Set Up by Capital

But if it requires spending a massive amount of time and energy to compete, to scheme, and to participate in complex class struggles...

Then forget it. Everything staying the same, with slacking off as the ultimate priority, is his life creed.

Chabashira Sae finished briefly explaining some of the rules and precautions, then tapped her finger on the remaining items on the podium, emphasizing that everyone must study them carefully, before saying nothing more.

She took one last look at Class D, who were still immersed in the joy of their points and looking slightly restless, her eyes devoid of any encouragement, advice, or expectations, holding only a kind of numb calmness.

In her view, saying too many hopeful words to Class D was meaningless; it would be better to let them realize it for themselves or get battered and bruised during the subsequent collisions of rules.

This school, which prioritizes ability above all else, only looks at the final results, not the process, and certainly does not care about the struggles of individuals.

And so, she turned around decisively, pulled open the classroom door, and walked straight out, the sound of her high heels clicking against the floor fading rapidly, without even leaving behind a "class dismissed" or "see you tomorrow."

As soon as the homeroom teacher left, the noise that had just been suppressed in the classroom surged up again immediately, even more intensely than before.

Everyone was excitedly huddled together, discussing how to squander their "huge fortune" of 100,000 points.

Some were already impatiently using their terminals to check the products in the school store, while others were heatedly debating which entertainment facility to experience first...

The entire Class D was overflowing with a festive atmosphere, filled with infinite (and naive) expectations for the future.

Only a few students in Class D remained calm, and Lin Mu was one of them; in such a situation, it instead made those who remained calm seem like out-of-place misfits.

Lin Mu leaned back in his seat in the back row, slowly eating a lollipop, turning a deaf ear to the surrounding clamor.

He silently took stock of the known information in his mind, then reached a conclusion similar to the one in Chabashira Sae's heart: Well, those students who spend money lavishly will likely go from extreme joy to extreme sorrow very soon next month.

Time passed quietly amidst the noise, and in the blink of an eye, it was time for school to end.

Chabashira Sae did not appear again, nor did she arrange any class meetings or follow-up matters, as if her work for the first day of school was already finished.

Seeing this, everyone packed their things and left the classroom, carrying their excitement for the new environment and their "huge wealth."

Lin Mu also stood up and stretched, his bones making a slight "click" sound.

He followed the flow of people slowly out of the teaching building, but his goal was clear—straight to the school's general supermarket.

For him, the top priority was not to study the rules or make friends, but to stock up on the "strategic supplies" necessary for the near future—lollipops.

This was more important than anything else; after all, if he didn't rely on sugar to suppress part of his abilities to "maintain his state," and instead passively received the inner voices of the people around him every day, that feeling would be absolutely miserable.

The school supermarket was indeed as Chabashira Sae had said, quite large and well-stocked.

From fresh fruits and vegetables, various snacks and drinks, and daily toiletries, to simple stationery and small appliances, the variety was dazzling, almost comparable to a large convenience store outside the school.

Lin Mu ignored the other areas and headed straight for the snack section. Soon, he found his target—an entire row of shelves filled with various lollipops.

His eyes lit up slightly. Lollipops of different brands, flavors, and packaging were arranged neatly:

Fujiya's classic milk and fruit series, Alpenliebe's various mixed flavors, and some imported brands... it was simply a paradise for candy lovers.

Without a second thought, Lin Mu began to "sweep the shelves."

He pushed a shopping cart and, like a calm procurement officer, scanned the shelves, his fingers continuously taking down bags and rows of lollipops and tossing them into the cart.

Fujiya's various flavors? Take them. Alpenliebe's classic and special flavors? Take them.

Seeing some imported brands he hadn't tasted before, he also grabbed a few bags to try.

His speed of selection was fast and precise, and before long, the bottom of the shopping cart was covered with colorful candy packaging.

Just for the lollipops, a rough estimate showed he had spent nearly 10,000 points!

But he didn't even frown.

Lollipops were the key "energy source" and "buffer" to maintain his "full state," ensure his superpowers remained stable and controllable, and isolate the mental noise from the outside world.

Investing in this, no matter how much, was not a waste; it was the cornerstone of guaranteeing the quality of his slacking-off life.

Besides lollipops, while browsing the supermarket, Lin Mu also noticed some details.

There were indeed some products in the supermarket marked as "free supply," mostly basic daily necessities.

For example, the most common toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, towels, toilet paper, etc.—although the brands and quality were very average, they had the advantage of being free.

Lin Mu immediately switched to "budgeting" mode.

He pushed the cart back around and took one of each of these free basic items, placing them into the cart.

Save where you can, spend where you must.

He knew very well that according to the rules in Chabashira Sae's memory and the current state of this group of students in Class D, the class assessment next month would likely not be very optimistic.

Once class points were deducted, affecting the distribution of personal points, or even potentially dropping to zero, these free supplies would become a lifesaver.

If he didn't take advantage of the school's "wool" now, was he supposed to wait until points were tight later and regret it?

Carrying two full bags of supplies (mostly lollipops, with other free items stuffed into the gaps), Lin Mu walked along the tree-lined path back to the dormitory building.

A complex emotion known as "feeling blue" still welled up.

It was truly rotten luck to be assigned to the worst class, Class D.

He knew clearly in his heart that based on his "efforts" during his time at the orphanage (and the minor assistance of his superpowers), his carefully prepared admission file and grades...

No matter how you looked at it, they should have been enough to meet the standards for Class B, and it wouldn't have been impossible to even scrape into Class A.

There was no way he should have been classified into this Class D, which was like a "shelter for problem children."

After thinking it over, he could only attribute it to the evils of "capital manipulation" or "backroom deals by the school."

Perhaps the academy's higher-ups, in order to balance the number of students in each class, had deliberately stuffed "high-quality students" like him into Class D to make up the numbers, using him as a "pawn" or "guinea pig" to adjust the class's strength.

(Manipulated by capital)

Thinking of this, Lin Mu couldn't help but grumble inwardly about these shitty rules and the unfairness of it all.

But grumbling was one thing; the matter was settled, and the boat had already sailed. He had neither the interest nor the energy to file a complaint or make a fuss.

Since he was here, he might as well settle in.

"Forget it."

He muttered to himself, swapping in a new lollipop, "Slacking off in Class D is the same as slacking off in Class A. Besides, with my superpowers, no one is going to truly disturb my peaceful life."

The sweetness dispelled the last trace of his irritation.

He carried his bag and sauntered toward the dormitory, his short white hair fluttering gently in the evening breeze.

(Event period: May 1st to May 5th)