Chapter 2

To win over the class completely, Kenneth took out a huge stack of documents from his bag.

“My friends, it’s not enough to apply to Galaxy Technical College! Look at this!”

The classmates in the front row shouted in excitement, “A contract for training programs of top AI companies!”

“That’s right!” Kenneth was delighted as he announced, “This is a contract from Galaxy Technical College! As long as you sign, you’re one step through the door of the top AI companies! This is legally binding!”

I glared at that contract.

It had been printed on poor quality A4. The logo of the company was blurry, and its full name even had typos.

Littered throughout the contract’s clauses were disclaimers and waivers to shirk off responsibility.

But in the eyes of our classmates, it was not a piece of scrap paper. It was the key to their success.

“I want one! I’ll sign!”

“No need to fight for it. Kenneth, make sure I get one too!”

Everyone started rushing onto the stage in a frenzy.

When someone could not find a pen to sign, they cut their finger and used their blood as ink. It was a harrowing sight.

Once everyone signed the contracts, Kenneth dropped yet another bomb. “My friends, I have another internal initiative to share with you—a referral program!

“As long as you get another student to apply to Galaxy Technical College, you’ll get a reward of 500,000 dollars!”

Everyone went wild at that news.

“We can get 500,000 dollars per person?”

“Wow, that’s more than my dad makes in a month!”

The group chat for the class suddenly became the headquarters of a pyramid scheme.

Silena Summers was the first to grab her phone and make a call. “Hello, Boris? You don’t need to repeat a grade. I’ve got a hot tip for you…”

Ivana Corbin posted an advertisement on her social media account.

[Apply for Galaxy Technical College and get a guaranteed job at a top company! Spots limited! Sign up through me and you’ll get 1,000 dollars cashback on the spot!]

The chat was quickly filled with messages about pulling in more people and getting hundreds of thousands in referral rewards.

A few of the girls with whom I had a decent relationship came over to me quietly. “Is this for real, Georgia? My parents will kill me if they find out I applied for a technical college instead of an Ivy League school.”

I looked at their worried expressions but did not feel even a hint of pity.

In the previous timeline, it was these same girls who had given Silena the hot oil and said smilingly, “Let’s teach her a lesson.”

Mimicking Kenneth’s tone, I said evenly, “No risk, no reward.

“Even Kenneth’s going all-in with this, so what are you so afraid of? Do you want to listen to your parents, graduate and end up a courier or graduate after four years with riches and a fancy car?”

Those words finally broke through their defenses and convinced them.

“You’re right, Georgia! Help me apply!”

I smiled and nodded. “Sure, no problem.”

After helping the most excited dozen or so classmates with their applications, I stood up. “I’m going to the washroom. Just check and hit send on your own.”

I walked out of the room and closed the door behind me, blocking out the noise inside.

In a quiet alcove at the end of the hallway, I took out my phone and opened a college application form. It was the one I had filled out for Galaxy Technical College in front of everyone.

Letting out a scoff, I deleted it without hesitation.

Then, I started filling out another application for the computer science and technology department at an Ivy League school.

I confirmed everything and submitted it.

When I saw the submission confirmation, I let out a long sigh.

I turned off my phone and checked my smooth face in the mirror. I muttered, “All of you can drop dead.”