Chapter 61: Elaris Island Exam 1
9:30 AM.
"Single-file line, please. We have to take attendance!" The couple of instructors who walked onto the island, once the cruise arrived, finished setting up their own campsite. "Please get together with your classes."
From left to right, each class stood in its own single-file line, while the instructors went through each one to ensure everyone was aboard safely.
"We will now be giving you guys the things you purchased through the game shop. Please don’t hesitate to let us know if we’ve made a mistake."
After a little while, they finally received everything they had asked for.
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[Class 1C Purchases]
→ Standard Tent ×2 — 30 Points
→ Water Purification Kit ×1 — 10 Points
→ Emergency Medical Kit ×1 — 20 Points
→ Flashlights ×2 — 10 Points
→ Food Rations [3 Days] ×1 — 15 Points
→ Sleeping Bags ×1 — 8 Points
[Remaining Points: 7]
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And then, a couple of tables were set up near the seashore, where they could easily organize everything, or so they had hoped.
"Now, as soon as I shoot this flare gun into the air, everyone will run to where they desire. The maps were distributed earlier when we first announced the exam, so now locate the spot you want. If you and another class want the same area, you must scare one away. At that point, it’s not our business."
With those words finished, every student awaited the flare to be shot into the air.
The island itself felt strangely quiet. The waves crashed gently against the shore, birds flew overhead, and palm trees swayed in the wind.
If someone ignored the hundreds of students gathered on the beach, it almost looked peaceful.
Cassien glanced around, and every class was staring at one another.
Class 1A stood together confidently.
Class 1B looked disciplined and organized.
Class 1D appeared relaxed on the surface, though Theodore was already studying everyone nearby.
And then there was Class 1C.
A group that looked ordinary.
Which was exactly how Cassien preferred it.
"Remember the plan," Olivia whispered.
Ren nodded.
Alex stretched his shoulders.
Audrey stood silently near the back.
Siv listened.
The others nodded in unison.
’Nice, Audrey. Your eyes are still filled with that anger. I like it.’
In one simple system format, this was their goal.
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[Current Objective]
→ Survive For 6 Days
→ Accumulate Points By Guessing The Opposing Class’s Leader
→ Defeat Rival Classes
→ Protect Class Base
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"Hey! They’re looking at our section!"
Another voice followed.
"Who cares? We saw it first!"
"Bullshit!"
The instructors collectively sighed. The exam hadn’t even started yet, and tensions were rising faster than ever.
Suddenly—
Bang!
The flare shot into the sky, a bright crimson light exploding overhead.
"THE EXAM HAS NOW OFFICIALLY BEGUN!"
Immediately, the beach erupted into chaos as students sprinted in every direction.
Entire classes split apart. Some rushed toward the forests, while others immediately targeted the coastline.
But out of all this, Class 1C moved together.
"Mirror Lake!" Olivia shouted.
The group rushed forward.
The first ten minutes passed smoothly, then Ren suddenly pointed ahead.
"Class Rep..."
Everyone slowed.
Standing near the entrance leading toward Mirror Lake was another group.
Dozens of students, their uniforms carrying a familiar crest.
It was none other than Class 1B.
Aiysha Moon stood at the very front.
The moment her eyes met Olivia’s, neither girl looked away.
"..."
"..."
Cassien almost laughed.
Aiysha folded her arms.
"Move."
Olivia immediately answered.
"No."
Students behind both leaders began shifting behind them protectively.
The exam had only started, yet already two classes wanted the same territory.
Aiysha glanced toward the lake entrance.
"Mirror Lake belongs to us."
Olivia stepped forward.
"Funny. I was about to say the same thing."
Cassien suddenly walked between both groups.
"Perfect."
Both girls looked at him.
"What?" they said simultaneously.
Cassien pointed toward the lake.
"Neither of you has actually checked if somebody is already there."
Everyone froze for a second because he was right.
Mirror Lake was too valuable.
The odds that only two classes wanted it were practically zero.
A distant scream echoed from the direction of the cliffs.
Everyone turned.
A flare shot upward.
Not red, but blue.
Meaning the first emergency flare of the examination had now been used.
Cassien’s smile widened.
"Looks like somebody got there first."
Aiysha narrowed her eyes.
"You seem awfully happy for someone whose class just lost their base."
Cassien shrugged.
"We haven’t lost anything yet."
The distant blue flare slowly faded into the clouds.
Then another voice came from the back of Class 1B.
"Shouldn’t we check it out?"
Olivia nodded.
"We move."
A student then stepped forward behind Aiysha.
"He was the one who broke Ray’s arm! Let’s beat him!"
Aiysha held out a hand.
"Enough. Control your temper. We will win."
The boy immediately backed down.
And standing between them was Cassien, who looked like he was enjoying every second of it.
"See?" Cassien spread his arms. "Nobody had to die. What a beautiful display of teamwork."
"Shut up," Olivia and Aiysha said simultaneously.
Cassien smiled.
’Now that’s chemistry.’
A loud crashing sound echoed from deeper within the island as the ground trembled slightly.
"What the hell?"
A student from Class 1C swallowed.
"Do you think it’s another class?"
"Maybe a beast?"
"Or some hidden event?"
No one knew.
Cassien leaned into Olivia’s ear.
"Why not fight them right now? They mostly only have Aiysha, whom I can most likely take on."
Olivia gave him a look.
"Not right now. We’ll get third-partied by another group afterward and lose all our stuff."
"Smart."
Though even if he did get third-partied, Cassien was quite confident he could handle it.
But the class rep does what the class rep wants.
Afterward, Cassien casually stepped toward the entrance.
"Only one way to find out."
Aiysha sighed.
"Class 1B, we advance carefully."
"Class 1C. Same formation."
Both groups began moving, but not together.
A cautious distance remained between them.
Nobody trusted the other side, but fighting right now would be a terrible and reckless decision.
...
After a little while, Mirror Lake slowly revealed itself.
And when they finally arrived—
Something blew their minds.
An odd set of feelings.
Because there was no way in hell...
