I changed into gym clothes in the assigned room, packed some simple luggage to last a week and went out onto the deck to wait for the ship to reach the island. As the island drew close enough to feel like it was right in front of us, the first years’ excitement reached its peak.

“From now on we’ll disembark starting with Class A, in order. Also mobile phones are prohibited. Leave them with your homeroom teacher before you get off.”

Mobile phones are prohibited, huh. If there’s going to be an exam, it’s a relief there likely won’t be any reason to spend money. I stood with Class D and waited my turn as students filed down the passenger ferry stairs. With no place on the deck to escape the sun, they kept urging everyone to get off quickly and I endured the heat, frowning.

Seriously... this school is way too lenient toward Class A.

While I was waiting, I saw Horikita finish joining in a bit late. Nothing looked different at first glance but I felt a sense of wrongness. Her hair was messy in a way that didn’t fit her meticulous personality and even in this weather she was rubbing her arms like she was cold.

It’s obviously a cold. I just hope it doesn’t become a disruptive factor during the exam.

The day we withdrew the review of the Sudō incident, Horikita asked about why I pursue meritocracy. And that day, with an expressionless face and no emotion in my voice, I showed her the darkness inside me. After that, a taut tension lingered between us.

Our relationship became fairly smooth after she ended up becoming my personal maid because of the last final exam but she still suspected me. Well, personal growth and suspicion of others are separate things so I won’t bother over it.

After a strict baggage inspection, we went down the gangway. The inspection was so thorough it made me wonder if it was really necessary for a one week stay at a pension.

As we came down slowly, chatting here and there, our homeroom teacher’s stern voice flew at us.

“From now on we’ll conduct roll call for Class D. Answer properly when your name is called.”

At the same time we were ordered into formation and each class’s homeroom teacher began checking attendance in unison. Maybe because everyone was wearing the same gym clothes, it felt more like a camp than summer vacation. Watching students who wanted to enjoy their free time without a hint of tension, I also found myself wanting to finish whatever exam the school was about to announce and then spend a good time with Hiyori.

At that moment, Mashima-sensei, Class A’s homeroom teacher and the English teacher, stepped up onto a prepared white platform.

“I’m glad we were able to arrive here safely today. However, it is truly unfortunate that one student was unable to attend due to illness.”

That one was Sakayanagi Arisu. From Sakayanagi’s absence, I became certain this cruise trip would include an exam that demands stamina and athletic ability. From the looks of it, he was about to explain the exam details.

But... this is supposed to be a trip, yet the teachers’ faces look unusually grim. Is it because they’re the responsible staff so it feels like work to them, or... something beyond that?

Then I saw adults in work clothes setting up a special tent a little farther away. There were even computers on the desks. The sight felt out of place against the sea and I sensed something was wrong. As more students who felt the same started to show it on their faces, Mashima-sensei said coldly, as if he had been waiting.

“Then we will now administer this year’s first special exam.”

The moment he said it, cries that sounded like tension and relief burst out from every class. They must feel dumbfounded since just a moment ago they thought this was simply a vacation.

For me, it’s fine. An exam was within expectations. What matters is the content. Whatever it is, I’ll finish it perfectly and enjoy a peaceful holiday on this deserted island...

“The period is one week starting now. That is, it ends at noon on August 7. The exam is to live as a group on this deserted island for the next week.”

...What?

“Also, I’ll state in advance that this special exam is practical and realistic and it was created by referencing actual corporate training programs.”

Deserted island living... and camping outside? On top of that, as a group with these incompetents? All seven days? My head started spinning from the flood of information.

“During the exam, boarding the ship will not be permitted except for legitimate reasons. If you are to live on this island, you must think through everything yourselves, from where to sleep to preparing meals. At the start of the exam, each class will be given two tents, two flashlights and one box of matches. Sunscreen is unlimited, toothbrushes are distributed one per person and as a special exception, for female students only, feminine hygiene products are permitted without limit. Apply to your homeroom teacher for them. That is all.”

So aside from that, we have to live in total inconvenience with nothing? This is the worst...

“Whaaat?! Seriously, like actual deserted island survival?! I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous! This isn’t a manga! How is the whole class supposed to sleep in just two tents! And what are we supposed to do about food! This makes no sense!”

Ike protested loudly enough for everyone to hear. Honestly, this time I couldn’t help agreeing with him.

This is basically a self-sufficient life on a deserted island. Catching wild animals to cook, washing in a river, making bedding out of branches... is that even possible in the 21st century?

I’m too shocked. Even in the White Room, I’ve never lived a primitive life like this.

“Right now you’re thinking, what meaning does this exam have? Some of you may even doubt whether this is truly the kind of training that exists in reality. But students with only that much capacity cannot be expected to have a future. Which part of this gives you grounds to criticize it as ‘impossible’ or ‘stupid’? You are merely students, not anything yet. In other words, you are essentially worthless beings. And beings like that want to criticize the methods of first class corporations? That is a ridiculous story. If, for example, you were presidents running companies superior to those corporations, you might have the right to deny it. But if you are not, then there exists no basis on which you can deny it.”

