Preparations for the second exam

Damian kept his composure, appearing calm in front of the alluring director while offering a faint smile that revealed nothing more than polite courtesy.

"I appreciate the comment," he replied respectfully, though inwardly, he was analyzing the woman standing before him. "I can't tell if she'll be an enemy or an ally…"

The director shifted her gaze to a hologram hovering in front of her and began to read aloud:

"Damian Grant. Seventeen years old. A common family background. Your father is a writer, your mother a set designer. You have a younger sister, Lía Grant, who is eight years old. Your grades are average—neither excelling in any area nor showing clear weaknesses. According to reports, you have a slight inclination toward music, but your creative level has never been noteworthy. At least, not until yesterday's exam."

She paused, her eyes locking on him, as if searching for a reaction. Damian remained silent. He knew that any change in his expression could be interpreted as an admission of something more.

"Your two short films were, to put it simply, outstanding," she continued. "Far too good for someone who has never displayed this level of talent. And, most importantly, you demonstrated an entirely new and original style capable of sparking a significant shift in the audiovisual field." Her tone carried a hint of suspicion.

Damian stayed quiet. "It's only logical they'd question this. From their perspective, such a sudden leap seems implausible."

With a sigh, the director pressed on:

"We conducted a thorough investigation, of course. Given your resources, it would be nearly impossible for someone else to help you. There isn't a single talented creative naïve enough to gift you achievements of this magnitude without expecting something in return. However, I can't completely rule out the possibility of external influence." Her eyes bore into him, sharp and challenging. "So tell me, Damian Grant—how do you explain this sudden change in your abilities?"

Damian carefully weighed the situation. He understood that if he failed to convince her, his future at the academy—and possibly his life—could become far more complicated. He needed a solid, believable explanation, one they couldn't easily disprove.

After a brief silence, he began speaking calmly:

"I have certain goals for my future, Director. But my family will always be my top priority. As you likely know, our financial situation isn't exactly ideal. My parents have no way to protect themselves if someone powerful targets them. And a few days ago, I found myself at odds with a certain influential student who swore to ruin my life."

The director didn't interrupt, listening intently as she evaluated him.

"From a young age, I understood that standing out too much would only attract unwanted attention—jealous or dangerous individuals who might harm my family. So, I decided to keep a low profile, at least until I had the resources and power to protect them. But the circumstances have changed."

His tone remained firm, though a deep seriousness shone in his eyes.

"With Samuel Lorrick targeting me, hiding my abilities is no longer an option. I decided it was time to attract the attention of someone who could protect my family. This exam was the perfect opportunity. With influential leaders evaluating the projects and the anonymity provided by the format, it was the ideal moment."

The director analyzed him in silence. "Arrogant, without a doubt. This boy has a confidence bordering on insolence… but there's also sincerity in his words. His concern for his family outweighs concern for himself. That kind of motivation can be either dangerous or admirable, depending on how it's directed."

"I understand your reasoning," she finally said, crossing her legs and leaning slightly back in her chair. "So, according to you, you hid your abilities until now, but no longer see it as necessary because of an influential enemy. You're hoping to gain the favor of a leader who can protect your family?"

Damian shook his head calmly, though his words carried an edge of firmness.

"If all I wanted was protection or to be someone's apprentice, I would've sought out a leader's attention long ago. But I'm not interested in serving anyone. That's precisely why I didn't do it. I don't want to serve—I want to collaborate."

The director raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Collaboration?" she repeated, her tone laced with curiosity and skepticism. "You believe you're capable of standing on equal footing with the leaders of this industry?"

Damian met her gaze with unwavering seriousness.

"I know I still have skills to refine. But when it comes to creativity… I won't lose to anyone."

For a moment, the air in the office seemed to freeze. Damian's words were undeniably bold, yet they carried no hint of hesitation. The director scrutinized him closely, as if trying to gauge the weight of his resolve. Finally, a faint smile crossed her lips.

"Interesting."

She turned her attention back to the hologram.

"Currently, Professor Meredith should be explaining the second exam. But since you're here, I'll explain it myself."

Damian inclined his head slightly, attentive.

"The second exam lasts five days. Starting today, each student will have access to the academy's resources until Saturday. On Sunday, the academy will be closed, but it will serve as an additional day for those who can work from home. On Monday morning, you must present your project."

