Hoshinomiya-sensei's sweet smile was like thin ice in spring. The moment she began introducing the school's core system, it quietly faded, revealing a hint of businesslike focus. The enormous electronic screen behind her lit up in response. Its soft colors displayed a clean, practical interface, while the background showed an overhead view of a fully equipped artificial island, completely surrounded by azure waters. Its only connection to the outside was a narrow underwater tunnel, like a slender umbilical cord.
"Welcome to Tokyo Koudo Ikusei High School," Hoshinomiya-sensei said, her voice steady and clear, with a declarative note. "More precisely, welcome to Nurturing Island, carefully designed for the next three years of your lives."
She tapped her tablet, and the island map zoomed in, clearly highlighting its borders and the tunnel's sole exit.
"This school operates under a completely closed system." Her gaze swept across the room, her tone gentle but unwavering. "This island will be your entire world for the next three years of study and life. Your only physical connection to the outside—the underwater tunnel—is subject to extremely strict controls."
"Except in special circumstances, students cannot leave the island while enrolled, nor freely communicate with the outside world." Hoshinomiya-sensei stressed the point clearly. "Everyday mobile phone and internet access is limited to the island's local network. This isn't meant to isolate you, but to help you focus wholeheartedly on your own growth and experiences, and become fully immersed in this unique environment." A sympathetic smile appeared on her face. "It will take some getting used to, but please believe me: everything on the island is enough to support you through three fulfilling and meaningful years."
The screen switched to another interface.
"And the key to living smoothly in this closed yet complete 'little world' is the S System (Student System)." Hoshinomiya-sensei's voice returned to its earlier professional tone. "It's your smart assistant for life and learning."
She swiped her finger again, and information unfolded across the screen:
● Campus Navigation: Detailed locations and opening hours for all facilities on the island.
● Facility Reservation: Booking resources such as Study Rooms, Discussion Rooms, Music Rooms, and time slots at the Sports Arena.
● Dormitory Management: Checking dorm assignments, reporting repairs, and tracking laundry status.
● Cafeteria Services: Daily menus, restaurant specialties, opening hours, and real-time queues.
● Courses and Academics: Schedules, grades (visible only to you), course selection, and more.
● Life Services: School doctor appointments, Psychological Counseling, lost and found, event announcements, and more.
● Information Center: School Rules, handbooks, emergency contacts, and island management regulations.
● Communication Management: Rules for using the island's communication rooms.
Hoshinomiya-sensei looked around the classroom, her sweet smile still in place. "The S System is your Universal Key and thoughtful assistant on Nurturing Island. Make good use of it, and your unique three years of closed-campus life will be more comfortable and efficient."
She clapped her hands lightly. "All right, that's the overview of the S System. Now, please take out your Student Terminals and log in to try it out."
A soft rustling and the sounds of electronic devices powering on filled the classroom. The new students took out their brand-new devices and started exploring with curiosity. Just then—
"Ding-dong~"
A clear, pleasant chime sounded simultaneously on all logged-in Student Terminals. A simple notification window popped up:
> [Important Notice - Personal Points Issued]
> Dear Student,
> This month's 100,000 Personal Points have been successfully deposited into your account.
> Please go to [My Wallet] to check.
> Personal Points are the only universal electronic currency on the island.
> If you have any questions, please contact your Class Advisor or the Student Services Center.
> -- S System Management Center
The notification remained for a few seconds before shrinking. A wave of soft exclamations and relieved murmurs spread through the classroom. The unease of arriving on the Sealed Island seemed to ease a little at the timely chime and the clear six-digit sum. One hundred thousand points—the start-up funds for life in this isolated little world.
"Wow, a hundred thousand!" A girl in the front row couldn't help exclaiming softly.
"Do we get this much every month?" A bespectacled boy beside her pushed up his glasses, his cautious, bookish air showing as he raised his hand to ask, "Hoshinomiya-sensei, will these Personal Points be issued like this every month?"
Everyone turned their attention to the teacher. It was clearly a question on everyone's mind.
Hoshinomiya-sensei's smile didn't change. Her tone was warm and confident. "Yes. Every student's Personal Points will be issued promptly on the first of each month." She paused, her gaze sweeping across the room, then added clearly, "And the number of Personal Points issued each month will correspond to something."
"Correspond to something..." When he heard the teacher's words, Shimiya Kuki, seated by the window toward the back of the classroom, paused almost imperceptibly with his fingers resting casually on his Terminal screen. He lifted his eyes slightly to look at the teacher's flawless smile. Her warm, confident tone and seemingly matter-of-fact promise of monthly payments were beyond reproach. But those words, "correspond to something"...
Correspond? Correspond to what? A flicker of doubt crossed the boy's mind. Just the date—the first of every month? Or... something deeper, that we don't know about yet? The school wouldn't give every student a hundred thousand points each month for no reason.
What can this money buy on the island? How is its value measured? The teacher stressed that the amount would "correspond" to something, so there must be some matching "subject" or "standard"... Academics? Conduct? Or... something else? His wariness wasn't unfounded. In such a closed and strictly managed environment, any seemingly generous gift could conceal invisible rules or a price. To him, the teacher's casual remark about the points corresponding to something sounded more like an oblique hint.
He calmly looked away and returned his gaze to the "100,000 PP" displayed on his Terminal. The number, which had initially seemed like a guarantee of his livelihood, now carried a vague, intriguing quality that called for further investigation. He decided to study the S System's information on how the points could be used and what rules applied to them.
Hoshinomiya-sensei seemed not to notice the brief stir of thought. She looked at the students below, who were visibly more relaxed—and even a little excited—after learning the points would be issued every month. Her smile softened further.
"It seems your new lives have officially been 'credited'," she said brightly. "Now, please focus on exploring your new world. The rules are clear, and the tools are in your hands. For the next three years, focus on your own growth." Her gaze seemed to pass over the seats by the window before moving on. "This unique, closed journey begins now."
"Good luck to you all—"
"May fortune favor you!"
Before you continue