Vol. 3: Chapter 4 - The Doors of Purgatory

"Special Test?"

"Huh? What are they talking about?"

The murmurs got considerably louder. On the other hand, Class B turned silent— extremely silent.

"So you were right, after all, Ayanokouji-kun..." whispered Hirata.

Last night, the class group chat of Class 1-B was very active. All 39 students were online and participating in the chat. Despite the chaos, the main topic was the suspicion about this luxurious vacation.

(20:12) [There's a big chance that this vacation might turn out to be a special exam of some sort. Or at least a part of it will.] (Ayanokouji)

That statement started an entire conversation about what the class might do and not do if it turned out to be true. Ike messaged me, saying that he won't cause trouble for the class. It gave me the chance to give him some advice on what he could and should do. He told me that he'd talk with Yamauchi about it. Seeing the two of them now, it is nice to see that they're not running amok.

Not a lot of arguments were made apart from the fact that we'll still probably get the chance to have fun, which I didn't disagree with. I'm sure we'll still get the vacation we deserve... But for two weeks straight? I felt like it was simply impossible for there to be no catch at all. The class agreed to be on guard.

Anyway, it seems like my influence in the class was a lot firmer than I thought. Since I was ultimately right this time, they should start relying on me with class matters much like how they'd rely on Kikyou with their personal problems.

"The test commences now and lasts for one week, concluding on August 7th. This test will determine if you can live on a deserted island together as a group. In addition, I should warn you that this special test is both practical and realistic, designed based on real-world corporate training."

"Living on a deserted island? Does that mean we're not staying on the boat, but on the island?" Some Class C and D students voiced their obvious concerns.

"You are correct. During the test, you will not be allowed to board the ship without a suitably justifiable reason. It will be necessary for you to fend for yourselves on this island while you are here, from creating a place to sleep to preparing food to eat. Once the test starts, each class will receive two tents and two flashlights. You will be provided with one box of matches. There is no limit to the amount of sunscreen you can have. Each student will be provided with one toothbrush. As a special case, girls will be allowed to have as many feminine sanitary products as they'd like, without any restrictions. Please ask your respective homeroom teachers for those. That is all," explained Mashima-sensei.

With that, the teachers began distributing the said items.

Some students were making minor fusses, but everyone understood that there was no going back.

"This is pretty extreme. We'll have to act like island survivors."

"Two tents only? That's simply not enough..."

"What are we going to do about the food?"

"It's quite insane, to be honest..."

Mashima-sensei gave no sign that this was some kind of joke. If anything, he appeared surprised by what they've said.

"You may say that this is unbelievable, but that's because you've lived a short, superficial life. There is an actual, prominent company that holds training sessions on uninhabited islands," he said.

Some students seemed unconvinced, but Class B, in particular, remembered the things that Chabashira-sensei had said in the past when she revealed the S-System to us.

"Nothing comes easy in this world.", "This school guarantees nothing for other students."

Those words stuck into the minds of Class B students who were supposed to be branded as the defects in our year. Our main goal after enrolling in this school was to graduate in Class A and secure our future. However, that's also why the school wants us to experience a simulation of what might come in the future. I don't know how necessary this special test on a deserted island is, but we have no choice but to comply. With how brutal some workplaces are in the Japanese work industry, this special test should be tame in comparison.

"I assume you're all thinking something like; 'What does this test mean?'. Or perhaps some of you doubt the existence of such training programs. However, students who remain at such a base level of thought are unlikely to become anyone promising in the future. What is your basis for determining this to be 'unbelievable' or 'ridiculous'? You're just students. In my opinion, you're all equally worthless. What kind of insignificant person determines that they can criticize a leading company? That's bizarre. Were you a president in charge of one such notable business? If that's the case, then you might have some right to deny our claims. However, there shouldn't be any grounds for someone of your station to be able to do that." Mashima-sensei chided us while elaborating.

As students, we certainly thought that some parts of this so-called "special test" were unreasonable or unrealistic. But as Mashima-sensei has said, there'd be no basis for whatever opposing claims we have. It's just a difference in perspective. For the teachers, who were in the workforce, our reactions would be absurd. After all, they understood the point of this special test.

"Sensei, I have one question." Finally, a student from Class A raised his hand.

Mashima-sensei turned to him without saying a word.

"We were brought here under the pretext of going on a relaxing trip. After all, this was supposed to be our summer vacation. Don't you think that springing this corporate training on us out of nowhere can be considered unfair?" he asked.

