Chapter 15: The Island Examination

Monday passed peacefully.
Tuesday wasn't much different.
For the first time in weeks...
University life actually felt normal.
...
Apartment 407.
Reina tied her hair into a ponytail.
She looked at herself in the mirror.
"..."
"...Back to boring."
A small smile escaped her lips.
"...I still miss the beach."
...
Apartment 408.
Shadow quietly watered the small plant beside the window.
It looked healthier than before.
"..."
"...Good."
He picked up his backpack.
Another ordinary day.
Or so he thought.
...
Kisaragi University.
Students filled every hallway.
Some rushed to class.
Others stood around talking.
Everything felt lively.
...
Near the courtyard...
Aiko appeared carrying three different snacks.
Kenji stared.
"...Didn't you eat breakfast?"
"I did."
"...Then why?"
"Second breakfast."
"...That's not a thing."
"It is if you're me."
Reina laughed.
"I honestly can't argue with that."
Shadow looked at the snacks.
"...You'll still be hungry later."
Aiko pointed dramatically.
"Exactly."
"You understand me."
Kenji sighed.
"I wish I didn't."
...
Their morning lecture passed surprisingly quickly.
As students packed their bags...
The classroom door suddenly opened.
Their professor stepped inside again.
He rarely returned after class.
Everyone immediately became quiet.
The professor adjusted his glasses.
"Attention."
"I have an announcement."
Several students stopped talking.
"This afternoon..."
"All first and second-year students are required to report to the main auditorium."
"No exceptions."
The classroom filled with whispers.
"What happened?"
"Is there another festival?"
"Maybe exams?"
The professor smiled slightly.
"You'll find out this afternoon."
He turned around.
Then stopped.
"Oh."
"You may want to bring a notebook."
"You're going to have quite a lot to write down."
He left.
The room immediately exploded with conversations.
...
Outside...
The four walked toward the cafeteria.
Kenji scratched his head.
"...What do you think it is?"
Aiko gasped dramatically.
"What if they're giving us free food?"
Reina looked at her.
"...That's your first guess?"
"Always."
Shadow quietly thought for a moment.
"...It's probably something academic."
Aiko looked disappointed.
"...You're probably right."
...
The afternoon arrived.
Hundreds of students gathered inside the university auditorium.
The atmosphere buzzed with curiosity.
Teachers stood near the stage.
Several security guards quietly watched the entrances.
Even that felt unusual.
Reina leaned toward Shadow.
"...Have you ever seen this many teachers together?"
"...No."
Kenji whispered from the other side.
"...This feels serious."
Aiko nodded.
"...A little too serious."
...
The lights dimmed.
The conversations slowly disappeared.
A tall man walked onto the stage.
The university director.
Every student immediately became silent.
He smiled warmly.
"Good afternoon."
"I hope you're all enjoying your semester."
A few nervous laughs echoed through the auditorium.
The director continued.
"Every year..."
"Kisaragi University holds one event unlike any other."
"It is the event that has defined this university for decades."
The large screen behind him lit up.
A satellite image appeared.
An enormous green island surrounded by blue ocean.
Students began whispering.
"No way..."
"It can't be..."
"I've heard about this..."
The director smiled.
"This..."
"...is Seiryu Island."
"The location of this year's Comprehensive Survival Assessment."
The entire auditorium erupted.
"What?!"
"Seriously?!"
"We're actually doing it?!"
"I thought it was just a rumor!"
Even Reina looked surprised.
"...An island?"
Aiko's eyes sparkled.
"THAT'S AWESOME!"
Kenji looked considerably less excited.
"...We're going to die."
"No, we're not."
"We might."
The director raised one hand.
The room gradually became quiet again.
"You will be divided into teams."
"You will live on the island."
"You will earn points through survival..."
"Teamwork..."
"Leadership..."
"Problem solving..."
"Navigation..."
"Medical response..."
"And many other challenges."
"The highest-scoring team..."
"...will receive full academic distinction."
The screen changed again.
A single sentence appeared.
**Failure is not recommended.**
Students stared silently.
The director smiled.
"Don't worry."
"You'll survive."
"...Probably."
The entire auditorium laughed.
Mostly.
...
Reina slowly looked toward Shadow.
"...This actually sounds kind of fun."
Shadow looked back at the giant image of the island.
"..."
"...Maybe."
For some reason...
He couldn't explain it.
But...
Something about the island...
Didn't feel right.
...
Far above the auditorium...
Hidden behind a ventilation window...
A camera quietly focused on the stage.
Click.
One photograph.
The crowd of students.
Another.
The four friends sitting together.
One last photograph.
Shadow.
The photographer lowered the camera.
A faint smile appeared.
"...An island..."
"How convenient."
He disappeared before anyone noticed he had ever been there.
...
The auditorium lights slowly brightened.
Students immediately began talking excitedly.
Some looked thrilled.
Others looked terrified.
No one knew...
That the island examination...
Would change their lives forever.

**End of Volume 1**

**To Be Continued in Volume 2 — The Island Examination Arc**