In late October, the students of Advanced Nurturing High School faced their second semester midterms.
Even though it was just a regular test, failing would still result in expulsion—just like last semester's midterms.
And this time, there were no leaked past questions to help them.
Because of that, Class D had been tense for days. Even Sudou, despite getting a huge amount of compensation points, had been diligently attending Horikita's study sessions.
But after spending the whole previous month preparing for the sports festival instead of studying, many students were still nervous, even after putting in the effort.
Finally, after enduring the stress of the midterms, the day for the results has arrived.
"Alright, everyone back to your seats… hmm? You're all surprisingly well-behaved today."
As soon as she stepped into the classroom, Chabashira-sensei noticed the heavy atmosphere.
Of course, she did. Today's results could determine whether someone would be expelled.
"You all look so serious. Hard to believe this is Class D."
"Well… it's the day we get our midterm results, after all."
Hearing the students' questions, Chabashira-sensei smiled in a way that was different from usual.
"That's right. If you fail the midterm or final exam, you'll be expelled immediately. However..." Chabashira-sensei paused for a moment. "Seeing how you're nervous but still calm now, I can tell you've improved."
"Chabashira-sensei, please stop talking like that. You're making me anxious."
Chabashira-sensei's words made Ike restless. His legs kept shaking nonstop.
"No need to panic, Ike. I'm announcing the results now."
Chabashira-sensei then posted the grade sheet on the blackboard.
"These are the results for this midterm exam. Even if you all passed, it's still good to check your scores. It'll help you improve."
"Huh? Do we really have to make the grades public?"
"Of course. It's the school's rule. Plus, it's necessary for you to understand your weaknesses and work on them."
Obviously, this explanation didn't convince the students. If the goal was just to help them recognize their weaknesses, they could have received their scores privately.
But posting the grades for everyone to see had its benefits. After all, embarrassment could be a strong motivator.
At this age, most students compare themselves based on grades or athletic ability—just like Horikita when she first entered school.
As usual, Chabashira-sensei arranged the scores from highest to lowest. But this time, Kanda Shuichi wasn't in first place.
Even though he was confident in his answers, he had previously ranked last several times and had also missed a few activities. As a result, he lost a lot of points. Even so, his score was still among the highest.
"After averaging all subjects, the passing mark is 42 points. Anyone scoring below that will be expelled."
"Also, these scores reflect the results of the sports festival. Some students who earned extra points from the festival ended up with over 100 points, but their scores are capped at 100."
That must be referring to Hirata. Not only is he academically strong, but he also won first place several times during the sports festival. His overall score was even higher than Sudou's.
Of course, there were also deductions. As mentioned before, the ten students with the lowest scores in the sports festival had 10 points deducted from their exam scores.
Kanda Shuichi, Yukimura, and Wang Meiyu had good enough grades that even after the 10-point deduction, they were still safe.
Oh, and then there's Kouenji, who skipped every single event. He ended up in the bottom ten as well, tying with Sakayanagi for the lowest rank.
The only one at risk of expulsion because of this was Hokomura Hideo, who was known as "The Professor." Not only did he perform poorly in the sports festival, but his academic scores were also just average.
Aside from him, the students who avoided penalties were still nervous. Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudou were staring at the grade sheet like their lives depended on it.
"Whoa—what?! No way!"
The scores were listed from lowest to highest, but surprisingly, the name at the bottom wasn't Sudou. It was his good friend, Yamauchi Haruki.
"This has to be a joke! I'm in last place?!"
Not only was Yamauchi ranked last, but his English score barely cleared the passing mark by a single point. He was dangerously close to failing.
The next name on the list was Ike Kanji, followed by Hokomura, Inogashira, and Sato.
Normally, these three would have ranked higher, but since they placed last in several sports festival events, they lost a lot of points.
Especially Sotomura—he finished last multiple times and even ranked among the bottom ten for the whole grade. As a result, he lost nearly 20 points from his exam scores.
It's a miracle his average still managed to stay above 42.
However, Sudou's name still hadn't appeared. Everyone started wondering if his score had been forgotten.
