After dinner, Evan returned to his room.
In his past life, he'd heard Nia mention Wellington Academy's stringent requirements for transfer students.
Apparently, anyone wishing to transfer had to pass a rigorous entrance exam.
But the exact details of the test? Even Nia hadn't known.
What she did share, however, was that no one—ever—had successfully transferred into Wellington.
The difficulty level had to be nothing short of nightmarish.
Given his current academic standing, Evan knew passing the exam was a pipe dream.
The immediate priority was obvious: improve his grades across all subjects.
Otherwise, even with Uncle Daniel's connections, gaining admission would be impossible.
Evan called out in his mind: System, what does Level 2 Knowledge represent?
"Level 2 Knowledge is equivalent to scoring 700+ on standardized exams."
"And Level 3?"
"An exceptional graduate from a top-tier university like Cambridge or MIT, with mastery across all disciplines."
Evan nodded to himself. Got it. This just became doable.
He approached the bookshelf, grabbed a copy of Advanced Calculus Explained, and began reading.
To his surprise, the material he once found incomprehensible now seemed vivid and approachable, as if each concept came alive, imprinting itself directly into his mind.
Lost in the flow, Evan quickly became immersed in the sea of knowledge.
As time passed, the system chimed in his mind:
"Read for 10 minutes: +1 Experience."
"Read for 10 minutes: +1 Experience."
The hours flew by.
When Evan turned the final page of Advanced Calculus Explained, the system rewarded him:
"Completed full book: +5 Experience."
Adding this to the 18 points earned over three hours, Evan had gained a total of 23 Experience Points.
Not bad, he thought, taking a sip of water and checking his stats:
Host: Evan TurnerKnowledge: Level 1 (30/100)Intelligence: Level 1 (20/100)Combat: Level 1 (10/100)Medicine: Level 1 (0/100)Karma Points: 0Experience: 23
Reaching Level 2 Knowledge required 70 points. At his current pace, Evan calculated it would take roughly six more hours.
A glance at the clock told him it was almost 8 PM.
Evan's goal was simple: reach Level 2 Knowledge tonight. Before heading to Wellington, he aimed to hit Level 3.
No matter how tough the entrance exam turned out to be, he would face it with confidence.
Without hesitation, Evan picked up two more books—Physics Demystified and New Concepts in English.
Focused and determined, he continued reading.
With every turn of the page, the system chimed in, rewarding him.
By 2:10 AM, the decisive notification echoed in his mind:
"Read for 10 minutes: +1 Experience."
"Experience Points reached 70. Eligible for Knowledge Level 2 upgrade. Proceed?"
"Upgrade!"
The moment he confirmed, a profound clarity swept over him. It was an indescribable feeling—ethereal yet deeply satisfying.
When the sensation subsided, Evan checked his updated stats:
Host: Evan TurnerKnowledge: Level 2 (0/500)Intelligence: Level 1 (20/100)Combat: Level 1 (10/100)Medicine: Level 1 (0/100)Karma Points: 0Experience: 0
Evan smiled in satisfaction—until he noticed the next level required a whopping 500 Experience Points.
Five hundred? Just for Level 3? What about Level 4 or 5?
The thought made his head throb.
But when he thought of Nia's silhouette, a serene determination replaced his frustration.
Some people are worth every effort.
Five Days Later – Wellington Academy
Wellington Academy was renowned nationwide, celebrated for its extraordinary college acceptance rates.
Its principal had once famously remarked, "Even a pig could get into university after three years here."
This bold statement only increased Wellington's allure. For parents, it was the ultimate dream school.
But the academy's extreme admission standards deterred 99% of applicants, making it clear that not just anyone could walk through its doors.
In the principal's office, Dr. Adam Cohen adjusted his black-rimmed glasses as he reviewed a student file. His brows furrowed slightly, and he occasionally glanced at the young man sitting opposite him.
As Wellington's principal, Dr. Cohen was deeply invested in maintaining the school's reputation. While a trusted friend had personally vouched for this student, rules were rules, and even he wouldn't bend them.
Evan sat calmly, his demeanor mature beyond his years.
By contrast, Daniel, sitting beside him, was visibly nervous. Over the past few days, he'd pulled countless strings to get Evan this meeting. Whether or not Evan could enroll now depended entirely on Dr. Cohen's decision.
Dr. Cohen set down the file, his expression neutral. "Mr. Daniel, I understand you're Evan's guardian?"
"Yes, that's right." Daniel quickly stood up, introducing himself. "I'm Daniel, Evan's uncle. Is there an issue with his application?"
Dr. Cohen shook his head, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk. "The application itself is fine. However, as a prestigious institution, Wellington requires all transfer students to pass an entrance exam. I trust you understand the necessity of this policy?"
"An exam?" Daniel's smile faltered. "Is that really necessary?"
He knew Evan's academic history all too well. Bottom of his class. If there was an exam involved, the outcome seemed bleak.
Dr. Cohen's tone remained firm. "I'm afraid it is. This policy applies to all potential transfers, regardless of their background."
At that moment, a staff member entered, carrying a set of test papers.
"Principal, the materials are ready."
Dr. Cohen nodded and turned to Evan. "The test will consist of multiple subjects, reflecting the rigor of our program. To qualify for entry into our senior science track, you'll need a minimum score of 730."
Daniel shot to his feet, his face a mix of disbelief and frustration. "Seven hundred and thirty? Are you serious? That's practically a perfect score!"
Dr. Cohen remained unfazed. "Our standards are high, Mr. Daniel. Wellington strives for excellence."
Daniel turned to Evan, ready to pull him out of the room. "Let's go, Evan. There are plenty of other schools."
But Evan didn't budge.
"Uncle," he said softly, "I appreciate your concern, but I'd like to try."
Daniel hesitated, his frustration giving way to concern. "Evan, you heard the man. This isn't realistic—"
Evan's smile was calm yet resolute, a quiet confidence radiating from him.
"I believe I can do it."
For Evan, there was only one reason to stay at Wellington.
Nia was here.
And for her, no challenge was too great.