(Author: This chapter consists almost entirely of rules explanations.) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– “Wait, a special exam…?
What’s that supposed to mean?” Someone from another class voiced their confusion, but she wasn’t the only one—the vast majority of students across all four classes began chattering in an uproar.
Well, having been told this was a vacation only to be hit with a surprise attack like this, it was only natural.
On the flip side, people like Katsuragi, Ryunkel, and Bankai-chan remained completely composed.
In fact, Ryunkel even had a faintly evil smirk plastered on his face.
“Starting today until noon on August 7th, for one whole week, you will be living together as a group on this deserted island.
Furthermore, I will state upfront that this exam is modeled after real corporate training, making it both realistic and practical.” “Living on a deserted island…
You mean we’re sleeping and staying on this island, not the ship?” “Correct.
Unless you have a valid reason during the exam period, boarding the ship will not be permitted.
Naturally, that is not all; regarding your life here, you will need to figure out everything yourselves—not just shelter, but food and drinking water as well.
At the start, each class will be provided with two tents, two flashlights, and one box of matches.
Additionally, sunscreen will be provided without limit, one toothbrush set will be distributed to each student, and feminine hygiene products will be supplied to female students without restriction.
That is all.” Hmm, hmm, this is truly prime ‘Survival Legend’ territory.
Hearing the exam details, which were obviously grueling just from listening, Ike-kun from Class D raised a fierce protest about how unreasonable it was.
However, Mashima-sensei instantly shut him down, stating that mere students had no basis to criticize the methods of top-tier corporations.
Well, blindly deciding that something beyond your comprehension is “weird” or “impossible” just makes you look foolish.
“However, Sensei.
This is supposed to be summer break, and we were brought here under the guise of a trip.
If it’s corporate training, they wouldn’t use deceptive tactics like this.” “I see, your point is not incorrect.
It’s understandable that complaints would arise.” Mashima-sensei acknowledged Katsuragi’s rebuttal, which was far more sensible than Ike-kun’s.
Honestly, sneaking training into a holiday without prior notice would normally be a labor standards violation.
“However, even though it’s called a special exam, there is no need to overthink it.
For the next week, you are free to do whatever you want.
Whether you swim in the ocean, enjoy a barbecue, or gather around a campfire to chat with friends, it does not matter.
The theme of this special exam is ‘Freedom’.” “Nnn?
Huh, freedom even though it’s an exam?
Wait, my head is getting kind of confused…” No, no, no, that was too fast, Ike-kun.
You’re lost already?
Are you really a high school student?
Paying him no mind, Mashima-sensei pulled out a booklet roughly the thickness of a high school yearbook.
“In this special exam on the deserted island, each class will initially be allocated 300 test-exclusive points.
By utilizing these points wisely, you will be able to enjoy this exam as if it were indeed a vacation.
The manual being handed out now lists everything you can acquire with points.
Beyond just water and food, we have prepared barbecue equipment, numerous recreational items, and more.” Points, huh…
I was beginning to grasp the general intent behind this exam.
“In other words, does that mean we can buy whatever we want with those 300 points?” “That is correct.
Naturally, you must use them systematically, but the system is set up so that you will be fine as long as you spend them prudently.” “B-But since it’s an exam, isn’t there something difficult involved…?” “No, there is absolutely no need to overthink it.
I guarantee there will be no negative impact on the second semester onwards.
Naturally, there are minimum rules for group living, but fundamentally, everything is up to your freedom.
And…” “Whatever points remain for each class at the end of the exam will be directly added to your Class Points and reflected after summer break.” In short, there’s no need to overthink it, but overthinking it works to your advantage.
This school takes its wordplay way too far every single time.
By the way, as a penalty for Arisu’s non-participation, our class alone is starting with 270 points.
This school really shows zero mercy, even to someone with a heart condition.
And Totsuka, stop acting so blatantly displeased.
I question your basic decency as a human being.
After wrapping up the general explanation and declaring the assembly dismissed, the four classes put some distance between one another as each homeroom teacher moved on to supplementary explanations.
How each class forms its strategy will vary, so this was a natural measure to maintain confidentiality.
Mashima-sensei first distributed awesome wristwatches—equipped with GPS, temperature and pulse sensors, and emergency buttons (removing them incurs a penalty)—to each person, before diving into the remaining supplementary details.
To summarize the contents: * The homeroom teacher will travel with their class for one week, but will not provide any assistance whatsoever.
* If a student falls ill or sustains a major injury and is deemed unable to continue, they will incur a 30-point penalty and be retired from the exam.
* Actions that pollute the environment incur a 20-point penalty.
* Failing to show up for roll call at the base camp at 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM will result in a 5-point penalty per person.
Furthermore, once a base camp location is chosen, it cannot be changed without a valid reason.
* If a class commits violence, looting, or property destruction against another class, that class will be immediately disqualified, and all private points of the offender will be confiscated.
* Points cannot drop below zero.
* Spots are set up across various parts of the island, and only the class that claims ownership gains exclusive rights to use that spot (claim rights reset every 8 hours).
* If a class uses a spot claimed by another class without permission, they will receive a 50-point penalty.
* As long as a spot is unclaimed, a class may claim multiple spots simultaneously.
* Each time a spot is claimed, 1 bonus point is awarded (bonus points are added only at the end of the exam).
* A specialized keycard is required to claim a spot.
Only the designated leader has the right to use the keycard.
* The leader cannot be changed without a valid reason.
* During the final day’s roll call, classes gain the right to guess the leaders of other classes; guessing a leader correctly awards 50 points per correct guess.
Guessing wrong incurs a 50-point penalty.
* If your class’s leader is guessed correctly by another class, you incur a 50-point penalty, and all bonus points become invalid.
