Sakayanagi was not present, but students from the Sakayanagi Faction also participated in the exam.
And Sakayanagi had given them instructions, telling them not to perform exceptionally, but only to cooperate with Katsuragi.
Katsuragi was a steady person, and his actions were known for being steady, thus lacking some flexibility.
On the ship, he had already noted down seven or eight potential base locations.
And now, the island map was etched in his mind.
So this time, he chose to divide and conquer, dispersing all the students in the Class to search for potential bases in the surrounding areas.
As long as any one was found, someone would be sent to report, while the others would guard that location to prevent the base from being occupied by others.
However, his plan was good, but his actions were ultimately a bit slow.
"This one is occupied!"
"Here too!"
"Mine is the same; they're all occupied!"
Again and again, bad news kept coming from the Katsuragi Faction, and Katsuragi's face grew grimmer with each report.
"Katsuragi."
Yahiko spoke cautiously, comforting him, "It's okay. You've done well enough to find so many bases. The next one, the next one will definitely be fine!"
"…"
Katsuragi's face was as gloomy as water; Yahiko's comfort not only failed to have the desired effect but made his expression even worse.
Seven!
He had searched for seven bases in a row, and every single one was occupied.
And precisely, each time a base was found, it had just been occupied only a few minutes ago.
And every time, it was Class C!
It was as if they were deliberately trying to spite him, always getting there just a little bit ahead, as if they were mocking him by the clock.
Letting him see the base countdown, but only for a few minutes.
He wanted to search the surroundings but couldn't find any trace of the other party.
He was so angry he felt like spitting blood.
"I'm so tired!"
However, having searched through seven bases, the Class A students' steps had already reached 10,000. While this many steps would be fine for a walk after dinner, this was an island with trees and mountain paths, making it much more difficult.
Therefore, it was also very easy to get tired.
And at this point, many students were already running out of energy, each sweating profusely.
"I can't walk anymore. How about we rest for a bit first?"
"Yes, this journey has been too draining."
"Katsuragi, let's rest for a bit."
Many Class A students voiced their demands, still mostly from the Sakayanagi Faction.
It was clear that although Sakayanagi had told them to follow Katsuragi's instructions, they were inwardly resistant to Katsuragi, and now, having gained nothing, they were beginning to show their dissatisfaction.
But the Katsuragi Faction, including Yahiko, also looked at Katsuragi with some expectation.
They were tired too.
"No."
Katsuragi wanted to agree to their request but could only grit his teeth and refuse, saying, "This place has already been occupied by Class C. We've stayed here long enough. The rules in the manual are very clear: using a base occupied by another Class without permission will result in a deduction of fifty points from the Class.
If we continue to stay, we might lose points, so we must leave."
Because, although each Class could gain points by occupying bases, there were also some corresponding restrictions.
1. A home base must be determined before sunset and reported to the Teacher before 8 PM roll call for management and protection.
2. The home base cannot be changed at will.
3. Occupying a base must be done by the Team Leader personally swiping the Team Leader's card.
4. One point is gained for each base occupied. Multiple bases can be occupied at the same time.
5. Each base occupation is valid for eight hours; after eight hours, the card needs to be swiped again.
6. Any base can be repeatedly occupied.
7. Using a base occupied by another Class without permission will result in a penalty deduction of fifty Class points.
8. The Team Leader cannot be changed without a valid reason.
The rules were not many but very clear.
In addition to gaining points by occupying bases, lingering too long or using someone else's base would also result in point deductions.
Although Katsuragi's refusal angered many, they mostly fell silent because he had provided an explanation.
They all stood up one after another, not wanting their actions to cause the Class to lose points.
"Let's keep going."
Katsuragi sighed. He also couldn't guarantee whether the next base would still be occupied by Class C.
"Katsuragi."
Yahiko shook his head at Katsuragi; this time, it hadn't been occupied by Class C in advance.
Because there was no card reader here at all, so it couldn't be considered a base.
"Since it's not a base, then everyone, let's rest for a bit first."
Katsuragi said, looking somewhat tired.
