After returning home, Fujino decided to celebrate earning his first significant income by opening a bottle of his cherished whiskey. Although he was underage, drinking at home wasn't illegal, right? To be honest, following Japanese rules was a bit uncomfortable for someone who had been an adult in his previous life in China.
…
In front of the mirror, Fujino turned on the faucet and washed his face, trying to sober up, but the dizziness from the alcohol lingered.
"I knew I shouldn't have drunk so much..." Fujino complained before collapsing onto his bed.
**[Congratulations, Host, for completing the Bloody Idol Murder Case and earning fifty detective reputation points.]**
**[System reward has been issued.]**
**[Detective level up: Beginner One-Star.]**
**[Congratulations, Host, for acquiring the Detective Skill: Detective Enhancement.]**
**[Congratulations, Host, for completing the Student Task and earning fifty student proficiency points.]**
**[Student reward has been issued.]**
**[Student level up: Intermediate.]**
**[Congratulations, Host, for acquiring the Student Skill: Innate Scholar.]**
A series of system prompts sounded in Fujino's ears.
"Detective Enhancement, Innate Scholar?" Fujino muttered, sitting up slowly and opening the system interface:
**[Name: Fujino
Current Occupation:**
**Primary Occupation: Detective (Beginner One-Star; 200 reputation points required for next level up)
Occupation Skills: Full-Time Detective (Earn extra rewards and reputation for solving cases and completing commissions)
Detective Time (Beginner: For one minute during deductions, no one can interrupt you; Upgradable)
Detective Enhancement (Beginner: Enhances the host's physical abilities by 100%; Upgradable)
(Duration: One minute; Upgradable)
Available Points: 1**
**Secondary Occupation: Student (Intermediate; 200 proficiency points required for next level up)
Occupation Skills: Student Discount (Beginner: 5% discount on all system functions; Upgradable)
Innate Scholar (Beginner: Enhances the host's learning abilities by 100%; Upgradable)
Available Points: 1**
**Current Balance: 1,650,200 yen (equivalent to 17 skill draws)]**
"This is a huge profit," Fujino remarked, looking at his system account balance.
With 500,000 yen from the haunted house murder case, 1,000,000 yen from the bloody idol case, and 100,000 yen from bonding with Mouri Kogoro, he now had a total balance of 1,600,000 yen! Enough for 17 skill draws.
Fujino was about to exchange all 17 at once but hesitated. Drawing all at once could deplete his resources. As someone who didn't believe in lucky draws, he decided to wait until he received Yuko Ichikawa's payment.
Shaking off these thoughts, Fujino focused on the new skills he had acquired.
"According to the system's description, this seems like a permanent enhancement card," Fujino muttered, reading the description of Detective Enhancement. "This skill, which turns you into a 'real man' for one minute, is exactly what I need right now."
Fujino's original body was too weak, susceptible to colds that could be fatal. In the world of detective stories, being a detective required comprehensive development in morals, intelligence, physical ability, aesthetics, and labor. Most criminals wouldn't just break down and cry when exposed but would fight back, taking down two bystanders with them. Subduing suspects became the detective's job.
As for the police, they were too incompetent to mention.
"With Detective Enhancement, I have a life-saving card," Fujino said, turning his attention to the Innate Scholar skill. "The system's description is vague, but since it's a student skill, I'll probably understand it better once I start school."
Focusing on the upgrade options, Fujino allocated all his available points.
**[Detective Enhancement (Time: Beginner One-Star: Enhancement duration two minutes)]**
As for Detective Time, there weren't enough points to upgrade it. Beating the criminal senseless before deducing the crime would yield the same result.
He then allocated points to the Student Discount skill.
**[Student Discount (Intermediate: 5% discount on all system functions and in real life)]**
Using it in real life too? Fujino was puzzled. If the system's description was accurate, he could now enjoy a 5% discount on everything, saving more money... This was an overpowered skill!
…
The next morning, Fujino, still recovering from a hangover, hurried to school in yesterday's suit. He arrived late and was immediately called to the office by Hiratsuka Shizuka.
"Explain why you're late," Hiratsuka Shizuka demanded, sitting in her chair with a cigarette in her mouth, looking suspiciously at Fujino.
"Do you believe I overslept?" Fujino asked.
"Do you think I'll believe someone who didn't even change clothes and reeks of alcohol saying they overslept?" Hiratsuka Shizuka scrutinized Fujino, her tone full of restrained anger.
"What alcohol smell?" Fujino feigned ignorance. "It must be your imagination... definitely."
"You..." Hiratsuka Shizuka massaged her forehead, then grabbed a newspaper from her desk and thrust it at Fujino. "Our great detective solved a case last night and came to school smelling of alcohol. Do you think I'm that easy to fool?"
**[High School Detective Fujino Toji Solves Case: The Culprit Turns Out to Be the Victim...]**
"Ah..." Fujino stared at the report, momentarily stunned. He still wasn't used to the name Fujino Toji. But the speed of the newspapers in this detective world was impressive. How did they get such detailed information so quickly?
"Cough."
Suppressing a twitch at the corner of his mouth, Fujino said, "Well, let me explain..."
"Forget it. I can understand being in high spirits after making the papers," Hiratsuka Shizuka sighed, waving her hand. "Just don't let it happen again."
"Understood," Fujino replied, relieved.
"By the way, try on this uniform," Hiratsuka Shizuka said, pulling out a bag from under her desk and handing it to Fujino. "This is a second-hand uniform I got from a graduating student. It's still in good condition. Wear this until your new uniform arrives."
"Ah..." Fujino took the uniform, his mind racing.
"What? You don't like second-hand?" Hiratsuka Shizuka asked.
"No," Fujino shook his head, smiling. "Thank you, Hiratsuka-sensei."
(End of Chapter)