Omen of the Special Exam

On Thursday morning, Chabashira Sae walked into the classroom holding a document. The entire class immediately fell silent—everyone sensed an important announcement was coming.

"The official notice for the special exam has arrived." Chabashira Sae's voice was as cold as ever. "The exam will be held from Monday to Friday next week, a total of five days. The specific format will be announced on the day of the exam."

A wave of gasps swept through the classroom. Though they had mentally prepared themselves, tension instantly spread when the exam was finally upon them.

"There are a few basic rules you need to know in advance." Chabashira Sae continued. "First, all classes are suspended during the exam period. Second, the exam location is off-campus, so you'll need to bring personal supplies. Third, each class is allowed to bring supplies worth no more than 500,000 points."

"Teacher!" Hirata Yousuke raised his hand. "Can you give us any hints about the exam content?"

"No." Chabashira Sae answered bluntly. "But I can tell you that the focus of this exam is 'survival ability' and 'teamwork.' Classes and individuals who perform well will receive substantial point rewards, while those who perform poorly will have points deducted."

"Individuals can lose points too?" Karuizawa Kei asked worriedly.

"Based on your individual contribution score during the exam." Chabashira Sae said. "So everyone must do their best to contribute to the class."

She swept her gaze across the classroom. "One final reminder—this exam allows both cooperation and competition between classes. The specific strategy you choose is up to you."

With that, she left the document and walked out. The classroom immediately erupted into chaos.

"Survival ability? Could it really be an uninhabited island?"

"Five days! We need to bring enough spare clothes and food, right?"

"A 500,000-point supply cap—how should we allocate it?"

Questions came from all directions. Hirata Yousuke stood up to restore order. "Everyone, calm down! Let's first discuss the most important issue—the supply list."

Hanyu Xiuyi also stood up. "I suggest forming a preparatory group responsible for creating a detailed supply list and division of labor plan."

"I agree." Horikita Suzune was the first to respond.

"Count me in too." Yukimura Teruhiko adjusted his glasses. "This kind of planning requires logical analysis."

Soon, the preparatory group was formed: Hanyu Xiuyi (overall lead), Horikita Suzune (strategic analysis), Yukimura Teruhiko (logical planning), Hirata Yousuke (personnel coordination), Kushida Kikyo (needs collection).

During the lunch break, the five of them held their first meeting in the library.

"First, we need to determine the most essential categories of supplies." Hanyu Xiuyi wrote several categories on the whiteboard. "Survival necessities, medical supplies, tools and equipment, food supply."

Horikita Suzune opened her notebook. "According to data from three years ago, survival necessities include: tents or waterproof cloth, sleeping bags, water purification tools, fire-starting tools. Medical supplies need at least a first aid kit and common medicines."

"What about tools and equipment?" Yukimura asked.

"Multi-tool knives, rope, compasses, flashlights." Hanyu Xiuyi said. "Also, if allowed, walkie-talkies could be very useful."

"Regarding food," Kushida Kikyo said, "I asked everyone's opinions. Many people want to bring some convenient food. But we need to consider weight and preservation issues."

Hirata Yousuke was taking notes. "With a 500,000-point budget, we need to be meticulous. I suggest we first list all possible items, then rank them by importance."

The five discussed for two hours and finally produced a preliminary list:

Class A (Core Survival Supplies): 200,000 Points - Waterproof Cloth ×5: 50,000 Points - Sleeping Bags ×20: 80,000 Points - Water Purification Equipment: 30,000 Points - Fire Starting Tool: 20,000 Points - First Aid Box ×2: 20,000 Points

Class B (Tools and Equipment): 150,000 Points - Multi-tool Knife ×5: 25,000 Points - Rope ×100 Meters: 30,000 Points - Compass ×5: 15,000 Points - Flashlight ×10: 50,000 Points - Walkie-talkie ×4: 30,000 Points

Class C (Food Supply): 100,000 Points - Compressed Ration: 50,000 Points - Energy Bars: 30,000 Points - Seasonings and Vitamins: 20,000 Points

Class D (Other): 50,000 Points - Spare Clothes: 30,000 Points - Personal Hygiene Products: 20,000 Points

Total: 500,000 Points, exactly the limit.

