Danrito, become a consultant for the Millennium Game!

Hifumi covered her eyes: "Ah - I don't want to see! I don't want to see!"

"Hifumi-san, just accept the reality." Hanako smiled and placed her hand on her shoulder. "Have some confidence in yourself. Are you lacking confidence in your studies this week, or in Mr. Danrito's cassette teaching method?"

"That's true..." Hifumi swallowed, then returned her gaze to the wheel that had finally stopped. Koharu, standing beside her, looked just as nervous as Hifumi, and while Azusa remained calm, she was also silently calculating her score.

"Now—announce the results!"

The wheel behind Danrito stopped. "The highest scorer is Hanako, 99 points!"

"Hifumi-san, 78 points! Azusa-san, 62 points! Koharu, 60 points!"

The moment the results came out, Hifumi first breathed a sigh of relief and patted her chest, then she realized that she had just heard an incredible score.

She turned her head to look at Hanako, who was smiling just like before. "99 points?! Hanako-san, you're amazing!"

"Hanako-san, you're amazing." Azusa looked at Hanako with a serious, envious, and admiring expression. "I'm not that good, I just barely passed..."

"I... I passed..." Xiaochun looked at the screen in disbelief, and couldn't help but let out a few words of admiration for himself, but then quickly swallowed them back: "Huh! This is the strength of an elite! I only used 60% of my strength and I passed! Hahahaha~"

If everyone else's poor test scores were due to their own reasons, the reason Koharu was shoved into the cram school club was simple and unpretentious—her grades were truly in the single digits...

Even if Nagisa chose Koharu for the tea party because she was Hasumi's beloved junior and could be a perfect counterbalance, sending Koharu to the cram school club was the easiest option. Koharu's test scores usually hovered around 10, making her a complete idiot. For Koharu, getting a passing score on this mock test was a record-breaking achievement!

But then, outwardly modest but inwardly ecstatic, she saw Hanako's results hanging nearby, and both of her ear feathers flew up. "W-What?! 99 points! Isn't that just one point away from a perfect score?!"

"To be precise, it's the one point that will definitely be deducted for the literature question."

Danrito handed out the test papers. What limited him in grading them wasn't his brainpower, but the speed of his fingers ticking the boxes. "The essay question is a liberal arts question, after all. No matter how well you write, it's still subject to the judges' subjective review. It's not that you can't get a full score, but it's quite rare."

"But you still surprised me a little, Hanako."

Danrito flicked the paper in his hand. "Although I guessed you were going to show me your reassurance, but you just threw in a big move right off the bat. I can't tell if it was the effect of the tape or if you were already capable of such a high score."

"Haha~ Or maybe it's a bit of both?" Hanako smiled, her eyes curved like two gentle crescent moons. "But after this week's experience, I think the educational effect of the 'Mystery of the Sphinx' cassette is actually quite significant."

Hanako actually knew the others' situations. Even though she had deliberately lowered her scores in the past, that didn't mean her intelligence had declined. Hifumi aside, Hanako knew exactly what Koharu and Azusa had been like. And now, Hanako could actually see their grades skyrocket in just a week—it was a truly incredible miracle.

214. This is my Xiaochun’s soaring into the sky!

"My grades have doubled..."

Zi looked at the test paper handed to him and couldn't help but show a hint of joy on his face.

She knew her test scores before this. Arius hadn't had a good education to begin with. The lady had spent all day training him in physical training and tactics. Even the general education classes were mostly just praises of the lady herself. Serious knowledge, aside from combat, was practically nonexistent.

It was only when Zi first transferred to Trinity that she realized how far behind her academic performance was compared to others. However, the current mainstream learning method relies on self-study through courseware and BDs, which, having missed out on her early basic education, simply couldn't keep up with the current teaching pace.

Even with all the guesswork, he could only get a score of over 30. Thinking of the responsibility he was shouldering, Zi became anxious.

"Fortunately, now we finally have the magical cassette."

Azusa looked eagerly at Danrito, especially at the game cartridge he was holding in his arms. "The tutorial function in the cartridge is much easier to understand than reading a book or watching a video. Plus, the cartridge's reward mechanism... others may not have considered that the reward could be the cartridge itself..."

As Azusa thought about this, she suddenly realized something. For their physical and mental health, Danrito had limited their daily tape usage, making it impossible for Azusa to spend all her time, except for sleeping and eating, immersing herself in tapes to improve herself. Whether she ultimately failed the exam, or passed the two academic tests, Danrito would leave Trinity with the tapes.

Obviously, Azusa reasoned that Danrito wouldn't give such a valuable cassette to a student like him so easily. Regardless of whether the cram school activities succeeded or failed, if he couldn't pass the test of the cassette itself, he might not be able to obtain the "Mystery of the Sphinx" cassette in the end.

"Can't fail, must succeed in one go!"

Zi looked at the test paper in his hand. The passing score on it looked particularly dazzling. If he wanted to win the cassette, Zi felt that he had to emulate Hanako over there.

