On Thursday morning, when Chabashira Sae walked into the classroom with a document in her hand, the entire class immediately fell silent. Everyone sensed that an important announcement was coming.
"The official notice for the Special Exam has arrived." Chabashira Sae's voice was as cool as ever. "The exam will take place from next Monday to Friday, for 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. They had been expecting this, but now that the exam was really upon them, tension instantly filled the air.
"There are a few Basic Rules you need to know in advance," Chabashira Sae continued. "First, all classes will be suspended during the exam. Second, the exam will not take place on campus, so you'll need to bring personal belongings. Third, each class may bring supplies worth no more than five hundred thousand points."
"Ma'am!" Hirata Yousuke raised his hand. "Can you tell us anything about the exam content?"
"No." Chabashira Sae gave a crisp reply. "But I can tell you that this exam will focus on Survival Ability and teamwork. Classes and individuals who perform well will receive a large number of points, while poor performances will result in point deductions."
"Can individuals lose points too?" Karuizawa Kei asked anxiously.
"Each person will be evaluated based on their contributions during the exam," Chabashira Sae said. "So everyone must do their best to contribute to the class."
She glanced around the classroom. "One final reminder—this exam allows classes to cooperate with one another, as well as compete. The strategy you choose is up to you."
After saying this, she left the document behind and walked out. The classroom immediately erupted into chatter.
"Survival Ability? Could it really be an Uninhabited Island?"
"Five days! We'll need enough changes of clothes and food, right?"
"There's a five-hundred-thousand-point limit on supplies. How are we supposed to divide it up?"
Questions came one after another. Hirata Yousuke stood up to restore order. "Everyone, please settle down! Let's discuss the most important thing first—the Supply List."
Hanyu Xiuyi stood up as well. "I suggest we form a Preparatory Group to put together a detailed Supply List and assignment plan."
"I agree." Horikita Suzune was the first to respond.
"Count me in too." Yukimura Teruhiko pushed up his glasses. "Planning like this requires logical analysis."
The Preparatory Group was quickly formed: Hanyu Xiuyi (overall lead), Horikita Suzune (strategic analysis), Yukimura Teruhiko (logical planning), Hirata Yousuke (personnel coordination), and Kushida Kikyo (gathering requirements).
During lunch, the five held their first meeting in the library.
"First, we need to decide which categories of supplies are essential." Hanyu Xiuyi wrote several categories on the whiteboard: "survival essentials, Medical Supplies, Tools and Equipment, and Food Supply."
Horikita Suzune opened her notebook. "According to information from three years ago, survival essentials include tents or Waterproof Cloth, Sleeping Bags, water purification tools, and Fire Starting Tools. We'll need at least a first-aid kit and common medications for Medical Supplies."
"What about Tools and Equipment?" Yukimura asked.
"Multi-tool Knives, ropes, compasses, and flashlights," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "And, if they're allowed, walkie-talkies could be very useful."
"As for food," Kushida Kikyo said, "I asked everyone what they thought, and a lot of people want to bring some convenient ready-to-eat meals. But we have to consider weight and storage."
Hirata Yousuke took notes. "We have a budget of five hundred thousand points, so we'll need to spend carefully. I suggest we first list everything we might need, then rank it by importance."
The five discussed the matter for two hours and finally came up with a preliminary list:
Category 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 Tools: 20,000 points
- First-aid kits × 2: 20,000 points
Category B (Tools and Equipment): 150,000 points
- Multi-tool Knives × 5: 25,000 points
- Rope × 100 meters: 30,000 points
- Compasses × 5: 15,000 points
- Flashlights × 10: 50,000 points
- Walkie-talkies × 4: 30,000 points
Category C (Food Supply): 100,000 points
- Compressed Ration: 50,000 points
- Energy bars: 30,000 points
- Seasonings and vitamins: 20,000 points
Category D (Other): 50,000 points
- Spare clothes: 30,000 points
- Personal hygiene products: 20,000 points
The total came to five hundred thousand points, exactly the limit.
