Assessment and Gambit (Part 2)

"Everyone has untapped potential within them," Tang Yu explained. "Just like you—on the surface, you're a formidable 'queen,' but in reality, you possess astonishing empathy and leadership talent. You just need a catalyst to release that potential."

Karuizawa's eyes sparkled under the light. "You're always like this... able to see things others can't." She hesitated for a moment. "Sometimes I even feel... like you can see right through people's hearts."

Tang Yu's heart raced. Karuizawa's intuition was alarmingly sharp. Just as he was about to change the subject, the system suddenly issued an emergency alert:

[Remote mental detection detected]

[Source: Tsukishiro Shuhei]

[Distance: 500 meters]

Tang Yu stood up abruptly and rushed to the window. On the rooftop across the way, a blurry figure was watching this direction, the reflection of glasses clearly visible under the moonlight.

"What's wrong?" Karuizawa asked, puzzled.

"Nothing." Tang Yu pulled the curtains shut, suddenly remembering he still had homework to finish.

Karuizawa took the hint and stood up to leave. Tang Yu walked her to the door. "Be careful lately, especially around strangers. If you run into someone named Tsukishiro Shuhei, contact me immediately."

Karuizawa nodded earnestly. "You too... be careful."

After closing the door, Tang Yu immediately checked every corner of the apartment to ensure no surveillance equipment had been installed. The system indicated that Tsukishiro had already left, but the feeling of being watched lingered.

He opened his computer and began investigating Tsukishiro Shuhei's background. Strangely, aside from the public information provided by the School Board, almost no information about this person could be found—no social media, no academic papers, not even a basic professional resume was clear.

[Task Progress: Investigate Tsukishiro Shuhei (15%)]

[Clue Obtained: Mental Ability User]

[Danger Level Increased]

Tang Yu closed his computer and walked to the window. The campus under the moonlight looked peaceful and serene, but he knew that beneath this calm surface, undercurrents were surging.

Ryuen's warning, Tsukishiro's mental detection, Horikita Manabu's hints... all signs indicated that a storm far exceeding simple class competition was brewing.

The next morning, Tang Yu arrived at school an hour earlier than usual. He wanted to organize his debate materials before the other students arrived, but he was surprised to find Horikita Suzune already in the classroom, focused on revising her speech draft.

"Morning," Tang Yu greeted. "I didn't expect you to be here so early."

Horikita didn't even look up. "The president said Tsukishiro Shuhei has applied to be one of the judges for the debate tournament."

Tang Yu frowned: He wants to observe me up close.

"It's not just you." Horikita finally looked up. "He specifically asked about Karuizawa Kei's situation. The president asked me to warn you—Tsukishiro is particularly interested in students who show 'abnormal changes'."

Tang Yu's heart sank. Karuizawa's transformation had indeed caught Tsukishiro's attention. He had to accelerate the pace of building his defense network.

"Thanks for the heads-up." Tang Yu took out a USB drive. "These are the debate points I've organized."

Horikita took the drive and hesitated. "Tang Yu... do you really think Class D can win?"

"It's not about whether we can, but that we must win," Tang Yu said firmly. "This isn't just about class points; it's about everyone's sense of self-worth."

Horikita nodded thoughtfully and went back to work. Through the Emotion Weaving Network, Tang Yu felt the struggle within her—Horikita Suzune had always been working hard to prove herself in her brother's shadow.

And now, for the first time, she had truly integrated into a group; this new experience made her feel both expectant and fearful.

Students arrived one after another, and the classroom gradually became lively. When Karuizawa Kei walked in, several girls took the initiative to greet her—something that would have been unimaginable before.

She wore a simple white shirt and a dark blue skirt, no longer trying to dress in a mature or sexy way, appearing instead more youthful and vibrant.

"Good morning." Karuizawa smiled at Tang Yu, her eyes flashing with a new sense of confidence.

Tang Yu returned the smile. "How are you prepared?"

"Better than I thought." Karuizawa took out her notebook. "I've studied techniques for emotional appeal and even found a few real-life cases..."

