The first day of the Special Privileged Student Exam, 1:00 p.m., the first group discussion.
Due to the time spent deducing the rules, when Kitagawa Ryo led the three members of Class C into Meeting Room 203 on the second floor, the other three classes had already arrived.
Class B and Class D seemed to be chatting happily. Hirata Yosuke and Ichinose Honami were the sociable types with many friends. Karuizawa Kei occasionally chimed in, but Horikita Suzune simply sat with arms crossed in the corner of the sofa. Whether it was because she wasn't feeling well or just didn't fit into the conversation, it was hard to tell.
Similarly not participating in the discussion were the four students from Class A led by Katsuragi Kohei. However, since the uninhabited island exam, Katsuragi had essentially lost his authority to lead Class A. Without his loyal follower Totsuka Yahiko in the same group, there was a subtle distance between him and the other three members, as if he had been isolated.
"Good afternoon," Ichinose Honami waved with her arms stretched upon seeing the arrival of Class C. Though it was just a normal greeting, it felt especially warm when coming from her.
"Good afternoon," Kitagawa responded with a nod.
Classes A and D also followed suit with greetings. After all, for the next four days, everyone in the room would be acting as a single group. No one wanted to create tension right from the start. Even Horikita Suzune made an effort to approach and say:
"Since everyone is here and the time is right, let's begin the discussion."
"Suzune seems rather eager," Kitagawa glanced at her. Perhaps still unwell, she wore a white cardigan over her shirt.
"Your collar is misaligned," he noted before pulling out a chair and sitting down.
Due to the roundtable setting, it was inevitable that members of different classes sat side by side. Seizing the chance, Karuizawa Kei tried to nonchalantly sit next to Kitagawa, but in the next second, the seats beside him were taken by a boy and a girl: Ryuuen Kakeru and Shiina Hiyori.
For some reason, although she hadn't interacted with them before, Karuizawa felt a sudden jolt in her chest, as if these two bore some kind of hostility toward her.
Aside from them, the other students didn't pay much attention to seat order. They each found a place and waited for their respective leaders to speak.
Perhaps other groups would quickly descend into chaotic discussions, but the twelve students in this "Dragon Group" were essentially elites from each class. Moreover, each class's former or current leader was present. Whether it was Kitagawa or Ichinose, someone would surely take the lead.
With this thought, everyone quietly awaited.
"Now then, the first round of group discussion will begin."
A broadcast installed in the room announced the start of the discussion.
As expected, Ichinose Honami was the first to stand up.
"Everyone, there's no need to be nervous. If you don't know how to begin, shall I act as the facilitator? Of course, if anyone else wants the role, I'll gladly step aside."
After waiting a dozen seconds without objection, she smiled and said:
"It seems no one is particularly eager, so I'll take on the task for now. First, even though I generally know everyone's names, the school gave specific instructions. I think self-introductions would be beneficial—perhaps some are meeting for the first time."
Since the teachers had explicitly mentioned this during the rule explanation, Ichinose naturally used it to help members get to know one another, facilitating smoother discussion.
In fact, it subtly hinted at the importance of "names."
Though Kitagawa had already figured out the pattern of the privileged students, he still wanted to observe the other classes' movements. So he followed along with the introductions.
After going around the table, the atmosphere had indeed become less stiff.
"Alright. Since this is our first discussion, I think we should start by analyzing the exam itself. If anyone has questions or doubts, feel free to speak up. By discussing openly, we might better navigate the exam. What do you all think?"
Ichinose's moderation skills were solid, but the discussion didn't proceed as smoothly as hoped. Though they appeared to be one group, in truth, each person represented their own class's interests. Naturally, they were hesitant to share intel, especially with so many sharp individuals present.
Katsuragi and Horikita occasionally glanced warily at Kitagawa. During the previous island exam, they were shocked not just by Class C's win but by Kitagawa's masterful grasp and use of the rules.
Even though Kitagawa hadn't spoken a single meaningful word thus far, none could tell how deeply he had already analyzed the current exam.
"If no one has anything to ask, I'll share my thoughts first," said Ichinose.
Truly worthy of her reputation—she remained unbothered by the silence.