"Oh! Hell yeah! You see this? My average score is 57 this time! I just broke my all-time record!"
Wow, that's a pretty low record to break.
Even Kanda Shuichi found it strange.
Sudou had earned over 30 extra points from the sports festival, but after spreading those points across all subjects, his scores should have only increased by about five or six points each.
Even if those extra points were removed, his score was still well above 50.
The passing score set by the school is half of the class's average score, so getting 50 points guarantees a pass. Did Sudou suddenly level up or something?
I mean, this guy only got a little over ten points on the small test at the beginning of the school year.
In comparison, Ike and Yamauchi, who also attended Horikita Manabu's study sessions, didn't do nearly as well.
No, their scores were on a completely different level!
"Don't make such a fuss over a score like that. You only did this well because of the bonus points from the sports festival. It's really disgraceful."
"Uh... oh, oh..."
Horikita's sharp tone instantly made Sudou calm down, and he obediently sat back down.
Looks like Horikita might be the reason Sudou has changed so much recently.
"What's the big deal? Even without the sports festival's bonus points, Sudou's average score should still be over 50. I think it's fine for him to be a little proud of himself."
Horikita's words had initially calmed Sudou down and reassured the struggling students in the class—so he had bonus points, huh?
After all, getting beaten by Sudou in grades would be pretty embarrassing.
But Kanda Shuichi's words forced them to face reality—Sudou's grades really had improved.
"Can't you just keep quiet? What if he gets too full of himself and fails the next test? Are you going to take responsibility?"
"What does that have to do with me? I just think people should be praised when they improve. If he gets overconfident, that just means you, his 'sensei,' didn't guide him properly."
Kanda Shuichi and Horikita Suzune started arguing like no one else was around, neither willing to back down.
She wasn't nervous at all when the scores were announced, so she must have been confident from the start. What a stubborn person.
"Enough. If you two want to argue, do it after class. I have something important to say."
Chabashira-sensei knocked on the blackboard, stopping Kanda Shuichi and Horikita Suzune from bickering.
The reason they were arguing so freely during the morning meeting was that, right now, class behavior didn't seem to affect their points at all.
Otherwise, even if Kanda Shuichi didn't care, Horikita would definitely hold back and wait until after class to argue with him.
"As you can see, this midterm exam had zero expulsions. Congratulations on making it through safely."
Chabashira-sensei actually praised Class D for once.
"On top of that, in the three years I've been teaching at this school, this is the first Class D that has reached this point without losing any students. Well done."
Three years... so that means we're only the second group of students she's taught here?
Chabashira-sensei was openly praising Class D, but her rare attitude left many students feeling overwhelmed.
Some even started getting nervous—her behavior was just too unusual.
"Um... Chabashira-sensei, if you have something to say, just say it. I think we can handle it."
Someone finally couldn't take the strangeness anymore and raised their hand.
"Oh? Looks like you've really started to improve."
Chabashira-sensei's words made some students even more restless.
"I'm sure you're aware that the school will hold a mini-test covering eight subjects next week in preparation for the second semester's final exams. Some of you have probably already started studying, but just to make sure you don't slack off, I'm reminding you again today."
"Ughhh, we just finished midterms! Why is there another test already?"
As expected, some people had no idea there was a mini-test next week.
"Yeah! No one told me about an exam next week!"
Jumping straight into another test right after midterms would be too much for most students. Feeling frustrated was completely understandable.
Seeing everyone's suffering expressions, Kanda Shuichi shook his head. This was just the beginning.
Back in his previous life, when he was in his final year of high school, there was a test every week.
But those tests were nothing like this one. Failing didn't mean getting expelled, so they weren't even comparable.
"Don't worry, Ike." Chabashira-sensei smiled as if trying to reassure the students. "Next week's quiz will have 100 questions, worth a total of 100 points. The content will be at a middle school level. Also, just like the quiz from the first semester, your score won't have any impact. Even if you get a zero, you won't be expelled."
"Oh, r-really? That's great!"
Believing something like that so easily is way too naive.
