The Saint Venus, a twelve-deck luxury cruise ship capable of accommodating over 700 passengers, sailed smoothly across the ocean.
Starting from the entrance hall and reception on the fifth floor, the upper decks featured amenities such as a cinema, swimming pool, gymnasium, café, restaurant, an observation bath, and even a game center. For most first-year students of Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, it was a sight far beyond anything they had ever experienced.
Even if they spent several days enjoying everything the ship had to offer, it wouldn't be enough. But before indulging in this extravagant cruise experience, the students had to first endure a new special exam on an uninhabited island.
The eighth floor housed a fully equipped infirmary and neat, clean hospital rooms. This served both as a testament to the school's thorough preparation for emergencies and a constant reminder of the harshness of the island exam.
Kitagawa Ryo leaned on the railing of the deck, gazing into the distance. Before him stretched the high, clear blue sky and vast, crystal-clear sea. On the horizon, a faint outline of an uninhabited island came into view.
This was where the first-year students of Advanced Nurturing High would spend the next two weeks.
"This uninhabited island is Beta. It's different from the one we went to before. It's a bit larger, too," Sakayanagi Arisu said beside him.
Naturally, the "one before" she referred to was the island they visited during the simulated dating show, also owned by the school.
"Yeah, it's definitely bigger than the one I went to with Ryo before," Karuizawa Kei added, nodding. Knowing they wouldn't have many chances to be together once they landed, she came to enjoy one last moment with him.
Horikita Suzune and Ichinose Honami, lacking such prior memories, were instead focused on the current conditions.
"The temperature is already nearing 40°C."
"Even the wind feels like sticky heat."
The two girls had already assumed the roles of Ryo's group members and began analyzing the situation on their own.
"Even just surviving for two weeks could cause some students to drop out."
"Yeah, I think there's a high chance of accidents. Securing water should be our top priority."
Indeed, in late July, the rising temperatures made such concerns valid. The conditions on the island would be far harsher than those on the cruise, and hydration was key to preventing heatstroke and dehydration.
"By the way, Honami, didn't you draw the [Supply Card]?" Horikita asked.
"Yes. The Level 1 Supply Card gives 200 grams of bread and 500 ml of water daily. If I ration carefully, that's about a meal and a half."
"But considering the physical strain on the island, rationing won't be easy."
"Then let's hope we can complete challenges quickly and upgrade the card."
Horikita flipped through the booklet they received upon boarding. It listed the point values for various items.
Ryo had already memorized it. Compared to the previous island exam, this list had more variety—tents, fishing rods, walkie-talkies, food, water, even luxury items like swimsuits, beach balls, floaties, and jet skis.
It reminded Ryo of the wild celebration during Class C's previous island exam.
Water, the most vital item, came at a steep price: 500 ml cost 100 points.
Although there was a bottle-style water purifier in the list, which could remove over 99.9% of bacteria and parasites, it cost a whopping 4,000 points. It wasn't worth it for individuals or pairs, and even in groups of three or more, some students might be unwilling to drink the filtered water.
And judging by the picture, it was quite bulky. Given weight limits, buying water directly seemed far more convenient.
While they were still discussing water, the ship's intercom broadcasted a message: All students were to gather in the fifth-floor hall. This would be the final briefing before disembarkation.
Ryo walked alongside the girls, mentally planning his post-landing strategy. None of the four members in his group had drawn any of the four special cards.
Their cards were: Ryo with [Discount], Ichinose with [Supply], Horikita with [Free Ride], and Sakayanagi with [Double].
At least none were duplicates. Horikita had already assigned her [Free Ride] to Ryo. Sakayanagi's [Double] would only activate at the end of the exam, so only Ryo and Ichinose's cards would have immediate use.
Because latecomers would be penalized, the first-year students assembled quickly. Instead of gathering by class, they grouped naturally according to their teams, whispering among themselves while awaiting the briefing.