She paused before continuing:

"This exam can be completed individually or in groups. However, in your case, Damian, there are certain special conditions you must meet." The director's voice was firm, tinged with a note of expectation.

Damian raised an eyebrow, already suspecting what she might say.

"You will complete this exam alone. It's a decision I didn't take lightly, but given your performance in the first exam, it's time to fully demonstrate your capabilities as an individual."

Damian held her gaze, processing her words quickly. It wasn't surprising they'd push him harder than the rest, but it certainly made things more challenging.

"Completely alone?" he asked, ensuring his tone betrayed no alarm.

The director allowed herself a small smile.

"You may include one person in your group. Just one. However, that person cannot be one of the prodigies in your grade."

The intent was clear—he couldn't rely on standout talents like Aileen or Samuel to boost his chances. He'd have to prove his abilities were independent of others and entirely his own.

Damian sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly as he nodded. He didn't yet know what the exam entailed, but the fact that group work was allowed hinted at its difficulty.

The director observed him closely, searching for any sign of displeasure or doubt. Instead, Damian responded with a composed, faint smile.

"This sounds like an interesting challenge. I'm even more curious about this exam now. What exactly does it entail?"

The director nodded once more, satisfied with his response.

"The test involves creating a virtual experience. The theme, mechanics, interaction, and other aspects are entirely up to you. The judges will evaluate the quality, originality, and impact of your project."

"A virtual experience," Damian thought, barely managing to keep his calm exterior. "Essentially, a virtual reality game… though that term doesn't exist here."

Virtual experiences in this world were the youngest industry and nowhere near the sophistication of the games from his past life. Here, they were primarily used for practical activities: tourism, meeting simulations, environments, or recreational experiences like skydiving or scuba diving. The idea of using them for narratives or games seemed to be a concept still in its infancy.

The director seemed pleased to notice a fleeting crack in his otherwise calm facade. She added with a slight smile:

"Although it hasn't been widely promoted yet, many leaders are working on new ways to leverage virtual worlds. Several projects are already pushing boundaries, creating experiences far beyond the ordinary, though they haven't been unveiled to the world yet. That will change soon. This exam is a way to discover what this new generation of creatives can accomplish. Many eyes are on you all, and the academy's reputation is also on the line."

The atmosphere in the room shifted. The director fixed him with a piercing gaze that seemed to delve into his very soul.

"Damian Grant, I will acknowledge your talent, your achievements, and grant you my support, protection, and autonomy—only if you prove in this exam that the talent you claim isn't mere arrogance. This is your one and only chance. If you fail, the path you're trying to carve for yourself and your family will end here."

....

Damian entered the classroom and immediately noticed the tense atmosphere. Students were deep in discussion, forming groups and strategizing for the new exam, which seemed to have caught everyone off guard. No one spared him a glance—except for Clara and Aileen. The latter glanced at him briefly before resuming her conversation with her friends, while Clara left her seat and approached him with a worried expression.

"Where were you?" Clara asked softly, trying not to attract attention.

Damian shrugged. "Professor Meredith sent me to the principal's office. We had to clear up a small issue with my exam yesterday."

"The principal's office? With Principal Callister?" Clara's eyes widened in surprise. "Incredible! You met a great leader like her? I'm such a fan! What's she like? They say she's beautiful and intimidating…"

Damian couldn't help but smirk at how Clara, usually reserved, seemed genuinely fascinated.

"Yes, with her. And while the issue was resolved… thanks for asking?" he replied, his tone laced with irony, which made Clara blush slightly.

Damian recalled the last thing Principal Callister had told him before dismissing him. Apparently, during the previous exam, two students had tampered with his capsule, disconnecting it from the network in an attempt to sabotage him. What worried him most was that these two students were followers of Samuel Lorrick. Although the principal didn't have evidence linking Samuel directly, the culprits had already been expelled.

Instinctively, Damian glanced at Samuel, who was sitting on top of his desk, surrounded by his friends. They were chatting confidently, as if they owned the room. Without hesitation, Damian crossed the classroom silently and stood in front of him.

Samuel's group fell silent, and Samuel looked at him with a mix of mockery and disdain. A smug grin curled his lips.

"Well, how'd your exam go, Grant?" Samuel asked sarcastically, earning quiet laughs from his friends.

The entire classroom seemed to hush. All the students turned to watch the scene unfold with curiosity. Clara, who had followed Damian, stood a few steps behind him, visibly uncomfortable but determined not to leave him alone.

