-50- As long as they are withen the rule

"What's going on now?"

"I'm a bit lost..."

"What are you guys talking about? Hey!"

Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken seemed to not yet grasp the truth revealed by Hori, appearing bewildered and anxious.

It's understandable.

Initially, the three of them only thought their failing grades led to expulsion.

Who would have thought that it would involve the school's system and rules, as well as the future of the entire class?

So, Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken couldn't keep up with the current situation, only feeling bewildered and anxious.

On the other hand, the rest of the students, to some extent, understood the current situation.

"Nanaya..."

Led by Hirata Yousuke and Karuizawa Kei, the students in the class looked at Hori with astonishment.

Kushida Kikyou remained silent, her eyes flickering.

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka also remained silent to lower his presence.

As for Horikita Suzune, her silence felt the most oppressive.

Because, at this moment, Horikita Suzune could no longer boldly declare that she hadn't done anything wrong.

As Chabashira Sae said, if aiming for Class A, Horikita Suzune inevitably made a mistake by decisively abandoning Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken.

"You still pride yourself on your individualism, but at least in this school and in the future society, it's poisonous."

Chabashira Sae threw out this final comment.

And, in such a casual tone:

"Of course, it's too late to say anything now. You've already taken the wrong first step, and it's time to pay the price."

What price?

Naturally, it's the possible loss of manpower.

That is, the expulsion of Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken.

But...

"Too late to say anything now?"

Hori's voice suddenly rang out with a hint of amusement.

"Your words seem a bit off, Chabashira-sensei."

This sudden statement left the entire Class D stunned once again.

"Hmm..." Chabashira Sae seemed to be intrigued and asked, "Why do you say that?"

"It's simple," Hori said bluntly, "Can't the failure of Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudou be remedied?"

The astonishing statement caused an uproar among everyone.

"Remedied?"

Horikita Suzune lifted her gaze.

"Remedied?"

Hirata Yousuke and Kushida Kikyou's eyes lit up.

"Remedied?"

Led by Karuizawa Kei, many students in Class D exchanged glances.

"Remedied?"

Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken widened their eyes.

Only three people did not show this reaction.

One was Kouenji Rokusuke, who stopped admiring himself in the mirror and looked towards Hori.

One is still maintaining silence and lowering his own presence, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.

The other is naturally Chabashira Sae.

Chabashira Sae stared at Hori, seemingly urging him to continue.

Hori then glanced at Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken, and spoke indifferently.

"Do you remember the last time I asked you about the detailed rules of the S System? What kind of answer did you give me?"

At that time, Chabashira Sae replied with these words:

"Grasping the truth about point rules is the key to conquering this school. In this school, there's nothing more important than points."

Hori repeated what Chabashira Sae said at that time, and the gaze exchanged with Chabashira Sae became meaningful.

Then, Hori said:

"At that time, the 'points' you mentioned shouldn't only refer to class points, right?"

Yes.

At that time, Chabashira Sae only mentioned the word "points" without specifically referring to class points.

In other words...

"In this school, individual points also play an extremely important role."

Hori announced publicly.

"This role is not just for consumption."

On the first day of school, Chabashira Sae also said:

"As long as it's in this school, there's nothing that can't be bought with points."

Hori's gaze shifted from meaningful to thought-provoking.

"Can I understand this statement literally?"

--- Literally.

That is, the statement "There's nothing that can't be bought with points."

"If you have enough personal points, can't you buy things beyond material items?"

"For example, scores on mid-term exams."

Hori's voice fell.

Everyone in the audience suddenly opened their mouths one after another.

It was an extremely surprised expression.

Chabashira Sae's reaction was even more exaggerated.

"Hahaha!"

Laughter erupted from Chabashira Sae.

The class advisor, who had always been indifferent to everyone, extremely calm and cold, laughed as if she were very happy.

Happier than ever before.

"Interesting," Chabashira Sae said with a smile, "If I say yes, how many personal points are you prepared to use to buy passing scores for Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudou?"

This question prompted an immediate response from Hori.

"Don't get it wrong, sensei. I didn't say I was going to use personal points to buy scores for these three people." Hori said extremely calmly, "I just said what you wanted me to say. That doesn't make me a coward, does it?"

"But I didn't expect you to mention the ability to buy and sell scores with personal points?" Chabashira Sae tapped the podium in front of her, "But anyway, your answer exceeds my expectations. As a teacher, I can only give you extra credit."

How to give extra credit?

"I'll answer your question." Chabashira Sae said frankly, "The role of personal points is indeed significant. Even exam scores, as long as they're within the rules, can be bought and sold."

And the question for this midterm exam is, according to the rules of the school, is the buying and selling of scores allowed?

The answer is—allowed.

But...

"The question is, do you have enough personal points to buy passing scores for Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudou?"

Chabashira Sae posed the biggest question.