The weekend before the Midterm Exam, Tang Yu sat alone at his dormitory desk, several textbooks spread out in front of him. A light rain fell outside the window, raindrops tapping gently against the glass and creating a peaceful atmosphere perfect for studying.
[Emotion Points: 3980/5000] [Intelligence:10(Human limit)]
Tang Yu closed his books and rubbed his temples. At his current intelligence level, these high school courses were already no challenge at all. He was more concerned with the 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 recited.
[Analyzing...] [Horikita Suzune, personality traits: extremely confident, aloof, refuses to cooperate, fears failure] [Emotional weakness: strong emotional fluctuations when her abilities are questioned]
The corners of Tang Yu's mouth lifted slightly. This was exactly what he needed. The wager was only 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 amount of Emotion Points.
His phone suddenly vibrated, and an anonymous text appeared on the screen: "Be careful of 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 directly."
The sender was, of course, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. Tang Yu could sense that this "ordinary student," who was hiding his true abilities, was gradually drawing closer to him, like a chess player slowly moving his pieces into key positions.
On the day of the Midterm Exam, the weather cleared. Tang Yu entered the examination room and felt the tense atmosphere hanging over the classroom. The Emotion Clouds floating above most of his classmates were anxious orange-yellow, with only a few people staying calm-Horikita Suzune, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, and that weirdo Koenji Rokusuke.
Horikita sat in the front row, her back perfectly straight. Feeling Tang Yu's gaze, she turned and shot him a cold look, her eyes brimming with confidence.
[Competitive spirit from Horikita Suzune +50]
Tang Yu smiled at her and walked 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 hand it in early," the teacher announced.
Tang Yu glanced over the paper. It had ten major questions, and the difficulty was indeed higher than that of an ordinary high school exam, but it posed no challenge to him. 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 precision machine. Every question broke down in his eyes into its most basic logical components. In less than an hour, he had completed the entire paper.
After checking it once, Tang Yu raised his hand to indicate that he wanted to hand it in. A wave of hushed gasps immediately filled the classroom. Horikita Suzune jerked her head up, her brow furrowed. She clearly hadn't expected him to hand in his paper so far ahead of time.
[Amazement from the whole class +150] [Uncertainty from Horikita Suzune +80]
Tang Yu walked out of the examination room unhurriedly, in a cheerful mood. He had already shaken Horikita's confidence with the first subject, mathematics. It was a good sign.
He used the same strategy for the remaining exams: finishing quickly and handing in his papers early. Every time he left the classroom, he could feel Horikita's emotions growing more turbulent.
By the end of the final exam, English, his Emotion Points had accumulated to 4800. He was just one step away from unlocking a new ability.
"Student Tang Yu," Teacher Chabashira called to him in the hallway. "Could I talk to you?"
Tang Yu nodded and followed Chabashira to the Teachers' Office. To his surprise, there was also an unfamiliar man there, around forty years old, wearing a crisp suit and sporting 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 up and held out his hand. "Student Tang Yu, I heard you handed in your papers early for every exam?"
"Yes, sir." Tang Yu shook his hand and activated Emotion Perception at the same time. The Emotion Cloud above Matsuo was deep blue-calm, but scrutinizing, with a hint of... wariness?
"Confidence is a good thing," Matsuo said with a slight nod, "but overconfidence often makes people overlook details."
Tang Yu kept smiling. "Thank you for the advice. I'll keep that in mind."
"We're very interested in your results." Matsuo's words sounded like a polite formality, but Tang Yu keenly caught the probing in them, especially regarding mathematics and physics.
After leaving the office, Tang Yu furrowed his brow. 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 to avoid revealing your full capabilities too early]
The system's warning made Tang Yu think. It was true: if he attracted too much attention from the School Administration, it might restrict his freedom to act later on. On the other hand, his Midterm Exam results were tied to his wager with Horikita, and he had to give it everything he had.
