The Dilemma and Turning Point of Points

Three days after the weekend class meal, Hanyu Xiuyi looked at the number on his student ID and felt pressure for the first time.

Current Points: 4,842,350

Although he still had nearly five million points, his recent spending rate was faster than expected. Snacks and drinks for study sessions, small bonuses for physical training, basic supplies for the possible uninhabited island exam... each item wasn't much on its own, but added up, he'd spent nearly 160,000 points in three days.

More critically, according to the new rule Chabashira Sae announced, club wagers couldn't exceed one million points per week, and a single wager couldn't exceed 30% of current points. This meant he couldn't accumulate points as quickly as he did on the first night of school.

He needed a new source of points.

"You worried about points?" During break, Ayanokoji Kiyonaga suddenly appeared beside Hanyu Xiuyi's desk.

Hanyu Xiuyi was a bit surprised: "How do you know?"

"Your expression." Ayanokoji said flatly. "The change is small, but it's different from the past few days. And you were staring at your student ID just now."

Sharp observation. Hanyu Xiuyi admitted: "A bit stressed. Maintaining class activities requires continuous investment, but my points aren't infinite."

"Mm." Ayanokoji thought for a moment. "The school actually has many ways to earn points, just not as fast as gambling."

"Like?"

"Academic rewards." Ayanokoji said. "Chabashira-sensei mentioned that the top ten in the grade on midterms and finals get point rewards. First place is one million, second to tenth decreasing."

One million points! That number perked Hanyu Xiuyi up.

"And club competitions." Ayanokoji continued. "Winning teams in school-level competitions get 100,000 to 500,000 points per member. National tournament-level awards are higher."

Hanyu Xiuyi's mind raced. He'd joined over a dozen clubs—if he could place in multiple club competitions...

"Also," Ayanokoji's voice dropped lower, "the school has a 'Special Contribution Reward System.' For example, finding system bugs, submitting improvement suggestions that get adopted, outstanding performance in major events—all can apply for point rewards. The student handbook has details on page 78."

This intel was valuable. Hanyu Xiuyi looked at Ayanokoji: "You read very carefully."

"Just a habit." Ayanokoji said. "Also, if you have special skills, you can apply for a 'Special Skills Subsidy.' Things like shogi rank, kendo rank—after school certification, you get a fixed monthly point allowance."

Another new piece of information. Hanyu Xiuyi silently noted it.

"Thanks," he said sincerely.

"You're welcome." Ayanokoji paused. "But... if you really need points, maybe consider tutoring senior students."

"Seniors?"

"Mm." Ayanokoji nodded. "Second and third-year students get more monthly points than us, and some seniors are severely weak in certain subjects. They're willing to pay points for tutoring from new students. The price won't be too high, but it's steady."

Hanyu Xiuyi's eyes lit up. This was a good idea—seniors had more monthly points and stronger spending power. Plus, tutoring could build cross-grade connections and gain valuable experience about special exams.

Three birds with one stone.

"Know anyone who needs it?" he asked.

Ayanokoji thought for a moment: "Yamashita from second-year Class C seems weak in math—almost failed last semester. Nakamura from third-year Class B always does poorly in history. I can ask around for you."

"Then I'll trouble you." Hanyu Xiuyi said. "If it works out, I'll split some of the income as a referral fee."

"No need." Ayanokoji shook his head. "I'm just providing information."

With that, he returned to his seat.

During lunch break, Hanyu Xiuyi found Horikita Suzune. She was in a corner of the library studying past exam papers.

"Horikita, we need to talk about the points issue." Hanyu Xiuyi cut straight to the point.

Horikita Suzune put down her pen: "I've been thinking about that too. You've been spending too much lately—you need to control it."

"Control is one thing, but increasing income is more important." Hanyu Xiuyi sat down. "I got some intel: exam results have rewards, club competitions have rewards, special contributions have rewards. There's also the special skills subsidy and tutoring income—tutoring seniors."

Horikita Suzune thought for a moment: "Seniors do have more points. But do you have enough study time for yourself?"

"I'll screen them." Hanyu Xiuyi said. "Only take the most valuable clients—like seniors who have experience with special exams."

Horikita Suzune understood his angle: "Getting intel through tutoring?"

"Win-win." Hanyu Xiuyi said. "They improve their grades, I get points and intel."

"A very reasonable strategy." Horikita Suzune nodded. "Also, about academic rewards... first in the grade is one million points. I'm taking that goal."

"I can aim for second or third." Hanyu Xiuyi said. "That way, the two of us can get over 1.5 million points in rewards."

