When Ryuga returned to class, he had noticed the shift in atmosphere compared to when he first left. Although still lively, there was some slight tension.
He had no idea what occurred in the very short time he had gone away, but he didn't care enough to ask as he quietly waited for the teacher to arrive.
Thankfully, the wait wasn't long as they all watched as a tall woman wearing a black suit walked in, with instead of dress-pants she had on a suit skirt.
The teacher was no doubt beautiful, with her long brown hair tied into a ponytail and her rather curvaceous figure that certainly gained the perverted looks of a certain few.
However, what probably kept them quiet was the rather cold and indifferent expression the woman had on. Reminiscent of a certain girl next to him.
"I'm Chabashira Sae, and I'm the homeroom teacher of Clsss D." The teacher introduced herself in a dull tone. "First of all, I'll hand out the school rule book."
Just like that, a number of relatively thick rule books were all handed out to them. It was honestly comparable to a small textbook.
Chabashira proceeded to explain the basic workings of the school, which included how their living arrangements worked and their access to the outside world.
All of the students were naturally already informed of their rather isolated educational environment prior to their admission, so no one reacted to it.
Another thing they were informed of was that the class and teacher would not change during the three years they attended the school.
Ryuga honestly couldn't help but once again be amazed at just how much was put into the school, it was literally its own miniature society.
At the teacher's instructions, they all took out their phones, specialised ones that were provided by the school. No doubt the functions were far more limited compared to outside ones.
"At this school, you can buy anything using points. Points are allotted on the first of each month." Chabashira explained. "One point is worth one yen..."
Ryuga watched as the profile on his account was in full display on his phone, and the number of points displayed was... astonishing to say the least.
"...You have already been allotted 100,000 points for this month."
As soon as this was announced, the classroom naturally erupted into commotion. Everyone in disbelief at what they had heard.
This disbelief quickly turned into excitement as countless mutterings were heard, rather quiet separately, but loud together.
'That's a lot for a Japanese high schooler, especially every month...' Ryuga frowned in suspicion. 'They're rather generous... too generous.'
If Ryuga was correct to assume there were one-hundred students each grade, then that meant the school distributed its students thirty million points per month.
A rather absurd number.
[A/N: Reminder the main reference for this fanfic is the anime, I haven't read the novel]
Were the students so promising that the school was willing to provide them with such luxury? In Ryuga's opinion, that was bullshit.
He had seen the behavior of a certain number of students not only during this class, but in others as well during the opening ceremony.
Unless he wasn't seeing something, Ryuga refused to believe the school was pampering such disruptive individuals.
He had also noticed a particular statement of Chabashira's, or more specifically, the way she delivered it. He had some thoughts, but he'd keep them to himself for now.
"Are you surprised by the size of your allotment? This school judges the students based on merit, you are attributed significant value just for being here."
'Hm?' Ryuga's ears twitched after hearing this. 'Merit and value, is it? I think I understand, this school functions like a small society, but the school within that society is more like a company.'
If his conjecture was correct, then this may explain why the school is willing to provide so many points each month, well... potentially provide that is.
This school, Advanced Nurturing High School, has been advertised to provide the students with the experience necessary for the real world.
What was the real world?
A shit hole where people need to know how to survive in, they need to work and organise how they need to live their lives properly.
That was what this school was preparing them for, to help them face the harsh realities of the real world. If you can't adapt, you won't survive.
That aside, on the topic of merit and value, how will they judge that? Considering it's a school, there were a few obvious answers.
'Four cameras.' Ryuga had noticed the four cameras in each corner of the classroom. 'One is more than enough in a typical school, but four? They have close eyes on each and every one of us.'
In not only a school, one's own behavior and actions reflect the reputation they have in the eyes of others. In a school, what kind of actions would be monitored in a classroom?
It's pretty obvious, no?
"As you all know, the rest of the day is for you to all familiarise yourselves with the school. Buy what you need, and get settled into your dorms. That will be all, you are dis- hm? Yes, Hiroshi?"
Chabashira stopped her words after noticing Ryuga's hand held up, this naturally attracted everyone else's attention as they turned to look at him.
"I just want to confirm a few details." Ryuga spoke up calmly. "You said we'd be allotted 100,000 this month, but will it be the same for the following months?"
"Huh? What does he mean?"
"I don't know..."
"She already told us we'd be given 100,000!" One of the idiots Ryuga identified before, Yamauchi, spoke in a mocking tone. "Can't you hear?"
Ryuga didn't even give the idiot a glance, instead focusing his gaze on Chabashira who locked eyes with his unblinking.
"Whatever do you mean?" Chabashira asked curiously, though her tone was no different from before. "You heard what I said."
"And that's why I'm asking." Ryuga replied just as call as before. "You spoke of merit and value, and that our admission into this school provided us significant value. Another term that could refer to that is... reputation."
