Carl stood still, as if the moment itself had asked him not to move.
He was about 170 centimeters tall, neither short nor especially tall, the kind of height that disappeared in crowds but felt just right when standing alone. His black hair was slightly messy, the kind that never obeyed a comb no matter how much effort he put into it. A black hooded sweatshirt covered his upper body, the hood resting loosely against his neck, matching perfectly with his black pants and black shoes. His clothes were simple, quiet, almost invisible—but his sharp chin and focused gaze gave him an unexpectedly mature look.
Beside him, trees lined the road leading toward the academy gates. Their leaves swayed gently, responding to the calm sea breeze drifting in from the nearby beach. Beyond the trees, the ocean stretched endlessly, reflecting the pale blue of the sky. Waves rolled in softly, their sound distant yet comforting, as if nature itself was welcoming him.
In front of Carl stood a massive, modern structure made of glass and steel. Sunlight reflected off its surface, making it shine like something unreal. At the entrance, a large digital billboard glowed brightly.
DEXSCROB UNIVERSITY
The letters were bold and confident, impossible to ignore.
Carl's eyes widened slightly as he read it again, just to be sure. His heart beat faster—not from fear, but from a quiet, overwhelming sense of achievement.
"So… I really made it," he murmured.
His thoughts began to spill out, one after another, careful yet excited.
Finally. I got admitted into a very professional institute. Actually… no. It's the best institute.
Dexscrob University wasn't just famous—it was legendary. Stories about it circulated everywhere: online forums, news articles, even whispered conversations in classrooms. People who graduated from here didn't just get jobs. They built futures.
Some students launched startups before they even graduated. Others were recruited directly by companies like Microsoft and Google. And if someone failed to secure a placement, the university itself supported them—funding their ideas, helping them grow their own startup businesses instead of abandoning them.
To Carl, it sounded almost unreal.
A place that doesn't give up on you… even if you fail, he thought.
The entrance exam alone had been brutal. Weeks of preparation, sleepless nights, mock tests that made him question his own intelligence. He still remembered staring at the final question in silence, unsure whether he had done enough.
Yet here he was.
Accepted.
A small smile formed on his lips.
"I'll study here for four years… very peacefully," he thought. "No running around, no chaos. Just learning, improving myself."
His imagination began to run ahead of him.
Maybe I'll get accepted into a big company. Maybe I'll create something of my own. Something meaningful.
Then another thought followed, softer and slightly awkward.
And maybe… I'll get a girlfriend.
Carl scratched his cheek lightly, embarrassed even though no one was listening.
"I've never had one," he admitted to himself. "Not even close."
The idea wasn't his main goal, but it lingered quietly in his heart. University was supposed to be a new beginning, after all. New people. New chances.
As he stood lost in thought, footsteps passed in front of him.
Carl's eyes instinctively followed.
A girl walked toward the academy entrance, her presence immediately standing out against the bright glass background. She had long black hair that fell smoothly down her back, catching the sunlight with every step. Her eyes were dark and clear, carrying a calm confidence that made her seem completely at ease.
She was around 160 centimeters tall, slightly shorter than Carl, yet her posture made her feel taller somehow. Everything about her looked balanced, almost perfect—not in a flashy way, but in a natural, effortless manner.
She was wearing the same student badge as him.
A freshman… like me, Carl realized.
For a brief second, time seemed to slow.
She didn't notice him. Or perhaps she did, but didn't show it. She simply walked forward, passing by him and heading straight into Dexscrob University without hesitation.
Carl watched her until she disappeared through the doors.
His heart skipped once.
Beautiful… he thought, surprised at how quickly the word came to mind.
Then he shook his head lightly.
"What am I thinking?" he muttered. "Focus."
Still, his gaze lingered on the entrance she had walked through.
Maybe… I should go for her, a bold thought whispered inside him. Talk to her. At least once.
The idea scared him more than the entrance exam ever did.
Carl took a deep breath and looked up at the billboard one more time. The trees continued to sway peacefully. The ocean remained calm. Everything felt aligned, as if the world had paused just long enough for him to step forward.
"This is it," he said quietly.
Adjusting the strap of his bag, Carl took his first step toward the academy gates—toward Dexscrob University, toward a future filled with possibilities he couldn't yet imagine.