"Now that we have the list, we can move on to purchasing everything," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "I suggest splitting into two groups to save time."
"Kushida and I will handle the personal supplies," Hirata Yousuke volunteered.
"Yukimura and I will take care of the Tools and Equipment," Horikita Suzune said.
"Then I'll handle coordination and budget control," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "Once we've finished shopping, we'll store all the supplies together in the classroom and distribute them on the day of the exam."
With the responsibilities clearly assigned, the meeting came to an end. But Hanyu Xiuyi called out to Horikita Suzune as she was about to leave.
"One more thing." He lowered his voice. "I have some new thoughts about the Karuizawa Incident."
"What thoughts?"
"I suspect the point of damaging the property wasn't just to provoke us," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "It might also have been a test of our Information Gathering skills."
Horikita Suzune frowned. "What do you mean?"
"If we can't even get to the bottom of little things within our class, then we could fall into chaos when we face more complicated situations during the Special Exam," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "It's a Stress Test."
Horikita Suzune considered this. "Are you saying someone wants to see how Class D performs under pressure?"
"Exactly." Hanyu Xiuyi nodded. "So I've decided not to investigate the matter any further for now. We should focus all our energy on the Special Exam."
"But wouldn't that make us look weak?"
"Sometimes, you have to endure something for the sake of a greater goal," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "Once the Special Exam is over, we can settle the score."
Horikita Suzune looked at him for a few seconds before finally nodding. "Understood. I'll cooperate."
During Club Activity time that afternoon, Hanyu Xiuyi went to the Kendo Club. The Qualifying Match next week was important; if he could place in the top three, he'd earn a reward of three hundred thousand points.
But as soon as training began, he sensed something was wrong. Several club members gave him strange looks and whispered 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 because you cheated."
"Cheated? How?"
"They're saying you used an Illegal Bamboo Sword or bribed the judges," Kiriyama said. "I know it's all nonsense, but the rumors have spread, and some club members have started to doubt you."
Hanyu Xiuyi immediately realized who was behind it—Ryuen. This was another bout of Psychological Warfare, meant to shake his confidence before the match.
"What are you going to do?" Kiriyama asked.
"Keep training," Hanyu Xiuyi said calmly. "The innocent will prove their innocence. And rumors stop at strength."
Kiriyama regarded him with admiration. "Good attitude. Still, I'd advise you to be careful. Ryuen won't let this go."
After training, Hanyu Xiuyi encountered an unexpected person in the locker room: Yamashita, a second-year student and his math tutoring client.
"Underclassman Hanyu, can I talk to you for a moment?" Yamashita looked a little nervous.
"Of course. Is it about tutoring?"
"No, it's something else." Yamashita lowered his voice. "I heard someone's planning to target you during the Special Exam."
Hanyu Xiuyi kept his expression neutral. "Tell me what you know."
"I don't know much, but there are a few second-years who get along with Ryuen. Lately, they've been discussing how to 'teach Class D a lesson' during the exam," Yamashita said. "They've mentioned your name several times."
"Thanks for telling me," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "Do you know what they're planning?"
"I don't know the details." Yamashita shook his head. "But they mentioned using a 'Rule Loophole.' It sounded like there are parts of the Special Exam rules they can exploit."
The information was important. Hanyu Xiuyi made a note of it.
"As a thank-you, next week's tutoring will be free," Hanyu Xiuyi said.
Yamashita hurriedly waved his hands. "No, no! You've already helped me improve my grades, and I'm very grateful. I just thought... you're a good person, and you shouldn't have to be tricked by those people."
"Thanks anyway," Hanyu Xiuyi said sincerely.
After Yamashita left, Hanyu Xiuyi fell into thought. Ryuen's attacks were more aggressive than he'd expected. He was not only creating conflict within the class and spreading rumors in the club, but was now even joining forces with upperclassmen to make a move during the Special Exam.
