Shadow of the Special Examination

Uninhabited Island. Two weeks. Wilderness survival.

These words, when combined, meant this exam would be an all-encompassing test—of physical strength, intelligence, collaborative ability, and even psychological endurance.

"Furthermore," Horikita Manabu added, "this exam allows for limited 'cooperation' between classes, as well as a certain degree of 'competition.' The specific boundaries are to be determined by each class themselves."

Cooperation and competition. This statement caused students from the four classes to size each other up, their eyes filled with newfound calculation.

"The exam will begin in one week," Horikita Manabu concluded. "This week is the preparation period. Each class is free to formulate strategies, gather intelligence, and conduct special training. However, please be aware—any behavior that violates school rules will be severely punished."

"Meeting adjourned."

The grade-level assembly had ended, but the real storm was only just beginning.

Students from the four classes left the gymnasium one after another, but the atmosphere was completely different from when they had entered.

The students of Class D gathered together, their faces etched with unease and worry.

"An Uninhabited Island... isn't that just ridiculous?"

"How are we supposed to survive in the wilderness?"

"We're done for, our class is definitely going to end up at the bottom..."

Pessimism spread through the group. This scene was observed by students from other classes, who viewed them with even greater contempt.

"Look at those losers, they're already starting to get scared," a student from Class C sneered.

"It's normal, after all, they're the worst class, Class D."

"In this exam, we're going to show them what a real gap looks like."

Kakeru Ryuen did not join in these discussions; he simply walked toward the area where Class D was gathered, his gaze locking onto Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

"How about it, my 'special opponent'?" he lowered his voice so only the two of them could hear.

"Survival on an Uninhabited Island... that happens to be my favorite type of game."

Ayanokoji looked at him calmly: "Is that so."

"Of course," Ryuen grinned. "In a place like that, the rules become blurred, and power becomes the only language. And you... are you ready to face a real challenge?"

"I will do my best."

"Do your best?" Ryuen laughed, a sound filled with cruel anticipation. "I don't just want you to do your best. I want you to give it your all, and then... be completely crushed by me."

After saying this, he turned and left, the students of Class C following behind him like a well-disciplined army.

The students of Class D watched their retreating backs, their expressions turning even uglier.

"That Ryuen... he's so scary..."

"Class C looks so united..."

"Can we really win?"

Voices of doubt grew more frequent.

Just then, Yosuke Hirata stepped forward.

"Everyone!" his voice was loud and firm. "Now is not the time to be discouraged! We still have one week to prepare! As long as we stand united, we can definitely overcome this difficulty!"

His words acted like a shot of adrenaline, causing some students to pull themselves together.

"Hirata is right!"

"We can't just give up like this!"

"Yeah! We have to work hard!"

But Ayanokoji Kiyotaka saw it clearly—this morale was fragile. Once they encountered real hardship, it would easily collapse.

He looked at Suzune Horikita, who was frowning, clearly deep in thought about a strategy.

He then looked at Kei Karuizawa, who was whispering with a few other girls, her expression serious.

Finally, he looked at Ken Sudo—the athlete was clenching his fists tightly, his eyes burning with a refusal to lose, but filled with even more confusion.

The core circle... Ayanokoji thought to himself, must be established before the exam begins.

And to achieve that, he needed to take the initiative.

That night, in the dormitory area.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka knocked on Yosuke Hirata's door.

"Ayanokoji-kun?" Hirata was a bit surprised, but he still invited him in warmly. "Is something the matter?"

"About the special exam," Ayanokoji got straight to the point. "I want to talk to you about the class strategy."

Hirata's expression turned serious: "Please, go ahead."

"After today's grade-level assembly, you saw the atmosphere in the class," Ayanokoji said.

"Although you tried your best to encourage everyone, the unease still remains. And in an environment like an Uninhabited Island, unease can easily escalate into panic."

Hirata nodded, his expression grave: "I know. But I don't know what to do... we have almost no knowledge of wilderness survival."

"That's why we need to divide the labor," Ayanokoji said. "Different people should be responsible for different areas."

"For instance, Ken Sudo can be responsible for manual labor and camp construction; Suzune Horikita for rule analysis and task planning; and you for personnel management and morale."

Yosuke Hirata's eyes lit up. "That's a great idea! But... will they agree? Especially Horikita-san; she doesn't seem very willing to cooperate with everyone."

"I'll handle that problem," Ayanokoji said. "Additionally, we need someone responsible for intelligence gathering—to understand the movements of other classes and grasp the situation on the island."

"You mean... Karuizawa-san?" Hirata mused. "Indeed, she has a wide network of connections and should be able to obtain some information."

"So," Ayanokoji summarized, "if the five of us can form a core team, each responsible for different areas, then Class D will have a chance in this exam."

Hirata was silent for a moment, then nodded solemnly. "I agree. Although I don't know if I can convince the others, I will cooperate fully."

"Thank you." Ayanokoji stood up. "Then, starting tomorrow, we will act separately. I'll be responsible for contacting Horikita and Sudo, and you handle Karuizawa."

"Understood!"

After leaving Hirata's room, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka did not return to his own dormitory but headed in another direction.

He was going to see the third person.

When Kei Karuizawa opened the door, her face showed clear surprise.

"Ayanokoji? It's so late..."

