The alarm clock buzzed, a jarring intrusion into the pre-dawn silence. Nashimi, a young woman with a quiet strength, stretched, her movements fluid and graceful. It was 5:30 AM, and her day had already begun. Breakfast, a quick, nourishing meal, was followed by a brisk shower, the cool water invigorating her senses. School, with its promise of knowledge and challenges, awaited.
Nashimi stood before her wardrobe, her gaze lingering on the meticulously chosen components of her school uniform. A crisp white blouse, tailored to her slender frame, was paired with a dark grey jacket, its sharp lines echoing her own sense of discipline. A red necktie, accented with black and white stripes, added a touch of vibrant color to the otherwise subdued ensemble. The knee-length black knife-pleated skirt, with its crisp white stripes, flowed with each movement, a testament to her elegance. Above-knee white socks and black leather shoes completed the look, a perfect blend of formality and understated sophistication.
She ran a hand through her dark hair, leaving it in a "messy but formal" style. Braiding or straightening her hair felt too restrictive, too much of a departure from her natural self.
As she stepped out of her room, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted from the living room. Her brother, Shiki, and Nine, their voices a low murmur, were deep in conversation, the subject seemingly as mundane as peanuts and anime.
"Brother, I'll be going now," Nashimi announced, her voice soft but firm. "The bus will be arriving."
"Okay, stay safe," Shiki replied, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before returning to his conversation with Nine.
Nine, ever the gentleman, waved a gentle goodbye, his smile warm and reassuring.
Nashimi stepped out into the cool morning air, the scent of cherry blossoms lingering on the breeze. She reached the bus stop just as the school bus pulled up, its yellow exterior a beacon of routine. She took a seat at the back, seeking the solace of solitude. The bus was sparsely populated, the other students lost in their own worlds, their silence a comforting blanket.
The bus made its rounds, picking up students from their homes, each stop a brief glimpse into the lives of her classmates. At the final stop, a young man boarded, his presence a subtle shift in the atmosphere. He was different, his aura a captivating blend of mystery and eccentricity. He made his way to the back of the bus, where Nashimi sat.
Their eyes met, a silent exchange of recognition. He took the only remaining seat, beside her. He didn't seem to care about her or the other students, his gaze distant, lost in his own thoughts. But then, as if sensing the awkward silence, he reached out, his voice a low murmur.
"Excuse me, you're new here, right? I don't think I've seen you at school before."
"I'm actually a transferee from China," Nashimi replied, her voice soft but clear. "My name is Nashimi L. Rain, a 1st year."
"Well, might as well introduce myself," the young man said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "My name is Adam Yagami, also a 1st year. By any chance, you know your section or class?"
"It was '1st Year-Class Planck' last time I checked," Nashimi replied. "Why do you ask?"
"That means we're classmates," Adam said, his grey eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. "I'm also in Class A. It's quite refreshing to see a new face in the picture. Nothing 'interesting' really happens much other than boring bliss."
Adam Yagami, a young man of British heritage, was an enigma wrapped in a mystery. His aloof demeanor, his enigmatic gaze, and his air of quiet intensity set him apart from the other students. His appearance was striking, drawing curious glances from his peers. His eyes, a mesmerizing shade of grey, held a certain depth that hinted at untold secrets. The black pupils within his eyes were no ordinary orbs; they bore a resemblance to a plus star on the left and a × symbol on the right, a stark contrast to the normalcy of his classmates.
His hair, a lustrous black, cascaded down in moderately long strands, framing his face with sharp bangs that added an air of mystery to his already intriguing presence. It was as if his hair served as a curtain, concealing the thoughts and emotions that lay beneath his enigmatic exterior. His physique, honed through dedicated physical training, spoke volumes about his discipline and determination.
