Foreseen Victory

The day had finally arrived, bringing with it the weight of anticipation and the moment of reckoning—the day of exams at Dalton Junior High School. As the imposing gates swung open, a sea of students flooded in, their faces etched with a mixture of nervousness.

Restlessness permeated the air, evident in the fidgeting bodies, the shadows of fatigue under their weary eyes, and the contrasting carefree demeanour of a select few.

Amidst the bustling throng, there stood a figure who stood out from the crowd, a solitary presence cutting through the tide of anxious souls. It was none other than Shroud. Unlike others, he wore an expression of detached nonchalance, seemingly unaffected by the surrounding commotion.

With deliberate and purposeful steps, Shroud effortlessly glided through the corridors, driven by an unwavering determination. His destination was clear: the designated classroom that awaited him. As he entered the classroom, he discovered that he was assigned a seat in the front row, specifically on the left side.

"Guess this will be my spot for the week," Shroud murmured with a shrug, seemingly impervious to the coveted position he occupied. While his peers engaged in animated discussions, swapping tales of their preparations, Shroud remained patient, his eyes fixed on the imminent start of the exam.

The week ahead holds a series of gruelling trials in various subjects—Science, Math, English, Social Studies, Computer Education, HPE, and more. Each exam spanned three arduous hours, with a maximum score of 100 and a passing threshold of 40, save for Computer Education, which boasted a higher bar of 50 marks, with a passing grade set at 20.

Shroud understood that to outscore Aden, he needed to secure scores ranging between 87 and 98 in each subject. As for Computer Education, he was determined to unleash his full potential.

The classroom door creaked open, and the examiner, a stack of papers in hand, made his entrance. As the students caught sight of him, a collective gasp rippled through the examination hall. It was none other than the dean himself, Orpheus.

"Ahem, good morning, lovely children," Orpheus greeted, his presence drawing a mixture of defeated sighs and subdued complaints from the students. Unperturbed, he surveyed the room, his eyes inevitably falling upon a particular student—Shroud. Unlike the rest, Shroud exuded an air of composure and detachment.

"So, Shroud is assigned to this room as well. This shall be interesting," Orpheus mused silently as he carefully distributed the question papers, ensuring that their contents remained concealed until the official commencement of the exam.

Starting from the front row on the right side, Orpheus handed out the papers one by one, until Shroud received his last. Under his breath, Orpheus offered a quiet, "Good luck."

"Thank you," Shroud replied discreetly, ensuring their exchange remained unheard. Orpheus nodded in acknowledgement before taking his place at the front of the class, checking his watch. The exam was about to commence.

A melodious chime echoed through the room, marking the official start of the exam. Excitement mixed with nervous energy permeated the air as students eagerly flipped their question papers, revealing the formidable challenges that lay before them.

The room filled with the rhythmic sound of pens scratching against paper, as minds delved deep into answering the questions set before them.

While Shroud possessed the ability to complete the exams within a mere 45 minutes, he was aware that such swiftness would raise eyebrows and potentially invite suspicion.

Thus, he devised a strategic plan. With each passing hour, a bell would ring, and he intended to finish and leave the exam hall between the first and second bell. With this in mind, Shroud focused intently on writing his answers.

His pen danced across the paper, each stroke a testament to his proficiency and knowledge. Having already memorized the questions with a single glance, Shroud hardly glanced at his question paper again.

In the vast sea of students engrossed in their own trials, it would be nearly impossible for anyone to solely focus on one individual during the exam period.

Precisely one hour and twenty-eight minutes later, Shroud calmly rose from his seat. Observing this, Orpheus presumed he needed a restroom break. However, to his surprise, Shroud approached him, clutching his answer sheet. Raising an intrigued eyebrow, Orpheus welcomed him.

Shroud handed over his answer sheet, leaving Orpheus momentarily flustered and perplexed. He inquired if Shroud was truly finished and whether he wished to double-check his work. Shroud insisted that he was done.

"Very well, Shroud. Place your answer sheet on the table and return to your seat. You may leave once the second bell rings," instructed Orpheus. Though Shroud was disappointed that he couldn't depart immediately, he complied and resumed his place.

