The Academy was thick with tension today, a palpable sense of anticipation hanging in the air like an approaching storm. Students moved through the halls in a restless shuffle, some nervously biting their nails, others whispering excitedly about the midterm exams that loomed just ahead. I could feel the weight of it all as I made my way to the examination room, my thoughts lingering on the brief meeting with Scarlett I had just left. The atmosphere in the Academy had a certain sharpness to it, something unfamiliar. It was odd that only fifty students were allowed in each exam room, and even stranger that we were randomly assigned.
Not that it bothered me. I didn't need to cheat. My intelligence was already above average, and with my Mind Acceleration ability, I knew I would ace every subject. I had even gone so far as to study material up to the last semester of the year, an overkill of preparation that would undoubtedly pay off.
"Hey, did you prepare everything?" a voice called out from behind me.
"I couldn't solve the last chapter—damn it!" another voice responded, frustration clear in their tone.
"Heh, wanna bet you're gonna fail?" came the teasing retort.
"Shut up, you jerk!"
Laughter rippled through the hallway, voices filled with the nervous energy of students preparing for the unknown. But then, a sharp command cut through the noise, silencing everyone in an instant.
"Silence!" Miss Elsa's voice rang out, her presence powerful enough to still the entire room.
"The exam starts in thirty seconds. You have two hours for each subject. No cheating, no talking," she warned, her piercing gaze sweeping over the crowd. With a subtle wave of her hand, she released a pulse of killing intent that sent shivers down our spines.
"If I hear even a single sound besides the scratching of pens on paper," she continued, her voice cold as steel, "not only will you fail, but you'll face punishment."
Her gaze locked onto us for a moment longer, as if daring anyone to defy her. Then, with a final, firm command, she said, "Now, three… two… one… START!"
For the next eight hours, the room felt like a tomb. Not a single student dared to utter a word. Some held their breath as if exhaling would bring Miss Elsa's wrath upon them. The exam was divided into four sections: Mana Theory, Mana Circles, History, and Magical Arithmetics. The first three sections were relatively simple. If you knew the formulas and theories, you could solve them with ease. But the final section—the one that tested our problem-solving abilities and required proof—was far more challenging.
I finished the entire exam in six hours, thanks to my mind acceleration. But I kept the pace steady, not wanting to risk drawing Miss Elsa's attention. She was the last person I wanted to provoke, even if I had confidence in my abilities.
Now, I found myself in the cafeteria, seated in a quiet corner with Scarlett. But we weren't alone. Layla, with her striking black hair and amber eyes, sat closely beside me. I could feel Scarlett's gaze burning into the side of my face, a curious mixture of emotions flickering behind her green eyes.
"Hey, Noah," Layla said, her voice carrying through the space, loud enough for nearby students to hear. "Make me your girlfriend too?"
The question hung in the air like a thunderclap.
Only a few minutes earlier, Layla had stopped me as I was making my way to the cafeteria.
"Ah! Noah, are you going to the cafeteria?" she had asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Yes, do you need something?" I replied, a little surprised by the sudden approach.
"Would it be okay if we had lunch together?" she asked, her voice full of that infectious enthusiasm I had grown used to.
"Sure, but I have a friend coming as well. Is that alright?" I asked.
"Of course! I'd love to meet her too," she replied eagerly, and we headed to the cafeteria together, exchanging light conversation along the way.
As we entered, Scarlett's familiar voice broke through our conversation. "Hey, Noah!"
"Hey, Scarlett," I greeted her, offering a smile.
"Hi! Is she your friend, Noah?" Scarlett asked, eyeing Layla with curiosity.
"Oh, yes, she—" I started to explain, but before I could finish, Layla cut in with a mischievous grin.
"I'm Layla Silvermoon, Noah's childhood friend, the one he always talks to before he became lovesick for that bitch," she said, her tone light but teasing.
Scarlett's gaze flicked between Layla and me, the pieces falling into place as she pieced together the history between us.
"Oh, hello! I'm Scarlett," she said, a playful smile on her lips as she turned to me. "Noah's girlfriend," she added, her voice laced with just a hint of mischief.
"Wh-what? G-Girlfriend?" Layla stammered, her eyes wide with disbelief. She glanced at me, confusion and something deeper flashing across her face. "Noah, we need to talk."
Back in the present, Layla's bold declaration echoed through the cafeteria, her words pulling the attention of nearly every student in the room. The whispers began almost immediately, eyes darting between us as they waited for my response. I could feel the heat creeping up my neck, my face flushing as the spotlight landed squarely on me.
"Make me your girlfriend too?" Layla repeated, her voice ringing out with confident challenge, causing the noise in the cafeteria to fall into a stunned silence.
Scarlett's expression shifted. The surprise was quickly overtaken by something else—something akin to jealousy, though it was hard to pin down. The atmosphere between the three of us felt thick with tension, the air almost crackling.
"Layla, this isn't the time or place for this," I stammered, trying to regain control of the situation.
"Why not? Everyone here knows you're the most eligible bachelor," she shot back, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "Besides, I'm just asking for a chance."
Scarlett's arms crossed over her chest, her brow furrowing as she observed the interaction. "Noah, is this true? Are you really considering it?" she asked, her tone sharp but controlled.
I opened my mouth to respond, but the words caught in my throat. The truth was, Layla and I shared a history—a bond that was impossible to ignore. We had been close once, and her sudden reappearance in my life stirred emotions I had buried long ago.
"Look, Layla, I appreciate your feelings, but—" I started, but she cut me off.
"But nothing! You can't just ignore what we had. I've always been here, Noah," she insisted, her voice rising slightly. The growing attention from the cafeteria only fueled her determination.
"Can we not do this here?" I pleaded, glancing around at the curious eyes watching us. The last thing I wanted was to turn this into a spectacle.
Scarlett's expression hardened, and I could feel the weight of the decision pressing on me. "Noah, you need to make a choice. This isn't fair to either of us," she said, her voice steady but thick with emotion.
I felt the walls closing in, trapped between two worlds. "I—"
"Just think about it, okay?" Layla said softly, her tone shifting. "I'll be waiting." With that, she stood up and walked away, leaving me in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.
As she left, I turned to Scarlett, who was now looking at me with a mix of concern and frustration. "Noah, what are you going to do?"
"I don't know," I admitted, running a hand through my hair. "I didn't expect this. I thought we were just having lunch."
"I'll talk to her," I promised, though I wasn't sure how I would navigate this complicated situation.
The cafeteria had returned to its usual bustle, but I remained lost in thought. The choices ahead of me seemed impossible, and I couldn't help but wonder if I'd lose both of them in the process.