"Have you heard about it?"
"There's another new scholarship student!"
"What's more, he's doing almost every course in the school!"
"I heard he surprised Mr. Guweis in the music class with his orchestra performance this morning."
"Surprise Mr. Guweis? That's impossible!"
"I'm serious! And after that, he tried out for the football team, and Coach Kwesi begged him to join!"
"Coach Kwesi? The ruthless one?"
"Yup! All that happened in just two hours. Now he's heading to the martial arts class after lunch!"
"Miss Mable's class?! No way!"
"Come on, let's go see!"
---
In a large room with polished wooden floors, Klara stood before a fair-skinned, muscular woman with frizzy red hair and sharp red eyes. Her white karate uniform and black belt made her look both disciplined and intimidating.
"You wanna join my class?" Miss Mable asked with a cheeky grin.
"Yes, ma'am," Klara answered evenly.
"Then, if you can make me stumble, you pass."
Klara lunged forward without hesitation. She planted her hands on the floor and spun, her legs cutting through the air. Mable blocked the strike with her arms but felt the force vibrate through her.
'That move… he's no amateur,' she thought.
Klara didn't stop. She threw a punch, then twisted midair and kicked Mable across the head. The impact made Mable stumble backward.
Chuckling, the teacher rubbed her head. "Haven't you ever heard of showing respect to a lady?"
"I believe in a case of fights. It's better to treat an opponent with respect by not looking down on them and fighting with my full strength," Klara replied, clasping her hands politely.
Mable barked a laugh. "Tch, can't argue with that. You're in."
"Thank you." Klara smiled faintly and walked off.
Outside the dojo, a crowd gawked in awe.
"OMG! He's so perfect!" one girl squealed.
"Don't you think it's creepy how perfect he is?" a boy muttered.
"You're just jealous," the girl shot back.
Hearing that, Klara nodded to herself. Being perfect. That's my mother's goal. So I'll do my best to achieve it. Oh universe, lend me your strength.'
---
After classes ended, Klara tapped her phone. Moments later, Shio arrived, his charming grin in place.
"Let's go to our dorm! You're gonna love it," he beamed.
They took a small taxi and soon arrived at a grand mansion, the dormitory for the top students.
The rectangular three-story building was sleek and symmetrical, its walls a clean gray with trailing vines. The low, pyramid-shaped roof was tiled brown, and twin chimneys rose on either side. Rows of large windows gleamed in the light.
Inside, the ceramic floors shone under the hanging lamps. The spacious living room could easily hold fifteen people, and all the furniture was very elegant and posh. A luxurious dining area with a circular glass table and twenty chairs was arranged nicely.
The kitchen, decked in black marble slabs and stainless steel, was breathtaking. There were refrigerated drawers, warming compartments, touchscreen fridges, and high-tech electric stoves.
As they stepped out, a group of ten boys waited in the living room, some smiling, others stoic.
The one in front stepped forward, flashing a friendly grin. "Welcome, Scholarship Student, to the Dorm of the Top Ten. You make eleven. I'm Adrien."
"Nice to meet you," Klara said plainly, already turning for the stairs. "Good night."
Checking her phone, she saw Kevin's message confirming her luggage had already been delivered to her new room.
Hearing footsteps behind her, she glanced back to see Shio catching up.
"I'm tired," she muttered. "I'll sleep for a few hours."
Shio chuckled. "Well, what did I tell you? You overdid it today."
"I can handle it," Klara said stubbornly, waving a hand dismissively as she reached her room.