Although the designated area had been fairly close to the campsite, it still took me around an hour and a half to get there. Needless to say, when I finally stepped foot in the area, my watch didnt indicate that I had earned the Early Bird Bonus, leaving me with just a one-point Arrival Bonus instead. Of course, I wasnt dissatisfied with this since I had participated in a Task along the way.

Area E4 was located at a fairly high altitude atop a cliff, so the view was decent enough that I could survey a good part of the island.

You sure took your sweet time getting here, Ayanokji.

In my peripheral vision, I spotted Kiryin. She spoke to me without so much as looking in my direction, her eyes trained down at the base of the cliff.

So it seems.

Back when I ran a GPS Search this morning, she was the formidable opponent who shared a table with me that I felt would be the most troublesome to compete against.

So, Ayanokji, are you the one whos been making me work for all the Early Bird Bonuses?

I wonder. People can end up in the same area sometimes despite being a part of different tables. More importantly, I thought you werent interested in making it to the top ten, Kiryin-senpai.

Earlier this morning, Kiryin had shot up from below 10th place all the way to 9th.

Well, this exams been more interesting than I expected. Its kinda unbecoming of my age, but Ive been really hyped up recently.

She said it was unbecoming of her age, and yet she was only one year older than me.

I figure Ill keep going at my current pace, at least for the time being.

So you dont want to get first place, Senpai?

Everyones foaming at the mouth over the top spot. If I got mixed up in that, I wouldnt get to chill out and enjoy myself. Though, if Nagumo and Kenji collapse, then that might change things a bit.

Collapse? Honestly, that doesnt seem very likely at the moment.

Do you really think that Nagumoll leave Kenji free to his own devices?

Apparently, Kiryin had also foreseen how things would play out moving forward, at least to a certain extent.

With the current stalemate, its hard to say that Nagumos guaranteed to come out on top. It seems hes been patiently watching things so far, but hell make his move sooner or later. Or more specifically, make his move on Kenji. Depending on the situation, its possible that both of em will start slowing down on earning points.

Alternatively, it was possible that one of them would get crushed and plummet down through the ranks.

Thats true. Kicking ones opponent down is important, after all.

Although there was no way to tell exactly when it would happen, they would definitely clash with each other here at some point.

Or, at very least, it felt safe to say that Nagumo would stop Kenji.

How about you? Are you aiming for the top spots, Ayanokji?

Unfortunately, I really cant see myself getting into the top ten.

That so? I thought youd have just about the same number of points as me.

She seemed awfully interested in me and how well I was doing.

Well, to be exact, it probably wasnt just me that she was interested in.

She was surely looking to analyze the strategies of each and every student in the school.

As a word of advice: most groups are probably gonna start slowing down soon, so dont give up and keep on doing your best.

Even though I hadnt known Kiryin for very long, it was clear to me that she was quite an influential character.

She was by all means an exceptional student when it came to both the depth of her insight and the breadth of her intuition, qualities that even the OAA system failed to account for.

To change the subject, from what Ive seen on my tablet, it doesnt look like any groups have retired yet. What do you think of that?

It just means that I cant afford to get careless, not even for a moment. Thats all.

Hmm I found out something interesting when I stopped by the starting area yesterday. Apparently, some of the groups that have been running out of food and water have been taking up a new last-ditch strategy of sorts. Theyve started cutting loose some of their members in order to conserve resources.

Thats a wise decision.

No matter how many points your group racks up, if the whole group retires, youd be disqualified and your expulsion would be all but set in stone. That being the case, it would be safer to send one or two people back to the starting area instead, even if it meant taking an overall drop in terms of efficiency. There, not only could they drink an unlimited amount of fresh water, but theyd also be able to maintain their personal hygiene, therefore making it easier to avoid getting sick.

The bottom ten groups probably have their fingers crossed right about now, praying that some other group will retire first.

Theres no telling what someone whos been pushed into a corner might do. Dont be negligent, okay?

Is that really something a lone girl like you ought to be worried about, Kiryin-senpai?

Oh? Hmm Well, its true that, as a young, dainty maiden, it may be best for me to be more cautious.

Even though I said what I had in jest, surprisingly, she had taken it seriously.

If it comes down to it, then yeah Ill just have to get through it by force.

Saying that, Kiryin clenched her fist.

Honestly, her response wasnt very maiden-like, not by any stretch of the imagination.

I cant tell if youre being serious or not.

Fufu, sorry for taking up so much of your time. After all, for the likes of us, every single second is precious.

With that, she lightly lifted up her hand and began to walk away.

Based on the direction she went in, she was probably headed toward a nearby Task.

Youre not gonna come along? There might be space for you as well if you hurry.

Ill pass. I dont think Id be able to beat you, Senpai.

By now, there were probably at most two spots left for the Task in question. Additionally, there were already more than three other groups in the nearby area, so with Kiryin also heading over to it, my odds of being able to participate were already shaky at best.

As I watched her leave, she suddenly stopped and, despite the fact that she was pressed for time, looked back to say one last thing.

Ah, I get it now It seems Ill have to go check up on this Task on myself, just in case.

Speaking as though she had connected the dots and seen through my strategy, Kiryin left it at that and set off toward the Task once more.