Finally, after three long hours of travel, we had arrived. The views were stunning: vast mountainous landscapes stretched as far as the eye could see, covered in a white blanket that sparkled under the winter sun. However, the cold was intense and biting, as if the very air had an icy edge that pierced to the bone.
The place was quite spacious, with a large clearing in the middle of a forest of tall, slender pines that seemed to touch the sky. The trees were coated in a light frost, and their branches creaked gently with the breeze, creating an almost magical melody. Around the clearing, several wooden buildings stood, constructed in a rustic style that blended perfectly with the surroundings.
The windows, adorned with warm-colored curtains, seemed to invite people in to take refuge from the freezing air outside.
Buses were stopping one after another, like huge metallic insects, as students hurriedly descended, wrapping their faces in scarves and coats. As they got off, they quickly gathered, as if they didn't want to waste any time. Conversations about how they would form their teams began to be heard, mixing with the murmur of the wind and the crunch of snow beneath their feet.
To one side, there was a meeting area, with wooden tables and benches waiting to be occupied. A crackling campfire was at the center, and smoke rose into the sky, creating a cozy picture amidst the cold expanse. In the distance, a group of monitors was organizing themselves, ready to guide the students through the planned activities. The entire atmosphere was filled with a palpable energy, full of excitement and anticipation for what was to come.
—Wow, it's freezing out here! —exclaimed Mako, shaking her arms to try to warm up as she got off the bus. Her breath turned into a cloud of vapor in the icy air.
—True, I feel like I'm going to freeze at any moment —Yuki added, shivering a bit as she adjusted her scarf around her neck, as if that could protect her from the biting breeze. Her eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and concern; she knew well her resistance to sudden temperature changes. She hoped she wouldn't get sick because no one wanted to deal with that on a trip like this.
—Kayden, I think we should start forming teams as soon as possible, like the others —Honami said to me, standing next to me. Her voice sounded determined, but her face showed a hint of nervousness as she watched the other students quickly group together.
—Yes, you're right. We'll be separated for most of our stay here, so you don't have to ask me every time. You're perfectly capable of handling it yourself —I replied, trying to instill a bit of confidence in her. There was something in her gaze that told me she was ready to lead.
—Okay, I'll meet up with the girls to form a good team —she said, flashing a smile that lit up her face. She turned around with determination, her hair waving behind her like a flag as she hurried towards her friends.
—Goodbye, Kayden! See you later! —Mako and Yuki shouted in unison, their voices echoing in the cold air as they walked away. Their energy was contagious, and a small smile formed on my lips as I watched them go, although at the same time, I suddenly felt a bit lonely.
Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice amidst the bustle of the students.
—Osawa! —Kanzaki called out to me, his voice clear as crystal in the chaos.
—Kanzaki! —I replied, turning to him. His face showed a mix of determination and concentration, as if he was planning something important.
—You mentioned that we should form a good team if we want to win, right? Do you have anyone in mind who would be the most capable in our class? —he asked, frowning slightly.
—Yes, I'm thinking of a group of twelve from our class and three more from other classes to maximize the rewards. This will be our main group, so we'll look for the best. You'll be in this group, along with Hamaguchi, Beppu, Shibata, Takahashi, Nakamura, Saito, Tanaka, Yamamoto, Suzuki, and Fujimoto —I said, listing the top students. I knew they were not only strong physically but also brilliant academically.
—And from the other classes? This group will be fifteen members in total, right? —Kanzaki asked, his interest evident as he nervously moved a leg.
—Exactly. From class C, I'll ask Hirata to join. From class B, it will be Kito, and from class D, Tokito. I think those are good options —I replied, feeling increasingly confident about my plan.
—Hirata is fine, but Kito and Tokito... Kito is very close to Sakayanagi —Kanzaki commented, his expression showing concern.
—Don't worry; he won't cause any problems. He doesn't have a conflictive personality —I assured him, recalling Honami's words on the bus.
—As for Tokito, he doesn't get along with Ryuuen, so I doubt he'll do anything out of line —I continued, though I couldn't shake a slight doubt. Lately, Ryuuen had changed quite a bit. He seemed more "calm" and "docile," which was strange. From what I had heard, there had been some kind of rebellion in his class, and it seemed like he had lost control or something. But it wasn't something I worried about too much at that moment.
—I understand... But do you think they will accept to join? —Kanzaki asked, his gaze reflecting a mix of curiosity and doubt.
—Hirata will definitely say yes. As for the other two, I don't think it will be that complicated. I might need to convince them a bit more, but I doubt they will refuse the offer —I said confidently, imagining how I could present the idea to them.
—So, you'll be the leader, right? —Kanzaki asked, as if he was waiting for a definitive answer.
—Yes, I'll be the leader. Well, now that we've settled that, can you gather the guys from our group? —I replied, feeling ready to take on the responsibility.
—Sure, leave it to me. And what should I tell the others? —he said, already turning to leave.
—Just tell them to join other groups from different classes and give their best in the assigned tasks. That way, we won't have to worry about possible expulsions —I explained, my mind already thinking about the next steps.
—Understood, I'll do it —Kanzaki said, turning around with a determined air and heading towards where the others were, ready to set our plan in motion.
