The End of the Special Exam

Meanwhile, inside dormitory 528.

Horikita Etsuka, Ichinose, Kanzaki, and the others were holding fruit juices and drinking.

Kanzaki spoke first:

"Horikita, is there a reason you called us here today?"

Ichinose blinked, looking equally puzzled.

"I'm here to summarize the intelligence," Etsuka said, taking a notebook and pen from the desk to start drafting notes:

"The information currently exposed by Class A points to keywords like [Justice] and [Order]. While I can't be entirely certain, the probability of it being [Justice] is far greater than [Order]."

"That is true," Ichinose nodded thoughtfully:

"After all, Classmate Sakayanagi admitted it herself. Although we can't rule out the possibility that she's trying to mislead us, the chance of [Justice] being the keyword is quite high."

"Next is Class C..." Horikita Etsuka wrote the words 'Class C' on his draft paper.

"Wait, our rival class is Class A, right? Why are we discussing Class C?" Kanzaki continued, looking somewhat confused: "Besides, we haven't had any contact with Class C, and we don't have any intelligence on them, do we?"

Ichinose's expression also held confusion, but she didn't ask; she simply thought for a moment, and a look of surprise immediately flashed in her eyes.

Horikita Etsuka turned his head to meet Ichinose's gaze, and he smiled:

"That's right, Ichinose. Just as you thought, during that vacuum period when I was absent during art class, I was in Class C."

Kanzaki's expression became quite colorful, and he spoke with uncertainty:

"Horikita, you used class time to make contact with Class C—don't tell me you also managed to find out Class C's keyword?"

"That, I didn't," Horikita Etsuka shook his head honestly.

"Phew~ I see," Kanzaki nodded, finally relieved.

After all, if Etsuka had managed to find out the keyword while contacting Class C, it would have been truly absurd.

Not only was he fishing for information during class time in Class A and Class D, but he also used the excuse of going to the restroom to get information during Class C and Class D's physical education classes.

He was truly a master of time management; if he had actually obtained Class C's keyword, he would basically be carrying the entire game by himself.

Just as Kanzaki was about to ask what kind of intelligence he had gathered in Class C, Etsuka spoke up:

"However... I did obtain Class C's keyword after class, and I'm 80% sure of it."

Etsuka's words caused Kanzaki's question to get stuck in his throat, and he then looked at Etsuka with a strange expression, as if looking at a monster.

Etsuka waved his hand modestly:

"You don't have to look at me like that, Kanzaki. It was all just good luck."

Ichinose tilted her head, her eyes filled with slight surprise: "You really are humble, Horikita, attributing everything to good luck."

Although she was also somewhat shocked that Etsuka had grasped Class C's keyword, she was far less surprised than Kanzaki, as in her heart, it didn't seem strange for Etsuka to be able to master it.

"Actually, this matter was quite coincidental. I caught someone from Class C in a compromising position, which is why I can guarantee the accuracy of the keyword."

Etsuka didn't mention a word about the bullying of Karuizawa, brushing past it directly; after all, no one would want more people to know about that, right?

"So... what is Class C's keyword?" Kanzaki asked with a hint of curiosity.

Etsuka used his ballpoint pen to write two words in the Class C column of his draft paper—[Conquest].

"[Conquest]? That certainly fits Ryuen's style," Ichinose nodded in agreement.

Kanzaki stroked his chin and nodded:

"Even though this keyword sounds very chuunibyou, the accuracy rate is indeed very high."

"Right. After I learned this keyword, I fished for information from a few people in Class C, and the general direction was indeed the meaning of [Conquest]."

As for why he didn't try to calibrate the information by fishing for answers from half of Class C:

First, it would alert the enemy. Ryuen would likely realize that he already knew the keyword and might have others unify under a different keyword to confuse him, or use the rules to reveal the keyword himself and self-destruct.

Second, it is truly exhausting. It is not easy to fish for information from people who are on guard.

Only those with a natural sense of approachability could succeed, such as Ichinose, Kushida, and the others.

