As all the students began to converse amongst themselves, Ms. G spoke.

“Everyone I know that this may seem confusing, but let me continue before you share your comments.” She said.

The class quieted down.

“Like I said, this exam will be much different than the previous one. In this exam, your class as an entirety will directly oppose a 2nd year class.” Ms G said.

“The contents of this exam will test your ability to work together and think quickly. In this exam, you will work with your classmates to assemble three puzzles faster than the opposing class. You will then present the completed puzzles to the proctor and wait for them to verify it was completed correctly. If you completed them before the 2nd year, you pass, if not, you fail.” Ms G explained.

‘This exam assesses us in a much more direct way than the previous exam. Despite the fact that this exam is simpler than the last, it could still be more difficult if we can’t cooperate with each other.’ Aki thought.

“Does anyone have any questions?” Ms G asks the class.

Nao raises his right hand and Ms G calls on him.

“What is your question Nao?”

“Will there be a punishment like last exam?” Nao asked.

This is a very important question for the students to know, considering the last exam risked their expulsion.

“I was just getting to that. Yes, there will be a punishment if you fail the exam. The class who fails must select a person to be expelled using majority rule.” Ms. G explains.

The aura in the classroom went tense, feeling almost suffocating with the risk of expulsion being revealed once again.

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“Anyway, now that I explained the exam there is only one more topic of discussion.” Ms G paused and then continued.

“Since all of you are younger than the 2nd year students, the first years are the ones to select which class you’d like to face for the exam.” Ms G said.

‘That’s perfect.’ Aki thought as a small grin appeared on his face.

“You may now discuss amongst yourselves which class you would like to go against in the exam. Keep in mind, the other first year classes are selected as well, so if they select a class faster than you, then you will have to choose one of the remaining classes of the second year.” Ms G says as she sits down in her seat behind her desk.

A boy named Yasuhiro stands up and smiles.

“Does anyone have any classes they would like to recommend?” Yasuhiro asked the class.

Yasuhiro was a very social person and was a core leader in the class. So it was only natural for him to be one of the people to kick off the discussion.

When Yasuhiro asked his question the room remained silent for a while. It was natural for there to be few responses from the class, after all not many students communicate with their upperclassmen. Especially since they are first years and new to the school.

Then a girl with red hair stood up to speak.

“I have a class we could choose,” She said.

This girl was Maki Sato, a girl from a prestigious family and a clear key figure for the girls in Aki’s class.

“We should choose class 2-C. According to my time spent with the second years, I can deduce that 2-C has the overall worse intellectual ability compared to the other classes.”

Maki is a sociable person like Yasuhiro so she’s more likely to have relations with the second years.

Another girl stood up.

“I can vouch for that, I also think class 2-C is the weakest second year class.” The girl said.

‘Oh I see now, because of how social Maki is she would have no problems having other girls vouching for her to get on her good side. The only problem is that I need to get the class to choose the president’s class so I can get him expelled.’ Aki thought.

Aki sighed, stood up from his desk and walked to the front of the class.

“I suggest that we select class 2-B as our opponent.” Aki states.

When Akii said this, the entire class starts to make confused and worried faces.

“Aki…you do know that's the class the student council president is in right?” Nao asked nervously.

“Yes I do, and that’s why I’m confident we can beat them. Think about it logically, only the student council president gets the top scores in their class. No other students in the class get top ten or even top fifteen. And since this is an exam that focuses on teamwork they can’t rely on the president.” Aki responds.

Some of the class begins to agree and nod their heads, signaling that they are beginning to change their minds.

However, Maki speaks up.

“Still, it’s too risky, goin up against class 2-C is our safest bet.” Maki says.

“Alright then, if we lose against class 2-B then you may choose to expel me. That’s how much I believe we can win, but I doubt you have that much faith in beating class 2-B. But if we go up against class 2-C and lose, you’ll be expelled.” Aki declared.

Maki’s eyes widened and she let her head fall down towards the floor.

“Fine, we’ll go up against 2-B then…you freaking psycho.” She says as she exaggeratedly sighs in defeat.

Aki grins.

“If you want to go up against class 2-B in the exam, say I!”

The whole class says I, some more enthusiastic than others, and Ms. G nods.

“Okay, then it’s settled. You all will compete against class 2-B” Ms G says.