The announcement of the first university test spread like wildfire across campus. For most students, it wasn’t just an academic milestone; it was a high-stakes battle for status and privilege. The results would dictate their access to better resources, mentorships, and career opportunities. For Kim, however, it represented something far more daunting: a chance to prove his worth in a system designed to keep him at the bottom.
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Historically, the top 20 ranks in the test were monopolized by the wealthy students. These were individuals who could afford private tutors, customized study materials, and exclusive access to professors outside of regular hours. They studied in lavish home offices or private libraries, free from distractions. In contrast, scholarship students like Kim struggled to find quiet spaces to focus, often relying on borrowed books and outdated notes.
Kim vividly remembered a conversation he overheard in the cafeteria. Two Class A students, laughing over their lunch, casually mentioned the "inevitability" of their dominance in the rankings.
“It’s not even fair to call it a competition,” one said, grinning. “They’re barely in the same league.”
The words stung, but they also fueled Kim’s determination.
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The university’s class system was another obstacle. Students were divided into six tiers: Classes A through F, with Class A reserved for the wealthiest 10 students. These elite individuals paid exorbitant fees, which guaranteed them small class sizes, personalized guidance, and cutting-edge technology. Their classrooms were equipped with the latest interactive boards, ergonomic seating, and even AI-driven learning assistants.
Meanwhile, Kim sat in Class F, the largest and most underfunded tier. It was overcrowded, with students crammed into outdated lecture halls, struggling to hear professors over the hum of old ceiling fans. Resources were limited, and the syllabus often lagged behind that of the upper classes.
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The fee structure only deepened the divide. Class A students not only paid for superior facilities but also secured additional perks, like priority in library reservations and access to premium study groups. Class F students, on the other hand, barely scraped by, relying on scholarships and part-time jobs to cover basic expenses.
Kim learned about one particularly egregious practice: the "ranking insurance." Wealthy students who feared slipping in the rankings could pay exorbitant fees to ensure their continued access to Class A facilities. This practice, though unofficial, was an open secret among the student body.
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“It’s not corruption,” one Class A student argued during a campus debate. “It’s just smart investment.”
Kim clenched his fists when he heard this, but he knew there was little he could do.
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The disparity wasn’t limited to resources. The mindset of the students in the upper classes was equally stark. To them, education was a game of domination—a tool to consolidate power and maintain their family legacies. For scholarship students, it was a lifeline, a fragile thread of hope in an otherwise bleak future.
Seo tried to lighten the mood one evening as they studied together. “It’s like climbing a mountain,” he said. “Except some people start halfway up while we’re still at the base.”
Kim smirked. “At least we’ll be stronger when we reach the top.”
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As the test date approached, the campus buzzed with activity. Class A students hosted private study sessions in luxurious cafes, sipping imported coffee while poring over custom-tailored notes. Kim and a few other scholarship students formed their own study group, meeting in the dimly lit corners of the library.
The stark contrast was demoralizing, but it also sharpened Kim’s resolve. He knew that this test was more than just an academic challenge—it was a statement.
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On one particularly grueling night of preparation, Kim found himself staring at his tattered notebook, his vision blurring with exhaustion. His thoughts drifted to his family. Ji-sung and Ji-yeon deserved a future where they wouldn’t have to fight so hard for basic opportunities.
Taking a deep breath, he flipped to a fresh page and began outlining his strategy for the test. If the system was stacked against him, then he would outthink it.
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The week before the test, Kim’s resolve was put to the ultimate test. Rumors swirled about a leaked set of questions circulating among Class A students. Though unverified, the mere possibility of such corruption underscored the imbalance of power. Seo urged Kim to focus on what he could control.
“Don’t let them get in your head,” Seo said. “The system might be rigged, but your effort is the one thing they can’t take away.”
Kim nodded, though the pressure weighed heavily on him.
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As he walked to class one morning, Kim noticed a group of Class A students gathered around a luxury car in the parking lot. They were laughing and joking, their confidence unshaken by the upcoming test. In that moment, Kim made a silent promise to himself: he would break into their ranks, not for the privileges they enjoyed, but to show them that merit could triumph over money.
The challenge ahead was immense, but Kim was determined. This test wasn’t just about rankings or access to better facilities—it was about reclaiming his dignity in a world that sought to strip it away.