Undercurrents of the Deserted Island Test

The morning after the Midterm Exam, Tang Yu had just stepped into the classroom when he felt an unusual tension in the air. Students were gathered in small groups, whispering to one another, and from time to time, someone would cast a complex look in his direction.

[Emotion Perception: Class overall anxiety level increased by 40%]

"What happened?" Tang Yu put down his bag and asked Kushida Kikyo, who was sitting in the front row.

Kushida turned around, her long golden hair swaying gently with the movement: "Don't you know? Chabashira-sensei is going to announce the details of the special exam at the end of the month today, and everyone is guessing what it will be."

She wore a sweet smile on her face, but Tang Yu's Emotion Perception clearly "saw" the genuine irritation and impatience inside her—the pink Emotion Cloud was churning with dark gray ripples.

[Fake Friendliness from Kushida Kikyo +30]

"Thanks for letting me know." Tang Yu responded politely, while noticing Horikita Suzune in the corner of the classroom, who was flipping through a Wilderness Survival Guide all by herself.

As for Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, he was as expressionless as ever, as if he didn't care at all about the upcoming exam.

The bell rang for class, and Chabashira Sae walked into the classroom with a steady gait. Unlike usual, she was carrying a thick folder today.

"Quiet." Chabashira pushed up her glasses, and the classroom fell silent instantly. "I am now announcing the content of the special exam at the end of the month."

She pressed a remote control, and an aerial photo of an island appeared on the projection screen.

"Deserted Island Survival Test, lasting three days and two nights." Chabashira's voice was calm and clear. "The location is an uninhabited island 20 nautical miles from Tokyo Bay."

"All four classes will participate simultaneously. The final score will be based on survival quality, teamwork, and task completion, which will directly affect Class Points."

The classroom erupted into chaos immediately.

"A deserted island? We aren't the Boy Scouts!"

"Three days without a shower? You've got to be kidding me!"

"Will it be dangerous?"

After waiting for the noise to die down, Chabashira continued: "Each class needs to elect a seven-person Leadership Group responsible for formulating strategies and allocating resources. Other students must obey the arrangements of the Leadership Group. The election will be held this afternoon."

Her gaze swept across the class, lingering for a moment on Tang Yu and Ayanokoji: "This exam tests not only individual ability but also the overall cooperation of the class. Whether Class D can get off the bottom depends on your performance."

When the bell rang and Chabashira left, the classroom immediately fell into heated discussion. Hirata Yosuke stood up and clapped his hands: "Everyone, quiet down! We need to decide on the members of the Leadership Group first."

"Is there even a need to vote?" Sudo Ken shouted. "Obviously, the ones with the best grades should be in charge!"

Several students nodded in agreement, their eyes turning toward Tang Yu and Horikita Suzune in unison.

"I think the Leadership Group needs expertise in different fields," Hirata suggested gently. "Not just academic grades, but also leadership, physical strength, and crisis management skills."

[Task Trigger: Join the Leadership Group]

[Reward: Corresponding attribute points based on performance]

Tang Yu leaned back in his chair, observing the class dynamics. Getting into the Leadership Group wouldn't be difficult—not with his perfect scores on the Midterm Exam and his growing influence.

It was practically a done deal. The real challenge lay in how to establish a dominant position within the Leadership Group, especially when facing an opponent as deep and hidden as Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

"I propose we decide by vote." Kushida Kikyo raised her hand, her signature sweet smile on her face. "Everyone writes down seven names, and the seven with the most votes will form the Leadership Group."

The proposal was passed unanimously. Tang Yu wrote his own name on the ballot along with several other capable candidates, including Horikita Suzune and Hirata Yosuke.

After a moment of hesitation, he also added Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's name—rather than letting him operate in the shadows, it was better to keep him in the light where he could be monitored.

The voting results were released quickly: Hirata Yosuke, Horikita Suzune, Tang Yu, Kushida Kikyo, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, Sudo Ken, and Koenji Rokusuke were elected.

"Congratulations to you all," Chabashira-sensei announced. "The Leadership Group will stay after school today to hold a meeting and discuss exam strategies. Other students, please cooperate with the Leadership Group's arrangements."

After school, the seven-person Leadership Group gathered in an empty classroom. As the most popular class leader, Hirata naturally took on the role of moderator.

"First, we need to clarify everyone's division of labor," Hirata opened his notebook. "I suggest we assign responsibilities based on our individual strengths."

"I'll be in charge of managing the athletes," Sudo Ken announced impatiently. "I'll make sure we don't lose to other classes in physical events."

Koenji let out a yawn: "I don't have anything I particularly want to be in charge of. You guys can arrange it."

His golden hair shimmered in the sunset, and he looked completely uninterested in the exam.

