THE CRIMSON EYED WITCH

Volume 3 Chapter 1

As we got off the boat, chatting amiably with one another, our homeroom teacher greeted us with some harsh words.

"I will now start roll call for Class D. When you hear your name, please respond loud and clear."

Chae-sensei started taking attendance, clipboard in hand, while simultaneously instructing us to form a line. She wore the same kind of jersey as we. It was starting to feel like a training camp than summer vacation. Still, not many of the students seemed tense at all.

"Um... isn't this taking a bit too long?" Airi muttered, standing directly behind me. I could understand her. Most of the students wanted to run off onto the sandy beach. A tall teacher stepped onto a prepared white platform. It was Mashima-sensei, Class A's homeroom teacher. He normally taught English, and was well-known for having a stubborn disposition.

"Ne, ne, Shiro-san. Doesn't he have a great bod?"

Kei asked me. I shrugged at the sight. It wasn't anything really impressive. Sure he could easily be mistaken for a bodybuilder, but he just didn't have the sort figure I would term 'great' yet. He was built like a professional wrestler. My definition of a great body would be Ayanokouji's or Hirata's.

"First, I would like to say that I'm happy you've arrived safely. However, it's unfortunate that one of you was unable to participate due to illness."

"Oh wow, someone couldn't come on the trip because he was sick? Poor guy," said Ike quietly, so the teachers wouldn't heard. If I didn't know this person, I might have agreed, but she definitely didn't feel like she was missing out on anything. In fact, I wish I could be in her shoes at the moment.

Weirdly enough, the teachers themselves looked rather grim. Well, while this was a vacation for us students and a job for them as teachers. The atmosphere the teachers were giving off was definitely suspicious. It was like they were screaming "Don't be too happy!".

While Mashima-sensei surveyed the students in silence, I could see that adults in uniform had started setting up some kind of special tent nearby. I also saw a computer and other equipment on a long table. This increasingly business-like setup didn't match the natural splendor around us at all, and many of the students looked perplexed. Mashima-sensei uttered a few cruel words, as if waiting for the atmosphere to change.

"Well then. We shall commence the current academic year's first special test."

'So there it is... Horikita-senpai! Thanks~'

"Huh?"

"Special test?"

"What do you mean?"

Almost everyone in our class asked some variation on that question. They all assumed this was just a class trip, only to be hit by this surprise attack. Our summer vacation was a product of the school's goodwill, but that had been an illusion. We plummeted from relief into stark tension.

"The test commences now and lasts for one week, concluding on August 7th at the year's end. This test will determine if you can live on a deserted island together as a group. In addition, I should warn you that this special test is both practical and realistic, designed based on real-world corporate training."

"Living on a deserted island. Does that mean we're not staying on the boat, but the island?"

Some students from Class B and C voiced their obvious concerns.

"You are correct. During the test, you will not be allowed to board the ship without a suitably justifiable reason. It will be necessary for you to fend for yourselves on this island while you are here, from creating a place to sleep to preparing food to eat. Once the test starts, each class will receive two tents, and two flashlights. You will be provided with one box of matches. There is no limit to the amount of sunscreen you can have. Each student will be provided with one toothbrush. As a special case, girls will be allowed to have as many feminine sanitary products as they'd like, without any restrictions. Please ask your respective homeroom teachers for those. That is all."