"Next, club competitions." Horikita Suzune continued analyzing. "You've joined multiple clubs, so you can enter multiple events. But you need time to train."

"I'll make a training plan." Hanyu Xiuyi said. "The Shogi Club's internal tournament is next month, the Kendo Club's qualifying match is in two weeks, the Debate Club's inter-school competition is in three weeks... the timing can be staggered."

"What about physical training?" Horikita Suzune asked. "A special exam could come at any time."

"So I need more efficient training methods." Hanyu Xiuyi said. "I plan to hire the gym teacher for guidance, paying points as compensation. Professional guidance is much more efficient than figuring it out ourselves."

Horikita Suzune nodded: "Reasonable investment. Also, about the special contribution reward... I have an idea."

"What idea?"

"The school library's electronic search system has a bug." Horikita Suzune said. "I discovered yesterday that using specific keyword combinations can access past exam materials that should be encrypted. If we submit this bug, we should get a reward."

Hanyu Xiuyi looked at her with appreciation: "That's a valuable find. Let's submit the report this afternoon."

"Wait." Horikita Suzune said. "If we submit it now, the loophole will be patched, and we won't be able to keep gathering data. I suggest we submit it after the Special Exam."

"A wise decision." Hanyu Xiuyi agreed. "Then let's use this loophole to collect intel first, and submit it after the exam."

The two reached a consensus. A new Points Acquisition Plan took shape: short-term reliance on Tutoring Income and exam results, mid-term on club competitions, and long-term on Continuous Contribution and the Monthly Points Growth from Overall Class Improvement.

After school that afternoon, Hanyu Xiuyi arrived at the Teacher's Office. He was looking for the Gym Teacher, who also served as the Kendo Club Advisor, Sugino.

"Sugino-sensei, I'd like to ask for your advice on something." Hanyu Xiuyi said politely.

"Hanyu-kun, what is it?" Sugino-sensei was a middle-aged man, stoutly built with a booming voice.

"About methods for Efficient Physical Training." Hanyu Xiuyi said. "Our class is preparing for the Special Exam and wants to conduct Systematic Training. If you could provide Professional Guidance, I'm willing to pay a fee."

Sugino-sensei raised an eyebrow. "With Points?"

"Yes. 20,000 Points Per Session, twice a week, for four weeks. A total of 160,000 Points." Hanyu Xiuyi quoted a reasonable price—considering that even Senior Teachers had Limited Points each month, this compensation should be acceptable.

Sugino-sensei thought for A Few Seconds. "Alright. But I have one condition—Training Will Be Tough, and you all must Persist to the End."

"No problem."

"Good. Then tomorrow at 6:30 AM, at the Gymnasium. Bring everyone who wants to participate."

Leaving the Teacher's Office, Hanyu Xiuyi ran into Chabashira Sae.

"Hanyu-kun, I heard you hired a teacher for special training?" Chabashira Sae's tone was unreadable.

"Yes, sensei. To improve the class's physical fitness level." Hanyu Xiuyi answered frankly.

"Using Points to hire a teacher is permitted." Chabashira Sae said. "But I'll warn you, if any Injuries or Accidents occur during training, You Will Bear the Responsibility."

"I understand."

"Also," Chabashira Sae Adjusted Her Glasses, "I can't reveal any more about the Special Exam. But I can tell you that this exam will indeed test Multiple Aspects of Ability. Teamwork, Personal Ability, Resource Allocation... none can be omitted."

"Thank you for the reminder, sensei."

Chabashira Sae looked at him, then suddenly asked, "Hanyu-kun, why are you working so hard? For Class D, or for yourself?"

Hanyu Xiuyi was silent for a few seconds before answering, "Both. I believe that personal success and class success are mutually reinforcing."

"An interesting point of view." Chabashira Sae said. "Then let me see just how far you can go."

She turned and left.

Not long after returning to the dorm, Hanyu Xiuyi received an email from Ayanokoji:

"Have contacted Second Year Yamashita-senpai and Third Year Nakamura-senpai. Yamashita-senpai is willing to pay 5,000 Points Per Lesson for math tutoring, twice a week. Nakamura-senpai is willing to pay 8,000 Points Per Lesson for history tutoring, once a week. They are both ordinary students with Limited Points; this is the Highest Price they can accept. —Ayanokoji"

The price was reasonable. Yamashita-senpai at 10,000 Points a week, Nakamura-senpai at 8,000 Points a week, totaling 18,000 Points per week in income. 72,000 Points a Month—not much, but stable.

