Classroom of the Elite, After the Information Refreshed, They Always Want to Conquer Me! 33

"...President, you really don't need to look at me like that. Class D suits me just fine. No one pays us any special attention, and the other classes are all focused on each other, which actually makes things more convenient." Shimizu Akira waved his hand nonchalantly.

"Biding your time?... A wise choice, indeed." Horikita Manabu nodded, looking thoughtful.

"You're overthinking it again." Shimizu Akira couldn't help but chuckle.

That's how smart people are; you say something off the cuff, and they always manage to interpret five layers of hidden meaning into it.

"Speaking of which..." Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses. "Has Class D already obtained that classified information?"

Shimizu Akira thought for a moment, then simply answered candidly: "Yes."

Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses again: "Don't worry, our conversation won't leak. As Student Council President, that is a basic standard of my conduct."

He shifted the tone of the conversation: "However, haven't you noticed your own oversight? How can you ensure that others in your class won't accidentally leak this information? By then, you won't have earned a single point."

Horikita Manabu did not believe that this seemingly shrewd youth would make such a low-level mistake—rushing in recklessly just to sell information.

"As for that..." Shimizu Akira spread his hands. "The President worries too much. Who said I was only selling classified information? The risk of a leak does exist, and one can only sell it once before it loses value. The first time is always when it's worth the most, and information is inherently uncertain. That's why I specifically chose a fallback bargaining chip that all four classes would find impossible to refuse..."

058 Welcome to the Surveillance Supremacy Classroom

Horikita Manabu could not immediately grasp what the other party meant by a "fallback bargaining chip that all four classes would find impossible to refuse."

At the very least, he was certain it wasn't an information trade.

Just as the other party had said, a commodity like information can often only be sold once.

By the time one attempts a second sale, it has likely already been leaked through other channels.

However, Shimizu Akira was no riddle-maker; he revealed the answer straightforwardly: "I intend to buy the eight surveillance devices from the school, two from each of the four first-year classes, to gain control over their monitoring."

"Surveillance devices..." Horikita Manabu was slightly stunned, then fell into a brief contemplation. A few seconds later, a flash of realization crossed his eyes.

As the leader of Class A, he grasped Shimizu Akira's plan almost instantly:

First, the school deducts class points at the end of every month based on surveillance records.

The primary reasons for point deductions include tardiness, truancy, and unauthorized use of mobile phones.

If one examines it closely, it becomes clear that the vast majority of these deductions stem from the records of those eight surveillance devices in each class.

Theoretically, if the surveillance records of a certain class were to "accidentally" go missing, that class could achieve a perfect score of 1000 points in the very first month.

Second, these surveillance devices would become an excellent source of intelligence. Since the four classes are in a competitive relationship, grasping their daily movements is equivalent to holding the strategic initiative.

Third, assuming the other party successfully purchases the surveillance rights, they could sell them back to the original class, or auction them off to the highest bidder among their competitors—to the highest bidder go the spoils.

Fourth, being under constant surveillance is not a pleasant experience. After all, no one likes to feel like a criminal; this invisible psychological pressure will gradually erode the mental state and study efficiency of students in other classes.

Thus, once Shimizu Akira successfully purchased the surveillance system, no matter how harsh the conditions he proposed, the other classes would be forced to accept them.

It could be said that by the second week of school, he had completely monopolized the high ground of the intelligence war.

For the first time, Horikita Manabu encountered a freshman with such an ingenious concept, and a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"...It is indeed a genius idea." He paused slightly, his gaze behind the lenses probing. "How did you come up with it?"

"I noticed it on the second day of school." Shimizu Akira shrugged casually. "Later, in the second week, I accidentally learned that points would be deducted at the end of the month based on surveillance, so I've been planning this ever since. Now that I've managed to save up over a million points, it's time to implement it."

Thinking about it carefully, this school is almost entirely covered by cameras, with virtually no blind spots.

In other words, whoever controls the surveillance controls the source of information—especially those two critical cameras in each class.

"The concept is indeed ingenious." Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses, his tone calm. "But as far as I know, no student has ever conducted such a transaction with the school. Strictly speaking, you are exploiting school resources." He poured a bucket of cold water on the idea without hesitation.

