Shock

The transport ship docked when the sky had turned completely dark.

The lights on the pier illuminated every student's face with clarity. The traces of seven days on the Uninhabited Island were obvious—sun-tanned skin, stains on their clothes, exhausted but bright eyes, and that sense of relaxation that comes after surviving a disaster.

Sae Chabashira stood at the very front, watching the students of Class D file off the ship. Her gaze lingered on Ayanokoji Kiyotaka for a fleeting moment before shifting away, but Ayanokoji caught that split-second of scrutiny.

"Return to your dorms, shower, and sleep." Sae's voice was as cold as ever. "Gather in the classroom at ten tomorrow morning for the announcement of the special exam's final results and the point adjustments."

The crowd dispersed, heading toward their respective dormitory buildings.

Ayanokoji walked at the very back. He noticed that when Kakeru Ryuen disembarked, he didn't even glance in his direction, leading the students of Class C away immediately. Yet, that deliberate disregard was more alarming than direct hostility.

Kohei Katsuragi nodded at him as he passed, a gesture of greeting. Honami Ichinose waved with a smile, leaving with the students of Class B.

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

Tired. It wasn't physical exhaustion, but the fatigue of sustained mental tension.

Seven days on the Uninhabited Island—twenty-four-hour defense of the high ground, the poisoning incident, Ibuki's defection... too many things had piled up. Now, suddenly returning to a safe, familiar room, he felt a sense of unreality.

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

The system interface popped up automatically.

[Current status settling...]
[Personal Points: +10,000 (Uninhabited Island Reward)]
[Current Total: 15,800 points]
[Class Points: +500 (Uninhabited Island Reward)]
[Current Class D Total: -390 → +110 points (Estimated Class Ranking Change: 4 → 3)]
[Ability Update: Tactical Deduction (Intermediate), Situational Insight (Beginner) available]
[Special Item: One-time skill "Defection" x1]

Class points went from negative to positive, and even surpassed Class B?

This change was greater than expected. According to the original story, Class D's points would indeed increase after the Uninhabited Island exam, but certainly not by this much. It seemed the alliance, the defense of the high ground, and the extra tasks had brought in surplus rewards.

So, what about Class B? Class C? Class A?

He would know tomorrow.

He closed the system and shut his eyes.

That night, many people did not sleep soundly.

The next morning, Class D classroom.

At exactly ten o'clock, Sae Chabashira walked into the classroom on time. She held a tablet in her hand and wore an expressionless face, but there was something in her eyes... something indescribable.

"Stand up," Yosuke Hirata said out of habit.

The whole class stood up.

"Sit." Sae walked behind the podium and connected her tablet to the large screen. "I am announcing the final results of the Uninhabited Island special exam, as well as the point adjustments for each class."

The screen lit up, displaying the icons and numbers for the four classes.

Class A: 1024 points (+0) Class B: 85 points (-15) Class C: 0 points (-50) Class D: 110 points (+500)

The classroom was silent for a second, and then—

"What?!"

"We... 110 points? A positive number?!"

"We surpassed Class B?!"

"Class C dropped to 0?!"

Exclamations and discussions nearly blew the roof off. Even the usually calm Suzune Horikita widened her eyes, staring at the numbers on the screen.

Yosuke Hirata opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but nothing came out. He looked at Ayanokoji with a complex expression—a mix of surprise, disbelief, and a hint of worry.

Sae Chabashira waited a few seconds to let everyone digest the news, then continued: "The breakdown of the additions and deductions is as follows."

The screen switched:

Class D Additions: Completion of basic survival: +50 Successful alliance defense of the high ground: +300 Completion of extra hidden task (supply box): +100 No dropouts within the class: +50 Assisting injured students from other classes (Hiyori Shiina): +50 (Special moral bonus)

Total: +550 points (due to previous negative balance, actual increase of 500 points to 110 points)

Class C deductions:

Malicious destruction of another class's camp (arson): -30

Attempting to harm students of another class (attempted poisoning): -20 (leniently reduced as no actual harm was caused)

Total: -50 points (reset to zero)

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

Everyone looked toward Mio Ibuki simultaneously—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 incident with Shiho Manabe had indeed been discovered by the school. And, points had been deducted.

"Quiet." Sae Chabashira's voice cut through the discussion. "Additionally, based on exam performance, individual point rewards have been distributed. Each person receives a base reward of 5,000 points, with an extra 2,000 points for those who participated in guarding the highlands, and further additions for those who were injured or performed exceptionally."

She paused. "The comprehensive evaluation for Class D in this exam is... first place among the four first-year classes."

First place.

These three words seemed to possess magic, causing the entire classroom to fall completely silent.

Then, an even louder cheer erupted.

"First place!"

"We beat Class A?!"

"Is this for real?!"

The feeling of ecstasy spread. Even on the face of Suzune Horikita, a rare, faint smile appeared.

But Ayanokoji Kiyotaka did not smile.

He noticed a detail in how Sae Chabashira spoke just now—there was a subtle pause in her tone when she said "comprehensive evaluation." Moreover, the points for Class A had not changed at all.

This was irrational. Given the strength of Class A, even if they hadn't secured the highlands, they shouldn't have received zero bonus points. Unless... they had intentionally kept things as they were?

"Furthermore," Sae Chabashira continued, "the Student Council has evaluated the situation and decided to give special attention to individuals who performed exceptionally in this exam."

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

After class.

Yosuke Hirata walked over and patted him on the shoulder. "Congratulations. But... be careful. The Student Council might not be a good thing."

"I know," Ayanokoji said.

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

A "defective product" that was supposed to remain hidden in Class D had suddenly become so conspicuous; this did not align with certain people's expectations.