Announcement of Exam Results

Three days, within the tense yet routine daily life of Advanced Nurturing High School, felt both long and short.

Yuefeng tried his best to act as usual—attending class, reviewing, hanging out in the library—diligently playing the part of an ordinary transfer student in Class C who had "tried his best but probably didn't score that well."

But only he knew that every time he passed the bulletin board or overheard classmates discussing exam results, his heartbeat would involuntarily quicken a few beats.

Hiyori Shiina seemed to have returned to her usual quiet demeanor, rarely speaking up in class, only occasionally casting an imperceptible glance at Yuefeng, quickly looking away when their eyes met.

An unspoken understanding seemed to exist between them—about the "coincidental" meetings in the library, about the fleeting hints during the exam—all became secrets that needed no words.

Ishizaki, on the other hand, looked restless and irritable, clearly lacking confidence in his exam results.

Still fixated on the potential Class Points reward, he could only vent his frustration on his underlings, and his gaze toward Yuefeng grew increasingly hostile.

On the afternoon of the third day, just before school ended.

"Beep—"

A crisp notification tone rang through the school-wide broadcast system, followed by a steady, clear electronic female voice echoing through every corner of the campus:

"Notice: The results of the first-year Special Enrollment Exam have now been finalized.

The pass list and individual evaluations have been sent to each examinee's dedicated terminal. Please check accordingly.

Additionally, the top fifty candidates by comprehensive ranking will be posted on the school bulletin board for reference. I repeat..."

Before the broadcast even finished, the classroom erupted with a buzz of noise.

"They're here!"

"Check your terminal!"

"Please, heavens..."

"I can't look..."

Students pulled out their phones or tablets, nervously swiping at their screens.

Gasps, sighs, and grumbles of frustration instantly filled the entire classroom.

Yuefeng's heart leaped into his throat. He took a deep breath and tapped open the new message labeled "Special Notice" on his terminal.

[Examinee: Ayanokoji Yuefeng]

[Exam ID: XXXXXX]

[Comprehensive Evaluation: Pass]

[Individual Rating: A-]

[Ranking: 37th]

Below was a detailed breakdown of scores and subject comments, followed by a notice about rewards:

[Rewards Obtained:]

1. Personal S Points: One-time reward of 50,000 points.

2. Special Course Enrollment Qualification: Eligible to choose between "Advanced Logic and Game Theory" or "Modern Economic Model Analysis" starting next month.

3. Library Advanced Reading Privilege (Lv.2) activated.

4. Home Class (First-Year Class C) receives additional end-of-year comprehensive evaluation bonus: +5 points.

Passed!

Ranked 37th! A- rating!

Yuefeng felt a surge of heat rush to his head, his fingers trembling slightly as they gripped the terminal.

It wasn't excitement over how high the ranking was (in truth, this was mid-to-upper tier, not particularly outstanding), but the immense satisfaction of "effort paying off" and "the initial plan coming to fruition."

And... the sudden addition of fifty thousand points! Plus the class bonus!

Fifty thousand points! That would give him plenty of breathing room and allow him to do a lot!

The class bonus wasn't much, but every bit counted, and it meant he had made a "contribution" to Class C!

He instinctively looked up, scanning the classroom. Hiyori Shiina was also staring at her terminal, her profile still calm, but the slight purse of her lips seemed a little more relaxed.

She seemed to sense Yuefeng's gaze, looked up, and their eyes met briefly in the air.

Yuefeng caught a faint, pleased smile in her eyes—happy for him—along with a trace of her own relieved ease.

She must have passed too, and with a rating no lower than his, Yuefeng thought.

He turned his gaze to Ishizaki.

That guy was grimacing at his screen, his expression like he'd swallowed a fly—clearly, the result wasn't ideal.

Sensing Yuefeng's stare, Ishizaki glared back viciously, but beyond the usual hostility, there seemed to be a hint of... wariness?

After all, Yuefeng, the one who had been "forced to participate," had actually passed and even secured a class bonus.

Yuefeng ignored him and lowered his head to read the comments carefully.

The evaluation was fair, pointing out his strengths in applying extended knowledge and logical analysis, while also noting his shortcomings in recalling certain details and performing quick calculations.

Very objective, fitting his positioning as "above average but not top-tier."

Perfect.

A clean pass. Rewards secured. Chips increased.

Now he could even repay Hiyori Shiina as a bonus.

Everything was proceeding according to the optimal script he had envisioned.

After school, Yuefeng didn't head straight back to the dormitory.

He stopped by the library first, using his newly activated advanced permissions to borrow several rare materials normally unavailable for checkout, savoring the convenience of "privilege."

Then he went to the vending machine and, with the points just deposited, splurged on a can of premium coffee he would normally hesitate to buy.

He sat on a campus bench, slowly sipping the slightly bitter coffee, watching the sunset gild the school buildings in gold. It was a rare moment of ease and peace since his transmigration.

"Step one, success," he said to himself.

Yet this brief comfort didn't last long.

When he returned to his dormitory, planning how best to spend those fifty thousand points—should he hoard some intelligence first? Or buy some self-defense gear? After all, Ryuen and Ishizaki didn't seem likely to let things slide—

The "special" communicator on his desk lit up without warning.

Not his phone. Not the school-issued terminal. It was the sleek, expensive-looking dedicated device he'd found in the dormitory drawer after arriving in this world.

It had been in standby mode until now, silent as a brick.

