"All right, you can come out now." After watching them leave, Kitahara said in his mind.
[...]
[Congratulations, host, on completing the task of earning 20 million points before the end of the semester.]
[Issuing reward: Superhuman physique.]
Hearing the system, Kitahara felt a surge of joy. Before he could ask about the effects of this superhuman physique,
he felt a wave of warmth welling up from every part of his body. His muscles began to twitch faintly, and it felt as though strength was awakening deep within his cells.
His once somewhat slender frame now seemed to swell, as if boundless strength were gathering inside him.
Kitahara rolled his shoulders and stretched his limbs, feeling strength coursing through his entire body.
His coordination and reflexes had also reached a whole new level.
"This superhuman physique really is amazing," Kitahara said excitedly under his breath.
"By the way, system, pull up my stats so I can see how capable I am now." Thinking of how his body had changed and how the system had rated him at the beginning, Kitahara asked with confidence.
[Name: Kitahara Seiichi Gender: Male Charm: 8.5 (8 + 0.5) Intelligence: 7 (7+0) Academic ability: 7 (7+0) Physical ability: 9.9 (4+5.9) Social, teamwork, contribution, and cooperation ability: 3 (3+0)] (Note: An ordinary person has a score of 5 in each ability. The maximum is 10.)
Although the system had listed so many stats, Kitahara's eyes went straight to his physical ability. When he saw that he had finally surpassed the average person, he let out a long breath and said, "All those points I painstakingly saved up for three months were worth it."
After he had finished celebrating, he looked at the other stats and asked the system in confusion, "Why haven't my intelligence and academic ability gone up?"
[Do you think intelligence and academic ability have anything to do with physique?]
"How could they not? Let me explain—no, listen to me. Intelligence is connected to the brain, right? And isn't the brain part of the body?"
The reward is for your physique, not your body. Please read carefully, host.
"Come on, those are basically the same thing. Let me explain—"
Before Kitahara could finish, the system warned him:
[If you question the fairness of your reward again, it will be taken back.]
"Uh... Actually, I think you're right. The brain really isn't part of one's physique," Kitahara said, immediately backing down at the warning.
"Still... system, isn't there something you haven't shown me yet?" Kitahara added, noticing that the system's evaluation was missing.
[...]
"System."
"System."
"...System, you haven't disappeared again, have you?" Kitahara couldn't help grumbling when the system failed to respond.
"Forget it. I don't need you to tell me. I can pretty much guess what your evaluation would be. After all, physical ability was my only weakness from the start."
"Now that I've filled that gap, I should be a Three-Body alien from Naraka."
"And the kind that won't get nerfed."
"This feels great."
In stark contrast to Kitahara's cheerful mood, the student council president, who had already received the school's notice, was staring gravely at Kitahara Seiichi's contract.
After a long silence, Horikita Manabu finally spoke. "So this is why you went to such lengths to earn points. I really can't figure you out."
Standing beside him, Tachibana looked just as astonished. She hadn't expected Kitahara to transfer so suddenly. Besides, she, like Horikita Manabu, had assumed that even if he transferred, he would go to Class A, the strongest class overall.
"So, this is your choice..." Yanagihara said with a touch of regret. She had received the news ahead of time as well.
But she quickly smiled again. "Yes. This does make things more interesting."
When Kitahara returned to the classroom, he noticed the entire class looking at him. Their eyes were filled with confusion and surprise, as well as a sense of betrayal.
Before Kitahara could get back to his seat, Hirata walked over and quietly asked him, "Kitahara, have you really transferred to Class B?"
Though Kitahara was a little surprised by how fast the news had spread, he admitted it. "Yeah, I've transferred to Class B. I'm here to pack my things."
Hirata didn't move at all after hearing his answer. He simply said, "I hope things go better for you in Class B, and that you make some real friends."
Feeling the sincerity behind his well wishes, Kitahara replied, "Thanks."
"Mm..."
Watching Hirata turn to leave, Kitahara thought of what had happened to him in the original story and decided to offer a word of advice. "You've done a good job, but I think you could tell someone else about the burden you're carrying."
After saying that, Kitahara went back to his seat and began packing his things.
Hirata remained where he was.
After thinking over Kitahara's advice for a long time, Hirata shook his head and returned to his seat as well. Unlike Kitahara, however,
a crowd quickly gathered around him, all asking whether Kitahara had really transferred classes.
"Congratulations, Kitahara boy. You're the first to escape this unattractive place," Koenji said in his usual tone, as if Kitahara's transfer came as no surprise to him.
"Thanks. But once your abilities are revealed, I'm sure some class will pay 20 million points to bring you in."
"Is that so? I have my own way."
"..." Seeing how confident he was, Kitahara didn't know what else to say.
After all, as the son of the Koenji Zaibatsu, there were plenty of ways for him to get into Class A.
He probably wasn't using them because he wanted to prove his own ability.
After packing up, Kitahara turned to the two beside him and said, "We haven't known each other for long, but I still wanted to say goodbye."
"Mm." Ayanokoji gave his usual mechanical reply.
Horikita, on the other hand, looked conflicted.
Knowing her personality, Kitahara said, "You're wondering why I didn't transfer to Class A and went to Class B instead, aren't you?"
At his question, Horikita flinched, then nodded.
"Heh, so that's it. Well... I'm not going to tell you."
Hearing Kitahara's answer, Horikita put on a cold expression and deftly pulled out a compass, pointing it at him.
"If you want to find out what it feels like before you leave, by all means, go ahead."
"Is that so? What if I told you that President Horikita wants you to find the answer for yourself?"
At Kitahara's words, Horikita's hand paused. The compass hung in midair, and a flash of surprise crossed her eyes.
Then she bit her lip and said, "Since it's my brother's request, I'll find the answer."
Hearing Horikita's reply, Kitahara shrugged and thought, Damn, she really was going to stab me just now.
But bringing up her brother really is the best way to deal with Horikita, the total big brother fanatic. Look at her now—that worked like a charm.
"All right, everyone. Goodbye. We might be enemies the next time we meet." With that, he picked up his luggage and left the classroom.