"Perhaps tomorrow, I should write until one hour and fifty-seven minutes," Shroud contemplated, regretting his early completion as he settled back into his seat.

The resounding second bell echoed throughout the room, signalling the conclusion of the exam. Shroud rose from his seat, drawing the watchful gazes of both the principal and his fellow students.

As he approached the exit, the principal, standing nearby, whispered, "Come visit me during the evening." Shroud nodded silently before stepping out of the exam hall. Outside, a junior named Luna, who persistently pestered him, awaited.

"Senior, are you finished with the exam?" Luna inquired, her vexation thinly veiled. Sensing her impatience, Shroud replied with a casual air, "Yes, and how about you?" Luna confirmed that she, too, had completed her exam for the day, prompting Shroud to suggest they leave the school premises together.

Luna agreed, and side by side, they ventured beyond the boundaries of the school, heading towards the nearby train station.

As the sun cast a golden glow into the dean's office, Orpheus sat at his desk, typing away on his computer. The tranquillity of the space was momentarily disrupted by a soft knock on the door. Pausing momentarily, Orpheus invited the visitor inside.

Shroud entered, expressing his apologies for the intrusion. Orpheus ceased his typing and focused his gaze on the young man before him. "You seem to have changed, Shroud," he remarked. Shroud, replied casually, "You've just noticed?"

While Orpheus was a figure who struck fear into the hearts of most, Shroud and a select few, such as Luna and those of high authority, remained unfazed by his presence.

"Hmm, is this a result of post-traumatic growth following the events of a few months ago, or could it be attributed to puberty?" Orpheus mused aloud, his tone shifting from sternness to calm curiosity, leaving any eavesdropper perplexed.

"One could say it's a combination of both," Shroud responded, his hesitancy revealing the burden of unspoken thoughts. After a brief pause, he mustered the strength to set aside his pride and contorted his tongue as much as he could before uttering, "Uncle." With that word, Shroud unveiled a concealed truth.

Indeed, Shroud—the previous inhabitant of the body now possessed by Autumn—was Orpheus's nephew. It was a closely guarded secret, known only to the two of them. The prestigious Dalton School would never accept an orphan without parents or means, except in cases where a relative, like Orpheus, extended their support.

"I see," Orpheus acknowledged, his expression revealing a mix of understanding and curiosity. "Well, I won't keep you here for long. However, I must ask: do you need help to win the bet?" Shroud's response came swiftly and resolute: "No."

Satisfied with the answer, Orpheus nodded. He continued, "Is there anything else you need? I've already deposited this month's rent and food money into your account. By the way, have you noticed an increase in your appetite?"

Shroud affirmed, explaining that he had taken up exercising and required additional calories to fuel his newfound regimen. "I understand. Very well, that's all I wanted to ask. Now, go home and prepare for tomorrow's exams, alright?" Orpheus instructed. However, Shroud hesitated, unwilling to leave just yet.

Observing this, Orpheus inquired, "Is there something else on your mind?"

Once again, Shroud struggled with his words, his tongue contorting as he set aside his pride before speaking. "Uncle, if I were to achieve a top-three ranking for the entire school year in this examination, can I..."

Shroud was struggling to call Orpheus Uncle.

****

After expressing his thoughts, Shroud made his way back home, the exams proceeding as usual in the days that followed. Two weeks later, the day of reckoning arrived—the day when the results would be unveiled on the school board, laying bare the scores achieved throughout the entire school year.

A mix of relief and apprehension coursed through the students as they approached the board, their eyes scanning the numbers that would determine their academic standing. Some pondered how they would face their parents with their grades, while others remained indifferent to the outcome.

Shroud, too, made his way to the board, his attention captured by a different list displayed alongside the individual scores—a scoreboard showcasing the overall rankings for the entire school year.

1st place: Luna (Class 8-B) - 600/600

2nd place: Emily (Class 9-A) - 572/600

3rd place: Shroud (Class 9-A) - 570/600

4th place: Willem (Class 10-A) - 565/600

5th place: Aden (Class 8-A) - 560/600

To be continued...

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A/N: Hope you enjoy the chapter and feel free to comment. Your thoughts and criticism are valuable in helping me improve and stay motivated to write more.