"Aisthesis Astynomia---", I repeatedly muttered my name as I tried to find it on a list of passers in the official website of Noimosýni tis Sýnesis School of Cebu for first-year senior high students using my old computer.
Noimosýni tis Sýnesis School of Cebu is a newly established learning ground. It's located near the main part of Badian, Cebu. It replaced the old school there. From what I've heard, Noimosýni tis Sýnesis Schools offers a lot of opportunities for students. According to my sources, the school has an eccentric and vivid way of making students learn. From the 3 years that it had been established, the school managed to gather a lot of attention and showed a great image to the education community. Last year, in Noimosýni tis Sýnesis School of Tokyo, 30 of their writer students are all qualifiers for the international Writing Competition. 10 of those managed to get gold medal, and the rest got silver and bronze.
I've done enough background research about Noimosýni tis Sýnesis School. One of their school branch will open in Cebu this year and I am sure that enrolling there would be worth it.
"Ais, have you found your name yet?", my supportive mother, Inari, called me. She's currently on the kitchen preparing our meal. From her tone, she's probably worried that I'll breakdown if I can't pass the school standards. I retained my serious expression and responded with a calm voice, "Not yet, Ma! There are 15,000 applicants and only 210 can pass. It's kinda hard to find my name since they didn't arrange it in an alphabetical order." My mother responded with a joyful tone, "I'm just checking".
A few more minutes had passed and I finally found my name. "Hanna Cromwell... Mylene Majestia... Aist-Ais-Aisthesis Astynomia?! Ma! I passed!", I happily jumped out of my chair and ran towards my mother to show her my name. "Ma, I passed!", I said to my mother with a wide smile. My mother did not respond and just stared straight into my eyes. Seconds flow by, she smiled, and hugged me tightly. "I knew you can surpass all those students," My mother said with a tear in her eyes. She gently let go of me and said, "There is no need for me to see your name on that long list. I am already satisfied enough that I heard it from you." I smiled and went back to my room.
Now that I finally found my name, I should probably prepare for the upcoming opening ceremony. It's still far from today, but it is better to prepare. I won't waste my time sitting and doing nothing.
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Meanwhile, at a coffee shop.
A waiter was normally serving a coffee. With a bright smile on its face, all the costumers are sure that they're on the right coffee shop.
"Eron, table seven's order is ready," A heavy old man informed the waiter. With one call, the waiter, Eron, hastily made his way on the counter. As he gently slid the used tray back to the holder. He immediately took the coffee and delivered it to its destination.
"Here's your coffee, Miss Hanna Cromwell. Plain Black coffee, just as you ordered," Eron said to the girl sitting on table seven. "What's with the formality, Mr. Eron Cirvana?", the girl, Hanna, responded and laughed. Eron laughed as a reaction to Hanna's 'joke'.
"I haven't found your name on the list yet. It kinda sucks that they didn't implement a search system," Hanna told Eron who's wiping the nearby empty tables.
As Hanna was scrolling, she saw her name. "I found mine!", she excitedly informed Eron. Eron hastily and perfectly wiped the table clean, and approached his friend. "Really? Can I see?", Eron excitedly asked. Hanna pointed the 617th test taker. Beside it was a word highlighted with the color green, 'Passed'. Eron smiled and patted Hanna's head. "You passed! Wait, before we celebrate more... can you first check the 640th passer?", Eron requested. Hanna, with no hesitation, took a screenshot of her name first, and then scrolled to see the 640th test taker. "Eron Cirvana... Male... 17...P-passed!!! You passed too! We can both go to Noimosýni tis Sýnesis School of Cebu!!!", Hanna's eyes was filled with excitement and joy. Eron smiled and hugged Hanna. "We both passed... Let's give it our all!", He said to Hanna and eventually let go after finishing his statement. Hanna smiled and responded, "I'm gonna be the 'Class President'". Eron laughed and slowly walked away. He turned around after a certain distance and said, "I'll be the 'vice president' then." They both nodded at each other with smiles completely visible on their faces. Eron told his manager about the news, and everyone was delighted to hear it. Their manager, Mr. Humpty, took a cake from the kitchen and brought it to Hanna's table. Two of Eron's co-workers dragged him to the table as well. They told him to sit down. Eron had no choice, but to sit. As he sat down, Mr. Humpty said, "Rest for now, we'll handle the rest." Eron looked at his manager with worry in his eyes, "But Mr. Humpty--". "Erp! Erp! We are happy that you passed the exam! So, take a rest, sit here with your girlfriend, and enjoy this cake, " Mr. Humpty interrupted Eron's worry.
