As darkness pletely engulfed the sky, the entire Advanurturing High School fell into a deep silence.

  All students had returo their dormitories before curfew, and the ercial district had long since closed for the night.

  The artificial isnd was now shrouded in darkness.

  Except for one pce—

  The Student cil's room on the upper floors of the main building remained illuminated.

  ---

  Seated at his desk, the most outstanding Student cil President in the school's history, Horikita Manabu, adjusted his gsses.

  A priudent file y before him.

  "Hashima Hikaru. First-year, Css 1-B?"

  Manabu had just received a highly unusual report through his informatiowork.

  On the very first day of school, a new first-year student had cracked the school's hidden enrollment exam, then purchased all of the school's hidden rules from a teacher using the S-System.

  This was unpreted in the decade-long history of the school.

  As a result, the faculty immediately took notice, and within hours, a report had been delivered to the Student cil.

  As Student cil President, Manabu uood what this meant.

  His authority far exceeded that of ordinary students.

  Beyond overseeing clubs and school events, he had direct access to the Chairman.

  He could even bypass teachers and obtain first-hand intelligence.

  Now that this file had been pced before him, it was his duty to assess the student's potential, verify the report, and—if warranted—authorize a reward on behalf of the cil.

  A rare flicker of curiosity crossed his normally unreadable expression.

  "I hope he doesn't disappoint me."

  "If he's truly a hiddehat would be ideal."

  After itting the details of Hikaru's profile to memory, he methodically shut off the lights, left the cil room, and stepped into the moonlit night.

  His posture was straight, his steps unwavering.

  Just as he had been on his first day here—

  Time had not ged him.

  He was the one ging this school.

  ---

  The M

  As the sky began thten, Hikaru was already awake.

  His pn was simple:

  M workout at the track

  Return to dorm for a shower

  Head to css

  After washing up, he threw on his sportswear and stepped out of the dormitory.

  The time?

  6:50 AM.

  More than enough for a solid workout.

  His destination—

  Track Field No. 1, he gymnasium.

  The school's rgest track, wide enough for twenty students to sprint side by side.

  It rimarily used for sports clubs—except for events like the Sports Festival.

  He Wasn't Alone

  When Hikaru arrived, he quickly realized—

  He wasn't the first one here.

  "Tch. I thought I was early."

  Seeing several students already jogging or stretg, he sighed.

  "Even after reination, I still 't escape the grind…"

  He shook his head.

  "Whatever. Let's just foyself."

  After a quick warm-up, he mentally reviewed the Athletic Booster's instrus.

  The system had only specified running.

  It had not set a minimum pace.

  So…

  Light jogging should work tht?

  "Alright. Let's start"

  Hikaru kicked off his first run.

  Within minutes—

  His face turned pale.

  "Ugh… this again?"

  Every siime, it was the same.

  He checked the timer on his system interface—

  Despite his bored breathing, he forced himself to keep going.

  He adjusted his stride, slowed his pace, and tried to stabilize his breathing.

  His weak stitution had pgued him since childhood.

  That's why he had alrioritized studying.

  His teachers had told him:

  "As long as yrades are good, you get into the best uies—even if you fail P.E."

  And now?

  Karma had e full circle.

  He had to suffer through it.

  Jogging along the 400-meter rubber track, he was easily overtaken by students who weren't even trying.

  Even some of the weaker girls could probably outrun him.

  Still—

  Stopping is not an option.

  Gradually, as he ehe initial disfort, he found a rhythm.

  By adjusting his breathing, the burniion in his chest lessened.

  "Hahh… this is hell."

  After three ps, he was worn out.

  Gasping, he decided to head for the vending maes to grab some water.

  [System Update]

  [Athletic Booster Active]

  [0/30 Days pleted]

  [Current Workout Time: 22 Minutes]

  "Still over 30 mio go? Damn…"

  As he reached the vending mae, he noticed—

  Someoanding nearby.

  And staring directly at him.

  The Student cil President

  Hikaru wiped the sweat off his forehead and turo look.

  His breath hitched.

  A tall, posed figure stood before him—

  Holding a bck thermos.

  Dressed in sportswear.

  Someone immediately reizable.

  Horikita Manabu.

  Student cil President.

  His mind immediately went on high alert.

  Hikaru greeted him first.

  After all, the guy was a third-year senior—and the most powerful student in school.

  "Good m, Horikita-senpai. What a ce—are you here for a m run too?"

  Manabu's response was calm and direct.

  "No ce. I was waiting for you."

  "…???"

  Hikaru's entire body tensed up.

  What the hell?

  He carefully probed.

  "…Horikita-senpai, I believe this is the first time we've spoken?"

  "Indeed."

  Manabu adjusted his gsses, his expression unwavering.

  "But I was waiting for you, Hashima Hikaru."

  The straight to the point.

  "You were the one who discovered the school's hidden meics."

  "You were the one who used Private Points to purchase the full ruleset from your teacher."

  "Or…"

  "Were you ag under someone else's orders?"

  Silence.

  Hikaru ched his sweat-drenched shirt, his expression darkening.

  "And if I say yes?"

  "What do you io do, Horikita-senpai?"

  Horikita's reply was unshaken.

  "If that's the case—"

  "Then I will offer you an opportunity."

  "An opportunity to stand beside me."