Chapter 3

I glanced around at the bunch of lunatics relentlessly pressuring me into giving in and took a deep breath. I knew that the tragedy of my previous life would repeat itself if I were to resist them now.

But since I was given a second chance at life, I didn't just want to see them ruined. I wanted to protect my own safety as well.

Moreover, they had no idea that the files of the students admitted via direct admission through special recommendation were separate from the regular college application system.

As the champion of the National Physics Competition, I had already been personally selected by the dean of Starvard University himself, Mr. Owen Cooper, for direct guaranteed admission, and he'd also already taken my file with him to Starvard.

Even if I filled in a random community college in my official college application, my file would already be lying safely in the safe in Starvard University's admissions office.

So, I pretended to be intimidated by their threats and gritted my teeth, pretending to be extremely hesitant while reluctantly giving in to them, a hint of resistance flashing in my eyes.

"Fine… I'll change it. But I don't dare to do it myself. You can do it for me instead, Janice."

I then gave her my account and password. She cackled smugly as if she just won a major victory while logging into my account and editing my college application in front of the entire class.

She deleted all of the top-tier colleges' names I'd filled in, viciously filled in only the name of that low-tier community college, and then slammed on the "submit" button.

"Done!" she exclaimed, raising the phone in the air for everyone to see. A thunderous cheer then erupted in the classroom.

Kevin stroked his chin in satisfaction while typing my name and ID number into CloudAI's chat box.

"Alright, Daryl, CloudAI just replied, and your spot at Starvard University has been secured. Remember to thank me properly when the semester starts."

I stared at Kevin's dumb face and nodded with a smile. "Okay. I'll definitely 'thank you' properly on the first day of the semester."

I then slung my backpack over my shoulder once again and walked out of the classroom. I could hear the sounds of their revelry in the classroom behind me as they discussed going to hang out at the arcade all night to celebrate.

I just looked up at the dazzling sunlight, feeling an unprecedented sense of exhilaration.

The more they celebrated and the higher they soared now, the more they would be completely shattered when their dreams finally burst after reality hit them.

…

The rest of the long, sweltering summer vacation passed by in a state of extreme excitement among the entire class. The class group chat was flooded with more than a thousand messages daily.

Kevin was the undisputed "king" of the class, issuing out commands in the group almost every day.

"Has everyone bought their Starvard varsity jerseys today yet? I've already bought mine! We'll all wear them to Starvard University on the first day together!"

Janice replied, "I bought it today! I'll wear whatever you're wearing, Kevin! I can't wait to see the shocked expressions on the Starvard security guards' faces when they see all 43 of us showing up at their gates!"

Aaron replied, "Ah, I'm looking forward to it so much! I'm so excited for it. By the way, did anyone else receive the acceptance letters from that Newgen Culinary Community College like me? It's hilarious to think that they actually sent them!"

Sometime in mid-August, everyone had already received their college acceptance letters through the mail from that community college. A brief panic had ensued in the group chat for a moment.

However, Kevin showed up again with a screenshot of his conversation with CloudAI, showing the AI chat bot spewing all sorts of nonsense again in its reply.

"Dear Kevin, it is a normal system procedure for you to be receiving your college admission letter from the community college. Please do not panic.

"Your Starvard University internal student record has been completed. Kindly report yourself directly to the freshman registration office at Starvard University on September 1st by showing your ID card."

With CloudAI's endorsement, the class let themselves loose again without another worry in the world. Some of them even tore up the admission letter, burned it, and filmed the entire process before posting it online to show off.

As for me, I quietly received my admissions letter from Starvard University, personally signed by Mr. Cooper himself, in early August. I carefully locked it in my drawer, waiting quietly for admission day.