Horikita Manabu fell silent for a moment, then suddenly changed the subject. "Do you think this kind of strategic thinking applies to modern schools? For example... class competition?"
It was a trap question. Tang Yu smiled faintly. "The principles of strategy are the same across time, but their specific applications must suit the circumstances. The Taira Clan ultimately fell because it relied too heavily on past successes and ignored the changing situation."
His answer demonstrated the breadth of his knowledge while deftly avoiding any direct discussion of competition between schools. Horikita Manabu seemed satisfied and nodded for Tang Yu to sit down.
"Good analysis." He pushed up 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 kid." The boy leading them looked down at Tang Yu. "Wonder how you'd do in a real fight?"
Tang Yu activated Emotion Perception and found deep-red Emotion Clouds floating above the group-not simple bullying, but more like a test at someone else's direction.
Miyabi Nagumo stood some distance away, pretending not to notice, but the curve of his lips revealed how he really felt.
"A real fight?" Tang Yu feigned innocence. "Do you mean the final exams or the sports festival?"
"Quit playing dumb!" The boy suddenly slapped at 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 "Emotion Mirror" ability]
[Can briefly reflect received emotions back to their source]
Tang Yu immediately activated his new ability. When the boy's hand landed on his shoulder, that malice rebounded as if it had struck a mirror. The boy's face suddenly changed, and he staggered back several steps, as though frightened 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 just 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 quickly died down, but it had a noticeable effect-during the next few classes, no one dared provoke Tang Yu again. At lunchtime, Horikita Suzune sat down beside him of her own accord.
"You did it 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 shone. "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 complex emotions-admiration and defiance toward her brother, uncertainty about her own abilities, and... a trace of expectation toward Tang Yu?
"We have group activities this afternoon." Horikita changed the subject. "Apparently, we have to complete a special assignment."
"How are the groups being formed?"
"By drawing lots." Horikita's voice was a little unnatural. "I hope I don't end up in a terrible group."
Fate seemed to be playing a joke. At the afternoon assembly, when Horikita Manabu announced the group assignments, Tang Yu, Horikita Suzune, and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka were placed in the same group.
"Group Three," Horikita Manabu read out. "The assignment is 'Optimization Plan for Campus Power Structure.' You have three days."
Tang Yu looked at Ayanokoji. He still wore an expressionless face, but a nearly imperceptible flicker crossed his eyes-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 children? Need a senpai to show you the ropes?"
"No, thank you," Horikita Suzune refused coldly.
Nagumo didn't take offense. He leaned close to Tang Yu's ear. "Be careful of President Horikita. He's... very interested in you." Then he left with a laugh.
After the group meeting ended, the three found a quiet corner to discuss the assignment. Ayanokoji, uncharacteristically, spoke first. "The real purpose of the 'campus power structure' assignment is to test our teamwork. The School Administration wants to see how we handle internal conflicts."
"How do you know?" Horikita frowned.
"Observation," Ayanokoji replied calmly. "The other groups' assignments also contain tests of this kind."
Tang Yu privately agreed. This assignment did seem like Horikita Manabu's style-academic on the surface, but actually a psychological test.
"I suggest we research separately and pool our findings tomorrow," Ayanokoji proposed.
Horikita Suzune nodded in agreement, but Tang Yu noticed that her gaze kept drifting toward a second-floor window. Horikita Manabu stood there, looking down over the entire courtyard.
During the free time that evening, Tang Yu explored the mountain lodge alone. As he passed a Japanese-style room, he heard a familiar voice-Chabashira Sae was speaking with someone.
"...The abnormal behavior has already drawn the School Board's attention," Chabashira's voice came through the paper door. "Especially that transfer student from Huaxia."
"I know." It was Horikita Manabu who replied. "His test data doesn't fit the normal curve. It's too perfect, unnaturally perfect."
"Does he need special attention?"
"Arrangements have already been made." Horikita Manabu's footsteps approached the door, and Tang Yu quickly slipped around the corner. "This training class is the perfect opportunity to observe him."
After the two 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 had their eyes on him too.
Back in his dorm room-luckily, a single-Tang Yu checked the system status:
[Current Emotion Points: 40700/50000] [New ability "Emotion Mirror" test successful] [Special Reminder: Multiple sources of surveillance detected] [Horikita Manabu Attention: 70%] [Miyabi Nagumo Attention: 60%] [School Board Attention: 50%]
Outside the window, moonlight illuminated the mountain lodge's courtyard. Tang Yu saw a figure standing beneath a cherry tree-Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, gazing up at the stars as if pondering something. Farther away, in the shadows, another indistinct figure was watching everything.
Tang Yu drew the curtains and began planning his next moves. This Special Training Class was far more than it seemed, and he had already become the focus of attention from multiple sides without even realizing it.
Tomorrow's assignment discussion would be his first real collaboration with Ayanokoji and Horikita Suzune-and an ideal opportunity to test one another. In the delicate web of relationships between the three of them, who would be an ally, and who a potential threat?
[Mission Updated: Complete the group assignment and gather key intelligence]
[Reward: Unlock a special ability based on performance]
The system prompt glimmered in the darkness. Tang Yu lay in bed and closed his eyes. In this lodge full of scheming, sleep might be the only time he could briefly let his guard down.
And tomorrow, the real game would only just begin.