On the final morning of the deserted island test, Tang Yu was jolted awake by hurried footsteps. He got up quickly and saw Hirata Yosuke standing outside the tent, his expression grave.
"Class C raided our Supply Warehouse!" Hirata lowered his voice. "They stole most of our reserve food and mission items, including the special equipment Chabashira-sensei gave us."
Tang Yu was instantly alert. "When did it happen?"
"Around four in the morning. Kushida was on watch, but they lured her away. By the time we noticed, it was too late." Hirata clenched his fists. "Ryuen left a message... He said he'd 'completely destroy Class D' in the Class Competition before we returned."
The Class Competition was the final event of the Deserted Island Test. The four classes would each send a representative to compete in a physical contest, and the winner would earn an extra 100 points for their class. Clearly, Ryuen planned to use the opportunity to further crush Class D's morale.
Tang Yu quickly got dressed and checked his status through the system:
[Emotion Points: 22450/30000] [Stamina Recovery: 100%] [Ability Reserves: Emotion Manipulation (Beginner) Emotional Link (Lv.1) Chinese Martial Arts (Locked)]
"System, how many points does it take to unlock 'Chinese Martial Arts'?"
[Exchanging for "Shaolin Ancient Martial Arts Mastery (One Hour)" costs 10000 Emotion Points] [Includes complete routines for fist techniques, kicks, grappling, and more, with Muscle Memory implantation]
It was expensive, but these were special circumstances. Tang Yu gritted his teeth. "Exchange!"
A warm current surged through his body, and countless martial arts techniques flooded his mind. He felt a subtle change in his Muscle Memory, as though he had practiced these moves thousands of times already.
He tried a simple Opening Stance. His body naturally settled into perfect form, even adjusting his breathing rhythm automatically.
[Emotion Points: 12450/30000] [Shaolin Ancient Martial Arts Mastery activated, time remaining: 59 minutes 42 seconds]
Hirata stared in surprise at Tang Yu's suddenly transformed stance. "Have you... studied martial arts?"
"I learned a little as a kid." Tang Yu glossed over it. "What time does the competition start?"
"Ten in the morning, on the beach." Hirata was still watching the lines of muscle in Tang Yu's arms, which seemed more pronounced than usual. "We'd planned to send Sudō, but now..."
"I'll take on Ryuen." Tang Yu's voice was firm and unyielding.
At the Leadership Group Emergency Meeting, some people opposed Tang Yu's proposal.
"That's too dangerous!" Kushida Kikyo said anxiously. "Ryuen nearly hurt you yesterday."
Horikita Suzune stood nearby with a cane, calmly analyzing the situation. "If Tang Yu proposed this, he must have a reason to be confident. I've seen his fighting stance. He doesn't look like a beginner."
To Tang Yu's surprise, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka also voiced his support. "Sending Tang Yu is the best option."
After the meeting, Ayanokoji sought Tang Yu out alone. "Ryuen's condition isn't normal. He may have moved on to a stronger drug."
"I know." Tang Yu nodded. "But that's exactly why Sudō or anyone else would be even less likely to beat him."
Ayanokoji's gray eyes fixed on Tang Yu. "You've been hiding a lot. Your martial arts, your Perception Ability, those pieces of equipment that 'just happened' to appear... None of it seems like something an ordinary transfer student would have."
"Likewise." Tang Yu smiled in return. "Your powers of observation and analysis don't seem very 'ordinary student' either."
The two stared at each other for a moment. Ayanokoji was the first to look away. "Watch out for Ryuen's right hook. He usually throws it on his third move."
[Deep Curiosity from Ayanokoji Kiyotaka +300] [Current Emotion Points: 12750/30000]
At ten in the morning, students from all four classes gathered on the main beach. The School Administration had built a Simple Ring, and Chabashira-sensei and the other homeroom teachers were acting as referees.
Tang Yu noticed that Student Council Vice President Kiriyama Ikiteru was also seated among the judges. His gaze behind his glasses kept sweeping over the Class D section.
