Cote: Elite in Action

Couple Exam - Summary of Rules and Important Details

This special exam consists of a written test where first and second-year students must form pairs to complete a series of five topics. Each topic is worth 100 points, totaling a possible 500 points. If the combined score of a pair does not exceed 500 points, the second-year student will be expelled, while the first-year student will lose all their private points for the next three months, regardless of how many Class Points they have accumulated. Any attempt to manipulate grades will result in automatic expulsion.

Scores and Rewards

Combined score: The grades of both partners will be added together, and rewards will be assigned based on the pair's overall performance.

Individual rewards: The top five pairs will receive 100,000 private points each, while the top 30% of pairs will receive 10,000 private points each.

Academic ability score: Grades will be ranked from E to A, with the highest grades granting the greatest rewards.

Pair Formation

Pairing form: Students must submit a form through the OAA to form a pair. If the other person agrees, the pairing is finalized.

Deadline: Students must choose their partners before the deadline. If they do not, the system will randomly assign a pair.

Secret pairing: Information about the pairs will remain private until the profiles are updated at 8:00 AM the following day.

Penalties

Lack of a partner: If a second-year student does not have a partner, the system will randomly assign one, but their score will be penalized by -5%.

First-year student penalties: If three first-year students do not have partners, their scores will be doubled, but they will also receive a -5% penalty on their grades.

Grade manipulation: Any attempt to manipulate grades, either own or others, will result in immediate expulsion, regardless of the academic year.

....

The students looked over the rules carefully, considering that, in reality, it didn't seem as complicated or difficult as some of the challenges they had faced during their first year. The students in Class A, especially, were not the least bit rattled. Perhaps that was because of the maturity they had gained after overcoming so many tests and complex situations in the past.

— "Actually, it's not that complicated, the main thing here is our academic level," said Mako with a slight confident smile.

— "Well, I think the hardest part will be finding a good partner," Shibata replied, looking thoughtful, as if he was already evaluating potential options.

— "I don't think it'll be that difficult, Shibata," Hamaguichi interjected, his voice calm and confident. "Remember, everyone in our class has at least a B in our academic level, so finding a partner won't be too hard for us."

— "You're right, Hamaguichi," Kanzaki nodded. Normally serious and meticulous, Kanzaki seemed relaxed this time. "This exam isn't so tough. Though we face the greatest consequences if we fail, we're also the ones who will benefit the most, since students from other classes will want to team up with those of us who are academically the best. I wouldn't worry so much about finding a partner."

It was curious to see Kanzaki, who was always so serious and meticulous, so calm and unconcerned about this exam. It seemed that, after all, the challenges of the first year had given them a new perspective on tests.

— "Well, guys, I've given you the information. You can discuss it later; after all, there's still plenty of time before it starts, so there's no rush," said Professor Hoshinomiya as she settled at her desk.

Normally, teachers would give students time to absorb the information for special exams. However, since this exam was relatively simple, and there was plenty of time before the deadline, the professor decided to continue with regular classes as usual. Academic activities would proceed without changes, while the students reflected on what was coming

....

The afternoon of the next day, the second-year Class A organized an event led by Honami Ichinose. The idea was simple: gather all the students interested in finding a partner for the special exam in the gym. Naturally, all Class A members would attend, but any student from other classes who was looking for a partner was welcome to join.

The initiative bore Ichinose's signature. Her kindness and desire to help others were well-known, so it was no surprise that she proposed something like this. Class A accepted the proposal without objection, and Kayden, the class leader, also didn't oppose it. Was it because he genuinely thought it was a great idea, or simply because it had come from his girlfriend? Whatever the reason, the plan was already in motion.

Meanwhile, the situation in the other classes was not as relaxed. Unlike Class A, where most students had a solid academic level, the other classes faced a more complex problem: the disparity in their members' skills made choosing compatible partners difficult.

This challenge was especially evident in Horikita's Class B. Despite having risen in rank, their academic level was still lower than that of Sakayanagi's current Class C. But if there was a class facing the worst situation, it was Ryuuuen's Class D. With the lowest class points, first-year students would likely avoid partnering with them.

And yet, in an unexpected twist, two first-year students headed directly to Class D's classroom.

One of them was a tall and muscular guy with an intimidating expression, someone who seemed more ready to fight than to take an exam. Beside him, in stark contrast, was a blonde girl with a calm and elegant appearance.

