Chapter 5:
The Battle of the Vanguards
SHORTLY AFTER 9 A.M., the participants arrived in their four separate classrooms and were being given the same explanation simultaneously by examiners unfamiliar to them. There wasn’t anything unusual in the classrooms; the only things placed in them were the typical desks and chairs. It was difficult for the students to imagine what kind of exam would take place in a space no different from their regular classroom, but as the explanation proceeded, they began to understand.
The explanation about the discussion conducted by the participants contained no mention whatsoever of the win conditions for the representatives. After finishing explaining all of the details, the examiner took a breath, while the students exchanged looks with one another, seemingly trying their absolute hardest to pound the rules into their heads.
“The most important point to remember is that the only way to contribute to your class in this discussion is to carry out your assigned role perfectly,” added the examiner.
That was exactly what Ayanokouji and the other representatives have been told about the participants in the explanation they had been given.
“I understand what our win conditions are, but the win conditions for the representatives are more important, aren’t they? What are those?” Matsushita asked, speaking up on behalf of her classmates.
The exam format for the participants was essentially nothing more than a battle to see whether they could gain Private Points, while the representatives’ exam would result in changes in Class Points, determining the brightness of that class’s future. It was a very natural response, to prioritize a long-term perspective rather than short-term value. However, the examiner, someone that Matsushita and her classmates didn’t usually come into contact with, responded in a detached, matter-of-fact tone.
“I have just told you everything you need to know. All you can do is stick to your role and carry out the discussion properly. There is no point in trying to guess anything further. As for the representative’s fight, those rules may change minutely from one discussion to the next. You will only know all of the answers once the special exam is over,” replied the examiner.
He wasn’t dodging the question; it was simply that the school never intended to tell them anything from the beginning. The students probably couldn’t help but feel that was the will of this stubborn institution.
“So you mean to say that we won’t even know how the exam works until it’s over, then?” asked Shinohara.
“Precisely,” replied the examiner.
Shinohara then voiced her complaints, indicating that she wasn’t happy about this, but the examiner responded without a moment’s pause. The examiner explained that the rules for the representatives had been thoroughly concealed and would not be revealed under any circumstances.
“Just keep in mind that if you do not engage with the discussion seriously, your class will gain nothing whatsoever,” added the examiner.
While the participants were free to be as blatant as they’d like about their designated roles, there was no guarantee that doing so would be beneficial to their class’s representatives. As long as it was unclear what exactly would determine the winners and losers, the option that would leave them with the fewest regrets would be to simply take the discussion seriously. Having made this clear, the examiner concluded the explanation.
5.1
AT 9:30 A.M., the students had finished listening to the explanation and headed over to the special building, where they were guided into a classroom set up specifically for discussion. There were many cameras mounted throughout the rooms to eliminate any blind spots. Fourteen desks and chairs, enough for two groups, were set up in the room and arranged in a circle. A tablet was placed on each desk, and there were partitions between them to prevent peeking to either side.
The students confirmed their individual roles on their tablets when they entered the room. At the end of the round, the current status would be checked again, and then the students would begin the process of selecting options on their tablets. The model students had the right to eject anyone other than the other model student from the room at this time if the representative elected to pass, and each student that had any other position was required to exercise their various effects at this time. The backs of the chairs were marked with red tape or blue tape as simple identifying markers, with red being for Class B and blue being for Class D.
Even if students tried to congregate together with those that they were close friends with, the students seated to their right and left would inevitably be from the opposing class anyway, which made it impossible to even try whispering to one’s fellow classmates. Also, a single large monitor was set up separately in the room, and important rules for the discussion were displayed on it.
Rules for Discussion
Students participating in the discussion should try to speak so that everyone can hear them.
The act of addressing a single specific person is prohibited.
Students who are found to have violated the above rules, such as by whispering in another student’s ear, will be ordered to leave the room.
Excessively rough language, slander, and acts of violence will result in a penalty, and the student will be ordered to leave the room.
If a student is ejected from the room during the discussion, that student’s respective class will be penalized.
The representative’s Life Points will be reduced based on the severity of the penalty.
“The monitor will display the results of the discussion in progress and the final results,” said the examiner.
At that moment, when the students’ attention was focused, the examiner changed what was displayed on the monitor and showed an example of what the end of a discussion might look like, with a sample of final results.
Final Results
Average students: 4
Model students: 0
Teachers: 0
Graduates: 0
Underclassmen: 1
Upperclassmen: 0
Traitors: 1
Please exit the room promptly to end the discussion and rotate to the next group.
Interval time remaining: 10:00
“This shows information about the results of individual roles. Once you have checked the information, please follow the instructions and exit the room,” said the examiner.
After telling the students this, the students were ordered to quickly leave the classroom and head over to the waiting room.
“The exam will begin shortly. Students who have been called to the waiting room should go there immediately,” said the examiner.
Once the hurried explanation was over, it was time for the participants’ battle to begin, with no time at all to chew on what they were told.
5.2
TEN O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING. The monitor in the waiting room meant for the participants lit up.
Discussion No. 1
Participants
Class 2-B
Sotomura Hideo, Makita Susumu, Minami Hakuo, Yukimura Teruhiko, Azuma Sana, Karuizawa Kei, Satou Maya
Class 2-D
Shibata Sou, Nakanishi Jirou, Moriyama Susumu, Andou Sayo, Yamagata Hina, Ishimaru Yuriko, Oonuki Nagisa
Students whose names are displayed should head to the discussion room.
“I-I’m up first. And so is Maya-chan…” said Karuizawa.
Having had her cell phone confiscated like everyone else, she had just been sitting there looking bored, but hurriedly got out of her seat. Satou, who was also determined to be part of the first group, rushed over to her side. While many of the students still hadn’t fully grasped the rules yet, they stepped out into the hallway and made their way to the discussion room. Yukimura was one of them, and Satou called out to her for advice.