Ayanokouji POV
A list of fundamental rules was written on the paper. More detailed descriptions of the rules and a list of prohibited items were also on the sheet, among other things. The terms were stricter than the rules for the test on the uninhabited island, with many more precautions. After the rules, I saw the four potential "outcomes":
OUTCOME #1: If the answer submitted by the group after 9:30 p.m. on the final day is correct, then everyone in the group will receive private points, including those of the VIP's classmates who belong to the group.
OUTCOME #2: If a group fails to submit an answer between 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on the final day, or if someone from the group other than the VIP and their classmates submits an incorrect answer, then the VIP will be awarded 500,000 private points.
These seemed like rather eccentric rules. Since we hadn't received any deeper explanation, the mechanisms of the test seemed unclear. The Professor and Nino cocked their heads over and over, as if wracking their brains. Mashima-sensei, seeing their reaction, gave us a supplementary explanation in his flat, unchanging tone.
"This exam has one critical element. Understand it, and this test will not pose a problem. The key element is the existence of the VIP. There is only one VIP in the group. In this test, you're after the name of the VIP. It's that simple. For example, Yukimura, let's say that you were chosen as a VIP. The correct answer for the Rabbit group would be 'Yukimura.' That answer would be shared with all members of your group.
Then, after the test concludes at 9:00 p.m. at the end of the third day, the school would accept answer submissions only between 9:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. During that time, each member of your group should enter the name 'Yukimura' in a message and email it to the school. Your group would pass, and we would confirm that you've met Outcome #1, and thus every member of your group would be awarded 500,000 points. In addition, as a reward for leading their group to achieve Outcome #1, the VIP would receive double that amount—1,000,000 points."
"O-one million?! Whoa."
"Wait, everyone receives 500,000 points? And if you're the VIP, you get double?"
That was such a heinous amount of points to receive that anyone, regardless of their regular class, would want it. Also, since the VIP would receive twice that amount, he or she would become so wealthy that they would jump straight to the top of the class, regardless of grade.
"Now then, as for Outcome #2... In the event that the VIP's identity is not discovered before the end of the examination, and no one in your group found out the identity of the VIP or even attempted to lie about the identity, then only the VIP will be awarded points, just as it says. He or she will receive 500,000 points."
Wait, was this even a valid test? Outcomes #1 and #2 were largely the same. In either case, the VIP would receive a large number of points. There was no benefit to Outcome #2 unless you wanted to prevent other classes from getting points.
"Jeez, everyone's gonna be jealous of the VIP! Not being picked for it would be unfair! No matter what happens, that person still gets points! And if we get Outcome #1, it's a million points!" Nino seemed like she wanted to be chosen as the VIP. That was natural, though. The VIP received special treatment. Was that the advantage of being the VIP? However, so far we'd heard only two of four outcomes. There might yet be some tricks that hadn't been revealed. "
"Sensei, what about Outcomes #3 and #4? We don't understand the conditions for those yet."
"Did you understand the explanation for the first two? If you do not, then we cannot continue." "Of course, we understand. Please continue." After a short pause, Mashima-sensei went on.
"Regarding the remaining outcomes, they are written on the reverse side of the handout. However, please wait a bit before turning the paper over." We had instinctively reached over to flip the paper but stopped once we heard that. As we began to grasp the rules of this exam little by little, Mashima-sensei stared at us with sharp eyes. It seemed like the exam had already begun.
"Ah, wait a minute. I'm not following you at all." Although Mashima-sensei had given us a rather simple explanation, Nino had only been half-listening, so she didn't completely understand.
"Very well, I will explain in simpler terms. Have you played the game Werewolf?"
"Werewolf? Oh, that game's been popular for a while, right? Yeah, yeah, I've played it. It's pretty interesting," she said. I couldn't help but be slightly bewildered, and my reaction showed.
"Wait a second. Kiyotaka, don't tell me you don't know about Werewolf? Whoa, I can't believe it."
She could be amazed all she wanted, but I hadn't heard of it. Besides, it was probably a lot more fun playing games with friends than playing alone. I just glanced at Nino. That happy state was way beyond my reach, though. Nino seemed to realize this and appeared sad. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pried into your life."
It seemed like she didn't get my message
"I know it. Yotsuba, Miku, and I played with Inogashira, Onodera, and Mori."
"Wait! Why didn't I know it?" She yelled.
Mashima-sensei coughed to regain our attention. "Now please flip the page."
We flipped the page. The remaining two outcomes were written on it. For those two outcomes alone, answers would be accepted at any time during the test, or during the 30 minutes after the test had ended, just like with the other rules. Should you make a mistake in either timeframe, you would incur a penalty.
OUTCOME #3: This outcome is triggered when someone other than the VIP gives the correct answer to the school without waiting until 9:30 p.m. on the final day of the exam. That student's class will gain fifty class points, and the person who submitted the correct answer will earn 500,000 private points. Also, the VIP class will lose fifty class points as a penalty. At that point, the group's testing period will come to an end. However, if one of the VIP's classmates is the person who submits the correct answer, this answer will not be counted and the test will continue.