More importantly, through them, he could get to know more Upperclassmen and build a Network of Connections.

Hanyu Xiuyi replied: "Agreed. Thanks for the help. Meet at the library tomorrow noon for a Detailed Discussion?"

A reply came quickly: "Okay. Also, Yamashita-senpai said he can Introduce Other Second Years. Second years generally have headaches with math."

This was good news. Second years had experienced at least two Special Exams; their experience was a Priceless Treasure for New Students.

Hanyu Xiuyi began drafting a Detailed Schedule:

Monday to Friday:

6:00-6:30 Personal Training

6:30-7:30 Class Physical Special Training (Sugino-sensei instructs)

Morning classes

Noon: Tutoring or Information Gathering

Afternoon Classes

16:00-18:00 Club Activity (Participate in Rotation)

19:00-21:00 Class Study Session

21:00-22:00 Personal Study / Planning

Weekends:

Morning: Club Competition Training

Afternoon: Tutoring / Class Activities

Evening: Rest / Intelligence Analysis

The schedule was packed, but feasible. The key was efficiency.

He opened his notebook and began calculating the Points Balance.

Current Points: 4,842,350

Estimated Expenses Within Four Weeks:

- Physical Training Guidance Fee: 160,000

- Special Exam Material Procurement: 200,000

- Class Activity Reserve Fund: 200,000

Subtotal: 560,000

Expected Income Within Four Weeks:

- Tutoring Income (Yamashita + Nakamura + Potential Clients): 150,000

- Quiz Reward (Target Top Three in Grade): 1,500,000

- Shogi Inter-school Tournament Champion: 500,000

- Kendo Selection Match Top Three: 300,000

- Debate Club Inter-school Competition Reward: 200,000

Subtotal: 2,650,000

If everything went smoothly, in four weeks his points would increase to nearly seven million. But that was contingent on—everything going smoothly.

And in this school, "smoothly" was never a given.

Just then, his phone vibrated. It was a call from Ishida.

"Hanyu, there's something I need to tell you." Ishida's voice was serious. "Ryuen came to the Shogi Club today. Not to see you—to see me."

"To see you?"

"He wants me to 'arrange' things in the upcoming inter-school tournament." Ishida said. "Specifically, he wants me to make sure a certain student from Class C meets you in the match and deliberately loses to you."

Hanyu Xiuyi frowned. "Why?"

"To make you overconfident in subsequent matches, then have you crash in a critical game." Ishida said. "It's their usual psychological tactic. First let you win a few rounds easily to build false confidence, then take you down with a real expert in an important match."

"Did you agree?"

"Of course not!" Ishida's voice carried anger. "The Shogi Club won't be part of this. But I'm worried Ryuen will find people from other clubs. You'd better be careful."

"Thanks for the warning." Hanyu Xiuyi said. "I'll keep an eye out."

After hanging up, Hanyu Xiuyi sank into thought. Ryuen's methods were indeed dirty, and he'd already started moving.

But this also meant Ryuen already saw him as a threat. That was a dangerous signal, but it also proved his strategy was working from the other side.

He opened his notebook and added a line under "Points to Note":

Beware of Ryuen's off-court tactics

Confirm opponent background before every match

Keep mindset stable, not swayed by wins or losses

After writing this, he leaned back in his chair and looked out the window.

The campus in the night scenery was quiet and deep. In the distance, the gymnasium lights were still on—someone was training at night.

Everyone was working hard for their own goals. Some wanted to climb up, some wanted to hold their position, some wanted to change the rules.

And his goal was to make Class D reach the top, while positioning himself at the apex of this system.

It wasn't an easy path. But he had enough points as initial capital, a gradually coalescing class as his backing, allies like Horikita Suzune, key intelligence from Ayanokoji Kiyonaga, and now a stable income channel for points.

It was enough.

He turned off the desk lamp and prepared to rest. Tomorrow 6:30 AM, the gymnasium, the first special training.

And just as he lay down, his phone vibrated again. This time it was an email from Horikita Suzune:

"Found important info through a loophole: In the uninhabited island exam from three years ago, classes were allowed to bring supplies worth no more than 500,000 points. Supply choices directly affect survival score. Recommend preparing a list in advance.—Horikita"

Hanyu Xiuyi replied: "Received. Discuss supply list after training tomorrow."

After sending, he closed his eyes.

Everything was proceeding according to plan.

And points were just one of the tools to achieve his goal. What truly mattered was how to use all available tools in this complex game—points, intelligence, relationships, personal ability—to win.