August 1st.
The first-year students of Advanced Nurturing High School were aboard an enormous ultra-luxury cruise ship prepared by the school.
The deep blue sea stretched endlessly beneath a cloudless sky. Blown by the ocean breeze, the ship looked less like a vessel and more like a gigantic floating hotel.
At last, the long-awaited "sumr vacation resort trip" had begun.
"WHOOOOAAAHHH!! This is insane!! Is everything seriously free!?"
"There's a pool and a movie theater! And the cakes are all-you-can-eat too!"
"This is aweso! It's literally heaven!"
Inside the ship's main dining hall—
Under massive chandeliers and surrounded by a luxurious buffet prepared by top-class chefs, the mbers of Class B burst into cheers.
Shibata piled roast beef onto his plate like a mountain, while Shiranami and Amikura stared at the colorful desserts with sparkling eyes.
As for , Sōsuke Aizen—
Inside, my excitent had already broken through every possible limit.
(This is amaaaazing!! What even is this ship!? It's like one of those luxury cruises you only see on TV! The food's incredible, there's a pool, a spa—seriously, this school funded by the governnt spends money on a completely different level!!)
I sat elegantly with one leg crossed over the other, slowly swirling grape juice in a wine glass while internally dancing samba.
"Sōsuke-kun. This quiche is very delicious. Would you like so?"
"Aizen-kun, you should eat more at too! Here, I got so for you!"
On both sides of sat Hiyori Shiina in a graceful sumr dress and Honami Ichinose in a bright yellow one-piece dress that suited her perfectly, both attentively taking care of .
Surrounded by the two greatest beauties of Class B—no, beauties among the best in the entire year—I felt completely like a king.
"—Hmph. If they are offerings presented by the two of you, then no flavor could possibly bore … I shall gratefully accept them."
(Translation: Thanks! You both look great in those outfits! I'll happily eat the quiche and at!)
"Haha, Aizen-kun's the sa as always, even on vacation."
"Fufu, I'm glad it suits your taste, Sōsuke-kun."
The cheerful lunchti atmosphere truly felt like paradise.
However—
Just as I had expected, there was no way this peaceful vacation would last until the end.
Around early afternoon, a quiet electronic chi echoed throughout the ship.
"—Attention all students. This ship will now circle the destination island once. The scenery is exceptionally beautiful, so we encourage all students to head to the deck and enjoy the view."
The announcent ca from the speakers in the cold, businesslike voice of a teacher.
"…What?"
Kanzaki frowned suspiciously.
"For now, let's go out to the deck! I bet the island's super pretty!"
At Ichinose's suggestion, we all headed toward the deck together.
On the observation deck, the sea breeze swept past us.
And there—
Floating in the erald-green ocean, we could clearly see a gigantic uninhabited island covered in untouched wilderness.
Dense forests.
Steep cliffs.
White sandy beaches.
"Waaah…! What amazing nature! It looks like you could go exploring there!"
While Ichinose stared with sparkling eyes, I leaned against the railing and quietly narrowed my eyes at the island.
(…An uninhabited island, huh. I see now. The reason the school deliberately told us to 'circle the island and enjoy the scenery'…)
(Because this island itself is the next battlefield.)
The "Aizen Specs" within my brain kicked into full gear, utilizing superhuman vision and spatial analysis abilities.
As the ship slowly circled the island, I morized the terrain, the density of the forests, valleys likely to contain water sources, and the locations of caves that could shelter us from rain and wind—perfectly constructing a 3D map inside my head.
"—Hiyori. Ichinose. How does that island look to you?"
"Eh? Umm… it's full of greenery and pretty, I guess…"
"Yes. It feels like untouched nature."
"—Indeed. Yet just as beautiful roses possess thorns… hidden deep within that untouched greenery lies malice waiting to mock us. Burn the sight of this safe ark into your mories while you still can. Before long… this lukewarm paradise will dry up."
(Translation: I think this island's going to be the site of the special exam I predicted earlier. You should study the terrain carefully while you can.)
"—!"
"Sōsuke-kun says, 'This island is almost certainly the stage for the exam we discussed before. We should observe the terrain carefully.'"
The mont Hiyori perfectly translated my words, the carefree vacation mood vanished from Ichinose's face.
