At six on Monday morning, the sky was still pale with the first light of dawn. The forty students of Class D had already gathered beside the bus at the school gates, suitcases in tow. The air was thick with a mix of nerves and excitement.
Hanyu Xiuyi stood at the front of the line, counting heads. Hirata Yousuke's blond hair stood out in the morning light as he helped load several girls' suitcases onto the bus. Horikita Suzune, dressed in practical athletic wear with her black hair tied in a high ponytail, was checking the supply list. Ayanokoji Kiyonaga was as inconspicuous as ever, quietly standing at the edge of the crowd.
"Is everyone here?" Hanyu Xiuyi asked.
"We're still missing one person." Kushida Kikyo counted again. "Kouenji hasn't arrived yet."
Just then, a tall figure sauntered slowly through the school gates. Kouenji Rokutaro, the unconventional boy, wore expensive outdoor-brand clothing and sunglasses, and dragged a suitcase that looked just as pricey. He reached the front of the line, took off his sunglasses, and flashed a self-satisfied smile.
"Good morning, everyone. I'm terribly sorry to have kept you waiting—though I don't think I need to apologize. Arriving on time would be an insult to a genius like me."
A few disgruntled murmurs rose from the crowd, but no one dared openly challenge him. Hanyu Xiuyi said calmly, "Get on the bus. We're about to leave."
At seven sharp, the bus pulled out of the school gates right on schedule. Hanyu Xiuyi sat by the window and watched the campus gradually recede. Horikita Suzune sat beside him, intently watching the scenery rush past outside.
"Nervous?" Hanyu asked.
"Not nervous." Horikita answered curtly, but Hanyu noticed her fingers tightening slightly around her notebook. "I'm just thinking about what might happen."
"Relax. We've made all the preparations we can."
"Preparation is never enough." Horikita turned to look at him. "Hanyu, do you really think we can win?"
"I'm not sure we can win," Hanyu answered honestly. "But I know that if we start doubting ourselves now, we'll definitely lose."
Horikita fell silent for a few seconds, then nodded slightly. "You're right."
Just then, Hirata Yousuke came over from the front of the bus. "Hanyu, we've got the other classes' assignments. Class A is on Bus One, Class B on Bus Two, we're on Bus Three, and Class C is on Bus Four. They may have been arranged by class ranking."
"Got it," Hanyu said. "Stay alert, but don't get too tense. The exam hasn't started yet."
The bus drove for two hours. Outside, the scenery shifted from city streets to countryside, then from countryside to coastline. When the sea came into view, the mood inside the bus grew noticeably tense.
"It really is an island..." Yukimura Teruhiko pushed up his glasses. "I was more than eighty percent sure."
"Look!" Kanji Ike pointed out the window.
In the distance, the outline of a lush island gradually came into view. It was fairly large, with mountains in the center and beaches and reefs around the coast.
The bus stopped at a pier, where four buses lined up one after another. When the students got off, they saw Chabashira Sae, the other homeroom teachers, and several uniformed staff members waiting for them.
"Everyone, assemble!" a staff member shouted through a megaphone.
The four hundred students formed four lines, one for each class. Hanyu Xiuyi stood at the front of Class D, observing the other classes.
Class A stood in perfect formation, with Katsuragi Kohei at the front, his expression serious. Sakayanagi Arisu sat in a wheelchair, pushed by her bodyguard, wearing a gentle yet inscrutable smile. Under Ichinose Honami's leadership, Class B seemed full of energy, the girl's pink hair especially striking in the sunlight. As for Class C... Ryuen Kakeru was talking quietly with several of his followers, glancing toward Class D from time to time with a provocative grin.
"Students, welcome to your first Special Exam." A middle-aged man who looked like an administrator stepped forward. "I'm Ishizaki, the Chief Supervisor for this exam."
He looked around before continuing. "As you can see, the exam is taking place on this uninhabited island. You'll be spending the next five days here. I'll now announce the Basic Rules—"
Supervisor Ishizaki began reading the rules, which largely matched what Chabashira Sae had previously disclosed: classes had to act as a unit, the value of the supplies they were allowed to bring was capped at five hundred thousand points, violence was prohibited during the exam, and points would be added or deducted each day...
"Now I'll announce the Special Rules for this exam." Supervisor Ishizaki raised his voice. "First, there are twenty Supply Points scattered across the island. Each contains basic survival supplies and possibly special items that may help you in the exam. Finding and making good use of the Supply Points will be one of the keys to victory."
"Second, the exam will use a Survival Points system. Each class starts with one thousand Survival Points, which will increase or decrease according to your daily performance. After five days, the class with the most Survival Points will win and receive a reward of 10 Million Points. Second place will receive five million, third place two million, and last place will lose two million."
"Third, and most importantly—" Supervisor Ishizaki paused. "Starting on the second day, classes may engage in Points Trading and Goods Trading. All trades must be voluntary on both sides. Classes may also sign contracts with one another. The school will recognize any contract that doesn't violate the Basic Rules."
