Self-Selected Classes and Club Creation

Advanced Nurturing High School is a truly baffling institution. To call it a mere vocational school brawl would be inaccurate; at the very least, based on previous cohorts, the physical combat doesn't seem particularly intense. It is, at most, a school that demands a higher level of cognitive ability from its students.

However, to say there are no problems here would be impossible, and in my view, the root of these issues lies with that guy, Ayanokoji.

Ryuen, at most, occupies one of the standard school-bully niches—a common sight in Japanese high schools. Under normal circumstances, Sakayanagi shouldn't be treating her own class like toys as she does in the original story; she is, after all, slated to succeed the chairman, so she ought to maintain a facade of propriety.

A school funded by the Japanese government is bound to attract attention from the higher-ups to some degree. The fact that so much chaos is erupting in this specific year is likely due to the influence from above rippling down into the school.

"Hmm, it has been such a long time. The last time I tasted this was when I attended a banquet with Professor Ayanokoji, brought by the old president of Tokyo University."

Chairman Sakayanagi held his wine glass with a relaxed air, savoring the plum wine I had brought while using the drink to reminisce about the past.

"Is this plum wine really that good? All I can taste is the sourness and the astringency."

To me, this sour and harsh wine is far less enjoyable than fruit juice. In the words of a scholar, I suppose I lack the ability to appreciate the nuances of the wine or see through to the story behind it.

"It is quite normal for a young person to dislike this wine. It carries too heavy a sense of history; it is better for the youth to be more vibrant. Isn't there an old saying you have: 'The young should not read Water Margin, and the old should not read Romance of the Three Kingdoms'?"

As expected, aging educators always seem to lecture the younger generation, whether intentionally or not. Perhaps it has simply become a habit of theirs.

"Unfortunately, in our country, these two books are known to everyone by the time they reach elementary school, so old sayings cannot always be taken as direct references."

Before the interview began today, I informed the professor that the outline and narrative framework for the new book I intend to write are nearly complete, and I estimate it will be finished by the end of the first semester.

I have already selected the book I plan to "import" from the system store. It costs exactly 100,000 points—the precise amount of personal points the school issues upon enrollment.

After promising to provide him with a copy of the original manuscript, I asked the professor to help facilitate an introduction with Chairman Sakayanagi.

The professor was delighted to pull a bottle of plum wine from his private collection and ship it over along with a few bottles of my favorite fruit juice. According to him, Chairman Sakayanagi had been craving this plum wine for a long time, having missed the chance to drink it several times due to various accidents during his visits to Tokyo University.

Once today's interview commenced and it was my turn, I was led to a separate room where only Chairman Sakayanagi was present. This is the power of connections.

"Advanced Nurturing High School is a gathering of elites, and many of the talents who graduate from here have become the pillars of society. We only recruit 160 students each year, divided into classes A through D. I wonder which letter our future literary giant feels a connection to?"

The wine was nearly finished, and the reminiscence had come to an end; the conversation returned to the main track.

Judging by Chairman Sakayanagi's tone, does he intend to let me choose my class freely?

"That would have to be C. I will be a 'CV' literary giant in the future, after all."

A "CV" engineer—to those who don't understand, it sounds like a joke. But after entering the field, many realize that not everyone has the qualifications to be a CV engineer; in short, they can't even manage to copy correctly.

If I truly can choose my own class, compared to Class A, which is full of toy accessories; Class B, which is constantly in turmoil and targeted; or Class D, the vortex of incidents, I would much rather go to Class C.

Considering my goal of becoming a "CV" literary giant, I don't know if I will have the opportunity to earn more points to buy items after leaving this school. Therefore, I must save up enough points for the future within these three years.

I will suffer through these three years and save up enough points for the next lifetime!

Ryuen is the only leader in this cohort who wants to try for the 800 million points. Our goals align—let's do it!

"A 'CV' literary giant, you say? Very well. I wonder if our future 'CV' literary giant has any other interesting proposals for the school? This is a one-time offer, and it won't be available later."

Chairman Sakayanagi looked at the remaining half-bottle of wine he had packed away, then at the class chosen by the young man before him, and felt a twinge of regret.

After all, if he were to be assigned by the rules, this young man should actually be in Class A. His question about which class the boy wanted was merely an impromptu remark made while slightly tipsy; he hadn't expected the boy to choose Class C.

"Hmm?"

Is there such a good deal? It's likely due to the class assignment issue. It wouldn't be right to make things too difficult for him, so I'll just make one request related to literature.

"Then this junior thanks the Chairman for his kindness. I would like to establish a Traditional Literature Club within the school, but the school must not impose a minimum membership requirement."

If I recall correctly, clubs in this school receive personal points from the administration as activity funds. Furthermore, if clubs like the basketball team win external competitions, there are additional personal point rewards.

I am aiming for these extra points siphoned from the school, and secondly, as a club room, it can be turned into an absolutely safe and private space, which will be of great use in this school.

"If it were merely a request to create a club, I could decide to approve it directly. But the minimum membership requirement for establishing a club is non-negotiable."

Strictly speaking, I did make two requests, so I can't blame the Chairman for rejecting the second one. However, I have a backup plan.

"I know. There is a rule in this school—everything can be purchased with points. I will use the points I receive upon enrollment to purchase the exemption from the minimum membership rule. That shouldn't be against the regulations, right?"

Just like the exam where points were bought in the original story—the first time, one point cost 100,000, but that option disappeared afterward. It was either 20 million to save someone or expulsion.

It is hard not to think of that as "newbie protection," so proposing this transaction here is quite reasonable.

If this deal doesn't go through, it doesn't matter. If it fails, I'll just have to extort some points from Chabashira when that plot point arrives later.

"How could you possibly know—it must have been that guy Takahashi who told you. Never mind, it is limited to this one time; I agree."

Chairman Sakayanagi was surprised upon hearing my request for the transaction, but then he relaxed. This is one of the benefits of having connections.

On the surface, everyone claims not to leak secrets, but some secrets are impossible to hide from the start. I don't believe a scion of a conglomerate like Koenji from the original story wouldn't know the secrets of this school. If anything, it would be absurd if a secret known by so many people could actually be kept.

Besides, I haven't signed a non-disclosure agreement yet, and the professor certainly wouldn't have signed one either, so it's fine.

"Then this junior will be even more thick-skinned: I ask that the Chairman deduct the personal points issued to me only after the entrance ceremony concludes. If you are worried, we can sign an agreement."

"That won't be necessary. Old sayings are often quite applicable, such as 'see a good deed through to the end.' I have other matters to attend to, so let us end our conversation here for today. See you at the start of the term, future 'CV' literary giant."