"Theoretically, achieving Outcome 1 is the optimal way to pass this exam."
She offered her proposal:
"If all four classes agree to maintain secrecy, everyone will receive 500,000 personal points. The privileged students are evenly distributed, so no one loses out. There's no need to worry about class points."
Each person would gain 500,000 points, and privileged students would receive an extra 500,000. Under Ichinose's plan, each class could earn over 20 million points. For context, even Class A, with the highest current point total, earns just 4 million per month.
"There's no way to guarantee there won't be betrayal," Horikita immediately pointed out.
"And compared to Classes A, B, and C, Class D—having already lost four students—would end up with 2 million fewer points. Can Ichinose-san make up for that?"
"Moreover, this special exam exists to narrow the gap or enable class advancement."
"Though the plan sounds great, for Class D, it means missing a critical opportunity to catch up."
"Karuizawa-san, Hirata-san, what do you two think?"
To strengthen her argument, Horikita called on the other two. Since her reasoning was flawless and in Class D's interest, they nodded without hesitation.
After all, their group didn't include Class D's privileged students—let the others argue all they want.
"So, Class D intends to actively uncover the other classes' privileged students to achieve Outcome 3?"
Katsuragi suddenly chimed in, pitting Class D against the others.
"Taking the offensive only invites enemies."
"If you think Class D's strategy is flawed, then let me ask—what is the great Class A planning?" Karuizawa fired back with a touch of sarcasm.
"I can't speak for Class A, but I believe they will remain silent during this exam."
Kitagawa smirked at Katsuragi's words.
Indeed, Katsuragi had recognized the key flaw in this exam's discussion phase—lack of information. In this case, even if the other three classes teamed up, they couldn't accurately identify Class A's privileged students.
[Class A forfeits intel gathering. Though it can't strike others, it avoids being targeted.]
Only Class A had the luxury to adopt such a stance. They didn't need to gain points—only maintain their status. Clearly, Katsuragi's ideology hadn't changed since the island exam.
"Silent, huh?" Ichinose also grasped Katsuragi's intent, but had no counter.
So far, Class A had expressed a preference for Outcome 2, Class B wanted Outcome 1, and Class D hoped to narrow the gap by achieving Outcome 4. Though no consensus was reached, each class had revealed its stance.
This left the still-silent Class C in the spotlight.
Especially Kitagawa, who was yawning lazily. The other classes, who had all been outmaneuvered during the island exam, grew increasingly uneasy.
"Hey, Kitagawa, why is your Class C even quieter than Class A?" Karuizawa asked while knocking on the table.
Everyone turned to Kitagawa.
"Oh, I just found your discussion interesting and was listening carefully."
He yawned again.
"As for this special exam..."
He propped his chin on folded hands, speaking with a lazy, mysterious air:
"Class C has already identified all the privileged students. We've cleared the exam."
Aside from the three who already knew, everyone—including Katsuragi who had been resting his eyes—looked at Kitagawa in disbelief. Kanzaki Ryuji stood up in shock, Horikita's smile froze, and Karuizawa ran up to Kitagawa in alarm:
"That's impossible! It's only the first day!"
"We don't need to lie."
Ryuuen stood up and blocked her, smiling with hands in his pockets:
"If you don't believe us, we'll prove it now."
In the next moment, Ichinose and Hirata received text messages.
Their faces turned pale as they saw three names—the exact privileged students from Classes B and D.
"Is this... true?"
Katsuragi, no longer in control of his class, didn't even know his own class's privileged students. But seeing Ichinose and Hirata's reaction, he asked with a trembling voice.
"Sorry, Katsuragi-san. What Class C said... appears to be true."
Ichinose's chest rose and fell as she took deep breaths. Though Kitagawa still looked relaxed, the others saw him as someone who now controlled their fate.
Unlike the island exam, privileged students couldn't be replaced. If Class C exposed the nine from the other classes, they'd gain 450 class points while A, B, and D would each lose 150. The gap between Classes C and A was less than 200.
In other words, if Class C wished, they could end the exam by leaping to Class A.
"But Kitagawa, you didn't do it immediately. Instead, you told us... what's your goal?"
