Day 1-2: Academic & Logic Challenges

The tension in the air was almost tangible as the first day of the House Selection Event commenced. The once lively chatter of the students had given way to a focused silence as they gathered in the academy's massive examination hall. Banners representing the four Houses lined the walls, a constant reminder of what was at stake.

At the front, Hoshino Mei stood alongside several other faculty members, each holding a clipboard.

"Welcome to the first day of the House Selection Event," she began, her voice carrying effortlessly. "Over the next few days, you will face a series of challenges that will test your academic skills, logic, athletic ability, teamwork, and leadership."

She paused, letting her gaze sweep across the room. "Today, we begin with Academic & Logic Challenges. This includes a combination of written tests, puzzle-solving, and strategic decision-making activities. You will be working in teams of three."

Kazuki glanced at his friends. He had been expecting individual assessments, but this twist added a new layer of complexity.

Hoshino continued, "Your teams have been pre-assigned based on a balance of strengths and weaknesses. The goal is to see how well you can collaborate and think critically under pressure."

A screen displayed the team assignments. Kazuki quickly spotted his name.

Team 3: Kazuki, Daiki, Miyuki

Team 6: Naoto, Reo, Kyouya

His eyes lingered on Miyuki's name beside his. The realization hit him—this was his first real opportunity to interact with her outside of casual classroom moments.

First Challenge: Written Exam

The first task was a written test consisting of complex problem-solving questions, logical reasoning puzzles, and analytical thinking exercises. The exam was not just about knowing the answers—it was designed to measure efficiency, decision-making under pressure, and how well students could allocate tasks among their teammates.

Kazuki, Daiki, and Miyuki sat together, papers spread before them. Kazuki took the lead, analyzing the structure of the test. "We should divide the sections based on our strengths," he said.

Daiki stretched. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't dump the hard ones on me."

Miyuki, already scanning the problems, spoke softly. "I can take the logic puzzles. I'm fairly good at those."

Kazuki nodded. "I'll handle the math-heavy sections."

That left Daiki, who sighed before picking up a pen. "Guess I'll do the pattern recognition stuff. Let's just get this over with."

Meanwhile, across the room, Naoto, Reo, and Kyouya had their own strategy.

Naoto adjusted his glasses. "We should aim for maximum accuracy. If we take our time and get every question right, we'll outscore reckless teams."

Reo smirked. "That's cool and all, but we don't have unlimited time, genius."

Kyouya, ever the balance between them, leaned back in his chair. "Let's compromise—focus on accuracy for hard questions, speed for easier ones. We should finish ahead of most teams that way."

Second Challenge: Puzzle & Logic Trials

After the written test, the next task was an interactive Logic Trial—a series of escape-room-style puzzles where students had to think quickly to progress.

Kazuki's team found themselves in a room filled with interconnected puzzles. The timer on the wall counted down from 30 minutes.

Daiki groaned. "I was hoping for a break."

Miyuki stepped forward, her eyes scanning the first set of symbols and equations. "It's a sequential pattern. The next symbol should be…"

She moved a tile, and the door to the next section clicked open.

Kazuki blinked, impressed. "That was fast."

Miyuki offered a small, almost shy smile before moving forward.

Their teamwork slowly fell into place—Kazuki analyzing, Miyuki deciphering, and Daiki making instinctive but surprisingly useful guesses.

On the other side of the hall, Naoto's team was approaching the challenge with a more methodical approach.

Naoto crossed his arms. "Each puzzle has a logical sequence. If we follow the patterns, we'll clear this efficiently."

Reo, however, had other ideas. "Or we just brute force a few guesses."

Kyouya sighed. "Let's… not do that unless we're really stuck."

Despite their contrasting styles, both teams managed to clear the challenge with time to spare.

Final Challenge of the Day: Strategic Decision-Making

The last task of the day was a scenario-based challenge, where teams were given hypothetical crisis situations and had to propose the best possible solutions under a time limit. The scenarios ranged from leading a stranded expedition to resolving disputes between two rival factions.

