Chapter 6: The Veil Is Torn

Thursday Morning

The air in the halls of the Lycée of Excellence had changed. Colder. More electric. As if the very walls understood that the game had just leveled up.

At exactly 7:00 AM, each student received a notification on their tablet.

> Official Announcement – Special Exam No. 1

Name: The Judgment of the Classes

Objective: Earn as many individual points as possible

Duration: 72 hours

Format: Indirect confrontation between the 4 classes

Start: Friday, 8:00 AM

End: Monday, 8:00 AM

The exact rules will be explained tomorrow morning in the main hall.

A subtle wave of panic spread across the faces. The chatter resumed, but this time tinged with anxiety.

This was no longer a school game. It was a social battle, with one clear outcome:

> Those who earn points will survive. The others… will slowly disappear.

In Class D, Nero’s “Stability Committee” seemed more nervous than usual. One of the members, Jordi, asked in an uneasy voice:

— “What if we lose all our points during the exam? How are we supposed to… eat?”

Silence.

Winner said nothing. He observed. Analyzed the micro-reactions. Avoided gazes, closed postures, informal alliances already forming.

> This is where the real selection begins.

He knew that individual points were the key to everything: food, supplies, influence, status… and most of all, promotion to Class A.

In this school, the elite wasn’t shaped by diplomas. It was shaped by the ability to survive within a ruthless system.

— “We’re going to have to crush the other classes to survive…” whispered a student.

Winner stepped up to the board and simply wrote:

> “Excellence is measured through adversity.”

Nero grimaced.

— “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Salia crossed her arms and spoke up.

— “It means we can’t afford to stab each other in the back anymore. If we don’t stick together… we’re dead.”

A heavy silence fell over the room. And for the first time… Nero didn’t reply.

Even he had understood now: the school would offer no second chances.

During the break, Winner received an anonymous message on his tablet.

> “You’re playing a dangerous game. I see you.”

He looked up. At the back of the room, Salia was staring at him. Her expression was calm, but in her eyes… there was something else. An intuition. A cold suspicion. As if she sensed this boy was more than just a strategist.

Winner replied with a simple smile.

> “You see me, Salia. But you don’t understand me yet.”