"First, I'll announce the current class rankings." Chabashira-sensei opened the scoreboard. "Class A: 325 points. Class B: 310 points. Class D: 300 points. Class C: 295 points."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Tang Yu frowned. Before the Warehouse raid last night, Class D had been fifteen points ahead of Class A. Now they were behind. The special equipment they'd lost must have been worth a lot.
"Here are the rules for today's competition," announced PE Teacher Sakagami Kazuma. "Each class will send one representative, and the match order will be decided by drawing lots. The winners advance, and the champion will earn 100 points for their class. The runner-up will earn 50."
The draw was soon complete: Class A would face Class B in the first match, and Class D would face Class C in the second. The two winners would compete for the championship.
Class A sent out the muscular Hashimoto Masayoshi, while Class B was represented by Shibata So. The match was evenly fought, but Hashimoto eventually won by a narrow margin.
"Next, Class D versus Class C!" Teacher Sakagami announced. "Representatives, please step into the ring!"
Tang Yu took off his jacket, revealing the athletic shirt beneath. His muscles, strengthened by his martial arts ability, were defined but not overdeveloped, and his whole body radiated a restrained sense of power. He climbed into the ring and saw Ryuen Kakeru already waiting there.
Compared to yesterday, Ryuen seemed even more unhinged. His eyes were bloodshot, the veins in his neck bulged, and his muscles were unnaturally swollen. He looked like a beast ready to explode at any moment!
"I didn't think you'd dare come out here yourself." Ryuen grinned viciously, his voice hoarse. "Just makes it easier to deal with you in one go."
Tang Yu didn't reply. He simply assumed a standard Opening Stance. The movement prompted quiet murmurs around the ring. No one present had ever seen such a proper Chinese martial arts stance.
"Begin!"
Ryuen charged like a wild beast, moving even faster than yesterday. But Tang Yu's martial arts instincts had already anticipated his movements. He sidestepped with ease, then brought his right hand down like a blade, striking the nerve plexus in Ryuen's neck with precision.
"Gah!" Ryuen cried out in pain and stumbled a few steps, disbelief flashing in his eyes.
Tang Yu didn't pursue him, instead holding his defensive stance. He needed the spectators to see Ryuen's abnormal condition, while also gathering more Emotion Points.
[Shock from the crowd +500] [Anger from Ryuen Kakeru +300]
"Bastard!" Ryuen roared and charged again, this time with a combination of punches. Using Shaolin Small Grappling techniques, Tang Yu effortlessly redirected each attack, using minimal force to overcome Ryuen's strength.
Even when he counterattacked, he deliberately held back, causing only slight pain without inflicting any real harm.
The scene in the ring grew increasingly bizarre. The frenzied Ryuen was like a beast out of control, while Tang Yu moved as though taking a leisurely stroll, each movement smooth and fluid, with the distinctive rhythm and beauty of traditional martial arts.
"What kind of martial art is that?"
"So cool!"
"Ryuen can't even touch him!"
Exclamations of amazement rose from the spectators. The system notifications kept refreshing:
[Amazement from the audience +800] [Current Emotion Points: 14050/30000]
A minute later, Ryuen was already panting heavily, and his drug-enhanced body was beginning to suffer the backlash. Tang Yu saw his chance and decided to bring the display to an end.
As Ryuen charged in with another punch, Tang Yu abruptly changed his moves and unleashed a complete routine of Shaolin Arhat Fist. First, "Arhat Rings the Bell" knocked Ryuen's arms apart. Then "Black Tiger Steals Heart" struck him directly in the chest. Finally, a "Whirlwind Leaf-Sweeping Kick" sent Ryuen crashing heavily to the ground.
The whole sequence flowed as one, taking less than ten seconds. Ryuen's massive body slammed to the ground. He struggled several times but couldn't get back up.
"Class D wins!" Teacher Sakagami announced in astonishment.
