In fact, after the information is refreshed, they always want to attack me!

(Either he didn't get any information from the older students at all, or... he chose to hide that hidden information from his classmates.)

"Ichinose!" Hoshinomiya Chie suddenly turned around, placing her hands on her student's shoulders. "What's the name of the upperclassman that Koshimizu asked you to contact? How did you end up here?"

"It's second-year student Yamamura XX... Actually, Shimizu-kun asked me to come and help out!"

Upon hearing this, Hoshinomiya Chie unconsciously narrowed her eyes.

(They deliberately called my Ichinose over.)

(It seems I really need to go and meet this classmate from the mountains in person...)

(It seems like a shark that shouldn't be swimming in shallow waters has infiltrated Class D...)

(I hope my intuition... is wrong again this time.)

Chapter 40: 040 Want me to be class monitor? And you're using the entire class's funds of 100 million to buy information?

Counseling room.

As Shimizu Akira looked at Chabashira Sae's slightly trembling shoulders, he suddenly realized that he might have misunderstood his homeroom teacher.

He glanced down at his phone—only three minutes and thirty seconds had passed since he sent the message "Hoshinomiya-sensei is targeting Class D" for help.

The teacher standing in front of him had slightly disheveled hair, and the collar of her uniform was askew from running. She was still breathing heavily.

Putting aside what happened before, at least this time, Mr. Chabashira really protected the interests of the class and the students. "Mr. Chabashira, thank you for coming to the rescue this time."

These words were like a sudden spell, causing Chabashira Sae to freeze in shock.

It had been far too long since she had heard such gratitude since she chose to take on the role of class advisor in a "laissez-faire" manner.

(No... I should say, it was already good enough that the students didn't treat her coldly.)

Chabazusa cleared her throat and quickly composed herself.

"Shimizu-san, I have a question for you—" Her voice was hesitant, "I just heard Hoshinomiya say that you sought out second-year students. Given your personality, it's unlikely you'd do something pointless. It's not just about class assignments and points; do you... already know other information that the school is deliberately concealing?"

Without a second thought, Shimizu Akira admitted, "...Yes."

Since the other party has already gone this far, he has no reason to lie on purpose.

"Shimizu-kun, you should be the first person in Class D to discover those hidden rules. So..." She straightened her expression, "I'm considering appointing you as class monitor. What's your opinion?"

"Excuse my bluntness, but I refuse." Shimizu Akira's answer was crisp and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

Chabashira Sae raised an eyebrow slightly: "Reason?"

"Because—" his voice was very calm, "I don't want to be a blood bag."

In the first month of school, Class D's class score ended in a dismal "zero" - the gap between it and other classes was like an insurmountable chasm.

Shimizu Akira secretly calculated that if he took on the hot potato of class monitor, he would probably be dragged down to death by these hopeless classmates.

"So... that's why you chose to keep the information from the whole class?" Chabashira Sae looked at him thoughtfully.

Suddenly, she changed the subject: "What if... I force you to lead Class D on the condition that I drop out of school?"

"...Akira Shimizu's sharp gaze swept over the homeroom teacher. "This probably doesn't comply with the school's rules, does it? After all, the principal's goal is to cultivate students with 'talent'."

As he spoke, he subtly pushed Horikita Suzune forward half a step: "Besides, this is Horikita-senpai's younger sister. Do you need me to contact the student council president right now and report this... somewhat foolish threat of yours?"

He had heard rumors about the student council these past few days, and the student council president's power was even greater than that of the teachers.

Horikita Suzune was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then glared at Shimizu Akira with a cold look—this guy dared to use her as a shield without permission.

But she still raised her chin and said in a detached tone, "...Tea Pillar Teacher, with your qualifications, you shouldn't be making such a foolish decision."

"Student council president...is he your brother?" Chabashira Sae's gaze shifted between the two, then suddenly realized, "I see...the surname Horikita is indeed quite rare."

"...I didn't really mean to threaten you." Her tone softened.

In fact, such a thought did flash through her mind—but then she thought that in this era, a high school student transferring schools is not a catastrophic event at all.

not to mention...

