The students present exploded into a frenzy, discussing the situation intensely.
However, Class C was the only one that remained relatively calm. Just a moment ago, following Hiyori Shiina's suggestion, Kakeru Ryuen had informed his classmates about the exam in advance.
"The exam period starts now and will last for one week, ending at noon on August 7th. You will spend the next week living as a group on this uninhabited island. This is the content of the exam!"
"Additionally, let me say this upfront: this Special Exam is based on corporate training that actually exists! It is extremely practical and realistic! So, everyone, please make sure to take this exam seriously!"
Chie Hoshinomiya wore a smile that looked incomparably gentle. Subaru's gaze focused on her face. In previous loops, he had seen Hoshinomiya's true colors. Although she wore a gentle smile, she harbored immense hatred for Sae Chabashira in her heart.
To prevent Chabashira from advancing to Class A, she would stop at nothing. However, right now they were merely Class D, so they posed no threat.
"Sensei... do you mean... we have to survive on an uninhabited island?" one of the students asked in disbelief.
"Yes. During the exam, unless there is a justifiable reason, returning to the ship is absolutely not allowed!" Hoshinomiya smiled and raised a finger.
"Life on this island, from sleeping arrangements to preparing food, must be thought out and resolved by you yourselves! At the start of the exam, the school will provide each class with two tents, two flashlights, and a box of matches! Furthermore, sunscreen is unlimited, toothbrushes are provided one per person, and as a special exception, we allow girls unlimited use of sanitary products. Please make your requests to your homeroom teachers individually."
"Haaah?! You mean true uninhabited island survival feels like this? I've never heard of such a ridiculous thing! This isn't an anime or manga! And only two tents? That won't fit everyone! speaking of which, what are we supposed to do about eating?! It's unbelievable!" Kanji Ike shouted somewhat excitedly.
"Sorry, Ike-kun! In fact, corporate training conducted on uninhabited islands really does exist, and it's even held by major companies everyone knows as a trial!" Hoshinomiya explained very patiently.
However, Sae Chabashira sternly reprimanded Ike with a few words, and the latter silently retreated to the side.
"But, please rest assured!" Hoshinomiya said with a smile. "As a major premise for this Special Exam on the uninhabited island, we will first distribute 300 exam-specific points to each class. By making good use of these points, it is possible for you to spend the one-week Special Exam as if enjoying a vacation. For this purpose, we have also prepared a guidebook!"
She took out a guide. "In this guidebook, a list of all items obtainable with points is recorded. Needless to say, it includes daily necessities like drinking water and food. If you want to have a barbecue, we will also prepare the equipment and food! We have also fully prepared countless game items to enjoy the ocean to the fullest! As long as everyone is willing, there is no problem enjoying this exam properly!"
"This exam does not deduct any Class Points! It will not affect your life in the next semester! Please rest assured!"
Listening to Hoshinomiya's words, the students discussed animatedly. Suzune Horikita, however, turned serious. The Special Exam was outside her expectations. But since it was an exam, it meant it was an opportunity to acquire Class Points.
With 300 points, we can buy anything—
These aren't for enjoyment, but for preparing necessary survival supplies. The content of this exam depends on how many points remain, right?
Horikita thought this to herself while looking at Subaru. The latter merely cast his gaze into the distance, seeming not to care about anything. Horikita's brow twitched slightly.
"Each class will be allocated one guidebook. Although it can be reissued if lost, it will cost points, so please keep it safe. Additionally, if a student withdraws midway, the class they belong to will be penalized with a deduction of thirty points."
"Every student will receive a wristwatch. Until the exam ends one week from now, please do not take it off. You will be punished if you remove the watch without permission. This watch not only confirms the time but is also equipped with sensors to detect body temperature, pulse, and movement, as well as a GPS system. If you encounter an emergency, there is an emergency button on it! Did everyone understand?" Hoshinomiya's gaze swept over all the students as she asked with a smile.
"Understood!"
The students who were somewhat nervous before seemed to have regained some motivation. As long as they had points, survival on the island didn't seem to matter much. But just at this moment, Hoshinomiya spoke again:
"Several 'spots' are set up all over this island. Those places have a possession mechanism. Occupying these spots allows you to obtain bonus points, but they reset after eight hours... Occupying a spot requires using a keycard, and only the 'Leader' selected by the class can use it..."
"On the seventh day, each class can guess the Leaders of the other classes. If you guess correctly, you will receive a bonus point reward. If you guess wrong, you will face a point deduction."
Listening to the teacher's introduction, the students began discussing again. Upon hearing these words, Ryuen couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly. A bold idea formed in his heart.
If it were before, Ryuen would have chosen to cooperate with other classes; Class A would be a decent choice. He would deliberately create the appearance of internal strife, sending students from his own class to other classes as moles. Then, he would have the entire class withdraw from the exam, creating the false impression that Class C had dropped out. Ryuen himself would remain alone on the island, waiting for an opportunity to act.
This was the plan Ryuen came up with immediately. However... he did not intend to do that now. Because Ryuen's plan had changed.
Ryuen's gaze projected toward the position of Class D. Airi Sakura. This was his next hunting target. Ryuen's gaze was like a falcon locking onto its prey, firmly pinned on Sakura's shrinking back. The corners of his mouth hooked into a cruel and excited arc.
His original, more secure mole plan was now replaced by a more direct notion—on this stage with complex rules and a primitive environment, he would personally direct an "accident" targeting the weakest link. Not only would this complete the transaction with Miyabi Nagumo and obtain a huge amount of points, but more importantly, this would be a heavy hammer blow directed at Subaru.
Ryuen could be certain that, in Subaru's eyes, Sakura might be somewhat different. He wanted to see if that face, forever calm and waveless, would finally crack when this special existence who had contact with Subaru met with misfortune.
