Ripple of Rules

Six o'clock in the morning. Hanyu Xiuyi stood on the balcony of the Building D dormitory, watching the fish-belly white gradually brighten on the horizon. On the screen of his student ID in his hand, the number 5,000,000 glowed with a faint blue luster in the morning light.

Five million points.

In a single night, he had changed the rules of the game at some level of this school. And just as Ayanokoji Kiyonaga had said last night, the counterattack from the rules would come soon.

Eight o'clock in the morning, Class D classroom.

When Chabashira Sae pushed open the door and entered the classroom, there was a subtle shift in the air. Her gaze swept across the room, lingering on Hanyu Xiuyi for half a second before moving on.

"Good morning." Her voice was still cold. "Before starting today's lessons, there are a few things I need to announce."

The class fell silent.

"First, a supplement to the rules for using personal points." Chabashira Sae adjusted her glasses. "Starting today, the school has implemented a 'Large Transfer Review System.' Any single transfer exceeding 500,000 points requires a 24-hour advance report to the homeroom teacher with an explanation of the reason."

Low murmurs rose in the classroom. 500,000 points—that number was too coincidental.

"Second, Club Activity Point Wager Regulations." She continued. "For wagers involving points in club entry tests, the single amount must not exceed 30% of the student's current points, and the weekly cumulative total must not exceed one million points."

30%. If calculated based on Hanyu Xiuyi's current five million points, the maximum single bet would be 1.5 million points. This restriction was clearly targeted.

"Third, a supplementary note on class rankings." Chabashira Sae's gaze swept over Hanyu Xiuyi again. "If an individual's actions negatively impact the overall class ranking, the homeroom teacher has the authority to deduct corresponding personal points as a penalty. The specific standards will be determined by the school."

Three new rules—two directly targeting point usage, one involving class rankings. Hanyu Xiuyi listened calmly, his face expressionless.

At the back of the classroom, Ayanokoji Kiyonaga sat quietly, his emotionless eyes fixed on the blackboard, as if none of this had anything to do with him.

"Any questions?" Chabashira Sae asked.

"Teacher!" Sudo Ken raised his hand. "Why change the rules all of a sudden? We just enrolled!"

"The school's rules are adjusted based on actual circumstances." Chabashira Sae replied officially. "To maintain fairness and order."

"But—"

"Any other questions?" She cut him off.

No one raised their hand again. But the atmosphere in the classroom had already shifted. Everyone realized that these new rules were connected to the "Wager Carnival" that had swept through all the school clubs last night.

And the instigator of it all was sitting quietly in the center of the classroom.

The bell for the end of class rang. After Chabashira Sae left, the classroom immediately erupted.

"Hey, Hanyu!" Sudo Ken strode over to Hanyu Xiuyi's desk. "I heard you made five million points last night? Is that true or false?"

The surrounding gazes instantly converged on him.

"True." Hanyu Xiuyi replied calmly.

"Five million?!" Karuizawa Kei's voice went shrill. "That's five million yen!"

"So those new rules are aimed at you?" Hirata Yousuke asked gently, but his eyes carried concern. "Chabashira-sensei said it might affect the class ranking..."

"If one person's actions cause the whole class to lose points, that's way too unfair." A sharp voice rang out—it was Kaneda, a glasses-wearing boy who looked shrewd.

"Hey, Kaneda, what do you mean by that?" Sudo Ken glared at him.

"My meaning is simple." Kaneda adjusted his glasses. "Hanyu-kun earning points through high-risk methods is fine in itself. But if his actions cause the class to be penalized, then we all suffer the loss. He should take responsibility for that."

"But he also earned a lot of points!" a girl whispered. "If he could share a little with everyone..."

She didn't finish, but the meaning was clear.

Hanyu Xiuyi looked up at the complex expressions on his classmates' faces—envy, jealousy, worry, calculation. He slowly stood up.