The card reader itself wasn't large, but if it truly existed, it wouldn't be too difficult to find.
This was because card readers were always placed in conspicuous locations.
Katsuragi didn't know the exact location of the strongholds beforehand; he merely deduced suitable camping spots based on his experience, places that were likely to be used as strongholds.
However, since it was based on guesses, it wasn't 100% accurate.
Nevertheless, Katsuragi searched eight locations, and he correctly guessed seven of them as strongholds, which was an astonishing efficiency.
"Finally, we can rest!"
"Katsuragi seems to be really struggling!"
"Exactly, if Sakayanagi were here..."
The Sakayanagi Faction began whispering again, but this time, the Katsuragi Faction members didn't glare back. They all hung their heads, like ostriches.
Because this time, Katsuragi's failure was truly severe.
"Yahiko, come with me to find the Teacher."
Katsuragi rubbed his temples and said softly, "It's impossible for all strongholds to be occupied by Class C. There might be a problem with the machines and the system. We should go confirm it."
"Right! It must be a machine problem!"
Upon hearing this, Yahiko's eyes gleamed with a glimmer of hope, and his expression became somewhat excited.
He was like someone clutching at a life raft, even though he knew deep down that this hope was slim.
But he instinctively ignored all unfavorable factors.
Because if it could be proven that the machines were at fault, then all of Katsuragi's previous failures wouldn't count as failures!
On the contrary, those who had been speaking ill of Katsuragi in secret would feel guilty and cooperate more with their actions.
"Sigh."
Katsuragi secretly sighed. Although he said that out loud,
he knew very well in his heart that the possibility of a machine problem was too small. Moreover, he also understood that Yahiko had made a significant mistake this time.
...
"What?! Fifty points deducted?!"
On the beach, Yahiko's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at his Teacher, Majima. "Teacher, did you make a mistake? Could it be a system error?"
"It's not a system problem."
Majima Tomoya shook his head and said, "I've already confirmed it. The deductions were indeed due to your violations. Furthermore, those strongholds were indeed occupied by Class C, and the cards were indeed used by the Team Leader. This can also be confirmed; it's not cheating."
"I understand."
Katsuragi, mentally exhausted, said in a low voice, "Thank you for your time, Teacher."
"Mm."
Teacher Majima nodded slightly, then quickly turned and left.
"Katsuragi, what do we do, Katsuragi?!"
Yahiko was completely flustered; this defeat was truly too great.
Katsuragi's command had indeed gone wrong!
"Let's go back first."
A bitter smile appeared on Katsuragi's lips as he forced himself to return to the forest.
He hadn't rested at all on the way, constantly pushing himself.
It wasn't that he wasn't tired, but that he couldn't be tired, nor did he have the right to be tired.
His heart was heavy. Although Majima Tomoya didn't blame him, he could hear the disappointment in his tone.
Most likely, he was also thinking that Sakayanagi might have done better.
And now, going back, he would probably have to face the Sakayanagi Faction's reproaches...
And it turned out that his thoughts were completely correct.
"Fifty points! Katsuragi, what happened to you?!"
"Fifty points deducted! And it's only the first day!"
"Unbelievable!"
As expected, the Sakayanagi Faction immediately launched an attack on Katsuragi.
And even the Katsuragi Faction members looked at him in disbelief at this moment.
Fifty points, such a huge mistake.
It could completely widen the gap between them and other Classes!
You know, Sakayanagi of the Sakayanagi Faction didn't come, so Sakayanagi caused the Class to lose 30 points, but now Katsuragi, you didn't seize this opportunity... and you also lost 50 points?
Doesn't that mean Sakayanagi won without doing anything?
"What do you want?!"
Yahiko, however, showed no fear, glaring angrily and saying, "Are you starting to blame Katsuragi now? Don't forget, it was you who complained about being tired and wanting to rest earlier, which led to wasting too much time at Class C's stronghold, and that's why we were penalized!"
"..."
Upon hearing this, the Sakayanagi Faction members were instantly speechless, lowering their heads in silence.
Because it was indeed them who had complained about being tired at that time.