"I see. I suppose that you're not wrong about that. I understand why you would be discontented," he nodded. "However, please do not worry. It would make sense for you to have complaints if you were being forced into a harsh situation. Even though we're calling it a special test, there's no need to think about it in such unhappy terms. In the coming week, you can go swimming, or hold a barbecue party. It wouldn't be a bad time for you to occasionally have a campfire with your friends, either. The theme of this special exam is 'freedom', after all."

"Huh?"

"A test... An exam... But we can have barbecue parties?"

"I don't get it. I'm so confused."

This should be a pretty good time to explain whatever catch is behind those words. Even the guarded Class A and B students were visibly perplexed.

"As a major part of this test, we've decided to distribute 300 points to each class. By using your points well, you might be able to enjoy this week's special test just as you would a normal trip. We've also prepared a manual just for that purpose." Mashima-sensei raised the booklet that he received from another teacher. "This manual lists all of the ways you can obtain points. It also explains where to get food, drinking water, and other necessities. If you want to have a barbecue, it explains how to prepare the equipment and ingredients. We also have numerous tools for you to be able to enjoy playing in the ocean to the fullest."

As Mashima-sensei finished his explanation, the students' grim expressions gradually faded.

"The way we use those 300 points will be at our own discretion. Is my understanding correct, Sensei?" The leader of Class C, Ichinose Honami, asked.

"That's right. It's possible to arrange for anything using your points. Of course, you must use them in a systematic approach with a solid plan. That way, you can spend your week without any difficulties."

If we could really get through the week using the points we had, then it might end up feeling like a real summer vacation rather than a test.

"Sensei, is there a catch to this special test? In the end, it's still some sort of exam. Is there something difficult that we need to overcome?"

"No, there's nothing difficult. Not only that, this exam won't have any adverse effects on your second semester. As your grade's coordinator, I can guarantee that."

"S-Sensei... You're saying that having fun for a week is also an option?"

"That's right. You're all free to do what you want. Of course, there are some bare minimum rules that you need to abide by as a group, but there shouldn't be anything difficult about that."

It was safe to assume that Mashima-sensei was telling us the truth. This also means that this so-called "special test" is essentially risk-free. Even though I didn't really understand the point of it, Mashima-sensei's next words clarified everything.

"When this special test period is over, each class's remaining points will be added to their total class points. Your point totals will reflect this change once summer vacation is over."

As he spoke, a gust of wind blew across the beach and kicked up a cloud of dust.

All of us were frozen in shock. The midterms and final exams measured our academic abilities. As the original Class D, our class had a lot of students who didn't do well in academics. And of course, losing points due to misbehavior was inevitable for all classes.

"Ayanokouji-kun..." Hirata muttered my name.

When I turned around to look at him, all of my classmates in Class B were also staring at me. I simply nodded in response.

This is a different playing field. Academic doesn't matter this time.

"Each class will receive one copy of the manual. If the manual is lost, you may have another copy. However, it will consume points, so please be very careful. Also, the student who was marked absent from this trip was from Class A. According to the rules of this special test, should any student have to leave due to illness, there will be a 30-point penalty to the class as a whole. Therefore, Class A will be starting with 270 points."

How merciless. The students of Class A were visibly upset. The other classes, including us, were shocked, too.

"You may now disperse." Mashima-sensei's final words rang inside our ears.

"Please proceed towards your respective class advisers to receive supplementary instructions." Another teacher's voice could be heard from the loudspeaker.

The classes started moving to different areas to gather up around their homeroom teachers. My classmates kept staring at me, awaiting my decision to start our class's move.

"I will now hand out wristwatches to every one of you. You are not to take them off until the end of the test. If you remove your wristwatch without permission, you will be punished. This watch doesn't just tell time. Its sensors also check your body temperature, your pulse, and even your movements. It's equipped with a GPS. Also, on the off chance that something bad does happen, this watch comes equipped with means to notify the school. If you find yourself in an emergency, please do not hesitate to push that button."

The distributor who supplied the watches had stacked them next to Chabashira-sensei. Class B was instructed to take out the watches from the boxes and put them on.

"The test has already begun. You can ask me for any clarifications, but I will not answer any questions that might influence your points or results," said Chabashira-sensei.

I don't know how true Chabashira-sensei's words were since a watch that can monitor our very movements seems quite far-fetched. Well, since we were allowed to roam around the island, the school needs to know about our conditions and whereabouts. After all, installing cameras on this island like how they did in school should be pretty difficult. The teachers won't be able to watch us with their eyes alone.

"Sensei, I understand that we're going to spend a week on this island, but is it even possible to get by without using any points?" asked Hirata.

I'm sure that question has been on the mind of every student. Good job on taking the initiative to ask that, Hirata.

