The excitement hadn't even peaked before the intercom betrayed them again.
"Lia," the principal's voice cut through the noise for the third time that day.
"Principal's office. Now."
Section E froze.
Jay slowly turned in her chair. "…He's collecting you like infinity stones."
Percy groaned. "At this point just move your desk there.
Lia exhaled once, already tired of walking the same hallway. "If I'm not back in ten minutes, assume I've been expelled."
Jay grinned. "Can I come with?"
"No."
"Rude."
Lia left before the chaos could multiply.
The principal looked up as she entered, unsurprised.
"You're popular today," he remarked.
"I'd like to unsubscribe," Lia replied, standing in front of the desk.
He motioned for her to sit. This time, she did.
"We need to discuss examinations," he said, opening a folder.
Lia's posture shifted instantly. "When?"
"In three days."
She didn't react outwardly, but internally, gears clicked into place.
"…During reunion week preparations," she said
.
"Yes."
"After the announcement of trips," she added.
"Yes."
"And before performances."
"Yes."
Lia stared at him. "You enjoy chaos."
The principal adjusted his glasses. "I enjoy efficiency."
He slid the schedule toward her.
"Written exams begin in three days. Practical evaluations will overlap with reunion week events. Attendance is mandatory."
Lia scanned the papers quickly.
"Students are already overwhelmed," she said calmly. "This will push some of them past their limit."
"I'm aware," the principal replied. "Which is why I want you to manage the communication."
Lia looked up. "You want me to calm them."
"Yes."
She leaned back slightly. "That's optimistic."
"You're effective."
A pause.
"Section E in particular," he continued, "has a… reputation."
Lia almost smiled. Almost.
"They will take it seriously," she said. "Once I explain the consequences."
"Good," the principal replied. "Because performance during reunion week will not excuse poor academic results."
Lia nodded. "I'll make that clear."
He closed the folder. "One more thing."
She waited.
"Those in the earliest batch will complete these exams as their final academic requirement."
That landed.
"…Final," Lia repeated.
"Yes."
She stood slowly. "They deserve to know."
"They will," he said. "From you."
When Lia returned to Section E, the room immediately went quiet again.
Jay didn't joke this time. She just watched Lia's face.
"…What now?" she asked.
Lia set her bag down carefully.
"Exams," she said. "In three days."
The reaction was immediate and violent.
"NO." "YOU'RE LYING." "THIS IS ILLEGAL." "I HAVEN'T STUDIED SINCE LAST YEAR."
Jay closed her eyes. "I knew happiness was temporary."
Lia raised her hand.
Silence—grudging, but real.
"These exams are mandatory," Lia said. "And for some of you, they're final."
That hit harder.
Hunter looked up. "Final?"
"Yes."
Percy swallowed. "So if we mess this up…"
"You don't graduate," Lia finished.
Jay's expression hardened instantly. "Okay. That's not funny."
"It's not meant to be."
The energy shifted—from chaos to something sharper.
"What about reunion week?" Eren asked quietly.
"You'll do both," Lia replied. "No excuses."
Jay cracked her knuckles. "Alright then."
Percy smirked weakly. "Section E against the universe. Again."
Lia looked around at them—loud, reckless, brilliant.
"We organize," she said. "We study. We perform. And we don't fail."
Jay nodded. "Say less."
The room buzzed again—but this time, it wasn't panic.
It was focus.
Outside, the school prepared for celebration.
Inside Section E, a different countdown had begun.
Three days.
And no room for mistakes.
Lia didn't even get time to sit.
The bell rang, sharp and final, and the corridor outside exploded with students pouring out. Lia stepped into the hallway, clutching the exam schedule like it was a warning notice.
"Alright," she muttered to herself. "Let's spread the disaster."
Section A
She started with Section A. As soon as she walked in, Ion spotted her.
"Oh no," he said immediately. "Why do you look like that?"
"Because I'm about to ruin your mood," Lia replied calmly.
The class went quiet.
She explained everything—exams in three days, overlap with reunion week, final batch consequences.
There were groans, complaints, dramatic head drops onto desks.
Ion rubbed his face. "So we're dancing and dying academically?"
"Yes."
"…Fair."
Surprisingly, Section A accepted it with minimal chaos. Ion promised to handle coordination, and Lia moved on.
Section B
Section B was louder.
The moment Lia said "exams," Vishal actually laughed.
"Nice joke," he said.
"I wish," Lia replied.
When she finished explaining, half the class started talking at once.
"This is unfair." "They can't do that." "Five days of celebration AND exams?"
Lia didn't raise her voice. She didn't need to.
"Failing is optional," she said simply.
That shut them up.
Vishal stared at her for a second, then nodded. "Alright. Message received."
Section C
Jessica listened silently as Lia explained everything.
When Lia finished, Jessica sighed. "So basically… no sleep."
"Yes."
"Cool," Jessica replied, standing up. "I'll inform the class reps."
Smooth. No drama. Lia almost felt relieved.
Almost.
Section D
The moment Lia stepped into Section D, she felt it.
The tension.
Michael was at the front, arms crossed, already annoyed.
"Well," he said loudly, "if it isn't the principal's favorite messenger."
The class snickered.
Lia didn't flinch. "Nice to see you too."
She began explaining—calm, clear, professional.
Halfway through, Michael interrupted.
"So let me get this straight," he said, standing up. "We're supposed to prepare for exams, perform in events, and somehow stay sane?"
"Yes."
"And if we fail?"
"You face the consequences," Lia replied
.
Michael scoffed. "Easy for you to say. Section E always gets special treatment."
That did it.
Lia stopped speaking.
The room went quiet.
"Say that again," she said slowly.
Michael smirked. "I said"
"I heard you," Lia cut in. "I'm asking if you want to stand by it."
A few students shifted uncomfortably.
"Section E doesn't get special treatment," Lia continued, her voice sharp now.
"We get responsibility. Big difference."
Michael stepped forward. "Oh please. You're the one being called to the office every five minutes."
"Because someone has to clean up the mess," Lia shot back. "And clearly, it's not you."
A collective "oooh" rippled through the room.
Michael's jaw tightened. "You think you're better than us?"
"No," Lia said. "I think I'm more prepared."
That hit.
Silence.
Then someone in the back muttered, "She's not wrong."
Michael clenched his fists, then forced a breath. "Fine. Whatever. We'll handle it."
"Good," Lia said, turning toward the door. "Because excuses won't be accepted."
She paused, glanced back once.
"And one more thing—your countries are Russia and Spain. Try not to embarrass them."
And she walked out.
By the time Lia returned to Section E, her patience was officially gone.
Jay took one look at her face. "Section D?"
Lia dropped into her chair. "Section D."
Jay grinned. "Did you win?"
Lia leaned back, exhaling. "They're alive. I'll count that."
The bell rang again, echoing through the school.
Five days of celebration. Three days to exams. Countries. Performances. Pressure.
And somehow, Lia was standing right in the middle of all of it.
The chaos wasn't coming.
It had already started.