Transaction

Kazama In followed behind Chabashira Sae, the sound of her high heels striking the floor echoing through the empty hallway with a cold, rhythmic beat. They weren't heading toward the faculty office; instead, they walked straight through the corridor toward the stairs leading to the rooftop. The afternoon sunlight streamed through the stairwell windows, cutting sharp geometric patterns of light and shadow that fell across Chabashira's straight-backed silhouette and Kazama's composed face.

Pushing open the heavy fire door, a breeze carrying faint dust and the early-summer warmth rushed in. The rooftop was spacious and quiet, with only the distant clamor of the campus drifting over, making it feel like an isolated island. Chabashira Sae walked to the railing at the edge of the rooftop, turned around, and locked her sharp, hawk-like gaze onto Kazama In.

"Kazama In," her voice shed the formulaic tone from the classroom, replaced by a pressing force that cut straight to the core, "you've seen Class D's situation. Class points wiped to zero, personal points suspended, morale in chaos, scattered like loose sand. At this rate, forget rising to Class A—whether you can even make it to the end of the semester is questionable."

Kazama In stopped a few steps away from her, hands casually shoved in his pockets. The strands of silver-white and dark red at his temples stirred in the wind, glinting faintly in the sunlight. His ink-black pupils calmly met Chabashira's gaze without any flinch or tension, as if he were merely listening to an objective statement.

"What is it Chabashira-sensei wants to say?" His voice was low, betraying no emotion.

Chabashira Sae leaned forward slightly, her eyes growing even sharper, carrying a keen edge that seemed to pierce secrets. "I know who you are, Kazama In. Or, more precisely, I know what you represent." Her voice dropped, laced with a cold, threatening undertone. "'The Arbiter'... the heir to 'The Ladder.' With your status and ability, why hole up in Class D and watch these mediocrities sink? Is it fun? Or did your father send you here just for 'experience'?"

She deliberately emphasized the words "The Arbiter" and "The Ladder," her gaze fixed tightly on Kazama In's face, trying to catch any flicker of emotion.

Yet Kazama In's expression remained as calm as still water, not even a flutter of his eyelashes. He simply spoke, his voice steady without a ripple. "Chabashira-sensei's intelligence work is impressive. But how does this relate to whether Class D can rise to Class A?"

A trace of barely perceptible frustration flickered in Chabashira Sae's eyes. She had thought throwing out these heavyweight identity tags would shake him, at least make him show a crack, but he was completely unmoved, even sidestepping her threat and pulling the conversation back. This composure far exceeded her expectations.

"It's very relevant!" Chabashira Sae's voice took on an urgent, forceful edge. "Class D needs a leader! Someone who can truly see through the rules and turn things around! That person is you, Kazama In! Your abilities, your resources"—she glanced meaningfully at Kazama's pocket, where the phone holding millions of points sat—"are Class D's only hope! If you stand by and do nothing, Class D has no chance of turning things around! And your father's expectations, the 'Ladder' you carry... are you willing to stop here?"

She tried to pressure him with responsibility, with his father's hopes, with his own "Ladder."

Kazama In was silent for a few seconds, the rooftop wind rustling his clothes. He suddenly let out a faint laugh, light and carrying a hint of subtle mockery, though not aimed at Chabashira.

"The Ladder... I'll step over it one rung at a time, of course." He lifted his eyes, his gaze piercing through Chabashira as if looking at something far beyond. "As for Class D..." His focus returned to Chabashira's face, a cold, hard edge flashing deep in his ink-black pupils. "Even if sensei hadn't said it, I had no intention of watching it sink. Letting a rabble of stragglers hold things back doesn't align with my efficiency principles."

His answer caught Chabashira off guard. No anger, no rebuttal to her threats, not even bargaining—just a calm, almost matter-of-fact acceptance of the task to "lead Class D upward," as if it were already part of his plan. That sense of control and confidence choked off the follow-up arguments she had prepared.

"You... agree?" Chabashira Sae confirmed, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

"Mm." Kazama In replied succinctly. "Class D needs consolidation. I'll handle it."

