Special Exam: Departure

Monday morning at six o'clock, the sky still tinged with a fish-belly white, the forty students of Class D had already gathered by the school gate, dragging their suitcases beside the bus. The air was thick with a mix of tension and anticipation.

Hanyu Xiuyi stood at the front of the line, counting heads. Hirata Yousuke's blond hair stood out sharply in the morning light as he helped load a few girls' luggage onto the bus; Horikita Suzune, dressed in sharp athletic wear with her black hair tied in a high ponytail, was checking the supply list; Ayanokoji Kiyonaga, as always the most inconspicuous, stood quietly at the edge of the crowd.

"Is everyone here?" Hanyu Xiuyi asked.

"One person short." Kushida Kikyo counted. "Kouenji hasn't arrived yet."

No sooner had she spoken than a tall figure strolled leisurely from the school gate. Kouenji Rokutaro—this maverick boy wore expensive outdoor brand clothing, sunglasses, and dragged a suitcase that looked anything but cheap. He walked to the front of the line, took off his sunglasses, and flashed a narcissistic smile.

"Good morning, everyone. Sorry to keep you all waiting—though I don't feel the need to apologize, because arriving on time is an insult to a genius like me."

A few grumbles of discontent rose from the crowd, but no one dared to directly retort. Hanyu Xiuyi said calmly, "Get on the bus. We're leaving."

At seven o'clock sharp, the bus drove out of the school gate. Hanyu Xiuyi sat by the window, watching the campus gradually recede. The seat next to him was Horikita Suzune, who was intently gazing at the scenery whizzing by outside.

"Nervous?" Hanyu asked.

"Not nervous." Horikita answered curtly, but Hanyu noticed her fingers gripping the notebook slightly tighter. "I'm just thinking about possible scenarios."

"Relax. We've done all the preparation we can."

"Preparation is never enough." Horikita turned to look at him. "Hanyu, do you really think we can win?"

"I'm not sure if we can win." Hanyu said honestly. "But I know that if we start doubting ourselves now, we'll definitely lose."

Horikita was silent for a few seconds, then nodded lightly. "You're right."

Just then, Hirata Yousuke walked over from the front row. "Hanyu-kun, the situation with the other classes is out. Class A is in Bus 1, Class B in Bus 2, we're in Bus 3, and Class C is in Bus 4. The order might be based on class rankings."

"Got it." Hanyu said. "Stay alert, but don't get too tense. The exam hasn't started yet."

The bus drove for two hours, the scenery outside shifting from city to countryside, and from countryside to coastline. When the sea came into view, the atmosphere inside the bus grew noticeably tense.

"It really is an island..." Yukimura Teruhiko adjusted his glasses. "My prediction accuracy is over 80%."

"Look!" Ike Kanji pointed out the window.

In the distance, the outline of a lush, green island gradually sharpened. The island was sizable, with visible mountains in the center and beaches and reefs surrounding it.

The bus stopped at a dock, where four buses lined up in a row. After the students got off, they saw Chabashira Sae and the other homeroom teachers already waiting there, along with several staff members in uniforms.

"Everyone, assemble!" a staff member with a megaphone shouted.

Four hundred students lined up in four columns by class. Hanyu Xiuyi stood at the front of Class D, observing the other classes.

Class A was perfectly orderly, with Katsuragi Kohei at the front, his expression stern; Sakayanagi Arisu sat in a wheelchair, pushed by her attendant, a gentle but unfathomable smile on her face. Class B, led by Ichinose Honami, seemed full of energy, the girl's pink hair especially striking in the sunlight. Class C... Ryuen Sho was whispering with a few of his cronies, occasionally glancing toward Class D with a provocative grin.

"All students, welcome to the first special exam." A middle-aged man who looked like a leader stepped forward. "I am the chief supervisor for this exam, Ishizaki."

He swept his gaze across the crowd and continued, "As you can see, the exam location is this uninhabited island. For the next five days, you will spend your time here. Now, I will announce the basic rules—"

Supervisor Ishizaki began reading the rules, which were largely consistent with what Chabashira Sae had revealed earlier: class-based operations, a maximum allowed supply value of 500,000 points, a ban on violent behavior during the exam, daily point adjustments...

"Now, I will announce the special rules for this exam." Supervisor Ishizaki raised his voice. "First, there are twenty 'supply points' distributed across the island. Each supply point contains basic survival supplies and special items that may aid in the exam. Finding and effectively utilizing these supply points is one of the keys to victory."

"Second, the exam adopts a 'Survival Points' system. Each class starts with 1,000 Survival Points, which will increase or decrease based on daily performance. After five days, the class with the highest Survival Points wins and receives a reward of 10 million points. Second place gets 5 million, third place gets 2 million, and last place loses 2 million."