…The supplementary part was clearly the important stuff.
Despite being a true-blue Tokyo native, I almost let out a line of Kansai dialect in my head, but even so, this was brutal.
What this exam demanded was class unity and judgment.
In conclusion, keeping all 300 points intact was impossible.
After all, unless you spend points, you’d end up having to do your business in portable toilets used during disasters.
They come with a pop-up tent so no one can see inside, but they’re made of cardboard…
We guys might be able to compromise, but for teenage girls, it was completely out of the question.
Which meant we needed to manage points strategically, and falling into internal strife over it would make us dead in the water.
Plus, for a large group to live together for a whole week, the class would have to work as one, or they’d be hit with one disaster after another.
Furthermore, to win the competition between classes, accurate situational judgment was indispensable.
Having students fall ill because points were cut too aggressively would be putting the cart before the horse, and mindlessly claiming spots left and right would only heighten the risk of having our leader exposed.
…In my personal view, what matters even more are spot claims and guessing the leaders.
In particular, guessing leaders carries high risk, but if you nail it, not only do you gain extra points, but it’s also the only way to deal damage to other classes in this exam.
Given how strictly all other forms of attack on rival classes are penalized, this was without a doubt the core of the exam.
If Arisu had been able to participate in this exam, she would have built her entire strategy around identifying enemy leaders without a second thought.
…However, with Arisu absent, Class A would be run by Katsuragi (as planned).
Which meant he would proceed with an utterly solid, painfully boring policy.
Planning point usage carefully was fine and all, but he’d likely enforce strict anti-leader-exposure measures, claim minimal spots, and ignore high-risk leader-guessing altogether right from the start.
With that tactic, even if Class B edged past us in the final results, the gap would be minuscule—hardly a threat to Class A, which was already running away with the lead…
But man, how boring.
It was such a trivial stance that Arisu would probably snort in contempt if she heard it.
It really hit home once again how incompatible Arisu and Katsuragi were.
Just as I casually wrapped up my analysis of the exam, Mashima-sensei finished his supplementary explanation as well.
Now then, just as Katsuragi was about to take control and lay out how Class A would proceed, I reached the absolute limit of my patience.
Grabbing about five free, unlimited plastic bags supplied by Mashima-sensei, I headed toward the vast jungle.
Time for the great adventure to begin!
“Hold it, Honjo.
Where do you think you’re going?” “To enjoy my vacation, of course.
The majestic wilderness is calling my name.” “I am telling you to refrain from selfish actions.” “Hold on, Katsuragi-kun.” As Katsuragi tried to press me, Hashimoto—wearing a lighthearted smirk—along with a sullen-faced Kito and Kamuro stepped in between us.
The trio of Sakayanagi Faction lieutenants had cut him off.
“We have a message from the Princess.
…For this exam, we in the Sakayanagi Faction will quietly follow your orders.
But in exchange, she said not to give Honjo any commands.” “Don’t talk nonsense, Hashimoto.
In this exam, it is blatantly obvious that the entire class acting in lockstep is essential.
There is no way Honjo can be allowed to act selfishly on his own.” “I’ll make sure to show up for the twice-daily roll calls without being late, so don’t worry.” “That is not the issue!
In the first place, we haven’t even decided where to set up base camp yet!” “If you’re leading the class, I can pretty much guess it anyway.
It’s the cave, right?” “…” Judging by how he went silent with a stern look on his face, it seemed I hit the bullseye.
Looking back now, the ship circling the island at high speed before landing was probably a hint regarding the spots.
Calling it a “meaningful view” was such an odd phrasing that there was no doubt about it.
A guy of Katsuragi’s caliber would naturally notice, and the place he’d pick for a base camp would likely be the cave.
It shields against wind and rain, and it’s perfect for hiding the leader.
Plus, there were other spot-like places nearby, like a hut and a tower.
“Spots are first-come, first-served, so if you waste time on just me, someone else will beat you to it, you know?
Just consider it the price for getting Arisu’s allies to cooperate unconditionally.” Leaving behind Katsuragi, who still looked like he wanted to say something, I took my first steps into the jungle.
At my brazen behavior—even by my standards—members of the Katsuragi Faction glared at me with hostility-filled eyes, but the Sakayanagi Faction, having received instructions from Arisu, remained completely unbothered.
There might be some among them who found my actions distasteful, but Arisu has shared the details of what I do behind the scenes with the faction.
Regardless of whether they liked my behavior, my track record spoke for itself, so they likely wouldn’t—and couldn’t—say a thing.
“…Machida, could you follow Honjo?” “Y-Yes, sir!” Katsuragi’s decision was pretty much as expected.
While accepting the Sakayanagi Faction’s conditional submission to avoid the risk of class collapse, he made sure to keep an eye on me.
If I took any problematic action, Machida would immediately report to Katsuragi, who would then use it as leverage to force my cooperation.
“I don’t mind at all.
If you want to monitor me, feel free to do so to your heart’s content.
That is…
…assuming you can keep up with the current me.” As I suddenly darted into the forest at top speed, Machida was caught completely off guard.
He panicked and tried to chase after me, but…
will he really be able to keep sight of me now that I’m wearing a lightweight tracksuit?
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Author’s Note: Kiriha: “What this exam demands is class unity and situational judgment.
(smug tone)” Without Arisu-chan around, Kiriha-kun’s willingness to cooperate drops to a level barely a notch above Koenji-kun’s.
He becomes as selfish as a traded Pokémon when you don’t have the right Gym Badge.
Also, due to all the magic trick apparatuses sewn into it, Kiriha-kun’s school uniform weighs roughly 15 kilograms.
Basically like Goku’s weighted training gear.