[ Ex ]

I'm not trying to appeal to anyone, but I consider myself to be a good student.

Afterall, I was admitted into one of the most prestigious universities in the whole country. People would gladly pay to be a part of the school if they could. But with the way the school works and the connection it has to the government as well as the fundings that keep on coming in from big companies, you can say that going through the back door is somewhat impossible. You must have a specific level of acedemic ability to be able to keep up with the rest of the school, so trying to join in by sheer power and money will not get you anywhere.

And furthermore, many students are already scouted or are being a part of the higher system, so news like a student getting in without any credentials would be found almost immediately. Thus, the chances of isolation and contempt would rise at that individual, making their college life a mess. In this day and age, no one would be able to live alone. So one would need to find another way to blend in, or in other words, to socialize.

Well, that's probably enough information about where I'm going to.

To me, things like the academic environment or the 'future aspects and invitation' even though are important, they were not the exact reason why I chose to register to this university. Of course, the previous descriptions about the school were in my favor, but still, my thoughts were a bit unorthodox.

The biggest, most important motivation for my endless nights of cramming was the actually the distance.

From my old house to the university, the distance is technically as long as the country itself. The place where I'm having my education and the place I spent virtually a third of the average life span are at the two opposite ends of the country. One at the far east, the other far west. And with the shape of the country, one could even say that the distance was as large as the continent. Using a plane, the time would take roughly 3 hours or more. That is actually inland flights, not international. Some nearby countries can fly to one another within one hour, while the time it takes to be from my old place to the new one takes 3 times the duration.

I chose the National University because of that. The further it is from those people, the better.

It gives me a sense of relief every night, thinking that I am far away from those that would bother me. The me currently does not need to fake the smile, or to find words that would make others feel better abour themselves. The me currently can express the negative feelings that I have to whatever I want, or to show my utmost passion to whatever I desire.

There is no limits to what I can do.

Just that alone brings me joy. Being by myself, separated from that happy family fills me up with my own kind of happiness.

Even when everytime I come home, I would be greeted by no one. Even when the cold temperature of the room envelops my shoulders, I would still say 'I'm home' to the emptiness of the place.

Even when the room has nearly nothing in it except for the books and gaming consoles I bought, I would sleep safe and soundly.

It is of no one, but mine.

And for that, I feel relaxed, more than I have ever been.

My first year at N.U has started with a good note.

Being a college student, I don't need to show up at school every morning, unlike highschool, where I had to be present at 8 A.M sharp. Since the university offers not just subjects but credits as well, as long as a have enough credits, I would be fine even when I am not attending every class.

Still, I try to go to school on time if I can. It's not like I have to do it, but because I don't have anything else to do. Maintaining a good habit will also be of use for me.

Today, I have a morning class. So I got up early and headed to the campus before it started.

I still remember the day I first got here. I was nothing more than an old school farmer setting their feet onto a modern city. The scenery was breathtaking, to the point that I really gasped for air.

The first thing that hit me, was the size of the campus. It was gigantic with many faculties and even its own stadium for sports and events. When I first got to school, I actually got lost far beyond the administration office, and it took me hours to find the place. It turned out the map I got was showing me the campus but at another end, so I had to walk all the way back. In addition, after the registration, us first year was advised to participate on one Sunday to go arround the campus with a guide to actually know where things would be.

The only thing the took my attention was not only the size of this place, but also its appearance. At the time, the style of the university I thought was something like a mix between furturism and minimalism. With simple textures and colors, but demonstrated in a very elegant and distinctive design. I was told that an architect was awarded some kind of internation prize for this building. And in all honesty, they deserved it.

Arround the campus, trees and stone walks are nothing of short. Places to rest are literally everywhere possible. Some even looks like parks with their own cafeterias. Students and even other people are welcome to be on the campus as the place is always being watched by cameras. Here and there, people can even see dogs. That's how big and special it is.

Rather than being a university, it is more like a miniature city.

The class that I have today is Philosophy. Personally, I have no interested in this subject. To me, thinking about life or existence is redundant. I don't need and I don't care about those things at all. So there is a high chance that this class will be a bit boring to me.

I'm not saying Philosophy is bad. In fact, I think that thanks to many, our way of living and thinking has improved comparing to the older days. Yet, my lack of motivation still persists. It's probably just a 'me' thing. Then again, I guess having more knowledge to talk in a date or to strike a conversation at with someone would be good.

Like that is going to happen to me.

I laugh at my own thoughts, thinking how rediculous that would be.

Sitting in the class, besides talking to myself like a madman, I can also see that not many have arrived. My most comfortable place would always be at the furthest back, in the conrner. Thanks to that, I always have a good view of everything. Usually, subjects such as math or business and medicine has more attendants even when they start around the same time. Currently, not half of the class has come. So it will possibly not be full by the time it starts.

The credits system has brought freedom to the students so they could pick whatever they like, as long as they have enough credits. That has also made some subjects sparsely filled. And Philosophy is one of those.

Doesn't matter too much to me honestly.

There is still time, so I'll spend it reading some light novel.

I take out my phone, and quickly put in my favourite novel website.

First thing I do is not checking the updates, but actually skimming the newer novels.

Nowadays, for some reasons, people tend to make the names of their novels exceedingly long amd complicated. And one of my favourite thing while reading is to find any absurd title and give it a go.

It's really a hit or miss. Many times a miss.

On the other hand, I have read reincarnation of people in to inanimated objects like weapons or even household appliances. In one particular case, a virus.

I may not be the novel connoisseur, but I should be on the list of most ridiculous titles read.

Chuckling at the funny names people thought, I continue my reading.

Until someone interupt me.

"Hey! Shi! Is that really you?"

That was a familiar voice.

Being cut off from my concentration, I am a little furious. But there is no need to make a scene in a public place. I have learned that the hard way.

I lock my screen, and look up to see an acquantance, who is smiling at me with her usual, beautiful features.

Lisa.

My ex girlfriend.

One person on the list.

She was one of those who actually pushed me to create the list.

I despise her with every single flimsy fiber of my entire being.

I hated Lisa. I still do.