"Hmm... Well, the school isn't involved in the test process at all. You must prepare your own food, water, shelter, and every other necessity to live properly. Thinking of solutions to resolve those issues is part of the test," she replied. "For now, why don't you try familiarizing the manual so you can start coming up with plans?"

Hirata was also one of the de facto leaders of Class B. Chabashira-sensei casually handed him the said manual.

"Read the last page. The penalties are listed there. The information that you'll find there will be extremely important to this exam."

The students of Class B huddled up closely. Hirata began to read the penalties, loud enough so everyone in the class could hear him clearly.

- Anyone deemed unable to continue the test due to significant deterioration in health or serious injury will be penalized by 30 points.

- In the event that a student has polluted the environment, he or she will be penalized by 20 points.

- In the event that students are absent during the 8 AM and 8 PM roll call, 5 points will be taken for each student absent.

- In the event that a student is found guilty of an act of violence towards another class, robbing another class, or causing damage to another class' property, etc., the offending student's class will immediately be disqualified, and the individual will forfeit all of his or her private points.

Of course, every class was subject to these penalties. The fourth penalty, in particular, was especially harsh. However, it was also perfectly reasonable. It should prevent other students from engaging in harmful behavior.

The other penalties would prevent us from sleeping our time away and littering all over the place. Essentially, it was a contest of restraint.

"As the theme of the exam is 'freedom', all of you are free to behave however you want as long as you abide by the rules and avoid the penalties. Be mindful of your health. Once ten students retire, all of your efforts will be for nothing. Retired students will not be able to return." Chabashira-sensei glanced at Horikita ever so slightly. Even I wouldn't be able to notice if I wasn't paying extra attention.

"Chabashira-sensei, can I ask another question?" Hirata raised his hand.

"Sure, go ahead."

"If, for example, our points are down to nothing, what will happen if a student's class is penalized?"

"Nothing. You will remain at 0 points for the rest of the exam. Mashima-sensei's words weren't jokes. This exam won't affect your class points negatively."

"Sensei, where will the roll call be held?" This time, it was Horikita who asked a question.

"Each class will be accompanied by their respective homeroom teacher until the test is over. If you've decided where you want your base camp will be, report it. I will hold the roll call wherever the base is set up. Think about it carefully, however. You won't be able to relocate your base camp unless you have a justifiable reason to do so. There will be no exceptions."

So Chabashira-sensei will act as our supervisor, huh?

"Sensei, since no one has mentioned it yet, where's the toilet?" asked Ike.

The girls were probably thankful to him. That question should've been on their mind this whole time, too.

"Oh, perfect timing. I was about to get to that."

Chabashira-sensei grabbed one of the boxes from the stacked pile. After peeling off the packing tape, she took some sort of collapsed cardboard.

"What's that...?"

"It's a basic toilet. Each class will be supplied with one. Please handle it carefully."

"We'll use that?!"

The girls looked at the simple toilet in utter horror.

"Don't worry, it comes with a single-button tent. No one would be able to see you when using it. You don't have to be wary about its build, either. These simple toilets are very well-made and can be used even during disasters," Chabashira-sensei explained.

"B-But still— that's just a cardboard box, isn't it?!"

"That's impossible!"

Chabashira-sensei continued talking as if she didn't care about the girls' concerns.

"I'll show you how to use it, so please commit this to memory."

Chabashira-sensei began to assemble the toilet. It seemed like she was familiar with setting it up. She took out a blue vinyl bag and placed it on the cardboard. She then laid a white sheet inside of it.

"This sheet is made of water-absorbing polymer. It covers and solidifies waste. It'll suppress the smell and make the waste invisible. By repeating this process, it's possible to get around five uses with one vinyl bag. These vinyl bags and sheets will be supplied to you in unlimited amounts. You can even change them after every use if you want."

The girls had no choice but to listen silently. In the end, it won't matter whether you're a boy or a girl. If you had to use it, you would use it. However, I understand that this is nowhere near the ideal toilet that we'd be willing to use.

"T-There's no way... There's just no way!"

"I can't possibly use that."

The girls started to reject the idea one by one. I observed Ike and the other guys to see how they were finding everything so far. A lot of them were looking at the girls in annoyance. On the surface, it does sound like the girls in our class were being naggy. However, as boys, we couldn't possibly know how difficult this situation is for the female gender. Like them, I chose to stay silent.

I'm already relieved that no unnecessary arguments were being made. I can tell that they were just waiting for Hirata, Horikita, or my instructions.

"Yoo-hoo~!"

All of us heard a piercing voice behind Chabashira-sensei. She was instantly alerted, but Chabashira-sensei acted a little too late. She was captured and hugged from behind.