Thinking of this, Azusa walked towards Hanako. In the other's slightly surprised eyes, Azusa bowed to Hanako and bent down: "Please, please guide me! Hanako-san!"

"Huh? Guidance?"

Hanako blinked in surprise. "Aren't the cassette tapes' teaching results quite remarkable? I remember... when Azusa first started school, he could only get around 20 points on the test. Now, it's only been two months, and he's already passing, right? Passing the academic ability test should be a piece of cake, right?"

"I...want to become stronger."

Azusa's words could be interpreted as either academically stronger or as a sign of increased power after receiving the cartridge. Hanako was a bit perplexed by this talented fighter who had previously blown up the Justice Commission's arsenal and held the situation for hours.

What kind of strength was she talking about? Did the tape also teach combat shooting?

"Becoming stronger... Well, it's good to have obsession, but can we stop being so nervous right now?"

In the end, Hanako simply declined Azusa's request. Perhaps because the cartridge-based learning had reduced their interactions, their grades had improved, but due to the separate teaching methods within the gaming field, the four members of the supplementary class weren't as close as they had been when they sat together for a week.

Even during their cram school period, they were not allowed to leave the designated area. Nagisa stuffed these four people into the cram school because he was afraid that a spy would emerge from among them and sabotage the Eden Pact. How could he let someone who was already suspected run around?

"That's it..."

Azusa was disappointed that she hadn't been able to ask Hanako for help. "If Hanako-san is willing to teach me, please come find me!"

The results of the first mock exam were promising, and the students' faces showed a certain anticipation for the future. Hifumi was already thinking about what she would do if she were to be resurrected from the cram school club. Hanako's expression remained as beaming as ever, with little noticeable change. Koharu, on the other hand, was starting to feel a bit elated—she'd never gotten such a high score before, and she was currently on the phone with Hasumi.

"—Really? You actually passed?"

Lian Jian on the other end of the phone was filled with worry. "Xiaochun, I know you're a little anxious about being drafted into the cram school and facing such harsh punishment, but...cheating is bad behavior, Xiaochun, you should know that, right?"

"Eh? Lord Hasumi?"

Xiaochun was stunned. "I didn't cheat? You're not trying to say... I got this score by cheating, are you?"

"No, Xiaochun, you might be a little clumsy, but you're not a bad person," Lian Jian said. "It's just that your grades are so fast, it really worries me - is it because the questions are too easy?"

Hasumi said worriedly, "I will protest again at the tea party, but I hope you can be more steady in your studies, Koharu. One good luck doesn't mean you'll be lucky every time. Besides, Nagisa's actions are never aimless. After all, the power to set the questions lies in the hands of the tea party."

"It's okay, Master Lianjian, don't worry!"

Koharu's cheerful smile bolstered her spirits. "The special training that Danrito-san prepared for us was incredible! We used game cartridges to learn! That's how I learned so quickly!"

"Oh, is this what Mr. Danrito created?" Hasumi knew the reason why Danrito had been in and out of Trinity these days. "I heard he was a consultant in the cram school department, but I thought he was just a figurehead. I didn't expect he even knew how to teach. Isn't he the president of a game company?"

"Hmm...how should I put it..."

Koharu rubbed her earlobes, trying not to recall the [DATA EXPUNGED] that happened in the game space. "According to Mr. Danrito, he scanned all of Trinity's teaching materials into that cartridge, and then used the cartridge's program to teach us—it was much clearer and more thorough than the educational BDs and teaching robots! And..."

Inevitably, when they got to this point, Xiaochun's face suddenly turned red, and she quickly waved her hands: "No! Nothing! Master Lianjian, don't worry! My grades are not exaggerated at all!"

"Really...that's good." Hasumi nodded. "There's still a lot of things to do on the Justice Realization Committee. I'll be hanging up now. Xiaochun, you have to work hard. Once you get out of the cram school club, you'll be able to become a full-fledged member of the Justice Realization Committee."

215. Famous Reasoning Hanako!

"A week of intense and exciting tutoring has already passed. Everyone, have you felt any improvement?"

The day after the academic achievement test, Danrito stood at the podium, a cheerful smile on his face, looking at the students with varying expressions. Hanako, still smiling as always, sat in a seat with a full view of the classroom.

"Mr. Danrito! When does today's tape study session start? I can't wait!"

Hifumi swayed from side to side in her chair, looking eager to find her teacher, Peloro. Koharu and Azusa were similarly eager to enter the gaming world and begin their own studies.

"Hmm...it seems that Alona's advice was correct."

Danrito took in everyone's expressions, and his words made Hifumi and the others in the audience wonder, "Who is Alona...? She's an unfamiliar child."

"Just think of it as my personal secretary. That's not the point." Danrito waved his hand, shifting the focus to himself. "But after observing you for a whole week, she gave me some sound advice, which I think makes a lot of sense."