"That is precisely why I came to see the President. I hope the President can speak on my behalf." Shimizu Akira looked him straight in the eye, his tone frank. "Since this school boasts that 'points can buy anything,' there is no reason for the school to refuse this transaction."

"...Heh." Horikita Manabu chuckled, a flash of light reflecting off his lenses. "I see. So this is the real reason you came to the Student Council—you want to use my influence to pressure the school?"

"Once it's done, I will pay you an additional 30% of the profit share." Shimizu Akira tossed out his final bargaining chip nonchalantly.

This statement struck right at Horikita Manabu's weak point.

As Student Council President, the points at his disposal were indeed meager compared to Nagumo Miyabi, and this extra income was undoubtedly an irresistible temptation.

"Not bad, very good. You've done an excellent job... you've perfected almost every step." Horikita Manabu looked at him deeply, his eyes unable to hide his admiration.

This freshman was moving step by step with calculated precision, every word hitting the mark, and he had consecutively thrown out conditions that made it impossible to refuse.

With such astonishing initiative, combined with superior intelligence, emotional intelligence, and strategy—let alone Class A, even if this school had a Class S, this person would likely be able to hold a top position.

Thinking of this, Horikita Manabu couldn't help but think of his younger sister.

Others were already planning to use surveillance to aim for the ten-million-point mark by the second week of school, while his own sister was still standing still.

She probably didn't even have ten thousand points.

In comparison, it was truly lamentable.

Horikita Manabu gently adjusted his glasses, and his lenses reflected a sharp light: "Even without my intervention, the school would likely accept your proposal—after all, the philosophy of this school is to stimulate the potential of its students."

His tone suddenly shifted: "However, I don't think it's realistic for you to buy out the surveillance rights directly. Not to mention that your million-plus points aren't enough, even if you held a hundred million points, the school would never agree. Such a transaction would completely destroy the competitive balance between the four classes."

"You want to profit by leasing the surveillance rights? Wouldn't that mean you have extra income every month?" Horikita Manabu shook his head slightly. "That would mean your class would be in an invincible position from the very beginning. The school will not allow such a monopoly to emerge."

"The most likely outcome," Horikita Manabu stared at Shimizu Akira, "is that the school will pay you a substantial amount of personal points in the name of a 'creative reward,' and then immediately issue a new regulation—completely banning students from purchasing the right to use school equipment."

"Of course," Horikita Manabu leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping a few decibels, "there is another possibility: the school might make an exception and agree to a short-term lease. However..." He held up a slender finger, "it will not exceed one week. This is both a final concession and a disguised warning. Afterward, a ban on surveillance-type equipment will inevitably follow."

Shimizu Akira nodded thoughtfully, his judgment aligning perfectly with his own.

"Therefore..." Shimizu Akira naturally looked toward him, "this is precisely the moment when we need you, President, to step in and mediate. If you can secure the leasing permit, the profits will far exceed the school's symbolic rewards—after all, the points other classes can provide are always far more generous than what the school offers."

"Greedy enough, though I don't dislike your way of thinking." Horikita Manabu gave a light huff, yet he had to admit the other's boldness and ideas. "I will try to negotiate, but don't expect to secure too much time—I estimate a rental period of one month at most, along with various troublesome attached clauses; that is already the limit."

"A month is enough." Shimizu Akira's lips curled slightly, "Enough for me to earn my first pot of gold."

He quickly calculated in his mind—at the most conservative estimate, this deal would bring in a profit of at least 8,000,000 points.

"However, I will not accept that 30% commission." Horikita Manabu suddenly said sternly, "The Student Council will not profit in such a manner. This is the fundamental difference between me and Nagumo Miyabi."

He revealed a rare, meaningful smile: "Shimizu Akira, did you think I couldn't see through your scheme? What you owe me this time is a favor that cannot be easily repaid with mere points."

"It seems the President is a step ahead after all." Shimizu Akira chuckled softly and slowly extended his right hand.

Two palms clasped in mid-air, and a silent deal was thus concluded.

Launch Notice

Tomorrow is an important day—this book will officially launch.

The update time is expected to be around 11:00 AM. To thank everyone for your support, I will release 10 chapters (20,000 words) on the first day!

