[Sigh]
In the middle of a boring lecture delivered by the chemistry teacher, talking about types of elements and their classifications, and a lot of words that passed without leaving any trace.
I was doodling on the edge of my notebook, drawing my favorite character.
_ I wish I were like him…
I said bitterly.
He was a twenty-eight-year-old man, an avid reader of novels, who entered the novel he loved… and his story began.
_ But you're not even half as smart as he is.
_ Shut up!
I lightly hit her head.
That was Tans, my classmate and companion of my days.
_ How dare you do that?!
She hit me in return.
_ Brika! Tans!
My back stiffened, and I looked forward.
_ Are these the actions of those about to enter university?
_ Behave yourselves a little.
_ But—
_ Stand up now. Go stand outside the class.
_ Okay…
I stood up and headed toward the door to open it, but suddenly the social counselor walked in and saw me.
_ Go back to your seat.
_ Sorry, I—
_ Just a few minutes. Go back.
That's why… I hate Mondays.
I returned to my seat, annoyed.
_ Without beating around the bush, which one of you tampered with the devices in the computer lab?
Everyone looked around nervously.
I raised my hand.
_ Sorry, but we haven't had computer classes for more than two weeks.
_ Really? Then how do you explain this?
The teacher took out her phone and showed us a picture of part of the background of one of the lab computers.
They were names… the names of the girls in our class.
I didn't want to interfere further or ask questions, so the accusation wouldn't be pinned on me.
Even though my curiosity was burning.
The teacher began threatening us, talking about calling parents and the possibility of expulsion.
I whispered in Tans's ear:
_ Just writing names… it's a trivial matter.
_ Yeah… but notice, the picture isn't complete.
She only showed us part of it.
_ Maybe because she wanted to photograph the important part?
_ I don't think so. The teacher usually photographs everything.
_ Should I ask her?
_ Don't cause a fuss.
I raised my hand.
_ Miss, what's the problem with writing our names as a computer background?
She was silent for a moment, then said in a different tone:
_ The problem isn't the names. This isn't a screen background… this is a hacked site used to sell personal information and alter identities.
Silence filled the classroom.
The teacher enlarged the image.
The entire computer appeared.
Our names, our national ID numbers, our geographic locations… even passport numbers.
Tans and I looked at each other at the same moment.
_ This… isn't normal, right?
She nodded.
A student asked in a trembling voice:
_ Are only our names there?
_ No. The entire school's names.
But suspicion fell on you because the cameras showed that your class was the last to enter the computer lab.
_ Could it be someone from outside the school, miss?
_ We considered that possibility, but we first checked the logs and found that the access was—
The door suddenly opened.
_ Ms. Hanaa, Mr. Ahmed… come for a few minutes, the principal wants you.
A heavy silence fell.
The teacher who entered looked exhausted from running—
the Islamic education teacher.
Calm, kind to her students, and commanding respect from everyone.
That's why her angry appearance and worry were not normal to us.
The two teachers left after warning us to stay calm and not leave our seats.
Only seconds passed before the class began whispering and discussing.
I turned toward Tans, as did the two girls sitting in front of me.
Tans hit me on the head.
_ You're not a series heroine. Calm down with your excessive enthusiasm!
_ That's right. You'll get into a lot of trouble if you keep up this behavior.
Reem agreed, nodding her head.
_ But I had the right to ask, didn't I? My name is there too, and I wasn't the only one who asked.
_ True, but you're lucky she's a teacher who knows you.
If it were someone else, she would've deducted your grades or accused you directly.
I was silent for a moment, then muttered:
_ But we got information thanks to my question… right?
The girl behind me, Nour, intervened:
_ Yes, that's true. Don't scold her too much.
Tans sighed.
_ Just… don't do it again.
I stayed quiet and didn't answer.
The door opened.
Silence immediately filled the classroom.
It was the same teacher…
but something about him wasn't normal.
He was limping.
His steps were unsteady, and his gaze passed over us one by one, with an eerie slowness.
He wanted to speak—
but the principal interrupted him from behind.
_ The holiday will be until the end of the week.
We wish you health… and life.
Amid the noise of students' joyful screams and packing their belongings,
the city's sirens went off.
Then—
Transparent gates appeared before our eyes, and status windows like those we see in games and novels.
Everything froze.
Text appeared before me, floating in the air:
Game: Masterstroke||
Answer all of the teacher's questions.
Punishment: Death
Success: +100 grades
Reward: 20 intelligence points
Time: Three seconds per question
The scenario will begin after ten minutes.
Damn it…
Are you kidding me right now?!
I remembered the novels I had read…
most of them start like this.
I looked at the teacher.
He suddenly moved.
And in his hand was a wooden stick.
He stood as if nothing had happened.
_ All right, my dear students, sit in your seats.
Your test will begin in a few minutes.
His gaze moved among us.
_ Place only your pens, and your bags on the chair between you…
so your eyes don't fall on them.
Of course, I trust you… but just in case.
He laughed.
An irritating laugh.
Tans whispered to herself:
_ And as you know… revision won't help you now.
He paused for a moment, then continued:
_ Because you won't know the questions.
I remained still.
No…
This isn't any story I've read.
I've never read anything like this before.
And suddenly… I remembered.
We have to apply everything in the scenario's conditions.
I quickly moved everything off the desk and placed my bag on the chair between me and Tans.
_ Do what he tells you!
My voice came out loud, louder than I expected, just to warn the girls in the class.
My group understood my intent…
because they had read romantic manhwa and role-playing games, unlike me, a novel reader.
When I sat down…
A window appeared in front of me alone.
_ Oh, my dear Brika… why did you shout in my presence?
I swallowed.
_ Just because you're a diligent student, I'll forgive you… but with a punishment.
It disappeared.
Then another window appeared.
||Answer time reduced: one second.||
I cursed him internally.
One of the girls suddenly stood up,
holding a metal ruler, and rushed to strike the teacher's head.
He grabbed her quickly.
_ Tsk tsk tsk… hitting me, my sweet Hanan?
He smiled.
_ I would kneel for you and allow you to hit me forever…
but since I'm a teacher here, I can't.
He dragged her with him outside the classroom.
He returned seconds later.
Without a sound.
In new clothes.
But one of his fingers…
Was stained with blood.
My body trembled.
_ All right, the test will begin in two minutes.
He raised the stick slightly.
_ Start seeking forgiveness and reciting the supplication.
And it's better… to recite the Shahada along with it.[ أشهد لا أله الا الله وأشهد أن محمد رسول الله]