The three–hour exam felt like an eternity for the teachers who were keeping watch, yet for the students, whose pencils scratched furiously across their papers, the time slipped away like sand through their fingers.


    As the final bell tolled, signaling the end of this domesticpetition, it drew a temporary close to the intense phase of academic rivalry. Regardless of whether they clinched a spot in the top five, these twenty–some students had all but secured their future at Prestige College. It was a testament to their strength and growth.


    They had hit the books day and night in preparation, and yet, the conclusion brought with it a hollow feeling. Stepping out of the exam room, many were moved to tears by the weight of the moment.


    Mirabe had just descended the stairs when she spotted Mr. Hammond and Anthony waving. at her from a distance. She hesitated for a beat before making her way over to them.


    “Mirabe, how did you feel this time?” Mr. Hammond’s voice betrayed a hint of anxiety as he posed the question.


    Anthony swallowed hard, anticipating her response.


    Mirabe, noticing their anxious expressions, couldn’t help but quirk a half–smile. “I guess it went okay,” she replied with a modest shrug.


    At this, Mr. Hammond and Anthony exchanged a silent nce, and then in unison they demanded, “What do you mean by ‘guess“?”


    Touching her nose self–consciously, Mirabe murmured, “Not entirely sure if I aced it?”


    Uncertainty implied possibility, and with that-


    Mr. Hammond and Anthony was stunned. They should’ve known better than to ask this big shot how she felt about the exam.


    Vincent, descending the stairs himself, couldn’t escape the fate of being summoned by Mr. Hammond and Anthony’s eager gestures.


    Clearing his throat and pushing down the heartache Mirabe’s words had induced, Mr. Hammond turned to Vincent with a benign smile. “Vincent, how did you feel this time?”


    The script was the same.


    After a brief silence, Vincent nced at Mirabe before replying, “I think it went fairly well.” His answer, mirroring Mirabe’s, prompted Mr. Hammond and Anthony to immediately adopt a stern demeanor. “Speak inly!” Their responses were frustratingly cryptic.


    Feeling unnerved by their intense expressions, Vincent rified, “I mean… second ce should be safe, right?”


    10:40


    Mr. Hammond and Anthony were silent. Here it was again. These students must have rehearsed their nonchnce together.


    Unaware of their inner turmoil, Vincent turned to Mirabe. “I solved thest problem using the method you showed me this morning.”


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow, gave it some thought, and then nodded. “That should work. Many ways lead to Rome. The equations change, but the solutions are often variations on a theme.”


    “Right, then I’m pretty confident about securing second ce.” Vincent said, nodding seriously. Mr. Hammond and Anthony exchanged another nce. Their “sorry to intrude” sentiment grew stronger by the minute.


    ncing at his watch, Vincent asked Mirabe, “<i>My </i>cousin invited me to check out Prestige College. Fancy joining us? I’ve heard the cafeteria there serves food that’s legendary.<i>” </i>


    Mirabe was about to decline when she heard Vincent mention the renowned cuisine of Prestige College’s cafeteria. Her eyes lit up instantly, and she nodded. “Your cousin is too kind.”