Chapter 7

I knew almost nothing about what was happening back home over the past few years. I was just trying to stay afloat, after all.

My mother kept her word. After sending me overseas, I got no other help at all, other than a monthly allowance into my bank account.

Every step I took in the beginning was hard.

My classmates were all top students from across the world. There was always a silent bias in language, lab work, and even day-to-day socializing.

I was struggling all the way.

But I never once thought about dropping out or running home.

Compared to my previous life, when I was thrown into the Northern Barrens and humiliated in every way, this was utopia!

I reminded myself repeatedly that if one could not endure the pain of studying, one would pay for it in another way.

It wasn't until year two that I started to get the hang of things. Strong grades, solid experimental results, and a few standout talents slowly earned me real respect.

That was when I got a call from Flora. "Vin