Chapter 11

[11. To sum it all up, it's an individual grading special exam but also needs everyone's help to stand above other students and courses. Strive and thrive, UNP students!]

Students can freely choose whether to work alone or team up with their classmates. Every choice has its downside. Working alone means no one will be helping you, and other students with numbers have the advantages since they can always surround the student working alone.

As for the groups, they won't be able to aim for the top prize since they will need to split the flags among themselves. Well, if it is a two-man group, it might work out.

There are so many possibilities in this special exam, and I don't think an injury beyond what the school can tolerate would not spring up. It is bound to happen, I feel it, considering there are people like Allen and his group.

His type of man tends to hurt others just to achieve or gain what he desperately wants.

Even if there are punishments for inflicting harmful injuries to others, no one knows what kind of punishment they will get. What if they break a bone or two of a student, and they get away with it with just a few days of suspension and points deduction? The possibility of expulsion is still there, but who knows.

The best thing to do is avoid those types of people. I will just play it safe and make sure I don't flunk.

With that being said, I approached Ira, who was still reading the content of the special exam.

"Hey, Ira," I called out, raising my phone for him to notice me.

"Oh, Clause," he said shortly, then went back to read the rules and regulations.

"Why do you think we are doing this at night? When we can always do this in the morning so that fewer people won't get hurt."

"I think the answer is pretty basic. They want people to get hurt," he answered while still focused on his screen.

"They want students to get hurt, huh?"

Now, why would Ira think that the school wants us to hurt each other? If this is true, what are they trying to achieve?

But I don't think that's what the school is trying to do. This is a project of the government, hence anything bad happens to its students, they will be amassing criticism and will bring forth destruction upon themselves.

Prof Denise clapped his hands, "okay, everyone, it is the time! Surrender your phone to me for the time being. Make sure it is shut down! Alright, faster, we are already behind time!"

It's time. The special exam is about to begin, and I don't know what I feel about this anymore. I don't know if I should be excited or scared just like my classmates. Or concerned since there will be physicality in this.

There are so many emotions in this special exam. Some are against it, others are excited, some do not even give a care about it and just want to head back to their dorms already, while there is me who does not actually know what to feel.

Prof Denise collected our cellphones and put them in a plastic tray while he handed us our flag and flashlight.

In this dimly lit night of terror, no one knows what will occur. Having no idea of what awaited us, everyone teamed up, and some went on their separate ways when a loud crashing beep echoed throughout the whole surrounding forest.

The ground was flat. The overwhelming upbringing of trees on the man-made island caused their roots to creep up the soil, bulging along the way, which could trip students if not being careful of their steps.

"Clause, wait for me."

I decided to team up with Ira since he is the only friend I have in which I can put my trust, and he is the only one I am closed with. It was just the two of us, and Ira said something absurd to me before the special exam began.

"I'll win this," he said suddenly with a straight face. "I will definitely win this special exam."

Since he said it so seriously, all I ever responded to it was, "good luck." Nothing more, nothing less.

Into the shadow that was looming around the forest, everyone dispersed into it with a flashlight and flag in both hands, careful of each step, hopeful we would stumble at our first prey we could hunt down.

Plunging into this alone with just a flashlight on hand is very dangerous. Such opportunities like this can bring out the inner desire of people who have been suppressing themselves from harming others.

"The forest was created like a fence around the school and other establishments."

It was roundly made and planted to cover the entirety of the man-made island's structures and to give natural life to the man-made structure.

"Did you see the map?"

"Yeah."

"So apparently, they recreated the chocolate hills from Bohol in the northwest and southwest of the island. Also, the dock is in the northeast where you can see the watchtower, standing chiefly above any building on the island. Lastly, in the southeast of the island, you will see the process of turning seawater into drinkable water. If something happened to the

water tanks and the machines, we will be doomed."

What stood in the middle of the island was nothing. That is where the school's field is located. Around it, on the right side is building 2 and toilet 2. Of course, on the left side are building 1 and toilet 1. Above the school's field is the infirmary in the middle, the lab room on the right, while it is the storage room on the left side.

The infirmary and principal's office were in separate rooms but shared the same building.

The cafeteria 1 and 2 are both located just several meters below buildings 1 and 2. In between the two cafeterias is the school gym, where school gatherings and announcements are held. It is also a basketball and volleyball court.

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