Two Days After the Entrance Exam – USA Academy, Greenwich
DRRIIING!
A shrill, piercing sound—
Not an alarm this time. A call.
Calwyn sat up in bed, wincing as a sharp pain hammered his left temple like a steel spike.
He reached out blindly for his phone.
The name on the screen: Steven — his best friend.
He hesitated, sighed… then finally answered.
> Steven (deep, cheerful voice): "Yo! Calwyn! How the hell are you, man? You've been ghosting me for two days—I thought you were dead!"
> Calwyn (hoarse, exhausted): "Sorry… Just wasn't in the mood to talk."
> Steven (mocking but concerned): "Not in the mood? Don't tell me it's 'cause of the contest? Bro, you crushed it! I watched you live from my phone!"
> Calwyn: "You sure? 'Cause I don't remember a single thing I did that day..."
> Steven: "Doesn't matter. Get your ass to the bar down the street."
> Calwyn (surprised): "The bar? It's eight in the morning, man."
> Steven (mock laugh): "You idiot. It's 10 p.m. Hurry up."
Click. He hung up without waiting for a reply.
Calwyn sat there for a moment, dazed.
One question echoed in his mind:
"What did he mean by 'crushed it'?"
He threw on a sweater, shivering slightly as he stepped into the night.
Just as he locked the door behind him, another call buzzed on his screen.
He glanced at it—
French number — Little Sister ❤️
He smiled sadly.
> Sorry, little sis… I can't answer right now. Enjoy your trip with Mom in France.
---
The streets were cloaked in amber light from vintage lanterns.
Two provocatively dressed women called to him from a shadowy alley:
> Woman: "Hey, cutie… want to make your night unforgettable?"
He walked past them without a word.
Five minutes later, he reached the neighborhood bar.
At the door stood the old bouncer—an imposing Black man in a military jacket.
He spotted Calwyn immediately.
> Bouncer (grinning): "Well look who it is. Our boy Calwyn. How you holdin' up, son?"
> Calwyn (weary tone): "I'm alright, sir."
> Bouncer: "And congrats, by the way!"
Congrats?
Calwyn narrowed his eyes. Confused.
He let it slide.
---
Inside, the atmosphere was electric.
A thick bass beat shook the walls.
Girls danced everywhere.
Up on the platform, the DJ shouted:
> DJ: "Time to move those hips, people!"
Calwyn scanned the room.
A familiar voice cut through the noise:
> Steven: "CALWYN!"
He turned.
Steven—thin mustache, casual swagger—was waving wildly from a booth near the bar.
They met halfway and hugged.
> Steven: "How's it goin', genius brain? Ready for our check?"
> Calwyn (uncertain): "I… don't know, man."
They launched into their signature handshake—a complex, rhythmic flurry of slaps, snaps, and fist bumps.
Once seated, Steven ordered two cocktails.
> Steven (beaming): "No joke, Cal. Your performance? It was insane. I barely recognized you. You were radiating confidence."
> Calwyn (shocked): "What the hell are you talking about? I didn't do anything. I don't remember a damn thing. I'm sure I bombed it."
> Steven: "That's the thing—it sucks you can't remember. You were… unreal, man."
> Calwyn (murmuring): "I… really don't believe it."
> Steven: "Wanna see a replay? A clip?"
> Calwyn (sighing): "Pfff… Just forget it."
Steven slammed his fist on the table.
> Steven: "No way. I'm showing you."
He pulled out his phone, opened the Fox-Video app, and hit play.
On the screen: Calwyn, cool and composed, delivering a flawless performance.
A journalist's voice echoed over the clip:
> Journalist (video): "You stunned the crowd! Do you think you can join Lyx-Morningstar Academy with such a… singular performance?"
> Calwyn (in disbelief, watching): "That's… me?"
Steven stopped the video.
> Steven (proudly): "See? You killed it."
> Calwyn: "Pff… Really? Then why haven't I gotten a single callback?"
Steven stood up suddenly.
> Steven (shouting across the bar): "EXCUSE ME!"
The music halted.
> Steven: "My boy right here is the best damn bartender in the world. And he's gonna prove it. Right. Now!"
> Calwyn (embarrassed): "Steven… What the hell are you doing?"