Three days later, the Midterm Exam results were announced. The Class D students crowded around the notice board, searching for their names. Tang Yu stood at the edge of the crowd. He didn't need to squeeze in to guess the result.
"Impossible!" came an exclamation. It was Horikita Suzune's voice. "There's no way this is right!"
The corners of Tang Yu's mouth lifted slightly. It seemed the results were just as he expected.
[Shock from Horikita Suzune +200] [Disbelief from the whole class +300] [Emotion Points exceeded 5000, new ability unlocked: "Emotion Influence" (Basic)]
A warm current flowed into Tang Yu's brain, and he felt his Perception Ability expand once again. Now, he could not only sense other people's emotions, but also subtly influence or amplify a certain emotion.
Tang Yu walked toward the notice board, and the crowd automatically made way for him. His name was at the very top of the results:
Tang Yu - Mathematics 100, Physics 100, Chemistry 100, English 100, Modern Japanese 100, History 100
Horikita Suzune - Mathematics 98, Physics 95, Chemistry 96, English 92, Modern Japanese 90, History 88
"A Perfect Score in All Subjects..." Hirata Yosuke stared at the results in disbelief. "That's rare even in the school's history, isn't it?"
"He must have cheated!" Ken Sudō shouted in accusation. "How could anyone get a perfect score in every subject?"
[Jealousy from Ken Sudō +100]
Tang Yu ignored the accusations and walked straight toward Horikita Suzune. The girl stood still, both hands clenched into fists, her knuckles white.
Her Emotion Cloud churned violently-deep-red anger, purple frustration, and black self-doubt tangled together.
"Looks like I won, Horikita." Tang Yu spoke softly as he secretly activated his new ability, lightly plucking the string of "self-doubt" in her Emotion Cloud.
Horikita jerked her head up, a complicated light in her eyes. "How... did you do it?"
"According to our wager, you're supposed to grant me one request now." Tang Yu didn't answer her question directly.
Horikita bit her lower lip, then finally nodded. "Go ahead. What do you want?"
The whole class held its breath, curious about what condition the Transfer Student would ask for.
Tang Yu looked around, his gaze pausing for a moment on Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. The other boy was watching the scene with that distinctive, seemingly vacant yet all-seeing gaze of his.
"My request is," Tang Yu said slowly, "for you to study with me for one hour after school every day for the next month."
The unexpected request left everyone stunned, Horikita included.
"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. "Class D needs more high-scoring students if it's going to move up to Class C, doesn't it?"
The reason made sense, but Horikita obviously didn't believe him. Still, with everyone watching, she couldn't refuse the terms of the wager.
"...Fine." She finally agreed, reluctantly. "But don't expect me to thank you."
[Confusion from Horikita Suzune +120] [Interest from Ayanokoji Kiyotaka +150]
Tang Yu nodded in satisfaction. This arrangement had several benefits: staying in regular contact with Horikita meant a steady source of Emotion Points; studying together gave him a legitimate reason to observe her weaknesses and potential.
More importantly, it would pique Ayanokoji's interest even more. In the original story, Ayanokoji had always tried to "cultivate" Horikita into becoming Class D's leader.
After school, the students left the classroom in twos and threes. Tang Yu noticed Ayanokoji deliberately taking his time packing up, clearly wanting to observe his and Horikita's first "study session."
"How about the library?" Tang Yu suggested.
Horikita gave him a cold nod and left the classroom 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 caught the other boy's true inner response-a strong sense of 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 right away. Instead, he observed her carefully. Horikita Suzune really was beautiful, with long black hair, delicate features, and a cold, stern air, but her eyes were full of wariness at that moment.
"First," Tang Yu said in a low voice, "you have to admit that you lost."
Horikita's fingers tightened abruptly, crumpling the edge of a page. "...I admit it. You won this time."
"Not 'this time,'" Tang Yu corrected her, "but 'every time.' If I want to, you'll never beat me."
