"Are you going to submit your application too?"
"My family is pushing me to take the exam."
Verso kept his head down as he walked through the crowded hallway, his fingers tightening around the piece of paper in his hand.
It was the next day, and the air in Meridian High had shifted.
Today was the official deadline for students to submit their applications for the Summoner Academy Exams, the gateway to entering the country's most elite training facilities.
As he walked toward the administration office, Verso realized he was getting a lot of looks.
But unlike the previous week, where the stares were fueled by rumors of his failure, these looks were full of genuine admiration.
"He completely destroyed Xavier."
"That fight was insane. Did you see the explosion at the end?"
The duel from yesterday had become the massive headline for the entire school.
In a place where Xavier's background made him a look like a god, Verso's victory was a glitch in the system.
