Liam stood awkwardly in the courtyard as his mother excused herself to take a call. Liam's eyes had snagged on someone across the way a figure he thought he recognized but didn't quite dare believe.
It couldn't be.
He squinted, then took a hesitant step closer. The figure turned slightly, and Liam's heart stumbled. He walked faster, then called out before he could stop himself.
"Ladea?"
She froze, shoulders stiffening before she spun around. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"Liam!" she gasped. "It can't be"
"Here I am," he said, managing a nervous smile.
"This is a twisted turn of events," she murmured, shaking her head.
"Tell me about it," Liam said, half-laughing. "Today's been… insane. First my mom foresaw the future ,don't ask ,then the test, now you. I swear the day just won't stop surprising me."
"The test," she echoed, her voice more guarded.
"So you're enrolling here too?" Liam asked, trying to sound casual.
"I can't be sure about that," she replied.
"What do you mean? Oh no ,don't tell me you didn't pass?" His voice tilted too easily into sympathy, and it made her eyes flash.
"What do you mean I failed?" she snapped. "No one knows yet if they passed or not. They're withholding the results."
Liam flinched. "Sorry, I didn't mean it like well… in our class there was..."
"A man came in and told you that you did well, right?" she cut him off.
He blinked, caught. "Yeah… does that sound familiar to you?"
"Exactly. They told us too. Which makes me wonder if they're just saying what they want us to hear. If we passed, we'd know. But they're holding back."
Liam bit the inside of his cheek. He had been dangerously close to bragging. "Why would they do that? I nearly told my mom I passed."
"Probably to avoid a commotion," Ladea said with a shrug.
Liam nodded, though unease stirred in him. Then, eager to change the subject, he asked, "What about you? Last time we spoke, you were moving back to the States. What happened?"
Her eyes flicked sideways. She shifted on her feet, suddenly uncomfortable. "It's… complicated. Something happened, that's all."
Liam sensed she didn't want to explain, so he quickly filled the silence. "Honestly, I think there's another test behind the test. Nothing about this feels simple."
"Yeah," Ladea agreed softly. "I get that."
Before either could say more, her father appeared tall, stern, with a sharp suit and sharper glare. "Darling, it's time we go." He gave Liam a look that could have curdled milk.
Liam swallowed his words. Ladea shot him an apologetic glance before being whisked away.
When Liam's mother returned from her call, she found him still staring after them, lost in thought.
"I think you did great," she said gently. "But they're not releasing results yet. Something about power issues… or staff shortages. They said they'll send an email. For now, we just go home and wait."
Liam forced a smile, though doubt gnawed at him.
The Parents and the Academy's Silence
That noon, children were handed back to their parents with no announcements. The Academy had decided against public results; they knew better than to ignite chaos in front of hundreds of eager families. Parents, especially those of high-achieving students, could be vicious when pride was wounded. Some would march into court, demanding proof that their prodigy was brighter than any test claimed. Others would unleash the press, twisting headlines into mockery and scandal.
The Principal had no interest in sparking lawsuits or front-page ridicule. Not because she feared the press mockery was the least of her worries but because every loud question risked tearing open secrets too delicate to survive scrutiny. So the Academy played it safe, promising emails, offering polite words, and letting disappointment diffuse behind closed doors.
Some emails would blame computer errors, insisting algorithms had gone awry. Others would claim random selection. Each letter, carefully crafted, reassured families: Education is not a building, but the child. Your son or daughter can excel anywhere. We wish them the best in their future endeavors.
Liam sat at the dinner table with his mother when their message came.
"Well?" she asked, leaning forward. "How was the exam?"
"Not ordinary," Liam admitted. "Strange."
"Do you think you'll make it?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. They didn't give out results. That feels… intentional."
"But the invigilator congratulated you," his mother pressed. "That's good news, isn't it?"
"Mom, people can tell you anything to make you happy. Doesn't mean it's true. I think there's something rigged. Something we don't see. We can't just trust them."
"You just have to have faith," she said softly.
He groaned. "Faith doesn't get me enrolled."
"Maybe not. But it'll get you through the waiting. And if not this Academy, there are other schools. We can browse brochures"
Liam cut in, bracing himself. "What about Kasmek? Where James is?"
Her lips thinned. "That school doesn't sit well with me. Bad neighborhood. Bad influence."
"But James.."
"Liam," she snapped, "you are not going there. I've seen too much. You can never be too careful." Then, catching his stricken look, she softened. "Some horrors I've seen awake. Some in dreams. I just want you safe."
Liam sighed. "Fine. I'll do what you want."
She reached for her phone, and at that moment the notification lit up the screen. Together they leaned in to read.
Congratulations, dear Liam. You have passed. You are expected to report to the Academy tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. sharp. Do not be late. Uniform guidelines and further details are attached. Thank you, and welcome.
His mother's eyes glistened. Liam allowed himself a grin.