Ryuichi walked out of the exam hall with heavy steps, as if the sixty questions were real weights that weighed him down. He didn't know if he'd actually made it through this barrier, or if something worse awaited him. His gaze was fixed on the floor, and his fingers were still trembling, even though he had handed in the paper minutes ago.
Aura (with a quiet voice inside): "You did it, Ryuichi... you made it through the hardest part, now-breathe. Just breathe."
He didn't answer her, just kept walking away from the exam hall, hoping no one would notice him. He wanted to disappear, if only temporarily, from the eyes of everyone who saw him in this strange exam, especially Hiroshi.
Suddenly, his cold, familiar voice broke the silence:
Hiroshi (from afar): "Ryuichi... One moment, please."
Ryuichi stopped in his tracks. His breath hitched, his pulse quickened. He slowly turned around, as if the whole world had stopped. He saw Hiroshi standing at the entrance to the hall, staring at him with expressionless eyes, showing no clear intention.
Aura (in a strained voice): "Stay calm... Don't show anything. Let him speak first."
Ryuichi raised his eyes with artificial steadiness, and whispered inside:
Ryuichi: "Okay... let's see what you want now."
Ryuichi approached Hiroshi apprehensively, his footsteps echoing faintly in the nearly empty corridor. The glances of a few passing students cast faint shadows on the scene, but Hiroshi seemed to see nothing but Ryuichi.
Hiroshi (with a deceptively calm smile):
"Interesting exam, isn't it? You seem to have enjoyed it a little too much."
Ryuichi doesn't respond immediately. His eyes were watching Hiroshi's movements carefully, as if any gesture could conceal malicious intent.
Ryuichi (in a low tone):
"It was... long."
Hiroshi chuckled lightly, then stepped closer, until there was only a slight distance between them.
Hiroshi (in a whisper):
"But I noticed something interesting, Ryuichi. The way you were solving... not like a first-year student. Not like a first-year student."
Ryuichi's fingers twitched. He tried to remain calm. Inside, Aura began to set up a defense pattern.
Aura (in his inner voice):
"Stay on course. Don't get excited. We don't know yet if he's really suspicious or if he's just provoking you."
Hiroshi (with a faint smile):
"Besides, you look... interesting. I advise you to carefully review the information you share... even to yourself."
Ryuichi (trying to hold it together):
"Is that a threat?"
Hiroshi (in a hushed voice):
"No, champ... just advice. We keep an eye out for... Exceptional talent."
Then he turned around, as if nothing had happened, leaving Ryuichi floundering between countless possibilities: Did he really suspect? Did he reveal something? Or was it just a psychological maneuver to confuse him?
Aura (anxiously):
"Ryuichi... this guy is no ordinary guy. He may be more dangerous than we thought."
Ryuichi (inwardly):
"No... this wolf revealed that I'm different. But I'm not going to emphasize that to him. I won't give him anything."
Hiroshi's departure was only minutes away, but it lingered like a heavy shadow in Ryuichi's mind. His body was standing still, but his mind was replaying every word the man had said.
Aura quieted his inner voice, then said in a more firm tone:
Aura:
"We only have half an hour. You should eat something to restore your energy before the next exam. You're in an overly alert state of mind, and that's dangerous."
Ryuichi exhaled deeply, then looked around. Students were moving quietly through the hallways, some heading to the cafeteria, others sitting contemplatively, waiting for the next exam. It was as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
Ryuichi (internal voice):
"Technical analysis... No time to rest now."
He walked over to a bench in the corner, sat down, took a coffee out of his bag and surreptitiously took it from the counter, took a sip and then another, then took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
Aura:
"You need to regain your focus quickly. You passed the last exam with flying colors, after all. Don't let Hiroshi's ghost spoil the next stage."
Ryuichi:
"Right... I didn't betray him. I only used the glasses when necessary. Aura, are you okay now? After the sudden glitch?"
Aura (a little sharply):
"The glitch wasn't normal. There's external digital interference... someone tried to hack me during the exam."
Ryuichi's pulse quickened.
Ryuichi:
"Do you mean... that Hiroshi?"
Aura:
"Not necessarily, but he's involved in some way. I'll try to trace the source of the interference later. For now, concentrate. The technical analysis exam is in less than thirty minutes. We don't know what we might encounter this time."
Ryuichi was sitting in the quiet university quad, his eyes focused on his smart glasses as he reviewed the analysis techniques. Aura was constantly giving him guidance, but he was too busy reviewing the last details that would help him on the upcoming exam.
Aura (in a whisper):
"Don't get distracted, focus on the basics, we'll have time for details later."