There were 151 first-year students remaining. Six students had dropped out from Class 1-D in the first semester, putting them at a disadvantage in the class rankings—but no one really expected anything from the zero-point D Class anyway.
Uninhabited Island Special Exam Overview: A survival test over two weeks where teams compete to earn points.
The displayed island map showed the entire area divided into a 10x10 grid labeled A–J and 1–10, with each block measuring 500 meters by 700 meters.
"Please quiet down."
Homeroom teacher Chabashira Sae stepped up to the mic.
"I'll now explain the final details of the uninhabited island special exam."
She raised her right hand, revealing a sleek, sophisticated watch.
"Each student will be issued this smartwatch before the exam begins. It tells time, shows location, nearby tasks, team points, rankings, etc. It also monitors body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, sleep, and anxiety. If any metrics exceed safe thresholds, a warning sound will be triggered."
She tapped the watch, and the big screen behind her displayed real-time biometric data.
"Let me demonstrate. Staff, please raise my temperature past 38°C."
Soon, a sharp alarm rang from the watch.
"That's the warning tone. It lasts 5 seconds and stops automatically. If conditions persist, it'll sound again in 10 minutes."
The second alarm was even louder.
"If the condition still doesn't stabilize after five more minutes—"
The third, shrillest alarm blared.
"This is the emergency alarm. Faculty and medical staff will use GPS to locate and assist the student immediately."
"Also, the watch requires special tools to remove. If forcibly taken off, the scoring function will deactivate."
Any attempts to cheat by switching watches were therefore blocked.
"If the watch is damaged or malfunctions, scoring also stops. Seek staff assistance if this happens."
With that, Chabashira returned the screen to the island map.
"This exam revolves around tasks and points. Each region may or may not contain a task, which only becomes visible on your terminal once it appears."
"Tasks fall into three categories: Academics, Athletics, and Miscellaneous. Ratio: 3:3:4."
Sample Tasks:
Task: Quick Mental Math (Academics)
- Register within 60 minutes
- 1 participant per group
- First 5 to register
- Top 3 get 500, 300, and 100 points respectively
- Winners also get one meal's worth of food (no water)
Task: 50m Swim (Athletics)
- Register within 30 minutes
- Up to 2 per team
- First 8 to register
- Top 3 get 500, 300, and 100 points
- Participation prize: 500 ml water
Task: Karaoke (Misc)
- Register within 120 minutes
- Unlimited participants
- Task ends in 1 hour
- Winner based on highest KTV score
- Prize: 1,000 points and 1 card upgrade
Students frowned or smirked based on their team's strengths.
"One more thing: Starting on Day 3, restricted zones will appear every two days."
Gasps spread through the room.
"Think of it like a battle royale's shrinking safe zone," Hoshinomiya added cheerfully.
"Those who remain in a restricted zone past the deadline are disqualified, and their points are frozen."
"Which means everyone will be pushed toward the island's center."
"And the rewards for tasks will increase accordingly."
Ryo's expression shifted. Fewer tasks, more players per zone—the competition would only intensify.
"Before landing, students may choose their backpacks and collect essentials like portable toilets, bug spray, sunscreen, and hygiene products. Those with [Supply Cards] will get today's rations."
"Now, please collect your gear."
Team Composition for the Island Exam:
- 30 four-person teams
- 6 three-person teams
- 5 two-person teams
- 3 solo teams
Total: 44 teams.
The exam would officially begin at 2 PM.
Here it comes.
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka spotted Kitagawa Ryo in the crowd.
Not because of any rivalry—
But because Ryo's team was the only one with a one-boy-three-girl setup.
Silver hair, black hair, golden streaks... It looked more like a dating show cast.
Ayanokouji adjusted his backpack.
Suddenly, a tap on the shoulder.
He turned to see a blinding smile and shiny bald head.
"Good luck, Ayanokouji!"
It was Katsuragi Kohei.
Somehow... he already felt like he'd lost.
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