The first semester's quiz was meant to guide students on how to pass the midterms—it wasn't meaningless. This one is probably the same.
If this quiz follows the pattern of the last one and its connection to the midterms, then it's likely that this quiz will also affect the next major exam—the second semester's final exams.
And just as expected, Chabashira-sensei's next words made it clear that this quiz wouldn't be so simple.
"However, while failing this quiz won't get you expelled, that doesn't mean it's meaningless. The reason is that the results of this quiz will have a huge impact on the next finals."
Of course. The school is pulling something again, aren't they?
Kanda Shuichi narrowed his eyes, a hint of excitement on his face.
The last sports festival was way too boring, and even he was annoyed by it. Since the school is stirring things up again, might as well look forward to it a little.
And it wasn't just Kanda Shuichi—other sharp students had already figured it out. This quiz might be the prelude to the next special exam.
"Um, Chabashira-sensei, what exactly do you mean by a huge impact?"
"Hold on, I was just getting to that. The school has decided that this quiz will determine how students are paired up into groups of two for the finals. Each pair will take the final exam together as a unit."
A written test with assigned partners?
The students of Class D weren't quite sure what to make of Chabashira-sensei's words.
"Let me give an example. The final exams will cover eight subjects, each worth 100 points, with a passing mark of 60 per subject.
However, if a pair scores below 60 in even one subject, both students will be expelled. That said, the group's score is the combined total of both members."
"To put it simply, if Hirata and Ike are paired up, as long as their combined score in a subject is 60 or more, they pass. Even if one of them gets a zero and the other gets 60, it's still fine."
Hearing that, the students immediately felt relieved.
Scoring 60 alone is tough, but two people scoring a total of 60? That's easy!
"Wait, isn't that super simple?!"
Ike puffed up his chest, looking smug.
Seriously? You guys have been here for over half a year now. Do you really think this school ever gives out freebies?
"Hold on, I only mentioned one way to fail."
See? Told you.
"There's another way to fail? No way, Sae-chan!"
"The second way to fail is based on total scores. Even if both of you score at least 60 in every subject, if your total score is below the required mark, you'll still be expelled."
"Then, sensei, how is the passing total score determined?"
Hirata immediately sensed the seriousness of the situation and stood up to ask for more details.
"The exact passing mark hasn't been decided yet," Chabashira-sensei said, shaking her head slightly. "But I can tell you that in past years, it was over 700 points. In this special exam, commonly known as 'Paper Shuffle,' there have always been at least one or two pairs expelled. And most of them were from Class D. This isn't a threat—it's a fact. So I suggest you don't take this lightly."
Over 700 points. That means each person needs to average over 90 per subject.
Well, that doesn't seem too hard. Kanda Shuichi could easily do that on his own.
Now then, let's see who the lucky one getting carried by me will be.
Not only Kanda Shuichi, but the other students were also starting to look for potential teammates. After all, if they could team up with someone who had good grades, wouldn't that make passing the exam much easier?
Akito seems like a good choice. His grades are average, and he doesn't have many friends in class. If he fails, won't that mean my wallet takes a hit too?
Chabashira-sensei noticed the students searching for partners.
"I know you all want to pick your exam partners right away, but unfortunately, you won't be deciding that yourselves. The exact method will be revealed after the quiz results are out."
"What? So we just have to rely on luck?"
The class immediately erupted in complaints.
It wasn't an unreasonable reaction. If Ike and Yamauchi got paired together, they might as well start planning their dropout ceremony now. Might as well enjoy a few more school meals while they still can.
Of course, the pairing process wouldn't be that simple. Chabashira-sensei had also made it clear that the details would be announced after the quiz.
Not to mention, she had already said that the quiz would have a big impact on the final exam. Plus, she deliberately used Hirata and Ike—a top student and a failing student—as an example.
She might as well write the pairing method on the board and point straight at it.
Not bad, Sae-chan.
Kanda Shuichi had figured it out, but that didn't mean everyone else had. Take Sudou, for example, who had just recently improved his grades.