She imdiately began observing the island seriously.
And then—
Right after the ship completed its full circle around the island:
"—Attention all students. Each class will now line up at their designated gate and disembark onto the island in order. Additionally, all personal belongings—including mobile devices—are prohibited. Empty all pockets before disembarking."
"""...Huh?"""
Confused voices erupted from the students gathered on deck.
"Huh!? We're getting off on the island!? What do you an no personal belongings!?"
"They're confiscating our phones too!? What the hell!?"
"Wait, this isn't a vacation!? What's going on!?"
Students from Classes C and D panicked, shouting and screaming in confusion.
Only Class B remained calm.
"…Just as Aizen predicted. So paradise ends here."
Kanzaki quietly bit his lip.
"Everyone, calm down. If personal items are banned, then we're basically entering the island with only the clothes on our backs. Leave everything in the baskets."
Following Ichinose's calm instructions, the Class B students obediently placed their belongings into the confiscation baskets and lined up in an orderly fashion without complaint.
Because they had already been warned in advance that a harsh special exam would occur during sumr vacation, they were ntally prepared.
(Good. At least nobody's panicking. Now the question is what kind of rules this exam will have…)
Together with Hiyori, I quietly descended the gangway and stepped onto the white sands of the deserted island.
The blazing sun beat down upon the beach.
After all classes had disembarked and anxious murmuring spread through the air—
A teacher appeared before us.
Mashima-sensei, the horoom teacher of Class A and the first-year grade supervisor.
"From this point onward, the first Special Exam of this academic year shall begin."
His low, rciless voice echoed across the shore.
"You students of Advanced Nurturing High School will spend one week engaging in 'group survival' on this uninhabited island."
"O-One week!?"
"You're telling us to survive out here!?"
As screams rose around him, Mashima coldly continued explaining the rules.
"The the of this Special Exam is 'Freedom.' First, each class will receive 300 exam-exclusive points. Any points remaining at the end of the week will be directly converted into class points and reflected after sumr vacation."
At those words, the students' expressions changed instantly.
Three hundred points converted directly into class points—
That ant even last-place Class D could potentially rise to the top, while Class A could fall.
"However. The only items provided to you are minimal tents and hygiene supplies. Food, drinking water, barbecue equipnt, and all other conveniences must be purchased using those 300 points."
"…So it's basically a trade-off between enduring brutal survival covered in mud… or paying a price for temporary comfort," Kanzaki muttered.
(I see. If you conserve to the extre, you can keep nearly all 300 points… but surviving a week without food or water would literally kill people.)
(Also… haven't Kanzaki's speech patterns started sounding kinda influenced by my poems lately? Saying things like 'temporary comfort' and 'trade-off' with a completely serious face… why's he suddenly talking like a stylish villain?)
"Next, the watches. The special watches distributed now must never be removed until the exam ends. They contain GPS, temperature and pulse sensors, and an ergency button. Students who beco unable to continue due to injury or illness will 'retire,' and their class will lose 30 points."
(Minus thirty!? Losing one person costs that much!? We absolutely have to avoid heatstroke and food poisoning.)
"Additionally, the island contains several locations known as 'spots.' These include caves, water sources, fruit groves, and so on. Only the class that occupies a spot may freely use it. Occupation requires a special key card, and each successful occupation grants 1 point. However, occupation rights expire after eight hours and must be renewed."
Mashima scanned the students sharply.
"And only one person per class—the designated 'leader' chosen beforehand—may use the key card. Leaders cannot be changed without legitimate reason."
He paused dramatically.
"Now cos the core of this exam."
"On the seventh and final day, you will gain the right to identify the leaders of other classes. Successfully identifying another class's leader grants 50 points. However, an incorrect guess results in minus 50 points."
"…Conversely, a class whose leader is correctly identified must also pay a penalty of minus 50 points."
"""...!!"""
The students collectively gasped at the brutal rule.
(…This is vicious. Absolutely vicious.)
(This isn't just survival. It's an information war and psychological battle centered around identifying enemy leaders while hiding your own.)
I shuddered internally.
(If our leader gets exposed and all three classes guess correctly, that's minus 150 points. Our carefully conserved points would disappear instantly—and go into the negatives.)
(But on the other hand, correctly identifying all three enemy leaders gives plus 150. Perfect for overthrowing the hierarchy.)
