0.5 square kilometers in size, with a maximum elevation of 230 meters…

  As the cruise ship circled the isnd, the full view of the nd gradually unfolded before Uesugi Gen and the others.

  He wasn’t in a hurry to analyze the isnd’s terrain—that task was left to Kanzaki and Ichinose.

  He had more important things to do.

  "Have you found it?"

  Uesugi turned to one of the groups behind him.

  Since the exam involved surviving on an uninhabited isnd, the school was unlikely to provide a detailed map.

  However, considering this isnd was merely government-leased and not a cssified military site, it was highly likely that a quick online search—based on the ship’s current location—would reveal the isnd’s full map.

  With that, all key locations could be identified at a gnce, including those that weren’t immediately visible from the ship.

  "Hold on… Hmm… Uesugi, got it!"

  Hamaguchi Tetsuya raised his hand and quickly passed his phone to Uesugi.

  As expected!

  The moment Uesugi id eyes on the map, he knew—

  This wasn’t some remote, untouched isnd. The school had likely just temporarily evacuated its caretakers, making it "uninhabited" in practice.

  Lakes, streams, small mountains… Just the natural resources alone suggested that this isnd had substantial economic value.

  Not to mention the wooden houses and observation tower they had spotted earlier—clear evidence of prior human activity.

  That meant there wouldn’t be any real dangers on the isnd.

  Most likely, the exam would involve foraging for food and building shelter.

  Having reached this conclusion, Uesugi was no longer concerned.

  At that moment, the cruise ship’s circling of the isnd came to an end.

  [We will now disembark onto the school-owned isnd. Students, please change into your sportswear within the next 30 minutes, confirm your designated bags and belongings, and bring your phones to the deck for assembly. All personal items not listed must remain in your rooms. Restrooms are still avaible at this time, so please take care of your needs before departure.]

  A broadcast echoed through the ship, reminding the students of the next steps.

  After enduring a long, tedious process of waiting, roll calls, and bag inspections, all first-year students finally gathered on the beach—under the bzing sun.

  A middle-aged man with the aura of a corporate sve, Mashima-sensei, stepped onto the prepared white podium, holding a megaphone.

  "First, I’d like to congratute everyone on arriving safely. However, on the other hand, it is unfortunate that one student has fallen ill and will be unable to participate."

  Uesugi’s eyes gleamed with interest as he gnced toward Css A’s section.

  There, Kamuro Masumi stood alone—Sakayanagi Arisu was nowhere to be seen.

  Noticing his gaze, Kamuro immediately shot him a sharp gre in return.

  Unfazed, Uesugi waved at her with a friendly smile.

  Why so hostile? We’re supposed to be partners in this.

  Mashima-sensei continued his speech in a monotonous tone.

  "Now then—this marks the beginning of your first special exam."

  "Huh? Special exam? What do you mean?"

  His words were like a bucket of ice water poured over the students, dousing their excitement.

  Css D instantly erupted in chaos, and even some students from other csses voiced their confusion.

  The shift from paradise to hell was simply too abrupt.

  Ignoring their protests, Mashima-sensei continued reading the exam rules.

  "The exam will st for one week, ending precisely at noon on August 7th. During this period, you will live on this uninhabited isnd as a group. That is the essence of this exam."

  "Leaving the isnd without proper justification is not permitted. You must handle every aspect of survival on your own, from securing shelter to procuring food."

  "At the start, each css will receive two tents, two fshlights, and one box of matches. Sunscreen is unlimited. Each student will be provided with a toothbrush. Additionally, as a special exception, female students may request an unlimited supply of sanitary products through their homeroom teachers."

  Css B remained calm and listened quietly. Everything so far was just as Uesugi had predicted.

  Although some murmurs arose in Csses A and C, Katsuragi and Ryūen quickly silenced them with sharp gres.

  But Css D…

  "WHAT?! So this ‘real’ uninhabited isnd survival is just this?! No one said anything about this! This isn’t some anime or manga! And only two tents?! There’s no way that’s enough for everyone! What about food?! This is insane!"

  The shouting was so loud that even Mashima-sensei’s megaphone couldn’t fully suppress it, forcing him to pause.

  Cssic Css D. Utterly incompetent as always.

  Seeing their chaos, Chabashira Sae, Css D’s homeroom teacher, stepped forward and tried to reason with them.

  "You say it’s unbelievable, but that’s just because your life experiences have been shallow and narrow-minded. In reality, there are major corporations that conduct survival training programs on uninhabited isnds. It’s a well-known practice, used as an experimental training ground."

  Of course, such reasoning was utterly wasted on their limited intellect.

  "U-Uhh—this, this is—"

  "Oi!"

  At that moment, Uesugi Gen spoke up.

  If he let them continue whining, he might actually get sunburned standing here.

  His gaze swept over the panicking Css D students.

  "Listen. You can protest all you want after we’re dismissed. For now, let Mashima-sensei finish expining the rules. Don’t waste my time. Understood?"

  "YES!!!"

  The infamous Three Idiots of Css D instantly stiffened in fear, bowing at a perfect ninety-degree angle.

  "H-Hai, wakarimashita!!!"

  The effect was immediate—Css D was completely silenced.

  At that moment, every single person present, including the teachers, had the exact same thought—

  Wait… Who the hell is the actual leader of Css D?!

  Nearby, Hoshinomiya Chie nudged Chabashira in the ribs with her elbow, a smirk on her face.

  Seeing her smug expression, Chabashira already knew exactly what she was about to say.

  With the first-year students finally silent, Mashima-sensei raised his megaphone again.

  "The main objective of this special exam is—"

  "Hold on. I have a question."

  A loud, arrogant voice interrupted from Css C’s direction.

  Ryūen Kakeru strode forward, a smirk pstered on his face.

  Oh, for crying out loud…

  Uesugi groaned internally.

  Ryūen sauntered out from Css C’s ranks, pointing a finger straight at Uesugi.

  "In front of all the teachers and students, I demand an answer—"

  "How the hell did he know the contents of this special exam in advance?"

  ---

  A good story, much like a well-fought battle, is all about precision, strategy, and passion. Every choice matters—the right move, the right word, the perfect bance between staying true to the original and making it shine in English.

  That’s why you should support WiseTL at [patreon.com/WiseTL] – where every pledge helps ensure more high-quality transtions, faithful to the original while flowing naturally in English. Trust me, as a Champion, I know a thing or two about mastery.

  Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have another battle to prepare for. But you? You should definitely check out that Patreon.

  —Cynthia