Kushida raised her hand: "I can be responsible for coordinating the girls and ensuring everyone stays united."

"I will formulate the study plan and knowledge-based tasks," Horikita Suzune said calmly, her eyes drifting toward Tang Yu as if she were evaluating his reaction.

Tang Yu smiled slightly: "I suggest adding a Strategic Planning Group responsible for overall planning and contingency. Deserted island survival isn't just a contest of physical strength and knowledge; it's a battle of strategy."

"I agree with Tang-kun's point." Ayanokoji spoke up suddenly, his voice so calm it was almost devoid of emotion. "Someone should be dedicated to studying the movements and potential strategies of our opponents."

The most silent person among the seven speaking up suddenly caught everyone off guard. Through Emotion Perception, Tang Yu discovered that Ayanokoji's Emotion Cloud was in a rare state of activity—there were undercurrents surging beneath his calm surface.

"Then, shall the Strategic Group be handled by Tang-kun and Ayanokoji-kun?" Hirata asked.

"No problem," Tang Yu agreed readily, while closely observing Ayanokoji's reaction.

Ayanokoji nodded slightly: "That works."

When the meeting reached the resource allocation stage, disagreements arose. The school allowed each class to bring limited supplies to the island, and how to allocate these precious resources became the focus of the debate.

"We should prioritize food and drinking water," Horikita insisted. "Maintaining basic survival is the most important thing."

Sudo Ken shook his head: "No way, we have to bring sports equipment! Those guys in Class C will definitely challenge us to physical events, and we can't lose!"

Kushida advocated for bringing more feminine hygiene products: "The girls' needs are very important, too."

The argument intensified, and Hirata tried to mediate, but with limited effect. Tang Yu noticed that Ayanokoji remained silent throughout, as if he were waiting for something.

"I have a proposal," Tang Yu raised his voice to cut through the bickering, "let's divide the supplies into three categories: survival essentials, strategic resources, and comfort items. We will allocate points based on priority."

He pulled out a sheet of paper and quickly drew up a table: "For example, tents and water purifiers are survival essentials, worth 5 points; fishing gear and basic medical kits are strategic resources, worth 3 points;

Extra clothing and snacks are comfort items, worth 1 point. Each person has 10 points to distribute among the different categories, and we'll tally the total scores at the end to decide what to bring."

This systematic proposal immediately gained the approval of the majority. The voting results showed that survival essentials received the highest priority, followed by strategic resources, with comfort items receiving the least.

"Wait," Horikita frowned as she looked at the results, "why are there options like 'binoculars and surveillance equipment' under strategic resources? Who voted for that?"

Tang Yu and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka raised their hands at the same time. Their gazes met in the air, and Tang Yu felt a subtle spark of electricity—this was the first time they had clearly stood on the same side.

"Understanding the opponent's movements is equally important," Tang Yu explained, "especially in a competition where resources are limited."

"I agree," Ayanokoji added, offering rare support, "information is the most powerful weapon."

Horikita still wanted to argue, but Tang Yu quietly activated his Emotion Influence ability, gently nudging the "Rational Thinking" portion of her emotion cloud.

He couldn't directly control her thoughts, but he could reinforce her existing rational tendencies.

"...Fine," Horikita's attitude softened subtly, "if we have the spare capacity."

After the meeting ended, the others left one by one, leaving only Tang Yu and Ayanokoji to organize the materials.

"You voted for the surveillance equipment?" Tang Yu asked directly, his hands never stopping their work.

Ayanokoji placed the documents into a folder: "Weren't you the one who did too?"

"I was just curious if you would vote for it," Tang Yu closed his notebook, "it seems we think alike."

Ayanokoji stopped what he was doing and looked at Tang Yu with a serious gaze for the first time: "Similar, but not the same. You seek control, while I seek observation."

This precise judgment sent a jolt through Tang Yu. Ayanokoji had truly seen through his essence—the existence of the Emotion System made him instinctively want to control the emotions and behaviors of those around him.

"After observing for so long, it's hard not to want to step into the game," Tang Yu countered, "like this time, you volunteered to join the strategy group; that's not your style."

The corners of Ayanokoji's mouth lifted imperceptibly: "Changing the rhythm occasionally isn't bad. Especially when encountering an opponent worth paying attention to."

[Interest from Ayanokoji Kiyotaka +200]

[Emotion Points exceeded 8000, unlocked "Emotion Suggestion" ability (Beginner)]

This notification brought a surge of joy to Tang Yu. The newly unlocked Emotion Suggestion was even more powerful than the previous Emotion Influence, allowing him to plant simple emotional tendencies without alerting the other party.