A weight lifted from Chabashira Sae's heart, but at the same time, a deeper wariness rose. This student's mind was even more profound and elusive than she had anticipated. His ready agreement—was it really just for class efficiency? Or did he have other motives?

Just as Chabashira was pondering, Kazama In spoke again, throwing out a question she hadn't expected.

"Chabashira-sensei, points can buy a lot of things in this school, right?" His tone was casual, as if confirming common knowledge.

Chabashira Sae frowned. "In theory, as long as it doesn't violate school rules or involve dangerous items, points can exchange for most daily necessities, learning resources, and even some privilege services. What do you want to buy?" She instinctively grew wary; Kazama In's "shopping needs" would never be simple.

Kazama In pulled out his phone, swiped his finger across the screen a few times, and brought up a picture—a photo of an exquisitely designed necklace. The main body was some kind of deep, dark silver metal, with a sleek, abstract shape, and at its center was a perfectly cut, blood-red gem like solidified blood (echoing the dyed strands in his hair). The overall style was cold, mysterious, with a low-key luxury.

"A personal item." Kazama In turned the phone screen toward Chabashira Sae. "Something with special sentimental value to me. I want to bring it into the school."

Chabashira Sae studied the picture closely. The necklace's design was unique, the craftsmanship looked very high-end, and it was clearly valuable, but from the picture alone, it didn't seem like a dangerous item—more like a top-tier piece of art or luxury accessory.

"A keepsake?" Chabashira Sae eyed him suspiciously. "The school doesn't explicitly prohibit bringing in valuables, but they need to be declared, registered, and pass security checks. This is to prevent dangerous or prohibited items from entering campus." She emphasized, "Any item entering the school must go through strict scanning and inspection procedures."

Kazama In put his phone away, his face showing no surprise. "I know the inspection procedures. That's why I need sensei's 'permission.'"

"Permission?" Chabashira Sae's brow furrowed deeper. "I have no authority to interfere with normal security procedures. If your item has no issues, it will naturally pass inspection."

Kazama In shook his head slightly, his ink-black eyes meeting Chabashira's directly. "Sensei, we both know that some 'keepsakes' have meaning and value far beyond the surface. Security procedures... sometimes they can be a bit too 'thorough.' I don't want it to be dismantled and studied because it's too 'precise,' or trigger unnecessary alarms due to certain 'special materials,' leading to confiscation or even... reporting." His words were calm but carried an unmistakable implication—this necklace was far from ordinary! He needed a "green light" in the security process, for Chabashira to use her limited authority as homeroom teacher to ensure the item entered campus intact, undamaged, and without drawing any extra attention.

Chabashira Sae's heart sank heavily. She stared at Kazama In, trying to find a crack in his face, but saw only an unfathomable calm. This necklace... was definitely problematic! It might be more than just a keepsake! Given his background—the son of "The Arbiter"—could this be some kind of weapon? A deadly tool disguised as an accessory?

The thought sent a chill down Chabashira's spine. But Kazama In's next words eased her slightly.

"Sensei needn't worry." Kazama In seemed to read her concern, his tone still flat. "It has no gunpowder, no blades, won't explode, and won't suddenly shoot poison needles. Its 'specialness' lies in its material and craftsmanship, and... the promise it carries. That's all." He paused, then added, "Besides, if I really wanted to bring in 'dangerous items,' assembling them from materials available in the school wouldn't be difficult. But... that would be meaningless."

These words were half reassurance, half threat. He made clear he had the ability to create danger but no intention to do so, while also emphasizing that the necklace itself had no immediate lethal capability (at least on the surface). The key point was that he needed it to come in whole.

Chabashira Sae fell into intense internal conflict. Letting a potentially dangerous item onto campus? Huge risk! But refusing Kazama In? This student, who had just agreed to lead Class D upward and whose background was unfathomable, might immediately turn hostile or even resort to more uncontrollable measures. And he had indeed pointed out a key fact—if he really wanted to cause trouble, assembling things available in the school could be even more harmful.

