The cruise trip came to an abrupt and unexpected end when we docked on the island. Without explanation, we were immediately arranged into two sections, each class divided by gender—male and female.
It wasn't a secret anymore. The rumors, once whispered in cautious voices, had been true all along. Everyone had speculated about this possibility, but now that it was reality, the unease was palpable. It had yet to be officially declared as what we all suspected, but that announcement was just a matter of time.
Anxiety hung in the air. Worry marred the faces of students who, up until now, had been enjoying the leisure of the cruise. The mere thought of what awaited us on this island weighed heavily on them. The physical toll, the mental strain—it was all an unknown challenge that loomed ahead.
Our phones had been confiscated. Personal belongings stripped away. All we had left was ourselves, our skills, and whatever teamwork we could muster to get through this trial.
What an absolute farce.
"Sienna, looks like our assumptions were right. The post on the school forum was spot on."
Ai Morishita spoke with her usual lazy tone, half-lidded eyes showing more amusement than concern. Absentmindedly, she twirled a strand of her long hair between her fingers, her posture radiating nonchalance.
"Yeah, it seems you were right. From this point on, we have no choice but to push ourselves through whatever awaits."
"Hmmm~ It was such a brief period of relaxation. Too bad Sakayanagi wasn't here to experience it."
Sakayanagi had been unable to participate in the trip due to her fragile health. Before we departed, she had entrusted us with the responsibility of monitoring Katsuragi's movements.
"Yeah, sucks for her," I muttered.
Our conversation was cut short as the teachers stepped forward to address us. Their expressions were unreadable, their postures rigid, almost militaristic. The students grew uneasy.
Mashima-sensei took center stage. Clad in the same athletic jersey we all wore, his broad and intimidating physique was comparable to that of a professional wrestler. Yet, his sheer presence wasn't just about muscle—Mashima-sensei was an incredibly intelligent man, a former instructor of multiple subjects before settling into teaching English.
"Now that everyone is gathered, we will begin a brief explanation to clarify why you are in this situation."
My gaze shifted momentarily to Class B. They maintained an air of determination—except for him.
Lloyd.
He had been unnervingly inactive. Despite my careful observations, I hadn't noticed any significant shifts in the class dynamics. He knew, didn't he? He knew we were intent on flushing him out. So, what would he do now to escape the threads I had woven around him?
I turned my focus back to Mashima-sensei as he continued.
"This is a trial. The first of many trials you will face."
He paused, his sharp gaze sweeping across the first-years, assessing our reactions.
My attention drifted again—to the adults in work uniforms setting up equipment. A large tent was being erected, a laptop connected to an extended cable, a satellite dish adjusted. This wasn't just a survival exercise. It was being monitored. Controlled.
Despite the preparation, tension still lingered among the students.
Ryuuen. Horikita. Hirata. Ichinose. Kanzaki.
They all had one thing in common: anticipation.
"The duration of this trial will be one week. It will end at noon on August 7. During this time, you will live on this deserted island. This test is designed to evaluate your ability to work together as a group and survive under harsh conditions. Furthermore, this special trial has been structured with real-life corporate training in mind. Before we begin, I will provide hints on how to succeed."
Mashima-sensei's words settled heavily over the crowd.
A voice from Class C spoke up. "Since this island is deserted, there are no ships or boats… What about accommodations?"
"That's right! We can't just sleep on the ground. What about food?" another from Class B added.
Mashima-sensei remained unfazed. "Boarding a ship is not permitted unless there is a justifiable reason. Living on this island means considering everything—your shelter, your meals, your survival strategy. At the start of the trial, each class will receive two tents, two flashlights, and one box of matches. There will be no restriction on sunscreen."
Murmurs of disbelief spread through the crowd. The resources were minimal.
"This is way too little," someone from Class D grumbled.
"Seriously? We can't all fit in two tents! What about food?" another student complained.
The complaints continued, but Mashima remained indifferent. Come to think of it, the school must have a system in place to help students navigate this predicament. If I had to guess, we should be given a small number of points to manage for the week. That seems plausible, though it could undermine the purpose of survival and teamwork.
With that in mind, I assume we'll receive just enough to get by—somewhere between 500 and 1,000 points. My bet is on 400, but since our phones aren't available, these points must serve solely for the exam. If that's the case, points could determine the exam's outcome.
But that seems unlikely. Assuming the school provides between 400 and 500 points, students' needs will almost certainly exceed that amount. I wonder if there's another way to earn more points in this exam.
Mashima-sensei ignored the protests. "Additionally, this island is owned by a major enterprise—the same one that designed this test. It is a top-secret facility, ensuring complete isolation from the outside world."
"This isn't some social experiment," he continued. "This island plays a crucial role in the test, which is why it has been chosen as the location."
"Ain't no way…" someone muttered.
Mashima-sensei's sharp eyes swept across us. "The school is not playing foul. You were informed that this was a vacation, yes, but only the unobservant failed to recognize the hints.
"Think about it. You came straight from summer break onto a luxurious cruise. Did none of you suspect anything?"
He was right. The signs had been there all along. The students had simply ignored them.
"But look at the bright side," Mashima-sensei said suddenly, his tone shifting. "You can still treat this as a vacation. There's swimming, exploration, campfires, barbecues. In fact, freedom is the theme of this trial."
A collective pause.
"Freedom?" Ai Morishita suddenly perked up, her arms waving dramatically. "I can make barbecue? And it's part of the test?"
"Fwooo! Fwoiii!!!" She twirled in excitement.
Eccentric as ever.
Mashima-sensei let the murmurs settle before delivering the next crucial piece of information.
"For this trial, each class will be given 300 points. These points will be used to purchase supplies and manage your survival. The key to success lies in careful planning."
I had suspected as much, but the amount given was even lower than I anticipated. The real intrigue lay in the fact that additional points could be earned.
A student raised a hand. "So we can buy anything we need with these 300 points?"
"Correct," Mashima-sensei confirmed. "With the right strategy, you can even turn this into an extended vacation."
"But isn't this supposed to be a trial?" someone objected. "Shouldn't it be difficult?"
"The difficulty," Mashima-sensei said smoothly, "depends entirely on how you choose to approach it."
Then, with a final statement, he revealed the true nature of this test.
"At the conclusion of the trial, the remaining points of each class will be added to your overall class points. This will directly impact your standing when the summer break ends."
Silence.
A written test measured individual intelligence. But this… This was a test of collective endurance and strategy.
"A copy of the manual will be given to each class, if manuals are lost or damaged, another copy will be reissued, although it will cost you points, so keep yours safe. Another rule to state is that absence or drop out from this exam regarding an individual from a class, will be deducted at 30 points from they're total point, and since class A has one student out due to health issues, they'll be subtracted 30 point regardless of the reasons why, so class A will be starting with 270 point"
Katsuragi, standing nearby, shook his head. Class A had already suffered a loss—Sakayanagi's absence meant we were starting with 270 points instead of 300.
Mashima-sensei wrapped up his explanation, and my gaze drifted back to Class B.
Lloyd wasn't taking notes. He wasn't even paying attention. His eyes were fixed on the sky, vacant—until, in a single sharp motion, he turned and met my gaze.
I froze under his scrutiny.
His stare was heavy. Intentional. Unreadable.
He could try to intimidate me all he wanted.
But I would make sure he was expelled.