Infinite Wallet System
Chapter 48 - 46-47: The Whisper Beneath the Silence

Chapter 48: Chapter 46-47: The Whisper Beneath the Silence

Riku Aoyama adjusted the cuffs of his academy blazer as he walked through the main hallway, his eyes catching glimpses of the murals lining the walls, depicting the institution’s proudest moments. Despite the usual buzz of the academy, a strange calmness loomed today, almost as if the halls were holding their breath. It was a calm before a storm, and Riku could feel it deep in his bones.

His name had been spreading like wildfire throughout the academy. Whispers followed him everywhere, and not just from classmates anymore. Teachers eyed him with both suspicion and curiosity, aware that something about him didn’t quite add up. Riku, of course, welcomed the attention with a casual smirk, knowing full well that each set of eyes was an opportunity.

"Hey, Aoyama," a voice called from behind. It was Ayumi, walking briskly to catch up with him. She looked different lately, more conscious of her appearance whenever he was around, as if trying to keep his attention just a bit longer.

"Morning," he said with a nod.

"You’re trending in the academy’s forum again," she teased, holding up her phone.

"What, did someone finally catch my good side?" he joked, though his mind was already several steps ahead, analyzing how best to use the rising fame.

Ayumi smiled, then bit her lip slightly, hesitating. "You’re becoming someone... important."

"That a compliment or a warning?"

"A little of both," she said, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Just... be careful."

Before he could reply, a notification pinged in his vision.

> [System Alert: Passive Scan Detected Nearby. Source: Unknown.]

He tensed. Someone was probing him, trying to gather information on his system. He quickly tapped the mental screen.

> [Deploying Countermeasure: Scramble Field. Duration: 10 Minutes.]

The scan interference activated, buying him time. Ayumi noticed the slight shift in his expression.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah. Just remembered I left something in the lab," he replied quickly.

They parted ways, but Ayumi’s gaze lingered on him longer than usual. Her feelings were beginning to stir into something more.

—

Inside the student lab, Riku took a deep breath. He pulled out a data drive and inserted it into the academy’s public database terminal. With a few commands, he created a dummy project — an innovative theory about mana efficiency. But the real purpose of this act was different.

> [Skill Used: Intellectual Camouflage – Redirect Academic Suspicion. Duration: 1 Week.]

It was a smoke screen, meant to make his sudden rise in grades and abilities seem natural. Behind every bit of his genius, there was a quiet hum of the system, supporting but never overshadowing. He couldn’t afford to let anyone know the truth, not unless absolutely necessary.

As he exited the lab, he ran into Professor Rin, one of the more enigmatic faculty members. She eyed him curiously.

"Riku, care for a moment?"

He nodded. "Of course, Professor."

She motioned him to follow her to a small glass office overlooking the academy garden. "I’ve been reviewing your recent assessments. Your improvement is... remarkable."

"I’ve been working hard," Riku answered simply, playing the part.

She tilted her head. "That may be true, but something tells me you’re not just working hard. You’re working smart."

"Is that a problem?"

She chuckled. "Not yet. Just don’t burn too bright, too fast. Stars that shine like that tend to attract telescopes."

He nodded politely, masking his inner tension. When he returned to the dorms, he finally checked the earlier probe alert.

> [Source Traced: Hidden Node – North Courtyard. Surveillance Suspected. Caution Advised.]

Riku’s mind spun. Someone was actively looking into him. Whether it was a student, faculty, or external party, he couldn’t tell. But he knew the danger was growing.

He opened his system dashboard.

> [Points: 2,630] [Inventory: Cloak of Concealment (1 Use), Mental Jammer Lv.1, Skill Coupon x1]

He used the Skill Coupon.

> [Drawing Random Skill... Congratulations! Skill Acquired: Insight Veil – Temporarily renders user’s thoughts unreadable to both magical and technological scans. Duration: 20 Minutes. Cooldown: 24 Hours.]

Perfect. A defense against both mundane and arcane threats.

That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Riku found himself on the academy rooftop. He wasn’t alone. Ayumi stood there, staring at the horizon.

"You always show up at the most dramatic moments," she said without turning.

"And you always say things like that when you’re thinking too much," he replied, standing beside her.

She looked at him. "If something happens... you’ll tell me, right?"

He paused. The system had taught him many things — strategy, control, efficiency. But it couldn’t teach him how to be vulnerable.

"If it ever becomes too dangerous for you to know, I won’t," he admitted. "But until then, I’ll trust you."

She nodded slowly. "Then that’s enough. For now."

Below, the academy’s lights shimmered, masking the secrets in their glow. But Riku knew — he was being hunted, watched, envied. And he would rise, one shadow at a time.

Riku Aoyama sat in the school library, his fingers dancing quietly over the sleek interface of the system window only he could see. Rows of books flanked him, but none of them could offer the knowledge or power he now casually accessed with a thought. Despite his growing mastery of the Infinite Wallet System, today wasn’s feeling was different—not of triumph, but tension.

[Current Points: 1,880] [Available Coupons: 1 - Mystery Tier] [New Skill: Tactical Mind (Lv.1) - Passive: Increases strategy formulation speed by 35% and improves decision-making under pressure.]

