In truth, this was just the beginning.
Given Class A's overall academic level, passing this special exam through mere paired testing would be relatively easy.
Moreover, being a special exam, there would likely be changes to their Class Points.
"For this final exam, you students will be responsible for creating the test papers yourselves. All the questions must be conceived and formulated by you. The school will only handle the printing and review before distributing the exam to one class other than Class A."
"We create the questions, then give them to another class?"
"Exactly as it sounds. You can use the exam to attack other classes while also being targeted by them. The school will then compare the total scores of both classes to determine the winner."
"Do we have to face all three classes?"
"No, you can nominate one class. If they accept your nomination, you become the attacking side. Conversely, you can also accept a nomination from another class, but you can only receive one attack."
"What if the nominated class refuses?"
"You'll have to nominate another class or wait for another class to nominate you."
"What if multiple classes nominate the same class?"
"If two or more classes nominate the same class simultaneously, you can either draw lots or let the nominated class decide whose challenge to accept."
"What's the reward for winning?"
"You can take 50 Class Points from the opposing class, and vice versa."
…
During today's routine class meeting, Mashima answered most of the students' questions, thoroughly explaining the upcoming paired exam.
Specifically, Class A not only had to ensure no one was expelled during the exam but also had to attack another class by nominating them and creating their own questions.
The final outcome would be determined by comparing the total scores of both sides.
Therefore, if they adopted the mindset that avoiding expulsion was enough, they would lose the exam due to negligence and forfeit 50 Class Points.
In theory, this special exam could yield 100 Class Points.
For example, Class A could nominate one class while also accepting a nomination from another, effectively engaging in two battles.
Of course, they could also mutually nominate each other, attacking and defending simultaneously, with the winner seizing 100 Class Points from the opponent.
In the event of a tie, the Class Points would remain unchanged.
"Since we're making the questions, why not come up with some disgusting ones?" Totsuka Yahiko said optimistically.
"If no one can answer them, they'll lose quickly!"
"Your optimism is commendable, but the school will review your questions. Any that go beyond the prescribed syllabus will be invalid. If you fail to revise them before the exam, the school will provide replacement questions instead."
Mashima Tomonari calmly dismissed Totsuka Yahiko's suggestion.
If he could think of it, so could the school.
Totsuka Yahiko scratched his head and complained, "This is so troublesome. We have to make the questions and take the exam. Who knows what kind of questions they'll come up with."
"Actually, it's the opposite, Yahiko," Katsuragi interjected. "Precisely because students are creating the questions, only those with strong academic abilities will do so, and their level won't be much higher than ours."
It wasn't just a matter of ability but also professionalism.
Students who were only used to answering questions suddenly becoming question-makers wouldn't be able to shift their mindset and approach quickly enough, making them less professional than official exam creators.
Although Mashima Tomonari indicated that there were no restrictions on the questions—they could refer to online sources or seek help from others.
"Judging by academic ability, only Class B can be our enemy," Shinji Matoba pondered for a moment.
"Right now, Class D has no points, so we can only nominate two classes. Comparatively, I think targeting Class C would be a safer bet."
"Class C seems full of delinquents; their academic ability must be terrible," someone in the class whispered.
The suggestion sounded quite appealing to them.
"But what if there's a nomination conflict?" someone else raised a concern.
"If Class B or Class D also nominates Class C, we might not succeed."
"I think Class B will definitely nominate us. Class C and Class D aren't as strong academically—they wouldn't dare."
"Given Class D's level, if they nominate us or Class B, it'd practically be a suicidal move. They'd most likely pick Class C."
"The key is, who would Class C nominate? Class D's trash has no points right now—no one would bother nominating them."
"Right. What if we nominate Class C, and Class C nominates us in return? Then it becomes an offensive and defensive battle. Even if we win, we'd only get 50 points."
"Is there a scenario where Class B nominates us, we nominate Class C, and Class C nominates Class B?"
"What about Class D?"
"..."
The class discussion grew heated.
Kaoru Mitoma noticed for the first time that many usually silent students were now engaging in class affairs.
Perhaps the sports festival had given them a slight sense of urgency.
"Mashima-sensei, if we nominate Class D and win, but Class D has no points to pay, what happens?"
Katsuragi Kouhei raised his hand to ask Mashima.
His question was one that most students were concerned about.
At this moment, Class D was in the most awkward position.
The entire Class A believed there was no need to nominate Class D—in fact, they were even afraid Class D might nominate them.
After all, Class D had nothing to lose, and even if they won, there'd be no benefit.
Mashima Tomonari remained silent for a long time.
Class D had broken the school's records at the start of the term, and now they were doing it again.
"The school has decided to make an exception. If you defeat Class D, they will owe you 50 points. Once they are capable of repaying, the points will be transferred to you."
Indeed, ANHS originally didn't allow negative points.
But to proceed with the exam normally, the school had to take special measures.
If Class D lost in this special exam, they could end up owing 100 points.
In an instant, the expressions of Class A's students turned peculiar.
Kaoru felt a pang of guilt.
"Trash will always be trash."
Someone muttered the words, but no one paid much attention.
After all, Class A already looked down on Class D.
"Even though Class D is an easy target, let's keep them as the last priority for nomination."
Shinji Matoba's proposal gained unanimous approval from most students.
To be honest, they seriously doubted whether Class D would ever be able to repay the points.
Mashima Tomonari scanned the classroom, feeling somewhat surprised.
It seemed the failure in the sports festival hadn't demoralized Class A but instead ignited their competitive spirit.
"Discuss among yourselves. You must inform me of the nominated class one day before the exam. Otherwise, the school will randomly assign one for you."
With that, Mashima Tomonari left the classroom, leaving the students to their discussion.
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