Shock

When the transport ship reached the dock, night had fully fallen.

The lights on the pier illuminated every student's face. The effects of seven days on the Uninhabited Island were obvious—sunburned skin, stained clothes, tired but shining eyes, and the looseness of people who had narrowly escaped disaster.

Sae Chabashira stood at the front, watching the Class D students file off the ship. Her gaze lingered on Ayanokoji Kiyotaka for a moment before quickly moving on, but he caught that brief, scrutinizing look.

"Go back to your dorms, shower, and sleep." Chabashira's voice was as cold as ever. "Tomorrow at ten in the morning, meet in the classroom. I'll announce the final results of the Special Exam and the changes to your points."

The crowd dispersed, each student heading back to their own dormitory.

Ayanokoji brought up the rear. He noticed that when Ryuen Kakeru got off the ship, he didn't even glance his way. He simply led the Class C students off. But that deliberate indifference was more alarming than open hostility.

As Kohei Katsuragi passed, he nodded to Ayanokoji in greeting. Honami Ichinose smiled and waved before leaving with the Class B students.

Back in his long-missed dorm room, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka shut the door and leaned against it, letting out a long breath.

He was tired. Not physically, but mentally, after being on edge for so long.

Seven days on the Uninhabited Island, twenty-four-hour high-ground watch, the poisoning incident, Ibuki's defection... Too much had happened all at once. Now that he was suddenly back in a safe, familiar room, it almost felt unreal.

He took a hot shower, changed into clean clothes, and lay down on the bed.

The System Interface popped up automatically.

[Calculating current status...]

[Personal Points: +10000 (Uninhabited Island reward)]

[Current total: 15800 points]

[Class Points: +500 (Uninhabited Island reward)]

[Current Class D total: -390 → +110 points (estimated change in class ranking: 4→3)]

[Ability update: Tactical Deduction (Intermediate), Situational Insight (Beginner) available]

[Special item: One-time skill "Defection" x1]

Class Points had gone from negative to positive—and even surpassed Class B?

The change was greater than he had expected. According to the original story, Class D did gain points after the Uninhabited Island Exam, but nowhere near this many. It seemed the alliance, the high-ground watch, and the extra tasks had brought in additional rewards.

What about Class B? Class C? Class A?

He'd find out tomorrow.

He closed the System Interface and shut his eyes.

That night, many people slept poorly.

The next morning, in the Class D classroom.

At exactly ten, Sae Chabashira walked into the classroom on time. She held a tablet, and while her face showed little emotion, there was something... hard to describe in her eyes.

"Rise," Yosuke Hirata said out of habit.

The whole class stood.

"Sit." Chabashira went behind the lectern and connected the tablet to the large screen. "I'll announce the final results of the Uninhabited Island Special Exam, along with the changes in each class's points."

The screen lit up, displaying the four classes and their scores.

Class A: 1024 points (+0)

Class B: 85 points (-15)

Class C: 0 points (-50)

Class D: 110 points (+500)

The classroom fell silent for a second, then—

"What?!"

"We... have 110 points? We're in the positive?!"

"We passed Class B?!"

"Class C is at zero?!"

Gasps and chatter nearly lifted the roof. Even the normally composed Suzune Horikita had widened her eyes as she stared at the numbers on the screen.

Yosuke Hirata opened his mouth as if to say something, but no words came out. He looked at Ayanokoji, his expression complicated—surprised, incredulous, and faintly worried.

Sae Chabashira waited a few seconds for everyone to absorb the news, then continued. "Here is the breakdown of the points gained and deducted."

The screen changed:

Class D points gained:

Basic survival completed: +50

Successfully defended the high ground through an alliance: +300

Completed extra hidden task (supply box): +100

No class members withdrew: +50

Rescued an injured student from another class (Hiyori Shiina): +50 (special conduct bonus)

Total: +550 points (due to the previous negative balance, the actual increase was 500 points, bringing the total to 110)

Class C points deducted:

Deliberately sabotaged another class's camp (arson): -30

Attempted to endanger students from another class (failed poisoning): -20 (reduced penalty because no actual harm was done)

Total: -50 points (reduced to zero)

"Poisoning..." someone in the classroom whispered.

Everyone looked toward Mio Ibuki. She was sitting in the back row by the window, her expression calm, as if the matter being discussed had nothing to do with her.

The school had found out about Shiho Manabe's incident after all. And they had deducted points.

"Quiet." Chabashira's voice overpowered the chatter. "In addition, personal point rewards have been issued based on your performance in the exam. Everyone will receive a basic reward of 5000 points, with an extra 2000 points for participating in the high-ground watch. Those who were injured or performed exceptionally will receive additional points."

She paused. "Class D's overall evaluation in this exam ranked... first among the four first-year classes."

First place.

Those three words seemed to have a spellbinding effect, and the entire classroom fell utterly silent.

Then, an even louder cheer erupted.

"First place!"

"We beat Class A?!"

"No way!"

Joy spread through the class. Even Suzune Horikita wore a rare, faint smile.

But Ayanokoji Kiyotaka didn't smile.

He had noticed a detail in Chabashira's announcement: when she said "overall evaluation," there had been a subtle pause. And Class A's points hadn't changed at all.

That didn't make sense. With Class A's strength, even if they hadn't claimed the high ground, they should have gained at least some points. Unless... they'd deliberately kept their score unchanged?

"Also," Chabashira continued, "after evaluating the exam, the Student Council has decided to give special attention to individuals who performed exceptionally."

She looked at Ayanokoji. "Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, come to the Student Council Room after school. President Horikita wants to see you."

After class.

Yosuke Hirata came over and patted him on the shoulder. "Congratulations. But... be careful. The Student Council may not have good intentions."

"I know," Ayanokoji said.

He knew why Horikita Manabu wanted to see him. It wasn't because of his "outstanding performance," but because... he'd attracted attention.

A "defective product" who should have remained hidden in Class D had suddenly become so conspicuous. That didn't fit with what certain people had expected.