Days later, I arrived at the location listed in the previous email. It was an open parking lot with hardly any other vehicles around. I didn't know exactly where I was supposed to be going, so I just sat down and waited. There was nobody else around. No other students, and no faculty.

**The hell is everybody..?**

Granted I was slightly early, I was that much earlier than the issued meeting time. I started to check the email over and over again to make sure that I was in the right place. While I was doing so, Maya Satou appeared.

Maya: Y/N! Hey!

I started to feel relief that another student had finally shown up. She sat down next to me and started looking around, just as confused as I was.

Maya: Uhm... Y/N, is nobody else here?

Y/N: I arrived a little bit ago, but it has only been me by myself... I was starting to think this was the wrong place.

Maya: Is it?

Y/N: No, don't worry. This is the right place.

Despite my confident words, I still checked my email again. It was 1:55 now, and our meeting time was 2:00. With only 5 minutes left to go, it was still only me and Maya there.

**What is this Special Test..? Why are we at this remote parking lot on the outskirts of the campus grounds... Why is it only me and Maya here?**

Maya: Do you think that maybe it's only you and me in this group?

Y/N: I wouldn't put anything past this school, but if that were the case... Why would they call it a "group" rather than just a duo?

Maya: Good point. I don't know-

???: Hey, Y/N! Satou-san!

A girl called out to us as we sat there. We both turned in unison to look over at the direction of the voice and saw Kushida dragging her bag along with her as she came our way.

Maya: Kushida-san!

Y/N: Kushida? You're in this group, too, huh?

Kushida: Just to confirm, this is the meeting place for the "Salem Group" right?

Y/N: Yep, that's us.

Kushida: Great!

She placed her bag down and sat down on my other side.

Y/N: It said to pack 5 outfits... What the heck did you put in that big ole bag..?

Kushida: Judging by how the email was constructed, I just assumed we were taking a trip or something. So I packed some extra things as well.

Y/N: I did, too, but not that many extra things.

Kushida: I've got games, and a camera, and other things that could make the trip more fun!

Maya: So you know where we're going and what we'll be doing?

Kushida: Oh, no, I just prepared to be safe rather than sorry, you know?

???: Yeah, that makes sense.

We all looked up as a shadow began to loom over us. Standing above and staring down at us was Mika Okura.

Kushida: Okura-san!

Mika: Kushida, Y/N, and Satou? It's nice to see familiar faces in this group, but...

She looked around with her eyebrows raised in skepticism.

Mika: Where is the rest of the group?

Y/N: This might be the entire group.

Mika: Maybe, but in that case, what are we supposed to be doing..?

She took out her phone and looked at the time.

Mika: It's 1:59. There's under a minute until our required meeting time. There should at least be a member of the staff here to give us guidance.

Y/N: Yeah, I thought that same thing...

As soon as the time hit 2 PM, one of the vehicles in the parking lot started to move. At seeing the vehicle start to move, we all watched it as it looped around the parking lot and pulled over by where we were sitting. It was a dark black limousine. Mika started laughing.

Mika: You know, in retrospect, we should've figured that the only limo in this almost completely vacant parking lot was what we were looking for.

Kushida: Hehe, I guess so, huh?

Maya: To be real, I didn't even see it...

Y/N: I mean, those cryptic emails haven't told us anything at all. Who knew a vehicle was even what we were waiting for? Sure, we may have packed as if we were taking a trip, but there's no telling what could've actually gone done.

Somebody stepped out of the driver's side of the limo and looked over at us.

Teacher: Are we ready to go?

She was a staff member that I recognized, but not one that I had ever interacted with personally. The trunk of the limo popped open. 

Teacher: Bring your bags to the trunk, and we'll leave promptly.

Y/N: I guess that's it, then...

Mika took her bag and Kushida's and she went over to put them in the trunk of the limo.

Kushida: Thanks, Okura-san!

Mika: Don't mention it.

She came back and grabbed mine and Maya's after. All the while, I was trying to figure out what exactly was going to happen during this test.

