After some time of chasing and pondering, Ars finally caught up to William. Panting, he confronted him.
"Why were you running from me?" Ars asked, hands on his hips. "I only wanted to thank you again for paying my rent and giving me that money for my hobby!"
William raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Who said I was running from you? I was just looking for a way to talk to you alone."
Ars blinked. "What... what do you mean?"
"There's a test," William said, his voice taking on a mysterious tone. "Not just any test. This is the kind of exam that will make you famous. It'll make you shine with knowledge, and give you the fame, power, and money you've always dreamed of!"
Ars frowned. "I don't need fame or power."
William leaned in, his eyes sparkling. "But think about it—imagine all the money! You could buy anything. A private theater to watch anime all day, stacks of manga, shelves full of anime figurines. The possibilities are endless!"
Ars' eyes glazed over as his mind wandered to a world of endless anime. But before he could slip deeper into his daydreams, William clapped his hands in front of his face.
"WAKE UP, Ars! No more daydreaming! You can make this real. But here's the catch—the exam is not for the faint of heart. Only the smartest, most knowledgeable people can participate, and it's going to be the hardest test in the history of Earth. The one who conquers it gets everything! Fame, power, and... anime figures, of course."
Ars blinked again. "Uh... I don't know. Some people quit because it's too hard, and others... start because it's too hard."
William grinned. "I like your spirit, but listen up—what you're lacking right now is experience. But don't worry. You've got potential, Ars. You just need to work. You've got ninety-six days left to prepare. I'll be heading back to Germany for now, but when the exam rolls around, I'll be back to pick you up. I'm choosing math for my field—what about you?"
Ars thought for a moment. "I think I'll choose physics."
"Nice choice," William said, nodding approvingly. "And just to sweeten the deal, I'll throw in a custom-built PC and dozens of anime figures. Now, get to work!"
Ars stood a little straighter. "Alright, I'll work hard for it. But... anime figures? That's all I needed to hear."
And so, William departed for Germany, leaving Ars to ponder his future. But as soon as Ars got home, his plans started to derail. The exam loomed ahead, but all he could think about was watching *Blue Lock*. William had told him to study, but studying didn't seem nearly as exciting as anime.
Then, a thought struck Ars like a bolt of lightning. *What if... I could just copy the answers?*
But then reality hit him—he wasn't just some average guy. He had a power he hadn't even bothered to remember. A power that could make everything easier. *Wait... I've got powers!*
So, Ars sank into his couch and started watching *Blue Lock*. He was deep into his anime binge when something gnawed at him—a feeling of loneliness he couldn't shake. He wanted to play soccer, but his lack of friends made it impossible. The only person he knew was Sakura, but he didn't really consider her a friend. She was just someone he had lunch with.
After his aunt kicked him out of the house, he had nowhere to go and no money. By some miracle, he found work and managed to afford a beautiful home. But his aunt's abuse had left a mark. He couldn't trust women—or anyone, really. He was alone. Even at school, the boys only came to him when they needed something. It made Ars feel like he was just a tool to them.
He went to the balcony and looked out at the empty soccer field. His heart sank. There was no one there to play with, no one to connect with. *I need friends...* he thought. But the people around him weren't real friends. They only wanted something from him.
And so, he sank deeper into his world of anime. It was the only thing that brought him peace. He dreamed of reincarnating into a different life—one that wasn't so lonely. But even his dreams felt out of reach.
Tears welled up in his eyes as he muttered to himself, "Why, author? Why did you create me like this? Why am I just the lonely guy who's only here to get you views? I have a life! I want to enjoy it! But no, you've trapped me in this sad, empty story. I hate you!"
Suddenly, a voice boomed from the heavens—or, more likely, from the fourth wall.
"You've got it wrong, Ars," the author's voice echoed in his mind. "I didn't create you just to get views. Sure, you're lonely right now, but that's not the end. I'm sure I'll give you a rich and happy life in the future."
Ars scowled. "The future? What's the future to me? It's just the part where I get old and can barely walk!"
"No, no, no," the author chuckled. "I'm talking about *after* the exam. If you pass, you'll be well-known and have everything you want. But don't get cocky. This exam is tough, and I don't think you'll pass. In fact, I think you're going to flop."
Ars narrowed his eyes. "But I've got power. That has to count for something, right?"
The author's voice grew serious. "Power, huh? Well, you better hope it's enough. If you fail, your career will be over in an instant. Don't come crying to me when it all ends. I'm not your guide, Ars. If you fail, I'll end this story. *The End.*"
Ars froze. "Wait, what?"
"Yep. Fail the exam, and that's it. No second chances. So, get ready. The clock is ticking."
And with that, Ars was left with nothing but the looming challenge ahead—and the haunting feeling that his fate might not be in his hands after all.