The following morning, Kim had barely settled into his routine when a sudden announcement crackled through the intercom during his last class of the day.


    "All scholarship students are to report to the administration office immediately. Repeat, all scholarship students. Please make your way to the office without delay."


    The words echoed in Kim’s mind as his heart rate spiked. He glanced around at the other students, but none of them seemed as rattled as he was. His thoughts raced—why would the administration want to see the scholarship students? Was it about their grades? Or perhaps there was an issue with his scholarship? Kim had never been a troublemaker, but in a place like this, anything could happen.


    He quickly packed up his belongings and, trying to mask his nerves, walked with the others toward the administration building. As they entered the grand building, Kim’s anxiety only intensified. The halls were quiet, and the atmosphere felt heavier here than anywhere else on campus. The marble floors gleamed under the overhead lights, and the high ceilings made it feel almost oppressive. This place was a monument to power—money, influence, and prestige—and it made him feel smaller than ever.


    Kim and a few other scholarship students entered the large waiting room, where they were told to wait for further instructions. The room was filled with a mix of nervous students, all of whom shared the same worried expressions. They didn’t know why they were summoned, and it was clear that no one wanted to be the first to ask. It was as if saying the wrong thing might lead to a consequence none of them wanted to face.


    They stood in silence, the weight of uncertainty hanging over them like a dark cloud. Kim noticed that the other students all seemed to share a similar background—humble clothes, hesitant body language, and that same look of uncertainty that he had seen in the mirror countless times. They were all scholarship students, and they were all living in a world where they had to fight for every inch of space. Kim could sense that many of them were just as nervous as he was, but they had learned to hide it.


    Minutes passed, and the door to the office finally opened, revealing a stern-faced man dressed in an expensive suit. He was tall, with sharp features and an air of authority that immediately made the room feel even more tense. Kim couldn’t tell who he was, but his presence commanded attention.


    Behind the man, a young boy walked in—out of place among the others. He looked no older than Kim, but there was something about him that stood out. His clothes were expensive and meticulously tailored, and his posture was confident, as though he had been raised to walk through life with the utmost certainty. The boy didn’t look nervous at all. In fact, he seemed almost… aloof.


    The man and the boy took their places in front of the room, and the students instinctively straightened up, unsure of how to act. Kim could feel his palms beginning to sweat, his heart pounding in his chest. What was this all about? What did this boy have to do with anything?If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    The man cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “Thank you all for coming,” he began, his voice cold and authoritative. “We called you here because there are certain opportunities we are offering to students of your caliber—students who have proven themselves to be hardworking and committed.”


    Kim’s mind raced. Was this a scholarship opportunity? Was this a chance to get ahead? He tried to focus on the man’s words, but they seemed to blur together as his thoughts drifted toward what this might mean for him.


    “We understand the challenges you all face,” the man continued. “However, you must realize that this college is not a place for weakness. It’s a place for the strong, the driven, and the determined. If you want to succeed here, you must embrace those qualities. And some of you have already shown that you possess them. That’s why you’ve been chosen for this special program.”


    Kim couldn’t suppress his curiosity any longer. “What’s the program?” he found himself asking, his voice barely a whisper. It was the first time anyone had spoken, and all eyes turned toward him.


    The man’s gaze shifted to Kim. For a moment, there was a flicker of something—amusement, perhaps—but it was gone just as quickly. He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he gestured toward the boy who had walked in with him.


    “This is Lee Seojin,” the man introduced with a hint of pride. “He’s a student here, much like yourselves. He has risen to the top because of his commitment to this college and his drive to succeed. And he’s here to share something with you.”


    Kim’s curiosity intensified. Who was this boy? Why was he singled out for such an introduction? The boy, Lee Seojin, stood silently, his eyes scanning the room, but his expression remained unreadable. He didn’t say a word.


    The man spoke again. “Lee Seojin is part of an elite circle here at the college. He will be offering guidance to those who show promise. He’s looking for individuals who are willing to push beyond their limits, those who are ready to do whatever it takes to succeed.”


    Kim felt a knot form in his stomach. He couldn’t help but wonder what kind of guidance this boy could offer. And what exactly did “whatever it takes” mean? The idea of “pushing beyond limits” sounded like a dangerous game, one that might require sacrifices he wasn’t willing to make.


    Lee Seojin finally spoke, his voice smooth and confident. “I’ll be observing you,” he said, addressing the group. “I’ll see who is truly capable of making it here. This is your chance to prove yourselves. But know this—only the strongest will survive.”


    The man nodded approvingly. “You will be contacted soon. For now, you’re free to go. But remember this: those who succeed here don’t do it alone. And if you want to truly succeed, you’ll have to learn that.”


    With that, the man and the boy turned and left the room as abruptly as they had entered. Kim stood frozen, the weight of the encounter settling heavily on him. He didn’t know what to think or what to feel. One thing was certain: whatever this program was, it was going to change everything.


    As the door clicked shut behind them, the other scholarship students began to murmur amongst themselves, but Kim’s mind was elsewhere. What had just happened? And how was he supposed to navigate this strange new opportunity? He wasn’t sure yet, but he was about to find out. The real journey was just beginning.