Behind me, Haerin and Carissa ascended the staircase up to the third row, Leo and Magnus shortly following.

However... another interesting thing occurred.

The chair beside me suddenly buckled, being pulled out, yet when I looked up, I was not met with Ruby's face.

As she prepared to sit down, I sighed and looked up.

"Someone sits there."

A sharp answer immediatly following, assuming the tone of a king talking to a peasant.

"I know."

Taking a seat on the chair to my right, where Ruby usually sat, Serena simply propped her chin on her hand and gazed at me.

"You know, I can't wait!"

Purposely looking away and out the window to my left, I was about to ignore her when a softer and curious voice suddenly sounded behind the two of us.

"For...what?"

Confusedly gazing at her seat, which was now taken by Serena, Ruby glanced around for a few moments before deciding it was ultimately a better decision to sit next to Serena than look for another seat.

*Ring~ring*

At that moment, the sliding door snapped open, prompting Serena to gaze up and point at the entrance.

"That."

As the bell sound vanished, Professor Lily strolled into the classroom, a big white scroll tucked beneath her arms.

The previous joyful mood within the classroom immediately transformed into silence, with no students daring to speak as Lily slowly unraveled the scroll.

Without any hesitation, she rolled it open and slammed it on the whiteboard, displaying it to everyone.

There were two lists.

[Written]

[1. Serena]

[2. Athen]

[3. Carissa]

[4. Leo]

[5. Magnus]

...

...

[97. Haerin]

[Physical Practical]

[1. Team Leo]

[2. Team Serena]

[3. Team Magnus]

[4. Team Carissa]

After pausing for a moment to allow students to find their ranks, Lily turned around and announced.

"Congratulations on completing the first of many exam seasons."

"But, I do believe it is about that time."

*BANG*

Slamming her hand downward on her wooden lectern, causing a rough sound to echo throughout the classroom, catching everyone's attention, Lily tilted her head.

"Our academy is the top in terms of all statistics, except for one."

"Do you know what that statistic is?"

"..."

After pausing for a moment, to no avail, Lily simply smiled and continued.

"Graduation Rate. Four-Axis Academy has an approximate graduation rate of 30%"

"That is because, at the end of every year, the bottom 25% or, for your 2000-member class currently, 500 students are kicked out of the academy."

Instantly, a resounding silence overtook the room, some students even rubbing their ears to ensure they heard correctly.

That was because students kicked out of Four-Axis were forced to sign a contract that ensured their silence.

No one in the room had known about this rule.

Even those with high ranks, such as Leo, momentarily paused, while Magnus scoffed.

At that moment, I felt a sudden pressure applied to my elbow, as if someone were pinching it.

Trying my best, I attempted to ignore it, not even tilting my head an inch a single second.

Of course, I hadn't gotten first place.

I didn't know every detail about this world! It had added to my book, not just copied it.

Yet, in front of Serena, I couldn't use any of those excuses.

Why do I ever need an excuse!?

At that moment, a breath of warm air rushed into my right ear, a soft voice following.

"What happened to being better than me? What happened!?"

Forcing a smile on my face, I simply said, glancing downward at her desk.

"Look down."

The ink that had been smeared on Ruby had now been transferred to Serena's lab coat, coloring its precious white silk a pitch-black.

Without any hesitation, Serena shot up from her desk, fresh ink dripping down from her coat, and screamed out.

"This desk has been defaced."

Raising her eyebrows and looking straight at the desk smeared with ink, Lily blinked for a second, confirming whether what she was seeing was true.

It should have been unbelievable that she had never noticed in this book, of course, not for the fact that I had written her not to.

Scanning the classroom, her eyes narrowed, Lily simply asked, in a calm voice.

"Who did it? Who dared deface the academy property with that? Who? Stand up, will you?"

The entire classroom went silent, yet as I glanced right behind me, two cold-faced boys who had been previously snickering wore expressions as if they had seen a ghost.

Their skin was pale, and their eyes opened in shock.

Might as well win some points over with the teacher, since she'll find out anyway.

Standing up beside Serena, I simply pointed behind at the two students and said.

"I saw them doing it when I walked into the classroom."

Of course, I hadn't seen them, but I knew they had done...because I had written them to do so.

The gazes of everyone in the room all fell on them within a second.

Instantly, the boys behind me broke into mutters, anxiously glancing around.

"w-what, Jerry, do you need what's he's talk ab-"

"n-no, w-what the hell is this idiot t-"

A sharp voice interrupted their muttering.

"I will remind you, this classroom has security cameras. Now, did you do it?"

"..."

They went silent.

That was enough for Lily.

Without skipping a beat, she instantly pointed at the sliding door and simply commanded.

"Leave."

In a single second, the boys shuffled out, not forgetting to glare at me and Ruby..., for whatever reason, on their way out.

Yet, their expressions immediately transformed as Lily glared at them.

I ignored them; it was a positive trade for me.

Their vengeance was worth practically nothing, whereas I had just curried some favor with Professor Lily, which could be potentially life-saving in the future.

After a brief glance at me, Lily simply turned around and began teaching as normal, prompting Serena and me to sit down.

Yet, as I did, I could feel two gazes on the side of my face.

[A/N: Back to 2 chapters a day tomorrow; long weekend.]

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