Assessment and Gambit (Part 1)

The door to the Student Council office closed silently behind Tang Yu, the air conditioning inside seemingly several degrees cooler than in the hallway. Horikita Manabu sat upright behind a large desk, his gaze behind his lenses sharp as a blade.

Tsukishiro Shuhei leaned leisurely against the window, holding a teacup in his hand, a faint, ambiguous smile playing on his lips.

"Please, sit." Horikita Manabu gestured for Tang Yu to take the chair opposite him.

Tang Yu maintained a calm exterior while simultaneously activating the Emotion Weaving Network. Horikita Manabu's emotion cloud manifested as a deep, blue calm mixed with golden hues of calculation.

However, Tsukishiro Shuhei's emotions were like a dense fog, which the system found difficult to analyze accurately—something that had never happened before.

"Tea or coffee?" Tsukishiro suddenly spoke, his voice gentle to the point of being artificial.

"No, thank you." Tang Yu politely declined, focusing his attention on Horikita Manabu. "President, what did you want to see me about?"

Horikita Manabu crossed his hands on the desk. "Regarding last night. Secretary Tachibana reported... unusual circumstances to me."

Tang Yu was prepared. "Ryuen Kakeru hired outsiders to threaten students of our school, and the evidence is conclusive." He took a backup recording file and communication logs from his bag; these had already been processed to remove Karuizawa's personal information.

Horikita Manabu took the files and scanned the contents quickly. Tsukishiro had moved behind Tang Yu at some point, and the intangible pressure made the hair on the back of Tang Yu's neck stand up.

"Interesting." Tsukishiro's voice came from above. "A transfer student, here for less than two weeks, and you've already solved the Ryuen Kakeru problem that has plagued the school for years."

Tang Yu did not turn around. "I just happened to find a lead."

"Happened to?" Tsukishiro chuckled, walked around to crouch in front of Tang Yu, and looked him in the eye. "According to my investigation, your record before transferring... was quite ordinary."

"How could an ordinary student be so skilled at setting traps and interrogating delinquents?"

Tang Yu's pupils contracted slightly. Tsukishiro Shuhei had investigated him! The system suddenly popped up a warning:

[Mental detection fluctuations detected]

[Source: Tsukishiro Shuhei]

[Recommendation: Activate defense mechanism]

Tang Yu immediately exchanged for the Emotion Shield ability (costing 3000 points), erecting an invisible barrier around his consciousness. Tsukishiro's brow furrowed imperceptibly, clearly having sensed something unusual.

"Teacher Tsukishiro." Horikita Manabu interrupted. "This is an internal Student Council matter."

Tsukishiro shrugged and stood up. "Of course, I was just curious." He walked toward the window, but Tang Yu could feel his attention remained locked on him.

Horikita Manabu put down the files. "The evidence is sufficient; the Student Council will handle Ryuen's issue. But I want to know—" He stared into Tang Yu's eyes, "—what is your goal?"

"Goal?"

"Don't play dumb." Horikita Manabu's tone remained calm, but a flash of red crossed his emotion cloud. "Why would someone with the ability to subdue social delinquents and collect key evidence hide in Class D? With your capabilities, you could easily transfer directly to Class A."

Tang Yu did not answer immediately. This question touched the core of his plan. Through the Emotion Weaving Network, he could sense that Horikita Manabu was not acting out of hostility.

It was pure logical reasoning—in the eyes of this president, every action should have its own rationality.

"What does the President believe is the purpose of this school?" Tang Yu asked in return.

Horikita Manabu raised an eyebrow slightly. "To cultivate elites and filter out true leaders."

"Then, what qualities should a leader possess?"

"Wisdom, decisiveness, leadership." Horikita Manabu answered without hesitation.

Tang Yu shook his head. "One thing is missing—empathy. A true leader must understand and utilize the value of everyone on their team."

He pointed to the campus outside the window. "This school divides students into four grades, A through D, yet ignores the complexity of human nature. The students in Class D are not without talent; they have simply been labeled as 'defective products'."