OUTCOME #4: This outcome is triggered when someone other than the VIP gives an incorrect answer without waiting until 9:30 p.m. on the final day of the exam. That student's class will lose fifty class points. The VIP will earn 500,000 private points, and the VIP's class will earn fifty class points. The testing period will end for the group that submitted the incorrect answer. However, if one of the VIP's classmates is the person who submits the incorrect answer, this answer will not be counted and the test will continue.
The remaining two outcomes made it much easier to see the big picture. If we were limited to only Outcomes #1 and #2, there was no problem if the VIP shared their identity with everyone. Even if you made a mistake, there was no penalty. However, with the addition of these "traitor" rules, the test was suddenly flipped on its head. Should the VIP carelessly out themselves, traitors would prey upon them. Since the school would accept answers any time during the test, no one would seriously aim for Outcome #1.
Everyone would take actions that would garner points. If the VIP wanted to trick the other classes and secure their own victory, they could come up with a scheme to make it look like another person was the VIP. Your reward would be reduced, but you'd also be penalizing the other classes.
"The school will take anonymity into account during this test. At the end, only the outcomes for each group and the increase or decrease in points for each class will be announced. In other words, we will not announce the names of the VIPs or those who submitted answers. Also, if you wish, you may have a temporary ID assigned to you, to which you can transfer points. It is also possible to divide points up and receive them that way. If you yourself remain quiet, there should be no fear of discovery after the test. Of course, if it's not necessary for you to hide your identity, you may receive your points openly. That is perfectly fine."
They'd been thorough; finding the VIP in this text was going to be extremely difficult. If you wanted to earn a lot of money just for yourself and didn't tell your classmates the truth about the VIP, you could feed everyone a steady diet of lies. For instance, if Yukimura were the VIP, I could theoretically mislead the students from the other classes and make them believe that the Professor or Nino was the VIP.
This test would become dramatically difficult if there were VIPs in our class. In such a case, you'd have to undergo rigorous probing and deceive others.
"Outcomes #3 and #4 are very different from the first two. That's why they are listed on the reverse side of the sheet. With that, the explanation is complete."
"Umm, umm. I kind of get it, but I kind of don't."
"Heh, I must confess that I myself am somewhat confused."
"You two are idiots. I'll explain it later, so don't keep bothering Mashima-sensei." Yukimura, who seemed like he wanted to cozy up to school officials, shot Nino down quickly
"Nino, we'll talk about this later," I said, for which she nodded.
After thinking about the probability of who was the VIP from all the groups I went back to my room and started reading a book.
***
As I was reading my book, I heard a notification ring from my phone.
Nino : [Hey, Kiyo. Can we meet?]
What does she want now?
Nino: [You're reading my messages, so reply]
Kiyotaka: [Where?]
Nino: [At the ship auditorium? No one will be there]
Kiyotaka: [Sure. And bring Itsuki with you.]
Nino: [K]
Now, what does Nino want? If she's the VIP, then everything is as planned.
***
"So why did you call me, Nino?" I asked my sister. She suddenly messaged me when I'm at the restaurant eating delicious pasta with my friends. And, why at the auditorium?
"Don't ask me, ask Kiyo, Itsuki." She said. Did Kiyotaka-kun call us here? "Oh, and by the way, I'm VIP."
Oh, she's the VIP. Hmm? VIP? "WHAAAT?! NINO —"
She closed my mouth with her hand "Shh, what if someone hears us, idiot." She removed her hand. "Yes, I'm the VIP, I don't know what should we do. I need to tell him, he surely has a plan." She whispered
I nodded. Of course, It's Kiyotaka-kun. He is the most brilliant person, I've ever met in my life. He is tall, strong, cool, and handsome, and he is always calm in any situation which makes me admire him a lot. But, even him surely has—
"Sorry for the wait." I saw a brown-haired boy with an apathetic expression coming at us.
"No problem, we've just arrived," I said.
"So, what do you want, Nino?"
My sister took a deep breath "I'm the VIP."
"I see." That was all Kiyotaka-kun said. Nino looked at him with an expression "Are you kidding me?" or something like that. Seriously, does that poker face ever crumble?
"Come on, give some reactions," Nino grumbled.
"I have a plan."
"What is it?"
"First, Nino, let's wait for the final day, and I will tell you the plan. I might have an idea about winning the exam."
"Oh, I'm listening," Nino smirked and listened.
I want to see how insane his plan is gonna be again
***
"Your plan is insane once again." Nino groaned. This was insane as the island exam, and he's missing some points. Sigh It seems like he didn't explain it clearly to us. I want him to trust us, I want to stand beside him and be partners.
"First, I want to know where Ryuuen is."
"Why, Kiyotaka-kun?"
"I will tell you later. According to school rules, there's nothing we can't buy except some. So, I called someone here to let me use the loopholes to their full potential."
"Who-"
I saw a tall lady with brown hair and a large buxom descending onto the auditorium.
"Why have you called me, Ayanokouji?"
"Chabashira-sensei? Why?" Nino was dumbfounded at Chabashira-sensei coming here.
" I want to make a call."
"To who?"
"Horikita Manabu."
What the hell is this person saying?
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CHAPTER 9.3 ENDS HERE
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PUBLISHED ON- JULY 30 2022