Cruise Ship, Ocean, and a Discovery Before Landing on the Island / The First Special Exam: Wilderness Survival?

Hashiba Hikaru sat upright in his seat. The boy's thinking was very smooth when answering the questions. He didn't really care about the exam. The most important thing was the Cruise Ship trip that followed.

After some prior thought, Hashiba Hikaru then shared her idea with Ichinose Honami, instructing the girl to keep an eye out for such information while working in the Student Council.

Ideally, we should find out if there's any information about the Special Exam, so Class A can prepare early.

After all, Final Exam are the most basic competitions. To truly gain more Class Evaluation Points, one must focus on Special Exam.

Only Special Exam are the real arena!

Chapter 140 Cruise Ship, The Sea, Discoveries Before Landing on the Island

Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, a giant Cruise Ship sails on the blue sea, its sturdy hull cutting through the waves, carrying its crew to their destination.

In the sweltering summer, being able to participate in such a luxurious Cruise Ship trip is undoubtedly an exciting prospect. After the first-year students boarded the deck, they first underwent a headcount and registration, then their cabin keys were distributed, and finally, they were dismissed for free time.

Having successfully passed their Final Exam, the first-year students embarked on a Luxury Cruise Ship trip organized by the school. However, this did not mean they could play without any restrictions. Roll call and attendance were still important, both to ensure the students' safety and to foster a sense of teamwork.

Aside from that, this Cruise Ship will be everyone's dream paradise for the next two weeks. According to the original itinerary, the first week the students will take a boat to Uninhabited Island and enjoy a seven-day holiday in a guesthouse on the Uninhabited Island. The second week will be spent returning to the Cruise Ship and having a wonderful week on board.

What's even more surprising is that all the facilities on this Cruise Ship are free for students, from top-notch restaurants and theaters where you can enjoy plays to various facilities including a high-end spa—all are available for free use.

The amazement lasted for less than an hour. After free time began, the students started to fully enjoy this extremely luxurious Cruise Ship trip.

Hashiba Hikaru sat on a white deck chair on the deck, with a glass of freshly made iced orange juice beside her.

This Cruise Ship trip is different from going to school, so there are no strict uniform requirements. The boy is wearing a simple white short-sleeved shirt and loose-fitting shorts, which is the proper outfit for a vacation. There's no need to restrict yourself.

He was staring at his System Panel, because today was August 1st, and the [Trading Shop] had been refreshed with brand new items.

[Trading Shop]

[Stock Analyzer: 1000]

[High-end sunglasses: 1000]

[Lucky Amulet: 20000]

[Tennis (Beginner): 100,000]

[Wilderness Survival (Master): 300,000]

[Charm:500000]

Some of the items that appeared this month are quite noteworthy, such as this Lucky Amulet worth 20,000 coins.

[Lucky Amulet]

[Wearing this item can increase the wearer's luck stat, and may lead to unexpected lucky events at certain times.]

Although the explanation is simple, it clearly conveys the uniqueness of this item. Who wouldn't hope to encounter lucky events in their life?

But just then, a soft voice came from behind Hashiba Hikaru.

"Classmate Hashiba."

A voluptuous, tall figure arrived with the sound of voices, and then quickly sat down in the chair next to the boy; it was Ichinose Honami.

The pink-haired girl smiled radiantly. She was wearing a printed short-sleeved shirt and a light blue skirt that reached her knees. She wasn't wearing stockings, so her fair skin looked as smooth as jade under the sunlight.

Ichinose Honami was wearing a pair of white sandals that were perfect for summer, making her look refreshing and pretty.

After withdrawing her gaze, Hashiba Hikaru smiled and praised, "Ichinose, your outfit today is very nice; it's perfect for a vacation."

"Hehehe, I just picked it randomly." A blush appeared on the girl's rosy cheeks, and she was clearly very happy. "When I go swimming later, I can wear the swimsuit I bought before. I can't wait!"

The day before boarding the ship, Ichinose Honami, who originally wanted to go to pick out swimsuits with Hashiba Hikaru, suddenly changed her mind and decided to save the surprise for her vacation. So she went to buy a new swimsuit by herself.

"If you want to swim, I remember there should be an indoor swimming pool on the Cruise Ship. You can go and check it out."

Hashiba Hikaru took a sip of her iced orange juice and said gently, "But I'd like to rest for a while. If Ichinose wants to go swimming, she can go with other students."

"I didn't say I was going now. Since Classmate Hashiba doesn't want to go, let's just stay here together." Ichinose Honami shook her head gently. She wasn't particularly eager to swim; she just wanted to show him her swimsuit. Since he didn't want to go, that was fine.

"What is everyone doing right now?" Hashiba Hikaru Class Ichinose, putting her hands behind her head.

Let me ask everyone.

Ichinose Honami opened her phone and asked everyone in the group about their current status.

After the boy gave them the order last time, Ichinose and Ando took the initiative to gather some information while working in the Student Council. Although they didn't get any specific information about the Special Exam, they did gain some insights into the Cruise Ship trip.