"Third, and most critically—" Supervisor Ishizaki paused. "Starting from the second day, 'Points Trading' and 'Goods Trading' between classes will be permitted. All trades must be voluntary. Additionally, classes are allowed to sign 'contracts' with each other. As long as the contract content does not violate the basic rules, the school will recognize it."

As soon as this rule was announced, the crowd immediately stirred. Allowing trades and contracts meant the competition between classes would become extremely complex.

"Quiet!" Supervisor Ishizaki shouted. "Now, distribute the equipment and maps. Each class receives one backpack containing a compass, basic tools, and five days' worth of rations. The map marks the island's basic terrain and the possible locations of supply points—note, 'possible locations,' which you will need to confirm yourselves."

The staff began distributing the equipment. After Class D received their backpack, Hanyu Xiuyi immediately opened it to check. Inside, there was indeed a compass, a multi-tool knife, rope, and other tools, along with one pack of compressed biscuits and one bottle of water per person per day.

"This is supposed to last five days?" Sudo Ken complained. "You've got to be kidding me!"

"That's why we need to find the supply points." Hanyu Xiuyi said calmly. "Now, everyone, listen to my orders."

He unfolded the map, and the others gathered around. The map was a hand-drawn sketch, marking basic terrain like mountains, rivers, and beaches, along with twenty points marked with question marks.

"First, we decide on a campsite location." Hanyu Xiuyi said. "Yukimura, any suggestions?"

Yukimura Teruhiko adjusted his glasses and pointed at the map. "From a terrain analysis, the optimal choice is an area close to a freshwater source, on higher ground, with a wide field of view. Here—this plateau in the northeastern part of the island meets all the conditions."

"Agreed." Horikita Suzune nodded. "The plateau avoids tides and sea breezes, there's a stream nearby, and the elevation is good for observing the surroundings."

"Then it's settled." Hanyu Xiuyi made the decision. "Now, split into two groups. The reconnaissance team goes first, led by Sudo, to scout the route to the plateau and the conditions along the way. The main force follows with the supplies, coordinated by Hirata."

"What about me?" Karuizawa Kei asked.

"You're in charge of maintaining team morale." Hanyu said. "Especially with the girls. If any issues come up, communicate promptly."

With the division of labor clear, Class D began to move. The other classes were also deploying: Class A seemed orderly under Katsuragi's command; Class B was full of vitality under Ichinose's organization; Class C... Ryuen was pointing at the map and muttering, planning who knows what.

Hanyu Xiuyi noticed that Ayanokoji Kiyonaga hadn't volunteered for any task, simply staying quietly in the group. But whenever Hanyu needed to observe his surroundings, he always found Ayanokoji's gaze also fixed on the same direction.

This guy's observation skills were indeed sharp.

The group advanced along the coastline toward the northeast. The sand was soft, making it difficult to drag suitcases. After less than half an hour of walking, a few girls started complaining.

"I'm so tired..."

"Sand got into my shoes..."

"The suitcase is too heavy..."

Hirata Yousuke immediately went to help, but clearly, there weren't enough hands. Hanyu Xiuyi thought for a moment and made a decision.

"Everyone, transfer the essential items from your suitcases into your backpacks. Leave the cases here and mark them clearly," he said. "Only bring what's necessary for survival. Lighten the load."

This decision sparked controversy. Some girls were reluctant to abandon the clothes and cosmetics they had brought.

"This is a survival exam, not a vacation," Horikita Suzune said coldly. "If you can't even make this small sacrifice, you might as well drop out now."

Harsh as it was, it worked. The girls began sorting their belongings, leaving the unnecessary items in their cases.

At that moment, Hanyu Xiuyi noticed that Hasebe Haruka wasn't joining in the complaints. Instead, she was crouched on the beach, observing something.

"Hasebe, what did you find?"

Hasebe looked up, her brown short hair tousled by the sea breeze. "There are a lot of shells here. Some are edible. Also," she pointed toward the distant reef area, "when the tide goes out, there might be clams and crabs over there."

"Good," Hanyu said. "That information is important. Can you teach everyone how to identify edible seafood?"

"I can," Hasebe nodded. "But I'll need tools—a small shovel and a container."

"Hirata, distribute the tools to Hasebe."

After the supplies were redistributed, the group moved lighter and much faster. As they passed through a patch of woods, Sotomura Hideo suddenly stopped.

"There are animal tracks here," he said, pointing at the ground. "Look, these should be wild boar footprints. And there's more than one."

This discovery put the group on edge.

"Are wild boars aggressive?" Karuizawa Kei asked worriedly.

"They usually won't attack people," Sotomura said. "But if we intrude on their territory or encounter a sow with young, it could be dangerous."

"Then we'll take a detour," Hanyu Xiuyi decided. "Safety first."

Guided by the reconnaissance team, the group avoided potentially dangerous areas and finally reached the designated location—the Northeastern Plateau—around noon.

