Forest School (Continued)

"Achoo~~" Shuichi Kanda yawned, then stretched slightly. "Hmm? Have we arrived yet?"

Hahaha~~~~

Seeing Shuichi Kanda still half asleep, the students in the class burst into unrestrained laughter; it was quite rare to see Shuichi Kanda like this.

The loud laughter startled the dazed Karuizawa awake; her bewildered face revealed that she had been sleeping soundly.

"I'm sorry, we still have an hour to go before we reach our destination." It was Chabashira Sae who answered Shuichi Kanda's question. "Next, I'll explain about this Special Exam, so you'd better listen."

Shuichi Kanda shrugged to indicate that it was no problem, and after seeing that all the students in the class were looking at him, Chabashira-sensei began to explain.

"I think you're probably wondering where this bus is headed and what it's going to do next."

"Chabashira-sensei, if you woke me up just to keep me in suspense, I think it's unnecessary. It can't be another Uninhabited Island, can it?"

Shuichi Kanda's words silenced the car for a moment, then snickers could be heard from all sides.

"Alright, let's get straight to the point. Compared to the Uninhabited Island, this place is at least much simpler in terms of living conditions. You can treat it like a hike."

But even though that's what they say, do you really think we students Student Council believe your teachers' nonsense?

Even so, the students in the class did not make a fuss, but waited attentively for what Chabashira-sensei would say next.

"Next, I'll take you to a Forest School in the mountains. We'll arrive at our destination in about an hour. In other words, the shorter the explanation, the more time you'll have to think."

Does longer thinking time necessarily mean longer thinking time?

So, I have to go straight to the exam as soon as I get off the bus? And everything has to be done on the bus? Time is very tight.

After a series of events, Chabashira-sensei also became more frank.

However, Forest School usually hold events more often in the summer, so the fact that this one is being held in winter only shows how unique this school is.

Seeing that no one interrupted, Chabashira-sensei nodded in satisfaction. "In your normal school life, you probably have a hard time interacting with upperclassmen, especially those who don't participate in clubs. But this time, the Forest School will be holding an eight-day, seven-night cross-grade group activity. It's an event that's even more important than the Sports Festival. The Special Exam the school will be holding is called [Mixed Training Camp]... You might find it hard to understand just from a verbal explanation, so I'm distributing the materials now."

As she spoke, Chabashira-sensei handed stacks of materials to the students in the first row, and then began to pass them on to the students in the back.

This document is much thinner than a survival manual for Uninhabited Island, with only about twenty pages.

After receiving it, Shuichi Kanda immediately opened it and started reading.

However, Chabashira-sensei's voice rang out. "Next, I will explain the rules in detail. The materials will be collected before you get off the bus, so please try your best to understand the rules before then. I will take questions at the end of the explanation, so please listen quietly now. Do you understand?"

Time was tight, so no one would argue over such a small matter. After nodding in agreement, Chabashira-sensei began to explain the rules of this Special Exam.

"This Special Exam is a training camp primarily aimed at your personal growth. To put it simply, it's to help you determine whether you possess the ability to build relationships with people you don't normally interact with. This is a fundamental skill for surviving in society after graduation, and you must master it through this exam."

Although the theme is very lofty, it would be great if society were really as simple as we imagine.

Shuichi Kanda does not deny that communication skills are important in some situations, but for someone like Shuichi Kanda, there is no need for the art of communication; speaking directly is his style.

Moreover, when you can generate enough value, even if you don't have the ability to communicate with strangers, they will try their best to communicate with you. You only need to express your views and countless people will interpret them according to your meaning and perspective.

This kind of interpretation by those people is generally referred to as "Dihua" (迪化).

"First, after arriving at the destination, the boys and girls will separate. Then, the whole grade will discuss and divide into six groups each." Chabashira-sensei took out the same materials as the students and began to explain. "Each group has an upper and lower limit on the number of people. The allocation of people is on page five of the materials we just distributed."

According to the rules, there are between sixty and sixty-nine students of the same gender in the same grade, so each group has between eight and thirteen students.

In cases with 70 to 79 people, each group can have 9 to 14 people.

These two scenarios are mainly for second and third graders, because there are students dropping out in both grades, especially in the second grade where the number of dropouts is particularly high.

As for the first grade, the final rule applies: if there are more than 80 students of the same gender in the grade, then each group is allowed to have 10 to 15 students.

This grouping doesn't seem like a way to have classes form separate teams. Sure enough, Shuichi Kanda saw the following rule: each group must consist of members from two classes.

At the same time, some people in the class raised questions.

"They actually want us to team up with students from other classes... aren't we enemies?"

"There's nothing we can do, that's the rule." Chabashira-sensei brushed off the question casually, then continued explaining, "We can discuss how to assign groups later. Now I'll explain the specific content of this Special Exam and the final results."

"Also, you'd better not interrupt me anymore, otherwise you might not have time to discuss this."

As she said this, Chabashira-sensei glanced at Ike, who had repeatedly raised questions, as a warning.