Damian didn't lose his composure and replied in a mocking tone, "Why don't you ask about your lackeys? They seem to have vanished."

Samuel's grin stiffened. "I have no idea what you're talking about, and frankly, I don't care."

Before Damian could retort, a notification appeared on everyone's panels. It was the exam results. Samuel, regaining his arrogance, proudly displayed his screen.

"Check this out," he said. The screen showed that he had earned an S-grade, the highest possible score.

A murmur of awe rippled through the classroom. Several students congratulated Samuel, impressed by his performance. He soaked up the attention, grinning even wider.

"And you, Damian?" Samuel called out loudly, ensuring everyone heard. "Show us your grade."

Without hesitation, Damian revealed his panel. The screen displayed not only that he had passed, but that he, too, had earned an S-grade.

The classroom fell into stunned silence.

"What? How's that possible?" someone murmured from the back.

All eyes turned to Damian, who calmly put his device away. Samuel stared at him, his mouth slightly open, struggling to process what he'd just seen.

"Does that answer your question, Lorrick?" Damian said with a small smile before turning to head back to his seat. Clara followed, looking at him with a mix of admiration and confusion.

The murmurs in the classroom grew louder, with comments ranging from disbelief to theories about how Damian could have achieved such a score. After a few moments, one of Aileen's friends excitedly announced that she, too, had received an S-grade.

Suddenly, the attention shifted away from Damian. Most students quickly concluded that he must have cheated somehow, unwilling to give him credit. Instead, they chose to celebrate Aileen due to her reputation as a prodigy. Aligning with someone likely to become a great leader seemed like the safer option.

Meanwhile, Aileen watched Damian in silence. Though she was pleased with her own score, she couldn't help but feel puzzled. She had known Damian since childhood and had never seen any exceptional talent in him. No matter how hard she tried to rationalize it, she couldn't understand how he had managed to earn an S.

Damian, oblivious to her scrutiny, chatted with Clara, who admitted she had earned a B. Aileen noticed the warmth in Damian's smile as he congratulated Clara and felt an unfamiliar pang in her chest. She didn't know what it meant, but she knew she had to talk to him. She didn't want the growing distance between them to continue.

When the break began, Damian asked Clara to join him. Unbeknownst to them, Aileen followed at a discreet distance.

On the rooftop, under the shade of a tree, Damian turned to Clara.

"I want you to form a team with me for the next exam," he said.

Clara blinked, surprised and uncertain. "Are you sure? I only got a B. I might drag you down. Besides, you got an S. I'm sure lots of talented students will want to partner with you."

Damian smiled confidently. "Trust me. I can make you shine. Besides, most people think I cheated, so I doubt anyone's rushing to team up with me. Let's not forget—we're still the outcasts of the class."

Clara sighed but couldn't help smiling. The thought of not being alone in this lifted her spirits.

"Alright. I'll do my best," she said with newfound determination.

They shook hands, sealing their partnership.

"This is going to be tough," Clara said as she skimmed through references for the exam. Her tone was a mix of worry and focus. "Creating an original virtual experience… I don't even know where to start. And with this level of difficulty, I doubt many people feel confident about passing."

Damian watched her in silence, leaning his elbow on the backrest of the bench as he crossed one leg. Clara continued, her gaze fixed on her panel.

"And the instructions are so vague. Something unique, something surprising… but we can't just do something simple like theme parks. They want something more complex. I feel like the industry leaders are looking for something completely different."

Damian let out a soft "hmm," tilting his head back to gaze at the sky. Clara was right. For the people in this world, imagining an innovative virtual experience probably felt like leaping into the unknown. But for him, it was an entirely different matter.

"To them, this must seem like an insurmountable challenge, but to me… it's incredibly easy. In my world, video games had evolved to such a degree that there was an overwhelming variety of concepts, mechanics, and narratives."

He let his thoughts drift through a range of possibilities, considering titles like Resident Evil for its tense atmosphere and action, Black Myth: Wukong for its mythology and stunning combat, and even open-world games like GTA. However, he knew he had to keep it small-scale and feasible.

Opening his system, Damian filtered his search: "video games, free, small-scale." A list appeared, most of which were unfamiliar.

1. Zombie Strike Simulator 2022

2. Pixel Battle Royale

3. Geometry Dash

4. Monopoly

5. Firewatch

"Just as I expected," Damian thought, unimpressed. He quickly dismissed the first options as generic and uninspired before his attention settled on Firewatch. It stood out for its intimate storytelling, emotional depth, and atmospheric design—perfect for a VR adaptation.