At this moment, it emitted a soft but persistent hum, the screen displaying a simple prompt:

[Incoming call: Father.]

Yuefeng's heart clenched. The coffee he'd just drunk seemed to turn ice-cold in an instant.

It had come, after all.

He stared at the communicator for a full ten seconds before slowly reaching out and pressing the answer button.

No holographic projection. Only sound. A low, authoritative voice, carrying the unquestionable pressure of one long accustomed to command, came clearly through the receiver.

"Yuefeng."

It was "Father's" voice. As cold and formulaic as when they first met.

"...Father." Yuefeng tried to keep his voice steady, even layering in a hint of the appropriate restraint and distance a "son" would show before a stern father.

"I saw your Special Enrollment Exam results." The other party cut straight to the point, no pleasantries. "Thirty-seventh place, A-rank evaluation. Passed."

"Yes," Yuefeng replied briefly.

"For a first attempt at this level of assessment, acceptable performance." "Father's" tone was unreadable—neither praise nor mere statement. "Use the reward points wisely.

For the special course, I recommend 'Advanced Logic and Game Theory.' It will be more helpful for future 'tasks.'"

Of course. Even the courses had to be dictated. Yuefeng sneered inwardly, but answered aloud, "Yes, I'll consider it."

A brief silence. Only steady breathing came from the other end, but the invisible pressure spread through the signal.

"The class points for Class C—you earned them." "Father" spoke again, and this topic made Yuefeng's heart tighten. "How did Ryuen Kakeru react?"

He wasn't asking; he was confirming information. It seemed this "Father" was not unaware of Class C or Ryuen.

"He... hasn't made any clear statement yet," Yuefeng chose his words carefully. "Ishizaki seemed dissatisfied."

"Ryuen Kakeru is a man who only values results and 'power.'

Your success, in his eyes, is itself proof of your worth." "Father's" tone remained flat, but his analysis hit the mark. "Maintain your 'value,' but don't overexpose it.

In Class C, knowing when to bide your time is more important than flaunting your ability."

Was this... guidance on how to survive in Class C?

Or a hint to keep playing the role of "useful but controllable"?

"I understand," Yuefeng replied.

"As for Kiyotaka," "Father" finally mentioned the most critical name, "you've had contact."

Another declarative statement.

"...Yes. We've run into each other a few times by chance." Yuefeng didn't hide it. He knew concealment was useless.

"What did he think of you?" "Father" asked.

Yuefeng recalled Kiyotaka's cryptic remarks and those unfathomably deep eyes.

"He... didn't say anything special. Just mentioned the exam format, and... thought the atmosphere in Class C wasn't great."

Silence fell again on the other end, longer than before.

Yuefeng could almost picture the man on the other side of the screen, expressionlessly analyzing this information.

"Kiyotaka is very good at observing," "Father" finally said slowly, his voice carrying a trace of an extremely subtle, elusive emotion—like... resignation? Or something deeper? "His perspective on people often differs from others. Don't try to play mind games in front of him. It's meaningless."

Yuefeng's heart chilled. Was this a warning, or a reminder?

"Your 'task' is to guide him back." "Father" finally stated the core objective, but his tone was not urgent—rather, it held the cold detachment of someone orchestrating from afar.

"But 'guiding' doesn't mean simple persuasion or coercion. That child... needs to see the 'reason.' Enough 'reason.'"

"I... don't quite understand." Yuefeng truly didn't.

What kind of 'reason' did a CPU-kun like Kiyotaka need? What exactly did 'Father' want him to do?

"You don't need to understand right now." 'Father's' voice returned to absolute calm. "Stay at Advanced Nurturing High School.

Stay in Class C. Observe him, understand his environment, and let him... get used to your presence.

When the time is right, you'll know what to do."

That was basically saying nothing! Yuefeng gritted his teeth inwardly. Sure enough, dealing with this control freak and CPU-kun, getting clear instructions was impossible.

They'd just throw you into the game and let you struggle on your own.

"Yes." Yuefeng could only comply in the end.

"Communication ended. When necessary, I'll contact you again."

"Beep—"

Clean and decisive, without any extra words, the communication was unilaterally cut off.

Yuefeng put down the communicator, feeling another cold sweat on his back, even though the content of this conversation didn't seem more 'dangerous' than before.

"Maintain value, don't show off too much... observe him, let him get used to my presence... when the time is right..."

Yuefeng chewed over these words, walked to the window, and looked out at the brightly lit campus under the night sky.

In the distance, toward the Class D dormitory building, faint lights were visible.

"Kiyotaka..." He murmured the name.

The joy of passing the exam had already been replaced by deeper doubts and pressure.

'Father' was like a chess player hidden behind the scenes, using him as a pawn, setting up a game he couldn't understand.

And Kiyotaka was the most unpredictable, most dangerous variable in the game.

He had originally thought that passing the exam and gaining resources would give him a bit more initiative in this 'meritocracy' world.

But now it seemed he had only just gotten his ticket, stepping into a more complex and dangerous chess game.

"Get used to my presence, huh..." Yuefeng looked at his blurry reflection in the glass window, the corner of his mouth curling into a smile with no warmth.

"Fine. Then let's see, in the end, who gets used to whose presence."

He turned off the room's light, leaving only a small desk lamp on the table.

In the dim light, he spread open the 'Survival Notes' again.

New information needed to be recorded, needed to be analyzed.