**During the Cruise Ship test, the names of groups were a huge hint at how to win the test. I wonder if that same thing is true for this one**

I took out my phone and quickly messaged a few people. I messaged Suzune, Haruka, and Kei asking all three of them what Group they were in for this test. Suzune and Kei both belonged to a group called the "Pendle Group" while Haruka belonged to the "Valais Group". They were all different towns and cities around the world. At first, they just seemed like randomly chosen locations, but there was one singular connection I could make between them all.

**Hmm... I don't know if that connection will help me, but I guess I'll keep it in the back of my head.**

I had zoned out as the others were preparing to leave. When I came back down to earth, I noticed an outstretched hand in front of my face. I looked up to see Mika waiting for me to accept her hand so she could help me up.

Y/N: Sorry, thanks.

I took her hand and she helped me up before we started heading to the others over by the limo.

Mika: Got a lot on your mind?

Y/N: Just wondering what the hell is even going on... There are only four of us in this group, we have no idea where we're going, and now we're about to get in a limousine?!

Mika: I mean, when you say it like that, it doesn't make much sense, but...

She looked over at Kushida and Maya and then examined the limo.

Mika: Know what, I'm not even going to pretend anymore...

I looked over at her.

Mika: We're both from the SalRo, so I think you'd understand this better than anybody... Even though this is a test set up by the school, it's definitely not a good idea to trust them so blindly.

That isn't what I was expecting Mika to say when she put on her skeptical tone of voice, but I had to agree with her. As students here, we were taught to blindly trust the faculty and staff here. We were led to believe that no matter what, this school would adhere to the rules of fairness and safety. But as SalRo products, Mika and I both knew well that just because an organization looks good, it doesn't mean it can be trusted without any question.

Y/N: You're right...

I hesitated to get in the limo as we made our way over to it. After Mika's words, there was no guarantee that if I got into this limo, I'd be going somewhere safe. Even if this was a "Special Test", the unexpected was always possible.

**I don't have much of a choice, though...**

I watched and let the others enter the vehicle first. I was feeling a little nervous about taking a Special Test with this specific group of Class D students. Under her cute and bubbly exterior, Kushida had it out for me. Mika was friendly and sociable, but if given an opportunity, she already said she would make it her goal to challenge me. Whatever this Special Test was holding for us, I had to be careful of those two. Eventually, I got into the vehicle with them and sat down. 

Y/N: Wow.

There were two long benches in the back of the limo and a table between them. I sat down and took a look around. There were bottles of sparkling water and different sparkling ciders and sodas. No alcohol, obviously. The black and white seats were clean and pristine, and the interior was lit up by a gray shine. Although it was gray, it still seemed bright somehow.

Maya: Wow!!! Hey, Y/N, have you ever been inside a limousine before?

Y/N: Surprisingly, I have actually. Only once, though.

Maya: Lucky! This car is amazing!

Kushida: It is nice, huh? The school really went above and beyond to prepare this for only 4 students, don't you think?

Y/N: I agree. I wonder if we're going to be picking up other students on the way to our destination, though.

Mika: It's possible, but we've got the vehicle to ourselves for now, at least.

**Spoiler alert... We didn't pick up any other students**

It was a tame ride, but also a long one. Wherever we were going was a decent distance away.  After enough time, the limo finally stopped and the door opened up. The staff member who had been driving our limousine peeked inside and gestured for us to exit. I looked past her as she opened the door and saw a lot of trees.

Kushida: We're here!

Kushida and Mika got out of the limo. Maya had curled herself up into a ball and fallen asleep on the seat next to me. I tapped on her head to wake her up and she eventually started to awaken.

Maya: Y/N..?

Y/N: We're here. 

Maya: Where?

Y/N: No idea.

I waited for her to fully get up and then we exited the limo as well. Mika and Kushida had already retrieved all of our bags from the trunk, but our location was certainly not what I was expecting.

**Woods..?**

We were in an area surrounded by large trees and vast woods that didn't appear to have any end in sight. Behind us stood a large building. It was extremely unfitting considering that we were in the woods.

Maya: Oh my gosh! It's a mansion!

Y/N: A terribly unfitting "mansion", then...

