Chapter 32 - Gambling?

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Have you still not given me your power stone? Powerstones are greatly appreciated, and so are reviews I would really appreciate more reviews.

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"Listen, here's the thing. If you can't spot the sucker in the first half hour at the table, then you ARE the sucker." ~Mike McDermott

"The next special exam will be simple. There will be two groups of students in this exam: Low Rollers and High Rollers. Each class will be able to dedicate two students to the position of High Roller, while the rest of the students in the class will take on the role of Low Rollers. Both groups will be partaking in bets between each other, and the currency used in these bets will be class points."

"Interesting, very different from the exam we just underwent," I said aloud.

"Yes, it seems it is possible for the results of this special exam to affect your total class points negatively," Ayanokoji responded.

"Low Rollers will be limited to low-stake gambles, and each class will play 25 of these low-stake gambles a day over a four-day period. Each Low Roller will be limited to a maximum of five low-stake games throughout the course of the exam. One victory in a low-stake gamble will earn the victor 10,000 private points and their class one class point."

I see. So, assuming the Low Rollers in a class achieve victory in all their games, a class can earn 100 class points and a million private points. At least 25 members of a class would have to partake in low-stake gambles.

"High Rollers, on the other hand, will be limited to high-stake gambles. Each class will play two of these high-stakes gambles a day over a four-day period. Each individual High Roller will be limited to a maximum of one high-stakes game per day, meaning four high-stakes gambles over the course of the exam individually. One victory in a high-stake gamble will earn the victor 500,000 private points and their class 50 class points."

Interesting. These high-stake gambles can be a game changer. If a class wins all its high-stakes gambles, it would mean 400 class points and 2 million private points. Those aren't insignificant numbers.

"Now, as per the details on how gambles are set up, with respect to low-stake gambles, two students must agree for a gamble to be accepted. After that, the terms of the game are either decided by the two students in front of a professor or a valid witness to the game terms. If students can't agree on game terms, the terms will be decided for you. Now, for High Rollers, the same applies, only that a valid challenge to a high-stake game can't be declined. But the same logic applies to deciding the terms of the games."

The voice took another pause before continuing.

"If a class doesn't play any of the mandatory 25 low-stake games, one class point will be forfeited per game that isn't played. High-stake games are a bit different. High-stake games will never occur simultaneously and will be broadcasted across the cruise ship for all to watch and will occur at a specified time between students and staff. If someone appears late to their game or doesn't appear at all, they will forfeit 50 class points. Low-stakes and high-stakes games will be recorded and witnessed by a school staff member. As previously specified, these games are gambles, so any forfeitures are equivalent to what would occur in a loss. In general, it is not advantageous to miss any games as it will be treated as a loss."

I see. Every class should aim to play all 108 required games, or else they would just be accepting a meaningless loss.

"Moreover, in the case of a draw during any game, no reward or punishment shall be given out. This special exam won't formally commence until three days from today, but we urge you to take this time to formally declare your class's High Rollers and your game dates and times if you so desire. Thank you for your patience, and we wish you all the best of luck."

The High Stakes Gamble Special Exam is interesting. I'll have to talk to Ryuen, but obviously, the High Rollers of Class C will be me and Ryuen. It's best to limit the Low Rollers to 20 players. Of course, this could lead to sabotaging from other classes, but we could always substitute players—something we can't do with High Rollers. Additionally, Class C doesn't have many intellectuals, so we are best off limiting our Low Rollers to 25 students. At least half of those students' jobs will be to aim for draws. The upper echelon of those 25 students can aim for gambles or games with only a win-or-lose outcome.

It sucks being surrounded by so many incompetent idiots. If I were in Class A, I would be confident in my ability to claim at least 300 class points for my class. To achieve the same in Class C would be a dream.

"This is your class's chance to earn a lot of class points," I told Ayanokoji after finishing my thoughts.

"You know it's not that simple," Ayanokoji responded.

He's right. This special exam may seem generous, but that's only if you can completely dominate your opponents. Otherwise, gaining 200 class points isn't easy since you have to worry about losses. Draws will play an essential role in this exam for some classes.

"Well, it would be possible if you partook in the exam as a High Roller," I responded.

"I have no interest in doing so. Anyway, I should get going. I'll see you around," Ayanokoji said, making his exit.

I should probably meet Ryuen soon, but since I'll already be putting a hold on my relaxation time in my room, I should visit Shiina first.

With that thought in mind, I retreated back to the lower levels of the cruise ship, where the individual student rooms were located.

Soon, I arrived at my destination.

Without much thought, I knocked on the door.

"…"

There was no response, and I couldn't hear anything from the other side of the room. Maybe Shiina wasn't in there?

No, Ryuen wouldn't have mentioned her if she was socializing outside, so I knocked again.

"…"

Once again, nothing could be heard from the other side, so I tried a different approach.

"Shiina, are you in there?" I asked loudly from the other side of the door.

