Sakayanagi and Ishizaki

"Yes, risks and opportunities always coexist.

Like chess—sometimes, a seemingly insignificant idle move can determine victory or defeat when placed at the very end of the game.

In an environment like the Uninhabited Island, does Kanzaki think the steady, step-by-step 'orthodox' approach is better, or is the unexpected 'unorthodox' approach more effective?" Sakayanagi Arisu gently turned a page, her tone as relaxed as ever.

She appeared to be discussing strategy, but Yuefeng heard a deeper probe beneath her words.

She was testing Class B's overall strategic inclinations, and she was also testing Ryuji Kanzaki himself.

Ryuji Kanzaki was silent for a moment before slowly replying, "That depends on the leader's judgment of the situation and the team's ability to execute. There is no absolute 'orthodox' or 'unorthodox' approach—only whether it is 'suitable.'"

It was a very official answer. It revealed neither Class B's hidden cards nor failed to demonstrate his own thinking.

Sakayanagi Arisu did not seem surprised by the answer. She smiled and did not pursue the subject, instead shifting to something else.

But Yuefeng knew that this seemingly chance "small talk" had already contained more than enough information.

Sakayanagi Arisu truly had no intention of sitting still. She had already begun to act, and her target was one of Class B's core strategists.

Yuefeng quietly stepped back without disturbing them. Sakayanagi Arisu's reach had already begun to spread. What about Ryuen, then?

And Katsuragi? Horikita and Hirata? And Kiyotaka... what was he plotting at this moment?

After leaving the Old Book Section, Yuefeng felt even heavier.

The Uninhabited Island Exam was not merely a test of survival skills. It was a comprehensive contest of intellect, temperament, leadership, and teamwork.

And could Class C, under Ryuen's dictatorial rule, truly survive this contest—or even win it?

He walked to a library window and looked toward the faintly visible coastline in the distance.

The isolated island a hundred nautical miles away was only a vague outline beneath the sunlight right now, but before long, it would become the stage where everyone competed.

The storm was coming.

And in the final five days before it arrived, he had to make every preparation he could.

Physical fitness, knowledge, interpretation of the rules, observation of the other classes' movements, prediction of Ryuen's possible strategies, and shoring up his own weaknesses.

Yuefeng clenched the notebook in his hand.

Five days.

Time was tight.

He turned and left the library.

Five days passed in the blink of an eye amid the intense preparations.

The campus was filled with a strange atmosphere, a mixture of anxiety, excitement, and the bustle before departure.

Within Class C, Ryuen's "unified command" created a bizarre state of outward tension and inward looseness.

On the surface, Ishizaki led his physically inclined lackeys in distributing the basic survival toolkits issued by the school according to Ryuen's rough instructions, loudly shouting out assembly times and discipline requirements.

But in reality, Ryuen revealed nothing about specific action plans, resource allocation strategies, or emergency measures. He merely maintained surface-level obedience through cold stares and occasional threats.

Under Ibuki Mio's guidance, Hiyori Shiina crammed some basic physical training and wilderness knowledge.

Though the results were limited, it at least gave her a little more confidence when facing the unknown.

She occasionally came to Yuefeng, and the two exchanged their interpretations of the rules as well as scattered information gathered from other sources.

Hiyori Shiina's logical analytical ability came into play at times like this. She could help Yuefeng sort through hidden traps in the rules and possible ways to earn points.

Yuefeng himself devoted most of his energy to strengthening his physical fitness and adaptive training for his "Slow Motion" ability. He tried moving quickly through simulated complex terrain, climbing, and finding cover.

And he used "Slow Motion" to anticipate "danger."

He discovered that when he was highly focused and imagining himself under a "threat to survival," "Slow Motion" seemed to trigger more consistently and last slightly longer.

But it also consumed more. He had to find a balance between cost and reward.

Class A's Katsuragi seemed to have organized several internal meetings, emphasizing discipline and teamwork with a steady, cautious approach.

Ichinose of Class B, wearing her signature warm smile, encouraged everyone to help one another in the public discussion area. She shared quite a few practical wilderness survival tips and earned plenty of goodwill.

Class D's discussions seemed more chaotic, with Horikita Suzune's sharp criticism and advice, Hirata Yosuke's patient mediation and reassurance, and impatient complaints from people like Sudo Ken.

And Kiyotaka Ayanokoji... as always, he made no public statements at all, as if he were invisible.

Sakayanagi Arisu was silent as well, but Yuefeng knew from that "chance encounter" in the library that beneath her silence lay a deeper plan that had already begun.

The day of departure finally arrived.

At dawn, while the sky was only beginning to brighten, the docks were already bustling with voices. A massive white cruise ship was moored by the shore, particularly eye-catching amid the morning mist.

Several hundred first-year students, burdened with bags of every size, stood in lines by class sections and waited to board under the teachers' direction.

The air was filled with the salty tang of seawater, the roar of engines, and the barely restrained excitement and unease of the boys and girls.

Class C's students gathered in their designated area. Ryuen stood at the very front with his hands in his pockets, staring expressionlessly at the cruise ship. It was impossible to tell whether he was pleased or displeased.

Ishizaki stood half a step behind him, chest puffed out as he tried to assume the air of a "second-in-command." Yet whenever his gaze passed over Yuefeng, he still instinctively looked away.

Hiyori Shiina stood beside Yuefeng, clutching her backpack tightly. Her face was a little pale.

Ibuki Mio stood a little farther away with her arms folded, coldly observing their surroundings.

Yuefeng's gaze swept across the other classes. In Class A's area, Katsuragi Kohei was loudly calling roll, and the formation was neat and solemn.