If this exam, as expected, has a pattern.
Then the pattern of VIPs can be mastered, and although one's own Class cannot be guessed, information on up to 9 VIPs from other Classes can be obtained.
According to Kushida's calculation, it is indeed possible to get a high score of 50X9 = 450 points.
And according to the BC alliance, when the score difference between them is not significant, the alliance can be abandoned.
Currently, the Class evaluation scores of the four Classes are as follows:
Grade 1 Class A 1258 points
Grade 1 Class B 1121 points
Grade 1 Class C 1041 points
Grade 1 Class D 0 points
Among them, the Class C where Hachiman is located and Class B only have a difference of 80 points.
So it's not impossible to backstab Class B this time.
But.
Is this really the best outcome?
For Class C, being directly promoted to Class A, and then quickly falling down, means that no matter how many points they surpass the lower Classes, they will still fall down.
Falling down means that the Class evaluation points will be consumed in subsequent exams.
So Hachiman's goal is only to be promoted to Class A once, and bringing 450 points to the Class in one go is really unnecessary.
The Class will definitely have points deducted.
So the earned points cannot be retained for a long time, but if placed in other Classes, it might not be this way.
Slightly on-site test.
"As long as the VIPs have a pattern, then obtain the pattern," Hikigaya said.
"Then, after mastering the pattern, we can sell the VIP slots to other Classes."
"Sell to other Classes?"
"Yes," Hachiman said.
"Our Class currently has 1041 points, only 217 points away from Class A."
"Even if we want to directly promote to Class A, there's no need to waste 9 VIP slots."
"Just directly guess Class A's 3 VIPs."
According to the exam rules, the Class whose VIPs are guessed will have 50 points deducted, while the Class that guesses correctly will gain 50 points.
So.
Class A here: 1258 - 50 X 3 = 1108 points
Class C here can get 1041 + 50 X 3 = 1191 points.
Class A can already be surpassed.
Minimum cost.
"Then the remaining 6 VIP slots can be sold," Hachiman said.
"And in exchange for a long-term point scheme similar to the Uninhabited Island Exam."
"That sounds good," Kushida immediately said.
As someone with no ambition for Class A, she felt that obtaining private points was very valuable.
Horikita Suzune then took out a small notebook and began to calculate Hachiman's plan.
What he just said was the most economical plan.
By having Class C directly guess Class A's 3 VIPs, Class A could be pulled down.
Then there are still 3 VIP slots for Class B and 3 VIP slots for Class D.
Among them, there is no need to sell our own Class's.
But other Classes can be handled freely.
At the same time.
In the Uninhabited Island Exam, it was already confirmed that Ryuen is very persistent about winning.
So.
For Ryuen Class, which has always been at 0 points, if they don't get any points this time, they might never be able to compete with other Classes.
So Ryuen can be allowed to buy Class B's VIP slots.
Similarly.
As an ally.
Class B can also be allowed to take Ryuen Class's slots.
Of course, both Classes can also choose not to buy; if they don't buy, selling them at a high price to Class A is also an option, as long as the points surpass Class A by a certain threshold, their Classes won't lose out.
Looking at it this way.
Mastering the VIP pattern allows for direct distribution of the rewards from this exam.
However.
"I don't think this might be the best plan," Hikigaya said.
"Although selling VIP slots to other Classes can establish long-term contractual relationships."
"However," Hachiman said.
"According to Result 1 of the exam rules, if no one answers early, and everyone sends the names of their group's VIPs between 8 PM and 9 PM on the third night, then the entire group will receive a reward of 500,000 points."
"And based on a group size of 12-14 people, if just one group does this, they can obtain over 6 million private points from the school."
"These are points that can be directly cashed out."
"As for agreements, if an unexpected situation arises in a future exam and concessions have to be made, the agreement might be used as leverage, so only cash in hand provides peace of mind."
"Therefore."
Hachiman said, "I'm wondering if there's an optimal solution. Getting points is one part, and if we can achieve Result 1 and get money from the school, that's also a solution."