For example, every year at the end of the first semester, a Cruise Ship trip is organized for all first-year students, and the two-week vacation is a reward for them.

Another thing to do is pay more attention to your health. Getting sick could be troublesome, as it would not only prevent you from enjoying your vacation but also potentially cause trouble for your classmates.

After learning this seemingly simple information, Hashiba Hikaru called all the students in Class A to the classroom before the Cruise Ship trip began and held a simple mission briefing—the goal was to collect information about the Cruise Ship trip.

From the moment students enrolled, the school kept it a secret that there were hidden rules, so Hashiba Hikaru suspected that these regular vacation activities were probably not that simple.

Even if it turns out to be a waste of time, it's better to do some preparation than to just drift through life carelessly.

However, if something does happen, the benefits of such advance preparation will become immediately apparent.

When Hashiba Hikaru brought up the topic, although the students in the class were surprised by the boy's idea, they still agreed to the plan.

After all, everyone listened to Hashiba Hikaru's ideas. His arrangement was not to assign any heavy tasks, but simply to ask everyone to pay more attention to the condition of the Cruise Ship and its facilities while enjoying their vacation. If they found anything unusual, they were to record it and report it.

"Kanzaki, Shibata -san, and a few boys are in the recreation room on the first floor, while Ando- san and Himeno- san are in the restaurant on the third floor, and Beppu- san and Ninomiya- san are in the theater."

Ichinose Honami began reporting the students' movements to Hashiba Hikaru. The Cruise Ship had about seven or eight decks, with countless rooms and all kinds of facilities that looked very new, indicating that it was regularly maintained.

"Um."

Hashiba Hikaru looked up at the sky, where white clouds contrasted against the azure backdrop. Although he appeared relaxed, he remained tense and on edge.

It was noon, and the boy accompanied Ichinose Honami to the restaurant for lunch. Just as the two were walking out, the loudspeaker hanging on the cabin wall suddenly started playing the following message.

[Attention everyone, students, if you have time, please gather on the deck. We will soon see the island, and you will surely witness some very interesting scenery.]

Upon hearing the broadcast, Ichinose Honami turned to look at the boy beside her. Only then did she notice that Hashiba Hikaru's lips were curled into a smile, as if she had thought of something.

"Classmate Hashiba, what are you thinking about?"

"Ichinose, immediately notify everyone in the group to come to the deck. This is very important."

Instead of answering Ichinose's question directly, Hashiba Hikaru started sending messages in the class group chat on her phone.

The reason the broadcast made him laugh was because it perfectly confirmed what he had been thinking about.

If it's really just a simple vacation, why not just notify everyone to gather on the deck right before we arrive on the island?

Why tell everyone now? And what constitutes "meaningful scenery"? Does it refer to the unique topography of an island, or scenery that can only be seen from Cruise Ship?

After everyone in Class A received Hashiba Hikaru's message, almost everyone rushed to the deck immediately. Many students from other classes also arrived, and they all crowded together, gazing at the scenery ahead.

The outline of an island has already emerged on the distant horizon. I heard that this island is rented by the school and is much smaller than other islands, but it is still a huge island to humans.

When the students saw the island appear before them, they all looked excited. Ichinose Honami and Hashiba Hikaru stood together, surrounded by the other members of Class A. After confirming the distance to the island with their naked eyes, everyone's expressions were filled with excitement.

However, just when everyone thought the Cruise Ship would go directly to the island, they discovered that this was not the case.

The Cruise Ship ignored the pier at the very front and began circling the outermost edge of the island.

Upon noticing this, Hashiba Hikaru and Ichinose Honami exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes, as circling the island was not a normal travel strategy.

There is only one purpose to do this: to allow students to see the different views of the island.

"But what is the purpose of doing this...?"

As Hashiba Hikaru pondered, she carefully observed the situation on the island. Because the Cruise Ship was close enough to the island, and the boy had good eyesight, she could see all sorts of things on the island.

Meanwhile, Ichinose Honami beside her, was also intently staring at the island scenery ahead. After spending so much time with Hashiba Hikaru, the girl's expression had become much more serious.

Because this is clearly not an ordinary signal.

Several tens of minutes later, the broadcast started again.

[Dear students, we are about to arrive at the island. Please change into your sportswear in thirty minutes, and after checking your luggage and backpacks, please bring your mobile phones and gather on the deck. All other personal belongings can be left in your cabins.]

[There is currently enough time; students who need to use the restroom can do so now.]

After the broadcast ended, everyone understood that they were about to land on the island, which was now very close and where they would spend the next week.

The students quickly got to work, each with a faint hint of anticipation on their face.

"Let's go, Ichinose, it looks like we'll be landing on the island soon."

Hashiba Hikaru withdrew his gaze from the distance. After carefully observing the situation on the island, he had some guesses in his mind, but he would have to wait for the school's next arrangements to find out the specifics.

Chapter 141 The First Special Exam: Wilderness Survival?