"We have the list. Next is procurement." Hanyu Xiuyi said. "I suggest we split into two groups and work simultaneously to save time."

"I'll handle the daily necessities part with Kushida." Hirata Yousuke volunteered.

"I'll handle the tools and equipment with Yukimura." Horikita Suzune said.

"Then I'll be in charge of overall coordination and budget control." Hanyu Xiuyi said. "After procurement is complete, all supplies will be stored in the classroom and distributed on exam day."

Once the division of labor was clear, the meeting ended. But Hanyu Xiuyi called out to Horikita Suzune, who was about to leave.

"There's one more thing." He lowered his voice. "I've had some new thoughts about the Karuizawa Incident."

"What thoughts?"

"I suspect the purpose of damaging the items wasn't just provocation," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "It might also have been a test of our information-gathering ability."

Horikita Suzune frowned. "What do you mean?"

"If we can't even figure out small matters within our own class, then when faced with more complex situations in the special exam, we might fall into chaos," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "This is a kind of stress test."

Horikita Suzune thought it over. "You're saying someone wants to see how Class D performs under pressure?"

"Exactly." Hanyu Xiuyi nodded. "So I've decided not to dig deeper into this for now. Let's focus all our energy on the special exam."

"But won't that make us look weak?"

"Sometimes, endurance serves a greater goal," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "After the special exam is over, we'll settle scores."

Horikita Suzune looked at him for a few seconds, then finally nodded. "Understood. I'll cooperate."

During the afternoon club activity time, Hanyu Xiuyi went to the Kendo Club. The qualifying match next week was important—if he could place in the top three, there was a reward of 300,000 points.

But as soon as training started, he sensed something was off. Several club members were giving him strange looks and whispering among themselves from time to time.

"What's going on?" Hanyu Xiuyi asked the club president, Kiriyama.

Kiriyama sighed and pulled him aside. "Someone's spreading rumors that you only beat me last time by cheating."

"Cheating? How?"

"They say you used an illegal bamboo sword or bribed the referee," Kiriyama said. "I know it's nonsense, but the rumors have spread, and some members are starting to doubt you."

Hanyu Xiuyi immediately understood who was behind this—Ryuen. Another psychological warfare tactic, trying to shake his mindset before the match.

"What are you going to do?" Kiriyama asked.

"Keep training," Hanyu Xiuyi said calmly. "The innocent will prove their innocence. Besides, rumors stop at strength."

Kiriyama looked at him with appreciation. "Good attitude. But I still suggest you be careful. That Ryuen guy won't let it go easily."

After training ended, Hanyu Xiuyi ran into an unexpected person in the changing room—Yamashita, a second-year senior he tutored in math.

"Hanyu, can I have a word?" Yamashita looked a bit nervous.

"Of course. Is it about the tutoring?"

"No, something else." Yamashita lowered his voice. "I heard someone's targeting you. In the special exam."

Hanyu Xiuyi kept his expression neutral. "Can you be more specific?"

"I don't know the details, but there are a few second-years close to Ryuen who've been discussing how to 'teach Class D a lesson' during the exam," Yamashita said. "They mentioned your name several times."

"Thank you for telling me this," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "Do you know their plan?"

"Not the specifics." Yamashita shook his head. "But they mentioned exploiting 'rule loopholes.' They said there are some places in the special exam rules where they can cut corners."

This intelligence was important. Hanyu Xiuyi made a mental note.

"As thanks, next week's tutoring is free," Hanyu Xiuyi said.

Yamashita quickly waved his hands. "No, no! You've already helped me improve my grades, and I'm very grateful. I just think... you're a good person. You shouldn't be schemed against by those guys."

"Still, thank you," Hanyu Xiuyi said sincerely.

After Yamashita left, Hanyu Xiuyi fell into thought. Ryuen's offensive was fiercer than expected—not only creating internal conflict within the class and spreading rumors in the club, but now even colluding with upperclassmen to strike during the special exam.