"We'll see the truth on the Deserted Island Test," Tang Yu reached out his hand.

Ayanokoji looked at his hand, hesitated for a rare moment, and finally reached out to shake it: "I look forward to your performance."

Their hands touched and parted, but in that moment, Tang Yu felt that an invisible challenge had been issued. The special test was no longer just a competition between classes; it was the first direct confrontation between him and Ayanokoji.

When he walked out of the school gate, the sun had already set. Tang Yu noticed Horikita Suzune standing at the entrance, seemingly waiting for someone.

"Waiting for me?" Tang Yu walked over and asked.

Horikita turned around, her black hair fluttering gently in the evening breeze: "About the study plan... I need your opinion."

This was the first time Horikita had proactively sought his help. Tang Yu was a bit surprised, but he quickly understood—the crushing defeat in the Midterm Exam and their joint study sessions during this period had already shaken Horikita's habitual hostility toward him.

"Want to talk while we walk?" Tang Yu proposed.

The two walked side by side along the Cherry Blossom Path, and Horikita took out a list: "I've listed the knowledge areas that might be useful on the deserted island, but I'm not sure about the priorities."

Tang Yu glanced at the list; it was detailed but lacked systematic structure: "It's too scattered. We should focus on three cores: wilderness first aid, edible plant identification, and simple tool making."

He took the pen and began marking up the list: "Turn these into flashcards and distribute them to each group. Rote memorization is not as good as practical skills."

Horikita took notes seriously, then suddenly asked: "Why are you helping me?"

Tang Yu stopped walking and looked into her eyes: "I told you, Class D needs more high-scoring students."

"No, it's not just that," Horikita's gaze was sharp, "you and Ayanokoji... neither of you is simple. What are you two planning for this test?"

Tang Yu was secretly surprised by Horikita's keenness. He considered for a moment and decided to be partially honest: "Ayanokoji is better at hiding than I am, but he has his own goals. As for me... I just want to prove a few things."

"Prove what?"

"Prove that emotion and rationality are equally important," Tang Yu answered half-truthfully, "just like the Midterm Exam; you didn't lose because you weren't smart enough, but because your emotions affected your performance."

Horikita was silent for a moment, seemingly digesting the answer. Tang Yu took the opportunity to activate his newly unlocked Emotion Suggestion ability, planting a trace of trust in himself within her heart—not to change her thoughts, but to reinforce the positive impression she already had.

"I... understand," Horikita finally said, her tone much softer than usual, "see you in the library tomorrow? To continue our study session."

"Of course," Tang Yu smiled.

After parting ways, Tang Yu checked his system status:

[Current Emotion Points: 8320/10000]

[Next Stage Goal: 10000 points to unlock "Emotion Resonance" ability]

He took a deep breath, feeling the cool air of dusk. The Deserted Island Test would be a tough battle; he would not only have to face competition from other classes but also deal with Ayanokoji's behind-the-scenes maneuvers. But this was also an excellent opportunity to collect Emotion Points and demonstrate his strength.

Turning the corner, Tang Yu suddenly stopped. A strange man was standing under a street lamp, speaking in a low voice into his phone.

The man was wearing casual clothes, but his posture was upright, clearly having received professional training. Even more suspicious was that when Tang Yu passed by, his gaze immediately followed him, then he pretended to look away as if nothing had happened.

Tang Yu continued walking without changing his expression, while simultaneously activating Emotion Perception. The emotion cloud above the man's head showed a deep green of vigilance—surveillance and assessment.

"Someone from the School Administration? Or someone sent by another class?" Tang Yu speculated to himself. Regardless of the situation, it meant that he had already attracted the attention of certain forces.

Returning to his dormitory, Tang Yu opened his laptop and began to study various survival techniques for the Deserted Island Test in detail.

At the same time, he built a database to organize the strengths and weaknesses of every student in Class D. To win this test, he had to fully utilize every ounce of the class's potential.

"Especially those overlooked talents..." Tang Yu muttered to himself, thinking of several Class D students from the original story who only revealed their value later on.

Outside the window, moonlight spilled over the quiet streets. Tang Yu stood before the window, gazing at the blurred coastline in the distance. The Deserted Island Test in three days would be a crucial step for him in this Meritocratic World.

"Ayanokoji, let me see your true strength," Tang Yu said softly, his eyes flickering with a glimmer of anticipation.

[Special Alert: Increased attention from multiple factions detected]

[School Administration attention: 40%]

[Class C attention: 25%]

[Ayanokoji Kiyotaka attention: 85%]

As the system prompts flickered in his field of vision, Tang Yu knew that he was stepping, one step at a time, into the center of this world's vortex. And the Deserted Island Test would be the true beginning of this game.