As he continued to review the information, he felt something strange. The mana aura surrounding the person who approached him was blurred, and Aura couldn't make out their exact identity. He slowly turned around to find a tall, quiet-looking young man in front of him, seemingly out of another world.
Aura (in a whisper):
"There's someone approaching you, but he's... strange. I can't locate his energy."
Ryuichi lifted his gaze to meet eyes with the boy who stood before him. This was the boy he had met the other day at the coffee shop. He hadn't expected to see him here. He had always been a man of few words, with enigmatic features, his gaze hiding in corners, as if he was observing everything carefully.
Takeru (quietly):
"Ryuichi."
Ryuichi responds with surprise, as if time has gone backwards for a brief moment.
Ryuichi (hesitantly):
"You're... Takeru, right?"
Takeru smiled lightly, revealing his subtle intelligence and quiet nature. He didn't say much, but he always knew when to say the right thing.
Takeru (quietly):
"Yes. I had asked you to help me with my neuroscience project on Friday. I gave you my number then."
Ryuichi felt a little confused. The days had flown by, and he had completely forgotten about it amidst the pressure of exams and revision. He didn't have time now to think about science projects.
Ryuichi (trying to change the subject):
"Ah, right. But I don't think I can help you now, I have exams."
He muttered to himself: (Damn... I totally forgot about him)
Aura (in a whisper):
"Beware of him, Ryuichi. This person is no ordinary person. A strange feeling surrounds him."
But Takeru didn't seem bothered by Ryuichi's response. He just gave a calm smile and replied:
Takeru (in a calm voice):
"You don't need to worry. I just wanted to make sure you're okay. But if you're busy, there's no need to talk further."
Then he added, in an unhurried tone, as if whispering into the air:
Takeru (quietly):
"If you finish your exams and have time, you can contact me to help with the project. I'll be here if you need me."
Without adding another word, he starts to walk away, disappearing into the crowd. But before he was completely gone, he slowly turned around.
Takeru (in a low voice):
"If you need help in the future, you can call me."
Then he disappeared among the students, like a quiet shadow in the crowd. Ryuichi stared at him for a moment, feeling something strange inside. Aura was right, there was something uncomfortable about this person.
As Ryuichi was immersed in reviewing analytical techniques through his smart glasses, he suddenly felt something strange. He quickly raised his head to find an unexpected girl appearing in front of him and calling out to him in a cheerful voice:
"Ryuichi!"
He abruptly stopped reviewing and raised his eyebrows in surprise as he stared at the girl standing in front of him. It was Jihan, a girl with striking features, her black hair long and tidy, her eyes sparkling with malice.
At that moment, Ryuichi felt a mixture of surprise and strangeness, and without restraint, he said in a sarcastic tone as he stared at Jihan:
"Did everyone at the university suddenly decide to come to me at revision time?"
Jihan smiled broadly, pretended not to hear the sarcastic comment, took a step forward and said enthusiastically:
"Oh, never mind, I just wanted to say hi! How's the review going? Things going well?"
Ryuichi smiled bitterly and said as he continued to look into his smart glasses:
"Are you really coming to me at such a sensitive time? I was about to memorize some important information here."
Jihan, as expected, couldn't hold back her boisterous laughter and said:
"What the heck, I could have come to help you pass the review! Sure, sure, sure, I'm just here to help you."
Ryuichi felt compelled to take a step back and let out a heavy sigh. Jihan always liked to bring a sense of fun and humor to serious times. Still, he didn't have time for a lengthy conversation. He replied in a jovial tone, trying to avoid any lengthy dialog:
"Okay, okay... But what else was I missing today but you! If you're tired, you can go for a walk on the other side of the college."
Jihan smiled smugly and said:
"Oh, as you say! Don't worry, I'm just here to check on you. But if I'm done with your review, and when you find time, you can call me, I might have a project idea that might interest you. That is, if you're not drowning in revision, of course."
Ryuichi looked at her in surprise, watching her sly smile, and said:
"You're really nice, but today is not the day. Let me concentrate on this review first."
Then, before she walked away, he added, looking at her cautiously:
"But remember, if your idea is more confusing than this review, I won't be able to help you... And if you're just kidding, I may find myself in an irreparable situation."
Jehanne smirked and said:
"Well, at least you made me feel welcome! I don't waste opportunities, and if you need anything, you can call me."
Jihan then quickly walked away, leaving Ryuichi to ponder what had happened.
When Ryuichi raised his head to continue his revision, he was still immersed in the material, when suddenly, he felt something strange happening near him, and when he looked up, he burst out screaming:
"What...?"
Ryoko was suddenly in front of him, in his white pajamas, his curly white hair looking like he had just gotten out of a pillow fight, his eyes half-closed as if he didn't realize where he was.