"It's not good to be too greedy as a person," Horikita said.
"Besides."
"The members of each group come from four Classes, and students are also divided into other groups, so how can we ensure that others won't answer early?"
"After all," Horikita Suzune said.
"According to the rules, every student has the right to answer."
And the possibility of answering early is very high.
As long as they have a phone, sending a message at any time ends it.
So, it's very difficult.
Is there really no win-win solution?
Hikigaya was thinking.
Because some people also say that being more greedy when you can be is also an opportunity.
...
However.
It all depends on knowing the VIP pattern.
And the first and easiest thing to obtain is the VIP information of one's own Class.
Regarding this.
"It's very difficult," Horikita Suzune said directly.
Surprisingly, neither Hachiman nor Kushida denied this point.
After all, this is Class C, formerly Class D, so a lack of cooperation will become apparent.
However.
"It's not unsolvable."
Hachiman said.
"This exam requires looking beyond the obvious to the substance.
For example, why did the teachers specifically waste manpower to break up each Class and explain separately? Did they really hope to personally test each student?"
"No.
This is like a smokescreen, so looking for VIPs and the most suitable method for the Class according to the school's way is not a smart answer."
"Therefore."
"We can also let the students take the exam in an unconventional way," Hachiman said.
"What do you mean?" Horikita Suzune began to ponder.
"Kushida, contact Hirata, and make sure every student gathers at the British-style small restaurant tomorrow morning at 7:40 AM," Hachiman said.
"The reason given is an explanation of the exam rules and a countermeasure."
"This is to confirm our Class's VIP information at 8 AM sharp tomorrow morning, and then provide acting preparations for those selected as VIPs, right?" Horikita Suzune said.
Being selected as a VIP, besides being deducible by pattern, could also be… exposed.
And if the students in the Class are bad at acting, then their VIP identity will be leaked.
So preparations need to be made in advance.
"Yes and no," Hachiman shook his head.
"Because I'm going to use this bait to trick them into the restaurant."
"Then, confiscate all their phones."
"Confiscate… all of them?" Kushida, who had just accepted Hikigaya's task of contacting Hirata, quickly turned back to pay attention.
Because this was too insane.
It directly suppressed the students, making it impossible for them to even be tempted because they themselves didn't know if they were VIPs.
She had originally worried about the students' poor acting or selfishness, but… this guy directly sealed off everyone's right to know.
"After all, we are this kind of Class," Hachiman said.
"Before they can cause trouble, we directly remove all dangerous elements."
And Horikita felt convinced.
"But, can this really work?" Horikita Suzune said.
"Because the exam lasts for 3 days, and directly taking their phones, according to the exam rules, if they don't agree, they cannot be confiscated."
"So this is what you, Horikita, need to do," Hachiman said.
"At that time, appeal to their emotions and reason with them.
Although most of them are idiots, they just gained 491 points from the Uninhabited Island Exam, and they won't want to lose it all at once."
"However, having their phones confiscated, which was forced during the Uninhabited Island Exam, and now if they have to be confiscated for another 3 days, some students might not accept it," Kushida said.
"After all, students nowadays can't live without their phones."
That point is on your side, Kushida.
Hachiman knew that Kushida was a busy person, very social, which meant she needed to use her phone a lot to contact others, making her dependent.
But Hachiman didn't have many friends, so he wasn't very dependent on phones.
However, the students in the Class might resist because of this.
After a brief thought.
"As for the phone confiscation, Horikita, you go find Chabashira," Hachiman said.
"Our phones are one per person, and they have GPS tracking, so they seem custom-made, but the school should have spare phones, so you go ask Chabashira for spare phones."
"At that time, let the students in the Class use the spare phones."
"Yes."
"This plan is feasible."
Horikita nodded.
Then Hachiman continued, "And I will also send a message to Ichinose.
If the privileged person information we obtain from our Class is not enough to deduce a pattern, then we will need to coordinate with Class B."
In other words, if absolutely necessary, they would still have to form an alliance with Class B.
