Students from classes A, B, C, and D had all gathered on the deck. Saiki turned his head, spotting the island just off the side of the cruise ship.
The students around him were mostly in high spirits, completely unaware of the school's true purpose for this trip.
"Please disembark in order by class and assemble on the island. Also, hand over your phones to your homeroom teachers."
A teacher announced this through a megaphone to everyone present.
"That's odd, why are they confiscating our phones?"
Some students, upon hearing this, sensed something was off.
Meanwhile, Sudo Ken, standing nearby, laughed and said to Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki:
"Our school's pretty considerate, preventing our phones from falling into the water."
'Seriously, anyone with a functioning brain should realize something's wrong. Even a zoo monkey could figure this out.'
Saiki thought to himself.
"Yeah, totally!"
Yamauchi Haruki quickly agreed.
'Are you two from the same zoo?'
...
After a series of checks, Saiki and his classmates finally left the ship and arrived on the island.
Gone was the luxury of the cruise ship. The harsh sunlight beat down on them, and the warm sea breeze carried a faint fishy smell.
"Roll call begins now."
Chabashira Sae hastily completed the roll call. Another man then stepped forward, standing on a makeshift white platform.
He was Mashima Tomonari, the homeroom teacher for Class A.
"First, I'm glad you all arrived safely today. However, it's unfortunate that one student couldn't join due to illness."
Mashima said slowly.
"Someone couldn't come because they were sick? Poor thing."
Ike Kanji shook his head, his eyes filled with pity.
Beside him, Saiki's thoughts were the exact opposite.
'Damn, so you can just call in sick? Earlier, Chabashira said everyone had to participate... If you're sick, can you stay on the ship and skip the exam?'
Saiki's mind raced, thinking that if an exam really happened, he could use illness as an excuse to leave.
At this thought, the corners of Saiki's mouth twitched upward.
Meanwhile, beside Mashima, other school staff began setting up tents and installing electronic equipment, confusing the other students.
Mashima continued:
"Now, we're about to start this year's first special exam!"
'These freshmen actually think the school's paying for a vacation? How naive!'
Mashima thought.
His words sent the students into an uproar.
"What? There's a special exam?!"
"They never mentioned this before!"
"No wonder they took our phones!"
Ignoring the students' chatter, Mashima went on:
"The exam starts now and ends at noon on August 7th. You'll spend the next week on this uninhabited island as a group. That's the exam—also, this is based on real corporate training programs, so it's very practical and realistic."
'Realistically, 99% of people don't need to survive on a deserted island.'
"Additionally, there's no leaving the island without a valid reason. You'll have to figure out everything from sleeping arrangements to food. The school will provide each class with two tents, two flashlights, and a box of matches. Sunscreen is unlimited, and each of you will get a toothbrush. As an exception, girls can use sanitary products without limit—just ask your homeroom teacher."
"What? We're suddenly doing desert island survival? This is absurd! It's not like an anime or novel! And only two tents? Not enough for everyone! What about food... This is unbelievable."
Ike Kanji voiced his confusion, still thinking the school might be joking.
"You call this unbelievable, but your life has been short and shallow. Companies actually do this—big, well-known ones. They hold similar activities."
Mashima said sternly.
'Is this Class C? What an idiot.'
'I agree with the second part, but I doubt any famous company does survival training on an island.'
Saiki responded in his mind.
'Still, I'll use illness as an excuse later. As long as I control my temperature so the thermometer doesn't melt, I should be fine.'
"You said this was a trip, not an exam!"
Another student raised his hand.
"True, so this exam is special—it's 'free.' As part of this special exam, each class gets 300 points. Use them well, and you can enjoy this like a vacation!"
Mashima paused, scanning the crowd.
"I've prepared a list of items you can buy with points. Essentials like water and food, of course, but even barbecue supplies if you want. We also have plenty of ocean activities. Use your 300 points wisely, and it'll feel like a real vacation."
"Seriously?"
"With 300 points, it's like a vacation!"
"So it's just about managing points!"
Hearing Mashima, the students relaxed somewhat.
'Nothing's that easy at this school.'
Saiki pressed his lips together, hearing Mashima's thoughts clearly.
'If they think the exam's this simple, they're too naive!'
'Teacher, don't act like a minor villain with a comeback.'
"After the exam, remaining points will be added to your class score."
'So if we don't spend any points, our class gets 300—that's 30,000 individual points per month, enough for sweets. I don't need to spend anything; I can stay home for a week. But others probably can't.'
Saiki thought.
'I'm not interested in island survival. I'll say I'm unwell and leave now.'
As Saiki raised his hand, Mashima continued:
"If someone withdraws due to illness, their class loses 30 points. Class A starts with 270 points."
'Withdrawing costs points?'
'Seriously? Someone's skipping this trip?'
'30 points! That's 3,000 individual points!'
'Damn, I can't just leave now.'
Saiki's lips twitched.
'If I withdraw, my classmates will hate me, like Taketeru and Sudo. I'd rather die.'
"Everyone, put on these watches. Don't remove them until the exam ends. Anyone who does without permission will be punished. The watches track time, body temperature, pulse, movement, and location. In an emergency, press this button—staff will come immediately."
As he finished, staff handed out watches to all students.
'Satellite tracking? No problem for me.'
Saiki put on the watch. With his powers, he could remove it easily and manipulate its readings, keeping his movements hidden.
If they saw his signal move thousands of miles instantly, they'd panic.
Meanwhile, homeroom teachers explained how to use supplies, but Saiki didn't listen—he wouldn't need them.
"Lastly, there are control points on the island. Each occupation lasts eight hours, and each capture earns an extra point, usable only at the end."
Chabashira Sae smiled.
'The island's big, but we hinted at the points earlier. The ship's broadcast told you to look outside—to spot the points. I wonder how many noticed?'
'Oh, I see now.'
Saiki had heard the broadcast but ignored it. He'd already used his powers to locate all the points.
'So the broadcast was about the points.'
Beside Saiki, Ayanokōji Kiyotaka thought, having also identified the points.
"The item list has more exam rules. Check it out."
Listening to Chabashira, Saiki opened the handbook, scanning the text:
Occupying points requires a keycard.Only leaders can use keycards.Leaders can't be replaced without reason.
At the end, Saiki noticed more rules:
On the last day, each class can guess other classes' leaders. Correct guesses earn 50 points for the guessing class and deduct 50 from the guessed class, clearing all extra points. Wrong guesses cost 50 points.
'So it's not just survival—guessing leaders is key.'
Saiki analyzed, with no plans to participate.
Whether his classmates wanted to reach Class A was their problem. Saiki just wanted a quiet week, doing nothing, then returning to the ship to enjoy the food he'd missed.
"Seriously, we have to use this makeshift toilet? Girls should get their own—it's inconvenient."
"It's our class's points! At least get the boys' approval!"
"It's a girl issue—what's it to you boys?"
Meanwhile, Class C argued over buying an outdoor toilet.
'This exam's already chaotic, and it hasn't even started.'
Saiki knew this special exam wouldn't be easy.