Today is the end of May...

If things follow the original world, it’s the scheduled day for the second special exam.

"Huh? Ichika-chan? You don’t look very energetic... are you feeling down again?"

"No no! That’s not it? I was just... thinking on my own that the second special exam might be coming up soon!"

"Hmm, now that you mention it... that’s true! Ichika-chan, you’re sharp~!"

"No, it’s just intuition, okay? You don’t really need to rely on it that much."

While hiding the unease deep in my heart... I had that kind of exchange with Ayumi-chan.

'I have to do something...'

And then... our homeroom teacher entered the classroom and homeroom began. Up to this point, it was the usual scene.

"I have an announcement. I will now explain the second special exam."

This is where things start getting important... my classmates were also buzzing at the sudden announcement from the teacher.

"Sensei, this second special exam... what kind of exam is it exactly?"

As if picking up on the class’s intent, Ishigami-kun asked the teacher a question.

"The second special exam is called... the Four-Choice Mismatch Exam."

Without delay, the homeroom teacher began explaining the rules of the special exam to everyone in class.

The Four-Choice Mismatch Exam first begins by dividing all 40 students in each class into two groups of 20: the [Answering Questions] group and the [Choice Acquisition] group!

Now then, let’s start by looking at how the [Answering Questions] group operates~!

① Members of the [Answering Questions] group gather in the same classroom, and for each question, one student from each class becomes the respondent... and selects one answer from the four choices displayed on the monitor.

...Up to this point, it might seem like an easy exam where even someone not very smart can always see a 25% chance of winning...

But, yeah... the world isn’t that kind~!

② However... the respondent cannot immediately choose whichever option they like, and instead, the [Choice Acquisition] group in the gymnasium gains the right to select choices in order based on which class clears the task first.

③ The four respondents must all choose different options... and those who gain selection rights later cannot choose options that have already been chosen by others.

That’s right! Even if the respondent knows the correct answer... it’s meaningless if they don’t obtain the right to choose!

④ Respondents who choose the correct answer remain... and proceed to the next question. Meanwhile, the others are eliminated... and leave the classroom. The class of the eliminated respondent selects a new respondent.

⑤ This process repeats, and any class whose entire [Answering Questions] group of 20 is wiped out loses the right to answer.

In other words, if there are no respondents left, it becomes impossible to answer subsequent questions.

Next, as for how the [Choice Acquisition] group operates...

① For each question, one challenger from each class is sent out... and they take on a physical task 'including ball games' at the same time the question is presented.

② Challengers who clear the task advance and can participate again in future tasks. However, unlike respondents... consecutive participation in two tasks in a row is not allowed. 'Except when only one person remains'

③ However... in each task, the challenger who places last is eliminated... and leaves the gymnasium.

④ This repeats, and any class whose entire [Choice Acquisition] group of 20 is wiped out loses the right to choose.

In other words, if there are no challengers left, acquiring selection rights becomes impossible... and the respondents will inevitably be forced to pick from the remaining choices.

And then... regarding the points that can be earned...

① For each question, 10 points are awarded to the class of the respondent who selects the correct answer.

② For each task, 10 points are awarded to the class of the challenger who obtains selection rights first.

③ When a class has all 40 members from both the [Answering Questions] group and the [Choice Acquisition] group eliminated, the exam ends, and the points earned so far are converted into class points.

④ However, any class that is completely wiped out will have all points earned up to that point confiscated.

That was the full overview of this special exam.

"So that means... If we always obtain selection rights first every time... and keep choosing the correct answers... it’s possible to earn over 400 points, isn’t it? This is a chance to create a huge gap with the other classes!"

Takahashi-kun’s remark caused the entire class to erupt with excitement.

'Over 400 points, huh... well... it’s not completely impossible in theory, but...'

There’s no way Takuya and Hōsen-kun would just sit back and let that happen, so it’s not exactly realistic~

And besides...

"Additionally, within each question and task, there will be various bonus chances, such as randomly increasing the number of eliminated participants or the points that can be earned, so please be aware of that."

How those bonuses are used will probably have a major impact on victory or defeat...

"Lastly, I will explain the penalty actions for this special exam."

With that, the teacher began explaining the penalty actions.

In the original world, I remember Hatano-kun from Class C being set up by Takuya, leading him to commit one of these penalty actions... and getting expelled~

"The exam will be held next week. I wish you all the best of luck."

For me, this is the second special exam in this world... I wonder if I’ll be able to get through it successfully?

[AN: Non-canon special exam.]