First off, I’d like to address something.
In the author’s note after Chapter 4, I briefly mentioned the Class Point evaluation.
However, while re-reading the original light novel, I realized I had misunderstood a few things and found several inconsistencies that bothered me.
Specifically, what I struggled with for this chapter was whether it would be possible to keep point deductions down to zero if a class completely grasped the S-System on the very first day of school.
Since opinions on this topic likely vary, I’ve written down my reasoning—or perhaps my defense?—regarding how things turned out in the author’s note at the end of this chapter.
It’s a bit long-winded, so if you didn’t feel anything was off while reading the story, feel free to skip it.
But if you did feel a sense of incongruity, please take a look if you’re inclined.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– May 1st, Morning.
In the lobby of the student dorms, Mamoru turned on his student terminal and checked the points that had been transferred to his account.
“100,000 points…
No deductions, huh.” The exact same amount as last month had been deposited.
It seemed that missing swimming class due to his absence hadn’t negatively affected his evaluation.
The Curses inside the school grounds have mostly been cleared out, and I have plenty of points to spare.
I guess I can resume taking outside assignments soon.
Since Mamoru wasn’t officially affiliated with Jujutsu High, he used to take job referrals directly from his older brother, Gojo Satoru.
While he had temporarily put those jobs on hold to focus on campus security, that was only ever a temporary measure until things stabilized.
Jujutsu Sorcerers were perpetually short-staffed.
In the first place, Mamoru had been entrusted with this security task because his Cursed Technique allowed him to travel back and forth easily, making it possible to handle outside work while simultaneously guarding the school.
Though his life had settled into a comfortable rhythm recently, Mamoru still considered himself an inexperienced sorcerer.
Truth be told, he felt somewhat dissatisfied with his current environment, which offered virtually no genuine combat experience.
As he was lost in thought, a 20-centimeter centipede with human fingers for legs crawled right past his feet.
A Flyhead…
I cleared out most of the dorms, and just when I thought things had settled down, this happens.
Sighing in exasperation, he instantly exorcised the Cursed Spirit.
Right on cue, the lobby elevator chimed, and Arisu stepped out.
“Good morning, Mamoru-kun.” “Yeah, morning.” As if it were the most natural routine in the world, the two met in the lobby and left the dorms together.
On the way, neither of them brought up the fact that their point allowance was identical to last month’s.
In any case, they both anticipated that the school would offer some form of explanation today.
It was their mutual understanding that there was no need to discuss it now.
“By the way, I went shopping with Masumi-san yesterday.
I thought it would be lovely to deepen our friendship at a karaoke parlor, but she said, ‘You can go to karaoke by yourself, can’t you?’ Don’t you think that’s terribly cold?” “I don’t know about cold, but what, you actually like karaoke, Arisu-san?
That’s kinda surprising.” “It’s not so much that I like it, but rather that I have rarely been, so I was curious.” “In that case, why don’t you invite people from other classes?” “Isn’t this the part where you’re supposed to say, ‘Then let’s go together’?” “I’ll think about it if you’re paying.” Over the past month, Mamoru had completely discarded any remaining hesitancy around Arisu.
“My.
Forcing a lady to cover the bill?
That is hardly the behavior of a gentleman.” “Fine by me.
I never claimed to be a gentleman.” “I suppose I have no choice then.
Very well, I shall cover the expenses—on the condition that you sing a duet with Masumi-san to a song of my choosing.” “You’re completely planning to turn us into your playthings, aren’t you?
Is that even the right way to enjoy karaoke?” A duet between two people who weren’t particularly close…
The atmosphere was guaranteed to be awkwardly tense as it was, but adding Arisu’s song selection to the mix felt downright ominous.
Exchanging such lighthearted banter, the two walked the path toward the school.
Upon arriving at school and entering the classroom, they found the students abuzz with lively chatter.
“Yo, you two.” The moment they sat down, Hashimoto approached to greet them.
After the two returned the greeting, Hashimoto immediately brought up the topic everyone else was discussing.
“Did you hear?