Kazuki's team took a balanced approach—Kazuki provided logical strategies, Miyuki focused on diplomacy, and Daiki, despite his usual carefree nature, had a knack for thinking outside the box.

Naoto's team, on the other hand, was more structured. Naoto analyzed data, Reo handled persuasive arguments, and Kyouya played the role of mediator.

By the end of the first day, the competition had already begun to reveal its strongest contenders.

As the students left the event hall, the results of the first day's challenges were still being tallied. But one thing was certain—this was only the beginning.

The second day of the House Selection Event had arrived, and the air was filled with quiet intensity. Unlike the teamwork-focused first day, today was all about individual performance. The pressure was palpable as students gathered in the large examination hall, awaiting the beginning of their academic and logic-based challenges.

The Academic Tests

The first challenge was the written academic test. The room had been arranged in neat rows, each student sitting alone at their desk. The exam papers were thick, promising a long and grueling test.

Kazuki glanced over his sheet. The questions varied from straightforward knowledge-based queries to complex analytical problems requiring deep understanding. While he wasn't the type to stress over tests, the competitive nature of the event made this different. He needed to perform well if he wanted to secure a strong position.

Naoto, as expected, was completely in his element. He barely hesitated as he scribbled down his answers, his expression calm and calculating. Reo, on the other hand, looked a bit more agitated, tapping his pen against his desk as he worked through the problems. Kyouya maintained a focused yet relaxed posture, answering methodically.

Daiki, despite his usual indifference toward academics, was surprisingly composed. He wasn't aiming for perfection, but he wasn't about to flop either. Meanwhile, Kazuki stole a glance at Miyuki, who sat a few rows ahead. She was completely immersed, her movements graceful even as she wrote. There was something mesmerizing about the way she worked, and Kazuki had to shake himself out of it before losing time.

As the test continued, a few standout students emerged—individuals who seemed unnaturally quick with their answers, some exuding confidence that hinted at elite-level intellect. The competition was real.

The Logic & Strategy Challenges

After a brief break, the event transitioned to the logic-based challenges. These were a mix of puzzle-solving exercises and situational strategy tests designed to assess adaptability and quick thinking.

The first task was a pattern recognition challenge, where students had to quickly identify sequences, missing elements, and numerical progressions within a limited time. Kazuki found himself enjoying this part, his mind naturally drawn to problem-solving.

Naoto dominated, solving each sequence with ruthless efficiency. Kazuki held his own, finishing near the top as well, while Kyouya wasn't far behind. Daiki struggled a bit at first but managed to pick up pace, while Reo barely avoided falling behind. Miyuki was steady and consistent, her quiet intelligence shining through.

The next test was a hypothetical decision-making challenge. Students were given scenarios where they had to make strategic choices based on limited information. Their answers were assessed on logic, risk management, and adaptability.

One of the scenarios involved choosing between sacrificing resources to save teammates or risking a loss to ensure a stronger overall position. Kazuki thought deeply, balancing logic with instinct. His final decision was a mix of strategic foresight and practical reasoning, earning him a strong evaluation. Naoto, as expected, went purely analytical, making the most statistically optimal choice. Reo, interestingly, leaned toward an unconventional but clever answer that surprised even the examiners.

Daiki, despite his laid-back nature, had a sharp instinct for these kinds of challenges. His gut decisions, while less calculated, often yielded surprisingly effective results. Kyouya played it safe, prioritizing stability over risk. Miyuki approached the challenge with a calm, methodical mindset, favoring careful decision-making over impulse.

As the tests concluded, the results weren't immediately revealed, but a general sense of performance was forming among the students. The top contenders were starting to become clear, and rivalries were subtly emerging.

Kazuki exhaled as he stepped out of the hall, stretching his arms. The academic and logic tests were done, but the Selection Event was far from over. More trials awaited, and the competition was only getting more intense.