"What do you mean by sound advice? It's a positive word, but why do you say it so reluctantly?"

"...Children, don't interrupt when adults are talking!"

'Just insert it, insert it, a little bit~'

After a brief exchange of words with Alona in the Shiting Box via brainwaves, Danrito returned his attention to the classroom: "—The game cartridge teaching method does have its pros and cons."

"Good, it's very obvious that your academic performance has improved significantly - proving that my 'Mystery of the Sphinx' cassette tape does have an effect on learning, and it's very significant. This proves one thing without a doubt!"

Danrito patted his chest and said, "I am a super genius! God-like talent! No one! Knows! Game cartridges! Better! Than! Me!"

"Um... yes, yes..." Hifumi wiped the cold sweat from her forehead: "Mr. Danrito, are you awake?"

"Very sober!"

Danrito put his hands on his hips and straightened himself up. "But the downside is... you're in this state now."

"We?" Hifumi blinked.

Hanako, who was standing beside her, suddenly understood: "Are you talking about the relationship between us?"

Danrito nodded. "As for the study rooms within the cassette, I chose to separate you all into your own rooms so that you wouldn't have to worry about other people's opinions when choosing your rewards and starting your study journey."

"The effect is obvious, but the isolated students also lost a lot of time to interact with each other. As a result, even though you took a week-long make-up class in this annex, your relationships with each other haven't been much strengthened."

"Wait a minute! Mr. Danrito." Azusa suddenly stood up and said, "Our interaction is irrelevant. Rather than that, let me continue using the cassette!"

"As for relationships, it doesn't matter what. We can slowly build them up later." Zi clenched his fists. "For me... for all of us to avoid expulsion from the cram school, we can't waste a single minute now!"

"..."

Danrito's scrutinizing gaze swept from Azusa's head to his feet. After a sigh, he shook his head slightly.

"Kid, you're obsessed."

Free Skirt 9○①⑧０○九

"Hmm?" Zi asked, puzzled. "Isn't a student's job to study? Anything else is unnecessary, right?"

"Ah...what Alona said makes sense."

Danrito put the cassette he had taken out back into the cassette player. It was fine at first, but when Azusa said this, Danrito felt like he couldn't hold it back any longer and immediately raised his hands in surrender.

"My, my, it's my problem."

Danrito made Baltan pose with his hands. "Perhaps I have severed the bond between you two?"

"Why are you so obsessed with this?" Hanako rested her elbows on the table, her palms folded under her chin. "This isn't a big deal to Mr. Danrito, is it?"

"Indeed, that's true. After all, I'm just a nominal advisor. Even if you all drop out, it's not my fault."

Danrito readily admitted, "But how should I put it... just consider it a request."

"For me, my student days were just a few short years. Even if they were precious memories that only come once in a lifetime, to me, they were nothing more than boring time locked up with insects."

"But you are different."

Danrito looked at the four people in front of him and said, "Perhaps your student life will last forever."

"Studenthood is probably the time of greatest fantasy, romance, and possibility. Studying may be a student's duty, but it's not everything."

"The cram school is a strange fate," Danrito plopped down on the podium. "You four may not have even met before, but you were sent to the same cram school for the same reason. As the old saying goes, 'There must be a providence in the dark.'"

"God willing……"

Azusa chewed over these words. To her, the "will of heaven" she had seen so far was the game cartridge in Danrito's hand. She could get it through hard work.

"fate……"

Hifumi blinked. She felt the same way. Entering the cram school club was like being picked on a lucky roulette wheel. Gathering the four of them together in the vast Trinity, perhaps these people... were all potential Peloro fans?!

"reason……"

Hanako's eyes grew sharper. Though only for a moment, the words Danrito inadvertently uttered brightened Hanako's expression.

Yes, that's it! All the information is connected!

Why were they sent to the remedial department? Why did they face such harsh conditions for failure? If we take into account the only major event currently happening at Trinity - the upcoming signing ceremony of the Treaty of Eden, everything will become connected!

"Our similarities, the importance of tea parties, Nagisa's personality, Koharu's identity, Hifumi's rumors, Azusa's transfer timing, and myself..."

The cram school department is a bomb disposal barrel that exists to deal with "bombs".

Hanako murmured to herself, "So that's how it is..."

"What's this? What happened?"

Koharu turned around and saw everyone else looking lost in thought, but she seemed to be completely bewildered. Even Hanako, the 'walking obscenity' behind her, had a serious expression on her face. Could it be that Danrito's words really had some deeper meaning?!

"Nothing, Koharu-kun." Hanako lowered her Commander Ikari gesture. "Mr. Danrito's point is that he hopes we won't be obsessed with cassettes, but instead become good friends~"

216. Do what you think is right!

"Be good friends?"

Hanako's smiling face made Koharu hesitate for a moment, but she finally chose to believe it. After all, if you interpret it literally, Danrito's words really seemed to mean that.