When those words left the Student cil President's mouth, Hikaru fell into silence.

  He was analyzing their meaning—

  And trying to figure out what Manabu's true goal was.

  Now that the hidden rules of the school had been revealed, Hikaru fully uood—

  As President of the Student cil, this man held influence far beyond ordinary students.

  After a moment of ption, Hikaru asked seriously:

  "Horikita-senpai… are you invitio joiudent cil?"

  "This school has existed for over ten years."

  "You are the first student in history to uhe hidden rules on the very first day—"

  "And the first to use the S-System to iate with a teacher."

  Manabu's gaze pierced into Hikaru's eyes.

  "Talent like yours warrants an invitation."

  "By joining the Student cil, you will gain access to a perspective far beyond your peers—"

  "Even in the uping css petition, you could leverage the cil's power."

  Hikaru didn't waver.

  Instead, he met Manabu's sharp gaze head-on.

  Then, he asked, word by word:

  "Was this invitation from you, Horikita-senpai?"

  "Or was it the school's decision?"

  Silence.

  Manabu's expression flickered for the briefest moment.

  He had uimated this first-year.

  Hikaru's perceptiveness was far beyond his expectations.

  After a pause, Manabu responded calmly:

  "Why do you ask? I'd like to hear your reasoning."

  Hikaru smiled faintly and crified:

  "Simple."

  "If this school truly operates on the principle of meritocracy, theudent cil must wield signifit power over student affairs."

  "That power influence day-to-day school life, even css petition."

  Manabu crossed his arms, waiting for him to tinue.

  "But at the end of the day—"

  "The Student cil's authority is not limitless."

  "Its power es from the school's rules, and above those rules—"

  "Are the true authorities: the school board and administration."

  "If I'm truly the first student in over a decade to uhe hidden rules—"

  "Then the moment my css transferred those points to the teacher, the sust have noticed."

  Hikaru's gaze sharpened.

  "If the school deliberately created this 'puzzle,' then it stands to reason—"

  "They would reward whoever solved it."

  "That would align with how a school operates."

  Manabu nodded slightly, then tered:

  "So you believe the school instructed me to invite you into the Student cil—"

  "As your reward?"

  "Correct."

  Hikaru nodded.

  It was the most logical clusion.

  After all—

  Would a third-year Student cil President really go out of his way to recruit a first-year on his own?

  If the sade the decision, then it made sense.

  Hikaru tilted his head slightly.

  "Did I guess correctly?"

  Manabu's eyes glinted coldly.

  Then, he answered:

  "Your analysis is sound."

  "But you're wrong."

  Hikaru's expression remained unged.

  "If I was wrong—"

  "Then you enlighten me, Horikita-senpai?"

  Manabu adjusted his gsses.

  Then, he dropped the bombshell:

  "The Student cil's power does inate from the school."

  "However—"

  "The Student cil President's authority goes beyond that."

  Hikaru's eyes narrowed slightly.

  "The school did decide to reward you for your exceptional achievement."

  "However, the decision to invite you into the Student cil—"

  "Was mine alone."

  Then, Manabu paused before revealing something even more shog.

  "inally, the school inteo reward Css 1-B with +100 Css Points."

  "Additionally, they po transfer a sum of Private Points to you."

  "But I held that reward back."

  His tone was unwavering.

  "That is the answer you wanted."

  Hikaru's eyes darkened for a moment.

  He weighed the risks of ht rejeg the Student cil President.

  Then, after making a decision—

  He smiled politely.

  "Then, Horikita-senpai—"

  "Would you kindly return my inal reward?"

  Manabu's gaze turned icy.

  "Are you deing my invitation?"

  "Yes."

  Hikaru answered decisively.

  "If I have free time, I'd rather spend it on myself—"

  "Rather than w for the sake of my fellow students."

  Manabu studied him for a long moment.

  Then, without hesitatiourned and prepared to leave.

  "Fine."

  "I will arrange for your reward to be delivered today."

  However—

  Just as he was about to leave—

  Hikaru suddenly called out to him.

  "Horikita-senpai."

  "If I did want to joiudent cil—"

  "How would I apply?"

  Manabu's steps halted for a brief moment.

  He gnced back at Hikaru.

  The out a low chuckle.

  "Yreedier than I expected."

  "But in this school—"

  "That's not necessarily a bad thing."

  Hikaru grinned slightly.

  "'t help it."

  "There's too much I want."

  "And I've never been good at resistiation."

  Manabu turned fully to face him.

  "If you want to joiudent cil—"

  "Submit an application to the secretary's office."

  With that, he left.

  Hikaru remaianding there, lost in thought.

  "The Student cil, huh…?"

  Hikaru stroked his .

  Something about Manabu's attitude felt off.

  "If he truly wanted me iudent cil—"

  "Why did he test me?"

  "And if I had agreed, would he really have withheld my reward?"

  No matter how he looked at it, something didn't add up.

  "I still don't uand this school enough."

  "For now… I'll just keep this question in the bay mind."

  With that thought, Hikaru grabbed a bottle of water from the vending mae, took a few sips, theuro the track.

  He still had half an hour left to plete his training.

  Meanwhile…

  Back at the Student cil's office, Manabu stepped inside.

  A girl with violet hair, tied into two round buns, immediately approached.

  "President, you ended your m training early?"

  "Yes."

  Manabu handed her his towel and grabbed his backpack.

  The girl—Tachibana Akaudent cil Secretary—tilted her head slightly.

  "Did you meet the student from yesterday?"

  "I did."

  "And? How was he?"

  " he pare to Nagumo?"

  Manabu's lips curled into a faint smile.

  "Tell me, Tachibana—"

  "Do you think Nagumo could have uncovered the hidden rules on his first day?"

  Tachibana's expression stiffened.

  Manabu's gaze hardened.

  "I only spoke with him briefly—"

  "But I have already firmed his potential."

  "If he ever fronts Nagumo—"

  "There is a real ce he could win."

  Tachibana's eyes widened.

  Manabu goward the secretary's desk.

  "Keep an eye on the application files."

  "If you see his name—"

  "Notify me immediately."

  "Uood, President."