A few seconds passed before I received a response, "Yagami?"

"Who else would it be? Come on, open the door. I promised we would hang out once I got back on the ship, right?"

Soon, I finally heard some movement from the room until the door in front of me clicked open, and I could see Shiina's face gazing at me. Behind the door, Shiina was wearing purple pajamas. It seems like she's really just been in her room all day.

She looked downward at my words. "I'm sorry."

"What are you apologizing for?"

"I-I wasn't there when you needed me… I'm supposed to be your friend but haven't been a helpful one, so I'm sorry for that."

"I should be the one apologizing to you, Shiina, not the other way around," I said in response, but Shiina shook her head.

She looked at me seriously, responding, "You poisoned Ryuen, which you should have never done, even if you knew he'd be fine. But," she paused, her expression saddening, "I understand why you did it, so I don't know how mad I can be.t. So, Yagami, if you promise never to do something so drastic ever again, I promise to be there to help you whenever you need me. I want to be your friend, not just in words or when it's advantageous to me, but in every meaning of the word. I want a real friend, someone that not only I rely on but that relies on me."

"I… it's been bothersome. There's a lot to worry about in the class. Then there are things like classmates, midterms, tests, pressure from other classes, or now these special exams. All have a profound effect on our futures, and there's this pressure that if we fail if I can't help and push the class up in rankings along with Ryuen, everything will be ruined. Everyone in this school came here for one reason: they heard about how it is the greatest school, essentially capable of making all your dreams come true. But then they learn that's only possible for those in Class A. The second that chance of achieving Class A turns into a faraway dream, the second Class C loses hope in me, and, Ryuen, nothing in our class will be the same. So that's why sometimes I have to do whatever it takes to guarantee success."

I looked at Shiina, who was silently listening to me, before continuing.

"It's annoying, but sometimes it's necessary."

Shiina soon approached, giving me a hug. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there, but I'm happy you are able to communicate like this."

"Of course."

Friendship is a weird thing, and so are the people who desire it so deeply. It makes you vulnerable. To accept friends, you must weaken yourself, but some people still desire them deeply, like Shiina, who seems fixated on the idea of friendship.

As Shiina embraced me and I did the same, I couldn't help but smile. It was perfect. Class C wasn't a class with hidden gems spread throughout. No, 80% of the class was garbage. That's why gaining even one person's support meant so much, especially if that person is someone like Shiina, arguably the third or fourth most capable member in Class C who had been rejecting the idea of providing the class her assistance. Well, until now. She will undeniably be a reliable asset in the future.

"Ding."

As my interaction with Shiina was concluding, my phone rang aloud. But it wasn't just mine; it was Shiina's as well. It could only mean one thing: Ryuen was likely already plotting something for the upcoming special exam.

Quickly, I detached from Shiina, and she did the same, looking at me before getting her phone. My conclusion was accurate.

"A meeting in one hour?" Shiina asked, looking at her phone.

"Yeah, it seems Ryuen wants to begin preparing for this special exam. I imagine you heard the announcement just a bit ago, right?"

Shiina nodded her head. "Yeah, although it's a bit strange. The idea of a gambling exam itself is weird. Isn't gambling supposed to be a luck thing?"

I couldn't help but chuckle at Shiina's words. "Sure, luck factors into things, but depending on the kind of gamble you take or the manner you go about it, you can say gambling takes a level of skill. There's a mental aspect to gambling. It plays a big role when you are betting against another person. Then there is, of course, the importance of the setup of the gamble or game. It's why the saying 'the house always wins' exists because the odds are always in favor of the house whenever you gamble in a casino."

"Yeah, but isn't that the most important thing? The setup of the gamble? I mean, if you know the odds of your victory in a gamble, doesn't that mental aspect go away?" Shiina asked.

"No, the mental aspect still plays an important role. You just have to know how to take advantage of that fact," I responded.

Shiina didn't respond but simply looked at me doubtfully.

"You don't believe me? Then how about this: chances are I'll be selected as a High Roller for Class C, meaning all my games will be broadcasted," I said, pointing at her TV. "I'll prove it to you that the odds of success of a game or gamble becomes unimportant if you can win the mental battle. So just watch, alright?"

Shiina giggled. "You don't even know who or what game you will be playing in the future, but you seem so confident… Alright, I'll be watching, so show me, alright?"

"Of course. Anyway, I should get going now. I want to shower and change before this meeting we will be having."

"Well then, I'll see you soon, Yagami."

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Sorry for the cringy Shiina interaction, but I had to close out that whole story since I started it. I tried to make it as bearable as possible for some of you, as I know many didn't like the Shiina arc.

Also I know the explanations of the rules was boring but sadly necessary.

Anyway, are you guys excited about the gambling arc? How does it sound to all of you? I put some thought into deciding how it would work, so hopefully, it will be enjoyable.

Do you have any idea which characters you want to see Light compete or gamble against? He can only compete against four, and they have to be elected high rollers, as explained.