your lack of Basic Planning Ability."

The classroom fell into dead silence. Every word from Chabashira struck like a heavy hammer against everyone's hearts.

"But... without points, we can't even go to the cafeteria..." a girl whimpered softly.

"This is the reality you must face." Chabashira's voice was cold, devoid of any emotion. "In this school, everything must be earned through your own ability. If you can't even handle basic survival, then it proves you don't deserve to be here."

Having said that, she ignored the students' reactions and began the day's lesson. But by then, few could focus on the class content.

During the Lunch Break, Class D's classroom was shrouded in an atmosphere of despair. Students without points couldn't even buy a basic lunch, left to lie on their desks hungry. Even those with some point reserves worried anxiously, unsure how long their savings would last.

Feng Qi sat quietly in his seat. He had long anticipated this outcome, so his spending in the first month had been extremely restrained. Combined with his earnings from the Strategy Game Research Society, his point reserves remained impressive. But he had no intention of revealing this.

"Everyone..." Hirata Yousuke stood up, trying to calm the group. "Now isn't the time to blame each other. We should think of a way..."

"What way is there?" Sudo Ken scratched his hair in frustration. "No points means no points!"

Just then, Feng Qi noticed Horikita Suzune silently stand up, preparing to leave the classroom. Though her face remained expressionless, Feng Qi could see the resolve in her eyes—she intended to face this predicament alone.

Feng Qi quietly followed her. At a corner in the hallway, he called out to her.

"Horikita."

Horikita Suzune stopped and turned, her brow slightly furrowed. "Is there something, Feng Qi? If it's about the points, I don't think we have anything to discuss."

"Quite the opposite." Feng Qi said calmly. "I think now is the perfect time for a serious talk. Going it alone won't solve the current problem, and you know that very well."

A flicker of emotion passed through Horikita's eyes, but it quickly returned to coldness. "I don't see how cooperating with people who lack even basic self-control could be of any help."

"But what if the cooperation partner is someone who can provide solutions?" Feng Qi leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice. "I've noticed you have a talent for Classical Literature and mathematics. As for me, I happen to be fairly skilled in Modern Literature and Social Sciences."

Horikita was taken aback. She hadn't expected Feng Qi to make such a proposal.

"The Midterm Exam is coming up soon." Feng Qi continued. "If Class D's results remain at the bottom, next month will only be worse. But if someone can organize an effective Study Group to help those struggling students improve their scores..."

"You mean for me to waste time tutoring people who don't want to learn?" Horikita's tone carried clear resistance.

"Not tutoring—a trade." A glint of sharpness flashed in Feng Qi's eyes. "Exchange knowledge for their willingness to change their behavior, and... future possibilities for cooperation. That's better than watching the class continue to decline and dragging down your own evaluation."

Horikita fell silent. She had to admit, Feng Qi's words hit the mark. Under this Class Evaluation System, no matter how well an individual performed, they would inevitably be held back by the collective.

"Why are you doing all this?" she suddenly asked, her Purple Eyes fixed intently on Feng Qi.

"Because I believe Class D's potential is far greater than this." Feng Qi's answer was watertight. "And also, I don't want others' incompetence to affect the resources I deserve."

This reasoning seemed to convince Horikita. After a moment of contemplation, she finally relented. "What's the specific plan?"

"First, start with those who need the most help but still have hope." Feng Qi's gaze shifted toward the classroom. "For example, Sudo Ken. His performance in sports is valuable to the class. If we can help him pass the exams..."

Horikita followed his gaze, a glimmer of understanding in her eyes. At that moment, she had to admit that this boy named Feng Qi was far more profound than she had imagined.

And Feng Qi knew this was only the first step in consolidating Class D. Amid the point crisis, knowledge and ability would become even more precious resources than points themselves. And he happened to possess plenty of both.