With his decision made, Damian selected Firewatch and felt the game's data transfer into his mind. He smiled. "This is it."

"I already have an idea," he said, turning back to Clara, who looked at him curiously.

"Really? What is it?" she asked, leaning closer, eager to hear.

Before Damian could reply, the sound of footsteps interrupted them. Turning toward the rooftop entrance, he saw Aileen Vernett. Her usual composed demeanor was intact, but there was a flicker of emotion in her eyes that caught him off guard.

"So this is where you were," Aileen said calmly, nodding briefly at Clara before fixing her gaze on Damian.

"Hi, Aileen. What's up?" Damian asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

"How did you get an S on the last exam?" she demanded, her tone firm.

Clara, who had been observing from the side, couldn't help but feel a spark of curiosity. Aileen seemed genuinely intrigued, and Clara, in her own discreet way, also wanted to know more.

Damian scratched the back of his neck, thinking quickly. "I can't talk too much about my short films. I don't want to draw unnecessary attention, especially with the animation style. But I can't just ignore her; Aileen won't give up easily. I know her too well." He looked at both of them and sighed.

"Alright, I'll show you one of my projects," he finally said, a hint of amusement in his tone as he noticed how intense their stares were.

Without further ado, he activated the panel of his system, generating a holographic screen in front of them. At the top, the title of the short film appeared: Tuck Me In.

Damian pressed play, and the short film began. The story, though brief, immediately captivated their attention. A simple scene: a father tucking his son into bed only to discover something terrifying when he checked under the bed.

"This is… incredibly well done," Clara thought, her eyes following every camera movement. "It's so simple, yet the atmosphere, the tension… everything feels meticulously calculated."

Aileen crossed her arms, watching silently with her usual cold demeanor. But inside, she was impressed. "The lighting, the framing, the music… everything is designed to create a chilling atmosphere, and it works. There's no exaggeration or cheap effects, just a story that knows exactly what it wants to convey. How did he pull this off?"

When the short film reached its shocking conclusion, Clara let out a small gasp.

Aileen, though initially silent, kept her eyes fixed on the now-blank screen for a few seconds before turning to Damian. Her gaze carried something new—a mix of respect and bewilderment.

"Did you make this?" she finally asked, her tone less cold, almost hesitant.

Damian shrugged. "Yeah. What do you think?"

"It's brilliant," Clara said, still processing what she had just seen. This style was completely new to her.

Aileen didn't respond immediately. She averted her gaze for a moment before looking back at him. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you. This explains the S."

Damian chuckled lightly, breaking the tension. "Come on, it's not that big of a deal. You got that grade too."

But as he said this, he noticed how Aileen's expression softened, tinged with a mix of sadness and guilt. "Maybe I was wrong to push you toward music because of that promise. Clearly, you have talent in filmmaking."

Damian blinked, clearly caught off guard by her comment. "She still remembers that promise?" he thought, noting how, despite her cold exterior, her words carried genuine remorse. He hadn't expected something like this, especially from someone like Aileen. Yet, as he pieced together the memories of the old Damian, he realized he wasn't the only one who felt regret over not fulfilling that promise.

Studying her closely, Damian saw that beneath her proud, tough façade, there was a much kinder girl than she let on. That genuine concern she showed for him was… comforting. With a small smile meant to ease the tension, he spoke calmly.

"Don't worry about it, Aileen. I did what I wanted, and music is still part of my plans, so don't count me out just yet."

With that, he stood up, turning to her with a relaxed expression. Before she could react, he raised his hand and gently ruffled her reddish hair.

Aileen's eyes widened in surprise, freezing for a moment. Clara, who had been silently watching from her spot, couldn't hide her astonishment. To her, who had noticed how distant Damian and Aileen seemed at the academy, this interaction was completely unexpected. She had always thought that, despite being childhood friends, time had gradually driven them apart.

But for Aileen, the gesture meant something much deeper. Her mind was pulled back to childhood memories, when Damian used to do the same thing to cheer her up after a lost competition or a fight with her parents. It had been years since he had last ruffled her hair like that. Unintentionally, a small warmth spread in her chest, easing the melancholy she had felt moments earlier.

Damian stopped and looked at her with a more serious expression, though his eyes shone with unmistakable determination.

