The Intriguing Challenge: Decisions and Gains

Punto de vista: Kiyotaka

Today dawned like any other day, following the usual routine with a slight modification. A few weeks ago, I decided to start exercising again, feeling that my physical condition had declined. This became evident when I faced Ryuen and his gang; I wasn't as efficient as I used to be. My muscles were atrophying, which was understandable since I hadn't exercised since I left that place. Now, I am determined to train and recover slowly. After the exercise routine, I took a shower and prepared a light breakfast before going to class. When I left my room to take the elevator, I saw Ichinose Honami, a charming lady who exuded elegance with her pinkish blonde hair and deep blue eyes as deep as the ocean. Her skin, as clear as snow, accentuated her radiance, and her sweet and captivating smile could enchant anyone. Ichinose is one of the few friends I have, and I enjoy spending time with her. "Good morning, Ayanokouji-kun," greeted Ichinose with that beautiful smile. "Good morning, Ichinose. How are you?" I returned the greeting.

"I'm doing very well, Ayanokouji-kun, and you?" she replied. "I'm fine. I see you're as lively as ever." "Hahaha, I guess so. I had a lot of fun yesterday; it was Yume-chan's birthday, and we played and joked until dawn." —I see. Despite that, you still have a lot of energy. I couldn't be so active after that." "It's not a big deal. By the way, Ayanokouji-kun... Hmmm," she responded. "Since you're going to class, could I join you?" - her voice became less audible, but I could hear her. "I have no problem with you accompanying me," I said. "Yes!" She seemed happy to join me.

After that brief chat, we walked in comfortable silence towards class. I noticed that many people were watching us, which was normal when I walked beside possibly the most beautiful and popular person in the first year. The looks varied between jealousy, envy, hatred, and curiosity. I couldn't help but sigh inwardly, but I ignored them and kept walking. When Ichinose and I were about to say goodbye to go to our respective classes, two people shouted behind us."Ikeshit: Bastard! Not only are you delaying the class, but now you're trying to betray us!" Ike yelled at me with hatred and reproach, which made no sense."Yamadead: Yeah, you're a useless guy who hasn't contributed anything to the class and now you want to leave and be useless somewhere else!" he said while laughing, making me think of Einstein's famous quote about human stupidity."I'm not betraying the class; I'm just walking with Ichinose, who is my friend," I replied, although I wondered if it was worth responding."Ikeshit: As if I would believe such nonsense! A shady and solitary guy like you could never be friends with someone like Ichinose-chan," Ike shouted again."Yamadead: Yeah, you're probably blackmailing her with something to make her talk and walk with you; otherwise, how would someone like her be interested in a useless guy like you?" Yamauchi said."Ichinose: Yamauchi-kun, Ike-kun, stop insulting Ayanokouji-kun for things he's not doing! And he's not useless like you say; He's much better than you. Besides, Ayanokouji-kun and I have been very good friends since the beginning of the year, so don't blaspheme him," Ichinose said with a tone that sounded quite angry.Both Ike and Yamauchi couldn't say anything in front of Ichinose; they just exclaimed "tch" and left angrily."Ichinose, thanks for defending me," I said. "They insulted you for things you haven't done and called you useless when you're anything but that.""It's okay, Ichinose; you don't have to get so angry for me," I said, although I can't deny the fact that I'm happy she defends me that way."But I can't let them say those things about someone I consider important to me," she said as her cheeks turned a cute shade of pink."As I said before, you don't have to worry about that. For now, we need to go to our respective classes since it's getting late," I said, trying to make my tone as gentle as possible."Okay, you're right. I don't want to be late," she replied.

After that, we said our goodbyes, and I headed to my classroom. As I entered, many eyes were on me, reflecting our recent interaction. Some looks were angry, others filled with hatred, and some indifferent, but well, it's not like I cared. I decided to walk past the glances and took my seat. Right after that, someone greeted me from my right."Good morning, Ayanokouji-kun," greeted my neighbor, Horikita Suzune. We've been neighbors since the beginning of the year, and given her personality, I wondered if she considered me a friend."Good morning, Horikita," I replied with an indifferent tone."I see you had a rough time a few minutes ago," said Horikita."It certainly wasn't pleasant with so many people around," I told her."I was thinking about the power dynamics in the school. Every interaction seems like a strategic game, and our actions can have long-term consequences. Don't you find it exhausting to have to measure every word and action?" Horikita asked, with a thoughtful look in her eyes."That's life in this school. Each of us is here for a reason, and our decisions influence how others perceive us. But, in a way, it also gives us the opportunity to challenge those expectations and forge our own path," I replied, trying to convey a different perspective.

Horikita nodded and immersed herself in her own world, as expected. Although our interactions were usually brief and formal, I couldn't help but notice something in her gaze, as if she were constantly assessing me. Deciphering her thoughts was challenging, but I focused on the upcoming class. However, my mind occasionally wandered back to the incident in the hallway and Ichinose's unexpected defense. It was evident that my reputation in Class D remained fragile, and any small event could impact it.After class, I decided to take a short stroll around the campus before the next lesson. As I walked, I reflected on the complexity of relationships in school. Alliances and rivalries seemed to shift with each interaction, and it was clear that every step I took had an impact beyond what I could perceive.

