Day 4, Thursday.
In the morning, the system officially opened the class alliance feature.
Almost at the same time, Class B's Ichinose Honami sent Class D an official invitation to form an alliance. The two classes would cooperate to earn CP, which would be allocated according to contribution. They would share limited information, refrain from targeting any specific class, and maintain the alliance at least until Day 6.
Horikita Suzune held an urgent discussion with Hirata and Hoshida.
"We can form an alliance," Hoshida analyzed, "but we need to amend the terms. First, we should add a clause coordinating strategic actions, requiring us to consult each other before taking actions that affect either side's major interests.
"Second, we should clarify that the agreement not to target a specific class doesn't exclude Class C. Both Class B and we need to be wary of Ryuen.
"Third, we should add a one-way withdrawal compensation clause. If either side withdraws early, they must pay the other side 10% of their total CP as compensation."
They sent the revised terms to Class B. Ichinose hesitated briefly, then discussed it with Shibata and Kanzaki before agreeing. Class D and Class B officially formed an alliance.
Almost at the same time, Class A's Katsuragi Kohei also sent Class B an invitation to form an alliance, but Ichinose politely declined, explaining that they had already signed an agreement with Class D.
That afternoon, in a secluded corner of the library.
Hoshida arrived as promised. Only a faint light filtered through the bookshelves in the corner.
Sakayanagi Arisu was already waiting there, seated in a chair with no one else beside her.
"Glad you could make it, Hoshida." Sakayanagi smiled. "I've been keeping an eye on you. Your performance... far exceeds the average for Class D. You're even a match for Katsuragi."
"This isn't our first time meeting. Just tell me what you want." Hoshida stood three meters away from her, keeping his distance.
"My goal is simple. I still want you to join Class A and become one of my subordinates," Sakayanagi said bluntly. "Class D is destined to stay at the bottom. You're wasting your talent there. Come over to my side, and I can give you a bigger stage. We can take control of this school together. As for the transfer procedures and points, I'll handle them."
Hoshida's expression didn't change. "I refuse."
"Oh? Why? Because you're attached to Class D? Or... because you can't bear to part with those two girls from Class B?" Sakayanagi's smile remained unchanged, but her words grew pointed.
"It has nothing to do with feelings," Hoshida said. "Class D is more advantageous to me for now. Besides, I don't like being controlled."
Sakayanagi narrowed her eyes slightly. "You seem to understand your own worth. Then aren't you worried I'll seek an alliance with Class C? Class A is still in the lead, after all. Bringing down Class D would only take a little time."
Hoshida calmly replied, "You won't work with Ryuen Kakeru. He's a scorpion. Besides, Ryuen and I currently have the same goal, at least for now."
Sakayanagi's smile didn't fade. "You mean your agreement with Ryuen Kakeru?"
Hoshida didn't answer. Instead, he took the recording pen from his pocket. "This is the agreement between Ryuen and me. I'll sell it to you for 200,000 Personal Points."
"Fascinating. So you're double-crossing him. Aren't you afraid I'll tell Ryuen about this?" Sakayanagi clapped her hands, looking intrigued.
Hoshida looked straight at her and asked in return, "Don't you want to take this opportunity to undermine Ryuen?"
Sakayanagi's smile faded slightly. Looking into Hoshida's emotionless eyes, she took out her phone and opened the student app. "150,000 Personal Points."
As they finished the transaction, Sakayanagi asked, "Will you take her side?"
"I'm on the side of Class D's victory," Hoshida replied. "Ryuen is a tool, and you're a potential obstacle."
"Even me?" A sharp glint flashed in Sakayanagi's eyes.
"If necessary." Hoshida turned to leave. "By the way, a word of warning. Hashimoto Masayoshi may not be reliable. The pressure Ryuen is putting on him could be greater than you think. And Katsuragi is too upright. Sometimes, being upright is a weakness."
With that, he left without looking back. Sakayanagi picked up the recording pen. Her smile finally vanished completely, replaced by cold contemplation.
That evening.
Class C's Ryuen Kakeru suddenly announced unilaterally that he had established a secret channel of cooperation with Class D. He also revealed vague information suggesting that Hoshida, Class D's deputy commander, had exchanged intelligence with Shiina Hiyori, Class C's deputy commander.
This was clearly one of Ryuen's tactics: to create a rift between the Class D–Class B alliance and push Hoshida into the spotlight.
Doubts immediately arose within Class B. Ichinose Honami urgently contacted Horikita and Hoshida.
Hoshida replied with utmost calm. "Shiina Hiyori and I are book friends. Our discussions were limited to books and speculation based on public information, which is within the rules."
He then continued, "1. Ryuen's move is intended to sabotage the Class B–Class D alliance and give Class C an opportunity to muddy the waters.
"2. To show our sincerity, Class D is willing to share, free of charge, the Grade B intelligence we just obtained about the teachers' judging tendencies.
"3. If Class B still has doubts, we can initiate a small-scale joint task under the alliance terms to verify our trustworthiness."
That quickly dispelled Class B's suspicions. Ichinose decisively chose to trust Hoshida and publicly condemned Ryuen's attempt to sow discord.
At the end of Day 4, the CP rankings were:
Class A: 1,650 points. Class B: 1,380 points. Class D: 850 points. Class C: 780 points.
Ryuen's attempt to sow discord failed. Instead, it damaged Class C's reputation. And because Class C had focused too much on scheming, Class D and Class B had taken control of even more Resource Points.
