Those Who Give It Their All; The Exam Ends. / Unexpected Setbacks and Nagumo's Crushing Defeat.

Time ticked by, and after a while, the members of Koenji's group finally appeared on the mountain path. However, he was clearly startled when he saw the two people waiting there.

"Give it to me right now!"

Koenji shouted and snatched the baton from the other runner's hand. After he got his baton, Hashiba Hikaru also got into the starting position.

"Let's get started, Hashiba Boy! Let's see who the ultimate winner is!"

I'm really looking forward to it.

Hashiba Hikaru took a deep breath, her face filled with anticipation.

Let's go!

512

Chapter 512 Those Who Gave Their All: The Exam is Over.

Along the winding mountain road, Hashiba Hikaru and Koenji Rokusuke were running at almost the same pace, their standard running strides kicking up clouds of dust.

"Looks like you're more complex than I thought, Hashiba Boy."

Koenji's legs were trying to speed up, but after a while, he found that he still couldn't catch up with Hashiba Hikaru and could only maintain a position half a step behind him.

"It was just luck. Isn't Koenji pretty amazing too?"

After activating the [Potential Burst] skill, Hashiba Hikaru's body surged with terrifying explosive power. Even while running at an extremely high speed, he still had room to speak.

"No, your situation is indeed very serious."

Koenji received a high level of education from the Zaibatsu from a young age. In addition to his physical training, he was also very intelligent. From the first time he met Hashiba Hikaru, she caught his attention.

Hashiba Hikaru not only possesses excellent leadership qualities, but also excels in both academics and sports. This level of achievement is rare even for ordinary people, let alone for Koenji Rokusuke.

At this moment, the speed at which the other party ran once again refreshed the blond man's perception. Even Koenji Rokusuke, who prided himself on having the most perfect body, had to admit in his heart that the aura that the other party was now displaying was truly terrifying.

It was as if he had witnessed the pinnacle of human potential. Unlike outstanding athletes, the boy's entire body was brimming with explosive power.

"It might just be your imagination."

As he sprinted forward, Hashiba Hikaru maintained an extremely fast pace, feeling the mountain scenery rushing past him without stopping.

Koenji Rokusuke level of physical ability, but after a while, he suddenly realized that he really didn't seem to have a chance to catch up with his opponent.

He had pushed his physical abilities to the limit, but those few steps seemed like an insurmountable chasm. No matter how hard the blond man tried, he still couldn't catch up.

To his even greater shock, the other party continued to accelerate; not only did it not slow down, but it actually sped up.

What exactly happened?

Koenji Rokusuke watched as Hashiba Hikaru continued to accelerate, yet there was no sweat on her forehead, and she even seemed to have the energy to chat. This scene was truly terrifying.

"This guy..."

The man swung his arms and ran forward, but Hashiba Hikaru's figure grew further and further away from him.

"It seems I will be the final winner of this match."

Hashiba Hikaru turned his head and glanced at Koenji Rokusuke, whose expression was complicated. "I'm going to test my physical limits, so I won't wait for you, Koenji."

"..."

Koenji Rokusuke's expression changed slightly. He had thought that Hashiba Hikaru, who was accelerating, was about to reach his limit, but he did not expect that the other party would say that he wanted to see his limit.

Is this guy even human?

Hashiba Hikaru, who was running in front, exhaled a breath of stale air. He focused all his attention on his legs, and the next round of acceleration began again!

Koenji Rokusuke, who was running wildly behind, clearly noticed the change in his opponent. The distance, which was originally less than one or two meters, suddenly began to widen, and in just a few breaths, his opponent had already rushed to the edge of his sight.

"Goodbye, I'll be waiting for you at the finish line, Koenji."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly and continued running without the slightest hesitation, her figure quickly disappearing from the other person's sight.

This scene gave Koenji a huge fright.

"... Hashiba Hikaru, who exactly are you?"

The only son of the Koenji Conglomerate murmured softly, his steps unwavering as he continued towards the finish line.

However, the outcome of this match was already decided; Hashiba Hikaru would become the winner of this round.

After the road relay race, the first-year students were left with only one event: a speech.

For this round of exams, Hashiba Hikaru and her group of students practiced extensively, going through repeated drills from writing speeches to performing for different people.

The boy had a lot of confidence in his classmates. When he led them into the examination center, although they looked a little nervous, they were in much better condition than in the previous exams.

As Hashiba Hikaru had predicted, after the final round of exams, most of the boys in her group seemed very happy because everyone had performed well, and they all speculated about their final rankings.

And so, it came to a little past four in the afternoon. Students from all three grades had basically completed all their exams, and after a whole day of exams, they all looked very tired.

The students were already clear about the rules of this exam. First, the results were announced within each group, and there would be an average score comparison. If the score was below the average, the [person in charge] might be expelled.

Finally, there will be a competition between the large groups. Both the boys' and girls' groups are divided into six groups, and rewards and punishments will be given based on the rankings. This is something everyone is looking forward to.

When it was five o'clock, all the boys and girls were called to the Gymnasium by the teachers. Everyone knew that the exam results would be announced soon, and everyone was looking forward to it. Of course, some people were nervous.

An elderly middle-aged man walked onto the stage with a smile on his face. He was the head of the Forest School, as the teachers were standing behind him.

"During the eight days at the Forest School, all the students worked very hard. Although the exam content was different, this was Special Exam that only comes around once every few years. Compared to the last Special Exam, the overall evaluation this time was quite good. This is the result of everyone's joint efforts."

"First, we need to announce the results for the boys' group. Although everyone worked very hard, there were some regrettable issues. The boys formed a total of eighteen groups, and one group's score was below the average, resulting in the first student dropping out. Please take note."

