Chapter 15: The Auxiliary Manual, A Gift Upon Registration! (Part Two)

Arriving in a new place, unfamiliar with everything, it’s only proper to pay respects to the local leader before making a move. From now until the end of the term, I’ll be stuck in this garbage class. Maybe not just until the end of term—even longer isn’t out of the question.

So, I need to find the boss of this class, introduce myself properly, and make their acquaintance. To show sincerity, humility, and discretion as a newcomer, Stone Ironheart mustered the gentlest voice he could manage and asked, “Who’s the class monitor of Class 28?”

At the Star Workers’ School, every class monitor was the most capable person in that class—either powerful, well-connected, or both. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have held the position long; someone stronger would’ve knocked them down. Stone Ironheart himself had been a class monitor for no other reason than his fighting skills. Anyone who didn’t like it could challenge him—beat him, and he’d step down; lose, and they’d fall in line.

That was how things worked in his world.

But Phoenix Call No. 1 High was clearly a different story. A scrawny boy with glasses stood up, shuffling nervously and glancing at Stone Ironheart with a hint of fear. The boy was much shorter than Stone, and as he moved closer to the door for a better look, he thought, My goodness, this new guy is terrifying. The way he asked for the class monitor sounded as aggressive as someone barging into a martial arts hall to pick a fight!

Summoning his courage, the boy stammered, “I—I’m the class monitor...”

“You?” Stone Ironheart’s big eyes swept downward, his expressionless face exuding an intimidating pressure.

Wait, this bespectacled kid looked familiar… Of course! Wasn’t he one of the guys in my dorm, sleeping on the upper bunk across from me? Stone hadn’t paid much attention that morning, but that bed had been piled so high with stuff the poor kid barely had room to turn over—what a miserable sight. He’d thought the kid just owned too many things, but now it seemed likely the boy was holding others’ belongings as well. Though he looked utterly weak… perhaps he was actually a helpful, caring class monitor.

Kid, you’re making me reconsider my opinion of this garbage class!

Stone Ironheart tried his best to force a friendly smile, struggling to look approachable. “So you’re the class monitor…”

The boy with glasses looked on the verge of tears. This guy is way too scary! He’s frightening enough when expressionless, but that forced grin—it’s like he’s about to swallow me whole!

Please, no, I don’t even want to be class monitor! I was just pushed into this role to do menial work. No one listens to me, I never get any of the good assignments, and whenever there’s trouble, I’m forced to take the lead. I really don’t want this job!

What does this guy actually want from me?

“Uh, classmate, you were looking for me because…” the boy ventured.

Stone Ironheart scanned the room. Everyone was watching. Wasn’t this the perfect opportunity to introduce himself? Good day, everyone. My name is Stone Ironheart, and I’ve just joined your class. I’m new here, unfamiliar with the environment, and didn’t bring any gifts—please forgive me. Once I’ve gotten my bearings, I’ll make it up to you all. I’m helpful, approachable, positive, well-mannered, have a wide range of interests, and am both strong and resilient. I hope to get along with everyone, to be good friends, love and help each other, study hard together, and make progress as a group. Thank you!

He rehearsed the speech in his mind, then opened his mouth: “I’m new here.”

And that was it.

Nothing more! Damn it, why wouldn’t my mouth cooperate?

While Stone Ironheart berated himself, the bespectacled boy and the whole of Class 28 stared, dumbfounded. New? When a new student arrived, wasn’t the homeroom teacher supposed to introduce them? They’d go up to the podium, write their name on the board, and introduce themselves while the whole class scrutinized them. Sometimes, the class’s troublemakers would even give them a hard time just to put them in their place.

But this newcomer had walked right in, called out the class monitor by name, and said a single sentence—done!

Who had ever seen such an audacious new student?

“Uh…” the bespectacled boy felt he ought to say something. After all, he was the class monitor, and apparently a dormmate as well. As long as this new classmate wasn’t here to beat him up, he’d be satisfied. So he stammered, “Welcome, welcome. My name’s Zhao Qingmiao, I sit in the third row. And you…”

Zhao Qingmiao wanted to ask his name, but Stone Ironheart misunderstood.

So Zhao sits in the third row. That’s a good spot—not too close to the blackboard so your neck doesn’t get sore looking up, not so far you can’t see or hear clearly. In my other life’s memories, the third row was always prime territory in the top classes.

But as a newcomer, I can’t expect the best. Better to keep a low profile.

“My seat,” Stone Ironheart glanced around the classroom, spotting a few empty desks. This little bean sprout should have no trouble arranging it. “Just put me wherever you like.”

Zhao Qingmiao was so flustered he was speechless. Sir, at least tell us your name!

But this guy clearly had no intention of introducing himself. The look in his eyes was like a lion surveying his domain, already considering how best to conquer this new grassland. Zhao had never dared raise his voice to the class’s troublemakers; this new student looked even more intimidating than them, so he didn’t dare make a peep.

Mumbling for a while, Zhao finally led Stone Ironheart to a desk. In line with the preferences of the class’s troublemakers, the seat was as far toward the back as possible. Stone thought that, as a newcomer, it was only right to lay low for a few days, so he didn’t object. The back row it was.

So, Stone Ironheart was settled in a seat near the edge of the third row from the back—not too far from the rear door, by the window, where he could get a bit of fresh air. Not bad. His desk mate hadn’t arrived yet, and might not exist at all; perhaps the seat was entirely vacant. Stone was glad for the peace and quiet, and his mind continued working on his next steps.

Soon, more students trickled in. Many snuck glances at Stone Ironheart sitting in the back, whispering non-stop. As the bell for morning reading approached, Zhao Qingmiao gritted his teeth, and, under the watchful gaze of the front-row students, resolutely walked over to Stone’s desk.

Collecting homework from a troublemaker was risky business!

“Hey, uh, did you… did you finish the worksheet?”

Stone Ironheart froze. Worksheet? What worksheet?

A wave of another consciousness washed through him, and he immediately understood: the school had handed out sets of problems as part of the so-called “homework.”

He rummaged through his bag and quickly found a worksheet. Unsurprisingly, it was completely blank.

Suddenly, writing appeared before his eyes.

[Supplementary Secret Record: Basic Mathematics Level Three]
[Usage Progress: 0%]
[Effect: Training speed in Basic Mathematics Level Three increased by 20%]