Ichinose Honami Steps Up Without Hesitation / Sakayanagi Arisu Challenged Ichinose
The students in Class A of the First Year were generally clear about the entire exam process and rules. Some of the more diligent students even wrote down the time schedule in their notebooks, while others were thinking about other things.
"Teacher, we already know the exam process. Shouldn't you announce the most crucial information next?"
Shibata looked up at Chie Hoshinomiya's face.
What does "Shibata- san" refer to?
"Of course, it's about the reward and punishment mechanism for Class Evaluation Points; that's the main focus of the Special Exam, isn't it?"
Shibata's expression was very serious. Each Special Exam would affect the Class Evaluation Points of four classes, which was the issue everyone was most concerned about.
"Haha, alright then, I'll write down everyone's current Class Evaluation Points first, and then I'll explain the specific rules to you."
Chie Hoshinomiya turned around and wrote the class rankings announced on March 1st on the blackboard. After nearly a year of exams and competitions, the gap between the classes was extremely large, with the scores of the top-ranked classes and the bottom-ranked classes being almost worlds apart.
[Class Ranking]
[Class A of the First Year: 2890]
[Class B of the First Year: 1326]
[Class C of the First Year: 582]
[Class D of the First Year: 452]
After the grade-wide Forest Joint Training Exam, Class A of the First Year scored more than twice as high as Class B, which was a terrifying advantage.
"Thanks to everyone's hard work over the past year, we have gained a significant advantage. However, please remain humble and continue to strive hard in the Special Exam."
After writing down the current class rankings, Chie Hoshinomiya began to explain the rewards and punishments for the scores in this Special Exam.
"In this exam, the reward and punishment system for Class Points is quite simple. First, winning each [item] will add 30 points to the Class Evaluation Points. If you can achieve seven consecutive wins, that's 210 points. If you have five wins and two losses, that's 90 points. The losing class will bear the cost of those points."
Does this mean the loser not only doesn't get any points, but also has to pay a certain number of evaluation points to the opposing class?
A single win or loss will affect the total margin by two times.
"To reward the winners, the school will award an extra 100 Class Evaluation Points to the winning class. That means if everyone wins, the final total Class Evaluation Points will be 310."
After hearing the explanation of the reward and punishment points, Hashiba Hikaru's gaze fell once again on the current class rankings.
Because the rules of this exam stipulate that the loser pays the Class Evaluation Points to the winner, based on the current rankings, it is unlikely that Class A and Class B will change, as the margin for error is high enough.
However, the two classes ranked at the bottom are not far apart, and in this Special Exam, any matchup in any [project] could affect the final result.
"Besides the changes in scores related to rewards and punishments, there is another crucial rule in this Special Exam, which can be considered the core of the exam. Please listen carefully."
After explaining the exam process and reward/punishment mechanism, Chie Hoshinomiya's gaze swept over the students sitting upright in the class, and she slowly explained the most important core rules of this Special Exam.
Its name is [Commander Tower]
Chapter 630 Ichinose Honami Takes the Lead
Observing the serious expression on Chie Hoshinomiya's face, Hashiba Hikaru knew that what she was about to say was the most important part of this exam.
As the final battle of the first year, how could there not be regulations regarding student withdrawal?
He was confident that his judgment was correct.
"In addition to deciding on the participants for different events, each class also needs to designate a student to act as the Commander Tower.' The student who acts as the 'Commander Tower' must coordinate all seven matches, but cannot actually participate on the field. Instead, they will act as a commander to intervene in the process of the matches."
Chie Hoshinomiya explained this rule very carefully because it was the most important part of the exam rules, and she wanted everyone to understand it.
"Students in the [Commander Tower need to have the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. You can simply think of them as supporters and captains for all students. If an unsolvable problem or an insurmountable challenge arises during the competition, students in the [Commander Tower] can intervene."
"For example, in a test-taking competition, the [Commander Tower] can think of the questions and provide the answers to the participants. In a sports event, [Commander Tower] students can become substitutes, taking the place of the participants when they encounter problems."
"Does this explanation make sense to everyone?"
Chie Hoshinomiya's explanation was quite clear, and everyone quickly understood the meaning of the [Commander Tower].
Because there are a total of seven exams, a student is needed to act as commander in order to coordinate the majority of students.
Moreover, this commander's duties are not just about issuing orders; he must intervene in every exam process and, when necessary, personally take the field to secure victory. This role must be filled by the best student in the class.