Looks like point allowances dropped for the other classes after all.” “Huh.
Guess so.” Having already anticipated this outcome, Mamoru’s reaction was completely lukewarm.
“Bit of a dry reaction there.
Some people in other classes are in a total panic because they didn’t get a single point, you know?” “Huh?
Not a single point?” “That is…
somewhat unexpected.” At those words, even Mamoru and Arisu couldn’t hide their surprise.
Taking Mashima’s words from the first day at face value—where points equaled a student’s value—a score of zero points meant they had been evaluated as entirely worthless.
They had already verified that taking a single absence during swimming class didn’t lower one’s score; the school possessed at least that level of leniency.
And yet, for a class to receive an evaluation like that…
Just what on earth had they done?
“Right?
When I saw my points this morning, I thought my prediction had failed, but now I’m just relieved.
Seriously, Gojo, we owe you big time.” Following Hashimoto’s lead, the surrounding classmates joined in to express their gratitude.
“Seriously!” “Yeah…
Thanks to you, we didn’t have to make fools of ourselves.” “Ain’t that the truth.” While a few remarkably blunt comments were mixed in, their gratitude was genuine.
As they chatted, the bell announcing the start of class rang.
The students moved seamlessly back to their desks, and a moment later, their homeroom teacher, Mashima, entered the classroom.
“Good morning, everyone.
We will now begin homeroom, but there is a lot to explain today.
I will provide opportunities for questions as we go, so please take a look at this first.” With that, Mashima taped a sheet of thick white paper onto the blackboard.
Written on the paper were the names of Classes A through D, with a different number beside each.
Class A — 1000 Class B — 790 Class C — 540 Class D — 0 “A few of you may have already deduced what these numbers represent.
This is your class evaluation, commonly known as Class Points, determined by your academic performance, class attitude, and daily conduct over the past month.
You may have heard rumors this morning that point distributions in other classes have dropped.
This is the reason.
These points are directly tied to the points distributed to individual students.” At his words, no one in the room showed visible surprise.
Mashima said ‘a few of you,’ but in reality, almost everyone in Class A had already shared and understood this information.
“The points awarded to students are known as Private Points, where 1 Class Point equals 100 Private Points.
For example, Class B possesses 790 Class Points, meaning each student in Class B received 79,000 points.
Are there any questions up to this point?” Mashima paused, scanning the classroom.
He’s staring right at me…
Mashima appeared to be addressing the entire room, yet his gaze lingered on Mamoru for an conspicuously long moment.
Perhaps due to Mamoru’s track record on the very first day of school, there was an unmistakable air of vigilance in the teacher’s eyes.
Amidst the silence, Katsuragi raised his hand.
“Katsuragi.
What is it?” “Could you tell us the details regarding the evaluation criteria for these points?” “Regrettably, I cannot.
The details regarding personnel evaluations—that is, the specifics of how you are assessed—are strictly confidential.
This principle applies to society as well; even if you join a company, you are rarely informed of the exact metrics used in performance reviews.” “I understand.
That is all from me.” “However, if there is one thing I can tell you, it is that the results you have achieved represent an unprecedented feat in the history of this school.
As far as I am aware, no class before you has ever maintained their points perfectly throughout their very first month.” At Mashima’s words of praise, proud expressions surfaced on the students’ faces.
“Now then, having disclosed the existence of Class Points, let us move on to the next topic.
The role of Class Points is not merely to determine your monthly allowance.
These points are also directly tied to class rankings.” The cheerful expressions on the students’ faces instantly tightened.
They had already anticipated the ranking system.
The real issue was what kind of penalties existed.
“As a school under direct state management, it is well known that we boast extremely high college acceptance and employment rates.
This institution offers maximum support to those who graduate.
However…
these benefits are granted exclusively to students who graduate from Class A.” At those words, many students covered their mouths or widened their eyes, unable to conceal their shock.
The only reason a mass panic didn’t break out was likely the reassuring knowledge that they were currently in the safe zone.
Wait, that’s it?
Amidst the tension, Mamoru alone looked surprised for an entirely different reason.