Just as they were about to enter, someone blocked their way.

"What the hell? Are you going to say something, or are you just going to stand there getting in the way?" spat the first-year student with obvious disdain.

The recipient of these words was Yamada Albert, a stocky student from Class D, easily recognizable by his distinctive sunglasses. Without flinching, Albert remained silent.

"Looks like we've got visitors," a mocking voice intervened.

From inside the classroom, a magenta-haired student stood up with a crooked smile. It was none other than Ryuuuen Kakeru, the leader of Class D.

"At least someone showed up who can talk. Not like this mute guy here," said the first-year student, looking at Albert with contempt.

"Well, Housen, you see... Albert's not exactly a man of many words," Ryuuuen replied in his usual casual tone.

The newcomer, Housen, raised an eyebrow.

"So you know my name?"

"Let's just say I used to live near a place where a guy named Housen ruled the streets," Ryuuuen responded with an ambiguous smile.

Housen turned to the girl beside him.

"Nanase, tell me who this guy is."

The girl, Nanase, took out her phone and quickly checked the information on the OAA.

"Ryuuuen Kakeru, academic level C."

Housen let out a mocking laugh.

"Ryuuuen, huh? Wow, the world is smaller than I thought. I never imagined I'd run into the rat who hid when I was looking for him back in high school."

Ryuuuen didn't show the slightest sign of being bothered by the provocation.

"I'm not stupid enough not to know my limits. Why would I face off against a gorilla like you?" he said, shrugging nonchalantly.

"Who are you calling a gorilla, bastard?" growled Housen, stepping forward with a scowl.

Without losing his calm, Ryuuuen pulled out his phone, activated the front camera, and held it up to Housen's face.

"Tell me, do you see another gorilla here besides you?" he asked with a mocking smile.

The vein in Housen's forehead throbbed with fury.

Without thinking twice, Housen threw a punch directly at Ryuuuen.

The blow was fierce, loaded with raw strength, but before it could land, a figure stepped in the way.

BAM!

Ichikaichi Daichi, a member of Class D, blocked the attack with his own body in a desperate attempt to protect his leader. However, the power difference was overwhelming. The impact sent him flying several meters back, rolling across the floor until he crashed into a wall.

Ryuuuen let out a laugh.

"Wow, not only do you have the strength of a gorilla, but also its brain."

His comment wasn't just an insult, but an evident truth. In this school, violence was strictly prohibited. There were security cameras everywhere, and provoking such a scene in the hallway was an act of pure stupidity.

"So the rumors were true..." Housen snorted with disdain. "You hide behind your lackeys like the coward you are."

His eyes fixed on Ichizaki, who was still trying to recover from the punch with a numb arm.

In the face of the looming threat, Albert and Ibuki positioned themselves beside Ryuuuen, ready for a confrontation at any moment. The atmosphere grew tense, as if a war was about to break out.

But Ryuuuen simply smiled.

"Housen, Housen... Looks like you don't understand how things work around here. If you really want to make a name for yourself, there are much smarter ways to do it."

The leader of Class D calmly put his phone in his pocket.

"But hey, if you prefer to act like a brainless animal, go ahead. I don't mind watching you self-destruct."

Housen shot him a deadly glare, his muscles still tense, but this time he didn't attack. However, the sound of the impact and the scene he had caused didn't go unnoticed.

Whispers began to spread like wildfire. Within seconds, students from various classes gathered around, forming a circle in the hallway. Some watched in awe, others with caution, and a few with a smirk at seeing Ryuuuen face off against a monster like Housen.

"Hey, isn't that guy a first-year?"

"Yeah... that's Housen Kazuomi. They say he's a beast in fights."

"And he dared to attack Ryuuuen in the middle of the hallway?"

The security cameras blinked, recording every detail of the scene.

Ryuuuen, far from appearing concerned, quickly glanced around and let out a low, mocking laugh.

"Wow, wow... What a show you've put on, Housen."

The giant clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Tch... what a nuisance."

He lowered his fist with reluctance, but his gaze remained sharp, as if making it clear that this wasn't over yet.

The tension in the air was so thick that it could almost be cut with a knife.

The students couldn't look away. This confrontation wasn't just a personal dispute. It was a clash of titans, a war of territories that had barely begun.