The Shock of a Perfect Score in All Subjects

The weekend before the Midterm Exam, Tang Yu sat alone at his dorm desk, several textbooks spread out before him. Outside the window, a light rain fell, its drops softly tapping against the glass and creating a peaceful atmosphere perfect for studying.

[Emotion Points: 3980/5000]

[Intelligence: 10 (human limit)]

Tang Yu closed his book and rubbed his temples. With his current level of intelligence, these high school courses were already no challenge at all. He was more concerned with his upcoming showdown with Horikita Suzune, and how to maximize the Emotion Points he could gain from it.

System, analyze Horikita Suzune's personality weaknesses, Tang Yu silently instructed.

[Analyzing...]

[Horikita Suzune, personality traits: extremely self-confident, aloof, refuses to cooperate, fears failure]

[Emotional weakness: she experiences intense emotional fluctuations when her abilities are questioned]

Tang Yu's lips curled slightly. This was exactly what he needed. The bet was just a means to an end. His real goal was to create a situation that would make Horikita lose control of her emotions, allowing him to collect a large number of Emotion Points.

His phone suddenly vibrated. An anonymous text appeared on the screen: "Be careful with the special exam. It's more than just a test. —A friend"

Tang Yu raised an eyebrow. He didn't need to guess who had sent it. He quickly replied, "Thanks for the warning. I look forward to facing you."

The sender was naturally Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. Tang Yu could sense that this "ordinary student" who was hiding his true abilities was drawing closer to him, step by step, like a player slowly moving pieces into position.

The day of the Midterm Exam dawned clear. Tang Yu entered the exam room and felt the tension hanging in the air. The Emotion Clouds floating above most of his classmates were anxious orange-yellow. Only a few remained calm: Horikita Suzune, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, and that oddball Koenji Rokusuke.

Horikita sat in the front row, her back ramrod straight. Feeling Tang Yu's gaze, she turned and shot him a cold glance, her eyes brimming with confidence.

[Competitiveness +50 from Horikita Suzune]

Tang Yu smiled at her and headed straight to his seat. The exam bell rang, and the proctor handed out the papers.

"You have two hours to complete the exam. You may turn in your paper early," the teacher announced.

Tang Yu glanced over the paper. It contained ten long-answer questions, and the difficulty was certainly above the level of an ordinary high school exam. But to him, it posed no challenge. He picked up his pen and began answering at a steady pace.

[Intelligence attribute fully activated, problem-solving efficiency increased by 300%]

With the system's assistance, Tang Yu's mind worked like a finely tuned machine. Each question broke down in his eyes into its most basic logical components. In less than an hour, he had completed the entire exam.

After checking his answers once, Tang Yu raised his hand to indicate that he was ready to turn in his paper. A wave of quiet astonishment immediately swept through the classroom. Horikita Suzune looked up sharply, her brows furrowed. She clearly hadn't expected him to finish so far ahead of time.

[Astonishment +150 from the entire class]

[Uncertainty +80 from Horikita Suzune]

Tang Yu left the exam room calmly, in high spirits. He had shaken Horikita's confidence in the very first subject, math. It was a promising start.

He used the same strategy for each of the following exams: finish the paper quickly and turn it in early. Every time he left the room, he could feel Horikita's emotions growing more and more turbulent.

By the time the last exam, English, ended, Tang Yu had accumulated 4,800 Emotion Points. He was just one step away from unlocking a new ability.

"Tang Yu," Chabashira-sensei called to him in the hallway, "could I speak with you?"

Tang Yu nodded and followed Chabashira to the teachers' office. To his surprise, there was an unfamiliar man inside, around forty years old, dressed in a neatly pressed suit, with eyes as sharp as an eagle's.

"This is Mr. Matsuo from the School Board," Chabashira introduced him. "He's very interested in you."

Matsuo stood and extended a hand. "Tang Yu, I hear you turned in your paper early in every exam?"

"Yes, sir." Tang Yu shook his hand and activated Emotion Perception. The Emotion Cloud above Matsuo was deep blue—calm, but scrutinizing, with a trace of... wariness?

"Confidence is a good thing," Matsuo said with a slight nod, "but overconfidence can make people overlook the details."

Tang Yu maintained his smile. "Thank you for the advice. I'll keep that in mind."

"We're looking forward to seeing your results." Matsuo's words sounded like polite small talk, but Tang Yu keenly picked up on the probing undertone, especially when it came to math and physics.

After leaving the office, Tang Yu furrowed his brows. Why was someone from the School Board paying special attention to him? Had his performance already exceeded the School Administration's expectations?

[Warning: School Administration attention level has reached 30%]

[Suggestion: conceal your abilities to some extent and avoid revealing everything too soon]

The system's warning gave Tang Yu pause. It was true: if he attracted too much attention from the School Administration, it might limit his freedom to act later. On the other hand, his bet with Horikita depended on his Midterm Exam results. He had to give it everything he had.

