The class is already fracturing. Half the students draw away from Kouenji's imposing nature. Horikita lowers her gaze. She pulls a thick paperback from her bag and opens it. Tal catches a glimpse of the cover from his seat. Crime and Punishment.
A sharp bell rings through the overhead speakers. At that precise moment, a woman enters the classroom. She wears a dark business suit and has delicate features. Her long hair is tied back into a ponytail.
"Ahem. Good morning to you, students. I'm the teacher for Class D. My name is Chabashira Sae." She walks to the podium. "I usually teach Japanese history. However, at this school, we do not change classrooms for each grade. For the next three years, I will be acting as your homeroom teacher, so I hope to get to know all of you."
She motions to the students in the front row, handing them stacks of paper to pass back.
"The entrance ceremony will be in the gymnasium one hour from now, but first, I will distribute written materials with information about this school's special rules. I will also hand out the admissions guide.
It's a pleasure to meet you. The entrance ceremony will be in the gymnasium one hour from now, but first, I will distribute written materials with information about this school's special rules. I will also hand out the admissions guide."
Tal takes a plastic card from the boy in front of him and passes the rest backward. It is a student ID card.
"I will now hand out your student ID cards. By using your card, you can access any of the facilities on campus, purchase goods from the store, and so on," Chabashira explains. She scans the room. "It acts like a credit card. However, it is imperative that you pay attention to the points that you spend. At this school, you can use your points to buy anything. Anything located on the school premises is available for purchase."
Murmurs ripple through the desks. Tal holds his card flat against his palm.
"Your student cards can be used simply by swiping them through the machine scanner. The method is simple, so you shouldn't get confused. Points are automatically deposited into your account on the first of every month. You should all have received 100,000 points already. Keep in mind that one point is worth one yen. No further explanation should be necessary."
The classroom erupts. Kids gasp loudly. Some drop their pens in sheer shock. A hundred thousand yen for high schoolers. It is an absurd amount of money.
Something should feel fundamentally wrong about the setup but the students of Class D are blinded right now.
Tal grips his card. His eyes narrow. Everything is happening exactly as the pages of the Light Novel described.
"Shocked by the amount of points you've been given?" Chabashira asks. A faint smile touches her lips. "This school evaluates its students' talents. Everyone here has passed the entrance examination, which itself speaks to your value and potential. The amount you've received reflects the evaluation of your worth. You can use your points without restraint."
She leans forward, resting her hands on the podium.
"After graduation, however, all of your points return to the school. Because it's impossible to exchange your points for cash, there's no advantage to saving them. Once points have been deposited into your account, it's up to you how to spend them. Do as you like. In the event that you don't want to spend your points, you may transfer them to someone else. However, extorting money from your peers is not allowed. This school monitors bullying very carefully."
She checks her wristwatch, ignoring the continued frantic whispers of the excited teenagers.
"Well, it appears no one has any questions. I hope that you enjoy your time here as students."
She turns sharply and walks out of the room. The door clicks shut behind her. Instantly, the newly rich students jump out of their seats.
This school doesn't seem as strict as I thought," Ayanokouji muttered.
Horikita heard him mutter.
"This school is extremely lenient, isn't it?" Horikita said. "This is almost too much preferential treatment. It's frightening."
"Hey, hey! Do you want to check out a store with me on our way back? Let's do some shopping!" a girl squeals.
"Sure. With this much, we can buy anything. I'm so glad I got into this school!" another says.
Tal stays seated and watches everything unfold.
He pockets his ID card and pushes his chair back and stands up.