The towering gates of Oxford Advanced High School loomed over me, casting a long shadow across the pavement. The name alone carried weight, a place where only the brightest minds thrived—or were crushed under the pressure. My heart pounded, but my expression remained unreadable.

"Calm down, Allen. This is just another school."

I adjusted my tie, my fingers instinctively smoothing out my blazer. Around me, students in crisp uniforms walked with confidence, some throwing glances my way. New student. That label alone was enough to attract attention.

"Blend in. Stay unnoticed."

Taking a deep breath, I stepped through the gates. The moment I entered, I felt the suffocating atmosphere of competition. Students whispered about test scores, rankings, and upcoming evaluations. Some exchanged smug looks, while others looked anxious.

A flashback hit me suddenly.

"Allen, don't ever show them what you're capable of." My father's voice echoed in my mind. His stern expression burned into my memory. "Geniuses don't belong in the crowd. They either rise too high or fall too hard."

That was why I was here—to live as a normal student. To stay under the radar.

"You're in my way."

I snapped back to reality as a voice cut through my thoughts. A girl stood in front of me, arms crossed. Her platinum blonde hair gleamed under the sunlight, and her sharp blue eyes studied me like I was an unsolved equation.

"Great. First day and I'm already in trouble."

"Uh, sorry," I muttered, stepping aside.

She didn't move. Instead, she narrowed her eyes. "You're the new student, aren't you?"

I hesitated. "…Yeah."

"Allen, right?"

I stiffened. "How do you—"

"Your files are in the student database. Everyone here has access to it."

"What kind of school does that?"

Before I could respond, Charlotte leaned in slightly. "Listen, I don't care why you're here, but if you're weak, you'll get crushed. This school doesn't tolerate mediocrity."

A test. She was watching my reaction, waiting for a sign of weakness.

I forced a small, uninterested smile. "Then I'll make sure not to get in anyone's way."

Her lips curved into something between amusement and warning. "We'll see."

As she walked away, I exhaled slowly.

"Welcome to hell."

Allen felt that he didn't like it but he had to accept the fact. He had to put in some effort while still hiding his true abilities.

"I guess I have to work a little harder even from behind the scenes. Welcome to hell. I guess so?"