Opening Rakes in Five Million

In the early morning at Private Koudo Ikusei High School, the mist had yet to dissipate, and the air was filled with a fresh, slightly oppressive silence. Hanyu Xiuyi stood in the new student queue, his black hair and black eyes framing a slender figure. His expression was as calm as if he were out of place among the excited or nervous faces around him.

His fingertips brushed across the smooth surface of the newly acquired student ID, and a dark blue light screen lit up, displaying the number 100,000.

100,000 points.

This was the school's "gift" to every new student, and also the first silent selection process.

Hanyu Xiuyi chose to gamble this 100,000 points for more.

During the New Student Orientation, Class D's homeroom teacher, Chabashira Sae, explained the points rules in a monotonous voice: "Personal points can be freely transferred between students, but coercion and violence in any form are prohibited."

Hanyu Xiuyi sat in a seat towards the back, his gaze calm. Free transfer with no handling fees—this meant the profits from any bets wouldn't be discounted.

After the orientation ended, he headed straight for the Student Activity Center.

Starting with the Go and Shogi Club, he picked up a pen and signed his name and class on every club's Club Application Slip, then tore them off, folded them in half, and pocketed them. Go and Shogi Club, Kendo Club, Archery Club, Art Club, Tea Ceremony Club, Debate Club, Physics Research Society, Classical Literature Research Society, Light Music Appreciation Society, Martial Arts Study Group...

His movements were fluid, his objective clear.

"I will formally visit later," he replied when asked.

The chips were already in his hand.

In the evening, rumors began to ferment. News spread like wildfire that Hanyu Xiuyi would "visit" the clubs one by one, using points as the "Club Entry Test" bet.

The first stop: the Go and Shogi Club.

"50,000 points for one match," the Club President Uehara said, adjusting his glasses. "You only have 100,000 points as principal. If you lose, you'll be left with half."

"Agreed," Hanyu Xiuyi nodded.

The match began. Hanyu Xiuyi, playing Black first, placed stones swiftly. Uehara fell into a long consideration, fine sweat beads forming on his forehead. With the 127th move, Uehara dejectedly resigned.

Student IDs were tapped together.

100,000 → 150,000.

The entire 50,000 points were acquired.

The second stop: the Kendo Club.

"50,000 points, one decisive blow," Club President Kiriyama announced loudly.

The moment the bamboo sword cut through the air, Hanyu Xiuyi shifted his body slightly, his sword tip lightly touching the opponent's throat protector.

150,000 → 200,000.

Third stop, Art Club. Themed Creation: "Still Time". Bet: 30,000 points. Hanyu Xiuyi painted an ink wash of a dewdrop about to fall, winning by a narrow margin of one vote.

200,000 → 230,000.

Fourth stop, Archery Club. Thirty Meter Target, five arrows total score. Bet: 30,000 points. Unfamiliar with the competition bow, he lost by a slim margin of 87 to 92.

230,000 → 200,000.

This was his first loss. But the defeat made more people believe this wasn't just for show—each bet was real.

Fifth stop, Debate Club. Impromptu Debate Topic: "Should geniuses have privileges?". Bet: 50,000 points. Hanyu Xiuyi, arguing for the Opposition, used strict logic to leave the Affirmative Main Speaker speechless.

200,000 → 250,000.

The news spread like wildfire. By the time Hanyu Xiuyi stood at the entrance of the Shogi Club with 250,000 points, the atmosphere there was completely different.

"Hanyu Xiuyi, Class D." The Shogi Club President, Ishida, stared at him. "Heard you beat Uehara at Go?"

"Yes."

"Go and Shogi are different," Ishida said gravely. "300,000 points, one game. Dare you?"

Hanyu Xiuyi glanced at his Points Balance. 250,000 points, not enough to bet 300,000.

"I have 250,000 points now," he said calmly. "I'll bet all 250,000 points."

Ishida narrowed his eyes. "Fine."

The match began. Hanyu Xiuyi took the first move. His opening was not gorgeous, but each move precisely compressed the opponent's space. On the fifteenth move, he suddenly launched an offensive. Rook, Bishop, Silver—three pieces moved in unison, forming an exquisite net.

"Check."

On the twenty-seventh move, Hanyu Xiuyi said softly.

Ishida stared at the board, his face gradually paling. His King was forced into a dead corner. No matter how he moved, he would be checkmated within three moves.

"...I lost."

Student IDs were exchanged.