Horikita was the first to recover. Perhaps used to setbacks, she overcame the shock quickly.
"My goal?"
Kitagawa crossed his legs and looked around, finally speaking:
"Initially, I had a plan similar to Honami's—to earn a massive amount of personal points."
"Do you remember the contract we signed earlier?"
Ichinose and Hirata froze, recalling the agreement from earlier in the year:
[Before the end of the first year, Classes B and D would unconditionally cooperate with Class C once—excluding class points or expulsion.]
"Yes, that's the one."
Kitagawa smiled:
"If I wanted, I could earn 83.5 million personal points in this exam."
"Eighty-three... point five million!?"
"Impossible!"
"All four classes combined don't even have that much!"
Voices of disbelief echoed.
"It's possible."
"As long as everyone achieves Outcome 1."
Ichinose explained. Horikita quickly followed:
"You plan to use the contracts to secure B and D's compliance. But what about Class A?"
"Class A? They'll do whatever Class C asks."
Karuizawa chimed in:
"Remember, the point gap isn't just between A and C. Class B is also just 200 points behind A."
"If Class C offers B a single A-class privileged student, A falls to C's level."
"Tsk, Class A drops to Class C in one semester."
"Can the noble Class A accept that? They have no choice. It's just personal points."
Everyone finally grasped Kitagawa's grand plan:
[Class C reveals all privileged students. Contracts ensure B and D won't betray. Class A is pressured into compliance. All 12 groups achieve Outcome 1 and transfer points to Kitagawa. Out of 156 students (minus Sakayanagi Arisu), 155 total, with 12 privileged students. 143x500,000 + 12x1,000,000 = 83.5 million points.]
If successful, Class C wouldn't even need class points to exploit 83.5 million from the system.
The previous record among past students was just 12 million—and that was via fraud.
20 million was enough for four transfers, with points to spare.
Someone audibly gulped. Everyone was stunned.
"However," Kitagawa continued, "that was my original idea."
He leaned back and glanced at Shiina Hiyori. He knew if he insisted, she'd support him. But her passionate plea last night still lingered in his mind.
Everyone had their wishes.
He smiled as he looked at everyone.
Karuizawa wanted to join Class C with 20 million points. Horikita wanted to surpass him. Katsuragi wanted to regain his place. Ichinose wanted to help her classmates. Shiina wanted to deny everything about Karuizawa—she'd never accept her joining. Ryuuen wanted to lead Class C to the top.
Outside this room, others had wishes too.
At Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, where points could buy anything, 83.5 million points could fulfill most dreams.
"Yesterday, the teacher described this exam as a werewolf game."
Kitagawa spread his arms wide:
"Then let's play a real werewolf game on this cruise."
"I'll open a transparent account with 83.5 million personal points as the prize pool. There will be 12 participants. Each must have an invitation and pay 1 million points to enter."
"The 12 million in fees will go to the school for fair oversight."
Points could buy anything—including staff and equipment.
"I get one automatic spot. This afternoon, the school will randomly place 11 invitations on the cruise."
"By 8:00 a.m. tomorrow, those with invitations who pay the entry fee are in. If not all are found, the school will randomly select replacements."
"At 8:00 a.m. tomorrow, the game begins."
"To ensure fairness, participants won't see or hear each other—their voices will be processed until the game ends."
"Aside from my guaranteed slot, I'll be under school supervision—no cheating."
"The winning side will split the entire prize pool."
Kitagawa looked at everyone who was too stunned to speak.
He knew—they'd never let him claim 83.5 million points without a fight.
"Just do what you want to do."
He ended with the same words as before.
The exam based on alphabetical order was far too boring—Ryuuen had cracked the code.
So let's play something bigger.
Lies, betrayal, ambition.
Everyone would chase their own desires.
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On the first day of the VIP Special Exam, all first-year students were hit with a piece of news that left them completely dumbfounded:
The VIP Special Exam had already ended.
But the most shocking news came after that:
Class C, having already secured their victory in advance, had launched the most extraordinary game of all.
With a prize pool of 83.5 million private points on the line, a high-stakes game of "Werewolf" was set in motion, where each participant would wager one million points of their own.
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