"First, the points I earned were won through legitimate wagers, in accordance with school rules." His voice was calm but clear. "Second, the new rules were announced today and cannot be applied retroactively. Third—"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Kaneda and the few girls with flickering eyes.

"I never said these points belong only to me."

The classroom fell silent for a moment.

"You mean..." Hirata Yousuke ventured.

"If class activities need funding, I can provide support." Hanyu Xiuyi said. "But on the condition that the money is used for things that truly benefit the class, not for certain people's selfish desires."

As he said this, his gaze casually brushed over Kaneda. The latter's expression shifted slightly, and he looked away.

"Alright, alright, we're all classmates, no need to argue." Hirata Yousuke quickly stepped in to mediate. "Hanyu-kun is willing to support the class—that's a good thing. We can discuss the specifics later."

The atmosphere eased a little, but the undercurrents still churned.

During the lunch break, Hanyu Xiuyi ran into Horikita Suzune on the rooftop of the teaching building.

This girl with black, long, straight hair was eating a bento alone. When she saw him come up, she only gave him a faint glance before continuing to eat.

"Mind if I sit here?" Hanyu Xiuyi asked.

"As you wish." Horikita Suzune's voice was cold.

He sat down a few meters away from her and took out his own bento. The two ate in silence for five minutes.

"I heard about what happened last night." Horikita Suzune suddenly spoke. "Impressive."

"Thank you."

"But also foolish." She continued. "You exposed your abilities too early and caught the school's attention. With the new rules now in place, it's impossible for you to accumulate points as quickly as you did last night."

"Maybe." Hanyu Xiuyi was noncommittal.

"Chabashira-sensei said that individual actions can affect the Class Ranking." Horikita Suzune looked at him. "If you really cause our class to lose points, I'll be the first to demand you take responsibility."

"Understandable."

Horikita Suzune frowned, seemingly dissatisfied with his calm reaction. "Don't you have anything to say? About the new rules? About the people in our class staring at your points?"

Hanyu Xiuyi set down his chopsticks and looked toward the school buildings in the distance.

"The rules changed, but the game continues." He said. "As for the people in class... they'll soon understand that true strength isn't gained by leeching off someone else's points."

Horikita Suzune stared at him for a few seconds, then simply let out a light "hmph" and went back to eating.

The afternoon class was math. Katsuragi Kohei—one of the leaders of Class A—happened to "run into" Hanyu Xiuyi in the hallway.

"Classmate Hanyu, I'm Katsuragi from Class A." The tall, serious-faced boy extended his hand. "I heard about your impressive performance last night."

"You flatter me." Hanyu Xiuyi shook his hand.

"Five Million Points is an astonishing number even for Class A." Katsuragi Kohei said. "But with the new rules in place, replicating that success will be difficult."

"Perhaps."

"Class A welcomes those with real ability." Katsuragi Kohei's words carried a hidden meaning. "If you find Class D uncomfortable, you could consider transferring. Of course, that requires certain procedures and... a price."

A blatant poaching attempt.

"Thank you for the invitation." Hanyu Xiuyi replied politely. "But I think Class D is fine."

Katsuragi Kohei gave him a long look. "Then, good luck. But let me give you a word of advice—in this school, no matter how strong an individual is, they can't fight the entire system."

"I'll remember that."

After they parted, Hanyu Xiuyi spotted another person at the corner of the hallway—Sakayanagi Arisu, the other leader of Class A. The silver-haired girl always wore a gentle smile, but sat in a wheelchair.

"Classmate Hanyu, hello." Sakayanagi Arisu's voice was soft. "Katsuragi-kun must have said something terribly dull, didn't he? He's always like that—straightforward and blunt."

"Classmate Sakayanagi." Hanyu Xiuyi nodded in greeting.

"I really admired your performance last night." Sakayanagi Arisu smiled. "Using the rules themselves to break the balance—a very interesting approach. But right now, you're like a pawn that's suddenly crossed the river on a chessboard. Fierce and aggressive, yes, but you've also exposed yourself to fire from all sides."

