After spending a week at the academy, Kaiser felt extremely bored. There was no sense of danger, not even a hint of challenge. Everything seemed to be sailing smoothly. However, he was aware that such a sense of safety was a facade crafted by the school.
'Let's see if I can spice things up…'
During lunch break, he casually whipped out his phone, then messaged the unknown number that the Chairman used.
-K: What is the most important asset in the academy?
His reply came exactly one minute later.
-U: I don't know why you're asking this. Anyway, it's the credits.
-K: Hmm. Understood.
Instantly, Kaiser's lazy eyes sharpened. He immediately understood the implication of this information. According to Instructor Rina, credits could buy anything in the academy, as long as it wasn't against the rules.
Closing his eyes, he pondered strategically.
'Goodness gracious… this is interesting. I guess I just have to amass a large amount of credits. How do we go about it then…?'
He went silent for a few seconds, then opened his eyes. He glanced at the security cameras at the four corners of the classroom, then grinned subtly.
"It's eerie…"
Hearing that soft whisper, he turned to Hazel. The girl was looking at him with a weird expression, as if she saw something that startled her.
"What?"
His expression darkened slightly. He was just smiling a little, yet this girl called it eerie?
"What's what? Your smile was obviously filled with dark intentions. Hmph."
She snorted, then turned away, uninterested in prolonging the conversation. Kaiser also ignored her, focusing on the plan that was beginning to formulate on his mind.
...
After the classes had ended, Kaiser went straight to the Student Council, which was located at the last floor of the school building. He occasionally met a few upperclassmen on the way, all having serious expressions as they left the office.
Standing before the steel double doors, Kaiser knocked gently.
"Come in."
A soft voice drifted from inside, prompting him to open the doors. Inside, the office carried a sense of formality. At the back end was a luxurious table specifically made for the president. Then, there was the conference table used for meetings, and a pair of comfortable cushion for welcoming guests.
Kaiser stepped inside, scanning the members present with a subtle gaze. Finally, his eyes landed on the familiar figure of the Student Council President.
As if sensing his gaze, President Anthony raised his head and turned to Kaiser. He didn't say a word, but the air seemed to still.
Kaiser's eyes narrowed at the undeniable pressure radiated by this third-year senior, feeling his blood boil.
"Excuse me, you can have your seat."
Standing behind the president, a beautiful silver-haired senior smiled at Kaiser, then gestured at the cushion.
Kaiser complied, sat calmly, then crossed his legs with a dignified air.
"Good evening, President. I'm Kaiser Solace from first-year Class-E."
Introducing himself, he gazed at the blonde senior sitting behind the luxurious office table. Although the blonde man's eyes were covered by a white blindfold, Kaiser still felt his penetrating gaze.
"Anthony Thornheart, third-year Class-A."
Kaiser wasn't surprised to know that this person was in Class-A. Based on his speculations, only people in Class-A were true elites. Therefore, the President being in that class didn't surprise him.
"I'll be quick. How much would it cost to buy the security cameras monitoring the classrooms?"
Instantly, a stunned silence reigned. The president's assistant, Senior Reas, stared at Kaiser with wide eyes. It was as if she was looking at a strange creature.
This was the first time she had ever heard such a question. Buy the security cameras? For what reason? Does he enjoy spying on others?
While Reas cast suspicious gazes at Kaiser, President Anthony's face remained stoic.
"I do not know, since it has never been bought."
Kaiser leaned into the cushion, his posture radiating quiet dominance.
"Is that so? Then I'll implore President Anthony to please inquire."
Reas's eyes narrowed, and her lips parted, wanting to say something. However, President Anthony beat her to it.
"Alright, wait for a moment."
He then picked up his phone from the table, and began to text someone.
Reas's lips remained parted in surprise. Was the President actually helping him inquire? At first, she didn't understand what both men were trying to do. Soon, realization dawned on her.
As someone appointed to be the President's assistant, she was obviously smart. She calmed herself, then began to think about the other uses for the security cameras.
'Those cameras are used to monitor the activities of students in their classes. Through it, the disciplinary committee would be able to calculate the total amount of Class Credits to… be… deducted.'
Her thoughts slowed to a crawl, and she looked at Kaiser again.
The young junior remained relaxed, his legs crossed while he patiently waited for the President's answer. Reas's eyes widened slightly.
'He… he already deduced the rules…?!'
After some time, President Anthony set down his phone, then turned to Kaiser.
"According to the school officials, you cannot buy the security cameras."
Kaiser remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
"However, since there is no rule prohibiting this, they are willing to allow you ownership of the cameras for a single month at the cost of 400,000 credits. This would be a one-time thing and would not be allowed again. The deadline for the offer would be tomorrow."
Kaiser's lips curled subtly. "400,000 credits? Isn't that a bit too much for a first-year?"
President Anthony's face remained impassive. "That is not my decision to make, but theirs. It is your own business to find the funds needed."
Kaiser hummed, then rose up from the comfort of the cushion. His hands remained in his pocket, and he nodded at the President.
"Well then, see you tomorrow."
Saying that, he left the Student Council office, closing the door behind him.
Immediately after he left, Reas turned to Anthony, her gaze sharp.
"Could it be what I'm thinking?"
Anthony quietly tapped the table, then sighed.
"This batch of first-years are exceptional. They're already deducing the school rules by the first week."
Reas agreed. "Indeed. Although Vice-President Eren was able to suppress the entire second-years from outright informing them, he doesn't have absolute control over the other second-year classes. The information is slowly, but surely leaking."
Anthony nodded. "However, this Kaiser Solace…"
His gaze remained fixed on the door which had been long closed. He sighed, then picked up the file he had been reviewing.
"Let's just wait for his next move. I'm curious to see how he would generate 400,000 credits by tomorrow."