Damn it. He’s right from start to finish so there’s nothing to argue back with. You can’t declare something unrealistic just from fragments of a story. It’s nothing more than making arbitrary conclusions within the range you personally understand.

Fine then... if it’s an exam on this scale, the reward should be huge. I’ll wring out as much as I can.

“If this were an exam that forces harsh living, criticism would be understandable but since it’s a special exam there is no need to think too deeply. For the next week, you may swim in the sea, or you may have a barbecue. Sometimes, having a campfire and chatting with friends would not be bad either. The theme of this special training is ‘freedom.’”

After hearing that, it’s hard to feel like it’s an exam at all. More than anything, with phones confiscated and no way to use private points, a barbecue? Are they giving us money and making us compete over how much remains?

Then Mashima-sensei stated rules that were close to what I expected.

“As a major premise for this special exam on the deserted island, first we will grant each class 300 exam points. If you use these points well, you can enjoy the week like you came here on a trip. We have also prepared a manual for that purpose.”

As expected. So rather than primitive life, it’s a restricted camp life.

“This manual includes a full list of items you can obtain with points. Not only essential items like drinks and food ingredients, if you want a barbecue, barbecue equipment and food are also available. There are countless tools for enjoying the sea as well.”

At that, students’ eyes lit up. But we can’t be fooled. This is clearly a trap meant to make us spend the provided points. If this is an exam where we must leave as many points as possible, then barbecue and leisure tools are items we can’t even dream about.

“H-however teacher, since you say it’s an exam, it feels like there should be something difficult.”

“No. There is nothing difficult. And it will not have any negative impact after the second semester begins. I guarantee that.”

That’s probably true. Nothing will look difficult on the surface. Still, this is an exam. What matters is how it’s evaluated.

Mashima-sensei’s next sentence revealed the real picture.

“At the end of the special exam, all remaining points for each class will be added to class points and reflected when summer vacation ends.”

At that, a commotion erupted without regard for A, B, C, or D. Until now, the known ways to increase class points were academics and clubs, meaning classes with more top students like me, Hiyori, or Sakayanagi, or students who excel in clubs like Sudō had the advantage. But this rule is a different kind of survival test. The handicap difference isn’t large.

“So if we just endure one week... our allowance increases a ton starting next month?!”

In other words, this is a fight that demands patience. If we don’t spend points even if we think we’re going crazy, the increase will be on a completely different scale than the midterm period.

In other words, for Class D, this is the perfect chance to reduce the gap with the upper classes.

“One manual will be distributed to each class. If it is lost, reissuance is possible, but it costs points, so keep it safe. Also, under the special exam rules, if someone drops out midway due to sickness or other reasons, a penalty of minus 30 points will be applied to that class. Therefore Class A will start at 270 points.”

Even though Class A was reduced by 30 due to Sakayanagi’s absence, Class A didn’t waver at all. Some others looked excited that they ‘closed the gap by 30’ but Class A already has over 1000 points and the gap with Class B is close to 400. Even if B uses points efficiently, it would be hard to close the distance to A. If anything, B should be careful of C, which is much closer.

After the final exam, as of August, the current class points are as follows.

Class A: +14 = 1038 cp
Class B: +27 = 690 cp
Class C: +11 = 621 cp
Class D: +10 = 207 cp

Unlike the midterm, the final exam was essentially a pure academic evaluation with no special workaround, so the only class that rose by 20 or more was Class B. Even Class A, which achieved the best results, showed little difference from the midterm so it didn’t gain a large swing.

From this, I predict the amount of points gained is based on growth compared to the average of previous exams and the degree of improvement of each student. That makes sense because the averages of Class C and Class D, which used the power of answer sheets very effectively, were fairly low compared to before. It’s a relief we didn’t go negative.

But even considering that, for our class, ten feels too small given how hard we worked for the final exam. It’s probably because I entered class late and because Horikita skipped all afternoon classes. We need to be careful next time.

That’s the end of Mashima-sensei’s part. From here, it’s up to each homeroom teacher. In other words, we needed to hear a supplemental explanation from Chabashira-sensei.

“Thirty thousand starting next month, thirty thousand starting next month, thirty thousand starting next month... I’ll definitely pull it off!”

The boys, including Ike, clenched their fists, burning with determination and the girls flushed with excitement as they discussed what they would buy. Since it was a chance to earn a large amount of class points, it was a natural reaction.

But I judged there might be additional rules in Chabashira-sensei’s explanation, so I listened closely.

The limit is one week. To beat Ryūen and to crush the Katsuragi faction, I started spreading a blank canvas in my head to draw out what strategy I should use.

Chabashira-sensei began by pointing to a box placed by someone who looked like a contractor.

“Starting now, I will distribute wristwatches to all of you. Wear them continuously until the exam ends in one week and do not remove them. If you remove the watch without permission, a penalty will be applied. These watches are not only for checking the time, they also have sensors that detect body temperature, pulse and a person’s movement as well as GPS. They are also equipped with a means to alert the school in case of emergency. In an emergency, do not hesitate, press that button.”