Horikita Manabu's expression flickered for the first time: "Empty talk of idealism."

"Whether it is idealism or foresight, it will soon be verified." Tang Yu said confidently. "In the Debate Tournament two weeks from now, Class D will prove its worth."

Tsukishiro suddenly interjected: "An interesting argument. However..." He shook his phone, "The School Board has some... concerns about your 'heroic actions' last night. Why would an ordinary high school student be so skilled at handling dangerous situations?"

Tang Yu's Emotion Shield vibrated slightly; Tsukishiro's words seemed to carry a hint of mental suggestion.

He steadied his mind. "My father is a police detective; he taught me some self-defense techniques from a young age."

"Is that so?" Tsukishiro narrowed his eyes. "What a coincidence, I know quite a few people at the Metropolitan Police Department. What is your father's name? Which department?"

A trap! Tang Yu's file was forged by the system; there was no such thing as a "detective father." He remained expressionless. "I am Chinese; my father is a Chinese police detective."

The atmosphere grew tense. Horikita Manabu looked at the two of them and suddenly said, "Teacher Tsukishiro, the School Board's evaluation should follow formal procedures."

Tsukishiro smiled and stepped back. "Of course. Student Tang, we will see each other again soon." He walked toward the door but stopped. "By the way, I heard you are organizing debate training for Class D? I look forward to seeing the results."

After the door closed, the pressure in the room seemed to lighten. Horikita Manabu took off his glasses and wiped them. "Tsukishiro Shuhei is the School Board's most dangerous evaluator, specifically tasked with handling 'problem students.' You have caught his attention, which is very unwise."

"It wasn't me seeking him out; he came for me." Tang Yu frowned. "Why is the School Board so interested in me?"

Horikita Manabu put his glasses back on. "Everything in this school revolves around Meritocracy. Any factor that might upset the balance will attract attention." He paused, "Especially an existence as... anomalous as you."

"Anomalous?" Tang Yu's heart skipped a beat. Had Horikita Manabu sensed the existence of the system?

"Your abilities far exceed those of an ordinary Class D student." Horikita Manabu continued. "Tsukishiro is worried that you will disrupt the school's educational philosophy."

Tang Yu breathed a sigh of relief. "An educational philosophy should not fear challenges."

"Perhaps." Horikita Manabu stood up, signaling the end of the meeting. "I will handle the matter with Ryuen. As for you... be careful of Tsukishiro. He is not as simple as he appears."

Leaving the Student Council office, Tang Yu's back was already soaked. Tsukishiro Shuhei's mental detection and the traps in his words both indicated that the School Board might possess some information regarding "anomalous students."

What was more troublesome was that he could not analyze Tsukishiro's emotions like he could with ordinary people—this man had either undergone special training, or...

[Emotion Value: 95600/∞]

[New Ability: Emotion Shield (Basic)]

[Can resist mental detection and suggestion]

[Upgrade cost: 50000 points]

The system interface update confirmed Tang Yu's suspicion—Tsukishiro Shuhei possessed some kind of mental ability! The waters at this school were far deeper than he had imagined.

Returning to the Class D classroom, most students had already left, with only the core members of the debate team still discussing. Horikita Suzune was the first to notice Tang Yu: "What did the Student Council President say?"

Tang Yu briefly explained the situation, omitting the part about Tsukishiro's mental detection: "The Student Council will handle the matter regarding Ryuen Kakeru. For now, we need to focus on the Debate Tournament."

Karuizawa Kei handed him a bottle of water: "You don't look so good."

"I'm fine, just a bit tired." Tang Yu took the water, his fingertips accidentally brushing against Karuizawa's hand. Through the "Emotion Weaving Network," he instantly felt her heart rate accelerate and her cheeks grow warm. He quickly pulled his hand back, pretending not to notice.

Hirata Yosuke spread out his notebook: "I've organized the debate framework. Horikita-san will be responsible for the opening statement and logical argumentation, I will handle the rebuttals and team coordination, Karuizawa-san will cover the emotional appeal, and Tang-kun will deliver the closing statement."