Weighing the pros and cons, Chabashira Sae ultimately compromised. She took a deep breath, her voice carrying a hint of weariness and resignation. "...I can try to put in a word at the security checkpoint, have them give your 'personal item'... appropriate 'convenience,' as long as the scan shows no clear prohibited features, they'll let it through. But!" Her tone suddenly turned severe. "Kazama In, you must guarantee! This item will absolutely not cause any incidents on campus! Otherwise, no matter whose son you are, I'll be the first to have you expelled!"

"Deal." Kazama In agreed without hesitation.

"Also," Chabashira Sae added, "bringing special items from outside the school requires an additional 'special item entry permit fee.' 500,000 points."

Kazama In didn't even frown, directly pulling out his phone to operate. "Points transferred."

Chabashira Sae watched the notification of the massive point deposit pop up on her phone, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly. This student's way of solving problems was... simple and brutal.

"When will the item arrive?" Kazama In put his phone away and asked.

"You need to provide the receiving method and time. The school will notify you of the pickup location, usually at the main gate or a designated logistics center, under security personnel supervision." Chabashira Sae replied in a businesslike tone.

"Understood." Kazama In nodded. "Then, I'll handle Class D's matters. If sensei has nothing else, I'll take my leave."

Watching Kazama In's tall, straight back as he turned and walked away, Chabashira Sae leaned against the rooftop railing, feeling a deep sense of helplessness and immense pressure. She felt she had let a beast in sheep's clothing into the pen, and the reins she held to restrain it were pitifully fragile. What exactly was that necklace? And what was Kazama In's true purpose? She looked down at the campus below, laid out like a chessboard, and for the first time, she felt that this "meritocracy" game, with Kazama In's presence, was sliding into a completely unknown direction.

Night fell, and Class D's dormitory area was shrouded in gloom. The panic of having no points and the pressure of survival began to weigh heavily on everyone's hearts. Inside Kazama In's room, however, it was utterly still. He sat at his desk, the lights off, with only the computer screen casting a faint blue glow that illuminated his sharply defined profile and the few strands of unusual-colored hair at his temples.

He didn't use the school's network. Instead, through his specially modified phone, he connected to an encrypted satellite channel. The screen flickered a few times, and a heavily encrypted, blurred communication interface popped up.

Kazama In typed in a long string of complex commands and verification codes. A few seconds later, the connection was established.

There was no image on the screen, only a middle-aged male voice processed through a voice changer, carrying an obvious teasing tone. The voice was hoarse yet full of power, like sandpaper scraping against rock:

"Yo! Look who it is! Isn't this our famous 'Little Arbiter'? What, life in the ivory tower too comfortable, finally remembered to call your old man Kurosawa? Or did those little brats' exams stump you, need Uncle to give you some remote tutoring? Hahaha!"

The corner of Kazama In's mouth curved upward almost imperceptibly—a rare, relaxed expression he only showed to a very few people he truly knew and trusted. "Uncle Kurosawa, cut the crap." His voice was still low, but it had shed some of its usual coldness, replaced by familiarity. "I've got business."

"Tsk, still not cute at all." The man called "Uncle Kurosawa" spoke with amusement in his voice. "Alright, alright, I know you're a busy man, future lord of the Kazama. Spit it out, kid. What's so important you're using this line? Don't tell me you want Uncle to help you with your homework?"

"I need to send something in." Kazama In cut straight to the point, his tone turning serious. "Advanced Nurturing High School."

"Oh?" The teasing in Uncle Kurosawa's voice immediately receded, replaced by a steady, alert tone. "That place... the security isn't top-tier, but the surveillance and inspection systems are government-special-grade. A bit troublesome. What is it? Who's it going to? An assassination target? Or..."

"It's my own thing." Kazama In cut off his speculation. "An 'old item.' The necklace my father gave me back then."

