Hachiman’s Classroom of Strength’s Supremacy

Chapter 148: Matsushita Chiaki Is Slacking Off

500,000! Or possibly even 1,000,000!

“Is there any question now? You can ask me anything. This time, I can answer your questions.”

Looking at the expressions of the students, Mashima Tomonari spoke indifferently, “My job is to ensure that you all understand the rules.”

“Teacher, these two results…”

Soon enough, someone asked a question.

Yukimaru Teruhiko took a deep breath, adjusted his glasses, and spoke, “Result 1: If everyone correctly guesses the identity of the privileged candidate, then all members of the group will receive 500,000 points, and the privileged candidate will receive 1,000,000 points.

As for Result 2, if even one person in the group fails to guess the identity of the privileged candidate, then regardless of how many people guess correctly, it becomes invalid, and only the privileged candidate will receive 500,000 points. Additionally, the privileged candidate cannot answer, is that correct?”

“Exactly.”

Mashima Tomonari gave him a surprised look. Although Class C’s performance was excellent now, it was originally a class that had moved up from Class D, so he had considered the possibility that they would have trouble understanding the exam rules.

But now, to his surprise, Class C could understand the rules on their own. He breathed a sigh of relief and nodded generously, “That’s basically it.”

“Then I have no further questions.”

Yukimaru Teruhiko nodded. He could pretty much understand how the rules worked now.

The first result was undoubtedly the best — everyone would become rich together.

As for the second result, only the privileged candidate would benefit, and it looked like it couldn’t compare to the first one at all.

To put it simply, regardless of the result, the privileged candidate would always get 500,000 points more than anyone else.

The name “privileged candidate” was really good. As long as you were selected, you got money for nothing.

“And what about the other two results?”

Karuizawa instinctively asked.

The paper only showed two results.

“On the back.”

Mashima Tomonari replied indifferently.

Upon hearing this, Hachiman flipped the paper over.

Glancing at the time, there were still less than five minutes left.

Just in case, Hachiman took a picture of the back of the paper before reading the rules on it with satisfaction.

“…”

Mashima Tomonari.

Result 3:

If someone other than the privileged candidate answers the question before the exam ends, and their answer is correct, the class of the student who answered correctly will receive 50 class evaluation points.

Additionally, the student who answered correctly will receive 500,000 private points.

On the other hand, if the identity of the privileged candidate is revealed, that class will receive a penalty of losing 50 class evaluation points.

Once the early answer is given, the group’s exam will end at that point. Furthermore, if students from the same class as the privileged candidate answer correctly, the school will consider their answer invalid and continue the exam.

Result 4:

If someone other than the privileged candidate answers the question before the exam ends, and their answer is wrong, the class of the student who answered incorrectly will lose 50 class evaluation points.

Meanwhile, the privileged candidate will receive 500,000 private points, and the class of the privileged candidate will also receive 50 class evaluation points.

The exam will end at the point when the incorrect answer is given. Additionally, if students from the same class as the privileged candidate answer incorrectly, their answer will be considered invalid and not processed.

“Early answers and traitors, huh?”

Hachiman lowered his head and pondered for a moment, lost in thought.

No wonder.

The theme of this exam was Thinking, or, in other words, it was about thinking.

This was essentially an alternate version of Werewolf.

And the rules were quite clear.

Here’s the summary:

1. The school will send another text message to students at 8 AM tomorrow, informing them whether they have been selected as a privileged candidate.
2.
The privileged candidate refers to one randomly selected student from each of the 12 groups to become a special role.

It’s somewhat similar to a “secret agent” game, where the other members of the same group try to identify the privileged candidate to win rewards or suffer penalties.

And the process of finding the “secret agent” is interesting.

According to the rules of the exam, students must honestly answer the question between 8 PM and 9 PM on the third day.

