I entered the campus. There were cherry trees whose blossoms spread a pleasant fragrance in the air.
I saw many new faces.
Then I adjusted my uniform, inhaled deeply, and slowly breathed out.
This year is mine. I will shine like a star.
After that, the students gathered inside a big hall. In chronological order, the first-year, second-year, and third-year students were separated from each other.
Everyone was buzzing with excitement except me. I was stressed, tapping my left leg slowly while standing with my arms folded.
What will they say?
Then a member of the student committee stepped onto the podium. She was incredibly beautiful.
Her long black hair shone like colored crystal, and her piercing blue eyes captured everyone's attention.
[Name: Lira]
[Third Year]
Almost forty percent of the male students in the hall were under her charm.
She held the lectern and spoke calmly into the microphone.
"Good morning, students, faculty, and honored guests. Welcome to today's ceremony. Please take your seats, and let's get started."
She slightly lifted her hair with her left hand, captivating the crowd.
"I'm a member of the school committee. Our school is not like others. Any misbehavior will lead to your exclusion. Furthermore, we are elites, so you must prove that you deserve your place here — intellectually and physically. Thank you for your attention."
I suddenly stood up unconsciously and started clapping.
And to make things worse, I was the only person doing it.
All eyes turned toward me.
What is happening?
Slowly, I sat back down and stopped clapping, pretending as if nothing had happened.
After the ceremony, all the students left for their respective classes.
I walked through the corridor. While walking, I looked to my right for a few seconds.
Suddenly, a girl running down the hallway collided with me. We both fell to the floor, and her documents scattered into the air.
What just happened?
Then I looked at her, and her gaze was fixed on me.
"Sorry."
She immediately observed me, and her expression turned into one of disgust.
I was about to help her, but she looked at me with eyes as cold as a ghost.
After that, I went to my classroom.
[First Year – Class C]
When I stepped inside, I noticed some people mocking me. They were discussing the ceremony that had just happened.
A girl whispered to her friends,
"Hey, that's the guy," she said.
The others nodded.
"He was very funny. Is he a comedian or something like that?"
Then the girl replied,
"Maybe," she whispered.
They all laughed.
I sat down at my desk. On my table, there was a document.
What is this about… nonsense.
But when I looked again, I realized it was obligatory to read it.
I breathed out slowly.
[Document Information]
Classes are organized into A, B, and C.
Class A:
For geniuses recommended by the school and those who performed exceptionally well in the entrance exam. Excellent results.
Class B:
Students who achieved good results.
Class C:
Students with average results, or with a score around 9.90/20. Only one student receives this placement every two years.
I swallowed my saliva, remembering how many sleepless nights I spent studying.
So… I'm an average student.
Then my eyes caught a name similar to mine.
What is this? Why is my name circled in red ink?
[Nicola Brine]
And I froze when I read the line below.
[This student was the luckiest one this year.]
At that moment, I realized that everyone knew my real level.
But it is possible to improve.
And where is she? I don't even know her name.
A madam stepped into the classroom, and silence settled in the room.
She was dressed in black.
Standing in front of the lectern, she said,
"Good morning, students, and welcome to our school for the academic year 2026–2027. On your tables, under your lockers, each of you has been given a specific phone for our school."
She took a phone from under the lectern and raised it.
"This school functions with a point system for marketing and for many purposes within the school. In addition, there are two types of points."
Suddenly, I raised my hand.
"Yes, Nicola," she said.
I was a little surprised.
How does she know my name?
I stood up.
"Please, madam, you said it is possible to do everything with the points?"
She nodded and replied,
"If it respects the rules."
I sat down, and she continued speaking. However, I was only listening halfway. The other half of my mind was in my comfort zone.
I looked outside through the window.
I was physically present, but mentally absent.
Still, I retained the basics.
Honor Points: These determine your school ranking. They can be obtained through tests and other activities.
Normal Points: Used to buy services and other things. They can be given by anyone and earned through good actions.
Suddenly, she announced loudly,
"EVERYONE, IT IS TIME FOR A TEST."
I froze in surprise.
There is a test on the first day of school?
We took the test using the visual screens built into our desks, with a special magnetic pen.
Actually, this is my first time using something this cool.
I thought I was the only one surprised by the test, but I wasn't.
After the test, our work was immediately submitted to the school AI called UTLA.
It is used only by the administration.
The system marks the files and selects unusual ones, such as perfect answers or perfect scores, and sends them to the teachers' bureau for correction.
Meanwhile, the engineers in the maintenance room ensure that the system works properly.