THIRD PERSON'S POV
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Days turned to weeks.
Weeks turned to months.
The first term for nursery to highschool students was slowly coming to an end, while university students were only halfway through their first semester.
But they all had one thing in common.
Exams were approaching fast.
There was barely any time left for leisure.
Everyone was buried in preparation, especially since Country H's academy included physical examinations alongside written tests.
The stakes were high.
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Country H's Academy — Highschool Section
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Uppersixth
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"Functions are simply relationships. If x changes, y changes with it."
The professor walked toward the whiteboard and wrote neatly across it.
f(x)=2x+3
"If x equals two, substitute it directly into the equation."
f(2)=2(2)+3
"Which gives us seven—"
The classroom door creaked open.
Nora cautiously poked her head in before stepping inside fully.
"Miss Vinci..." The professor paused, eyes sweeping over her disheveled appearance. "You're late. Again."
Nora bowed deeply, trying—and failing—to straighten her wrinkled clothes.
"I'm sorry, professor. I was completing some errands."
The professor barely spared her another glance before turning back to the board.
Nora nodded lightly and quietly made her way to her seat, trying her best to ignore the stares around her.
From her seat, Ivy frowned slightly, glancing first at Albert. He shook his head faintly.
Then she looked at Sarah, who only offered a small helpless smile before returning her attention to the professor.
Ivy narrowed her eyes thoughtfully before lowering her gaze back to her notebook.
Nora released a shaky breath as she opened her notebook with trembling hands.
Billy glanced at her from the corner of his eye. After a brief pause, he quietly switched seats with the student beside her.
Once seated, he gently pried her hands away from the notebook and helped her copy the notes she had missed.
Nora gave him a tired smile before forcing herself to focus on the lesson.
...
Later — After Classes
5:03 PM
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Nora dragged her exhausted body back to her team's apartment, only to pause in surprise at the sight of Ivy and the others waiting outside.
Everyone except Nathan, George, and Donald.
"Ivy...? What are you guys doing here?... Sarah will be back—"
"Why were you late?" Ivy interrupted calmly.
"Again."
Nora opened her mouth, but no words came out.
With a defeated sigh, she stepped inside and closed the door behind her before slumping onto the floor, too tired to even reach the couch.
"This academy is harder than I thought..."
she muttered weakly.
"Yeah. Dad said he warned you."
Nora clenched her fists slightly at Ivy's words.
Zoe glanced between the two before scoffing.
"Maybe she thought it'd be easy because you do it. Can't really blame her."
"Zoe," Fiona warned with a frown.
Zoe rolled her eyes and casually walked toward the kitchen like she owned the place.
Ivy kept her gaze on Nora, who neither denied Zoe's words nor looked up.
"How's training with George?" Ivy asked after a while.
Nora fell silent for a moment before sighing.
"It's okay... I guess."
A pause.
"You can't teach an ant to swim."
Her voice gradually shrank until the last words barely came out as a whisper.
Albert clicked his tongue.
"Did the prestigious Nora Da Vinci just accept defeat?"
"I'm not in the mood, Albert."
"Why not?" He folded his arms. "If other pure humans can succeed, why can't you? Sit your lazy ass up and try again. If you need help, then ask. Drop your stupid ego already. It's useless now."
Billy nodded in agreement alongside his other teammates.
"Yeah. We're a team, remember?"
"And it'd be embarrassing if I become your senior just because you gave up," Lily added with a small teasing smile.
Nora quickly wiped away the tear that escaped her eyes before nodding slowly.
"Okay... I'll keep trying."
The front door suddenly swung open alongside the sound of laughter that immediately died down once the newcomers noticed the atmosphere.
"...What's going on?" James asked slowly.
"It's nothing," Albert answered casually while helping Nora back to her feet. "We just came to check on our little transfer student."
James nodded before casually ruffling Nora's hair.
"Crying again, crybaby?" he teased with a grin.
Nora shoved him weakly, though a small smile finally appeared on her face.
Meanwhile, Richard's gaze briefly lingered on the kitchen entrance before he walked towards it.
Not long after, Zoe returns eating a sandwich while holding a brown bag in her other hand.
After chatting for a little while longer, Ivy and the others finally returned to their own apartment.
Nora watched the door close before turning toward James.
"Where were you guys?"
"We're seniors, remember?" James shrugged. "Different schedules. Today's classes weren't general studies, so I couldn't babysit you."
Nora rolled her eyes.
Richard emerged from the kitchen, wiping his hands with a towel.
"Don't worry," he said calmly. "Tomorrow we'll all be with you. It's the first assessment day, after all."
He slung an arm around her shoulders as they all headed toward the kitchen together.
"So eat properly tonight and get some rest. You'll ace that physical test."
Amidst the chaos of the academy, they always somehow managed to make her feel welcomed despite the differences in ranks, abilities, and academics.