The entire crowd fell silent for a second, then erupted into deafening cheers. Class D's students rushed into the ring and hoisted Tang Yu high into the air. His Emotion Points notifications went wild:
[Awe from the crowd +1500] [Fear from Class C +800] [Frustration from Ryuen Kakeru +500] [Current Emotion Points: 17850/30000]
As soon as they set him down, Tang Yu noticed something unusual among the judges. Kiriyama Ikiteru had a gloomy expression and was quietly leaving his seat. Tang Yu activated Emotional Link and briefly caught Kiriyama's emotional fluctuations: anger, worry, and... an urgent desire to destroy evidence?
"Stop Student Council Vice President Kiriyama!" Tang Yu suddenly shouted. "He's involved with the drugs Ryuen was taking!"
The entire crowd fell silent at once. Kiriyama froze, his eyes narrowing to slits behind his glasses. "That's an absurd accusation. What evidence do you have?"
Tang Yu pulled a small Recording Pen from his pocket, which he had exchanged for Emotion Points the night before. "Ryuen admitted it himself."
He pressed play. Ryuen's hoarse voice came through: "...The Student Council gave me the drugs... Kiriyama said he could guarantee Class C would win..."
The recording was brief, but its contents were shocking enough. Ryuen had been carried away by Class C students after passing out, so he couldn't be confronted on the spot, but the recording had already done its job.
Kiriyama turned deathly pale. "This... This is fabricated!"
Chabashira-sensei stepped forward. "Student Council Vice President Kiriyama, please cooperate with the investigation. If this is true, it's a serious breach of school rules."
Amid the commotion, Tang Yu saw Ayanokoji Kiyotaka standing at the edge of the crowd. For once, an expression had appeared on his face—not surprise,
but a subtle smile that was almost appreciative. Their eyes met across the noisy crowd, silently conveying a sense of understanding.
[Appreciation from Ayanokoji Kiyotaka +400] [Current Emotion Points: 18250/30000]
The final competition was canceled due to the unexpected incident, and the School Administration announced that the test results would be settled based on the current scores. Since Class C was disqualified for suspected cheating, Class D ranked second with 300 points and received the 50-point runner-up reward.
On the ferry back, Class D's students gathered on deck to celebrate. They hadn't won the championship, but Tang Yu's two victories—defeating Ryuen and exposing the conspiracy—had already lifted the class's morale to unprecedented heights.
"That was incredible!" Ken Sudō slapped Tang Yu on the shoulder. "Could you teach me a few moves from that martial art?"
"Maybe, if I get the chance." Tang Yu smiled in reply, noticing Horikita Suzune walking toward him.
"Thank you." Horikita looked Tang Yu straight in the eyes, her voice sincere. "Not just for the competition, but for leading us throughout the entire test. Class D... needs a leader like you."
The students around them voiced their agreement. Tang Yu felt a wave of warmth pass through his heart. It wasn't a system notification, but a genuine sense of accomplishment.
"We all have our own roles to play." Tang Yu glanced at Ayanokoji, who stood a short distance away. "Class D needs everyone's strength if it's going to rise."
Ayanokoji seemed to notice his gaze and gave a slight nod in response. Tang Yu's Emotion Perception picked up on the complicated feelings within him: wariness, curiosity, and a hint of something hard to define... anticipation?
When the ferry docked, Chabashira-sensei stopped Tang Yu. "The School Board wants to see you. It's about the... unusual circumstances of this test."
Tang Yu's heart tightened, but he kept his composure. "All right, sensei."
As he walked toward the school gates, Tang Yu checked the system's latest status:
[Emotion Points: 18550/30000] [Next-stage objective: Unlock "Group Emotion Influence" ability] [Special Notice: School Administration attention has risen to 60%]
The Deserted Island Test was over, but the greater challenges had only just begun. The Student Council, the School Board, the other classes... every faction would be paying closer attention to this transfer student who had suddenly risen to prominence. And Tang Yu, who possessed the Emotion System, was ready to face whatever came.
He looked toward the Clock Tower at the center of campus, a confident smile curling his lips. At this school, where strength came first, he would write a legend of his own.
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