"G-gi-girlfriend? no no no, she's not my girlfriend," Eron nervously stated as his face started to grow more and more red. "Meh, I don't believe ya'," Mr. Humpty replied and patted Eron's back before saying 'Congratulations to the two of ya'' and returning back to the kitchen.
"Congrats, Ron and Hanna!"
"You did great, Congrats Eron and Ms. Hanna!"
The co-workers who dragged him congratulated them with a genuine smile. After saying their congrats, they left and went back to brewing coffee.
Hanna and Eron just smiled at each other while looking at the cake. After a while of arguing who'd take the first bite, they eventually decided to let Hanna go first.
They shared the cake and had some more conversations about the new path that they're going to take. With their names on the list, a new obstacle will rise to obstruct them for their success. Even with that, they are smiling, and is ready to face whatever it is.
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Four months had passed, and today's the day. The opening ceremony of Noimosýni tis Sýnesis School of Cebu for 2027.
As I walked through the school ground, I saw a lot of buildings. From what I've noticed, the school is divided into eight parts. Seven of which are 'Section Territories' which even, I, don't know. They'll probably explain it later.
I made my way to the middle area. There are stores, a beautiful park, and a lot of other infrastructures. I just admired the scene, completely forgetting that this was a school. "This place is massive...", I heard a guy talk behind me. I couldn't do anything, but agree. This school is so massive, that you might mistook it for a city.
I continued to walk and saw the massive auditorium. I went inside and saw a lot of students. I've read on their school website that there 2000 seats here. Even though the entire amount of passers from grade 7 to 11 was only 1050.
I disregarded questioning the seat numbers, and picked a place to sit. I decided to sit on the middle part near an entrance, so I won't struggle leaving later. I sat on the corner so I won't get stuck on the middle once the meeting starts.
I looked above and saw a massive screen. There was a number written on the screen. Beside it was a text. "'Students inside the auditorium: 750," I read what's displayed on the screen.
"Umm, can I sit next to you?", a girl asked me. I nodded with a cold demeanor, although showing some respect. She sat next to me and both of us awkwardly fell into a deep silence. The auditorium was filled with a lot of students, but the quiteness inside is something you won't expect from this amount of people grouped together.
"Umm... Hi...", the girl beside me started talking. I looked at her and slightly smiled signifying that I'm going to listen what she's about to say. "Are you nervous?", she asked. I flustered for a bit after hearing her minimized voice. I nodded and asked her, "How about you?".
She was about to answer, but then the screen above the stage flashed. All of the students looked at it and saw that all of the students are now inside the auditorium.
Silence fell as we waited for what's going to happen next. The silence didn't last though, as an old man walked on the stage.
White beard, brown skinned. He was wearing an eye glass and from his face, he could be around the age of 60 or 70. He wore a black tuxedo and is very mannered. His posture was great and the way he held the microphone is eye-catching.
All of us thought, or maybe only, I, thought that he was gonna be saying 'Good morning' and then a speech. Although, I was wrong. He smirked and his face was displayed on the screen. Upon clearing his throat, he announced, "Let us start the second test."
Everyone's eyes widened upon hearing about the test. My seatmate even gasped silently. I was gonna panic, but I realized the maybe this is a way to determine our capabilities as a student.
"Interesting...", a guy from my back said with an intriguing and intimating tone.
I grinned and muttered on my seat, "So this is how you'll start? Bring it on, Noimosýni tis Sýnesis School of Cebu."