Several seconds of silence passed on the other end of the line. Clearly, Uncle Kurosawa knew what that necklace meant. It was the "protective charm" Kazama Ryunosuke had given to young Kazama In after his wife's brutal death—more than that, a transformable lethal weapon forged by the organization's top craftsmen, blending special alloys with ancient techniques. In its normal state, it was an elegant necklace, but triggering the mechanism with a specific motion could instantly spring sharp blades that assembled into a short knife, or its internal structure could reconfigure into a compact micro-pistol firing special non-metallic ammunition. It was "The Arbiter's" gift to his heir, and his final safeguard.

"Tch..." Uncle Kurosawa sucked in a sharp breath. "Kid, have you lost your mind? Bringing that thing into the school? What are you planning? That place isn't a battlefield!"

"It's important to me." Kazama In's voice carried an unshakable resolve. "Just in case. I need it within arm's reach. Besides, I've already taken care of the school's security 'conveniences.'"

Uncle Kurosawa fell silent for a few more seconds, as if weighing the risks and feasibility. "...Fine, I understand." His voice turned grave and reliable. "Since it's your decision, kid, I'll move heaven and earth to get it done. Where's the thing now?"

"At the old house, in my safe. You know the combination."

"Got it. I'll pick it up myself." Uncle Kurosawa replied. "As for getting it in... a direct breach won't work. I'll have to use some 'finesse.' Disguise it as an ordinary package, but I'll need to bypass several of their key scanning protocols, especially the deep scans for irregular metal shapes and energy sources. I've got the latest 'Phase Shielding Coating' and 'Inert Material Wrapping Technology'—should fool their standard equipment. But it'll take time to prepare and test."

"How long?"

"Three days tops. I'll disguise it as... hmm, a 'custom precision metal craft accessory.' Mark the declared value high to make it look plausible. Use your public info for the shipping address and contact—Kazama In, Advanced Nurturing High School. I'll arrange an absolutely reliable 'courier' to deliver it to the school gate at a set time. You just go pick it up when the school notifies you." Uncle Kurosawa's thinking was clear, and he laid out the plan swiftly.

"Safety first, Uncle." Kazama In cautioned. "Can't let them discover the item's true nature, and definitely can't expose the source." That was the bottom line.

"Relax, kid!" Uncle Kurosawa's voice regained its hearty tone. "Your Uncle Kurosawa was in this line of work when you were still playing in the mud! I'll make sure it's done without a trace—those school security guys will think it's some rich brat's luxury trinket! But..." His tone shifted, turning teasing again. "So you're playing student and packing heat at the same time. What, is there some scumbag in that school who had a hand in your mother's death? Or... too many pretty girls chasing after you, and you need to flash a weapon to scare off the competition?"

Kazama In completely ignored the latter half of his jab. "I'm counting on you, Uncle. Keep in touch."

"Roger that! I'll notify you when it arrives. Kid, at school... watch yourself too. Don't just bury your head in books—don't let your skills rust! Over and out!" The call cut off cleanly.

The blue glow of the screen died, plunging the room into total darkness.

Kazama In sat quietly in the dark, his fingertips unconsciously tracing his bare neck. The shape of that necklace and its cold touch seemed to linger on his skin. It wasn't just a weapon—it was a key connecting him to that blood-soaked hell of the past, a heavy trust from his father, and an indelible scar deep in his heart... along with his resolve.

Bringing it into this seemingly peaceful campus was like dropping a ticking time bomb into an elegant birdcage. He knew the risks clearly, but more than the risks, he couldn't bear the feeling of being unarmed when facing potential hidden enemies. Sakayanagi Arisu's probing, Chabashira Sae's threats, Class D's chaos, the S System's coldness... all of this was just the surface. He had never forgotten his deeper purpose for entering this place—to search for clues, and to be ready to deliver "judgment" at any moment.

In the darkness, deep within Kazama In's jet-black pupils, it seemed as if dark red flames were silently burning. He slowly clenched his fist, joints cracking faintly in the stillness. Three days from now, when that necklace returned to his hands, this "meritocracy" cage game would finally truly begin for him.