Upon hearing this, all the boys present were startled, and the Gymnasium instantly fell silent.

Everyone looked at each other, each fearing that their own group's name would be called out next.

Hashiba Hikaru glanced at the Second Year group; a certain blond-haired guy's face was already ashen, indicating he had expected this.

"Class 2-A."

"Miyabi Nagumo's group scored below average. We regret to inform you that the group leader will be expelled from school."

These words immediately caused an uproar among the students in the audience.

513

Chapter 513 Unexpected Events Lead to a Crushing Defeat for Nagumo.

"I'm sorry, the [person in charge] of this group will be expelled from school."

After the middle-aged man announced the exam results on the podium, Miyabi Nagumo, who was standing at the forefront of the Second Year, was shocked. He had actually expected the disastrous defeat in the [Road Relay Race], but he did not expect that he would not even reach the average score, which was far beyond his plan.

"Who? Who on earth is holding us back?!"

The blond man's eyes were bloodshot as he turned and glared fiercely at the group members behind him.

Of the fifteen people in this group, ten were his classmates, and the other four were students from other classes. However, Miyabi Nagumo believed that she had good self-control and that such a situation was impossible.

His shout immediately caused a commotion in the Second Year class.

The third-year and first-year students nearby were also very interested, because no one expected that the group led by Miyabi Nagumo, the Student Council President, would become the first loser in this exam.

"Ahem, please be quiet for a moment. If you have any questions about the exam results, you can ask the teacher who tallied the scores later. I'm sure they will give you an explanation."

The man announcing the exam results glanced coldly at Miyabi Nagumo, then raised his hand, signaling them to be quiet.

Upon hearing this, despite her extreme anger, Miyabi Nagumo forced herself to calm down and stopped acting recklessly.

After all, the teachers were standing in the back, and if he didn't follow the rules, the situation would only become more disadvantageous for him.

After the room quieted down, the man standing on the podium continued speaking.

"So, in addition to the group results, I will also announce the group with the highest overall score among the boys. I will announce the name of the third-grade leader in this group, and then the school will issue awards to the students in the three grades belonging to this group."

"First place, Class A of the Third Year, Horikita Manabu."

When the man made this announcement, the members of Hashiba Hikaru's group immediately cheered. Everyone knew that this meant that the group had achieved the greatest victory.

Meanwhile, the Second Year boys led by Kiriyama Ikuto and the third-year students led by Horikita Manabu also cheered happily. The best group in this exam had been selected.

At the same time, many students immediately thought of another matter—the bet between Miyabi Nagumo and Horikita Manabu, and his bet with Hashiba Hikaru.

The bet took place in the cafeteria, which had the highest foot traffic, and many people knew about it.

"As expected of Horikita, he actually led us to first place!"

"Amazing!"

"That first-year student is pretty amazing too, I think."

One of the Second Year students seemed to have thought of something, and his tone was somewhat meaningful.

"Yes, this is going to be his era."

"That's right."

Surrounded by the crowd, Horikita Manabu glanced at Hashiba Hikaru. The handsome young man wore a polite smile, making it impossible to discern his true feelings.

"Next up are the rankings for Group 2 and Group 3,"

The man on the podium continued, "As for the final three groups, detailed punishment results will be announced."

After the rankings of the six groups among the boys are announced, the top three groups will receive rewards, while the bottom three groups will be punished. This is a rule that was explained from the beginning, and everyone is well aware of it.

"It seems I've won, Senior Nagumo."

After the results were announced, Hashiba Hikaru walked alone to the Second Year students, with Horikita Manabu following behind him.

"You have to accept the consequences of your bet, Nagumo."

Horikita Manabu pushed up his glasses. He was also somewhat surprised by the results, because Hashiba Hikaru hadn't told him the detailed plan.

"Hmph, the results for the girls' group haven't been announced yet, so don't get too excited."

Miyabi Nagumo sneered. Although his group was in last place, this blond-haired man was not the group leader; the leader was someone else.

"Is that so?"

Hashiba Hikaru raised an eyebrow and continued, "I bet Nagumo- senpai is waiting for the results of the girls' group to be announced. There might be a result you don't like."

"... What?"

Miyabi Nagumo was startled. He stared at Hashiba Hikaru's face and shouted, "What other tricks do you have up your sleeve?"

"Hehe, let's wait for the results to be announced. Don't get so excited, Senior Nagumo."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled and raised her hand to comfort the other person.

"Hey you over there, be quiet!"

The man was shouting at the students from the podium.

"OK."

Hashiba Hikaru nodded to him, then immediately shut her mouth, putting on a well-behaved act.

"You bastard..."

Miyabi Nagumo glared at him through gritted teeth, while Horikita Manabu simply shook his head and said nothing.

"Alright, the results for the boys' group have been announced. Next, we will announce the results for the girls' group."

The man glanced at the booklet in his hand, a smile appearing on his face.

"The girls' group performed better than the boys' group. Congratulations! All the girls in all groups scored above average, and no group will face the [person in charge] expulsion."

Upon hearing this, cheers and celebrations immediately filled the Gymnasium. They were all very happy because it meant that they wouldn't have to face such a crisis.

"How about it?"

After hearing the man announce the result, Hashiba Hikaru smiled and looked at Miyabi Nagumo, "Is this the result that Nagumo Jo- senpai wanted?"

"..."

The blond man's expression shifted from disbelief to rage. He stared at Hashiba Hikaru's face. "This was your doing?"

"Look at what you're saying! What does the girls' group result have to do with me? Senior Nagumo, don't make false accusations."

Hashiba Hikaru sighed softly, saying with a hint of helplessness, "More importantly, please worry about yourself, Senior Nagumo."

"What's the meaning?"