She observed Shimizu Akira's reaction discreetly.

This was nothing more than a carefully designed test, much like a chemistry teacher using reagents to test a student's ability to adapt to unexpected situations.

As it turned out, the other party's reaction was indeed pretty much as she had expected.

Chazuki Sae tapped her fingertips lightly on the table: "What if I said... I'd buy class information from you for 100 million points, on the condition that you share this information with your classmates—what do you think?"

Qing Shuiming was startled.

The proposal itself was shocking enough, but what surprised him even more was the person who made it.

This homeroom teacher, who has always been lazy and unambitious, is now actively involved in the information war between classes? This is completely different from her usual "laissez-faire" image.

"Teacher, you've suddenly become interested in class competition?" Shimizu Akira narrowed his eyes slightly. "You're actually willing to spend 100 million points?"

"Don't look at me like that," Chabashira Sae replied coldly. "Like you, I don't intend to be a sucker."

As she spoke, she pulled a document from her bag, her slender fingers lightly tapping the paper: "Since this is strategic intelligence for the whole class, I'll be holding a class meeting tomorrow. 25000 points each—of course, I'll pay for yours myself. The conditions are simple—" Chabashira Sae paused, "You just need to 'inadvertently' reveal the information to Kushida Kikyo or Hirata Yosuke, or you can say it yourself! I only allow one of the three of you to reveal this information."

"How was it?" Chabashira Sae leaned forward slightly, her fingertips lightly tapping the table. "You received the reward you deserved, and the whole class paid their due price. You weren't even required to show up."

A faint smile played at the corners of her lips. "From any perspective, this is a fair deal, isn't it? If you agree on the spot, I'll immediately transfer 100 million points from my account to you."

Akira Shimizu's gaze lingered on his phone for a long time, the string of numbers on the screen gleaming coldly—a full million points, just like that, easily obtained.

He gently stroked his chin, repeatedly calculating the gains and losses of this deal in his mind.

The intelligence obtained by exchanging 10,000 points has increased 100 times in the blink of an eye. It seems like a sure-fire way to make money.

I was worried that the D class would hand over their points, but to my surprise, Chabashira Sae paid the full amount.

In other words, she plans to personally act as the "villain" and collect 25000 "intelligence fees" from each student in the class.

(Seriously, can teachers openly collect class fees? What if other students report her?)

"...Deal." He finally nodded. "It's indeed a fair and reasonable transaction."

Chazhu chuckled softly, deftly putting the file into the drawer: "A wise choice. Well then, I look forward to your good news."

...

After the two completed the transaction, Chabashira Sae suddenly turned her head, as if she had only just noticed Horikita Suzune.

"I almost forgot..." She tapped the table lightly with her fingertip, turning to Horikita Suzune who had been standing quietly to the side, "So, what do you want to ask?"

Chapter 41: 041 Who should I tell this information to?

"Then I'll be blunt. Why was I assigned to Class D? My entrance exam scores should have been very good! Shouldn't I have been in Class A?"

"Why do you think so highly of yourself? Where does your confidence come from? Based on social skills alone, you're the worst in Class D! The class assignments are perfectly correct—your abilities only qualify you for Class D; you're a flawed product!"

Horikita took a half step back and said coldly, "Regarding whether I'm suitable... I'll personally verify with the school."

"Go ahead." Chabashira Sae chuckled, casually flipping through the roster on her desk. "But before that—" her fingertip tapped heavily on a name, "why don't you ask your remarkable older brother, Horikita Manabu?"

Chashu's voice suddenly softened, yet it cut through the air like a dull knife, "In his first year, he received the support of the vast majority of his classmates, becoming the first student council president in history to be elected as a freshman." She suddenly slammed the roster in front of Horikita, "Now, you can't even reach his shadow."

The page on the roster was a group photo of the student council members, with Horikita Manabu standing in the center.

Akira Shimizu noticed that Suzune Horikita's breathing paused for a moment—her gaze fixed on the photo was as if she wanted to burn a hole through the badge.

