The morning air at Ainsworth Academy was unusually tense. The assembly hall buzzed with quiet whispers and thinly veiled anticipation. Seo Yuna sat upright, hands folded in her lap, her gaze fixed straight ahead. Beside her, Jang Minjun leaned back in his seat, fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest. Principal Oh stood at the podium, his expression grave.
"Due to the recent scandal," he announced, his voice echoing through the room, "the final round of the Autumn Academic Games will be held privately and televised to the school."
Yuna glanced sideways at Minjun. She could feel the ripple of energy in the room, the collective intake of breath. Every student was watching them.
"So it's not just academic anymore," Minjun said under his breath. "It's political."
Principal Oh gave a tight smile. "Everything here is."
Yuna met his eyes without flinching. "Then we'll play harder."
Later that day, Yuna gathered her friends in the common room. Kim Ara, Park Hyunwoo, Baek Sumin, Choi Taeyang, Jung Nari, Shin Jisoo, and Younus joined her in a loose circle of sofas and floor cushions. The air buzzed with strategy and caffeine.
"They want a show?" Yuna said. "Let's give them one."
"I'm on public speaking," Ara offered quickly. "I'll coach you until your voice could melt steel."
Hyunwoo grinned. "And I'll design flashcards... and memes. Public engagement, baby."
Younus held up a tablet. "Already cracked the practice algorithm."
Sumin sipped from her tea. "We're not just backing a girl. We're building a queen's court."
In the gymnasium, under flickering fluorescent lights, Yuna faced off with Lee Dohyun. Their practice session was quieter than most, but not any less intense.
"Everyone has an angle," Dohyun said, handing her a mock question sheet. "What's yours?"
"I want to prove I belong," she replied. "Not for them. For me."
He watched her for a moment. "Then stop second-guessing yourself."
Her expression softened. "You still care."
He hesitated, then turned away. "Doesn't mean I'm over it."
That night, in the underground library, the entire crew huddled around a digital model projected on the wall. Younus and Hyunwoo manipulated the virtual academic arena like expert gamers.
"New twist," Hyunwoo said grimly. "They're bringing in a rival school."
"What?" Jisoo snapped.
Younus nodded. "St. Damien's. Their top scorer — Olivia Holt. Ruthless. Rich. Undefeated."
Ara straightened. "Then we dethrone her."
Yuna stood, fists clenched. "Let them come. I didn't claw my way up just to flinch now."
Later, Minjun stormed into Principal Oh's office.
"You set her up," he said coldly. "You set all of us up."
Principal Oh looked out the window. "I set up a challenge. If she fails, she didn't belong. If she wins… then perhaps she deserves this place more than any of you."
Minjun didn't speak. His silence was louder than fury as he turned and left.
At midnight, Yuna and Dohyun sat in silence across from each other at the library table. Books were scattered like fallen soldiers. They hadn't spoken in ten minutes, but the silence wasn't uncomfortable.
"If this was any other year," Dohyun finally said, "you'd be the one giving the speeches. Not defending your right to exist here."
Yuna's smile was bitter. "Funny how loudly people scream when you threaten their silence."
He didn't smile back, but his voice was softer. "He's good for you. But if he ever lets you down…"
"I know where to find you," she finished quietly.
The day of the final Academic Games arrived like thunder.
The auditorium was converted into a stage set worthy of prime time. Cameras whirred, lights shone, and every seat was filled with eager spectators. Screens were live-streaming the event across the academy.
Yuna stood on stage with her competitors: Alyssa Kim, a charming international student with a sharp tongue; Rupert Lang, a smug academic snob with a superiority complex; and the infamous Olivia Holt from St. Damien's.
Minjun sat in the front row, eyes unwavering. Dohyun lingered at the side, arms crossed, watching.
Challenge One: Quickfire Logic Puzzles.
Each contestant faced a timed logic test. Yuna moved like water — swift, flowing, calculated. She beat Olivia by two seconds.
Challenge Two: Oral Historical Analysis.
Alyssa cracked under pressure. Rupert lashed out.
"This feels rigged. She probably pre-planned her responses with the judges."
Yuna turned toward him, cool and composed. "Only people who fear losing throw mud when they can't win."
Applause erupted. Even Principal Oh nodded slightly.
Challenge Three: Debate. Topic: 'Do elite schools protect talent or privilege?'
Rupert went first, delivering a scathing monologue about legacy, tradition, and institutional excellence.
Olivia followed with practiced eloquence, arguing that privilege was a vehicle for enhancing already rare talent.
Yuna stepped up last.
"I came here with nothing but my name. I've been lied to, sabotaged, and humiliated. But I've never cheated. I've never stopped fighting. If that's not talent, then this place doesn't know what talent is."
Gasps. Then a wave of cheering.
Even Olivia's mask cracked slightly — impressed despite herself.
After the challenge, Yuna was swarmed by reporters.
"Do you think your relationship with Minjun influenced the judges?" one asked.
She smiled, her voice light. "Only if love makes you better at math and public speaking."
Laughter followed. Minjun leaned against the wall nearby, pride written all over him.
That night, on the rooftop, Yuna stood alone until Dohyun joined her.
"You lit the place on fire," he said.
"And I'm still standing," she answered.
He nodded, then added quietly, "I think I'm finally okay with that."
The next morning, Minjun waited in the garden with flowers. When Yuna appeared, he gave them to her wordlessly.
"You didn't just win," he said. "You transformed the game."
"It's not a game anymore," she replied. "It's a movement."
They kissed as the Founder's Day fireworks erupted overhead.