chapter 3
The day after the presentations arrived with an air of anticipation that could be felt across the campus. The school had announced that the first general skills exam would take place that day, a crucial challenge for all first-year students. Each student had to face a series of tests that would evaluate their academic, physical, and teamwork skills. The performance of each one would translate into rewards, privileges, and, most importantly, the ranking that would determine the quality of life within the preparatory school.
Early in the morning, the students of class 1-6 gathered in the classroom to receive instructions for the exam. The atmosphere was tense, and most of the students looked anxious. Kaede Tanaka, sitting in her seat, gripped the edges of her desk, visibly nervous. Next to her, Takeshi Murata, the clumsy and insecure boy, kept glancing toward the door, as if expecting something to happen.
Yoge, however, was completely calm. His face, as always, remained expressionless, and he didn't seem affected by the pressure the other students felt. He scanned the classroom with disinterest, as though he had already calculated every possible move and knew exactly what he had to do.
Professor Kenji Takamura, in charge of the tests, entered the classroom holding a folder. He looked at the students seriously, making it clear that this was not just a simple exam.
— This is the first challenge at Kurohime Preparatory. Your performance here will determine how you are treated in this boarding school and the rewards you will receive. The best students will not only receive a monthly stipend, but they will also be respected by their peers. Those who fail… will have to face consequences, — he said, eyeing the students of class 1-6 sternly.
Murmurs began to rise among the students. The pressure was palpable, but Yoge simply stayed silent. While the others discussed what to expect from the exam, he made no movement. He seemed completely sure of himself.
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The first part of the exam consisted of a series of academic questions covering subjects like math, literature, science, and other topics the students had studied in recent years. It was a general assessment designed to measure their intelligence and knowledge in various areas.
The students sat at their desks, grabbing their pencils and looking at the question sheets. Kaede sighed nervously, while Takeshi tried to concentrate. Yoge, on the other hand, didn't seem concerned about the questions. He simply began reading the instructions calmly.
— Start, — said Professor Takamura, and everyone began writing.
Kaede looked at the first question, then at Yoge, who had already begun writing at a surprisingly fast pace. Although his expression remained impassive, his ability to answer the questions seemed far above average. Meanwhile, Kaede struggled with the first few questions and felt like time was slipping away.
Yoge didn't need to rush to complete the answers. He knew how to manage his time perfectly, which allowed him to progress without stress. While other students began to show signs of anxiety, Yoge remained in complete calm, solving each question meticulously.
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The next part of the exam was a physical test. The first was a resistance race that would test the athletic ability of the students. Although it wasn't particularly difficult, the idea that their performance could be evaluated publicly made many of the students feel uncomfortable.
Kaede was even more nervous than before. She didn't consider herself particularly good at sports, but like everyone else, she had to complete the test. Takeshi, with his usual clumsiness, seemed on the verge of passing out before the race even began.
On the other hand, Yoge showed not the slightest sign of stress. He knew the test had nothing to do with his physical strength but with his ability to manipulate circumstances in his favor.
When the professor signaled the start, the students took off, but Yoge didn't rush. He walked calmly, watching as the others passed him quickly. Instead of wasting his energy, he preferred to observe carefully those who were pushing themselves to the limit.
At the end of the race, Yoge arrived in a decent time but didn't stand out in any extraordinary way. Kaede, on the other hand, dragged herself to the finish line, exhausted, but managed to finish.
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The last part of the exam involved working in teams to solve a series of practical problems. The students had to form teams and collaborate to find quick and efficient solutions. This section evaluated their teamwork skills, as well as their ability to communicate and lead.
Yoge, who wasn't particularly good at working in groups, approached Takeshi Murata and whispered in his ear: — You lead. I'll help with ideas.
Takeshi, confident thanks to Yoge's help, took the lead in the team while Yoge stayed on the sidelines, providing key ideas and strategies. Their interaction was smooth and calculated, without Takeshi suspecting he was being used.
Kaede, on the other hand, found herself working with Haruka Shimizu, the girl who already showed signs of being a rival for Yoge. Although at first she felt uncomfortable, Kaede realized that Haruka had impressive leadership skills and could be a key player in future interactions.
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At the end of the day, the students handed in their exams, and the results would be announced the following day. The tension was high, but Yoge didn't seem concerned about the outcome. In fact, he was more interested in observing his peers as they prepared for the next day.
Kaede, though exhausted, couldn't stop thinking about how Yoge had handled the exam with such cold calculation. Something about him intrigued her, but she couldn't fully understand what he was doing. On the other hand, Haruka Shimizu began to notice Yoge more seriously, and her challenging attitude might be starting to form.
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The next morning, the air at Kurohime Preparatory was thick with tension. The students of class 1-6 had gathered in the classroom, anxiously awaiting the results of their first big exam. The rewards and consequences of this challenge would be decisive for their position within the school. The murmurs among the classmates were inevitable; some were confident, others uneasy. Yoge, as always, remained completely silent, his face expressionless, scanning his surroundings without showing the slightest sign of nervousness.