Comically, Ryoko put his hand on Ryuichi's shoulder and said in a nonchalant tone as if he was at his most comfortable:
"I want coffee."
Ryuichi jumped in place, his gaze somewhere between shock and amazement. He didn't know where to start, was it Ryoko's clothes that made it look like he was in a deep slumber, or his behavior as if nothing strange had happened?
"Ryoko!" Ryuichi shouted, staring at him in surprise, "Do you realize where you are? What are you doing here looking like that?"
Ryoko grinned broadly as he made himself comfortable in the seat next to Ryuichi, enjoying the chaos he had caused, and said simply:
"I'm here to supervise your mental health... I don't think your coffee will pass today without a little guidance from me."
He then looked around like he was on a break, still unconcerned about his unrealistic attire.
"What?" Ryuichi shouted, trying to remain calm amidst the chaos, "When did I become a being so easily?!"
But Ryoko, as if he knew nothing of the disaster he was causing, looked at him and said:
"Are you going to turn your back on me while I order my coffee? Think about it."
Ryuichi stared grimly at Ryoko after that funny mess, then said with a long sigh:
"Ryoko... Have you come to ruin what's left of my concentration?"
Ryoko smiled that mysterious, incomprehensible smile, then suddenly, from the pocket of his jacket (from who knows where!) he pulled out a small, numbered piece of paper. He slowly held it out to Ryuichi and said:
"Since you are about to take the analytical techniques exam, remember: Don't trust the visual indicator alone, always check the saturation, optical illusions are very possible in some mixed colors."
He then placed the paper in front of him, bowed slightly and said in a surprisingly serious tone:
"Analysis is a game of precision, not speed. Don't forget that."
Then, against all logic, he raised his hand and, to Ryuichi's amazement, said with a playful smile:
"Good luck, exam genius!"
Suddenly, Ryoko disappeared as quickly as he had appeared, leaving a trail of swirling air and a small piece of paper bouncing on the table.
Ryuichi looked at the paper, then at the sky, and sighed:
"I am surrounded by uncategorizable beings..."
Ryuichi entered the auditorium at a calmer pace than he had in the morning. This time it wasn't nerves that were the absolute master, but a faint sense that the wind was beginning to shift slightly in his favor. He sat in his previous seat, near the window, as if the seat itself had memorized his restless breathing.
He glanced at the new observer... A tall man, wearing thick prescription glasses, who seemed more concerned with checking an old watch on his wrist than the students. Not the piercing gaze of Hiroshi, not the silent stealth behind the seats. His presence was more like an unobtrusive shadow.
Ryuichi muttered:
"Well... "A promising start."
Aura replied in her familiar digital voice:
"It's better. No advanced surveillance signals, no tension detected from the perimeter. We have room to maneuver."
The exam papers began to circulate among the attendees, until they reached Ryuichi. He gently picked them up, taking a first look at the titles and questions. Aura recognized his face immediately:
"This exam... devourable. Start with the questions based on microscopic images and spectroscopy, you have the upper hand."
He smiled lightly as he gripped the pen. For the first time in a while, he felt like the battle was even.
Ryuichi turned the paper over in his hands, glancing at the sixty questions stacked with scientific discipline. Most were multiple choice and applied analyses based on fictitious lab reports and microscopic images.
He closed his eyes for a moment, then whispered to himself:
"Let's start the show."
Aura immediately pointed to the part with the least complexity:
"Start with the third set. The spectroscopy questions. I recently reviewed them... utilize your short-term memory before the information dissolves."
He followed her instructions, his eyes darting between digital data and graphs.
Question 5... Done.
Question 8... Did not hesitate.
Question 12... He didn't even lift his head.
Dirty sheets of paper were filled with diagrams, enzymatic breakdown equations, and explanatory drafts that showed his mind working like an instant biological research machine.
As he carefully scribbled his notes, the eraser fell out of his hand. He quickly picked it up, but caught a glimpse of his colleague sitting behind him staring at him for long seconds, before looking away.
Ryuichi frowned slightly...
"Is it a coincidence that I'm being watched by eyes in every exam?"
Aura caught the remark:
"Ignore that. Watch the speed. You're halfway through, and you've answered 31 questions with high accuracy. We need to stabilize this rhythm."
His focus returned fully to the paper. Past the theoretical questions, to the experimental part: Analyzing absorption curves, recognizing compounds from spectral images, correcting possible errors in analytical steps.
His mind worked as if there was nothing around him. No voices, no observers, no time.
Question 37...
Ryuichi drew a complex analysis map... Then, suddenly, the optical display in his glasses stopped responding.
The new instructions from Aura did not appear.
The real-time help indicator disappeared.
His eyebrows rose slightly, and he whispered:
"Aura?"
No answer came.