"If I get stuck with someone at the bottom of the class, I'm screwed." He glanced, intentionally or not, at Yamauchi Haruki nearby.
"Damn it! I can't believe even Sudou is looking down on me when it comes to studying! This time, I'm gonna study hard and prove myself!" Yamauchi slammed his head onto the desk in frustration.
"You better not just be saying that. I, for one, will 'definitely' work hard too."
Whether he was serious or not, at least Sudou's attitude was better than Yamauchi and Ike's.
"Also, regarding the punishment for the final exam—this should go without saying, but I'll emphasize it anyway. Cheating is strictly forbidden. Anyone caught cheating will be immediately disqualified and expelled along with their partner. This rule applies not just to this exam but to all midterms and finals."
Hearing this, Kanda Shuichi frowned.
If someone intentionally sabotaged themselves, wouldn't that drag their partner down with them?
A group penalty? That's so low.
Or maybe this exam is also meant to test how well we handle relationships?
Before Kanda Shuichi could think any further, Chabashira-sensei continued explaining the key points of the exam.
"In addition, this exam will also test your abilities in other areas."
"What exactly do you mean by that?"
"For starters, you'll be creating your own exam questions. These questions will then be given to one of the other three classes for their final exam. You get to choose which class receives them. On the flip side, your class will also be forced to take a test designed by one of the other classes."
"Sensei, I understand what you're saying, but what's the purpose of doing it this way?"
"Don't rush, Hirata. I'll give you an answer soon." Chabashira-sensei smiled. "Let's say you submit your test questions to Class C for their final exam. That would be considered an attack on Class C."
"After the exam, the total scores of both classes will be compared. If your total score is higher than Class C's, the attack is considered successful, and you'll take 100 class points from them. But if you fail, Class C will take 100 points from you instead."
"However, keep in mind that while you're attacking, you're also defending. If another class decides to attack you and you fail to defend, you'll lose 100 class points as well."
That means there's a chance to lose 200 class points in this exam.
And if Class C successfully attacks Class D while Class D fails its attack on Class C, Class D will lose 200 points in one go. That would immediately widen the gap by 400 points!
"Of course, depending on the results, your class points might not change at all."
One win and one loss, huh? Like if Class D loses to Class C but wins against Class A or something.
Yeah, right!
Isn't this the perfect time to settle old scores?
I'm sure Ryuen won't let this opportunity slip! He has Karuizawa as a spy, so of course, he'll go after Class D.
Kanda Shuichi won't let this chance go either, since Karuizawa is actually working for him! As for Horikita, she's probably eager to get revenge too.
For the other two classes, Sakayanagi from Class B will definitely use this chance to reclaim her spot in Class A. And as for Ichinose, Sakayanagi will surely find a way to make her respond.
No, actually, ignoring the challenge isn't an option. If she refuses to face it, won't that mean she's scared of Sakayanagi?
If she doesn't even have the courage to face her enemies, then dropping out of Class A would be inevitable! That would prove they don't deserve to be in Class A in the first place.
So while the attack and defense matchups aren't set yet, the reality is that they've already been decided.
And when it comes to making or solving test questions, Kanda Shuichi has always been confident.
Heh, Ryuen, enjoy the special test I've prepared just for you.
That's right—Kanda Shuichi planned to create some tricky questions to make things as tough as possible for Ryuen's class.
"Also, this exam will consist of 400 questions across eight subjects. You have one month to complete them. And don't even think about making the questions overly difficult or obscure. We teachers will thoroughly check them to ensure they fall within the range of what a first-year student can handle."
With just one sentence, Chabashira-sensei completely crushed Kanda Shuichi's plans.
They didn't let him shine in the sports festival, and now, when it's finally his area of expertise, they still won't let him do whatever he wants?
Are they scared of losing?
Hmph, but do they really think this will stop me? Even within the scope of first-year knowledge, there are varying levels of difficulty!
The humanities subjects might be tough to manipulate, so I'll focus on the sciences instead.
This is the perfect chance to take back the points Ryuen owes me!
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You can read 10 advanced chapters at my patreon.com/YeyeQiu