Hirata Yosuke walked over and joined the discussion. Soon, the entire debate team gathered in a circle, enthusiastically exchanging their ideas. Tang Yu watched this scene, a sense of accomplishment rising in his heart—Class D was transforming; it was no longer a scattered mess.

During the lunch break, Tang Yu went to the library alone to look up information. As he passed a quiet corridor, the system suddenly blared an alarm:

[Abnormal emotional fluctuations detected]

[Location: Corner ahead]

[Identity: Tsukishiro Shuhei]

Tang Yu immediately activated his Emotion Shield and slowed his pace. Sure enough, Tsukishiro walked out from around the corner, pretending it was a chance encounter.

"Tang, what a coincidence." Tsukishiro smiled. "I was just thinking of asking you about the debate tournament."

"Does Teacher Tsukishiro have any advice?" Tang Yu remained vigilant.

"Just curious..." Tsukishiro stepped closer, his voice suddenly becoming low and rhythmic. "A student as... special as you, why are you so enthusiastic about ordinary class activities?"

Tang Yu felt an invisible pressure trying to intrude into his consciousness, but it was blocked by the Emotion Shield. He pretended not to notice anything unusual: "Class activities are also a part of school life."

Tsukishiro's eyes narrowed slightly, clearly having sensed the resistance. "Interesting. Do you know, in the history of this school, there have been a few... abnormal cases. Students who suddenly displayed abilities beyond the ordinary, but in the end, they all..." He intentionally left the sentence hanging.

"They all what?" Tang Yu asked, following his lead.

"Disappeared." Tsukishiro said softly, "As if they never existed at all." He suddenly reached out to pat Tang Yu on the shoulder, but was skillfully dodged by Tang Yu.

"Sorry, Teacher Tsukishiro." Tang Yu stepped back. "I'm in a hurry; the debate team is waiting for me."

Tsukishiro didn't stop him, only saying meaningfully: "We will meet again... very soon."

Once out of Tsukishiro's line of sight, cold sweat had already seeped onto Tang Yu's forehead. This confrontation confirmed his guess—Tsukishiro indeed possessed mental abilities and had an unusual interest in "abnormal students."

After the afternoon classes ended, the debate team held its first mock practice. To everyone's surprise, Karuizawa Kei performed brilliantly—her emotional appeal was sincere and moving, completely overturning her previous image of "bluffing."

"That was amazing!" Hirata Yosuke exclaimed with genuine admiration. "Karuizawa-san, you're practically a natural-born orator!"

Karuizawa blushed. "I just... spoke about my true feelings."

Horikita Suzune offered a rare nod of agreement. "It was indeed excellent. Your part perfectly complements our rigorous logical arguments."

Through the Emotion Weaving Network, Tang Yu sensed a significant increase in the class's cohesion. The students were no longer fighting on their own as they had last semester; they were truly beginning to appreciate and cooperate with one another. The growth in emotion points brought about by this change far exceeded his expectations:

[Approval from Class D students +1200]

[Class cohesion increased, bonus reward +500]

[Current emotion points: 102300/∞]

After the training ended, Tang Yu stayed in the classroom alone to organize his materials. The sky had already darkened, and the campus was gradually growing quiet. He walked to the window and inadvertently spotted two familiar figures at the edge of the playground—Tsukishiro Shuhei and Ryuen Kakeru, who were conversing in low voices.

The distance was too great to hear their conversation, but through the Emotion Weaving Network, Tang Yu could sense that Ryuen's emotions were filled with resistance and anger, while Tsukishiro radiated a cold, controlling desire.

Suddenly, Tsukishiro seemed to notice something; he looked up and stared precisely at the window where Tang Yu stood.

Tang Yu quickly retreated into the shadows, but it was too late—Tsukishiro raised his hand and made a subtle gesture. In an instant, Tang Yu felt a sharp headache, as if countless needles were stabbing into his brain.

[Warning! Mental attack!]

[Emotion Shield damaged by 30%]

[Immediate evacuation advised!]

Tang Yu gritted his teeth to endure the intense pain, forcing himself to think calmly. Tsukishiro's abilities far exceeded his expectations, and he had already joined forces with Ryuen. This game of chess had escalated into a confrontation on the level of superpowers, and the Class D debate tournament would likely become the next battlefield.