The rules of the S System

Sae Chabashira stood at the lectern, her black business suit outlining her perfect figure.

She picked up a piece of chalk from the lectern and wrote her name on the blackboard.

"I am your homeroom teacher, Sae Chabashira. I teach first-year Japanese history."

Her voice was flat, sounding rather cold and extremely uncomfortable to listen to.

"This school operates as a fully closed campus. I will remain your homeroom teacher for the next three years."

Sae Chabashira swept her gaze across the classroom and took out the documents she was holding.

"I will now hand out your student IDs and explain some of the school's rules."

She counted out the documents and distributed them.

"First, all students must live in the school dormitories.

Second, leaving the school for any reason is strictly forbidden, as is contacting the outside world by any means."

A stir immediately rose in the classroom, and the students began whispering among themselves.

Like flowers raised in a greenhouse, the vast majority of the students could not bear to be away from their parents for so long.

"Are you kidding? We can't contact our families for three years? How is that any different from prison?"

Seeing that his classmates were only grumbling in their seats and no one was standing up to object, Kanji Ike felt he could show off a little.

"Shut up." Sae Chabashira swept him a cold glance, making the timid Ike shrink back and abandon any thought of showing off.

"To compensate for these restrictions on your freedom, the campus has a full range of facilities.

Karaoke, a movie theater, a large supermarket, cafés, a shopping street...

Whatever you need, this school has it."

After speaking, Sae Chabashira stepped down from the lectern and pointed at the student IDs.

"Now, look at the student IDs in your hands."

Ken Kaneki examined the terminal in his hand. It was a smartphone commonly seen in Japan, except it could not connect to outside networks.

He opened his student information and found his photograph and student number, along with a points balance of one hundred thousand.

"This is not only proof of identity, but also a credit card."

"This school uses the 'S System.' All facilities and goods on campus can be paid for with points."

She paused, giving everyone time to digest the information.

"Just now, the school deposited one hundred thousand points into each of your student IDs. One point here is equivalent to one yen."

The classroom suddenly fell deathly silent for a moment, then erupted in deafening cheers.

"A hundred thousand? A hundred thousand yen? We actually get that much money every month?" Old Man Yamauchi stood up, his face flushed with excitement.

"Seriously? We get a hundred thousand yen every month? This school is amazing!" Kanji Ike slapped his desk hard to express his delight.

"A hundred thousand yen could buy so much makeup and so many new clothes!" Several girls hugged one another and squealed.

Many university students in Japan received no financial support from their families and often had to work part-time to support themselves.

After suddenly hearing that they would receive one hundred thousand points every month for the next three years, it would have been strange if they had not been over the moon.

Ken Kaneki studied the terminal for a while, then, finding it uninteresting, turned toward Kiyotaka Ayanokoji beside him.

"What do you think?"

At that moment, Ayanokoji was staring expressionlessly at the terminal, a thoughtful look flashing through his eyes.

"There are four first-year classes, with forty students in each. Across three years, that's nearly five hundred students," Kiyotaka Ayanokoji said quietly. "A hundred thousand per person every month means fifty million yen a month, or six hundred million yen a year.

A government-run high school unconditionally giving a group of minors who produce no economic output six hundred million yen in spending money every year defies basic economics. It wouldn't pass a government budget review, either."

Ken Kaneki nodded. The White Room's greatest masterpiece was certainly perceptive.

"Think about it. Did our homeroom teacher ever say we'd receive that much money every month?"

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji frowned and began recalling what Chabashira-sensei had said earlier.

"It seems... she really didn't."

His brow gradually relaxed as understanding dawned on him.

"The number of points we receive probably varies each month," Koenji chimed in.

Ken Kaneki nodded, agreeing with his deduction.

At some point, Sae Chabashira had returned to the lectern and was watching the frenzied students with cold eyes.

Ken Sudō was loudly boasting that he would buy the latest game console, Kanji Ike and Haruki Yamauchi were discussing going out for a feast that evening, and the girls were discussing fashionable clothes.

What an ugly display.

Her gaze swept around the room before finally settling on the corner.

Ken Kaneki and the others were not excited like everyone else, but looked thoughtful instead, which gave Sae Chabashira some comfort.

Fortunately, this class wasn't beyond saving yet.

"Quiet." Her voice cut through the clamor, and the classroom instantly fell silent.

Even so, they could not hide the excitement on their faces.

"There are a few more things I need to explain about points."

Sae Chabashira picked up the documents on the lectern and lightly tapped them against her palm.

"First, points represent the school's assessment of you. The better your performance, the higher your assessment, and vice versa."

"Second, points may be used freely and can also be transferred. The school will not interfere with how you trade points among yourselves.

However, obtaining points through violence, intimidation, extortion, or similar means is strictly forbidden. Anyone caught doing so will be expelled immediately.

Third, all points will be reclaimed upon graduation. They cannot be exchanged for cash to take out of the school. While you are enrolled, you may spend them to your hearts' content."

After explaining these three points, she put down the documents and looked up at everyone.

"Do you have any questions?"

There was clear expectation in Sae Chabashira's voice when she asked, but even after a long wait, not a single student spoke.

She looked at Ken Kaneki and the others and found them looking back at her. That fellow Ken Kaneki even winked at her.

Sae Chabashira was instantly speechless, but it was not as though she had never encountered this situation before. After taking a moment to compose herself, she prepared to take her leave.

Without another unnecessary word, she gathered her things, walked to the classroom entrance, slid the door open, and went straight out.

Before leaving, she glanced toward Ken Kaneki again, her eyes seeming to say, You little brat, don't throw my goodwill back in my face.

Ken Kaneki smiled, paying no mind to Chabashira-sensei's warning look.

He checked the time, knowing that it was almost time to set his plan in motion.