Chabashira Sae suddenly relaxed her tense shoulders, a hint of dejection in her voice: "However... it's not like you have absolutely no chance of getting into Class A. As for... the specific details—"

Her finger suddenly pointed to Shimizu Akira, who had already reached the door: "Go ask that person. Anyway, the other 39 of you actually paid for the information."

She waved her hand as if shooing away flies.

At this moment, Akira Shimizu had already stepped out of the office with one foot in his pocket—the 100 million points were already firmly in his pocket, and he left very decisively.

He heard hurried footsteps behind him, and Horikita Suzune soon appeared beside him.

"you..."

"We'll talk as we walk."

.....

The operating logic of the S system is actually not complicated—when he first heard about this rule, the setting of "Baka and Test" immediately came to mind.

A similar class ranking system also allows for a competitive mechanism where those below them can rise above them.

But the key difference is that this school evaluates students based on more than just academic performance.

(What criteria are used to divide students into classes?)

This question still lingers in his mind.

However, from Chabashira Sae's reprimand of Horikita Suzune, at least one thing can be confirmed—social skills occupy a significant weight in the school's assessment system.

The statement that he is "the person with the worst social skills" is somewhat cruel.

But it unexpectedly revealed the school's operating rules.

Here, a one-woman genius who excels in only one subject might be deemed a "defective product" by the system.

Now that you mention it, perhaps Class D isn't actually the worst class overall.

"..."

After hearing Shimizu Akira's report, Horikita Suzune looked somewhat embarrassed and silently turned to leave.

She didn't even raise any questions—such as whether Class D still had a chance to be promoted to Class A through their subsequent performance.

However, Shimizu Akira fully understood the other person's feelings—it was indeed a disparity that needed time to process when he learned that his older brother had led Class A to the top of the student council at the same age as him.

Speaking of which, Yukino Yukinoshita also has an older sister she always wanted to catch up with.

They still look too alike!

(But...)

His thoughts turned to the task assigned to him by Chabashira Sae.

Akira Shimizu took out his phone and swiped through the chat contacts, finally stopping between two names—Kikyo Kushida and Yosuke Hirata.

The 100 million points have been received, and since they have been received, a service must be provided; this is an exchange of equal value.

"The class advisor has a pretty good eye for people..." Shimizu Akira muttered to himself.

Chazhu saw things very clearly; the current D class was essentially maintained by these two people.

Kushida wins people's hearts with his amazing affability, while Hirata unites the class with his innate leadership skills.

Once the information falls into the hands of these two, it will spread throughout Class D within half a day.

Akira Shimizu locked his phone and gently rubbed his chin with his knuckles.

Judging from the number of times she spoke, Kikyo Kushida was undoubtedly the more suitable candidate.

The girl who always had a sweet smile would often take the initiative to talk to him about Horikita Suzune.

He needs to swipe his card here at least two or three times a day.

But deep down, she's a two-faced girl who relieves stress by kicking down doors and yelling.

(In comparison...)

Yosuke Hirata was so upright that it was almost dazzling.

As someone of the same sex, Akira Shimizu certainly appreciates this kind of consistent personality.

But recalling the other person's frozen expression when they saw those two messages still made him frown.

A model student like Hirata, who excels in both academics and conduct, shouldn't be in Class D at all—unless his file hides some unknown shadows, some fatal flaws that even a perfect facade cannot conceal.

After all, as Chabashira Sae once said, Class D is full of flawed products.

However, the most important thing right now is to create an anonymous alternate account.

He had to be careful—if those jealous classmates in Class D discovered his true identity, it would inevitably cause him unnecessary trouble.

Although Akira Shimizu is not afraid of direct confrontation, he prefers to avoid trouble.

Moreover, with this alternate account, he could trade with other classes without anyone noticing.

After much deliberation, I realized that creating this cover account was absolutely necessary.

However, Akira Shimizu soon realized a problem—all student accounts were strictly linked to personal identification information.

In other words, to remain completely anonymous, he must find a way to obtain another legitimate identity.

He contacted his homeroom teacher, Chabashira Sae, directly: "Teacher, does the school have any anonymous trading accounts?"