Two outcomes can arise:

• If everyone except the privileged candidate and their class answers correctly, then all students will receive 500,000 points, and the privileged candidate will receive 1,000,000 points. (Each group member gets 500k, and the privileged candidate gets 1 million).
•
• If someone answers incorrectly, or if not everyone answers together, then only the privileged candidate will receive 500,000 points. (The privileged candidate receives 500k by themselves).
•
This is the result of honest answering according to the rules.

There won’t be any changes in class evaluation points, but there’s also the possibility of an early answer.

The exam lasts three days.

During this time, anyone can answer. But if you answer early, there are penalties or rewards.

First, early correct answers will grant points. If students from another class guess the privileged candidate and answer correctly, that student will receive 500,000 points and also grant 50 points to their class’s evaluation score. Meanwhile, the class that had their privileged candidate guessed will have their class evaluation score reduced by 50 points. (Correct answer by class +50 points, individual 500k, privileged candidate’s class -50 points).

What happens if someone answers incorrectly? The class of the person who guesses wrong will lose 50 points from the class evaluation score. On the other hand, the class of the person who was favored will gain 50 points in class evaluation, and the favored person will be rewarded with 500,000 private points. (Incorrect class: -50 points, favored person: +500,000 points, favored person’s class: +50 points).

This is somewhat similar to the guessing leader on the deserted island, except this time the leader is called the “favored person,” and the reason they are called that is clear from the outcome. Apart from having their identity guessed, they can earn points in all other scenarios. So, they are truly favored.

However, the identity of the favored person is arranged by the school, not chosen by the students. The school will select them, and the students will be notified at 8 AM tomorrow.

Therefore, I believe what Teacher Mashima said about abandoning past grievances with other classes and treating them as partners is a ruse. As long as there are potential benefits after betrayal, collaboration is impossible.

But there are still many trivial matters.

Teacher Mashima continued the briefing, “For example, prohibited actions include stealing, threatening, or even intimidating to confirm the identity of the favored person.

It is also prohibited to use someone else’s phone to answer incorrectly. Individuals are also not allowed to delete or forge information sent by the school,” he added.

Hachiman remained silent.

In other words,

One must honestly struggle to find the favored person, and they must answer using their own phone.

But—

Who would believe such words?

Hachiman had no doubt that people like Ryuuen from Class D would definitely wait for the information about the favored person to be sent, then immediately gather all the students in their class, force everyone to hand over their phones, and confirm the identity of the favored person.

After all,

Even people from the same class cannot be trusted, and if one can maintain the identity of the favored person, they can earn 500,000 points. Or if they deceive others into guessing incorrectly, they not only get 500,000 points but also deduct points from the opposing class. Ryuuen would definitely plan carefully.

And what is 500,000 points?

It equals… Class D’s score is zero, but it is enough to cover several months of living expenses for one person. It’s equal to five months of living expenses for Class C and five months of living expenses for Class A.

Besides living expenses, there are also changes in the class evaluation points.

This will also be a test for the now-tense ABC classes.

Not answering will test human nature, while answering will test class competition. Only answering will lead to changes in class evaluation points.

“Wait a minute, Teacher Mashima, I have a few questions.”

Hachiman paused for a moment before asking, “First, according to the rules, whether answering within the specified time, if the answer is for another group, it will be invalidated. Is that correct?”

“That’s right.”

Teacher Mashima nodded.

“Then, if the answer is given within the specified time, it’s either result one or result two. But if someone buzzes in early, it’s either result three or result four, and no matter whether the answer is correct or not, it will immediately end the exam for that group, correct?”

“Correct.”

“Will the exam results display the name of the person who answered?”

Hachiman asked again.

“No.”

Teacher Mashima looked up in surprise, shaking his head. “The school will only announce the results for each group and the changes in class evaluation points. As for the points the answerer receives, the school will provide a temporary ID and allow withdrawal in installments.”

“Got it.”

Hachiman nodded in understanding. This means that no matter who answers,

They don’t have to worry about being discovered by others.

Because the school will not reveal the identity of the answerer and will also protect the points to keep them hidden.

This is to prevent others from judging the answerer’s identity by their personal ID points.