Kaede Tanaka, still feeling the adrenaline from the exam, was particularly nervous. Although she had done her best, she couldn't help but feel that her performance hadn't been enough. Her mind raced, thinking about what might happen if she didn't get good results. She twisted her hands, her anxiety increasing as the minutes passed.
Takeshi Murata, on the other hand, seemed completely defeated. His clumsiness during the race and lack of leadership skills during the teamwork portion had left him with little hope. However, he had trusted Yoge's strategies completely, and although he didn't fully understand what Yoge had done, he felt a strange sense of dependence on him.
Professor Kenji Takamura entered the classroom with his usual serious expression. He held a folder in his hands with the results of all the students, and the atmosphere became even heavier as the students realized the moment had arrived.
— Alright, students. The results of the general exam have been processed. I will inform you about your performance and what this means for your position within the school, — the professor said without wasting time.
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Takamura began reading the names of the students, ordered by their scores. The highest ones received praise and rewards, while the lowest received a warning, indicating they needed to improve or face serious consequences. While everyone feared the worst results, Yoge, indifferent as always, simply listened without reacting.
— Yoge Hagame, — announced Takamura, and all eyes turned to him. Although his name hadn't been mentioned before, Yoge remained silent, not changing his posture.
Yoge raised his hand and listened attentively. He knew his position wouldn't be high. He was in class 1-6, the lowest of them all, and his academic skills didn't stand out. However, his intelligence wasn't what mattered. His ability to manipulate the situation was what gave him the advantage.
— You scored 72 points, — Takamura said without looking at him directly. — This places you in the lower middle of your class. However, your performance in teamwork has been… acceptable. — A slight pause. — You will not face penalties, but your situation is not favorable. From now on, your privileges will be minimal.
The rest of the students murmured among themselves, and Kaede couldn't help but feel relieved when she heard that Yoge hadn't gotten the lowest score. At that moment, she was surprised that someone so apparently indifferent could manage the evaluation with such coldness.
Yoge simply leaned slightly forward and returned to his original posture. His gaze remained fixed on the professor without flinching, but in his mind, he was already planning the next step. The results of this exam weren't going to stop him. In fact, he was closer to achieving his goal of manipulating the circumstances in his favor.
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When Kaede Tanaka's turn came, her name was mentioned after a long silence. Everyone expected her to be among the lowest due to her obvious insecurity and nervousness during the exam.
— Kaede Tanaka, final score: 58 points. — Professor Takamura looked at her with a slight disapproving glance. — Your performance in the academic exam wasn't enough, and your first physical performance was lacking. Teamwork was better, but it's not enough to earn a good position.
Kaede lowered her head, her face red with embarrassment, but she felt a sense of relief upon hearing that she wouldn't be expelled. Even though she wasn't among the best, the school was giving her another chance. In the distance, she could see Yoge watching her with his cold, expressionless gaze, but she couldn't discern what he was thinking.
Takeshi Murata, with his mediocre performance, also received a low score: 52 points. The professor didn't take long to tell him he needed to improve or face potential consequences.
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With the results in hand, the class began to disperse slowly. Kaede stayed in her seat, her mind blank. Although she hadn't been expelled, the fear of failure still loomed. She knew that in this kind of school, competition was fierce, and mediocrity had no place.
Kaede looked up and saw Yoge walking toward the exit, making no effort to hide his indifference. His attitude angered her. How could he be so calm after such an important exam? Kaede didn't understand him.
At that moment, doubt began to creep into her mind. What was Yoge really seeking in this place? Was he simply an ordinary student, as he claimed, or was there something more behind his behavior and apparent indifference?
She decided that, to understand him, she would have to observe him more closely. It wouldn't be easy, but Kaede was determined to figure him out.
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The Rewards and Consequences System
That same afternoon, Takamura explained how the rewards and consequences system would work within the preparatory school. The students with the best results, those who stood out, would receive a monthly stipend based on their academic and physical performance in the tests. They could use this money to buy whatever they wished: food, clothes, access to extracurricular activities, or even freely spend it on campus.
The students with the worst results, on the other hand, would be forced to share less comfortable rooms, receive lower-quality food, and have less access to recreational activities. They might even lose the right to use the money earned in other ways.
Despite everything, the reality for the students was clear: to survive in this system, one had to be among the best.
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While the others thought about their immediate future, Yoge was already making his plan. He knew that, despite not being at the top of his class, he had something more important in his favor: his ability to manipulate others.
Deep down, Yoge didn't want to stand out for being the best in exams or physical tests. What really mattered to him was controlling the system around him. He had already started identifying those he could use to make his life easier, and he would do it quietly, without raising suspicion.
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