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 were gathered in small groups, whispering among themselves, and from time to time someone cast him a complicated look.
[Emotion Perception: Overall class anxiety has increased by 40%]
"What happened?" Tang Yu set down his bag and asked Kushida Kikyo, who was sitting in front of him.
Kushida turned around, her long golden hair swaying gently with the movement. "You haven't heard? Chabashira-sensei is announcing the contents of the Special Exam at the end of the month today. Everyone's guessing what it'll be."
A sweet smile graced her face, but Tang Yu's Emotion Perception clearly "saw" the irritation and impatience she truly felt inside-the dark gray ripples churning within her pink Emotion Cloud.
[Fake Friendliness from Kushida Kikyo +30]
"Thanks for letting me know." Tang Yu responded politely, meanwhile noticing that Horikita Suzune was sitting alone in another corner of the classroom, reading a Wilderness Survival Guide.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, meanwhile, was as expressionless as ever, as if he couldn't care less about the upcoming test.
The bell rang, and Chabashira Sae walked into the classroom with measured steps. Unlike usual, she was holding a thick folder today.
"Quiet." Chabashira adjusted her glasses, and the classroom fell silent at once. "I'm announcing the contents of the Special Exam at the end of the month."
She pressed the remote, and an aerial photograph of an island appeared on the projector screen.
"Deserted Island Survival Test, lasting 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 evaluated on the quality of your survival, teamwork, and completion of tasks, and the results will directly affect your Class Points."
The classroom immediately erupted.
"A deserted island? We're not the Boy Scouts!"
"Three days without a bath? You've got to be kidding!"
"Could it be dangerous?"
Chabashira waited for the commotion to die down before continuing. "Each class must select a seven-person Leadership Group to make plans and allocate resources. The other students must follow the Leadership Group's arrangements. The election will be held this afternoon."
Her gaze swept over the class and lingered a moment longer on Tang Yu and Ayanokoji. "This test will challenge not only your individual abilities, but also the class's overall teamwork. Whether Class D can escape the bottom spot depends on your performance."
When the bell rang and Chabashira left, the classroom immediately erupted into heated discussion. Hirata Yosuke stood and clapped his hands. "Everyone, quiet down for a moment! We need to decide who'll be in the Leadership Group first."
"Why bother voting?" Ken Sudō called loudly. "Obviously, the students with the best grades should be in it!"
Several students nodded in agreement, their gazes turning in unison toward Tang Yu and Horikita Suzune.
"I think the Leadership Group needs people with expertise in different areas," Hirata suggested gently. "Not just academic results, but leadership, physical strength, and crisis management skills, too."
[Quest triggered: Join the Leadership Group] [Reward: Attribute points awarded based on performance]
Tang Yu leaned back in his chair, observing the class. Getting into the Leadership Group wouldn't be difficult-with his Perfect Score in All Subjects on the Midterm Exam and his steadily growing influence.
It was practically a certainty. The real challenge was how to establish himself as the dominant force within the Leadership Group, especially with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, an opponent who kept his true abilities hidden.
"I suggest we decide by vote." Kushida Kikyo raised her hand, wearing her signature sweet smile. "Everyone writes down seven names, and the seven with the most votes will form the Leadership Group."
The proposal was unanimously approved. Tang Yu wrote his own name on the ballot, along with several other capable 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 and watch him than let him act from the shadows.
The results were out soon: Hirata Yosuke, Horikita Suzune, Tang Yu, Kushida Kikyo, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, Ken Sudō, and Koenji Rokusuke were elected.
"Congratulations," Chabashira-sensei announced. "The Leadership Group will stay after school today to discuss strategies for the test. The other students should cooperate with the Leadership Group's arrangements."
After school, the seven members of the Leadership Group gathered in an empty classroom. As the class leader with the most popularity, Hirata naturally took on the role of chairing the meeting.
"First, we need to clarify everyone's responsibilities." Hirata opened his notebook. "I suggest assigning duties based on each person's strengths."
"I'll manage the athletes." Ken Sudō announced eagerly. "I'll make sure we don't lose any physical challenges to the other classes."
Koenji yawned. "I don't particularly want to be responsible for anything. Just assign me whatever you like."