"Ryuen," Mio Ibuki's voice carried a trace of imperceptible worry, interrupting his staring. "Are you really going to... do as Nagumo said? Making a move in this kind of exam, isn't the risk too great?"
Ryuen retracted his gaze and glanced at her, his smile undiminished. "Risk? It's precisely because it's this kind of exam that it's convenient. Aren't 'accidents' the most normal thing in wilderness survival? The guidebook doesn't say the school will be responsible for every student's carelessness. And the most interesting point of this exam is that it's on an uninhabited island—this means there will be no surveillance cameras during this exam."
He lowered his voice, audible only to Daichi Ishizaki and a few core members beside him. "But didn't the teacher say the watches can detect human movement?"
"It's merely movement; what can that prove? Without surveillance as direct evidence, then we are 'innocent'." Ryuen maintained the smile on his face. "Our goal remains unchanged, but the plan needs to change. Collect intelligence, figure out the terrain of this island, especially those places prone to accidents—steep slopes, deep forests, waters with complex currents. At the same time, keep a close watch on Class D, especially Airi Sakura's movements. She will definitely end up alone, or... we can create an opportunity where she has to be alone."
Ishizaki and the others understood instantly, their eyes flashing with a light that was both nervous and excited. They were long accustomed to following Ryuen's orders, no matter how outrageous.
Hiyori Shiina stood slightly further away. She didn't completely hear Ryuen's whispers, but she keenly captured that targeted malice, as well as the gaze Ryuen frequently cast toward a certain spot in Class D. She frowned slightly, sighing in her heart.
She guessed the calculations Ryuen might have. This ran counter to the competition she hoped to win purely through cooperation and wisdom. But she also understood that she could not change Ryuen's decision, and the latter was indeed the person capable of leading Class C forward. All she could do was strive for Class C's maximum benefit within the scope of her abilities, and... secretly hope it wouldn't affect Subaru's side.
She couldn't help but glance in Subaru's direction as well. If it's you, there will definitely be no problem.
Meanwhile, in the Class D line, Suzune Horikita was forcing herself to recover from the shock and unpreparedness. Her brain spun rapidly, analyzing the just-announced exam rules: 300 starting points, spot occupation, the Leader mechanism, rewards for guessing the Leader...
This was by no means simple wilderness survival, but a complex competition integrating resource management, information warfare, and psychological gaming.
"Hirata, we must hold a class meeting immediately," Horikita said with a determined tone. "First, we need to determine the Leader candidate, then formulate a strategy for point usage. Food, water, and shelter are the foundation, but occupying spots can bring bonus points and is the key to widening the gap. Also... we must guard against other classes, especially Class C."
She recalled Ryuen's unsettling eyes, as well as the abnormal calmness of the Class C students.
Yosuke Hirata nodded, his gaze full of a sense of responsibility. "Okay, Horikita-san. But shouldn't we also listen to everyone's opinions? After all, this exam requires the cooperation of all members."
His gaze swept over the classmates who hadn't fully recovered their wits yet. Kikyo Kushida stepped forward at the right moment, a soothing, sweet smile hanging on her face. "Everyone, don't worry! Although it's scary to suddenly be told it's an exam, the teachers also said that as long as we use the points well, we can get by just fine! Besides, we are a class; as long as we unite as one, there definitely won't be any problems!"
Her words were like a warm breeze, temporarily dispelling some of the unease. However, beneath her perfect smile, her brain was analyzing at high speed. Leader candidate? This might be an opportunity. If she could influence or even control the Leader's decisions, or at least obtain key information...
Whether targeting Suzune Horikita or completing Miyabi Nagumo's instruction to "monitor Subaru," there was much that could be done.
Her gaze seemed to graze Subaru unintentionally—he still looked as if he were staying out of it—then quickly swept over Horikita and the solemn-faced Hirata.
Kiyotaka Ayanokoji stood silently at the edge of the crowd. He had long anticipated the existence of a "Special Exam" and had even speculated on the general format. Ayanokoji wasn't interested in the exam itself. But he was somewhat curious about what Ryuen would do this time. And how would Subaru respond?
Subaru, at this moment, maintained an indifferent expression throughout. He didn't plan to take the initiative to do anything. Instead, he held some expectation in his heart for what would happen later. Hope... those two people can attack without reservation. At least, let me feel something special.
Hoshinomiya announced that each class could begin free discussion and preparation, and that they would officially land on the island in one hour to begin the exam.
The crowd instantly dispersed. The four classes gathered separately. A nervous atmosphere replaced the initial dazedness, and the air was filled with whispers and intense discussions. Ryuen took the people of Class C to one side and began making arrangements in a low voice. Suzune Horikita and Yosuke Hirata gathered the Class D students, preparing to hold an emergency meeting. Class A and Class B also formed their own circles, discussing with grave expressions.
Subaru did not join Class D's discussion. He walked alone to the shade of a tree slightly away from the crowd, leaned against the tree, and closed his eyes, as if taking a nap. The sea breeze blew his black hair, and sunlight cast mottled shadows on his face through the gaps in the leaves.
Not far away, Class D was already arguing anxiously over the most basic issues.
"I say, portable toilets or whatever are at least a necessity, right!"
"That costs a full 20 points!"
"It's not a question of points; I have to fight for some rights for us girls!"
Even Suzune Horikita couldn't participate in such a discussion for a moment.
"This exam can be said to be a far more complex and baffling subject than I imagined..." She sighed, muttering to herself.
"Then why not go ask for Natsuki-kun's opinion?"
At this moment, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji walked to Suzune Horikita's side and reminded her in a low voice.
"That guy..."
Suzune Horikita frowned.
____
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