He’d just bought the skill moments ago, prompted by an uneasy feeling that had lingered since morning. Something about the air at the academy felt off. Not dangerous in the obvious sense, but... calculated. Observant. Almost like something—or someone—was planning around him.

The door creaked open. Ayumi stepped in, scanning the room. When she spotted him, her lips twitched into a faint smile.

"I thought you’d be here," she said, brushing her hair behind her ear as she slid into the seat beside him. Her voice was quieter today, more cautious.

"Reading?" he asked, closing the system window.

"Not exactly. There’s something happening on campus. People are talking. Teachers are unusually strict lately. Some even started asking about you."

He raised an eyebrow. "Me?"

She nodded. "You’re not exactly... subtle anymore, Riku."

Fair point. Between rising grades, outperforming even some instructors in discussion, and the faint rumors of his sudden prowess in the field trip evaluation weeks ago, attention was natural. But not all attention was friendly.

"Thanks for the warning," he said, tone low.

She hesitated before speaking again. "I’m not the only one watching you closely. But unlike them, I want to understand you. I want to know who Riku Aoyama really is."

He turned, eyes searching hers. There was no malice, only genuine curiosity. Maybe even something warmer. He couldn’t read her completely, not yet—but the interest was there.

"I’m just a guy trying to make sense of everything," he said honestly.

She accepted the answer for now, though her eyes told him she wouldn’t stop there.

---

Meanwhile, in the headmaster’s office, a dim room lined with golden-trimmed bookshelves, an emergency staff meeting convened. Principal Tsukihiro stood at the center, his expression grim.

"The anomaly continues," he said. "A student rising far beyond his recorded potential, accelerating past predicted models... it raises questions."

An older professor leaned forward. "And suspicions. The Verdant Hollow incident was too conveniently cleaned. No trail, no reports."

Tsukihiro raised a hand. "Careful. We are educators, not hunters. But if what we fear is true, then Riku Aoyama might be a factor larger than this academy can contain."

Another teacher whispered, "Do we act?"

"No. We observe. For now. But keep your eyes open."

---

Back in the courtyard, Riku joined Kira near the edge of the training field. Her arms were crossed, eyes watching a mock duel between seniors. She didn’t greet him with words but gave a subtle nod.

"Something feels weird today," he said.

"You feel it too?"

He nodded. "Even Ayumi warned me. The school’s vibe shifted."

"Your fame’s catching up. The question is, what will you do with it?"

He chuckled dryly. "Use it to build what matters."

She looked at him, more serious. "Then be smart. Fame can build bridges... or paint targets."

As if on cue, a voice rang from behind.

"Aoyama!"

They turned. A student stepped forward—third-year, strong build, narrowed eyes. Shinjiro Watanabe. Top of the martial division.

"I’ve heard plenty about you," Shinjiro said, voice low but firm. "They say you’re some kind of prodigy. Care to test that?"

Whispers rippled through the nearby crowd. A challenge.

Riku stepped forward calmly. "Friendly duel, or public spectacle?"

"Your choice. But I want to see what you’re made of."

Kira tensed. Riku placed a calming hand on her wrist.

"Fine," he said, a slight smirk forming. "Let’s dance."

--

The practice arena was cleared in minutes. Students flooded the seats. Teachers observed from the balconies. Riku stepped into the circle, opposite Shinjiro, who cracked his knuckles.

> [Skill Equipped: Phantom Step Lv.1] [Skill Equipped: Echo Blade Lv.1 - Creates delayed afterimages of attacks for secondary strikes.]

The system glowed faintly as his interface flickered.

The bell rang.

Shinjiro charged with brute strength, aiming a hammering punch. Riku ducked, slid under, and struck with Echo Blade—his fist and its afterimage hitting Shinjiro’s ribs in tandem.

The crowd gasped.

The battle surged with raw pace. Shinjiro tried overwhelming force. Riku answered with clean, calculated movements, slipping through gaps and striking with layered blows. Each time Shinjiro adjusted, Riku adapted faster.

But Shinjiro grinned, blood running from his lip. "Finally! A real fight!"

He roared and unleashed a unique skill.

> [Shinjiro Skill: Iron Beast Mode - Temporary Strength Surge, Pain Resistance +90%]

Riku was forced on the defensive, his system buzzing.

> [Skill Suggestion: Temporal Shift - 3 Seconds Rewind (Cooldown: 1 hour)]

He activated it. Shinjiro’s blow that would’ve cracked his jaw reversed. Riku sidestepped it and countered with a high kick, knocking the upperclassman back.

The crowd erupted.

Shinjiro stood, breathing hard, then laughed. "You win. For now. But I want a rematch."

Riku extended a hand. "Anytime."

They shook. Mutual respect formed.

But up in the shadows of the balcony, a different figure watched. A noble student in pristine uniform, lips curled in a smirk.

"He’s interesting. Too interesting."

He turned, cloak swirling.

"Time to introduce myself soon."

---

As evening fell, Riku sat under a tree behind the dorms, Kira beside him.

"What now?" she asked.

He glanced at his system, then at the campus beyond.

"Now... we build something bigger."