Kim stood among the other scholarship students, his heart racing as he tried to make sense of what was happening. The staff member in front of them—a tall, sharply dressed man—spoke with an air of authority, his words hanging heavy in the room. It was a regular meeting, or so Kim had thought, but this was far from ordinary.

The staff member cleared his throat, then began. "There has been an... unexpected situation." His gaze swept across the room, pausing as if he were gauging the reactions of the students. "A wealthy boy, recently admitted to the waiting list, wishes to take the seat of one of you."

Kim blinked, unsure if he had heard correctly. He wasn’t the only one—murmurs of confusion rippled through the room as the other scholarship students exchanged puzzled glances. There was no explanation, no warning, just a sudden statement that had left them all in a state of shock.

The staff member went on, outlining the situation. "Because we have reached maximum capacity for the year, this boy cannot join the program unless one of you is willing to give up your seat. There is, however, an offer on the table. The boy is prepared to offer double the amount of tuition you are currently paying." He paused, letting the weight of the offer sink in.

Kim felt his breath catch in his throat. Double? The thought was almost too much to comprehend. The scholarship students, most of whom had struggled to afford even a fraction of their tuition, now faced an unimaginable temptation. He glanced around, noticing the shift in the room. Eyes that had once been filled with uncertainty now gleamed with a mix of curiosity and greed. Kim’s own stomach churned as he tried to process the information. The offer was a lifeline to some, but it felt like a betrayal to everything he had fought for.

The staff member’s voice broke through Kim’s thoughts. "The rules are simple. The boy will take the seat of whichever student agrees to surrender it. The decision must be made today."

Kim’s gaze moved to the boy standing at the back of the room, observing them with a smug, self-assured expression. He was young, no older than Kim, but there was something about him that stood out—an air of confidence that seemed almost unnatural. The boy sat comfortably in a chair while the staff member remained standing, as if his presence alone was enough to command respect. His demeanor exuded power, and it unsettled Kim. This wasn’t just any student. This boy had resources, connections, things Kim could only dream of.

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Kim’s heart sank as the staff member continued. "The decision, once made, is final. We understand this is a difficult choice, but the boy’s offer is non-negotiable."

Kim could feel the tension in the air, thickening with every word. The other scholarship students fidgeted uncomfortably, their eyes darting between the staff member and the boy. Some were already whispering, leaning toward each other, discussing the possibility of giving up their seat for the promise of wealth. Kim’s stomach twisted at the thought.

He couldn’t understand how easily some of them were swayed by the prospect of money. Was that all they cared about? Kim’s gaze returned to the boy, who was watching him now, his smirk widening as if he could already see the outcome. Kim wasn’t like the others. He had earned his place here through hard work, determination, and sacrifice. This was his opportunity, his chance to prove that he was capable of more than what his circumstances had dictated.

But the offer was tempting. The thought of doubling his tuition, of never having to worry about money again—it was a dream for most of them. Kim clenched his fists at his sides, trying to block out the growing whispers around him. No matter how hard the temptation pressed on him, he couldn’t lose sight of the truth: his worth was not defined by money.

The staff member’s voice cut through his thoughts once again. "You will each be given a moment to consider the offer. The decision is yours to make."

Kim stood still, his mind racing. He could feel the eyes of the other students on him, waiting for his reaction. He glanced at them one last time, seeing the hunger in their eyes, the desire to break free from their struggles. It was clear to him now: this wasn’t just a test of money—it was a test of character.

But Kim was not about to give in. He would not betray everything he had worked for, not for money. He had a choice to make, and for the first time, he felt the weight of it fully. Would he remain true to himself, or would he let greed shape his future?

The tension in the room was palpable as the staff member began to step back, waiting for someone to speak up, to make a decision. Kim’s heart raced, but his resolve was clear: he would not be swayed. Not today. Not ever.