"Can I come in to talk?" Ayanokoji said. "About the special exam."

Karuizawa hesitated for a moment before stepping aside to let him in.

The room was decorated quite cozily, forming a sharp contrast to Ayanokoji's minimalist living space.

"Sit down." Karuizawa closed the door. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Intelligence." Ayanokoji was blunt. "In the Uninhabited Island exam, information might be more important than supplies."

"We need to know the movements of other classes, the terrain and resource distribution on the island, and even the hidden rules the student council might have set."

Karuizawa raised an eyebrow. "So you want me to be in charge of intelligence?"

"Yes." Ayanokoji nodded. "You are the person with the widest network in the class and the best at obtaining information. This job is meant for you."

Karuizawa did not answer immediately, instead walking to the window with her back to Ayanokoji.

"Why me?" Her voice was soft. "There are so many people in the class; why choose me?"

"Because you have the ability," Ayanokoji said. "And, you care more about this class than you appear to."

Karuizawa's shoulders stiffened slightly.

"I saw your expression at the grade assembly," Ayanokoji continued.

"When other classes looked at us with contempt, you were smiling, but your fingers were clenched tight. You don't want to lose, especially... you don't want to lose to those who look down on you."

The room fell into a long silence.

Eventually, Karuizawa turned around. The social smile she usually wore was gone, replaced by a serious expression.

"You're right," she said. "I hate being looked down upon. Ever since elementary school, I've always been looked down upon... until I learned to use smiles and socializing to protect myself."

She walked up to Ayanokoji and looked him straight in the eyes. "So, I agree. I will be responsible for intelligence. But there is one condition."

"What condition?"

"You have to guarantee that this so-called 'core team' isn't being built just to use us." Karuizawa's voice was stern.

"I've seen too many people use the name of 'cooperation' when they are actually just serving their own interests. I don't want to be a pawn for someone like that."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stood up and looked back at her with equal seriousness.

"I guarantee it," he said. "This team has only one goal—to let Class D survive this exam, and perhaps even achieve good results. Other than that, there is no other purpose."

Their gazes met in the air, as if they had reached a tacit understanding.

"Good." Karuizawa finally smiled, a genuine smile this time. "Then, happy to cooperate."

"Happy to cooperate."

As he left Karuizawa's room, a system notification rang in Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's mind.

[Ding! Detected that the host has successfully established a cooperative relationship with two key figures. The mission "Establishment of the Core Circle" progress has been updated.]

[Current progress: 2/3 (Yosuke Hirata, Kei Karuizawa)]

[Note: Stability of the cooperative relationship is being evaluated...]

One person left.

Suzune Horikita, or Ken Sudo.

Ayanokoji pondered as he walked toward his dormitory.

And downstairs at the dormitory building, a figure was waiting for him.

Ken Sudo was leaning against the wall; upon seeing Ayanokoji, he immediately stood straight.

"Ayanokoji." His voice was a bit stiff. "I have something to tell you."

"Please, go ahead."

Sudo took a deep breath. "Hirata came to me today and talked about that 'core team' plan. He asked me to be responsible for manual labor and camp construction."

"What do you think?"

"I..." Sudo clenched his fists. "I agree. Because I know this is my strength. I'm no good at studying, but physical labor... I won't lose to anyone."

His eyes burned with determination. "So, I want to ask you for one thing."

"What is it?"

"Teach me," Sudo said earnestly.

"Not how to study, but how to... play a role in a team. I don't want to be a burden to the class anymore; I want to be someone who can help everyone."

This request caught Ayanokoji somewhat by surprise.

"Are you sure?" he asked. "Teamwork isn't just about passion; it requires patience, communication, and sometimes, even compromise."

"I know," Sudo nodded. "But I'm willing to learn. Because... because I don't want to see Hirata and the others working so hard to support the class while I can't do anything."

He paused, his voice dropping lower. "And... I want to prove that I'm not just an idiot who only knows how to fight."

In that moment, Ayanokoji saw true growth in Sudo's eyes.

"Fine," he said. "Then starting tomorrow, I will teach you how to collaborate with a team. But first, you must learn to control your temper."

"I will!" Sudo's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Ayanokoji!"

Watching his retreating back, the corners of Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's mouth curled up slightly.

The third person for his inner circle had come to him on his own, in a way he hadn't expected.

And now, only the toughest nut to crack remained—

Suzune Horikita.

But just as he was thinking about how to persuade Horikita, his phone vibrated.

It was an anonymous message.

[Watch out for Class A. They already have a complete plan, and their goal is to make Class D completely collapse during this exam.]

The sender was unknown, but the content made Ayanokoji frown.

Class A... Kohei Katsuragi, or Arisu Sakayanagi?

Whoever it was, it meant the challenge facing Class D was even more severe than he had imagined.

He looked up at the night sky, where the stars were sparse.

The survival test on the Uninhabited Island was not just a test of survival skills, but a psychological war of deception between classes.

And Class D, the class always viewed as the bottom-tier, would, under his guidance, unite for the first time.

"The inner circle has been initially established," he whispered to himself. "Next, it's time to put it to work."

The night wind blew by, carrying a hint of chill.

The one-week preparation period was about to begin.

And on the Uninhabited Island, the true test was waiting for everyone.