The Core's Initial Construction

The ripples of the standoff with Kakeru Ryuen were quietly spreading through Class D.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka knew full well that a man like Ryuen would not simply let things go.

The so-called "game" was merely a facade; what he truly craved was control—control over the situation, control over his opponents, and even control over the balance of power within the entire grade.

But control requires leverage, and leverage was exactly what Ayanokoji lacked most right now.

"The core circle..." He stared at the names in his notebook, lost in thought.

Suzune Horikita's combat prowess and academic ability, Yosuke Hirata's cohesive power, Kei Karuizawa's information network, Ken Sudo's athletic talent... If these scattered strengths could be integrated, Class D might truly have a chance.

The problem, however, was that these individuals each had their own stubbornness and their own flaws.

Horikita was aloof and refused to cooperate; Hirata was kind but overly idealistic; Karuizawa appeared cheerful but was inwardly closed off; Sudo was impulsive, hot-tempered, and difficult to manage.

"Direct persuasion definitely won't work." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka closed his notebook. "It requires a catalyst... or rather, a crisis large enough to make them realize the limitations of acting alone."

And in this school, a crisis never kept one waiting for long.

Three days later, morning assembly.

Sae Chabashira stood on the podium, her expression more solemn than usual. The students in the classroom seemed to sense the unusual atmosphere and quieted down one by one.

"There are two things to announce today." Chabashira's voice was clear and cold.

"First, the midterm exam results have been fully calculated.

Second, the details of the first 'Special Exam' of this semester will be announced at the grade-wide meeting this afternoon."

Special Exam.

The term was like a massive boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand waves.

"A special exam? Already?!"

"How long has it even been since school started..."

"I heard special exams affect class points, is that true?"

Discussions erupted. Chabashira did not stop them; she simply waited a few seconds before continuing: "The report cards for the midterm exams will be distributed shortly.

I must warn you—the results of this exam will directly affect your situation in the upcoming special exam."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over several students with low grades: "Those who fail will not only have their personal points heavily deducted, but they may also face other risks."

Risks. She said the word nonchalantly, but everyone could hear the weight behind it.

"Distributing the report cards now."

The test papers and report cards were passed down from the front row.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka received his—second in the class, just behind Suzune Horikita. A perfect score in math, with all other subjects well above the excellence threshold.

This result was stunning for Class D, but he had intentionally left a few small errors in Language and History to avoid perfection—excessive perfection would invite unnecessary attention.

He turned to look around.

Suzune Horikita looked at her first-place report card with an expression that remained cold, though her slightly raised chin betrayed her satisfaction.

Yosuke Hirata had placed fifth in the class. He held his report card and looked toward the back row with concern—there, Ken Sudo was staring at his own results, his face ashen.

58 points. Barely passing, but third from the bottom of the class.

"Damn it..." Sudo gritted his teeth, his fists clenched. He looked at Ayanokoji, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes—gratitude, mixed with resentment and humiliation.

If not for that crumpled paper, he likely wouldn't have even passed. But even with a passing grade, this score still made it impossible for him to hold his head high.

Kei Karuizawa had placed eighth in the class. She seemed satisfied with the result and was chatting easily with the girls around her. However, Ayanokoji noticed her gaze occasionally drifting to the back of her report card—where the class rankings were listed.

She was monitoring others' grades, especially... the grades of those who might become "opponents."

As for Kikyo Kushida, she had placed fourth in the class and was currently using her sweet voice to comfort several girls who hadn't performed well: "It's okay, just try harder next time! If you need help, I can tutor you!"

Her performance was flawless, but through [Insight (Basic)], Ayanokoji noticed her gaze linger briefly between Suzune Horikita and himself, a flicker of imperceptible competitiveness flashing in her eyes.

After the report cards were distributed, Chabashira spoke again: "At two o'clock this afternoon, a grade-wide meeting will be held in the gymnasium. All first-year students must attend; no absences allowed."

She paused, then added: "Regarding the special exam, I can only tell you this much—the format of this exam is something that has never appeared in the history of this school. Be prepared."

A format that has never appeared.

These words made the atmosphere in the classroom even heavier.

Lunch break, rooftop.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had taken the initiative to invite Suzune Horikita. This was their first formal meeting since their conversation under the cherry tree that night.

"What is it?" Horikita's attitude remained cold, but at least she hadn't refused to meet.

"About the special exam." Ayanokoji got straight to the point. "Chabashira-sensei said the format of this exam is 'something that has never appeared.' What do you think?"

Horikita frowned: "Insufficient information. Unable to analyze."

"But we can speculate." Ayanokoji walked to the edge of the rooftop, looking down at the campus below.

"Everything designed in this school has a purpose. The purpose of a special exam is nothing more than a few possibilities—testing class cohesion, weeding out the weak, or... inciting competition."

"I know all of that." Horikita walked up beside him. "The question is, how should we respond?"

"Us?" Ayanokoji turned his head to look at her.

Horikita's expression was somewhat unnatural, but she quickly regained her composure. "If the exam truly involves competition between classes, then individual strength is limited. On this point... you are right."

This was the first time she had acknowledged Ayanokoji's perspective.

"So?"