Upon hearing the announcement, all the first-grade students returned to their rooms to pack their belongings and change into their sportswear for PE class. Although everyone felt that since it was a vacation, they should be able to wear their own clothes on the island, they decided to comply for the time being since the announcement had been made.

After all the students in Class A of the First Year had changed into their sports uniforms, Hashiba Hikaru saw Chie Hoshinomiya standing in the group of teachers, who seemed to have given her a special look.

After all the students from the four classes had assembled on the deck, the teachers in charge began giving instructions using handheld megaphones.

[Now, please disembark in order, starting with Class A. Also, cell phones are prohibited on the island; please hand them to your class advisor standing nearby before disembarking.]

Upon hearing this news, the students of Class A were the first to disembark via the steps. Chie Hoshinomiya stood to the side, carrying a bag, accepting cell phones handed to her by everyone.

After all the students had disembarked, the four classes lined up and gathered on the open beach where they landed on the island. The four class teachers stood on the other side of the beach, seemingly exchanging ideas.

In addition, a group of adults in work clothes came down from the ship and set up several tents in the shade not far away, along with various long tables and benches.

Many computers and communication devices were also being placed on their desks. Despite the fact that it was supposed to be a vacation, this strangely busy atmosphere made the students who witnessed it pay attention.

About five minutes later, Hashiba Hikaru saw her class teacher Chie Hoshinomiya, suddenly walk towards them, holding a white megaphone, ready to speak to everyone.

"Hello everyone, congratulations on successfully arriving at your destination. I am Chie Hoshinomiya teacher of Class A of the First Year. I have an announcement to make: everyone is about to face the first Special Exam of the year, and the location is right here."

Normally, Hoshinomiya gives off a very gentle vibe, but at this moment her expression is quite solemn, and her tone is much lower.

"What kind of Special Exam?"

"Hey, are you kidding me? Didn't we agree on a vacation?"

Upon hearing this, the first-year students immediately erupted into a cacophony of chatter, all wondering why a Special Exam had been announced so suddenly, without any prior warning.

Upon hearing the news, Hashiba Hikaru, who was standing at the front of the Class A of the First Year line, and Ichinose Honami, whose side was next to her, both had their expressions change.

The boy nodded, a look of "I knew it" on his face, while the girl's expression was a mixture of surprise and relief.

After all, the speculation about the Special Exam had already been raised during Hashiba Hikaru's previous class meeting. Although the students in Class A were all surprised when they heard the news about the Special Exam, they quickly turned their attention to the boy standing at the front of the line.

Hashiba Hikaru's advance prediction of a possible exam instilled a sense of security in everyone, and they all believed that with her guidance, they would be able to pass the exam smoothly.

Despite the noisy discussion among her classmates, Chie Hoshinomiya did not stop and continued speaking through the megaphone.

"This Special Exam will last for seven days, from August 1st to noon on August 7th, at which time the results will be announced."

"What you need to do is spend the next week living together on this Uninhabited Island. That's the content of this exam."

"Wait, living together on Uninhabited Island, does that mean we all have to live on the island? Are there guesthouses or hotels?"

A student immediately raised the question, and Chie Hoshinomiya responded just as quickly.

"I'm sorry, none of that applies to you. What you need to do is truly live on this island. From preparing your own food to choosing your own sleeping Matoba, everything is up to you. You are not allowed to board the ship without a valid reason. This island will be your entire activity area from now on."

Chie Hoshinomiya glanced at the student who had just asked the question and continued to add her own comment.

"Of course, the school won't let you start from scratch here. We will provide each class with two tents, two flashlights, and a box of matches. Everyone will be given a toothbrush. As for sunscreen, there is no limit. If you are worried about sunburn, you can get as much as you want."

"In addition, to accommodate the special circumstances of female students, we also allow them to use menstrual products without restriction. Students who need them can directly request them from their class advisor."

"These are all the credentials we provide for your stay here. Do you all understand?"

After the explanation of the rules was finished, the students' discussion became even more intense. None of them had expected that the exam would actually be about surviving on a real Uninhabited Island.

Moreover, judging from this description, apart from the items just mentioned, it seems that nothing else is provided, and everyone will have to handle everything themselves.

At this moment, in Class A, after the rules were revealed, everyone's reaction was quite obvious. After all, they were all teenagers, how could they possibly be willing to accept such a survival test?

Hashiba Hikaru was equally surprised. He had thought the school had arranged some kind of competition on the Uninhabited Island as part of Special Exam, and he never expected that it would be done in this way to determine the winner.

The boy's gaze involuntarily fell on the System Panel, where the [Wilderness Survival (Master)] skill, worth 300,000, seemed to shine brightly.

Could this have been intentional?

Prediction?

As he pondered, some assertive students immediately voiced their dissatisfaction with the exam, loudly questioning, "Teacher, I think this exam is a bit strange. We're just ordinary high school students, why do we have to experience survival on Uninhabited Island?"

"Yeah, we're not exactly soldiers with superhuman physical abilities going on special missions. This kind of challenge is way too difficult."