His golden hair shone in the setting sun. 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 knowledge-based tasks." Horikita Suzune spoke calmly, her gaze unconsciously flicking toward Tang Yu as if gauging his reaction.
Tang Yu smiled faintly. "I suggest adding a Strategic Planning Group to handle overall planning and contingencies. Deserted island survival isn't just a contest of physical strength and knowledge. It's also a contest of strategy."
"I agree with Tang Yu's point." Ayanokoji suddenly spoke, his voice so calm it was almost devoid of emotion. "Someone should be assigned to study the other classes' movements and possible strategies."
The most silent person among the seven had spoken up unexpectedly, surprising the others. Through Emotion Perception, Tang Yu discovered that Ayanokoji's Emotion Cloud was unusually active at that moment-currents churning beneath the calm surface.
"Then should Tang Yu and Ayanokoji be in charge of the Strategic Planning Group?" Hirata asked.
"No problem," Tang Yu replied readily, while keeping a close eye on Ayanokoji's reaction.
Ayanokoji nodded slightly. "That works."
When the meeting moved on to resource allocation, disagreements arose. The school allowed each class to bring only a limited amount of supplies to the island, and how to divide these precious resources became the main point of contention.
"We should prioritize food and drinking water," Horikita insisted. "Maintaining basic survival is the most important thing."
Ken Sudō shook his head. "No way. We need to bring sports equipment! Those guys in Class C will definitely challenge us to athletic events. We can't lose!"
Kushida argued for bringing more women's supplies. "The girls' needs are important, too."
The argument grew more heated. Hirata tried to mediate, but had little success. Tang Yu noticed that Ayanokoji had remained silent all along, 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 necessities, strategic supplies, and comfort items. We can allocate points according to priority."
He took out a sheet of paper and quickly drew a table. "For example, tents and water purifiers are survival necessities, worth five points. Fishing gear and basic medical kits are strategic supplies, worth three points.
"Extra clothes and snacks are comfort items, worth one point. Everyone gets ten points to allocate among the categories, and we'll tally the scores to decide what to bring."
His systematic proposal immediately won the support of most of the group. The vote showed that survival necessities had the highest priority, followed by strategic supplies, with comfort items last.
"Wait." Horikita frowned at the results. "Why is 'binoculars and listening devices' an option under strategic supplies? Who voted for that?"
Tang Yu and Ayanokoji raised their hands at the same time. Their eyes met across the room, and Tang Yu felt a subtle electric current between them. This was the first time they had openly taken the same side.
"Keeping track of our opponents is important, too," Tang Yu explained, "especially in a competition where resources are limited."
"I agree." Ayanokoji voiced his support, a rare occurrence. "Information is the most powerful weapon."
Horikita was about to argue, but Tang Yu quietly activated Emotion Influence and gently nudged the Rational Thinking within her Emotion Cloud.
He couldn't directly control her thoughts, but he could strengthen her existing rational tendencies.
"...All right." Horikita's attitude softened slightly. "If we have room for them."
After the meeting ended, the others left one after another, leaving only Tang Yu and Ayanokoji to organize the materials.
"You voted for listening devices?" Tang Yu asked directly, never stopping what he was doing.
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 stopped what he was doing 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 sent a shock through Tang Yu. Ayanokoji had indeed seen through his nature-the existence of the Emotion System made him instinctively want to control the emotions and behavior of those around him.
"Observe long enough, and you can't help wanting to step in and play." Tang Yu retorted. "Like this time. You volunteered to join the Strategic Planning Group. That's not like you."
The corner of Ayanokoji's mouth lifted almost imperceptibly. "It's not bad to change the rhythm every now and then. Especially when I come across an opponent worth keeping an eye on."
[Interest from Ayanokoji Kiyotaka +200] [Emotion Points exceeded 8,000. Unlocked "Emotion Suggestion" ability (Beginner)]
Tang Yu was delighted inside by the notification. The newly unlocked Emotion Suggestion was even more powerful than Emotion Influence. It could implant a simple emotional tendency without alerting the other person.
"We'll see what you're made of on the island." Tang Yu held out his hand.