"So I need a... partner." Horikita spoke with difficulty, but with firmness. "A partner who is capable and won't hold me back."

She looked at Ayanokoji. "Your grades prove your academic ability. Your performance in gym class proves your physical fitness. Although it's unclear why you hide your strength, at least... you are more valuable than I previously assessed."

A very typical Horikita-style statement—discussing cooperation with the tone of evaluating a commodity.

But Ayanokoji didn't mind. This was already a significant improvement.

"I accept," he said, "but there is one condition."

"What condition?"

"The cooperation isn't limited to just the two of us," Ayanokoji said earnestly.

"For Class D to survive this exam, we need the strength of more people. Hirata's ability to unite, Sudo's athletic prowess, even Karuizawa's intelligence-gathering skills... these could all become key."

Horikita's brow furrowed even tighter. "Are you saying we should cooperate with those... ordinary people?"

"They aren't ordinary people," Ayanokoji shook his head. "Everyone has areas where they excel and areas where they don't. The key lies in how to place them in the right positions."

Horikita fell silent. After a long while, she finally spoke: "What do you intend to do?"

"First, we need information," Ayanokoji said. "Information about the special exam. Although Chabashira-sensei refuses to reveal the details, it's impossible for the school to have no clues at all."

"Where do you think we might find clues?"

"The upperclassmen," Ayanokoji said, "or... the Student Council."

Horikita's pupils contracted slightly. The Student Council—the place where her brother, Horikita Manabu, resided.

"I don't think that's a good idea," she immediately objected. "The Student Council has no obligation to provide us with information."

"But if we formally consult them under the guise of 'understanding school rules,' they will at least provide some basic guidance," Ayanokoji said.

"Besides, haven't you always wanted to prove yourself? Approaching the Student Council might be an opportunity."

Horikita fell into deep thought. Ayanokoji didn't rush her; he knew this decision was difficult for her—having to face the brother who had always looked down on her, while also admitting that she needed help.

"I'll consider it," Horikita finally said. "After the grade assembly this afternoon, I will give you an answer."

"That's fine."

As the two prepared to leave the rooftop, Horikita suddenly stopped in her tracks.

"Ayanokoji."

"Hm?"

"What is the real reason you hide your strength?" She looked at him, her eyes filled with direct inquiry.

"I don't believe it's just because of a reason like 'wanting to keep a low profile'."

The question was sharp.

Ayanokoji remained silent for a few seconds, eventually giving a half-truthful answer:

"Everyone has a past they don't want touched. My past... taught me the necessity of hiding."

The answer was vague, but Horikita seemed to hear something within it. She didn't continue to press, simply nodding.

"I understand," she said.

Two o'clock in the afternoon, the gymnasium.

All the first-year students gathered here. The four classes sat separately by area, the lines between them clearly drawn.

The students of Class D were clearly somewhat nervous—they sat on the far left, right next to Class C. And the students of Class C were observing them with undisguised, contemptuous gazes.

Kakeru Ryuen sat in the front row of Class C, legs crossed, looking relaxed. When his gaze swept over Class D, it lingered on Ayanokoji Kiyotaka for a moment, then he revealed a provocative smile.

Ayanokoji didn't respond, merely shifting his gaze away calmly.

The students of Class A and Class B appeared more composed. Especially Class A; they sat in the very center, everyone sitting with perfect posture and confident expressions—that was the composure brought by long-term dominance.

The Student Council members walked onto the podium.

Walking at the very front was a tall boy with a cold temperament—Horikita Manabu, the Student Council President. His gaze swept across the entire venue, and the gymnasium instantly fell silent.

"I have summoned you all today to announce the relevant matters regarding the first special exam of this semester," Horikita Manabu's voice traveled through the microphone across the entire gymnasium, clear and powerful.

"Before that, I need to reiterate the basic principle of this school—meritocracy. Every resource you obtain here, every privilege, depends on the strength you demonstrate."

He paused, then continued: "And the special exam is precisely an important way to measure this 'strength'."

The students below held their breath.

"The format of this special exam is—" Horikita Manabu's voice echoed through the gymnasium, "Uninhabited Island Survival."

Whoosh—

An uproar ensued.

A deserted island? Wilderness survival? This completely exceeded everyone's expectations.

"Quiet." Horikita Manabu's voice cut through the clamor. "The specific rules are as follows."

The screen behind him lit up, displaying the detailed information for the exam.

[Special Exam: Deserted Island Survival Test]

[Duration: Two weeks]

[Location: An affiliated deserted island fifteen nautical miles from the school]

[Participants: All first-year students, organized by class]

[Basic Rules:]

[1. Each class will receive identical initial supplies (food, water, basic tools)]

[2. During the exam, classes must establish their own camps on the island and solve their own survival needs]

[3. Multiple "task points" are set up on the island; completing specific tasks will grant additional supplies or "Class Points"]

[4. At the end of the exam, a comprehensive evaluation will be conducted based on each class's camp construction, resource management, and task completion]

[5. The class with the lowest score will have a significant number of Class Points deducted (the exact amount is to be determined)]

[6. Individuals may "withdraw," but the class of any student who withdraws will face additional penalties]

As the information on the screen scrolled by, the atmosphere in the gymnasium grew increasingly heavy.