A week after the Midterm Exam, Tang Yu had just stepped into the classroom when he sensed an unusual tension in the air. The students had gathered in small groups, whispering among themselves, and every so often someone cast him a complicated look.
[Emotion Perception: Overall class anxiety has risen by 40%]
"What's going on?" Tang Yu set down his bag and asked Kushida Kikyo, who sat in the row ahead.
Kushida turned around, her long golden hair swaying gently with the movement. "You haven't heard? Chabashira-sensei is announcing the details of this month's special test today. Everyone's guessing what it'll be."
She wore a sweet smile, but Tang Yu's Emotion Perception clearly "saw" the irritation and impatience she truly felt. Dark gray ripples churned beneath the pink surface of her Emotion Cloud.
[Fake Friendliness from Kushida Kikyo +30]
"Thanks for letting me know." Tang Yu replied politely, then noticed Horikita Suzune in the far corner of the classroom, reading a Wilderness Survival Guide by herself.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, meanwhile, wore his usual expressionless face, as if he couldn't care less about the test ahead.
The bell rang, and Chabashira Sae strode into the classroom with steady steps. Unlike usual, she carried a thick folder.
"Quiet." Chabashira adjusted her glasses, and the classroom fell silent at once. "I'm announcing the details of this month's special test."
She pressed the remote, and an aerial photograph of an island appeared on the projection screen.
"Deserted Island Survival Test. Three days and two nights." Chabashira's voice was calm and clear. "The location is an uninhabited island twenty nautical miles from Tokyo Bay.
"All four classes will participate at the same time. You'll be scored based on your quality of survival, teamwork, and task completion. The results will directly affect your Class Points."
The classroom immediately erupted.
"An island? We're not the Boy Scouts!"
"Three days without a shower? You've got to be kidding!"
"Could it be dangerous?"
Chabashira waited for the noise to die down before continuing. "Each class must choose a seven-person Leadership Group to devise strategies and allocate resources. The rest of the students must follow the group's instructions. The election will take place this afternoon."
Her gaze swept across the class, lingering a moment longer on Tang Yu and Ayanokoji. "This test will challenge not only individual ability but also the class's overall teamwork. Whether Class D can escape last place depends on how you perform."
When the bell rang, Chabashira left, and the classroom immediately plunged into heated discussion. Hirata Yosuke stood and clapped his hands. "Everyone, quiet down! We need to decide who'll be in the Leadership Group."
"Do we really need to vote?" Ken Sudō shouted. "Obviously, the top students should be in!"
Several students nodded in agreement, their gazes turning in unison toward Tang Yu and Horikita Suzune.
"I think the Leadership Group needs people with different areas of expertise," Hirata suggested gently. "Not just academic ability, but leadership, physical strength, and the ability to handle a crisis."
[Task triggered: Join the Leadership Group] [Reward: Attribute points awarded according to performance]
Tang Yu leaned back in his chair, watching the class dynamics. Getting into the Leadership Group wouldn't be difficult, given his perfect score in all subjects on the Midterm Exam and his growing influence.
It was practically a sure thing. The real challenge was establishing himself as the leading force within the group, especially with the inscrutable Ayanokoji Kiyotaka as a rival.
"I suggest we decide by vote." Kushida Kikyo raised her hand, her trademark sweet smile on her face. "Everyone writes down seven names, and the seven people with the most votes form the Leadership Group."
The proposal won unanimous approval. Tang Yu wrote his own name on the ballot, along with several other strong candidates, including Horikita Suzune and Hirata Yosuke.
After a moment's hesitation, he added Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's name as well. Better to keep him in the open where he could be watched than let him work in the shadows.
The results came in quickly. Hirata Yosuke, Horikita Suzune, Tang Yu, Kushida Kikyo, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, Ken Sudō, and Koenji Rokusuke were elected.
"Congratulations, everyone," Chabashira-sensei announced. "The Leadership Group will stay after school today to discuss strategies for the test. The rest of you, please cooperate with their arrangements."
After school, the seven members of the Leadership Group gathered in an empty classroom. As the class's most popular leader, Hirata naturally took charge of the meeting.
"First, we need to clarify everyone's responsibilities." Hirata opened his notebook. "I suggest assigning duties according to each person's strengths."
"I'll take charge of the athletes," Ken Sudō declared without hesitation. "I'll make sure we don't lose any physical challenges to the other classes."
Koenji yawned. "I don't have anything in particular I want to handle. Just assign me something."