To him, guaranteed career placements or university admissions were utterly irrelevant.
He had been bracing himself for potential expulsion or similarly severe penalties in the worst-case scenario, making this reveal feel like a massive anticlimax.
“In other words, had the results this time been reversed between Class A and Class B, the current Class B would have risen to Class A, while you would have fallen to Class B, losing these benefits.
Now, any questions?” Another opportunity for questions was granted, but knowing that falling from Class A carried no severe immediate penalty, Mamoru’s interest in the class competition waned further.
Still, that doesn’t mean the threat of expulsion is completely gone.
Otherwise, there would have been no reason for the Chairman to drop hints about expulsion earlier.
Even if falling to a lower class didn’t directly cause expulsion, the process of competing likely involved elements that could trigger it.
As Mamoru processed this, Arisu smoothly raised her hand.
“Sakayanagi.” “Yes.
Earlier, Sensei, you mentioned that performance evaluation criteria could not be disclosed.
Does the same apply to the methods for increasing points?” “A good question.
I cannot disclose everything regarding methods to increase points at this stage.
Society demands the ability to analyze and decipher unknown variables on one’s own.
However, there are a few things I can share with you right now.” Pausing briefly, Mashima scanned the room once more.
“Many of you belong to club activities.
Achieving outstanding results in competitions will not only earn you individual Private Points as a reward, but it may also increase your Class Points.
Additionally—and this applies strictly to the upcoming midterms—you can earn up to 100 Class Points depending on your academic performance.” Hearing this answer, Arisu raised her hand again to follow up.
“‘Strictly,’ meaning no points will be awarded for exams after that?” “Correct.
Consider it a reward for successfully overcoming your very first exam since enrollment.” ‘A reward for overcoming it.’ The subtle nuance in Mashima’s phrasing made Mamoru narrow his eyes.
“Now then, let us transition directly into the explanation for the midterm exam.
First, look at this.” Saying so, Mashima taped another sheet of paper onto the blackboard.
Written on it were the names of every student in Class A, accompanied by numbers.
“These are the results of the pop quiz we conducted the other day.
The class average was 82 points.
Truly an exemplary outcome.” Though Mashima praised them, the result wasn’t particularly surprising.
The quiz had consisted of 20 questions in total.
Aside from the final three, which were abnormally difficult, the rest were straightforward.
Anyone with a grasp of the fundamentals could easily score around 80%, and indeed, over half the class had scored 80 or higher.
Incidentally, Mamoru had scored 85.
In first place with a perfect 100 points was Arisu Sakayanagi—the sole name at the top.
“Now, let us assume this pop quiz represented the actual midterm results.
In that scenario, the failing line—the red mark—would be set at half the class average, which is 41 points.
While no student fell below that mark this time, if anyone receives a red mark on the actual midterm exam, that student will be expelled on the spot.” And there it is: expulsion.
While Mamoru felt a sense of ‘finally, there’s the catch,’ the rest of the class reacted with visible shock.
Even those who had scored comfortably high couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat at the thought of making a careless mistake on the real test.
“Some of you may consider this penalty overly harsh, but your school life is funded by taxpayer money.
The world is not naive enough to continue investing indefinitely in those who produce no results.
Conversely, if you produce results, this school will recognize them.
If you fear expulsion, continue to prove that you are worthy of that investment.” It sounded like a stern lecture, but it was likely Mashima’s version of encouragement.
Faced with his words, the bewildered students tightened their expressions, steeling their resolve.
“That concludes my explanation.
Are there any final questions?” Mashima scanned the class one last time, his eyes coming to a rest on Mamoru, just as they had at the start.
This time, however, his gaze lacked hostility or vigilance.
It was an inviting look, as if prompting him to speak.
Hmm…
Ah, so I can ask that now?
Realizing what Mashima was implying, Mamoru raised his hand to ask the very same question he had posed on their first day of school.
“Gojo.
What is your question?” “Yes.
Supposing a student is slated for expulsion, is it possible to overturn that expulsion using points?” This was a question that could likely only be answered now that the school system had been formally revealed.