"Lastly, penalties."
Mashima continued rcilessly.
"Removing your watch without permission results in penalties. Environntal pollution costs minus 20 points. Using another class's occupied spot without permission costs minus 50. Missing roll call at 8 AM or 8 PM costs minus 5 points per absent student."
"And finally… violence against other classes, theft, vandalism, or similar actions will result in imdiate disqualification and forfeiture of all points."
"That concludes the explanation. Each class will receive a manual. Good luck."
When Mashima finished speaking, despairing silence fell over the beach.
"…Seriously? How are we even supposed to do this…?"
A student from Class D collapsed to his knees.
Class C also looked completely lost.
But—
Our Class B was different.
"Everyone, gather up!"
Ichinose clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention.
There was no fear or despair on her face.
Only the firm determination of a leader guiding her comrades.
"We understand the rules now. We could spend points to live comfortably… but we ca here to earn class points. So let's avoid wasting points and survive through our own abilities!"
"Yeah! Leave it to , Ichinose!" Shibata shouted confidently.
"But first we need a base… sowhere to pitch tents, and water," Shiranami said nervously.
"Right. So I want so of the faster boys to scout the island first. If we find a water source, we'll establish our base there."
"Alright, I'll go! I was in the Boy Scouts in middle school, so leave forest exploration to !"
Shibata volunteered and ran into the forest alongside several other boys.
(Amazing. Ichinose's leadership is seriously perfect. Everyone trusts her, so nobody's panicking and everyone's acting efficiently.)
Quietly, I analyzed the situation around us.
Choosing the class leader.
Securing a base.
(Making Ichinose the leader would be the obvious choice… but she stands out too much. It'd be safer to choose an inconspicuous student while having Ichinose direct things from behind the scenes.)
(And then there's the base.)
I recalled the island's terrain from the ship.
(Shibata will probably find a water-source spot. But the most valuable location on this island isn't that.)
The scorching heat.
The unstable mountain weather.
If sudden torrential rain struck, living in tents would rapidly drain everyone's stamina and cause illness.
The ultimate base to prevent that—
(A cave.)
(It completely blocks rain and wind, and you wouldn't even need to spend points setting up tents there. So class will definitely rush to secure that cave first. If I get there ahead of them… I might identify their leader.)
I spoke quietly to Hiyori, who was reading the manual beside .
"—Hiyori."
"Yes, Sōsuke-kun. Have you thought of sothing?"
"—We can leave the task of guiding these sheep to Ichinose. I shall go observe the skies for a while… and crush the tails of the cunning serpents lurking within this forest."
(Translation: Ichinose can handle things here. I'm gonna explore the forest alone for a bit. I'm curious about the other classes too.)
"—Sōsuke-kun…"
Hiyori nodded seriously after hearing my dangerous-sounding poem.
"I understand. You're going to uncover the identities of the other classes' leaders… Please be careful."
"—Indeed. There exists no one upon this board who can escape my sight."
Elegantly brushing back my bangs, I separated from Hiyori and Ichinose and entered the depths of the forest alone.
The jungle-like wilderness was filled with suffocating humidity and heat.
An ordinary high school student would collapse after walking for only thirty minutes—
But my body had been fully optimized by the "Aizen Specs."
Without making a single sound or disturbing even the leaves, I moved through the forest like a ghost.
(Good. Based on the terrain I observed from the ship, there should be an open area and a massive cave ahead.)
My prediction was perfect.
About ten minutes later, beyond the forest stood a towering cliffside and a giant cave opening.
Peering inside, I saw it was spacious, dry, and perfectly protected from the elents.
(No doubt about it. This is the strongest spot on the entire island. Now then… which class will co claim it first?)
Rather than entering the cave, I lightly leapt onto the branch of a giant tree so distance away and concealed my presence completely.
The stealth abilities granted by the Aizen Specs were utterly broken.
No matter how sharp soone's detection skills were, they would never notice .
After waiting several dozen minutes—
Rustle… rustle…
Two sets of footsteps approached from deeper within the forest.
Looking down from the tree, I recognized the pair imdiately.
(…Bingo. As expected—Class A.)
One was the muscular, bald-headed giant and de facto leader of Class A:
Katsuragi Kōhei.