His golden hair gleamed in the sunset. He looked completely uninterested in the test.
Kushida raised her hand. "I can coordinate the girls and make sure everyone stays united."
"I'll make a study plan and handle the academic tasks," Horikita Suzune said calmly, her gaze unconsciously flicking toward Tang Yu as if assessing his reaction.
Tang Yu smiled faintly. "I suggest adding a Strategic Planning Group to handle the overall plan and adapt to changing circumstances. Deserted island survival isn't just a contest of strength and knowledge. It's a battle of strategy, too."
"I agree with Tang Yu's point." Ayanokoji suddenly spoke, his voice so calm it was almost devoid of emotion. "Someone should study the other classes' movements and possible strategies."
The quietest person in the group had suddenly spoken, surprising the others. Through Emotion Perception, Tang Yu noticed that Ayanokoji's Emotion Cloud was unusually active at that moment, with undercurrents churning beneath its calm surface.
"Then should Tang Yu and Ayanokoji be in charge of the Strategic Planning Group?" Hirata asked.
"No problem," Tang Yu agreed readily, watching Ayanokoji closely.
Ayanokoji gave a slight nod. "That works."
They reached the resource allocation stage, and disagreements arose. The school allowed each class to bring a limited amount of supplies to the island. How to divide those precious resources became the focus of debate.
"We should prioritize food and drinking water," Horikita insisted. "Basic survival comes first."
Ken Sudō shook his head. "No way. We need to bring sports equipment! Those guys in Class C will definitely challenge us to physical contests. We can't lose!"
Kushida argued for bringing more supplies for the girls. "The girls' needs matter, too!"
The argument grew more heated. Hirata tried to mediate, with little success. Tang Yu noticed that Ayanokoji remained silent, as if waiting for something.
"I have a suggestion." Tang Yu raised his voice, drowning out the argument. "Let's divide the supplies into three categories: survival essentials, strategic supplies, and comfort items. Then we can allocate points according to priority."
He took out a sheet of paper and quickly drew a chart. "For example, tents and water purifiers are survival essentials, worth five points. Fishing gear and basic first-aid kits are strategic supplies, worth three points.
"Extra clothes and snacks are comfort items, worth one point. Each person gets ten points to allocate among the categories. We'll tally the scores and decide what to bring."
The organized proposal immediately won the support of most of the group. The vote showed that survival essentials had the highest priority, strategic supplies came next, and comfort items ranked last.
"Wait." Horikita frowned at the results. "Why is 'binoculars and listening devices' listed as a strategic supply? Who voted for that?"
Tang Yu and Ayanokoji raised their hands at the same time. Their gazes met, and Tang Yu felt a subtle spark between them. It was the first time they had clearly taken the same side.
"Keeping track of the other classes matters, too," Tang Yu explained. "Especially when we're competing for limited resources."
"I agree," Ayanokoji said, showing his support for once. "Information is the most powerful weapon."
Horikita looked ready to object, but Tang Yu quietly activated Emotion Influence, gently nudging the Rational Thinking part of her Emotion Cloud.
He couldn't directly control her thoughts, but he could strengthen the rational inclination she already had.
"...Fine." Horikita's attitude softened a little. "If we have enough points left."
After the meeting ended, the others left one by one. Only Tang Yu and Ayanokoji remained to organize the documents.
"You voted for listening devices?" Tang Yu asked directly, his hands never stopping.
Ayanokoji put the documents into a folder. "Didn't you?"
"I was just curious whether you would." Tang Yu closed his notebook. "Looks like we think alike."
Ayanokoji paused and looked at Tang Yu seriously for the first time. "Similar, but not the same. You're after control. I'm after observation."
The precise judgment made Tang Yu's heart skip a beat. Ayanokoji had seen right through him. The existence of the Emotion System made him instinctively want to control the emotions and behavior of those around him.
"Observe for long enough, and you'll eventually want to join in." Tang Yu countered. "Like this time. You volunteered to join the Strategic Planning Group. That's not like you."
Ayanokoji's lips lifted almost imperceptibly. "It's not bad to change things up once in a while. Especially when there's an opponent worth watching."
[Interest from Ayanokoji Kiyotaka +200] [Emotion Points surpassed 8,000; unlocked Emotion Suggestion (Beginner)]
Tang Yu was delighted by the notification. The newly unlocked Emotion Suggestion was more powerful than Emotion Influence. It could plant simple emotional inclinations without making the target suspicious.
