Chapter 114: The Exam Begins, Katsuragi's Performance
Horikita successfully strapped on the wristband.
Hachiman also received his wristband and then returned to his original spot.
It seemed like the announcement was made by the homeroom teacher of Class A.
Just like how there was a clear hierarchy among the four classes, with strength being the determining factor, the same applied to the homeroom teachers.
At this moment, the homeroom teacher of Class A, Mashima, stood on a makeshift podium, holding a loudspeaker.
The other three homeroom teachers stood on either side, like mere background figures, or perhaps more like mere supports.
Mashima's voice rang out, "I am Mashima, the homeroom teacher of Class A. First of all, it's commendable that you have all managed to arrive here as requested."
"But, one student is unable to participate in this activity due to health reasons, and therefore, they will be penalized with a 30-point deduction from their starting score."
"Since this is a special exam, absences will incur penalties."
Mashima spoke directly.
As the homeroom teacher of Class A, he was fully aware that the student who wasn't present here was from his class.
And so, he directly announced the penalty for Sakayanagi.
However…
"Huh?"
"Special exam?"
"Weren't we supposed to be here to enjoy a trip? Why has it turned into an exam? The school never told us about this!"
The crowd immediately became noisy, most of it coming from Class C students.
After all, besides Hachiman and the others, who had been concerned about this from the start, most of the students in Class C were shocked that their trip had turned into a special exam.
Students in Class B seemed to have just realized what was going on, but they weren't as panicked as Class C.
Mashima didn't give the students time to calm down.
Instead, he continued, "This special exam's theme is freedom. The content requires you to live collectively on this deserted island for one week. During this week, all decisions will be made by you."
"You can think of it as an outdoor survival game, like those you see on TV. However, in this case, you are the main characters."
"And!"
Mashima, the homeroom teacher of Class A, appeared to be the type who was all business, serious, and without a hint of a smile.
He stated directly, "During this week, no one is allowed to board the boat. If you do, it will be considered a forfeit. However, the school will provide you with essential supplies, which have already been placed on the beach below."
"The specific rules for this exam will be announced by your respective homeroom teachers."
"That's all!"
"Class A, B, C, and D will board small boats in that order to go to the island's beach, where the rules will be explained."
Mashima continued.
...
The explanation from the homeroom teacher of Class A was very direct, and his demand for discipline was strong.
He didn't give the students much time to think before urging them to board the boats.
"Is this for real…?"
"We actually have to survive on a deserted island for a week?"
"With just this stuff? How is that even possible!"
"We're going to die… we're really going to die!"
On the beach, the four classes lined up at their designated gathering points.
As Mashima had said, the supplies the school had prepared for each class were placed there.
However, these supplies were a bit lacking.
Two eight-person tents, two flashlights, and a box of matches. A portable toilet.
Additionally, since girls are more delicate, sunscreen was provided in abundance, with two full boxes distributed.
Each student also received a blue bag containing toothpaste, a toothbrush, a towel, soap, and a water bottle.
Of course.
There were also special sanitary products prepared for the girls.
However, considering the privacy of the girls, these items needed to be picked up from the homeroom teacher and were also provided in unlimited quantities.
Yet, faced with such a situation, before the exam even began, the students in Class C were already falling into despair.
Of course, since this was a special exam, there were also rewards.
"Each class is allocated an initial score of 300 points. You can use these points to purchase necessary living supplies, which is quite convenient. The results of this exam will be evaluated based on the remaining points each class has at the end."
"After one week, the remaining points will directly contribute to your class's overall score!"
In other words, if no points were spent…
The class could directly increase their score by 300 points!
This was a key focus for those aiming for promotion.
Moreover.
Looking at the previous exam's score, where the highest score was 100 points in a written test, this sudden 300-point score was likely a rare occurrence.
Additionally, the value of 300 points was significant.
