"Hope you are all ready for this exam. You should not be seen with any item that can implicate you. Anything found with you that does not relate to this exam will be considered malpractice. Once you receive your exam sheet, no form of communication is allowed," the teacher yelled as he began distributing the papers.
"And if there are any questions, ask now."
A brief pause.
"Your exam starts now. You have one hour and thirty minutes."
The moment the words fell—
Pens moved instantly.
Pages flipped.
The atmosphere tightened.
A few students turned pale.
Someone sucked in a sharp breath.
Tia remained still.
His eyes were locked onto the exam sheet before him.
He hadn't written a single word.
A bead of sweat slid slowly down his temple.
Then—
He flipped the page.
His eyes scanned the questions.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
He froze.
"…No way."
A smile slowly formed at the corner of his lips.
"You've got to be kidding me…"
The questions.
The order.
Even the sequence was the same.
His heartbeat quickened slightly.
Back then—
He had spent countless sleepless nights studying for this exact exam.
Only to barely answer anything because of Feng Gi and his group.
But now—
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
"So knowledge wasn't useless after all…"
---
"Five more minutes!"
The teacher's voice echoed through the classroom.
Soon—
Students began submitting their sheets one after another.
"Hah…"
Tia exhaled softly after handing his in.
"I can't believe I failed this before."
Without lingering, he left the classroom and headed toward the school gates.
Then—
Thud.
The impact forced him back a step.
"Sorry," Tia said immediately.
"Hm?"
A voice sounded above him.
"That's it?"
Tia slowly looked up.
And immediately regretted it.
…Seriously?
Standing before him was Lu Cheng.
Feng Gi's rival.
And somehow—
Just as troublesome.
"Quite the rude greeting, Tia Xu."
A faint smirk formed on Lu Cheng's lips.
Behind him—
Two students stepped forward.
Blocking both sides of Tia instantly.
Tia's shoulders stiffened slightly.
Troublesome.
"From that expression…"
Lu Cheng chuckled softly.
"You look happy to see me."
Happy my ass.
Tia kept his face lowered.
Silently enduring it.
"Has Feng Gi been bothering you again?"
Lu Cheng stepped closer slowly.
"I could help you deal with him."
Tia clenched his fists slightly.
Then relaxed them.
"…Please let me go."
His voice came out lower than intended.
Lu Cheng stared at him briefly.
Then—
"Bow."
A fist slammed into Tia's side.
Pain exploded through his body instantly.
Before he could recover—
Another punch struck his face.
His vision blurred slightly.
A breath escaped his lips.
The grip on his shoulders loosened.
"You should feel honored."
Lu Cheng smirked.
"Not everyone gets touched by me."
Tia nearly cursed out loud.
"Now get lost."
Before Lu Cheng even finished speaking—
Tia had already bolted.
Fast.
Wind brushed violently against his face as he ran.
Annoying.
So damn annoying.
Why was he running again?
Why couldn't he fight back?
His steps gradually slowed.
Breathing rough.
…What exactly am I afraid of?
He stopped near his apartment building, bending forward slightly.
His chest rose heavily.
"…Finally."
He pushed the door open.
Home.
The only place that still felt safe.
Looks like Mom won't be back tonight.
Good.
Right now—
That was exactly what he needed.
Tia headed straight for his room.
His shirt dropped carelessly onto the floor.
The mirror reflected his thin frame.
Bruises spread faintly across his side and back.
His eyes lingered there briefly.
"…Not as bad as I thought."
At least it wouldn't scar.
Then—
Grrr…
His stomach growled loudly.
Tia blinked once.
"…Right."
"I'm starving."
A tired sigh escaped him.
"Ramen it is."
"I'm too lazy to cook."
A few minutes later—
He sat on the couch with a steaming bowl in hand.
The television flickered quietly before him.
"Gates…"
"Awakeners…"
"Government policies…"
He slurped the noodles lazily.
"Same old nonsense."
Nothing interesting.
His eyes drifted toward the door.
Mom really isn't coming home tonight.
The apartment felt quieter because of it.
He leaned back slowly.
Tomorrow.
A big day.
His awakening.
This time—
Could things be different?
"A-rank…"
A pause.
"…No."
"S-rank."
A small laugh escaped him.
"In your dreams, Tia."
"In your dreams…"