"Is that so? Well, maybe I forgot because of The Strange World instance."
Anyway, just blame everything on The Strange World instance! Through Kikyo's words, he confirmed that Advanced Nurturing High School was a large-scale Gu-raising base.
Here, the strongest Gu are selected and trained, then "sold" to the upper-class individuals who need protection.
This also hinted at the ultimate fate of those students who experienced a Strange Resurgence: either they would be used as tools to train the "Gu," or they would be destroyed. There was no way they would be allowed to go out and harm society.
"If more than half of the students in a class experience a Strange Resurgence, the class will be forcibly disbanded."
Bai Yuze suddenly understood. He finally knew why Gao Tian (the thin convenience store clerk, who appeared in Chapter 6 and was introduced in detail in Chapter 7) didn't leave this place.
First, because The Strange World would haunt him for life, he needed a shelter. Second, he was a former student here, but one whose class had been forcibly disbanded!
Judging by this... students whose classes are forcibly disbanded either leave school to make a living on their own, eventually die in The Strange World, experience a Strange Resurgence, and then have special agencies come to clean up and finish the job... or they stay at school to work until death... becoming tools to train the "Gu"...
"Heh! Capital is still rampant in The Strange World!"
Sure enough, there's no such thing as a free lunch. The school provides shelter and money to the students, so the students, in turn, must create value for the school. It's a symbiotic relationship, just mutual utilization.
Bai Yuze couldn't help but sigh, but there was nothing he could do. If they really ignored them, a large number of people experiencing Strange Resurgence would appear in society, not only endangering others' safety but also shaking the influence and status of the Sakura Country's decision-makers.
At this moment, Bai Yuze was a bit puzzled, wondering if the Sakura Country in this world was a dog of the America Country, or perhaps not... After all, why would Father Lu go to such lengths to cultivate talent to help himself rise, only to be a dog for the America Country?
That would be very interesting!
Now Bai Yuze still had one thing he hadn't figured out: since the students were gathered together to refine "Gu," why were they still given holidays?
Shouldn't the Gu-worms that emerge from a high-pressure environment be stronger?
"Oh, right! What about the parents of those students who experienced a Strange Resurgence? Their children, who were perfectly fine, turned into something neither human nor ghost!"
Kikyo poked her head out and said. She wasn't worried about the parents of those students who experienced a Strange Resurgence, but rather what would happen to her own parents and Bai Yuze if she became a Strange being...
With Kikyo's reminder, Bai Yuze's last doubt was also answered.
Parents travel thousands of miles to send their children to school, and then three years later, you tell me my child is gone! What kind of international joke is that!
Even if the school explained to the parents, it couldn't hide the grief and anger of parents who had lost their children. At that point, society would fall into chaos! Therefore, the school removed the high-pressure environment, trying to reduce the possibility of students committing suicide due to stress.
The summary is: if you're going to die, die at the hands of a Strange being, even if it's a Strange being in the school! Just don't die by suicide!
"Kikyo! It truly is you!"
Bai Yuze happily kissed Kikyo. The reason Bai Yuze hadn't thought of this point was because he had no father or mother... Heh, that's a bit of a dark joke!
Bai Yuze's action startled Kikyo, who quickly shrank back into the covers. She revealed a small opening and said in a soft voice.
"You... don't mess around... my body still hurts! At least... at least a few more days... let me recover..."
Kikyo thought Bai Yuze had another idea. After all, with his wooden head and awkward personality, holding her hand was like asking for his life.
And now Bai Yuze had actually kissed her out of the blue! What did this mean! This meant Bai Yuze wanted her life!
She didn't want to be someone who died in bed, and she also didn't want to die!
"Uh... you misunderstood... I didn't have that idea..."
Bai Yuze seemed to have discovered a new way of communication. As long as Kikyo was unwilling, could he...
"I promise you, but you must also promise me! To come back completely whole, and also! To come home with me!"
A hand reached out from the small opening. It was pure white and flawless, like a finely carved work of art. Bai Yuze knew what Kikyo meant.
So he also extended his hand and made a pinky promise with her.
"Okay! I promise you!"
— — — — — — — —
Bai Yuze left the dormitory and came to the previous convenience store. The clerks inside were still Sakata Yuji and Gao Tian.
Bai Yuze skillfully started chatting with the two.
"Oh! Isn't this Brother Bai! Congratulations on surviving! I always thought you were a talented person!"
Sakata Yuji immediately put on his characteristic smile upon seeing Bai Yuze, and Bai Yuze also reciprocated the flattery.
"It's only been a few days, but I feel like months have passed! Mr. Sakata, have you lost weight? Is work stress getting to you lately?"
"Isn't it though! Just now I caught a few unruly second-year students, and the store directly fined them a lot of points! Let's see if they learn their lesson!"
Sakata Yuji laughed heartily. Bai Yuze was familiar with his personality; if someone died in front of him, he might spit and inwardly feel that the person had ruined his appetite.
However, working in such an environment, it was already quite good that he wasn't taking out his frustrations on society.
Bai Yuze shifted his attention to Gao Tian. Seeing that Gao Tian was also looking at him, he greeted him.
"Senior Gao Tian, how have you been lately? You seem to be in much better spirits."
"Heh! If it weren't for those troublesome guys, my spirits would be even better!"
Gao Tian's gloomy eyes and disgusted expression conveyed his hatred for those students who took risks, as they had increased Gao Tian's workload.
"Brother Bai, you're probably not here to reminisce with us, are you? If you're buying something, go pick it out. If you have something to say, just say it."
Sakata Yuji saw through Bai Yuze's purpose at a glance. He was probably here to gather information. After all, they had only known each other for less than a week, so reminiscing with them was unlikely.
"Mr. Sakata is truly bold. I do indeed have some matters that I need your help with."
"It's about information, isn't it... Unfortunately, we cannot answer you. Please leave."
Gao Tian, for once, actively responded to Bai Yuze, while Sakata Yuji chuckled.
"Old Gao! Don't be so hasty. Brother Bai, Old Gao has a strange temper, so don't mind him. I have a lot of information here, but I don't know what price range you're looking for?"
"Sakata! No one needs the information you can sell. Put away your profiteering thoughts!"
Sakata Yuji smiled, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.
"Hahaha, I know, but Brother Bai is clearly prepared... Besides... our rules only restrict us from telling outsiders, but they didn't say we couldn't tell our own people!"
Sakata Yuji looked at Bai Yuze meaningfully, and Gao Tian's face grew even worse after hearing Sakata Yuji's words!