New Deserted Island Exam

Normally, there would be at least a week or two of downtime between special exams, but Lezheng was still somewhat surprised when he received the school's notice.

He did not know whether Chairman Sakayanagi had yet to clear up his own affairs or had been shaken by that incident, but the amount of information Lezheng received during the meeting in the school board office was rather overwhelming.

Whole-grade deserted island special exam: unlike the previous deserted island special exam, this one would involve every grade and last two weeks. Students from the same grade could form groups of up to three, while first-years were allowed groups of four. Groups could merge after the exam began, up to a maximum of six members. Solo participation was permitted. Students in the bottom five groups would face expulsion.

The school would distribute item cards through a random draw. There were five types of ordinary cards and three types of special cards.

Ordinary cards: First-Mover Card, Doubling Card, Halving Card, Convenience Card, Rest Card.

Special cards: Reinforcement Card, Trial Card, Nullification Card.

Voluntarily withdrawing from the exam would incur a debt of six million private points. Anyone unable to pay would be expelled.

These were the broad rules the school had tentatively decided on. The specific rules would be announced on the day of the exam. The start date was set for July 23, leaving more than a month to form groups.

"That about covers it. Meeting adjourned. Lezheng, stay behind," Sakayanagi announced.

After confirming that everyone else had left, Lezheng asked, "Chairman, do students in poor health have to participate too?"

"You mean my daughter, don't you? She told me she doesn't want to sit this one out."

"Admirable courage." Lezheng gave him a thumbs-up.

After that, Chairman Sakayanagi kept asking questions. More precisely, it felt as though he was screening and testing Lezheng.

A week later, the school announced this large-scale special exam to all the students.

"Ugh... Two whole weeks. What a pain. Anyway, are you planning to form a group?" Kamuro slumped over her desk.

"Yeah, it's a bit long. As for forming a group... I'd rather go solo," Lezheng replied.

Other students might have been worried about being expelled for not having enough private points, but the two of them were discussing how long the exam would take, because everyone in Class A now had over a million private points.

"Solo? Quit bragging. Don't end up needing the wise and mighty Lady Kamuro to rescue you." Kamuro scoffed.

"Then I'll be counting on Lady Kamuro to save me." Lezheng pressed his palms together.

"Hey, Lezheng. How about teaming up with us?"

Barely had Mashima left when Ryuuen barged into Class A with his entourage.

"My, my, if it isn't Ryuuen. What a rare visitor." Sakayanagi covered her mouth with her fan.

"Heh... Sakayanagi, cut the snide remarks. You've been behaving yourself a lot more lately."

Sakayanagi caught the mockery in Ryuuen's words. "Lezheng and I are partners, you know."

"What do you say, Lezheng?" Ryuuen stood in front of him.

"Lezheng, I think we'd be a better fit for you than Ryuen." Ichinose and Kanzaki had arrived as well.

"I think you've misunderstood something. This special exam feels more like a competition between grades." Horikita had Sudo and Ayanokoji behind her.

"Hahaha! I didn't expect everyone to show up." Ryuuen grinned viciously.

"I'd like us all to win too, actually, but unfortunately... reality is cruel." Lezheng stood up.

"So you want to go solo?" Ryuuen caught his meaning.

"I also think Lezheng should go solo. If you want to cooperate, Katsuragi and I will do." Sakayanagi and Katsuragi walked over.

"Oh? Are you representing your own factions, or... Class A?"

"Class A, of course. We're one united group," Katsuragi replied.

Meanwhile, in an empty first-year classroom.

"Hosen, they finally let you out, huh?" Utsunomiya's tone carried a hint of mockery.

"Heh, that face of yours really is... annoying!"

Hosen suddenly attacked, swinging a slap at him, but Utsunomiya blocked it in midair.

"Want to fight? I'll take you on."

"Hold on, you two. I didn't call you here to watch you fight," Yagami said, stopping the two before they could continue.

"That's right. We should be presenting a united front against the others right now," Takahashi agreed.

"Then let me make this clear. You want to work with me? Fine, but you'll have to give me two million private points." Hosen chuckled.

"Looks like you don't want to cooperate," Utsunomiya said.

"Two million, not a point less. Otherwise... forget it." Hosen turned and headed for the door. As he passed Takahashi, he shoved him hard into the blackboard.

"Hosen, I don't think we should waste the special privilege the school has given us," Yagami urged.

"If you agree to one condition, I'll cooperate." Hosen stopped in the doorway.

"What condition?"

"Of the six people in the merged group, at least two have to be Class D students."

"I'm afraid I can't agree to that condition."

"You won't agree to this, you won't agree to that. You trying to get something for nothing?" Hosen left the classroom.

"It's just as well he's gone. Let's start discussing our strategy," Utsunomiya said calmly.

Lezheng received an email from Horikita asking him to meet her at the park.

"Ayanokoji? Where's Horikita?" When Lezheng arrived, only Ayanokoji was waiting for him.

"I asked her to send it. I'd like to ask you a favor," Ayanokoji said.

Lezheng said, "Tell me what it is first. Then I can decide."

Ayanokoji said, "I'll give you this card in exchange for a favor on the deserted island."

Lezheng said, "A Trial Card? Could you be more specific?"

Ayanokoji said, "I've received information that Tsukishiro plans to make a move against me on the deserted island. When that happens, you're the only one who can help me."

Lezheng said, "I can only help with things within my abilities."

Ayanokoji said, "That's all I needed to hear."

Lezheng took the Trial Card and examined it closely. No one in Class A had drawn a special card. Only Yahiko had drawn a Doubling Card.

"Finished talking to him?" Kiryuin leaned back in a chair a short distance away, sitting in a decidedly unladylike manner.

"Long time no see, Kiryuin." Lezheng sat down three seats away from her.

"Lezheng, shall we have a little contest during this deserted island exam?"

"From the sound of it, you're pretty confident about taking first place."

"No, no, no. My sixth sense tells me a lot of interesting things will happen during this special exam."

He had to admit that a woman's sixth sense really was a little like seeing the future. The mere fact that Tsukishiro would appear on the island was already intriguing, never mind how he would make his move against Ayanokoji.

"Do you know the background of the White Room?" Lezheng asked.

"Since you agreed to compete with me, I'll tell you. Behind the White Room stands a ruthless official named Atsuomi Ayanokoji, the father of the person you just made a deal with. The White Room is a place meant to supply society with talented people."

"So his father sent his own son in there too?"

"Yes. And Ayanokoji was even called its 'masterpiece.' He's an interesting person too, but right now, I'm more interested in you."

"Looks like I've still got some charm."