Eve of the Uninhabited Island Exam

"Quiet!" Kazuma Sakagami raised his voice, suppressing the noise in the classroom.

His expression was stern as his gaze swept over the students whispering among themselves, until the classroom fell silent once more.

"This is not a field trip, nor is it an ordinary extracurricular activity.

This is a serious, comprehensive assessment of your abilities. The results will directly count toward this semester's overall class evaluation and affect the distribution of a massive number of points.

Classes and individuals who perform exceptionally will receive generous rewards. Those who perform poorly, violate the rules, or undermine teamwork will face severe punishment.

This includes, but is not limited to, the deduction of substantial Class Points and Personal Points, or even... expulsion." Kazuma Sakagami stressed each word.

The words "expulsion" were like ice water poured over their heads. Many students who had still been excited moments ago instantly went pale, and the classroom fell into dead silence again, broken only by stifled breathing.

"The detailed documents concerning the exam rules, supply allocations, safety guidelines, and reward-and-punishment regulations will be sent to each student's terminal shortly and posted on the bulletin board.

From now on, each class has five days to prepare, including but not limited to forming teams, devising strategies, assigning responsibilities, and familiarizing yourselves with the rules.

Next Monday morning, all first-year students will assemble at the dock and take a boat together to the exam site." Kazuma Sakagami's tone returned to normal, but his words carried no less weight.

He swept his gaze across the classroom again, lingering briefly on several students who were usually more active or troublesome.

Finally, seemingly by accident, his eyes passed over Ryuen Kakeru by the window in the back row, as well as Yuefeng, who sat in the middle of the classroom with a grave expression.

"This exam will comprehensively test your individual survival skills, teamwork, strategic planning, and mental resilience.

I hope every student in Class C will take it seriously, prepare actively, and demonstrate the standard expected of you.

The remaining time today is yours to discuss and prepare on your own.

If you have any questions about the rules, consult the files on your terminals or come to my office. Class dismissed." Kazuma Sakagami closed his folder after speaking.

Without another word, he picked up the folder, turned, and walked out of the classroom.

Yet the usual noise that followed the end of class did not erupt immediately.

Most of the students were still reeling from the shock of the "Uninhabited Island Exam," their expressions varied as they whispered among themselves.

"Expulsion... that's terrifying..."

"We have to stay on an island for a week? What are we supposed to eat? Where are we supposed to sleep?"

"Class competition? How are we supposed to compete?"

"I heard the point rewards are huge! If we can win..."

Yuefeng took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

He immediately opened his terminal. Sure enough, a document labeled "Urgent—First-Year Uninhabited Island Special Exam Implementation Rules" had already been sent to him.

He began skimming through it at once.

The contents of the document were extraordinarily detailed—and extraordinarily brutal.

The exam would take place on an Uninhabited Island of roughly one square kilometer. The island was divided into several zones and had fresh water sources.

However, food and most daily necessities had to be acquired independently or earned by completing specific tasks.

The school would provide a basic survival kit and a small amount of initial supplies.

Classes could cooperate or compete with one another. They could even gain advantages or strike at their opponents by "occupying" designated strongholds.

Leaders were granted special authority, but they also bore greater responsibility. Should their class fail or make a serious mistake, the leader might face the harshest punishment...

Behind every rule lay countless strategic choices and tests of human nature.

Just as Yuefeng was fully absorbed in studying the rules, a series of heavy footsteps, charged with suppressed excitement, came from the back of the classroom.

Ryuen Kakeru rose from his seat.

He did not speak immediately. Instead, he slowly strode to the front of the podium with the bearing of a predator inspecting its territory, then turned around with his back to the blackboard and faced the entire class.

The classroom instantly became so quiet that a pin could have been heard dropping. Everyone looked at Ryuen, waiting for his "orders."

Ryuen's gaze slowly swept across the students below. His eyes were cold and sharp, filled with undisguised desire for control.

A cold, almost cruel curve lifted at the corner of his mouth.

"You all heard it?" Ryuen spoke softly, but his voice scraped across everyone's hearts like a dull blade. "Uninhabited island. Exam. Expulsion."

He paused, as if savoring the fear those words brought.

"Scared?" He sneered. "Good. You should be.

In a place like this, fear keeps people clear-headed. It lets them know who they should listen to."

He took two steps forward, bracing both hands against the edge of the podium and leaning in. His gaze pressed down on the students in the front row as though it had physical weight.

"This exam is an opportunity for Class C. A huge opportunity.

If we win, we'll get a massive amount of points, leave those trash from Class D far behind, and maybe even show those self-righteous bastards in Class A and Class B what we're made of!" Ryuen's voice carried a feverish excitement.

"But!" His tone abruptly shifted, and his eyes turned icy. "If we lose, or if someone holds us back and ruins things for me..." He did not finish, but the coldness in his eyes said everything.

"From today onward, every action taken by Class C will be under my command.

Team assignments, supply distribution, tactical strategy—everything will follow my arrangements.

No one is allowed to act on their own without my permission. No one is allowed to contact other classes in private. And no one is allowed to... hold us back." Ryuen straightened up and declared it in a tone that allowed no objection.

His gaze once again passed, intentionally or not, over Yuefeng, Hiyori Shiina nearby, Ibuki Mio, and the others.

"Ishizaki." Ryuen called out.

"Here, boss!" Ishizaki immediately stood up. Though his expression was still a little unnatural, his tone was full of submission.

"You'll take a few people and handle physical labor, transporting supplies, and 'outer perimeter watch.' I'll give you the specific list later," Ryuen ordered.

"Understood!"

"The rest of you, look through your terminals and learn the rules. If you have ideas, bring them up, but whether I use them is up to me.

Dismissed. Go do what you need to do. Remember, if anyone dares to let me down during the exam..." Ryuen said at last, then waved his hand.

He did not continue, but that cold smile was more powerful than any threat.

As though granted amnesty, the students rose one after another. Yet they moved lightly, speaking in hushed voices as they left the classroom. The air was thick with a stifling tension, as if invisible hands had closed around everyone's throats.

Yuefeng remained seated, not moving right away.

He watched Ryuen leave the classroom, surrounded by Ishizaki and the others.

Then he looked at Hiyori Shiina beside him, whose face had gone slightly pale as she watched him with concern, and at Ibuki Mio not far away, whose face remained expressionless but whose eyes were sharp.

The shadow of the Uninhabited Island had already fallen over them.

This was not merely an exam of survival and competition.

It was also a dangerous struggle in which, beneath Ryuen's absolute need for control and amid the hidden contest between various forces, he would have to tread carefully at every step just to survive.