When our classroom teacher, Chabashira-sensei, returned to Class D, she asked us to sit in silence as she had something important to mention. No one disobeyed her request, and we did as she asked."Well, now that everyone is here, I'll begin," she said. "There will soon be a new special exam, to be precise, two exams," she continued, looking at us with her serious and cold expression that we had grown accustomed to."Sensei, two exams are too much!" Ike shouted. I neither agreed nor disagreed with him since we hadn't even been told what they would entail."Quiet, Ike. I haven't even had the chance to explain, and you're already complaining," then there was silence again."Now, the first exam is called the 'Zodiac Exam.'""In this exam, the school will divide all first-year students into 12 groups. Each group is composed of students from the 4 classes, ensuring that each group will have 3 to 4 students. By the way, the group names are RAT, OX, TIGER, RABBIT, DRAGON, SNAKE, HORSE, MONKEY, ROOSTER, DOG, and PIG.

"Each group can only take the exam within their own group. The purpose of this exam is to assess thinking ability; in other words, it is an exam that requires all students to think." Another brief silence took over the room, but this time no one interrupted."Now, I'll explain the testing mode and rules. Tomorrow at 7:00 a.m., the school will send a text message to all first-year students, indicating their respective time slots and whether they have been selected as 'VIP' or not. There will only be one 'VIP' per group, to be fair, the 12 'VIPs' will be distributed evenly among all groups, meaning there will be 3 'VIPs' per class, no more and no less. After receiving the message, students must gather in the classrooms assigned to their respective groups, starting at 1:00 p.m. The group names will be posted at the entrance of each classroom so that the group can assemble inside and begin the exam. This is the general pattern of the exam, followed by specific rules."

1. Starting from the 8th of this month at 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., on the 8th, 9th, and 10th, each student must attend the group room for at least one hour of discussion. Offenders will be punished. There is no time limit for the discussion.

2. From 9:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on the 10th of this month is the designated time by the school to accept responses. Each student can submit the answer to who the "VIP" is to the school via a text message within that period. Each student can only submit the response once. If a student answers the identity of the "VIP" for a group they do not belong to, it will be considered invalid.

3. There are four possible allowed outcomes in this exam:**First Outcome:** Share the identity of the VIP, and they all pass the exam together as one. If the answers from the VIP student and the other group members are correct, all group members will receive 500,000 private points, while the VIP will receive 1,000,000 private points.**Second Outcome:** Answer incorrectly, and the group loses, but the VIP still receives points. If there are incorrect or unanswered responses from individuals other than the VIP student, only the VIP student will receive 500,000 private points.**Third Outcome:** A traitor reveals the identity of the VIP. If someone who is not the VIP answers the question before the assigned time and does so correctly, the class to which the responder belongs will receive 50 class points, and the traitor will receive 500,000 private points. Classes whose VIPs have been identified will receive a penalty of -50 class points. If a member belonging to the VIP class answers correctly, the previous result will be invalidated, and the exam for that group will continue.**Fourth Outcome: ** The traitor mistakenly reveals the identity of the VIP. If someone who is not the VIP answers the question before the assigned time and does so incorrectly, the class to which the responder belongs will receive a penalty of -50 class points, while the VIP will still receive 500,000 private points. If the answer is incorrect, the group exam will be concluded. If a member belonging to the VIP class answers incorrectly, the response will be considered invalid, and the exam will continue.

4. After the exam, the school will only announce the results of each group, as well as the increase or decrease in class points. The names of the VIPs or traitors will not be revealed. Additionally, students can choose to create a new temporary identification to issue or withdraw private points in installments. If students decide to remain anonymous, there is no issue if they are discovered after the exam. Openly claiming points is also allowed if desired. These are the complete details of the exam. If you have any questions, you can ask them now."Sensei" Hirata raised his hand and asked, "What will happen to the lessons if the exam starts at 1:00 pm?" "Classes will be conducted as usual until noon, which is one hour before the exam. Once the exam begins, you are free to do whatever you want, as long as you attend your respective groups," Chabashira-sensei responded. This makes sense because the exam cannot be conducted if there are intervening lessons.

Upon finishing the explanation of the exam, the classroom buzzed with murmurs, but I couldn't help but reflect on it. I can say that it is a quite complex exam filled with intriguing situations. It seems to be a challenge where students must uncover the identity of the "VIP" and make strategic decisions to gain the maximum number of points possible. The exam presents different scenarios and outcomes depending on the students' responses and actions.On one hand, there is the possibility of teamwork and sharing the identity of the VIP, which could result in a reward for the entire group. However, there are also situations where a traitor can reveal the identity of the VIP and gain personal benefits. It's interesting how the exam promotes reflection and ethical decision-making. For instance, if someone who is not the VIP answers correctly before the assigned time, points are awarded to the class to which that person belongs, but classes whose VIPs have been identified are penalized. This raises the question of whether it's better to work as a team or seek individual benefits.Moreover, the exam highlights the importance of anonymity and confidentiality. The names of the VIPs and traitors are not revealed, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and challenge. The possibility of generating temporary identifications to issue private points adds another layer of complexity to the exam.Overall, this exam appears to be a test of strategic skills, teamwork, and ethical decision-making. It requires students to carefully analyze situations and consider the possible consequences of their actions. Undoubtedly, it's a challenge that will test students' ability to think critically and act responsibly.It seems that many of my classmates didn't fully grasp the rules of this exam due to its complexity. However, my mind was focused on how to face this challenge and what strategies to use. I had many questions about which decisions to make and how to maximize my points in this exam.

"What do you think of the chapter?"