Adam's choice of clothing further emphasized his enigmatic nature. He adorned the school's boy's uniform, but there was an undeniable elegance in the way he wore it. A stark white T-shirt formed the foundation of his ensemble, while a dark long-sleeve jacket enveloped his form, adding an air of sophistication to his appearance. A red necktie, adorned with blue and white stripes, served as a striking accent, capturing attention amidst the sea of uniforms. Moody black trousers completed his ensemble, their color reflecting the enigmatic aura that surrounded him. And as he walked, his black leather shoes whispered against the floor, leaving an air of mystery in his wake.
Whispers and rumors swirled around Adam, his enigmatic persona captivating the imaginations of his peers. Some speculated about his hidden past, while others wondered about the depths of his intellect and the extent of his abilities. Nashimi, one of the few who recognized the enigma that Adam embodied, felt an undeniable pull towards him. She was drawn to the mysteries that lay within his grey eyes, yearning to uncover the secrets that resided in his enigmatic soul.
"Don't get your hopes up," Nashimi said, her voice soft but firm. "I'm not the talkative type. Even now, I'm exerting more energy than I ever used to interact with people."
"Then are you annoyed at me?" Adam asked, his voice laced with concern. "I apologize if you see me as a nuisance. I, after all, did talk to you out of the blue."
His words, though spoken with a casual air, carried a hint of vulnerability, a stark contrast to his usually calm and mysterious personality.
"No, I don't find you annoying," Nashimi replied, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Being socially drained doesn't mean I don't like other people or just hate them for no reason."
"I guess that's true," Adam said, his gaze meeting hers. "Since you're new here, why not let me give you a tour of the campus? I know a thing or two."
"I'll take you on that offer," Nashimi replied, her voice betraying a hint of curiosity.
A few minutes later, the bus pulled up to the gates of LIST, the esteemed institute of the modern age. Founded by Dianoia Prosefsis and funded by the UK government and the monarch, LIST stood as a testament to the power of intellect and the pursuit of knowledge. It competed with the likes of Oxford, Harvard, IIT, Cambridge, and other top universities and institutions in the world, a remarkable achievement considering it had only been in operation for less than a decade.
The campus was a grand and beautiful expanse, brimming with intellect and potential, a nurturing ground for the students it embraced. The acceptance rate was one of the lowest in the world, perhaps the lowest, with only 4 to 16 students accepted out of over 100,000 applicants every two years. This meant that there were only 16 to 64 students currently enrolled, a select group of individuals chosen for their exceptional abilities.
The last application period had been in May 2023, and the entrance exam for LIST had consistently ranked as the most difficult in the world since its inception in 2017.
There were only three ways for a transferee like Nashimi to gain admission:
1. The transfer student must have a converted grade from their previous school that was equivalent to a "SAT score of 1600" or a "weighted GPA of 5.0". If the student passed that requirement, they were then asked one question each by the "HI" and the "secretary of state for education". Based on that single question, both individuals had to agree for the student to be accepted.
2. Taking a special transferee exam conducted by the institute. A 12-hour time limit to answer 73 pages with a total of 600 questions covering a vast range of subjects, including number theory, calculus, quantum mechanics, set theory, epistemology, complex analysis, metaphysics, overall psychology, theoretical computer science, quantum field theory, atomic theory, special relativity, and political sciences. After the exam, they would undergo a rigorous physical test said to be of the same or similar intensity as the "APTA".
Average score of:
- Exam: 5 points
- Physical test: 7%
Passing score of:
- Exam: 30 points
- Physical test: 20%
Highest recorded transferee exam and physical test score:
- Exam: 333 points
- Physical test: 100%
3. Personal approval or request from both the prime minister of the UK and the current head monarch of Britain.
Nashimi had achieved the first requirement, meaning she didn't need to take the transferee exam or seek special approval.
As the students disembarked from the bus and made their way onto the campus, Adam walked slightly behind Nashimi. She stopped at the center of the plaza in front of the gate, turned around, and faced Adam, a sweet but somewhat dark smile gracing her lips. She placed her right arm at her chest, a gesture that spoke volumes about her confidence and her eagerness to explore this new world.
"Adam, show me what this school is all about...", she said.