The Katsuragi Faction members naturally wouldn't question Katsuragi aloud. It was only those who were dissatisfied with Katsuragi who would often voice discordant opinions.
But they only wanted to vent; they never thought it would cause the Class to lose points.
And Katsuragi remained silent about this.
Because the deduction wasn't due to staying too long, but because Yahiko ate an apple from the orchard occupied by Class C.
The orchard was already occupied by Class C, and eating the other party's resources without permission constituted resource encroachment, leading to a points deduction.
It was just that this kind of thing couldn't be said out loud now.
So he could only tacitly accept this as everyone's mistake, to distribute the responsibility first and prevent internal conflict within the Class.
"Stop arguing!"
Katsuragi then stood up and said, "The responsibility for this matter lies with me. Everyone, stop arguing. What's most important now is to quickly find a stronghold. You've been walking for so long, you must be thirsty. I exchanged some water from the Teacher. Let's drink some water and rest well, then continue walking later."
"Alright."
"We'll trust you one more time then."
"Katsuragi, absolutely no more problems this time."
The Sakayanagi Faction members tacitly accepted Katsuragi's leadership and stopped talking.
Because they all felt that it was their own fault that the Class had lost fifty points. And now Katsuragi had even exchanged water for them; it was they who had been excessive.
Only Katsuragi, he lowered his head, a bitter smile on his lips.
"That's more like it. The previous point deduction wasn't because you didn't trust Katsuragi!"
Yahiko, however, was like a victorious rooster at this moment, looking proud and starting to swagger again.
Katsuragi merely gave him a subtle glance, shaking his head inwardly.
Everyone else thought it was the Sakayanagi Faction members who caused the point deduction.
But only he knew that the culprit was probably Yahiko!
It was just that Yahiko wasn't trying to eat the apple at that time, but rather to create momentum for him. Katsuragi was well aware of this.
Sigh.
Yahiko had good intentions but messed up.
"Found it!"
And ten-odd minutes later, good news finally came. Yahiko waved excitedly at Katsuragi, "Katsuragi, over here, there's an unoccupied stronghold here!"
"Finally found it..."
"I really can't walk anymore."
"Now we finally have a stronghold."
Many Class A students immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
At first, they didn't feel anything, but as more and more found strongholds were occupied by Class C,
a sense of urgency began to grow in their hearts.
So an unoccupied stronghold held great significance for them.
Because with a stronghold, it meant they had their own roots.
Even if it was only temporary.
"Let's rest first."
Katsuragi also let out a sigh of relief, saying calmly.
His nerves had been taut for so long; now he could finally truly rest.
"But thinking about it, Class C is really amazing, aren't they?"
As soon as they sat down, many students said with complex expressions.
And as soon as the words were out, many people also showed complex expressions.
They actually knew Katsuragi's abilities.
The reason they were dissatisfied with Katsuragi wasn't because they thought 'I can do it too'.
It was because there was a more outstanding Sakayanagi.
However, Class C's performance this time was truly too unexpected.
They managed to get ahead of Katsuragi every time. Doesn't this mean the other party is even stronger than Katsuragi?
If such a person isn't exposed, it's truly vexing.
"This time, won't Class C win?"
"It's hard to say, but just walking along the way, Class C seems to have already occupied quite a few strongholds."
"One stronghold can earn three points a day. Class C has occupied at least seven strongholds..."
Seven strongholds were the ones they found occupied by Class C.
There might be more they haven't found.
And seven strongholds, scanned three times a day, would be twenty-one points per day.
Seven days would be one hundred and forty points...
This figure was truly somewhat frightening.
"Yahiko, let's go."
Katsuragi stood up in silence, saying in a deep voice, "Let's go occupy the surrounding strongholds."
He couldn't let Class C get too far ahead, even if he couldn't surpass Class C in occupation points.
But at the very least, he had to expose Class C's Team Leader.
The other party had been frantically occupying strongholds on the island, so they definitely wouldn't have time to rendezvous with the rest of Class C.
As long as he found him, then no matter how many bonus points Class C had, it would be useless!
Because as long as the Team Leader was identified, all bonus points would be voided!
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