While most of the class were confused, that being probably eighty percent, a few who could perhaps see beyond the surface considered his words.
"What I'm asking is... what happens if that value drops?"
Chabashira didn't answer immediately, instead staring at Ryuga in silence before a small smirk appeared at the corner of her mouth.
"I cannot say."
'Cannot? Or won't?' Ryuga paid close attention to her choice of words. The difference between the two could change everything. 'If that was intentional, that means she may have a gag order from the school.'
"Is there anything else?"
"Not at all."
"Very well, you are all dismissed."
With that, Chabashira left the room as she intended prior to Ryuga's interruption. It was silent for a moment before the class quickly bounced into countless conversations.
They were all naturally on the topic of where they wanted to go and do, most were intending on indulging in a shopping spree.
Ryuga was no different, except he didn't intend on jumping into a conversation.
Even if someone came up to him right now, he probably wouldn't pay them any mind as his focus was entirely on what was now in front of him.
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[MISSIONS]
• Optional Objective 1: Secure a firm position and presence in the class hierarchy
• Optional Objective 2: Become the class's pillar of support from the shadows
• Optional Objective 3: Maintain a neutral stance
• Time Remaining: 30:14:10:14
-
Rewards (Objective 1 & 2):
• Stat Token (x100)
• Skill Token (x1)
• Unlock: Examination - Advanced Course
Rewards (Objective 3):
• Stat Token (x20)
• Unlock: Examination - Advanced Course
═══════════════
Seeing this, Ryuga began weighing his options. He naturally ignored the third branching objective, the reward was simply pitiful in regard to the other two.
If he was to choose between the first two objectives, although the reward was the same, his overall stance in the class and potentially the school would be severely different.
It was basically just asking him to either choose to become a hero in the shadows, or take up a kind of significant role in the class.
'Hmm...' Ryuga clicked his tongue as he tapped his foot. 'Wasn't the whole point of going to this school to expose myself to social interaction? The second option isn't bad, but it kind of contradicts the whole point of me being here.'
Most students came here for the employment rate and promised benefits, he wasn't. He was here to gain the social experience he never had the opportunity to enjoy.
Of course, that alone wasn't his only reason.
In a school of this nature, having connections with many of his peers could very well prove useful. Not to mention if he had a prominent position.
Positions, objectives, and rewards aside, Ryuga paid just as much attention to the time limit. The limit was until pretty much the start of the next month.
Based on his experience with the previous mission he was given, he knew that the time limit could reveal many things.
Even if not a significant thing long term, the time it hits zero could still mean that something of worthy note happens either moments before or directly at the end of the time limit.
So the question was, what was going to happen in a month's time?
'What happens in a month's time?' Ryuga pondered as he got up to leave, that was when a look of realization suddenly appeared on his face. 'Of course, distribution of points.'
"Hiroshi, wait!"
"Hm?" Ryuga turned to look over his shoulder after he began walking towards the door. "What can I do for you, Horikita?"
Wasting no time, Horikita demanded. "Why did you ask those questions?"
"Why?" Ryuga blinked. "Do you not find the fact that this school provides such a large sum every month as absurd?"
"Of course I do!" Horikita frowned heavily as she responded. "The school is far too generous towards its students, even Miss Chabashira ignored the misconduct of a number of students during this homeroom. It's shameful to call this place an elite institution."
"...So, that's the overall conclusion you came to?" Ryuga frowned slightly before giving a small sigh. "I'll give you a piece of advice, don't spend too many points. I'll leave her in your care, Ayanokoji."
"...What?"
Without saying anything else, Ryuga looked back to his front before walking to the back door of the classroom and making his exit.
Horikita wanted to say something else, but Ryuga swift departure left her no room to speak up. Clicking her tongue, Horikita packed her things and left
Seeing this, Ayanokoji just sighed.
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Ryuga had his suspicions about the school, and while he was confident about them, he wanted to at least try and confirm them beyond doubt.
However, that was for another time, his first priority was making sure he had all the necessary items for him to actually live in this school.
The school was extremely strict on the things they were allowed to bring in from the outside, in fact, the only thing they could bring were basic school supplies.
As for everything else...
"Probably three or so sets are enough..." Ryuga muttered to himself as he looked through the rack of shirts. 'As long as I take care of them, they should easily last me a long time.'
Clothing was essential if he didn't want to keep wearing his uniform everywhere, and if he was honest, the uniforms were ugly as hell, at least the male uniforms.
On top of clothing, he also needed basic supplies for things like hygiene, and of course food. Although the school cafeteria and other shops sold food, it was cheaper to make his own.
After all, he had a Master rank Cooking ability, so why wouldn't he put it to use?