Mashima gave a deep nod before opening his mouth.
“It is possible.
Provided, of course, that the student has not engaged in severe misconduct such as violence or bullying.
By paying 300 Class Points and 20,000,000 Private Points, an expulsion can be revoked.” “Thank you very much.” Mamoru bowed his head politely, but internally, he clicked his tongue.
If it requires a class-wide consensus, we can’t rely on that at all.
That amount of points could potentially alter the entire class hierarchy.
Convincing the class that saving a single individual was worth such a steep price would be near impossible.
For all practical purposes, receiving a red mark meant it was game over.
“If there are no further questions, we will conclude homeroom here.” And with that, the first homeroom of May came to an end.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Author’s Note I thought keeping the point deduction at zero might be pushing it too far, so let me explain the reasoning behind this decision.
First, upon re-reading the original light novel, I realized I had made a mistake.
In the anime, it’s explicitly stated that up to 100 Class Points are awarded during the midterm exam based on performance.
I had been planning around that model for a long time.
However, in the light novel, it states that upon passing the midterm exam, all classes are awarded a minimum of 100 Class Points.
If we look at the point progression for Class A after the midterms: Anime Version: May: 940 cpt → + Midterm Exam (64 cpt) → July: 1004 cpt Novel Version: May: 940 cpt → + Midterm Exam (≥100 cpt) – Conduct Deductions → July: 1004 cpt This implies that even after understanding the system, keeping conduct deductions down to 0 is extremely difficult.
Based on that, keeping all 1000 initial points seems unnatural at first glance.
However, after this point in the novel, there are virtually no further depictions of points being deducted due to daily behavior!
I skimmed through the volumes up to October (after the Sports Festival), and outside of special exams, daily conduct deductions simply aren’t reflected anymore.
Furthermore, Chabashira explicitly states “a minimum of 100,” meaning that depending on grades, a class could be awarded 110 or 120 points.
If so, the key variable is how many points were deducted for behavior between May and the midterms.
Looking at the point differences from May onward: Class A lost at least 36+, Class B 87+, Class C 98+, and Class D 13+.
In Class D’s case, thanks to getting old exam questions, their grades were high, meaning they should have received more points than other classes.
Yet, despite receiving those bonus points after the midterms, they still lost at least 20, 30, or potentially 50+ points in less than half a month.
Even accounting for the other classes, those deductions felt unreasonably high for students who supposedly understood the system.
Next possibility: Could this be an inconsistency/writing oversight in the light novel, and the anime’s calculation was the intended one?
However, that also introduces weirdness: under the anime’s math, Class B and Class C would have only earned 13 CP and 2 CP respectively on the midterms.
I considered several other possibilities: perhaps behavioral evaluations were stricter before the midterms, or conduct deductions were factored into the anime’s formula.
However, every pattern felt slightly off in its own way.
So ultimately, I thought: I’ll just go with whichever is easier to write!
(￣▽￣) Yeah, I’m sorry.
After all that rambling, I just threw my hands up in the end.
My apologies!
Realistically speaking, since daily conduct deductions stop being a major factor after the early volumes of the novel, I think maintaining a 0-point deduction is entirely plausible as long as the class fully understands the system from Day 1.
Just like how novice drivers actually have surprisingly low accident rates due to extreme caution, a class maintaining high tension right after enrollment could pull it off.
The only real concern was missing the swimming class, but Year 2 Volume 6 confirmed that the school is relatively lenient regarding sick leave.
As for the midterm exam rewards, I’ve decided to stick with the anime’s 0–100 cpt scale distributed based on academic performance.
And that is the breakdown of how Class A retained their 1000 Class Points!
(Note: Class B and C have higher points than in the original novel because they picked up rumors mid-month.
However, Class C’s rise wasn’t dramatic because Ryuuen’s control over his class was still incomplete, leaving many students skeptical.
Class D also had rumors circulating via Kushida and Hirata, but with optimistic students like Ike and Yamauchi leading the pack, most dismissed it as mere rumor, resulting in 0 points just like the original novel.)