250,000 → 500,000.

Half a million points!

The subsequent challenges saw the stakes rise along with his point total.

The Tea Ceremony Club's ancient etiquette assessment, with a bet of 100,000 points. Hanyu Xiuyi's movements were fluid, even pointing out a historical error in the Club President's gestures.

500,000 → 600,000.

The Light Music Appreciation Society's impromptu composition "Chaos," with a bet of 200,000 points. Hanyu Xiuyi constructed a universe of sound with the piano, stunning the audience.

600,000 → 800,000.

The Physics Research Society's extremely difficult deduction, with a bet of 300,000 points. Hanyu Xiuyi wrote a twenty-page calculation process that shocked the advisor.

800,000 → 1,100,000.

The Classical Literature Research Society's obscure and incomplete song interpretation, with a bet of 500,000 points. This was a precise strike against his "all-rounder" performance. But Hanyu Xiuyi, with astonishing linguistic skills and historical insight, proposed an interpretation that even the society had not noticed.

1,100,000 → 1,600,000.

When he stood at the entrance of the Martial Arts Study Group, it was already one in the morning. The dojo was brightly lit, and the president, known as the "Student Martial Arts Number One," Takeda, was already waiting.

"Two million points," Takeda's voice was deep. "No style limits, practical combat rules, until knockdown or surrender."

Hanyu Xiuyi looked at his balance: 1.6 million points.

"I have 1.6 million points," he said.

"Then let's bet 1.6 million," Takeda stared at him. "But if you lose, not only do the points go to me, you must publicly admit that in the face of absolute strength, technique is worthless."

"Agreed."

The two faced each other in the center of the dojo. Takeda was a true practical fighter, his aura like a fierce tiger. Hanyu Xiuyi's stance was strange—neither like Karate nor Judo.

The fight erupted in an instant. Takeda's offensive was ferocious, but Hanyu Xiuyi's defense was watertight. Three minutes later, Takeda's breathing grew heavy. Hanyu Xiuyi's eyes, however, remained clear.

An opportunity appeared during a slight stiffness after one of Takeda's powerful attacks. Hanyu Xiuyi didn't miss it, landing a short side kick to the side of the opponent's knee, followed by closing the distance, an elbow strike to the ribs, and finally taking Takeda down with a skillful joint lock.

"I surrender," Takeda said with a wry smile.

Student IDs were exchanged.

1,600,000 → 3,200,000.

3.2 million points!

But this was not the end. The Extreme Physical Fitness Comprehensive Challenge, proposed by five sports clubs, had a bet of directly 1.8 million points. In the final long-distance running event, Hanyu Xiuyi was almost exhausted, pushing himself to the finish line by sheer willpower.

3,200,000 → 5,000,000.

Five million points.

Starting from 100,000, a whirlwind overnight.

Hanyu Xiuyi put away the card and walked back to the Building D dormitory through the deathly silent crowd.

Closing the door, he looked at the string of numbers: 5,000,000. There was no ecstasy on his face, only a deep-sea-like calm, and a wisp of cold, burning flame in his eyes.

"Knock, knock."

A light knock sounded on the door.

Through the peephole, he saw a pale, featureless face—his classmate, Ayanokoji Kiyonaga.

"Good evening, Hanyu." Ayanokoji's voice was flat, "Regarding your activities in the club tonight."

"You are very capable. But I think you should be careful."

"Careful of what?"

"The rules." Ayanokoji Kiyonaga looked at him, "The rules of this school are not as simple as they appear on the surface. You obtained an astonishing amount of points in an unconventional way, and this will change many things."

"The balance. The balance of all parties. And, soon, there may be corresponding rule adjustments. For the sake of 'fairness', or, for the sake of 'control'."

Hanyu Xiuyi listened quietly, then slowly asked back, "Rules change?"

He suddenly smiled, the smile sharp, revealing the cold edge beneath.

"Then let them change."

"In this school where strength reigns supreme—" Hanyu Xiuyi stared into Ayanokoji's eyes, word by word:

"I will make everyone see clearly what 'strength reigns supreme' truly means."

Ayanokoji Kiyonaga nodded almost imperceptibly, turned, and left, melting silently into the darkness of the corridor.

Hanyu Xiuyi closed the door and looked out at the deep night sky.

In the Eastern Horizon, a hint of Fish Belly White had already appeared.

The Game had begun. And the Gears of Rules, in places he could not see, were already slowly turning.