Si-Woo stares up at Sol, who stands tall and imposing, his burgundy hair catching the light as it falls in effortless waves just above his sharp jawline. His autumn-yellow eyes glow with a fierce intensity, like the last rays of sunlight before the dark, making every glance feel like a challenge.
Sol's smirk deepens as he takes in Si-Woo’s tense demeanor, his golden irises brimming with mocking amusement.
“You’re still trying?” Sol asks, his tone sharp yet almost playful, before letting out a low chuckle that reverberates in the quiet bathroom. Without waiting for a response, he turns and strides toward the door, his broad shoulders and confident posture radiating an air of superiority.
Si-Woo, used to Sol's barbs, lets them roll off him outwardly. But as the door swings shut, his gaze shifts to the mirror. His reflection feels heavier than before, and doubts creep into his mind. Have I done enough? What if all this effort still isn’t enough? The thought lingers, tightening his chest.
Lost in the spiral of his thoughts, Si-Woo barely notices how much time passed. He eventually shakes his head, straightens his posture, and leaves the restroom, mentally reinforcing his resolve.
Stepping into the hallway, Si-Woo felt a shiver run down his spine. The feeling was faint, but it lingered, making him pause. He instinctively glanced to his right, where the nurse’s office was tucked away. His eyes widened slightly when he saw Nurse Lila’s head poking out from around the corner, her expression both hesitant and calculating.
Her light green eyes seemed to weigh something as they locked onto him, as if deciding whether to approach. Si-Woo froze, unsure of what she wanted.
Then, before he could react, she ducked back into her office, the door creaking slightly as it closed.
He shook off the strange encounter, telling himself it was probably nothing. Still, the unsettling feeling lingered as he made his way toward the main hall, where Mai and Ha-Yoon were surely waiting for him.
Walking toward the assembly hall, Si-Woo immediately noticed something odd—it was eerily quiet, far from the usual bustling atmosphere. As he reached for the door, it suddenly flew open, revealing Mai and Ha-Yoon rushing toward him, their expressions frantic.
“Let’s go!” Ha-Yoon exclaimed, grabbing his arm.
“Where have you been?!” Mai demanded, taking his other hand.
Before Si-Woo could respond, they were pulling him into the hall. Inside, the silence was deafening, with hundreds of eyes locking onto him as soon as he entered. Si-Woo glanced around, confused, until his gaze landed on Sol. Sol, standing near the exit, gave Si-Woo a venomous glare before clicking his tongue and walking out of the hall without a word.
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“What’s goi—” Si-Woo started, but his words trailed off as he noticed the large, glowing scrolls suspended mid-air, each listing the placement test scores by level.
Mai and Ha-Yoon let go of his hands as Si-Woo's eyes scanned the scroll for Level 2 rankings. His heart pounded as he found his name—not just on the list, but at the very top. Si-Woo: 100%.
The number seemed to glow brighter than the rest, and Si-Woo’s breath caught. His mind raced. Was this real? A perfect score?
Suddenly, the voice of Princess Deane echoed throughout the hall, drawing everyone's attention to the front stage. Standing there in her regal aura, her white-silver hair shimmering under the ethereal lights, she smiled warmly.
“Let me give special recognition to the first student to ever score a perfect 100 on a placement test and be the first ever to advance two levels,” she announced, her voice clear and commanding. “Si-Woo.”
The room erupted into applause, cheers, and murmurs of awe. Si-Woo’s face flushed as Mai nudged him with a proud grin, and Ha-Yoon practically jumped with excitement. Despite the loud celebrations around him, Si-Woo’s thoughts felt distant, as if he was still processing the moment.
He had done it. For the first time in what felt like forever, he truly felt seen.
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, their voices echoing through the hall as they congratulated Si-Woo for his perfect score. Ha-Yoon, beaming with pride, rushed over and enveloped him in a tight hug. “It’s about time, brother!” she said, her voice full of affection.
Mai, always composed but no less proud, stepped forward with a wide smile. “Congratulations, Si-Woo,” she said warmly before pulling him into a hug of her own.
Si-Woo stood there, his heart swelling with joy. He couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so much love and pride, not just from his friends, but from everyone around him. But as he basked in the moment, his eyes fell to the next scroll—the Level 3 rankings.
There they were, Mai and Ha-Yoon, at the top of the list. Mai had scored an impressive 84, while Ha-Yoon had earned a solid 89. Si-Woo smiled brightly, his pride for them rivaling the joy he felt for himself. He celebrated their achievements just as they had for him, giving each of them a heartfelt congratulations.
Mai laughed softly at his enthusiasm. “You get to go to the next academy now, Si-Woo.”
Si-Woo nodded, a nervous excitement bubbling up inside him. The idea of moving on to a higher level, of facing new challenges, filled him with anticipation. But the nerves were still there, a quiet undercurrent to his excitement. It was a huge step.
Just as he was lost in the thought, Princess Deane’s voice rang out across the hall once more. “Alright, it’s time now to head to your respective classes,” she announced, her presence commanding the attention of the entire room. She turned to Si-Woo, her gaze warm but serious. “Si-Woo, please come see me after class.”
Si-Woo nodded, slightly startled but honored. He wasn’t sure what Princess Deane wanted, but whatever it was, it had to be important. For now, though, he had to focus on his first day in the next academy, the new challenges awaiting him.
As the students began to file out toward their classrooms, Si-Woo’s mind buzzed with the possibilities ahead, his future now unfolding in ways he never thought possible.