"I'll keep that promise, Aileen. So get ready, because the songs I compose will be a huge success."

She stared at him for a moment, processing his words. Her usual distant attitude seemed to fade, replaced by something softer. A faint smile curved her lips as she lowered her gaze, hiding the slight blush creeping up her cheeks.

"Then I guess I'll have to wait and see what you're capable of," she replied gently, accepting his words.

Murmurs grew louder as the students on the rooftop observed Damian, Clara, and Aileen. Curious stares and whispers filled the air. Clara, visibly uncomfortable, leaned toward Damian and spoke in a low voice.

"Damian… I think we should go. Everyone's staring at us."

Damian noticed Clara avoiding eye contact with the others, nervous under the weight of so many prying eyes. He nodded slowly, feeling a bit embarrassed himself about his actions in front of such a crowd.

"You're right, let's go."

Aileen, however, remained unfazed, indifferent to the attention. That was just who she was—unbothered by others' opinions. Still, she couldn't help but notice how most of the comments seemed to focus on the supposed mismatch between her, a prodigy, and Damian, the academy's so-called "outcast."

Just as the three were about to leave the rooftop, the door burst open, revealing a group of students led by Samuel Lorrick. The tall and confident young man wore his trademark arrogant smile, one that seemed to declare he had everything under control. His eyes quickly locked onto Aileen, deliberately ignoring Damian and Clara.

He approached her with a firm, assured stride, his group trailing closely behind him like a flock of sycophants.

"Aileen, just the person I was looking for."

His tone carried a hint of forced familiarity, as though he assumed she'd naturally be interested in whatever he had to say. Before she could respond, Samuel continued with unwavering confidence.

"I'll get straight to the point. I want you in my group for the second exam." He smiled smugly, as if his invitation were an undeniable privilege.

The atmosphere grew tense as a few nearby students exchanged glances. After all, Samuel was one of the few students with an S-ranking at the academy, and working with him practically guaranteed success in the upcoming test.

However, Aileen didn't let him finish.

"No."

Her response was cold, direct, and sharp enough to stop Samuel in his tracks. His smile vanished instantly, replaced by an expression of disbelief.

"What did you say?" he asked, his tone turning dangerously sharp.

"I said no. I'm not interested."

Samuel frowned, taking another step closer. His tone grew more threatening.

"Aileen, are you sure about what you're saying? There's no better option for this exam. It's already challenging enough, and you won't be able to handle the burden alone. If you fail, you know what that means—you won't pass the year."

With a disdainful glance toward Damian and Clara, he added with a mocking smile, "Or do you actually trust someone like him? Come on, we all know he must've cheated to get an S. There's no way someone like Damian Grant could achieve that without some kind of trick."

Clara, who had been hiding behind Damian, felt the tension in the air. Her discomfort was evident, but this time, Aileen wasn't willing to stay silent.

"Shut up," she interrupted, her tone carrying a firmness that made it clear she wouldn't tolerate another insult toward Damian.

Samuel raised an eyebrow, recalling how she used to stay out of it when he belittled Damian in the past. Damian had always asked Aileen not to get involved—he didn't want to drag her into his problems. But this time felt different.

"Are you really going to defend him?" Samuel sneered, letting out a sarcastic laugh. But before he could say another word, Damian stepped forward.

With a confident, almost mocking smile, Damian looked him straight in the eye—a gesture that, unintentionally, made Samuel feel uneasy.

"Do you really think you can do whatever you want? Go ahead, try to sabotage me. But don't make me laugh. You're not even worth the warm-up."

Damian's defiant tone and relaxed expression left everyone stunned, even Aileen, who watched him with a mix of pride and satisfaction. This time, he wasn't pushing her away. If they were going to fight, they'd do it together, she thought unconsciously.

"Oh, and if you think I'm going to back down, let me tell you right now—I'm not just going to succeed. I'll make sure Aileen and Clara succeed, too."

Samuel clenched his teeth, clearly irritated, as Damian turned around with a self-assured smirk.

Before leaving the rooftop, Damian turned slightly toward Samuel, delivering a final remark that left everyone speechless.

"Oh, and by the way… I don't think you want to mess with Aileen, knowing who her mentor is. Miss Celeste Avelyn isn't someone you should trifle with."

With that, Damian walked away, followed by Aileen and Clara, leaving Samuel and his group in ridiculous silence as the other students murmured amongst themselves.