This chain of combination attacks was clearly premeditated.

But it also exposed one of Ryuen's weaknesses—he was too eager for quick results. If he exhausted his tactics before the special exam, he might run out of steam during it.

Hanyu Xiuyi decided to adjust his strategy. Not passive defense, but active positioning.

That evening, he convened the second meeting of the preparatory group, but this time with one extra person—Ayanokoji Kiyonaga.

"I've invited Ayanokoji to join us, responsible for intelligence analysis and risk warning," Hanyu Xiuyi explained to the others.

Horikita Suzune looked less than approving but said nothing. Yukimura Teruhiko and Hirata Yousuke both welcomed him. Kushida Kikyo flashed a sweet smile. "Ayanokoji, please take care of us!"

"Then, let's get to the main topic," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "Besides material preparation, we also need to formulate an exam strategy. According to the latest intelligence, Class C might target us during the exam."

He briefly explained the information he'd gotten from Yamashita.

"So what do we do?" Hirata Yousuke asked worriedly.

"I have two plans," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "First, form an alliance with Class B. Ichinose Honami is an upright person, and Class B doesn't have a good relationship with Class C either. If we form a coalition, we can fight Class C together."

"And the second?" Yukimura asked.

"Second, use Class C's aggressiveness against them," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "If Ryuen really does target us in the exam, we can set a trap and make him suffer the consequences."

Ayanokoji spoke for the first time. "I suggest pursuing both paths simultaneously. First, try to ally with Class B, while also preparing a countermeasure against Class C."

"I agree," Horikita Suzune said. "But we can't rely entirely on Class B. We must have our own complete plan."

The five of them began a detailed discussion. Yukimura Teruhiko took charge of analyzing loopholes in the rules, Ayanokoji Kiyonaga handled deducing various possible scenarios, Horikita Suzune was responsible for formulating contingency plans, while Hirata Yousuke and Kushida Kikyo coordinated within the class.

Hanyu Xiuyi, meanwhile, was in charge of overall coordination.

Two hours later, a preliminary strategic framework took shape:

1. Material preparation: Complete according to plan, ensuring a foundation for survival.

2. Personnel division: Assign tasks based on individual strengths, ensuring efficiency.

3. External strategy: Proactively approach Class B to establish a tactical alliance.

4. Defensive preparations: Develop countermeasures against potential attacks from Class C.

5. Information gathering: Collect environmental data and opponent trends as soon as the exam begins.

By the time the meeting ended, it was already nine in the evening. After everyone else left, Hanyu Xiuyi and Ayanokoji Kiyonaga stayed behind.

"What do you think our chances are?" Hanyu Xiuyi asked.

Ayanokoji thought for a moment. "If everything proceeds according to plan, at least we won't lose too badly."

That answer was honest. Hanyu Xiuyi smiled. "That's enough. As long as we can preserve our base points, that's a victory."

"Also," Ayanokoji said, "I suggest you keep an eye on one person."

"Who?"

"Kouenji Rokutaro." Ayanokoji said. "He doesn't participate in group activities, but he's very capable. If you can secure his help during the exam, it would be a huge advantage."

"How do I secure it?"

"Make him find it interesting." Ayanokoji said. "Kouenji only does what he's interested in. If you can design a task he finds 'challenging,' he might join in."

Hanyu Xiuyi noted down this advice.

When he left the library, the night sky was already filled with stars. Hanyu Xiuyi looked up, taking a deep breath.

The Special Exam was both a challenge and an opportunity.

If Class D could perform well in the exam, they wouldn't just earn point rewards—they could also improve their class ranking, laying the groundwork for future advancement.

And if they failed... the consequences would be severe.

But no matter what, he had to lead the class forward.

Because in this school where strength was everything, standing still meant elimination.

He clenched his fist, a firm glint flashing in his eyes.

No matter how many obstacles lay ahead, he would push through them.

For Class D, and for himself.

The chessboard was already set. The next move required careful thought.

But no matter what, the game had already begun.

And he had to be the final victor.