"The island will show us what we're made of." Tang Yu held out his hand.
Ayanokoji glanced at it, then hesitated—a rare sight—before finally taking it. "I look forward to seeing what you can do."
Their hands touched briefly 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 also the first direct clash between him and Ayanokoji.
When Tang Yu walked out of the school gates, the sun had already set. He spotted Horikita Suzune standing by the entrance, seemingly waiting for someone.
"Waiting for me?" Tang Yu walked over and asked.
Horikita turned around, her black hair stirring gently in the evening breeze. "About the study plan... I need your opinion."
This was the first time Horikita had asked him for help. Tang Yu was surprised, but he quickly understood. The Midterm Exam's disastrous results and their study sessions over the past few weeks had shaken Horikita's longstanding hostility toward him.
"Shall we talk as we walk?" Tang Yu suggested.
They walked side by side down Cherry Blossom Path, and Horikita pulled out a list. "I've written down the areas of knowledge that might be useful on the island, but I'm not sure what to prioritize."
Tang Yu glanced over the list. It was thorough but lacked a clear structure. "It's too scattered. Focus on three key areas: wilderness first aid, identifying edible plants, and making simple tools."
He took the pen and began marking up the list. "Turn these into quick-reference cards and hand them out to every group. Practical skills are more useful than rote memorization."
Horikita carefully noted his suggestions, then suddenly asked, "Why are you helping me?"
Tang Yu stopped and looked her in the eyes. "I already told you. Class D needs more high scorers."
"No, that's not all." Horikita's gaze sharpened. "You and Ayanokoji... Neither of you is ordinary. What are you two planning for this test?"
Tang Yu was quietly surprised by Horikita's insight. After thinking it over, he decided to be partly honest. "Ayanokoji's better at hiding his intentions than I am, but he has his reasons. As for me... I just want to prove something."
"Prove what?"
"That emotions are just as important as reason." Tang Yu's answer was only half true. "Like with the Midterm Exam. You didn't lose because you weren't smart enough. Your emotions affected your performance."
Horikita was silent for a moment, apparently mulling over his answer. Tang Yu took the opportunity to activate his newly unlocked Emotion Suggestion, planting a trace of trust in her toward him—not changing her thoughts, just reinforcing the positive impression she already had.
"I... understand," Horikita finally said, her tone much gentler than usual. "Library tomorrow? We can continue studying together."
"Of course." Tang Yu smiled.
After they parted, Tang Yu checked his system status:
[Current Emotion Points: 8,320/10,000] [Next milestone: 10,000 points to unlock Emotion Resonance]
He took a deep breath, feeling the cool evening air. The deserted island test would be a tough battle. He would have to face the other classes and deal with Ayanokoji's hidden moves. But it was also an excellent opportunity to collect Emotion Points and show what he could do.
As he turned the corner, Tang Yu suddenly stopped. A stranger stood beneath a streetlamp, speaking quietly into his phone.
The man was dressed casually, but his posture was straight and disciplined. He had clearly received professional training. Even more suspiciously, his gaze immediately followed Tang Yu as he passed, then shifted away again as if nothing had happened.
Tang Yu continued walking without revealing that he'd noticed, while activating Emotion Perception. A dark green Emotion Cloud of alertness hung over the man's head—surveillance and assessment.
"Someone from the School Administration? Or sent by another class?" Tang Yu wondered. "Either way, it means I've caught the attention of certain forces."
Back in his dorm, Tang Yu turned on his computer and began studying deserted island survival skills in detail.
At the same time, he set up a database to record every Class D student's strengths and weaknesses. If they wanted to win the test, they would need to make full use of every bit of their class's potential.
"Especially the talents everyone overlooks..." Tang Yu murmured, recalling several Class D students from the original story who only showed their worth later on.
Outside, moonlight spilled across the quiet streets. Tang Yu stood by the window, gazing at the distant, indistinct coastline. The deserted island test in three days would be a crucial first step for him in this Meritocratic World.
"Ayanokoji, let's see what you're really capable of," Tang Yu murmured, his eyes shining with anticipation.
[Special Alert: Increased attention detected from multiple factions] [School Administration Attention: 40%] [Class C Attention: 25%] [Ayanokoji Kiyotaka Attention: 85%]
The system notifications flashed in his field of vision. Tang Yu knew he was moving step by step toward the center of this world's turmoil. And the deserted island test would be the true beginning of the game.
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