This series of combined attacks was clearly premeditated.
But it also revealed one of Ryuen's weaknesses—he was too eager for quick results. If he exhausted all his tricks before the Special Exam, he might run out of steam once it began.
Hanyu Xiuyi decided to adjust his strategy. He wouldn't just defend passively; he would take the initiative and make his own plans.
That evening, he called the Preparatory Group together for a second meeting. This time, one more person had joined them—Ayanokoji Kiyonaga.
"I invited Ayanokoji to join us and handle Information Gathering and Risk Warning," Hanyu Xiuyi explained to the others.
Horikita Suzune didn't look entirely pleased, but she said nothing. Yukimura Teruhiko and Hirata Yousuke both welcomed him. Kushida Kikyo gave him a sweet smile. "Ayanokoji, I look forward to working with you!"
"Then let's get down to business," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "Besides preparing supplies, we also need to come up with an Exam Strategy. According to the latest information, Class C may target us during the exam."
He briefly explained what he'd learned from Yamashita.
"What should we do?" Hirata Yousuke asked anxiously.
"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 get along with Class C either. If we form an alliance, we can stand together against Class C."
"What's the second plan?" Yukimura asked.
"Take advantage of Class C's aggressiveness," Hanyu Xiuyi said. "If Ryuen really targets us during the exam, we can set a trap and make him fall into it himself."
Ayanokoji spoke for the first time. "I suggest we pursue both options. Try to form an alliance with Class B while preparing a countermeasure against Class C."
"I agree," Horikita Suzune said. "But we can't rely entirely on Class B. We need a complete plan of our own."
The five began discussing the details. Yukimura Teruhiko would analyze Rule Loopholes, Ayanokoji Kiyonaga would work through the various possible scenarios, Horikita Suzune would draw up contingency plans, and Hirata Yousuke and Kushida Kikyo would coordinate within the class.
Hanyu Xiuyi would oversee everything.
Two hours later, they had put together a preliminary strategic framework:
1. Supply preparation: Complete the preparations as planned and ensure the basics for survival.
2. Personnel Assignment: Allocate tasks according to everyone's strengths to ensure efficiency.
3. External strategy: Reach out to Class B and try to form a Tactical Alliance.
4. Defensive preparations: Develop countermeasures against possible attacks from Class C.
5. Information Gathering: Once the exam begins, gather information about the environment and the opponents' movements immediately.
The meeting ended at nine that night. After everyone else had 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 goes according to plan, at least we won't lose too badly."
It was a very practical answer. Hanyu Xiuyi smiled. "That's good enough. As long as we hold on to our basic points, that's a victory."
"Also," Ayanokoji said, "I suggest you keep an eye on someone."
"Who?"
"Kouenji Rokutaro," Ayanokoji said. "He doesn't take part in Group Activity, but he's capable. If we can get his help during the exam, it would be a huge advantage."
"How do we get him to help?"
"Make it seem interesting to him," Ayanokoji said. "Kouenji only does things that interest him. If you can come up with a task he finds 'challenging,' he might take part."
Hanyu Xiuyi made a note of the suggestion.
By the time he left the library, the night sky was filled with stars. Hanyu Xiuyi looked up and took a deep breath.
The Special Exam was both a challenge and an opportunity.
If Class D performed well, they wouldn't just earn points; they'd also improve their Class Ranking and lay the groundwork for moving up later.
But if they failed... the consequences would be severe.
Whatever happened, he had to lead the class forward.
Because at a school where strength was everything, standing still meant being eliminated.
He clenched his fist, determination flashing in his eyes.
No matter how many obstacles lay ahead, he would overcome them.
For Class D, and for himself.
The pieces were already in place. He had to think carefully about his next move.
Whatever happened, the game had begun.
And he had to be the last one standing.
Before you continue