"Shikime-kun, could you please state your reasons?"
Mashima Tomoya looked at Shikime Natsu with some surprise. Was it because two million points was too high?
But... this was the standard price set by the school; even he couldn't change it easily.
Besides, combining the proposals from both Katsuragi Kouhei and Sakayanagi Arisu, the points spent could eventually be recovered.
"Mashima-sensei's asking price is simply too high. I don't think this answer is worth two million points."
Shikime Natsu shook his head slightly.
Is this answer worth two million points?
If you say it's worth it, then it certainly is. After all, in previous years, some classes have depleted their class points to below five hundred in the first month. For those people, this two-million-point answer is extremely valuable.
However, if you say it's not worth it, that's also fine. Because this is Class A. And as Shikime Natsu just said, as long as they act in accordance with their duties as students and do it well, this rule is definitely not worth two million points to Class A.
"I believe this answer is worth it if it can give us an advantage. We can spend two million points to buy the answer from Mashima-sensei and then sell it to the other three classes. Even if we only sell it for one million points to each class, we'd still have a surplus of one million points for ourselves."
Katsuragi Kouhei offered a simple analysis. The benefits were laid out before them, within arm's reach.
"Shikime-kun, do you have a better idea?"
Sakayanagi Arisu chuckled lightly, her delicate fingers tapping her cane with a regular, rhythmic touch.
"Besides the teachers, the upperclassmen in this school also know the answer."
This simple sentence felt like parting the clouds and seeing the sun for both Katsuragi Kouhei and Sakayanagi Arisu.
"As long as we target the upperclassmen who are short on cash, I think... the cost will definitely be far lower than the two million points the teacher mentioned, right?"
There was nothing wrong with that logic. If they could obtain the information from upperclassmen at a minimal cost, the benefits for Class A would far exceed what they'd gain from spending two million points to buy the answer from Mashima Tomoya.
"A good idea, but... unfortunately, upperclassmen are forbidden from revealing the school's rules to the lower years."
Mashima Tomoya chuckled, his gaze on Shikime Natsu growing more and more satisfied. Class A needed precisely this kind of talent.
Thinking from multiple angles... but it was a shame.
"There are still thirty minutes left. You must assemble at the gymnasium in half an hour. Lateness is not permitted. As for whether to buy the answer, come find me after you've reached a consensus. I'll be in the faculty office at any time."
Mashima Tomoya took out his phone and checked the time. Just as he was about to step out of the classroom, he was suddenly called to a halt.
"Mashima-sensei, you only need to answer 'yes' or 'no.' I'd like to purchase the right for you to answer based on facts. That should also be within the scope of things that can be purchased, right?"
"Of course, but... one question will cost three thousand points."
Mashima Tomoya pondered for a moment. It was just a 'yes' or 'no' answer. It would be impossible to pry the school's rules from him like this. The only way to get the rules was to spend two million points.
Three thousand points for a single question was no small sum.
"Alright, it's a deal."
Shikime Natsu took out his phone and transferred three thousand points to Mashima Tomoya. The transaction was complete.
"Mashima-sensei, my question is, as long as we are unaware of the rules and diligently fulfill our duties as students, can we still receive one hundred thousand points next month?"
Hearing this, Mashima Tomoya was completely stunned. The lesson plan in his hand nearly fell to the floor.
This question was incredibly shrewd. When they didn't know the rules—that is, during the first month—because the school would announce the rules in the second month regardless. The school's assessment in the first month was based on conduct. So, as long as they properly fulfilled their duties as students, they would indeed receive one hundred thousand points next month. Occasional tardiness and such would naturally be excluded, as he had already specified 'properly.'
Three thousand points. It was far too little. This was the first time Mashima Tomoya had ever felt that way.
"Yes."
Mashima Tomoya answered. No matter what, the deal had been made.
As his voice fell, Class A became deathly silent.
Katsuragi Kouhei looked at Shikime Natsu with a complicated expression, then slowly closed his eyes. One could say that Shikime Natsu had achieved a two-million-point effect with just three thousand points.
"Alright, the rest of the time is yours."
After speaking, Mashima Tomoya strode out, his face full of delight. What a truly incredible guy. Though... it would have been better if he were a bit more willing to spend.
"Could everyone please chip in for these three thousand points?"
Shikime Natsu wrote his contact information on the blackboard and said with a smile.
The students of Class A didn't think much of Shikime Natsu's request; it was only right.
"But... just knowing this won't allow us to maximize our profits, will it?"
What Katsuragi Kouhei was referring to, of course, was the matter of selling the rules to the other classes.
"Didn't I say it earlier? We buy it from the upperclassmen."
Shikime Natsu said with a calm expression.
"But didn't the teacher just say the school forbids it?"
Hearing this, Katsuragi Kouhei couldn't help but frown, his bald head wrinkled in confusion.
"Didn't Mashima-sensei say? Anything in the school can be purchased. Just because it's officially forbidden doesn't mean it's forbidden behind the scenes."
Sakayanagi Arisu let out a soft laugh, answering the question for Shikime Natsu. Her purple eyes met Shikime Natsu's with bold confidence.
[Ding~]
[CG3: An Interesting Toy (Sakayanagi Arisu)]
[Let's use this to pass some of the boring time. I hope it can be a bit more interesting.]
[Congratulations, Host. You've obtained the Skill Card: Perfect-Level Chess (You are now invincible in the domain of chess, more than enough to deal with a bratty girl.)]
The third CG is Sakayanagi Arisu's?
But why does her face look so infuriating? She looks too much like a smug brat, the kind you want to mercilessly crush.
Although the smug brat's cries of "Small fry~ Small fry~" might excite some people, that's because early Japan had a fishing and hunting civilization, while early China had an agricultural civilization. With a slight change, "Small fry~ Small fry~" becomes "Mongrel~ Mongrel~"
Hmm... it's hard to get excited about that.
Of course, for Shikime Natsu, it was still acceptable, since he wasn't ethnically Japanese.
Noticing Sakayanagi Arisu's cane, he decided to let it go. He'd forgive her.
This skill card was also quite good. If Shikime Natsu decided to pursue this path in the future, making money should be quite easy. Coming here to collect CGs was truly the right choice.
Hard work can't beat a cheat ability!
"Exactly. That's why I asked him that question before he left. It was to make him think our decision was to just be good, obedient students. That way, he won't pay attention to the upperclassmen, and we can proceed with the original plan—find upperclassmen who are short on cash, buy the information, and then sell it."
As Shikime Natsu spoke, a figure suddenly appeared in his mind. She might look like an ice queen, but she was probably quite foolish. He could try to trick her first.
____
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