I went and got my bag from Mika as we waited for further instructions. The teacher then began to walk towards the building.

Teacher: Please do not mind the woods for the time being and follow me with your belongings.

We followed behind her as she led us into the building. It somehow felt larger on the inside than it did on the outside. There was a silver chandelier hanging down from the high ceiling, and two parallel staircases going up to a second floor. Maya's impression of this place being a "mansion" was starting to seem a lot more reasonable. It looked like a fancy manor on the inside, and I doubled down on what I thought before.

Y/N: What is a place like this doing in the woods..?

Mika: What an odd place this is... This school sure is something to have a building like this all the way out here.

**Just for the use of a test as well..?** 

Teacher: I ask that you leave your bags by the front door and continue to follow me.

We did as instructed as the teacher walked us around to somewhere. The building looked like what you'd expect from a mansion or manor. Tons of bathrooms, randomly placed closets, a fancy kitchen, and dozens of other miscellaneous rooms that we didn't even have time to check out. The only thing I had yet to see was any bedrooms. Eventually, we made it to a certain small room. Nothing was inside except for 4 boxes.

Teacher: If you would, take the box with your name on it. Hang on to what you find inside, for it's crucial for this exam.

We grabbed our boxes and opened them. Inside were bracelets. They were all identical to each other. There was no reason for them to be in separate boxes that I could immediately see.

Teacher: At the entrance to this building, there is a dock for you to leave your wristband. If for whatever reason, you decide or are required to exit this building, then it's crucial you wear these wristbands at all times. Is that understood?

We all agreed.

Kushida: Senpai, what exactly do these do?

Teacher: They will constantly track your location so that you can be reached in case of an emergency such as being lost in the woods. They will also track your vitals in the situation of a health problem.

Mika: Alright... By chance, what if we were to leave this building without taking our wristband?

Teacher: We would no longer be able to track you or monitor your health. At that point, you would simply be playing with your own safety. There will also constantly be staff doing checks on you all. If you are found to have left this site without your wristband, then it will result in your immediate disqualification from the exam and ensuing punishment.

Mika: Gotcha.

Teacher: Then, I'll show you back to the front door and the dock for your wristbands.

We went back to the front of the building and she showed us where the dock for our devices was at. 

Teacher: Now, that is all I will be leaving you with for now. Your bedrooms are on the second floor-

She gestured to the staircases.

Teacher: And I will leave all of you the freedom of exploring the manor to your heart's content. You will find that there is much to do and see here to keep you entertained while you pass time for the next week. Do we have any further questions before I leave?

Y/N: Yeah...

There was something stuck in my mind now after she mentioned that all of our bedrooms were on the second floor.

Y/N: How many bedrooms are there..? S-Surely none of us are expected to share, are we?

Teacher: No. There are four bedrooms. One for each of you. Deliberate amongst each other and decide who will get what room, but once that has been decided, please register your fingerprint to the self-locking door. For your privacy, every room will lock itself automatically at a certain time of the night and can only be opened by the registered student. We ask that you do not, by any means, enter another student's room after hours, and you are not allowed to sleep together by any means. That is not a suggestion, that is a rule of this Special Test, and a rule of the school altogether. Is that understood?

Y/N: Yes.

Teacher: Any further questions? If not, I will be taking my leave.

Nobody else had anything to ask, so she opened the door and prepared to leave. 

Teacher: One more thing I forgot to mention. There is a bonfire prepared for the Salem Group that you are required to go to in 4 hours. Until then, you are free to explore the manor or the surrounding area. When the 4-hour timer is near, I will return here and give you a notice 10 minutes beforehand. If you happen to be outside and in the woods, your wristband will notify you as well with directions. Again, it is crucial you keep these wristbands with you at all times if you leave this manor. Otherwise, your communication to and from the school will be cut off. Now, I'll be taking my leave.

She dropped a lot of information on us, but it wasn't very hard to follow, even for somebody like Maya. I picked up my bag and started for the stairs.

Y/N: Welp, I'm wasting no time. I've gotta get to the best room!

Mika: Not on my watch!