So, this actually encourages them to answer early.

Of course,

While protecting the answerer,

It also protects the favored person.

Because the favored person can completely hide their identity and later receive 1 million points.

This really shakes people’s hearts, making students uncontrollable.

Thinking, it’s not just a test of human nature. And human nature cannot withstand such tests.

“Time’s up.”

Just as Hachiman was about to ask something, Mashima-sensei suddenly said, “Twenty minutes are up. You may leave.”

This left people speechless. This teacher really handles things impartially.

However, the exam rules had been obtained.

So,

When he was asked to leave Room 204, he stood in the corridor.

“Yukimura?”

Yukimura felt that there were some things to discuss regarding the group member records and rules in this exam.

So, he wanted to consult Hachiman.

However, he found that Hachiman hadn’t left and was standing by the window in the corridor,

As if he were looking out with one hand on the window or waiting for something.

“I’m waiting here for the next group of students to arrive,” Hachiman said. “And Yukimura, do you remember the list of our group members?”

“I…” Yukimura seemed a bit embarrassed. “I didn’t remember all of them because I didn’t know that many people.”

Right.

“So I’ll wait here,” Hachiman said. “Give the camera to our class students, and have them take pictures.”

“Because you didn’t remember the list, others probably can’t do it either.”

I see.

Yukimura accepted the answer and scratched his head as he left.

However,

There were still some who could do it.

People like Kushida or Horikita. They had received the full year group roster from Hachiman, so they would know the names of students Yukimura couldn’t recognize, and Kushida had even greeted some people on the list.

But these two had a gathering time of 8:40, meaning they were in the same group.

But the class was divided into 12 groups.

So, there were still 10 groups’ worth of rosters to collect.

And since the class students couldn’t be fully trusted, it was necessary to confirm who would be given the camera and who would take the photos.

Thus,

Each group’s students would be rotated every 20 minutes, and Hachiman wouldn’t be able to rest until 10:20 PM.

“Sorry, Hachiman, our group is running so late.”

At 10:20 PM, three students walked out of the room.

Two boys and one girl.

The girl’s appearance was somewhat sweet, with smooth shoulder-length brown hair and delicate features. Her fashion sense gave off a bit of a rich girl vibe.

She also had a faint scent of jasmine perfume.

She was someone who knew how to dress and lived a refined life.

Her name was Matsushita Chiaki.

She handed Hachiman a pink camera.

When she entered the room, she was entrusted with taking pictures by Hachiman.

“It’s fine,” Hachiman said as he took the camera from her hand.

However, this student handed the camera back to him but didn’t leave immediately. Her gaze seemed a bit intense.

Hachiman looked over.

There were few available people in the class, and even asking someone to take pictures wasn’t something anyone could ask.

So could Matsushita be used as talent?

In front of the cabin on the deserted island, Hachiman had heard Kushida gossiping a lot.

One of the things was about Matsushita.

Kushida’s evaluation of Matsushita Chiaki was that she was a bit pretentious.

This pretension could also be understood as a form of disguise, meaning that Matsushita probably slacked off in daily life.

“Have you understood the exam rules?” Hachiman said. “I’m planning to send the photos to Horikita to summarize and simplify them, and then announce them to everyone before the exam tomorrow.”

But Matsushita replied, “I think this exam’s rules are a bit difficult. It would be best if you could simplify them.”

So, she couldn’t keep up with the progress and couldn’t even fully see the exam questions?

“Although our class is still just Class C, we’re only a little over 200 points behind Class A. If we push hard, we might make it,” Hachiman said, testing her.

“Yes, indeed.” At this point, Matsushita’s expression seemed a little strange, as if she regretted something.

However, this regret quickly disappeared.

“If only we could move up in this exam. But I still can’t fully understand the rules,” she said, waving at Hachiman. “Well then, I’ll go back now. Good luck, Hachiman.”

Usually, if someone didn’t understand the exam questions, they wouldn’t repeat that twice.

Clearly,

Matsushita had understood the questions but was slacking off.