7:30 A.M.
Tia arrived at school.
The campus was quieter than usual. Dozens of buses lined the entrance while students gathered in small groups.
Some laughed loudly.
Others remained silent, staring at the unseen.
Today—
their paths would be decided.
Tia climbed aboard one of the buses.
He chose a seat near the back.
Alone.
Others joined in soon.
The engine rumbled to life.
Slowly—
the bus pulled away.
Silence settled over him.
His fingers tightened around the sleeves of his uniform.
There's still time.
A voice whispered inside his head.
Leave.
Walk away.
Forget the academy.
His breathing grew uneven.
What if nothing changes?
What if... I fail again?
His grip tightened.
"...Stop."
The word escaped his lips before he realized it.
A nearby student glanced at him briefly.
Tia ignored it.
He closed his eyes.
Then—
slowly exhaled.
When he opened them again—
his gaze drifted toward the window.
Blue skies stretched endlessly above.
Clouds drifted peacefully across the horizon.
Exactly like that day.
"...The sky hasn't changed."
A faint smile appeared.
He leaned back against the seat.
Whatever happened today—
he would face it.
No running.
Not this time.
.....
The journey lasted hours.
By the time the buses reached the Central Stadium—
the clock read 12:30 P.M.
Thirty minutes remained.
The doors opened.
Students poured outside.
A sea of uniforms stretched across the large space.
Some talked excitedly.
Others hid quietly in corners, trembling.
Only a few stood firm and confident.
Their backs straight.
Their eyes steady.
Already convinced of victory.
Tia quietly joined the crowd.
His gaze swept across the stadium.
Nothing had changed.
The same banners.
The same entrance.
Even the same security officers.
For a brief moment—
it felt as though he had never left.
....
A loud chime echoed throughout the stadium.
The conversations stopped.
Two officials dressed in long black coats embroidered with silver stepped onto the stage.
One stepped forward.
"Good afternoon."
His calm voice echoed throughout the stadium.
"Welcome to the Second Evolution Examination."
A massive screen lit up behind him.
SECOND EVOLUTION EXAMINATION
This examination determines dormant abilities and hidden traits.
Any prohibited item will be treated as malpractice.
Artifacts designed to alter results will be detected immediately.
Only qualified candidates will advance.
Then —
A transparent crystal orb was wheeled onto the stage.
It shimmered beneath the sunlight.
"This examination is simple."
"One by one..."
"You will place your hand upon the orb."
"It will reveal your rank."
"...And your core trait."
Silence followed.
"First candidate."
No one moved.
Thousands of students stood frozen.
A boy near the front swallowed hard.
Someone quietly stepped backward.
Another lowered their head, pretending not to hear.
Five seconds passed.
Ten.
The silence became heavier.
Tia watched quietly.
Everyone dreams of entering the academy.
The fame.
The glory.
The power.
But very few ever think about what comes before and after.
Because for every genius who rises...
Thousands disappear.
His eyes lowered.
And me...
Where do I belong this time?
He closed his eyes briefly.
Then opened them again.
If history hadn't changed...
The first person to step forward would be—
Mu Liani.
He silently counted.
Five.
Four.
Three...