"Your group is like a temporary class that only exists during the Forest School. However, although it's temporary, the activities will be designed to encourage close interaction between you. You'll attend classes together as a group, and share all aspects of daily life, from cooking and washing clothes to bathing and going to bed."

Chabashira-sensei's words caused most of the students in the car to instinctively scream.

"I don't think I can live with guys from other classes—"

"Yeah, how could such a thing possibly happen?"

This feeling is understandable. Even though they're all of the same sex, living with students from other classes and strangers... can always make people feel a little uncomfortable. What if someone has some kind of unusual fetish?

Just thinking about it sends chills down your spine.

"Don't rush to scream. Maybe after I announce the rules, you'll want to ask students from other classes to join your groups." Chabashira-sensei smiled and continued explaining.

"The results of the Special Exam will be determined based on the comprehensive exam held on the last day of the Forest School. A rough outline of the exam content is recorded on page seven of the materials; please read it first."

The exam content is roughly divided into four sections.

[Morals], [Mental discipline], [Discipline], [Independence].

Just like writing in Chinese, there's no reference point for this kind of thing. Even if each item has similar instructions, it's no wonder that such ambiguous things are hard to understand.

However, the specific tasks required were written out very clearly, like a diary entry.

Every day after waking up, we complete our morning exercises, then meditate in the temple, do chores (cleaning, etc.), and then have breakfast. After breakfast, we study in the classroom.

After that, we had lunch, received the afternoon's assignments, and then meditated again.

Finally, after dinner and a shower, it was time to go to bed. This was completely different from his life so far, extremely regular, so regular that it reminded Shuichi Kanda his high school life in his previous life—wake up, early reading, breakfast, morning classes, lunch, afternoon nap, afternoon classes, dinner, evening self-study, washing up, and going to bed.

Then the cycle repeats itself, day after day.

Saturdays are different from regular holidays; students need to attend classes in the morning, while holidays only include Sunday.

"A more detailed itinerary will be announced after we arrive at the Forest School. As for the order and type of Special Exam on the last day, I can't tell you that at this stage."

"Furthermore, deciding on group members is extremely important. All six groups must cooperate to get through the week-long camp. No matter the reason, no one can leave a group or change members midway. If a student leaves a group due to illness or injury, you must fill that vacancy."

In other words, if someone falls behind, the others must complete their assigned tasks, which may, depending on the circumstances, affect the final day's exam results.

"Finally, after the first-year students are divided into six groups, they will be paired with second- and third-year students who were also formed at the same time. The exam results are determined by the scores of all members of the large group, so the scores of other grades will also have a significant impact on the results."

This made Shuichi Kanda frown. It seemed that students from different grades couldn't influence each other at all? Nagumo all talk and no action?

However, the other students in the class were somewhat uneasy, fearing that if their exam results were not ideal, they might incur the wrath of their seniors.

In this somewhat distorted country, they have to listen carefully to what their elders say.

"I've now explained the general situation regarding this exam. Next, I'll talk about the most important thing: what the results of this Special Exam will bring you."

Has it finally arrived?

The students in Class C were energized; this was arguably their favorite part.

"Firstly, regarding rewards, all Student Council in the top three groups based on average score will receive corresponding individual and Class Points, while those in the bottom three groups will face corresponding penalties."

These things are clearly explained in the documents.

The first-place group will each receive 3 Class Points and 10,000 Private Points; the second-place group will each receive 1 Class Points and 5,000 Private Points; and the third-place group will not receive Class Points, but each member will receive 3,000 Private Points.

The cost will ultimately come from the participants themselves. The fourth-place group will have 5,000 Private Points deducted from each member, the fifth-place group will have 10,000 Private Points deducted from each member, plus 3 Class Points, and the last-place group will suffer the worst, with 20,000 Private Points deducted from each member, plus 5 Class Points.

What's even more frustrating is that if a student's Private Points or the class's Class Points are insufficient to cover the costs, it will be turned into a negative number for the first time ever. This negative number will then be filled in when Class Points or Private Points are received later.

See? It's easy for the school to reclaim points, isn't it? Just make the punishment bigger than the reward, and they can do it effortlessly.

However, what Chabashira-sensei said next made Shuichi Kanda realize he was wrong. If the exam was handled properly, the overall score for the entire grade might even rise.

"In addition, the exam rewards will increase exponentially based on the number of classes in the group. Only groups consisting of two classes will be subject to the rules I just mentioned. For each additional class, the rewards will double. These rules will apply to the first to third place winners, but not to the penalty for fourth place or below."

Simply put, if the top three teams consist of members from two different classes, they will only receive the basic reward that Chabashira-sensei just mentioned.

If there are three classes, the rewards for both types of points will be doubled; if there are four classes, they will be tripled.

In addition, the multiplier will change depending on the total number of people in the group; it is 0.9x for nine people and 1.5x for fifteen people.

Furthermore, Shuichi Kanda noticed that students in the same group as the person in charge would receive double the reward.

There are 80 boys and 80 girls in the first grade, and they can be grouped into a maximum of 15 students from four classes.

