A Big Deal

The school library was huge, with dedicated sections for different categories as well as a lounge area for students.

It was fairly quiet here. You could even see people bringing their computers to play or work.

The leader of Class C, Ryuen Kakeru, strode into the library with an especially arrogant swagger and an unusually carefree air. He made an ordinary walk look like he owned the place, swaying his hips like he was dancing a yangge.

Any students who got in Ryuen Kakeru's way were forcibly shoved aside by the Four Guardians. And one of those Four Guardians was a Black Exchange Student, to say nothing of the rest.

The pressure they exerted made everyone else angry but afraid to speak up. They could only hurry away.

Once he reached his destination, Ryuen Kakeru reined himself in a little. Instead of putting his legs up on the table, he sat astride the chair across from her, legs spread wide.

"You should know by now, right? Class B rose to Class A in just two months. They're not only our main enemy; Class C's position is even worse. When they make a move, we have to fight back, don't we?"

Across from Long Yuanxiang sat a pretty blue-haired girl. She wasn't interested in class competition. She never wasted time; she just sat in the library reading, leafing through classics and detective novels.

But not getting involved didn't mean she would stand by and watch. Her social circle was small, too.

Put simply, when Ryuen Kakeru ruled the class through violence, she had accepted it. After all, it was for the good of the entire class.

Without unity, forget about April—Class C would be even more of a mess than Class D. Class D had some flaws beneath the surface, but Class C was openly full of delinquents.

"I can't offer any good advice. Honami Ichinose is a very kind person. When you made your move, she even came to me, hoping I could talk you out of it.

"I refused at the time, but then came the other side's retaliation. Still, I can really tell that it wasn't her intention, or that someone was behind her."

Ryuen Kakeru clicked his tongue in annoyance. Of course he knew that. More accurately, there wasn't a single new student in the whole school who hadn't heard of Honami Ichinose.

She'd even made friends with someone in his Class C. And the worst part was that she'd done it through ordinary socializing, so he couldn't just openly reject her.

Fortunately, when the rules were revealed, most people understood what mattered most.

"Whoever's behind them, if we attack Class B, they'll show themselves once they're pushed far enough. The problem now is that Class B has already become the dominant class,

"and we haven't landed a single effective blow against them. If that person makes a move again, Class C won't be able to withstand a second attack."

Long Yuanxiang wasn't afraid of the other side using schemes. What he feared was them playing dirty. Class B had already made an enemy of him, so was he supposed to pin his hopes on them?

Bet that they wouldn't make a move? What a joke. There could only be one king at this school!

But if you couldn't win and went straight to your parents, the Student Council would wring 3 million points out of him!

If the student council president weren't such an honest guy, he'd have had to sign a Treaty of Versailles!

Put simply, if Ryuen Kakeru knew who was pulling the strings, he could block their door every three days and elbow them every five, and enjoy every second of it. That was how he'd brought Class C under his control.

But since he hadn't found them, he'd become like a headless fly. If he attacked Class B recklessly, he'd invite retaliation without even hurting them.

On top of that, Honami Ichinose herself was a tough opponent. She'd charmed all of Class B, and wherever she went, she was never without at least five people by her side. If it came to a fight, he wouldn't have an easy time either.

He was good at using his head, and even better at fighting, but he wasn't reckless. He was happy to ask around and look for an unconventional opening.

Ryuen Kakeru waved a hand, and the few bruised and swollen people were brought forward.

"I'm going to make a move against Class D, but that's just a smokescreen. Of course, if those guys can't take it, that only proves they're useless.

"So, what do you think, Zhui Mingrihe?"

"Class A has dropped. I don't think we'll be the ones most worried about it. They will."

As soon as the words left her mouth, footsteps came from behind. Ryuen Kakeru turned his head and took a look. Well, what a bald head.

Beihai sneezed. Something felt different today.

Could some troublemaker be plotting against me?

Then he shook his head, dismissing the thought. Who would want to hurt him? He was just a weak, pitiful, helpless ordinary student.

His head felt clear, and he couldn't help thinking,

It's almost next month already. The points will reset and the classes will change. It doesn't have much to do with me, but my source of inspiration must be buzzing.

I guess I really am happy. Not just for myself, but for everyone in Class B, too?

With all those factors piling up, no wonder his inspiration was so lively.

Hmm, I've decided. I'll do a few more exercise books today.

There was still one day before he went to collect points from that shopkeeper uncle, and that was also exactly when the Class Points would be distributed.

Thinking of this, Beihai took out his Terminal and immediately started composing a message.

Instead of the hero saving the beauty, how about the beauty saving the hero? The lilies back home are about to bloom, after all.

And it wasn't as though he'd make her do all that work for nothing. If such a large number of points went into Beihai's account, the school and everyone else would notice.

But if they went into Honami Ichinose's account, that would be perfect cover.

As for the trouble it might cause, don't forget how absurd this school's ideas were: if you never caused trouble, you were a mediocrity. You had to know how to think, how to use underhanded tricks, and then dress it up with a pretty name: this was part of your strength, your wisdom, your growth.

Those people might not do anything to the students. They might even admire them. After all, they were merely people who would eventually work under them.

Promising investments in the future.

By contrast, they'd take out their frustrations on that shopkeeper.

In other words, whether they were politicians or members of the zaibatsu, they didn't care about those points. Politicians didn't have to ask for gifts; people would send them on their own, letting them keep their image as honest officials.

Zaibatsu members were even cruder. They didn't care about the points at all. But that didn't mean they liked being played for fools, so the shopkeeper uncle's fate was easy to imagine.

[Ichinose, this time I'm the one asking you for a favor. I know of a way that's a bit risky, but the payoff will definitely leave you rolling in points.]

When Honami Ichinose received the message, she tried to understand what he meant, but still sent a reply without thinking.

[No need. Don't say things like that. We're friends, after all. I'll do my best to help with anything you need, but I won't agree to anything bad.]

Honami Ichinose really was an angel. Even if Beihai weren't close to her, she'd probably still agree.

[Don't worry. It's risky, but you definitely won't lose out. Just don't name me afterward.]

[Beihai, you're such a joker. It's not that serious.]

As it turned out, it wasn't until more than 20 million points appeared on Honami Ichinose's Terminal that she realized things had gotten a little out of hand!