As I walked through the area, I observed the other students discussing which groups they should join or what they should do. Uncertainty seemed more present in Class D, Ryuuen's class. The "fall" of Ryuuen had clearly affected their decision-making ability. On the other hand, in Class B, they had opted to include another student in their group of 14 members, and they had even set a time limit. Wow, they are quite pragmatic.
As I continued to weave through the crowd of students, my eyes finally found the person I was looking for.
—Hey, Hirata! —I called, noticing he was surrounded by a group of girls who were laughing and chatting animatedly. Hirata had always been quite popular, and his charismatic personality seemed to attract everyone around him.
—Osawa-kun! —he responded enthusiastically, while the girls around him stepped aside to make room for him, looking at me with curiosity.
—Hirata, have you already joined a group? —I asked, keeping a casual tone, although I knew it was crucial to get him on my team.
—Huh? No, not yet. And you, Osawa-kun? —his expression was one of surprise, but also interest.
—I already have a group. In fact, I came to ask you if you would like to join mine —I said, trying to sound as convincing as possible.
—Really? Can I join your group? —he asked, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.
—Of course, that's why I came to tell you. —I smiled, feeling a slight relief at seeing his reaction.
—Then, I'll be happy to join your group —he said, his smile widening as he extended his hand to seal the agreement.
With Hirata on board, I felt our team was becoming stronger. However, I knew I still had two more to recruit. I looked around, evaluating the other students, searching for those who could complement our group.
...
Recruiting Hirata had been a walk in the park. After all, we were good friends, bonded by the time we spent together in the soccer club. I knew he wouldn't turn down my offer.
Now, I headed towards the Class D group, where I hoped to find Tokitou. There weren't many standout students in that class, but Tokitou was, at least, an acceptable option. His lack of a close relationship with Ryuuen made him an interesting target.
As I entered the Class D area, my eyes landed on Ryuuen, who was sitting quietly, with an unusually serene expression. I wasn't used to seeing him like this. I approached, looking for Tokitou, who was not too far from him.
—Hey, Ryuuen. You seem pretty docile lately. How hard was the beating for you to be acting like this? —I tossed at him, recalling his state after the rebellion in his class, visibly beaten.
—It was pretty intense, actually —he replied with a smile that didn't fit the gravity of the situation.
—So, was that beating what made you give up your leadership position? —I questioned him, making him look at me with a mix of surprise and disdain.
—I think you're mistaken —he said firmly—. I'm not resigning from my leadership position; I'm just taking a vacation. I won't step down until I take you and the others down.
His eyes shone with determination, a spark I hadn't seen in him for a long time.
—I see. It looks like you have something more in mind than just reaching Class A.
—Yeah. I'm going to crush both —he said, making it clear that "both" referred to more than one target. The ambition in his voice was palpable.
After that brief exchange, I turned to Tokitou.
—Hey, Tokitou —I called, approaching him.
—Are you talking to me? —he replied, confused and a bit defensive.
—I don't know any other Tokitou —I retorted with a slight smile, trying to break the ice.
—What do you want? —he said, frowning and staying on guard.
—Don't be so defensive. I just want to ask if you'd like to join my group.
—Join your group? Why me? —he questioned, his distrust evident in his tone.
—Well, there aren't many standout students in your class, so it was by default —I said, though that wasn't entirely true. There was more to it; I had seen something in him.
—Hmph, fine. After all, I don't have a group yet —he accepted with an indifferent attitude.
—Perfect. Go over to Kanzaki; he'll guide you the rest of the way —I said, giving him a light push toward where our group was.
—Alright —he replied as he headed toward Kanzaki, and I watched as he integrated into the group.
It had been easier than I thought. I guess being the leader of the best class carries weight when recruiting. Now, I just had to find Kitou.
...
After a while of searching, I finally ran into Kitou. I must admit, while it sounded cruel, Kitou wasn't exactly someone fortunate in physicality. However, he was clever, and that made him valuable.
I stood in front of him, and after a moment of silence, he looked at me curiously.
—What does the Class A leader want from me? —he asked in a hoarse voice, a bit disdainful.
—Have you joined any group yet, Kitou? —I inquired, not letting him intimidate me.
—No, not yet —he replied, showing little interest.
—Would you like to join mine? —I proposed, watching his reaction.
—Join your group? —he repeated, incredulous, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
—Yeah. I'm looking for members; what do you say?
—Why me? —his distrust was evident.
—There's nothing special about it; it was just a random decision —I replied calmly, not wanting to make him uncomfortable.
—Do you already have members from different classes? —he asked, his interest seeming to increase.
—Yes, I have Hirata and Tokitou.
—Tokitou? —he said thoughtfully, as if evaluating the offer.
—That's right. So, do you want to join?
—Fine, I'll join —he finally accepted, a glimmer of resolve crossing his gaze.
—Excellent. Follow me; I'll take you to the rest of the group —I said as I started walking, and he followed me, a little more animated.
It really hadn't been difficult to convince them. Now all that was left was to lead this group well to secure victory. If I did it right, the rewards could be much better than I expected. At first, I hadn't intended to take it this seriously, but I think I'll give it a shot. Although, to be honest, my real goal in this exam isn't to win... it's something much more interesting.