In practice, I can issue tasks to my master.

Kikyo Kushida didn't give Suzune Horikita time to finish speaking. Dragging her body, which was starting to decline, she threw punches and kicked wildly, completely displaying the desperation of a workaholic.

Horikita Suzune had no choice but to react to each move as it came.

Water splashed in the pond.

Although Horikita Suzune was initially ambushed, she managed to stabilize the situation thanks to her karate skills, which she had specifically practiced in the past to imitate Horikita, and her physical condition, which had been enhanced by gene-enhancing drugs.

In contrast, Kikyo Kushida is showing signs of fatigue.

After all, she had been ambushed by Horikita Suzune a few times at the beginning, and she had also been soaking in cold water naked for a long time, so she was not in good condition and could not support strenuous exercise for too long.

Even so, she wouldn't admit defeat willingly; instead, she gave off the impression of unleashing her inner strength in a desperate situation.

"I never would have guessed... I never expected you to be in such good physical condition?"

Horikita Suzune deliberately created some distance between them.

Although she had the advantage, Kikyo Kushida's relentless, injury-for-injury style of play still made her very uncomfortable.

Because she didn't want to use too much force, otherwise she would give Kikyo Kushida an opportunity to stage a self-inflicted injury, so she just wanted to stall for time until Kikyo Kushida's condition worsened and she lost the ability to resist.

But Kikyo Kushida knew this too, so she completely ignored what Suzune Horikita said and just kept punching and kicking, even trying to get close and pull her hair.

This immediately ignited Horikita Suzune's anger, and she gradually became more and more forceful in her attacks.

finally--

"Whoosh!"

Horikita Suzune landed a straight punch on Kushida Kikyo's chest, and then, taking advantage of the latter's staggering retreat, followed up with a sweeping kick.

Then she took a big step to close the distance, sat on Kushida Kikyo, grabbed her neck with one hand, and pressed the other hand with her fingers spread open against her face.

"Kushida, this is the end."

"Cough...cough..."

Kikyo Kushida tried her best to put on a smile, but in the end, she could only manage a slight curve at the corners of her mouth before closing her eyes and fainting.

Horikita Suzune remained vigilant, but still used one hand to check Kushida Kikyo's breath and touched the latter's forehead again.

"It seems this time it's for real."

After all, fighting is a high-intensity sport, and Kikyo Kushida was also fighting with all her might. Being able to hold on until now under multiple debuffs is indeed a testament to her extraordinary willpower.

Horikita Suzune breathed a sigh of relief and stood up from Kushida Kikyo's back, but a sudden wave of weakness washed over her, causing her to stagger.

"Could I have been infected too?"

"Never mind, let's send her back first."

Horikita Suzune scooped up Kushida Kikyo, then carried her on her back and walked step by step into the forest.

...

...

The sky was just beginning to lighten.

Nangong Cheng opened his eyes.

The first time he woke up, there was no one beside him, and no soft, fragrant girl-shaped body pillow in his arms.

So, what's going on?

"Chengjun, you're awake?"

As soon as he lifted the tent flap, he heard Karuizawa Megumi's voice, and then subconsciously looked over and found that they were a group of people gathered together.

What happened?

Nangong Cheng immediately walked over and saw Horikita Suzune surrounded by Karuizawa Megumi and the others.

"Horikita? What's this?"

"She has a fever," Karuizawa Kei answered the question for her, then explained, "Horikita-kun said it was caused by catching a cold after being caught in the rain while keeping watch last night."

Nangong Cheng suddenly looked around the camp.

"Where's Kushida?"

"We couldn't find Kushida-kun."

So, Horikita Suzune sent her back, but something must have happened along the way?

This was the only way Nangong Cheng could explain the situation.

But if he knew he had missed a battle between women last night, he would probably regret not having arranged for Kikyo Kushida himself.

"I'll take Horikita back to the ship first."

Nangong Cheng stepped forward and touched Horikita Suzune's forehead to confirm that she really had a fever, then immediately scooped the girl up in a princess carry.

"You guys prepare the meal and wait for me to come back."

After saying that, he sprinted into the forest.

Karuizawa and the others exchanged glances.

In fact, they all knew that Horikita Suzune's fever and Kushida Kikyo's "disappearance" were mostly due to Nangong Cheng's arrangements. After all, the two of them had been on guard duty together last night, and then something happened to them both. There was something fishy going on.

Moreover, they had followed Nangong Cheng for so long and knew his style of doing things well—the reason they deliberately kept Kushida Kikyo behind was probably for today.

In addition, Masumi Kamuro and Miki Yamamura are no longer at the D-class camp, clearly having taken some action last night, but they can no longer make a fuss. On the contrary, Hiyori Shiina, who is still at the D-class camp...

"Shiina-kun, what are you still doing here?"

Although it may sound a bit rude, Karuizawa Megumi's logic is certainly sound. After all, both Kamuro Masumi and Yamamura Miki, who are from Class A, have left. What does it mean that you, a student from Class C, are still here?

