After the match ended, Symon glanced at the situation at the other tables in the venue. Unsurprisingly, their table had finished the fastest.
The atmosphere at the other tables was just starting to heat up; from time to time, one could see people getting anxious, their faces red and necks thick with tension.
However, since the dealer prohibited students from spectating ongoing games, Symon didn't go over to look closely. Instead, he went to the service area with the girls to grab some pastries and snacks. They chatted for a while while replenishing their sugar levels, and time passed quickly.
The scene shifted, and the time moved to 12:00 PM.
After the first round of the exam concluded, the casino was as lively as a vegetable market. Students gathered in small groups; some were slapping their thighs in regret, others were overjoyed, clearly still immersed in the tension and excitement of the "exam."
At this moment, Class A's teacher, Tomonari Mashima, once again took out his small megaphone. Holding a notebook, he stood in the center of the hall and announced loudly:
"Everyone, please be quiet! We will now announce the list of those advancing from the first round!"
"Teacher, what's our class's total score?" Class D's Kanji Ike raised his hand, a look of smugness on his face.
"Regarding that point, we do not intend to inform you. Please calculate it yourselves within your respective classes."
Tomonari Mashima's tone didn't change as he spoke seriously: "At the end of the Uninhabited Island exam, I recall saying something similar—please accept the results of the exam yourselves and try to analyze them to make use of them in the next exam."
"We hope you can develop this habit. After all, when you enter society in the future, no one will tell you why you can't get a promotion, nor will anyone tell you why you were fired."
"All you can do is accept it, reflect on it, or recklessly choose to leave. Although you may not be able to accept it, this is reality."
Saying this, Tomonari Mashima didn't dwell on these irrelevant words anymore. He picked up the notebook in his hand and read aloud:
"Below is the list of those advancing, which also corresponds to the grouping and seating order for the second round of the special exam. Please listen carefully:"
"Group 1: Class A's Kōhei Katsuragi, Class D's Kikyō Kushida, Class D's Suzune Horikita, Class B's Honami Ichinose, Class C's Hiyori Shiina."
"Group 2: Class C's Satoru Kaneda, Class A's Ryōko Nishikawa, Class A's Asuka Shiraishi, Class A's Kōji Machida, Class D's Kiyotaka Ayanokōji."
"Group 3: Class A's Ai Morishita, Class A's Kenta Sanada, Class C's Kakeru Ryūen, Class D's Rokusuke Kōenji, Class D's Yōsuke Hirata."
"Group 4: Class B's Ryūji Kanzaki, Class A's Masayoshi Hashimoto, Class B's Tetsuya Hamaguchi, Class D's Teruhiko Yukimura, Class D's Chiaki Matsushita."
After reading the advancement list, Tomonari Mashima put down the notebook, raised the megaphone, and announced:
"Will the students who have advanced please proceed to tables 1, 6, 11, and 16 respectively? Assemble within ten minutes."
"In addition, students who did not advance may return to the dormitories and use the internet TV to watch the live broadcast of the exam. This is not mandatory, but do not linger or wander around the venue. Homeroom teachers, please organize your students to leave in an orderly fashion."
With those words, the homeroom teachers began organizing their classes.
Meanwhile, in the Class C chat room, Satoru Kaneda posted the compiled results of the first round:
『Satoru Kaneda: First round point results: Class A 4.8 million, Class B 3.75 million, Class C 2 million, Class D 3.5 million. (Decimals omitted)』
『Satoru Kaneda: Number of people advancing to round two: Class A: 7, Class B: 3, Class C: 3, Class D: 7.』
『Satoru Kaneda: If we calculate 500,000 points per advancing student, the current actual class points are: Class A 8.3 million, Class B 5.25 million, Class C 3.5 million, Class D 7 million.』
『Kakeru Ryūen: Heh, pretty much a total wipeout.』
『Satoru Kaneda: The gap is indeed large. The first round was basically a complete victory for Classes A and D. Moreover, the grouping list that just came out is very disadvantageous for us. All three advancers are alone in their groups and might face encirclement by other classes. Especially in my group, with three Class A students—honestly, I don't know how to win.』
『Kakeru Ryūen: No, it doesn't matter. You can focus on preserving points; leave the rest to me and Shiina. @Hiyori Shiina, any thoughts?』
『Hiyori Shiina: Good luck. Not coming in last place counts as a success.』
『Kakeru Ryūen: Do you think you're very humorous, woman?』
『Hiyori Shiina: Just kidding. I saw the dealer eating in the rest area just now. You can go over there and try to bribe them. Also, since the school is going to broadcast it live, buy a wireless earpiece or something and have Ishizaki or Albert screen-cheat and report the cards.』
『Hiyori Shiina: In the end, the point difference is too big, so there isn't much room for strategy. It's just about trying everything to avoid last place. Fortunately, there are still two rounds left, so it's not a huge problem.』
『Kakeru Ryūen: I'm already at the restaurant.』
Receiving such a reply, Symon put away the personal terminal and stood up to walk toward Table 1.
At the same time, he teased with a smile in his mind, "You don't say, when it comes to these crooked paths, Ryūen's brain is really sharp."
"I feel..." Hiyori thought for a moment, then spoke softly in her heart, "Even if Mr. Ghost didn't say it, Ryūen-kun would probably do the same thing."
In the buffet restaurant within the rest area, Ryūen casually tore a piece of meat off a bone on the dining table, sat down opposite a beautiful female dealer, and asked:
The dealer was startled. After hesitating for a moment, she probed:
"50,000 for one time, 200,000 for the whole night."
____
🔥 Get 40 advanced chapters of ALL stories! 🔥
New Story: COTE: Natsuki Subaru Returns to School, but as the Purge King
✅ New releases are dropping, plus get exclusive content & updates.
✅ Help us unlock community rewards:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone
🚀 140 MEMBERS = +5 extra chapters of ALL STORIES!
👻 P - Walnutchan