Ayanokoji looked at his hand and hesitated for a rare moment before finally reaching out to shake it. "I look forward to seeing what you can do."
Their hands touched and parted, but in that moment, Tang Yu felt that some invisible challenge had already been issued. The Special Exam was no longer just a competition between classes. It was also the first direct contest between him and Ayanokoji.
By the time he left the school gates, the sun had already sunk below the horizon. Tang Yu noticed Horikita Suzune standing by the gate, 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 sought his help of her own accord. Tang Yu was somewhat surprised, but he soon understood: the disastrous Midterm Exam and their studying together over the past few days had already shaken Horikita's usual hostility toward him.
"Shall we talk as we walk?" Tang Yu suggested.
They walked side by side along Cherry Blossom Path. Horikita took out a list. "I wrote down the fields of knowledge that might be useful on the deserted island, but I'm not sure what to prioritize."
Tang Yu glanced over the list. It was detailed, but lacked any system. "It's too scattered. We should focus on three core areas: wilderness first aid, identifying edible plants, and making simple tools."
He took the pen and marked up the list. "Turn these into flash cards and hand them out to every group. Practical skills are better than rote memorization."
Horikita carefully noted his suggestions, then suddenly asked, "Why are you helping me?"
Tang Yu stopped walking and looked into her eyes. "I told you already. Class D needs more high-scoring students."
"No, that's not all." Horikita's gaze was sharp. "You and Ayanokoji...Neither of you is simple. What are you plotting for this test?"
Tang Yu was privately surprised by Horikita's perceptiveness. After thinking it over, he decided to be partly honest. "Ayanokoji is better than me at hiding things, but he has his own goals. As for me...I just want to prove something."
"Prove what?"
"Prove that emotions are just as important as reason," Tang Yu answered with half-truths. "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, seeming to digest his answer. Tang Yu took the opportunity to activate his newly unlocked Emotion Suggestion ability, planting a trace of trust in him in her heart-not changing her thoughts, but reinforcing the positive impression she already had.
"I...I understand." Horikita finally spoke, her voice much softer than usual. "Shall we meet in the library tomorrow? We can continue our study sessions."
"Of course," Tang Yu replied with a smile.
After they parted, Tang Yu checked his system status:
[Current Emotion Points: 8320/10000] [Next-stage goal: 10,000 points to unlock "Emotion Resonance" ability]
He took a deep breath, feeling the cool evening air. The Deserted Island Test would be a tough battle. He would have to face not only competition from the other classes, but also Ayanokoji's covert moves. But it was also a perfect opportunity to collect Emotion Points and show what he could do.
As he turned the street corner, Tang Yu suddenly stopped. A strange man stood under a streetlamp, speaking quietly into his phone.
The man was dressed casually, but his posture was erect, clearly the result of professional training. More suspiciously, as Tang Yu passed, the man's gaze immediately followed him, then shifted away again as if nothing had happened.
Tang Yu continued on without showing anything, while activating Emotion Perception. The man's Emotion Cloud was a dark green, signaling vigilance-surveillance and assessment.
"Someone from the School Administration? Or sent by another class?" Tang Yu wondered to himself. "Either way, it means he's already attracted the attention of certain forces."
Back in his dorm room, Tang Yu turned on his computer and began thoroughly researching various survival skills for a deserted island.
At the same time, he created a database cataloging every Class D student's strengths and weaknesses. To win this test, he had to make full use of every bit of the class's potential.
"Especially the overlooked talents..." Tang Yu murmured to himself, recalling several Class D students from the original story who only showed their worth later on.
Outside, moonlight spilled over the quiet streets. Tang Yu stood by the window, gazing at the faint coastline in the distance. The Deserted Island Test three days from now would be a crucial step in his journey through this Meritocratic World.
"Ayanokoji, let me see what you're really capable of." Tang Yu spoke softly, anticipation gleaming in his eyes.
[Special alert: Attention from multiple factions has increased]
[School Administration attention: 40%]
[Class C attention: 25%]
[Ayanokoji Kiyotaka attention: 85%]
The system notifications flickered in his field of vision. Tang Yu knew he was stepping deeper and deeper into the vortex at the heart of this world. And the Deserted Island Test would be the true beginning of this game.