Hoshida received an encrypted message from Ryuen. "You're ruthless. Has anything happened with Sakayanagi?"
Hoshida replied, "She came to see me. Hashimoto may be unreliable. You'd better move faster—or prepare a backup plan."
Ryuen: "A backup plan? You mean the one you have?"
Hoshida: "If necessary. Do what you need to do."
Day 5, Friday,
The rumor system opened. Before long, all sorts of information, true and false, began to spread:
"Class A's Katsuragi and Sakayanagi have fallen out. The Katsuragi Faction is planning to switch sides on the final day!"
"Class B's Ichinose Honami is actually in massive debt for Personal Points. She may be forced to sell out her class!"
"Class D's Hoshida is really an inspector sent by the school board!"
"Class C's Ryuen Kakeru has dirt on every class commander—including photos!"
Hoshida immediately used the system's verification feature to counter them.
First, he spent 50 CP to verify the rumor about infighting in Class A. It turned out to be false, but the system showed that the rumor had first been spread by someone connected to Class C.
He immediately made the verification results public and included the system's certification. This dealt a heavy blow to Class C's reputation and forced Katsuragi and Sakayanagi of Class A to publicly affirm their unity, at least for the time being.
At the same time, he personally fabricated and spread a highly targeted rumor: "Sakayanagi Arisu and Ryuen Kakeru had private contact before enrolling. Class C's harassment of Class A during this war is actually a double act staged by the two of them to jointly suppress the Katsuragi Faction and Class B."
That afternoon, the "Public Debate" was held. The topic was: "In an environment of survival of the fittest, cooperation is superior to competition / competition is superior to cooperation."
Each class sent one representative.
Class A's Katsuragi Kohei (affirmative: cooperation), Class B's Ichinose Honami (affirmative), Class C's Ryuen Kakeru (negative), and Class D's Hoshida (negative).
The debate was intense. Katsuragi's logic was impeccable, and he emphasized long-term mutual benefit. Ichinose spoke with genuine emotion and called for healthy interaction. Ryuen's words were cutting; he denounced cooperation as hypocritical and argued that the strong should take everything.
As the last negative speaker, Hoshida had a debate style all his own.
"First, the setting here is Advanced Nurturing High School. Resources are limited, and rankings determine everything.
"Second, under clear rules and supervision, cooperation is a short-term strategic tool. Its purpose is to concentrate our strength against stronger competitors or reduce internal conflict. Its essence is still competition between alliances.
"Next, competition is the fundamental driving force that pushes individuals and groups to break through their limits. The school established a class hierarchy precisely to stimulate competition. Ultimately, all cooperation serves to secure victory in competition on a larger scale.
"Finally—" (The author ran out of ideas. Anyway, Hoshida was clear and logical.)
The voting results: Hoshida received the most votes, and Class D won a 150 CP reward.
On the evening of Day 5, the rumors and debate had their effects.
The atmosphere within Class A was delicate.
Class B became even more reliant on its alliance with Class D.
Ryuen of Class C grew somewhat agitated after losing ground in both the rumor campaign and the debate.
CP rankings: Class A: 1,780 points. Class B: 1,550 points. Class D: 1,100 points. Class C: 800 points.
On the individual contribution leaderboard, thanks to several key moves and hidden missions, Hoshida had quietly risen to second place in the year, just behind a Class A student who had focused on completing a large number of individual tasks.
Reasonable Betrayal Clause: If a class can prove that an ally has secretly harmed its core interests, it may terminate the alliance immediately without notice or compensation and will not be penalized for betrayal.
Unilateral breach of agreement (when the "Reasonable Betrayal" clause has not been triggered):
A fixed penalty of 200 CP will be deducted.
Class reputation will plummet, affecting all future negotiations. (Announced school-wide.)
Countering and verifying rumors:
Any class or individual may spend CP to ask the system to verify whether a rumor is true.
If a rumor is verified as false, the class that spread it will lose twice the CP it spent creating the rumor, and its class reputation will plummet.
If a rumor is verified as true, the party that spread it will receive no additional reward, but the CP spent by the party requesting verification will not be refunded.
Day 4 mission announcement (Double Agent)
Mission details: Each class may select up to one student to infiltrate another class under the guise of an exchange student, cooperative observer, or similar role.
1. The sending class nominates a spy.
2. The receiving class may choose to accept or reject the spy. If it rejects the spy, the mission is canceled.
3. If it accepts, the spy will join one of the receiving class's ordinary online chat groups and may participate in some public activities.
Spy's objective: Obtain intelligence about the receiving class's strategic plans, resource allocation, internal conflicts, and other matters.
Send valuable intelligence to the sending class each day (as determined by the system).
If students in the receiving class become suspicious and submit evidence to the judge, the mission will fail if the suspicion is confirmed.
Penalty for the spy: The student will be forced to withdraw from the game for the remaining days.
Penalty for the sending class: 150 CP deducted.
Day 5.
Spy Detection Mission: The system will announce to all classes: "Find the spy hiding in your class, if there is one."
Each class may submit a suspected student through the system, along with a reasonable explanation.
Correctly identifying the spy: Reward of 80 CP.
Submitting a student from your class who is not a spy: 50 CP deducted.
If there is no spy and a class submits a name, or if it fails to find the spy: No reward or penalty.