[Anger from Horikita Suzune +150] [Emotion Influence activated, anger amplified by 20%]
Horikita's breathing grew noticeably faster, and anger blazed in her eyes. "Arrogant! You're nothing but-"
"Nothing but what?" Tang Yu interrupted her. "A genius? A monster? Or can you simply not accept the fact that there are people in this world far stronger than you?"
Horikita shot to her feet. Her chair scraped out a piercing squeal, drawing sidelong 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 see reality." Tang Yu's tone softened. "Horikita, you really are excellent, but your study methods are too rigid."
He took a notebook from his bag and pushed it across to Horikita. "These are my notes. Take a look and 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 just a simple transcription of key points. They were mind maps linking different subjects together, breaking down complex concepts into simple chains of logic, with various clever memorization techniques noted alongside them.
"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 only limits your thinking."
Horikita silently flipped through the notes. The color of her Emotion Cloud gradually shifted from angry red to thoughtful deep blue. Tang Yu quietly withdrew his Emotion Influence, allowing her to think calmly.
"Why are you helping me?" After a long while, Horikita looked up and asked. There was less hostility in her eyes, and more sincere confusion.
Tang Yu leaned back in his chair. "Two reasons. First, Class D 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 say the third reason: Horikita was an excellent source of Emotion Points.
Horikita looked at Tang Yu closely, seeming to judge how sincere he was. Finally, she nodded slightly. "I'll study your methods. But don't misunderstand. That doesn't mean I'm admitting defeat."
"Of course," Tang Yu said with a smile. "The competition has only just begun."
The two studied quietly for an hour, during which Tang Yu answered several questions Horikita asked. To his surprise, once she let her guard down, Horikita was actually a good student-quick-minded and quick to grasp things.
"Time's up." Tang Yu closed his book. "Shall we continue tomorrow?"
Horikita hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "See you tomorrow."
When they left the library, the setting sun painted the corridor gold. Tang Yu stretched, feeling cheerful. He had gotten 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 Stage Goal: Reach 10000 points to unlock "Emotion Suggestion"]
As he turned the corner, Tang Yu suddenly stopped. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was leaning against a window a short distance away, apparently having waited for some time.
"What a coincidence." Tang Yu walked over. "Waiting for someone?"
"Observing," Ayanokoji said bluntly. "You and Horikita seem to get along well?"
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 subtle. "Like how you 'guided' her to fail the exam?"
Tang Yu's heart tightened, but he kept his expression unchanged. "I don't know what you mean."
"Perfect Score in All Subjects." Ayanokoji turned to look at Tang Yu. "Even Horikita couldn't manage it, yet you did it with ease. Isn't that strange?"
Their gazes met in midair. Tang Yu's Emotion Perception clearly picked up the stir deep inside Ayanokoji-not suspicion, but confirmation. This guy had already seen through the strength he was hiding.
"There are plenty of strange things at this school," Tang Yu replied meaningfully. "For instance, how certain 'ordinary students' have observational skills far beyond the norm."
The corner of Ayanokoji's mouth lifted slightly, an expression he rarely showed. "You'll be taking the Special Exam at the end of the month, right?"
"Of course."
"I'm looking forward to it," Ayanokoji said, then turned and left.
Tang Yu watched him go, his brow furrowing slightly. The conversation had seemed ordinary, but undercurrents ran beneath it. Ayanokoji had not only confirmed that something about him was unusual, but had also issued a challenge of sorts-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 stage, it could only slightly amplify or suppress emotions that others already felt. But as the ability improved, it could theoretically reach the point of directly implanting emotions and even controlling behavior.
"The Special Exam at the end of the month..." Tang Yu murmured to himself. The words of Chabashira-sensei and Mr. Matsuo flashed through his mind. "Looks like it won't be that simple."
He went to the window and gazed at the campus at night. At this school, where strength reigned supreme, he was steadily establishing his position. Horikita Suzune, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, the School Board... the various forces were gradually becoming entangled in his plans.
"Emotion Points are only a means," Tang Yu said softly to himself. "The real goal is to take control of the power structure at 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 the biggest winner.