The crowd immediately erupted into an uproar. Allowing trades and contracts meant that the competition between classes would become extremely complicated.
"Quiet!" Supervisor Ishizaki shouted. "We'll now distribute the equipment and maps. Each class will receive a Backpack containing a compass, Basic Tools, and five days' worth of basic rations. The map shows the island's general terrain and the possible locations of the Supply Points—note that they're only possible locations. You'll have to confirm them yourselves."
The staff began handing out the equipment. As soon as Class D received its Backpack, Hanyu Xiuyi opened it to check the contents. It did indeed contain a compass, a Multi-tool Knife, rope, and other tools, along with a pack of Compressed Biscuits and a bottle of water for each person for every day.
"This is supposed to last five days?" Ken Sudō grumbled. "You've got to be kidding!"
"That's why we need to find Supply Points," Hanyu Xiuyi said calmly. "Everyone, listen to me."
He unfolded the map, and the others gathered around. It was a hand-drawn Simple Map showing the basic terrain—mountains, rivers, beaches, and the like—as well as twenty locations marked with question marks.
"First, we need to choose a Campsite Location," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "Yukimura, what do you recommend?"
Yukimura Teruhiko pushed up his glasses and pointed to the map. "Based on the terrain, the best option is somewhere near fresh water, on high ground, with a clear view of the surroundings. This area—the plateau in the northeastern part of the island—meets all those criteria."
"Agreed." Horikita Suzune nodded. "The plateau will protect us from the tides and sea winds. There's a stream nearby, and the elevation will make it easier to keep an eye on our surroundings."
"Then that's where we'll go." Hanyu Xiuyi made the decision. "We'll split into two groups. The Reconnaissance Team will go ahead, led by Sudo, to scout the route to the plateau and check the area along the way. The main group will follow with the supplies, with Hirata coordinating."
"What about me?" Karuizawa Kei asked.
"You'll be in charge of maintaining Team Morale," Hanyu said. "Especially among the girls. If any problems come up, make sure they're communicated right away."
With their roles clearly assigned, Class D set off. The other classes were making their own plans. Class A seemed to be proceeding in an orderly fashion under Katsuragi's direction. Class B was full of energy under Ichinose's leadership. As for Class C... Ryuen was pointing at things on the map, apparently planning something.
Hanyu Xiuyi noticed that Ayanokoji Kiyonaga hadn't volunteered for any particular task. He was simply following the group in silence. But whenever Hanyu looked around, he always found Ayanokoji gazing in the same direction.
His Observation Skill really was sharp.
The group headed northeast along the coast. The sand was soft, making it difficult to drag their suitcases. In less than half an hour, several girls had begun to complain.
"I'm exhausted..."
"There's sand in my shoes..."
"My suitcase is so heavy..."
Hirata Yousuke immediately went to help, but there clearly weren't enough hands. Hanyu Xiuyi thought it over and made a decision.
"Everyone, move the essentials from your suitcases into your Backpacks and leave the suitcases here with clear markings," he said. "Only bring what you need to survive. We need to lighten our load."
His decision caused some disagreement. Some of the girls were reluctant to leave behind the clothes and makeup 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 withdraw now."
Her words were harsh, but effective. The girls began sorting through their belongings, leaving anything unnecessary in their suitcases.
Just then, Hanyu Xiuyi noticed that Hasebe Haruka wasn't complaining with the others. Instead, she was crouched by the beach, examining something.
"Hasebe, find anything?"
Hasebe looked up, her short brown hair tousled by the sea breeze. "There are lots of shells here, and some are edible. Also..." She pointed toward the reef in the distance. "When the tide goes out, there might be clams and crabs over there."
"Good." Hanyu said. "That's important information. Can you teach everyone how to identify edible seafood?"
"Sure." Hasebe nodded. "But I'll need tools—a small shovel and some containers."
"Hirata, get Hasebe the tools she needs."
After repacking their supplies, the group continued on with lighter loads and made much better time. As they passed through a wooded area, Sotomura Hideo suddenly stopped.
"There are animal tracks here." He pointed to the ground. "Look, they're probably wild boar tracks. And there's more than one."
The discovery made the group tense.
"Are wild boars aggressive?" Karuizawa Kei asked anxiously.
"Usually, they won't attack people unprovoked," Sotomura said. "But we could be in danger if we enter their territory or run into a sow with piglets."
"Then we'll take another route." Hanyu Xiuyi made the decision. "Safety comes first."
Guided by the Reconnaissance Team, the group avoided the areas that might be dangerous and finally reached their destination around noon: the Northeastern Plateau.
It was just as ideal as Yukimura had described: high ground with a view of a wide area, a stream not far away, and trees all around that could provide wood and shelter.