"The exams are over today, aren't you going to meet up with Longyuan?"

Then Shiina Hiyori naturally had something to say: "Karuizawa-kun, could you let me finish my meal before I leave?"

Shiina Hiyori had already guessed what kind of life Ryuen had been living for the past seven days when they met last night, so naturally she couldn't possibly suffer with him.

As for whether it would be awkward to stay here and freeload a meal...

Thanks to Nangong Cheng, she also learned a bit about being shameless and didn't feel embarrassed at all.

"...Then you can lend a hand."

Karuizawa Kei was indeed too embarrassed to kick her out, since Shiina Hiyori was Nangong Makoto's collaborator and there was a chance that they would become sworn sisters, so it was natural to need to maintain a good relationship.

She turned around and said to Sakura Airi and the others, "Airi, you guys pack your things and then wait for Makoto to come back so we can take down the tent."

"it is good."

...

...

When was the last time you had such close physical contact with Horikita Suzune?

Nangong Cheng recalled that it seemed to be the first day of school, the time when Horikita Suzune was forcibly punished after refusing to do a task.

Even after their relationship improved, Horikita Suzune maintained a subtle social distance from him.

Nangong Cheng naturally understood the reason.

But understanding is one thing.

As one of the girls he had chosen and had his eye on, Horikita Suzune's progress in winning over the girl had fallen to the bottom among all the girls. Even though Nangong Cheng wasn't in a hurry, he still had to seize the opportunity.

"Horikita, what happened?"

"..."

Horikita Suzune's condition was neither bad nor good; she was in a state of wanting to sleep but not being able to, so she kept her eyes closed and pretended to sleep.

Upon hearing Nangong Cheng's question, she immediately replied, "She tricked me... and then I was forced to fight her in the water."

"what?"

Nangong Cheng was stunned.

Kikyo Kushida, you're so brave!

It seems the system has given you a lot of confidence, as you actually dared to battle with your Horikita sister.

Nangong Cheng knew without a doubt that Horikita Suzune had won, since the latter already had some fighting skills and had also taken gene enhancement drugs, making her someone Kushida Kikyo couldn't possibly bluff.

But just in case he was proven wrong, he still had to ask: "Did you win or did she win?"

If Horikita Suzune hadn't refused to open her eyes, she definitely would have rolled her eyes at Nangong Cheng.

"If she wins... we might not be able to come back."

"That's true."

Nangong Cheng nodded.

Judging from Horikita Suzune's feverish appearance today, if Kushida Kikyo wins, these two will probably be lying on the pond.

In other words, no matter what, someone will come to rescue them, otherwise they might be dead.

As expected, Kikyo Kushida is still disobedient. I'll have to give her a good beating when we get back to the ship.

"Could your hand... move down a little?"

“I remember this posture; your other hand shouldn’t be on my drum.”

Nangong Cheng subtly shifted his hand's position and then explained, "Sorry, my hand has its own ideas."

"..."

Horikita Suzune was tired and didn't want to talk.

Nangong Cheng also quickened his pace and arrived at the original starting point—the beach.

Teachers and school staff, including Majima Tomoya, were already waiting there. As soon as they saw Nangong Makoto carrying Horikita Suzune, someone immediately came over.

"Chabashira-sensei, Horikita has a fever. Can she withdraw from the exam?"

"..."

Chabazusa paused for a moment.

Last night, Horikita Suzune brought Kushida Kikyo over, saying that the latter had a fever, but today it's her turn?

Logically speaking, having Kikyo Kushida withdraw from the exam should have been enough, since Class D successfully changed the identity of the key card holder.

But Horikita Suzune's appearance didn't seem fake, and considering the torrential rain last night, she guessed she was also affected?

"Okay, I'll have the school doctor take a look first."

Chabashira Sae called the school doctor to check Horikita Rin's temperature, which was 39.1℃, indicating a high fever.

This situation does indeed allow you to withdraw from the exam.

No wonder when she asked Horikita Suzune who the key card holder was, the latter didn't give her name. It seems she was aware of the situation... Although it doesn't really matter, since the school can't let you stay with a high fever until the exam is over, and there's no rule that says you can't change the key card holder consecutively.

"Horikita, you can go back to the ship now."

"..."

Horikita Suzune opened her eyes.

She glanced at Nangong Cheng, then took out a key card from her pocket and handed it to him.

Then, without looking back, she boarded the ship accompanied by the school doctor.

“Nangong…”

"Tea Pillar Teacher, I have my own rhythm."

Nangong Cheng interrupted Chashu Sae's spellcasting and turned around: "This exam was to live up to everyone's trust, but next time, I will let Horikita lead the class."

"At that time, you can exchange ideas with her, and I won't interfere."

After saying that, Nangong Cheng walked into the forest.

Chashu Sae silently watched Nangong Cheng's figure disappear from sight, and then, just a second before Hoshinomiya Chie was about to approach him with a sarcastic tone, she also turned and walked towards the cruise ship.

Volume 1: Chapter 98, The Exam on the Deserted Island Concludes

It was close to noon.