Chapter 20

As Desi left the office, he couldn't help but reflect on his answers. They had felt profound, deeper than anything he would have come up with on his own. He muttered under his breath, "I would have given the boy some points if I didn't know it was you who answered those questions, Klaus."

Back in the office, Mr. Reynolds watched Desi leave and then looked down at the file. He spoke to the empty room, "Klaus, what is your relationship with the boy? Why did you choose him?"

He sighed and pressed a button on his desk. "Send in the next student."

As Desi walked back to his dormitory, he couldn't shake the feeling that Mr. Reynolds knew more than he let on. The system's voice echoed in his mind, "Alex has really grown up."

Desi frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

The system remained silent, leaving Desi with yet another mystery to unravel.

The buzz of lunchtime conversation carried into the afternoon, but there was a distinct change in the air. Whispers of a rumor began to ripple through the students. Desi, Gazi, Liam, and Leonor, having finished their individual counseling sessions, gathered in the common area to piece together what they'd heard.

"Have you guys heard the latest?" Liam asked, his eyes wide with excitement. "There's a rumor going around that we're going to have some sort of test tomorrow."

"A test? Already?" Gazi groaned. "We just got here!"

Desi leaned back in his chair, thoughtful. "This school doesn't do anything without a purpose. If there's a test, it's probably more than just academic."

Leonor, who had joined them, nodded. "I heard the same thing. And get this—they say there's a special guest coming to the school tomorrow. Someone really important."

Gazi raised an eyebrow. "Important like how?"

"Important like, 'You don't want to mess up in front of this person' kind of important," Liam replied.

Desi felt a familiar twinge of curiosity. "I wonder who it could be."

As they speculated, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. The students were herded towards the auditorium for an assembly, adding fuel to the fire of their speculation. The large room, with its high ceilings and rows of plush seats, was already buzzing with students when they arrived. They found seats together and waited for the assembly to begin.

The principal, a stern woman named Ms. Davenport, took the stage. Her presence commanded attention, and the room quickly fell silent.

"Good afternoon, students," she began. "I have several announcements to make. First, as many of you may have heard, there will be a series of tests tomorrow. These tests are designed to assess your physical, mental, and emotional capabilities. Prepare yourselves accordingly."

A murmur of concern swept through the auditorium. Ms. Davenport continued, unfazed. "Secondly, we will have a special guest visiting our school tomorrow. This guest is someone of significant importance, and I expect you all to be on your best behavior."

Desi exchanged glances with Gazi, Liam, and Leonor, each of them wondering who this guest could be.

"Lastly," Ms. Davenport added, her tone becoming even more serious, "I want to address the expulsion that took place earlier today. Let it serve as a reminder that we hold high standards for our students, and those who cannot meet these standards will not remain here."

With that, she dismissed the assembly, and the students filed out, conversations erupting about the upcoming tests and the mysterious guest.

That evening, the dormitory was abuzz with speculation. Desi, Gazi, Liam, and Leonor gathered in their room, trying to make sense of it all.

"Any ideas on who this special guest might be?" Gazi asked, lying on his bed.

"No clue," Desi replied, pacing the room. "But if the school's making such a big deal out of it, it has to be someone really influential."

Liam nodded in agreement. "Maybe a celebrity or a politician. Or someone from the Board of Directors."

Leonor, sitting cross-legged on Liam's bed, looked thoughtful. "It could be someone from the B10."

The system chimed in Desi's mind, "Or someone who could change your life forever."

Desi rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the cryptic advice, as always."

The next morning, the tension was palpable. Students were directed to the gymnasium, where they were to take the first of their tests. The gym was transformed into a testing arena, with different stations set up for physical challenges, mental puzzles, and emotional resilience scenarios.

Desi took a deep breath as he approached the first station, a complex obstacle course designed to test agility and endurance. He could see Gazi already ahead, navigating the course with ease. Liam was at another station, solving a series of intricate puzzles with a focused expression, while Leonor was at a station requiring emotional resilience, her face set with determination.

Desi's turn came, and he launched himself into the course. His training and the system's guidance paid off as he moved swiftly and efficiently. He finished the course, panting but satisfied, and moved on to the next challenge.

As the tests progressed, Desi noticed that the teachers were not the only ones observing. In the corner of the gym, a group of sharply dressed individuals watched intently, their expressions unreadable. Desi had a feeling that one of them was the special guest.

By midday, the tests were over, and the students were given a brief respite before the final announcement. They gathered once more in the auditorium, buzzing with anticipation.