After understanding the rules, the students of Class A of the First Year couldn't help but look at Hashiba Hikaru. After all, she was the absolute ace of the class in both Written Exam and athletic ability, and everyone still remembered the scene at the Sports Festival clearly.
"In this Special Exam, each class must designate one [Commander Tower] to begin the exam; otherwise, they cannot participate. Through discussion, we believe there are many such talents in Class A."
To Hashiba Hikaru's surprise, Chie Hoshinomiya didn't look at him this time, but instead looked directly at Ichinose Honami sitting next to him.
"As students of the [Commander Tower], you will receive an extra Private Points from the school after a victory, but you will also bear the sole responsibility for any defeat."
Upon hearing this, the students in Class A seemed to have made a connection to something, and their expressions all changed.
"If the class loses, the student who serves as the [Commander Tower] must be expelled."
"..."
After the rule was announced, the students who had initially placed their hopes on Hashiba Hikaru immediately changed their stance. Although they all trusted him, in an exam where both sides had to design the competition content, any unexpected event could lead to a result that no one wanted to accept.
"Is that really the case?"
Upon hearing Chie Hoshinomiya's explanation, Hashiba Hikaru's face showed a look of understanding.
"Wait, after the last Additional Exam, didn't Ichinose receive [Protection Point]?"
Someone suddenly spoke up.
Everyone understood what he meant: it was precisely because Ichinose Honami had gained [Protection Point] that she would be safer as the [Commander Tower]. Winning would be great, but losing wouldn't matter.
"I am willing to take on the role of [Commander Tower], please trust me!"
Ichinose Honami hadn't understood why Chie Hoshinomiya was suddenly looking at her until she heard the rules of the [Commander Tower], at which point she quickly stood up from her seat.
The girl wasn't worried that Hashiba Hikaru would drop out of school, after all, she still had over 20 million Private Points.
More importantly, now that she has become the one in Class A to receive [Protection Point], she naturally wants to take the initiative to share the burden for the class at this time.
There was also a small personal motive involved: Ichinose Honami knew that her boyfriend, after becoming the Student Council President, was establishing his authority and increasing his influence at school.
In such a major year-end exam, she didn't want the other person's reputation to be tarnished in any way; they had to be the most perfect one.
"Ichinose has a lot of guts! What do you all think?"
After listening to the girl's self-recommendation, Chie Hoshinomiya smiled and asked the other students in the class.
"I think this is great. Ichinose is very capable, and she also has [Protection Point], so there's no need to worry about any accidents."
"That's right, Ichinose will definitely be able to lead our class forward!"
Everyone readily accepted the result. Even if some people felt that Hashiba Hikaru was the best, the [Commander Tower] would have to bear the risk of dropping out of school. No matter how you look at it, Ichinose Honami was the best choice.
"In that case, I'll leave it to Ichinose this time. I have faith in your abilities."
Chie Hoshinomiya was not surprised by the result at all, since even she felt it was the most appropriate choice.
For the past year, this young female teacher has been in charge of the top-ranked class, which not only gives her a sense of pride but also allows her to freely mock the homeroom teacher of Class D. She and the teacher were "friends" from their student days but also fierce rivals.
"Now that our class has chosen its [Commander Tower], please have Ichinose go to the Multipurpose Classroom after school today for a meeting. The opponents for each class will be decided there, I hear it will be done by drawing lots."
"Teacher, could you please tell me the specific method for drawing lots?"
Hashiba Hikaru raised his hand.
"The specific method is that the members of the [Commander Tower] from the four classes will draw lots to select one person with the right to choose first. After that person makes their selection, the remaining two classes will be automatically paired up."
This approach is easy to understand: the class with priority in choosing will have an advantage in this Special Exam. According to conventional thinking, choosing Class D, which ranks last, would be the consensus.
"If Ichinose draws the right lot, can our class directly choose Class D as our opponent?"
Someone asked Ichinose Honami.
"Yes, since this Special Exam tests overall strength, wouldn't our chances of winning greatly increase if we selected the class ranked last?"
"If I get the chance to win, I will definitely help everyone get the best possible benefits!"
Ichinose Honami's gaze was firm. Since it was her turn to lead the class this time, the girl had to do her best.
Staring at the other person's bright and pretty face, Hashiba Hikaru couldn't help but be a little lost in thought.