Three days later, the Midterm Exam results were posted. The D-Class students crowded around the bulletin board, searching for their names. Tang Yu stood at the edge of the crowd. He didn't need to push his way through to guess the outcome.

"Impossible!" a voice cried out. It was Horikita Suzune. "There's definitely something wrong with this!"

Tang Yu's lips curled slightly. The results were just as he'd expected.

[Shock +200 from Horikita Suzune]

[Disbelief +300 from the entire class]

[Emotion Points exceeded 5000. New ability unlocked: "Emotion Influence" (Beginner)]

A warm current flowed into Tang Yu's mind, and he felt his Perception Ability expand once more. Now, he could not only sense other people's emotions, but also subtly influence or amplify certain emotions.

Tang Yu walked toward the bulletin board, and the crowd automatically parted to make way for him. At the top of the score sheet was his name:

Tang Yu — Math 100, Physics 100, Chemistry 100, English 100, Modern Chinese 100, History 100

Horikita Suzune — Math 98, Physics 95, Chemistry 96, English 92, Modern Chinese 90, History 88

"A Perfect Score in All Subjects..." Hirata Yosuke stared at the score sheet in disbelief. "That must be incredibly rare in the school's history, right?"

"He must've cheated!" Ken Sudō shouted. "How could anyone get a perfect score in every subject?"

[Jealousy +100 from Ken Sudō]

Tang Yu ignored the accusations and walked straight toward Horikita Suzune. The girl stood still, her hands clenched into fists, her knuckles white.

Her Emotion Cloud churned violently—crimson anger, purple frustration, and black self-doubt all tangled together.

"Looks like I won, Horikita," Tang Yu said quietly, while secretly activating his new ability and gently plucking the "self-doubt" string in her Emotion Cloud.

Horikita looked up sharply, a complex light flickering in her eyes. "How... did you do it?"

"According to our bet, you owe me a favor now." Tang Yu didn't answer her question directly.

Horikita bit her lower lip, then finally nodded. "Go on. What do you want?"

The entire class held its breath, curious about what condition the Transfer Student would set.

Tang Yu glanced around, his gaze lingering for a moment on Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. The other boy was watching the scene with that distinctive, seemingly vacant yet all-seeing expression of his.

"My condition," Tang Yu said slowly, "is that for the next month, you study with me for an hour after school every day."

The unexpected request left everyone stunned, including Horikita herself.

"That's it?" she asked incredulously.

"That's it." Tang Yu smiled. "Of course, I'll decide what we study."

Horikita's expression shifted from shock to wariness. "What are you after?"

"Helping you improve your grades." Tang Yu shrugged. "D-Class needs more high-scoring students if we're going to move up to C-Class, doesn't it?"

It was a reasonable explanation, but Horikita clearly didn't believe him. Still, with everyone watching, she couldn't refuse the terms of the bet.

"...Fine." She finally agreed, though reluctantly. "But don't expect me to thank you."

[Confusion +120 from Horikita Suzune]

[Interest +150 from Ayanokoji Kiyotaka]

Tang Yu nodded in satisfaction. The arrangement had several advantages: staying in contact with Horikita meant a steady source of Emotion Points, while studying together gave him a legitimate reason to observe her weaknesses and potential.

More importantly, it would pique Ayanokoji's interest even further. In the original story, Ayanokoji had constantly tried to "cultivate" Horikita into becoming D-Class's leader.

After school, the students left the classroom in twos and threes. Tang Yu noticed Ayanokoji deliberately taking his time packing up, clearly hoping to observe his and Horikita's first "study session."

"How about the library?" Tang Yu suggested.

Horikita nodded coolly and walked out first. Tang Yu followed. As he passed Ayanokoji, he deliberately stopped. "Want to join us, Ayanokoji?"

Ayanokoji looked up, expressionless. "I won't get in your way."

But Tang Yu's Emotion Perception clearly picked up the other boy's true feelings: intense curiosity.

"Suit yourself." Tang Yu smiled and followed Horikita.

The library was quiet and spacious. The two found a seat in a corner and sat down. Horikita took out her books and got straight to the point. "How do you want to study?"

Tang Yu didn't answer immediately. Instead, he studied her carefully. Horikita Suzune was indeed beautiful, with long black hair, delicate features, and a cool demeanor. But at that moment, her eyes were full of wariness.

"First," Tang Yu said in a low voice, "you have to admit that you lost."

Horikita's fingers clenched abruptly, crumpling the edge of a page. "...I admit it. You won this time."

"Not 'this time,'" Tang Yu corrected her. "Every time. If I wanted to, you'd never be able to beat me."

[Anger +150 from Horikita Suzune]

[Emotion Influence activated: anger amplified by 20%]

Horikita's breathing grew noticeably faster, and fury blazed in her eyes. "Arrogant! You're nothing but—"

"Nothing but what?" Tang Yu interrupted. "A genius? A monster? Or are you just unable to accept that there are people in this world far stronger than you?"

