After hearing the announcement, all first-year students returned to their rooms to pack and change into their sportswear, typically worn for physical education classes. Although everyone thought they could wear casual clothes during the vacation, they decided to follow the instructions for now.
Once Class A had changed into their sportswear, Hashima Hikaru noticed Hoshinomiya Chie. She was standing among the teachers, seemingly glancing at him specifically.
After all four classes gathered on the deck, the lead teacher took a handheld megaphone and began giving instructions.
"Next, please disembark in order, starting with Class A. Additionally, phones are not allowed on the island. Please hand them over to your homeroom teacher before leaving the ship."
Hearing this, Class A students, as the first group, descended the stairs and disembarked. Hoshinomiya Chie held a bag, collecting phones from the students as they passed.
Once everyone had disembarked, the four classes lined up on the sandy beach. The four homeroom teachers stood nearby, seemingly discussing something.
Meanwhile, a group of adults in work uniforms disembarked and began setting up several tents in a shaded area, along with long tables and benches.
They also placed numerous computers and communication devices on the tables. Despite the promise of a vacation, this peculiar busyness caught the attention of the students.
After about five minutes, Hashima Hikaru saw Hoshinomiya Chie, their homeroom teacher, walking toward them. She held a white megaphone, preparing to address the students.
"Hello everyone, congratulations on reaching your destination. I'm Hoshinomiya Chie, the homeroom teacher for Class A. I have an announcement: you are about to face your first special exam of the year, right here on this island."
Usually, Hoshinomiya Chie seemed gentle, but now her expression was serious, and her tone was somber.
"What special exam?"
"Hey, are you kidding? We were supposed to be on vacation!"
The first-year students erupted into a chorus of confusion, wondering why a special exam was announced without any warning.
At the front of Class A, Hashima Hikaru and Ichinoe Honami exchanged glances. The boy nodded, his expression confirming his suspicions, while the girl's surprise was mixed with relief.
After all, the possibility of a special exam had been discussed during Hashima Hikaru's earlier class meeting. Though surprised, the Class A students quickly turned their attention to the boy at the front.
Hashima Hikaru's foresight gave them a strange sense of reassurance. Everyone trusted that under his leadership, they would pass this exam smoothly.
As the students murmured, Hoshinomiya Chie continued through the megaphone.
"The special exam will last seven days, from August 1st to August 7th at noon, when the results will be announced."
"Your task is to live collectively on this uninhabited island for the next week. That's the content of this exam."
"Wait, live collectively on an uninhabited island? Does that mean we'll stay on the island? Are there guesthouses or hotels?"
A student raised this question, and Hoshinomiya Chie responded promptly.
"Unfortunately, there are none. You must truly live on this island—from preparing food to choosing where to sleep, everything is up to you. Unless there's a valid reason, you're not allowed back on the ship. This island is your only activity area."
Hoshinomiya Chie glanced at the student who asked and added:
"The school won't leave you completely unprepared. Each class will receive two tents, two flashlights, and a box of matches. Everyone will get a toothbrush. Sunscreen is unlimited—feel free to take more if you're concerned about sunburn."
"Additionally, for the girls' special needs, sanitary products are also unlimited. If needed, request them directly from your homeroom teacher."
"These are all the resources provided for your survival. Do you understand?"
After this explanation, the students' discussions grew more intense. No one expected the exam to be actual wilderness survival on an uninhabited island.
From the explanation, it seemed that aside from the mentioned items, nothing else would be provided. Everything would depend on their own efforts.
In Class A, reactions were evident. After all, they were just teenagers—how could they willingly accept such a survival challenge?
Hashima Hikaru was equally surprised. He had expected the school to organize some competition on the island as the special exam, not this kind of survival test.
The boy's gaze involuntarily fell on his system panel. The Wilderness Survival (Master) skill, worth 300,000 points, seemed to glow at this moment.
Could this be intentional? Foresight?
As he pondered, some assertive students voiced their dissatisfaction.
"Teacher, this exam seems too strange. We're just ordinary high school students. Why do we have to experience wilderness survival?"
"Yeah, we're not soldiers with exceptional physical abilities. This challenge is too harsh."
"Right, it's unreasonable!"
As the students chimed in, Hoshinomiya Chie spoke again.
"We understand your frustration, but please don't worry. This exam isn't a harsh survival trial. If you wish, starting today, you can enjoy a pleasant camping vacation by the sea."
"The theme of this special exam is Freedom. As a premise for your island life, each class will receive 300 special exam points. With these points, you can acquire many resources."
Hoshinomiya Chie took a thick booklet from a nearby teacher.
"This guide lists many items you can exchange for points, from drinking water to food. For example, you can exchange points for barbecue ingredients and equipment to enjoy a better vacation."
"However, using points requires planning. After all, the exam is designed to test your ability to plan and use points effectively to pass this trial."
After this explanation, most students sighed in relief. With resources available, proper allocation would make surviving on the island for a week manageable.
"However, I must emphasize one more thing. After this special exam, any remaining exam points will be added to your class's evaluation score, which will be tallied at the end of summer vacation."
Just as everyone relaxed, Hoshinomiya Chie's next words hit like a thunderclap.
300 special exam points, if added to the class evaluation score, meant a direct increase of 300 points—equivalent to 30,000 personal points per month.
Everyone jolted, realizing the true purpose of this exam. Would they indulge and spend all the points, or endure to the end for a significant class score boost?
The outcome depended entirely on the class's choice!