The afternoon sun wasn't scorching.
The Forest School classes had also reached their break.
Two people walked at an unhurried pace along the path leading to the Boys' Dormitory.
Kazehara Tetsu had both hands in his uniform pockets, looking relaxed.
Walking beside him was Katsuragi Kouhei.
The bald-headed boy from Class A wasn't accompanied by Tozuka Yahiko, the lackey who was always at his side.
They exchanged no unnecessary pleasantries, and their steps stayed in sync.
"Although the School Authority hasn't officially released any specific rules yet..."
Katsuragi Kouhei was the first to break the silence.
He didn't look at Kazehara Tetsu. Instead, he stared ahead at the winding path, as if sorting through his thoughts.
"Based on what we've observed over the past few days, we can more or less pin down a few things that may be central to the scoring in This Exam."
Kazehara Tetsu tilted his head slightly, inviting him to continue.
"First, the 'rules' before morning meditation, and the 'posture' during meditation."
"The teachers only gave instructions for a brief time, but I noticed they weren't idle. Even details that seem irrelevant, like taking off your shoes when entering the Dojo or how quietly you sit down, are probably part of the scoring."
"If someone breaks a rule or gets warned by a teacher on patrol for poor posture... they should lose individual points, which would then affect the Large Group's overall evaluation."
That analysis was very much in keeping with Katsuragi's character.
He had always been a defensive player, naturally attuned to tasks where you built an advantage by "not making mistakes."
"Second, the long-distance run and the relay on the final day."
Katsuragi stepped over a dry branch lying across the path without slowing down.
"The marathon training may look like nothing more