Early the next morning, Grey dressed in silence, mentally preparing himself for the final exam. A cab waited downstairs, humming softly outside his apartment. He slid into the back seat, giving the driver a quick nod. The ride was smooth and fast, the city blurring past until the grand gates of Cambridge University came into view, standing tall like guardians of destiny.
After confirming his identity with campus security, Grey walked through the gates and headed straight toward his classroom.
Today was the big day—the final exam. And not just any exam. This one was practical. The kind that didn't just test what you knew, but how well you could apply it.
He arrived early, hoping for a few quiet moments to gather his thoughts. But when he stepped into the classroom, it was empty—eerily so. He took a seat near the middle and stared at the front of the room, breathing slowly, trying to calm the nerves dancing just beneath his skin.
Minutes passed.
One by one, his classmates began to trickle in. Soon, the room filled with whispers and low conversation, the quiet buzz of tension building in the air. Then, the door creaked open, and the examiner walked in.
Instant silence.
It was as though an invisible force passed over the room, demanding everyone's attention. The chatter vanished in an instant.
"I'm pleased to see everyone's arrived on time," the examiner said, his voice calm but with an unmistakable edge. "As you know, this is your final exam—and it's a practical one. You'll be working in pairs. Please find a partner."
As soon as he finished speaking, students leapt into motion, scrambling to link up with friends they trusted. The room became a flurry of hushed negotiations and rushed handshakes.
Grey didn't move.
He stood still, watching the room fill with pairings. Sam passed him by without hesitation. And Grey understood. It wasn't that he was bad at his studies—if anything, he was better than most. That was the problem.
To many of his peers, Grey wasn't just different—he was a freak. Rumors even floated around that he was a planted lecturer in disguise, sent to sabotage the grading curve. Whether it was jealousy or suspicion, most people kept their distance.
And Grey didn't blame them. He had long stopped trying to fit in.
Then, a familiar voice broke through the cloud of silence around him.
"Eren, do you want to pair up?"
He turned. Lydia stood there, looking at him with calm confidence. He had been avoiding her lately—on purpose. But she had a way of showing up exactly when he least expected... and needed her.
He sighed.
"Sure, no problem. I don't exactly have a queue of people lining up to partner with me," he replied dryly. "Just hope you're ready to handle me."
Lydia slid into the seat beside him. "You've been avoiding me, Grey," she said plainly, her eyes scanning his face. "Why? What did I do? We've known each other for... how many years now? And lately, you've just been distant."
Grey looked away for a moment, searching for the right words.
"It's not you, Lydia," he said finally. "I've just had a lot on my mind. That's all."
He could feel the tension thickening between them. She wasn't convinced. Before things could spiral, Grey did something no one would've expected from him—not even himself.
He took a steady breath.
"To make it up to you," he said, his voice surprisingly calm, "would you like to come with me to the gala next week? The one at the main hall."
Lydia blinked, then smirked. "Well, well... you've gotten better at asking ladies out. Who taught you that?"
Grey rolled his eyes, already regretting the attempt.
"But," she continued, leaning slightly closer, "I'm not saying yes just yet. Unless you ask me properly, I'm not going. I'll give you two days to figure out a better way to convince me."
Grey stared at her, stunned.
This wasn't what he intended. He wasn't asking her out. He just wanted to make up for being distant. But now, thanks to her teasing, he'd somehow locked himself into a challenge he couldn't easily escape from. If he backed out now, it'd only hurt her feelings—and he didn't want that.
He sighed inwardly. Great.
Maybe he could ask Sam for advice. Sam was always smooth with girls, even if he kept his relationship with Yennifer mostly under wraps. But... would Sam help? Or brush him off?
If not, there was always plan B.
Grey had read plenty of novels where the protagonist delivered perfect, romantic one-liners to win a girl's heart. Maybe he could recycle a few. Lydia wasn't exactly a bookworm—she wouldn't know the difference.
A flicker of confidence lit up inside him. This might just work.
Before he could dwell further, the examiner's voice thundered across the room again, commanding attention.
"Now that everyone has a partner, let's begin. Today's test will be... difficult."
The room stilled once more.
"For the next three hours," the examiner continued, "one of you will build a firewall—and a strong one. The other will create a virus designed to penetrate it. You may choose who does what. The task will test both your offensive and defensive cybersecurity skills."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle.
"If you fail to complete the task in the allotted time... I suggest you pray the rest of your results are strong. This exam carries weight—and could determine your chances of being sponsored or hired after graduation."
"You may begin."
Chairs scraped the floor as students turned to their partners. The energy in the room shifted into sharp focus. No more whispers. No more chatter. Just the rapid clicking of keys and the silent calculations of minds trying to outdo one another.
Grey glanced at Lydia. She met his eyes and nodded.
"Want to defend or attack?" she asked.
Grey cracked his knuckles. "You build. I'll break."
They turned to their laptops, fingers flying across keyboards as the battle between code and chaos began.