The other was Yahiko Totsuka, a male student who followed him around like a subordinate.
"Katsuragi-san, are you sure there's really a good spot out here?"
Totsuka wiped sweat from his forehead as he asked.
"Yes. While observing the island's terrain from the ship, I concluded there was a high probability of a cave here."
"…And I was right."
Katsuragi nodded with satisfaction upon spotting the cave.
"Ohh! Aweso! We won't even need tents, and rain won't be a problem!"
"Exactly. Before another class takes it, this cave shall beco Class A's base."
With that, Katsuragi and Totsuka entered the cave together.
I silently continued observing them from the tree.
(…To occupy a spot, you need to use the special key card. And only the class leader can use it.)
(aning whoever scanned the key card inside that cave is Class A's leader.)
About ten minutes later, the two erged from the cave.
Their faces carried relief at successfully securing the base.
"Good. The occupation process is complete. For the next eight hours, this cave belongs to Class A."
"As expected of you, Katsuragi-san! We've basically already won this exam!"
"Do not lower your guard, Yahiko. Eventually, the other classes will learn we control this location. But as long as we hold it, none of them can interfere. Let's go retrieve the others."
The two disappeared back into the forest.
Once I confird their presence had completely faded, I silently dropped from the tree and peered into the cave.
Inside, I spotted an electronic panel attached to the wall.
The glowing display read:
[Occupied by Class A]
(…Just as I thought. The occupation registration was definitely completed here.)
I placed a hand against my chin and began thinking.
(The question is whether Katsuragi or Totsuka used the key card as the leader.)
Normally, Katsuragi—the one leading Class A—would seem the obvious answer.
Totsuka was just a follower.
However—
(…No. From what I've heard, Katsuragi Kōhei is an extrely cautious and conservative person. A man who despises risk wouldn't personally beco the leader and expose himself on the front lines like this.)
If the leader's identity was exposed, they'd lose 50 points on the final day.
If Katsuragi truly were the leader, he would never risk personally coming to secure a spot in such a small group.
If soone observed them, his identity would instantly be exposed.
(The reason Katsuragi personally ca here… was to camouflage himself as the leader.)
Inside my mind, every piece fell perfectly into place.
(The real leader must be soone loyal to Katsuragi and inconspicuous… There's no doubt about it.)
(Class A's leader is Yahiko Totsuka.)
Katsuragi intentionally acted like the leader to attract attention.
anwhile, the actual key-card operation was handled by Totsuka.
(That bald guy may be smart… but compared to my deduction skills, he's basically a baby.)
Smiling fearlessly, I left the cave behind.
Within only a few hours of the exam beginning, I had already uncovered the identity of the most troubleso class's leader.
(Nice! If we identify Class A correctly on the final day, Class B gets fifty points!)
In high spirits internally, I headed back to find Ichinose and the others.
Passing through the forest, I arrived at an open area beside the sound of flowing water.
There, the mbers of Class B had already gathered and begun preparing their tents.
"Ah, Aizen-kun! Welco back!"
Ichinose waved and ran toward .
"Shibata-kun and the others found this place! There's a well, and there's enough open space for tents too. I'm thinking this should be our base."
"Yo, Aizen! Where'd you go? This spot's aweso—there's even a well!"
Covered in mud, Shibata grinned brightly.
"—Well done. I shall grant your efforts a passing grade."
(Translation: Good work! This is a really great spot, thanks!)
(Hiyori): "'Thank you for finding such an excellent location. Good work,' he says."
"Hell yeah! Leave it to us!"
Hiyori quietly approached my side and whispered:
"Sōsuke-kun… How did it go?"
Looking down at her, I replied in the most stylish way possible, brimming with absolute confidence.
"—The king's head already rests within my grasp. All that remains is to await the seventh day… when the entire board is overturned."
(Translation: I figured out Class A's leader—it's Totsuka! We'll call him out on the final day and score points!)
"—!"
Hiyori's eyes widened before she nodded deeply with admiration.
"As expected of you, Sōsuke-kun. Then… let us help with setting up the tents."
And thus—
Having already seized complete control over Class A's vital weak point, the Demon King donned an apron and began preparing to wield a frying pan as Class B's ultimate chef during their survival life on the island.
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