Tia stood in the bathroom, palms placed against the sink, staring at his reflection in the mirror. The figure looking back at him was one he recognized.
He turned the tap on and let the water run.
Cold on his hands.
cupped some into his palms splashed it onto his face. Once. Twice. Thrice.
Nothing changed.
This isn't a dream, he thought.
A soft click came from the door.
"Ming," his mother's voice called from the door, "wake up, it's already 9am."
Footsteps creaked behind him. Quickly, he grabbed a towel and wrapped it around him and stepped out of the bathroom.
"Ma, I'm awake… what's the matter?" he asked, forcing a small, awkward smile.
"Is everything alright?" she asked, folding her arms across her chest, studying him.
"Yes, everything's fine," he replied quickly.
Her eyes moved to the towel wrapped tightly around his body.
"Why did you wrap your towel like that?" she asked softly. "Are you hiding something from me?"
"Ma— today is the first day of the exams, right?" he blurted out, avoiding her eyes. "I want to go."
She looked at him closely, confused.
"Why so sudden? You said you didn't want to go. What changed your mind?" she asked, a faint amusement in her voice.
"I want to write this exam, Ma," he said, gripping the towel tighter, determination bright in his eyes. "I want to make it to the academy."
"Hmmm.
Alright, good thing I didn't call your teacher yesterday. Get ready and have your breakfast before leaving for school. I am going to work now," she said, giving him a warm smile before leaving.
"Sigh...."
He fell flat onto his bed, facing the ceiling.
Good thing she didn't see the bruise or else... I would have been in big trouble, he thought, then raised a hand up, hovering above his face.
Somehow I've come back to when I was seventeen, fifty years back.
But the legend was it actually real, then why and how did I come back?
Well, it doesn't matter. I've been given a second chance, let's not waste it.
In this life, I swear I'll protect my mom no matter the cost, and I'll make it into the academy and prove my worth.
A wide smile appeared on his lips.....
Copy code
It was 11:45am when he arrived at school, 15 minutes to when the exam starts, walking through the quiet hallway. As expected, no students were in sight. Everyone had gone to their designated classes.
He got to the class he was assigned to, opened the door, and stepped in to be greeted by the stares of curious pairs of eyes that didn't linger too much.
Thankfully, no one was from his class.
He got to his chair and slipped in with ease.
He could feel the strong tension rising around him. The classroom buzzed with restrained noise—whispers, fingers tapping desks, someone quietly muttering formulas under their breath. No one was laughing. Of course, today was the most important day of their lives.
He rested his head against his knuckles and stared at the blank desk.
So this is it, he thought. I really did come back.
Suddenly, the door slid open.
The room fell silent. Several students straightened instantly. One girl near the window swallowed hard.
An unfamiliar figure moved in, expression cold, dressed in neat formal attire. He didn't greet them. He didn't smile.
"Today," the teacher said, his voice filling the room without effort.
Tia's eyes lifted slightly.
"You will be evaluated. Classified. Assigned."
A pause.
"Your results will determine whether you enter the academy, higher institutions, support units, or… become waste class."
That last word lingered.
Everyone already knew what it meant and could feel the weight of this exam in their lives.
The teacher's gaze swept across the room.
"Failure," he continued, "is not retaken."
Ming Jay leaned back in his chair.
A quiet laugh escaped him—short, dry, almost amused.
Reminds me of myself.
"And remember, you cannot retake this exam."
---