You dare choose him as leader?

Watching Zhuge Linghao have another episode, Ayanokoji silently made a note in his mental notebook: Correction for Zhuge Linghao point two, arrogant and delusional, likes to take on tasks beyond his capabilities, and is prone to going to extremes!

Before entering the forest, Hirata instructed Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudo to go off separately to search for a base camp.

Following that, the group shouldered all their supplies and marched imposingly toward the forest ahead.

Zhuge Linghao, walking at the back, said to Horikita Suzune, "What's wrong? You don't seem to have much interest in this."

Horikita Suzune rubbed her arm and said coldly, "I still prefer to be alone; collective life doesn't suit me."

Zhuge Linghao lectured, "That's why I said it earlier! The school doesn't just test individual ability; excellent teamwork is also an important metric!"

Horikita Suzune turned her head away, acting tsundere, "I do understand some logic now; there are some things that simply cannot be accomplished by one person alone. For instance, Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudo going to find a base camp—that is something I could not have done. In the end, they are the ones contributing the most to the class."

Zhuge Linghao intentionally reminded her, "You look like you're not feeling well? Be careful, or you'll get 30 points deducted!"

Horikita Suzune quickened her pace, "That's none of your business."

Halfway through, everyone was tired from walking, so Hirata found a relatively flat area to use as a resting spot.

Yukimura Teruhiko walked toward Zhuge Linghao and said embarrassedly, "Sorry about that. I didn't think it through at the beginning. Please take back what you said about dropping out if we don't earn S points..."

Zhuge Linghao shook his head, "I don't think so. It was hard enough to get the class to unite. I think they will try their best to contribute so that I don't have to drop out and to avoid losing class points!"

Ayanokoji's eyes flickered as he said, "Is this your goal? To create a common villain and then have the whole class unite to oppose them, is that it?"

Ayanokoji said emotionlessly, "However, do you have the ability and the responsibility to take on such a role?"

Zhuge Linghao grinned, "Let's give it a try!"

Hirata also walked over and said gently, "Thank you, Zhuge-kun. You see things very clearly."

"Oh? How so?"

Hirata continued, "Actually, using some points appropriately might lead to higher efficiency! Enduring too much easily accumulates stress and stirs up negative emotions. Besides, personal hygiene is now guaranteed, which allows the girls to feel more at ease and focus their energy on dealing with this exam!"

Zhuge Linghao gave Hirata a thumbs up!

[Not bad, Hirata! You figured it out so quickly! You've improved!]

Hirata stood in the middle of the crowd and shouted, "Attention, students! We need to send people out to find a suitable location for our base!"

Karuizawa Kei asked, "Really? Why?"

Hirata Yosuke explained, "The quality of our location is directly related to how many S points we can retain."

Hirata Yosuke looked around and said, "Is anyone willing to go explore together?"

Meili-ge, who was in a tree, was the first to raise his hand, followed by eight others, including Zhuge Linghao, Ayanokoji, Kushida Kikyo, and Sakura Airi.

Horikita was surprised on the side, "I didn't expect you two to raise your hands at the same time! That's very rare."

Ayanokoji said with a deadpan expression, "Because if you don't take on some responsibility, you'll stand out too much."

Horikita looked at the other person and said coldly, "And you?"

Zhuge Linghao flashed his eight white teeth and said, "Me? I just purely want to go out and play!!!"

"..."

As for Sakura, seeing Zhuge Linghao raise his hand, she hurriedly followed suit. She quickly arrived at Zhuge Linghao's side, even forgetting the backpack at her feet...

Hirata Yosuke smiled, "Thank you to these nine brave adventurers. You should go in groups of three! Please be sure to stay safe!"

Subsequently, Zhuge Linghao, Sakura Airi, and Koenji Rokusuke were assigned to a group.

At this moment, Koenji, that 'golden-haired monkey,' was flying back and forth in the trees.

Zhuge Linghao and Sakura Airi's pace couldn't keep up at all.

Zhuge Linghao said to Sakura, "Um, Sakura-san, could you wait here for a moment? I'll go chase after Koenji by myself."

Sakura hesitated and said, "Is that really okay? Koenji's speed is just too fast..."

Zhuge Linghao said, "It's fine, I can do it! If I can't catch up, I'll turn back."

After saying that, Zhuge Linghao chased after Koenji.

"System, has the shop been upgraded? Let me see!"

[Ding... Opening Level 3 Shop...]

[Hmm? The experience cards are no longer limited to a one-day duration? I can choose the duration? A minimum of 1 hour and a maximum of 10 days? Combined with regular discounts and limited-time sales, this significantly reduces the consumption of emotional points!]

[System, give me a 1-hour Tarzan Experience Card!]

[Ding... 20 emotional points consumed, Tarzan Experience Card equipped! Countdown: 60 minutes...]

[So you're the only one who can fly in the trees, huh? Golden-haired brother? Watch me activate my Identity Skill Card!]

Koenji flew up and down while shouting, "How beautiful! I, drifting leisurely in the embrace of nature, am truly beautiful! Ultimate beauty!"

Suddenly, Koenji stopped his movements and said, "Black-haired Boy, I really didn't misjudge you. I didn't expect you to actually be able to keep up with my speed."

Zhuge Linghao was drenched in sweat and panting as he said, "I just unleashed my potential temporarily! It just so happens I have something to discuss with you, Koenji!"

Koenji pulled out a mirror and said, "Black-haired Boy, what is it?"

Zhuge Linghao paused for a long time, catching his breath before saying, "After we get off the ship, the teachers said each class must select a Leader. I think you are the most suitable person for the role!"

Koenji styled his hair and said, "Oh? That sounds interesting, but I must decline."

In truth, Zhuge Linghao had already anticipated this outcome.

Therefore, Zhuge Linghao leaned in close to Koenji's ear and said with a grin, "In that case, I'll have no choice but to ask you to withdraw from this exam!"

Sakura Airi was waiting anxiously on the spot.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps came from ahead.

Zhuge Linghao burst out from the bushes, looking somewhat frustrated as he said, "Sorry, Sakura, I still couldn't bring Koenji back."

Sakura blushed and said, "It... it's okay... if anything, it's better this way..."

Zhuge Linghao looked confused: "What did you say, Sakura?"

Sakura hurriedly waved her hands and said, "N-nothing. What should we do next?"

Zhuge Linghao rubbed his chin and said, "Now it's just the two of us left to head out and explore..."

Sakura said happily, "O-okay!"

After a long while, Sakura panted slightly: "Zhuge-kun, the mountain paths in the forest are really hard to walk on!"

Zhuge Linghao nodded in agreement: "Plus, with the weather being this hot, we're losing fluids quickly. Are you alright?"

Sakura said firmly, "I'm fine!"

Zhuge Linghao took a bottle of water he had already been drinking from out of his bag and handed it to Sakura: "Sakura, you didn't bring a backpack, so you probably didn't bring any water, right? Here, have some of mine!"

Sakura was startled like a small animal and didn't dare to move!

[Ah? Isn't this equivalent to an indirect... k-k-kiss...]