Now, the evaluation scores for the four classes were as follows:
• First-year Class A, Sakayanagi's class: 1188 points
•
• First-year Class B, Ichinose's class: 951 points
•
• First-year Class C, Horikita's class: 550 points
•
• First-year Class D, Ryuen's class: 0 points
•
Among them, Class D had a significant gap with the other classes, but if Class A and Class B could use their points wisely, it could result in a major shift.
For Class B, this might be the moment they could challenge Class A.
For Class A, this exam would completely widen the gap between them and Class B, ensuring that they no longer had to worry about being overtaken.
In other words, this exam could completely alter the current class standings!
Of course.
For Hachiman, if he could earn 300 points, he would be even closer to Class A, and with a bit more manipulation, there might even be a chance to go straight to the top.
The homeroom teacher continued to announce the rules.
"Of course, 300 points is just the starting point. If you're good enough, you can earn even more points."
"There are many strategic points on the island. Each class will select a leader and be given a card. Using the leader's card to capture a point will earn you additional points, increasing your overall score."
"However, at the same time, guessing the identity of other classes' leaders will become one of the most important tasks on the island, aside from survival. After a week, each class will participate in a guessing game where you'll try to figure out the leaders of the other three classes."
"Each correct guess will earn your class an additional 50 points, but if you guess incorrectly, your class will lose 50 points. It's a bit of a gamble."
"Moreover, if one class guesses the leader of another class correctly, that class will lose 50 points. And if any class correctly guesses your leader's identity, the points you earned from capturing strategic locations will become invalid."
In other words, while surviving, the students would also be playing a game of werewolf with the other classes.
"Then, Chabashira-sensei, what exactly is meant by a 'strategic point'?" At this moment, Hachiman suddenly interjected.
His tone seemed slightly urgent.
This wasn't typical of him.
Chabashira explained,
"A strategic point generally refers to an area suitable for camping or living. It could be a cave, a water source, flat land, or an area with food—basically, a place where you can survive for a while."
"Each strategic point will have a card reader, and by using the leader's card on the reader, you can claim that area for your class."
"However, if another class takes control of a strategic point and misuses or damages the supplies there, points will be deducted."
Chabashira continued explaining some additional minor details.
Horikita listened quietly to Chabashira's explanation of the exam rules and relaxed slightly.
Hachiman's earlier spontaneous question did seem a bit out of character, but she understood why he had interjected.
Because...
This was all about luck. When they were on the boat,
The announcement told the students to go to the deck to see the "meaningful scenery," and then Hachiman had taken advantage of the situation, getting Sakura to photograph all the views.
He had them repeatedly review and even record the details.
The records included things on the island that needed attention.
Among them... there were many places that looked suitable for being strategic points.
So now, in addition to the initial 300 points and guessing the leaders, there was also the opportunity to earn points by capturing strategic locations. That meant... they had already secured the advantage, both in terms of timing, location, and people, hadn't they?
Thinking this, Horikita glanced at the other two who had also received the information early.
Sakura was still cutely processing the exam rules.
But Kushida had already caught on and looked over in surprise.
In other words...
This special exam was a huge opportunity for Class C!
Sakura was definitely a star player.
Hachiman thought.
Because who would have guessed that not only was Sakura good at reading people, but she was also a lucky star?
So.
With the 300 points from the start, plus an additional two or three hundred points from capturing strategic locations,
Class C had a good chance of scoring over 400 points in this special exam.
That would bring them right up to Class A's level.
...
On the other side, after the homeroom teacher of Class A announced the rule about earning points by capturing strategic locations,
Totsuka Yahiko was also excitedly looking at the bald man next to him. "Katsuragi, you're amazing! This time, our class is definitely going to win!"
"Yahiko, calm down."
Katsuragi said calmly, "Let's keep this a secret for now, don't let anyone else know."
"I understand."
Yahiko nodded vigorously, but his excitement couldn't be hidden.
Katsuragi, though not saying much, was feeling extremely pleased inside.
In Class A, unlike in Class D with Ryuen's one-man rule, or Class B with Ichinose's harmony,
He had a rival—Sakayanagi Arisu.
And Sakayanagi was strong, both in reflexes and mental acuity.