Otherwise, if someone like his older sister Suzune were to go and fish for information with a stern face, there would be no possibility of success; the other party might even increase their vigilance.

"So, Horikita, did you call us here to tell us Class C's keyword?" Ichinose asked.

Etsuka raised an eyebrow and turned to look at Ichinose: "Of course not. I wanted to discuss with you whether we should withdraw at this time."

"Withdraw?" Not only Kanzaki, but even Ichinose frowned in thought.

They were all smart people, and their minds turned extremely fast.

Now that there was a high probability of confirming Class C's keyword, the rules were very clear: as long as the spy answers with the keyword, the class's exam ends immediately, and they enter summer vacation.

There were a few benefits to this.

First: They could stably obtain 100 Class Points.

Second: If they entered summer vacation directly, the chances of Class A making contact with Class B would become few and far between. They would have to find their own opportunities to approach Class B, and in that case, anyone would be on guard against someone approaching them with personal motives, right?

It could be said that in this way, the keyword would almost certainly not be leaked.

As for the downsides, there are a few.

First: There is a possibility that the key is fake, which would result in a deduction of 100 Class Points, though the probability is very low.

Second: It is impossible to gain additional Class Points.

Therefore, whether it is the benefits or the drawbacks, they share a common characteristic: they reduce contact between all classes and the people of Class B, thereby reducing the risk of the key being exposed.

One must know that as long as the key remains unknown, it will add 100 Class Points.

So, even if the key provided by Manabe is fake, as long as we protect our own class's key, the Class Points will not change.

From this perspective, submitting the key now is almost the best decision.

Yuexia watched the two deep in thought, spinning a ballpoint pen between his fingers: "So, what is your opinion?"

"Horikita, I think submitting it now is quite good. After all, it's safer, and the extra time can be used for class activities, which can be considered a reward for everyone's hard work recently."

Ichinose was very much in agreement. In her view, there was no significant risk, and it could yield a considerable return, so it couldn't be more appropriate.

Yuexia nodded and looked at Kanzaki.

Kanzaki Ryuji simply said: "Horikita, you decide. I'll listen to you; after all, you've put in the most effort."

"Alright." Seeing that the two had no objections, Yuexia took out his Student Terminal right in front of them, opened the anonymous system, and prepared to submit the final answer.

[Please enter the keys for each class]

Class A:

Class C:

Class D:

Ignoring the other classes, he filled in [Conquer] directly in the column for Class C.

Almost at the same time, notification pings sounded for all three of them.

Notice to all students and faculty:

[The Class B spy has completed the key submission. The exam ends immediately. Summer vacation begins. We wish all students and faculty a happy summer break.]

Inside a dormitory, Sakayanagi sat quietly at her desk reading a book. When the notification pinged, she opened her Student Terminal and carefully scanned every word.

Hmm? Did Class B submit the key for Justice?

Sakayanagi shook her head. She recalled Yuexia's tendency to play by his own rules, and this feeling made her brow furrow slightly.

Things that cannot be controlled are indeed quite annoying.

Following that, she remained expressionless, simply putting down the Student Terminal and continuing to read her book, as if nothing had happened.

Dunhuang KTV.

Ryuen sat with his legs crossed, his brow furrowing slightly as he looked at his Student Terminal.

"The key for Class A has been leaked? Interesting..."

He then scrolled down the screen, frowning slightly as he looked at the key sent by Manabe.

Manabe Shiho: "The key for Class D is [Ryuen Big Bastard]."

"How ridiculous. Do those guys in Class D think they can provoke me with this?" Ryuen muttered to himself.

"[Ryuen Big Bastard]... how amusing."

Thinking this, he opened the anonymous system and posted a message.

User 429: "Scum of Class D, haven't you found our key yet? I'm about to submit it."

Afterward, Ryuen tossed his Student Terminal to the other end of the sofa.

He cradled his head in his hands and lay back on the sofa.

"Next, I'll just have to see how those guys in Class D react."

Ps: Ahem! Could everyone please give me some free "Power for Love" support? The author wants to experience the feeling of earning 5 yuan a day (◦˙▽˙◦)

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