"A great division of labor." Tang Yu nodded, "But we still need more students to participate. The debate score includes team collaboration; it can't just be the four of us performing."

"I've already organized a research group." Horikita Suzune said unexpectedly, "Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Yuki are responsible for data collection, and Kushida Kikyo is coordinating the girls' group..."

Tang Yu looked at her in surprise. Horikita Suzune, who had been a loner last semester, was now taking the initiative to organize a team? Through the "Emotion Weaving Network,"

he could feel the changes within Horikita Suzune—the icy, arrogant exterior was melting, replaced by a new, unfamiliar sense of belonging to a team.

"That's great." Tang Yu smiled, "We'll hold our first mock debate after school tomorrow. Please prepare your respective parts tonight."

As night fell, Tang Yu walked back to his apartment alone. The system suddenly issued an alert:

[Abnormal emotional fluctuation detected]

[Location: Alley to the left]

[Identity: Ryuen Kakeru]

Tang Yu pretended not to notice and continued walking, but secretly activated the "Emotion Shield." Sure enough, Ryuen stepped out from the shadows with his signature sinister grin.

"Transfer student, we need to talk." Ryuen's voice was raspier than usual.

"The photos have been destroyed, the deal is over." Tang Yu said calmly.

Ryuen suddenly grabbed Tang Yu's collar and dragged him into the alley: "Don't think you've won! Those useless people in the Student Council can't do a damn thing to me!"

Tang Yu did not resist, reading Ryuen's state through the "Emotion Weaving Network"—hidden beneath the anger was... fear? This wasn't right; Ryuen wasn't the type to be easily frightened.

"Who is threatening you?" Tang Yu asked suddenly.

Ryuen's hand stiffened: "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Your anger is too forced." Tang Yu stared into Ryuen's eyes, "Someone is forcing you to deal with me, aren't they? Is it Tsukishiro Shuhei?"

Ryuen let go and took a step back: "You're even more dangerous than I thought." He turned to leave, then stopped, "Listen, transfer student. This game has been upgraded. That bastard Tsukishiro... he's different."

"How is he different?"

Ryuen's expression turned strange: "He... can get inside your head. He makes you see... things you shouldn't see." After saying this inexplicable sentence, the tyrant of Class C quickly disappeared into the night.

Tang Yu stood where he was, digesting Ryuen's warning. It seemed Tsukishiro indeed possessed mental abilities and had already used them on Ryuen. A new prompt popped up on the system interface:

[Mission Update: Investigate the true identity of Tsukishiro Shuhei]

[Reward: Unlock "Mental Defense Network"]

[Danger Level: High]

Returning to his apartment, Tang Yu found Karuizawa Kei waiting at his door, holding two bento boxes.

"I thought you might not have had dinner..." she said somewhat awkwardly, "and I came to pick up some things I left here."

Tang Yu opened the door to let her in. Karuizawa skillfully set out the bento, as if this were the most natural thing in the world. Through the "Emotion Weaving Network," Tang Yu felt her emotions—warmth, concern, and a hint of... a sense of home?

"Everyone in class was talking about you today." Karuizawa said while setting out the chopsticks, "They say you're the secret weapon of Class D."

Tang Yu gave a wry smile: "I hope I won't disappoint everyone."

"You won't." Karuizawa said firmly, "With you here, Class D is different. Even someone like Horikita has started to integrate into the group..." She stopped suddenly, her face turning slightly red, "I mean... everyone trusts you."

Tang Yu took a bite of the bento; it tasted unexpectedly good: "Did you make this?"

Karuizawa nodded: "I was often home alone in middle school, so I learned to cook..." Her voice trailed off, clearly recalling unpleasant memories.

Tang Yu gently soothed her emotions through the "Emotion Weaving Network": "It's delicious, thank you."

The two finished dinner in silence. As Karuizawa was tidying up the dishes, she suddenly asked: "Tang Yu, why are you helping everyone so much? Not just me, but the whole of Class D..."

Tang Yu thought for a moment: "Perhaps... it's because I see the possibilities."

"Possibilities?"