"What are you doing?" Chabashira-sensei grunted.

"What~? Is it bad to be friendly? I honestly just wanted to see what you'd do," said Hoshinomiya-sensei, Class C's homeroom teacher.

Chabashira-sensei rolled her eyes in irritation.

"Whenever I touch your hair, it's always so smooth, Sae-chan~!"

"Don't you understand the school's rules at all? Eavesdropping on other classes when they are giving information is inexcusable."

"Aww, I'm just an unimportant teacher, though. Even if I did hear something, I'd never tell." Hoshinomiya-sensei continued snuggling up close to Chabashira-sensei before her voice got gentler. "But doesn't this feel like fate? I can't believe that we both came to this island together."

Fate? I don't know what Hoshinomiya-sensei was getting at, but Chabashira-sensei chose to ignore whatever she meant by it.

"Shut up. Just hurry back to your class."

"Ah! Aren't those Ayanokouji-kun and Horikita-san? It's been so long!"

Horikita and I gave her a slight bow. Hoshinomiya-sensei smiled and addressed me.

"Summer is the season of love. If you want to confess your feelings to a girl you like, perhaps it'd be more effective while standing before the beautiful ocean?"

"The ocean may be beautiful, but I can't afford to do that while attending to my duties in class," I responded to her joke with a serious reply. Well, I was hoping that she was just joking...

The entirety of Class B stared at us. It was especially bad since I'm sure most of my classmates were still under the misconception that Horikita and I were dating.

"You need to be more carefree!" Hoshinomiya-sensei gave me a thumbs up.

"Hey," Chabashira-sensei called out. "Should I report you to the school authorities for behavioral problems? Besides, I don't have any more time."

"Ooh, don't glare at me like that. Fine, fine, I get it. See you later~!"

Hoshinomiya-sensei walked away while waving at us. She also put on a totally-not-fake sad expression. At the same time, Chabashira-sensei instantly continued her explanations.

"Well then, allow me to elaborate on some additional rules."

The students of Class B gulped in anticipation. The words "additional rules" will surely be vital in this special test. Or at least, that's what we ought to believe.

"You'll be allowed to roam freely, but be extra aware of your surroundings because there are several designated 'spots' on the island. In these spots, there is what's referred to as the right of exclusive possession. The class that obtains those rights is entirely free to determine how they wish to exercise them. However, rights of exclusive possession are only valid for a period of eight hours after being invoked, after which they are automatically revoked. This means that another class can acquire those rights at that time. Also, you gain one bonus point if you occupy a spot once. However, that point is provisional, and cannot be used during the testing period. Therefore, bonus points are calculated and added to your total after the test has ended. Because the school is constantly monitoring you, there is no room for fraud. Please be aware of that fact."

Hirata handed the manual to me. After a brief scan, I've come to understand the basics of how occupying a spot works. Apparently, there was some kind of apparatus installed near each spot, one which showed the rights of exclusive possession. However...

"Misuse of a spot would result in a 50-point penalty, huh?" I muttered.

"Yes, you cannot occupy a spot that is possessed by another class. You must wait until their rights are revoked. Breaking that rule will cost you, so please be aware of that risk."

Forcibly occupying spots should've been one of the plausible strategies in this exam, but the final rule made it impossible.

Among the rules for the right of exclusive possession was the existence of a "leader". The details that explained how having a leader works were highlighted in the manual.

On the seventh and last day of the test, we had the right to guess the identity of the other classes' leaders during the final roll call. If we manage to get it right, our class will obtain 50 points for each correct guess. Conversely, the other class would have to pay 50 points as compensation.

Carelessly moving to acquire a spot would most likely lead to the identity of the leader getting discovered. However, those guesses would also come with their own risks. Answering wrong would also result in a 50-point penalty.

"One person must be chosen as the leader— no exceptions. However, you are free to not participate. Please tell me once you've selected someone. At that time, I will provide you with a key card stamped with the leader's name. You have until roll call today. In the event that you do not decide by then, we will decide for you. That is all."

Chabashira-sensei finally finished her explanations.

"Alright, I want everyone's attention. Class B will start to move." I spoke as loud as I could.

Everyone listened intently. The girls had hopeful expressions, probably thinking about how I would fix the toilet situation. The boys readied themselves as this exam could prove them useful for the class, especially those who couldn't contribute much to the written tests.

The rules appeared complicated, but they were actually pretty simple. It'll take some time before everyone can fully understand them. For now, we'll have to figure out what we're supposed to do.

This beach is like purgatory for us. Once we enter the forest, whatever we find will determine whether this exam will be heaven for us... or hell.