As Yukimura Teruhiko had analyzed, the spot was indeed ideal: high ground offering a view over a large area, a stream not far away, and surrounding trees providing wood and cover.

"Start setting up camp," Hanyu Xiuyi ordered. "The boys will gather wood and build the shelter. The girls will organize supplies and prepare lunch. Hasebe, take a few people to check the water source by the stream."

Everyone got busy. Sudo Ken led a few physically strong boys to chop branches. Hirata Yousuke and Yukimura Teruhiko designed the shelter's construction plan. Horikita Suzune and Kushida Kikyo organized the girls to sort the supplies.

Hanyu Xiuyi walked to the edge of the plateau, surveying the surroundings. From here, he could see most of the island and the movements of the other classes. Class A had chosen the western slope, Class B was at the southern edge of the woods, and Class C... was nowhere in sight for now.

"What are you thinking?" Horikita Suzune walked over.

"I'm wondering where Ryuen will choose," Hanyu said. "With his personality, he won't pick an obvious spot."

"You're worried he'll ambush us?"

"Not just ambushes," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "The rules allowing trades and contracts—how far he'll exploit them, that's the real danger."

As they spoke, Ayanokoji Kiyonaga walked over, holding several plants in his hands.

"What are those?" Horikita asked.

"Edible wild fruit and vegetables," Ayanokoji said flatly. "I found them nearby. Hasebe confirmed they're safe to eat."

"You know plants?" Hanyu was a little surprised.

"A little," Ayanokoji said. "Also, I found a supply point to the east. About a kilometer from here."

This information was important. Hanyu immediately decided: "After lunch, we'll organize a small team to explore the supply point."

Camp construction went smoothly. With Sudo and the others' efforts, a simple but sturdy shelter frame was built. Covered with waterproof cloth, it could accommodate everyone for the night. Hasebe's group brought fresh water from the stream, which was treated with water purification equipment to make it safe to drink.

Lunch was compressed biscuits with wild vegetable soup—the wild vegetables collected by Hasebe and Ayanokoji were cooked into a soup. Though light on flavor, it was at least hot food.

After lunch, Hanyu Xiuyi organized the Supply Point Exploration Team: himself, Horikita Suzune, Sudo Ken, Ayanokoji Kiyonaga, and Matsushita Chiaki, who had volunteered.

The five of them followed the path Ayanokoji had discovered, heading east. The forest was quiet, with only birdsong and footsteps to be heard.

"Here," Ayanokoji pointed to a thicket. "The mark is on the tree trunk."

Hanyu approached and saw a small, inconspicuous red mark on the trunk, shaped like an arrow.

"Follow the marks."

After walking for about fifteen minutes, they reached the entrance of a cave. The opening was half-hidden by vines, hard to spot without a careful look.

"I'll go in first," Sudo Ken volunteered.

"Be careful," Hanyu said.

Sudo pushed aside the vines and entered the cave. Soon, his voice came from inside: "It's safe! Come in!"

The cave was small but dry. In the center sat a sealed box with the school emblem on it.

Hanyu Xiuyi opened the box. Inside were several items: two tents, a fishing gear set, a first aid kit refill, and a note.

"Congratulations on finding Supply Point 3," the note read. "Item list: Two-person tent ×2, Fishing set ×1, First aid medicine refill ×1. These items are not included in the class carry limit. Additional tip: There are twenty supply points on the island, three of which contain 'special rewards.' Good luck to all."

"Fishing gear!" Sudo said excitedly. "With this, we can catch fish!"

"The tents are important too," Horikita said. "Our current shelter is too crude. If it rains, we'll be in trouble."

"The medicine refill came just in time," Hanyu said, checking the kit. "With this, our medical supplies are more than adequate."

The five returned to camp with their haul. When everyone saw the tents and fishing gear, morale soared.

"Great!" Karuizawa Kei said happily. "We'll be able to sleep comfortably tonight!"

"I can handle the fishing." Sotomura Hideo volunteered. "I used to fish with my grandpa before."

Morale had clearly lifted. Hanyu Xiuyi watched his busy classmates and breathed a small sigh of relief. The first day's start was going smoothly.

But just then, Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki came running back in a panic.

"T-this is bad!" Ike Kanji gasped. "We spotted Class C people to the south! They looked like they were searching for something, and when they saw us, they gave us these nasty grins!"

"How many? Where exactly?" Hanyu asked.

"About five or six, and the leader was Ryuen!" Yamauchi Haruki said. "They're less than two kilometers from our camp!"

The news put everyone on edge. Ryuen had come knocking this fast?

Hanyu Xiuyi took a deep breath and calmly gave orders: "Everyone back to camp. Heighten alert. Sudo, take a few people and patrol the perimeter. Hirata, check that all supplies are secure."

He looked toward the south, his gaze sharpening.

The game had truly begun.

And the first clash might come tonight.