That would mean losing the possibility of buying and selling the 3 privileged person information from Class B.
Only.
This is in a situation where the privileged person information from their own Class cannot be used to deduce a pattern.
If it can be deduced, then there will be no need to ally with Class B.
Horikita felt the weight on her shoulders, but she still went to work diligently.
After finding Chabashira, the information was confirmed.
This school truly prioritizes strength; as long as you provide points, there is nothing you cannot buy.
By paying 300,000 points, they could obtain access to 40 backup phones for 3 days.
However, there were no spare phones on the ship, so the school would arrange for them to be delivered by helicopter.
They would arrive around 6 AM.
Therefore, this school is indeed very extravagant.
Even for delivering backup phones, they use a helicopter.
Kushida also quickly received news that the classmates agreed to go to the restaurant together tomorrow.
Everything was arranged.
He could get a good night's sleep now.
However, while Hikigaya and the others slept, the other Classes were sleepless.
Lounge.
Class A students occupied the spa lounge.
There were many resting sofas and chairs here, as well as beds for guests to rest on after massages and cupping.
But now was not the time for enjoyment.
"Katsuragi, the rules for this exam have been released."
"Now the gap between our Class and Class B is only 137 points.
If Class B overtakes us this time, you will be fully responsible!"
Katsuragi sat on a lounge chair, surrounded by many of his classmates.
Hmm.
Rather than being nervous, the Class A students began to feel anxious, and… they started to consider shifting blame.
As Class A students, they had performed excellently since admission and were confident they could maintain their position in Class A.
But now.
Families, who would believe it?
There were a total of 12 privileged people.
If the number of privileged people in their Class exceeded 2, and they were all guessed correctly, they would lose 100 points, and Class B could catch up.
Therefore.
They, Class A, might fall in this exam, and the thought alone was terrifying.
How could they take an exam and risk losing their Class A position?
"All of you, calm down!
The exam hasn't ended yet; talking about being overtaken now, don't you think that's boosting others' morale and diminishing our own?"
"You have no backbone as Class A students!"
Totsuka Yahiko said.
"Then can you guarantee that we won't lose this exam?"
A student from the Sakayanagi Faction said, "According to the exam rules, our Class's students are divided into 12 groups.
The students are scattered; if you can ensure that our Class will not be surpassed, then this time, our Sakayanagi Faction will also obey your instructions."
"We accepted what happened on the Uninhabited Island, signing a contract with Ryuen and our Class only getting 70 points."
"But this time, we absolutely cannot drop out of Class A!"
The Sakayanagi Faction student said, "Especially, we absolutely cannot lose to Class C; if we lose to Class C, we'll lose all face!"
This Sakayanagi Faction was the one Sudo had mocked the day before yesterday.
Class A students were arrogant and could not accept that.
"Katsuragi, we really cannot fall again this time.
And if you can't do it… then perhaps we can only hope for Sakayanagi…"
And it wasn't just the Sakayanagi Faction students; the Katsuragi Faction students also felt anxious.
"The current Class representative is Katsuragi, and Katsuragi has not failed yet!"
"…" Katsuragi.
Katsuragi closed his eyes, because for this exam, he could not afford to lose any more points for the Class.
At least, he had to maintain the Class A position.
Therefore, this plan still needed to be conservative.
They couldn't lose points, nor could they let Class BC gain points.
Otherwise.
Morale would greatly decrease, and once he gave up being the representative and let Sakayanagi take over, and Sakayanagi also failed, then the Class would lose morale and it would be difficult to climb back up.
…
Meanwhile.
Grade 1 Class C.
In Ryuen's room, his core group had already gathered.
The goal was to respond to this exam.
Previously, during the Uninhabited Island Exam, Kaneda had mentioned that Shiina had proposed a guess for Class C's Team Leader.
Although the final choice of Kouenji failed… it was a trap.
Shiina's thinking ability was still trustworthy.
So this time, he specifically invited Shiina Hiyori to participate in strategy formulation.
-------------------------------
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