If things proceed as planned, a group of fifteen students from four classes will be formed, with twelve from Class C and the group leader also from Class C. This group will then win first place...

So, the twelve people in this group can earn rewards for Class C: three Class Points and 20,000 Private Points each. Four classes triple the points, fifteen people multiply the points by 1.5 times, and if they are in a group with the leader, the points are doubled again.

Therefore, each student in this group will receive 3*3*1.5*2=27 Class Points. As for Private Points, each student will receive 10,000*3*1.5*2=90,000 Private Points.

The total for everyone is 12 * 27 = 324 Class Points and 9 * 12 = 1,080,000 Private Points!

If both the boys' and girls' groups can form the best combination and win first place, then Class C can gain more than 600 Class Points. Even after deducting the points lost by the bottom three groups, they can still gain more than 500 Class Points.

But of course, these are just thoughts; actually doing such a thing is harder than climbing to heaven.

After all, it's really difficult to get first place with such a bunch of losers.

However, the document mentions what exactly a group leader is.

Shuichi Kanda was about to turn the page to the next section, Chabashira-sensei provided an explanation.

"Next, the group that finishes last will face severe punishment."

When it comes to severe punishment, the most obvious one for students is expulsion, and some students in the class seemed to have guessed this and became nervous.

"That's right, it's expulsion. However, it's impossible to expel everyone in the last-ranked group. After all, involving too many people would be a troublesome matter. Therefore, we'll limit it to the minimum standard set by the school. As long as that standard is met, we'll be safe."

These words inexplicably relieved the students who had been tense, including Karuizawa, who was standing Shuichi Kanda.

"Furthermore, if the grade falls below the passing standard, the group's 'leader' will be expelled."

"I was just about to ask, how is this person in charge selected? It doesn't seem to be written in the information." Shuichi Kanda raised his hand to ask the question.

"You'll first discuss within your groups and choose a leader, that's all," Chabashira-sensei explained. "The leader is selected within each group after the initial group assignments."

"Huh? That kind of position not only offers no benefits, but also risks expulsion. Who would want to be in charge?"

Seeing the commotion erupt again inside the car, Shuichi Kanda. These guys really only know how to listen to Chabashira-sensei; can't they even glance at the manual that was just handed out?

"Who told you there were no benefits? The rewards for the person in charge and their classmates will be doubled again during the final settlement."

"Double?"

Many students in the class were surprised again, and then began to silently plan their best strategies for the upcoming exam.

"In other words, if we form a group of twelve students from Class C, plus one student from each of the other classes, and then win first place..."

"Won't this give us 324 Class Points all at once!?"

Of course, this is based on the assumption that the person in charge is a student from Class C. After all, there's no reason for a group of twelve students from Class C to have a student from another class as the group leader.

"After the group decides on a leader, the group will discuss the matter and must make a decision by tomorrow morning. If the group cannot decide on a leader, the group will immediately lose its eligibility for the exam. This means everyone in the group will be forced to withdraw from school. Of course, there has never been a foolish group that withdrew from school because it couldn't decide on a leader."

There's no need to worry about that, because when the time comes, it's impossible for everyone in a group of a dozen or so people to be prepared to drop out of school and not take on the responsibility. Someone will always step forward.

"Furthermore, if the person in charge is to be expelled because of a failed exam, the person in charge can order someone in the group to be expelled as a joint liability, or you could say it's like dragging someone down with you."

Upon hearing this, Shuichi Kanda's eyes lit up. If handled properly, taking down the leaders of other classes would be no problem at all.

That's right, I'm talking about you, Sakayanagi Arisu!

Seemingly sensing Shuichi Kanda's mischievous glint in his eyes, Chabashira-sensei immediately added to the rule, "Only if the school determines that a student is one of the reasons for achieving last place will that student be considered a scapegoat. As long as you don't deliberately fail the test or boycott the exam, there won't be any problems."

Damn! Boring, I want to see rivers of blood!

"There's another thing. If any students drop out during this Special Exam, 100 points will be deducted from the Class Points of each student who drops out. If the Class Points are insufficient, the Class Points will become negative. Please remember this."

"That concludes the reading of the rules. If you have any questions, please ask them now."

Hirata immediately raised his hand.

"Um, if a student drops out... are there any remedies?"

"Of course there is. This time, students can be exempted from expulsion by paying 20 million Private Points and 300 Class Points. However, even if the expulsion is exempted, the 100 Class Points that would have been deducted due to the incident will still be deducted."

Upon hearing this, most of the students in the class looked at Shuichi Kanda, because it was common knowledge that Shuichi Kanda had tens of millions of points.

Shuichi Kanda, however, had a sudden thought, "Chabashira-sensei, do we need the consent of the entire class to use the 300 Class Points?"

"Of course not. As long as you can come up with 20 million Private Points, even if the students in the class don't allow it, it can be used as long as the Class Points."

That's the principle. In this way, the safety of Kamuro can be guaranteed. Ichinose's class also has the habit of saving money, so there won't be any problems.

However, this incident also put Shuichi Kanda alert. Could Nagumo be plotting something like this?