His mind flashed back to what Sakayanagi Arisu had said yesterday. She was also someone who had received the class's [Protection Point] in the previous round of Additional Exam. If nothing unexpected happened, she would definitely find an opportunity to target Ichinose Honami this time.
What exactly will happen depends on the specific exam process.
Hopefully, nothing goes wrong.
The boy prayed silently in his heart.
Chapter 631 Sakayanagi Arisu issues a challenge to Ichinose.
Unlike the mild atmosphere in Class A, the atmosphere in Class B, which was just a wall away, was very strange. Everyone's focus was not on the current Special Exam rules, but on a special person.
That was the core of the faction that now controlled more than half of the students— Sakayanagi Arisu. This silver-haired girl with an elfin appearance walked into the classroom this morning without a cane, but instead walked steadily to her seat, which sparked a heated discussion among everyone.
Even the usually composed and cautious Katsuragi Kohei was speechless with astonishment, because Sakayanagi Arisu's health problems hadn't been a recent development. She usually needed a cane to move around, but today she walked to her seat perfectly normally. Judging from her appearance during the break, she had clearly recovered.
What kind of medical miracle is this?
"Don't be too surprised, everyone. Isn't it a good thing that my health is improving? It will allow me to lead you to victory even better in the future."
Sakayanagi Arisu placed her fair hands on the hem of her skirt on her thigh. This unprecedented feeling of ease made the girl feel very good. She knew that all of this was because of Hashiba Hikaru, but it was not convenient to go to him now. The silver-haired girl decided to prepare a surprise for him.
"Indeed, it's a miracle!"
"That's right. If Classmate Sakayanagi's health returns to normal, will she be able to participate in sports activities in the future?"
"It will probably take some time to get used to this, so there's no need to rush."
Sakayanagi Arisu waved her hand gently.
When she woke up this morning, she experienced something completely different from before. Not only did the pressure on her heart disappear, but she also felt much lighter and more agile, as if she had been reborn.
"Since Classmate Sakayanagi's health has improved, then this time the [Commander Tower] duty is definitely yours, after all, you were the one who got the [Protection Point] last time."
The members of the Sakayanagi Faction completely disregarded the suggestion from the Katsuragi Faction, which now only had a few members left, and made the decision to form Class B as if it were a declaration.
"I will work hard, please don't worry."
Sakayanagi Arisu glanced at Katsuragi Kohei, who stood expressionless in the distance. After being hit several times in a row, this upright faction leader became even more silent, and he did not make any statement during the announcement of the rules for this Special Exam.
"Since it's decided that it will be Sakayanagi, please go to the multipurpose classroom to draw lots after school."
Teacher Mashima of Class B of the First Year, spoke calmly.
As a conscientious and responsible teacher, he was quite happy for Sakayanagi Arisu when he saw that her health had returned to normal.
"Understood."
Sakayanagi Arisu. She guessed that the [Commander Tower] of Class A of the First Year would be Ichinose Honami; it was a woman's intuition.
The day's classes ended quickly. Since the opposing class would be decided today, Hashiba Hikaru didn't go straight to the Student Council. Instead, she planned to wait for her girlfriend to finish the draw.
After the school bell rang, the students in Class A of the First Year all stayed in the classroom very conscientiously. They all shared the same thought as the boy: to find out the result before they were dismissed.
"Ichinose, I hope you get a great result."
"That's right, that's right. If you get drawn, you absolutely must choose Class D first!"
"Uh-huh."
Ichinose Honami and her boyfriend exchanged a glance. She knew that her battleground was about to begin, and she wanted to draw strength from Hashiba Hikaru.
"Come on!"
"Okay, I'll go draw lots now."
Together with Chie Hoshinomiya, they walked to the floor of the multi-purpose classroom located in the special teaching building. The pink-haired girl took a deep breath and slowly pushed open the classroom door.
Upon opening the door, the first people to be seen were the homeroom teachers of Class C and Class D, followed by two students standing next to them. The thoughts of each class were basically the same: in this Special Exam, the [Commander Tower] of both Class C and Class D were the students who obtained [Protection Point] from their classes.
Class C of the First Year has Shiina Hiyori, Class D of the First Year has Kushida Kikyo, and with the newly arrived Class A of the First Year's Ichinose Honami, all three [Commander Tower] members here are girls.
"Good afternoon, Ichinose."
As the most popular student in the first year, Kushida Kikyo took the initiative to greet her.
"Kushida... Good afternoon."