I started running up the stairs while the other 3 grabbed their bags and chased after me. In the end, none of us had conflicting feelings about which room we wanted, so everybody was satisfied. I didn't feel like unpacking yet, so I simply registered my fingerprint to my room and then left. 

**Even this second floor is huge... 4 bedrooms and so much more to look at. I want to explore! I've never been in a house quite like this!**

As I was exiting my room to go look around, I caught Maya exiting hers as well. She came running over.

Maya: Are you about to explore, Y/N?

Y/N: I am. Care to tag along?

Maya: Yeah, sure. I was just about to come to ask you guys if you wanted to look around with me, anyway.

She left for a moment and went to Kushida's and Mika's rooms to get them as well. Once she returned with them in tow, we all decided to go take a look around the place. The second floor wasn't very impressive. Laundry rooms, a balcony, and our bedrooms are really all that were there. The middle floor featured a large dining room, a lounge area with instruments inside, a library, and a personal bar by the kitchen. The basement was the most impressive, though. It had a large gym inside that featured half a basketball court, a fake-sand volleyball court, and a tennis court. On the other side of the basement, even further, was a personal bowling alley and miniature movie theater. 

Maya: Holy...

The entire mansion had all four of us dumbfounded. They weren't kidding when they said there were things here to keep us entertained, but it was overkill... Even for a school like this that seemed to just have money to throw around, preparing an entire mansion for only four students that might not even use everything was just way too thoughtful.

Y/N: All they're missing is a pool, and I'll have seen it all...

Mika: Who knows, there might be one outside in the backyard or something.

Y/N: Maybe, but it's too cold to be swimming anyway.

Kushida: What if we turned it into an ice-skating rink?

Maya: I don't even know how to ice skate.

Kushida: Hehe, me neither. 

Y/N: Well, that's assuming there's anything back there, anyway. Don't you think it's kind of crazy how this is all ours for the next week?

Mika: We're going to be living lavishly. Uhm... Question, though. Do any of you know how to cook?

Maya: Cook?

Mika: We've got that grand ole kitchen, but if nobody can cook, what's the point of having it..?

Y/N: I can cook, yeah. Just a skill I was forced to pick up when I was younger.

Not because of the SalRo, but because I had lived on my own after I escaped from them.

Kushida: I can actually cook a little bit, as well.

Mika: Alright, that's what I like to hear! Y/N and Kushida-san, we'll leave the meals to you two, then! Of course, Satou-san and I will contribute whenever needed, but you guys will have to do the heavy lifting.

Kushida: No problem! Sounds like a plan.

Y/N: Ehh, sure. But for now... who wants to get absolutely destroyed in bowling by the G.O.A.T?

Kushida: I'll have you know, I'm actually a bowling prodigy.

Mika: I've never bowled before...

Maya: I have once, but I want to play.

Clearly, everybody lied. We played many games with the winner differing each time, but if we were to calculate our total scores from each game then... I was not the GOAT, Kushida was not a prodigy, Maya was the true prodigy, and there was no way Mika could get so lucky for somebody who had never bowled before. The final rankings were as follows: Maya, Mika, Me, and Kushida.

Y/N: Alright, so everyone needs to apologize for lying right now.

Kushida: You first. You said you were the greatest, but you were almost the worst!

Y/N: Only behind the "prodigy" Kushida...

Maya: Ha! But did you see how well I did?

Maya was so weak that she could hardly carry the bowling balls. Maybe rolling it at 1 mile per year was the key to success.

Mika: Well, we've got a week to improve. There will be time for rematches.

Kushida: That's right. So what do you guys want to do now-

Somebody entered the bowling alley. It was the teacher from earlier.

Teacher: I can see that you all are getting comfortable in your new setting.

Maya: This place is so nice!

Teacher: I'm glad to hear that. The school put a lot of thought into preparing this. As I promised earlier, I am here to notify you of the bonfire happening in 10 minutes. All members of the Salem Group are required to appear at the bonfire. The path is simple to remember, but for today, please refer strictly to your wristbands for directions.

With that, the teacher left the bowling alley and went on her way.

Mika: I wonder if we'll get to make smores.