"Didn't expect to see a dude like you clothes shopping."
Ryuga blinked before turning his head slightly, and when he did, he saw a familiar figure standing there looking at him with an indifferent look, but a trace of amusement and curiosity were present.
"Can I help you?"
"What makes you think I need help? Can't I just come say hello?" Himeno rolled her eyes as she stood next to him. "Most of the first year guys went to places like game stores."
"Yeah?" Ryuga gave a dull response as he continued looking through the clothes. "I just hope they don't regret it later on."
"You were suspicious of it too then?" Himeno gave Ryuga an interested look after hearing this. "A number of us in Class-B were too, Ichinose solidified it though."
"Solidified?"
"Yeah. She made a whole big speech and everything about her suspicions in front of the class, and with how popular she is, everyone believed her words."
Ryuga was actually a bit surprised by this, not by her popularity, but her perceptive capabilities.
She honestly gave him the impression of being innocent and naive, but obviously there was more to her than meets the eye.
'I didn't think of it at the time, but I should've checked her information...' Ryuga thought to himself. 'I guess I can just do it another time.'
Thinking of that, he couldn't help but be curious.
═══════════════
[STATUS]
• Name: Himeno Yuki
• Occupation: First-Year ANHS Student
.
Parameters:
• Strength: 5.4
• Agility: 5.0
• Intellect: 6.4
• Dexterity: 5.2
• Willpower: 6.8
• Fortitude: 6.5
.
Description: A realist who doesn't blindly follow others, rather anti-social but sensitive to the situations around her. She isn't willing to trouble herself with things more than she believes it's worth.
═══════════════
'Rather average across the board, but not bad overall.' Ryuga casually concluded after seeing the stats. 'Anti-social, huh? I guess I see it.'
He saw before how Himeno had left her class to avoid all the bubbly talk, so she obviously preferred silence. Which was a bit strange since she took the initiative to speak with him.
"What are you looking at?" Himeno asked with clear annoyance on her face. "Hey!"
"Oh, sorry. Just thinking to myself." Ryuga snapped out of his thoughts before responding casually. "Back to the previous topic, until I know more, I'll be careful on what I buy."
"Fair enough." Himeno shrugged. "I recommend you get darker clothes, it seems to suit you better."
"Didn't take you for a fashionista."
"I'm not, just giving my opinion. Darker clothes will contrast better with that white hair of yours, and you seem like someone who'd wear bad boy clothes."
"Do I?" Ryuga rose an eyebrow in confusion. "Do I give that impression to you?"
"Not in personality or appearance, but it just feels like you'd suit those clothes." Himeno shrugged once again. "Just try them on, and if it's shit, I'll make sure to tell it straight to your face."
Ryuga responded dryly. "Much appreciated."
═════ ≪ ❈ ≫ ═════
The dormitories were all massive 15-story units, not to mention there were four of them in total for the students to live in.
Looking up at the massive building in front of him, Ryuga gave a small hum of amazement before heading to the elevator.
"Uh, hello."
"...?"
Ryuga stared blankly at the person waiting in front of the elevator door that had just greeted him, the dull expression on their face as clear as it was before.
The person was naturally Ayanokoji, staring back at him with that same dull look on his face that he always had on.
"A rather awkward greeting, no?" Ryuga asked in amusement. "You sounded rather stiff when greeting me, do I make you uncomfortable?"
"No, that's not..."
"Calm down, I'm just teasing." Ryuga shrugged his shoulders as Ayanokoji just blinked. "So, did some shopping, did you?"
"Just basic supplies, nothing much." Ayanokoji responded as he looked down at the plastic bag in his hand. "You seem to have bought a lot."
Ayanokoji couldn't help but compare his small purchase to Ryuga who was carrying two relatively large plastic bags of items.
"Didn't you say not to spend too much?"
"I did, but I didn't say don't spend that you live on the thin line of life and death." Ruuga replied nonchalantly. "Just things like soap and clothes to wear, a school uniform is pretty expensive to have replaced."
"We were given three pairs."
"And? Does that change my point?"
"I guess not." Ayanokoji calmly responded before looked down at the other bag. "What about that one?"
"Food." Ryuga responded simply as the elevator door opened, to which they both entered. "Cooking your own food is much cheaper."
"You can cook?"
"You sound surprised, or as surprised as someone like you can be." Ryuga chuckled slightly. "I'd say I'm not a bad chef, curious?"
"I'd be lying if I said no."
"Is that so? Well, why don't you come over for dinner?" Ryuga offered as Ayanokoji blinked in surprise. "Just think of it as... a bonding experience."
"...Then I'll accept."
Ryuga was honestly very curious about Ayanokoji, he was obviously far more than he lets on, and he only really knew that because of his system.
Curiosity was indeed the main reason, but he also had others.