Regarding the rules for bonus updates:

Every 1,000 recommendation votes

Every 100 monthly tickets

Every 100 blades

Every 10,000 points in tips

If any of the above are met, I will add 1 chapter (2,000 words)!

(PS: Actually, I've been too shy to ask for votes since I started the book, as I only updated two chapters a day before. Now, I can finally say it with confidence—please support me! Please vote!)

Update schedule: Monday to Saturday: 4 chapters. Sunday: 2 chapters (slowing the pace slightly to organize outlines and subsequent plot points).

As for the follow-up plot, after wrapping up the relevant story of renting surveillance from the four classes, we will reach next month.

Hiyori's screen time will increase, so readers who like her can look forward to it!

Finally, thank you all for your continued reading, comments, and collections!

059 Ichinose Honami already knows the hidden rules

Shimizu Akira walked briskly through the corridor leading to the dormitory; the night breeze blew in from the open windows, carrying the distinct warmth of early summer.

"Horikita Manabu is truly worthy of being the Student Council President."

The image of those reflecting lenses in the Student Council room surfaced in his mind again.

Horikita Manabu sat upright behind the large desk, his gaze behind the lenses sharp enough to seemingly pierce through a person's heart.

That sense of oppression was less about the dignity of a Student Council President and more about the calm demeanor the other party shared with Gendo Ikari.

He even secretly felt relieved that Horikita Manabu hadn't performed that signature pose of interlocking his fingers and resting his chin upon them; otherwise, he might have really been unable to resist turning and running.

The negotiation process went unexpectedly smoothly.

Horikita Manabu was as if he could read minds; often, just as he finished the first half of a sentence, the other party had already grasped his entire intent.

The conversation, which was expected to take an hour of maneuvering, reached an agreement in less than twenty minutes.

What surprised Shimizu Akira most were the terms of the deal.

He had expected to pay a huge sum of personal points, but he hadn't expected Horikita Manabu to simply push up his glasses and say he owed him a personal favor, his eyes narrowing slightly behind the lenses, making his thoughts impossible to guess.

"This debt of a favor doesn't feel simple at all..." Shimizu Akira stopped in his tracks, looking at the light at the end of the dormitory corridor.

Based on his understanding of Horikita Manabu's character, he shouldn't make excessive demands.

Hopefully, it won't be anything troublesome.

The night breeze carried the shouts of the sports clubs from the distant field.

Shimizu Akira suddenly remembered Horikita Suzune's "keep away" attitude and couldn't help but shake his head with a wry smile.

Despite being biological siblings, one was perceptive and worldly, while the other was incredibly awkward; the gap was just too large.

His phone suddenly popped up a new notification—it was an email from Horikita Manabu.

After their conversation, they had successfully exchanged contact information.

"Regarding today's talk, I will give you an answer before school ends on Thursday."

"Shimizu, I have high hopes for you; don't let me down."

"If you perform well, before I leave, the position of Vice President will be yours."

He stared at the screen for a long time, looking at the first line, and nodded involuntarily.

As expected of the President, his efficiency is very high.

After all, the other party is the Student Council President; giving him an answer before school ends on Thursday is already quite fast.

But as he looked at the next two lines, his brows furrowed tightly.

Since when was Shimizu Akira going to join the Student Council?

Shimizu Akira: President, I have no interest in the Student Council. Boxing is just fine.

The message was marked as read instantly, but there was no reply.

A classic case of being left on read.

It seemed the other party didn't take his answer seriously at all.

"Looking at it this way, this President is quite stubborn. Could it be that she's the type who finds it hard to listen to other people's opinions?"

Shimizu Akira muttered to himself.

I take back what I said; in a sense, these siblings are both quite troublesome.

He thought for a moment and sent a text message to Horikita Suzune.

Shimizu Akira: You really are siblings, aren't you.

Horikita Suzune: ? Why are you suddenly complimenting me?

Uh... does she actually think I'm complimenting her?

However, before he could complain about it in his head any further, his phone gave a slight vibration.

It was a message received on his burner account.

The sender was Ichinose Honami.

And the content of the message caught him quite off guard:

"I'm sorry, student. We have already learned about the rules that the school deliberately hid, so we cannot trade with you for one million points."

This was completely unexpected.

In just a single day, they had actually cracked the hidden rules.