"A pawn that crosses the river can only move forward, never backward." Hanyu Xiuyi said.

"Exactly." A glint of interest flashed in Sakayanagi Arisu's eyes. "So, what will your next move be? I'm looking forward to it."

Her attendant pushed her wheelchair away. Hanyu Xiuyi watched her receding back view, his gaze turning slightly heavy.

Both major factions of Class A had already taken notice of him. This was both an opportunity and a danger.

After school, Hanyu Xiuyi didn't return directly to the dormitory. Instead, he went to the Student Activity Center again.

At the entrance of the Shogi Club, Ishida saw him and wore a complicated expression.

"Hanyu, why are you here again? The new rules are out—we can't gamble like we did yesterday anymore."

"I Know." Hanyu Xiuyi said. "I'm just here to formally submit my club entry application."

He took out the tear-off slip of the application form from yesterday and handed it over.

Ishida paused, then took the form. "You... really want to join the Shogi Club?"

"I have an interest in shogi." Hanyu Xiuyi said calmly. "And I think this place can help me become stronger."

Ishida stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed. "Alright, welcome aboard. But you still need to pass the Club Entry Test—no points this time, just a pure game."

"Fine."

The two walked into the Club Room. There was no crowd watching this time—just a few Club Members practicing on their own.

The match began. Hanyu Xiuyi took the First Move again, but his playing style had completely changed. No longer the sharp, aggressive offense from yesterday—instead, he played Steady and Firm, advancing step by step.

"Are you testing me?" Ishida frowned.

"No." Hanyu Xiuyi placed a Chess Piece. "I'm learning."

The match lasted an hour. In the end, Hanyu Xiuyi won by a narrow margin.

"You've improved." Ishida conceded. "Or rather, you weren't going all out yesterday."

"Yesterday was a gamble. Today is learning." Hanyu Xiuyi gathered the Chess Pieces. "Different goals, different playstyles."

Ishida gave him a deep look. "You're an interesting guy, Hanyu. Welcome to the Shogi Club."

After leaving the Shogi Club, Hanyu Xiuyi visited the other clubs one by one—the Kendo Club, the Art Club, the Debate Club... At each one, he formally submitted a club entry application and passed the Club Entry Test without involving points.

News spread quickly: that monster who earned Five Million Points in a single night had really joined over a dozen clubs.

"Is he crazy? How does he have time to join so many club activities?"

"Maybe he's just a name on the roster?"

"No, I heard he actually passed every club's test seriously..."

Amid the murmurs, Hanyu Xiuyi returned to his dorm. He opened his notebook and began recording today's information:

1. New rule introduced: large transfers restricted, club wagers capped. 2. Internal discord within the class; some covet the points. 3. The two major factions in Class A have already noticed him. 4. Officially joined twelve clubs, obtained legal activity status. 5. Horikita Suzune's attitude is cold but reasonable—she can be won over. 6. Ayanokoji Kiyonaga... still an enigma.

After writing this, he closed the notebook and looked out the window.

Night had fallen, and the campus lights flickered on one by one. This Advanced Nurturing High School was like an intricate chessboard—everyone a chess piece, every rule a line on the board's grid.

And he, this sudden pawn that had crossed the river, had already begun to shift the entire game.

Next came the second move.

He picked up his student ID, staring at the five million points. These points couldn't be spent as recklessly as yesterday, but they were still a crucial bargaining chip.

The key was how to use them.

Knock knock.

The sound of knocking came again.

Hanyu Xiuyi raised an eyebrow. Ayanokoji again?

He opened the door, but standing outside was someone else—someone he hadn't expected to come looking for him on her own.

Horikita Suzune.

"Something on your mind, Horikita?"

Horikita Suzune's expression remained cold, but there was a hint of seriousness in her eyes.

"I want to talk to you," she said. "About how to get Class D promoted to Class A."

Hanyu Xiuyi looked at her, then stepped aside.

"Come in."