Rules!

A voice devoid of emotion rang out behind Bai Yuze, making his hair stand on end!

Bai Yuze turned around. His eyes met a pair that held no expression at all. As their gazes locked, Bai Yuze felt as if he were being watched by a hungry tiger!

But years of experience with horror games, along with his lightning-fast reflexes for closing his browser, let Bai Yuze steady himself in an instant.

"Hey, who are you? Do we know each other?"

After hearing Bai Yuze's question, Ayanokouji fell silent for a moment before speaking.

"Sorry, I mistook you for someone else."

After saying that, Ayanokouji walked into the school without looking back. Bai Yuze looked calm, but his back was drenched in sweat.

"Good grief! Is this really the vocational-school Ayanokouji? That oppressive aura is incredible. The last time I felt anything like it was when I faced a Naruto bot that pulled out a Three Kingdoms skin."

Bai Yuze steadied his nerves, then walked into the school as well.

Bai Yuze soon found Class A. When he went inside, he saw that quite a few people were already there. Some were chatting, while others sat tensely huddled in the corners.

Bai Yuze spotted his name written on a desk and sat down.

"Not bad! Plenty of light, and a window seat in the back!"

Then Bai Yuze noticed the girl sitting in front of him.

To be precise, he noticed the cane beside her desk!

Perhaps sensing the burning gaze behind her, the girl in front turned around and smiled at Bai Yuze.

"Do you like it, classmate?"

"Yeah, it's beautiful!"

Bai Yuze answered honestly. It was his first time seeing a cane crafted so beautifully.

Sakayanagi Arisu was also taken aback by the boy's blunt reply.

"Heh, if you think it's beautiful, would you like to try holding it?"

Sakayanagi Arisu had been teasing Bai Yuze, but his eyes were already shining!

"Thanks for the treat!"

Whoosh!

In a flash, Sakayanagi Arisu's cane went from beside her desk to Bai Yuze's hands.

Sakayanagi Arisu froze for a moment, then realized she'd misunderstood. Though she felt a little awkward, she was also a bit annoyed.

"Hmph! It's just a cane. Is it really more attractive than me?"

Sakayanagi Arisu grumbled inwardly, but seeing the way Bai Yuze cherished it like a priceless treasure, she really began to doubt her own charm.

Once everyone had arrived, Mashima Tomoya, Class A's teacher, walked into the classroom.

Mashima clapped his hands to quiet everyone in Class A, then began to speak.

"Welcome to Class A. Since all of you are sitting here safe and sound, that means each of you has at least some ability."

"I'm Mashima Tomoya, the homeroom teacher of Class A. The school won't replace a homeroom teacher without a necessary and valid reason. In other words, unless something unexpected happens, I'll be your teacher for the next three years."

"I won't waste too much time. First, welcome to Advanced Nurturing High School. After your phones are handed out, I'll answer your questions one by one. Could someone help me pass out the phones?"

Just then, a boy stood up. Seeing his dazzlingly bald head, Bai Yuze immediately recognized him—Katsuragi Kohei.

"Is he bald?"

Bai Yuze muttered to himself.

Mashima looked at Katsuragi with a few more notes of approval. With Katsuragi handing them out, everyone in Class A soon received a phone.

Bai Yuze checked his phone too. Seeing his basic information and the 100,000 points on the screen, he felt that none of it seemed real.

"Everything in this school is bought with points. One point is equivalent to one yen. You can use your points freely to trade for things like information."

Mashima's words startled Bai Yuze!

"What's going on? In the original story, they weren't allowed to give hints. Why is he laying everything out in the open?"

Bai Yuze was full of questions, but when he remembered that even the old woman in the original story hadn't been stopped from hunting them, he calmed down a little.

"Teacher, what do you mean by information?"

A boy asked, confused.

Mashima smiled.

"I mean exactly what I said. A word of advice: my time is limited, and so is yours. Perhaps you should give the time and opportunity to ask questions to those who need them."

The boy who had asked the question was stunned by Mashima's reply, but then Bai Yuze raised his hand.

"I remember your name is Bai Yuze, right? What is it?"

Mashima thought for a moment, then recalled Bai Yuze's name.

"Teacher, I want to ask what that thing on the bus was."

Bai Yuze's question quieted the class. Some students looked at him in confusion, while others looked at him with sympathy.

"Looks like you ran into something troublesome, Bai. But from the look in your eyes, you were probably just a bystander. That's a blessing in disguise."

After saying that, Mashima clasped his hands together as if in prayer.

"Teacher, what was that monster?"

"Yeah, teacher! I'll never forget that feeling for as long as I live!"

Bai Yuze's question was like a stone dropping into a pond, sending ripples across the class. The students who had been sitting tensely began firing questions at Mashima.

Mashima could only shake his head helplessly. Just as he was about to explain, the phone in his pocket rang.

Mashima answered the call. His expression grew serious, then urgent.

"I know you're all eager to find out what that thing was, but now isn't the time. Trading with the points in your hands is the only path I can point you toward right now. Once you've actually passed the test, I'll explain everything to you one by one."

"Oh, and Katsuragi, there's a sheet of paper on the podium. Remember to project it for the class. Also, don't forget that the opening ceremony is this afternoon!"

After saying that, Mashima rushed out of the classroom without looking back. The urgency in his manner made it clear how serious the situation was.

Katsuragi walked up to the podium and picked up a sheet of paper. Using the computer's built-in projection function, he displayed its contents for everyone in Class A.

[Welcome to Advanced Nurturing High School. Our school's fine traditions are independence, self-reliance, teamwork, and mutual success.]

[As students of this school, you must abide by its basic rules and regulations. The following rules must be followed over the next three years.]

[1. Students must follow basic rules: pay attention in class, don't litter...]

[2. The school is under surveillance. Anyone caught fighting will be fined; serious offenders will be placed in solitary confinement.] ＜The handwriting is somewhat sloppy.＞ (Trust me, you won't like it there.)

[3. The ways to earn points are somewhat strict, so cherish the points you have. Avoid overspending unless necessary.]

[4. The school understands that some students don't know how to exercise restraint. The store offers free daily necessities, and the cafeteria also offers free nutritious meals.] ＜The handwriting is extremely neat.＞ (The best way to enjoy the tools and savor the food is to close your eyes.)

[5. Sometimes, students with strange behavior may appear in your class. Don't worry—just ignore them.]

[6. The school's waterproofing is exceptionally good, so unless there are special circumstances, you won't hear the sound of dripping water.] ＜A string of pinyin.＞ (dida.dida.)

[7. Due to industrial air pollution, acid rain sometimes falls on campus. Take appropriate precautions.]

[8. People must learn to adapt. Wherever your body is, you must follow that place's rules.] ＜The handwriting is neat and crimson.＞ (Remember this!!!)

[9. Helping others will earn you a higher evaluation. Wherever you are, keep a heart willing to help others and lend a hand to the weak.]

[This school reveres strength above all. Once your strength reaches a certain level, the rules will no longer restrain you.] ＜A star symbol.＞ (Powerful strength is always fascinating, isn't it?)

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