"Let's start building camp," Hanyu Xiuyi ordered. "The boys will gather wood and build shelters. The girls will organize the supplies and prepare lunch. Hasebe, take a few people to check the water source by the stream."
Everyone got to work. Ken Sudō took a few of the stronger boys to cut branches. Hirata Yousuke and Yukimura Teruhiko worked out a plan for the shelters. Horikita Suzune and Kushida Kikyo organized the girls as they sorted the supplies.
Hanyu Xiuyi walked to the edge of the plateau and surveyed the surroundings. From there, he could see most of the island, as well as what the other classes were doing. Class A had chosen a hillside in the west, Class B was at the edge of the woods in the south, and Class C... was out of sight for now.
"What are you thinking about?" Horikita Suzune came over.
"I'm wondering where Ryuen will set up camp," Hanyu said. "Knowing him, he won't choose somewhere obvious."
"Are you worried he'll ambush us?"
"Not just that." Hanyu Xiuyi said. "The most dangerous thing is how far he'll take advantage of the rules allowing trades and contracts."
As they spoke, Ayanokoji Kiyonaga walked over, holding a few plants.
"What are those?" Horikita asked.
"Edible berries and wild vegetables," Ayanokoji said evenly. "I found them nearby. Hasebe confirmed they're safe to eat."
"You know how to identify plants?" Hanyu asked, surprised.
"A little," Ayanokoji said. "Also, I found a Supply Point to the east. It's about a kilometer from here."
That was important news. Hanyu immediately decided, "After lunch, we'll put together a team to explore the Supply Point."
Camp construction went smoothly. Thanks to the efforts of Sudo and the others, they had put up a simple but sturdy shelter frame. Once they covered it with Waterproof Cloth, it could fit everyone for the night. Hasebe brought back clean water from the stream, which they could safely drink after treating it with the Water Purification Equipment.
Lunch was Compressed Biscuits and Vegetable Soup. Hasebe had cooked the wild vegetables collected by Chang Guo and Ayanokoji into a soup. It tasted mild, but at least it was hot food.
After lunch, Hanyu Xiuyi organized a Supply Point Exploration Team: himself, Horikita Suzune, Ken Sudō, Ayanokoji Kiyonaga, and Matsushita Chiaki, who had volunteered to join.
The five followed the path Ayanokoji had found and headed east. The forest was quiet, with only birdsong and the sound of their footsteps to break the silence.
"Here." Ayanokoji pointed to a thicket. "There's a mark on the tree trunk."
Hanyu walked closer and saw an inconspicuous Red Mark on the trunk, shaped like an arrow.
"Follow the marks."
After walking for about fifteen minutes, they reached the entrance to a Cave. Vines partly concealed the opening, making it hard to spot unless you looked carefully.
"I'll go in first," Ken Sudō volunteered.
"Be careful," Hanyu said.
Sudo pushed the vines aside and entered the Cave. A moment later, they heard his voice from inside. "It's safe! Come on in!"
The Cave wasn't large, but it was dry. A sealed box sat in the middle, bearing the School Emblem.
Hanyu Xiuyi opened the box. Inside were a few items: two tents, a Fishing Gear Set, a First Aid Kit Refill, and a note.
"Congratulations on finding Supply Point 3," the note read. "Supply List: two two-person tents, one Fishing Set, one First Aid Medicine Refill. These items do not count toward the Class Carry Limit. One more tip: there are twenty Supply Points across the island, three of which contain Special Rewards. Good luck!"
"Fishing gear!" Sudo said excitedly. "Now we can catch fish!"
"The tents are important too," Horikita said. "Our shelter is too makeshift. Rain would cause a lot of trouble."
"The medicine came at just the right time." Hanyu checked the kit. "Now we have a better stock of medical supplies."
The five returned to camp with their haul. Everyone was thrilled when they saw the tents and fishing gear.
"Fantastic!" Karuizawa Kei said happily. "We'll be able to sleep comfortably tonight!"
"I can handle the fishing," Sotomura Hideo offered. "I used to go fishing with my grandfather."
Team Morale had clearly improved. Watching his classmates bustle about, Hanyu Xiuyi felt a little relieved. The first day had gotten off to a fairly smooth start.
But just then, Kanji Ike and Yamauchi Haruki came running back in a panic.
"Th-this is bad!" Kanji Ike panted. "We found people from Class C to the south! They seemed to be looking for something, and when they saw us, they gave us these nasty grins!"
"How many? Where?" Hanyu asked.
"About five or six. Ryuen was leading them!" Yamauchi Haruki said. "They're less than two kilometers from our camp!"
The news made everyone tense. Had Ryuen already come looking for them?
Hanyu Xiuyi drew a deep breath and gave his orders calmly. "Everyone, return to camp and tighten security. Sudo, take a few people and patrol the area. Hirata, make sure all our supplies are safe."
He looked south, his gaze sharpening.
The game had truly begun.
And the first clash might come tonight.
Before you continue