"This place is very nice. I wish I could stay here 24/7 without going anywhere," Mike whispered, tapping on Leon's shoulder to watch as he points at every artifact they passed.
For Leon, Mike was more of a disturbance—he wasn't seeing what he'd hoped for.
"Can't this guy turn mute for a bit? Ah!" Leon muttered to himself, but his lips loosened, letting the words slip into Mike's ears—but in an airy tone.
As Leon's voice faded, Mike turned and whispered. "Did you call me?"
Before Leon could open his mouth, he bumped into a female student who had bent over—almost in a doggy-style—picking something off the floor.
Seeing how Leon had collided with her, Tiger shouted, "What do you think you're doing?!"
In the girl's mind, she'd done it intentionally. Having an intimate affection for Leon but not ready to face the consequences of becoming a scapegoatin her family, she wasn't ready to risk her fortune for someone like him.
Upon meeting her gaze, Leon muttered an apology. "Sorry, I didn't mean to bump into you in that manner." While Leon apologized to her, Tiger pushed through the crowd in haste, almost as if he'd seen a debtor.
Right after he was done apologizing, the girl leaned closer to his ears and whispered, "Don't worry. But next time, try and insert your hard rod in me. I would be pleased if it finds its way into my womb."
Leon's eyes widened in shock and amazement. He was completely thrown off, since it was his first time hearing something so bold.
Tiger shouted, "Bella, why'd you let this filthy guy bump into you like that?! You should've slapped him."
Bella turned towards Leon and laughed. Then brushed her palms over Tiger's chest in an overly flirtatious gesture to calm him down.
But their action was cut short as the door ahead swung wide open.
Seeing the chair arrangement and the spotlight on the floor, Mike rushed past all the other students who were standing right at the opened gate.
Just as he reached the center, he planted himself, stretched his arms, and began to spin with joy.
After spinning around a few times, he muttered, "Are we here for an exploration, take an exam, or get trained?"
As his words faded, a man in an army uniform, standing at the far corner of the room, began walking towards him.
Right after the gap closed, he placed a firm hand on Mike's shoulder and hissed calmly in his ear, "If you don't know how things work in a new environment, ask."
Mike stiffened—stunned by how young the guy looked. Then after he turned, Mike started guessing his age, based on the tone and facial look.
"Attention! What you'll do here today is simple. First, find a seat and sit down." The soldier shouted in a steady, loud tone.
As they scrambled for chairs, he shouted again, "If you have a bag with you, go out, place it in the locker room, and come back."
As his words faded, the room exploded into murmurs while he walks to the edge of the room. After persuading half of the elites to ignore the soldier's statement, Tiger and Vera approached the soldier with obvious disrespect while others filed out.
Tiger smirked as they reached him. "Hey boy!"
As his voice erupted, the soldier frowned. He stared deep in Tiger's eyes for a while, then whispered, "Who are you referring to?!"
Tiger glared at him up and down and laughed. "Who do you think you are?" He turned towards Vera, grinning.
"Wait, does he even know who we are?" Vera joined him in laughter. Not only did they laugh at him, but they also tried to pull the tip of his uniform. But no matter how hard they tried, the soldier remained unfazed.
"Boy, let me tell you something—no matter how powerful your parents are, as long as you're a student here, you're under my command."
As the soldier's voice faded, Vera stepped forward, signaling Tiger to move back.
"Do you know I could have your own men serve me your head for lunch?" She whispered in a steady, calm, and icy voice.
After reading her name tag, the soldier chuckled. Then, took out a small metallic baton—the kind used on criminals—and whispered, "The power you have doesn't work here. So, get the fuck out of my face and find a place to sit—or else…"
"Or else what?!" Tiger and Vera stepped closer, with shocked and startled faces.
Just as their shout faded, the soldier swung the baton at them like they were stray dogs.
While it touched Tiger's body, he didn't flinch—as if it were just a broomstick. But Vera shrieked in pain. Seeing her tears, Tiger caught the baton mid-swing and hissed, "Make sure you never leave this building."
But before he could close his mouth, the soldier yanked the baton free and slammed it against his forehead.
Blood trickled down Tiger's face, but he didn't wipe it away. Instead, he let it drip to his lips—and licked it.
Then, with one last glare at the furious soldier, he held Vera by the waist and walked away. But immediately they turned, Tiger tilted his head then whispered, "You're dead!"
As they exited with their bags, Tiger gazed at Leon with sharp, red-tinged eyes.
"Ah, are they lovers?" Mike whispered as he watched them exit the door like a married couple.
Leon turned to him and laughed. His manner startled Mike into laughter too.
As Tiger and Vera returned to a seat, a deafening noise blasted through the room. It was soo loud it made some students cover their ears.
"Welcome to this year's entrance exam. Some of you may wonder why you weren't given time to rest, as promised in your letters. Your scores today will determine how you will be divided."
As soon as the voice faded, the room rose into chaos of confusion.
"Wait! Are we about to write an exam? We weren't told; we're not writing anything!"
While some hurled insults at the anonymous speaker, Tiger remembered the sheet his uncle had slipped into his palm after he boarded the bus.
Slowly, he pulled it out from his pocket and began to read.
[Make sure Leon doesn't complete the grouping exam! Once you succeed, I will personally gift you the certificate of a corporal.]
Tiger smiled the moment he saw Leon's name. Slowly, he tilted his head towards Leon's direction and nodded.
"Prepare yourselves. If you have any book with you, place it on the table and relax." The anonymous speaker's voice echoed again.
As each student places their book on the surface of the desks, Tiger tilted his head in Leon's direction.
"Hey Leon, I'm here for you." He shouted, flashing an unrelenting smile as Leon turned his head.