> Steven: "Reminding you who the hell you are. Bartender vs. bartender. You vs. the house guy. Judges: the DJ… and hey, you—pink hair—wanna help judge?"
The girl nodded with a cheeky grin.
The challenge was on.
The crowd buzzed with anticipation.
A duel was about to begin.
The house bartender went first. He prepared his signature Styler Ô—a fruity, boozy blend topped with shimmering foam.
The judges tasted. They were impressed.
Applause filled the room.
Then it was Calwyn's turn—
Or rather, Li Yansheng.
A blinding migraine.
His eyes shifted.
A translucent interface blinked into view:
> [⚙️] Partial Transmigration Complete – 80%
[Current Identity: Calwyn J. Rembrandt]
[Original Host in Latent Hibernation]
Li Yansheng was back.
> Li Yansheng (thought): This feeling again… I thought I had vanished.
Is this a dream? This foreign language? These strange clothes?
Even in dreams, after reaching peak cultivation… I expected something greater.
He picked up the tools.
His hands moved with elegance.
His gaze sharp.
Every motion—measured. Balanced. Precise.
He combined the ingredients one by one…
And for the final touch…
A brilliant emerald light flickered above the glass—
A cocktail that shimmered like the Northern Lights.
> Li Yansheng: "And now… the final element."
The crowd held its breath.
The judges sipped.
Tears welled in their eyes.
> Pink-Haired Girl (moved): "This… this drink touches my soul."
The house bartender tasted it.
His lips quivered.
> Bartender: "You… You're the best. No question."
> Steven (shouting): "AND THE WINNER IS… CALWYN REMBRANDT!"
The crowd erupted.
People lifted Calwyn into the air.
But something was wrong.
> [Hibernation State Terminated]
His eyes flickered.
Li Yansheng was gone.
Calwyn had returned—utterly lost.
---
AFTER THE DUEL — OUTSIDE, UNDER THE MOONLIGHT
Later that night, tipsy and laughing, the two friends wandered the quiet streets.
> Steven (teasing): "So, two gorgeous women, one wild night, and… no memories?"
> Calwyn (sighing): "I hope I lost my virginity… even if I don't remember it."
DRRIIING!
His phone buzzed again.
Ringtone: "Industry Baby."
> Steven: "Damn, I love that ringtone! Who is it?"
> Calwyn: "Unknown number. Not picking up."
> Steven (slapping his shoulder): "Are you nuts? What if it's the Academy?! Answer it!"
Calwyn took a deep breath… and answered.
> Voice (panting, pissed): "Idiot! Do you know how long I've been trying to reach you?!"
> Calwyn (blinking): "Flore? Is that you?"
> Flore (relieved but annoyed): "Of course it's me, moron! You never answer. I had to go through Mom just to get your American number!"
> Calwyn: "I… I wasn't in a good place. What's going on?"
> Flore (smiling through the phone): "Congrats, dumbass. You got in."
Silence.
Calwyn froze.
> Calwyn (trembling voice): "Wait… what? Is this some kind of joke?"
> Flore: "No, Cal. You did it.
You're officially in Lyx-Morningstar Academy."
> Calwyn (choked up): "I… I can't believe it. I actually got in?"
> Flore: "Yes. And because you put Mom's number on the form, you missed the message.
You've got until tomorrow to get to London."
> Calwyn (nearly choking): "Tomorrow?!"
> Flore: "Yup. So get your ass moving, champ. Call me from the airport."
> Calwyn (softly smiling): "Love you, little sis."
> Flore (gently): "Love you too, dummy."
He hung up.
Steven stared at him, eyes wide.
> Steven: "Tell me that was what I think it was."
> Calwyn (slowly): "I got in. I'm going to the Academy."
> Steven (jumping for joy): "YEEESSSSS!"
From a nearby window, a cranky voice yelled:
> Neighbor: "Shut the hell up, you damn kids! It's one in the morning!"
They burst out laughing and ran off into the night.
Steven helped him pack. Teased him one last time.
Then they headed down to the curb to hail a taxi.
And the driver—
The same one from before—was waiting.
> Driver (smiling knowingly): "Well, well… You again.
Hop in.
Dreams don't wait."
Calwyn climbed in.
The car pulled into the night, headed for the airport.
> "My dream… is only just beginning."