Grouping

Horikita Manabu fell silent for a moment, then abruptly changed the subject. "Do you think this kind of strategic thinking applies to modern schools? For example... class competition?"

It was a trap. Tang Yu smiled faintly. "The principles of strategy are timeless, but their practical application must adapt to the circumstances. The Taira Clan ultimately fell because it relied too heavily on past successes and ignored how the situation had changed."

His answer showed the breadth of his knowledge while deftly avoiding direct discussion of competition between classes. Horikita Manabu seemed satisfied and nodded for Tang Yu to sit down.

"Good analysis." He adjusted his glasses. "But remember, in a real confrontation, theory is only the foundation."

The first class ended in a tense atmosphere. During the break, several third-year students surrounded Tang Yu.

"You've got quite a way with words, first-year." The boy leading them looked down at Tang Yu. "I wonder how you'll do in a real fight."

Tang Yu activated Emotion Perception and saw dark-red Emotion Clouds floating above the group. This wasn't mere bullying. It seemed more like a test orchestrated by someone else.

Miyabi Nagumo stood some distance away, pretending not to notice, but the curve of his lips gave away how he really felt.

"A real fight?" Tang Yu asked innocently. "Do you mean the final exams or the sports festival?"

"Don't play dumb!" The boy suddenly slapped Tang Yu's shoulder, trying to put him in his place.

At that very moment, Tang Yu's Emotion Points broke through 40,000.

[Emotion Points exceeded 40,000!]

[Unlocked ability: "Emotion Mirror"]

[Can briefly reflect received emotions back at the person who released them]

Tang Yu immediately activated his new ability. When the boy's hand landed on his shoulder, the malicious emotion rebounded as if it had struck a mirror. The boy's face suddenly changed, and he stumbled backward several steps, as though startled by his own anger.

"You... What did you do?" he asked in alarm.

"Nothing at all." Tang Yu spread his hands innocently. "Maybe it's too hot. You might need to take a break."

[Confusion from third-year student +300]

[Wariness from Miyabi Nagumo +200]

[Current Emotion Points: 40200/50000]

The little disturbance soon died down, but it had a noticeable effect. For the rest of the day, no one dared provoke Tang Yu so casually. During lunch, Horikita Suzune sat down beside him of her own accord.

"You did that on purpose," she said quietly. "Challenging my brother in classical literature class."

Tang Yu took a bite of his sandwich. "I was just answering a question."

"No, you were testing his limits." Horikita's eyes gleamed. "I do that all the time too."

This was the first time Horikita had spoken so frankly about her relationship with her brother. Tang Yu activated Emotional Link and sensed her complicated feelings: admiration for her brother mixed with defiance, uncertainty about her own abilities, and... a hint of expectation toward Tang Yu?

"We have group activities this afternoon." Horikita changed the subject. "Apparently, we'll be working on a special assignment."

"How will the groups be formed?"

"By random draw." Horikita's voice sounded a little uneasy. "I hope I don't end up in a terrible group."

Fate seemed to be playing a joke on them. At the afternoon assembly, when Horikita Manabu announced the group assignments, Tang Yu, Horikita Suzune, and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka ended up in the same group.

"Group Three," Horikita Manabu read. "Your assignment is the 'Optimization Plan for Campus Power Structure.' You have three days."

Tang Yu glanced at Ayanokoji. His expression remained blank, but a barely perceptible flicker crossed his eyes. This was an unexpected variable.

"What an... interesting combination." Miyabi Nagumo appeared beside them at some point, his smile dazzlingly bright. "A gathering of first-year problem students? Need some guidance from a senior?"

"No, thank you," Horikita Suzune replied coldly.

Nagumo didn't seem bothered. He leaned closer to Tang Yu's ear. "Watch out for President Horikita. He's... very interested in you." Then he smiled and walked away.

After the group meeting ended, the three of them found a quiet corner to discuss the assignment. Ayanokoji, unusually, spoke first. "The real purpose of the 'campus power structure' assignment is to test our ability to work as a team. The School Administration wants to see how we handle internal disagreements."

"How do you know?" Horikita frowned.

"Observation," Ayanokoji replied calmly. "The other groups' assignments also contain tests of this kind."

Tang Yu silently agreed. This assignment did seem like Horikita Manabu's style: academic on the surface, but really a psychological test.

"I suggest we research separately and compare notes tomorrow," Ayanokoji proposed.

Horikita Suzune nodded, but Tang Yu noticed her gaze drifting now and then to a second-floor window. Horikita Manabu stood there, looking down over the courtyard.

During the evening free period, Tang Yu explored the mountain lodge alone. As he passed a Japanese-style room, he heard a familiar voice. Chabashira Sae was talking to someone.

"...The unusual behavior has already caught the School Board's attention." Chabashira's voice carried through the paper door. "Especially that transfer student from China."

"I know." The reply came from Horikita Manabu. "His test results don't follow the usual pattern. They're too perfect—unnaturally perfect."

"Should we pay special attention to him?"

"I've already made arrangements." Horikita Manabu's footsteps approached the door. Tang Yu quickly ducked around the corner. "This training camp is the perfect opportunity to observe him."

After the two of them left, Tang Yu let out a long breath. The situation was more complicated than he'd imagined. Not only was Miyabi Nagumo hostile toward him, but Horikita Manabu and the School Board were watching him too.

Back in his dorm room—fortunately, a single room—Tang Yu checked his system status:

[Current Emotion Points: 40700/50000]

[New ability "Emotion Mirror" tested successfully]

[Special Notice: Multiple observers detected]

[Horikita Manabu Attention: 70%]

[Miyabi Nagumo Attention: 60%]

[School Board Attention: 50%]

Outside the window, moonlight illuminated the mountain lodge courtyard. Tang Yu saw someone standing beneath a cherry tree: Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, gazing up at the stars as if deep in thought. Farther away, another indistinct figure watched from the shadows.

Tang Yu drew the curtains and began planning his next move. This Special Training Class was far more complicated than it appeared, and he had already become the focus of attention from several sides without realizing it.

Tomorrow's discussion would be his first real collaboration with Ayanokoji and Horikita Suzune—and a perfect opportunity to test each other. In the subtle web of relationships between the three of them, who would become an ally, and who might prove a threat?

[Mission Updated: Complete the group assignment and gather key intel]

[Reward: Unlock a special ability based on performance]

The system prompt flickered in the darkness. Tang Yu lay in bed and closed his eyes. In this mountain lodge full of schemes, sleep might be the only time he could briefly let his guard down.

And tomorrow, the real game would only just begin.