Horikita sprang to her feet, her chair screeching loudly and drawing glances from several nearby students. She took a deep breath and forced herself to sit back down. "What exactly are you trying to do?"

"Help you face reality." Tang Yu softened his tone. "Horikita, you really are talented, but your study methods are too rigid."

He took a notebook out of his bag and pushed it toward her. "These are my notes. See how they differ from yours."

Horikita hesitated, then opened the notebook. The anger in her eyes gradually gave way to astonishment. Tang Yu's notes weren't simple lists of copied facts. They were mind maps connecting ideas across different subjects, breaking complex concepts down into simple chains of logic, with clever memorization techniques noted in the margins.

"This..."

"Studying isn't about rote memorization," Tang Yu said softly. "It's about understanding the essential connections between things. You're too fixated on the 'right method,' and that ends up limiting your thinking."

Horikita silently paged through the notebook. The color of her Emotion Cloud gradually shifted from angry red to contemplative deep blue. Tang Yu quietly deactivated Emotion Influence, allowing her to think calmly.

"Why are you helping me?" Horikita finally looked up and asked. There was less hostility in her eyes now, and more genuine puzzlement.

Tang Yu leaned back in his chair. "For two reasons. First, D-Class really does need more high-scoring students. Second..." He deliberately paused. "I think you have potential, and you shouldn't let your own stubbornness hold you back."

He didn't mention the third reason: Horikita was an excellent source of Emotion Points.

Horikita studied Tang Yu closely, as if judging how sincere he was. At last, she gave a small nod. "I'll look into your methods. But don't misunderstand. That doesn't mean I'm giving up."

"Of course," Tang Yu replied with a smile. "The competition's only just begun."

The two studied quietly for an hour, during which Tang Yu answered several of Horikita's questions. To his surprise, once she lowered her guard, Horikita was actually an excellent student—quick-minded and able to grasp things from the slightest hint.

"Time's up." Tang Yu closed his book. "Same time tomorrow?"

Horikita hesitated, then nodded. "See you tomorrow."

When they walked out of the library, the setting sun bathed the hallway in gold. Tang Yu stretched, feeling pleased. He had gained far more than he'd expected today: not only had he unlocked a new ability, he'd also begun to break down Horikita's psychological defenses.

[Current Emotion Points: 5320/10000]

[Next milestone: 10000 points to unlock "Emotion Suggestion"]

Tang Yu suddenly stopped at the corner. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was leaning against a window not far away, apparently waiting for some time.

"Fancy meeting you here." Tang Yu walked over. "Waiting for someone?"

"Observing," Ayanokoji replied bluntly. "You seem to be getting along well with Horikita?"

Tang Yu leaned against the other side of the windowsill, standing shoulder to shoulder with Ayanokoji as they looked outside. "She's smart. She just needs the right guidance."

"Guidance..." Ayanokoji repeated the word, his tone hard to read. "Like how you 'guided' her into losing the exam?"

Tang Yu's heart tightened, but he kept his expression unchanged. "I don't know what you mean."

"A perfect score in every subject." Ayanokoji turned to look at Tang Yu. "Not even Horikita could manage it, yet you did it effortlessly. Isn't that strange?"

Their gazes met and clashed. Tang Yu's Emotion Perception clearly caught the feeling deep within Ayanokoji. It wasn't suspicion. It was confirmation. This guy had already seen through his hidden abilities.

"There are plenty of strange things at this school," Tang Yu replied meaningfully. "Like certain 'ordinary students' whose powers of observation are far beyond ordinary."

The corners of Ayanokoji's mouth lifted slightly, one of the rare changes in his expression. "You're taking the special exam at the end of the month, right?"

"Of course."

"I'm looking forward to it," Ayanokoji said, then turned and walked away.

Tang Yu watched him go, his brows slightly furrowed. The conversation had seemed ordinary, but tension simmered beneath the surface. Ayanokoji had not only confirmed that Tang Yu was unusual, he had also issued a sort of challenge. The special exam would be their first direct confrontation.

Back in his dorm, Tang Yu opened the System Panel and carefully studied his newly unlocked "Emotion Influence" ability. At the beginner level, he could only slightly amplify or suppress emotions that were already present in others. But as the ability grew, it might theoretically let him implant emotions directly, or even control people's actions.

"The special exam at the end of the month..." Tang Yu murmured, the words of Chabashira-sensei and Mr. Matsuo flashing through his mind. "Looks like it won't be so simple."

He went to the window and looked out at the campus at night. In this school where strength came first, he was steadily establishing his position. Horikita Suzune, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, the School Board... every side was gradually being drawn into his plans.

"Emotion Points are just a means to an end," Tang Yu murmured to himself. "The real goal is to control the power structure of this school."

In the distance, the Clock Tower chimed eight times. Tang Yu drew the curtains and began preparing for the upcoming special exam. Whatever it was, he had to make sure he came out on top.