Saiki wasn't in the mood to celebrate, as everyone's attention was now on him.
*"Is that Saiki Kusuo?"*
*"How does he even know how to start a fire?"*
*"Did this guy… practice survival skills?"*
The other students were stunned that Saiki had started a fire so quickly.
Since only first place earned points, the others stopped their attempts.
"Impressive, Saiki. You even lit this damp wood."
Kiryūin Fūka smiled at Saiki, her tone full of admiration.
Saiki glanced at her, noticing she hadn't even tried the task.
"I figured the wood was too damp to ignite, so I stopped."
Kiryūin noticed Saiki's glance and continued,
"But Saiki, how did you do it?"
Saiki quickly replied, "My wood was drier, I guess. Luck, maybe."
"Luck?"
Kiryūin narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced.
But she didn't press further:
"Even if it was luck, succeeding proves you have unique talents… Anyway, you should move on to the next task."
"Yeah…"
Saiki picked up his tablet to check the next exam, while Kiryūin spoke again:
"The grip strength test isn't over yet. If we hurry, we might still make it."
She looked at Saiki with a meaningful smile,
"I've heard your grip strength is impressive. Let's go check it out."
"…Alright."
Saiki sighed but nodded, following Kiryūin to the next exam site.
...
Hours later, on the other side of the island.
"Ayanokōji-senpai, we meet again."
In Zone D7, Ayanokōji Kiyotaka and Nanase Tsubasa crossed paths once more.
Ayanokōji had moved through several zones following his tablet's instructions, always ending up with Nanase.
"Are we on the same schedule?"
Ayanokōji asked, looking at Nanase.
"Maybe."
Nanase replied.
Ayanokōji pondered the situation:
*"Matching schedules aren't the issue. What's odd is how often we meet. Even with the same zones, the odds of running into each other are low. Different routes, arrival times… She doesn't seem to be following me, so it's likely coincidence. But is it?"*
*"I have no proof her schedule matches mine. According to the OAA, she's grouped with Amasawa and Hōsen. If they handle zone arrivals, she avoids penalties and earns points. I can't rely on her watch notifications—she'd likely silence them. Last time, she revealed students wanted me expelled. Maybe it's happening again."*
Nanase spoke up:
"Sorry, Ayanokōji-senpai, I have a request."
"A request?"
"If it's not inconvenient, can I join you for a while?"
"Join me? What do you mean?"
*"Even if our schedules align, cross-grade teamwork is impractical. It's against the exam's rules and benefits no one."*
"Last night, Hōsen and Amasawa decided to work alone. Since this morning, I've seen you three times. I think you're faster at reaching zones. Alone, I might not make it."
"You don't think it's just coincidence?"
"Maybe, but I believe you're more capable than me."
*"Her flattery feels insincere. What's her goal? She's not ordinary, but likely not from White Room."*
Ayanokōji replied,
"Cross-grade teamwork isn't wise."
"Arrival order affects scores, and tasks might overlap."
"If only one spot's left, it'll cause conflict."
"I'll let you go first. Once you're registered, I'll follow. If only one spot's left, I'll yield to you."
"You'll lose points."
"I think following you will help me."
Nanase said seriously.
*"Why choose me? I haven't shown exceptional skills. Unless she knows my past."*
Ayanokōji grew suspicious but kept quiet.
"Fine, if you want to, go ahead."
He wanted to uncover her motives.
....
As night fell, the tasks ended. Saiki and Kiryūin finished their exams.
With tasks and zone moves complete, Saiki finally had free time.
He checked his tablet: 11 points.
Three from zone moves—three arrivals.
Both Saiki and Kiryūin easily topped arrival scores, but Saiki avoided showing his full strength. Kiryūin often got distracted by the scenery, acting like she was on a field trip.
Saiki used this as an excuse to slow down, earning only basic arrival points.
The rest came from exams:
Fire-starting: 1st place, 5 points.
Grip strength: 2nd place, 3 points.
Two academic tasks: Saiki controlled his score, staying mid-rank, earning no points.
Total: 11 points.
Saiki used his powers to check—11 points placed him in the upper half, not too conspicuous. Scores weren't public yet, so he wasn't drawing attention.
"Saiki, you're at 11 points, right?"
Kiryūin asked, glancing at him.
"Yeah."
Saiki nodded, seeing Kiryūin had 13 points.
Three arrival points…
Two first-place task scores.
The fire-starting test was essentially a forfeit, and the grip strength test followed suit.
Sudo Ken took first place in the grip strength test, seemingly breaking his own record. Kiryuin Fuka, however, didn't even participate despite arriving early. When Hoshinomiya Chie, who was organizing the event, offered to help her register, Fuka flatly refused.
"This challenge isn't interesting."
That was Fuka's response at the time.
After Sudo secured first place, Fuka glanced at his score, smiled faintly, and then led Saiki Kusuo to another challenge, effortlessly claiming first place there as well.
Whether Fuka participates in a challenge or not is entirely up to her. And when she does, she always takes first place—including in grip strength tests, much like Koenji Rokusuke.
Of course, this excludes Saiki Kusuo.
"You were holding back in the last few tests, weren't you?" Fuka asked with a smile.
"Not at all, I'm just not capable enough," Saiki replied, almost as if it were routine.
He knew Fuka wouldn't believe him, but there was nothing else he could say.
As he spoke, Saiki felt thirsty and took a swig of water from his backpack. At that moment, Fuka spoke again:
"Saiki-kun, it seems you're holding something back, aren't you?"
"?"
Saiki paused, confused, and put down his water bottle, looking at Fuka with uncertainty.
"Usually, students wouldn't drink water like that on the first day of tests," she explained.
Saiki suddenly realized what she meant. Most students wouldn't drink so much water on the first day because they're unsure how to secure resources later.
For Saiki, though, it wasn't an issue. He could always teleport back to replenish food and water.
But his unconscious behavior caught Fuka's attention, and she noticed something was off.
*'This girl… her observation skills are so sharp. What do I do?'*
Saiki's mind raced, but he couldn't think of an explanation.
"I…"
"You're not worried about running out of water, are you? If so, there's only one reason."
Fuka's smile grew more meaningful.
*'What do I do? Will Fuka figure it out?'*
Saiki's heart raced. If Fuka discovered he was a psychic…
"You're absolutely confident in yourself, aren't you? You know you can take first place in the 'competition' challenge."
"Huh?"
Saiki froze at her words.
"There are sixty-eight challenges today, with rewards for fourteen of them. One of those is the competition challenge. You must have noticed it, which is why you're so confident."
*'I didn't even pay attention…'*
Saiki had just been following Fuka around, oblivious to such details.
"In the competition challenge, your ranking directly affects your evaluation. First place gets two liters of water, second place gets one and a half, third place gets one liter, and fourth to thirtieth place get half a liter. Other resources have similar challenges."
"The points are minimal—three for first, two for second, one for third—but the focus is on replenishing supplies."
"Eight out of the fourteen challenges are competitions, which is interesting. Plus, eight of today's challenges are held under the same conditions, in regular locations and times. If this continues, it'll be easy to find a stable way to get water."
*'I never noticed any of this…'*
Saiki swallowed hard.
"Once you understand the rules, you can get plenty of water. And since you're confident in your abilities, you're 'wasting' water on the first day."
"Uh…"
Saiki could only nod reluctantly.
"You're such an interesting person, completely different from Nagumo or Horikita. You're capable and confident in your abilities and judgment, but you don't want to stand out too much… I see now. I know your goal!"