Moreover, during the previous written exam, Sakayanagi had maximized the potential of the exam,
Earning a ticket to become the next student council president.
That was a lot of pressure for Katsuragi.
His opponent was just too talented.
However, this time, Sakayanagi couldn't participate due to health reasons. But this outing was definitely a special exam, and with Sakayanagi's faction now leaderless, they would have no choice but to rely on him.
So.
This presented an opportunity for Katsuragi.
As long as he could take advantage of the situation and establish his authority, he could win the trust and support of all the classmates!
After all, Sakayanagi's bid for student council president was for the next semester.
If Katsuragi could stabilize the class and gain an advantage, even if Sakayanagi became the next student council president, it would not shake the class's solid strategy.
After all.
Sakayanagi was too radical, and Katsuragi was worried that Sakayanagi would ruin the class.
And he, himself, wanted to graduate from Class A.
His family wasn't well-off; both his parents had passed away, and he lived with his younger sister. Although they were supported by relatives, he wanted to take on the responsibility and repay those who had helped their family.
So, whether it was a good university or a decent job, both were things he desired.
Thanks to his preemptive arrangements to gather information,
he had confirmed that this trip was a special exam.
Also, the senior students had all participated in group life on the island.
So, he had studied up on this aspect.
Earlier, when the announcement instructed the students to go to the deck to view the "meaningful scenery," he not only observed the island's terrain, but also sketched everything down.
The areas he focused on were exactly what the teachers had referred to as "strategic points."
Now, it seemed that his efforts had paid off—he wasn't wasting his time!
Although they weren't allowed to carry personal items, he had already memorized the map in his head.
This time, Class A was going to win!
"Alright, now we have something more important to discuss."
Katsuragi raised his hand to stop the excited group, speaking in a serious tone, "Regarding the selection of the team leader, I have a suggestion."
With Sakayanagi absent, even though those from Sakayanagi's faction didn't quite like him, they had no choice but to cooperate with him.
So.
Now, this was Katsuragi's time to take charge. It was his moment to shine.
The scene shifted to Class C. However, Class C seemed to still struggle with the issue of selecting a leader.
For example, right now.
"Regarding the selection of the team leader…"
The students from Class C gathered together, with a circle of others watching, keeping an eye on students from the other classes.
And within the circle, Mama Hirata hesitated for a moment before speaking, suddenly looking toward Hachiman and Horikita, "Hachiman-kun, Horikita-san, what do you think?"
Hachiman shook his head slightly. Hirata was actually a good person, but his lack of ability couldn't be compensated for by his good nature.
In such a crucial moment, he was prone to hesitation.
But Hachiman didn't expect much from him either.
So, he turned to Horikita.
"About the team leader…"
Horikita seemed to hesitate a bit.
Because of the video Sakura had taken, if they wanted to capture strategic points, they had the advantage, and Horikita herself had recorded seven or eight possible locations for strategic points.
However.
To capture these points, the leader's card was necessary to swipe and claim them.
And she… her physical condition wasn't up to par, so even if they reached the strategic points, other classes might capture them first.
If she didn't participate, then no one else would know where the strategic points were.
So, selecting the leader… she was uncertain.
Horikita was uncertain, but Hachiman had a clear direction.
"Earlier, when we were on the boat, I saw a few locations that could be strategic points." Hachiman said.
"Eh?"
"Isn't that a good thing?"
The classmates immediately looked over.
Was this suggesting that they should elect Hachiman as the leader?
Yes.
Because only by using the leader's card could they claim strategic points, and since Hachiman knew the locations of the points, it made the most sense for him to be the leader and capture them.
But.
Hachiman didn't think so.
Because.
The number of strategic points he had recorded added up to about 11.
However.
Earlier, he had seen the central tower, the highest point on the island, similar to a lighthouse or observation tower. So, if they could get there, it was possible to discover even more strategic points.
And that would give them the advantage.
When he had the opportunity to seize the initiative, Hachiman's plan was… to take it all!
So.
He looked toward a specific person.
The fastest runner in the class.