"Ahem… You see, Mr. Aji, please let me take the examination," I say, pleadingly. "I just want to keep a low profile and stay in the lower class with my cousin."
Mr. Aji raises an eyebrow, his expression a mix of disbelief and concern. "Do you realize the lower class students are often targeted and bullied by the upper class? It's not exactly the peaceful life you're imagining. Besides, I made your father a promise to give you the best because you're exceptional—I could tell the moment you walked in."
"Please, Mr. Aji," I insist.
He closes his eyes briefly, exhaling a resigned sigh. "Fine. But you can switch to the upper class whenever you want." With that, he gestures for me to cast a fireball.
Smiling faintly, I summon a fireball no larger than a baseball—below average by any standard. The murmurs begin immediately from the other participants behind me, but I ignore them and walk calmly to the side where others who've completed their tests are standing.
