COTE: Popularity System

"Oh, if Sae-chan doesn't want to, then forget it."

Hoshinomiya Chie continued to speak into the megaphone, "Since order cannot be maintained, how about the homeroom teachers separate and explain the exam rules to their respective classes?"

Another "Sae-chan."

Not only the students of Class 1-D, but even students from the other three classes were laughing.

After all, Chabashira Sae was responsible for teaching history to all first-years, so she was already well-known to the students.

Seeing her, who was usually so cold, have such a cute nickname, how could they not laugh?

"We have no objections." The homeroom teachers of Class 1-B and Class 1-C nodded.

They knew how unreliable Hoshinomiya Chie was, it was better to explain themselves than to let her do it.

Also, they wondered if it was just their imagination, but Hoshinomiya's speech just now seemed very biased. Although not explicitly stated, she seemed to be encouraging students to withdraw from the exam and return to the luxury cruise ship to enjoy themselves.

If any students were really misled by her, then this exam would almost be decided at the very beginning.

"Then it's decided."

Hoshinomiya Chie quickly turned off the megaphone and returned to the front of Class 1-A's line, complaining a little, "Everyone, quickly find some shade. My skin is going to get tanned."

"Hoshinomiya-sensei, you're really…"

"Even at a time like this, you're still acting spoiled."

Looking at their playful teacher, the students of Class 1-A were both amused and helpless.

Ichinose Honami, the leader of Class 1-A, looked at the students in her class and noticed that everyone was starting to sweat.

So she smiled and said to everyone, "It's very hot now, so let's follow Hoshinomiya-sensei's advice and find a shady spot to listen to the special exam rules."

"Agreed."

"Then let's go to the nearest small grove."

Led by her, the Class 1-A students walked towards the nearest grove.

Just as Takada Hikaru was about to follow, he was called Hoshinomiya Chie.

"Takada-kun, come out for a moment." She smiled and beckoned with her hand.

"Is there something, Chie-sensei?" Takada Hikaru came before her.

"You must work hard this time too. Preferably just like last time."

One who didn't know might think she was referring to bringing Class 1-B to Class 1-A. But in reality, she was probably referring to continuing to strike at Class 1-D.

Just now, she deliberately led Class 1-D's rhythm and even called out "Sae-chan" twice. It was probably to mess with Chabashira Sae's mindset.

Truly a friendship of convenience.

"It's a pity, I might help Class 1-D this time."

Leaving behind a meaningful smile, Takada Hikaru followed his class into the small grove, leaving Hoshinomiya Chie with a surprised expression on her face.

The conversation between Takada Hikaru and Hoshinomiya Chie was broadcast to the audience via animation.

[Money-Giving Guy: This time, I'm going to help Class D.]

[Sudo: I have no objections.]

[The Seven Failed Students: We have no objections either.]

[So what exactly is this special exam? So many people are wearing sportswear, it can't really be a sports test, can it?]

[Didn't Money-Giving Guy say it on the ship? It's probably a camping test.]

[Is everything Money-Giving Guy says necessarily correct?]

[If you don't believe it, just wait and see.]

Class A students gathered in a small grove, quietly listening to their homeroom teacher, Hoshinomiya Chie, explain the rules of the exam.

"This exam requires students to stay on the island for seven days."

"Aside from the initial two tents, feminine hygiene products for girls, and sunscreen, the school will not provide free assistance for issues like accommodation, food, and water. All of these must be resolved by the students themselves."

Hearing her explanation of the rules, Honami quickly realized the key point. "'Will not provide free assistance'... Does that mean if we pay the price, we can get help from the school, right?"

Based on Class D's history of buying scores, first-year students deeply understood the importance of individual points. They knew that by paying a price, unexpected benefits could be obtained.

"Bingo!" Hoshinomiya Chie playfully snapped her fingers.

"This time, the school will fairly distribute 300 exam-specific points to each class, which can be used to purchase necessary supplies."

Hoshinomiya Chie pulled out a manual from behind her and handed it to Ichinose Honami. "This is the guide manual you'll need. It lists the prices of various items. Once you've decided on the items, you can apply to me, and I will request these supplies from the school."

"Then... where do we find you?" Honami asked.

"You can find a place on the island to set up your living quarters later. Teachers will set up tents nearby, ready to provide assistance at any time." Hoshinomiya Chie said with a smile.

"However, once the living quarters are set up, they cannot be changed without special circumstances, so you need to choose carefully."

"Understood." Honami nodded gently.

Hoshinomiya Chie continued, "Next, let's talk about the exam-specific points. At the end of the exam, any remaining exam-specific points will automatically be converted into class points."

"For example, if you have 200 exam-specific points left at the end, your class points will increase by 200 points after the exam."

"In addition, there are other ways to increase class points."

Before anyone in the class could express surprise, Hoshinomiya Chie immediately moved on to the second topic.

"In this exam, each class is required to select a leader. In the final moments before the exam ends, there will be a segment where you guess the leaders of other classes. If you guess correctly, you will gain 50 class points. If you guess incorrectly or are guessed, 50 class points will be deducted."

"Next, there are several stronghold devices distributed on the island. Only the leader can check in at them. Each check-in grants 1 temporary point and the right to occupy that stronghold. If other classes use a stronghold without permission, 50 exam-specific points will be deducted. The same stronghold can only be checked in at once every 8 hours."

"Temporary points are the same as exam-specific points, they will also automatically convert to class points after the exam. However, it's worth noting..."

Hoshinomiya Chie's tone deliberately deepened. "If your leader's identity is guessed, all your temporary points will be cleared, you see."

Ichinose Honami paused slightly. "Is that why they're called temporary points?"

She had originally thought that the points obtained from checking in at strongholds couldn't be used to buy supplies, which was why they were called temporary points. She hadn't expected that being guessed as the leader would result in all temporary points being reset to zero.

Points that could become invalid at any moment.

Temporary points, indeed, lived up to their name.

"Did you understand, Honami-chan?" Hoshinomiya Chie blinked, her face looking over expectantly.

"I have a question." Ichinose Honami asked doubtfully, "How is the leader chosen?"

Hoshinomiya Chie said with a smile, "Just tell me once you've decided, and I'll bring over the special card with the leader's name on it. If you haven't chosen by the first roll call, then I will randomly select one."

"Roll call?"

Hoshinomiya Chie said, "Oh, right. During the exam, there will be two roll calls every day. If someone is missing, 5 exam-specific points will be deducted. These class deduction items are written at the end of the guide manual, so I won't elaborate further. Honami-chan, be sure to read it carefully."

"Understood."